~Traditions~

It probably means nothing to you....

but, it's my

Simple Pleasure

(our oldest son)

Not many 21-year olds

get to play Skip-bo with their

90 year old great grandmother

The rest of the story....

A Thanksgiving tradition was started a few years back in my husband's family.
   Most of the family members take part in a Skip-Bo Tournament.
  One of the family prepares a tournament bracket.
 The games begin, sometime two different games happening at the same time,
 this may continue even into the next day, but finally a winner is declared.
 The champion gets crowned with a (home-made cap),  their picture is taken and framed.
 The winner will rein as Skip-Bo Champion until the next one is declared the following November.

Sound silly????
  I don't think so just some Simple Fun!

This picture is a treasure and brings a smile to my heart and face!

Just a Simple Pleasure!

Today is Simple Pleasure Day over at A Collection of This and That

~not just living life~

So teach us to number our days,

 that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Psalms 90:12

A new number continually appears on the atomic clock that hangs in our home and more of my hairs do not match the color,

of the ones when I was younger. I could continue naming happenings that we all experience as time ticks on; we are all experiencing it.

Nothing can slow this thing called Time.

 

I long to capture (don't let it go) the realization, that each moment of life is a gift.  You know the feeling,

when you look at someone you love and the thoughts rush through your mind,

this is a precious moment, we may never do this again. 

It is a gift every moment the new number appears.

Life is temporary for each one.  When I allow my mind to think on these thoughts...I truly understand what is important.



When we are allowed to face our own immortality,

our priorites quickly take on a whole new meaning. 

We will find purpose and meaning for each day when we consider our life as God's gift.

Every moment is precious, we need to cherish them all. 

~I don't want to just live life ~

I want a life that is full of life in the One who gave life.

my life giving moments this past week

111.  my husband's safe trip home

112. movie time with the youngest son

113. teachable moments 

114.  two yellow butterflies

115.  the last blooms of summer

116.  encouraging words

117.  e-mails with new found sisters in Christ

118.  sharing my special coffee cup 

119.  concrete moved (carport cleaned)

120.  meal shared with missionaries & church family

We need deliberately to call to mind the joys of our journey.

 Perhaps we should try to write down the blessings of one day.

 We might begin; we could never end; there are not pens or paper enough in all the world.

George A. Buttrick

It's a beautiful Monday and I'm linking to the
 Gratitude Community.

neighbors

It's Thursday....   how do I begin to let my fingers share my heart?

I had planned to share something totally different for Simple Pleasures today.  But, my plans begin changing last night before bedtime.

This is very difficult, I will have to get the box of puffs before I finish tapping out these words.

My family and I, moved to our very close-knit community, 5 years ago.  The school is close, I hear the children playing over the hill at recess, that in itself is a Simple Pleasure.  You just about know where everyone is going when they pass on the road.  So, if a stranger shows up, neighborhood watch goes into full patrol.  All of these things are probably what some people who live in the city long to experience.  To a degree, it is great, but when you are the new kid on the block, trying to make it home, it is about impossible.   But, I have a Maker, who knows me by name, He'll never leave me...no matter where I go. Miracles happened and we moved into small town, USA.  Why did we choose here, you might ask, job first and then school.  Hours were spent on the computer, looking for a school that we felt was the best for our boys, the search landed us here.  But, before I put the period at the end,  it was THE LORD.  He was the One who opened very large doors and we were obedient to go through them. 

One of the hardest things I have dealt with personally, is being accepted in the community.  The people are great.  They love their familes, and family is important to them, just like ours are to us, except ours are miles away. We were not born and raised here!   I had to make the detailed description of our "best in the world community" to help you see the importance of my Simple Pleasure.

I must move on with my story, to the Heart of the Simple Pleasure.

Our home sits within "hollering" distance to the next door neighbor, as you will see in the pictures.   The next door neighbor became our family and we became hers!  By the way, she and my mother share the same name.  (excuse me got to get the puffs....)  

Belly laughs, great stories shared, hugs & kisses, breakfast together, baths given to her, through all those we grew close in four years. If I could cook something and make her smile, it brought me joy.  We have talked flowers, sports, children, and MEN!  You know all that kind of girl talk.

She could talk it all at 90 and tell it all too! 

I MISS HER !!!!

She did what was best and now has a new address.  She has been in the nursing home now for a year, I still see her, but not as often.  Just not as convenient, as walking up the hill.  She has adjusted well, and now her sister is there with her.  Where you see one ~ you see the other one, inseparable.  What a way to spend your precious time, with your sister. 

She made it easier for me to make the transition away from family and friends.  After 18 years in the same home and church, wow was it ever hard.  It still is, part of our lives are still missing, friends that we have shared happy and sad times together, we just don't get to see as often as we would like.  Church family causes another part of our hearts to ache.... (we served faithful, I was church secretary for many years)
Those precious things have left gaps to be filled.  New relationships are having to be rebuilt.  People learning you and you learning people ~  that takes years and lots of shared experiences. 

My daily routines, along with some other things have changed.  If someone would have told me that I would be sharing on the www, I would have told them they were crazy!  But, I'm listening to what God is wanting me to do with the remainder of my life, because it is happening in a blink and a flash.

I want to give you a glimpse into what I see and what I have seen.  Some of the pictures are older ones.

My view up the hill.  Yes, we do get a little snow in the South.


The place she calls home. 

Flowers were her passion.  This is one she shared with me.
Just this past Friday, she made a comment about her yard and her flowers.

Our youngest son, with her;  this picture was taken two years ago.
She was almost 90 in this picture.

The shade tree we sat under and shared.

This is what made me change my thoughts last night.

If you look closely you will see the old oak split last night.

No storm ~ just decided to give way after 75 years.

Isn't this life, change is inevitable,

 my neighbor had to make a change,

one she had rather not chosen,

 and now another change on the hill.

I really miss her,

 but the shade will

be missed too!

But, I know one who doesn't change!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.

Hebrews 13:8

She was my neighbor and is my SIMPLE PLEASURE

Remember, I link up with Dayle on Thursdays for

Simple Pleasures

first impressions ~ lasting impressions

HOW DO YOU SAY WELCOME?

1ST IMPRESSIONS ARE SOMETIMES

 LASTING IMPRESSIONS.....

SPRING

SUMMER

(If you look real close you can see a bird nest in the center.)

great blogging material ~ I may have to share those thoughts later. 

??????????????????????????????

WHERE'S THE FALL ONE?

IT'S HALF DONE

WAITING ON MY SWEETHEART

TO HELP ME FINISH HANGING THE VINE

FOR THE PUMPKINS, GOURDS, AND WHATEVER ELSE

I STICK IN

Christmas

This picture was taken several years ago. 

Oldest is out on his own,

Youngest has added height.

~~~~~~

There is one more and it is

Winter

Snowflakes and blue lights.

I did not have pictures,

 that was before blogging days.

I enjoy fixing my front porch for the seasons.

So many people have told me how much

they love to drive by and see what the

girl is going to put up next.

I'm linking today to

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

&

Weekend Porch Party

Hope you enjoyed looking...

I promise to share the other

two seasons, later.

~my list reads short~

We need deliberately to call to mind the joys of our journey. Perhaps we should try to write down the blessings of one day.
 We might begin; we could never end; there are not pens or paper enough in all the world.
 George A. Buttrick

I believe this quote, which I have previously used, will not be erasable on my Multitude Mondays Post.
  Mondays I share with others in the Gratitude Community.

My gift counting continued....

101. tight hugs that filled me up for a week

102. test score that exceeded our request

103. fellowship around the camp-fire

104. smiles from grateful missionaries

105. mother & son time

106. safety on the road for half of the journey

107. plans made for lunch with a brother

108. laughter with football player moms

109. relationships being built 

110. stars ~ too many to count (friday @5am  with my sweetheart)

As I sat down to begin writing this post, I became convicted.

I must share my inner thoughts....

Lord, if You allow me to wake after a night of rest, I need a new beginning. My efforts need to be more focused and committed this week. I desire so much to sense your presence in my daily life.  Show me who needs love and encouragement this week.  I offer my thanksgiving to you for those things I have shared and the many that were not written on paper.

Your child

I am still enjoying zinnas from the garden.

~something missing~

If a page were missing from yours,
would you miss it?

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
 and a light unto my path.
Ps 119:105  


I am linking with Spiritual Sundays

Recipe cards and reminders ~ just simple pleasures

Words will not feel the space on this post.

since I've been a woman of many words lately

(lots of stains~must be a keeper)

flour, sugar & cornmeal stored in these

so convenient ~ remember the old cafe dishes?

that's one of the coffee cups

kneading the bread today and listening ~

 I was reminded that HE is the Bread of Life

 Joh 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread,

 he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

 Oh, the aroma was heavenly in my kitchen

just a reminder of HIS sweetness.

Ps 104:34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

I'm sharing from my kitchen today

and joining with Dayle @ Simple Pleasures
 I hope you enjoy!

Who do you need to encourage?

I had no plans for sharing my heart today.  I was going to have one of those days where you click on a few friends posts, exit out quickly, not leave a comment and get on to my TO DO LIST.  I had made one of those this morning.  But, "MY" plans were changed! 

Traci had posted Wednesdays with Wanda over at Beneath my Heart.  Traci was one of the first ones I started reading after discovering there was a such thing as "Blogging".  After reading her post, my heart wanted to encourage her.  I did not have to find the words to say, a still small voice reminded me of the following words.  I love it when HE does that!  I know it is from HIM, because my mind isn't programmed for quick responses.  While leaving the comment, I realized the nugget that HE gave to me this morning to share with Traci, was something that I wanted to share with you.

When you can't trace His hand, trust His Heart

(lyrics by Ray Boltz)

All things work for the good

Though sometimes we can't

See how they could

Struggles that break our hearts in two

Sometimes blind us to the truth

Our Father knows what's best for us

His ways are not our own

So when your pathway grows dim

And you just can't see him,

Remember He's still on the throne

Chorus:

God is too wise to be mistaken

God is too good to be unkind

So when you don't understand

When don't see his plan

When you can't trace his hand

Trust His Heart

Chorus:

When you can't trace His hand

When you don't see His plan,

When you don't understand,

Trust His heart.

 He sees the master plan

He holds the future in his hand,

Don't live as those who have no hope,

While our hope is found in him.

We see the present clearly

But he sees the first and last

And like a tapestry He's weaving you and me,

To someday be just like him

He alone is faithful and true

He alone knows what is best for you

(Chorus)

When you can't trace his hand

When you don't see his plan

When you don't understand

Trust His Heart

Don't you just love it?  Such a wonderful reminder that alot of times in this life, we don't see the "whole picture" and all those unanswered questions, will not have answers.  But,  He is working them all for our good.

Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

Awakened to Gratitude

Each morning this past week, I anticipated the words and photos downloading before my eyes of Ann's@A Holy Experience trip to Guatemala.
I wanted to grasp with my eyes through the monitor, all that was attainable.
I know only a small amount was captured through pictures.
I was not actually walking the streets of Guatemala with her and the team, but my heart and eyes were opened, through what I viewed by technology.
I took the time Sunday afternoon, to go through all of the photos and try to sit where Ann sat and walk the streets where she walked. I wanted to grasp the surroundings, not just the faces that melted my heart.

Today, my gratitude list doesn't contain any pictures ~~~~ I know it's boring reading black & white words.
I tried to think of photos I could share, but I realized I did not want you to focus on what luxury I live in,
compared to the pictures Ann shared this past week.
(My luxury doesn't even match some of the luxury of your homes. I've visited your homes through pictures and oohed and ahhhed!)

I would love for you to click on the box below and this will link you directly to Ann's experience in Guatemala.
The readings, "scratchings" as she calls it, of her was my beginning of joining the Gratitude Community.  Before you click on the link, I'll share my list that will read so simple to you, but these gifts came from viewing Ann's trip.

My List of Gratitude continues...
81.  floors to mop
82.  windows with screens
83.  outside doors with locks
84.  level ground
85.  yard to mow
86.  fresh air
87.  red brick
88.  God's blue sky (he paints one in Guatemala too)
89.  almost an acre of land
90.  water running from a faucet
91.  kitchen with cabinets
92.  painted sheetrock walls
93.  no leaky roof
94.  washer and dryer
95.  pantry with stocked shelves
96.  death gripping hugs ~ that fill you up with love
97.  hands lifted praising God
98.  my comfortable spot at the end of the couch
99.  closets for ALL our clothes
100. comfortable bed for each family member

O Why Not Tonight

(photo was taken in Gatlinburg, TN on a family vacation)

Poor sinner, harden not your heart,

Be saved, O tonight.

Chorus

O why not tonight?  O why not tonight?

Wilt thou be saved? Then why not tonight?

Verse 2

Tomorrow's sun may never rise

To bless thy long deluded sight;

This is the time, O then be wise,

Be saved, O tonight.

Verse 3

Our Lord in pity lingers still,

And wilt thou thus His love requite?

Renounce at once thy stubborn will,

Be saved, O tonight.

Verse 4

Our blessed Lord refuses none

Who would to Him their souls unite;

Believe, obey, the work is done,

Be saved, O tonight.

Bring back memories for you?  It does for me. 

At nine years of age, I stood between

 my Daddy and Mother

 in a revival service.

The words of this song were sung

and the music forever captured in my ears.

At that moment, I made the decision

to move from my safe spot and

accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.

The memories are like anchors.

  When the winds and waves of life

have pushed me and worn me,

I can go back to this point of

the hour glass,

and know that HE knows

me and I know HIM.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I must give credit to Elizabeth Reed and J. Calvin Bushey

for music and arrangment.

  Mr. J. H. Hall, is the owner of the copyright.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The words to the old hymn are incredible. 

I have taken the time to read all of them slowly.

Two personal and profound phrases of the hymn,

"renounce at once thy subborn will" and

"believe, obey, the work is done" have caused

the light bulb of my heart to burn.

I don't quite remember which verse or words I stepped out on,

but I do believe it was "instant obedience" and no delay.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, He gave His Only Begotten Son,

that whosoever (that's me and you) believeth in Him

should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I hope the words of the old hymn

strike a chord with you.

Please leave a comment and share

your favorite phrase of the old hymn with me.

  I would love to hear it.

Rest in HIM today!

Remembering...

It's waving at our house today....

Simple Pleasures

 Simplicity~lack of complication 

Have you captured the feeling (emotion) when something evokes special memories?

A calmness can be felt  and a smile can be seen.

 It is almost like your heart wraps around it.

These longings have no wrong, if we don't have these, something has gone wrong.

  We were wired for simplicity.

  We were not made for rush-hour traffic and the fast paced life.

  Calmness over chaos is what our bodies prefer.

 When we start to slow and enjoy the simple things, our senses come alive.

  We start looking, resting and enjoying life.

 I would hope we all slow long enough to remember, enjoy, but most of all, be grateful.

I had set the jars of banana peppers in the window to enjoy the beauty of them.

 (Yellow is my favorite color, I might add.)

  Then when I looked at the picture later, I realized what a sweetness!

  The zinnas in the milk glass vase and my special plates.

 I have finally taken the peppers out of the window,

 but the plates and the vase have a permanent home there.

  I hope you enjoyed my view and you didn't even have to do the dishes!

"The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what's ahead.

 He puts a little of Heaven in our hearts so that we'll never settle for less."

  2 Corinthians 5:3-5 MSG

My path crossed last week with Dayle @ A Collection of This and That

on Thursdays she hosts

click on her link and

let your heart and mind be simplified...

Heart Thoughts

Where True Strength Comes From

A house is just a house, until love comes in,

transforming ordinary dust into angel dust.

Money has the power to pay for a house,

but only love can furnish it with homey feelings.

Duty can make you pack a kid's lunch, but

love inspires you to tuck a little note inside.

Keeping up can cause you to own a TV set,

but love controls the remote.

Needing time alone can lead you to put the

children to bed, but love tucks the covers in and

reads a story.

Obligation can make you buy groceries,

but love enhances a delicious meal with flowers

and candles.

Compulsion keeps a sparkling house and

manicured lawn, but love creates a play place

inside and out.

Responsibility carries out the necessary tasks,

but love enables you to do them for the

sheer joy of service.

Accountability can motivate you to pay the

bills, but love inspires you to offer a prayer of

thanks for blessings symbolized by each check.

Duty can motivate you to call your faraway

family members, but love frees you to prepare a

care package full of their favorite things.

Yes, strength of will can keep things from

falling into despair, but the power of love makes

life worth living.

Provoking heart thoughts, that I cannot claim as my own,

 but were read this morning from

 God's Little Lessons on Life for Women

~~Questions my heart has started asking and is waiting

 for complete answers~~

where is my strength coming from

who is motivating me

what am I doing to make a difference

am I longing for what was, instead of what is

life is moving quickly~am I fulfilling HIS plan

am I just living Life

(Picture taken and shared by someone dear to my heart.)

The Lord will give strength to HIS people, the Lord will bless HIS people, with peace.  Psalm 29:11 NASB

Gratitude Community

Today is:
Labor Day
Rest for my hard-working husband
Family Time
School Holiday for the youngest
Visiting Time for the oldest
and it is Multitude Monday and I'm still counting







 71.  the holding of hands at the dinner table72.  football game shared with friends73.  80 years for my mother74.  clean crisp white sheets75.  Sunday afternoon rest76.  meals shared with family77.  sweet encouraging comments78.  curtain project completed79.  weekend breakfasts prepared by husband80.  father-son time A Picture captured from this weekend

(Remember, my guys love to hunt. They had been cleaning their guns!)

Just a note to those who just started reading my journal,
I began the journey of joy several weeks back,
acknowledging those things that I am grateful for,
Not things I want, but things I'm given each and every day.

This list may read simple, but these could be taken or never given.
As the day unfolds I write them on paper and share with you on Mondays.
They are gifts that I need not take for granted or never acknowledge.



Each one is making my senses come to life.

Decorator's Nightmare

If God had a refrigerator your picture would be on it.   Max Lucado

This is probably a decorating diva's nightmare. 

 But, I'm saying "this brings comfort".  The faces of family and friends, those we love and don't see as often as we would like have a special place in our home.  I'll never forget when having photos on the refrigerator became so special.  We had moved  for the first time in our married life, after 18 years in the same home I might add, and the move had taken us over 19 hours away from those we loved and knew well.  To put it mildly, "we were home-sick".  But, to walk to the refrigerator, and look on the door brought such comfort. I got the bright idea one day to become "Mrs. Decorator" and remove them.  My husband let me know right quick that wasn't happening. He also found comfort at the refrigerator door!  This is one of the first "eye-pleasers" that you view, when you enter our home through the back door. We now have added photos of new friends, and it has also become a great way to introduce our new friends to our family and those we've shared memories with. The refrigerator gets re-decorated once a year, after the new Christmas cards arrive at our home.

Just thought I would share a Place of our home that is special to Our Heart.

Labor Day Weekend

It's a beautiful day in our neighborhood.....

the weather is fabulous,

the smells from the kitchen are scrumptous

and all of my fun-loving boys will have

their feet under the table this weekend.

Just thought I would share some of the photos of the day.

Home-made Sour dough Bread and Cinnamon Rolls
(some are missing~~taste testing @ breakfast)
 Gooey-Caramel Chocolate Cake

Cake Recipe:

Chocolate cake mix (bake according to box in 9X13)

poke holes and pour jar of caramel & a small can of condensed milk over the cake and

when cool top with Cool Whip

(I haven't put cool whip on it yet.)

Place in refrigerator!

Thinking of our LA friends who are BIG FANS!

We can have fun, food, fellowship because of our FREEDOM!

I am linking up to Foodie Friday.
Go get a taste!