My Dad...

Being the oldest of two,

I have one brother, Ron.

I suppose,

I am the one most like my dad and his family.

At least that is what I am often told.

Ron bears strong resemblances to my mom's side.

And did you catch the name similarities???

...Rhonda & Ron
Yes, we were both named after my dad...Ronald!

...or Big Ron, a nickname he is now called!
Not that he is "big."

My guess, it is just his presence.

My dad was a traveling salesman, for most of my early childhood.

During the week, many times my mom was left to fill both parental roles.

She was a wonderful, stay-at-home mom, and I'm sure at times,

it must have been stressful for her, but she never let it show.

My dad was very outgoing, and could be a lot of fun.

He wasn't a cold person, but he didn't show or tell of his affections often.

One could "read between the lines" of his actions, and know that you were loved.

He showed it in his own unique way.

Some of the best memories spent with him,

were fishing trips, in which he would bait my hook with worms over, and over, and over...

Minus the moments he spent retrieving my tangled line from of a tree,

...or taking a slippery fish or nasty eel off my hook!

My dad was a member of the country club.

But this wasn't a fancy,

high maintenance with expensive fees, kind of country club.

It was just a simple, basic place to hangout on the afternoons and weekends, on the outskirts of the local papermill.

My dad often let me go with him,

and drive the golf cart as he played,

traveling from hole to hole.

He was also very forgiving when I came close to running the both of us

into the ponds around the course,

...more times than my pride will allow me to remember.

Nor did he go into a tirade,

on our first driving lesson when I was fifteen.

He tried to teach me to drive,

on his old 1960-something Ford truck, that had the gears on the column.

I mistook the clutch for the brake,

barely escaping the oncoming path of an eighteen-wheeler pulp truck.

When I was in college, we both caught the antiquing, junkin' bug!

To this day, no one appreciates and treasures "our junk,"

as much as we two do.

And our family claims we are not good for each other.

..instigating the other to buy such stuff.

In sheer defense, this has created a firm bond between us. :)

{Pictures are from my Wedding in '92}
Caption for picture below,

Dad telling Kevin... "No, she's yours now....you are not bringing her back home to me..."

(He really said this! LOL!}

As the years pass, and we have children of our own, we come to appreciate our parents more. Times when we thought they were being unfair, we realize as we are faced with similar parenting scenarios, that they did the best they could...and at times find ourselves acting in the same manner they did. I know I do! And as we ALL get older, the bridge that connects us turns into a friendship, and we realize that we are a lot more like our parents, than we would have ever imagined growing up!

I learned a lot from my dad, and until I married Kevin, I thought he was the smartest man in the world, "smiles" ...I say that because Kevin is a pretty smart fellow & great dad, too! LOL!

But the most important thing my dad taught me, he did so without saying a word. He taught me to pray!

When I was a little girl, I went back to my parent's bedroom one night, and my dad was on his knees, by his bedside, praying! This was humbling for me, an image I'll never forget! As far as I know, this is still a nightly ritual for him!

I feel extremely blessed to still have my dad. Kevin does not, and we all miss his dad, Bill!

Although he probably will not see this,

I do wish my dad, a Very Happy Father's Day, with love~

Encouraging Words for this Wednesday, come from Deuteromy 6:4-7,

"Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."

Miss Julia Child(s)

Saturday evening, Ashley and her friends, Cassie and Tess, got together at our house to bake cupcakes and watch "Alice and Wonderland."

They started off with a group hug, ...and aprons from my stash!


Ashley, below, "Come on Mom, ....pictures...really???"
{Uttered in a non-believing, slightly sarcastic, teenage girl tone! :) If you have one in your family, you know the tone!}

The rooster on my lamp gained a hat, ...the non-stick spray lid." Clever girls, aren't they???

Tess was voted, "Best Cupcake Ice'er!"

Not sure what Ashley was doing. Smelling the strawberry, in the Strawberry Icing, perhaps?

The best part, the taste test!
My favorite part of the night, hearing the girls' laughter and giggles!

...priceless! :)

Saturday Evening "Junk Finds" Post

I {heart} junk! In a sense I'm hip by being "green," recycling and giving others' castaways a new home. If Sanford had a daughter, instead of a son, it would certainly be me! Although, anyone who knows my dad, would say I inherited the love of junk from him.

This afternoon, I went to an estate sale in my neighborhood. I waited to hit the latter part of the two day sale, because quite frankly, my cupboards and closets overfloweth! I desperately need to have a yard sale myself. But never one to turn down a bargain, I was pleased that the bounty that remained at the sale, was half price. Below, are the treasures I found on my hunt....

The Botanical Prints were marked $25.00 for the pair, which made them $12.50. After this post was completed, they found a home in my bedroom.
The eight scalloped dessert plates above, are a very close match to Fostoria pieces, Heather pattern, that my mother-in-law gave me some time back as a gift. I paid $6.50 for the set of eight.

....a close-up of the pattern, below.

The blue and white bowl, below, was made in Spain. {$8.00}

And the box lot of nineteen scarfs, below, were $20.00, marked down to $10.00. I picked these up for Ashley, and my MIL, Frances.

The small ziploc bag contains six needlepoint linen napkins and a few odd pieces, $3.50.

...and that concludes my junk finds for today....

“It's been said, 'What's one man's junk is another man's treasure,' and that may be the case here.” ~Don Hines

_________________________

{Estate Sale was conducted by: The Fancy Flea Antique Mall ~ Shallotte, NC}

Desserts for Luau~Recipes

The desserts at the Luau given for TJ and Nikki, were contributions of all four of us ladies who were hosting. We had an abundance of sweets and everything was delicious! Below, are the desserts I provided and the recipes.

Cherry Cheese Trifle

1-8 oz package of cream cheese, softened

1-14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

1-12 oz container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, gives it a super sweet flavor)

1-13 oz prepared angel food cake

2-21 oz cans cherry pie filling

In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Stir in 1/2 of whipped topping and almond extract.; set aside.

Tear angel food cake into 1" pieces in bottom of trifle bowl. Spoon 1/3 of cream cheese filling over cake, and top with 1/3 of pie filling. Repeat layers twice more. Spread remaining whipped topping over top of trifle, sealing to edges. Garnish with additional pie filling and some sort of nuts, (almonds or pecans), if desired.

Grasshopper Pie

1 stick melted butter

1 cup sugar

2 well beaten eggs

1 cup shredded coconut

2 cups chopped pecans

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1-9" unbaked pie shell

Mix all ingredients together, pour into 9" unbaked pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Do not overcook. When it is done, take out of oven and let it cool on counter.

Optional: Serve warm, with a scoop of ice cream.

Italian Cream Cheese Cake

1 cup shortening

2 cups sugar

1 stick butter

5 eggs, separated

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 cup buttermilk

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon soda

2 cups grated coconut

1 cup chopped pecans

Cream shortening and sugar well. Add butter and beat until fluffy. Add egg yolks one at a time. Add vanilla and buttermilk alternately with dry ingredients. Mix well. Add coconut and nuts. Fold in beaten egg whites. Pour into three 9" greased and floured cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes, cool.

Cream Cheese Filling and Frosting

2-8 0z cream cheese, softened

7 cups confectioners' sugar

3/4 cup butter

1 tsp butter

Whip together all ingredients until creamy and thick. Spread between layers, top and edges. Optional: Top with pecans.

Personal note: I thin the mixture just a very little, with buttermilk. Spreads on cake better!

Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart. ~Erma Bombeck

Clean This Old House...

Yesterday, I had all intentions of cleaning David's room. I intended on tackling the chaos he has created, yet seems oblivious to, head on. Not only by cleaning, but organizing, and weeding through outgrown toys and clothes. I specifically picked yesterday, because he was out of town with his dad, and knew that the process would go much faster without him. Many lost, forgotten toys are his "new favorites," when they are threatened with banishment to a new home...a.k.a. the thrift store or attic! Like his dad, he wants to keep everything, and within reach!

My good intentions ended with one quick glance into his room. Feeling overwhelmed, I walked away, leaving the task for another day. A favorite contemporary Christain song of mine, came to mind, "Whatever You're Doing," by Santus Real. It was popular in the fall of 2008. One line really struck a chord with me, "...Time to face up, Clean this old house."

This is a song of encouragement. One about letting go of the past, and moving on. Purging the things that keep us prisoner to the past. There are times when we try, but can not clean "our houses" on our own. We need to surrender to God and allow Him to take us forward, do the fixing, ultimately giving us peace. Fixing that which is broken.

I hope you have a few moments to listen to the Youtube video and follow the lyrics below. ..and if "your house" needs fixing, figuratively speaking, as mine so often does, give it over to God. There isn't a mess too large or chaotic, that He can't take care of within His perfect will. ~Rhonda :)

Whatever You're Doing

~Sanctus Real~

It's time for healing time to move on

It's time to fix what's been broken too long

Time to make right what has been wrong

It's time to find my way to where I belong

There's a wave that's crashing over me

And all I can do is surrender

(Chorus) Whatever You're doing inside of me

It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace

It's hard to surrender to what I can't see

but I'm giving in to something Heavenly

Time for a milestone

Time to begin again

Reevaluate who I really am

Am I doing everything to follow Your will

Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills

So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything I surrender...

To...

(Chorus)

Time to face up

Clean this old house

Time to breathe in and let everything out

That I've wanted to say for so many years

Time to release all my held back tears

(Chorus)

Whatever You're doing inside of me

It feels like chaos but I believe

You're up to something bigger than me

Larger than life, something Heavenly

Whatever You're doing inside of me

It feels like chaos but now I can see

This is something bigger than me

Larger than life something Heavenly

Something Heavenly

It's time to face up, Clean this old house

Time to breathe in and let everything out.

Luau/Wedding Shower at Our Lake House

Saturday evening, Kevin and I, along with several other couples from our church, hosted a Luau, Home and Garden Wedding Shower for Nikki  and TJ, who are scheduled to be married this September.   I was so thankful that after a week of really ugly weather, although the rain was much needed, the skies were sunny, clear, and beautiful! The event was held at our lake house.

Below, Guests beginning to arrive. Approximately 80-85 people attended.
(Pictures are in no particular order...)

The sign in the tree below reads..."We don't skinny dip, we chunky dunk!"

The guests of honor, Nikki and TJ.

The guests line up for a dinner of barbeque, slaw, baked barbeque'd potatoes, baked beans, and rolls.

Ashley with Isaac and Ivan...

Just noticed below, our Pastor is the only one with a plate of desserts! :) Can't blame him, they were all delicious!

Dessert Table...

This was Nikki and TJ's first wedding shower. They were very blessed with a multitude of wonderful gifts!

I didn't take near the pictures I would have liked. I only managed to get one of my own children, just Ashley. But I had the perfect excuse, getting caught up in fellowship with family and friends!

Thursday, I will post the recipes of the three desserts I provided, including the Italian Creme Cake, below!

Best Wishes to TJ and Nikki! They have a firm foundation, which is Christ Jesus! I pray they will build on that, together, and the blessings will graciously abound! ~Rhonda :)

Who Am I?

When I was younger and introduced for the first time to a friend's parents, after telling them my name, the following question usually followed, "and who are your parents?"

In high school, when I started dating a new guy, after telling my parent's his name, mom and dad would ask, "and who are his people?" Maybe the inquisition was a southern thing, maybe global, but although we all have "a given name," signifying who we are, we are also defined by those we are associated or related to.

My grandparents were large, well-known farmers in Columbus County. To this day, when I meet someone locally and am introducing myself, I often add that I'm "Maybelle and John's granddaughter, my maiden name was...." Recognition then follows!

Today, in many circles I am better known as Ashley's mom, David's mom, or Kevin's wife. Our dog, Bailey, who passed away this spring, was a beloved icon in the community for ten years. Some knew his name better than mine, and to them, I was simply known as "Bailey's owner." At times it seems my real name is otherwise obsolete! :)

I may question who I am, what my identity is. But one thing I am certain of, is that I AM a child of God. So often I feel so small and insignificant in the grand scheme of LIFE! But I am reminded in Psalm 139, that He "created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (vs. 13-14.)

I'd like to share two songs that are both beautiful, by their words alone. One song is an old southern gospel written by Rusty Goodman, and the other, a contemporary Christian, by Casting Crowns. I encourage you to take a few moments and listen to them both on YouTube and read along with the words below! I hope they bless your heart, as they have mine! :)

Who Am I?

(Words & music by R. Goodman)~Sung by Elvis Presley

When I think of how He came so far from glory
Came to dwell among the lowly such as I
To suffer shame and such disgrace
On Mount Calvary take my place
Then I ask myself this question

Chorus) Who am I?
Who am I that The King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray not my will, Thine Lord?
The answer I may never know
Why He ever loved me so
That to an old rugged cross He'd go, For who am I?

When I'm reminded of His words
I'll leave you never
If you'll be true I'll give to you life forever
Oh I wonder what I could have done
To deserve God's only Son
To fight my battles until they're won.

Who Am I

Casting Crowns

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You're

Chorus: I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me
I am Yours, Whom shall I fear Whom shall I fear,
'Cause I am Yours....I am Yours.

More importantly than knowing WHO I AM, I know WHO HE IS, "I am God, your God." Psalm 50: 7. My name and identity may change through the years, but "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

~Rhonda :)