The Songs in My Life ~ Madre de la Iglesia

 Anyone remember the kid's song "Bend and stretch - reach for the stars"?  My life reminds me of this song.  If I'd made a list or a Bingo card even, "play for a Spanish service" wouldn't have been on it.  I felt incompetent - I couldn't do that.  I'm one of the whitest females on the planet - can't dance, can't play by ear, just...can't.

Photo by Moritz Mentges on Unsplash

So thankful I always ask for God's "will" - not for what I want but for what God wants.

One of the richest blessings in my life is playing for our weekly Spanish Mass every Sunday.  The people are such a blessing - the music is amazing - the music is fun.  I could go on.

Photo by Ann on Unsplash

Today the song going around in my head and heart is "Madre de la Iglesia".  May is "Mary's month" at our church and we sing a Mary song each week.  I've fallen in love with this song.  It's bilingual.  The link is in Spanish but I'm putting the English words here.  If nothing else, you'll find yourself bee-bopping around with this tune in your head and a smile on your face.

Refrain - Pray for us, O Mary, mother of all nations,

in our hearts forever - hope of our salvation.

Dawning of Christ’s sunlight, our doorway to heaven,

pray for us, O Mary, mother of all nations.

1 – Mother of the nations, star above the ocean,

lead us to Christ Jesus, fill us with his blessings.

Holy Virgin Mother, bearer of Christ’s dawning.

God’s most lowly servant, Queen of all creation.

2 – Grant that we may see you in all your radiant beauty.

Guide us in our journey to God’s holy presence.

Holy Virgin Mary, hope of our salvation,

lead us to Christ Jesus, fill us with his blessings.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Prolonging Life ~ What Does it Mean?

So we're in the stage of "prolonging life".  We called quits on "curing" and now we're "prolonging life".  I thought I'd be a widow much earlier so being in this stage is better than I thought.  I still have today and maybe tomorrow with an incredible man, husband, father and most of all - best friend.

Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash

I'm not sure where you're at in life.  I hope that you're making the most of every day.  Loving the people in your life and not worrying about the people that don't make your life better.

Photo by MARK ADRIANE on Unsplash

Wherever you are - make the most of every day.  Love those that make your life better.  Pray for everyone in your life.  Be thankful for the extra days you didn't think you'd have.  Live!

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Favorite Christmas Movies ~ Journey Back to Christmas

Have you seen this movie?  I just love it.  I love time travel movies and this is such a good one.

A WWII era nurse is transported in time to 2016 and meets a man who helps her discover the bonds of family and that the true meaning of Christmas is timeless.  You can read about it here.

A comet is involved.

Candace Cameron Bure and Tom Skerritt are in the movie and Hallmark made it.  Need I say more?  It's good.  Here's the preview...Journey Back to Christmas.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

British Mysteries ~ Cadfael

If you know me at all...I love all things British.  Could be because I started out as an "Albritton".  Could be that my Albritton roots landed in Jamestown early on and I'm always searching for my roots.  It's probably that it's just good content and I love watching all things British.

Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash

I've been re-watching one of my favorites - "Cadfael".  The medieval era cases of a Crusader turned Monk who investigates mysteries in the Norman English town of Shrewsbury.  You can see the trailer using the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_Bk_iZiQIc

You can read more about "Cadfael" here - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108717/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Fr. Cadfael is played by one of my favorite British actors - Derek Jacobi.  He's outstanding in so many roles.  Just one of the best.  I'm on a quest to see everything he's acted in.  So far I love him in Marple, Last Tango in Halifax and Vicious. He's even been in "Doctor Who".  You can read more about him below.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001394/?ref_=tt_cl_t1

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Grocery Planning and Savings "Go-Tos" ~ Southern Savers

I have "Go-Tos", you have "Go-Tos", we all have "Go-Tos".

According to Merriam-Webster, "Go-Tos" is defined as... "regularly or repeatedly chosen or employed for reliably good results"  (https://www.merriam-webster.com/).

One of my favorite and most reliable "Go-To" for Grocery Planning is www.southernsavers.com.  Why?  I'm glad you asked.

• You can find deals by categories - Grocery Stores, National Stores and Drug Stores.
  
  
• Each sale's item is shown with the Coupon available (digital, printed and newspaper).
  
  
• Online / App deals are also shown - (Ibotta deals, etc.).  I can make sure I have the item in my Ibotta "list" before I make my purchase.
  
  
• I can "Create or Update a Printable Shopping List".  I use this feature all of the time!  You can choose to print with or without the coupons showing.  I always print with the coupons and then I make sure I have the coupons and Ibotta deals ready to go.
  
  
• Other helpful areas on the website are:  "Frugal Living, Online Deals and New Coupons".
  

I hope this helps you as you plan.  I've always been frugal.  I've used coupon and rebates for over 30 years.  I'll write about my many years of couponing in the future.  It's been a fun journey with many interesting experiences.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...Fall?

I've been back in my Deep South for 16 years now.  Seems like just yesterday.

Photo by Tyler Edic on Unsplash

We hit the Savannah, GA area in October 2004 and said who needs a coat?  Not us!  That's why I named this post - "It's Beginning to Look..." since our "Winter" is more like other's "Fall".

I was really pleased to see this display of pumpkins recently.  It definitely made me feel "Fall-ish".

With our weather this week still in "A/C running" temps - I'm thankful I can diffuse this "Fall" blend - real Clove, Cinnamon Bark and Orange.

"Mulled Cider" - 2 drops each of Clove & Cinnamon Bark/4 drops of Orange

Now it's beginning to "Smell a lot like...Fall"! 

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

A Staple in my Life ~ Canned Chicken

I've been cooking and providing food for my family for decades - yes, I'm that old.  I'm very frugal - very.  One of the staples in my food arsenal has always been - canned chicken.

For me - it's got to be white, low-fat, rib meat.  I'm also picky about fat - ugh.  So - here's how I meet my own criteria (for once I'm the picky eater).

After opening the can, I pour the contents into a colander.  Sometimes I save the chicken broth and sometimes I don't.  I rinse the meat off with water and pick out the little bit of fat that made it into the can.  By the time I'm finished - I've got white meat chicken - only.

Now I can decide what I want to do with the chicken.  A few of my "go to's" are Chicken and Yellow Rice, Chicken Pot Pie, Chicken Stew (my favorite is Brunswick Stew) and the always appreciated Chicken Salad.  This week I made Chicken Salad.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia