JWalking: The Blog

And I've got my rally "cap" on!! R at Pack Standards tonight on American Idol --Frank, Dean, Sammy....(Adam Lambert sings Joey Bishop?!) Go, Matt! (Go Danny.... Go Kris.... my top three in no particular order) And "props" to Chatty Kelly Dawg for the really cool (and browniful!) hat.... Not an official "AI" post, but there's sure to be one in the wings.

...It's all right! H ot but gorgeous yesterday. Felt great to be out with the girls...going to church, driving. Like the new scarf-do?! More on that to come later this week. But for now.... Share in our yesterday. What a great Spring...finally!

T his sort of looks like me at the moment. Taking some time off to recuperate from some medical treatment that was more extensive than I was expecting. Brain's definitely not up for blogging. But, I've rediscovered sleeping in the middle of the day, and it's not a bad thing. Doing better every day! Will check in with you all soon....

For God so loved the world That He gave His only begotten Son That whosoever believeth in Him Shall not perish But have everlasting life. --John 3:16 "I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today; I know that He is living, Whatever men may say; I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, And just the time I need Him He's always near. He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me Along life's narrow way. He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives: He lives within my heart." Do you believe He saved you? Believe it today...and know the risen Savior lives in you! A Joyous Easter to you!

I f you follow my American Idol posts, you know I always make a spiritual turn with them. Today's is no exception.... * * * This year, American Idol producers introduced a new facet to the show to rectify what they saw as a problem situation that had emerged in some years. Sometimes, the good contestants didn't finish first. Cited for their "nice guys finish fourth or more back" placement have been folks like Chris Daughtry, Tamyra Gray, Michael Johns and Jennifer Hudson. So, the producers invented The Judges' Save, which, essentially, gives one contestant one more opportunity to return to the show after he or she has received the lowest number of votes. I guess they figure even the best contestants can make a mistake--a bad song choice, bad performance, etc. And why should one mistake cost them the title? The judges have had the chance to use The Judges' Save since the show began. They have not granted it to anyone. Honestly, I don...

Can you guess what we're making? The happy sous chef already knows. (She made one in preschool a while ago.) Yum! Who left that sweet sugar on the counter? Looks like dumplings. This was the 2nd rise. It's ready to bake! Brown sugar, corn syrup, cinnamon sugar goodness! (And not a trace of banana!) You're right! It's Monkey Bread!! Do you want RJ2's leftovers? Obviously, more fun to make than it was to eat. (Like I need to eat monkey bread after birthday cake this week....)

T here's nothing quite like waking up in the morning to 148 comments! Surely, it must have been a dream.... Nope! Here is the REAL chocolate cake from yesterday. My hubby made German chocolate cake with chocolate cream cheese frosting! I wish you all were closer, because we still have quite a bit in the refridgerator. CJ put on the flowers and did her first cake writing. It's really hard to write "Happy 45th Bday" when your purple (it comes out black) gel icing is almost gone. I thought she did great! Had all kinds of surprises. The kids I work with at church in the music ministry sang and played chimes for a Palm Sunday processional. The co-director told them it was my birthday, so they sang to me. That was cool! And she had this adorable lamb container with a cranberry-orange muffin mix in it. Yummy! Then, one of the gals from the bell choir stopped by my house with a gift certificate to The Melting Pot (for fondue dinner!!) and babysitting money. They are too good...

I t was a very good year! (Yep, celebrating again! I hijacked my own blog--LOL!) The glass is half full, and things have never looked more browniful! Awesome day on tap.... sunshine, take-out barbecue for dinner, cake.... Thanks for celebrating with me! Enjoy.... ( Let it rise....One of my all-time favorite praise songs! )

Happy Saturday!! If this doesn't put a smile on your face (or give you that unexplainable lump in your throat).... My sister just sent me this link. You may have seen it. But if you haven't, you are in for a treat. (Unless you're Linda from 2nd Cup of Coffee, and then you're running for cover and saying "not again!") P.S. Sound of Music purists may have some trouble about 3/4s of the way through. Hang in there! It does return to true form at the end.

I t's Friday, and way back when I started this blog (almost a year ago now--wow!), Daughter #1, CJ, took this day to blog on my blog. (Although I keep trying to encourage her to start her own blog, she insists that it's better to be on Mom's blog, and to read Mom's blog on Mom's computer. Hmm....About the only time I have much clout. Only kidding, CJ!) Anyhow, I promised CJ that I would blog about her new adventures in recycling. A great recycler, she has been a big encourager of the practice at her school. Now, she's become a great re-user. We have cardboard boxes full of...well, cardboard boxes and plastic stuff, from which she creates lots of interesting new things. After Christmas, with the arrival of RJ2's Polly Pocket dolls, CJ decided to create a house and furniture for the dolls. But, really, she contemplated something bigger. Something for the Pollies to visit. Disneyland? Dollywood? An amusement park, yes. But not just any amusement park-- The R...