Sunday Sermon and Some Fun at Oktoberfest on the Square

“Whoever is happy will make others happy too.”

~Anne Frank

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A really lovely Sunday morning at church. The sunshine and cessation of rain had everyone in a festive mood. Little Avery always has a big smile and a hug when I hand her my little gift for the day. She is so cute.

Today’s Gospel was about John complaining to Jesus that someone who was not a follower was casting out demons using Jesus’ name, and asked if he should be stopped.

But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us.”

Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

Oh gosh, my take on it may not be very Catholic, but personally, I feel that a good person, someone who loves his fellow man, does good works, and is kind to everyone, that person will see the kingdom of heaven. Whoever is against evil is certainly for good. The Bible is a little more specific, but I think we are allowed our own interpretation.

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I decided to check out Oktoberfest on the Square this afternoon. It wasn’t crowded at all. I heard Friday and Saturday were busy, so I chose wisely.

My first stop was The Cove. I missed the cool, (actually very hot) raku firing last night, but Minda and Steve Macias were there finishing up and polishing the pottery from the firing.

This weekend, The Cove featured some amazing pottery by some VERY talented artists.

Alex Macias is away at school, but her pottery was on display and “Flat Alex” was there to take pictures with friends and visitors.

Then, off to the Square for Oktoberfest. I don’t drink and drive, so no beer for me. But, I did enjoy snapping pictures and people watching, and visiting with my friends at Sweet Spot Bakery and The Last Gallery. Oh, and then there’s always the handsome firemen.

There was plenty of activities for families.

The petting zoo had all kinds of fun animal including a….COMO SE LLAMA? A little Spanish animal joke.

Have a great Sunday! I sure did!

Saturday:) Signs, Symbols and Poetry

“Everything you see is merely a symbol for things you do not see.”

― Seth Adam Smith

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Those of you who know me will attest that I’m a huge believer of signs and symbols. I love finding my lucky pennies and feathers. But, there are many more symbols that catch my attention. This week was filled with happy signs, and inspired a little poetry as I walked in the misty morning.

SIGNS, SYMBOLS and POETRY

Blackbird, blackbird, just sitting in a tree

Are you a mockingbird, laughing at me?

Or a kind messenger, sending a sign

There to tell me that everything is fine.

Ladybug, Ladybug, perched at my door

Waiting to tell me, there is something more.

The symbol of luck, abundance and peace

Open up the door, enter and release.

Butterfly, butterfly, making no sound

I found you laying, injured on the ground.

There in my hand, you didn’t question why

A sign that both of us were meant to fly.

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

Frugal Friday, Faith, and Fixin’ to Fix My Famous Black Russian

“Can anything be so elegant as to have few wants, and to serve them one’s self?”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

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It was a strange misty morning. I walked the dog, then went for a long walk by myself. It was only in the 60’s, (yay) so I wore a sweater. Later, I went to the bank and stopped at Papa Murphy’s Pizza to say hi to Miss Karri, then to Tom Thumb for a few groceries on sale. Yes, eggs were on sale for 69 cents a dozen. I go through a lot with my brownies and cupcakes. Then, they had those cute grape tomatoes for $1 a container. Well, I could go on… I only buy things on sale, unless it’s an emergency. I AM FRUGAL.

I hadn’t eaten all day, so McDonald’s was right across the parking lot. I love my McD app that has all kinds of fun coupons and discounts. Today, I ordered a crispy chicken sandwich for $1. Yes! Can you believe it? It was very good.

I could have gone to a fancy restaurant and spent $20 on a mediocre lunch, but I like to save my time and money for special occasions and to be with special friends. When I’m alone, $1 sandwich is just fine, and it’s fast, and it’s cheap… I mean frugal. Actually, there was 8cents tax. So, it was really $1.08 for lunch.

After my gourmet lunch, I decided to stop in at St. Gabriel’s for Friday Adoration and to light a candle. Today, I decided that instead of praying for a specific intention or person or concern, I was just going to spend a few minutes in church just to say, “Thank you!” I am very thankful for my many blessings. The sanctuary was empty and I was alone to light my candle and say a prayer. It was very peaceful.

Then, I walked into the back chapel where The Eucharist was on display for Adoration. There were about half a dozen people there in quiet meditation. I really admire people who take time out to give thanks, pray for others, and show respect for their faith. It’s a good thing.

I came home, walked the dog again, and another solo walk. I was in time for a beer in Mr. Larry and Miss Sandy’s garage. I told them that their house was the Beer Garden Garage. Mr. Joe from across the street was already sitting there in the extra lawn chair.

So, here I am. Fixin’ to fix my famous Friday night Black Russian.

This is how it starts, with a frozen chocolate almond ball, then some ice cream, some vodka and kahlua. It’s a scientific concoction. Not really. I just pour glugs of this and that, add some ice cream and… what’s not to like?

Happy Friday my friends.

Thursday:) Thank You Mother Nature

“Sometimes, life becomes a painting all by itself.”

― Anthony T. Hincks

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Every single day is yet another gorgeous painting of vibrant colors and beauty provided by Mother Nature. The relentless rain took a brief hiatus today. I actually was able to take a few walks without an umbrella, and was able to snap a few pictures of the beauty surrounding me.

FLOWERS…

THE BEAUTIFUL SKIES…

THE POND…

Each one of these would make a beautiful painting, don’t you think?

Wednesday:) What’s New In McKinney

“It is only when the mind is free from the old that it meets everything anew, and in that there is joy.”

― Krishnamurti

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This morning at 10, the McKinney Chamber of Commerce welcomed a fun new eatery on the square with an official ribbon cutting ceremony.

THE YARD is a new family friendly restaurant located on Church Street on the Square. Well, it’s not actually brand new. It’s located where Cafe Malaga used to be. The huge open courtyard has been transformed into an outdoor seating area and playground with picnic tables, fire pits, ping pong tables and children’s play area.

So, if you’re looking for a fun new place to hang out with family or friends, I think THE YARD is a great place to be. Check it out.

Tuesday:) Toni’s Tiny Yellow Butterfly

“Butterflies are like angels kisses sent from heaven.”

― Malia Kirk

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I have this thing with butterflies. Well, there’s also lucky pennies and feathers, but I’ve had some wonderful conversations and visits with butterflies. Usually, I can’t get to my phone camera fast enough to take a picture, much less a video. Today, a tiny yellow butterfly followed me around, so I followed her with my phone to take a video.

Butterflies are my signs from heaven that make me smile. I smile a lot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARmylDZiNBY

Montage Monday:) A Week In A Peek

” You know what’s so nice about Monday? Yah! I can’t think of anything either.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Actually, I do like my Mondays. It’s a new day in a new week. A day to start all over and try to get it right this time. The last couple of months, I’ve been going over to the Senior Center in McKinney. They have a country dance every Monday afternoon at 1 pm, and I’ve made a few new friends, have met some nice people, but more importantly… I get to dance. I love to dance. Country was never my thing, and I get all discombobulated with the intricate line dancing steps, but I’m learning some steps, some songs, and some music that I’ve never heard of. Plus, I haven’t seriously injured any brave souls who have asked me to dance. That’s gotta count for something.

A week in a Peek….

Sunday Sermon and Silly FaceTime With Grandma

Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.

~Norman Cousins

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Another drizzly dreary Sunday. We’ve had a lot of rain with flooding in many areas. I’ve been lucky with no water problems…so far. I’ve almost got the ark built in the backyard. I just need to start gathering the animals two by two. (A little Noah and Bible humor)

Today’s Gospel was the story of Jesus teaching and traveling with His disciples. They were arguing amongst themselves about who was the greatest.

Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,

“If anyone wishes to be first,

he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”

Taking a child, he placed it in their midst,

and putting his arms around it, he said to them,

“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;

and whoever receives me,

receives not me but the One who sent me.”

My take on it… those people who are so consumed with being first, being wealthy and powerful, being selfish and only thinking of themselves, those are just worldly things. Those people will be last at the time of final judgement. Those who shows kindness to the poor and helpless, those will come first.

When I got home from church, I was feeling drowsy and lazy. It was too drizzly to walk. I seriously debated whether to take a nap or go meet some friends for brunch. I chose brunch. We met at Harry’s On the Harbor in Adriatica. It was nice to see some folks from our Single Mingle group that I hadn’t seen in a long time because I usually don’t go to Sunday brunch and they don’t go to karaoke.

When I got home, I tried to be productive, doing some laundry and cleaning the kitchen, but the gloomy day made my eyes heavy. So, I took a little nap. It didn’t last long because my phone dinged with a text. My son asked if I wanted to FaceTime with baby Belle. Yay! Of course. That is always the highlight of my Sunday.

They went to the zoo today, and stopped for pizza. Belle was wearing more pizza than she consumed.

My blessings are countless. I see little Belle and see my sweet angel mother’s face.

Saturday:) Still Time to See Silky Hart’s Exhibit at The Cove

“Life is the ultimate artistic masterpiece, and it’s up to you, the creator, to make it as wildly dazzling as possible.”

― Laura Resau

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Last night was the opening reception of Silky Hart’s exhibit at The Cove entitled OAXACA FIESTA.

Yesterday, I had brownies in the oven, anticipating the exhibit, when the skies opened up. It was raining and storming, lightning flashing in the sky. My weather alert on my phone sounded flood advisory. So, I did what any good friend would do. I wrapped up the brownies in layers of plastic, grabbed a raincoat and very carefully and slowly worked my way to The Cove. The streets were already filling with streams of rain. Well worth the effort. It is a lovely, colorful exhibit.

The Cove is located just north of the historic McKinney Square at 402 N. Tennessee St. in McKinney, Tx

You can also check out her work and get more information at silkyhart.com

Friday:) Fun Painting With Coffee

“Chaos and clutter are very conducive to creativity.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Good painting is like good cooking; it can be tasted, but not explained.”

~Maurice de Vlaminck

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Last week at the Art Club of McKinney meeting, we all played around with painting with coffee. Our guest artist was Modesto Aceves, who demonstrated some wonderful techniques. Seeing as I don’t drink coffee of have any at home, I gathered up some of the remaining samples and poured them into a little bottle. I vowed to practice and experiment when I got home, but, you know how that goes.

So, the other day, after hours of wasting time and fooling around on Facebook and emailing, I decided to put away the electronic demon devices and paint. I painted with the coffee I brought home, but then I had a brilliant idea. I could paint with beet juice. I love canned beets, so I opened a can, ate all the beets and saved the liquid for painting. I’m so resourceful!

The only BAD part about painting with coffee is, I don’t like the smell and the paintings continue to preserve their coffee smell. Oh, how I sacrifice for my art.

Here is my messy kitchen table. Chaos and clutter are very conducive to creativity.

This is the one I did at Art Club…

My first experiment was a coffee cup. Smells like coffee, too.

Then, I painted a bird using a stencil design. Note: the coffee bleeds under the stencil, so I had to touch it up, blending and adding to the antique look. I was trying to see if this would work for my senior art group.

I love crosses, so I painted a rustic cross.

I thought a flower would be nice. This is called the Coffee Cala lily. I just made that up…

I experimented with a small 8×10 canvas. The coffee did adhere to the canvas ok. The only negative drawback to painting with thicker coffee, although it leaves a beautiful shiny glimmer, it’s rather sticky. First I drew some designs with Elmer’s glue, let it dry, then brushed on the coffee, later outlyining with a thicker blend.

Last but not least, my experiment with beet juice. I realized that this particular can was pickled beets instead of plain. It had a little sugar and vinegar that made it a little sticky too. Not too bad though.

Thus was a day of playing and painting with weird stuff.