Raising the porch swing to new heights!

Close you eyes, feel the gentle back and forth swaying, relax and rewind, ceiling fan blowing above your head, the sound of crickets in the background, as you take a nap on this SWINGING PORCH BED! OMGosh, I've got to have one! Somebody find me a carpenter, quick.

Directions are here http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/idea-library/projects/Hanging_Bed_in_Sunroom_0508.aspx.

Melinda

Another Who Knew Moment!

Did you know that by savings your coffee grinds and tea bags, and using them as mulch around hydrangeas, it will change the ph of the soil, and make your pink blooms turn blue.

Wow!

It's amazing what you learn from reading isn't it.

Melinda

Who knew!!!!

'Water Displacement #40' or WD40, as we like to call it.


The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes fr om the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound.. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts. Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.. When you read the 'shower door' part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door.. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It's a miracle! Then try it on your stove top ... Viola! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.

Here are some other uses:
1. Protects silver from tarnishing. 2. Removes road tar and grime from cars. 3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings. 4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery. 5.. Keeps flies off cows. 6. Restores and cleans chalkboards. 7. Removes lipstick stains. 8. 20 Loosens stubborn zippers. 9. Untangles jewelry chains. 10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks. 11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill. 12. Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing. 13. Removes tomato stains from clothing. 14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots. 15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors. 16. Keeps scissors working smoothly. 17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes. 18. It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks. 19. Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40! 20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide. 21. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers. 22. Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky no ises. 23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open. 24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close. 25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers. 26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles. 27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans. 28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling. 29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly. 30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools. 31. Removes splattered grease on stove. 32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging. 33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs. 34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell). 35. Removes all traces of duct tape.. 36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain. 37. Florida 's favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.' 38. The favorite use in the state of New York , WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements. 39.. =2 0 WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states. 40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch. 41. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag. 42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone! 43. If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.


Bet you didn't know this!
The basic ingredient is FISH OIL.

I've tried everything else on my old stiff knees, might as well give this a try.

Smiles,

Melinda

Happy St. Patty's Day!

May there always be work for your hands to do...

May there always be work for your hands to do

May your purse always hold a coin or two;

May the sun always shine on your windowpane;

May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;

May the hand of a friend always be near you;

May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Melinda

Lemon Tea Cakes!

My Mom used to make a little cookie she called a Tea Cake. Very easy to make, just flour, butter and sugar. When I saw this recipe on Crisco's site, http://www.bhg.com/recipes/collections/crisco/ I had to try it and they were fabulous.

3 1/4 cups All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup Crisco® Pure Vegetable Oil
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 teaspoons lemon extract
Granulated sugar

Directions
MIX flour, baking powder and salt in small mixing bowl. Cream butter, granulated sugar and powdered sugar in large mixing bowl. Blend in oil, eggs, lemon peel and lemon extract. Stir in flour mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

HEAT oven to 350°F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls Place 2 to 3 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Flatten to 1/8-inch thickness with bottom of glass dipped in granulated sugar.

BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are light golden brown. Remove cookies from pan immediately. Cool on wire rack.

VARIATION
LEMON CRISPS: Follow recipe above, except shape dough into 3/4-inch balls and flatten to 1/16-inch thickness with sugar-dipped glass. Bake 7 to 9 minutes, or until edges are light golden brown.

Of course, I'm a lemon freak, love, love, love any lemon flavored and these did not disappoint. These are a fabulous spring cookie. You could add a few drops of pastel food coloring and these would be wonderful for Easter!

Enjoy!

Melinda

Thought for the day!

We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance. ~ Japanese Proverb

Jesus Loves Me!

This has always been a favorite childrens song, but someone sent me an updated version for us older folks,

JESUS LOVES ME>>>>

Jesus loves me,this I know,>>
Though my hair is white as snow>>
Though my sight is growing dim,>>
Still He bids me trust in Him.>>

(CHORUS)>> YES,JESUS LOVES ME.. YES, JESUS LOVES ME..>> YES, JESUS LOVES ME FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.>>

Though my steps are oh, so slow,>>
With my hand in His I'll go>>
On through life,let come what may,>>
He'll be there to lead the way.>>

(CHORUS)>>

When the nights are dark and long,>>
In my heart He puts a song.>>
Telling me in words so clear,>>
'Have no fear for I am near.'>>

(CHORUS)>>
When my work on earth is done,>>
And life's victories have been won.>>
He will take me home above,>>
Then I'll understand His love>>

(CHORUS)>>
I love Jesus, does He know?>>
Have I ever told Him so?>>
Jesus loves to hear me say,>>
That I love Him every day.>

Take a moment and sing this. It'll lift you're spirits.

Melinda

Much needed words of wisdom!

I don't know about you, but turning on the news depresses me to no end. However, today while reading the comments on someone's blog (don't remember which one, I am at that age when you memory starts going) I read these words that gave me some perspective.

"God is still in control, no matter who's in Washington!"

Doesn't that just say it all!

Amen!

Melinda

Finished at last!

The contractor has packed up his tools and vacated the premises. I love my new kitchen, it turned out just as I had planned. My husband made the Welsh Dresser for me when we were first married 30 years ago.

There is still some fluffing and adjusting for me to do. I have to do something with the windows, but I think it turned out pretty good. I had a budget of $10,000 and I managed to stay in it.

That includes the granite and all new appliances, hardwood floors, new light fixtures, plus 7 recessed lights , removing the bar and making an island, and moving 3/4 of the wall between the kitchen and den.

So here's proof that you can make a big change without big bucks.

Melinda

Ps, the $10,000 doesn't include the new table and chairs I've got my eye on. Just don't tell my husband.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDSAY!

My baby turned 20 on March 1st. I cannot believe it.

She is a lovely young woman and I am very proud of her.

Time really flies!

Melinda

Announcing the Death of Common Sense

My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by. Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance, for Common Sense had served us all so well for so many generations.

ObituaryCommon Sense Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Aspirin, sun lotion or a Bandaid to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became part of a state requirement in public places; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault..Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim..

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.


Melinda