I"m Leavin' on a Fast Train

  I took this video  last  January    as  Amanda and Joshua  pulled out of the station on their way north  to Boston   after   our Christmas  visit...  today, I'll be  on the train   going to them!   What an adventure for me...  Im so glad  my  friend Dottie will be coming  with me  as she is  heading on    to a friend  further  on in New England....   Im thrilled    and a bit  anxious too   but  mostly   just plan excited to  be going!
 

Word FIlled Wednesday

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The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY....Monday, June 20, 2011

  the temperatures are on the rise once again and I am so glad to be heading north  by Thursday of this week!

I am thinking...what an adventure I am about to embark on...  riding the train over 700 miles on my own...   well, I am so glad  my bff will be with me.... just us gals  off to  NE...     me to see our daughter,,, and Dottie to see her  good friend  in New Hampshire....  I am getting so excited~

I am thankful for...  God's provision in all things  in my life....   God so good to me...   bringing me through trials...   going with me  through  the  tougher days  and    with me rejoicing over HIs many blessings  he has bestowed in me!

From the kitchen..crisp salad  with  garden fresh tomatoes,  baked potatoes with  cheese,  and fresh shucked corn on the cob

I am wearing..white capris,    polka dotted navy blouse, sandals

I am creating...    a packing list for  exactly what I need for my trip... I certainly dont need to pack a bunch of stuff I dont need to have to carry! 

I am reading...    Robin Pilchur's  A Risk Worth Taking,   Lynn Kurland's One Magic Moment


I am hoping...  to get all my clothes  laundered and ironed in the morning  and  then easily packed  in the suitcase on Wednesday  morning

Around the house....a general pick up and everything in its place before I leave town

One of my favorite things....reading books on  medieval Scotland   which is why I have rad every book  that has been published  by  Lynn Kurland....   Her latest book, One Magic Moment   will be my quiet car companion  along with my ipod and ear phones!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Monday -    Cracked Pots Bible Study  cancelled because  everyone  was  in the midst of  coming and going

Tuesday-   devotions, allergy shot,   marketing, finish laundering 

Wednesday-   Glebe Hill Gardens tour with  friends,  packing,   visit  with mom and dad    Church dinner  /Bible Study

Thursday- Catch the train for Boston   reading,  knitting, chatting on my ipod   arriving  and  visiting  with  my dear daughter and son in  law  for a few days    so wish  Lynn was getting to come...  alas...  he cant this time

A glimpse into my life

So glad we're not driving....   and I  can tell you this... I wont be driving Amanda's car  any  either....

I'll gladly  let Joshua do the driving into Boston  on Sunday when we go to Church at park Street  across from Boston Commons.



 From there we can walk  to China Town

for lunch or
 to  Beacon Hill

 for brunch if we're so inclined!

At any rate  a stroll through the Commons  is  just what the doctor ordered for me  to get some  relaxing  exercise and  fill up my  spirit  with the  gorgeous  skyline of  downtown Boston!

But  what Im looking forward to is  just sitting around in the kitchen  and  catching up with my dear daughter

  or relax in their  lovely  home...

Wont be much longer now!

For the 2011 edition of The Simple Woman's Daybooks visit Peggy here!http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Skywatch Friday

Bright and early  morning over Hartford, Connecticutt last summer....   

Check out Skyley for more wonderful photos!  

Word FIlled Wednesday

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Isaiah  40: 31 but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;

Three or More Tuesday

As I  am getting prepared to go see our daughter in Boston,  I am    thinking of  some of my  very best friends and  the wee little loves of their lives....   however,  they  don't have to  leave home to  embrace  their  "kids"!
Dottie   has her  wee bundle of    love  in  lil Cricket!

  David  in  his  lovely, Emi,

  and  Gerri  in her  precious  Tiffany...


Visit Tam at The Gypsy's Corner for more TOMT..

Ruby Tuesday

Our Memorial  Day  cookout  at  our  wonderful friends, David and   Gerri's expressed the most delightful  reds  I can imagine,  especially  in this  trifle,  so  delectable   as a cool  holiday  dessert! 

                  For more  reds visit our host, Mary.. Always a blogging treat to visit her site!ther life... great follow  through, there, David

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY..
Mid June

...   the temps  this week are moderating and the humidity is down....   finally  we can breathe!

I am thinking...wow, in a little over  a week, I'll be on my way to Boston     to see our daughter  and son-in-law....  now that is a wonderful  thought!

I am thankful for...  God's Word  in His wonderful Bible.....  that  we have it  in such a wonderful  easy to understand form....  we can learn of Him,  His ways,  His  grace and mercy,  His  salvation  for us,  and how His Holy Spirit edifies our lives..

From the kitchen....  pork loin, rice, and peas... our daughter's  favorite meal as a child...   it is always on the menu  when they  come   home for a visit!    

I am wearing..plum  blouse,  cut off jeans, and sandals

I am creating...   a plan  for re arranging  my studio.   I have to  get this  computer station away form the  a/c vent... this is going to be a major undertaking!

I am reading...    Robin Pilchur's  A Risk Worth Taking,   and God's Fiery Love  by Bob Sorge.   I just havent had the time to  read  in  several days...   Will probably  be taking these with me to Boston on the train!

I am hoping...  for this  cooler weather  to  take hold and last a good long while

Around the house.... Lynn has  done a phenomenal job outside  getting the fence rows  pristine  and lovely...   I need to  continue    rooting out  stuff that we just  won't  use again and  make the decision to get rid of  a lot more stuff
  

One of my favorite things....spending hours with my Prayer Sistas  a s we call ourselves...   it is  unbelievably  refreshing and soul satisfying to be able to share  from God's  Word,  and to  apply  it to  life's situations,  pray together ,   enjoy our coffee together,  and just  know    that  these special friends have each others  backs  in prayer and loving support...  yet  we have the freedom and the desire to help one another  group in  wisdom,   peace and love  through scriptural,  spiritual edification....

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Monday -    Cracked Pots Bible Study      today  we  studied  about God's marvelous grace and how   we too must exhibit  grace to others  in  all situations...

Tuesday-   devotions, allergy shot, parents to the doctor/lab,   marketing, 

Wednesday-       Church dinner  /Bible Study

Thursday- devotions, prayer  Sista's  coffee and  visitation    with one of our dear  sista's   who recently  had surgery 

Friday-  devotions,    dermatologist 

A glimpse into my life

Another  very favorite  thing is to  go to the White Oak Tea Room with friends  , share a pot of  fruited tea,  dine on  delectable  chicken salad,  and   enjoy  girl talk,  occassionally....as  Dottie and I did  a couple of weeks ago!

For the 2011 edition of The Simple Woman's Daybooks visit Peggy here!http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday

For more TT be sure to stop in at Between Naps on the Porch! You'll be glad you did!!!

When it's  95 degrees outside  and outdoor dining  or even the sun room  feels oppressive, then it's time to consider  a new venue for  a quiet,  cool and calming    light   dinner....so  the coolest part of our  house today is the living room.  The massive oak trees outside  keep this  side of the house in constant shade  and the cool green refracts the light  peering in between the blinds

    For intimacy I  brought forward the  glass topped   side table    with this gorgeous    table topper  I found  at the fabric  store this spring..


Its cool summer  colors  showing off the most delectable  cardinals and bluebirds  in their  forested habitat  is just the accent  to  expose  the  real  love of birds I  exhibit  about the  whole room...and brings to mind the lush  environs outside  and the hope of  birdsong on the air...   all of which  calms my spirit  and   cools  my hectic  evening...

This    wonderful verdant  glass salad plates    sparkle  and   lend their  cool  crispness to the setting,  just waiting  for a dollop of chicken salad, or a bit of cheese,  fruit,  or toast tips!
No need for  fussy  utensils   tonight...

 Just  my new  salad  fork  and a crisp  white linen napkin,  dainty as can be,,, and again,    helps to create this simple  cool   tone...
  And because  we're utilizing the  small intimate place for two  Im using the  living room chest as my sideboard this evening...   to  place our  lovely  repast...

   Keeping everything in  clear    glass    again  will accentuate the simplicity  and the light fare!

So  since the   humid   weather  is such a downer to us,,,   this cool  setting  draws us in to  supper...   a supper,  light and airy as the atmosphere inside...  cold crisp salads,    delicious fresh   fruits,  and  tasty, savory  cheeses,    along with a  wonderful iced green tea...  it'll be like  a special  evening "out",    right inside our      cozy,  yet  cool  living room...  Im  really excited!!!

Word FIlled Wednesday

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The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY..A day late

   Tuesday:  June 7....   the temps  this week are oppressively hot for my tastes.. glad most of my errands are morning errands

I am thinking...how marvelous it is to  have good friends we can count on... this evening  my husband, Lynn, and I are meeting Dottie,  to the Deli for dinner  then we're all off to  the Jefferson Center,  the Concert Hall for the spring production of the Community band.    Going  with  friends  to see friends   perform is such a wonderfully fun  time....  bound to make memories for us all.

I am thankful for...  God's provision in all things  in my life....   It truly does  build up  my faith to  trust  Him more!

From the kitchen.. nothing tonight

I am wearing..black capris, white  polo and black  ballerina shoes

I am creating...    a knitting project   mainly...   getting  it  ready  so I can  take it for  busy handwork on the train trip  coming up

I am reading...    Robin Pilchur's  A Risk Worth Taking,   and God's Fiery Love  by Bob Sorge.

I am hoping...  a new business venture  established today  will  fly   beneficially for all concerned

Around the house.... last week  I  was purchasing  fabric and setting up  getting  my mom's love seat upholstered and I bought several  remnants  that  I just love for spring time..  so I  have several small projects in the works (  pillows and tablecloths)

One of my favorite things....listening to  favorite music  on YouTube...  it is a storehouse of  wonderful songs from  the past...  brings so many  happy memories!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Monday -    Cracked Pots Bible Study  ( love our new name)

Tuesday-   devotions, allergy shot,   marketing,  meet with  Mom and Dad's prospective new   part time

caregiver

Wednesday-   hair appointment cleaning,    Church dinner  /Bible Study

Thursday- devotions, laundry

Friday-  devotions,   

Saturday- Sista time at Lynne's,  birthday  bar be cue

A glimpse into my life

I'm counting the days until  I'll be on the train for Boston...  to  see our  beautiful daughter and son in law!

For the 2011 edition of The Simple Woman's Daybooks visit Peggy here!http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Christian Brotherhood

I  am contemplating  this question this morning....  do we  realize just how important our  Christian  family is to us....  the love of others  as  Christ  loves us    and through us    is an elemental  component of our faith walk.  The Word of God has a lot to say on  our Christian brotherhood.

1 John 4:20

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.Today  in Sunday School,  we discussed  how  we are so  moved  by the visible world... our  visible  circumstances  and the people  around us who touch  our lives.. sometimes for   good and sometimes   for our detriment..    But  we are to  love one another,   just as God loves us!.

Galatians 3:28 

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Because we are Christians there are no geopolitical boundaries between us; there are no racial barriers; there are no cultural obstacles. Why? We have the bond of brotherhood in Christ, a bond that is stronger than any other. In that moment when we were talking, my identity was his identity and that made us one.  This is the power of the Holy Spirit working in us....

John 13:34 

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

One source I read  said the following  

"Often times Christians forget that we, if remaining faithful, will share Heaven. Yet, they want to hate each other here on this earth. The Bible tells us how we should continue in our walks with brothers and sisters. (Hebrews 13:1) "Let brotherly love continue.

John 13:35

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" ( Psalm 133:1)

Another  source  had this to offer...

Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). The love that worldlings see in the church should be so distinctive and superior that they will recognize it as coming from God... In  Matthew    5:13 Jesus also states we are the light of the world .. how we live, speak, treat one another,  do  business,    dwell in the community, in all things  we must  allow the  light of the Lord  who indwells us shine out into the dark world..    We must be defined by our love, our  integrity, our humility, and  desire to serve others..  The Christian walk isnt  easy...  it  isnt self seeking or lazy..  but it is a magnificent calling  from on high   to walk  with  the glory of Christ in us   empowered to do good works  by the presence of His Holy Spirit with us!

Skywatch Friday

A  gorgeous  late spring  sky from my back yard!

Check out Skyley for more wonderful photos!