Amazing Grace

Did you see the "I'm Thankful" tab in my sidebar? Well, to get the full explanation, click on it and read about it.


So, for my "thankful" beginning, I would like to begin with my church. Today was the celebration of 100 years of the church. We had a super huge (for our little town church) event; over 575 present and former members attended, three former pastors, and various "dignitaries". We celebrated with a luncheon afterwards, centennial cookbooks, DVDs, etc.



Looking back at the pictures of the progression of the church family---those who have gone on to our heavenly home, those who have moved away, those who we've lost touch with, those who still attend--all of this made me so grateful to be a part of this congregation--no! family!



So many lives have been touched, so many children taught, so many musicals and Christmas pagents, so many weddings & funerals, so many just plain ole Sunday mornings. It's sad to think that some don't have the privilege of worshipping as they would like; that some choose to live their lives without the blessing of a church family.





Well, so much could be written about this wonderful day, but (as I catered the event!!!), I'm stopping here for now! More as I digest is all.




Be thankful!

Things That Make Me Go HMMMMM

These are just some random thoughts whilst I wait for a cake to "set" so that I can put the final icing coat on.





Why is it that I could sleep all morning long Monday through Friday, but when Saturday & Sunday arrive, I am up before dawn? Can't go back to sleep so I get up, read the paper, re-read the Sunday School lesson, drink several cups of tea, and wait for the sun. The rest of the week I hit the alarm--snooze 5 more minutes please!





I hate low-rise pants. Can't wait for the style to return to the natural waist! When I was in high school we called them "bell bottoms" and "hip huggers", now they are just "low" and "super low". I wore them in high school, long before the battle of the "overflow". Now, I can only wear them with a top long enough to cover the tummy torment, and then, am uncomfortable all day long as the non-muscles in my torso press down, down, down on the pants. Which results in my pulling them up all day long. That's attractive!





Why do campaigns last so dadgummed long? And why are they so negative? Wouldn't it be great if, just once, a candidate got to the podium and announced "I am only talking about my plans and credentials. I will only tell you what I will do, and how equipped I am" Yea right, like that would happen.





Why does time pass so quickly when you are on a schedule, and so slowly when you are anticipating excitement?




And, now, I must return to my kitchen to finish yet another "work of art". Ha ha ha ha ha




Happy Boo Day!

Halloween's Around The Corner!!!!

Happy Halloween!!! Isn't this a cute card?? Kari @ Just Livin Large made this for ME! I'm so touched--see that's what blog friends do. They think about each other, read to see what's happening and send little remembrances of holidays. At least Kari has the deciency to do that--me? I just think how nice it would be for me to share with others and then I nod off. Thanks Kari--you made my week!

And speaking of the cutest card--this kid is a card allright! He's growing by leaps & bounds. And he has such a sense of humor! I just hate it that I don't get to share in each & every day of his! But, when we do get to see him, I just soak it up like a sponge. We visited his new house Saturday, and he was so excited. He showed us his closet and his underwear drawer. Priorities you know!

I just love to see kittens sleeping. Don't they look comfy and warm? These are Hank's kittens, Stars and Stripes. (Yes, his mom and dad are very American minded! After all his dad IS a Marine!). My mom sent the kittens this bed, and they jumped right in for an afternoon nap. My idea of heaven!!

Yes, Penny the Queen is at it again! My BFF couldn't resist hanging herself in the wreath. Think she'd look cute on my front door??? Our ladies (boring) club had a "wreath sale fundraiser" for student aid (scholarship fund). Everyone was to fashion or purchase a wreath for the sale. This is the one I bought---I was afraid no one else would buy it and I didn't want the lady who made it to feel bad. Isn't that sweet of me??? Now I'll share some of the others we bid on.

This is the wreath I made. It went for a good price, so I wasn't embarrassed. I actually made it. Impressed aren't you!!!

I really, really wanted this one. BFF Penny the Queen made this one---her talents go on and on and on and on. But alas, it went out of my budgeted amount to spend for the evening! It's soooo cute.

And, we had some "general" fall wreaths. This was a popular one.

All of the wreaths were quite pretty, and it was fun bidding against one another. Between 16 ladies we raised over $500 for the college girls we support in our scholarships.

Last week was a BUSY one--I hardly had time to get in the car and come home!! This week I am slowing W A Y down. Hank is coming Thursday for "Trunk or Treat" and he's spending the night.

Sunday I am catering a 100 year celebration of the birthday of my church. Over 550 people have rsvp'd!~ So, I'm focusing most of my energy for that! I have 4 jobs scheduled for the week and that's it---saying NO to the rest of the calls. I'll be shopping, coordinating and baking for Sunday!! Then on Monday, I have a luncheon for 175!

Well, just wanted to share some pics and check in!

Have a Halloweenie week!

I Love Wedding Receptions!

In my last post, I told you that I was doing a wedding reception on Sunday. And I did! It was held in an old, old house in downtown Tulsa which is now used for events. Wanted to share some photos of the items we provided. Above is how we served the "gourmet" shrimp cocktail--oversized martini glasses!
The bride's colors were blue & brown (duh!), so I asked her for permission to use those colors around the food. She happily agreed, so here's what we did with our limited budget (read $0.00). The flowers were provided, so we just "tweaked" the scene.
The bride had napkins left from showers, so we wrapped the eating utensils & used them as decor!

Another martini glass with hummus & veggies. Wish I had taken alot more pics--I did take a few more, but didn't want to overload your visual senses!!!

The bride & family were really pleased with our work--even tipped us! Whoopee!!! Then, come Tuesday, back to our routine lunch deliveries!! I really like doing wedding, anniversaries, birthdays, especially when we are allowed to join the decor! I'm going to enhance my website with some of my pictures. Maybe I'll get to do more decorating along with the food!!!

And, as it's now late, I'll close and wish you SWEET DREAMS!!!

Pumpkins & Parties

Do you like my pumpkins??? I saw this idea in a magazine (good grief, I have sooo many I don't remember which one), and thought they were quite cute. But I have to admit---I CHEATED!!!! The one I saw had been painted, and I wanted a "short cut". So---I used a permanent marker!! Dried quick as a flash and looks just as good! And, yes, that is an old container on the sideboard--oops! That's what we get Abby's food from the garage in to put in her bowl. I completely forgot it was there when I snapped this!
Now, I am fully aware that I left the school 6 weeks ago (my how time flies!!!), but one of my dear ex-co-workers (and dear friend) just gave me some pictures she took that last day. I wanted to share them with you to give you an idea of how nice that bunch of people are! I think I posted about the flowers I got on a previous post, but aren't they just too pretty?
This is a picture of two dear friends. On your left (in white shirt) is a dear friend who has shared many memories with me. She lived across the street from us, her daughter babysat for my kids, and I have spent many, MANY Saturday nights at her kitchen table playing cards. We even took a "neighborhood" trip to Hawaii together ages ago. We've been through alot together and I love her dearly. The one on your right (in blue shirt) is a childhood friend and soul sister!!! She's the gal I began catering with. Tho I am older than she is, we grew up on the same street, worked for the same dentist, go to church together, and ended up at the same office! Our in-laws were bestest friends too. She is the one who took my place, so now she sits in my old office. She's a hoot, tons of fun, and a dear dear person to know. And know what?? My daughter babysat for her daughter!
Now these two gals are two workers I couldn't image not having known!! The one in the Code Red (football jargon) is quite a bit younger than I, so even tho we are both from the same area, I didn't get to know her until she came to work. And she is one fun gal!!! She kept me sane the entire time I was working with her. And smart! She can do any job you put in front of her. She kept us in stitches each and every day. And the one with the floral shirt? She is one of the truly kindest, most genuine people I have ever had the pleasure to know. I wish I could have been around her forever and ever! She is married to a sweetheart of a guy and they have the two cutest (grown) daughters I have ever seen! I miss all of these gals. So every now and again, I have to stop in and say a quick "hi" and keep in touch with them.




So tomorrow I have a wedding reception--this is one I will be staying and serving for, and decorating the food table. I'll be taking some pictures of this one to share with you. The bride is so sweet--we met the other day to go over details. Poor thing--she learned just a couple of weeks back that the business had sold. Can you imagine thinking you have booked one caterer only to find out it's someone you have no knowledge of!!! So, I want to really knock her socks off with this reception. And she has a wedding coordinator, so I want him to get an idea of my "good" work. This could lead to further jobs!!



With all the economic fears, I have been a little concerned about what it would do to my business. But it seems to be staying busy, and I have already booked some holiday events. So, maybe the recession will arrive here after it's over--ha ha ha!!!



Just a few thoughts from my Saturday!



Have a good day--relax and read a magazine! Christmas is just down the lane.

New Friends~~~

Have you made new blog friends??? I love hearing from others out there in "blog world" and, after checking a comment left on the previous post, now have a new blog friend---and she's just down the road in another town nearby!! So, Carol, if you are reading---I, too, am a 50 something gal, who worked in the public educational system before jumping into the unknown world of catering. One of these days I'm going to learn how to "link" others on my page and I'll send you to some of these sweeties sites. In the meantime, if you would like to read Carol's gorgeous blog, go to my comment page and travel the links!!!

October has GOT to be my favorite month (and not just because it's my birthday month--no hint intended). I love the colors associated with the fall--the oranges, browns, golds, and such. And I love Halloween. I don't believe that letting children dress up and enjoy this holiday will turn them into broom riding witches!!! Or mess with their minds to the point they become worshippers of the underworld!!! I, myself, dressed up each and every Halloween until I was, oh, 30 or 40--still do if given the opportunity! And I am a staunch believer and follower of Jesus Christ. So there---urban legend busted!! I'm celebrating the wonder of childhood, the community of friends, the joy of giving, and the awe of make believe. I think some of what is wrong with society today is we have put our own childhood ways toooo far behind. We need to let our hair down and have some fun--pretend--wear mom's make up & dress up--eat candy--share treats with others---

Wait just a second while I climb down off my soapbox-----

There, enough of that ranting. I just HAD to speak my mind for a moment.

Now, I have to get back to my reality life and clean up a bit, make a cake, fix a tasting dish and meet a client.

Please enjoy the sights of this season, enjoy this cool weather and give out some candy!

Have a great day!!!

Owww Owww OOO Ouch!!!

If this is the backside of a "hurting" tooth, then it is mine! Yesterday, as I drove home from the grocery store, I reached into my purse, took out a piece of sugar free SOFT gum, unwrapped the stick, slipped it into my mouth and WHAM!!!! Boulders!!! The first small "chew" and BOULDERS came tumbling onto my tongue. My first thought was "what the heck . . . . ". I immediately stopped the chewing, and luckily, I was the only car at a stop sign, so I spit the entire contents of my mouth into my hand. Jeepers!!! There was the gum and two ginormous pieces of something white and hard! It took a moment for it to sink in-----that was my TOOTH!!! I just sat there looking at the pieces, trying to make sense of it all. Finally, I ran my tongue over that area and OUCH--jagged edges!!! The remaining tooth didn't hurt, but the jagged edge sliced through my tongue.

Now, several years ago, I worked as a dental assistant, so I knew a bit about what to look for in the mirror. And it wasn't there!!! The molar had broken off on the inside all the way down to the gumline. And from distal to meisial. You dentistry people know that means front to back!! And it wasn't good!!!

Got on the cell phone immediately (thank goodness for cell phones!! I would have missed the slot just cancelled by a previous patient), and called Dr. Bobby. They got me in today at 8:00 a.m. That's a horrid time for a dental appointment! First thing in the morning----a way to start the day.

The receptionist said (when I called) that Dr. Bobby wouldn't have time to do much more than look at it and put some temporary filler in. Which suited me just fine. I have to work up to getting the numbing stick and the drilling that goes along with it.

But at 8:00 a.m. this morning they had time to do it. OMG -- I wasn't psyched up for this. I could feel my heart racing and my stomach churning!!! Dr. Bobby asked if I wanted gas. ABSOLUTELY!!! And lots of it!!! Turn it on full blast and come back in an hour!!! Float me away long before you touch my lips!!!

Anywh0--I am now a "crowned" lady. Well, a temporary lady actually! I love crowns and queenly things, but this was not the type I envisioned. I'd rather spend my monthly wages on a tiara that doesn't have to be viewed with open mouth!!! I'd rather spend that money on Christmas toys!!! But that isn't the way it's to be this month!!! I have now invested more in my mouth than in my IRA ( cause I don't have an IRA--ha ha ha).

Just thought I'd update you on what a fun 2 1/2 hours I had this morning. And really---I wouldn't recommend this fun for anyone out there looking for fun!!!

Have a good evening-----