Too true bumper sticker...

Something to ponder.

Life is good in Mayberry, y'all! Enjoy your Friday, whatever you do...

Thursday travel...

No, this isn't an exciting trip. We just have to go to the Brazilian Embassy in Atlanta to apply for a visa to their country (and it took FOREVER to get this appointment). All they want is money, but we have to present our passports, driver's licenses, visa forms...whatever. This is for our upcoming trip...VERY soon. Yikes--two weeks from today! Stay tuned for those details.

And Dick needs to pick up some parts to repair some of his equipment, so we'll get lots of things accomplished today.

It will be a long day, but that is OK. Enjoy your Thursday. If you see someone today who doesn't have a smile, give them one of yours.

Life is good!

Greek Chicken...that's what's for dinner!

Amy requested this for dinner tonight, so I thought I would go ahead and post the recipe. Thanks to all the tasty comments yesterday:

Greek Chicken with Onions, Oregano, Olives and Feta

3 T olive oil
1/3 c. flour, seasoned w/S&P
1 (3 ½ or 4 1/4 lb.) chicken, cut into 8 parts
2 L yellow onions, cut into L chunks
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 c. chicken broth
Grated zest and 4 T fresh lemon juice from 2 lemons
1 (28 oz.) can of chopped tomatoes w/juice
½ c. kalamata olives, pitted (I use more)
Kosher S&P to taste
½ c. feta cheese, crumbled (I use more)

In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Dredge the chicken in the flour, using a resealable plastic bag. Brown the chicken in the oil for about 5 minutes per side. Add the onions and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the broth, lemon zest and juice, tomatoes and juice, and oregano. Bring to a boil, add the olives, reduce heat to low and cover. Allow to simmer on the stove for 45-50 minutes til the chicken is very tender. Adjust the seasoning w/S&P as desired. Serve from the pot or in a shallow bowl with crumbled feta on top.

It cooks up within about an hour, and is even better if made a day ahead. Serve w/orzo, rice or a loaf of country bread and a bottle of red wine. Serves 4

My mouth is watering already. Happy hump day, y'all! If you try this, let me know what you think, OK?

What's for dinner?

The young couple invited their elderly pastor for Sunday dinner. While they were in the kitchen preparing the meal, the minister asked their son what they were having.

"Goat," the little boy replied.

"Goat?" replied the startled man of the cloth, "Are you sure about that?"

"Yep," said the youngster. "I heard Dad say to Mom, 'Today is just as good as any to have that old goat for dinner."

Lord, keep Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth.

Happy Tuesday, y'all! What's cooking?

Joseph's Coat of Colors...

At long last, the first of 16 stained glass panels went up at church this afternoon...

I filled in at the church office today while Maureen had jury duty, so it has been rather busy all day. The stained glass artist and the blacksmith arrived after lunch to install this panel. The afternoon sun doesn't do it justice, so I'll have to take a morning photo of it, but I couldn't resist posting my 'baby.' No, I didn't make it, but I have been shepherding this project now for a few months. We have six panels sold to date, and I think I'll be taking more orders when parishioners see this very first, fine piece of work.

Our country church is not fancy, so we didn't want 'cathedral' pieces...just simple glass depicting various Biblical stories, and light enough that it wouldn't darken our worship space. And with the option to remove the panels and take them over to a newer and larger sanctuary...that our great-grandchildren will build some day, long after Dick and I are gone...these panels have portabililty as well as beauty. Good planning, right? Next up is the Noah's Ark window. I wonder how long that will take to get completed...

Sheryl does good, beautiful work, so I know it'll be worth the wait. That's what I tell myself!

Religious truths...

Since it is Sunday, you'll get a little church humor...

The Picnic
A Jewish Rabbi and a Catholic Priest met at the town's annual 4th of July picnic. Old friends, they began their usual banter. "This baked ham is really delicious," the priest teased the rabbi. "You really ought to try it. I know it's against your religion, but I can't understand why such a wonderful food should be forbidden! You don't know what you're missing. You just haven't lived until you've tried Mrs. Hall's prized Virginia Baked Ham. Tell me, Rabbi, when are you going to break down and try it?"

The rabbi looked at the priest with a big grin, and said, "At your wedding."

The Usher
An elderly woman walked into the local country church. The friendly usher greeted her at the door and helped her up the flight of steps, "Where would you like to sit?" he asked politely.

"The front row please," she answered.

"You really don't want to do that," the usher said. "The pastor is really boring."

"Do you happen to know who I am?" the woman inquired.

"No." he said.

"I'm the pastor's mother," she replied indignantly.

"Do you know who I am?" he asked.

"No." she said.

"Good," he answered.

Enjoy your Sunday, y'all. Make it a good one!

Friday the 13th...

And all is well in the GA Alps. No superstitions to be concerned about in this No Worry Zone.

Check out this view looking next door. This was two weeks ago, and it is now pretty much bare of leaves...actually ON the trees. They are now on the ground...where they'll stay.
With all the rain Ida brought us, the water rushing into the lake was singing loudly yesterday and making its presence known as it began its long journey toward the Gulf. Miss Ida has not been a genteel lady to residents up the coast, however.

Today is the monthly birthday celebration lunch with my BSP sistas, and I am one of the four honorees. My lone December birthday will be combined today with the November celebrants. That's fine with me to begin celebrating early. Heck, any excuse to have lunch with friends is a great idea! Let the good times roll...

Enjoy your Friday. The sun is now shining. Life is good!