Random Musings from Loretta

 
    Are there times when you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders? I get these feelings and it's like out of a world of laughter suddenly I am sad...my soul becomes deeply troubled. My spirit ...and I know my spirit well...I can feel it's weakness. Like that cloud in the picture above, the darkening tries to cover what's good and beautiful within me. Do you have those days, those times when the dark moods, the anxieties, or life's problems tries to take over, pull you into a self-pity funk?
   I feel this way sometimes and if you would be brutally honest with yourself, so have you at times. It's nothing to hide or hide from, but what you do next is the key. Seemingly, my fight to pull myself up and out is just too, too hard. The conflict inside grows and tries to overwhelm me.

    But, when I stare back up at those clouds, I see gleams of sunlight boasting it's power to conquer the dark skies that tries to take it over. I wonder...can I do this too?" How can I grab hold of that energy, that power?  Do I have it within me to allow the gleam of my sunlight , myself, my soul to conquer this darkness that's trying to overtake me?
 
    I reached within the depths of my soul and tried with all my might. Then, from my lips I heard,  "Oh God I am trying; I am trying Lord, but my might is futile." As I sit there in utter silence, deep within the recesses of my mind, I hear a sound. What is it? I mused. Is it a voice? Yes. "Take my hand."
"I can't, I can't do it." I heard the words as they left my lips. "Take my hand child!" The voice now clearer and stern.
    Suddenly, my eyes opened, tears filled them and ran hotly down my cheeks. My heart, my soul quickly filled with strength and love. Words formed for me to speak, but it was as if they didn't pass my lips. "I wish to my Lord Jesus." I said. "But I can't. Please, please take my hand precious Lord!" As the words flowed from my lips, I immediately became refreshed...my spirit was lifted! The darkness; the pit, the conflict were all behind me as I felt my spirit lifting and strengthening me...and when I stood upon my feet, with a tearful voice, i said, "Thank you dear Lord. Thank you! What, Father, would I have done without you!"
    When you are down, when you have troubles and things that are overwhelming; nothing seems to bring comfort and calm your heart...then pray, pray to the Lord...and listen...listen to the whisper of His voice as He comes to your aid! Don't be too quick to reject it, because you felt He didn't give what you asked for.  Trust in Him to know what you need, even though you don't know.
   He knows our heart and we should never doubt or be afraid of Him. Hebrews 13:6 IN-tells us in part: So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid."  We should always draw comfort from the Scripture and pray...pray for help and guidence. Yes, He is the Hearer of Prayers...there is no other!

What's For Sunday Dinner

Good Sunday to Everyone! This is a very heavy Sunday dinner I prepared today. It reminds me of my late grandma, who was French, born in a small town in South Louisiana. She was a very good cook and well known for it.

Meal consist of: greens, potato salad, candid sweet potatoes, pork bones and cornbread

   What was really unique was her way of cooking meat! I could never get her to tell me her secret. She would go to the butcher and ask him to cut her soup bones, either beef or pork. Then bring them home and cook them, and you thought you were eating a choice cut of beef! I kid you not...they were absolutely delicious.
   We all said it could have been her stove. You see, she cooked on a woodburning stove until the mid-eighties. I was partly right thinking this way, because I have her old woodburning stove today!
   One day while she was cooking, I distracted her by talking a lot, constantly watching as she seasoned some pork soup bones. She'd poured her seasonings into small glass jars with corks as lids. They were not labeled so, I didn't know what they were. I continued watching  and when she rubbed vinegar into the meat after the dry rub, I thought that was the secret.
   I kept the conversation going and just watched her. When the pot was put on the stove, she added a little water just to cover the bottom of it. Food cooks fast on this stove and in just a short while, she added what is referred to here in Louisiana as the "trinity"...chopped celery, onions and bell peppers to the pot with a smashed clove of garlic. This cooked down and browned. Worcestershire sauce was added and cooked a little then a little water was added and she stirred as the pot yield all of its goodies at the bottom. Shaking the pot, allowed the juices to coat the meat and veggies in the pot.
 
  The smell was unbelieveable! But the taste was, oh my goodness, out of this world! The kids use to say, "make you want to slap your momma". I keep trying different seasonings but I have not prefected her recipe yet! Hopefully I'll find the secret ingredient missing from my pot.
  Hubby tells me I'm a close second and mine are good too. Unbelievable, because he's always asking, where's the meat? I want meat, not bones! Ugh...that man!

   Well, ya'll have a good Sunday, and I hope your Sunday dinner was a good and appreciated one too!
Let me know what was cooking in your kitchen today...I want to be nosy....
Oh my! I'm so busy being nosy, I forget my dessert. Now, this is very light. And, easy to make.

This is simply vanilla and chocolate pudding with whipped topping, cookies and strawberries.

It too is delicious! Enjoyed your visit with us. Come by and see us again soon. We love having you here!  Good Day!  Loretta

Summer Eating-Lite-Breakfast

Top of the Morning to everyone! Although still feeling a bit under the weather, I thought I'd share this time with you.  With the temps in the lower 80's early in the morning, eating a heavy, hot breakfast can certainly take away those bright mornings of feeling free and light. 

  This breakfast is certainly fitting, and balanced for those Saturday mornings filled with activity. Start your mornings with breakfast, especially if you find yourself getting sluggish before mid-day. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day...make time to eat it and have a better day! Keep smiling and laughing...it is sooo good for you! Have a great day! Hugs...Loretta

A closer look

Packed with fruit, protein, carbs...the menu consists of; crisp bacon, boiled eggs, plain toast, bananas, peaches, grapes, melon, fresh strawberries, freshly squeezed orange juice and black coffee.  Who said a balanced meal can not be a good one! I love fruit and I try to add them into every meal, even if it is only a handful of grapes. Of course, there are plenty of variations to this meal but, the main goal is to eat a good breakfast each morning!  

Thrift Finds At Work

  There aren't many in these shots, however, I wanted to show you the progress I've made in unpacking and putting things away. Finally, we brought the clock home. It is a tight fit, but ok. That's because I kept the 2 blue antique loveseats and the floral antique couch that came with the house. You might have seen them in previous photos. They need some serious steam cleaning when we get settled.

The dinning room and living room are ready now. I think I've changed them at least ten times! I"ve always taken pics of the buffet, because the hutch was still in a mess, so I have it done now.

This is the other side of the dining room with the hutch. There are plantation style doors in all the rooms with the exception of the mst. bedroom and back bedroom. This hutch is over 30 years old.

This shot is one from the hall, coming into the kitchen. I gave my roosters a showy place to rest.

 These chairs and the dinning room table belonged to mom, and I snatched them up before they went  on the fire...all antiques! You have to know,  my mom has this thing about burning things. If you want it, then you have to be quick! LOL. My shot of the table was off. I'll get another. I've covered the seats and now working on tightening them.

 These are all shots of the hutch. It is something about a wall (above) not being dressed that really annoys me.

This old photo I bought in St Petersburg Florida when we lived there in the 80's. I paid $20 for it. I have it hanging on the wall above the floral sofa in the living room. I love the patina on the frame.

I tried to get a closer shot. Folks I should not be doing anything today because I 'm having these dizzy spells, but I had to keep going today, so much to do...I thought if I sat down, I wouldn't make it up! Sorry about the pics.

I think I've covered all the bases, and if I missed anything, or messed up, let me know. Boy, I'm experiencing all kinds of things in my old age!

 Come on back again and see what we've got for you the next time around. Don't be a stranger, bring some friends and pull up a chair, there is always something going on at our house. "Ya'll come back, ya here...we love all the company."

 And, if you are new in our house, welcome, welcome...we're glad you're here! Look around and see all the goodies  you've missed! Well, it's near my bedtime and folks I'm feeling poorly, so, until the next time..."Goodnight to you all and sweet dreams!"  Loretta

Homemade Baked Bread

  Good Day to everyone! Hope you all are having a good week. Our days of cool weather will soon be behind us, for the clouds just allowed the sun to shine through brightly. It was very good while it lasted, and the forcast has promised us the heat will continue. Ugh!   All is not lost however. I have the coolest friend ever! I talked to her earlier and she told me she would drop off a surprise for me later. I'd almost forgotten about it until I went out after lunch to sweep the rainwater from the porch and walk and I found this perfectly wrapped loaf on the table with a note, "I baked two, one for me, and one for you!" It is a loaf of Banana Walnut Bread. I was so pleased, and loved her more!
   The pretty wrapping and beautifully tied ribbon was undone before I could get to my camera. Boy, do I have a lot of 'splaining to do! LOL.

I wish we had smell on our blogs. It smells so yummy. This is an 8 1/2" loaf. It's on a platter.

See what a large slice I shared. LOL

  

 
  I put the kettle on for tea and Miss Fannie, my mom-in-law, (this is how I will refer to her now) sliced the bread and got the cups down for tea. Ohhh, this bread is seriously delectable! It was still slightly warm and seemingly it melted in my mouth. She enjoyed it too!
  I have written a thank you card to my dear friend and will send it off in this eve's mail. Isn't it great to have friends, I mean good ones, who know what is needed , when it's needed, and gets it done! I do love you dear, you made my day! 
  Hurry on back and see what's happening at our house. Until next time... keep smiling!     Loretta