Using a ladder for a Christmas tree

Strange, eh? Our old tree was broken beyond repair. This was our quick alternative. My it is a bit strange, but we like it.  I have actually moved it in the room, but this was my best shot of the thing!

A new daughter in law!

The Cathedral in Charleston, SC My son is having trouble with his tie--so he stopped to strike a pose ;-) Grands waiting for the guests Posing with the nephews and niece  Brothers awaiting the bride fuzzy photo the kiss and


the first dance --they added some fun

free online classical music

free classical music http://www.wqxr.org/#!/
streams from a New York city channel

Mount Pleasant, SC near the old bridge

the other weekend we had a relaxing time in the older section of Mount Pleasant, SC and enjoyed a nice evening sunset. Do you see the THREE PELICANS flying in the photo below: There is a nice short board walk from which (not shown in the photo below) you can see the skyline of Charleston so nice the birds were enjoying things as well you can see the Charleston bridge from here and below is part of the view of Charleston's sky line cargo ship These are some of the nicest times---just an evening stroll

Ice in SC

ICE AND ICE --that is what we got here in coastal SC. Lots of folks without power and lots and lots of limbs and trees all over the place. The animals are taking it in stride. See the cardinal hiding below? I am glad I didn't loose power, but some of my friends are still without! A last look at the fox squirrel

Variegated Roses make me oh soooo happy

As I have said before, I love variegated orange roses! My hubby bought some for me this past week and these were huge. Below is what they looked like before they fully opened I love how they change from day to day in their coloring! I know people get sick of seeing postings about flowers---but I am constantly amazed at their beauty and how they make be happy!

Pooh has it right/ so does Piglet

Man, I certainly have had days like this, as Pooh is referring to these times.  This has been one of those weeks for our family.

My son was on tract to finish his masters degree by this August and because of increased National Guard drills due to a possible activation in a years time he has had to withdraw. He was just starting the student teaching phase and would not be able to get the amount of days needed for this because of the increase in the drill times. This has been a hard thing! All the dreams put on hold indefinitely and now what? He has a year before any possible activation.    Our plans are often not God's plans for us........but sometimes this leaves us in a quandary! 

The mallard killed by the hawk: not for the squeamish

Yup , this was what happened at my place this weekend  But I guess he has to survive too, eh?The hawk looks so proud. It was hard to see him do this.  On a nicer note  --this is a very pretty song--it is used in a recent movie too.:

a song for the start of the day

 Text attributed to St. Patrick

This day God gives me strength of high heaven
Sun and moon shining, flame in my heart
Flashing of lightning, wind in its swiftness
Deeps of the ocean, firmness of earth.

This day God sends me Strength as my steersman
Might to uphold me, Wisdom as guide.
Your eyes are watchful, Your ears are listening
Your lips are speaking, Friend at my side.

God’s way is my way, God’s shield is round me
God’s host defends me, saving from ill.
Angels of heaven drive from me always
All that would harm me, stand by me still.

Rising I thank You, Mighty and Strong One
King of Creation, Giver of Rest.
Firmly confessing Threeness of Persons
Oneness of Godhead, Trinity blest.

This also goes to the tune Mornng has broken

Monkeys are singing for my Grandson

 Yes , yes, the famous triplets sing for Corwin's birthday number 3. I think there should be a drum roll by the famous Corwin HIMSELF!! He is a fun kiddo!!

Snow in Coastal SC

YUP--mainly ICE!! The geese are not bothered by it! The roads are all ice---NO travel for MOI

Lord of all Hopefulness

A wonderful hymn to start of a morning. I usually share this stuff on my devotional blog---but then again the devotional blog is mainly for myself. This one was too good not to share!

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
Whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy,
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe,
Be there at our labors, and give us, we pray,
Your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.

Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
Your hand swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,
Be there at our homing, and give us we pray,
Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.

Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,
Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,
Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.

Artisan no knead bread - uh huh- and so forth [snow in the South!]

Yes this is a nice crusty bread I made today in my dutch oven and it is so easy---you mix it up the night before and put it in the oven in the morning. [or you can mix it up in the morning and cook it in the evening ;-) . I found the recipe here with loads of tips  http://www.simplysogood.com/2013/03/artisan-no-knead-bread.html   I made mine with WHITE WHOLE WHEAT flour---she made hers with regular white flour.  I have to wait until the evening to see what my guys think, as I am gluten free and can not eat it.

Hey hey-- I found a nifty ole pyrex pot to keep my coffee warm---it fits on my drip coffee maker. I make mine on the stove top and put it here to keep hot Yes, I know I left the tea sign in there--I drink that too. I love this cup below--I am thinking I NEED to get this at some point, ha!
 It can be found at Amazon here 

 So, so so-- I took out my old phone my family used in the 50's. It always reminds me of the movie called DIAL M FOR MURDER--s I put a photo about that to the side. Yes, I know this is unrelated!! but I did include an espresso cup!?!. I hope ya'll have a cozy day--we are supposed to get snow and ice starting tomorrow! NOTE--I live in SC near the coast--this does not usually happen. I just hope we don't loose electricity!
I will try to post something tomorrow before it gets bad! If I don't visit you for a few days you will know why.

PS> The guys loved the bread--crusty on the outside and chewy on the inside.

yup--COFFEE

ps The frog and the bunny are from tiles you can by from Ebay here 

In my reflections today I found this song

 I was having my devotions and this song was part of it---I love it.  The words mean By your cross and passion deliver Lord. There are different kinds on youtube---some with one voice and some with many--this one below may be cut from youtube but I shall put it

I think the first one is more reflective in its arrangement.

Either way I love how music can aid us in our worship of God. I am thankful for the Lord's mercy which is new every morning.

Cool things!

When I saw this shelving paper at Walmart I fell in love. I love cheerful reds at this time of the year. I decided to use it for placemats!  There was enough for 7 so I will have to go back since I want 8. This is GREAT stuff because it is NOT PAPER>



It meets my rooster's approval



Yes, yes my table is messy because we are working on a puzzle: ANYWAYS--it was such a pretty morning today: It made me want to slow down [which I am very good at doing!] I decided to get out my egg cup---YES YES YES, I love to eat a boiled egg this way ....I like mine hard boiled. Here it is awaiting the egg. And then with the egg You just take a regular knife and give it a few wacks where you want to remove the egg shell. You can look on youtube for a video--if I remember I will attach one at the end of this post. Then you dig in: I ate mine at our big coffee table with some hot brewed tea---this is the cosy covering the pot a distant photo ;-) and my happy cup--I love the bright colors in this cup--plus it is a big one! The tea pot is an old favorite--thick and heavy made in England. This with the cosy keeps it nice and hot Just wanted to add--I needed some juice cups so when I was at ole Walmart I found these!! AND they are made in the USA!!! I love their tones--the remind me of stained glassed windows---my photos won't do them justice: Plus they stack nicely I needed some index cards with the binding---the 4 by 6 ones. However the stores were not carrying them so I resorted to this next item which is actually almost as handy. I wanted a place to put prayers, Bible quotes and inspirational stuff to use while praying: AND last of all I wanted to share something that is so warm and cozy---it is a fleece type sweater from Nordstrom's that I bought at Christmas time when they were on sale (online) --everyone said how warm and comfy and cozy they were and so RIGHT--not the best photo---I gotta get going!! Here are directions for using egg cup:http://www.ehow.com/how_5128780_use-egg-cups.html

and for the Nordstrom's fleece [today it is 39 dollars] go here 

I am linking to Wow us Wednesday here