FFF

Hosted by Susanne!

This week I have been Springing into May  with my  decorating ideas...  

• I started in the dining room!  First of all I needed to work on the side table...  I  brought in the  tartan   cloth and  made this a true tea table for May.  The star of the table is my Scottish Tea set I purchased years ago at The Gathering  at  Grandfather's Mountain in North Carolina.

Vintage - Buchan Thistleware Pottery

Due to our membership  in Ancestry.com we now know that Lynn and I both are Scottish..  I am thrilled my  laddie is  Scottish, too!

 His clan hails  from Dunfermline, Fife  back to the 1500's.  We hold on to  our  membership because  new  info  is always being added!!

My family  hails from two  strains..  the Blairs  from around Blair castle in Ayr,

  And the  Lindsays who were the Earls of Crawford of  Ross Castle.

                                        So  I have put  Scottish blend tea on my grocery         list!!  I will  bake some Scottish bannocks to enjoy with our tea!!!

                                                                                 

                                                            Yum!!

• Also in the dining room I have toned down the table more for summer!!

Also, I am so ready to have my prayer gals  over  for tea  as soon as  everyone gets their shot!!!!!  That should be very soon...  Yes,  and 2 week quarantine!

• Next I  redid the hall for  summer!!!
  
    The idea of tea continues  in the hall.  I love my  Jim Shore  Tea Angel... She reminds me to be  thinking it's time for hospitality!
  
  

  I am loving my small clock I found at Hobby Lobby.  I was actually surprised to find it really works.. Now I want one in every room..  Oh, boy  a great reason to travel  up the mountain to HL!  I think it is so cute under the cloche!

• Then I  moved to the living room, and first the mantel! 

  
  Last year I used some English transferware here and loved the lift it gave... so I was going for that same light touch.  Below  you can see   a closer look..  I  included both  of my  "kiddoes!"   No one compares to our precious grand daughters.  At HL I found a  great  double frame for their school photos..  but I had to  resize  one and am still waiting for the mail on that one.. perhaps next week.. At the other end I have  my  bust of ''James".. Now I have written about my  over active   imagination;..  but I have always wanted this bust.  A friend of my mother had one.So when I saw one in a consignment shop a couple of years ago I  bought it straight away..   and named it James.  My mother lost a  baby    prior to birth  and it was a  boy.  He actually would be my  older brother had he  survived,    but his memory and my love for him exists in lil' James.  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The photo beside him is the youth choir of Lynn's  boyhood church where his mother  grew up... She is  a teenager in the photo  standing of the steps outside this  beautiful  Bethren Church.
  
  
• There are a couple of other areas in the living room that are spruced up for spring.

  

  In both I have changed spring flowers for summer, I just can't  put my bunnies away,  but  they do live in our yard in the summer!!
  

  

  
  Oh, yes, and last week I  was  standing in a long line  to pay at   Home Good and  I was taken by the Essential oils there,  So I purchsed  some Ylang Ylang  and  am using with my my scent sticks.  Now the room smells like summer , too!!  Love it!!!

Wednesday Hodge Podge

Hosted by Joyce!

1. What are some memories you associate with spring? I remember  rain storms  that would kick up suddenly  beginning in spring and  continuing through summer..  I loved to lie on my bed near an open window and enjoy the pitter patter and even the  fiercer storms...  The smell of the  air after the rain always  brings back those  wonderful memeories of being at home..  I suppose being any only child,  I experienced a rather quiet childhood and little  adventures like the rain and thunderstorms  were  so very memorable.. I remember  letting my imagination  run rampant as I lie there  imagining all kinds of    places,,  jungles,   mountain vistas,   desert islands...    just  wondrous memeories! 

2. April showers bring May flowers...was that saying proven true where you live? Snapdragons, anemones, carnations, lilacs, sweet peas, tulips, lily of the valley, orchids, roses, gardenias...which one on that list is your favorite May bloom? I think I have to add my very favorite one that wasn't mentioned!!!

                         I have always loved Sweet William!

3. What are your top three distractions and how do you deal with them? 

Wow, as  a child  there were so many it is hard to pick jsut one... I truly did live in my imagination as a child. I  still am  a  great day dreamer...  and I really do not remember the catalyst.   except,   like  when I was at my grand mother's farm,  the  "fox fire”  I think that is what it was called,, used to  drift  on  the air across an early evening meadow...   I believe it was  an  effervescent   gas that would  seep out of the ground and  carried  a  light of its own for a space... now that could conjure up  a mystical day dream of far away kingdoms and  fairylands.. I remember sitting on  the porch with my   family watching for it to  waft in  from the  woodland acrossd the meadow. If anyone can remember a name for it  it escapes me...   Secondly, again in the country  I could    dream I was  a bird  soaring across the sky looking down across the vales,,  and in my  imaginings I  would  espy  the  landmarks I knew that were there,  but imagine how it looked from above!  Thirdly,  I can lie awake  at night, even now, and  hear all manner of sounds  that were unintelligible,   but I  would  have to label them all..   And  often  I wasn't to  brave about  what I had imagined!  Imaginings are not always friendly!

4. Do you eat beef? In the course of a week, how often is beef on the menu? A hamburger, steak, prime rib, or a roast beef dinner...which beef entree would you choose and yes you have to choose. Unless you're a vegan, and then you may pass. We opted  to dine  Sunday after church at  Texas Road because I was  hungry for their delicious Sirloin dinner..  I enjoy beef  a couple times of month.   We  mostly  eat chicken and pork, the other white meat!

5. In what way were you creative during the month of April?I did some water color painting,  spring deocrating, and I do enjoy the on-line  game of  redorating  spaces with given materials..

6. Insert your own random thought here. I am so looking forward  to  receiving our  Amazon order  whcih is supposedly arriving tomorrow.  I have ordered  my  very own set of Boom cosmetics!

I mean I usually put my makeup on in the car on the way  out  .. I believe this will really be easy and  work so much better!!!

Tuesday 4

The Times They are A-Changing

Welcome once again to Tuesday4 in memory of Toni Taddeo...

Hosted by Annie!

Lets discuss the times we live in.

1. What changes are you grateful for? How have things changed  in your life time?Im grateful for getting older, even though there are things a plenty that  I don't like about it..  But without  being older I would never have learned the marvelous things I know now in the wisdom God has  shared with me. I wouldn't know  Lynn as the man he has come to be...  strong, confident,  a leader in the church and  man  well loved by his friends!!

 I wouldn't know the joy of these two!

  That is what makes my life  so  wonderful!

2. Did your parents have things better than you today?  My parents had learned the secret to  be happy  where you are,  with  what you have and make the most of it all.   They enjoyed their life, many had more  monetarily and few where as content, I am sure!

3. What time period would you rather live in.. or are you okay with today?  I loved the  carefree days of my youth ...    the fifties in my mind seemed  glorious.  I can not be condemning about the times today .  I am not happy with the direction our naton is rushing toward. Not at all.  But  except through prayer my hands are tied.  So I  remember this  from Philippians 4: 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  I do have so much for which to be thankful!

4. What changes would you make for our time to make it nicer/better to live in?

My prayer...

I would  have  covid  be a thing of the past..  that  everyone would return to church and take up their  position in Christ to serve and be part of the  glorious fellowship of the saints.   That we could urge  each other to  the Great Commission to   practice the tactics of leading others to Christ. ... to encourage one and another and  be a   relevant part of God's family.    These months of quarantine have, I am afraid ,done much to stunt the role of the church,  we  see  a bit of division in  our body  by people who havent even darkened the door  in over a year, but who  spread  discontent in the body...  Oh, that the enemy does not take more ground during this hateful season..  IN Jesus name!

Happy Homemaker

 

Hosted Sandra

Skywatch Friday

 

    Visit  our host at Skyley.

Wednesday Hodge Podge

Hosted by Joyce!

1. Find a penny. Look at the date and tell us something about your life or what you were doing that year? 

The only penny I had in my purse  said 2016.  Goodness,   I was 66 years old...   and now I will look back through my  photos  to  see if I remember!
Oh yes, our second granddaughter had jsut been born  almost a NEw Year's baby!

Time does  fly when you're having fun., Joyce!!

2. Were you given an allowance as a child? Did you have to earn it in some way? Did you learn to save money when you were a child or is that something you figured out as an adult? 

I did not earn an allowance as a child...  I was given money as I needed it,  but only for my  needs.  I had milk money, but no ice cream money.  Mom usually packed a baked tret for my lunch!

3. April 23rd is National Take A Chance Day...what's a chance you need or want to take?Gee, I really can't think of one...    I mean if I  was  planning a trip to  Boston to see the kids I'd say,.  Let's fly,, I'm so anxious..  vut  there again  the chnace of covid is a bit daunting!

4. What's some outdated slang you seem to use a little too often?  "Drat the luck!"

5. It's National Poetry month and I always like to make us work our brains a little...

Roses are red
Violets are blue
....you fill in the rest with something original...

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Joyce took the best one, 

But Masks are a real drag, too!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

The best news I've heard in a whgile is that the kids are coming to see us this summer..  We had planned on going there in July,  but since my son-in-law is still working form home,  he can   work from here in Lynn's office! Since Josh is very conscientious,  there is no prblem  abou him not getting the weork done.,.  But  there will be  a lot of    teleconferences over his phone that week!!! I lvoe having the kids here...  I hope they enjoy coming to Grandma and Grandpa's!

Tuesday 4

 Welcome to Tuesday 4 begun by Toni Taddeo and continued in her honor.

Hosted by Annie!

Let's talk about your town this week!

1. Do you like your town? Is it a city, town ? Can you describe it for us? I love our town...we were both born and raised here.  It is a rather quiet city... I would say it is in somewhat of a decline from its former glory days, but a great place to call home. I used to love to go shopping downtown,  it was  a bustling  vibrant  city.  Then  the shopping centers  came along and eventually  downtown became  obsolete except for a few business and the market area  with its restaurants.  Now the shopping centers are becoming obsolete and  the city is now   led by a council with no   strategies for growth or  improvement.. but I still love our  city!!   It is a beautiful city     hugged on all sides by wrap around Blule Ridge Mountains..  which, also, creates a bowl  whereby we are protected from strong storms,  but, also,  plagued by  environmental allergies!!!    The Blue Ridge Parkway cuts right through our  surrounding county!

2. Are there any special points of interest in your town?It is home to Mill Mountain Zoo and is known as the Star City of the South.

Our favorite leopard!

3.Does your town have parks, restaurants?We have great parks, walking trails, and both popular chains and wonderful privately owned 4 star restaurants. 

4. Do you think your town needs changes to make it better and if so what changes would you make?Our city’s leadership has no vision for the future. I would like to see a change of leadership for both the city and state.  It is ongoing prayer!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hosted Sandra

Friday's Fave Five

 Hosted by Susanne!

1. I finally got my second shot of Moderna vaccine and my 2 week  quarantine  passed. So I  celebrated by shopping at Hobby Lobby recently.  I saw so many cute   things that I felt would really lift up my  sedate and rather  dark decor.. I love my Olde World  look, especially in fall and winter,  but come spring., I'm ready for a lift!!

First of all, I  love these two signs..  As I have been enjoying watching  vloggers who are living the "Simple Life",   that one really resonated with me.  I am so  very much inspired to  declutter more and more..

And I  love the wreath with Our Nest inscribed on it.. Those  leaves  just grabbed me. So  when I saw this table cloth at Bed Bath, and Beyond, I had to have it..  Uh, what was that about  decluttering

  Ok, I Promise to send two tablescloths to the  Good Will!

I, also, found that  darling charger  at Hobby Lobby and bought three of them.  The other  two are on our  small  sunporch table..  So springy.. I love them!!!

I  adore  the airiness of the lavendar I found at Hobby Lobby.  I, also, have som plans for  it in the sunroom!!

2.  The hutch also has a bit of a make-over.. I have had my pewter cups  packed away for years, and thought," Why? "  I like the  look of them  on the hutch   with my  sweet plates.  Now the beautiful vase was a pandemic birthday  presne tI found on my stoop last year from one of my prayer Sisters who has not darkened anyone's door since.  We all miss her so much.  But I simply ahd tot ake taht fiase off the top shelf and utilize it for it's  perfect green color!

3.  I am not sure  if I ever shared  about our new  car... We bought it the week before our beach trip., ans oh how amrelous  was our ride.  We seamed to  get there in a zip! Using Google music I spent hours  prior to the trip uploading all of our  beloved tunes. I mean I have enough tunes to  traverse   the US and back   listening to the music of our time!  A Subaru really is a magnificent auto.. We returned from SC   to Va  on a half of tank of gasoline!  I am mesmerized by that!!!  And the ride is   amazing!

4.  At  this time I am deep ion the throes of planning a special addition to our garden.   I am  hugely  enamored with the idea of a David Austen rose .. Especially this one

Exquisite little buds open to half-enclosed cups, eventually becoming wide, shallow, upward-facing cups of pleasing formality. The color begins as soft-apricot pink, gradually changing to pure soft pink over time. There is a lovely myrrh fragrance. It forms a bushy, yet upright shrub. So   this  gorgeous bush is rather prolific,  which I  love, I  want one of these  on which it can climb away!

As I said these  photos are my dream, and it is up to  Hubs to help make it come true... I'll be sure to share as the dream comes to pass!!!

5.  A pretty important way I have been spending my time lately is  reading and applying   this book..

Knowing how to apply God's battle plan asgainst the plans  and warfare of the enemy in our lives, our nation, our churhc, etc..   is  very important information for every Christian.  The time for   poutting warfare prayer  off til some future time has past.  We need to be taking part in  this battle now   and  this book offers key points for jsut how to apply  strategies in our everyday life..  Highy recommended!!!!!

If you havent met Derek Prince.  here is  an example!  I hope you will get hooked on him as I am..  Brilliant  Bible Scholar!!!!

                                                        https://www.derekprince.com/about

Prayer for our President for we are called to pray for our leaders!

We are commanded in 1 Timothy chapter 2, 

1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

  A great  preacher  and Chaplain to our government, Peter Marshall, prayed this prayer for our president in 1947. It still applies today! 

                            We pray, Lord Jesus, for our President. 

We are deeply concerned that he may know the will of God,

and that he may have the spiritual courage and grace to follow it.

 

Deliver him, we pray, from all selfish considerations.

Lift him above the claims of politics, and his party.

Fill him with the Spirit of God that shall make him fearless to seek, to know, to do the right.

Save him from the friends who, in the name of politics or even friendship, would persuade him from that holy path.

 

Strengthen and empower his advisers. 

Bring them, too, to their knees in prayer.

May their example and their influence spread, that we, in these United States, 

may yet have a government of men who know Thee, the Almighty God, as their Friend, 

and who place Thy will first in their lives as well as in their prayers.

 

Hear and answer, we pray Thee, 

forgiving us all our unworthiness;

cleansing us from every ignoble thought and unworthy ambition

that we may be renewed in spirit and mind and heart, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

Amen.

 

Seasons. Tuesday 4

Welcome once again to Tuesday 4 begun by Toni Taddeo and kept alive in her memory. Hosted by Annie

Let's discuss the weather... 

1. Spring is here. What do you like or dislike about it weather wise?  I love the beautiful spring colors, the budding green trees, the vibrant flowers, the deep blue skies splattered with fair weather clouds.

2. How do you fare in humidity? Do you fade or come alive ?I definitely fade with humidity!

3. Do rainy days bother you or are you happy for an occasional break from the sunshine? I actually love rainy days, I believe it is because in my temperament I am sanguine/ melancholy. My melancholy self enjoys a cool, gray day.  Wonderful for reading! 

4. In your opinion, what is the best thing about each season? Summer/ vacations and carefree time with family.Autumn/ cool,colorful days with warming tastes of cinnamon and spice. Winter/ Christmas, celebrating with close family and friends, joyful and expectant faces. Spring/ fresh newness of life, pastel colors, birdsong, and gentle and not so gentle breezes. I love all the seasons!

Thanks for joining in an

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hosted by Sandra!

Beautiful, but not enjoying the POLLEN!!

♥♥The Weather♥♥ 

We are home!

Monday~68 cloudy

Tuesday~72 cloudy

Wednesday~66 showers

Thursday~57 cloudy

Friday~ 62 cloudy

♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥ 

Good to be home and back to reality. Today  we need to go to Sam's  to purchase some items for our Mission's committee,  and  I want to stop  and  buy some planting plants.

 ♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥

Coffee, and yogurt, 

♥♥On my reading pile♥♥ 

 online app  The Bible Recap...   Highly recommended!!!  Reading through the Bible chronologically!

Joy Journal, what I'm thankful for

Colossians  chapter 3

Tactics by Gregory Koukl, a fabulous book on how to share the gospel with others..  we are reading this in our Apologetics class

 Rules of Engagement Preparing for your Role in the Spiritual Battle by Derek Prince.  I love this book we are reading for my Bible Study class!    Awesome!

An  Irish Wish by Nora Roberts

 ♥♥On my tv♥♥

When calls the Heart and  I loved  As Luck Would Have it!

♥♥On the menu this week♥♥  

No plans yet!

♥♥From the camera♥ 

Sweetheart is looking  purty good!!!

♥♥Looking around the house♥♥

Yes, time to get back into  housekeeping!!

♥♥To relax this week, I will♥♥

I will read more on my book   on Ireland from last week!!

♥♥Something I want to share:  I realy enjoy  the Entertaining with Beth vlogs..  what an amazing cook she is!!

♥♥Devotional, inspirational, prayer list or Bible verse♥♥

Dear  God,  nothing takes you by surprise. You know everything that has transpired in the last  few years in  our nation..  I won't take your time reminding you but please  know  that our hearts are wrenching from the  knowledge that our nation  continues  to  decline  culturally,  financially,  and  morally!  There is definitely a demonic influence over the nation! Deception, deception, deception!!!   You know best what is to be done,  so  we wait patiently for your help! Thank you for your peace  that passes all understanding.

 Meanwhile,  we pray that the covid vaccine   will be readily available to all who need it and we will  soon put this terrible season behind us!  God we  know that without you, we  are and can do nothing. Our trust in in you by the power of the name of Jesus Christ our Lord!  Amen