Hubby and I enjoyed a nontraditional Thanksgiving Day yesterday. (Not quite as odd as a turkey sandwich on the North Shore in Hawaii some 6 years ago) We were definitely not up at 4:45 am. We arose and did a relaxing Pilates workout, cleaned up, and finally had brunch at around 10:30. We read the "Praise Psalms" together and then around 11:45 hit the road to see the Biltmore house decorated for Christmas. (See a picture of us here.) Following our "explore," we headed to Ryan's for a Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet.
I enjoyed a day with no set schedule and no hype to draw away from the act of Thanksgiving. I have much to be thankful for ... God is so good.
Desiring to keep my life so simple and clutter free that I can keep my focus on my God, my family, and my home following the principles for women found in God's Word.
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Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Colorful Thanksgiving
RED
a crisp apple
my little Focus
a vibrant Maple tree in fall
bright cheeks after being outside on a cool day
the heart - a symbol of love
ORANGE
a setting sun
a harvest pumpkin
a creamsicle
YELLOW
a cheery sunshine warming the trailer
the first daffodils of spring
the last mums of fall
GREEN
fresh cut grass
the first seedling to appear
peas, beans, broccoli, lettuce
BLUE
a clear sky above
blueberries
my denim skirts
my eyes
PURPLE
my fingers after picking blackberries
a juicy plum
hyacinths and irises
BLACK
my adopted dog
the letters in a good book
the notes on a page of music
BROWN
hubby's eyes and hair
the soil in the garden
a fall leaf
a crisp waffle cone (with ice cream inside)
There are also uncolored things to be thankful for ...
a hug when nothing else will help
an understanding look or word
Most importantly -
God's love -
whereby we are offered salvation as a free gift.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Charity never faileth.
The final trait given in I Corinthians 13. Love is faithful ... it is lasting ... it is always active ... it cannot become obsolete. As we approach this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for a God who exhibits this enduring, faithful love. I am also thankful for a husband who seeks to emulate the traits of my magnificent Savior. We can become so busy or so preoccupied with things around us that we as sinful flesh can easily forget to love others - including those within the walls of our homes. In the hustle and bustle of a holiday tomorrow and the entire season through the new year, let's not forget to LOVE!
Today I am working on a jumper for my niece. I did the "dirty" work last night - I am not fond of the laying out and cutting, but I got one dress, one jumper, and one skirt cut out last night. Now to get busy.
Hubby and I will be sharing a quiet holiday together tomorrow. Planning to see the Biltmore House all trimmed for Christmas and then to share a simple meal here, there, who knows?
Today I am working on a jumper for my niece. I did the "dirty" work last night - I am not fond of the laying out and cutting, but I got one dress, one jumper, and one skirt cut out last night. Now to get busy.
Hubby and I will be sharing a quiet holiday together tomorrow. Planning to see the Biltmore House all trimmed for Christmas and then to share a simple meal here, there, who knows?
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Psalm 136:26
O give thanks unto the God of heaven;
for his mercy endureth for ever.
~mercy~
He doesn't give me what I deserve.
*******
~grace~
He gives me blessings that I don't deserve.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Green Tomato Bread
Well, the tomato bread mentioned many weeks ago was a success. Not quite as popular as pumpkin bread or banana bread - but green tomatoes were in abundance and so we will enjoy a "different" bread this winter in between pumpkin and banana breads. Oh - the test crew included hubby, father, and self! Think I will make some pumpkin streusel muffins with the rest of my morning.
Just received a "goody" box from my nieces. Looks like Aunt Sandra will be busy. They chose some cute corduroy and I will enjoy making some jumpers and skirts for them.
The Christmas program is coming along. The "props" that I was working on are done and there are only a few songs that need some ironing out. It seems that last weekend was a big decorating weekend around the Shelby, NC area. We will decorate on Thanksgiving evening or that weekend. No plans for a tree this year, but hubby will put up his village lit houses and I will put nativities around the house. It is hard to think of Christmas decorations when the leaves are still turning and falling. In the next week or two it will be time to do some SERIOUS raking around here.
Just received a "goody" box from my nieces. Looks like Aunt Sandra will be busy. They chose some cute corduroy and I will enjoy making some jumpers and skirts for them.
The Christmas program is coming along. The "props" that I was working on are done and there are only a few songs that need some ironing out. It seems that last weekend was a big decorating weekend around the Shelby, NC area. We will decorate on Thanksgiving evening or that weekend. No plans for a tree this year, but hubby will put up his village lit houses and I will put nativities around the house. It is hard to think of Christmas decorations when the leaves are still turning and falling. In the next week or two it will be time to do some SERIOUS raking around here.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Everyday Blessings
Do you tend to overlook the simple blessings of each day? Maybe I am the only one. Today I am thankful for so many things.
I am thankful for a full freezer and pantry. Dad and mom recently visited with a whole ice chest full of REAL corn, they also brought some squash (I am saving that for next Thursday), some apples, and some juice. I mentioned yesterday that 4 pumpkins had yielded 18 cans of pumpkin which are also in the freezer.
I am also thankful for this sunny day and the ability to dry my laundry outside. There is nothing like the smell of clothes dried outside and I like the smaller electric bill. Speaking of electric bills, I was thankful to see the years smallest bill last month (no a/c, no heat, and little dryer).
I am thankful for the color on the Bradford pear trees this time of year. They are simply gorgeous in the rising and setting sun. (I just need to remember to be thankful as they start to dump their leaves and the raking begins)
I am thankful for a full freezer and pantry. Dad and mom recently visited with a whole ice chest full of REAL corn, they also brought some squash (I am saving that for next Thursday), some apples, and some juice. I mentioned yesterday that 4 pumpkins had yielded 18 cans of pumpkin which are also in the freezer.
I am also thankful for this sunny day and the ability to dry my laundry outside. There is nothing like the smell of clothes dried outside and I like the smaller electric bill. Speaking of electric bills, I was thankful to see the years smallest bill last month (no a/c, no heat, and little dryer).
I am thankful for the color on the Bradford pear trees this time of year. They are simply gorgeous in the rising and setting sun. (I just need to remember to be thankful as they start to dump their leaves and the raking begins)
Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord,
who daily loadeth us with benefits,
even the God of our salvation. Selah.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
...endureth all things.
The second to last trait of love as given in I Corinthians 13 is endurance. Love bears up under suffering, under stress, under difficulties. Love sticks with the stuff. It reminds me of Song of Solomon 8:7, "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it; ... ." During the days of deployments and the announcements of numerous broken military families, we held tight to the fortitude of Christian love - the love that endures. No marriage is without trying times - finances, separations, extended family, differences that must be reconciled, but love will endure the trails and struggles with patience.
There are now 18 pies worth of pumpkin in the freezer. I still have one small pumpkin to bake and puree and hubby is eagerly awaiting some seasoned pumpkin seeds for a snack. Now that the sun is out, I can bake some bread (I need the warmth of the sun to help it rise) and I think that I will make some apple crisp today as well.
There are now 18 pies worth of pumpkin in the freezer. I still have one small pumpkin to bake and puree and hubby is eagerly awaiting some seasoned pumpkin seeds for a snack. Now that the sun is out, I can bake some bread (I need the warmth of the sun to help it rise) and I think that I will make some apple crisp today as well.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Another Reason to Praise
Hubby and I just started working on memorizing Psalm 138 together (I think he is hoping I will be a little faster on this than I am at the book of Colossians). Verse 2 says,
"I will worship toward thy holy temple,
and praise thy name
for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth:..."
The Lord is loving, kind, and true regardless of my situation. I love to think of the thanksgiving hymn entitled "Thanks to God for my Redeemer." The hymn mentions thanks for sunshine AND rain, thanks for roses AND thorns, thanks for prayers answered AND those denied, thanks for joy AND sorrow. He is always good. I have not arrived at this act of unceasing praise and thanksgiving, in fact, it has been a hard two weeks to be thankful for rain and for prayers so far denied, but it is good to have these reminders of psalms and hymns that point to God for His help and strength. His way is perfect.
It is grey and rainy today. It will be a good day to get another 2 pumpkins cooked up, pureed, and put in the freezer. I did up about 7 pies worth yesterday! After last year's shortage, I didn't wait until after Oct. 31. The Lord provided some marked down pumpkins on Oct. 30 and I grabbed 4 then! Also working on Children's Christmas program and a crochet project. Time is just flying by.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Three Weeks!
Well, If any of my faithful readers are still sticking with me after 3 weeks ... I am back.
The break from the blog was supposed to be short - just a small break to enjoy fall break with my dear hubby. We did have a marvellous break. We spent one day hiking - not just a flat trail, but up and down and rocks and peaks - about 13.5 miles we estimated. It was beautiful. A quiet day with each other. One day, we finally broke down and tried a milkshake at the local Cookout. I wish we had waited until we were in the moving truck on our way out of town. I ordered a blueberry cheesecake milkshake and it was just about the best thing I have ever eaten. Of course, with every swallow, I could also envision my sadness on the scale the next morning. Fortunately our hike was 2 days later and it is now gone!
Following fall break, I got a nasty cold/flu which held me in its grip much longer than I cared to be there. Just finishing my daily work wore me out, and so I could not visit with you.
Last week, my folks visited from NY. It was a short visit, but we finally had beautiful weather for their visit (it has rained the past two times and often did in the Seattle area when they would visit as well). Chris was caught up on his work, so we were all able to visit together which was nice.
The rest of last week was spent catching up from sickness and guests ... but, now I am back.
Now we are in the holiday season and it is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week. I think we are planning a quiet day at home ... possibly a trip back to the Biltmore to see it all dressed up for the holidays.
Last night the children at church sang a song entitled "In Everything Give Thanks." EVERYTHING! It is easy to be thankful for a visit from family, it is easy to be thankful for a fall break with hubby, but can I be thankful for days in bed with the flu? Yes, even those days are for my benefit, that I might learn to more fully trust in my Creator because, well, it is then that I am forced to remember that I am not in charge and that I am not invincible. "All things were created by Him and FOR Him."
The break from the blog was supposed to be short - just a small break to enjoy fall break with my dear hubby. We did have a marvellous break. We spent one day hiking - not just a flat trail, but up and down and rocks and peaks - about 13.5 miles we estimated. It was beautiful. A quiet day with each other. One day, we finally broke down and tried a milkshake at the local Cookout. I wish we had waited until we were in the moving truck on our way out of town. I ordered a blueberry cheesecake milkshake and it was just about the best thing I have ever eaten. Of course, with every swallow, I could also envision my sadness on the scale the next morning. Fortunately our hike was 2 days later and it is now gone!
Following fall break, I got a nasty cold/flu which held me in its grip much longer than I cared to be there. Just finishing my daily work wore me out, and so I could not visit with you.
Last week, my folks visited from NY. It was a short visit, but we finally had beautiful weather for their visit (it has rained the past two times and often did in the Seattle area when they would visit as well). Chris was caught up on his work, so we were all able to visit together which was nice.
The rest of last week was spent catching up from sickness and guests ... but, now I am back.
Now we are in the holiday season and it is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week. I think we are planning a quiet day at home ... possibly a trip back to the Biltmore to see it all dressed up for the holidays.
Last night the children at church sang a song entitled "In Everything Give Thanks." EVERYTHING! It is easy to be thankful for a visit from family, it is easy to be thankful for a fall break with hubby, but can I be thankful for days in bed with the flu? Yes, even those days are for my benefit, that I might learn to more fully trust in my Creator because, well, it is then that I am forced to remember that I am not in charge and that I am not invincible. "All things were created by Him and FOR Him."