Thankful Thursday and More Ireland.

 One of the greatest blessings of this year was being able to take my trip to Ireland back in March.  There are some places that leave fingerprints on your heart, and Ireland sure did on mine.  The beauty of that land is hard to put into words.  The rolling green countryside, the stone fences, the sheep dotting the hillsides, the little villages, and the peaceful  quietness of it all felt like stepping into a storybook.  

I can still remember looking out across the countryside and feeling such a deep sense of peace.  Life seemed to slow down there.  I can tell you that the air felt cleaner there and the people were very kind.  Each and every winding road that we traveled seemed to lead to yet another breathtaking view. Such simplicity!!  A feeling of Stillness!

what made this trip extra special was sharing it with my daughters and my youngest granddaughter. The memories are treasures that I will never forget.  So much laughter, time for long conversations, taking so many pictures and really...just simply enjoying being together were things that made my heart swell.  

If the opportunity ever came again, I would pack my bags tomorrow and go right back.  

Today, my heart is thankful for beautiful places, precious family memories, safe travels, and the blessing of being able to experience a little piece of God's beautiful creation.  

I'm joining Michelle today at:

It's a Small town Life.

Join Here for a ton of thankfullness.

Shug...💛

** I would certainly appreciate your prayers this morning.  This time it's for me.. I will be seeing my cardiologist this morning for the second time in 3 weeks.  He told me at my last visit that he most likely would be setting me up for a heart Cath...  I will find out this morning what direction he plans to go...

🙏🏼

Cinco De Mayo and a Hodgepodge

 

Cinco De Mayo and a Hodgepodge

Joyce Asks the Questions

We Answer the Questions...

join here

Now for some fun......

1. What's something you may do this month?

I may go to the zoo sometime this month..I haven't been in a very long time and I want to go before the weather gets too hot to be able to enjoy it.  I also....may organize my pantry! I haven't done this in a while and it really needs to be done!

2. Hola! Hodgepodge Day lands just after Cinco de Mayo... how do you feel about Mexican food? What's your favorite dish? Do you make it at home or is it a strictly dine out option? 

I live in Texas and Texas is WELL KNOWN for Mexican restaurants.  In our neighboring city, there is a Mexican restaurant on every corner and they are always super busy.  We are all big fans of this kind of food.  Of course, we call it Tex-Mex.  I cook Mexican food every chance I get.  Enchiladas, tacos, nachos...you name it!! 🌮🌮🌮  When eating Mexican food, I want the whole experience....The noise, the chips and salsa, the hanging pinata's ... All of it..

3. When the children of today grow up what do you think they'll say about this time period? What do you most hope they remember? 

I think they will say say it was fast...loud...and full of change. Technology, opinions, everything moving at lightning speed.  What I really hope they will say how great it feels to be loved. I do believe that they will remember good things, but I'm sure they will remember the chaos that is in the world today.  Hopefully they will understand as they become adults that in this world you work for what you have... There is NO entitlement.

4. What advice would you give a new mother? 

Oh sweet new mother...BREATHE!!  The days may seem long, but the years pass by fast.  Teach them early about God...teach them early about love...make sure they know what family time is all about. Read to them every chance you get...Let them know they are loved...

5. What's a phrase your mother often said to you? If you're a mom do you say it to your own children? 

"This too shall pass....it will be okay."  She was right!! The hard days, the tears, the worry...they don't stay forever.  

I'm pretty sure that I have said this over and over again myself.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We never.... oops....forgot what I was gonna say.

New thought....Sam and I had to run into town yesterday evening so we decided to eat a little Mexican food since it was Cinco De Mayo.  We stopped in at "The Jalenpen'o Tree" and ordered our favorites..  For me it was bean and cheese nachos.  For Sam it was chicken fajita nachos.  We brought half of each plate home with us.  And of course...we had to have the flour tortillas with a tad of honey.  So good, so yummy!!

Chips and Salsa..

this is what I got when I tried to snap a picture of Sam... lol.  

Happy Hodgepodge-ing..  

Shug....💛

No Wi-Fi and More

Well...yesterday just about sent me back to the stone Age.  

NO Wi-Fi

NO Cell service

NO Computer

NO TV

Just silence all around.  Why is it that when you really need to make phone calls and you really need to be working on your computer, that service decides to fail you?

I was able to post my blog yesterday morning and then, everything went down hill.  I have a lot of catching up to do today.  

On Sunday afternoon....Sam and I took a slow ride down my favorite country road....

The trees were full and green, stretching overhead like an umbrella, filtering out the sunlight in many places.  

The smell of honeysuckle drifting through the air seemed to be waiting on us to travel through.  I do love the fragrance of fresh blooms on a honeysuckle vine.  So sweet and a smell that you remember...

This little country drive was good for Sam....and for me!! We both enjoyed the quiet hum of the tires on the old asphalt road AND the beauty of the East Texas countryside doing what it does best....MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD INSIDE!

Today...absolutely nothing is on my calendar.  Can you believe it?  I'm already singing "Oh what a beautiful morning, Oh what a beautiful day."

Things are blooming around here...and the pool area is beginning to look very inviting...

My "Peggy Martin" roses are beginning to bloom..

And this pot ❗❗❗❗

The plants are REALLY showing out!!

💛💛💛💛

Sending you all a Happy Hello and I'm sending you a bundle of love...

Shug...💛

Swipe, Tap and would you like to donate.

 Swipe, Tap....and "Would you Like to Donate ?"

There was a time when pulling out a credit card felt simple.  You bought what you needed, signed your name, and went on your way. At the end of the month, you paid off the balance. Now days it's as if we are put through a wringer if we don't use a card at every store.   

I was at a store last week and I had to wait 20 extra minutes in line because there were two people checking and two people at the registers signing up to get a new credit card.  When it finally came time for me to check out, the guy waiting on me wanted to know if I would be using my credit card for that particular store.  Of course, I said NO...that I do not have one and I do Not want one.  

His response was:  You could save 35.00 dollars TODAY.  I politely said no thank you!  

He then went on to explain to me that since what I was purchasing was only $xx.xx including tax, I would actually get it free plus have a credit on my  NEW Card.  I again said No.  

And then...as my transaction was nearing the end, the sales guy asked if I would like round up to the next dollar.  88 cents is what I would be giving to "communities in school" for which I have never heard of.  I again said NO.  

Don't get me wrong...Giving matters. Helping others matters, and I do believe in this deeply. But somewhere along the way, generosity has started showing up in every single store. 

Cash is the only way to go....but even when paying cash, you are asked to round up to the next dollar.  There was one day that I decided to keep up with the amount that stores were asking for just from "rounding up" (all in one day).....It would have equaled $6.31 cents.  No thank you....I think I will add this to my own piggy bank.  

No wonder so many people are now shopping online...You get to avoid the hassles at the checkout line. 

Only one more thing on this kind Rant ...Since penny's are no longer being made, I've been amazed at some of the comments the stores come up with.... 

"We don't have pennies so it will cost you an extra 3 cents". Really?

"We don't have pennies so we will not be giving you back the two pennies from your Nickel". Really?  

Oh my...how the world is changing.  Back in my day....a penny would have bought a nice piece of bubble gum.. Thank you, I'll keep my pennies.  

Shug.....💛