Book Review

I have never recommended a book before but I had seen this book on another blog and it caught my interest. I immediately went on line to our local library and put a hold on the book. I am fortunate that they have a girl that brings books to me. I got the book Monday afternoon and finished it yesterday. I have now started reading it again. Below, I am going to give you a summary that I found on line.

A new story of common wisdom from the best selling author of "The Traveler's Gift".

Orange Beach, Alabama is a simple town filled with simple people. But like all humans on the planet, the good folks of Orange Beach have their share of problems--marriages teetering on the brink of divorce, young adults giving up on life, business people on the verge of bankruptcy, as well as the many other obstacles that life seems to dish out to the masses.

Fortunately, when things look the darkest--a mysterious man named Jones has a miraculous way of showing up. An elderly man with white hair, of indiscriminate age and race, wearing blue jeans, a white T-shirt and leather flip flops carrying a battered old suitcase, Jones is a unique soul. Communicating what he calls "a little perspective," Jones explains that he has been given a gift of noticing things that others miss. "Your time on this earth is a gift to be used wisely," he says. "Don't squander your words or your thoughts. Consider even the simplest action you take, for your lives matter beyond measure X 2026; and they matter forever."

Jones speaks to that part in everyone that is yearning to understand why things happen and what we can do about it.

Like "The Traveler's Gift," "The Noticer" is a unique narrative is a blend of fiction, allegory, and inspiration. Gifted storyteller Andy Andres helps us see how becoming a "noticer" just might change a person's life forever.


If you decide to try this one, I hope it will be as meaningful for you and it was for me.

Computer Nook

This is where I do my blogging, making cards, emailing, etc. We took a closet and removed the doors and took the clothes rod down and wooden shelves. We then added the wire shelves for me to place my baskets on. I have paper, stickers, label, etc. in them. I have two computer towers. When I bought my newest computer, a lot of my programs were not compatible. I keep the old tower mainly to make greeting cards. I am not able to get out very often to buy cards so I create them and my friends seem to like them better because I can make them personal. I have also done some digital scrap booking on the old one too. The picture on the right shows my wallpaper on my modem at this time. I like to give equal time to the grandchildren. I had the granddaughter so now it is mostly the boys.

Fresh Peach Delight

This is such a good recipe. I wish I knew who to give credit to.

1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 1/2 sticks butter, melted
1 cup nuts, finely chopped (I like pecans)

Layer 1:
8 oz. cream cheese
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 8 oz Cool Whip

Layer 2:
4 cups fresh peaches

Layer 3:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
3 Tbls. corn starch
1 small box peach jello

Mix flour, butter, and nuts. Pat in bottom of 9 X 13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown and let cool.
Cream the cream cheese, powdered sugar and cool whip, and spread over the first layer in pan.
Layer sliced peaches over cream cheese mixture. (I just used one layer of peaches)
Cook sugar, water, cornstarch and Jello until thick and clear. Remove from heat and cool completely. When cool, pour over peaches and refrigerate. Refrigerate several hours before serving.

ENJOY!

Lace & Amethyst Wrap

My daughter-in-law saw this in the July/August 2009 issue of Crochet today! and liked it. It is crocheted with RED HEART Eco Ways Bamboo Wool. I had never used this yarn before. It felt really good but I had to be careful because the yarn wanted to split. It is an easy pattern and I hope Linh will enjoy using it.

Happy Anniversary!

Congratulations Jon and Linh

Quotes to Live By

The following quotes are some that mean something to me and I want to share them with you.

Let no man think lightly of good, saying in his heart,
"It will not benefit me." Even by the falling of water drops,
a water pot is filled; the wise man becomes full of good,
even if he gathers it little by little.
German Proverb



Hardening of the heart ages people more quickly
than hardening of the arteries.
___
We really begin to amount to something to men and to
God when we are careful to do a kindness and care
less about who gets the credit for it.
___
There are many moments in friendship, as in love,
when silence is beyond words.
___
No man is rich enough to buy back his past.
___
We will not make the daisies of our own lives
any prettier by being jealous of the roses in
our neighbors' lives.
___
If you want a better life, the place to change is
inside yourself.
___
Whatever you dislike in another person, take care
to correct it in yourself.
___
What life means to us is determined not so much by
what life brings to us as by the attitude we bring to
life; not as much by what happens to us, as by our
reaction to what happens.
___
The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater
is their power to harm us.
___
It takes both rain and sunshine to make a rainbow.
___
Kindness is the language the deaf can hear and
the blind can see.
___
The world is a looking glass, and gives back to
every man the reflection of his own face.
Thackeray

The Internet CAN by a good thing!

Our grandchildren live 1100 miles away. Due to our physical conditions, we are no longer able to go visit them. They try to come visit us once a year if their schedules allow. Thank goodness for our computers and the Internet. On their end, they have a cam--not me! Ha. We are able to see them but they can not see us. One afternoon, I went on AIM with our granddaughter. We both have microphones and can talk to each other as I watch them. These pictures were snapped by our granddaughter as she was talking to me. She was doing all kinds of expressions and added the parrot and rabbit into the picture. We had a fun visit. As she dragged and dropped the pictures for me to see, I saved them. I went to hp.com to their creative section and picked out this frame. I uploaded the pictures and dropped them into the frame. I printed it and then put it in the scanner and saved it. I then went to my computer and chose it as my wallpaper. I get to relive that fun visit with my granddaughter each time I cut my computer on. I did this screen capture so that you could see what I see on my 24-inch monitor. I don't understand how computers and Internet work, but what a blessing it is to the "old lady". To me, it is a "Good Thing" as Martha Stewart would say.
Love, Marie