Amigo: The Prodigal Son Comes Home

Hey everyone!

For those who don't know, Amigo was rescued by good friends of ours yesterday after being missing for three months. He is doing much better today, especially after his bath from last night (the second bath he's ever had in his lifetime). The vet says he is mildly anemic (because of all the tics and fleas), has some skin cancer on his ears (probably from sleeping too much in the sun. But it isn't too bad so he'll be fine.), has a puncture in his left eardrum (which was caused by infection but the vet says will heal up over time), and is dehydrated.

He has lost a little bit of weight but he'll definitely be gaining it back soon (he had bacon and eggs for breakfast). He is wearing this collar recommended by the vet and it is doing wonders! It's called seresto and lasts for eight months so no yucky, oily medicine every month. The tics are literally falling off, kind of gross but at least they are no longer on amigo. Diego, Amigo's brother, is still missing and we are praying for his quick return. Thank you all for the prayers and have a blessed week! We are praising The Lord that he has come home!

Oh my goodness!

Hello everyone! Sorry it has been a long time since I've last posted on here; it has just been a little crazy around here. To summarize it all up, we are moving. Not sure when or where but I just know that we are. (However, I am hoping to move to this one house, which has a trail for hiking and plum trees.)

I finished my writing class a few weeks back, which I highly recommend, and started another one. I wouldn't have started this one but in order to take the class I want, I have to do this one. But I don't mind! It's great meeting other writers and learning about different websites and books that will help me along in researching, getting more creative, and etc.

Anyways, I'm here to I guess you can say "advertise" for my friends. They have created a cookbook to raise money for missionaries however I don't know all the details so here is their website. Please click on it!
http://caitlynscolumn.blogspot.com/2013/02/cookbook.html

I appreciate all those that read my posts and don't mind my ramblings. I'll end this segment with a verse I read recently:

"But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee." Psalm 5:11

I pray you all have a blessed weekend! :)

Brookie

PS: What inspired the title of my post was a Shirley Temple movie I watched last night called "Curly Top". First time I ever saw a Shirley Temple movie and boy was it delightful!

Websites that are worth going to

   Hello again everyone! You might be thinking," Why is she posting again so soon? This isn't normal. She never posts so much in one month!" And yes this is not normal. However, I felt a need to tell you some good websites to go and I know y'all have been waiting to hear what's up in my life. :)
 
   Well, I'll start with the websites. There are so many on the web not worth your time. And then, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, like myself, so many of them are blaspheming Jesus and others display awful words or pictures that totally go against our beliefs and standards. Not only that but also there are some websites which I support fully but I wonder if other Christians know of them? So, listed below are my top nine websites! (Sorry, I couldn't think of another one to make ten, but if I did it would probably be dictionary.com.) The first six are owned by Christians but the rest, that I know of, are not.

1. www.worldviewweekend.com
2. www.pluggedin.com
3. www.christianaction.org
4. www.christianministriesintl.org
5. www.noiseofthunder.com
6. http://www.creationtoday.org/
7. www.shutterfly.com
8. www.allrecipes.com
9. http://www.cremedelacraft.com


   Lately, I've been mailing out some Christmas cards, making buckeyes, watching a lot of Christmas movies, doing writing assignments, finishing up my brother's art class, and cleaning the house top to bottom. If I had to choose one thing I was good at, it would be cleaning. Either cleaning or maybe writing. Just yesterday, I got some advice and very good critiques which I know will help a ton! The person also gave me a lot of encouragement which meant a lot to me because she is currently an English teacher at a college and her daughter is an English major. Getting praise from an expert in writing is different than getting praise from a family member or loved one. I'm just glad someone actually enjoys reading my work!

Hope y'all have a merry Christmas and "God bless us everyone"! :)

Brookie

Giveaway Contest!

Here is the website of the giveaway!
http://emilys-ponderings.blogspot.com/

Hope you all have a great day!

Brookie

Opening up my Imagination...I hope

"Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord." 
    ~Psalm 150: 6

   And that is my greeting this chilly December day! Praise the Lord our God for everything He has done! We are minuscule compared to His awesome power and grace! Only through the blood Jesus Christ shed on the cross are we transformed a new creation in Christ! I pray that you all will remember Christ this season. It is because of Him that we even celebrate Christmas at all!
    
   Recently, I enrolled for an "enrichment" course on creative writing which will start on Wednesday. Despite my many years of writing experience, I think it will be best to first start off with a beginner's course and let others criticize my work before I check it off as perfect. Although you may find it perfect, there will always be somebody who thinks otherwise. I hope I'll do well and learn something that could further improve my writing. 

   But y'all don't read my blog to hear about my life. (And if you do, you gotta let me know!) So here is a 20 question Christmas trivia quiz to do! If you want to find the answers, you'll have to google it! But we google everything these days so that's no biggie.

1) What did Pierce Egan add to the basic eggnog recipe when he created a variation of eggnog called "Tom and Jerry."
a. 2 tablespoons of vanilla ice cream
b. 1/2 oz of brandy
c. 1/2 oz of whiskey
d. 3 tablespoons of cream

2) In what year did the US postal System issue its first Christmas stamp?
a. 1942
b. 1952
c. 1962
d. 1972

3) How many times is the name Santa Clause used in "the Night Before Christmas"?
a. 0
b. 2
c. 5
d. 7

4) What two reindeer are mentioned in the song "Here Comes Santa Claus"?
a. Dancer and Prancer
b. Donder and Blixen
c. Vixen and Blixen
d. Comet and Cupid

5) What country started the gift exchange tradition?
a. Italy
b. The Netherlands
c. Greece
d. Israel

6) In "Gift of the Magi", how much did Della get for her hair?
a. $10
b. $17
c. $20
d. $21

7) Who wrote "The Night Before Christmas"?
a. Peter Collington
b. Clement Moore
c. Chris Van Allsburg
d. Raymond Briggs

8) What was the first artificial tree made of?
a. Glass
b. Plastic
c. Feathers
d. Silk

9) What musical instrument was "Silent Night" first played on?
a. Guitar
b. Organ
c. Flute
d. Harp

10) Which of the following names was not considered for Tiny Tim's character in "A Christmas Carol"?
a. Little Larry
b. Puny Pete
c. Small Sam
d. Wee Willie

11) What is Santa's name in Holland?
a. Father Christmas
b. Grandfather Frost
c. St. Nicholas
d. Christkind

12) In what country was the first Christmas card created?
a. France
b. Germany
c. Spain
d. England

13) In what country was the poinsettia first grown and known as "Flower of the Holy Night"?
a. Canada
b. Mexico
c. Greece
d. Egypt

14) In what country did the real St. Nicholas live?
a. Denmark
b. The Netherlands
c. Bulgaria
d. Turkey

15) In what ocean can you find Christmas Island?
a. Indian Ocean
b. Arctic Ocean
c. Atlantic Ocean
d. Pacific Ocean

16) Which US state was the first to recognize Christmas as an offical holiday?
a. New York
b. Alabama
c. Virginia
d. Pennsylvania

17) In "It's a Wonderful Life," what is the angel's first name?
a. Clarence
b. Samuel
c. William
d. Stanley

18) What are hot cockles?
a. A Christmas beverage
b. A Christmas pastry
c. A Christmas game
d. A Christmas decoration

19) If you were to receive all of the gifts in the song "The 12 Days of Christmas," how many gifts would you receive?
a. 144
b. 284
c. 364
d. 424

20) In what European country is "The Nutcracker" set?
a. Germany
b. Russia
c. Poland
d. Denmark 

Have a Merry Christmas!

Brookie

Thanksgiving Post

"O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever."
   ~1 Chronicles 16:34

     As all of you know, this past Thursday was Thanksgiving. But so many people forget the true meaning of the celebration. Lately, I've heard it be called Turkey day or T-day but both these names leave out what the day should be about. Sure, there's nothing wrong with eating turkey or watching football, as long as we are all giving thanks to God for all He has done and provided for us. I truly hope all of you remembered to be thankful and give God the praise and the glory for the great things He has done! 

     Today, I'll just give a recipe for a great dish we had at our Thanksgiving meal. I recommend it for any kind of celebration and to also fill up those at the table with bottom-less pits. Note: From allrecipes.com

Twice-Baked Potatoes

Ingredients

4 large baking potatoes
8 slices of bacon
1 cup of sour cream
1/2 cup of milk
4 tablespoons of butter
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of pepper
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, divided
8 green onions, sliced, divided

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Bake potatoes in preheated oven for 1 hour.
3. Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
4. When potatoes are done allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh into a large bowl; save skins. To the potato flesh add sour cream, milk, butter, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 the green onions. Mix with a hand mixer until well blended and creamy. Spoon the mixture into the potato skins. Top each with remaining cheese, green onions and bacon.
5. Bake for another 15 minutes.

Hope you all have a blessed day!

Brookie

Moving the Photography

If any of you fellow readers love/enjoy my photography, I will be making a specific blog for them. The website url is www.snapsbybrookie.blogspot.com

Thank you for reading and please be praying for the Sandy victims,
Brookie