Hopeful Friday.....

Welcome to Hopeful Friday, a post hosted by my friend Cielo, at http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/ This is a post dedicated to positive thoughts and inspirational messages. A post to celebrated God. Thank you Cielo for hosting this lovely post. If you would like to join our group, or you would like more information about us, just click on the above link to reach the official Hopeful Friday web site....





Catch The Moment Of Grace......
"The moment of grace comes to us in the dynamics of any situation we walk into. It is an opportunity that GOD sews into the fabric of a routine situation. It is a chance to do something creative, something helpful, something healing, something that makes one unmarked spot in the world better off for our having been there. We catch it if we are people of discernment."
-Lewis B. Smedes-
'In A Pretty Good Person'
'100 Ways to keep your Soul Alive'
What about you? Have you looked for your moment of grace! Is there a moment in your life when you felt you were in the right place at the right time? Or perhaps there there been a time in your life when you've felt the grace of another?
Happy Hopeful Friday everyone!
May the peace and the love of our LORD be with you always!
With warmest regards, Carol

Dogs on Thursday........

Welcome to Dogs On Thursday at http://dogsonthursday.blogspot.com/ This is a post where dog lovers such as myself get together once a week to write about our most precious four legged friends. If you would like to join our group, or you would like more information about us, just click on the above link to reach the official Dogs On Thursday web site.....

Guess who came for dinner?......

I received this in an e-mail the other day and thought I would share it with you......

This fawn followed the beagle home right through the doggy door in the Brittinger, MD area recently. The owner came home to find the visitor had made himself right at home...

I see this a little differently. I think the beagle and the fawn were playing and the beagle really liked his new found friend. Knowing how sweet and loving beagles can be, I think the beagle invited the fawn to come home with him. After serving the fawn a delicious lunch, they both crawled up on the sofa to take a little nap. Now isn't that just like a beagle? They are such sweet and well mannered little dogs. I'm sure he didn't think his owners would mind at all.......

I also received the following pet ten commandments in the mail and Charli wanted me to share them with you.....

A Pet's Ten Commandments......

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up for punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I only have you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun to long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Thank you Lenr....

Charli and I hope all of you are having a good week...

We look forward to reading your posts...

With our most warmest regards,

Blessings to you on this beautiful winter day.....

Blessings to you on this beautiful winter day!........

I'm sending you love and tea,
To warm your winter's day.
Think of me as you pour your cup
And all the good things we would say.

If we could be together now

Instead of miles apart,

We'd sip out teas and memories,

The sweet warmth fills the heart.

-Susan Young-

Wishing you warmth, sunny skies, and many blessings on this beautiful winter day!.....
With our warmest regards,

Blue Monday.....

Welcome to Blue Monday, a post hosted by my friend Sally, at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/ Every Monday a group of us gals get together to post something blue. Thank you Sally for hosting this fun post. If you would like to join our group, or you would like more information about us, just click on the above link to reach the official Blue Monday web site...

This week I thought I would share another piece from my collection of nurses. This piece is called 'The Animal Hospital'
I wish I had a better camera because the shirt the doctor is wearing is actually blue instead of the green it appears to be in the picture. I love this piece because of it's sentimental value. it reminds me of all of the cherished times I spent with my brother growing up....
Although my brother is seven years older than me I don't think he ever considered me a pest. Instead, he always looked out for me and let me tag along with him. From the time I can remember my brother always wanted to be a doctor. When he was growing up he always had some sort of a hospital or chemistry lab set up in our garage. There he would take in stray animals much to our fathers dismay. My brother would care for them in which ever way he could, feeding them and giving them water. Our basset hound Chill also became a patient. I can't tell you how many times my brother practiced bandaging one of his legs or his head. If that wasn't enough, he also took care of any stuffed animals that needed assistance. Although I was just a little girl I became his assistant. It was my very first exposure to nursing. My brother and I spend many happy hours making all kinds of concoctions with his chemistry set and patching up real and stuffed animals in our neighborhood....


Can you see the little dog in the cast? Although he doesn't look like our dog Chill it reminds me of all the things we put that poor dog through. Chill never seemed to mind though. He was such a good sport. There is also a teddy bear with his arm in a sling and a basket full of medical supplies. It wouldn't be surprising to see those on any given day in our garage.....


My brother grew up and did become a doctor and a teacher of medicine. When I was a teenager he would take me on rounds to all the various hospitals with him. He would always introduce me to the staff and sometimes he would take me out to lunch afterwards. Those were very special times for a young impressionable girl. Times I have never forgotten. I feel very proud and blessed to have had a big brother...

I married and became a mother, but when my children were all in school I decided it was time for me to go to college too. One thing led to another and the next thing I knew I was on the nursing program....
This is my favorite picture of my brother and myself. He has one exactly like it and we both keep them in our home offices. My picture sits to my left on a small secretary desk. My little grouping is to my right in one of my book cases, and my computer station is in between so that if I were to look either way I am reminded of all the lovely and special times my brother and I have spent together. It makes me feel happy and so incredibly blessed!...
Happy Blue Monday everyone! I look forward to seeing all of your lovely blue things.
With warmest regards, Carol

And did you know all of this about coffee filters?....

And did you know all of this about coffee filters?.......

The following is part of an e-mail I recieved from my cousin Cindy the other day. Thank you Cindy! Who knew!.....

Coffee filters... And you can buy 1,000 at the Dollar Tree for almost nothing...

COFFEE FILTERS.....

Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave.

Coffee filters make excellent covers......

Clean windows and mirrors.

Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll

leave windows sparkling......

Protect china. Separate your good dishes by putting a coffee filter between each dish.....

Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter....

Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust......

Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter......

Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingedients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale....

Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.....

Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes......

Prevent a popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter....

Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, french fries, chicken fingers, etc on them. Soaks out all of the grease....

Keep in the bathroom. They make great 'razor nick fixers'...

The best way to use them though is in your coffee makers.... There is nothing quite like a good cup of perked coffee except maybe a hot cup of tea :>)

Can you think of any other great ways to use coffee filters?.... I look forward to hearing from you...

With warmest regards, Carol

Our Fading Heritage...

OUR FADING HERITAGE........

I received this quiz link in an e-mail the other day and found it to be quite interesting. I like to take tests such as these and I thought you might enjoy taking it to....
How about it? How much do you know about American history and institutions? Are you more knowledgeable than the average American citizen? Just click on the following link to find out....

http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/resources/quiz.aspx

And Good luck!....
Charli of course wasn't interested in taking the test at all but my hubby and I thought it was fun... We actually did quite well. I look forward to hearing from you.....
With warmest regards, Carol

Hopeful Friday.....

Welcome to Hopeful Friday, which is hosted by our friend Cielo, at http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/ This is a post dedicated to positive thoughts and inspirational messages. A post to celebrate God. Thank you Cielo for hosting this lovely post. If you are interested in joining our group, or you would like more information about us, just click on the above link to reach the official Hopeful Friday web site.....

-Colossians 3:12-17-

You are God's chosen race,

his saints; he loves you, and

you should be clothed in sincere

compassion, in kindness and

humility, gentleness, and patience.

Bear with one another; forgive

each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same.

Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love.

And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were

called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful.

Let the message of Christ, in all it's richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspire songs to God;

And never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him.

This is the word of the Lord.

Blessings to all of you!... Happy Hopeful Friday!....

May the peace and the love of our Lord be with you always!....

With warmest regards, Carol

Dogs on Thursday......

Welcome to Dogs On Thursday at http://dogsonthursday.blogspot.com/ A weekly post where dog lovers such as myself get together to talk about their most precious four legged friends. If you would like to join our group, or you would like more information about us, just click on the above link to reach the official Dogs On Thursday web site....


Hello every one. Charli wanted to send all of you a special greeting.......

We hope all of you are having a good week....
We are looking forward to reading your posts and seeing all of your precious pictures...
Our warmest regards,

Booking Through Thursday........

Welcome to Booking Through Thursday at http://btt2.wordpress.com/ A site where book lovers such as myself get together once a week to write a post based on questions posed by our host. If you would like to join or group, or you would like more information about us, just click on the above link to reach the official Booking Through Thursday web site.
Since "Inspiration" is (or should be) the theme this week....What is your reading inspired by?...


One of the things that inspires me to read are books that spark my imagination. These are usually fun books to read where I ask my self what if? One book that comes to mind that I recently read is 'Twilight.'
However, my true inspiration to read comes from my love of learning. Most likely because of career influences, I am inspired to learn things like:
What was it like to be on the battle fields of the great wars, what can we learn from forensic pathology, how was the small pox vaccine developed, how did the people cope during the great influenza pandemic or black plague, how do we incorporate cultural diversity in medicine, what was it like to be a nurse in Vietnam, and what were the working conditions in hospitals during the various time periods through out history.....
I am also inspired by European and American history. In addition to important events and people, I'm interested in what the people were like, what did they eat, how did they store and cook food, what did they wear, and how did they decorate they're homes......
When I'm reading one book it will usually inspire me to read another book on a similar subject. That's what I truly love most about reading. I always end up reading something I never would have expected, or chosen on my own, but thoroughly enjoyed...
Well, that's a little in site into what inspires me to read......
I look forward to learning what inspires all of you to read....
Happy Booking Through Thursday everyone!...
With warmest regards, Carol

I'm an old geezer and darn proud of it.....

I'm an old geezer and darn proud of it........

I received this e-mail from my friend Sandy the other day and I thought it was worth sharing with you.....

'Geezers' are easy to spot: At sporting events, during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner. Old Geezers remove their caps, stand at attention, and sing without embarrassment. They know the words and believe them...

Old Geezers remember the Depression, World War II, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Normandy, and Hitler. They remember the Atomic Age, the Korean War 1950-55, The Cold War, the jet age, and the moon landing, the 50 plus Peacekeeping Missions from 1945 to 2005, not to mention Vietnam.....

If you bump into an Old Geezer on the sidewalk he will apologize. If you pass and Old Geezer on the street, he will nod or tip his cap to a lady. Old Geezers trust strangers and are courtly to women. Old Geezers hold the door for the next person and always, when walking, make certain the lady is on the inside for protection. Old Geezers get embarrassed if someone curses in front of women and children and they don't like any filth on TV or in movies or in e-mails.....

Old Geezers have moral courage. They seldom brag unless it's about their grandchildren.....

It's the Old Geezers who know our great country is protected, not by politicians, but by the young men and women in the military.....

This country needs Old Geezers with their decent values. We need them now more than ever....
Thank God for Old Geezers!....

A Prayer For Our Nation.......

What ever our political affiliations may be we are all Americans. Now is the time to unite and support our in coming president. A president who is being sworn into office on this inaugural day with staggering responsibilities and overwhelming burdens......



Congratulations to our 44Th president, Barack Obama.
I pray that you will be able to lead our country in a
positive, dignified, safe, peaceful, and responsible way.....

Barack Obama...... A call to service.....

"A PRAYER FOR OUR NATION"

God bless America

and keep us safe and free-

Safe from all our enemies,

wherever they may be...

Teach us to walk humbly

and closer in Thy ways,

Give us faith and courage

and put purpose in our days,

Make each one of us aware

that each must do his part,

For in the individual

is where peace must have a start-

For a better world to live in

where all are safe and free

Must start with faith, and hope, and love

deep in the heart of me."

-Helen Steiner Rice-

Blue Monday.....

Welcome to Blue Monday, a post hosted by my good friend Sally, at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/ Every Monday a group of us gals get together to post something blue. Thank you Sally for hosting this fun post. If you would like to join our group, or you would like more information about us, just click on the above link to reach the official Blue Monday web site....

This Monday I thought I would share one of my special nurses with you. She has on blue scrubs because she is a Labor and Delivery nurse. What a rewarding job she has. She gets to witness the miracle of life almost every day. This nurse is part of a collection that I keep in my office in one of my book shelves. I have many different kinds of nurses that have either been given to me or I have collected through the years. This nurse is special to me because she reminds me of my OB clinical rotation years ago. I will never forget the awesome experience of having a baby passed to me just seconds after it was born.....
Happy Blue Monday everyone!..... I look forward to reading your posts......
With warmest regards, Carol

Did some one say we are expecting more snow?....

Did someone say we are expecting more snow? Oh no!.....

The sun is out and the snow has finally stopped but for how long who knows......

There is hubby out trying to clean the place up....

And there he goes off to help our neighbor.......

Charli is again putting her paw down and refusing to go out unless she absolutely has to, and then very reluctantly at that....

How is the weather in your part of the world? If you are in a wintry place, stay warm and stay safe....

With warmest regards, Carol

And the winner is.......

The results of my first blog anniversary give away are in!...

The names of every one that wanted to participate in the drawing were put in a pretty pink heart shaped bowl. On Saturday evening our family came over for pizza and our grandson Ryan pulled the winning name out of the bowl......
Ta Dah.....

And the winner is.........

Wendy at http://thecozyyellowhouse.blogspot.com/

Congratulations Wendy!!!......

Well, I'm headed over to Wendy's to let her know she won...

Happy day everyone!

With warmest regards, Carol

I've been tagged.......

I've been tagged!.....


My new friend Minnie, at Beautiful Orchids, http://pug1.blogspot.com/ has tagged me. It's a picture tag and this is what I'm supposed to do....


Choose the fourth folder where you store pictures on your computer.

Select the fourth picture in the folder.

Explain the picture.

Then tag for other blogger's to do the same.


I usually don't store pictures on my computer. I delete them as soon as I use them but there have been a few that I have chosen to keep. I chose the fourth picture in the one folder I do have to share with you. This is a picture of Yates Cider Mill. I took it when I did my cider mill series last fall. The weather was so nice that day! It was nothing like the weather we are having here today which is snowy and cold. Oh to be walking out at Yates listening to the sound of the birds and the river while the leaves fall ever so gently to the ground.....
Now to tag four other blogger.......
I tag Anne at http://peekaboostreet.blogspot.com/
Kathy at http://katshappyathome.blogspot.com/
Zetor at http://zetor-mogsblog.blogspot.com/
Judy at http://justalittlesomethingforyou.blogspot.com/