His Glory Manifest

This early morning photo as I looked out toward the western sky charmed me with the rosy glow of sunshine on the distant hills and the silvery moon hanging ever so fleetingly on the horizon! It was a form of worship this morning as I contemplated the glory of the Lord in His creation... even though we could get out to church this morning we can dwell in this, His temple, in contemplation for His goodness, His mercy, Hisbeauty and provision! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!

January Storm

As I peer out the window I see 9 inches of fresh, fluffy, beautiful snow falling so ever so lightly yet constantly accumulating over all.... It is gorgeous.... and thankfully easy to shovel.. praise the Lord!! We are so fortunate not to have gotten the freezing rain and inches of ice before the snow started last night like so many localities to our west. Just the recipe for a quiet, restful Saturday here at home!

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday!!

I love my new tea pot pictured above.... purchased in Lititz, PA at the Swiss Woods Bed and Breakfast. Not only does it hold marvelous memories made on our first trip to Boston to see the kids, but it makes a mean pot of tea.... just the thing I am thinking about today as the snow is piling up out side the window.This is a perfect day for drinking tea and reading that new book I got for Christmas..... The Cranford Chronicles! I love days like today!


Enjoy Pink Saturday and be sure to check out all the Pink celebrators at Beverly's, How Sweet the Sound!!!

Skywatch Friday

The gathering before the storm....
We here in Virginia are in for it tonight! The massive storm system is spreading eastward across the midsection of the US and we here are in for a direct hit! I do love snow, but not too much! It makes for fun blogging though, so stay tuned!!!

Visit Skyley for more gorgeous skies!!!

Three or More Tuesday

Ever since I had a spyware issue last week I have been having some small difficulties with various computer sites, primarily, photobucket... it wont allow me to upload photos and so I have been trying everything I can think of to resolve this problem. The support team at photobucket has worked tirelessly to help me but we have made no progress thus far.... I refuse to be deterred however....
I will persevere with other avenues.
Ever since we heard that our daughter is coming to spend a weekend with us in February I just cant seem to get her off of my mind....
I think of the thrill we had throughout the adoption process... our long wait and the excitement of going to Philadelphia to pick her up at the airport.
How she loved to dress up in her traditional Korean dresses~

well, she just loved to dress up~



Did I mention she is also very patriotic... or is it she is just a little flambouyant?

Or is it that she is just such a marvelous sweetheart and finds joy in everything she does?

I love how she loves the men in her life!!



Did I mention she is so accomplished?

whether she is playing the violin, piano, or in the kitchen..


or working in her lab as a research scientist...

She is one smart cookie..

and we couldnt love her more!

We are just so blessed to know she and he husband are hosting and leading their Bible study in their home tonight.... may the Lord bless them !
For more TOMT visit here!

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday!!

I had something special I wanted to share today... but photobucket just wouldnt upload today for me so I am resorting to a vintage image that I just love.... I really associate with this sweet romantic picture. ....it definitely represents Lynn and I throughout the 43 years we've been together.... 38 years of marriage+ 5 years of courtship. He is my most wonderful sweetheart.


Now if you are interested in all things vintage , especially gorgeous antiques quilts.... then you will especailly love visiting with Jeanne, The Backyard Neighbor. You're bound to just want to spend a good bit of time with her, so visit when you have time to sit a spell...

Enjoy Pink Saturday and be sure to check out all the Pink celebrtors at Beverly's, How Sweet the Sound!!!

Skywatch Friday

Winter's grasp on our fair valley here in Southwest Virginia.
More skies around the world are at Skywatch Friday.

You've Got Mail Reading Challenge

To learn more about this challenge please click HERE .

Just to reiterate...
The challenge runs from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 and you may join at any time. You may overlap with other challenges. There is no set number of authors/books to read. You can choose to read anywhere from one to all from the list below.

Any book by or about the following authors:
Jane Austen
L.M. Montgomery
Maud Hart Lovelace
Noel Streatfeild
Roald Dahl
Kay Thompson
Shel Silverstein
E.B. White
Beatrix Potter
Dr. Suess
Ludwig Bemelmans
Mario Puzo
George Bernard Shaw
Thomas Jefferson


As a retired elementary teacher, of course, I am already taken by Roald Dahl, his children's as well as more mature fiction.... and of course, Potter, Silverstein, Suess and E.B. White are favorites. As an incurable romantic I continue to return to Austen and Montgomery to satisfy my heartstrings! I am challenged by the rest of this list and look forward to new discoveries!!!

Word Filled Wednesday

Visit Critty Joy for more WFW!

Ruby Tuesday

It's time for me to start thinking about Valentine's Day!
Last year the mantel sported a festive array of color.


Many of those decorations were gifts I had received from internet friends from all over the country which made the decor so much more special.

Last year we also had our children around during Valentine's!

So that when the family all got together.. well, it was sublime!

So this year... it may be very different.... but our valentine's day will be special.... because there is so much love no matter what, or who,, we'll have a grand time!!
You need to visit The Work of the Poet for more RT!!!!

Three or More Tuesday

Just a little glimpse around the house today....

One of my favorite spots is my "Secret Place"... the place where I do my Bible reading, studying, and prayer time!


A little bit of valentine bliss showed up in the dining room!


Although the sunroom still hosts a bit of wintry mix!



Visit the Gypsy's Corner for more TOMT!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY... from Carolyn's Daybook

Outside my window... a mush more moderate day... the sun is bright, the temps rather mild! The snow which has lain on the ground since mid December is fast disappearing!! YAAYAA!

I am thinking... how wonderful it was to reconnect with Lynn's cousin and her husband last night!

I am thankful for... these 4 day weekends Lynn and I have enjoyed this weekend.... I'll be so glad when he is able to retire in a couple of years!

I am wearing... jeans and my red turtleneck

I am remembering... that I have quite a bit of bible study form the Beth Moore class, Jesus, the One and Only to finish today!!

I am going... to just enjoy this quiet week... not too many plans... no one to take to a doctor... just relax and get some things done around home.

I am currently reading... this month's, TeaTime magazine, The Cranford Chronicles, and and my ongoing Bible study.

I am hoping... that we can establish some short and long range plans regarding some domestic and relational issues in the coming days. It is time to regroup and organize for spiritual growth, improvements in our domicile, and relationshps with others.

On my mind... I want to find time to get back into card making and some oil painting.. but that requires another major overhauol of my studio space.

Noticing that... the days are really getting longer.... can spring really be too far away?

Pondering these words...
G. K. Chesterton: Comforts that were rare among our forefathers are now multiplied in factories and handed out wholesale; and indeed, nobody nowadays, so long as he is content to go without air, space, quiet, decency and good manners, need be without anything whatever that he wants; or at least a reasonably cheap imitation of it.

From the kitchen...trying to finish up a myriad array of leftovers.... soon... someday, perhaps tonight. Main course... Sam's rotisserie chicken and potato cakes for sure.

Around the house... loads of laundry... straightening the dining room and then beginning the seemingly neverending chore of organizing this studio!

One of my favorite things~ celtic music

From my picture journal...

Looking so forward to the day when this scene is gone and new life is springing forward! This snow is vintage December 17,2009.
For more SWD visit Peggy's blog!

Cousins!

Why is it that when the older generations give way, the grand parents attain their heavenly reward, that families tend to drift apart. Aunts, Uncles, and cousins just seem to have a hard time staying in touch. One such cousin of mine, Gary, is and always will be a favorite... But after Granny was gone, our families just lost the impetus to stay close. We and they busily raised our families. Our children hardly ever getting together until just recently, of course, they are all grown now... and I regret that they didnt have the opportunity to knit together as kids..
I mean, Gary and I were such sweet pals.... we couldnt wait to get together when we'd visit.

Even though he is a couple years younger, we love each other like siblings... but now here it is 40 years later and we can probably count the number of times we've spent quality time together on our fingers maybe with a few toes thrown in! Now that we're older and facing health issues...all of us, we're making ways to just be together.. like last week when Gary brought his parents down with him on a doctor's visit.

Im so glad he and Lynn get along so well! We all need each other!!


His dad above is my dad's youngest brother...

They certainly arent getting any younger!

Just so great to even get together over dinner at a locale eatery once in a while to catch up and reminisce over happy days of youth!

Then surprise of surprises the phone rang yesterday and it was a a very happy reunion for Lynn with a cousin he hadnt seen in 40 years. How wonderful when one takes the initiative to make that first step. Lynn had tried to locate the family years ago, but the family had dispersed and he just didnt have to fortitude to make inquiries .. so time just sped past. Then last night we had the glorious opportunity to spend the evening with precious Melody and Mike....

And how wonderful to learn that they dont really live that far away! Oh the lesson here is dont let it happen in the first place... but if it has already happened to you... take the initiative and do something about it!

Pink Saturday

This time of year I become such a dreamer... thinking about and yearning to visit my dream location... you guessed it.. Scotland. I spend more time perusing the webcams situated around some prime locations and the pristine beauty of Caledonia lures me right in!!!!.. I'm always so excited when I visit those sites right at the gloaming... dawn or dusk times.


Both these shots were taken out toward the Hebrides, the Isle of Skye !
So when I get all befuddled by my deep desire to travel there, but cant at this time... I just bake up a batch of scones, pour me a spot of tea and kick back and just dream!


Then I hop right over to Linda's blog, Occasional Scotland. Her photo journal of Scotland is a huge inspiration to me!
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my bit of Pink this Saturday, and to enjoy much more Pink today you must visit Beverly, at How Sweet the Sound!!

Word Filed Wednesday

Today our hostess is All You Have to Give.