Friday, June 25, 2010

Fashion on Fridays:Turquoise


Meet the 2010 Color of the Year!

Dont take my word for it, read all about it in this Pantone Color Report announcement.

I have always loved this color, but not been bold enough to wear it always.

Imagine a seafoam turquoise like Carribean resort waters, not the southwest American Indian blue turquoise.

True to the premise of my fashion outlook - I focus primarily on what is already in my closet - I'm promoting the idea of refreshing my wardrobe s.i.m.p.l.y.

Choosing the right color is the answer!

While these capris are new (for the upcoming family reunion), I recently wore an old navy blue linen suit with a turquoise T-shirt instead of the standard *white* - and felt more stylish.

So, identifying a new(er) color or hue is sooooo much more economical that purchasing skirts/pants in the newer cuts and styles every few years.  There are always over ten fashion colors to choose from.  Surely you can find one that you like.

Furthermore, consider updating with accessories: like a watch with a colorful band or a new pocketbook.

Make a statement.



  










Afterall, handbags are like girlfriends ~ one is never enough!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Father's Day Menu

Smithfield Spiral-sliced Ham
Squash Casserole
Steamed Cauliflower
Marinated Button Mushrooms
Herb-buttered Rolls

Chocolate Box Shiraz

Chocolate Creme Pie
Coffee






Dinner table conversation was lively because not only did we ask my parents to describe the personalities of their fathers, but we also debated the merits of homemade versus store-bought pies.  Whoops, almost forgot!  We fine-tuned our recipe for margaritas scheduled for release during CWAC, our annual family reunion at Callaway Gardens.

My father's three adjectives for his father were quiet, calm, and affable.  He practiced medicine (obstetrics) in Birmingham AL for over fifty years, delivering lots of babies, some of whom are now seeing his grandson (my brother) for vascular disease.  Living to age 90, he is remarkable for having served in both WWI and II.  Here's a link to a pencil portrait of him.

My mother's three adjectives for her father were teaser, competitive, and respected.  As an Atlanta general surgeon, he was admired and loved by many, unfortunately dying of heart disease at the young age of 58.  Here's a link to a portion of his inaugural address before the Fulton County Medical Society.

Now it's time to turn my attention back to my heavenly Father on this the Lord's Day by reading John Witherspoon's sermon addressing Psalm 76:10.  Although first delivered in 1776, on the eve of the War for Independence, it's message is timely, especially now as Americans' civil liberties are being assaulted on all sides.

The title is The Dominion of Providence Over the Passion of Men.  Three adjectives for my Heavenly Father demonstrated in Psalm 76 and exposited in Withersppoon's sermon are omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent.

Here's the link at oll.libertyfund.org.

On second thought, I'm stopping after five pages, pacing myself at five pages per day for morning devotions.  And now I will fold clothes and watch Lucia di Lammermoor because my daughter sang in the chorus of the Ann Arbor Opera's recent production.

 A Bientot!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Fashion Friday:Tartans

In honor of the Kerr line in our family's genealogy, I hope DH will wear this handsome tartan tie for his mother's memorial service on July 3rd.


DD#1 has been on a mission this Spring to pin down the exact birth, death, and marriage dates of members of Grandma's family tree.





In addition to online research, she made a special trip to the Canadian Archives in Toronto.  Which in turn opened doors into the Vital Statistics of Manitoba. 

The real bonus in all of this puzzle is a new friend named Maggie.  Thanks to her we have scans from local genealogic records, pictures of headstones, and her own account of the life and times in Ninette.

Now we know the rest of the story.





Here are the details about the tartan which I purchased from Mountain and Sackett.

The Kerr Wool Tartan necktie is cut from the finest Scottish wool, and is handmade in New York City. Each tie is 3 1/2 inches wide and 58 inches long. The Kerr family, said to be of Norman descent, is recorded in the Borders in the 12th century. The two main families were the Kerrs of Cessford, now represented by the Duke of Roxburghe, and the Kerrs of Ferniehurst, represented by the Marquis of Lothian. This authentic Scottish Tartan is a timeless classic whose historic design has withstood the test of time.



How about your family tree?

Any tartans?

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Fathers, Cars, and Dogs

Reviewing Jan Karon's latest book, Home to Holly Springs, caused me to ponder fathers, in general, and our relationships with them.

More specifically though, I began thinking about their cars and dogs... and what that says about them, if anything.

Uncharacteristically (at least in my mind) does Father Tim drive a red mustang convertible!  His mutt is no less than a Bouvier with a lot of Irish Wolfhound named Barnabas, nick-named Gentleman.

My father's dream car was a 1968 Pontiac GTO convertible. This army green antique is still in the family, in the predictible possession of my younger brother who was the last to drive it.

















His dog?

My father's family dog was a white Sptiz named Snow. There is an hilarious story about a special encounter between Snow and the family cat, Saggy.  It's worthy of its own post.... another day ;-)

 As an adult, we had Weimaraners. Legend and Otto. Oh, the stories about those family pets.




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So, join in.

Tell me about your father, his car, or his dog.

And if you dont know, invite him for dinner this week and ask him.

It's family history.

Better late than never.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Bless This Food, O Lord


















Shrimp 'n Grits, Pickled Beets, and Green Beans
French Bread

Cavit Pinot Grigio (not pictured because it's all gone)  ;-)


We enjoyed this meal after hearing a sermon on Psalm 75.  This marks the halfway point in our pastor's preaching through the book of Psalms.  In his introductory remarks, JCMIII marveled at how this divine poetry *gets inside us*.  Despite the vernacular, I grasp his meaning and concur.

My prayer is that the words of the psalmist(s) become so familiar to me that they would always come easy in conversation.  Even more so, I hope that they spill out of my mouth when I am old and gray, and perhaps not in my right mind.

Then this food, this bread, this Word of God, would truly be a blessing.

We closed the service by singing Psalm 75 to the tune Belmont C.M.

Here's the paraphrase ~

To Thee, O God, we render thanks,
To Thee give thanks sincere
Because Thy wondrous works declare
That Thy great name is near.

When my appointed time is come,
I'll judge with even hand.
Though earth and all its dwellers melt,
I make its pillars stand.

I to the boastful said, "Boast not!"
To vile men, "Lift no horn!
Do not lift up your horn on high,
Nor speak with neck of scorn!"

For not from east nor west nor wilds
Comes exaltation nigh,
For God is judge, debasing one,
Another raising high.

The LORD pours out a foaming cup
Which well-mixed wine contains,
And every wicked one on earth
Must drink; the dregs he drains.

But I will tell it evermore,
To Jacob's God sing praise;
And horns of sinners I'll cut off,
But just men's horns I'll raise.


From the Book of Psalms for Singing, copyright 1973 and published by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America.


Bless this food, O Lord,

and us to Thy service.

In Jesus' Name, I pray

AMEN

Friday, June 11, 2010

Grandma Jago

Mrs. Vivian Lillian Jago, age 82, died on June 8, 2010, at her home following an extended illness.

Her children and grandchildren were at her bedside.










Reared on a farm in western Canada, Mrs. Jago emigrated to the United States in 1969 with her husband and children. She then resided in Newfane, New York; Charleston, South Carolina; Beverly, Ohio and finally Canton, Georgia, where she has spent recent years enjoying the company of her children and grandchildren.

In addition to being a creative homemaker and loving mother, she was a licensed Real Estate Agent. She was active in her church and belonged to several organizations, including The Red Hat Club. She maintained an avid interest in collecting and refinishing antique furniture.

Mrs. Jago was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Norman S. Jago.

She is survived by three children, Daniel (Deanna) Jago of Portland, Oregon; Dr. Ken (Dana) Jago of Canton; and Carolin (Jim) Knight of Woodstock; and seven grandchildren.

Her remains were cremated, and a memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 3, at 2:00 p.m. The service will be held in the chapel of the First United Methodist Church of Canton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Canton's Prayer Quilt Ministry (930 Lower Scott Mill Road, Canton, GA 30114).

Please contact the family to make arrangements for flowers.


Grandma is reading the poem in her birthday card.  It's by George Eliot

You love the roses -- so do I.  I wish
The sky would rain down roses, as they rain
From off the shaken bush.  Why will it not?
Then all the valley would be pink and white
And soft to tread on.  They would fall as light
As feathers smelling sweet; and it would be
Like sleeping and like waking,
all at once!