Maraschino Cherries

I've had a love affair with Maraschino cherries since childhood. My mom started me on this affair of the heart when she began giving me one cherry for a treat. I never got over it.

All through my life I've been after those cherries. The perfect snack for me was two cherries, some UTZ potato chips and chocolate--they went together deliciously and delighted by palate! For the life of me, though, I can't remember which order I ate them in. There was definitely an order. As the years passed, I've had to stop eating this favorite formula, but my mind has it stored away as a favorite memory.

Cherries still take preference on the top shelf of the refrigerator, and I treat myself to three every day.

Remember those blueberry muffins I spoke about a few weeks ago? The ones where I accidently forgot to measure the blueberries and put the entire container in the mix. Well, the other day I thought about my cherries and wondered: "Why don't I try cherry muffins?" And I did!


One jar of Maraschino cherries puts three whole cherries in eight muffins, and two whole cherries in four muffins. I added a little juice to the batter and waited for the, hopefully, delicious results.

Just as Jerry's blueberry muffins delighted his palate, my cherry muffins delighted mine! You know, I really like being retired and finding all these new recipes to try. Even ones I make up!

PS Buy two jars of cherries so all those delicious muffins can have three whole cherries each! Do I dare put in four?

Oklahoma Dirt

I was thrilled to be driving to Oklahoma to visit with my sister, Kathy. She has lived there most of her adult life, having moved there with the love of her life, David, when they fell in love. David is from Oklahoma. Although we daily email, and converse once a month or so, nothing takes the place as seeing her in person and spending time together.

Oklahoma is full of lovely ponds along the interstate, and dirt roads. I use to fly out there to see her, but more recently, Jerry and I have driven. The first time we did I was amazed at how many ponds are along the highway. I loved seeing them! This snap was actually closer to town.

And the dirt roads! Kathy and I go out twice, early in the morning, to drive the dirt roads. They just hold a fascination to me, and seeing how middle America lives. The snap below just refreshes me!

Jerry and David, Kathy's husband, enjoy the same things and spent a lot of times by themselves. Jerry especially enjoyed bringing home a M1917 Eddystone, built in 1918, that he bought from David. They spent the good part of a day at the range, shooting at 500 yards. They are both shooters and enjoy the sport immensely. Jerry also enjoyed the biblical discussions he had with David.

Kathy and I didn't go a lot of places. I was satisfied just sitting in her home and enjoying her company. Kathy croquets, and she was working on an afhgan for a friend. The colors were my colors, and we immediately went out and purchased enough yarn for one for me. Kathy said she had been thinking of making me something soon, so this fit into her plan and my joy! The colors are cranberry and green, and the yarn color is called  Cranberry Apple. It looks more like turquoise in the picture below.

As many of you know, I love taking pictures of animal babies. One of the things I noticed on the drive out were "calf nurseries", or so I called them. I didn't get the snaps I wanted; Jerry wasn't keen on stopping on a moments notice on the interstate, but the one below I did manage to take of five calves all laying together in the snap below, left. 

In a field of cattle, you'd see groups of calves lying together with one cow, and all the other cows would be in other areas. It made me laugh to see this, and thus named them "calf nurseries." In this picture, one cow was off to the left a little farther than usual, so she didn't get in the snap. This was our third drive out there, and I was so hoping to get some good snaps of my "calf nurseries." This will have to do for now.

  Here is a snap of a group of cows that I liked.

 

Kathy had some beautiful roses blooming in her yard. The smell was heavenly!



I enjoyed a series of fiction books by Beverly Lewis while in Oklahoma. They were fast reads and it was nice relaxing with a good book.

The drive home was long--three full days of driving. We were tired when we finally arrived home. But we made it!

After unloading the car, we left to pick up Sam who was taking a vacation at a couple's home with their two dogs. She was happy to see us, and now we've gotten back into our routine.

It was nice to be away . . . but it's always great to be home.

Dreaded Phobia

                                            

Early this year I decided to be a sponsor at Ann Downing's retreat in Franklin, Tennessee. Ann, a well-known southern gospel singer, hosts a retreat every April. As a sponsor I would have a table at the retreat, and the opportunity to sell my book, note cards and matted prints. After the retreat, my logo button will be on her website for six months. Participants from twenty states attend this retreat, and I thought it would be a good opportunity in promoting my book nationally.

When Jerry and I left the Great Smoky Mountains, we took the byways to Franklin, Tennessee. We had plenty of time to enjoy the scenery as we drove along. We arrived in Franklin refreshed and ready to go.

Before I was set up at my table, a women visited and bought a book. I had provided a half page handout for each participant's bag, and the woman came by quickly to make her purchase. I've noticed this before. Those folks who have an interest in note writing and encouraging others usually visit me early on during an event.

As the first session was about to begin, I got up to join the group. When I looked in the room and saw all the people I froze. I couldn't go in the room. My dreaded phobia paralyzed me.

All of my adult life I've suffered from symptoms similar to those of Asperger's syndrome. Asperger's syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects a person's ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others. I suffer from being able to socialize in groups of people. From work groups to groups of friends, if there is more than one other person I have a very difficult time opening my mouth to say anything.

God has certainly used every opportunity through the years to place me out of my comfort zone and stretch me. But even now at 63, I still panic, like I did at the retreat. It is truly a miracle that I've stood in front of  groups of people and spoken about the note writing ministry. God used my gift of writing to make this happen. My talk is typed out, and I virtually read it word for word. Talking off the top of my head just doesn't work. I freeze.

Although I couldn't attend any of the sessions, I was able to sit at my table before each session. I enjoyed conversations with four individuals who share my interest in note writing. And a few books and note cards were sold too. I was disappointed that I had succumbed, once again, to this weakness.

Because of my disappointment and frustration, I decided to leave the retreat earlier than planned. Jerry and I got a three hour headstart as we headed toward Oklahoma to visit with my sister.

God can always take disappointments and turn them around to be seasons of thanksgiving. Because I decided to leave the retreat early, those additional three hours put us past the tornado and severe weather area that day. We would have been right in it if we'd left the scheduled time. His ways are miraculous!

Even though I know I may freeze in a particular situation, I keep trying. God is faithful when we step out for Him. I prefer one-on-one conversation, but I'll keep trying to walk the path God lays before me to share about His work and love.

Recently I was reminded of the book "The Little Engine That Could"  in my morning devotion. It was written by Watty Piper in 1930. The devotion shared about fear, uncertainty and doubt, and the courage of the little engine that kept repeating, "I think I can . . . I think I can."

I think I can . . . so I'll keep trying!

Next post I'll share of my adventure in Oklahoma visiting my sister and brother-in-law.

Mountain Hugs

Jerry likes to say, "the mountains hug me," and I get that feeling too. I've always been a "mountain person," riding around them, walking trails or sitting, enjoying the view.

Recently, Jerry and I began a two week vacation, driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway and around the Great Smoky Mountains, receiving big hugs.

We'd only been on the outskirts of the east side of the Smokys many years ago. This time we visited the western side, staying in the small town of Townsend, which is advertised as the "peaceful" side. Indeed it is.

We passed through Pigeon Forge on our way to Townsend, and couldn't get out of there fast enough. Crowds and commercialism drove us away with no intention of ever going there again.

We enjoyed this stream as we drove to the famous Cades Cove. It was a bright, sunny afternoon and the vehicle traffic was heavy. Evenso, it was an enjoyable ride, inviting us to return for an early morning visit.

I didn't see any wild bears, which is a real desire of mine, but we did see giant turkeys, heard robins sing, and watched the lovely hues of a sunrise over the famous mountain tops.

The sunrise was grand and captivated us as we sat and enjoyed the colors.

The visit was much too short, as our next destination was Franklin, Tennessee, at Ann Downing's annual retreat. I helped sponsor the event and had a table to sell my books, note cards and matted prints.

When we left the Smoky Mountains, my heart was filled with wonder at God's beautiful creation, leaving me with a longing to return to the Great Smoky's for an extended visit.

Taking backroads, we set off for Franklin for the next stop in our vacation. Next post will share about my experience at the retreat.

Foals are Blooming Too!

A few days ago I left home at 7:30 to take a drive to the NE corner of Carroll County. It was a beautiful spring morning, and I was looking for something to snap. After 2 1/2 hours of driving roads and trails I didn't have a lot to show for my time.

I headed back down to Westminster and stopped at the Chick-Fil-A for lunch. Unplanned, I then headed NW of Carrol County for a longer drive home. Shortly after leaving town I came upon a horse farm and four horses were taking a fiesta in the corner of the field. I took a quick glimpse farther back on the farm and thought I saw a mare and foal in the yard.

Turning around I headed down the lane and sure enough, there was the mare and foal. I quickly looked around for someone to ask if I could snap some pictures. A young man was coming my way on a cart with a mature horse. When I told him my request, he said yes, and shared there was a foal in the barn just born that morning.

What a thrill to visit a newborn foal! That's her picture above, and with her Mom below.

The man opened the gate and took me closer to the mare and foal outside (two snaps below). Another thrill. This was his mare. I asked questions and he shared.

On my way out I snapped this horse who was enjoying a rest in the shade.

Beside myself with my good fortune, I continued on. I found this beautiful pond with the pink dogwood and geese sunning themselves.

Following the map so I'd be headed towards home, I came around a bend and found 4 mares and 4 foals on the hillside. One of the foals was having an afternoon of fun, jumping and running around.

Following are snaps of two other mares and colts on the hillside.

It was, indeed, a beautiful day to be out snapping God's creation! This has certainly been my spring for the barnyard--both a sheep barn and a horse barn!

Now, where is that cow barn and that newborn calf!

(Continuing this post a few days later, I did fine a newborn calf with its Mom at Wilson's Farm in Mount Airy! Enjoy her below!)

Will You Sell Out?

Palm Sunday's sermon was about Peter denying Jesus three times. Pastor started the sermon with this question: "What will it take for you to sell out?" I must admit, the question sounded daunting.

My answer, of course, was: "I will never sell out." But Peter did. If he did, I could too. Will I?

Pastor's questions were penetrating: "Have you ever not spoken up when it would have identified you as a follower of Jesus?" "Have you ever given an answer that danced around your convictions?" "Have you ever denied Christ?"

It caused me to consider my strength in Christ, my commitment to Christ, and my life in Christ. I found myself to be strong in these three areas. But Peter was strong.

None of us know what we will do under pressure-filled circumstances. The only way we can combat failure is to spend time in God's Word. There really isn't any other avenue to take if we're going to be strong in our walk for Christ.

From His Word we obtain, truth, strength, and wisdom. He brings scripture verses to us in our time of need. But if we don't read His Word, He won't say anything that we're familiar with. There's no getting around it.

Colin Urquhart said: "If you accept the authority of Jesus in your life, then you accept the authority of His words." You must be familiar with His words before they can impact your life.

Recently I re-read the popular Left Behind series of several years ago. Although the story line is fiction, it was woven between the truth of the Bible after the rapture occurs for all believers. It was a reminder to me to be thankful for my salvation and stand tall for Christ while I'm on this earth.

Will I sell out? I don't think so. But I must be ready to defend myself and stand up for Jesus. After all, look what He did for me. That's what Easter is all about.

Another Visit to the Barnyard

Last Saturday I got another opportunity to snap lambs at the barnyard! The sheep were being sheared and 57 lambs were running around! You can imagine my thrill level!

It was a bright, sunny day. I always have problems taking pictures when it is sunny. I didn't waste time though, and snapped 385 pictures. Most will be for my personal enjoyment, but I did get a few that I will make into notecards.

The three lambs above were so adorable! And below, the black lamb wanted into the mix.
You can see I was enjoying myself while holding this cute lamb. Jerry rounded him up for me and he was heavy! But he did give me a few minutes to enjoy him while Jerry snapped.
Next is a picture around the barnyard with Hunter, the protector. There was a parked car behind Hunter's head, so with the magic of Photoshop I took it out. The sun was still an issue, but it works. And the one below it is another barnyard snap.



Inside the barn, in one of the stalls, I loved seeing the little two black lambs on the left and the pole, almost hidden by momma, and the little black lamb on the right. A little farther back two white lambs were playing around mom and I got one on her back. It was a good show!




The next snap is ladies in waiting. Everything was calm and relaxed. Their turn to come!

The next two are shouting their displeasure!


Hunter and I were having a discussion. I was telling him there was no reason to get mad and spit. He apparently agreed.


It was a fine day in the barnyard. I'm thankful for the opportunity to visit with all the sheep and lambs. One more adorable lamb below!