Simple Pleasures

I retired from teaching eight years  ago,,, man taht makes me  feel like Im older than dirt,   but at 61 , I am told  time and again,  it's only a number ! HEHEHEHE.  Anyway,  old or not,  I have  longed for the day that my  dear husband would join me in  retirement and finally, he  has,,  only to find me laid up  and infirm  this  first month....  but praise God for His perfect timing  that I  had Lynn here with me to  take  care of me....  but then yesterday,  such a lovely  autumn day... I felt good enough to do something  I had long  wished for...   to take our  breakfast on the veranda  on a weekday...lovely

a  very satisfying and sweetly simple pleasure!  
Well, I  attempted to link back to    the host blog I discovered that  last week  concluded this  sweet theme...  but you  wills till be blessed to 

visit this  lovely blog, A Collection of This and That by Dayle who  hosted this great theme each week. 

Word FIlled Wednesday

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Exodus 23:16
“Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field.
“Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

  Peggy's   The Simple Woman's  Daybook   along with  other daybooks  can be found  here!

FOR TODAY   September 26,  2011
Outside my window....
a  rather   gray, cool day  has been the Lord's  gift to me... this is exactly the kind of day that suits me best  when I am in recuperation mode...  it is as if  everything is  just resting and  waiting  for  the  powers taht  be  to  say... ok,  Carolyn...   get going....  for now... I'm content to just rest  quietly.

I am thinking...
now that it is day  13  of my recuperation from surgery,  I  am noticing   several changes....   I do still think  I'm improving a little more each day, and I am so thankful of God's provision of  the great report and His ever present help along the trying early days following surgery...but little things occur during this lengthy process that seem to give me pause to wonder....   oh, if only I could keep my focus on my redeemer!!!
In the kitchen..o.h my goodness,,  in my kitchen  are the  blessed  gifts of so many  wonderful  brothers and sisters  in Christ...  soups, and delicious    dishes,  casseroles,  fruits, veggies,   desserts.... wholesome  comforting and  healthy  made by loving hands  and delivered with  such  sweet  loving  friends.....  my kitchen has never ever  been so blessed!

I am wearing..my pink and white striped tee and shorts today....  comfy is still the word for fashion

I am creating...  not much...  but  in my mind's eye,  I am   imagining  a  day when  all my pain and aggravation that I have had over the past few months will be gone and I will   be  feeling better than I have in a very long time!

I am going...to have what I  believe to be my final followup with the surgeon at week's end  That is something to look forward to!!!


I am wondering...how marvelous it is going to be  when  all of this is a distant memory and  I can  evaluate  my   self and say  wow,  I feel better than I have in years!!!

I am reading...still cant focus too much  yet...but I do hope soon, because I have a huge  reading  wish lsit

I am hearing...Lynn in his office listening  to RUSH  talk radio...   this is what  I  have been looking forward to for so long... Lynn happy here at home  as he is now fully retired from work....

I am pondering... yippee,   with my  lack of interest  in eating lately I have lost 13 pounds in the past couple of weeks...  Im pondering  Ok  now  how  can I structure this  new appetite  to be ongoing....     sounds like a plan to me!


One of my favorite things...
a cup of green tea and  a  slice of    black walnut cake....   a wonderful cake my    SUnday School teacher's  wife made and  brought me....   now that  is a taste that  propels me with into  holiday  daydreaming....   a lovely pastime!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

• recovering a little bit more each day
• keeping up  with Beth Moore's   Inheritance  Study    thanks to  my dear Sista, Lynne,   for  helping me  not get behind
•  writing    thank you notes  that hopefully  tell how  appreciative I am to everyone
• returning  to the doctor's office  later in the week.

Here is picture I am sharing...

I may have been lying flat on my back  soon after I  returned home for the hospital,  but a most welcome sight was    our daughter smiling down a t me....   back to her home near Boston  now,  today is a red letter day for her.. she started her new job today  in  Cambridge  in  a  science lab....   can't wait to hear how it all  panned out....this  is  quite an adventure  fro her      not eh  work  but the  commute and  the details of working  rather  far from  home...   no problem she  has always been my  little adverturer....   just  all very exciting for her, Im sure.

Today, Wednesday

has been a difficult day...   I am better now...  but I do ask for continued prayers  for  uncomplicated recovery healing and  rest!!!  Thank you to all  who   visit here and I  pray God's blessing on you!

Word Filled Wednesday

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Psalm 91 1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” 3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

The Simple Woman's Daybook

  Peggy's   The Simple Woman's  Daybook   along with  other daybooks  can be found  here!

FOR TODAY   September 19,  2011
Outside my window....
A very  cool and  dark  day  is  drawing  me to the window...   but I do   enjoy   the  peacefulness of such days.....   but  I dont feel  exactly  like  tasting the damp air  quite yet
I am thinking... wow.....   I have been home from the hospital now  since Thursday evening....  having had a total hysterectomy  because of  a  uterine tumor, last Tuesday,  I am  amazed  at how  I have gotten along
I am thankful...for so many blessings!!!  Firstly, that  we moved the surgery up a week  and  I am this far along to recovery... otherwise I was expecting to have had it  tomorrow...   Thankful that it worked out that Amanda would be here with me  the week of  the surgery and  was able to see me here at home a couple of days  after I came home..  little blessings form God along the way that demonstrated his faithfulness,  provision, and  love for me  and  proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that  if I  put my total trust in Him,   that all things will work for my good!

In the kitchen..o.h my goodness,,  in my kitchen  are the  blessed  gifts of so many  wonderful  brothers and sisters  in Christ...  soups, and delicious    dishes,  casseroles,  fruits, veggies,   desserts.... wholesome  comforting and  healthy  made by loving hands  and delivered with  such  sweet  loving  friends.....  my kitchen has never ever  been so blessed!

I am wearing..ice warm  soft  black  knit slacks and  a  comfy  tee

I am creating...  not much...  but  in my mind's eye,  I am   imagining  a  day when  all my pain and aggravation that I have had over the past few months will be gone and I will   be  feeling better than I have in a very long time!

I am going...to be getting a call today with  a  pathology report....   I  am expecting a good report  based on what the surgeon said....   but prayers are  requested, too.

I am wondering...about how God  works...  we know from His word that His ways are higher than our ways,,,  His wonders  to perform... and he does perform  such  wonders   it is  a blessing to be able to look beyond circumstances and see His hand at work....  in the details...   and   as He uses  others  to   demonstrate His love to us.....   in  such ways that  are  unbelievable,,,   sweet,   sometimes  humorous,   and always  awesome!
 
I am reading...Can not focus to read  anything  lately  except the   3 page  directive    from  my physician...   hoping to stay on course  for  the best  recovery   I can!  

I am hearing...Albert, the white standard  poodle next door....   he is greeting me with his  usual, " boof,,  woo woo woo woof!"

I am pondering...  well,  one thing I am learning  during this  healing process,, the less pondering I do,,  the better off I am...  letting go and allowing God to work in my life  ... letting him drive while I sit back and enjoy the ride..that is  best for me right now!

One of my favorite things...
remembering just how sweet people have been this week....   foremost, Lynn  my dear  husband, and caretaker....   thankful  too, that  God's timing is perfect...   he retired  from  work  one day before I went to the hospital...Amanda's  ministrations last week  were  so dear....   to see her  in her take care of mom mode...   such  a blessing and  touched me deeply....   church friends,,,,  who have called, visited,   given food,   prayed....   allowed God to show His love for me  through their  acts of kindness and  generosity....  wow  have I learned  so much about  how  bad I have been in this area......    I am not heaping condemnation on myself really  but I have learned how much it  does matter  being the happy recipient of all of this and I know now  how lacking I have been  been   ....
  online friends  who  have touched me  even from afar...  I have friends  I have only met through  face book, blogging, and  Mitford, a wonderful  bulletin board from the Mitford book series....    yet  God has used these  wonderful folks to  shower me with  blessings of friendship, compassion,   and love in spectacular ways.....    I wont go into it here, but I must  give  some credit to some folks,  my  sweet young  friend in Florida  who  lifted my in prayer along the way,   but  my dear friend Kevin in  the Uk  showered me with  an amazing  facebook gift   that  blew my socks off   so unexpected and  so dear!!!!   Ivan,  who lives in Sweden  has  prayed for me every day  and    and if anyone knows  my  friendship with Ivan  that is  so   tremendous....Allan,  my  dear  brother in Christ  in Illinois  has  blessed me with his dear friendship and  encouragement  all throughout this process  with  scriptures and  quotes and  just his special humor  that keeps me looking up...   prayers and thoughtful  blessings form the "Hedge"  friends..   getting  webcam  visits from  Nora in England....   The Chambers family in Northern Ireland.....how much like family   they a re to me....    so much fun and how each have  brightened each day!     my  online life is  awesome! God has  brought  such  fabulous friends into my  life  hand picked just for me!
A few plans for the rest of the week:

• recovering a little bit more each day
• keeping up  with Beth Moore's   Inheritance  Study    thanks to  my dear Sista, Lynne,   for  helping me  not get behind
•  writing    thank you notes  that hopefully  tell how  appreciative I am to everyone
• returning  to the doctor's office  on Thursday for my followup  

Here is picture I am sharing...


  This is  a  small goal I have set for myself.. I m looking so forward to getting out into the world....   to see  God's magnificent  creation.....
   to take a ride     with my  retired husband.. to  set out in the car with no particular place to go  just  ride and see something new....  experience freedom  and a new beginning in our lives are a newly retired  couple...   that is what I have looked forward to  for  so long  and  even though  the Lord  placed this hurdle in my life  to prolong  this  for a time...   obviously there is something  here for me to know about Him   as we  move forward into this new phase of our lives.....

The Simple Woman's Daybook

  Peggy's   The Simple Woman's  Daybook   along with  other daybooks  can be found  here!

FOR TODAY   September 11,  2011 ( I am posting today  because this week is going to be necessarily
very full)
Outside
Today marks the tenth  anniversary of the day  that  changed America... in my humble  opinion. ...  for  on that  fateful  Tuesday 10 years ago   when our  enemies  pummeled our  nation  using innocent lives as battering rams on domestic flights  to create as much  pain and suffering  as   4 separate incidents could possibly do...   our nation  turned to God    and  cried out for mercy   i n repentance...   Now  10 years alter,   God isnt even invited onto   a national memorial  of  said events.... what does this say about  how far we have fallen as a nation...   it speaks to our utter  downfall  of society  which  grieves me in my heart and soul...   that  fateful day dawned  crystal  clear...   the sky a most gorgeous  azure blue.  Today our sky is  hazy, spattered with cloud...
I am thinking... how much longer can God  withhold  His judgment  against us...   a nation  built on godly principles  yet has  come to such a place where  God and  prayer  in His precious  Son's name is    considered offensive.....  I cry out to God  in my  travail over this....   I cant even  watch  the  memorial  on tv today...   I prefer to  review the  events  as they  happened form  first accounts  when  God   was  so much on the hearts and minds of our people...
I am thankful...that  I know the Father and  that he knows me....I hear  His voice and I follow Him...  the Lord  is my Shepherd I shall not want..  he maketh me to lie down in green pastures... He leadth me beside still water,,, He restores my soul.....   This words  are such  a  succor to me  as I  approach Tuesday  and the day of my  surgery...   fro I know  that He is with me ,, His rod and His staff they   comfort me!  Moreover,,,  surely goodness,  and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever!  Now that is  certainly  much for which to be thankful!

In the kitchen...Tonight since  our children are coming ...YAYAYAYAYYA...  we are  celebrating  birthdays...  Lynn's  for Oct...  Amanda's    Gotcha Day in November, and Joshua's as well in Nov.  So we are having delicious  bar be cue ,   homemade   bent Mountain  cole slaw,  baked beans,  broccoli, and  butterscotch  pecan cake....   now that does sound yummy!!!

I am wearing..brown short and  a tan  shirt and sandals

I am creating...a cozy  homey atmosphere for our dear children to come home to

I am going...to try to have just a wonderful peaceful family day tomorrow   because  Tuesday  mid morning  I report to Memorial Hospital  fro my  surgery and will  be there until  Thursday evening
    Anyone who chances to read this please send along a prayer for an uncomplicated  procedure and recovery please.. I would truly appreciate  that!
I am wondering...about all the unknowns  following  a surgery
  you know those what if's that  plague one in the middle of the night... or  just what should one expect  while  trying to  go just the most menial of tasks...  I'll be so glad  to  just  get this behind me!!!
 

I am reading...I have so many books started  I dont know what to try to take with me to hospital or if I truly will want to read anything  this week
   I may just take  a magazine..  I got a marvelous magazine named  Blue Ridge Country  Exploring the Mountains of the South...  because I  fully intend to  take a nice  long ride  as soon as I possible can...  to get out and see something  wonderful of God's  creation!

just like these  taken  last year  about that time!

I am hoping...  to  be  sufficiently recovered  by  one month from surgery date  so that Lynn and I can take a day trip  up the valley with my  dear church  family!

I am looking forward to...Amanda and Joshua's visit....   God is so good to work  out the details of our lives  in advance  that  Amanda  and Joshua  could be here  at no  inconvenience to them or   their jobs    this week...

I am hearing...Rudy Guiliani reading from the book of Ecclesistes    on  the radio   programming of the  memorial today in New York....   Now that is another blessing...  that  Christians  will not be deterred form  government  mandates....   the voice of one crying in the wilderness   will not be deterred!

I am pondering...  whether  to have ice cream  with our cake or not...   decisions...decisions

One of my favorite things...
of course it is  exuberant expectation... Amanda will be here in5 and a half hours!!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

• birthday celebrations
• breakfast with my family out on the porch and  a special  family day  filled with  joy and  fun activities
• surgery  and 2 and 1/2 days in hospital
•   homecoming and   recuperation  with my family  around me   that is such a blessing

Here is picture I am sharing...


  Aw last Thursday at then senior breakfast at church   two  fresh retiree were     admitted into the group...  Lynn and  our  friend Bill,  my dear  friend Dottie's  brother!      it was a wonderful occasion!

Skywatch Friday

Check out Skyley for more wonderful photos!  

The Simple Woman's Daybook

So glad to see that Peggy is starting The Simple Woman's Daybook yet again.... you can follow along with other daybooks here!
FOR TODAY
Outside my window...
The remnants of tropical storm Lee has provided us much needed rain... I have really enjoyed hearing it rain outside my window... something we have sadly missed much of lately.. the temps today are hovering around 60 which is also a nice respite for me...
I am thinking... how very fortunate I am in so many ways.... a wonderful husband and life partner, and precious daughter and son-in-law, my parents still with me.... a great church and wonderful church friends, fabulous online friends who bless me when I might be feeling a bit in need of fellowship.. but mainly, my heavenly Father and precious Son, Jesus Christ, are ever with me, providing for , loving, and working out the details of my life... life is good...
I am thankful...my husband... he is my soul mate, my helper, my friend and lover, my companion, and one I can rely on and he still looks fabulous even at our age!

In the kitchen...actually, we bought some fabulous kale today at the market and Lynn, my dear hubby, is preparing it for supper. I will be fixing some fresh corn on the cob and sliced tomatoes from the garden...

I am wearing...purple slacks and a lavender sweater

I am creating...nothing much at this time

I am going...to be finishing up my dermatological adventure tomorrow. In July I had more than I would like to say skin lesions burned off on the right side of my neck and throat... an unfortuante life burden Ive carried for many years I got from the heydays of lying out in the sun as a teen. Tomorrow I have the left side attended to... probably at least 40 lesion will be burned off , and I am nothing but happy to be rid of these nuisance spots...

I am wondering...if everyone gets to that magical age when it just seems that everything physical that can go wrong with a person does go wrong... I mean is there a law about that like Newton's or Murphy's law... next week I will be looking forward to my first ever open surgery.... to remove well, those parts that I just dont seem to need anymore but which are making a nuisance of my life and have been for about as long as i can remember.... need I say more...therefore, please dont give up on me next week.. for I will return to posting after my 3 day stay in hospital... and if you think of it, I appreciate a prayer or two on Tuesday around noon and thereafter for a few days as I begin a lengthy time of recovery....

I am reading...I am so delighted to have started the book Ireland, by Frank Delaney. What a lovely book... it just takes me right into the land or Eire!

I am hoping...to get everything done around the house this week so that next week I can enjoy my family and be ready to go to hospital with nothing hanging over my head about the house.... I've been working on clearing so much stuff... and doing a bit of organizing.. so it is looking pretty good now!

I am looking forward to...having all of this surgery and recovery behind me.... actually today is the first day of Lynn's retirement following the holiday yesterday, and facing this surgery right on the heels of this isnt quite what we were hoping for... but after I am recovered I am looking forward to some small day trips... just the two of us riding out into the mountains or up the valley on purposeful excursions like visiting the tea room and antiqueing in Botetourt, or visiting the Amish Cheese Shop and bakery, the Country Store and fabulous greenhouses up near Charlottesville... a lovely autumn drive to and from for sure that one....

I am hearing...Lynn coming in the door downstairs offering his cheery "yoohoo" ... he just had stepped out in the rain to do an errand for my mother.... now isnt that sweet....
Around the house...I have been clearing out closets and making strides in switching summer and winter clothing.. and reorganizing drawers.... a hateful job but one that does make life so much easier in the long run!!

I am pondering... since our dear daughter and Son in law who live so far away will be coming to us Sunday evening for supper and will be with us a day or so before I have to go to the hospital, I am pondering the very best way to make the most of our visit.... but, I am thankful that she will be with me during my surgery.. God is so good to go ahead of me in so many ways to sustain me and give me joy!
One of my favorite things...I am enjoying one at this moment. A sugar free Worther's Hard candy.... such a satisfying and yummy bit of happiness....
reminds me of hearth and home!
A few plans for the rest of the week:

• dermatology procedure 
• Wednesday night dinner at church and Bible Study on the book of James. 
• our first Senior breakfast at church ... I usually attended these events alone... but no more... so lovely!!! 
• pre-hospital admittance testing 
• ladies' Bible Study... Beth Moore's, Inheritance 
• Prayer Sista Coffee/ prayer talk/ and prayer time Saturday Morning 

Here is picture I am sharing...


Just looking so forward to going on down the road together!

Happy Homemaker Monday

The Stay at Home Mom hosts this each week.




The weather in my neck of the woods
the remnants of lee are  invading Southwest Virginia  today  with threats of  flash  floods

but the temps are  moderate, humid...  quite muggy outside on the porch this morning

Things that make me happy:
I got to have a video call with my  special  facebook friend, Nora  in Manchester, England this morning.    That was extremely fun!  Well,  I saw and heard her...   which was  great for me,   but   being just one sided  wasn't  all it could be. Now I am ready to  get a webcam!

Book I'm reading:

The Normal Christian Life, by Watchman Nee

The Secrets of Intercession  by Andrew Murray
Metabolism Miracle

What I'm enjoying on TV:
  I  just  don't  like  much of anything on tv these days  unless it is an occasional old movie

On the menu for dinner:
  NO plans yet....  give me time!!

On my To Do List
Monday- today is Lynn's  first weekday  since retirement   so we're trying to work out life together... it is wonderful,  but  different!!!    And  with my looming surgery next week,   our immediate plans  for  our week  are  changed a bit
Tuesday-allergy shot,marketing, 
Wednesday-  personal prayer  time  church dinner- adult Bible Study
Thursday- Senior breakfast  at church, pre-op  testing ,  ladies'  evening
Bible Study
Friday- Lynn to doctor
Saturday-     meet at Lynne's house for some  Sista time  

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:

Looking forward to this week:
I ahve had  issues all summer with my  health  which are culminating in surgery next week.   followed  by abut 6 weeks of recovery....   it will be wonderful to get this all behind me.... 

No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):




Today  marks  the real beginning of our lives together in retirement  and  seeking to live our lives in accordance with God's will....  living with a dedicated purpose.. not  for ourselves  but  for  the Lord....
On my mind:
It is interesting that  the Lord has  brought  Lynn and I to this place  with  this  health issue  standing in the way of being able to move forward in the manner in which we had heretofore planned....     We never know  from one week to the next what  we will really be doing... the best laid plans of men.....  but  I know   that in God's master plan  He is preparing us for the next step in our lives....   teaching us about faith and  how  he  provides and  takes care of us....  how to trust Him more....  so  this is a very exciting time in our lives!

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verse

“I know I need to read the Bible and pray—just like I need to eat vegetables, exercise, and balance my checkbook!”

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: We do need a daily devotional time—even more than we need those other things.

A verse from the Song of Solomon radically altered the way I view my devotional life. The king in that story says, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.” He goes on to say, “Let me see your countenance; let me hear your voice.”

Just like that king, God wants to hear your voice. That’s astonishing to me. I have to say, “Lord, why would you want to see my face? Why would you want to hear my voice?”

I still don’t understand why God wants to meet with me. But the fact remains. God enjoys spending time with me and with you! Have you spent time loving Him today?

“I don’t really balance my checkbook like I should, but I do eat vegetables.”

With Seeking Him, I’m Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday!

Before I go  wholeheartedly into my  pre- Autumn mode of  decorating   around our  table, I just wanted to pull together a few pink  inspired  tables  just for  today!

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

Skywatch Friday

What a marvelously clear and bright summer day Skywatch Friday a month ago!  Just the kind of day for a blimp outing!
  This  was a real motorized  blimp  that   passed right over my church  the day  we,  Cracked Pots, were meeting to  travel out for lunch!  An oddity  for us, for sure!!!

Check out Skyley for more wonderful photos!