New Hobby, New Recipe, & Celebrations

It is good to be back with Carissa for Miscellany Monday this week.

I hope you had a chance to visit my first posting of "Beauty Without Within Thursday" last week and meet my friend.  If not, just scroll down when you finish with my miscellany today.

New Hobby

A couple weeks ago, I mentioned that I had finally started something I had dreamed about doing for many years - PAINTING!

This was my first attempt.

 Hanging in my bedroom.  Dick liked it so it remains.

Then, I decided to paint small canvases to give my sisters for our LSU Sister Weekend.  They were designated for their bathrooms.  I think they were pleased.

I was having so much fun, that I decided to do a couple for my kitchen.

Early Fall

Hidden Path

Sunday afternoon, after an inspiring nap, I painted this one to go in our office.

 I am having so much fun experimenting with different techniques and color mixing.

This canvas size is 19"x24"

Dick says we have about run out of walls, so I'm not sure which closet to decorate first.

New Recipe

Dick and I had friends over on Thursday night and did something you aren't ever supposed to do for company - we tried a new recipe.

We knew they loved jalapenos so thought they would enjoy this dish.

Chicken Bomber

They were a huge hit.  We served them along with Purple Hull Peas and Okra, Candied Carrots, and a wedge salad with cucumber, tomato and avocado slices.

You need to try this one!

Celebrations

Monday was Hubby's birthday and Wednesday was our 48th Anniversary.

This was the guy I met on a blind date in New Orleans in February1965.

 On September 4, 1965, I became his wife in the little rural South Louisiana church my dad pastored.

My dress was borrowed from a cousin, my going-away outfit was given to me by an aunt and another aunt paid for the flowers and reception.  Country preachers didn't make much money, but I never felt prettier or more blessed.

On Saturday, we celebrated with friends, Larry and Jean Anne Williams at

 Another Broken Egg

May there be many more birthday and anniversary celebrations with friends.

I hope you have a great week and when you think about it, do something special for yourself or someone else.

Friday Happnin's

Me, a Budding Artist?

On Wednesday, I told you I was going to start painting.  Well, I have done my first canvas!

I told you that you would not be able to recognize anything in my paintings because I don't paint things.  I love abstract art!

There is also madness behind the reasoning or reasoning behind the madness.  Whichever!

I am not an artist and could really not paint anything recognizable at this point if I tried.  So, abstracts it will be.

This is my first attempt.  (The colors are not as accurate as they could be.)  I may add some more layers and touch-ups, but as of now, this is it.

I used colors that would go in my bedroom.  When it's hung, I'll show you.

 

I haven't titled it yet.  Any ideas?

Oh My Goodness!

We had a scary and potentially tragic event in our little Garden Home section yesterday morning.

A lady taking her grandson to school was evidently blinded by the early morning sun and in order to avoid hitting the back of another car ahead of her, swerved and instead of hitting the brake accelerated into the side of this house.

 The scary thing is that this is the room of the beautiful little four-year-old daughter who had just been taken to preschool.

This is inside her room.  We are praising God for protecting her, for had it happened a few minutes earlier, it could have been very tragic.

Thankfully, neither the driver nor her grandson were hurt either, so there is much for which to be grateful.

Jobs, Contentment, Pickles & Painting

Do you remember lines from an old movie that went something like, "It's Monday we must be in France," or "It's Tuesday, we must be in Brazil,"  etc.  Anyway, to paraphrase those lines:  "It's Wednesday, I must be in Hodgepodge!"  Okay, that was weak, but regardless, I'm glad to be Hodgepodging with all you Hodgepodge Wednesday gals.  Thanks Joyce for hosting us.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Labor Day weekend (in the US of A) is approaching...what's something you've labored over this year?
Relationships!  Nuff said!
 
2. What is one word to describe your 'job' or career?
RETIRED
 
3. What was your worst or least favorite job ever? Why?
While in college, I worked for a short time in a cosmetic studio in an elderly woman's home.  She had been doing this business for 50 years, and thought she was in need of an assistant.  I have never been so bored in all my life.  The make-up aspect was fun, but I hated doing inventory, and we didn't have any customers.  Oh heavens, I lasted maybe three weeks.

4. How do you measure contentment?
According to God's Word.  Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content."  The writer of Hebrews wrote in 13:5, "Be content with such things as you have."  I think the secret to contentment is always seeking to put God first in all things and whether we have much or little, being content, knowing that "God will never leave us or forsake us...so we can boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear..."

5. Pickles-like or dislike? What is something you eat that requires a pickle? Dill, bread and butter, sweet gherkins...what's your favorite kind of pickle?I am not a big fan of pickles, period.  However, a good potato salad must always have chopped bread and butter pickles to be acceptable.

6. In your current house-town-state, what is it you like living close to?My church, the Fitness Center, grocery stores, restaurants, shopping, friends

7. What is one thing on your 'want-to-do' list before summer draws to an official close?Do a painting.  See next response.
 
8.  Insert your own random thought here. 
I have always wanted to paint and thought when the kids got older, that's what I would do.  Then, it became, when the kids leave home painting will be my first hobby.  At some point it became, when I retire watch out because I am going to take over the art world.  Well, its been two years and I didn't even own a paint brush much less anything else to go along with it.

NOT ANYMORE!

I did it!  Hubby bought me a canvas at an estate sale last weekend, so there you go.  First step!  Hobby Lobby was having a sale on acrylics, and other art supplies, so I just decided it was time to get started.  I even have an easel!

YEA ME!

 DISCLAIMER!

 Don't expect to ever recognize anything in any painting I may ever be brave enough to share on here.

Now, what are you going to tackle the rest of this summer?