Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

My sweet niece sent this to me and I just had to share. I love these flash mob things. So unexpected, so wonderful not matter the song, and the dancing!! Oh my !!! Now, add the Halelujah corus at the holidays. Life is good.

Hope you enjoy....Happy Holidays!

Carol-the gardener

Meet me on Monday

Thank you Java for hosting Meet me on Monday.  It is a great way to meet new friends and learn more about the ones we already have.

Now, this weeks questions:
1. How many pillows do you sleep with?

2. Where will you eat on Thanksgiving?

3. Would you rather go to a party or host a party?

4. How many purses (for the guys..wallets) do you own?

5. What is your favorite kind of seafood?

My answers:

1.  I sleep with 2 pillows.  Sometimes both under my head and usually under one leg, I find it helps with my back pain if I sleep with a pillow under my knees.

2.  I am hosting Thanksgiving this year.  OK by me because I like to do things a certain way anyhow so it all works out well...or at least I hope so.

3.  I would rather go...hosting a party is fun, but it is also lots of work.  If I could hire it all out ...I would prbably rather host the party.

4.  Gosh, I don't know.  I have ones for formal and then I have a couple for summer and a few for winter.  I would guess maybe 10?

5.  Hmmm...I love crab.  I love soft shelled crab, good crab cakes, crab legs...yep, probably crab.  We get plenty of crab locally living in Florida.  I love Lobster but that isn't local so...yeah, anyway.



Remember to tell those you love...that you LOVE THEM.  Be kind to one another.

Carol-the gardener

Follow me on Friday 40 and over

Making  plans for the Thanksgiving menu...

Turkey...getting tomorrow

Do you brine?  I never did until two years ago and now we are all sold.  Ever since that turkey we have HAD to brine the turkey.

Stuffing?

No, I stuff mine with lemons, herbs, onions etc...but we make dressing here in the south and that requires yet another pan.  Lots of cornbread, veggies, sometimes sausage, lots of good broth and eggs.  YUM!

Cranberry sauce?

you bet!  Fresh cranberries cooked till they pop and sweetened with sugar, just a dash of orange juice and zest.

Appetizers?

Yes, goat cheese log rolled in pumpkin seeds with salami and pickled okra, nuts, dried fruit etc..

Sides?

I guess I am the only person in America that doesn't like Green bean casserole.  I like my green beans fresh and crunchy.
Sweet  potato casserole is OK on the other hand.  Peas for sure.  Probably zipper peas, my darling daughters favorite...good thing I put some in the freezer this summer.  Broccoli and cauliflower salad.  Mac and cheese.

Beverage?

Sweet tea of course!  This year a little zing with spiced tea and orange. 

Before Dinner Drinks?

Still deciding...prosecco I think.

After Dinner Drinks?

Pumpkins spiced coffee with hazelnut creamer.

Dessert?

Apple pie, my kids always look for this.  Carrot cake, I'll make this a couple days ahead.

Blog?

No, I'll be in the kitchen next week.  :)

What are your traditions?

I heard a good quote today..."The food is not important, it is the people around the table and the love they share."

I liked that.

Be good to one another.  Times like this you remember.  Make it a little special for those you love.

Carol-the gardener

Wordless Wednesday

We slipped away into the beauty of the mountains last week.  The weather was beautiful the entire week.  A trip made on a moments notice, not sure if I was up for it or not after all we had been through.  Turns out God knows what you need and when you need it.  We were able to find a beautiful cabin in a great location at the last minute...normally they are all booked by now.  That let me know God was with us.  Enjoy!



Our Cabin, Bella Vista Lodge





Anna Ruby Falls





Anna Ruby Falls




Drive to cabin





I hear John Denver singing when I look at this.




A Moose sculpture in the middle of the woods.




Sunset from the main deck.




Fire out on the screen porch beside the hot tub.



We had a great time and it was just what we needed.

Remember, hug someone way too tight today!

Be good to each other.

Carol-the gardener

Donnie McClurkin ft. BeBe & CeCe Winans - STAND (rare live version)

When you've done all that you can....Stand!

Carol-the gardener

Out of Simple Eyes

I feel disconnected

One of my anchors has gone

the rope is dangling

worn and torn.

I have a compass

I know it is there

Feelings are heavy like fog

Steering me elsewhere.

Clouding my thoughts

I am adrift in murky waters

Yet,  I have to sail this ship.

I feel adrift in a sea of confusion

a lonely tide rolling in

In a world spinning fast

Too fast, I can't stand.

Concerns over loves ones fill my mind

sneaking up on me

I want to leave them behind

Hiding feelings  

Not so easy, my mind always returns to find.

I wonder how people disregard them

Go on about their day

So much energy inside my head

Pulling me away

Away from peace

Away from rest

Away from feeling blessed.

I don't want to talk about it

What is the use anyway?

I write it down 

Hoping it will take some of the pain away

I know I am different

All locked up inside my head

Sometimes I want to be simple

But would life look the same

Out of simple eyes I would see

Not the same life

This one was given to me.

I am working on understanding

Life and the way it is

I still wish this one was easier

For me to live.

Locked away

No one has a key

Or maybe it is just me.

So much pain

emotional, physical

wearing me down

I am strong and I refuse to drown.

God is with me

His lessons I must learn

Compassion and gentleness

will help me make a turn.

I have a life filled with beauty

Love and happiness

I do know that I am truly blessed.

Knowing and feeling

Are the games

Your mind plays on you

When you only feel the pain.

You have to reach in deep

To grab hold of the peace.



Meet me on Monday

Questions:




1. Do you eat Sushi?

2. What kind of bath soap do you use?

3. How often do you talk to your Mom?

4. What TV shows do you watch on a regular basis?

5. Did you start Christmas shopping yet?

My answers..
 
1.  Do you eat Sushi?  YES!  I love Sushi ...I don't really like the eel  or the fish egg thing but any type of fish and veggie is delicious to me.
 

 
 
2.  What kind of bath soap do you use?  I am addicted to soap and bath products.  My favorite is by the Greenstone Soap Company.  I usually by several bars when I get by there once a year and then order online too.  The Ancient Evening and the Lavender is my favorite.  All natural.  Check them out.  Great Company I've been using their soap for years.  Love it!  It hits my favorites list soon.
 
 

3.  How often do you talk to your Mom?  Every couple of weeks.  She is getting older and it is difficult to hold a long conversation with her these days.  I think a move is coming soon.

I don't talk on the phone that much.  I guess that is strange for a woman, but really don't enjoy it.
 
4.  What TV shows do you watch on a regular basis?  Modern Family, Boardwalk Empire, The Real Housewives (Atlanta... I love NeNe...what a character! she is a hoot!) So You Think You Can Dance.
 

 
 

5.  Did you start Christmas shopping yet?  No, not really I'm going to shoot for after Thanksgiving...one thing at a time.  I wish everyone would just give me a list of things they might like to have.  So much easier that way.  I say every year I am going gift cards, then never do seems so impersonal to me.

Sorry I've been out of pocket lately.  We took a little get away trip together.  We thought maybe it would help to heal our grief stricken hearts and it was very nice, the mountains were beautiful, weather was great and we had fun galore.  Nothing can really keep you from grieving though.  We all miss her and are trying our best to keep going and be good troopers.  Some days though you just feel disconnected from life.  That is the best way I know to explain it. 

Thank you to all of you who have written me and are keeping my family in your prayers. 

Remember to tell someone you love them, hug them way too tight today!

Carol-the gardener

Gnarls Barkley - Crazy

Lyrics

I remember when, I remember, I remember when I lost my mind

There was something so pleasant about that phase.

Even your emotions had an echo

In so much space

And when you're out there

Without care,

Yeah, I was out of touch

But it wasn't because I didn't know enough

I just knew too much

Does that make me crazy

Does that make me crazy

Does that make me crazy

Probably

And I hope that you are having the time of your life

But think twice, that's my only advice

Come on now, who do you, who do you, who do you, who do you think you are,

Ha ha ha bless your soul

You really think you're in control

Well, I think you're crazy

I think you're crazy

I think you're crazy

Just like me

My heroes had the heart to lose their lives out on a limb

And all I remember is thinking, I want to be like them

Ever since I was little, ever since I was little it looked like fun

And it's no coincidence I've come

And I can die when I'm done

Maybe I'm crazy

Maybe you're crazy

Maybe we're crazy

Probably

I've always liked this song.  Kinda fits me today. 

Carol-the gardener

Wordless Wednesday

Pictures taken over Halloween Weekend..Enjoy!




My Hubz Pumpkins!  He loves carving them for the children every year.




All the children in costumes.




Our Halloween Display in the front yard.



We all had a great time.

Hug someone way too tight today!

Carol-the gardener

Push Yourself

Sometimes you just have to push yourself.

Smile until you feel happy.

Make the best of a terrible situation.

Laugh until something is funny again.

Lay down and get still until you fall asleep.

Go out and kiss many frogs until you find the true Prince or Princess.

Eat until something tastes good again.

Sometimes you must push yourself.

I wanted to share this picture with all of you.  My Hubz does this every year for children ...carve pumpkins that will somehow be special to them.  This year Mr. Pistol Britches was Buzz Lightyear...to infinity and beyond.  One of the many reasons I love him.

Hug someone too tight today!

Carol-the gardener