Today’s saying, “A baker’s dozen,” marks the thirteenth of what I might call Nonny’s borrowed ‘words of wisdom.’ Purportedly in times past the proprietor of an Old World British bakery would put in an extra roll or loaf to make sure the baker would not suffer a penalty from the government. Sometimes the baker would … Continue reading A Baker’s Dozen (Sayings I Grew Up With #13)
Category: Random Thoughts and Greetings
Kalte Hände, Warmes Herz: Cold Hands, Warm Heart (Sayings I Grew Up With #12)
I used to use the saying, “Kalte hände, warmes herz. Cold hands, warm heart,” first pronouncing the German, and then the English every Sunday morning when members of my church congregation would shake hands with one another during a time of morning greeting. I never got the simple greeting of “Good Morning!” Here’s why. I’ve … Continue reading Kalte Hände, Warmes Herz: Cold Hands, Warm Heart (Sayings I Grew Up With #12)
The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Oil (Sayings I Grew Up With #11)
Many of us tend to associate getting older with negative consequences. Actually life experiences over many years can help us grow in productive ways. Assertiveness and speaking out are attributes I have grown into over time. I have followed the adage, "The squeaky wheel get the oil," and let my voice be heard when I … Continue reading The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Oil (Sayings I Grew Up With #11)
You Catch More Flies With Honey Than With Vinegar (Sayings I Grew Up With #10)
There are parts of our society which thrive on being confrontational with any idea which doesn’t match their own. This idea may be political, religious, or philosophical. Might we all do better to be open to civil discourse and cooperation. Rather than having a stalemate where nothing is achieved, try stating your position with politeness … Continue reading You Catch More Flies With Honey Than With Vinegar (Sayings I Grew Up With #10)
A Job Worth Doing Is Worth Doing Well (Sayings I Grew Up With #9)
Whatever job you have, however mundane it may seem, deserves the time and attention to produce a good product. If you can’t commit to that, find another job where you can. Sayings I Grew Up WithConnie Carlisle Polley, 2023ConnieCarlislePolley.comNonnyDay.com
All That Glitters Is Not Gold (Sayings I Grew Up With #8)
We sometimes get caught up in the attractiveness of a perceived opportunity. Perhaps we need to take a step back to see the big picture. Is that golden opportunity really what it seems to be at its core? Let’s not forget the axiom, “All that glitters is not gold.” Sayings I Grew Up WithConnie Carlisle … Continue reading All That Glitters Is Not Gold (Sayings I Grew Up With #8)
When It Rains It Pours (Sayings I Grew Up With #7)
It seems that when a bad or unfortunate event occurs, another and perhaps more than one, happen(s) in rapid succession. We need to remember we can’t always control what happens to us. However, when we find ourselves the recipient of “When it rains it pours,” let’s recall we can control how we react to our … Continue reading When It Rains It Pours (Sayings I Grew Up With #7)
Attention! Draw Swords! Charge! (Sayings I Grew Up With #6)
Believe it or not, in years past, I heard the instructions, “Attention! Draw swords! Charge!” all the time in the Bible Sword Drills’ practice at my church. Participants (which included me) in our children’s or youth groups memorized Scriptures and where they were found in the Holy Bible. We stood in single file facing the … Continue reading Attention! Draw Swords! Charge! (Sayings I Grew Up With #6)
A Lick and A Promise (Sayings I Grew Up With #5)
In my mind I can still hear my mother’s voice describing a quick cleaning she had done to a room or rooms in her home by saying she had given the job “a lick and a promise.” She meant her dust rag had wiped around the perimeter of perhaps a lamp, some framed photos, and … Continue reading A Lick and A Promise (Sayings I Grew Up With #5)
Better Late Than Never (Sayings I Grew Up With #4)
The maxim, “Better late than never,” advises me that whether it’s a day or maybe even years later than when I should have said ‘thank you’ or ‘I’m sorry,’ to go ahead and do it. Usually even a belated word of thanks is appreciated. And who knows? Maybe a heart-felt admission of regret may bring … Continue reading Better Late Than Never (Sayings I Grew Up With #4)
A Stitch In Time (Sayings I Grew Up With #3)
In sewing if you have a garment/household or other item made of a sewable material and it develops a hole—you’d better mend it quickly before it gets bigger. Beyond its literal meaning, the quote, “A stitch in time saves nine,” advises us that delaying addressing a problem may increase the time, energy, and cost of … Continue reading A Stitch In Time (Sayings I Grew Up With #3)
A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned (Sayings I Grew Up With #2)
I grew up with the saying, "A penny saved is a penny earned." On a recent morning television broadcast, I heard how to save almost painlessly over $600 in one year. On day one, put one penny in your savings jar. Thereafter, each day add one more cent toward your daily savings jar deposit. In … Continue reading A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned (Sayings I Grew Up With #2)
Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness (Sayings I Grew Up With #1)
There are numerous sayings I grew up with. One of them, “Cleanliness is next to godliness,” was a favorite of my mother as she instructed our family to wash our hands before eating to rid them of germs. But also, after eating to keep our house furnishings clean. It was a good practice then and … Continue reading Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness (Sayings I Grew Up With #1)
Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthful New Year 🎉
Thank you, my blog readers, for allowing me to have some of your time this past year as I shared my thoughts on various topics. I hope you picked out the posts that interested you and maybe found something you could benefit from—whether it was humor, crafts, recipes, activities for children, poetry, music, or reflections on … Continue reading Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthful New Year 🎉
In the Beginning…
As I was recently going through some old family documents, I came across a United States Postal Service first class stamp with the denomination of six cents. “Wow!” I thought. “When I sent a Christmas card this year, the cost was ten times as much-sixty cents.” The stamp had never been used to send a … Continue reading In the Beginning…
Carlisle Family Christmas Eve Gift Game
I remember a game passed along in the Carlisle family, now still finding interest down to the fourth generation---passing from my father to me, to my children, and to my grandchildren. My son says he has done research trying to find an earlier origin of the game, or to see if there is another family … Continue reading Carlisle Family Christmas Eve Gift Game
Nonny’s Favorite Holiday Recipes – Sweet Potato Pie
During the fall and winter months—or anytime, for that matter—taking a little extra time to prepare a special treat to eat can help take our minds off things that may be challenging in our lives. Here is a favorite recipe of mine for Sweet Potato Pie. Sweet Potato Preparation 2 cups cooked sweet potatoes drained … Continue reading Nonny’s Favorite Holiday Recipes – Sweet Potato Pie
Getting out of a Sticky Situation: Tips for a Quick Refresh of Old Barbie Dolls
Recently in doing some cleaning out and reorganizing, I discovered five old Barbie dolls which I recognized as having originally belonged to my younger daughter when she was a preteen. Unfortunately, their legs and hair had become sticky with age. I was planning on giving them to her but thought, “Ugh! Will she even want … Continue reading Getting out of a Sticky Situation: Tips for a Quick Refresh of Old Barbie Dolls
Still Putting Bread and Butter on Our Family’s Table
As a child I knew my Dad had a strong work ethic, both at home and on the job. And I was used to seeing him occupied with fixing something such as malfunctioning plumbing or painting inside and out to keep our house looking well-kept. When I was in grade school he began working at … Continue reading Still Putting Bread and Butter on Our Family’s Table
Money Is . . .
Have you ever heard that saying, “Money is the root of all evil”? Where does that come from? Shakespeare? Let’s see, maybe it’s Benjamin Franklin. He left behind a lot of words of wisdom. Or is it from the Bible? Just might be that you are nodding your head and saying, “O, yeah, that’s a … Continue reading Money Is . . .
Nonny Day books for Spring!
If your gift list includes youngsters who are beginning explorers in the wonderful world of reading, my latest children's books will instruct in a delightful way. Perfect for spring holidays, end-of-school graduation/recognition ceremonies, birthdays, and fill-in-the gap summer reader/activity books. For those recipients who live close by, have the books sent directly to you so … Continue reading Nonny Day books for Spring!
In the Beginning…
As I was recently going through some old family documents, I came across a United States Postal Service first class stamp with the denomination of six cents. “Wow!” I thought. “When I sent a Christmas card this year, the cost was fifty-eight.” The stamp had never been used to send a piece of mail, but … Continue reading In the Beginning…
Nonny’s Books are headed to Alaska! (New Project with Sitka School District)
Dear Nonny's Blog Readers, I'm excited to share with you the news that the Sitka School District in Alaska will be using my book Sweet Potato Pie, Oh My! as a part of a sweet potato pie kit giveaway. The school district is distributing to fifty Sitka students and their families a kit with all … Continue reading Nonny’s Books are headed to Alaska! (New Project with Sitka School District)
Nonny’s Children’s Books for the Holidays
Hello Nonny's Blog Readers! This year I've been pleased to share good times with you as we published the third book in the Nonny Day Series. All three are available for purchase through Amazon, and Volume 2 is on sale right now for under ten dollars.** VOL 1. Sweet Potato Pie, Oh My! VOL. 2 … Continue reading Nonny’s Children’s Books for the Holidays
Try Moroccan-Style Mint Tea (Recipe) plus Photos from our trip to Tangier!
A few years ago my younger daughter and I were fortunate enough to be able to travel to Spain and Portugal and have in our itinerary an added excursion by ferry to Morocco. To this day I can still envision the café in Tangier where we sat at a low table sipping hot sweet mint … Continue reading Try Moroccan-Style Mint Tea (Recipe) plus Photos from our trip to Tangier!
3 Years of Nonny’s Blog and Counting!
This month of April 2021 I am celebrating three years of writing a weekly blog post called Nonny's Blog! I have posted every Friday morning, usually around 9:05. Thank you when you have taken the time to read my poetry, lyrics, snippets, essays, inspirational thoughts, children's stories, and light-hearted greetings. Especially in these times of … Continue reading 3 Years of Nonny’s Blog and Counting!
Carlisle Family Christmas Eve Gift Game
I remember a game passed along in the Carlisle family, now still finding interest down to the fourth generation---passing from my father to me, to my children, and to my grandchildren. My son says he has done research trying to find an earlier origin of the game, or to see if there is another family … Continue reading Carlisle Family Christmas Eve Gift Game