Ten random things about me

Carla tagged me weeks ago and was kind enough to ask if I minded. It has been awhile since I took part in this "tag" so I thought it would be fun.

So... here are ten random things about me, a few of which I may have written about already. Oh, and if you want to play along on your blog, consider yourself tagged. :)

1. I was a baton twirler in elementary school.

2. I'm extremely claustrophobic and afraid of heights... which may have something to do with my fear of flying. However, I wanted to be an astronaut for years as a youngster. Go figure...

3. I started out online as an administrator of a survival forum for women. Deepening the pantry has been a long time interest.

4. During my old corporate days, I went from being an Administrative Asst. in Human Resources to Acting Department Head of Organization Development... and later did a little consulting here and there.

5. My first child, Matthew, was a preemie who quickly passed into Heaven. My grandson, Matthew, has Grammie wrapped around each cute little finger.

6. I was a "yours, mine, and ours" baby. Which is why all but one of my siblings are old enough to be my parents.

7. My father passed away of a heart attack when I was ten years old.

8. I became a Christian in the Jesus Movement as a teenager. It was a revival that started in California and swept the United States and then the world. What made it so unique was it was mostly young people and the "unchurched" who came to Christ in that revival. It was also the birthplace of Contemporary Christian Music.

9. I have been asked a few times to write a book. Instead... I blog. However, my first published words were in a letter to TV Guide (back when every home in America either subscribed or bought one each week). It was to complain about the original Star Trek being canceled.

10. The picture on the blog header is my neighbor's barn.

20 of my favorite things

20 Of My Favorite Things

1. Color- deep red
2. Dessert- my own baking
3. Smell- cinnamon rolls in the oven
4. Flower- roses and daisies (I carried both at my wedding)
5. Animal- sweet kitties
6. Month- October
7. Beverage- coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon
8. Pair of shoes- warm weather - SAS sandals
9. Snack- chocolate
10. Song- anything by John Denver (even the tree hugger stuff)
11. Book- that's like asking who is my favorite child but "anything by Edith Schaeffer"
12. Fruit- apples
13. Hairstyle- long, flowing, curly locks... maybe I'll have them in Heaven
14. Piece of clothing- my red, warm, flannel robe (in cold weather)
15. Store to clothes shop- Goodwill
16. Season- autumn
17. Hobby- baking tied with reading
18. Thing to collect- tea cups
19. Movie- Old: Casablanca and New: You've Got Mail
20. Restaurant- breakfast at Cracker Barrel, coffee and scone at Panera for my getaway breaks, dinner at our favorite cafeteria or neighborhood restaurant

Join Peggy at The Simple Woman to join in...

Another Meme

Raewyn (a very delightful blogger) tagged me with this fascinating Meme.

I am: a woman made whole by His Grace


I think: I will be ready for autumn if this heat wave continues


I know: the Universe has a Creator


I have: a great need for a cup of tea


I wish: the world was perfect


I hate: how dark the world has become


I miss: my precious kitty, Storm Girl


I fear: my health deteriorating more than it is


I feel: a sense of expectation


I hear: the hum of the computer fan and a TV show in the distance


I smell: the perfume I put on today before going to the doctor's office


I crave: coffee in the morning, tea in the evening, and chocolate at any time


I search: for peace, beauty, Truth


I wonder: what Eternity holds


I regret: not keeping up with past friendships


I love: my family


I ache: for my sister as she faces life as a widow


I am not: afraid


I believe: God is real


I dance: to the music of Heaven


I sing: only when I am alone


I cry: when I think of those who have already passed on


I don't always: check my blood sugar levels like I should


I fight: the same battle as Job


I write: because I have to


I win: peace... when I watch carefully what I say


I lose: my memory


I never: give up


I always: pray


I confuse: my husband but he is a man so that is expected


I listen: to hear what someone is really saying


I can usually be found: in the kitchen or curled up with a book


I am scared: of losing my health further


I need: God's Word


I am happy about: receiving good mail


I imagine: What Heaven will look like


And I (Raewyn) must add one of my own.

I (Brenda) am wearing: a long denim skirt, pretty top with roses on it, and sandals


This was fun so I tag any of my readers who want to take part. Just leave a comment so we can know where to find you!

A Meme

Mayre tagged me for this Meme and I know a couple of others have in the past, too. Problem is, if I don't do them immediately I forget about them! So I'll do this one right away and I have a very interesting one I'll probably do on Saturday. I bookmarked it so I won't forget!

However, I just can't tag anyone right now because... darn it, I don't have time! So if you want to take part, consider yourself tagged and leave a comment here. We'll all love to read them!

1. Link to the person who “tagged” you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know that they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know your entry is up.

Six Random Things about me?

My father died when I was ten years old so my oldest brother gave me away at my wedding. He was twenty-three or twenty-four when I was born. Both of his children are older than me.

I tried to play the clarinet but I didn't have enough wind (which astounds my husband). I tried to learn how to play a guitar but my fingers were not long enough. No one near me will let me sing. So my musical abilities are all on the side of listening.

There were a couple of years that my daughter and I looked so much alike, people got us confused at a distance. I am much older now and that would never happen.

I had a Letter to the Editor published in TV Guide when I was very young. If I remember correctly, I was complaining about the original Star Trek being taken off the air. I am still a Trekkie.

I hear son-in-law and mother-in-law jokes all the time but I really like my son-in-law. I don't understand this whole math thing (a PhD in Statistics, I could see Literature but... Statistics?) but then again, I married a math-type person so I must appreciate them.

I think I was separated at birth from Sally Clarkson, even though we do not share the same birth month. When I read her books or listen to her CD's, it always amazes me how similar we are in so many ways and how we have gone through the same trials (like moving a gazillion times). She is, however, an amazing writer and speaker. She is also rather blond. So we weren't identical twins.

8 things about myself

Joanna tagged me for the 8 Things About Myself meme. I'll try to think of something I haven't written about already (it is quite amazing, especially as I am a very private individual, how much I HAVE written about).

As for tagging anyone else...consider yourself tagged! Anyone who reads this and wants to participate would be encouraged to do so. The responses would be fun to read.

1) Well, this is a repeat of what I've written before but it is interesting. I became a Christian during the Jesus People/Charismatic revival that swept the country in the late 60's/early 70s. I was a real Jesus Freak kind of girl, coffeehouse ministry and all. For a few years I thought this was real Christianity. I guess it was...it just didn't last.

2) My daughter and I had talked about going to Swiss L'Abri when she became a teenager. Instead I had an unexpected (but welcome) pregnancy. I think at the time, she would have appreciated going to L'Abri more.

3) I have been a gourmet cook, still am a pastry chef wannabee. Can't sew anything more than a straight line (which is all I need for quilting and crafts).

4) At age nineteen, I was heading for a stint in the Army (so I could continue college on the GI bill, it was at the end of the Viet Nam war). Instead, while I was in line to get sworn in, the computers all broke down. I went home and my (future) husband saw it as a "sign" from God and proposed. Whenever I see my grandchildren playing, I wonder...what if?

5) Many of my nieces and nephews are close to my age. A few are older. Mom was a widow with seven kids (mostly teenagers, a couple in their 20s) when she married my dad (divorced with one teenage son) around age 40. I was born a couple of years later. People thought I was her grandchild. She was not amused. I had the same thing happen after Christopher was born. I was born in the July that still holds many records for a heatwave.

6) I enjoy watching the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts. Which was why the Super Bowl was enjoyable, except I wanted the Bears to win. I also secretly support the Patriots, only because I know their winning makes my son-in-law happy. Shhhh...don't tell my husband.

7) I hate math but I love NUMB3RS. My "PhD in statistics son-in-law" tells me it is not quite realistic. It would be like someone being a mechanical-electrical-aeronautical-chemical engineer all wrapped up in one. But it is fun and his parents tape it so he and Stephanie can watch it together after the kids go to sleep (by choice, they do not have any type of TV reception). Since I never "got" anything up to and including fractions, anyway... it's not the math part I enjoy even though it looks fascinating and all... It is the great writing about the relationships between the college/FBI people and the two brothers and their dad.

8) Realistically, I would never want to move from this part of the Midwest again. I love being "home", just miles away from the small town where I grew up. However, if time and space were of no importance, I'd want to live at Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. We visited there twice the last time we were in New England. Loved it!!!

7 Things I love meme

Since Maggie Ann at Knitting Kat posted this on her blog, I thought it would be fun to try here. Considered yourself tagged, it would be fun to see what other people would write...

7 Things I love:

*The obvious...my family... human and furry...and knowing there are a group of people on this Big Blue Marble who know me well and still love me. (Notice I did not say understand me...)

*That the house I loved was the one I could afford. Thank you, God.

*Reading on the sofa... the rain falling against the window... knowing I have nowhere I have to go that day.

*Spending a morning cooking and baking when the wind is whipping up the snow against the windows...and later watching those I love enjoy the benefits of the kitchen time.

*Treasure hunting through antique malls and thrift stores for very little money and being able to be creative with the artist's canvas that is my home.

*My first cup of coffee each day. Hot tea or Starbucks lattes on cold days, chai frappacinos when the mercury is rising.

*Early morning quiet times...in my rocking chair...on my front porch...meeting with Him who loves me most of all.

Heather's Chocolate Coated Meme

As soon as I read about this on Heather's blog, I knew I wanted to take part. I hope you do, too!

Heather's Chocolate Coated Meme

1. How do you feel about chocolate? Love it, hate it, or somewhere in between?

Does the word obsession count?

2. What is your favorite ‘affordable’ chocolate fix?

Like Heather, I will purchase a bag of Dove chocolates (milk chocolate) because they are the best for the money. I also like the Dove Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream but it is hard to find. Wal Mart carries it at times.

3. What is your luxury chocolate ‘once in a blue moon’ treat?

Definitely the golden box of Godiva when purchased but I love the homemade candy that I make.

4. What is your favorite fruit and chocolate combination?

Usually raspberry and chocolate.

5. What is you favorite chocolate and nut taste treat?

I prefer pecans overall in anything.

6. White, milk, dark or bittersweet chocolate - where do your preferences lay?

Love milk chocolate but if I have to have just a tiny bit at a time, then I get dark chocolate.

7. What is the most unusual chocolate combination you’ve sampled? Take it or leave it?

I've seen chocolate covered bugs but I've never eaten them.

8. Do you have any fond chocolate covered childhood memories?

REAL chocolate malts at the five and dime downtown. Also, the Valentine's day heart filled with chocolates with the doll on top from my mom each year.

9. Have you ever been party to a chocolate covered disaster?

I can't think of any, other than the fact when I'm doing a lot of cooking I look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy and there can be chocolate splattered everywhere.

10. Do you have any chocolate stain removal tips?

I've heard you shouldn't wash chocolate stains in hot water.

11. What is your favorite chocolate sauce?

The hot fudge sauce that I make but you have to use it all up because it doesn't keep well.

12. Favorite chocolate kissed ice cream flavor?

Mint chocolate chip at the moment.

13. How do you make hot chocolate a real treat?

I make it from scratch using the recipe on the Hershey's cocoa can and before serving, I add a little extra Half & Half. During Christmas, I added the Mint Mocha cream, available from Dean's....yummy.

14. What is your favorite brand of chocolate chips?

Same as Heather, I like Ghiradelli. The price is reasonable when purchased at Wal Mart or Target in my area.

15. Do you nibble chocolate chips before they reach the cookie dough?

The milk chocolate Ghiradelli chips are about as good as a box of fine chocolates, don't ask me how I know.

16. Brownies! Fudgy or Cake-y, which do you choose?

I agree with Heather...fudgy all the way!

17. Care to share a favorite chocolate recipe? We’ll follow a link if you like!
I have many good recipes but this cake recipe is my "go to" chocolate cake.

18. Do you own a 'Chocolate Fountain'?

My son has wanted me to purchase one when we've found them cheap at a super store. I have no desire to own one. I'd rather just spend the money on good chocolate.

19. In your opinion, is there any time to avoid chocolate?

No....with the possible exception of avoiding it at night if it keeps you awake....I think I prefer chocolate to sleep.

20. What is the nicest ‘gift of chocolate’ you have ever received?

Godiva from a loved one.

21. Have you thanked God for making the cacao bean lately, and giving you taste buds to enjoy all of the wonderful things that can be made with it?

No, but I am now!

Homemaking Meme

Original from A Gracious Home...

Aprons – Y/N? If Y, what does your favorite look like?
I have a collection of vintage aprons. I wear most of them but have a couple hanging in my kitchen that I don't wear. One of them is a beautiful vintage apron I found when my daughter and I went to a famous flea market in New England. I find aprons as beautiful as some people find paintings.

Baking – Favorite thing to bake
Cookies...I am famous for my cookies.

Clothesline – Y/N?
I don't have one, yet. I plan to put one up this Spring.

Donuts – Have you ever made them?
Yes! Yummy...

Every day – One homemaking thing you do every day
I also do the dishes everyday (we do not have a mechanical dishwasher).

Freezer – Do you have a separate deep freeze?
No but a small deep freeze is on the top of a priority list of purchases.

Garbage Disposal – Y/N?
Yes, although I have started a compost pile that gets a lot of our stuff we used to put down the disposal.

Handbook – What is your favorite homemaking resource?
Home Comforts is close but I'd have to say the Internet is first.

Ironing – Love it or hate it? Or hate it but love the results?
I only iron when I sew, which isn't often these days.

Junk drawer – Y/N? Where is it?
No...

Kitchen – Color and decorating scheme
My kitchen was beautifully decorated by the previous homeowners, a young couple who did so much to make this house pretty. Most of the kitchen is painted a butter yellow, as are the kitchen cabinets. One wall (the one with no appliances or windows) is painted a deep tan. The kitchen counters are a silver-blue. Most of my accessories are red or yellow (I had them before moving in, too).

Love – What is your favorite part of homemaking?
Getting to be creative.

Mop – Y/N?
Yes, for the kitchen.

Nylons – Wash by hand or in the washing machine?
Wash by had.

Oven – Do you use the window or open the oven to check?
I try not to open the oven door when baking.

Pizza – What do you put on yours?
Sausage, onion, mushrooms, green peppers...pepperoni added when it is just for my son and me.

Quiet – What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?
I check my blog first, then check Bloglines. Sometimes I'll click on the actual blog title and visit the site if I want to read something in depth. In the evening, I usually read a book.

Recipe card box – Y/N? What does it look like?
I have THREE recipe card boxes (hey, I've been married over thirty years). I have two vintage boxes, one holding my current recipes and another holding my archives (those I don't use much anymore or those I want to try). I have a third recipe box that is a Suzy Zoo (I LOVE Suzy Zoo stuff) which holds all my Taste of Home, Quick Cooking, Country Woman type cut out recipe "cards".

Style of house – What style is your house?
1960s small-ish three bedroom ranch, red brick, nice front porch, big back yard and deck.

Tablecloths and napkins – Y/N?
I have cloth place mats and I use one of my cloth tablecloths when I'm doing something "fancy" at dinnertime like having guests over or for Holidays. I use both cloth and nice paper napkins.

Under the kitchen sink – Organized or toxic wasteland?
Very organized. My husband was an engineer and he has time on his hands now. Everything is organized.

Vacuum – How many times per week?
Once or twice a week. The carpeting in our living room and hallways is a beautiful green but it shows everything.

Wash – How many loads of laundry do you do per week?
I probably only do four or five loads a week.

X’s – Do you keep a daily list of things to do that you cross off?
Most days I do make a list, especially when we are doing a lot of our homeschooling classes here at home.

Yard – Y/N? Who does what?
My husband and son do the heavy work, like the mowing. I LOVE to prune trees and bushes so I do a lot of that (I hope that doesn't say anything about me, hehehe). My husband pruned the larger trees and our Rural Electric Company just did a huge pruning job! I also do most of the gardening work because my husband has severe allergies.

Zzz’s – What is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?
Making certain the front door is locked and outside lights are off is the very last. Sometime within the last hour before going to bed I get the coffeepot ready (and set the timer if I need to get up very early) and I set the furballs breakfast dishes out, along with their can of Fancy Feast ready to be opened first thing in the morning.