Saturday 9: Every Time You Go Away

My days this week have been spent compiling a Graduation picture book for this beauty who announced on Wednesday that she will be attending

Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio in the fall, majoring in Nursing.

We are so proud of you M-E and know there are only great things ahead for you.

Each Saturday, Samantha posts 9 questions usually based on a song from the past. We answer them and then join together to share our answers.  I hope you will join us.

Every Time You Go Away

Saturday 9: Every Time You Go Away (1985)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song is about separation. Who is the last person you said goodbye (or maybe just "so long") to?

It was our oldest granddaughter, Chandler.  We spent the night with her last Sunday night in Plano, Tx., and when we left we agreed that they would be coming to see us as soon as possible and hopefully in May.  So, it was just a "see you soon!" farewell.

2) This week's featured artist, Paul Young, was a gifted athlete during his school days and briefly played professional football (aka soccer). Sam enjoys playing tennis, though her serve doesn't give Serena Williams anything to worry about. What's something you enjoy doing, even if you don't excel?

I actually excel at very little or anything, really.  I do some things well, and some only acceptable.  I suppose the one thing I enjoy doing and really wish I could excel at is painting.

3) Mr. Young and his wife Stacy were married for 31 years, until her death in 2018. What do you think is the key to a happy marriage?

I have found that the key to our happy marriage (53 years) and that of others who have been happily married for a long time, is basing the marriage on Biblical principles.  Our commitment to each other was made out of an earlier life commitment to Jesus Christ.  Therefore, His example and love for His Bride, the church, has been the model for our relationship.

4) Paul Young's performance of this hit song was one of the highlights of the July 1985 Live Aid Concert. This international benefit raised more than $100 million to alleviate hunger in Ethiopia. Tell us about a charity you support.

We do not support any charity per se' but we do give through our church which supports many different ministries in our city, state, and both nationally and abroad.

5) This song was written by Daryl Hall, of Hall and Oates. What's your favorite Hall and Oates song?

They had so many good songs, but the most memorable is "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" from 1980.  Lea from CiCi's Corner may remember my son and his friend singing that song to her at an after-church fellowship back in the mid 80's.  Then again, she may have chosen to forget it, but it was so cute.

6) In 1985, when this song was popular, the New Coke was unsuccessfully introduced. What's the last beverage you drank?

I do not normally drink anything other than water.  The last beverage was a bottle of water spiked with Advocare Spark - Fruit Punch flavor.  That is the first thing I drink every morning.

7) In 1985, the New York Stock Exchange had to close because of Hurricane Gloria. Has a hurricane shared your name? (Find a list of recent/upcoming storm names here.)

No, Elizabeth has not been retired and neither is it on the upcoming list for future storms.

8) 1985 was the year that the Titanic wreckage was discovered. There have been at least 11 movies and TV shows about the fatal voyage. Have you seen any of them?

I did see the movie "Titanic" and have read several books relating to the Titanic.  It will always be a very fascinating story and event.

33 Rare Pictures of the Titantic

This is a very interesting link if you care about looking at the gallery of pictures of the Titantic sinking.

Will you be booking your voyage on the replica set to sail in 2022?

9) Random question: Would you rather own and run a coffee shop or a shoe store? Why?

As I don't drink coffee and because I do love shoes, this is an easy question to answer in one sentence.



I would specialize in quality shoes for the woman who can no longer wear high heels but likes to be fashionable.  I'll let you know when the doors open!

Wednesday Medley: Easter & Pigs-In-A-Blanket

Our Wednesday Medley is always based on whatever the National Day happens to be for each Wednesday. I invite you to join in and link up with other ‘Meddlers’ as we answer the questions Terri comes up with. 

TODAY IS NATIONAL PIGS-IN-A-BLANKET DAY

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1.  Typically served as an hors d'oeuvre, have you ever made or had a Pig-in-a-Blanket?  Do you like Pigs-in-a-Blanket?

Oh yes, this used to be a staple for any hors d'oeuvere table, party or just a simple get-together.  I also made for a delicious, quick breakfast dish that the kids loved.

Yes, I do like them but don't eat them as a rule unless it's Christmas Eve with the family.

2.  Pigs-in-a-blanket are also known as devils on horseback, kilted sausages, and wiener winks. (Seriously.)  Please make up another name for this fun little appetizer!

Weiner Wraps?  Warm Oinky?  Oinky Dinky?

That's about as creative as I can get.

3.  In the UK, pigs-in-blankets are small sausages, or chipolatas wrapped up in bacon.  Which country's version is most appealing to your taste buds?

Anything wrapped in bacon is a WEINER in my book!

4.  The first written record of pigs-in-a-blanket occurs in Betty Crocker's Cooking for Kids in 1957.  In this digital world, do you still have a favorite cookbook you use most of the time?  Is there a recipe you can share with us from that cookbook?

If I still cooked like I used to, yes I would generally go to one of the cookbooks above.  They were favorites for various reasons.  The green one on top was a compilation of favorite recipes done by a dear friend back in the late 70's or early 80's.  She was the hostess with the mostest for sure.

 These days, since my cooking is much simpler and healthier than it was 30 years ago, I rarely pull out a book.  I have tons I could choose from, but these days if I need a recipe I generally go to Pinterest.

This is one of my all-time favorite recipes that I used to fix all the time.  I haven't done it in years but it was in Dixie's book and my family loved it.

5.  What is your favorite cooking show on TV?

I don't watch cooking shows, therefore can't answer this one.

6.  Tell us something random about your week, please!

I must share with you pictures of our two children and their families on Easter Sunday.

We were with our Indiana family in spirit only this year.

Love these siblings!

Jackson and our to-be granddaughter-in-love

Easter Sunday was also our daughter, Christy's birthday, so we rode over to Dallas to spend the day with her and the family.

Christy and all her girls.

The Cunningham's

I've just got to include a few more.

Samson Cunningham was completely fascinated with finding beach front property.

Brad, Chandler and Cassidy attended a spectacular wedding (according to them the most spectacular they have seen) but I happen to think they look pretty spectacular themselves.

And that's my random for the week.

Good Friday

On this "Good Friday" of Holy Week, how do we approach the holiest of all Christian days?  Easter?

Source

The week began with views of flames coming from the most iconic house of worship on the planet.

How do we begin to process something so tragic?

Only a few short months ago Chandler and Brad were there standing amazed at its immensity, its beauty, its historic significance and it being a place of worship open to all humanity.

Reactions around the world were varied.  Most were shocked and saddened and are now rallying with declarations of restoration.

How do we respond when we have "fires" in our lives?

How do we process these?

How do we deal with great disappointments, pain, confusion, loss?

So quickly we can go from this

to this.

How do we handle the challenges when all we see are ashes?

Ann Voscamp shared these words on her blog post

How to Rebuild and Rise From the Ashes

"In a world that can burn down around us, in the epidemic of our age, this search for identity, we have to Stay in the Story to stay rooted enough to stay standing. 

 "Exactly because we are wired to worship and to stay in the Story. "

First Baptist Bossier City 2019

There is a Story that survives fires!

That Story is THE CROSS!


On this Holy Good Friday, when our Lord was crucified by an angry mob, his followers and family experienced an unimaginable trial when their very faith and existence was going up in flames.  They had gone from exaltation and jubilance; a time spent together in worship and praise; to a night of betrayal; and now to the face of death. 

How did they deal with all that was tearing their world apart?

They slept,

one fought back,

one denied Him,

some ran away fearful,

one sought to worship Him as only she knew how.

A mother wept!

One condemned Him, one asked for forgiveness.

Another stood in His place of release.

Are we any different?

We reject,
We are lackadaisical about our faith,
We question,
We do it on our own,
We are faithless,
We are lost!

We all stand in the need of forgiveness and redemption in order to be able to stand and come through the flames without the stench of smoke.

We have to Stay in the Story to stay rooted enough to stay standing. 

"The Story" is the only thing that survives the fires.

The Story is Jesus Christ!

We never need to say "Goodbye" to The Story!

Fabulous 50'S Fellowship

Our Sunday School Class, the "Yes Lord Class" at First Baptist Church, Shreveport, Louisiana hosted a 50's party and invited several other classes to join us last Friday night.  We had 80 to attend.

The decorations were so nice and helped set the stage for a fun night.

Our caterer and servers with the mostest!

Ronnie Joe (RJ), on left is the Minister of Family Life & Missions, but should be called the "Minister of Whatever Needs to Be Done."  Robin is his able assistant.

Our entertainment was superb!

My Hubby, Dick sang and emcee'd.  We had several from our music ministry to perform including Gale, our amazing soprano soloist.  The others were our Minister of Music and members of our church band and pianist.  They not only played but sang.  Oh my, I only wish I had a recording of "Bread and Butter" to share with you.

We also had Mark, our pastor's son to sing one of the Beatles's 60's songs, "Here Comes the Sun."

The program began with David reading a "History of the 50's" Rap which he had written.  It was such a fun composite of those years, and I will include some of the lines at the end.  He even styled his hair just for the occasion.

One of the fun numbers was "Jambalaya" when the whole group was invited to stand and sing along.

A special "Blast From the Past" was when we recognized Maylon Humphries, (2nd from left above) one our members who in his youth in the early 50's, wrote many songs and sang with a popular group.  He produced several records.

This is Maylon and his wife at our 2017 Christmas party.  Unfortunately, he is in very poor health and was unable to attend on Friday night.

There were a few of us couples who were going steady, wearing our boyfriend's jacket and class ring.

Billy and Betty were actual high school sweethearts and is wearing her steady's HS Senior ring around her neck.  She made her poodle skirt many years ago.

Her jacket was her mother's and made by her grandmother back in the '50's.  How amazing is it that she would still have this!



Are they not the cutest couple?

Bernard styled his hair and played the role to the hilt.  We loved the "spit curl!"

This gal went all out to show her commitment to her beau.

I not only wore my sweetheart's football jacket from 1958 but his HS and College rings.


Now, other adorable couples who went all out to dress for the party.

 

How sweet are Jim and Rita.  Her vintage dress was perfect for her!

Matt and Bonnie are not only adorable and sweet but help the age average of our class.

Carolyn designed the soda fountain backdrop and Hubby J.J. made it.  Such a clever cute couple.



Harold and Mary are the parents of our pastor and came from Arlington, Texas for this special night.

Notice Bob's authentic "Penny Loafers" with actual pennies.  Hard to get more '50's than that!

The back of Barry's shirt.

The Pink Ladies stole the show.  Especially one.

Carol had to introduce herself.  She was definitely incognito.

These are just some fun snapshots of the night.



Happy Days didn't have anything on these gals.

Double dating to the Drive-in Movie?

The most special guest was this little fellow, the son of our Minister to Students.

I think it is safe to say that we had a grand and memorable 50's Fellowship.

Now excerpts from David's Rap.

Fifty's Rap

Remember the fun of the fabulous fifties?
Aggie Jokes, limericks, and Tom Swifties?

TV was the latest craze
Turn it on and watch it for days.

Leave it to Beaver
Father knows Best
Ozzie and Harriet
and all the rest.

Eisenhower was in power
Took a daily nap, at least an hour.

Jackie Gleason and the Honeymooners
Nat King Cole and some other crooners.

American Bandstand:  Dick Clark
Montgomery boycott:  Rosa Parks

Good golly, Miss Molly!
We loved Buddy Holly

Wake up Little Susie!
It's time for I Love Lucy

Fats Domino found his thrill
On Blueberry Hill
In a coup de ville
Not far from Murrell's Grill

Your starter house had one bathroom
Not enough in the baby boom

Most folks were middle class and suburban
Hardly anyone wore a turban

Marilyn Monroe was quite a beauty
Little Richard sang Tutti-Frutti

I love you, Peggy Sue
Simple rhymes will have to do.

All this nostalgia gives me neuralgia.

David Wells