Thankful Thursday:) So Much To Be Thankful For

“The attitude of gratitude is the greatest platitude.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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If you start each day with a grateful heart, you know it’s going to be a good day.

This morning, I was grateful that I had a little time before picking up my friend Helene to drive her to the airport. I’ve been battling some kind of funky head cold/flu kinda thing for a few days. I took some Tylenol, put an ice pack on my head until I became a “numb skull,” sipped some hot tea, and was on my way.

I am thankful that two COVID tests this week came out negative. Along those lines, I was happy that I can still get around with most of my usual activities, with a few rests and naps here and there. Also grateful for Musinex! Tylenol, Robitussin cough syrup, and green tea with ginger, lemon and honey. (Are you allowed to take them all at once? Asking for a sick friend.🤦‍♀️)

I was delighted that I got over to Helene’s on time and to the airport in record time without getting lost. (A miracle for me.)

Safe travels Helene. I didn’t fair so well on the way home trying to exit the airport. BUT, I am thankful that after an interesting scenic tour of all Terminal C and surrounding areas, and a quick stop and the North Remote parking facility, a fortuitous u-turn allowed me to get back onto the airport exit heading north. Once I was on 121 North, I new how to get home. 🤦‍♀️Kinda.

On my way home, I stopped at Kroger to pick up a few things for my Towne Creek Senior Art Class tomorrow.

I was thankful that brownie mixes were on sale for 99c. I go through a zillion of those. I also got hot dogs and buns, chips, pudding, Mac and cheese, and a few other items for our feast. Artists cannot live on brownies alone.

And here’s the cool part. The young man bagging the groceries, Brennan, said, “You look very beautiful today, Mam.” And I replied, “And you are looking very handsome today, Brennan.”

I am thankful that everyone loves my famous “Peanut butter Bad Ass Brownies.” When you have a gift, ya gotta share.

I am grateful that the nasty headache I had this morning is just about gone, and that Miss Kathy across the street texted to confirm that we are going to have our “Winey Front Porch Thursday” later tonight. We sit on her front porch, drink wine and whine about stuff. Cool! It should be a nice cool evening.

Here’s Miss Kathy. We sit in the dark on her front porch with just a citronella candle (darn mosquitoes) and her cats roaming around and visiting. I have great neighbors.

My list could go on and on and on, because I have so much to be thankful for in just one day. I keep saying I’m going to write them all down just to see the list on paper, but who has that much time to write? Not me. I’m busy doing things that I’m thankful for.

I hope you have a very Thankful Thursday. ❤️

Wednesday:) Words of Wisdom From My Fabulous Facebook Friends

“Do as I say, not as I do, because I do a lot of weird silly off the wall strange stuff.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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A few words of wisdom to think about, I think about them, I just don’t always follow my own advice. Just sayin’!

Montage Monday:) A Week in a Peek

“Beautiful Mondays are in the eye of the beholder, especially when you are busy beholding the beginning of another beautiful week.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Another wonderful week. And guess what? It’s cooled off a little with highs only going to be in the 80’s this week. Yay!

A week in a peek….

Sunday Sermon and Some Other Stuff

“Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others.
Unsuccessful people are always asking, “What’s in it for me?”

Brian Tracy

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Well, it was very different not waking to the 7 am alarm this Sunday. But I must admit, I still enjoy 9 am Mass instead of Saturday evening.

So, I watched 9 am Mass on Facebook, just to feel at home. Father Cristian presided with his usual flair.

Today’s Gospel was the story of the rich man who totally ignored the poor, but when he died, he expected kindness and leniency.

Gospel

Lk 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man’s table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Abraham replied,
‘My child, remember that you received
what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go
from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father,
send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers,
so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'”

My take on it…. When you have been blessed with worldly gifts, but you do not share those blessings, that will be your only reward. Don’t expect any mercy when you die.

I found, from first hand experience, that some people do not believe in God, but rather they worship the “almighty dollar,” and live accordingly. Good luck with that!

Remember, “Sharing is Caring.”

Happy Sunday, my friends.

Saturday:) St.Gabriel Feast Day Celebration

“Life is a celebration. Consider everything that makes you happy as a gift from God and say, ‘Thank you.”

Francis Lucille

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Normally, I attend Sunday morning Mass, but today I went to Saturday evening Mass because right afterwards was our church picnic. St. Gabriel the Archangel parish has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past 20 years. It is so wonderful to see the diversity of ages and people attending. There are always crying babies, fidgety toddlers, teenagers, singles, big families, older folks, (like me) and walkers and wheel chairs.

Helene met me up at church and we enjoyed the picnic afterwards. A few photos…

We had a selfie with Father Cristian , and Bishop Kelly, the original Pastor, came back for a visit to commemorate the 20th anniversary.

My firefighter friends from Station 5 were there for the festivities.

There were all kinds of games and activities for young and old. (They had beer and wine, too.) Did I mention everything was free? So many sponsors, donations, and volunteers made it all possible.

The children had a great time.

They had a DJ that played great dancin’ tunes. Not many dancers, but I did a little prancin’ around.

The sun had set as we walked back to our cars. You can’t help it be in awe of the majestic statue of St. Gabriel guarding his beautiful church and his
beloved parishioners. Happy Feast Day.

Friday:) Faces, Faces, Everywhere Faces In The Weirdest Places

“Is it just me, or does everyone see faces in the weirdest places?”

-ME

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This morning, I was preparing to make my green tea with lemon and honey and some fresh ginger. When I’m at the store, I stand there and look at the lumpy bumpy pieces of ginger to see what interesting shapes they make. Sometimes I see horses or dogs or rabbits. I only buy interesting shapes ginger. That’s what artistic people do.

The piece of ginger I used this morning looked rather interesting.

Upon closer inspection, this nubby root looked like an old man with a big belly. See the mouth and pointy chin and two buttons down his belly? The little gift of hair on top was interesting, but I decided he needed a hat or beret. Ha! In honor of Fall, an acorn beret would do just nicely.

Of course, Miss Toni has acorns lying around in a bowl. Doesn’t everyone? I took the cap off and placed it on my old snarly ginger man. He looks like he’s singing, doesn’t he? With the acorn beret, he must be an old French jazz singer.

Any suggestions for a name for my Ginger Man? Let me know.

Happy Friday, my friends.

Thankful Thursday:) How Did I Miss World Gratitude Day?

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”~ John F. Kennedy

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I just saw a post on my friend Sherri’s Facebook page that yesterday was World Gratitude Day. How did I miss that? It was t just a National day, it a “World Day.” Originally, I was going to post about Thankful Thursday, but now I can also catch up, a day late, on Gratitude Day.

I am grateful that I have great friends to remind me why I should be grateful, not just on September 21st, but EVERY day.

I do wake up each day and end each day with a grateful heart. ❤️ I have an awesome family and wonderful friends.

An ancient tradition suggests that everyone should count at least one hundred blessings a day. It’s good advice since there are so many benefits.

Have you ever known a person who radiated positivity? They attract people from all around to them with their cheerful nature and friendly disposition. You, too, can be like that person whom you so admire. What does it take? You should cut the negativity out of your life and usher in more positive thinking.

To achieve this, you can start by taking inventory of all the reasons why you should be more grateful every day.

1 – Positive people have a happier view of life

When you count your blessings, you have a happier view of your life. You’re more grateful for what you have and for those around you. Researchers suggest that being thankful changes your brain for the better. It boosts your happiness and makes you a more positive person.

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So, the ancient tradition of counting a hundred blessings each day may be difficult for some, but, I bet if you sat down and started to write them all down, you’d come up with more than a hundred. I know I could. It doesn’t have to be a brand new list each day.

Here’s a good challenge for you… get a sheet of paper or open your notes or reminder app on your phone and start to list 100 people and things you are grateful for. Keep that list handy and once you have 100 items listed, start out each day re-reading that list. That should make you happier, healthier, and it changes your brain. I think we could all use a change.

I’m going to start my list today.

1. God

2. Joe

3. Matt…..

And the list goes on and on. At least 50 family members, hundreds of friends, hundreds of blessings. And of course, YOU. I might get up to 1,000.

Happy Thankful Thursday, my friends.

Wednesday With the TOTS~Table Of Talent Sisters on the Square

“Oh my God, my girlfriends are everything to me. They celebrate with you, they cry with you, they hold you when you need to be held. They laugh with you. They’re mean with you! They’re always there, and it’s just a priceless thing to have.“

~Jennifer Lopez

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Gosh, another hot, muggy, steamy day out there. But, the TOTS were finally getting together for a long overdue lunch. We’ve been trying to celebrate Karen’s birthday for two months. With vacations, babysitting grandkids and various obligations, it’s tough to get together.

Happy belated birthday Karen.

Lunch at Spoons, just like the old days.

We had our usual 3 hour lunch, catching up and cracking up. We laugh a lot.

After a very nice lunch, Sherry J. drove me back to my car that was several blocks away in the parking garage. Parking on the Square is always tough. I always joke and say, “I had to park in Oklahoma!”

I stopped at Wendolin’s art studio on the way home. I’ve been saving empty brownie boxes for possible art projects. She texted yesterday asking if I might have around 35 boxes to use for one of her student art classes. Ha! 35, no problemo. I put around 50 in a big bag and dropped them off. She does the most awesome projects with art classes. Can’t wait to see what they come up with.

When I arrived, no one was around but Jasper the cat. It looks like the previous class was working on paint pours. They were sitting on a table outside to dry.

Jasper on patrol, guarding the newly paint pours outside on the driveway.

A great day on the Square with great friends, and a cat named Jasper.

Tuesday:) Toni’s Tip of the Day:) Sharing is Caring

“When you have awesome talented friends, you should shout it from the roof tops, or at least share on WordPress and Facebook.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Tomorrow is the long awaited Grand Opening of the new H-E-B in Allen, TX. Folks have been waiting a long time for a store to open close to McKinney. I’ve never been to one, but I guess it’s a Happenin’ place. I am more excited because my friends Michele and David Bernard have their awesome salsas available there. Plus, there is a coupon alert! You know how I love a bargain.

David and Michele Bernard started making salsa just for friends and family a LONG time ago. I remember sitting on their back porch with friends, and everyone telling them that they need to bottle that magic stuff. Long story short, after a lot of hard work and homemade salsa start up headaches, they entered a Best Salsa contest sponsored by the H-E-B grocery store chain, and they won. Of course they did. We all knew that they would. Now, their amazing salsas are carried in all the H-E-B stores and other local shops around town.

Thanks for sharing your salsa with me and the world, David and Michele. ❤️❤️

It’s funny. I didn’t even know about the Grand Opening when I went into my pantry on Sunday to grab a jar of my favorite salsa. (I always have a few jars on hand.) I wanted to whip up a little snack for my friends Linda and Vyto who were visiting from out of town. I love the Mango Pineapple Y Habanero mixed with some softened cream cheese. It’s pretty spicy stuff, so I only add about half a jar.

Here’s a flashback from a focaccia frittata I made a while ago. Oh man, I’m getting hungry just lookin’ at this.

So, if you’re anywhere near an H-E-B, get yourself over there and get you some awesome Bernard’s Gourmet salsas.

Montage Monday:) A Week in a Peek

“Mondays are the potholes in the road of life.”

~Tom Wilson

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Another fun busy week in a peek…