HAPPY #BIRTHDAY, TO MY NEWEST XANGA FRIEND, @carpe_diem99! She is a new teacher, and I'm impressed by her quickness, her creativity, and her care for her students! 

It is nice to be able to encourage her, while not having to think about having to teach again myself! Many home-schooled students have already begun their new school year, and the public and private schools are getting ready to start up in another week or two, and so my retirement is starting to feel real now!  

        So what do I do now?

1. I've tried out some new recipes -- several -- that I've gotten from Facebook, Xanga, Pinterest, the Food Channel, and other on-line sources. I'd never heard of Quinoa until watching "Chopped" -- and decided to try it out. I like it! Here it is with a stir-fried veggie, with pan-fried flounder.

   I've also tried some other new recipes, but this was actually a new food for me.

2. I have been enjoying getting together with folks as I mentioned in the last post. I've gotten together with my brother a couple of times, and he joined us for a Famous Recipe Chicken meal one of those times.

3. Last night Mike and I attended a concert by one of the young women in our church. She teaches piano at a local university, and sings, writes music, and also plays flute. She also has a real heart for God and for the needs of youth. She and her brother, our worship minister at our church (seen at the piano, and also those are his children in the one picture) provided a benefit concert for a local youth ministry. It was a nice turnout, and a nice benefit to the group, too! We're so proud of her, and love her heart for the Lord and for others.

3. This morning at church there was a "Ladies' Craft Day" ... which was simply an opportunity for whomever could do so, to come to the church and share a morning snack and some conversation while working on handwork, or playing a game, etc. It was enjoyable, and I worked a little on cross-stitch, a little on correspondence, and I played a game of Scrabble with one of the ladies there. ~~ Here is what I took to share with the ladies, minus a few. My family will be enjoying some sweets!                                                                                       

Well, that's it for this time. Have a great Sunday  . . .                                   and rest of the week, too!