My Grandma's House

My favorite place in all the world was my Grandpa and Grandma's house. I felt so loved and so safe. My dad and mom worked so hard and so many hours but my grandparents were retired. They had a huge garden that I just loved.
Life is different now with tv, phones and video games so grandparenting is not what I had always dreamed it would be.
Feeling like I don't measure up to the example I had. Sad!

Slick roads and stuck at home

Trying to focus today on the many promises God has published for us. Promises of grace and mercy.  Some days they seem to be for everyone else. Then a word flew off the page and landed on my heart. II Peter...His "precious" promises. Exceedingly great promises that will never run out and they're for me and you.

Psalm 51:7

Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

I have found that what makes using all one color pop is to use different textures.

Yesterday I spent the day with my two sisters and I have to tell you I am blessed.  The kind of family that warms your heart and strengthens your soul.  We're not together often but we don't skip a beat sharing our lives and doing a whole lot of laughing.  The love is a given, unconditional and true.

Today I had the amazing experience of coffee with a friend. In living with a grateful heart I have to mindfully be aware of God's blessings. Coffee with a friend is a blessing indeed. It's so easy when reading Facebook or scrolling through Pinterest to think about what would make me happy instead of sitting with a beautiful friend and letting God's warmth penetrate my body to heal my spirit. If you are reading this post I pray for you to feel God's warmth this weekend. Whether it is with your spouse, with a friend or with your Heavenly Father and a pumpkin latte. Let God warm you!

I often get a song in my head that lasts for days and this week was one of those weeks.  "I Surrender All".  Hadn't heard it for a long long time but God put it there for a reason.

What does it really mean.  What is God wanting me to change in my life?

I have not been sleeping well...worrying about a few things that are not mine to worry about so I am starting there.

It's Saturday...

My kids and my husband have always hated me on Saturdays so I am trying to change but at 59 it's hard.  Why do I think that saturday has to be all work and no play?

My sheets are clean and that is one thing I won't change but Tom and I have been going out for breakfast on the weekend and I find myself so looking forward to this time.  We stop and reconnect before the work begins.

May God bless your Saturday that leads into Sunday.

Christmas 2012

It's Christmas 2012 and I can't believe it.  This year has gone so fast and I have been missing my grandchildren as babies.

This is my new front door and screen door!  I got the idea and the color from Pinterest.

Tony loves his grandpa's homemade ice cream.

Another night of not being able to sleep.  The ringing in my head won't stop.

I love this picture of Ben.

Just erased Alleyne's phone numbers from my phone.  I'm sure she doesn't want to take the time to talk now.  Hope that peace is her state as she discovers the touch of her Heavenly Father.

The cake stand is from Joann's and the urn is from my neighbor's garage sale ($3).  i don't remember where I picked up the bird.

I'm going to try a new technique on my table that I found on the net.  Brush with strong tea and let dry. Take a mason jar and fill with steel wool and vinegar...let stand for three days.  I will let you know if it works.

Have a blessed weekend.

Can't seem to cool the house down tonight.  Must be the humidity with the rain coming.  Finding it hard to sleep with so much on my mind.

My mom used to say that in order to be good at having dinner guests you have to do it often.  I haven't done it often but I sure enjoyed the other weekend with Jo and Becky.  I enjoy going out to eat but I most certainly enjoyed cooking this time.  I'm working on a menu that I can repeat so I can get better at it.  Steak, rice, salad, bread and individual strawberry rhubarb pies.  I think that a homemade meal says...I'm glad you came!

My heart is sad tonight as I ponder the loss of a friend.  We weren't real close...we spoke on the phone occasionally but had not seen each other in a while.   Nevertheless she is a friend.  She used to eat the funniest lunches...while standing up.  One half to one cup frozen mixed vegetables and that's all.  She always cared about how my life was going and would do anything to help.

The thing I remember the most is that she never ended a phone call without saying I love you.  I hope that God answers our prayers and heals you Alleyne but if you are on your way to Heaven I pray that your journey will be sweet.  I love you Alleyne!

This poor cabinet...

It has been winter white, blue, expresso, aqua and now taupe.  Finally I like it.

Shining it up...

There is something good about shining up the things around you...cleaning up. 

Does He love us because of our goodness? Because of our kindness? Because of our great faith? No, He loves us because of His goodness, kindness and great faith. "Grace For The Moment". We can shine ourselves up but He still loves us the same. "Grace For The Moment

New Life

In "Love Wins" the author speaks of how we need to experience Heaven on Earth and not just wait for the after life.  So yesterday I went to Johnson's Garden Center to feed my soul and then came home to plant my parsley.  My wildflowers are growing as we speak.  God is so good...giving us such beauty here.  I urge you to take some time to play in the soil and experience God right in your hands.

It's raining outside and in my heart...

Don't think I have ever felt so unworthy in God's eyes.  Hope seems so out of reach and grace and mercy...forget about it.  I know deep down that God's grace is enough, that His mercies are new every morning, that nothing can separate us from His love, that He died for me, and that I will one day be in His grasp but today my faith is small to say the least.

Lord I need a new touch and I need the rain that is outside to come into my heart and wash the windows of my soul.  As I sleep tonight Lord fill me with your power so that in the morning I can say

This is the day God has given me.  I will give thanks for whatever God sees fit to send.

Amen