Singing With the Saints

(Papa and Nana at his 80th birthday party.)

When M and I got married, all of his grandparents were living and only one of my grandfathers was already at our Savior's side. Since then, the Lord has called five of our grandparents home. Most recently, my mother's father received his eternal reward.

Papa was a healthy 82 year old until about a month ago when he had a stroke. It was determined that the stroke was caused by a large tumor in his abdomen. The tumor had probably been there for years, but started causing many complications after the stroke. Finally his oncologist determined that surgery would not be a possibility and Papa entered hospice care.

I left with Peachy last week Thursday to go and see Papa for what would be the last time on this side of eternity. The Papa I saw was not the active and sharp Papa I had known my whole life, but what a blessing to see him and introduce him to his first great-granddaughter. What a blessing also to know that he is now relieved of all earthly discomfort and made whole again in Christ.

While we will miss Papa greatly, we all share the joy of resurrection and we eagerly look ahead to our reunion in heaven.

Foodie Friday: Bacon Chicken Pasta Salad

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. It is Thursday. I decided since I skipped last week and since I will be attending a funeral tomorrow, I would post Foodie Friday a day early this week. Enjoy!

While staying at my parents' house, I reverted back to my old ways. When I was younger I took it upon myself to prepare summer lunches for the members of my family when they came home for a lunch break. Since I was at the house during the day this week, I figured I could start the tradition again. Only this time around, I came up with my own recipe rather than resorting to a blue and yellow box that comes with noodles and an orange powder.

Ingredients:

-8 oz penne regata pasta, cooked and rinsed in cold water

-one chicken breast, cooked and cut into inch cubes

-3 Roma tomatoes, diced

-5 slices bacon, cooked and diced

-1/4 c. shredded Parmesan cheese

-15 oz. chick peas

-1/2 c. mayo

-2 T ranch dressing mix

Mix together. Chill. Serve.

Great-Grandma Nana

Little Peachy has gotten to spend time in lots of loving arms lately. Most recently, with her great-grandma, Nana. Can you tell she has held a few babies in her lifetime?

You Are Getting Sleepy . . .

Want to know the secret to sleeping this peacefully? Grandpa. Peachy and I are at my parents' house this week. Its a rough way to pass a day (for both of them.) Wouldn't you say?

Happy Fourth!!

We are headed off on yet another trip. (Just breaking Little Peachy in.) I'll let you know how we traveled when I return. (We made a "little" purchase this week.)

For now there will be no Foodie Friday. Maybe next week . . .

Maybe this sweet picture will make up for it.

CYO: Mop Solution

The star of today's post: Vinegar

I am back and so is my sidekick vinegar. As promised, today's post will detail how I clean my hard floors. (So exciting, I know!)

To begin with, I have my other trusty sidekick, the Dutch Rubber Broom. This is essentially a broom with a rubber head. I also am equipped with two buckets. One is empty. The other has a solution of vinegar and warm water. (I sometimes will also add some Borax to up the ante.) I place several rags into the bucket with the vinegar. Then I wrap the broom head with one of the rags and proceed to mop the floor. Once the rag gets dirty it goes into the empty bucket and another rag is placed on the broom head. (This way you aren't repeatedly dipping a dirty rag/mop into your clean water.) When I have moped all of our floors, I simply pour out the vinegar solution and put the dirty rags into the laundry.

Vinegar's dashing co-star: Dutch Rubber Broom

The dirty rag bucket (Don't judge me for the seemingly uncleanliness of my cleaning buckets. We used them to clean paint brushes and rollers when we painted our home before moving in.)

The clean rag bucket/vinegar solution bucket

I have to admit, I did not come up with this process on my own. You will find this any many more green cleaning ideas in the book "Organic Housekeeping."

Rave: Vinegar

Did you know that this bottle can be your one stop shop for many of your household needs? You know, the big bottle that can be purchased for mere dollars at the grocery store? The bottle that you may even have right now in your cupboards?

I started using vinegar for cleaning purposes about a year ago. Why, you ask? It does the job. It isn't a harsh chemical. It is very inexpensive. I keep a spray bottle of vinegar diluted with water for most of my cleaning jobs. I use vinegar to clean counters, the bathroom, it can even be used to clean windows and mirrors. Ever since I started using vinegar, I have come across many other uses for this wonder product.

Have you heard the latest? Vinegar may even help you to lose weight. Really! Google it.

Tomorrow I will share with you how I use vinegar to clean the hard floors in my house.