Tuesdays with a Twist #177 - LINKY PARTY!

The news this week...  We attended our granddaughter's 5th Birthday party this weekend.  Her cake had fairies on it and sparkled.  I asked her if the sparkles were fairy dust.  If we eat it, will we fly?  She laughed and said, "No."  Here she is a few years ago.  Lil Miss Sassy Boots! 

You probably remember my feature from last week.  FREE Word of the Week Program

 

from Sheep Among Wolves!  It began on Friday and I loved it, sharing with my family and co-workers!  Each week, you get the vocabulary word and definition along with a memory verse AND either a poem or hymn!  If you teach Sunday School or Home School your children, I definitely recommend it!   ;-)
 

How has your week been?  I can hardly wait to see your links today!

Mary @ Back to the Basics

 Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

Joyce @ Heavenly Bodies

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

Choosing features is so very difficult!   How cute is this Easy Sign Even a Beginner Can Make

 

from Deanie's Stash !  I really appreciate how she tells the story of a failure, how to correct, and how to complete the project.  We all have setbacks, right?  I love this project!

 
  If you have been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci




 

Book Review: The Ultimate Gift

by Jim Stovall

 

 

PHOTO SOURCE

 

Partial Synopsis from Book Depository:  What would you do to inherit a million dollars? Would you be willing to change your life? Jason Stevens is about to find out in Jim Stovall's The Ultimate Gift.   Red Stevens has died, and the older members of his family receive their millions with greedy anticipation. But a different fate awaits young Jason, whom Stevens, his great-uncle, believes may be the last vestige of hope in the family.

 

My Thoughts:  This book was a gift from my aunt, who assured me I would love it!  It is a quick little read.  As the book went on, none of the chapters were what I expected them to be.  Each was an interesting surprise for me, as well as a life changing lesson for the characters involved.  There were pages of the book where I paused a moment to cry.  I don't want to say much about the plot as I don't want to give too much away.  This is a book I recommend to anyone!

What have you been reading?
 



;-)  -Marci

'Got a Hungry Herd? Recipe for Cowboy Caviar

This has to be one of my easiest and tastiest dishes!  'Always a big hit around here!

 

 

 

 

First though, I make a nice big batch of My Salsa.  Click HERE for that recipe or make pico your way!  ;-)  Fresh from the garden ingredients make any dish better!

 

Cowboy Caviar Recipe

 

5 cups of My Salsa

1 Can Black Beans, drained and rinsed

1 Cup Frozen Corn

 

Three ingredients.  Dump those in a bowl.  Stir.

 

Then shout Yee Haw!  Grub's done!  ;-)  OK.  You can skip the hollerin' if that feels silly!  ;-)  The black beans could be swapped for black eyed peas or even pinto beans.

 

 

 

 

Our favorite way for chowing down is melt cheddar cheese over some tortilla chips, then top with Cowboy Caviar, black olives and a bit of sour cream.  It doesn't last long around here!

 

;-)  -Marci

LINK PARTY! Tuesdays with a Twist #176

The news this week...  Our daughter and son-in-law have three children of their own and they are also foster parents.  We are not allowed to post photos or names of the sweet foster children on any form of social media, so I seldom mention them.  These kiddos are a big part of our lives, though, and we try very hard to be good grandparents for them.  This week, a young lady in our daughter's care participated in a 5k race and she did so well!  We were very impressed with her determination.  The last bit of the race was up a hill.  Race organizer like to do that for some reason!  ;-)  When this little girl turned the corner and saw that hill, I am not sure what thoughts went thru her head, but she hit the gas and practically flew up the last bit of the course!  It was awesome!  Handsome Husband was able to snap some fabulous photos of her taking those long, fast strides to get up the hill.  We all cheered and gave her hugs!

It was a great morning! 

I still tire easily from my surgery, so my blog remains a bit subdued.  I have some book reviews coming your way along with more photos of my habitat garden and, of course, the Labrador puppies!  Here's a pic of my favorite little frog watching over a puddle.  This shallow bird bath hosts lots of visitors throughout the day!

 

How has your week been?  I can hardly wait to see your links today!

Mary @ Back to the Basics

 Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

Joyce @ Heavenly Bodies

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

Choosing features is so very difficult!   Back to school thoughts are a on everyone's mind right now!  I loved this FREE Word of the Week Program

 

from Sheep Among Wolves!  It begins this Friday.  I've signed up for my family, but also for me!  I love the idea that each week, you get the vocabulary word and definition along with a memory verse AND either a poem or hymn!  I am excited to begin!  ;-)

 

  If you have been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci




 

Heirloom Tomato Soup Recipe

This beautiful heirloom tomato is called Lemon Oxheart.  Can you see the heart shape?  Each plant will produce several of these huge, golden orbs.  I have been successful starting this variety from seed.  They are delicious and perfect in any tomato recipe.  If you're not already growing heirloom vegetables, give them a try!  The subtle differences in flavor, form and color are definitely worth the space they take in your garden!

 

 

Heirloom Tomato Soup Recipe

 

8 Cups Heirloom Tomatoes

3 Cloves Garlic

8 - 10 Large Fresh Basil Leaves

 4- 6 Sprigs Fresh Oregano

Salt and Pepper to taste

 

Place tomatoes in slow cooker.  Cook on high for four hours.

Pure' in food processor with herbs until smooth.  My processor isn't very big, so I do this in batches.  Return to slow cooker to re-heat.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Garnish with parmesan and basil.





 

 

 Depending on which tomatoes you use, the soup may or may not be red.  'Not to worry, though, it's still tasty!

 

Our favorite side with tomato soup is grilled cheese sandwiches.  How do you like it?

 

 ;-)  -Marci

Tuesdays with a Twist Link Party #175

This week was much better than last.  As thing settle down, I'd like to express my gratitude to our family, friends and neighbors who supported us before, during and after my surgery.  Thank you for the phone calls, emails, texts and visits.  I loved all the cards, books and flowers!  Thank you for bringing us those delicious snacks and meals!  Most of all though, thank you for the hugs, the I-Love-Yous and the prayers.  Love is such powerful medicine!





How has your week been?  I can hardly wait to see what you've brought today!  Let's party!

Mary @ Back to the Basics

 Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

Joyce @ Heavenly Bodies

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

Choosing features is so very difficult!  Living in an old rock farmhouse,  this post really caught my eye!

Little One's Farmhouse Sign

 

from faeries and fauna craft co.!

  If you have been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci




 

Garden Guest: Tiger Swallowtail

 The north side of our front yard is a certified  National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat.  Really!  We have a certificate!  You can do the same by providing food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young.  It is so much fun to see all of the critters that stop by for a visit.  I have a series of posts to show you our Garden Guests.

 

If you would like to see more, please take a look at my Gardening Page 

  

This handsome creature is a male Tiger Swallowtail.  As you view the photos, notice he has quite a bit of damage to one wing, but is still thriving.

Anyone who attempts nature photography will appreciate that the butterfly is barely in the frame.  Frequently, when I download photos, there is nothing in the frame!  ;-) 



When I am out and about with my camera, my hope is to get one good photo.  Just one!  I follow along and snap absolutely as long as my subject allows.  Often taking  20 - 30 shots of one butterfly or bird.  If I get one good picture, I am absolutely thrilled.  Imagine my surprise, when this session yielded five photos I liked!  Five!  That is definitely a record for me!

 

The Tiger Swallowtail is enjoying the nectar from a flower called Garden Phlox.  It is a lovely perennial here in Arkansas (Central United States) and is available in lots of colors.  I only have three colors in my garden. All of my Garden Phlox plants have been pass along gifts from friends.  The magenta is probably my favorite, but I also have one that is softer purple with white centers as well as solid white.  You can see butterflies love Garden Phlox!

 

 

 I am so glad this lovely little visitor stopped by our garden.  Thank you for stopping by my blog today!  I hope you can stay for a while!

 

What's happening in your back yard?

 

;-)  -Marci

Kati Cat Came to our House

 We like to say we operate a one acre farm.  This little plot of earth is home to nine chickens, six rabbits, five dogs and one cat.
 

 

For some reason, I write and post frequently about the dogs and chickens, but seldom about the rabbits or cat.  'Not sure why.

Kati Cat has been visible on here from time to time, but I thought she would like her very own post.  ;-) 





Let me tell the story of how she came to our home.  One day I was outside weeding and heard something crying.  Searching, I found nothing and went back to weeding.  Crying could still be heard though.  I searched more thoroughly and saw a tiny gray kitten with white paws in the tall weeds across the street.
 

  

 

 

When called, the sweet baby immediately bounded into the street.  Right in front of a mini van!  YIKES!  The mini van got stopped before anyone was injured and I grabbed the little gray and white puff out of the street.  I carried her all around the neighborhood, knocking on doors and asking if anyone had lost a kitten.  I am pretty sure someone lied that day.  ;-)   Kati has lived at our house ever since.

 

 

 

When we brought the Chihuahua puppies home, she immediately adopted them and treats them like they are her kittens.  It's so sweet.  To this day, if she catches a mouse, she still gives it to either Abigail or Ivan to eat.
 

 

 

 

We love having her.  Most of the time she a sweetheart.

 



 

She is a cat, though, and can be quite aloof!

Do you have pets?  Will you please tell me about them?

;-)  -Marci

Link Party Feature!

What an exciting day!

 

If you stop by my blog very often, you already know I love to garden.  It's very important to me to grow heirloom plants, especially vegetables.  Well, check it out!  My recipe for

 

 

Salsa with Heirloom Vegetables

 

is being featured today at

 

 

Happily Homemade and Handcrafted Link Party!

 

What an honor!  Thank you, Robin!

 

;-)  -Marci



Link Party Feature!

We love our puppies and take lots of photos.  It is such an honor that my silly post about

 

 

Those Labrador Puppies...

 

is being featured today at

 

 

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop

 

THANK YOU to all these lovely hostesses!!

 

I guess we all love puppies, right?  If you would like to see more of these sweet babies, click

 

HERE,  THERE, or OVER HERE!

 

May your day be filled with lots of tails wagging!

 

;-)  -Marci

Tuesdays with a Twist #174

It's been a crazy week!  I usually do my very best to keep everything positive on my blog, even though life can be as surprising for us as it is to anyone else.  Some of you already know about this, but I'd like to give everyone an update.

My little surgery a couple of weeks ago shouldn't have been all that bad, but something didn't go as planned.  I had a negative reaction to the anesthesia, unable to hold down little solid food for about a week.  While my medical team was very responsive, it took a while to get that settled.  On Friday, I finally got a prescription that worked.  Whew!  'So glad that's over.  Yesterday was my first day back at work and it was wonderful to be there!

The blog has been a bit quiet, but it will get back in the swing soon.  I hope all is wonderful in your world!  Let's party!

Mary @ Back to the Basics

 Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

Joyce @ Heavenly Bodies

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

Choosing features is so very difficult!   I love seeing all the creative posts!  Thank you for joining the party!

 

There are so many GREAT printables available these days.  Living in an old rock farmhouse, though, I am always looking for ways to give them a worn appearance.  This post really caught my eye!

Easy Method for Printing on Vintage Paper

 

from Dianne at Deanie's Stash!  'Can't wait to try it!

  If you have been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci




 

Red Cypress Vine

 Just a few photos...

 

 

 

 These seeds were a gift from my sweet friend, Lois.

She is from Louisiana and says Red Cypress Vine grows very aggressively there.

Here, in Arkansas, though, it is a lovely annual.

 

 ;-)  -Marci

Fountain of Youth

 

There is a fountain of youth:  it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love.  When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age. 

-Sophia Loren

 

Have a lovely day!

 

:-)  -Marci

Tuesdays with a Twist Linky Party #173

It's Party Time!

Mary @ Back to the Basics

 Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

Joyce @ Heavenly Bodies

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

Choosing features is so very difficult!   I love seeing all the creative posts!  Thank you for joining the party!

 

Take a look at this amazing post!  All of my readers that enjoy gardening are going to FLIP for this one!  ;-)   


Today I Choose Joy, Handmade Vintage Jewelry Frame
 

 

from Carol at Comfort Spring!  Isn't it pretty?

  If you have been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci