Valentine, Galentine or Palentine

It's almost here! The day so many people look forward to each year.. The day of wine and roses. And chocolates galore! The romantic dinner and dancing. The beautiful new outfits. Life just couldn't be better.

It's almost here! The day so many people dread each year. The day of sorrow and sadness.  Memories of happier times and days gone by. Memories of spouses now deceased. Memories of sweet times stolen by dementia. Thoughts and worry of spouses deployed.

Which day is almost here for you? For me, it's somewhere in the middle. Thankfully I haven't lost a spouse to death or dementia, nor is he deployed to another country. He is however absent for the day. Working on assignment hundreds of miles away. SO, he won't be coming through the door with a vase of roses and a box of chocolates.  The best it get's will be a delivering guy from the florist. And that's OK. I'm thankful he has a job. But what will I do while others are out celebrating Valentines? Well I have choices!

Galentines! I just heard this term a few days away. Self explanatory.  Gals, all without a guy for whatever reason, get together and celebrate one another in whatever season of life you are in. Dress up! Go out to dinner. Have a glass of wine. Bring chocolates for everyone. A flower for everyone. Voila! Wonderful memories made with those you care about.

And Palentines?  (I just made that word up). Well it's the same only shared with friends of both genders. Don't leave the guy pals to bring all of the flowers and chocolates either. Pals are equals! Gals do your part.

Now, while there is never anything wrong with planning some fun for ourselves and friends, lets keep in mind those who may be drenched in sadness. In this instance I am referring to the widows. (James 1:27).  Although not all widows are elderly, many are. They find themselves alone after having been blessed with marriage for decades. This can be a time of such sadness. They can even wonder sometimes why they are still here on earth in their advanced age. Honestly many of them would much rather be reunited in Heaven with their beloved.
Although we can never replace their loss, we can help to diminish their sadness, if only for a short time. Most often, it doesn't take a lot to bring joy to an elderly persons life. They have learned to live with less.  Less material things. Less company. Less activity. Most are easily satisfied.

These are some very simple ways to take a widows mind off of the fact that her beloved is no longer with her:

Take her some flowers, or A flower.  Less is more most often.

Chocolates, or sugar free chocolates. Again, a very few is better than the giant box we think we have to have.

Dinner, out OR in. She may or may not even be able to go out anymore. If she is, a restaurant or someones home. If not, bring dinner for the both of you to where she is, and by all means stay a while and visit. Elderly people love to visit and talk about the past.

On a more larger scale, host a number of widows for lunch. If your home isn't large enough, consider renting a venue or host at a church.  Recruit some help with cooking and serving. Teens are great for this. Find a few drivers to pick your guests up for the evening. Have the driver present them with a flower upon arrival and escort them in. Dress up for the occasion. Suits for the chauffeurs. Black pants and white shirts for the waitstaff. Dresses for the hostess. Sandwiches and fruit can keep the menu simple and affordable. Name plates for the tables. Linen clothes and napkins.
Even a 2 hour luncheon will surely brighten these folks day and bring a smile where there may not have been one.

Are you without a sweetheart this Valentines? I'd love to hear how you spent your time in the comments.

Remember to always Be Prepared To Bless.

Blessing our LEO

It is winter here in the US where I live.  What a perfect time to bake cookies....or anything! In most parts of the country the temperatures are reaching very low numbers and we are staying home a bit more and working on indoor projects.

Baking is always fun to do for ourselves but we can always bless others with our sweet treats. Neighbors, delivery drivers, utility workers and first responder's to name a few.

I've heard of many families who bake and take goodies to our local police and fire dept. for Christmas, but what about the other 364 days per year? I know they enjoy this outreach all year long.

I've even heard from some folks who say that during the cold and bad weather, since the LEO are patrolling anyway, they are happy to stop by one's home and pick up the goods to take back and share, thus allowing the families to bless them, all the while keeping them safe at home.



Our favorite recipe is this one from Titus2.com


The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie

Yields: 20-22 cookies

3/4 cup butter (room temperature)
1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 large egg (room temperature)
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350°. Beat room temperature butter for 1 min. Then add brown sugar and cream with butter until light and fluffy. Then add milk and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Beat in egg. Combine flour, salt, and baking soda in a separate bowl and then mix into butter-sugar mixture until just blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 7-12 minutes until the desired doneness. Cool on cookie sheets for 2 minutes before removing to cooling racks. 

Do you bake treats for your local LEO? Are the willing to drop by and pick them up?

Happy baking, and as always,
Be Prepared To Bless

Back To School Lunchtime

Do you have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or just special little friends starting school this week?
Have you ever had lunch with them at school?
This is something that I have found most all children enjoy.  Having a guest for lunch at school. Sometimes I have made plans with my children for this so they are anxiously waiting. Sometimes I have simply shown up and they were pleasantly surprised.
I’ve purchase lunch for us and brought it in and I’ve also purchased lunch in the school cafeteria. Either way was always fun.
This is a special way to get to know the other kiddos having lunch with mine.
The teachers also enjoy seeing adults take time out to visit the school and get to know them.
Definitely check with the school admin to make sure you know their policy on visitation. They will appreciate that as well.
Try it out! Maybe even just once per semester. It’s a quick and easy way to bless your little ones and even those around them.

Hoping your school year is getting off to a good start!

As always,
Be Prepared To Bless

#NotAboutMeNovember

Do you "Rock"?

If you haven't gotten into "rocking" I encourage you to search it out in your area and get involve. It has become a nationwide family activity here in the United States.  We "rock" locally as well as nationally AND some even internationally! It is fun for all ages and skill levels.

We use mostly smooth river rock. Of course you can go pick up your own off of the bank of a river or purchase them from either a landscaping company, home improvement store or discount stores. Even purchasing them is very inexpensive.

We usually coat them with inexpensive base.  Any kind of clear coat is good. Then use various ways of decorating them from permanent markers to to acrylic paint, crayons, craft paint etc. After they are dry we give them another coat of clear sealer such as Modge Podge or a spray on of some type.

We use Facebook to interact with others.  Our town, as well as most, have a page made by a local person with just the name of our town followed by the word Rocks, such as "Abilene Rocks"  On the back or your rock and before you give it the final seal you would want to simply write fb #abilene rocks. Then take a picture and upload to your areas page so everyone knows you are planting this rock.  Some people give hints as to where to find it if your town is big enough.

We have several parks that we hide in plus at entrances of local businesses, at the library, outside of a children's dentist office, ice cream shop etc.

The person who finds your rock should take a picture and post on the fb page so that you know who found it. Then that person has the choice of keeping it and replacing it with another or even just rehiding it.

It makes for a lot of fun to get the family together painting and then outside for sunshine and exercise.

For those who travel on vacation it is always fun to take rocks with you, with your fb page noted on the back, and hide along the way during your trip.  Then wait and see if anyone finds and posts your rock. You can always join another towns fb pages and post there that you have dropped a rock for them to find. Another fun way is to indicate on the back of your rock that you would like for it to travel so if someone finds it they can post and let you know they have gotten it and where they have moved it to. Since this is a nationwide activity your rock could travel all over the county.

Get everyone involved. Even home bound or older folks who may not be able to get out would surely enjoy. Check with local nursing homes, shelters, adult day care facilities and such. Ask if they would consider allowing their clients to use this as an activity. Then have someone pick the rocks up and hide for them.  They will be most please to see a picture of a child with a smile, holdng their rock that they have painted.

This is also a great Sunday School activity. Include a scripture reference on your rock.  When someone finds it they are likely to open their Bible to research and be blessed by what they read.

The picture here are a few that my family has painted.  I would love to see yours.

Have fun "rocking" and feel free to share your creations with me.  As always

Be Prepared to Bless,

Johnna

Christmas Shopping in June- And Every Month In Between

Although I am a bit late posting this Month's Operation Christmas Child's June shopping list hopefully, if you haven't already searched out the suggestions you still have plenty of time to stop by and pick up a few toys for your box or boxes.

Dolls, whistles and jump ropes seem easy enough to fit into a shoe box, However, soccer balls are much loved by the kids receiving these boxes as well. How could you possibly fit a ball in the box, you might be wondering.  It's actually much easier than you would think. Deflate the ball and it roll it up. Now it takes up much less room. There is also room for the air pump and needle so that when the child receives it, having a useful and very fun item is quick and easy to prepare.

We are about half way there.

Happy shopping and remember to always

Be Prepared To Bless!

Johnna

We Remember