Skywatch Friday

This week as the storm that ravaged the gulf coast in Mississippi moved across our state, the sky demonstrated quite a fury, but it passed as quickly as it arrived with very little precipitation.

For more skies visit Skyley.

The SImple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY... from Carolyn's Daybook

Outside my window...it is a bright and gorgeous morning... the storms of the weekend long forgotten, the sky crystal blues with soft cumulus clouds drifting over head... definitely a fair weather day!

I am thinking...today will be great fun... beginning with our body builders Bible Study.. we will actually meet up at Dottie's house which will be fun in itself.. but to spend our time sharing about the glory of the Lord makes it multiple times more exciting! Then we girls are going to lunch and shopping for bedding plants...

I am thankful that Lynn's work has calmed down somewhat... he isnt staying late and working weekend any longer... for the time being anyway.... so we can actually plan some work days around here for a change... and the list is long!

I am wearing...khakis and white shell with navy sweater

I am remembering.. the devastation in Yazoo, Misissippi over the weekend and am wondering about some facebook friends I know who live very near there.... Have been praying for that family, their home and business concerns..

I am going...to the dentist this week... thankfully, I really like this dentist and these visits are not something to dread as in the past... now that is a real reason to say, "Yazoo!"

I am currently reading...

All Things Bright and Beautiful, by James Herriot
Christ is in Control, Bible Study
Destroying Spiritual Strongholds, by our Bible Study teacher, Jim Tarter
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
I really recommend all of Herriot's books made even more wonderful by viewing the BBC series made of them back in the 80's.. They so perfectly follow the text, almost word for word, and the setting is extremely authentic...this has blessed me immeasurably... and Lynn enjoys it so much as well.

I am hoping..to become even more dedicated to morning walks... they really do make a difference in how I feel the rest of the day

On my mind...May is going to be such an awesome month. First of all we have been planning for months now to go ont he senior adult church trip to Lancaster, PA to attend the Sight and Sound Theater,, the new show, Joseph, in mid MAy. But in the meanwhile Lynn has hence learned that for ever other day in May he will be calling in for jury duty and I will be subbing 9 days in May... Yikes end of the year days at the Middle School.. Lord help me!!

Noticing that...

As of last night I have 5 bluebird eggs in the nest in my bluebird house
I havent checked in today...since she wasnt sitting yesterday could there possible be another one this morning? This is the most Ive ever seen.... absolutely thrilling!

Pondering these words...

A Prayer in Spring by Robert Frost

OH, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
To which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends he will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.

Around the house....If it's Monday, it's the never ending flow of laundry... what else?

One of my favorite things...
well, those who know me well, know it's spending some time everyday on facebook visiting with new found friends there.
From my picture journal...

Our sweet and beautiful. kids, Amanda and her handsome Joshua!

This week you can visit Peggy for more SWD on Tuesday!

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday!!

Who's that coming around the house all decked out in his pale pink Sunday shirt.... he certainly does look dapper among the springtime flowers.


I do believe that is my sweetheart, dearest Lynn, just home from church and looking mighty fine.

And why shouldnt he be looking plum pleased to traipse about the gardens of lovely peony trees and such...

He works hard every other day of the week to keep those gardens in tip top shape!

Ain't he cute!!




For more Pink Saturday visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound!!!

Thanks for visiting and enjoy your PINKNESS today!!

Bluebird Nesting

So thrilling to check the bluebird house and find this marvelous miracle happening before my eyes... and since the mother wasnt anywhere nearby I can only assume that she hasnt finished laying.. or else she'd be sitting.... and her handsome husband would be foraging for her. I'll check it out again tomorrow..

Word Filled Wednesday

Lamentations 3:22-23

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions,

they fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Visit Critty Joy for more WFW today!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY... from Carolyn's Daybook

Outside my window...it is now Monday evening... 10:11pm, therefore it is dark and quiet... today was much cooler than we have been experiencing... but it was clear as a bell and the air seemed to be less pollen laden..which is a good thing!

I am thinking...what a marvelous visit we had with Amanda....

From the moment they arrived in the driveway until we saw her off in Charlottesville every second was cherished...I shot this photo as my first glimpse of her with her new short haircut....

I am thankful that Amanda still has her grandparents... they have both outlived their parents and it is a wonderful thing to have the influence of the older generation in your life...

I am wearing...jeans and red blouse with navy sweater

I am remembering.. the words to the songs we will sing at the Senior luncheon this coming Thursday...

I am going...to take mom and dad out for breakfast on Wednesday as our Bible study class goes out to eat once every couple of months as a form of outreach in the community... demonstrating the love of Jesus and practicing our ambassadorship in the marketplace...

I am currently reading...

All Things Bright and Beautiful, by James Herriot
Christ is in Control, Bible Study
Destroying Spiritual Strongholds, by our Bible Study teacher, Jim Tarter
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

I am hoping..to continue the good beginning I have this session of our Body Builders class... Things are beginning to improve as I work on bringing my whole self into more godly balance

On my mind...I am thinking about the 8 days of subbing I have worked out on my calendar during the month of May... praying it isnt a huge mistake....all of them will be done at the Middle School.... and remember I am a retired elementary school teacher....

Noticing that...

the bluebirds are settled into their house and are setting up housekeeping there!

Pondering these words...

"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"
- Mark Twain

Around the house.... the never ending flow of laundry... what else?

One of my favorite things...
having a book at hand in the car... it seems I am always sitting in the car lately whiling away the hours waiting on someone... so it is the perfect time to get some more read on that tantalizing book

From my picture journal...

Home, Sweet, Home

This week you can visit Peggy for more SWD on Tuesday!

Mosaic Monday

Visit Mary at the Little Red House for more Mosaic Monday!!
This week I truly begin in earnest to study our bluebird feeder for nestings.


The beautifully neat and tidy nest is established inside the house...

The couple has been seen coming and going!!

My notebook is ready to record the activity;

hence a new season commences!

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday!!

Our beautiful daughter, Amanda was here yesterday..I was so pleased that she could be here to enjoy the wondrous spring colors.. especially the vibrant red buds which line our back entrance that welcomed them home..


Even though her visit was way too short and of course the time flew by.... I always savor the opportunity to prepare for her sumptuous meals...in this case it was our Friday morning breakfast.

Amanda loves country ham so the sugar cured ham was a real treat, but this morning I surprised her with strawberry yogurt topped with delicious fruited granola, as our first course... then the piece de resistance... was the fabulous sweet potato pancakes we learned about on our bed and breakfast excursion to Williamsburg.... I will not give away their secret here... but ummm, ummm, good!



It seemed that all too soon we were taking Amanda's photos out among the springtime flowers.

Amanda who recently decided to go with short hair had about a foot of hair cut off for Locks of Love really knocked our socks off... we hadnt seen her with short hair since she was a small child. I couldnt seem to take my eyes off of her...so even though it isnt pink I really dont think I was seeing her with rose colored glasses... I think she is truly a lovely young lady and just love her new do!!!




For more Pink Saturday visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound!!!

Thanks for visiting and enjoy your PINKNESS today!!

Skywatch Friday

This fabulous shot was taken last week during our excursion in to the Blue Ridge Mountains... This shot of the twin Peaks of Otter heralds the glories of spring...


For more skies visit Skyley!

Word Filled Wednesday

Visit Lori at All I have to Give for more WFW today!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY... from Carolyn's Daybook

Outside my window...it is now Monday evening... 9:09 and it has been a beautiful springlike day with temps in the mid 70's and gorgeous blue skies...the dogwoods are blooming, the tulips and red buds are glorious, and the azaleas are beginning to reveal their sumptuous colors.

I am thinking...I can not wait until Thursday when Amanda and Joshua will be with us!!!

I am thankful that mom and dad's three month checkups went well and their health is steady. God is good all the time!

I am wearing...my loden green short sleeve sweater and khaki slacks

I am remembering.. the spaghetti sauce I made this evening for tomorrow needs to be put in the fridge before bedtime!! Yikes!

I am going... to be taking a friend to the doctor tomorrow... God is revealing His purposes for me through the little tasks he prepares in advance for me to do...He is at work continually in our lives His perfect will to be manifest through us... if we choose to obey and fall in line with His plans... we must yield our will to His!

I am currently reading...

All Things Bright and Beautiful, by James Herriot
Christ is in Control, Bible Study
Destroying Spiritual Strongholds, by our Bible Study teacher, Jim Tarter
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

I am hoping..to stay focused on Jesus as I attempt to bring every facet of my being in alignment with Him

On my mind...I am so excited about this new author I have discovered,,, Bill Bryson... I love his writing... this book is his experiences walking the Appalachian Trail...he writes much in the vein of Dave Barry... very personably... he puts the reader right beside him on the trail!

Noticing that...

the pollen is exceptional this spring and my sinuses are going haywire!!

Pondering these words...

"Spring has come,
Loudly sing cuckoo !
Groweth seed and blooms mead
And springs the wood now.
Sing cuckoo!"
- English Poetry from the Middle Ages

Around the house.... the never ending flow of laundry... what else? Getting Amanda's room all afresh and bright and airy for her winsome visit!

One of my favorite things...
the music on my blog... I play it all day long.. it seeps into the very fiber of my being and lifts me to the heavens.

From my picture journal...

Friday Dottie and I drove up to the top of Roanoke Mountain to enjoy this fabulous view of the valley beyond...what a marvelous day to revel in God's creation!

This week you can visit Peggy for more SWD on Tuesday!

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday!!

Spring is bursting out in sweet pinkness everywhere I chance to glance! I love pink this time of year!!All the shades, tones, and values of Pink jump out at you !
For more Pink Saturday visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound!!!

Thanks for visiting and enjoy your PINKNESS today!!

SkyWatch Friday

Today my friend and I traveled up the Blue Ridge Parkway to a neighboring county and continued on our excursion on a scenic byway... this shot was taken looking back at a popular Blue Ridge destination.. the Peaks of Otter which is the mount on the left. What a glorious day it was today with the clear sky and the fair weather clouds drifting above..
For more skies visit Skyley!

A New Beginning

To kick off my third year of blogging I wanted to share what are the most important things in my life...just like the beautiful spring garden, my life is springing forward with life, love, and happiness these days!!
First would have to be my family...my wonderful husband, Lynn, who completes me in every way!

He is the head of our family, our home, and our lives together just keep getting better and better.
I am blessed to still have my parents...
At ages 87 and 91,,, God is great to maintain their health and capabilities to still remain in their own home. Praise God for his tender mercies everyday!!

Our daughter and son in law bless us beyond measure...

such a handsome couple it is difficult to find a single photo...


God has blessed their marriage, their home, their jobs, and their lives with untold blessings and opportunities!!
Next I am thankful for my church and the friends I have there...


Our prayer team and the growth we are making in our relationships there with one another and with God.


The amazing fun and fellowship of good friends...




whether we are meeting in groups or I'm getting together with my dear friend Dottie to walk the track..

and then go out for coffee afterward... life is really really good at 59... now I dont know how I'll feel come July and I turn another corner... but I know that with the Lord in control... everything is going to turn out just fine!!!!