Is the Bible Difficult to Understand?

With many versions of the Bible in print, we can be thankful that there's a version that makes God's word easy to understand. Take a look at these familiar verses:

John 3:16-18 (The Message)

16-18"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

Click here to try out other versions.

Pink Saturday - Chest of Drawers

Beverly at How Sweet the Sound hosts Pink Saturday. Stop by her place to see the many other Pretty Pink items that Precious Pink Participating People are sharing.





I want to share a picture of the top of the chest of drawers in our bedroom. Hanging on the wall is a Claude Monet print called "The Reader." A tan vase of faux flowers in white and pink pulls the color from the picture. My walls are not pink, although they appear so here.



I downloaded this from the internet so that you can see the beauty of the Monet. Notice the touches of soft pink in the painting.



My camera doesn't like for me to do close ups, but even though this is blurry, I wanted you to see the pretty pink color.


The figurine is from Spain. It is labeled, "Ingles." The crystal was a gift from a friend who knows that Johnny golfs every Wednesday. It's handmade from Czech Republic "Glass Bohemia."


Happy Pink Saturday!

PS The paint color is Benjamin Moore's "Soft Sand." It's painted in 8 inch stripes of flat 2106-60 and semi-gloss 2106-50.

Snow Time!

I hope that you had a Terrific Thanksgiving and that today you are able to grab a bunch of Super Sales or have fun eating leftovers!

I'm busy packing away the autumn decorations. It used to be an easy thing to do, but now that Blogland has inspired me to do more, I have more to put away!

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Saying Grace"

by Norman Rockwell

Saturday Evening Post Cover - November 24, 1951


I have a print of this painting hanging in my dining room.

"Without thinking too much about it in specific terms, I was showing the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed. My fundamental purpose is to interpret the typical American. I am a story teller." Norman Rockwell

Diet Soda Mystery Cake Recipe

I just found this WEIRD recipe from hungrygirl@hungry-girl.com, a newsletter I subscribe to.

Diet Soda Mystery Cake
Just take a box of cake mix, and INSTEAD of adding the eggs, oil, water, etc., that the box tells you to add, just mix with 1 can of diet soda, and then bake according to box directions (or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean). That's it!

You can do the same with brownie mix as well. Diet cream soda and diet lemon-lime soda both work GREAT with yellow and white cakes, as do fruity diet sodas like black cherry and orange.

Turkey Recipe

Here is a turkey recipe that also includes the use of popcorn as a stuffing -- imagine that. When I found this recipe, I thought it was perfect for people like me, who just are not sure how to tell when poultry is thoroughly cooked, but not dried out. Give this a try.

1- 15 lb. turkey
1 cup melted butter
1 cup stuffing (Pepperidge Farm is best)
1 cup uncooked popcorn (any brand)
Salt/pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.. Brush turkey well with melted butter salt, and pepper. Fill cavity with stuffing and popcorn. Place in baking pan with the neck end toward the back of the oven.

Listen for the popping sounds. When the oven door blows open and the bird flies across the room, it's done.

Topic of Interest Tag

Donna at Shimmymom tagged me with the Topics of Interest Tag. There are no questions, just a list of topics that require you to say what you think about them. When I finish with this one, you'll know everything about me.

Clothes
I like clothes and often wear them. In fact, I have a closet full. I wear mostly slacks and blouses. That's "shirts" to you youngsters. In MY day, a shirt was worn by a man, and since I'm definitely NOT a man, I still wear blouses.

Furniture
I like furniture too, and have a house full of it. I have beds, chairs, and tables, and I use them every day. We were young and poor when we first married. We rented a furnished apartment. I bought my furniture a piece at a time, and I bought quality, so I still have it. And, it's still beautiful; traditional/classic does not go out of style. Every now and again, I do reupholster some things. The only furniture that I can see us replacing would be the sofa and chair set in our family room as it gets used the most. It took me eleven years to find the "right" coffee/end tables for that room, so you can understand that I'm not changing them. I will say, though that my favorite daughter-in-law has told me she wants those pieces when I'm finished using them! Now, don't go jumping on her; that's a compliment to me.

Sweets
Now you're talking! I'm a sweetaholic. My favorite is Baskin Robbins Pralines 'n Cream ice cream. However, I'll enjoy cake, cookies, candy--oh you name it; I'll scarf it down. Funny, but I don't like chocolate (so I'm either not female or not alive.) Brownies are the exception; I do like brownies. Hmm. My loving sweets might just be the reason I'm not thin.

City
I am a city girl. I was raised in Washington, D.C. and have lived in a big city all my life. I'd go nuts in a small town or in the country. I need the lullaby of jets soaring overhead to fall into a peaceful sleep!

Drink
I am a teetotaler; I do not drink any alcohol. My father drank enough for the both of us, and my childhood was difficult because of it. I've heard that 1 oz. of alcohol kills brain cells, and I can't afford to give any away. My favorite drink is Diet Sprite mixed with Ocean Spray Light Cranberry Juice. Yum.

Music
I love music and listen to it often. My favorite type of music is 50's, but I enjoy listening to most any. You ladies have good taste, as far as I'm concerned because whenever I click on your blogs I enjoy what's playing. I'm usually be-bopping around here while I'm trying to read your posts and leave a comment.

TV
I'm addicted to it.
I like Dancing with the Stars, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Survivor, The Amazing Race, and Pushing Daisies. I no longer watch cops and robber shows.

Film
I enjoy going to the movies, but I'm picky as to how I spend my time and money. Generally, I will not go to R-rated movies. Johnny likes action films--the kinds with cars flipping over. I prefer romantic comedies. We take turns tolerating the other's preferences. We've tried both Net Flix and Blockbusters, but ran out of films we wanted to view. I own no DVDs. I don't understand wanting to see something more than once. (I don't reread books either.)

Coffee
I have two cups each morning with Creamora and Sweet 'n Low. If I drink any after noon, I don't sleep well. When I was younger, I drank the stuff whenever.

If you haven't done this one yet, you're tagged!

Blue Monday - Blue Lake with Ducks

It's Blue Monday! To participate:

1. Post about something blue on your blog. It can be pretty, ugly, funny, old, or new as long as it's blue. Leave a link to this blog on your post.

2. Drag the Blue Monday button from here, and place it on your blog. Place another one on your sidebar.

3. Return here after midnight when Mr. Linky will be up, and leave your name and your URL. Do NOT link in until after your post is up. Please remember to leave a comment for me.

4. Visit other Blue participants by clicking on their links. Make someone's day; leave a comment.

5. Check back later to make certain you visit all the Blue participants.
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You may have wondered where all the birds have gone from your neighborhoods. Well, when it gets chilly where you live, they take a vacation in Sunny South Florida! Here's a shot of our backyard showing some ducks going for a swim in some pretty blue water.
Blue Monday Participants

1. ellen b 2. Rechelle 3. CarolaNativityGallery 4. Sheila@TheQuintessentialMagpie 5. coloradolady 6. Elizabeth 7. An Enchanted Cottage 8. Kathy b 9. Lana G! 10. Gemma 11. Linnea

12. Sally 13. Heidi Jo the Artist 14. Patty/PipStitch 15. Jeanne 16. Dirkjogt, Belgium 17. bj 18. Mojo, NC, USA 19. Sweetie 20. Diane 21. Barbara H. 22. PlantBuddy

23. Charlotte 24. Knitty 25. JLS Hall 26. Andi 27. Sherrie 28. jsprik 29. Katie 30. Judi 31. charli and me 32. Baba\'s blog

Learn more about Blue Monday here.
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Gratitude

May we be grateful each day for the wonderful things God gives us.

More Than A Day



As Thanksgiving Day rolls around,
It brings up some facts, quite profound.
We may think that we're poor,
Feel like bums, insecure,
But in truth, our riches astound.

We have friends and family we love;
We have guidance from heaven above.
We have so much more
Than they sell in a store,
We're wealthy, when push comes to shove.

So add up your blessings, I say;
Make Thanksgiving last more than a day.
Enjoy what you've got;
Realize it's a lot,
And you'll make all your cares go away.

By Karl Fuchs

Pink Saturday - Sky

Beverly at How Sweet the Sound hosts Pink Saturday. Stop by her place to see the many other Pretty Pink items that Precious Pink Participating People are sharing.

I got this idea from Donna at Pictures, Pots, and Pens. We have gorgeous sunrises and sunsets at our home in South Florida. Let me share.





Sunrise



Sunset



I have three titles that I'm giving away this week. Check out my sidebars if you're interested. Happy Pink Saturday!

How to Have a Happy Thanksgiving

I'm lucky. My daughter-in-law does most of the cooking for Thanksgiving, and she is sweet enough to ask me to bring a dish or two. This year I'm bringing candied yams and pumpkin pies.

Here's a recipe for squash casserole that my daughter got from a friend years ago. It's become a family tradition to have it for Thanksgiving, and this year, my oldest granddaughter will make it for the second year. I'm so proud! Aren't traditions special?

Preheat oven to 350 and butter a 9 x 11 baking dish
3 pkgs. yellow squash,sliced into coin-sized round pieces
2 eggs, beaten
1 small (5 oz.) can evaporated milk
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 small onion, chopped fine
2 cups (2 rounds) Ritz crackers
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Cook squash and onion until tender--NOT mushy--maybe 5 minutes. DRAIN. Add butter, salt, pepper and mix. Add eggs and mix. Add cheese and crackers and mix. Pour into a greased 9 x 11 baking dish. Bake uncovered @350 for 40 minutes.

I don't see why all of that separate mixing must take place, but I don't dare deviate! Remember, I'm a wimp.

Booking Through Thursday - Honesty

I receive a lot of review books, but I have never once told lies about the book just because I got a free copy of it. However, some authors seem to feel that if they send you a copy of their book for free, you should give it a positive review.

Do you think reviewers are obligated to put up a good review of a book, even if they don’t like it? Have we come to a point where reviewers *need* to put up disclaimers to (hopefully) save themselves from being harassed by unhappy authors who get negative reviews?

My Response:
I review books, and if you read my reviews, you will know that I am honest. I give my opinion of the work--simple as that. I will add, though, that I recognize that an author has put his time and effort into the title; no one should be treated badly, even if the job is not done well. Therefore, I do look for the good things. I state the weak points, but highlight those good points so that readers can make their own informed choices.

I have had interactions with authors, but always been on a professional level. I do not feel the need to define the job of reviewing by establishing disclaimers. My integrity cannot be bought for the price of a book!

What's your take on this question?

Check out my giveaways on my sidebar!

A Tag from Dawn

Dawn from Dawn's Daybreak is a faithful blogging friend who teaches kindergarten. What a lucky group of children to have her for a teacher! Dawn tagged me with a book meme. I've actually done this before on my book blog, but I'm game to share again. The rules are:

1. Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog.

2. Share seven random and/or weird book facts about yourself.

3. Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.

4. Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.


My seven random book facts:


1. I got my first library card when I was five years old, after signing my name in cursive.


2. While in high school, I got in trouble when my mother caught me reading Peyton Place.


3. I’ve read all of Ernest Hemingway’s novels without like any of them.


4. I’ve read most of Ernest Hemingway’s short stories and loved almost all of them.


5. I served as a library aide when I was in junior high school.


6. As an adult, I worked as a Library Clerk in a public high school.


7. I established a church library from scratch, using the Dewey Decimal System and card catalog and grew the collection to over 1,000 volumes.


The seven fortunate people I choose to do this are:

Cathy at Melodies and Hymnsongs

Jeanne at Backyard Neighbor

Diane at A Picture Is Worth...

Chris at Chris's Corner

Squawmama at Our Adventures with Tassie

Shelia at Note Songs

Carol at Charli and Me


After you leave a comment, take a look at my sidebar. There are two make-up books I'm giving away.  If you win one and don't need it because you're so gorgeous, maybe you'll have another Christmas present to regift!

Awards & Tags

Robyn at There's Always Thyme for... shared this tag and these following two awards.

Six Things I Value (in no particular order):

1. My Savior

2. My husband and family

3. Blogging (and blogging friends)

4. My church (and church family)

5. My computer--a Mac, of course!

6. The ability to read without glasses (books, books, and more books!)


Six Things That I Don't Value (in no particular order):

1. Rude people

2. Computerized phone calls

3. Cell phone conversations in public places

4. Dishonesty

5. Violence

6. Commercials (on TV, radio, internet, billboards, etc.)

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I met Edna at Pink Saturday. She prefers being called Ed and her blog site is Ed's Place shared the following two awards:

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Darlene at Darlene's Days shared these next two awards:

First, I must list three things I love about myself. (Ouch! This is tough!)

1. I'm a positive-thinking person. My glass is always half full.

2. I try to do my best.

3. I am a good blogging buddy because I visit and comment often.

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Diane from Crafty Passions presented the following award:

This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his/her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values every day.

The rules to follow are :
1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person that has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to other 15 blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment. Remember to contact each of them to let them know they have been chosen for this award. Now, folks at this point, I rebel. I am not taking time to link 15 people! Shh! Don't tell Diane!

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Bridget at here shared the next two awards:



Friendship Award came with these questions to answer:

Do you have the same friends from childhood?
I married at seventeen, moved around a lot, and just lost touch.

Are your friends sounding boards?
Not so much; that's what Johnny is for.

What is your favorite activity to share with your friends?
Talking on the telephone or doing lunch.

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The Blogger Friend Award is for reading her post the day before and commenting--an easy chore for me!

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Alaura at Cottage Rose shared this Marie Antonette Award with the first seven people to leave her comments. Lucky me, I was there at the right time! Then, Judi at Judi Creations shared the same award! Next, Charlotte at At Home in Scottsdale presented me with it. Isn't it pretty?

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Awards are fun to give and to receive. An award is a bit of Blogger love, and we all need more love. If you're reading this and making a comment, please accept these awards as an expression of my love for you.

And I'm adding this joke to thank you for patiently going through this long post.

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Check out the sidebar for more BOOK GIVEAWAYS!

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