Tuesday:) Tricks and Treats and Dancing at the Senior Center

” You’re only as old as you feel, and if you feel like dancing and singing, you’ll never feel old.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Yesterday was the Monday Dance at the McKinney Senior Center, and we celebrated Halloween with a special party, costume contest, great music, fun food, friends and dancing, dancing, and more dancing.

All these lovely folks have one thing in common. They all love to dance, they love music, and they enjoy spending time with friends, new and old.

I’ve learned a bunch of country line dances that I’d never even heard of and there are a bunch more that I still can’t get the hang of. Practice, practice. I’ll keep at it.

Here are the winners of the costume contest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuHiSZxs8Mk

Here’s my advice. Never get old, and if you have to get old, just keep dancing! You won’t notice that you’re old.

Montage Monday:) A Week In A Peek

“If my week could talk, it would say, ‘Oh yah. That’s what I’m talkin’ about.’ ”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Wow! A great week. Lunches with friends, cooking, baking, sharing, beautiful sunshiny walks, and my traditional Black Russian Friday. There was a wonderful visit with my senior artist friends at Towne Creek. I found a new adorable lunch place, Bluebird Cottage and Cafe. I didn’t have to wait at all to early vote on Saturday, then went to an amazing concert by the U.S. Air Force Band. I got to FaceTime with my adorable granddaughter. There was a wonderful phone conversation with my son in California. It was a full lovely week, filled with more blessings than I can count.

Sunday Sermon and Other Stuff

“Music is the great uniter. An incredible force. Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common.”

― Sarah Dessen

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Such a gorgeous Sunday. The Ark building has been put on hold a while, the sun was out, and it was in the 80’s. A quick walk with the dog before church, and out the door about 8:20. A lot of happy smiling faces and hugs while greeting this morning.

Today’s Gospel was the story of Jesus leaving Jericho with His disciples and a crowd following Him. A blind beggar on the side of the road heard that Jesus was passing and cried and begged Jesus to have pity on him…

Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?”

The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”

Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.”

Immediately he received his sight

and followed him on the way.

Father had an interesting homily, saying that the beggar didn’t ask for wealth or food, but he just wanted to see and knew that if had the chance to ask Jesus, that he would be granted sight. Then, once his sight was given, the man did not go rejoicing and leave, he Followed Jesus on the way.

My take on it… if you have faith and are persistent, your prayers will be answered. But, once you have been granted your request, you must show your appreciation and continue “following” Him on the way.

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Now, for the other stuff. Last night, Miss Loretta invited me to join her at the Allen ISD Performing Arts Center to hear the U.S. Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants from Washington D.C. Oh my, they were amazing!

It was the last performance of the 2018 Fall tour of New Mexico and Texas. The highlight was that this was also the last performance of the conductor, Colonel Larry H. Lang, who will be retiring at the end of the year after a 29-year career of distinguished service. Colonel Lang’s former high school music teacher and mentor was in the audience, along with friends and family, to honor him.

The band played a series of “Fiesta” songs including Huapang, Malagueña, along with rousing Texas ballads.

https://youtu.be/NqGSo09r-VU

The Singing Sergeants performed a medley of Nifty Fifties songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxLZofxO69E

At the end, the band saluted all the branches of the armed forces with song, asking all the veterans in the audience to stand as they honored them.

It was a wonderful concert and a wonderful tribute to all those who have served our country in the past and currently serve and protect.

Saturday:) Sights, Sounds and Sunshine

“Construction of the ARK has been postponed again due to sunshine and beautiful weather here in North Texas.”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Yay! The sun is out today, so I sported sunglasses and a t-shirt instead of a raincoat and an umbrella. The kids were all outside playing, giggling in the air, with lawn mowers buzzing, birds chirping, and my favorite part, butterflies escorting me around the neighborhood.

A few blocks away, I crossed the street where I normally don’t cross because a neighbor was mowing his lawn. Oh yah! There in the street was a lucky penny from heaven. I smiled.

About half an hour later, I walked past this beautiful tree bursting with fall colors. The homeowner was getting into his car. I said, “I love your tree.” He thanked me. Isn’t it spectacular!

I love my neighborhood. I love hearing the kids playing and watching the families going about their day. I love talking to people I don’t know, and chatting with friends I’ve made along the way.

Yep, that’s what it’s all about. It’s like the “Hokey Pokey.”

http://youtu.be/YzSJBowPECY

Friday Friends and More Fun Painting With Coffee

“You give but little when you give of your possessions.

It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”

― Kahlil Gibran

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I usually go to visit my senior friends at Towne Creek Senior Apartments on the first Friday of the month, but I called a couple of residents and asked if I could come today instead. This way we could celebrate Halloween and work on some more coffee painting. Plus, Miss Nelma was feeling a little better, and I was anxious to have her come and paint with us, as she’s missed a few months.

It was a beautiful morning, so I was able to get a long walk in, get to the store, and get over to Towne Creek by 2:30. I packed up a wide variety of canvases, brushes, examples, stencils, markers, liquid coffee, and lots of food for our feast.

I was especially happy to see Miss Nelma ( above

lower right) looking so good, smiling, and back to enjoying her painting project.

While our paintings were drying, we gathered for a prayer and our feast. Some of my homemade chicken pot pie pasta soup, sandwiches, chips, Dr. Pepper, and Halloween donuts. I plum forgot the ice cream in the freezer. Oops! Next time.

We all had a lot of fun and had full tummies.

This is what it’s all about, my friends. I love these sweet ladies and they love me right back. And if you ask any of them, just ask, “Toni is….?” And they’ll all say, “AMAZING!” I have them well trained. I even wore my bracelet today that says, “I am amazing,” just in case there was any question.

Now, to fix myself my traditional Friday Black Russian. Cheers, my friends!!!!

Theme Song Thursday:) “Bluebird” Cottage Cafe

“Birds fly Over The Rainbow. Why then, oh why can’t I? If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why oh why can’t I?”

L. Frank Baum

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Sherri Murphy and I zipped past a little cottage cafe on Lake Forrest in the middle of nowhere a couple of weeks ago on our way home from Meyers Event Center. We decided we would have to check it out. Today was the day.

We found some advertising and comments from the Bluebird Cottage and Cafe on Facebook and it looked so cute. They showed yummy homemade desserts and Paninis and salads.

Sherri and I decided to try it today, and I asked Lynne if she wanted to join us. She suggested we check with Sherry and Karen, and low and behold, all the TOTS were available last minute for lunch. Yay!

Sabrina Parker, our waitress, hostess, and owner was so enthusiastic about her new place. She described how it was really an old dream. After years of dreaming of opening her own cafe, her dream finally came true.

I had a wonderful grilled veggie panini and quinoa salad. Then… to try all the desserts! We each got different desserts and sampled some of each. All great!

There was just one drawback. I ate tooooo much, but loved every bite. It was worth it. ( I took a long walk when I got home.)

We al gave it a FIVE THUMBS UP. 👍👍👍👍👍

https://youtu.be/tG1LQpv3p3c

Wednesday:) What’s Cookin’ Miss Toni?~ Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

“When you can’t decide what to cook, open the freezer and the pantry, just throw it all in a big pot and hope for the best.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Well, so much for the sunshine. I needed my raincoat and umbrella for my morning walk. Seeing as I’m stranded here all afternoon, waiting for Joplin’s AC and Heating to come for my fall check up and filter change, I’ll do a little painting and have some of my homemade Chicken Pot Pie Pasta.

This is how my brain works when I cook. (No recipe was harmed in the making of this concoction.) I open my overstuffed freezer and fridge and see what I have.

Sunday, I bought some fried chicken, on sale, of course. I only ate one piece, so the rest was in the fridge. Hmm, chicken soup maybe? So, I peeled off and discarded the crunchy skin, and threw the meat in a big pot to boil while I went for a long walk. When I came home, I scooped out the chicken to cool while I diced up and threw in carrots, onions, celery. Let’s see what’s in the freezer? Several small bags of diced red pepper, green pepper, some spinach, and more onion. All small leftovers waiting for a new-over. Ooh, a bag of frozen peas. I needed to get a second big pot to divide and conquer.

Let’s see what’s in the pantry? A couple of cans of corn, 3 cans of cream of chicken soup, and two boxes of mini penne pasta. While all the veggies cooked, I peeled all the meat from the cooled chicken bones, diced that up and added to the soup. Because it started looking like the inside of a chicken pot pie, I added three cans of cream of chicken soup. Now, if I just had a pie crust the size of a laundry tub, I’d make a big pot pie. Nope!

DID I MENTION THAT I DON’T KNOW HOW TO COOK SMALL FOR ONE PERSON?

I let that simmer several hours while I procrastinated on Facebook. Then, I got out yet another big pot and boiled the mini penne pasta, drained, and added to the mixtures.

After it cooled, I got out all my plastic containers and started filling them up, sprinkling a little Parmesan cheese on top. Now, what to do with all this yummy food?

I took four containers and four turkey sandwiches to Miss Nelma over at Towne Creek when I visited her the other day. (She’s feeling a tiny bit better now and has a little appetite.) that should last her a few days. I took one container to Miss Kathy across the street, one over to Mr. Danny around the corner, and I put two in Mr. Mike’s freezer. I ate a big bowl yesterday, and only have two containers left in the fridge. I’ll have some for dinner today. Maybe sooner than later. All these pictures are making me hungry.

(Disregard all the beer on the side. Some of those bottles have been in there a couple of years. Does beer go bad?)

So, that’s my un-recipe for chicken pot pie pasta.

Tuesday:) Tonight’s Terrific Sunset

“Every sunset is a journey, a journey to remember the memories of the past!”

― Mehmet Murat ildan

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Sometimes the sunset can just take your breath away. I usually scurry out in the evening to see what magical moment God has painted in the sky. Tonight, I was not disappointed.

Montage Monday:) A Week In A Peek

“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.”

~Joseph Campbell

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A busy week, with too much rain and too many things to do. Friends, family, firemen, fumbling with a dead battery,

and finding my umbrella. Not the life I planned, but let’s see what’s waiting around the corner.

Sunday Sermon and Other Stuff

“Being different is dangerous in a world that requires conformity”

― Jonathan Cardon

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Wow! Two beautiful sunny days in a row. Be still my heart. But, I’m not giving up on construction of the ark quite yet. Looks like more rain and cooler temps later in the week.

This morning as I greeted at the door, everyone was in such a wonderful mood. Many hugs, handshakes and smiles were shared. Liam rushed up to the door and checked my pockets for his Matchbox car. Little Avery always gives me a big smile when she receives her little gift.

Today’s Gospel was the story of James and John asking Jesus if they could sit one at the right and the other at the left when He is in His glory. He basically told them that they had no idea what they asked, and that special treatment really wasn’t His to give.

“Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;

whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.

For the Son of Man did not come to be served

but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

My take on it… those who always have to be first, have to have the best of everything, need the glory and the power, those people who only have demands but never give of themselves, those are not the ones who will be rewarded at the end.

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After church, I stopped at the grocery store for a few things. Don’t ask me why, I really don’t need anything, but needing and wanting are two different things. When I got home, I made some pasta to add to my soup, and that’s another long story for another day. I went over to the Square for a couple of hours to visit with friends. Afterwards, I stopped to visit Miss Nelma over at Towne Creek.

Miss Nelma has been pretty sick for several months. I thought some homemade soup and a visit would cheer her up. I called her and asked if she would be home later so I could visit. She was delighted. I said, “I just wanted to make sure you were home and not out dancing or scuba diving or something.” She laughed. When last I saw her, she was hooked up to her oxygen tank. I brought soup and sandwiches and we hugged and laughed and had a wonderful visit.

Before I left, I got a text from my neighbor Kathy, asking if I’d like to meet her around 6ish for dinner at Nom Nom. Well, of course. I just had lunch, but dinner sounded good. (I brought most of it home.)

My day was pretty much, leave the house at 8:15 am, run around, spin my wheels, and walk in the door at 8:15 pm. Now, that’s a good Sunday. I’m a happy gal.