Tidings of Joy!

Dear Reader: 

I hope that you know true peace comes NOT from gifts or monetary things, but that you experience peace and joy that comes from God above. I am always humbled by each and every one of you that reads and comments here at Corn in my Coffee-Pot.  I have loved getting to know you through the years and appreciate your friendship. I pray that you have a very Merry Christmas! 

Warmly yours, Patricia

The grace of the LORD Jesus Christ be with your spirit. ~Philippians 4:23

:: Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Teens and Sports Fans (guys) !

Here are a few of the gifts that I made this year for the two hardest people on my list to buy for… or in my case, CREATE FOR—teens and guys!  
Personalized Mugs for all the Big grand-kids… and
boy were they easy!

… I made eleven mugs for under $11 bucks.  That was including the OIL BASED SHARPIE MARKERS…
Black, Gold and Silver … and the $1.50 I spent on eleven mugs right after Christmas last year!  Yep, I got them for ¢.10 each.   Filling them with Homemade Cocoa, Homemade Caramels, and Fudge.  They also get a pair of  gloves.  (not pictured)
Pretty clever, I know. 
But you too can shop for Christmas 2015 RIGHT NOW!  and find some pretty sweet deals.  I love shopping the local Dollar General for marked down Christmas-- 
Don’t forget to look for packages of multiples.  Last Christmas I also bought a set of four melamine plates with Dallas Cowboys and Santa on them…

(stock photo- google)

I bought them because they DID NOT have a DATE on them.  So they worked for this year too! :)   But I was able to split the set and fill with goodies for both my son’s in law, who happen to be big fans of the Cowboys.  I topped the plates high with their favorite  Cream Cheese Rolls (tortillas, meat and cheese)  and added COWBOY tree ornaments and those guys beamed!  The loved them!
Every year I say I’m going to start early on Christmas.  This year—these were the first items purchased—LAST YEAR!  That’s the earliest I think I’ve ever started.   I won’t see my Big Grand-kids until New Years Day…but I’m sure they’ll like their mugs. 
My littles and my daughters received handmade gifts… either sewn, or crocheted.  I’ll show those later.   
I found the

• greatest tutorial for the MUGS  here  
• CARAMEL RECIPE HERE
• FIRST TIME FUDGE w/link
• Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe

We won’t be having the Littles this next week—and so the Honey and I are about to embark on a 5 day (?) project.  We can’t have them running through the house while this is going on, so NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME! 
You can bet I’ll be documenting it… and can’t wait to see how it turns out.  You’ll see it here,  PASS OR FAIL… because I’m transparent like that. ;)

‘Til next time, Be Blessed!

           Patricia



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Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.                ~ 2 Corinthians 9:7

:: Peace on Earth

"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." 

PEACE.  

To you and yours this Christmas. 

From our house--  Patricia

:: Chatty, Christmas Ramp-up and Crocheting

 

On Monday, I was cut loose from the jury panel and dismissed after being there about 4 hrs.  I was certainly glad about that.  Of the last 4 times I was called in, I’ve been chosen 2 times—I think I was on the brink of being chosen the time before this one—but a paper fire, in a clerks trash can downstairs,  got us all dismissed that day after being evacuated and then filed back through the metal detectors.  

Anyway, I left there and went to Wal-Mart—I don’t know that I’ve every mentioned it, but we got a new Wal- Mart near us about 1 year ago—I hardly am ever that way, but I do prefer it over the “OLD” Wal- Mart near the lake; especially in the Summer.  Not news worthy for sure, because there is a Wal-Mart in every town now days.  It’s not my favorite source  to shop--- but, on occasion they have what I need in a pinch. 

On this trip, I shopped for  OIL-BASE SHARPIES.  I’ve got dollar store mugs that I’m personalizing.  I also bought the ingredients for Fudge—Wednesday is The Honey’s birthday and he LOVES fudge, he talks about how his dad always used to make fudge!   I’ve never made it—so I’m hoping it turns out. ;)

** I know I said, “I have a pie to make.”  But after thinking about it—I thought he’d like the fudge better.  (so I really, really, hope it turns out.!!!

After Wal-Mart, I went to the WATER DEPT. and filled out a LEAK ADJUSTMENT FORM and was able to get the water bill lowered due to the leak.  By the time I got back to the house they were already calling with the adjustment—and cautioning that our bill may be higher next month since they had already read the meter.  She told me I can only take one adjustment a year—so I might want to wait until next month.   I thought about it a minute… We turned OFF the water early that Sunday morning—and they read the meter on the previous Friday. In the mean time, I if I wait to file the paper work—I miss the 15 day window to dispute THIS bill.   They GET YOU both ways!!! :/   I instructed her to file it.  I’ll take my chances with next months bill! 

I came home—and Honey had both kids crashed out taking a nap!  He has the magic touch, I guess. 

He said, they played hard all morning.

Probably a ‘tickle-match’!  

I ate some lunch- and started crocheting!  I don’t know why, I just wanted something busy for my hands.  I really didn’t feel like getting up to DO ANYTHING.  But sitting and crocheting was fine with me.  I was able to make One stocking on Monday and pieced and finished the second one Tuesday morning! 

I saw Sandy’s stocking at Teacup Lane were both so cute… I was inspired!   It’s not her pattern; she linked in her post to the original pattern, free on Ravelry – well, Y’all know I don’t follow a pattern. ;)   But, I DID LOOK AT IT!   These are OOAK!  (one of a kind)   They worked up really quickly! 

 

On Monday you saw the mittens I started sewing over the weekend.  The picture is dark—but I crocheted 3 sets of stars yesterday before crocheting the stockings.  The stars are for the Mittens and hats I’m making for the boys.  Crocheting is my ‘GO-TO’ craft.  While I am still learning and experimenting with sewing—and I DO LOVE IT;  I have a natural feel for a crochet hook—and am able to improvise and WING IT a lot of the time.  I often think I should just improve upon my crochet skills – and make sweaters or something.

Today, I’m taking Dad to run his errands. Then back here— I’ll spend the rest of the day with Honey, nothing too elaborate for Dinner, and then we’ll try that fudge!   I’m sure he’ll want to try making it too.  He likes to dabble in the kitchen sometimes.  It’ll be fun!

‘Til next time, Be Blessed!

           Patricia



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:: Veterans Day- Ace Hardware- Frugal Fodder 29

But, NOT in that Order.

On Saturday, the Hubby and I took a trip to the local Ace Hardware—I use my Ace Reward card there and have spent enough there recently that I was REWARDED a $5 discount off my next purchase.  It’s time to make my laundry soap—and around here, it seems; Ace is the only place I’ve found that carries ALL 3 main ingredients.

 

:: Christmas Present ::

I’ve been thinking about you.
I’ve been thinking about writing and sharing some of what’s going on here in my home, in my life…in my mind this holiday season.
Every time I sit down at the computer to write…
nothing comes.
Not because I have nothing to say…Oh no.
But, because there is SO MUCH to say--
Where to start?  Which topic first?
The hustle and bustle wears me out.  The activity wears me out.



There is overload. Christmas overload.  I think it is so sad to say that. To blame overload on Christmas.
In fact I find irony in the phrase…

Irony, because Christ came to bear all our burdens…yet, this busy time of year, we MAKE ourselves busy. We MAKE OURSELVES  burdened. 

I’m trying so hard to not sound ‘grinchy’ …worried while everyone else is going about making all things merry and bright, for what?  Why am I worried?  Why do I care if I sound ‘grinchy’ or not?   When people have obviously forgotten the True meaning of Christmas.
 
I guess, I’m afraid if I say it out loud; maybe it would hurt someone’s feelings?  I don’t know.  And yet… I’ve not had ONE person, while I’ve been out and about, wish me a MERRY CHRISTMAS, without me saying it first. It sounds like I'm judging and keeping a record, but truly, it just an observation I've made. 
Yes, Christ came, he was born and laid in a manger. He humbled himself. Left Heaven and Glory for what?    Is there anyone left who doesn’t know the story? 

Christmas is a wonderful time of year!

It is not for me to say “To Enjoy Christmas, the presents, the lights, the tree …is wrong.”
It is not for me to say “ YOU MUST CELEBRATE the birth of Christ in an honorable way.”

I’m just saying however you celebrate this holiday—remember humility.

Put others first.
Give kindness. Give joy. Give time to someone who is lonely.
Give a hug to someone who is not huggable. 
Share a memory with someone who is grieving.
Open yourself up to receive a blessing by blessing someone else.  Mind you that is NOT why we give…so that we can receive. But by giving from our hearts…we do receive a blessing out of it. 
Share the joy of Christmas—and if the opportunity arises, say a prayer for those who are without the TRUTH.

Til next time, Be Blessed!




Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, [and] being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ~ Philippians 2: 5-8

:: The Holidays- Give and Take ::

I’m not really talking a whole lot about Christmas. 
Why?  Because, I’m afraid if I were to get started this would turn into one big rant. 
Nobody wants that. 
It’s been a few years since I’ve shown my Christmas Tree;  and I have lots of new followers.  Some of you may be wondering if I even celebrate Christmas?
Of course I do;  I’ve JUST not put my tree up in a few years. 

Part of the reason, no room. 
Yep, Just like Jesus on the night of his birth … there is no room.

But I digress; and  I already said I didn’t come here to rant.

I came here to give you
some idea of what I’ve been up to while away from blogging…



You remember that a while back I brought my newly upholstered couch(a.k.a:  the settee) out into the living room; and
I made the remark that my living room now looked like it had ‘frat-house’ seating arrangement?

Well, this is what the opposite wall from my couch looked like until today…
going on a couple of months now.



Not pretty, I know!  Yes… until today. I still had my old couch and loveseat.
And everything else you see in this photo…not a peaceful room to sit in, on most days.
I think the walls were starting to close in on me. 
It was getting bad.

Then on Sunday… Our daughter and Son in law gave us a flat-screen TV.
Yep! 
Merry Christmas to us.  I’ll be honest.  I’ve got a couple of different schools of thought on this TV, gift Giving, …gift RECEIVING (there is an art to that you know?)
I was, at first,  a little less than thrilled.

Today--
I had some one show up to take our ~~~FREE Couch and Loveseat~~~ I’d posted on Craigslist.
I did try and sell it.
Can you blame me?  A little extra cash would have come in handy for something.  If nothing else, just to pad the wallet.
But, the more I thought about it--- the more I thought it best to move my ad from the ‘FOR SALE’ LISTING to the “FREE- COME AND GET IT” LISTING.
So I did.



Still Not PRETTY... I know.
 It took no time at all and T.H. and son in-law had this thing up and on the wall.
Give a man a flat screen  and he will see to it—that it gets hung on the wall.

So, what did it take to change my mind about our newly acquired gift? 
Uhm… some one willing to take a 10 + year old set of gently used couches AND … a dusty old TV (that worked just fine)
Yeah…when they showed up to get the furniture and then T.H. asked them if they needed a T.V.  --- you should have seen the looks of SHOCK and  AWE  on everyone’s faces. (…or I wish I could have seen my own face)  

I just turned around to that nice lady and gentleman and announced…
“Ok… I’m warning you.  You are about to see some dust.
You may look at it and be amazed…but please, DO. NOT. WRITE. YOUR. NAME. IN IT.”
They just laughed , Thanked us for the TV and Furniture and went on their way.
It was a good day. :)

Tomorrow—I’ve got plans to do something … I don’t know what, with the rest of the furniture in my living room , AND SOMETHING WITH THOSE AWFUL CORDS!

While you’re all Christmas-ing and Making Merry and Bright…
I am too, in the  background.   Trying to give a  little; and spread a little cheer…and possibly some dust.

Til next time, Be Blessed!



Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, [and] being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ~ Philippians 2: 5-8

::Drop-Off Dogs ::

In February...we lost our favorite mutt, Gracie in a freak accident.

She was a favorite...

born here, the pup of a VERY PREGNANT stray that had been dropped off; we found homes for all of them including the mom. We had Gracie for about 8 years. 

T.H. and I have been talking...and agreed that we won't be getting anymore dogs after Trouble is gone...

Since February...our boxer "Trouble" has been lonely. She is top dog now...and fully lives up to her name. We got Trouble when my daughter adopted her right after graduating high school.  ALSO about 8 years ago. She was a POUND PUPPY--- the Pound waived the adoption fee and they paid for  SPAYING Trouble too... because she was dropped off  pregnant at the pound;My daughter adopted her and took the pups until they weaned and returned them to the pound for adoption --with the terms mentioned previously. 

After a few years of living away, my daughter brought her back here while she lived next door -- we ended up keeping her after they moved into their new house. Because well, she's 10 years old now...and this is her home. 

But she gets lonely. 

THAT ALL CHANGED MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND! 

Meet "Buster"

Another drop-off  dog. 

We woke up Saturday and didn't notice him until after noon sometime. 

He has a problem with his back leg. Not sure if it's sprained or what ...it's not swollen, he doesn't cry or wince like he has pain. Probably needs an X-ray. 

I really don't have the money for a vet visit right now.  

We did get his puppy shots from the feed store and gave those to him. 

As soon as the county has their Once-A-Month clinic...I can get him his $8 rabies shot...

Now we're saving up for Neutering... ssshhh! 

Don't tell BUSTER. 

He took to us right away... 

Trouble doesn't seem to mind him being around either. He helps her to get a little bit of exercise in the yard. However, She gets a little testy around the food bowl; but he'll learn his place. 

Yes... we're keeping him. 

Look at that face! 

He doesn't know his name yet... but, he will "get it" and bring "It" back... with a tennis ball or a stick!
That was only after a couple of sessions with him.

FYI: we checked the little 'mom and pop' gas station for any postings for a missing dog in the area. 

But, I'm pretty sure he's a drop-off dog.  That is what people do out here... they find a yard with toys in it...and drop the dog off in the dark of night; In hopes that some little child will find the pup and not be able to resist keeping it.  I can't help but wonder if BUSTER'S leg was injured in the drop off... our TOSS OUT.  

I told T.H. ... I'd be afraid to see what happens if we had a sign out front that said : 

Oma's and Honey's No Kill Shelter

We'd have more dogs than you could shake a stick at! 

*** I don't mean for this to be a PSA... 

but people please Spay and Neuter your pets.

It's raining Cats and Dogs out there! 

MHC & A Favorite Thing

Draw near unto the LORD and He will draw near unto you. ~ James 4:8

:: Frugal Fodder-21- Party for Pennies -or- CARS Themed Birthday Party ::

This is a post from last week--- doing some draft and photo clean up! :)

We started out the week  with a birthday party for Easton...

His birthday isn't for another couple of weeks...but the timing was perfect for Momma since she had 3 weeks out of Nursing School.

He's going to be 3...he doesn't care what day we have it on...just as long as 'CARS' ARE INVOLVED!!! 

 As always my daughter usually makes the decorations to save money and puts together a cute party for pennies!

 Dollar Tree table plastic table cloths and yellow electrical tape  makes a cute table and a nice place to drop gifts.
The signs were everywhere... this was definitely a CARS themed party!!!

"E" for Easton! 

 The little crochet rug was something she made for his older brother  a couple of years ago for his birthday... made a nice center piece on the coffee table.  The kids loved it!


She got her mileage out of the DUCT TAPE ROLL, TOO...

Even the bottled water--got a make over with some checked duct tape.... and fit right in with the theme.

 The winners circle... the cupcakes she made and for toppers...again DUCT TAPE CHECKERED FLAGS  and a cheap set of left over invitations with the Character Cut out... for cupcake pokes!

We had thought there would be a bounce house...but opted out.  The weather had been bit cool...but in the end, the pool was ready for swimmers. So instead of bouncing we enjoyed some time splashing around instead!

We had a blast!

I'm just curious. I know there are those...that would just rather not have a party at home.  We either had a small party and gathering when my kids were little or we celebrated with birthday dinners (especially once the kids were older)

• Do people mostly do birthday parties for kids...AT HOME ? Or Do people prefer the Pizza Party places and Recreational Facilities ...or McD's for parties still? 

• If you have a party at home is it...as an option for saving money? ...OR Just personal preference? 

What are your thoughts on Home parties for kids  vs.  Event Room type parties (and all the stimulation a child can stand)? 

The grace of the LORD Jesus Christ be with your spirit. ~Philippians 4:23 

:: My Thoughts on Mother's Day and How I Spent It ::

Mother's Day-- I spent the day with The Honey (T.H.)

I didn't see my children...(well I saw both my boys for a few minutes) but that's about it.
I'm TOTALLY  OK with that.

Here are my thoughts on Mother's Day. 

It's over rated. I'm not that much into holidays or events where the emphasis is mainly obligatory, or dictated by a calendar.  I'm confident in my mothering skills. I have only a few regrets, when I reflect upon, how I raised my children. The biggest being ...not teaching 'The Fear of the LORD' to them more soundly.  When I do reflect and I begin to dwell on parenting mistakes... I'm reminded that God's Grace abounds much more than my sin (and my ignorance) in that area.  

Please don't mis understand. I LOVE BEING A MOTHER AND...I do not think Motherhood is over rated. Parenting children, whether they are your biological children or not OR perhaps someone else had them; and you had a part in raising them, for whatever reason, is both a big responsibility and an honor. 

I just think a day set aside for that...is silly.  If honor is due them... don't wait for a calendar or Commercial Sales Event to show it. 

With all that being said... TH and I planned to be busy on Mother's Day...and we had ourselves a little fun. Without our kids. :)



We took a train ride. We're not train enthusiasists... but we thought it would be fun; and it was!

I took lots of pictures and I even fiddled with the timer and snapped a few pictures of TH and Myself, so the ones of us are from weird angles (like the one below)

This one another lady took for us...we exchanged cameras with her and took pictures of her family too. Sometimes all you need to do is ask. 

Before the train departed. 

Engine 316 

Car #70 (it was open air car...the weather was exceptional) 

The ride was about 1-1/2 hours long. 

We passed a train coming from Rusk,TX 

I had walked to the front of our car to the platform (seen above where the stairs are) in just the knick of time and got the photos below of us passing Engine #300

Once in Rusk we had about another 1-1/2 for lunch and walking around the State Park. 

You could take a lunch--but we bought one instead. 

The picnic tables looked out over the lake. 

The bottom right photo shows a little house across the lake-- on the State Park property. 

I could totally live there. 

This Cyprus tree was near our picnic table...the Cyprus Knees were poking out of the water. 

So cool. 

This is after lunch...when I started playing around with the timer on my snap and shoot. I found a window ledge and snapped a couple of photos in between the buildings.  

The Historical Marker---telling about the Short Rail Line built by the prisoners and supervised by the state prison system, in the 1880's. 

The Engineer and Myself! 

I video taped him telling some bystanders all about Steam Engines and how they work.

AND THEN...  I accidentally deleted it. Ooops! 

That train Engine is HUGE! 

Our seats were wooden... I carried a bag with two cushions for us. I think we're the only one that did. You could only have one bag each. 

While we sat on our cushions, I had my small bag in the big bag...more room for our feet. 

Coming back I snapped a better photo of the TURNTABLE... in Maydelle, TX.  The only town we actually traveled through closely. 

~"Famous" 1890's Turntable ~ 

It's for turning an Engine around to head back the other direction. 

I didn't see this one in action...

but it does still work. 

This train travels through a Texas State Forest and Wild Life Reserve and the train actually travels over The Neches River...it was flowing nicely that day. 

The Pine trees were so TALL... so close like you could reach out and touch them! 

you're not supposed to stick you hands out the window...but I leaned out anyway. 

I took this  photo heading back...this time CAR #70 WAS THE CABOOSE. 

I love seeing the Engine up there chugging around the bend. 

Back at the station... 

we pulled up right next to the water tower...with all the bells and lights. 

I had a great time. 

Totally enjoyed it. 

The grace of the LORD Jesus Christ be with your spirit. ~ Philippians 4:23 

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The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. ~ Ecclesiastes 12:13