nannykim's place

Janome love and 3 more things to give thanks for on January 27

2012-01-27T06:30:00.000-05:00

Does not this little Janome aqua sewing machine make you smile? IT always makes me happy. It is a Hello Kitty one--but I didn't show that part in the picture.The sewing I did in my new desk area on the porch--oh , how I am loving this area!

I had some little fabric pieces from Walmart . I decided to make a few pillows to give some happy touches of red (since winter is often a gray time---however also often sunny here in SC!)

So I am thankful for happy sewing machines, and happy fabric, and for old pillows from which I steal stuffing!

I am thankful for other bloggers who encourage us to memorize Scripture--I shall try...a bit at a time.

I am thankful that I finally remembered how to take some close up pictures with my camera! And I am thankful for finding the camera manual---perhaps some tips shall help me!

I wanted to make some little wreaths--I found some wire and I had some pecan shells---used my glue gun and presto--I like them....I was inspired by the picture I found the other day--here it is below

Source: houzz.com via Kim on Pinterest

So today I give thanks for being able to be a little bit creative--for all the inspiration there is out there in blogworld, including spiritual and fun stuff, and creative stuff.....etc!! Thankful---yes!

effects of pinterest and blogland and thankfulness

2012-01-26T06:30:00.000-05:00

Source: houzz.com via Kim on Pinterest

This picture I found on line made me stop in my tracks! I had to go improvise some red checked curtains. I used some tablecloths I had and pinned them up!

Do you ever do this? Just have to do something because it "speaks" to you? yaa, yaa, that is my white bedspread......alas.

Some have said we have to be careful of coveting--you know, when we look at mags, and pinterest. But I do find they just (at least for now) give me ideas of how to improvise with what I have....or to look for a cheap alternative. I still need to make some tiny wreaths to hang on the window as shown in the top picture.

I am thinking the red attack is probably due to Valentine's thoughts.....but then again I have always loved touches of red. You say you wonder what that greenery is up on top of the curtain area?? I figured it was winter and I like the green woodsy feel it gives--and I have 3 cardinals up there looking down on me, that is WHY!

Then there is all of the wreath making that goes on in blogland. So I decided since I had these extra coffee filters (in white!--I bought these when I ran out of filters for my coffee until I could obtain the brown ones because I prefer brown for making my coffee). I took a wire hanger and used my glue gun and glued the crunched filters to the hanger. Yup--I do like it.

Don't look too closely. I do need to get bigger lamps for my night stands! hmmm, is that one word? I may make 2 more and have THREE in a row--not sure yet---I do have the materials.
So today I am thankful for ideas. I am thankful for bloggers who give us cheap ideas for decorating our homes. I am thankful for bright colors. I am thankful for home--it is so nice to have a quiet place, a cup of coffee, and time. I really was supposed to do some exercise today, but my sinus area is saying nope. ....that is my excuse for the moment. I am thankful for excuses! lol.

How to grow bacteria and Jan 25 thanks for 3

2012-01-25T07:39:00.001-05:00

I found an easy way to grow some bacteria! I had this rice in a closed glass container in the frig. I had left it in the back of the frig and forgotten about it when I got sick with a cold. Then the other day I was making some soup, remembered the rice, and was going to add it. I wondered if it had gotten too old. They actually say rice is a very good breeder of bacteria. Well, this is what I found!! YIKES!! I am thankful that I didn't eat it!

I am thankful for carnations and linen and candles! The combination of the three make me feel happy and serene. (plus I have a photo of my grandson who will be turning 1 on the last day of January.) I love linen tablecloths because they remind me of my childhood days. It brings back memories of the old days, and the special meals.

And here is what made me so happy and giggly:

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
My grandson is just jiving !!

Last of all I am thankful for living near a little pond and fountain. I am thankful for the wild life that this attracts. This little couple was so cute---it is fun to relax at points in the day and enjoy!

THE DUCK

Behold the duck.
It does not cluck.
A cluck it lacks.
It quacks.
It is specially fond
Of a puddle or pond.
When it dines or sups,
It bottoms ups.

Ogden Nash

Jan 2 4 giving thanks 3 at a time

2012-01-24T14:56:00.001-05:00

I am thankful for my daughter's blog which keeps me up to date on the grandkids. The above picture is from her recent post found here:
http://shiningmaiden.blogspot.com/2012/01/grandmams-birthday-and-life-after.html
They are celebrating the other grandma's birthday. On this post is a movie of Corwin, above playing the piano. It just had me giggling.

I also get some of their latest quotes such as: "Corwin ran off into the misty dark.....He's in the bathroom."

SSoooo, I am thankful for the blog, for my grandkids' funny comments, and the beauty of life! Grand it is, and grand kids!

Giving thanks 3 or so at a time January 23, 2012

2012-01-23T12:50:00.000-05:00

I am thankful for a son that texts me about beautiful churches.

and about gluten free wafers! My son is in DC for the March for life thing.

I hope someday, more lives will be saved. Mike Huckabee has a new DVD out on this (http://www.mikehuckabee.com/)
....I saw part of an interview last night that was devastating.But I am thankful that people are still fighting for the unborn.

I am also thankful for a happy holiday to look forward to....no not Christmas (this is my rosemary for the kitchen), but Valentine's Day.

Lastly , I am thankful for a neighbor that brought me some homemade vegetable soup last night. This cold keeps hanging on!!! I also decided to try a crock pot recipe today--my neighbor inspired me to throw together a soup recipe I found online.

I am so thankful I don't have to go out to work. It would be hard when you don't have your full strength! Here's hoping this cold will go away. I am so thankful that it is not worse and that it is slowly getting better!

January 22 Thanks--3 every day

2012-01-22T06:30:00.000-05:00

Today I give thanks for all the memories of my grandchildren-- Exuberant playtime, reading, eating, talking, singing, praying, running, dancing,make believing, climbing, swinging, play doughing, jumping, exercising, splashing, riding, swimming, chewing, botta binging, ding dong doing (it is secret stuff), hiding, building, ............you get the picture. Thankful for life with grands! and the memories being built!!!

Primary Day in SC and 3 things to be thankful for Jan 21, 2012

2012-01-21T06:30:00.000-05:00

Well, it is primary day here in SC. It will be interesting to see what the outcome will be. In this primary both dems and republicans can vote. Which means dems can vote for the candidate they think will loose against Obama! Weird, eh?

So first I am thankful for the freedom to vote and for the interesting debates we have had.

Secondly I am thankful for pink carnations--what a joy to have some in the house during the winter . I placed some in the tea cup shown in picture number one above... and have those on my desk---such a treat.

Then I have some in this cool pottery piece---you can put 1 flower or many--just have to make sure to check the water level. I love hand made pottery, don't you?

Lastly, I am thankful for the wine cup below. Unfortunately we had two which we had given each other for Christmas and one was broken during an exciting movie (It was an Agatha Christie movie ). NOOOOOOOOO , It was not I who broke it. So as a result, it is I (me, myself) that claims the right to drink from the one remaining one! I love it because I love pottery--this one is hand made. Next trip to Saluda, NC I will have to see if there are any more!

1of 14

by J.R. Lewis

Created on: April 03, 2008

Elections creep on cat paws
To pounce the airwaves
Pregnant with dogmatic promises
Colorful scandal and creative
Finger-pointing, served with Olympic fever.............................

Ps. I am participating in 1000 gifts--button is on the sidebar

Giving thanks-3 at a time Jan 20

2012-01-20T07:26:00.000-05:00

What am I thankful for today? Bright colors--normally, I don't wear them and I am trying to branch out. Normally I don't post pictures of myself and this year , I am getting over it, lol. Be myself........yup---let go of wrong kind of fears.

Secondly, I am thankful for all the bloggers out there who are organizing. I looked in one of my drawers and earrings were all mixed up. I decided to pin these on a piece of hard computer paper for now. It is amazing what straightening up a mess (even if it be little) does for your psyche

.
I am thankful for sunshine streaming in the windows in the winter time. ...and this rosemary tree that needs repotting (or it may die on me!). I love the smell and taste of rosemary.

Sometimes I just take a few pieces and chew on it! God is so good to give us smells and colors---all things that make life enjoyable even during hard times---colors and smells are for all of us poor or rich if we can see and if our noses are not damaged (!).

There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again. ~Elizabeth Lawrence

Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows. ~John Betjeman, Summoned by Bells

Here is hoping that last quote is not true for you!

PS. part of 1000 gifts see link on sidebar
PPS--I somehow managed to place 45 or so of my posts on draft by accident. Then I had do go and hit publish and I started seeing weird things--hope it is back to normal!

Jan 19 giving thanks and looking forward to Vanlentine's Day

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

It is getting near Valentines Day, right? Well, I found these cute earrings on ebay. Below is a closer shot. Most of them are only 99 CENTS!! And they are hypoallergenic !! So do have fun and get you a pair --there are different ones with hearts.

Here is the link to her store!

http://stores.ebay.com/janesjewelrystore Actually she may be sold out of them by the time you check as I bought some for gifts. But there may be other ebay goodies elsewhere.

I am thankful for Ebay--and Valentines Day--something to look forward in the middle of winter. My husband bought me a little gift (sooner --rather than later! in anticipation).

This is to set your wine bottle in so you don't leave stains everywhere. However you could use it for other beverages as well, if the bottle will fit!

Last of all I am thankful for Romance. I like the fact that Romance has lasted in our marriage even though we have had some very rough times. There is something beautiful about romance and I for one embrace it, lol!

Dreams and imaginations foster romantic mood
Influenced and inspired by beauty of Nature.
Emotion and sentiments occupy romantic life;
Adventure and exploration mark romantic venture;
Rapture and rupture are part of romantic life.
Romance is the essence of love life in the world;
Interest and thrill of romance will never die here;
Otherwise life is monotonous and boring dead weight!

Ramesh T A

Jan 18 Thankfulness and surprised

2012-01-18T12:33:00.000-05:00

See this a above thingy??? I thought it was a paper weight --we got it while at the Presidential Debate on Monday night. As we left the debate we were handed bags with little Myrtle Beach gifts. This was one of them.
I overheard someone saying there was chocolate in the bag. I searched and searched on the drive home because I was starving. HOWEVER I did not find it. I decided to open this up, finally to see if it was a magnet. Low and behold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was WHITE Chocolate!!! ha!! WHAT A DISGUISE!!! and a SURPRISE!
So I am thankful for this little treat.

Secondly I am thankful for this very RED cheerful apron. I got it a while back off of Ebay. I wanted a red apron for the winter. I love aprons and I love how little things can bring cheer to the day. Aprons always make me happy.

Lastly, I found I had a bunch of white candles. I love true candle light. I have some battery type candles, but they just don't give off the bright flame and warmth that a true candle does. It is fun at supper time when it is dark to have that nice cheerfulness!

These things are all small things--but I find it is often small things that bring me a lot of happiness. This poem says what I feel

The JOY of LITTLE THINGS by Robert Service

It's good the great green earth to roam,
Where sights of awe the soul inspire;
But oh, it's best, the coming home,
The crackle of one's own hearth-fire!
You've hob-nobbed with the solemn Past;
You've seen the pageantry of kings;
Yet oh, how sweet to gain at last
The peace and rest of Little Things!

Perhaps you're counted with the Great;
You strain and strive with mighty men;
Your hand is on the helm of State;
Colossus-like you stride . . . and then
There comes a pause, a shining hour,
A dog that leaps, a hand that clings:
O Titan, turn from pomp and power;
Give all your heart to Little Things.

Go couch you childwise in the grass,
Believing it's some jungle strange,
Where mighty monsters peer and pass,
Where beetles roam and spiders range.
'Mid gloom and gleam of leaf and blade,
What dragons rasp their painted wings!
O magic world of shine and shade!
O beauty land of Little Things!

I sometimes wonder, after all,
Amid this tangled web of fate,
If what is great may not be small,
And what is small may not be great.
So wondering I go my way,
Yet in my heart contentment sings . . .
O may I ever see, I pray,
God's grace and love in Little Things.

So give to me, I only beg,
A little roof to call my own,
A little cider in the keg,
A little meat upon the bone;
A little garden by the sea,
A little boat that dips and swings . . .
Take wealth, take fame, but leave to me,
O Lord of Life, just Little Things.

Robert William Service

Ps. giving thanks for a 1,000 things is part of Ann V.'s blog --see the link on my sidebar called 1,000 gifts.

January 17--giving thanks for 3 more things

2012-01-17T11:26:00.001-05:00

I am thankful today for getting free VIP tickets to the SC Presidential Debate last night. I am thankful for these aspects:

First of all, because it was just plain ole fun to be there with a crowd of people who were energetic.
Secondly, because it was so interesting to see these candidates live. We sat about 6 rows back and got a good view.
Thirdly, because I got to see some Fox News people and some sat right across from us.
Fourthly, a little girl --about 7 or so sang the National Anthem and she had an outstanding amazing voice. She sat behind us and she was able to get all the candidates signatures. (No, I didn't go up and get signatures, lol).

I love debates and it was a blast to be there in person. My hands actually got sore from the clapping! It was just a fun date night for my hubby and myself. Now, I have to decide who to vote for this week in our SC primary ;-) But I am reminded of this quote from St. Antony,

"For the whole of earth is a very little thing compared with the whole of heaven".

Still---I am thankful that these little gifts are a reflection of grander gifts that we look forward to as we enter into his fullness.

To share thanks with others:
http://onethousandgifts.com/ or her blog: http://www.aholyexperience.com/

Jan 16: 1,000 things to give thanks for , 3 a day

2012-01-16T10:39:00.001-05:00

Today I am thankful for Martin Luther King day and glad for his leadership and gift with words. Thankful for how God raises up men to bring about needed change. I am thankful for this too, because it shows how God can use imperfect men, men with flaws.

I am thankful for my little desk area I created yesterday. It brings much happiness to me!

I am thankful for this butterfly who is so cheerful. I used to have him outside ,but he came inside when the weather turned cold (he was sitting on another potted plant). I believe I will have to get another one or another kind for the entry in the Spring---because he is staying right here!!!

Last of all I am thankful for this big window (actually there 2 really big windows in this porch area)--I can sit and look at the birds, trees, big fountain (which I didn't show in this picture--it is behind the bar in the window!).

Go to for more inspiration : http://www.aholyexperience.com/

January 15--1,000 things to give thanks for-3 at a time

2012-01-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

I am thankful for this free ticket to the Presidential Debate on Monday--this should be lots of fun and hopefully my cold will continue to get better.

I am thankful for having my first gluten free pizza since summer time---The Mellow Mushroom has them!!

Last of all I am thankful for having more energy......my cold has rounded the corner! yeh!

THANKS

Thanks for this and thanks for that
Thanks for the known and thanks for the unknown
Thanks for the things loved
Thanks for the unloved
Thanks thanks thanks

Thanks for people of all shapes and sizes
Thanks for the hearts small and large
Thanks for the talents and gifts of every soul
Thanks Thanks Thanks

Even when life deals us lemons, we give thanks and make lemonade.
Even when the dark clouds loom ever so close to our person, we give thanks.
Nothing or no one can stop us from giving thanks. So in this, we give thanks for the wisdom and grace in being able to give thanks.

Smile Henry

http://onethousandgifts.com/

January 14 , counting 1,000 thanks--3 at a time

2012-01-14T06:30:00.000-05:00

Today I am giving thanks that my cold is getting BETTER!!

Secondly , for bright cheerful colors that my eyes can see and that add spark to life!

Thirdly, seeing the love of my Grandchildren for their parents and for life!

http://onethousandgifts.com/

Jan 13-1000gifts three things today thankful for

2012-01-13T06:30:00.000-05:00

3 things that I hear at I am grateful for today---- The sound of my fountain splashing--This gives me so many different feelings that it is hard to explain---often think of Mountain streams--memories of my Mom fishing in the VT waters! Next is the sound of silence---I love quiet and it gives me time to reflect and pray. Thirdly , the sound given when standing in the shower---such feelings of refreshment.....nice when I have a cold to take a nice long one!

Jan 12 , 3 more grateful things

2012-01-12T06:30:00.000-05:00

http://www.aholyexperience.com/ continuing to count grateful things. Today it is something above you, beneath you and beside you......Well of course I would say Jesus! But in the pictures are other things as well--the trees towering outside of my window, good books, mags, etc beneath me, and my dangle earrings when I am sick with a cold (just makes me feel a wee bit better). Here is a prayer I found in the book that is pictured:
Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You, always follow Your plans, and perfectly accomplish Your holy will. Grant that in all things, great and small, today and all the days of life, I may do whatever You may require of me. Help me to respond to the slightest prompting of Your grace, so that I may be Your trustworthy instrument. May Your will be done in time and eternity, by me, in me, and through me. Amen

PS. I am also very thankful for a patient , loving , husband!

January 11--3 yellow things as fresh mercy

2012-01-11T06:30:00.000-05:00

3 yellow things that strike you as fresh mercy--this is what we are to tell about for the 1,000 gifts challenge at
http://www.aholyexperience.com/ where we are basically counting 1,000 things (by 3s) this year for which we are thankful.

These are three that are part of one! Looking at a lit candle with its golden flame ..while eating a gluten free chocolate donut and drinking from my Outerbanks coffee mug! The outerbanks of NC always bring pleasant memories to my heart. We have gone there to totally unwind, sleep , walk, read, eat, and sleep some more. Since I have a cold the ONLY THING I CAN TASTE FOR SOME REASON is CHOCOLATE!! So the combo of these three things is very relaxing to me!

We go to Okrakoke (not sure if I am spelling it correctly)--this is a very empty beach filled place--except for the one area with lots of cottages. It is always a fresh mercy to have nice calm filled memories.

Now this I am thankful for because when there is often just one eating lunch or snacking this makes for quick clean up!! (I am not worried about germs in the sponges...I can nuke the bottom one.....I rarely am sick and this cold is not due to the sponge , but do to a grandkid visit!)

This little stick thingy is an orange peeler and I love it!! Saves for lots of trouble when I want a freshly peeled orange!

A last fresh mercy is this poem/prayer I read in a diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska

Oh My God

"When I look into the future, I am frightened,
But why plunge into the future?
Only the present moment is precious to me,
As the future may never enter my soul at all.

It is no longer in my power,
To change, correct or add to the past;
For neither sages nor prophets could do that.
And so, what the past has embraced I must entrust to
God.

O present moment, you belong to me, whole and entire,
I desire to use you as best I can,
And although I am weak and small,
You grant me the grace of Your omnipotence.

And so, trusting Your mercy,
I walk through life like a little child,
Offering You each day this heart
Burning with love for Your greater glory.

January 10-1000 things to give thanks (3 at a time)

2012-01-10T06:30:00.000-05:00

Today we are to give thanks for something sweet, sour, and just right . My hubby bought these oranges for me since I have a very nice head cold!

Really, there is something so refreshing about a nice juicy, cold orange. It is especially nice when you have a cold. As far as something sour? It would be these tangerines....

I thought they were Clementines when I purchased them.....Clementines tend to be sweet. However some of the tangerines are sweet and others are plain ole sour!! So these are being eaten at a much slower pace!
Last of all, something just right? Well, I am not going to go to the food area, but to an area I find comforting when I am cold and wanting some sun.

Now I didn't catch it when the sun was pouring in, because I took this late in the day. This is a cozy place by the window to sit for awhile and enjoy the sunniness of the day.

It is amazing how we take all the different tastes, and temperatures for granted at times. This is making me a bit more aware.

Sweet and Sour
by Christine

Sweet
Cake, Apple
Icing, Eating, Crunching
Dessert, Candy, Salt, Lemon
Puckering, Squinting, Drooling
Bitter, Tart
Sour

January 9, 1000 gifts, 3 at a time

2012-01-09T08:41:00.000-05:00

the gifts or blessings today are: a gift in the hand, a gift you walked by, a gift you sat with. I am going to show these in reverse!

A gift I sat with is this handmade knit blanket. I have had a head cold this week and even though the temperatures got into the 70's!!! yesterday I had the chills.

This was handmade by a lady who is now living in Spain. She spends part of her time here in the states and part in Spain. What I love about handmade things is that I am always reminded of the person who made it which in turn gives me a good , warm , feeling all over. It also reminds me to pray for the person.

Next is the gift I walked by---now I did not really walk by this since I was sick--but I saw this out my window and it made me smile (which is a good thing to do, eh?!)

These dogs were jumping around, swimming and frolicking. The black one was much more bold! I love the freedom and fun they exhibited.

The last thing--a gift in hand is this book my son gave me for Christmas

I will close with a prayer from it that spoke to me "

"My Son, speak thou thus in every matter, 'Lord, if it please Thee, let this come to pass. Lord, if this shall be for Thine honour, let it be done in Thy Name. Lord, if thou see it good for me, and approve it as useful, then grant me to use it for Thy honour. But if thou knowest that it shall be hurtful unto me, and not profitable for the health of my soul, take the desire away from me! For not every desire is from the Holy Ghost, although it appear to a man right and good. It is difficult to judge with certainty whether a good or an evil spirit move thee to desire this or that, or whether thou art moved by thine own spirit. ........Therefore, whatsoever seemeth to thee desirable, thou must always desire and seek after it with the fear of God and humility of heart, and most of all, must altogether resign thyself, and commit all unto Me and say, "Lord, thou knowest what is best; let this or that be, according as Thou wilt. Give what Thou wilt, so much as Thou wilt, when Thou wilt. Do with me as Thou knowest best , and as best shall please Thee, and as shall be most to Thine honour. Place me where Thou wilt, and freely work Thy will with me in all Things. I am in Thine hand, and turn me in my course. Behold, I am Thy servant, ready for all things; for I desire to live not to myself but to Thee...."

Light and Shadow

2012-01-08T05:00:00.000-05:00

In giving thanks today for the 1000 gifts (3 a day) --the joy dare involves "light that caught you, a reflection that surprised you, a shadow that fell lovely. This first picture is of light that caught me

My hubby had opened the curtains wide and the immense pleasure of the light spilling on the tabletop just made me smile. The next picture --a reflection that surprised you-- was on this little unique vase that sits on the tabletop

This vase holds just one flower. It is made of pottery . My son purchased this for me in the Mountains of Saluda, NC. I loved how the sunlight reflected on the top of the vase.

Last of all a shadow that fell lovely---this one was a surprise for me! It also includes a reflection

This is a pond that sits outside our window. It has a large fountain which causes the rippling of water which is reflected on the grass. The larger shadows are the tree trunks of the pine trees---why are they bent? It has to do with the shadows in the water and then on the grass-- it struck me as beautiful. I am thankful for light and how it changes things. I can apply this whole thing Spiritually too, of course! We celebrated Epiphany this week which includes the concept of Jesus being this light of the world. Light changes things! Jesus is the great light spoken of in Is 60:1--and as John 1 says--The Light of the world. The beauty of regular light and all of its splendor can speak to me about his greater light.

Here is a poem written by a sixth grader:

Light
Heavenly, Bright
Shining, Warming, Uplifting
Colorful, White, Shaded, Playful
Cooling, Dancing, MockingMischievous, Cantankerous
Shadow

I am linking to Spiritual Sundays here:http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

January 7: giving thanks

2012-01-07T09:06:00.000-05:00

Today we are to give thanks for 3 graces of people we love in our lives. I give thanks for my Husband who has been very patient with me this year as I have been exploring a deeper faith.

I give thanks for my sons, and in particular my oldest one , for the grace of debate--I find tossing ideas around to be very helpful in my learning.

And last of all , I am thankful for my 3 grand children and all the vigor of life they express, the wonder of all that is around us, and the fun part of their expressions of love and of thought.People are one of the greatest blessings and such a means of grace in our lives.

linking to:http://onethousandgifts.com/ Ps. just have to say, my two sons were trying to give me a weird look in the middle picture I posted--not sure if they brought it off! ha!

What to do with old Christmas Cards

2012-01-06T21:45:00.000-05:00

I had my Christmas Cards hanging in this doorway and decided to re-invent their use. I glued family photos--mainly from the past two months on the cards. It has made me happy for now!

so The above are pictures of some of the pictures I have glued to the cards so this is why they are blurry.

Giving Thanks challenge Jan 6

2012-01-06T09:39:00.001-05:00

Today, January 6 Ann Voscamp's joy dare asks us to count the gifts in your bag, fridge and in your heart. The above notebook I use to journal in....I have found these in Walmart and they are about 6 by 9 --they have a magnetic clasp which is nice and a ribbon to mark your place. These have been an aid in study, prayer and confession---a place to put ideas and poems too. I have found them very helpful in my walk with the Lord.

In my frig-is this goat cheese with chives which really adds flavor to many dishes , but is great on rice crackers--I love thinking about all that would go into making this.
As far as what is in my heart......I would say I am thankful for thankfulness and mercy. Mercy from God that enables great thanksgiving. I am so thankful for the richness of the Christian faith.

I am linking to Ann V.'s facebook here:https://www.facebook.com/onethousandgifts

trying to do January's Dare starting today

2012-01-05T14:19:00.000-05:00

I like this idea by Ann Voskamp who wrote, One Thousand Gifts. If you go to this link: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/01/the-1-habit-your-new-year-cant-do-without-giveaway/ She has a printout for the month of January to aid in giving thanks. If you give thanks for 3 things a day you will meet the goal of giving thanks for about 1,000 things for the year of 2012. This is a real help in developing joy! Today is 1. giving thanks for something you are reading:

I am thankful for this book on the Church Fathers that I have started reading. It helps to see what the early Fathers believed and it is an aid and confirmation of my faith.

Secondly 2. something I am making--a cup of Tazo tea--it is strong and bold and hot and is helping my sore throat. Thirdly 3. Something I am seeing--and that is her blog :

I want to try to do the dare of counting 1,000 gifts in 2012: Discovering joy as stated here:http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/01/the-1-habit-your-new-year-cant-do-without-giveaway/
Join in as she has several give aways too to aid you!

I have to play catch up so for Jan 1 it was 3 things about yourself you are grateful for: I have basic health today, I have the ability to read, I am growing in my faith.
January 2: a gift outside--beautiful birds at my feeder
a gift inside--warm heat, a gift on a plate--gluten free bread
January 3 --3 lines you overheard that were graces--God's conversion of Paul, Peter's talk with Jesus after Peter had denied him, a person weeping and another giving comfort.
Jan4 --one gift old, new and blue--old--a lent book, new --a new book ;-), blue another new book (YEAH, I like books!)

A New Year and a wish

2012-01-03T13:38:00.000-05:00

On Christmas Eve morning we took a walk on the beach---this is a great time of the year to take a walk---you have most of it to yourself!! The Thing I desire most this year is peace of heart. As I thought about this today I happened across this prayer written by St. Bede (673-735)

God, the truest peace, we ask you
to keep our hearts and minds
in calm and in peace,
for where there is peace
you also are present
and where you are, everything is yours.
Come, then, O Lord, and so possess us
that we may become a sanctuary
for your Holy Spirit.
Glory to you Father,
with your only begotten Son,
by whom you give life
with the Holy Spirit
forever. Amen

I need more conscious "walking in the Spirit"....listening to Him.....it is hard for me to do this since I am often full of talking to Him.

rainy day reading

2011-12-28T17:03:00.001-05:00

The other day was what Pooh calls a blustery day. It rained and the wind was A BLOWING!! Great day for reading in a cozy room. This is a room we enjoy reading in!I love my Kindle---and it is nice to be able to get 99 cent mysteries! --especially when you want some light reading!It has nice big views out of the window. There is a large fountain and when it is nice weather you can open the windows and listen.The picture above shows a picture that sits over my piano. I love it because we get egrets in our ponds here at the condo.So it was a relaxing day Minkey , my monkey had to join in of course!

Christmas Day (midnight on Christmas eve)

2011-12-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

We had a wonderful Christmas time. The church pictured above is where we went to the Christmas eve service. This is in Charleston, SC. The music was ethereal at points. It was very uplifting when the entire church, organ, trumpets, and choir sung the old Christmas hymns that are so deep with meaning. After the hour of singing( including a 'song' that traced the gospel message through the Old Testament into the New Testament ) the midnight service began. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the beginning of Christmas morning. We went to bed around 2 am with our souls well content.

Otter fun today

2011-12-26T18:28:00.002-05:00

These guys were so fast I had to take a few short videos of them!! They blessed our day with laughter!We had fun at Brookgreen gardens today watching the otters---both indoors and outdoors as you can see by these videosThey were so fast it was difficult to get just plain old photos of them!These guys bring a smile to everyone's face! We had such a fun time watching them and had them to ourselves!I may link this to Out door wednesday which can usually be found here: http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/relaxing afterwards!

Fun veggie plates!

2011-12-21T22:42:00.001-05:00

This is a fun veggie plate. You simply get a tree shaped plate. Line it with celery--add cauliflower and decorate with red pepper. You can set the tree on a large round plate and place carrots around the tree too. Below are more ideas-- another idea--this I found on line it it not my photo, but I did one like it for Thanksgiving. I posted this on my recipe blog, but thought I would spread the fun ideas here.

Found the ones below online

Note quite a veggie plate!

More on Christmas decor

2011-12-17T06:05:00.000-05:00

I love this little bird--found him on Ebay. This is another little joy in my day.

Ok, the above didn't come out quite right because I was supposed to have smaller bulbs for the top so that it would be more in the shape of a tree! But I used what I had and it adds a bit of sparkly fun. I found this idea from someone's blog. You use a knitting needle and just put the flat head of the needle on the bottom and thread the bulbs onto it. For the top bulb you remove the little hanger thing and just slip it over. The bulbs enable the whole thing to stand on its own. Cool and only takes minutes!

Blackboard happiness

2011-12-16T08:00:00.004-05:00

Since moving from the condo, I have suffered from blackboard withdrawal. The one I had at the cottage just didn't fit here. I gave that one to my son and he uses it for Bible memory verses. I found this one on Ebay and quite frankly it adds a spark of happiness to my day.

I thought this was a funny picture because the window on the door was reflecting on the coat closet. I have snowflakes in the door's window.

It is strange how small things can make one smile and add little joys to the day.

Treat yourself to beautiful Christmas music

2011-12-15T14:13:00.001-05:00

I just got this album and here is a taste of it above--it is quite beautiful! With it came a little silver ornament which I have pictured below

this was a surprising treat!

memories......

2011-12-13T22:15:00.003-05:00

The above pictures are some memories of our old cottage which we have moved out of.......sometimes it is fun to remember.

Thoughts today

2011-12-13T21:41:00.003-05:00

“I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will not ask, 'How many good things have you done in your life?' rather he will ask, 'How much love did you put into what you did?”
― Mother Teresa

Love red checks and Pottery Barn bird

2011-12-09T16:23:00.006-05:00

Well, I got my red checked tablecloth out--it just makes me happy---something about red gingham makes me feel homey and smiley

The above ornament is a new one from Pottery Barn--I want to start collecting birds for the tree. I love birds and watch them from one of my windows here, as I always have lol

above is a bad shot of the tree--got the strands lopsided! ah well. Oh yes, and we did get rid of the big old low hanging light in the dining area so now I can move that table and resize it without the leafs any ole time.

And of course a fire is going since the weather has now turned cool (lol---this is a fake tv version---still gives a nice feeling. Some days you have to just take time to play a bit!

My mini monkeys are quite happy under the tree too!

New hat for newest sockmonkey

2011-12-08T16:37:00.004-05:00

The monkey on the left is the newest one and he has his new hat as of today. This is for Corwin or as we call him at times, Cor-baby. I need to come up with a name for the monkey, but actually Corwin's siblings are great at this! Right now I am calling him Monk-Monk

A view from my Monkey blog

2011-12-03T11:33:00.000-05:00

What are these dolls doing on the monkey blog??? The are awaiting the birth of the newest Monkey!

Zephir (the monkey on the left. is awaiting the birth too. The newest addition is starting his formation on the right.

Here is the machine---which always inspires happiness just because of its color and simplicity and happy kitty features!

Yes and here is the newest Monkey. This one is going to Corwin on his birthday in January. He has a slightly worried look--but he is not as worried as Alden's monkey.....perhaps it is because Corwin seems a tiny bit more sedate.
Here he is with 2 of his buddies. He will remain with them for a month until he comes into Corwin's world.

He is enjoying hanging out with this gang for a while until he goes forth and travels to the new Corwin world which has plenty of monkey playmates too!

Until then he will hang out with this gang.....and et hem the dolls!

Thanksgiving weekend shots

2011-11-27T21:13:00.003-05:00

Corwin (ten months) met great grandpa for the first time!

Picnicing on Friday

Dancing, crawling and whatnot---life of children is something to celebrate

Snake skin!

Thankful for children this thanksgiving time!

Thankful for old friends!

Sweet cuddles

Thankful for Advent season!

Walking trail/ swamp/lake/river in one walk

2011-11-19T11:53:00.004-05:00

There is a beautiful walking trail near us. It meanders near a river,

a swamp and a lake. It is a great place for a Fall coolish morning!
When we first moved to SC about 30 years ago we didn't see the beauty in swamp areas and black river water. Now we love it. We had a refreshing walk and talk time this morning.

Great Thanksgiving Vegetable Platter and starbucks find

2011-11-17T10:41:00.007-05:00

I love this idea above! A friend posted it on facebook and this is something I would like to do over thanksgiving. I also discovered this dip below which is delicious and quite hot:
This is Black beans and corn. I like Newman's own because it donates profits to charity.
I found this Starbucks' coffee cup at Walmart. I like it because it is stainless steel on the inside. It was with some assorted Christmas gifts in the chocolate isle or coffee isle (I forget which!). I am enjoying it right this minute--it is nice because it keeps my coffee warm....AND of course I actually brew starbucks' Italian Roast because it is very BOLD> I am enjoying this rainy windy day here in SC. My walk this morning was free from rain , but the colors looked great against the backdrop of the grey skies.

Splendor

2011-11-16T07:58:00.004-05:00

Brookgreen Gardens is getting ready for the nights of 1,000 lights. It is a great way to begin the Christmas season. You can walk here at night with candles and string lights all over this glorious garden.

This is a refreshing place to walk. It is as if the trees and flowers shout to the Lord. The statues reflect the aspect of man's creative nature that is a true reflection of the greater creator.

New Lights and new Picture and photo problems

2011-11-15T15:26:00.007-05:00

I am one frustrated Blogger--yup frustrated! It may be my internet connection (I am supposed to get a new router today) or something else but I can't upload my pictures so I can post the larger ones! Photobucket keeps giving me an error (and dropshots won't work either!). So here we go with the small pictues.

I have a new faux (spelling/??) painting in our dinning area. The big wall needed something bigger--now I need to see if I like it there that big or not!

This light fixture we removed since it hung too low and was not centered over the table . We replaced it with a light fixture that hopefully one does not notice too much (since it is not centered and I am always moving the furniture around in this room!).

I am hoping things will get fixed with the new router and I am hoping it will be delivered today! Here is one more picture from Brookgreen Garden below--(I manage to upload one picture a day! )ha! I like the contrasts in the colors below!

More on Brookgreen Gardens

2011-11-14T16:05:00.002-05:00

We enjoyed a slow day on Sunday at the gardens, but alas my photobucket won't let me load my pictures. So here are just a few random ones.

The dogwoods were dressed in a beautiful red.

The above is a nice courtyard where we sat in the wonderful orange chairs in the warmth of the sun eating M & M's and drinking coffee. Those chairs are so comfy you really feel like sitting there all day!

Below is the lake at which we had a nice picnic lunch all to ourselves with birds singing all around---quite heavenly.

Above is the magnolia path--again to ourselves--ROMANTIC

My favorite photos still await! I may give up and post them in the smaller version if Photobucket doesn't start working!

Glorious day here in SC

2011-11-13T23:24:00.005-05:00

A wonderful fall day here in SC--made more splendid by going to Brookgreen gardens and sitting in a courtyard.
Photobucket isn't working for me today so I hope to post later in the week! The colors and contrasts were magical! And the coffee and M & M's were fab too ;-) PS. What is it about this time of the year, I am always so hungry!

Got rid of the old light

2011-11-12T12:39:00.002-05:00

This was a KINDOF cool old light. But it didn't match our colors so we finally removed it this week. I am much more content. It was hanging too low and was not centered above the table . It looked strange both because of the color and the location. So it is gone now!

Pumpkin Chai tea and Cornbread Pudding

2011-11-10T15:22:00.002-05:00

So have you guys seen the above pumpkin spice chai tea from Twinnings? I got to the checkout at Walmart and discovered it was not regular chai tea (which I love). I decided to buy it any ole way. I have tried it today and I think it is growing on me. It is nice with something sweet too.. Then I discovered this recipe below for Cornbread Pudding.
It is sweet. I am going to try it with my lentil pumpkin soup tonight. Here is the link for the corn bread pudding and the lentil pumpkin soup is the post below that one : HERE

It was a sad day. My pastor's brother was killed this week in a car accident. The funeral was today. The clouds have moved in so it is a somber day. The church had a time of prayer at the same time as the funeral was taking place (about 2 hours distance). I found that the prayer time really was meaningful. Praying is like being in heaven at times!

More and more simplifying

2011-11-04T13:20:00.002-04:00

See the hutch in the above right hand side? That hutch had been with us all of our married lives. We have had it 34 years. When we downsized out of our spindle cottage to our present condo it moved along with us. I decided last week to donate it to Salvation Army. This hutch held a ton of dishes. I managed to find places in the condo for most of them and it certainly freed up some space.

There is always the question of how much to simplify. I am living without color on the walls here in the condo and I am soooo used to all kinds of colors. It makes it easy to move things around and change things up---but then I don't get the warm or vibrant embrace of color.

Beside all of the changes the move has brought, freeing up time for more things has been nice. However, I have also been studying the difference between Roman Catholicism and Reformed Protestantism. This has been occupying a lot of my time. I got started on this because I realized the early Church Fathers were very different in many respects to my reformed faith.

So I have been uprooted in home, and then uprooted in how I see things spiritually. I am still going through this process. This is why I haven't spent much time at this particular blog. Simplifying streamlines life in many ways, but it also brings extra time for thought which in turn can be UN_simplifying lol.

Candy Land Birthday party (2)

2011-10-14T14:25:00.005-04:00

Little Corwin was quite confused since he slept through most of the party for his 5 year old sister!

Most of the backyard was a Candy Land adventure. Painted rectangles marked the game spots

Some of the characters were Gramma Nutt (above) (ME)

Princess Frostine (above)

Princess Lolly (above) This picture was taken before adjustments to the crown had been made! It was her 5 year old birthday party! She had just gotten up from a rest and needed adustments!

Lord licorice--who unfortunately scared some of the kiddies and made me have some scary dreams even though in real life he is my hubby!

Table for adults had veggies (believe me there were tons of candy!)

You can see the rectangles in the background. The kids went from place to place in a group and got candy at the various stops.

Above was the starting point of the game.

They had to go through the slide fort to get to the lollipop area

At the end was a nice cake. They also had a treasure hunt and made necklaces.

Rhianwen and a friend had to draw their own versions of Princess Frostine --I thought they were quite good. The whole party was so much fun!

Candy Land birthday party

2011-10-10T16:13:00.000-04:00

We had a wonderful Candyland birthday part for our 5 year old Princess Lolly---I will have to write about it later when I have some time!

Family camping and tramping

2011-09-27T19:43:00.027-04:00

Fall is a traditional time for our family campground experience.
RAin or SHINE--it is fun!
Baby Corwin's first boat ride!
Loving my bright umbrella and fun boots. I wore these a lot because of all the rain and mud!
Kids having zip line fun AGAIN!

Baby talk time is so nice!
Nothing but an ole hound dog who loved following the gang around.
Pretty poses on our hike.

Part of the family--2 sons, 2 grandkiddies, and two old ones (hubby and moi)
Rock climbing! at 7 months.
Picnic fun

Fresh apples and bread!
Creatures

Smores to end the day.....well.....and some debating. Loved it all.

growing

2011-09-16T22:26:00.000-04:00

Our newest grandbaby has been really growing. Hope to see him soon!

Beautiful rainy day

2011-08-24T13:05:00.003-04:00

Love the refreshing downpour!

Continuing summer fun

2011-07-27T10:28:00.002-04:00

It was my grandson's third birthday. The big boys made a big dragon.

Below, Corwin, our youngest grandboy wanted water

Now he is happy!

Summer joys

2011-07-15T18:50:00.003-04:00

Visiting our newest grandboy

Where but in the South do you see peahens on windows?

Brothers!

the geese are growing

2011-05-25T10:45:00.009-04:00

Junior with MOM or DAD

Two of the juniors near my bird feeder--they are getting their feathers

The geese are a-growing. The first picture in this collage was a few weeks ago. The second and third are from today--they have some feathers now! They eat for quite some time and then go into rest mode.

I am continuing to read "1000 gifts"--I like this quote: "I am a hunter of beauty and I move slow and I keep the eyes wide, every fiber of every muscle sensing all wonder....Its ridiculous how much joy a moment can hold."

We need to do this especially because we don't know what a day may bring forth--we need to enjoy each aspect of our loved ones and all the gifts we are experiencing right now, right this moment. Eucharisteo--thanksgiving.

Enjoying a cup of English tea in the cup we bought 34 years ago in June on our honeymoon. We bought it at an antique shop and the saucer didn't match , but we still loved it. I am thankful for all of these years and the memories, good and bad, that make up our lives.

Thankful for slow quiet mornings to enjoy God's creatures.

Thankfulness and a book of one thousand gifts

2011-05-19T08:35:00.006-04:00

I started reading the above book this week and it is wonderful. I recommend it to everyone. It speaks to me about living life to the fullest by fueling our joy. Looking at everything that we are thankful for and listing them naming them.

You can call making a list on these things--Naming God's gifts, naming grace moments, naming the ways he loves me etc!

Here is a quote:

"Do not disdain the small. The whole of life--even the hard--is made up of the minute parts, and if I miss the infinitesimals, I miss the whole. These are new language lessons, and I live them out. there is a way to live the big of giving thanks in all things. It is this: to give thanks in this one small thing...the moments add up.'

So my above picture represents one of those things. Enjoying a cool morning with windows open, the sound of a mower in the background (with fresh grass smells), the splashing of the distant fountain in the pond, sipping English tea while birds flit through the dappled sunlight. Ahhhhhhhh, just sweetness. I am very thankful for times of peacefulness and quiet!

Ps. check out the video in the post below for more of her way of thinking.

The way to live each day

2011-05-17T06:44:00.002-04:00

This is what my grand daughter Rhi inspires in me. This is how we should live our lives.

Check out the blog of the author of the book:http://www.aholyexperience.com/ and the book is: One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are and is only 4.99 on Kindle

lettering on my walls

2011-05-16T13:40:00.004-04:00

I have seen this on people's blogs and I wanted to try this. It was easy to do. I ordered the letters above from Amazon here

You first cut out what you want and place it on the wall with masking tape. Then you flip it upward using the tape as a hinge. You peel the backing off. Then you place it back down without the backing .

You use a hard but gentle edged instrument like a paint stick or tongue depressor. I first used a squeegee and then a paint stick to rub over the semi-transparent top layer to secure the lettering to the wall. Then you gently peel off the sticky top layer.....and you are done.!!

This product was easy to use. There are some products that are not easy---I had no problem with this one and it only took minutes.

PS. It says you can remove it with the heat of a hair dryer to help!

Goodbye to our cottage

2011-05-13T14:47:00.006-04:00

Well it is time to say good bye to our old home. It is officially sold today.

We will miss the fresh laundry

The flowers and the fountain and the fresh herbs

Goodbye ole house with all the old memories. We are starting anew, with a simpler life. A new door is open!

Time for some TEA and some relaxing????

Surprise visitors!

2011-05-04T09:14:00.002-04:00

We had ten of these babies visiting about a foot to three feet from our window. Their were two sets of parents. The were eating and pecking very fast. There is something always so blessed about seeing babies!

I love how God works in the area of forgiveness

2011-05-03T07:45:00.004-04:00

I saw an interview on fox this am with Arlene Howard. She is the individual who gave her son's badge to President Bush after 911. What is so interesting is that this Sunday as she was at church she realized she needed to have forgiveness in her heart. So she told the Lord she would forgive Osama, but leave his judgment in God's hands. Then that night, he was judged. I love how God worked this in her heart before he was killed.

Interesting take on dressing

2011-04-28T08:49:00.004-04:00

I found the history behind her life interesting. Her attitude on dressing is interesting too and at the end she sums it up. It ,perhaps, will give me a little more motive to pay attention to dress, although, not in a slavish spending way...but to see it in the way that God has made me and I am to take care of myself and not be slovenly! (And by the way, I like being sloppy!)

Hallelujah what A saviour

2011-04-20T09:43:00.001-04:00

Praising God for this season of the year when we remember the fullness of what Christ has done.

The ways of photos

2011-04-08T12:21:00.003-04:00

I love this pic of my grandson visiting his other grandparents . He is checking out the chicken coup! It is cool how just a photo of a loved one can cheer one's heart. They found this to be true for people---something about photo's of loved ones triggers a happy response in our hearts.

I had to say GOODBYE TO BOOTS BELOW---he was 16, but his kidneys were giving out.

He was a real pal! God gives us little gifts like this for periods of time in our lives. I feel this pet really ministered to me in many ways. He came when we moved into our Spindle Cottage and now has left us after we have moved to a Condo. Blessings come in all kinds of packages!

bone fusion--off of my feet!

2011-04-05T10:45:00.002-04:00

I have been off my feet with the bone fusion surgery I just had. I have found the old classic comedy movies to be a nice way to spend the time when one is in pain! Today is the first day i haven't had to use pain medication every 3 hours.

I will have to report back on how this surgery has worked when the results come in! They took out the big joint in the toe near the bunion area and fused the two bones together. I shouldn't notice much change, except there should be no pain in my foot once it has healed. I had little movement of the joint since there was bone on bone anyways. This way it is just hitched together as one! I won't be able to wear heals, but I hadn't been able to anyways!

If any of you have had this done, I will be interested in hearing how long it took you to heal!

Great getaway--Folly Beach, SC

2011-03-15T21:52:00.003-04:00

The windy dark weather at the beginning and the beautiful aloneness was a refreshing start for us for the beginning of Lent. A good time for reflection, and for the touch of God on our lives.

Unhappiness and slavery

2011-02-23T08:35:00.006-05:00

I have been thinking this week about how we get enslaved to the things in this world and how this results in unhappiness. When we or I seek happiness in the wrong things it really brings emptiness. Two books I have been reading stated something along this line which I have found helpful and want to think about some more.

I am reading several books and I like these thoughts--This one by Beth Moore is good:

"We fear making sacrifices. But the irony is that we make a lot of sacrifices when we are not living the will of God. How many things have we placed on the altar to Satan's kingdom? We live sacrificially when we're outside the will of God , giving up all sorts of things that were meant to be ours in Christ. We want to claim those things back, but in the process we're going to be putting a few other things on the altar."

Then this quote by Thomas Merton, a Catholic priest, from his autobiography , The Seven Storey Mountain:

I had at last become a true child of the modern world, completely tangled up in petty and useless concerns with myself, and almost incapable of even considering or understanding anything that was really important to my own true interests.......I had left Oakham and walked out into the world that I thought I was going to ransack and rob of all its pleasures and satisfactions. I had done what I intended, and now I found that it was I who was emptied and robbed and gutted. What a strange thing! In filling myself, I had emptied myself. In grasping things, I had lost everything. In devouring pleasures and joys, I had found distress and anguish and fear.

video of kids meeting baby

2011-02-14T15:45:00.005-05:00

This was the first moments of the grands meeting their baby brother. Ps the date is wrong --it was the last day in January and not the 27th. I always think these times are so special!!!!!

Thanks Donna!

2011-02-14T09:14:00.005-05:00

Now that I am back from helping out with the grandkiddies since the arrival of the new grand baby, I wanted to thank Donna at http://thehomemakingarts.blogspot.com/for the handmade quilted bag she gave me!! I have been using this constantly and it transported my devotional books to and from the grands! I think I just may continue using it for holding all my devotional stuff! Thanks so much Donna!

Welcoming The baby!

2011-02-01T14:59:00.005-05:00

The kids dressed up in their play clothes to greet the birth of corwin

he is coming....he has arrived!

2011-01-31T21:25:00.001-05:00

He appears to be on his way tonight! see post below! Prayers are welcome! at 9:39 ---Corwin has arrived...baby and mom are well right now!

New painting for a new baby

2011-01-28T15:27:00.003-05:00

This is the painting my eldest son did for his sister's baby that is TO COME!! Baby Corwin is now TEN DAYS LATE-arump!! Man, and he may come as late as next week. AH well, we are enjoying playing with the other two grand kiddies!!!! --

PS Maybe a Stork would have brought Corwin's birth about faster than this owl is doing!

Waiting for the grandbaby-legomania and Thai food

2011-01-27T10:05:00.010-05:00

My daughter was having labor yesterday and the baby is and was a week late. So I brought the old Lego stuff from their childhood. We had a wild legomania evening!
Wally , the Dad, picked through some of it to create the Fort Legorido below
Tradition for this family is Thai food before delivery!

Great food! BUT after 24 hours of labor no baby came into the world. Labor has ceased, so we await this little dude to make his entrance into our world!

Driving my hubby crazy

2011-01-20T16:32:00.006-05:00

As you see above I keep moving things around and changing things up to see what I might like. This drives my hubby bonkers. (Yes, I had a day with time!) I tried changing curtains, and table- cloths and the size of the table (with and without the leaf). Below is how it is at this moment

But I did have it some of the ways below:

So Have I driven you all nuts too/???? Do you all do this?

So in conclusion the end result is:

Will my hubby pull his hair out when he gets home? Maybe! I like just the white curtains, I also like the blue and white.....hmmm,

Tooo many pictures , you say??? YUP I agree!!!

Blessed

2011-01-19T21:51:00.003-05:00

Isn't this how all days should end? Feet propped up and a kitty by the side. My hubby would prefer there be an absent kitty, not I! If I am not around in the evening the kitty will yawl and that is something the hubby does not tolerate well!

Today was blessed by little things. This morning the trees were covered with liquid drops from an early morning rain. When I got over to the cottage the sun peaked out and everything looked like diamonds! It was a treat, as I sat by the fire waiting for the repair man.

The plumber came and extracted a large bloated old rusty galvanized pipe--it looked like something from an ancient shipwreck!!! The plumbing is fixed and that made me happy.

When I got back to the condo I took a walk with hubby in the evening. Although we live near a hospital there are some nice walks with little ponds. We saw geese, and egret, and a running deer. The sun was setting in its red splendor and the light kissed the trees with shades of pink. Such blessings!

ps. and the above is how days should start, with the soft early morning light!

Winter in the condo (and blue monday)

2011-01-16T21:54:00.007-05:00

Well, as I have said we are now in the condo. Since it is winter I decided to have some fun with snowflakes. I added them to one of the windows and it gives me a cool feeling---hard to describe.

I like them both in the day and at night. The above picture is the same as the first only with the curtains added and at night!

We are using the same curtains in our bedroom.....however they are on order since I only had one pair---I tried them in both areas and liked them.

Above you see the weird light which I steadfastly insisted I would rid from the condo.....but man, it has grown on us. So we have experimented with the tablecloths.

Yes, somehow snowflakes appeared on the chandie as well.

We have enjoyed the weird shadows the light casts....and have decided to keep it! (I never would have thought I WOULD CHANGE MY MIND ON THIS ONE!!!!!)

We also did the ole blue and white mug in the canister trick. This canister holds oatmeal/pancake mix for my hubby. By mistake I went really over on the amount of oats , but it still worked fine---just have to add a bit more water.

And a framed pic from my 4 year old granddaughter brings happy happy thoughts to me!

I have enjoyed the downsizing......I think it is going to give us some freedom time wise too! I am so thankful for how God times things and directs our paths. I am so thankful that I can trust his love even when things appear strange from a human standpoint. It has been good, even in the midst of so much activity (we are still going through things at the old house and also helped our oldest son move and also had had some illness with stomach bugs! and repairs) ....um, anyways it has been good to spend time meditating on the beauty of God, the beauty of his love, and the beauty of his word, the beauty of fellowship with other believers, and the beauty of life even life in this fallen world where there is so much suffering. I am thankful for Christ's suffering, for his going through all he did, for it is such a great demonstration to me of his unbelievable love and a demonstration to me that there is a purpose in suffering. His had purpose and so does ours.

I am just glad that I can trust Him and His presence for the days ahead....all the unknown. Soon I hope to be with my daughter who is expecting her third this week (he may come late, however!)

Hope to visit ya'll as I can find time!

PS since this post had a lot of blue in it I am linking to : http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/ Just click on the following word: here So go there for more blues!

A first dinner in our downsized abode

2011-01-09T22:03:00.004-05:00

Well, after all of the hurrying around, stomach bugs, and moving from cottage to condo during the holidays, we did get to have a family meal with the grandkids, kids, and great grandpa!

The super heroes arrived on the scene too!

Now we just await Corwin's birth in a week or two. It has been busy times.......very busy!! I am hoping for a breather during an ice/snow event tomorrow! We will see......

I love children and their thoughts and questions. Rhianwen asked why there were candles at the front of the church. The answer is pretty interesting. The two where the Lord's Supper is placed stand for the two natures of Christ. The five on either side placed further back stand for the 5 wounds of Christ--his scourging, crown of thorns, wounds in the hands, feet and side.

Alden asked what trespasses are since in their church they say debtors. It is cool how they listen and observe and watch at the youngest ages. I love this about kiddies!

New year / new living

2011-01-04T21:45:00.005-05:00

This has been a week of changes. We are now moved into a condo and I am closing my Spindle Cottage blog since we are not living there. We are trying to simplify our lives and reduce clutter ! We are forced into decluttering by the downsizing and it is a good feeling. Hopefully I will get time to visit blogs soon. My hubby is sick and I may get it!

I want to do a few projects such as the memorize Philippians by Easter that is mentioned here

http://timmybrister.com/2010/12/20/partnering-to-remember-the-2011-philippians-memory-moleskine/ .

I love the start of a New Year. Fresh beginnings. Moving seems to make it more so. My daughters new baby is due this month too , so another new beginning.

My goal this year will again be simplicity.....and simplifying my life (it doesn't always work.....because, well, how simple is life??!!!). But I want to free up the clutter and be more focused on the important things. We will see how this goes......

Busy in the Move

2011-01-02T17:59:00.001-05:00

I have been busy moving and downsizing so if you don't hear from me for a while you will know why.

Thanksgiving for God's gift

2010-12-19T18:10:00.000-05:00

Love this.

Tupperware Christianity

2010-12-13T09:38:00.001-05:00

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

2010-11-25T16:27:00.006-05:00

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

2010-11-17T08:29:00.001-05:00

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!!!

2010-11-09T07:16:00.002-05:00

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

Tribulation

2010-11-08T11:42:00.003-05:00

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

2010-11-03T10:24:00.000-04:00

I like this idea

Spiritual insight by the wee grandkids?

2010-10-20T16:01:00.000-04:00

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!

2010-10-14T11:03:00.000-04:00

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

2010-10-12T15:39:00.007-04:00

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???

2010-09-30T18:57:00.001-04:00

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

2010-09-23T11:49:00.003-04:00

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

2010-09-21T16:57:00.002-04:00

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

2010-09-19T22:09:00.003-04:00

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)

2010-09-17T22:07:00.000-04:00

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?

2010-09-12T14:18:00.000-04:00

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

Giant Bubble

2010-09-09T15:00:00.000-04:00

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

The news about Bedbugs

2010-09-09T12:42:00.003-04:00

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

2010-09-02T17:50:00.001-04:00

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

Cat love and hubby love?

2010-08-23T10:37:00.002-04:00

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!

2010-08-20T12:17:00.005-04:00

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!