The Good Samaritan, Iceman, and a Darling Baby

If you don't know the story behind this birth announcement, it could be quite puzzling. SO, this cute idea (our daughter-in-law has a ton of cute ideas in the graphics department!) came about because when they were pregnant, they presumably asked their four year old (our grandson) what he thought the baby should be named.  He came up with the perfectly sensible suggestion, "Toolbox!" (His daddy is a carpenter - named Joseph. Isn't that cool?) ANYway, I digress. So hence the toolbox birth announcement. And yes, he was born on February 28 and yes I've already told you about that, but who could resist one more cute picture when given a good excuse??

 Oliver does love his baby brother,
but I thought it was smart that his mama and daddy gave him a toolbox too!


SO,
Join Terri and the Gang
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  Plug in the questions on your own blog

and

Link up at Terri's blog.

Here is a medley of questions you may choose to answer on your Wednesday blog.  I always start with the National Day and base questions from there. No rules and there is no obligation. Link up if you want to.  I'm doing this to fill my Wednesday and if you are interested, then I invite you to join in!!  It might be fun!!

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NATIONAL GOOD SAMARITAN DAY – March 13

NATIONAL GOOD SAMARITAN DAY

National Good Samaritan Day is observed on March 13th.  This day is also known as Good Samaritan Involvement Day. This is a day for unselfish actions to help those in need and to celebrate kindness.

The term “good Samaritan” comes from the Bible parable where a Samaritan helped a stranger who had been robbed and beaten and left to die by the side of the road.  The Samaritan not only cleaned the man’s wounds and clothed him, but took him to an inn where he paid for the man’s care.

The term is used today to describe those who perform acts of kindness for those in need, especially those who are strangers.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Make an effort to help someone who is struggling or having a problem. Use #GoodSamaritanDay to post on social media.

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 I did not shoot UP to get this photo of the huge snowbank at our house. Wisconsin had virtually no snow until February and now has broken records for snowfall amount. Hopefully it will start to melt soon, although then there's the issue of flooding. We're on a hilltop, but lots of people will be in flood range. Please pray for them.

1.  When did someone come to your rescue and can you tell us about it?

 I have no idea. God, for sure, and always. 

I realize this isn't totally related, but yes it is, and so I happened upon this picture, 'Agony in the Garden,' 1898 Frans Schwartz. Two things: It really shows the humanity of Jesus and the fear he faced as he knew what was soon going to happen (the crucifixion and all the torture and suffering leading up to it).  Another thing: It reminds me of my cousin David (it even looks like David) who spent all the years of his life suffering, from the time he served in Viet Nam until he died at a fairly young age. He came to know Jesus in the year or two before he died and is now with his Lord. And that reminds me that we never know the suffering that people are going through. So much is hidden, internal, and the surface that we see can be alcoholism, drug abuse, despair, or cynicism or indifference. Understanding, kindness, and prayer are needed in this world, rather than judgement, harshness, and self-righteous condemnation.

2.  When did you help someone out of a jam and can you tell us about it?

I have no idea and I cannot tell you about it. But I do pray for many people daily, so maybe... 

 Another beautiful morning as viewed from our front porch

There is a deck on the house in Wausau that has beautiful views also. Not like this, but still so much more than we had hoped or deserve.

3.  What are your thoughts on being a good Samaritan?  Some states (like Florida) have even passed Good Samaritan laws so you don't get into trouble with the law for trying to help someone.

It's quite incredible that a state has to pass laws so that you DON'T get in trouble for being a Good Samaritan. Good grief!

4.  Thursday is National Pi Day.  It's a fun play on the date 3.14.  Will you have some pie to celebrate?

If I could have a piece of my mom's lemon meringue (after scraping off the meringue), I would definitely eat it on Thursday. But because she is no longer with us and no other pie tempts me as much, I most likely will not be eating pie. I love any berry pie and lemon meringue, pecan, mincemeat, and apple. I really do try to avoid pie. I love it going down, but I get a headache afterwards from all the sugar. 

 The beginnings of my lemon meringue pie, just like Mom's

You'll have to take my word for it.

5.  Did you know that Pi is the most studied number in mathematics?  Are you good with numbers?

I'm pretty good with numbers as in remembering sequences of numbers. Other than that, even thought I'm fairly good at figuring out math problems, Mr. C. has them all figured out in his head in a matter of seconds, which is utterly annoying.

 But he's a wonderful grandpa. And yes, I should be, and am, grateful that he can whip up those math answers in barely an instant.

Photo taken a couple years ago. We'll get to see those kids too, in April! Can't wait!

6.  Tell us something random about your week.

As you read this, we will be moving our daughter and kids out of an apartment and into the house that we will all be sharing come the end of the summer. They will move in first and be much closer to the school the kids attend (as in less than a half mile) and we will be doing updates, repairs, etc. to this farmhouse and downsizing. Once I get going on it, I can really make progress. The issue is mostly getting started. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

I dropped off posters for Tommy and Smokey at the two local vets' offices on Monday and they were enthusiastic about helping find a wonderful home for the two of them.

  
I would happily email you the .jpg file if you want to help get the word out on your Facebook page or Instagram. Of course people in Wisconsin or Minnesota would be the most likely to be interested. But who could resist such cute and sweet kitties, right???!!!

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Five Cookie Recipes and a Word About Tommy and Smokey - Wednesday Medley

 This fell off my vehicle and now I'm the proud owner

of a '95  ep.

Join Terri and the Gang

for

  She writes the questions,

we write the answers.

Plug them into your own blog post

and join in at Your Friend From Florida

NATIONAL OREO COOKIE DAY – March 6

Scroll down to find FIVE cookie recipes.

NATIONAL OREO COOKIE DAY

Be ready to observe by having your glass of milk handy as it is National Oreo Cookie Day.  This day is recognized across the nation each year on March 6th.

The Oreo sandwich cookie is made up of two chocolate disks containing a sweet cream filling and is loved by millions.  Since it’s introduction, the Oreo cookie has become the best-selling cookie in the United States.

The National Biscuit Company (today known as Nabisco) first developed and produced the “Oreo Biscuit” in 1912 at its Chelsea factory in New York City. Today, the block on which the factory was located is known as “Oreo Way”.

• The name “Oreo” was first trademarked on March 14, 1912.
• The first Oreo cookies in the United States sold for 25 cents a pound in clear glass topped novelty cans.
• In 1912, the Oreo Biscuit was renamed to “Oreo Sandwich”.
• In 1948, the Oreo Sandwich was renamed to “Oreo Creme Sandwich”.
• William A. Turnier developed the modern-day Oreo design in 1952 to include the Nabisco logo.
• Nabisco’s principal food scientist, Sam Porcello, developed the modern Oreo cookie filling.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Grab a glass of milk and a handful of Oreos to enjoy and use #NationalOreoCookieDay to post on social media.

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 Our screen porch has about a foot of snow in it right now.

But when it warms up, it's a great place for coffee and cookies.

and to view that eagle from Monday's post! 

and for the eagle to view, but not reach, 

Tommy and Smokey.

1.  Are you able to pass by a plate of cookies and not take one or are you a bit of a 'Cookie Monster'?

I'll admit that cookies are the one thing that is hard for me to ignore. I make them seldom, and when I do, I put them in the freezer right away. It helps. For some reason, having to actually open the freezer and take them out is a sort of deterrent. I know, it's weird. 

 Sugar Crackle Cookies Recipe

the ones with cream of tartar 

not as much sugar these days

Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe 

My favorite.

2.  Tell us about your favorite cookie. Have your tastes changed since you were a kid?

First of all, I'll tell you that I do NOT like raisins or carob in a cookie. I like a crisp cookie, not a soft cookie. My gluten-free chocolate chip cookies with walnuts is probably my favorite, although (and this goes against the soft cookie statement I just made), I once ate a lemon drop cookie with lemon cream cheese frosting, I think it was. That was delicious. But I could eat way too many of those too fast, so I'll stick with my chocolate chip ones. And yes, my tastes have changed. I now cut any cookie recipe's sugar in half. Everything tastes way too sweet to me. (except for Mike n Ike, but that's another story  - of addiction, which is why I cannot have them around and should never be allowed to go to a movie theater.)

 My favorite molasses cookie

or my gingerbread boy recipe

3.  Enquiring minds want to know if you are a dunker and, if so, do you dunk in milk, coffee, or tea?

 Definitely not a dunker, unless I'm eating a biscotti, because it wrecks the milk or coffee. I do not want cookie crumbs in my coffee. Tea is already wrecked without a cookie, so that's a moot point. (Sorry, tea lovers, but really. There's a reason the colonists threw the stuff overboard. ;-) 

 These days I wouldn't drizzle that frosting on top

Cherry Almond Biscotti Recipe

4.  It is that time of year and they are selling them on every corner and in front of every store!  Do you buy Girl Scout cookies and if you do, which is your favorite?

My favorite Girl Scout cookie, and I rarely but sometimes purchase them, is the thin mint. I don't know why they don't just stick with thin mint and throw the other recipes away. I mean really, doesn't everyone love the thin mint?? 

 My favorite kitchen utensil

KitchenAid mixer

 One of my favorite cookie eaters,

a few years ago

5.  Raw cookie dough.  Yay or Nay?

I can't help eating a little raw cookie dough when making cookies, mostly chocolate chip/walnut cookies, but I try not to let Mr. C. see me. He inherited this myth (among others) that cookie dough will give you worms. If I have worms, they're all happy and love it when I send down additional cookie dough to feed them.

 Gluten-free Lemon Cookies Recipe

Oh was that stuff good!

6.  Please tell us something random about your week!!

Well, the GOOD NEWS at my house is that we will be putting the house (and barn)  and 10-12 acres of our farm on the market this summer and moving to Wausau. It's very exciting. Our daughter and her two kids will be living with us for the time being. The  house we're purchasing is in the school district where the kids are currently attending, so that is wonderful for them as well.

 Helping Grandpa make salsa

The BAD NEWS is that the grandkids (see pic above) have allergies, and are very allergic to cats, which means we will not be able to take Tommy and Smokey with us. This breaks my heart. As you know, I love these two.  They are such sweet kitties. We are looking for someone who will take both of them because we do not want them separated. As you can see from the many photos I've posted here and on Instagram ( #tommyandsmokey to see all the photos there) they are almost always snuggled together. They must also remain indoor cats. Smokey is a spayed female and Tommy is a neutered male. Tommy is very sociable and Smokey is a little reserved. Tommy loves to eat. Smokey is a dainty lady with a small appetite. They are two years old (remember when their mother appeared at the top of our driveway and gave issue? Story HERE).  Tommy and Smokey are current on their shots. I am looking for someone who will love them and not get them declawed, but will give them a nice home and life. Expensive cat food and chair beside the fire is optional. :-) So please, friends, help me get the word out. These kitties should continue to have a wonderful, loving home.

Yes, these two. 

Tommy and Smokey

***

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Have a great Wednesday, friends,

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And I appreciate your efforts in helping me find a loving home for Tommy and Smokey.

The Eagle Has Landed (again)

The neighbor boy dropped by for a visit the other day, perched in the highest point in our yard, trying to see if he could detect spring on the horizon.

See him at the top of the big spruce?
He's that little dark blob up there.

And did he see spring??

Nope.
He saw only snowbanks.

Actually this photo was taken in Wausau, Wisconsin last weekend. They have even more snow than we do. It's just incredible, and there will be some serious flooding once we ever get warm temps. This morning we woke to -23F, so I doubt it will be for a while. And once that snow starts to melt, it's like living in a refrigerator that's being defrosted. Even with a hot sun, that snow keeps things pretty chilly as it's trying to melt its way toward spring and...

flowers.

***

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Hope you have a lovely day, and that springtime is closer that it is here. :-)

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