Thursday Thirteen: Edition "P"

I can't believe I've made it this far through the alphabet with Izzy 'N Emmy. Of course, the dreaded "X" is coming up eventually. I may have to make it "Thursday Three" on that week.

1. Pigs: They are fun animals to have around. Here's a picture of the last two pigs we had on the place, four years ago. Notice my dear departed Mandy in the picture.


2. Porter Wagoner: I never cared much for him, but I loved it when he sang with Dolly Parton. She got her start with him.



3. Peanut butter: One of my favorite snacks is peanut butter on celery.

4. Pennies: I still "find a penny, pick it up, all day long you'll have good luck."

5. Peppers: I love all varieties of peppers, from those sweet yellow bell peppers to burning-hot jalapenos.

6. Peonies: Lovely, fragrant flowers, but it seems they always get knocked down by spring storms before they're done blooming. There's an old wives' tale that says peonies won't open up without ants on them. It isn't true, so feel free to dust your peonies with Sevin dust; I've done it before with no ill effects. Or, you can live and let live.

7. Powerball: We generally buy one Powerball ticket each week. It's only a buck, so it doesn't break the budget. And it gives us a chance to talk about what we'd do with all that money if we won.

8. Pancakes: Who doesn't love pancakes? Although I prefer my home-made waffles, made with the old Better-Homes-and-Gardens recipe:

Waffles

1 3/4 cup flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 egg yolks
1 3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup cooking oil
2 egg whites
1. In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt if desired. Make a well in the center of dry mixture; set aside.
2. In another medium mixing bowl beat egg yolks slightly. Stir in milk and oil. Add egg yolk mixture all at once to the dry mixture. Stir just till moistened (batter should be lumpy).
3. In a small mixing bowl beat egg whites till stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Gently fold beaten egg whites into flour and egg yolk mixture, leaving a few fluffs of egg white. Do not overmix.
4. Pour 1 to 1 1/4 cups batter onto grids of a preheated, lightly greased waffle maker.

I never make waffles for company because there's too much waiting time between waffles.

9. Parables: Here's my favorite one.

Luke 15:11-32 (New International Version)

The Parable of the Lost Son

¹¹Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. ¹²The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. ¹³"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

¹⁷"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' ²⁰So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.²¹"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.^a]">[a]'²²"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

²⁵"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'

²⁸"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

³¹" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³²But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "

10. Poodles: Not my favorite breed of dog, but they're usually very smart. And they don't shed! I may yet end up with one, if I outlive Sadie.

11. privacy: I can't get enough of it.

12. peaches: The only way to get the best peaches is to grow your own, so you can let them ripen right on the tree.

13. pregnant: I've been pregnant twice in my life, and enjoyed every minute of it, except for the constant heartburn.

If you decide to join in on the Thursday Thirteen, be sure to leave your link at Izzy 'N Emmy so everyone can find your entry.