Thanksgiving for God's gift

Love this.

Tupperware Christianity

I like what David Robinson says in "Ancient Paths"

"Many people have a "Tupperware" understanding of the spiritual life. In this view, faith and religion are kept in plastic containers with sealed lids. Our faith seldom mixes with the rest of our lives. Such people tend to ignore God at their workplace, in a restaurant, or while making love, or knitting a scarf. Those realms are in their own separate plastic containers called Career, Food, Sex, and Hobbies. Religion is just one more container. Benedict saw the Christian life differently. Spirituality is more like the coolant in the refrigerator. It infuses every container, moving right through the plastic lids and containers, keeping everything fresh and new. The ladder of humility moves us away from a compartmentalized approach to God. We begin to allow God into every aspect of our life, infusing our life with freshness."

linking to: http://barbarah.wordpress.com/2010/12/13/the-week-in-words-44/

Thanksgiving 2010 with Grandpa and boys

This Thanksgiving since Grandpa can not use stairs, we had to move our table down into our lower room that has wheel chair access. The two boys joined us, but my Daughter & and her family we will see in December.Above is our thankfulness turkey. All month long we stuck on feathers with things for which we were thankful , and then today we took turns reading them.

We used the book of Common Prayer for a very nice Thanksgiving prayer and some responses--it was very nice to praise God for all of our rich blessings. Hope everyone in blogland had a nice Thanksgiving too!

Another idea from the happiness project

I find this to be true. Some good advice for me. Check out her website if you haven't!

a COOL RANDOM ACT OF CULTURE!!!

Get past the first 37 seconds and you will be smiling, amazed and singing!!

Tribulation

A quote from St. Francis de Sales:

"Considered in themselves, trials certainly cannot be loved, but looked at in their origin--that is, in God's Providence and ordaining will--they are worthy of unlimited love.......Tribulations considered in themselves are dreadful things; looked at in God's will , they are things of love and delight. Often have we felt disgust for remedies and medicines when a doctor or apothecary gives them to us, but when offered to us by some loved hand love conquers our loathing and we take them with joy. In fact, love either removes the harsh character of suffering or makes pleasant our experience of it."

"........Afflictions are like that. If we look at them apart from God's will, they are naturally bitter. If we consider them in that eternal good pleasure, we find them all gold and more lovely and precious than can be described."

Well, this is something to think about.....it is easier when I look back on a trial than when I am in one, however!

The happiness project

I like this idea

Spiritual insight by the wee grandkids?

I shared this today on my devotional blog, but I wanted to share it here too! My daughter told us about the conversations of her two kiddies above. One is 4 and one is 2. Rhianwen is the 4 year old girl:

Funny conversation:
Rhianwen to Alden about if God is here with us: "Do you know how to obey without Him?"
Alden: silent
Rhianwen: "Ok, then, He's here!"
Take that, atheists ;0) From the mouth of babes...

Alden to mommy: "Is there food in heaven?"
Mommy: "The Bible says that there's a banquet, so I think so."
Alden: "I like God."

what the miners' shirts said!

Did you know that one of the first things the miners asked for after they were first found was Bibles. Now look at this video and find out what their shirts said as they came out of the mines!

Been in the MOUNTAINS

I have been on a nice break with my family in the Mountains of NC



The colors were just starting to turn and the weather was so beautiful that every day I kept repeating the mantra--"OH< href="http://s638.photobucket.com/albums/uu104/nannykim_photos/?action=view&current=IMG_8606.jpg" target="_blank">
Above is my daughter who is due in January to have a little boy. We were in stitches with her two other children trying to make up names for the new one. We kept giggling over the matter.


ABove is my oldest son and girlfriend who were able to join us this weekend too. He has just moved from Seattle to Charleston, SC. So it was great to see him. His girl friend lives in Charleston and that was why he moved. ..............yup, that is why!



Above are the gigglies who were trying to give names for the up and coming sibling.

We also hiked on another day to Pierson Falls



Alden kept us entertained. I can't believe his energy---he can walk as fast as we can when he wants to.
Canoeing was also part of the picture.

Below is my youngest son relaxing with a pipe at the cottage. I love the smell, but he doesn't do it too often because of the health risks. It always makes me think of Bing Crosby!



My hubby, my youngest son and one of our sock monkeys--Billy. We had lots of picnics. It was so relaxing!

I am just posting these fast. I hope you all are enjoying Fall too!

Where is the canned pumpkin???

 

Do any of you out there in blog land have an absence of canned pumpkin in your stores? I have not been able to get any since January. I keep checking and there is none. I went again today and there is still NONE. (I called Libby's about 2 months ago to ask about this and they said they had a bad crop last year.) I will check some more stores later this week, but it is very frustrating and I don't want to do it from scratch with a real pumpkin!!

Let me know if you all are having the same problem!

PS. I finally found some in the next town....but MSNBC said all stores should have some soon and that the shortage is over.

Keeping the Lord before me

Usually I share this type of stuff on my devotional blog----I do believe I have too many blogs. AH well.

I have been reading a book from 1609 called Introduction to the Devout Life. This has been helpful, but I have to read it slowly so I can apply it.

One thing he refers to is David's saying, "O Lord! As for me, I am always with you. I keep the Lord always before me. To you I raise my eyes, to you enthroned in heaven."

He says we should do this in our day, no matter where we are. ..."retire occasionally into the solitude of your heart while you are outwardly engaged in business or conversation. This mental solitude cannot be prevented by the multitude of those who surround you. For, as they are not about your heart, but your body, your heart may remain in the presence of God alone."

"As birds have their nests on trees to which they occasionally retire, and the deer, bushes and thickets in which they conceal themselves and enjoy the cool shade in the heat of summer, so shall we....choose some place every day, either on Mount Calvary, or in the wounds of our Lord, or in some other place near him, as a retreat to which we may occasionally retire to refresh and recreate ourselves amidst our exterior occupations, and there, as in a stronghold, defend ourselves against temptations. Blessed is he that can say with truth to our Lord: 'You are my rock and refuge, my shelter from the rain, my shade from the heat."

I like his illustration of the bird and the deer.....it is a helpful picture. It is good, not just to meditate on scripture, but to actually in fullness of mind and heart seek to envelope our being with thoughts of God's actual presence. He is always present with us.....but it makes a difference when I think on this.....when I think of who HE is and His glorious being....it is transforming.

DONE IN

See this jar? See what is in this jar? These did me in.....well, these and a big bag of plain M&M's!! I just let loose and pigged out! My excuse is that they do have some fallish colors, don't they? I have been avoiding chocolate for a while.....well, at least in the form of candy. But I gave in to a craving.....oh did I GIVE IN!!! I hate to admit it , but I feel content.

The Spiritual Bouquet

I have been reading an old work from the early 1600's and I like his idea of a spiritual bouquet.

He says that one of the things we should do after we have spent time meditating is to gather a little bouquet or garland of devotion. This is how he states it:

"One who has been walking in a beautiful garden does not depart willingly without gathering a few flowers to smell during the remainder of the day. In the same way we should, when our soul has been entertaining itself by meditating on some mystery, select one, two, or three of those points in which we have found most relish, and which are most proper for our advancement [spiritually], to think frequently on them, and 'smell' them , as it were spiritually, during the course of the day. This is to be done in the place in which we have been meditating, either remaining there in silence, or walking by ourselves for some time after."

This is a helpful picture for me---a spirtual bouquet! Yup....I like this idea.

PS. I am linking to : http://barbarah.wordpress.com/ where others share something they have read.

A spooooky entrance by my son (double post)

My son is moving back from Seattle to the Charleston, SC area.....but while he awaits to move into his apartment, he may spend time in a spooooooky old Charleston house.



It has these windows as pictured above, that change into doorways---they slide upwords.



It has old parkay (sp?) floors, with left over Christmas decorations. There are creaky scary sounds in the night....and things that have been seen that are weird.



Hopefully he will not have any further spooky stories to tell.



and....he will leave in one piece when his furniture arives in a week so he can more into a less scary abode.

Who is doing the reading here?

Yup, the QUESTION is ....WHO is doing the reading?

Giant Bubble

NOW THIS WOULD BE SO MUCH FUN TO DO HERE AT THE BEACH!

The news about Bedbugs

Lately, there has been a lot in the news about the resurgence of bedbugs. I happened to be talking to our pest control guy who comes every other month to spray around the house. We live in the South were there are cock roaches, etc just crusing around out in the yards, and streets, and one has to be careful about having them come inside!

But I asked him about bedbugs since I have been hearing about it in the national and local news. They are making some kind of big comeback! He says they have treated about 20 homes in the past month alone. Sometimes it is so bad owners have to throw out furniture and bedding.

They were saying in the national news that you can even pick them up at movie theaters! Yikes!

Anyways there is a link to an article below to help you prevent picking them up at motels, hotels, etc..... It tells you some things to look for and to do:

http://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Bed-Bugs

DEB TOLD ME ABOUT THIS SITE: http://bedbugregistry.com/ WHICH TELLS WHERE BEDBUGS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN THE US

Overcoming fears and really living

This spoke to me---important to overcome my fears and live life!

Cat love and hubby love?

My husband wanted to take these pictures for the blog!! HA!!! Blogging is effecting or rather affecting his life, even though he does not blog. (I am doing a double post--one at Spindle Cottage too)
My 15 year old cat is so affectionate. He likes to put his paw on my head or shoulder if I am sitting down. Sometimes he meows at me until I do sit down so that he can apply his affection.

Unfortunately, I am the one getting grey, even though he is the one getting old.........no...no...I am not getting old.....I am getting younger.......my hair just doesn't agree!!!

I love rainy Fridays!

I love Books, tea, specialty muffins, and a dark rainy day. What a good mixture!



I am reading a series by the painter of light, Thomas Kinkade. He has a Cape Light series and I have found that they get better as you get further into the series. It is nice light reading that mixes a cozy town with some interesting characters, some touches of romance, and some spiritual thoughts. So I plan on doing a little enjoying today.

The muffins I am eating came from another series that he has begun. These were served at a bead and breakfast place in one of his books. They are to die for! They can be found at my recipe blog here:
http://nannykimsrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/07/morning-glory-muffins-from-inn-at-angel.html

They are full of lots of good stuff--coconut, pinapple, nuts, golden raisins, carrots!! heavenly!

Have a nice weekend!

thankfulness for romance

 

I am thankful for romance. I have been married 33 years and my hubby and I are still in love ;-). I love flowers and I have enjoyed these this week.

Why talk about houses anyways?

This is a bed and breakfast in Wilmington. Why bother talking about houses and looking at houses? I just think this is one of the creative gifts God gives mankind. We reflect him in our creativity, don't we. We love to create. Homes are just one aspect of this.

Sometimes it seems like a waste of time to look and think about houses and how they make us feel. I wonder if there is such a thing as a philosophy of house architecture.

I think it is nice to make a house a home. But why---because we want to show forth a loving embrace to those around us. What are other reasons?

I think Tim Keller touches on this a bit:

The Church needs artists because without art we cannot reach the world. The simple fact is that the imagination 'gets you,' even when your reason is completely against the idea of God. "Imagination communicates," as Arthur Danto says, "indefinable but inescapable truth." Those who read a book or listen to music expose themselves to that inescapable truth. There is a sort of schizophrenia that occurs if you are listening to Bach and you hear the glory of God and yet your mind says there is no God and there is no meaning. You are committed to believing nothing means anything and yet the music comes in and takes you over with your imagination. When you listen to great music, you can't believe life is meaningless. Your heart knows what your mind is denying. We need Christian artists because we are never going to reach the world without great Christian art to go with great Christian talk.

--Tim Keller

perhaps this can be applied to homes as well? What do you think?

House love

I love the color of this house which we saw in Wilmington, Nc. It has an interesting shape to the porch. Also I llove the spindles!

Wilmington, NC a nice place to visit

We just got back from a quick trip to Wilmigton, Nc. We very much enjoyed our vist. There were a lot of old homes like the ones above, with cool streets with historic homes.

The home above was designed and built by a teenager who later designed the Lincoln memorial!

This is a river town. It has nice restaurants along the river to eat at and also a boardwalk for walking along.


There are a bunch of bed and breakfasts in the old part of town , not far from the river area. Here is just one.


The pictures above and below are of this interesting Bed and Breakfast.

One reason we went to Wilmington was to see this vessel below that the coast guard uses to train some of its cadets. It is a large sailing vessel with three masts.


It has been out to sea since April. It left its base in CT and went all the way to Columbia, South America. Wilmington was its last stop before returning to CT.

It has a golden Eagle on its front.


We took a boat tour out to see the vessel and there were some huge freight ships arriving into port too. It was all very interesting.

We ate at the above restuarant for lunch. It faces the river and has good food.
We also took a horse carriage tour, has some home made ice cream and fudge, and explored the old area of the town. There are many things going on in Wilmington--museums, theaters, Battleship to tour, gardens, besides the things I have mentioned. If you get the chance to visit you won't be sorry. It would be nicer when the weather is less hot. The beach is about 30 minutes away, I believe...so another option.

Outdoor Wednesday and Simple Pleasures Thursday

It is Outdoor Wednesday HERE .

It will be Simiple Pleasures Thursday on Thursday. One of the things I like doing is taking a morning walk. I love this old bridge that is in my walk.




I love the way the sunshine and shadows hit it. Weddings have even taken place here.


Then there is the soft patina of the old wood on one of the warehouses (very Old with some newer wood for repairs)



I just love the soft grey of worn wood! When I am done with my walk these days I pick a few of these off of my pear tree. This year the 8 squirrels have not eaten all of them!! So I get some and it is a treat!