Oh How Pinteresting 6/20/12: Have a Grin On Me

I'm participating in Oh How Pinteresting today, hosted by The Vintage Apple.  Thought I'd share some of the funny stuff I've found on Pinterest lately.  Enjoy!

Source: someecards.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Source: hahafunnylol.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Source: wonkaposts.tumblr.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Source: wonkaposts.tumblr.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Source: wonkaposts.tumblr.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Source: womensradiocalgary.blogspot.com via Cindy on Pinterest

"Every girl is expected to have caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose, hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall butt, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a nine-year-old boy, and the arms of Michelle Obama. The only person close to actually achieving this look is Kim Kardashian, who, as we know, was made by Russian scientists to sabotage our athletes. Everyone else is struggling." - Tina Fey

I'm participating in Oh, How Pinteresting today--check it out!

Head over to my book blog...

Please head over to my book blog, Cindy's Book Club, and read my review of Harriet Reisen's Louisa May Alcott: The Women Behind Little Women!

Visible Monday: More Sister-Love

It's been a while since I participated in Visible Monday, and the last time I was also showcasing a gift from my sister Lisa!  Well, this wonderful lady gifted me with a box of clothes she was either tired of or thought suited me better.  It was like Christmas in June!

To church on Sunday, I wore this hot pink camisole and matching floral sweater.  Earlier,I couldn't wait to wear it, but I had a problem...I wanted to wear it with a skirt, and I didn't have a skirt that would match it.

I went on the hunt for a white skirt, and you know, they're not as easy to find as you'd think!  I finally found a flowy one I liked at Marshall's for a little over 12 dollars.  (I'd also like to find a shorter white skirt to go with this as well.)

OK, thought I'd get the obligatory bathroom shot out of the way.  (I've been texting my sis a picture every time I wear one of her gifted items!)

Well, naturally I needed the right shoes for this long flowy skirt.  Visiting my daughter at the Bergner's where she works in Bloomington, IL, I found these babies on sale for 60 per cent off! Yes, that's a serious wedge...higher than it even looks in that picture...but I wore them to church Sunday and suffered no pain.

Here they are, on my tootsies.

A shot before I remembered to put my shoes back on.  Honestly, this skirt would look fine with some pretty flats, but I wanted the slightly dressier look of a wedge heel for church.

Camisole and sweater: gifted

Cuff bracelet: gifted

Skirt:  Dimri via Marshall's

Shoes: Mia via Bergner's

Another shot with the shoes.  I'm excited about this entire outfit, but I can style this skirt in so many ways this summer! I'm looking forward to it (by the way, it feels lighter-than-air on, but has a built-in slip that comes to about mid-thigh.)

I'm participating in Visible Monday, hosted by Not Dead Yet Style!  Join the fun!

Things I Miss About My Dad

Me and my dad in the late 50's

My dad passed away in July 2004 (I blogged about his passing here.) I seem to miss him more instead of less as time goes by.

I've posted this before (it was originally a Thursday Thirteen post), but I'm re-running in in honor of Father's Day.

Me and my Dad in 2003...he was already sick with the liver disease that woulld claim his life

Things I Miss About My Dad




1) His dedicated and passionate love for the Lord

2) His sense of humor--including his corny-but-funny jokes

3) His love of music--something he passed down to all of his children

4) His beautiful singing voice. I can still hearing him sing his signature song, Submission:

Not what I wish to do
Nor where I wish to go
For who am I, that I should choose my way?
The Lord shall choose for me
Tis better far, I know,
So let him bid me go, or stay.

5) Hearing him play the trombone--something he continued to do until he got really sick

6) Talking with him. Long, meaty conversations, about everything from politics and current events to theology and everything in between. I miss that so much.

7) Going on walks with him. Every time I visited my folks in Texas or they came up to visit me, my dad and I would go walking together.

8) Hearing him pray. Many's the night I would hear him praying in another room as I fell asleep.

9) The way he would literally be on the edge of his seat when there was a fight scene in a movie or TV show

10) The way he would play with his grandchildren--horsing around with them when they were younger, playing Dominoes or other board games with them as they grew older

11) The funny songs he would make up on the fly--and often inserting our names into
existing songs

12) The way he would greet me when he phoned me: "Cindy? This is your daddy..."

13) The many ways he showed his love for his family

I miss you, Daddy.

Today is National German Chocolate Cake Day...

...which begs the question:  What is your favorite cake?

Source: google.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Did you know German Chocolate Cake isn't German at all?

Yes, today is National German Chocolate Cake Day.  And according to this website:

 A recipe for "German's Chocolate Cake" first appeared in a Dallas, Texas newspaper in 1957.That it was sent in by a Dallas homemaker is all we know..... 
According to Patricia Riso, a spokeswomen for Kraft foods, It used a brand of chocolate bar called "German's" which had been developed in 1852, by an English Confectioner named Sam German, who was employed by Baker's Chocolate Company.The cake had an immediate and enthusiastic response, and requests about where to find the German's chocolate bar were so numerous that General Foods (who owned Baker's Chocolate) decided to send pictures of the cake to newspapers all around the country.Everywhere the recipe had the same response and the sales for German's Chocolate exploded so they could make this cake!

German Chocolate Cake doesn't happen to be my favorite cake.  That honor would go to the Brownie Chocolate Cake my mom makes, and which I make a lot as well.  It resembles a Texas Sheet Cake.  I also love red velvet cake.

Is German Chocolate Cake your favorite?  If not, what is? Let me know in my comments section.

And if you'd like to try your hand and making German Chocolate Cake, here's the original recipe.

Thursday 13: Great Movie Quotes

A fun one from the archives of Notes in the Key of Life.  What are your favorite movie quotes?


--"What we do in life echoes in eternity." Gladiator, 2000.

-- "You're gonna need a bigger boat." Jaws, 1975.

-- "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer." The Godfather Part II, 1974.


Al Pacino in The Godfather


-- "Cinderella story. Outta nowhere. A former greenskeeper, now, about to become the Masters champion. It looks like a mirac ... It's in the hole! It's in the hole! It's in the hole!" Caddyshack, 1980.

--"Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary." Dead Poets Society, 1989.

--"Every man dies, not every man really lives." Braveheart, 1995.

--"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."  The Princess Bride, 1987

--"I'm your huckleberry." Tombstone, 1993.

Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer in Tombstone


--"Round up the usual suspects."--and--

-- "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."  Casablanca, 1942




--"Life goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."  Ferris Bueller's Day Off, 1986

-- "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure." Chariots of Fire, 1981

--"Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly. I'm a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior."  Amazing Grace, 2006

What are your favorites?

Participate in the Thursday 13

What I Wore: Sunday, May 27, 2012

I'm always a bit envious when I look at the blogs of women who thrift so awesomely.  They get steals for a few bucks, and look like a million.

Well, I'm blessed to have a wonderful sister who often gives me clothes.  She says that sometimes she just realizes they weren't right for her, or that the colors would be better suited to me.  I'm more than happy to take them off her hands!

This is the latest outfit she gave me, and I love it!

Jacket:  Steinmart

Sheath: Dillards

Both passed along to me by my sister!

Okay, yes, I took these pictures in the bathroom.  Don't you know a toilet in the background is a mark of great photography? :)

A closer-up view of the jacket.  I'm visiting my family in Texas right now, but I just happened to bring that turquoise necklace with me.  Interestingly enough, my sister gave that to me last year!  The earrings and bracelet are my own.

I got the bracelet at Cato.  The ring was my grandmother's.  Took this one in the car...see my seatbelt? :)

I also brought with me these turquoise shoes I bought last summer for $14.99 at Shoe Carnival.  They're pretty and comfortable too.

But the very best accessory is a cute little grandson!  This is me and Payton (5) at Sunday lunch at Bill Miller's BBQ.

And this is me and Josiah (2).  I'm loving getting to spend time with my adorable grandsons in the Great State of Texas! I always look happiest in pictures with my grandsons.

Memorial Day: Requiem for a Soldier

One of the most moving series I've ever watched is "Band of Brothers."  On this Memorial Day, I can think of few more fitting tributes than this video.

Sung by Katherine Jenkins, the lyrics may be a bit difficult to understand, so I've included the lyrics below the video.

Take a few minutes today to watch this, and silently thank those who gave all for freedom.

You never lived to see 

What you gave to me 

One shining dream of hope and love 

Life and liberty 

With a host of brave unknown soldiers 

For your company, you will live forever 

Here in our memory 

[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/a/amici+forever/requiem+for+a+soldier_20521282.html ] 

In fields of sacrifice 

Heroes paid the price 

Young men who died for old men's wars 

Gone to paradise 

We are all one great band of brothers 

And one day you'll see we can live together 

When all the world is free 

I wish you'd lived to see 

All you gave to me 

Your shining dream of hope and love 

Life and liberty 

We are all one great band of brothers 

And one day you'll see - we can live together 

When all the world is free

Grandchildren are so precious

Since coming down to Texas for the funeral of our friend Ray, I've been able to spend some much-needed time with my family members who live here.  Especially my precious little grandsons, Payton and Josiah.

Since I live in Illinois, this is truly a cherished time.

Here are just a few of the many pictures I've taken so far.

Ray Boehm 1956-2012 : The passing of a dear friend

Our dear friend Ray Boehm (second from left), with his wife Teri, me and my husband Doug

It was not what we planned to be

We all would change the ending

If the choice was ours to make

For you left us so suddenly

But it's only the beginning

For eternity awaits

And I'll never forget you my friend

For the brotherhood between us has no end...

--"Love Finds You," 4 Him

Our dear friend Ray Boehm died last Thursday of complications after a bone marrow transplant.  

We knew the transplant's aftermath would be tough, but unforeseen complications made it worse 

and resulted in his death.

Ray has been my husband's best friend since they were in junior high.  I personally have known Ray since the mid 70s, and his wife Teri since 1988. Our families are more like family than friends.

Ray was a unique individual--blessed with loads of personality and humor.  In fact, he was one of the funniest people I've ever known.

He was fun-loving, generous to a fault, the most loyal of friends, and he possessed a deep faith that informed his entire life.

We love you and will miss you terribly, Ray...but as our friend Tasha says of her late daughter 

Sydney, not rest in peace, but live in peace...

Until the day we see you again.

Baby Names: Sophia takes the crown from Isabella

Sophia Loren

Source: google.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Ran across this news item yesterday:

Sophia is replacing Isabella as the most popular baby name for a girl in the U.S. The Social Security Administration's list of baby names chosen most often in 2011 has Jacob in first place on the boys' side for a 13th straight year. Some other popular names for girls include Emma, Olivia, Ava and Emily. Parents of baby boys are most often picking names like Mason, William, Jayden, Noah and Michael.

(Michael's still there! After being number one for ages, it's far down the list now, but still hanging on. Michael endures!)

Just for fun, I rounded up some photos of famous people or fictional characters bearing some of the favorite names. Enjoy...

Isabella Rossellini

Source: google.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Prince William of England

Source: google.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Ava Gardner

Source: google.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Ryan Gosling as "Noah Calhoun" in "The Notebook"

Source: google.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan in "Once Upon a Time"

Source: google.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Christian singer Jadon Lavik

Anna Torv as Olivia Dunham on "Fringe"

Source: google.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Tell me about the people/babies/your own children/yourself who have one of these names!

Visible Monday: The top I won in a blog give-away!

I used to NEVER win anything.  So it's been such a delight to have been the winner of a few blog give-aways in the past year or two.

The top I'm wearing above is from a company called Soft Surroundings.  I won it from a give-away on one of my very favorite blogs, the lovely Pam's Over50Feeling40.

It's  very sheer and lightweight, so a shell or a tank underneath is a must.  I think the top looks nice either buttoned up (above) or left open with the tank showing (below.)

This top is wonderfully colorful, so I'll probably pair it with black on the bottom.  It feels like anything else would just be too crazy.  This top deserves the spotlight!

Gotta admit, though....it does make me want to wear a flower in my hair. :)

A bonus? Thanks to my interaction with the company, I'll be hosting a Soft Surroundings give-away on this blog shortly!

Oh, and if you've ever been hesitant about entering a give-away, don't be! If someone like me can win, so can you!

A little late in the day, but I'm linking up with Visible Monday, hosted by Not Dead Yet Style!