Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Posts tagged ‘food’

Celebrating in Italy

It was my #2 grandson’s 31st birthday yesterday. We celebrated in a 5 star restaurant dripping with elegance.

That’s the birthday boy with his sweetheart, Céline.
Delicate appetizer
Yummy shrimp in curry sauce
Scrumptious ravioli
Fish with sautéed lettuce – beautiful!
You just have to taste it! That’s a pomegranate sauce!!
Too pretty to eat!
Lemon puffs – mmm!!
Happy Birthday, Nick!
A beautiful setting right on the peninsula of Lake Garda
Amazing!

Wish you were here!

Love, ❤️ JanBeek

This n That

Today I am being prompted to post this n that… a little about a lotta things.
Today would have been my dad’s 113th birthday if he were still alive.
So, May 14th has a special ring in my heart. My daddy was a very special,
very kind, very positive influence on my life. Happy Birthday, Dad!!

He gave the best hugs in the world!!

And today he would have loved to have been here with us in Ennis, Montana
to witness the influx of antelope on our golf course’s driving range!

I am in touch each morning with our daughter, DeAna, in Switzerland,
and our “adopted daughter,” Laina, who lives in Glen Burnie, near Baltimore.
Today Laina sent me this photo of her “grand-dog” on her daughter’s lawn.
Laina said the grass was foot high. She just finished mowing it!
What a wonderful, thoughtful mama she is!

Our daughter, De, in Switzerland, sent us this picture of the flowers
her middle son, Nicky, gave her for Mother’s Day. Isn’t it nice
when our kids remember us on Mother’s Day and call or send flowers?

I was treated with flowers from De and Laina, and a phone call from our son in CA.
Bob & I treated ourselves to a Mother’s Day buffet at “The Mint” in Belgrade.
It’s a delightful restaurant not too far from the Bozeman Yellowstone Airport.
I highly recommend it. Bob gave me a lovely card and the restaurant handed out flowers.

Just look at that happy smile and the beautiful plate of prime rib, potatoes, bacon, and asparagus.
The Mint also had a section where there were salad fixings. All around us were families with their
young children. I love watching little kids with their attentive parents, don’t you?

While we were in the restaurant, our pup Owen, stayed in his crate in the car.
He is such a good traveler! On the way home he decided he wanted to travel on the floor
between my feet, He usually sits in my lap. Go figure! Owen is 9 months old!
He’ll be 10 months on the 24th. That’s the day we’ll get him neutered and have a chip installed.

Our waitress at The Mint was “Solaira.” Isn’t that a pretty name?
She said her mom made it up. I had never heard it before.
She was a very attentive, efficient waitress.

💋 Today Owen was happy to be in my lap as we traveled to the Post Office
to pick up our mail. It’s a gray, cool (56 degree) day. We’ve had a little rain.
Can use some more moisture here. We haven’t seen the last of our snow yet!

Well, that’s enough of my rambling this n that for today.
I hope you had a Terrific Tuesday and the rest of your week goes well, too.
What are your plans for this week? What are you looking forward to?

Jeremiah 29:11 ~ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Tune in to God’s Plan. It’s definitely the one I wanna go with!
Have a blessed week.
Love,
JanBeek

Fun with Family

We had fun with family last weekend.
We celebrated our great-granddaughter,
Charlotte’s first birthday
with an outing to the Olive Garden
in Bozeman, Montana.

What a cutiepie, huh?

Her brother, Xander (almost seven)
and her sister, Sienna (4)
received stuffed animals
as special gifts from my friend, Ted.
So kind of him! The kids loved ’em!!

Xander enjoyed sharing Charlotte’s new books with her.

The children’s mom (our granddaughter, Hope)
and Pam (the kids’ paternal grandmother)
made it possible for us all to be together.
We’re so grateful!

1 Timothy 5:8

“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives,
and especially for members of his household,
he has denied the faith
and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Oh my! What an important scripture, huh?
The operative word is “provide.”
There are many ways to do so…
and having fun with them
on special occasions
is definitely one of them!


Tell me about fun you have had with family recently!

Fun to look back at
Fun with Family!

I’m sending my Love to you today.
I pray you have an opportunity today
(or soon)
to have
FUN WITH FAMILY!

With hugs,
JanBeek

Gratitude for Workers

Today is Labor Day in the USA.
It’s a day to thank our workers.
Thank all who make life better
By their diligence … never shirkers!

Regardless of the job they have,
They perform with willing heart.
I’m filled with gratitude for them.
They carefully do their part.

During COVID we took special care
To thank our healthcare workers all.
We should continue to thank them
And all the others whether large or small.

No job is less important than another.
All are crucial for the bottom line.
Teamwork, passion, determination
Are ingredients that make the results shine.

Photo by Maria Orlova on Pexels.com

Proverbs 10:4

“Poor is he who works with a negligent hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

The after effects of COVID-19
Have left some workers unwilling
To return to the office or work space;
They find teleworking more fulfilling.

woman in gray shirt sitting on bed
Photo by Andrew Neel on Pexels.com

But the worker who inspires me most
Is the on the job person who strives
To make the world a better place
By interacting with others’ lives.

Yes, it can be done at home sometimes,
But what about when you want to dine out?
The chef and wait staff better be there,
Or you’ll be high and dry… without!

So, today I want to shout out a thanks
To all the workers who make life sweeter.
Here is one… our Dolly Wolly in Switzerland.
You should go to her place and meet her!!

This is what it looked like then they bought it.
Now the restaurant has taken on a new look.
And De’s husband, Andre’ is the chef who
Puts out superb dishes – he’s quite the cook!

Here are De and Andre’ with some family
Sitting down to enjoy a meal…
You can tell by the empty plates and smiles
How good it was; how it made them feel!

So, Happy Labor Day, all you workers
Who strive to serve the public with care-
Whether out in front and quite visible
Or hidden in back rooms, with work to share!

We appreciate the way you aim to please
With passion and with determination.
What you do is important and beneficial
Regardless of your chosen occupation.

Thank you!

Hugs from
JanBeek
(volunteering at the Food Bank)

Volunteer work counts, too!
Stay-at-home Mom work counts double!!

Time for Pie

What’s a good time for pie?

Well, if you ask Bob,
He’ll say, “Any time!”
Is there another piece available?
PIE FOR BREAKFAST? Not a crime!

Today there’s a festival
Here in Peter T Park
Our Presbyterian Women
Sell pie from 5: til dark

Come support our mission
The proceeds go for causes
That are important to support
Your purchase earns applauses

Pies are gifts
Romans 12:6-8  

“Having gifts that differ according to
the grace given to us, let us use them:
if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
if service, in our serving;
the one who teaches, in his teaching;
the one who exhorts, in his exhortation;
the one who contributes, in generosity;
the one who leads, with zeal;
the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”

How about the gift of cooking or baking?
That’s Kathy Humphrey’s gift!
She baked that delicious, beautiful lemon meringue pie!
Here we Presbyterian Women are
– in some years past –
selling our pies at
the Madison County Fly Fishing Festival.
Today’s the day again…
Come buy a pie!!

Thank you, Kathy, for sharing your baking gift!
See you at the Festival, my friends.
Don’t miss out!

Love,
JanBeek

Man’s Best Asset

What do you consider man’s best asset?

mondo backside
Photo by Tazz Vaughn on Pexels.com

Well, it depends on how you’re looking at the word, huh?
ASSet?
Or maybe who you are and what you do?

If you are a gastroenterologist,
(a GI doctor)
like Dr. Gentry,
who last Sunday performed Bob’s colonoscopy,
then you’re looking for a clear anus!!

Oh my!
TMI ??
Too much information!!

BUTT (oops!) BUT,
hey, we just went through this weekend from hell…
and if you’ve read my previous coupla blogs,
you know what I mean.
And maybe you are waiting for an update?

Bob received wonderful care at
the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital.
The nurse, Ann-Marie, was the reason
he was smiling like this!
She was as efficient as she was beautiful!

What’s a woman’s greatest asset?
She was kind, caring, efficient, and professional.
A real delight!
Aren’t those the perfect qualities for a nurse?
(Or any of us, for that matter!)

Let me digress for a minute, OK?
While Bob was waiting and waiting for his procedure,
(it was scheduled for 8:00 am
and got bumped twice because of emergencies),
I decided to go get something to eat.
Neither Bob nor I had anything solid for about 48 hours!

I was sitting at the counter at Jam!
(my favorite breakfast place in Bozeman)
when the hostess seated a coupe next to me.
I glanced up from the CA church service
that was live-streaming
on my cell phone
and said, “Hi!” to the couple.
Then I went back to listening
to our son, Ty, who was delivering
the sermon at his church
in Placerville, California.
(Isn’t modern technology wonderful?!)

That’s Ty with me – taken last summer…
We’re so proud of his decision to pursue the ministry.


Anyway, I digressed…
What I wanted to share with you was the way
God worked miracles in our lives
every time we turned around last weekend!

persons left hand doing hand gesture
Photo by Anna Nekrashevich on Pexels.com

I was listening to Ty’s sermon
when I heard the customer recently seated to my left
say, “Hello, Mrs. Beekman.”

Surprised, I looked up…
and I studied the handsome young man’s face.
“Neighbor? Crowley?? Are you Cole?”
I had not seen him in a coupe of years.
He and his family live right across the road from us.
He’s been away at college.
What are the chances in a restaurant with 100+ people
that Cole would be seated right next to me??

“When things happen in your Christian walk of faith
and you say to yourself what a coincidence,
you should know that it’s not, 
it is God’s hand in your life.”


James 1:17 
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, 
coming down from the Father of lights
with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Open your hands
and your heart
for God to fill them!

Cole and I chatted for a while,
got caught up on what’s new
with him and with us…
and I went back to listening to
Ty’s sermon on-line.
Cole & his girlfriend said their good-byes
with “Let me know if you need anything.”

When the sermon was over
and it was time to get back to Bob
before he went in for his procedure,
guess what?
I asked for the bill…

“That couple that was next to you
paid for your breakfast!”

Every time I turned around,
God was working His miracles
through the generosity,
kindness, professionalism,
and compassion of others!!

See that latte pictured up there?
Do you think it was a coincidence
that a happy bee is floating on the top?

Remember, Bob is
a retired beekeeper/almond farmer.
No accident that they made my dirty chai latte
with almond milk and God sent the bee here to say,
“Hah! Here I am to remind you
Bob is in good Hands!
I’ve gotcha covered!”

I got back to the hospital in time
to say a prayer with Bob
before he was wheeled in.

It was only a short time when
he was wheeled back to the room.

Shortly, the doc came in with the good news,
“You have a beautiful anus for an 84 year old!”
(See, there’s that asset I was telling you about)
Only a GI doctor with 25,000
colonoscopies under his belt
would be so observant, right?


“Everything is OK!
Whatever was causing the bleeding
(no doubt diverticulitis)
has healed itself.
No surgery needed.
Eat more fiber.
Drink more water.”


Bob was given his marching orders
with instructions to follow-up
in a week with his primary care doc here in Ennis.

But before they checked us out
and sent us happily on our way,
Bob was given solid food
(ah, a turkey sandwich never tasted so goood!)
We were sent home with grateful hearts.
Praise the Lord!!

I believe in miracles.
We just experienced more than one.
Look for God’s miracles.
Expect them.
He is busy delivering them every day!

God bless you!
Thank you for all your prayers.
We love you.
Bee well!!

Oh, by the way,
what do you think is
Man’s Best Asset?

Favorite Food

An Inviting Space

There was a space
Where weeds were growing
A promising spot
Where neglect was showing.

So the Nursing Home Auxiliary
Started a No-Show-Fundraiser
And hundreds of givers
Gave to hire the labor

Weeds were removed
And a concrete pad was poured
A pergola was built
The residents and staff were floored!

The pergola looked bare
So barn quilts were added
Flowers in the flower bed
Some benches (no, not padded)

The Lion’s Club bought the benches
For a sprinkler system the MV Woman’s Club paid
A resident’s daughters donated the flowers
Amazing improvements were made

This inviting space brought joy
To the residents and staff alike
More flowers and colors were added
It matched all the fundraising hype

This Friday there will be an Open House
A Thank You for all the kind folks
Who gave to make this possible
Come have a look and share Rootbeer Floats

clear drinking glass
That’s as close as I could come to
a rootbeer float!
sundae in shallow photo

Well, they won’t be THAT fancy!!

Ecclesiates 3:11

“He has made everything beautiful in His time.”

We are making everything beautiful in our time, too!

Come and visit our beautiful, inviting, peaceful space.
We’d love to sit a spell and chat with you!

2:00 to 4:00 PM
Friday, June 30
Madison Valley Manor
211 N Main St.
Ennis, MT 59729
madisonvalleymanor.com


Hugs,
JanBeek

What is Wasted?

How do you waste the most time every day?

Time is not wasted

Not if you live purposely

What is your purpose?

Today I’m working

Preparing for our dinner

Ready to feed all

No, it won’t be that

Rack of lamb’s too expensive!

Come for spaghetti

It’s a simple dish

Nutritious and tasty, too

No one leaves hungry

Don’t consider time wasted

Resting is important, too

Blogging’s not wasted

Scrabble’s not wasted

Games keep my brain from dying

So do chats with Bob

Tell me, what is waste?

Your garbage is my treasure

Come waste time with us!

No bull! Time’s wasting

If you live without purpose

Who’d want to do that?

Not me!!

How do you waste time?

Tell me in comments below

Love ❤️ from me, JanBeek

Ah, Peace!

Absorb today’s peace
I’m sitting on the back porch
The wind chimes are still

Up high in the tree
A meadowlark sings to me
A good book awaits

Let company take the car
Have a raucous day
While here, peace abounds

Last night the whole gang
Enjoyed a lovely dinner
No dishes clean-up

Relatives and friends
Are sweet to come and visit
Enjoy catch-up time

Then come home to eat
Dessert on the patio
A cool, calm evening

And now let the calm
Of a peace-filled day alone
Refresh weary bones

Look carefully… see the double rainbow?

Let God’s promises
Reassure and relax you
Have a blessed day!

Genesis 9:12-13 
ESV

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”

John 16:33 
ESV

“I have said these things to you,
that in me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Wishes of Peace to you
from my son, Ty, and me.

God Bless You!
Let peace begin with us!
Love,
JanBeek