tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66721835588954232102024-03-12T19:19:00.391-07:00Joy in the JourneyBarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-26033676099407272932013-07-31T07:30:00.000-07:002013-07-31T07:30:03.519-07:00Napping OutsideI would love to be able to nap outside in the crisp cool fall evenings... mild winter days (remember I live in the heart of the deep South.. rarely are we cold)... spring breezes.. and even on those rare summer days when a shower cools things off. I recently saw this swing at a local outdoor store..<br />
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Can't say I love the colors, but it sure looks comfy to me!<br />
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Oh course the ideal thing would be an old fashioned sleeping porch! Maybe the next house...<br />
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<br />BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-56065682336462802802013-07-30T13:20:00.000-07:002013-07-30T13:20:17.067-07:00The Fourth!Our Fourth of July was different this year, but a lot of fun. Normally our kids are here. We have a parade and gathering that morning in our neighborhood and our church has a big community cookout and fireworks that night. Well our daughter was out of town.. our son was here, but he was gearing up to take our youth to camp. And we were invited to participate in a new-to-us event. A year ago my husband changed jobs. Funny thing.. he has worked with the guys at his new place of employment for over 20 years, so it was really a lot like going home. They are a very tight knit group who do a lot of fun things together. Including hosting a 4th of July Parade and party. So we skipped our norm and marched to the beat of a different drummer.<br />
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We were actually in the parade.. no pic of us.. sorry. Next year will be different! My husband often catches the eye of children who think he is Santa. He is a big tall guy with curly white hair and a full white beard.. and he is jovial and his eyes twinkle! So he was dubbed Santa on Vacation at the parade. We road on the back of a convertible and tossed candy to kids. It was fun. Hubby ho-ho-hoed all over the place! But next year we have big plans.. not just us, but our drivers. Christmas music.. decorations.. the works. We are going to play up the Santa on Vacation idea!<br />
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Afterwards we went to one of the hosts' homes.. to the "back 40" where he has a great boat house that looks out over the lake. There was a program with prizes for floats and music and poetry and just a lot of fun.<br />
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We stopped to pledge allegiance to the flag and sing the national anthem.. it was very moving.<br />
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There was even a furbaby in on the fun! (I can only imagine the fireworks Mac and Mia would have caused!)</div>
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Then we chowed down on a burgers and sausage dogs and roasted pig with all the sides and desserts. It was yum! <br />
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And we got to visit with folks we knew and meet others we didn't know. Just a delightful time and not nearly as hot as a typical 4th of July here. A lovely new addition to our 4th of July traditions.. especially as we enter this next season of life where the nest will be empty.<br />
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<br />BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-45602429210856635682013-07-28T10:46:00.000-07:002013-07-28T10:46:00.045-07:00Green Monster!So in spite of (or maybe because of) the homemade ice cream in the last post, we are striving to eat healthier here. Note: that was the only ice cream made so far this summer no matter how temped I have been to make a gallon every week.<br />
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I have seen articles, Facebook Posts and Pins on Pinterest about all kinds of smoothies and both my kids have been drinking them lately, so I decided to give it a try. <br />
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How's this for a colorful drink!?<br />
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Green Monster Smoothie! Oh my! Sooo good! There are a number of recipes and variations for Green Monster, but here is how I make mine... place 1/2 a banana (frozen), 1/2 Tbsp peanut butter, 1/2 c. unsweetened vanilla almond milk and 1/2 a container plain or vanilla Greek yogurt into a blender. Blend until smooth. Blend in 2 cups raw spinach. I add a cup at a time and use a spatula to scrape sides as needed. I also add 5 or 6 ice cubes at the end and blend to make the smoothie thicker. I like mine thick like a milkshake.<br />
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The original recipe doubled all these ingredients, but was just too much for me. I love this for breakfast or lunch. You do NOT taste the spinach. In fact, the main taste is the peanut butter. It is a bit sweeter with vanilla yogurt, but I like it with plain also and plain has fewer carbs, so that is what I use most times.<br />
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I am totally sold on Almond Milk! I use unsweetened vanilla in smoothies and in a lot of cooking.. and on cereal. I love just plain unsweetened also for cereal and cooking. And Silk makes a Dark chocolate one that is amazing when you just want a sweet treat! The calcium in Almond Milk is double that of cow's milk and the calories are a fraction! A great alternative to dairy.<br />
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<br />BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-58740817404091715782013-07-27T10:37:00.002-07:002013-07-27T10:37:44.272-07:00I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for .....ICE CREAM!!!!<br />
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A massive love for ice cream is an genetic condition my husband inherited from his mother and had passed right on to our kids. LOL! And homemade ice cream is the best in his opinion.<br />
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Now I am a good cook.. not bragging.. just being truthful. But there are a few things I have not mastered and just don't really do well at all.. pie crust.. artichokes (don't really want to master them!).. homemade ice cream. I have made it a number of times over the years, but it is always too bland or grainy or just not good. <br />
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Earlier this summer I got a hankering and I decided to try again. I got online and read recipe after recipe and finally found one (through Southern Living I beleive) that sounded good and so I went for it.<br />
And oh man! Was it good.. to good! I really could live off this stuff! It was firmer than regular homemade ice cream, but not hard and the taste was amazing. <br />
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Poor Mac couldn't understand why he couldn't at least lick the bowl!</div>
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<br />BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-26143010087995877592013-07-26T05:21:00.000-07:002013-07-26T05:21:48.618-07:00Late & Mild Start to SummerSpring hung on here .. something that rarely happens. We had mild temps and low humidity really up until the first of June. And while we have experienced good ole summer heat and humidity, our temps have not pushed any records this summer as they usually do. <br />
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The Springlike start to summer provided some lovely days outside enjoying flowers and birds and other past times.<br />
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Daisies! My daisies are too thick and the plants around them have grown so that they don't get the sun they need. Our yard is a do it yourself landscape project. The back yard is great and we have started on the side yard (we have a corner lot). Once we make our way around to the front, daisies and daylillies will move to sunnier locations where they can bloom to their hearts contents! In the meantime.. I had a lovely surprise one day this May when I found these greeting me with their cheery faces!<br />
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One of my favorite past times during our Springish Days was to sit outside a bit while Mac and Mia explorer or just bask in the sun. I would eat lunch or read or, as on this day, work on Bible study. This was the perfect setting to dig into the Word!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KnVr1paav1g/UfJo5IkDvsI/AAAAAAAACj4/PdiiDnInlho/s1600/Mia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KnVr1paav1g/UfJo5IkDvsI/AAAAAAAACj4/PdiiDnInlho/s320/Mia.JPG" width="320" /></a>The Confederate Jasmine has taken off this past year and was lush and full of blooms and provided Mia with the perfect spot to hide! She loved nestling down in the vines and sleeping. <br />
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These days the heat keeps my outside time limited, but in 6 - 8 weeks, we will start having hints of fall. And there will be moments where the weather will entice me to stay outside and play a bit. And maybe, just maybe, there will be a late blooming session among the flowers!<br />
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<br />BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-2135812481994574502013-03-08T16:33:00.000-08:002013-03-08T16:33:07.782-08:00Continuing to thank Him....71. Tex-Mex... really... my husband and I have loved Tex-Mex from day 1 and over the years as the budget was tight and eating out was not an option, I learned to cook a lot of things and one of my "specialties" is Tex-Mex. My kids love it.. there "others" love it... it is a family favorite. And we do it on various levels.. tonight the hub and I are having quick skillet beef tacos, some tamales we picked up at our local tamale place, queso and chips... easy not terribly healthy but oh so good! Our menu also often includes Beef Enchiladas, Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas, Chicken Tacos, homemade queso (tonight it is from a jar) and my special Mexican rice. So good!<br />
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72. Pricking of the Spirit... you know what I mean... recently it was cool and damp and I was piled up on our couch with the pups, a quilt and a book... pure heaven! My husband came in and asked if I would do something for him. It was a very reasonable request... not mean.. not out of line in anyway. And he was busy at the time and needed this thing done. So I did it.. but as I was "doing", I was grumbling in my head. "I was all warm on the couch.. reading my book.. he could do this himself later..." and BAM it hit "Whatever you do whether in Word of Deed, do it as unto the Lord" (My b;ended version of Colossians 3:17 & 23) Whoa! The Holy Spirit reminded me that I was not really doing this for my husband, but for the Lord and my grumbling spirit was aimed at him. It was a humbling moment and it also reminded me that God is always with me and aware of what I think.. speak.. feel.. etc. <br />
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73. Spring.. yes it is March 8, but where I live Spring is in the air and doing its best to burst forth in glorious song! We still have cool night and mornings, but from lunchtime until the sun goes down it is just the right amount of warm.. not hot.. not humid.. and the grass and bushes and plants are turning green and there are buds showing... and yes with it comes a tickly in my throat forewarning of allergy season... and there will be sneezing and watery eyes and pollen but it is sooo worth it! (I will hurt anyone who throws my words back at me when I am in the midst of an allergy attack and whining!)<br />
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74. A Husband who does Yard Work.. right now the windows of the house are open and I can hear my husband edging our yard. We have a lot to edge because we live on a rather large corner lot.. so lots of curb. And my husband is persnickety with the yard. It always looks amazing and I have no doubt I take it for granted. I don't do yard work.. that was established from day 1. I wheeze around fresh cut grass. He did try to teach me to use the weed whacker.. he decided it was safer if I didn't! I do weed flower beds and help pick up sticks and such.. I just don't get to play with the big toys. (And I am fine with that!) But seriously.. I appreciate all my sweetie does to keep the yard looking so nice and clean and inviting. And now that the nest is almost empty, he is back to doing it on his own most days. For a while he had some teenage helpers.. but they grew up.<br />
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75. Thursday Night Bible Study... I lead a group at my church on Thursday nights.. ladies from 20 something (which happens to include my daughter, which is an added blessing!) to 60 something (I don't think anyone is older than that.. the older ladies do a daytime Bible study). I love the ladies who come. It does vary from study to study, but there is that core group that keeps things going. I love their hunger.. their openness.. their real-ness.. sweet ladies and a sweet sweet time together in the Word.<br />
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76. "No".. LOL! I am so thankful for that word at times.. and the ability to say No to somethings and not always Yes. I use to say Yes to everything and I confess I still struggle at times with wanting to do that, but it is so important to say No sometimes.. even to good things. We must seek God and only say Yes to what HE wants us to do. <br />
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77. Lemon Drops.. I mentioned in the Spring comments that my throat is tickly from allergies. I drink tons and tons of water. Truthfully that is all I drink cold. Occasionally I will have fruit or some ginger ale, but I have been a water girl for a long time.. I actually love the stuff! Water helps the tickly, but sometimes I need something more.. so I will suck on some hard candy like a peppermint (only if desperate.. not a big fan of mint alone.. not chocolate mint is a whole nother story!), Werthers (yum!) and today I found some old fashioned Lemon Drops! Oh my... memories rush back of eating these as a kid. And they really do help soothe that niggly tickly in the back of my throat.<br />
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78. Raw Local Honey.. I have always loved honey..and I grew up eating raw honey. My great-uncle had a bee apiary several hours north of us and he always kept up supplied with the golden goodness. I have been buying local honey and using it in my hot tea and recently tried it on oatmeal (didn't wow me). I have seen a "recipe" for making honey lozenges and am thinking of trying that. I have a friend who swears that using 2 Tbsp of raw local honey each day keeps him from ever taking allergy meds. I am hoping he is right and it works for me! No matter.. it tastes soo good!<br />
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79. Mysteries.. I have shared before that I am a lover of books.. devour them.. never have enough time to read all I want to read... and I love mysteries. Now I use to read really detailed intense mysteries, but in the past 10 years, I have mellowed and come to view reading fiction as downtime.. entertainment.. relaxing.. so I am not looking for intense. I love a good cozy mystery with enough twists and turns to keep me intrigued that I can pretty well figure out about 2 chapters before the book ends (no sooner.. that spoils the fun!) I also like mysteries that are in a series and center around a town or group of people... Like the Gray Whale Inn series (so good!) or The Seaside Knitters (Love it!) and many many more! Think I will curl up and read after supper... and I have the perfect furbabies to keep me warm and plenty of quilts!<br />
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80. Life.. not just life here on earth, but Eternal life and the assurance I and every Christ-follower has. Today a man from our church went home to the Lord.. he was 51.. he had a stroke last weekend.. totally unexpected.. his health was fine.. he was fit.. life was good.. he has a lovely wife and a great teenage son.. and now he is gone.. but not really.. He knew the Lord... knew Him personally.. Jesus was and is His Savior and so today without a doubt he is with Jesus.. whole.. healed.. rejoicing. Difficult time for his family, but they have peace knowing where he is and with whom and that they will be with him again one day. Do you have that assurance? If not, please contact me. I would love to tell you how you can. It has absolutely nothing to do with joining a church or a specific denomination... it has everything to do with love.. grace.. relationship.<br />
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Until Next Time.. be JOYful!BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-53863402370352021132013-02-26T09:42:00.000-08:002013-02-26T09:42:00.242-08:00Caught a peep....Saw this in the grocery store yesterday and I knew Easter is on its way!<div>
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Colorful... fun.. and totally nasty to me! I love a marshmallow, but a Peep? EWWW! No thank you! But I do know that they burst forth each Spring to announce the coming of Easter. </div>
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And while perusing the seasonal aisle I caught a glimpse of this...</div>
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I have the clearest memory of my dad bring a bag of Reese's Pieces to my daughter when she was no more than 2. I can see him putting one out for her to try and I can see her face when the taste hits. She was hooked! She loves pretty much anything that combines chocolate and peanut butter. Shortly after that, I discovered these Reese's Pieces Carrots and they have been in her Easter basket ever since. At 25, she doesn't actually get a basket any more.. but I can assure you I will be purchasing a carrot for her. (Remember traditions are big in our family.. and they often involve food!)</div>
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There will be a few other Easter goodies bought despite the fact that we no longer do baskets. My husband will expect to have 2 or 3 of these goodies..</div>
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Snickers Easter Eggs.</div>
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My son's tradition has changed. For many of his 20 years he received these...</div>
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But a few years ago he discovered the Easter version of Lifesaver Gummies. Evidently the flavors used are not the regular ones and can only be found at Easter, so he tends to stock up.. though they never last him that long! LOL!</div>
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And for me.. my favorite Easter candy is one I have loved since I was a little girl. </div>
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My mother owned a pharmacy that was more like a general store and we sold Russell Stover candy there. I remember when the Easter Candy came in and there would be the Coconut Nests.. NOT the eggs with coconut cream filling.. these nests are milk chocolate and toasted coconut shaped like a bird nest and then topped with 3 jelly beans to look like eggs. I usually fed the jelly beans to my dog! (I hate jelly beans) Now I give them to my husband. :-) You can now get a Coconut Wreath at Christmas, making this treat available at other times of year. But I still look forward to it at Easter. Takes me back to my childhood.</div>
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Awww Easter candy.. need to up the walking to get ready! </div>
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BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-71956853967911448572013-02-25T10:01:00.000-08:002013-02-25T10:01:00.174-08:00The counting continues....61. New Bluebird Houses (see earlier post)<br />
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62. Hearing my musician son play and sing (he will leave the nest soon and I won't have him providing the soundtrack for my days any more)<br />
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63. The weekend... it has been one of those weeks and it is nice to be home doing normal home stuff and just relaxing with my husband.<br />
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64. Hints of spring.. I see little green buds and flowers popping up here and there.. Spring will be exploding here very soon!<br />
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65. Hot tea and honey... I am nursing a bit of a scratchy sore throat.. the beginnings of a cold I fear.. and I am so thankful for hot tea with honey to soothe it.<br />
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66. Fabric... I probably have mentioned this one before... but I love being able to cut and sew and create quilts for us and others... and even tiny little scraps no one really wants can be used to create a bit of quilted love. <br />
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67. Organizations like Quilts for Kids, Project Linus, Quilts of Valor etc. that provide quilts for children and veterans in the hospital.. and provide a way for quilters to use their skills to touch someone's life.<br />
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68. Podcasts... I love that I can listen to sermons given years ago and / or miles and miles away with just a touch of a finger. One of the wonders and blessings of technology.<br />
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69. Time with my mom... Mother is 81. She has a pacemaker check this week and afterwards we had lunch at a favorite little cafe and then went to a bookstore. Simple things... just a bit of time... special memories.<br />
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70. Crockpots.. again, I have probably mentioned these before, but I am a huge lover of slow cookers and use them several times a week. Earlier this week I made Rotel Dip in one for Bible study... last weekend I made Hobo Stew.. today I have a new recipe I am trying out.. Tamale Pie (thankful for a husband who is adventurous!) Crockpots are one of my favorite servants!<br />
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<br />BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-38891191003021975672013-02-24T09:45:00.000-08:002013-02-24T09:45:00.514-08:00Repentant...<br />
Our neighbor came over the bring us something. The gruesome twosome were not neighborly. They barked rudely and got a scolding. Here they are afterwards.. don't they look repentant? HA! (Ignore the messy computer cabinet.. didn't get a chance to close the doors before grabbing the shot)<div>
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BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-33826041223525422472013-02-23T09:26:00.000-08:002013-02-23T09:27:27.124-08:00The Heavens Declare..Psalm 19 tells us the Heavens declare the Glory of God. When I hear that verse I think of a night sky full of stars, a brilliant sunrise or sunset, a bright full moon... but I saw just as much glory and beauty in a pre-storm sky the other afternoon as I tooled around the backyard.<div>
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The Heavens Declare....</div>
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BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-8636979537873364122013-02-23T09:24:00.002-08:002013-02-23T09:24:38.275-08:00Ready for ResidentsAs is evident from earlier posts, I am a total nut when it comes to birds.. the outdoor kind. Not a fan of birds in cages. I grew up watching and listening to sparrows, doves, cardinals, jays, mockingbirds, hummingbirds and more. And I have carried that love.. instilled by my mother.. into adulthood and passed it on to at least one of my kids. Over the years we have watched birds build nests.. seen babies fly for the first time.. buried a few that the neighborhood cats or our dogs have gotten.. saved a hummer we were certain was dead.. and spent many hours watching with a Field Guide in our hand to id new to us birds. So it is not surprise that our yard is geared towards birds. My sweet husband landscaped our back yard years ago and made certain we had flowering plants and plants that have berries to attract birds.. as well as bird baths, feeders and houses. And he even put my glider out in the midst of it so I could sit and take it all in. :-) He is a good man!<br />
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We have had bluebird houses on the fence line for many years. Every February we clean them out and wait for the scouts to come exploring. We have watched the mama and papa bluebirds build the nest and even seen them going in and out to feed babies. They don't like to be watched... they are very covert.. I call them secret agent birds. Only once have I seen the babies fly. I was outside doing laundry and heard a sound, turned around and there they were. It was one of the most precious things I have ever seen.<br />
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Several years ago some other kind of bird pecked at one of the houses and made the entrance hole larger.. which meant the bluebirds stopped using it. Both houses were looking ratty and in need of repair or replacement. Then our neighbor decided it was time to replace the fence, so we had to remove the houses before it came down. We decided this was a good opportunity for new ones. Soon we learned that the carpenter where my husband works makes bluebird houses and we ordered up 2 new ones. He brought them in this week and hubs got right to hanging them up. Here they are on the fence row..<br />
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and here is a close up...<br />
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I was sooo excited to see them there. But even more excited the next day when I saw Chickadees going in and out of one the next day! Chickadees are one of my most favorite birds. Did some research and found that they will nest in Bluebird houses. Had no idea!!!<br />
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I have not seen them back there, but the following day I saw bluebirds checking out the new digs.<br />
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So hopefully we will see someone moving in soon. I have a small bowl full of thread scraps from sewing that I plan to toss out once I see nest building activity. Would be fun to see bits of it in the nests around the yard.<br />
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As for the old houses, they are on a shelf in the carport. This winter the wrens and sparrows used them to get out of the cold and rain. We are expecting nests to be built in them this spring too. We have wrens in the carport somewhere every spring. They are too cute but sooo loud! <br />
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Hopefully I will be able to snap some photos of our winged friends... maybe even a shot of a bluebird! That would be a coup!BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-79277230984366295212013-02-16T10:35:00.001-08:002013-02-16T10:36:09.659-08:003 Roses...Valentine's Day is also our firstborn's birthday, so we have kept the Cupid fest simple over the years and celebrate our baby girl instead. But we haven't tosses out all the hearts and candy! Usually I get everyone one candy item. Sometimes a card.. I love cards but the cost of them has gotten ridiculous! Hubby gets in on the act with flowers. Again.. keeping it simple<br />
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White Roses are very special to me. My dad planted roses when I was little and he had one bush that was a white rose. He would tell me that was my rose. So I grew up loving white roses. When I was a teen I made a deal with God... the way I would know the guy was "the guy", he would send me a dozen white roses. I never told a soul. I got white roses over the years.. but never a dozen.. until my 19th birthday. I walked into the dorm and saw them and started to cry. I already knew my fella was "the guy" but that just confirmed it and sent me over the moon! So each Valentine's Day I receive a lovely white rose...<br />
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When our Valentine girl was born, my dad gave her pink roses. My husband decided to continue the tradition and so starting with her first birthday, he gave her a pink rose just as he did this year....<br />
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When our son (baby #2) was a wee one, he asked with a hang-dog look one year why Daddy gave flowers to the girls, but not him. And so a third rose was added.. deep red for his little man... who is not so little any more...<br />
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We are a family who loves tradition... not locked into it or obsessed about it, but we do love it.. cherish it.. look forward to it... memory makers.<br />
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<br />BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-9988747262545674762013-02-16T05:00:00.000-08:002013-02-16T05:00:04.905-08:00PrimosPrimos is a local restaurant that has been in the Jackson area since the 1940s. My folks lived here from 1950 - 1956 and ate there at Primos Cafe. This is a photo of the original Primos...<br />
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After my husband and I moved up here, we started eating at Primos (it had moved to a new location). In fact, when I was pregnant with our first child, I had horrible all day morning sickness. When it finally started to subside a bit, the only thing I could eat and keep down was a grilled cheese and homemade veggie soup from Primos. I ate it daily! The day our daughter was born, friends took Bill to lunch while I got a much needed nap.. they walked across the street from the hospital to.. Primos!<br />
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I worked around the corner from the Cafe and had many business breakfasts and lunches there.<br />
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And then tragedy struck... a fire.. and Primos was gone!<br />
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But not for long. They rebuilt.. in 2 locations.. and we were back in business!<br />
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Our kids have grown up eating there. It is a family favorite. And it is still my favorite local hangout with my husband. It is a bit like going to eat with family. Home cooking.. daily specials.. and the bakery! Oh my! Primos is known for their bakery.. petit fours, cookies, mini pecan tarts, caramel cake, and so much more! <br />
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Primos is far from fancy.... and we like that about it... friendly hometown cafe where you can just go and be yourself and laugh with the locals...<br />
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This is what the Cafe we ate at looked like before the fire.<br />
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This is the front of one of the new locations... Love the neon!<br />
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The interior is very reminiscent of the original... in fact, some of the booths came from there and were refurbished.<br />
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Love the tables.... so 50s.<br />
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One of my favorites.. Chicken Pot Pie with a homemade Primo biscuit on top.<br />
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And lastly the bakery.. which was sooo empty the other night! This was the day before Valentine's and they had been picked over by folks grabbing up goodies for V-Day parties.<br />
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<br />BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-21359499933524407632013-02-15T09:07:00.002-08:002013-02-15T09:07:59.977-08:00Blessings continue....51. Using old family things like crystal and plates and such.<br />
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52. 3 roses.. every year my husband gives me a white rose, our daughter a pink rose and our son a red rose for Valentine's Day.<br />
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53. Sunshine! We have been having weeks of gray skies and rain.. sooo soggy here. Yesterday and today have been bright sunshiny days which I am loving!<br />
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54. My servants.. LOL! A friend calls all our modern conveniences her servants.. in reference to the Proverbs 31 woman's servant girls (Prov 31:15). So far today I have had my dishwasher, washer, and iron serving me. <br />
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55. Towels! As I mentioned earlier we have had lots of rain lately and our poor yard is soggy and has some muddy spots. The 2 pups who live here are indoor doggies, but go out regularly to do what dogs do outside. They are both low to the ground, which means they come in with wet paws and bellies! And one of them loves to splash through mud puddles! So I am very thankful for towels and wash clothes to clean them up (and again for a servant that washes all those towels and wash clothes!).<br />
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56. Family times... last night part of our family gathered to celebrate our daughter's 25th birthday. It was not grand affair.. but so wonderful.. we sat around our old kitchen table (been in my husband's family for several generations).. eating homemade lasagna... laughing.. conversing... lingering... it was lovely!<br />
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57. "Jean" Dates... My mother's name, my daughter and I all have the same middle name.. Jean. And Lord willing, I will one day have a granddaughter with that middle name. (We really love tradition here!) The 3 "Jeans" try to have some just us time every now and then.... we got to do that this week with lunch out together. It was a hoot! Such great memories being made!<br />
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58. Hot tea with honey... I love hot tea and I especially love it with honey.. local honey to be exact. And with this weather we have had lately, I have loved it more as it has soothed an itchy throat and help with coughs. <br />
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59. Waking up with a song playing in my head... 99% of the time it is a worship song or hymn... and it usually sticks with me all day. Love it!<br />
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60. NOT being on a cruise.. LOL! This week a cruise ship broke down in the Gulf of Mexico and the passengers and crew (4600) were stranded with no power and little plumbing for several days as it was slowly towed to shore. Far from an ideal situation! Glad I was home.. on dry ground.. not stuck with a boat load of cranky folks!BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-7975251874804902432013-02-09T10:24:00.002-08:002013-02-09T10:24:58.422-08:00Picking up where I left off...Last year (or maybe even before then!) I started posting blessings. The plan was to post 10 a week. The plan failed. :-( Life got in the way and I chose other things over blogging.<div>
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Well I started reading Ann Voskamp's books One Thousand Gifts recently. In it she talks of making a list of 1000 things that she is thankful for.. I am once again challenged. And the thing I love about her list (what I have read so far) are that they are often the ordinary things we take for granted each and every day.. a bird, heat in the house, the mess of having children underfoot (my nest is almost empty, so trust me I know that one really is a blessing!)... </div>
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I posted 40 things last year.. so today I am going to pick up where I left off. I like to write (talk with my fingers) so I tend to feel the need to expound on each thing I list. I think that is why I often didn't get around to it.. no time to go into detail. This year I am not going to worry about that.. the details.. they may come at times, but even if all I can do is list some things.. that will be enough.</div>
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Thankfulness keeps me focused on God.. on His being at work in my life and the world around me.. lifts my spirits and encourages me to keep on..</div>
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41. Boxes of fabric ready to become quilts to wrap others in a cocoon of love</div>
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42. A car pulled through the carport and parked on the patio (yep.. on the patio).. that means the nest isn't quite empty yet. We still have 1 "child" at home for a bit longer.</div>
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43. My daughter's tweets which are often quotes... we share a love for good quotes!</div>
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44. An over-crowded deep freeze... means there is food to eat for the days to come.</div>
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45. Bowl full of my husband's freshly made pimento cheese.. yum! Also means our child that doesn't live at home will be coming by.. she loves her daddy's 'minter cheese. :-)</div>
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46. Quietness...</div>
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47. Watching our 2 furbabies play and wrestle with each other.. especially when Miss Mia gets fired up and starts to bark that sassy little bark of hers!</div>
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48. Seeing God at work in a very personal way in the life of someone I love</div>
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49. Online Bible Study with new friends (Let It Go study)</div>
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50. A clean kitchen... which I will have once I get off the computer! LOL!</div>
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BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-39360886403538920872013-02-01T09:57:00.001-08:002013-02-01T09:57:19.683-08:00Cornbread.... it's what's for supper!I am a Southern girl through and through. There are a number of Southern foods that course through my veins.. turnip greens, biscuits with fresh cane syrup, peach cobbler, chicken and dumplings, butter beans,..... the list goes on and on... and you can be sure that cornbread is a big part of it.<br />
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I was not a bit fan of cornbread as a kid. Probably because we had it sooo often. It was my mother's go-to bread. Yeast rolls were a huge treat and came at restaurants or when we had company over and had roast. Biscuits were at least once a week, but I never grew tired of them.. how can you grow tired of biscuits! <br />
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I never remember having sliced bread at the table like so many families did. Nope, mother would throw together a pone of cornbread without thinking.. it was the most natural thing for her. I can close my eyes and see her in our little kitchen mixing it all together and later flipping it in the hot cast iron skillet. Pure Magic!<br />
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I married a fella who loves cornbread... would eat it every meal I think! But I never learned to make it, so for the first 10 years or so of our marriage he got Cornbread muffins from Jiffy Mix. He never complained, but I know he relished those meals at Mother's and in restaurants where there was real cornbread. After 10 years of marriage and the birth of our 2nd child, I came home and our income took a dive. I started learning to cook from scratch.. the way my mother and grandmother's did. And I fell in love with it and, I might add, took to it like a duck takes to water. I saw unabashedly that I am a good cook. You need only look at our waistlines to know that! <br />
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One of those from scratch things I learned to make was cornbread and with it came a new found love for it. I was no longer a kid bored with it over and over. I will eat it with a regular meal, but I really love it with soups and stews. Oh my! Soooo good!<br />
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Last night's supper was one of those meals... I discovered a wonderful easy to make soup / stew online this year.. <a href="http://www.deepsouthdish.com/2012/11/ground-beef-hobo-stew.html">Hobo Stew</a>. I love a dish where you toss stuff in a pot, let it cook and voila! You have a yummy meal! And, of course, there had to be cornbread. It goes perfect with this!<br />
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Decided to document the process... phone pictures not perfect. I do not have photo worthy lighting in my kitchen... but they work...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bWfHYbThtc/UQwAlnDeDRI/AAAAAAAACTM/EsQGkTvaXbM/s1600/Mixing+batter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bWfHYbThtc/UQwAlnDeDRI/AAAAAAAACTM/EsQGkTvaXbM/s320/Mixing+batter.JPG" width="240" /></a>I have no recipe (true to many things I cook)... and while I have lovely vintage Pyrex bowls I use for so many things, I always.. always make cornbread in a Pyrex measuring cup. No idea why since I never measure anything when making it. I just do. I also have plenty of whisks, spoons, spatulas etc but I always mix it with a fork... my mom mixed hers with a fork... it's a family thing.<br />
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I have made cornbread for years in a skillet, but when my husband and his sisters were going through their parents estate, they came across cast iron that had belonged to their grandmother. I ended up with a few pieces including a corn bread stick pan. I had one before but the sticks were skinny and shallow and burned easily. This one is perfect! Just the right size. And it is now seasoned to perfection! So in the batter goes.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NDgB99-sy0c/UQwAl36SXPI/AAAAAAAACTU/PBpqFjaOTdU/s1600/Out+of+oven.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NDgB99-sy0c/UQwAl36SXPI/AAAAAAAACTU/PBpqFjaOTdU/s320/Out+of+oven.JPG" width="240" /></a>And 20 minutes later out it comes...<br />
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Let's flip these babies over and see how they look...<br />
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Ready to dip into some stew!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p8-m9g7IV1U/UQwAmvCDX-I/AAAAAAAACTg/qX8jWn4QVOg/s1600/with+stew.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p8-m9g7IV1U/UQwAmvCDX-I/AAAAAAAACTg/qX8jWn4QVOg/s320/with+stew.JPG" width="281" /></a></div>
<br />BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-20207426012864143262012-12-31T13:24:00.000-08:002012-12-31T13:24:00.589-08:00What is that Noise?A week or so ago, I was outside and I heard a rat-tat-tat. We have several River Birches in our yard that are old and in bad shape. They will probably be coming down in the next year or so, which makes me sad. A woodpecker had discovered a damaged section and was having a blast. I even caught a photo of him at work....<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fdSzeIAtgGU/UOCxECAcsJI/AAAAAAAACMI/06mxnc5Hyfk/s1600/Woodpecker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fdSzeIAtgGU/UOCxECAcsJI/AAAAAAAACMI/06mxnc5Hyfk/s320/Woodpecker.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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The next day, I was walking in the yard ago and was right under the tree when once again I heard his rat-tat-tat. I looked up and there was the hole he had made earlier and sticking out of it.. his tail! It was priceless! That tail was moving in rhythm to his tapping. So much fun to watch. Then one of the pups heard someone speak in another yard and felt the need to make his presence known with a bark. The tapping stopped and then Mr. Woodpecker popped his head out and looked all around before flying up into the safety of the higher branches.</div>
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I tried to get photos and videos, but it just wasn't to be. But I have great memories in my mind of watching a funny bird that day. As I have started before, I love birds and the Lord has blessed us with many in our yard to entertain and delight us!</div>
BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-23596024233053470252012-12-30T13:19:00.000-08:002012-12-30T13:19:29.752-08:00Christmastime...We are not one of those families who put Christmas up Thanksgiving night and take it down at Epiphany. Nothing wrong with that.. just not our way. When I was growing up, the tree went up the first day I was out of school for Christmas Break and it went down the last day I was home before returning to school. My husband's family did much the same except the tree went down on New Year's Eve. So we have a tradition here of putting it up around the 15th of December and taking it down New Year's Eve. <div>
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This year it went up a bit early... first weekend in December. And it came down early... earlier than I wanted.. Dec. 27. The boys were ready to have it gone! I got shots of the interior decorations, but not the exterior (which we awesome as usual). No one forewarned me of the de-Christmassing of the house. I went to work one morning with twinkle lights all around and came home to boxes ready to be stored away. </div>
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Here is how the inside looked....</div>
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A small sampling of the nutcrackers my husband has collected over the years. Our kids gave him Sherlock a year ago with the new SH movie (a fave here) and the mouse king is one of him most special nutcrackers.. a gift from our daughter when she was a preteen. </div>
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I love anything to do with snowmen or snow, so I love this nutcracker. Bought the Believe sign last year after Christmas on sale! Had forgotten about it, so it was a new treat when we opened the decoration boxes this year.</div>
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A couple of shots of our kitchen table decked out for the season. </div>
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One more... shows the view out the bay window... our lovely big ole Magnolia tree.</div>
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I also love love love sleigh bells! Hubby found these last year and bought a ton (OK not a ton, but a whole lot!) I love how they look in the trifle bowl.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yDu7_WROaDI/UOCqlNZI8nI/AAAAAAAACJs/FqsX_Ga7EiY/s1600/Bells.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yDu7_WROaDI/UOCqlNZI8nI/AAAAAAAACJs/FqsX_Ga7EiY/s320/Bells.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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And here is a close up of the plate settings. We were given these plates last year.. hand-me-downs. Aren't they cute! I used them for a Ladies Event at church this year. Very cute!</div>
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The dining room table... which is normally sewing central for me. It gets to dress up and show out during the holidays!</div>
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Hubby collects vintage ornaments. Many in the center bowl came from his mom and dad... memories of the Christmas trees of his youth. The long tear shaped ones are from my great aunt. </div>
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Dining room place setting. Our folks gave us Christmas china for several years when we were first married until we had a complete set including plates and cups for wee ones. The glass plates on top came from my in-laws. I love the swirled edging on them.. it mirrors the Christmas china. And the stem ware is nothing fancy... Oneida Chantilly Rose from the 50s. It was my folks "good silver". I remember pulling out the brown wooden case and setting the table with it when we had special company or a holiday. We have that case now and use it fairly often. Memories and family are a big deals here!</div>
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Piano in dining room.. yep, piano in dining room. We have 3 in the house, so we put them where ever we can find a spot! This one was my grandmother's.. the first piano I ever played. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2ioEeHb3Us/UOCqtsoPMlI/AAAAAAAACKk/lOy1SYW0eW8/s1600/MD+Piano.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2ioEeHb3Us/UOCqtsoPMlI/AAAAAAAACKk/lOy1SYW0eW8/s320/MD+Piano.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nativity... same set up as always... cannot imagine it in any other spot in the house. Sometimes I see newer nicer ones and think how they would look here, but then I think Nope... we have a great one. We bought this one with Christmas money from our in-laws the year I was pregnant with younger child. Our older one was 3. So neither one remembers a Christmas without this nativity. And yes, I know the wisemen were not there that night. I feel certain God is ok with them being with our nativity. Oh.. and the angel always goes on the shelf above. :-)</div>
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Last but not least, the tree. (Notice another piano.. this one was my mom-in-laws pride and joy). Our tree is not fancy.. not all coordinated and planned. There is an ornament for each of our 2 kids for every Christmas they have been alive. Those are my absolute favorite ornaments! Years ago when we had 10 or so, I would say "One day these will fill the tree!" Well the kids are now 20 and 24... that's a lot of ornaments and they pretty much do fill the tree! And again.. I LOVE IT! Every ornament on that tree has a story or memory behind it. Even the topper, which was a gift from my husband last year. (Isn't it great!) This tree represents our family... our friends... our lives... Love... Grace... Joy...and that, to me, is what Christmas is all about!</div>
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BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-82118326854972951392012-12-05T07:37:00.000-08:002012-12-05T07:37:16.610-08:0030 Days of Thankful....<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">During November, I posted a "Thankful" every day on Facebook. Meant to post them here too. So here they all are together... 30 days of Thankfulness....</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 1 - God's Word which is more than ink on a page! Hebrews 4:12 tells us it is living and active. I am thankful for it and for the privilege to study it with sweet sisters in Christ.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 2... Provision... I am so thankful that God always provides what our family needs. Not necessarily everything we want, but what we need! And honestly, He has provided much of what we want too! AND in this, I pray that He gives me a grateful and content heart! Even the poorest soul in the USA has more than most of the people that live in other countries in our world. We are truly blessed!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 3 -- Thankful for an extra hour to sleep tonight! Seriously... I need it!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 4 -- Thankful for a Pastor who follows the lead of the Holy Spirit and preaches the Word with courage and boldness.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 5 -- Thankful that yet while I was still a sinner, Jesus died for me. (Rom. 5:8) Salvation -- No greater gift!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 6 -- Today's Thankful is fairly obvious.. I am thankful for the right, privilege, responsibility, freedom to vote! And for those who made (and are keeping) it possible!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 7-- thankful for my church family.... We laugh and cry together... Pray for and encourage each other... Worship together... And much more... We are far from perfect and love each other anyway!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 8 -- thankful for all the "Sisters" God has placed in my life over the years. I am an only girl in a family of boys. But throughout my life God has given me just the right sister-friends at just the right time!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 9 -- Today I am thankful for my neighbors. We have lived in this house for 21 1/2 years and have great neighbors! Some have changed over the years, but many have stayed the same. Our neighborhood is a great family place.. you will find folks walking, biking, kids laughing and playing all around Huntcliff. I thank the Lord for leading us here in 1991!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 10 --thankful for Clinton, MS. I remember Bill and I driving into Clinton for the first time as we were trying to decide where to live in the Metro area. We knew instantly this was home and it has been for 26 years. Clinton is a close-knit family-oriented community....a great place to raise kids...a great place to live!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 11 --on this Veteran's Day, I am thankful for those who have served like my Grandfather in WW1 & my dad and father-in-law in WW2.. And for those serving now, like my nephew, Collier, my favorite Marine! We benefit every day because of their service and sacrifice.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 12 -- Thankful for my good health. Something I think I take for granted. Had my annual physical exam today. 50 and fabulous! All my numbers were great... Bill and the kids are stuck with me a bit longer (Lord willing!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 13 -- I was going to save being Thankful for my sweet William to the last day of November... saving the best for last.. but cannot wait that long! So thankful for this wonderful man the Lord sent my way. I am having a rough day today and he is all about making it better! He has always been great to help around the house and with the kids and never once complained.... he worked for years in a stressful job situation to provide for his family (And PTL God provided a change this summer to something sooo much better!)... he was 100% behind my decision to stay home with the kids and later to homeschool... and he understands my role in caring for an elderly parent these days. He often has to take last place with my time and attention, but doesn't fuss and is always there waiting for me. He loves the Lord and often amazes me with wisdom that can only come from listening to God. He loves our kids passionately and is there for them no matter what, when or why. And he puts up with the wild weiner dogs! LOL! He will always be my knight in shining armor...</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 14 -- I am thankful for my daughter, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/katherine.campbell.923"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">Katherine Campbell</span></a>... she is my precious firstborn... my favorite daughter! LOL! The best Valentine's present I ever got! We have had and continue to have lots of fun momma / daughter times .. we have been blessed to have never really had a season in life where we didn't speak (as moms and daughters often do)... She was born with a heart full of love and compassion and caring... a strong sense of right and wrong and a passion for justice... and she fell in love with Jesus at an early age and has been growing in her relationship with Him ever sense. She knows the value of chocolate, a good book, long hot baths and pedicures! She can be a tad bit stubborn (that is the "Jean" in her) but she is also fiercely loyal and sticks by her friends no matter what. From day 1 folks have told us how beautiful she is.. and they are right.. her smile is magical! but her beauty goes far beyond what the eye can see... She is managing a job and grad school and living with my mom! No doubt she can handle anything that comes her way! I love you, Kay-Doodle! You are my heart!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 15 -- Thankful for my "baby" boy... <a href="https://www.facebook.com/w.luke.campbell"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">Luke Campbell</span></a> My sunshine... no one can boost my spirits or make me laugh the way Luke can. He came into this world "singing" loud and arms flailing (I think he was looking for a guitar to play) and hasn't slowed down since! Anyone who knows me knows he is my favorite musician / worship leader. I could listen to him sing and play music forever. But he is more than a big bundle of musical talent. He has a sharp wit.. a keen mind for business.. and the depth of his faith blows me away. He is the worshipper described in John 4:23-24... and he is a Man after God's on heart. What more could a mom wish for! The boy seems to be able to do anything he sets his mind too... very much a renaissance man. And while he is so like his mother in personality, he has his dad's sense of leadership, integrity, work ethic and protectiveness over those he loves. If my Daddy were still here, he would say "He's a fine boy." And he is!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 16 -- I am thankful that as a believer I can come boldly before the throne of God and laydown my burdens, as well as those I carry for others. (Heb 4:16. Gal. 6:2). This week has been one of need after need after need.. a friend's mom was hospitalized for heart issues and while there the friend's husband lost his job and his sister died... the tragic wreck in Crystal Springs that claimed the lives of 3 children and their great-grandmother... the men killed in the plane crash in Jackson... the issues in Israel... a friend's grandchild is ill and the doctors cannot figure out what is wrong.. people in the hospital with pneumonia, cancer and other health issues.. financial stress.. marital problems... on and on and on... it can seem overwhelming BUT GOD... those are 2 of the best Words in the Bible.. BUT GOD is Sovereign in everything and He does not call me or you to carry these burdens alone... in fact, He tells us to GIVE them to Him.. (Matt 11:28, 1 Peter 5:7). Thank You, Father! The load is too heavy for my feeble shoulders to bear.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 17 -- Thankful for food... seriously... I am not talking about loving to eat, I am thankful that we have food in the pantry, fridge, freezer etc. That we have the money to go to the store and purchase what we need (and what we want). Hunger is epidemic in this world.. and the US is not immune. So many go to bed each night with empty bellies and no assurance of a meal when they wake up. Our church has a food pantry (that needs to be filled!), as do other churches and ministries.. there are soup kitchens and shelters that provide meals to homeless... please, please take the time to give to these.. send $, take food, give of your time to serve others. Let God bless someone through you and I promise you will be blessed too! “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat..." Matt. 25:34-35</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 18 -- Thankful to see God at work in the "younger" generation. So often I hear folks talking about the problems with the youth today.. and I admit there are problems just as there have always been. But there are good "kids" out there.... God is raising up a generation that, I feel, is like no other. I see high school, college age and young adults on fire for the Lord....seeking Him... digging into the Word and really looking to see HOW to live it out. I challenge you to take time to talk with the "younger" generation.. you just might be surprised at what you find there.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 19 -- Today's Thankful is focused on material blessings.. specifically our cars! Here's the deal.. in 30 years of marriage Bill and I have purchased 9 cars (we drive them til they die!) .. that includes 1 for each of our 2 kids and 7 for Bill and I. The first 2 had car notes but since 1989 we have not had a note! And since 1992 we have lived on 1 income. God has kept vehicles going and provided the funds to purchase "new" (new to us) ones when He deemed it time. He blows me away with His provision! And when I would have those moments of feeling sorry for myself because I didn't have a newer vehicle.. or a cute one ... or come such silliness, I remembered that we each have a car that is paid for... no sharing... We act like it is a necessity, but it isn't.. it is a luxury.. one I often take for granted.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 20 -- Thankful for the beauty of nature. God has given us so much to enjoy with our senses. The colors of fall leaves ... Spring flowers... Green grass of summer.. A crisp blue winter sky.. The sounds of birds, crickets, even frogs.... The smell of a soft spring rain, gardenias and sweet olive in bloom... The taste of honeysuckle (I remember plucking them fresh off the vine at my grandmother's)....the feel of clover under bare feet... Wind on your face... I love God's beautiful creation!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 21 -- thankful that death is not the end for a Believer... "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants."(Psalm 116:15 NIV) I rejoice knowing that Bill Gambill is standing before The Lord whole and healed. And while my heart aches for his sweet Frances, I rejoice in the assurance that she is being held and comforted by her Lord.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 22 -- Thankful for the freedoms we have in this country... I am well aware of the changes in recent years.. the threats to our freedoms.. but as of today, we can still worship openly.... speak our mind... share Jesus... and so much more. Don't take these freedoms for granted....</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 23 - Thankful today that I come from a family with a legacy of marriage and married a man who has the same. My folks were married 46 years.. their folks 49 and 58... Bill's folks 54.. his grandparents.. ready for this? 71 years! We are aiming to break that record! Today, we are going to celebrate my uncle and aunt's 50th wedding anniversary. In an age where divorce is more and more the norm, it is wonderful to have examples of folks not just being in love but being committed to staying together and having the Lord at the center of their marriage.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 24 -- in my drug induced state, I forgot to post a Thankful yesterday... Will go with an easy and obvious one... I am Thankful my Rebs won the Egg Bowl! Hotly Toddy!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 25 -- Thankful for the "Pauls" in my life... Those women who have shared wisdom and their love for The Lord and His Word with me. My mom and my grandmothers definitely fall into this group... As do others like Jinnie Boyd, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mot.lyons"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">Mot Lyons</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gale.jones.5268"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">Gale Jones</span></a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=757298464"><span style="color: #021eaa; letter-spacing: 0px;">Lois Walker Breneman</span></a>. I share things I learned from these ladies often! Thankful for each one!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 26 -- Thankful for Internet Shopping and Cyber Monday deals... I am not a big fan of shopping, so this is the way to go for me! But I do spread some $$$ locally too... I like finding unique .. quirky.. special gifts in little local shops. AND I am thankful that our family doesn't go crazy with gifts.. that my kids know there is a lot more to Christmas than presents under the tree (and the debt that often comes with them!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 27 --- thankful for books and the ability to read. I really cannot remember when I could not read. Memorized and repeated stories my mom read to me or from my record player. Had those read along books... Mom said I would read them to my dolls and at end of each page I would say"turn the page" just like it said on the record! I was reading on my own at 4... Devoured books.. Still do. A total bookworm. And I love it! Fiction.. Non-fiction.. And most of all the Word! Parents, turn off tv, take a break from computer, Video games, iPad etc. and read to your kids! Teach them the value of reading... Expanding your mind... Being still and quiet and soaking up knowledge... Letting go of cares of the world and escaping into a great story! Books are magical!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 28 -- Yep, got busy and forgot to post yesterday! Thankful for the busyness in my life ... most days! LOL I love that my life is full... From my kids(who still need Mom even though they are grown) to my mother who requires more of my time these days... To ministry / church activity....taking care of my hubby and home... And other things that take up my time... I complain at times of being too busy, but I would hate to have nothing to do... No purpose... No one needing me... No call on my life. The key (and I don't always do this well) is balance. Learning to say no.. Stop and rest.. Relax... Think that will be a goal for 2013... Balance!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 29 -- Thankful for music. I grew up in a family of music lovers with varied tastes... So I tend to be very eclectic musically. My dad sang me to sleep with Patsy Cline and Hank Williams... Clarence would play Otis Redding and Ike and Tina as he drove me to school... Dan serenaded me with Simon and Garfunkel's Scarborough Fare, Alyson introduced me to America and Mother sang hymns and a funny wake-up song she made up. I grew up with Michael Jackson, Dan Fogelberg, the Comadores, Pink Floyd, Queen, Carly Simon, JT, and so many more! Love the old big band singers and rat pack! Some of my best memories were singing in the gym at Trinity at Christmas. Mrs. Parker was in center pounding out carols on the grand piano as we sang. I still revert to Latin when I hear "O Come all ye Faithful." My Mama Daisy set me in front of her piano when I was a tot and announced I would play one day! I married a musical fella and our home has been filled with song ever since. And one of my absolute favorite ways to worship is through music. Music.. One of life's greatest pleasures... No doubt a precious gift from The Lord.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 30 -- I am thankful for life.. the one God has given me and the one to come at death. The Word makes it clear that I am not an accident... God knit me together in my mother's womb (Ps 139) .. He has a plan for me (Jer 29:11).. and He has good works prepared for me to do from before the beginning of time (Eph 2:10)... I have had valleys and mountaintops and everything inbetween, but I have never once been alone (Heb 13:5)... I have been blessed in ways I never even imagined to ask... and the really cool thing is I know without a shadow of a doubt that once I leave this earth, my life will not end... in fact, my true life... one that is perfect.. no pain, no sorrow.. all mountaintop.. will begin and it will last forever! If you do not have that certainty.. you can. It is really very simple and straightforward. If you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and confess with your mouth God raised Him from the dead, you WILL be saved. (Rom 10:9-10). You do not have to clean up your act... get yourself together... say magic words.. do good deeds to earn it... nope.. Free Gift! (Eph 2:8-9) Yours for the taking! If anyone here wants / needs to know more, please message me. I would love to talk with you.. pray for you... I am hoping for a HUGE reunion in Heaven one day with friends from all walks of my life... will you be there?</span></span></div>
BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-33763700848280553282012-06-27T07:57:00.000-07:002012-06-27T07:58:03.390-07:00Belated Gratitude....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My daughter and I have been meeting up each morning to walk at a local park. It has a track (that needs some repair, but is usable). And it is super shady! Which means it is cooler than most walking spots. This morning she couldn't walk with me, so instead of trucking over to the park, I decided to head off into the neighborhood. I was hopefully the heat and humidity would be too bad at 6:45 a.m.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was lovely... I caught a lot of shade on the streets I chose (lots of big trees in our neighborhood). There was an occasional breeze and it wasn't hot! (That was amazing). Spoke with a number of neighbors who were watering plants or picking up their newspaper and even a friend who was out walking too.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I even commented to God how much I love our neighborhood.. love having a place to walk that is safe and friendly.. and then it hit me. A few months ago I decided I had to have a treadmill.. and not a cheap one.. I wanted a good one. Well my husband wasn't gungho.. they take up a lot of room and we really don't have a place for one. And while he did not say it, I know he feared it would sit unused after the novelty of it wore off. And really we don't have the $ for that purchase right now. So I grumbled a bit under my breath.. and felt sorry for myself.. and decided I would not be able to walk this summer with the heat since I couldn't have my treadmill. (It was a full blown pity party!) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning I realized that God had provided what I needed to walk.. a shady park.. a comfortable morning in the neighborhood.. I even have DVDs I can use inside on those days when the heat is just too much. He had take care of it all and I was taking it for granted. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So today I am grateful first and foremost for a God who meets my needs... gives me the desires of my heart in His time and His way, cause that is always best. And I am thankful for the shady park and my neighborhood.. for my neighbors.. and most of all for my daughter who is keeping me motivated. We have lovely morning time together in the park!</span></div>
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<br /></div>BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-32152366661938059982012-05-19T12:03:00.000-07:002012-05-19T12:03:56.130-07:00Sweet Magnolias...I have loved Magnolias all my life. I am from the Magnolia State afterall! We have a large gorgeous tree on the East side of our home outside our breakfast, kitchen and laundry room windows. I love that tree. I love watching the birds skitter about in the branches.. love the deep green of the leaves.. the red berries that show up after the creamy white blooms have played out.. the light sweet scent that lingers in late spring while the tree is in bloom... I really love seeing red birds on the branches.. that red against the green leaves! Wow! And a few times we have had snow and red birds at the same time. Amazing!<br />
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The Magnolia is starting to bloom right now. I love to find a bloom that hasn't opened and then watch it progress day by day from a bud to a wide open flower. Here are a few photos showing the various stages... Once again I wish I could attatch smells to this blog.. light sweet fragrance... hmmmm...<br />
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The white bloom will actually turn a golden brown color as it dies. As strange as it may sound, those dying blooms have a beauty all their own. We don't have any of those yet.</div>
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Here is a shot of our tree.. I couldn't get it all in the frame.. it is sooo tall.... it was about half this size when we moved here 21 years ago.</div>
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One more thing I love about that tree... memories of my kids climbing in it! Magnolias have great branches for climbing!BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-11045341980308691412012-05-16T11:05:00.003-07:002012-05-16T11:05:24.808-07:00the simple woman's daybookI have seen this mentioned and shared on other blogs and always think it is neat. So I decided to try it here. I hope I do it correctly! The main site is found here... <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">the simple woman's day book</a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">FOR TODAY</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Outside my window... the sun is shining and I have been watching birds flit from flowers to feeders (which are now empty and need to be refilled)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I am thinking...that I need to do something more productive than being on the computer!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I am thankful...for the life the Lord has given me.. for peace.. for the assurance that He is Sovereign over every detail!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">In the kitchen...I have yummy smoked chicken salad, as well as the makings for big green salads with grilled chicken and other yummy additions. Nothing cooking today.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I am wearing...t-shirts and shorts... at home attire.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I am creating...a scrappy disappearing nine-patch quilt.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I am going...to church tonight for our mid-week service REFRESH. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I am wondering...how something is going to play out in my life.. waiting to hear about "it".. another lesson in patience!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I am reading... A Time to Heal by Barbara Cameron and Mighty Prevailing Prayer by Wesley Duewel.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I am hoping...in the Lord.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I am looking forward to...lots of things.. quiet weekend with my husband, starting up the next Ladies' Bible study at church in a few weeks, being with church family tonight to pray, .........</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I am learning that thoughts are powerful and negative thoughts are often rooted in sin.. mainly pride!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Around the house...laundry is done (thanks to my sweet husband who finished it up for me!), the pups are napping (again!), it is quiet as I am home alone.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I am pondering... how to get my motivation back for exercising.. especially with the summer heat and humidity here!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">A favorite quote for today... You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough for me. C. S. Lewis</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">One of my favorite things...my quiet time basket. It is a large footed basket we found at my grandmother's home after she died. That was almost 30 years ago! I have used it ever since and it still looks great. Keeps me connected to her. :-)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">A few plans for the rest of the week: Normal house stuff.. more laundry, some cleaning, things like that. I need to catch up on some blogging. Continue working on Bible study. Church tonight and Sunday. Empty Nest Friday and Saturday. A fairly quiet week.. yeah!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">A peek into my day... fabric is calling my name....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-59018043016493101132012-05-09T09:56:00.000-07:002012-05-09T09:56:02.825-07:00Memory Lane -- the Annex Chocolate Chip Cake<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I grew up in a fairly small town. When I graduated high school the population was around 20,000. Yes, I am aware there are towns much, much smaller.. but there are also towns / cities much, much larger. And honestly the small townness of my hometown had more to do with attitude than numbers. It felt like a small town. Everyone knew everyone else and all their business! There were no secrets (or very few) in my hometown.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">My hometown is located an hour and a half from any larger city. There are a zillion little communities all around... mostly rural, country communities. To do serious shopping in the big city, we had to drive 90 minutes or more. I grew up in the 60s and 70s, so there were very few chain stores or restaurants etc. and we had none. We were off the beaten path.. so no reason to be there. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I grew up going to locally owned businesses... many had been in the same family for generations... and I knew the owners. I bought shoes from Mr. Case at Case Shoes.. he went to market with his customers in mind. I remember hearing him say to a lady once “I found the perfect shoes at market to fit your narrow heel”... the ladies at my favorite clothing store would call every so often and say “We just got in a shipment of dresses and I put several back in your size that will be perfect for you!” I would then run by the store and pick up those dresses.. without paying.. take them home and try them on. Keep what I wanted.. return the rest.. all went on my parent’s charge account. No Visa.. No MasterCard.. no Credit Check. This was true with pretty much every business in town.. including restaurants. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">I remember when we got our first fast food chain.. Burger King. Kids were overjoyed! Before that we had to make do with the local burger joints.. the Homochitto Malt Shoppe and the Belmont Shake Shoppe (don’t you love the names!).. or Kathy’s Dairy Bar! Restaurants were the same.. we ate catfish at Jughead's... elegant fare at The Side Track.. homemade croutons and peanut butter at the Rendezvous...</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Recently we celebrated my husband’s birthday. I decided to take us back to my hometown.. at least in our minds.. and relive one of those yummy memories. My husband did not grow up in my town, but moved there for work after college. We courted there and lived there the first 4 years of our marriage. One of our favorite places was owned by a local doctor’s wife... The Annex Tea Room. The Annex was located in a sort of warehouse... not a super large one. It had housed a heating and cooling supplier once and had brick walls, concrete floors and the high ceiling was covered with exposed pipes. By today’s standards it would be considered industrial. Mrs. Amacker, the owner, filled it with oak pedestal tables she bought at estate sales, antique shops, flea markets etc. And oak chairs. It was not matchy at all! She added white table cloths and flowers every where. It was wonderful! The recipes were her own.. the best chicken salad ever, fruit plates with poppyseeed dressing, homemade bread with butter, broccoli soup, roast beef sandwiches, ham sandwiches, and the desserts.. oh my! </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">One of our favorites was her Chocolate Chip Cake... and that is what I made for Hubby’s birthday. I did alter it a slight bit. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Here is the original recipe with my changes noted below.<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Annex Tea Room Chocolate Chip Cake</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Bring to a roiling boil. Add 1 box powdered sugar. Beat until ready.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">NOTES: I made the cake as instructed except I baked it in a Bundt Pan. And then instead of icing, I made a chocolate glaze and drizzled over the cake (found a recipe online). I then added some sprinkles since we were celebrating.. how can you have a birthday without sprinkles! It was YUM!!!!! A Huge Hit that was gobbled up quickly. No doubt it will show up here again to provide another trip down memory lane.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Oh yes... Mac and Mia did not get to sample the birthday cake but they did celebrate. They ran a wild wiener dog race around and around the house until they both collapsed with exhaustion!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-4327365833204625322012-05-04T14:40:00.001-07:002012-05-04T14:40:41.787-07:00Yard UpdateThought I would share some photos to show where things are with the yard and all the flowers and such...<br />
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My husband plants a lot of the same plants each year.. plants we love like petunias and verbena..<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-keSJyFW26xM/T6RI899U_mI/AAAAAAAAB7k/rHWyL7TVrNo/s1600/Petunias.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-keSJyFW26xM/T6RI899U_mI/AAAAAAAAB7k/rHWyL7TVrNo/s320/Petunias.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZ_YrY73n6Y/T6RLq4TcikI/AAAAAAAAB8U/Pzad6ZmheSo/s1600/Purple+Petunia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZ_YrY73n6Y/T6RLq4TcikI/AAAAAAAAB8U/Pzad6ZmheSo/s320/Purple+Petunia.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xkZs42hf8Js/T6RJB6fpBYI/AAAAAAAAB78/rYfqoF0Xw3E/s1600/Verbena.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xkZs42hf8Js/T6RJB6fpBYI/AAAAAAAAB78/rYfqoF0Xw3E/s320/Verbena.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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but he always enjoys adding something new to the mix. This years newbie is Agapanthus.. Lily of the Nile. These plants grow sooo tall! We have to whose blooms are just about to open that are easily 3 feet or more. We have 2 others (pictured below) that are not as tall and have nice open blooms. I love the soft lavender / lilac color.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3s5x9Qh0MXo/T6RIzzg7zqI/AAAAAAAAB6s/KaqFUXZRaHw/s1600/Agapanthus1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3s5x9Qh0MXo/T6RIzzg7zqI/AAAAAAAAB6s/KaqFUXZRaHw/s320/Agapanthus1.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wAw9VaXqrx0/T6RIyHein1I/AAAAAAAAB6k/soeQPxuj1bA/s1600/Agapanthus+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wAw9VaXqrx0/T6RIyHein1I/AAAAAAAAB6k/soeQPxuj1bA/s320/Agapanthus+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We have Asiatic Jasmine in our bed and I love it! It has spread and filled in some bare spots and is so rich and lush with color. I really do love it!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVhnaCd5Y7c/T6RI0rBoSdI/AAAAAAAAB60/1FDZo1_Zq70/s1600/Asiatic+Jasime.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVhnaCd5Y7c/T6RI0rBoSdI/AAAAAAAAB60/1FDZo1_Zq70/s320/Asiatic+Jasime.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And I shared earlier about our confederate jasmine. It continues to grow and bloom profusely! Love it too!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQjtvX-qnEI/T6RI3kTHvII/AAAAAAAAB7M/04dsL19gEt8/s1600/Confederate+Jasmine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQjtvX-qnEI/T6RI3kTHvII/AAAAAAAAB7M/04dsL19gEt8/s320/Confederate+Jasmine.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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When we planted these beds years ago, my husband's new discovery was Anthony Waterer Spirea. We planted two and have enjoyed watching them grow and bloom with these bright pinky-purple flowers.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNJyOMhihZ0/T6RI9wGUj-I/AAAAAAAAB7s/JNOt1iA1gVw/s1600/Pink+Purple+Spirea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNJyOMhihZ0/T6RI9wGUj-I/AAAAAAAAB7s/JNOt1iA1gVw/s320/Pink+Purple+Spirea.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A few years later we planted a third... only to discover its blooms are white and a lighter purple. We love them both.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UFNYg2Kw7Kc/T6RJC6YyTII/AAAAAAAAB8E/xIMTAxKQaGg/s1600/White+Purple+Spirea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UFNYg2Kw7Kc/T6RJC6YyTII/AAAAAAAAB8E/xIMTAxKQaGg/s320/White+Purple+Spirea.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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As always I have herbs growing and yes, I use them in cooking! In fact last weekend our son used some of the mint to make Blueberry-Mint-Lemonade. I, for some reason, failed to snap a photo of the mint or the oregano... but here are the other 3 we have this year..</div>
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Isn't this thyme lovely.. so green!</div>
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Rosemary... one of my favorites!</div>
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Basil... ranks up there with Rosemary! I use a bunch of both of these,</div>
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While out in the yard, I noticed the blue birds going in and out of the house. Couldn't catch the Mr. but got a nice shot of the Mrs.</div>
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The day before these photos were taken we had some rain and wind. Our River Birches always loose some twigs and such. A nice size limb fell that day. Mia had to investigate, but deemed it safe and went on to better things. </div>
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Be Joy-filled!</div>
<br />BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672183558895423210.post-14411943039433853212012-04-27T07:12:00.001-07:002012-04-27T07:12:18.379-07:00Morning WalkI enjoy morning walks, especially in my neighborhood.. which is a great place to live! We have been here 20+ years.. so it is home.. we are rooted here. As I was walking yesterday, I took some pictures. I tried desperately to snap some shots of the crazy squirrels and their antics, but they would never let me get close enough. I also tried to capture some pictures of the lovely birds that fill our trees with their songs, but again.. they skittered away. There was this one fat robin that I tried to stealthily chase down.. didn't work! Evidently, I don't have what it takes to be a stalker.<div>
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But I did get shots of flowers and such... one of my favorite subjects!</div>
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A number of our neighbors have knock-out roses in this vibrant red-pink color.</div>
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These neighbors always have lovely blooms in their yard!</div>
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Our neighborhood was built in the early 1970s, so we have nice big lush trees for shade </div>
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and to house those crazy squirrels and melodic birds.</div>
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So the sun was soo bright that this picture didn't come out like I wanted.. BUT you can see the size of this majestic pine and also the gorgeous blue sky we enjoyed here yesterday.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FiJp7OJbVPs/T5qm8rj3UEI/AAAAAAAAB4U/1umYnopA1Mc/s1600/oleander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FiJp7OJbVPs/T5qm8rj3UEI/AAAAAAAAB4U/1umYnopA1Mc/s320/oleander.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I love oleander!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcsAkAK51cE/T5qm73EwfJI/AAAAAAAAB4E/vqlIknOxoS0/s1600/clematis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcsAkAK51cE/T5qm73EwfJI/AAAAAAAAB4E/vqlIknOxoS0/s320/clematis.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Horrible photo.. I know.. I am determined to take another and post soon. But I wanted you to see the vibrant color of this clematis. Isn't it gorgeous!?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A0Zj4PXJBTI/T5qm7fvYDmI/AAAAAAAAB38/82kVnjLRll0/s1600/bush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A0Zj4PXJBTI/T5qm7fvYDmI/AAAAAAAAB38/82kVnjLRll0/s320/bush.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Yes, that is a bush... look at the depth of variation of the greens. I love the greens of nature!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dFbTYyP2jvA/T5qm8IkvzXI/AAAAAAAAB4M/HjrJt5DVyjg/s1600/cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dFbTYyP2jvA/T5qm8IkvzXI/AAAAAAAAB4M/HjrJt5DVyjg/s320/cross.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The cross in this yard is cute, but I took this shot because of those ropes. They have foot loops at the bottom. I have no doubt you will often find children swinging and giggling here. Fun!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DVv4ZZrZxME/T5qm-Q3WfRI/AAAAAAAAB40/7aaVVPgUQHY/s1600/stop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DVv4ZZrZxME/T5qm-Q3WfRI/AAAAAAAAB40/7aaVVPgUQHY/s320/stop.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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A reminder to STOP today and enjoy the beauty the Lord has placed all around you. </div>
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There is nothing like Spring in the South!</div>
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</div>BarbChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709508590110510323noreply@blogger.com0