Back to Basics

Visit Sandra here for more HHM!

The weather.....

I am loving this weather,  here it is  after 1pm and it is 70 degrees.

Right now I am....

I am listening to   some Bible teaching      by Derek Prince....

Thinking.... 

I  have been absent from   blogging for a  bit,   while my mother was in hospital....   she is   holding her own now.....    and    meanwhile,   so many things  are   happening to   take my time...I am  blogging now   for release and   finding balance!

Looking forward to...
getting  to  actually see and hold Little Birdie in my arms...  she  could make  her  appearance  anytime within the next month! AYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!

On my reading pile....

Daily Bible reading...Isaiah

various   books   on Spiritual warfare   from Derek Prince.... 
Blessings and Curses  of the old testament  and beyond
Conquest of Canaan  by Jessie Penn Lewis

On my TV..... 

enjoyed the  film, "Darling Companion"   playing on encore lately

Blog Hopping

no time lately, sorry to say

On my to do list....

laundry

errands
clean house (this list never changes)

grocery shopping  

In the craft basket.... 
nothing

Looking around the house....

Do I have to?

From the camera:
How   fabulous it is to break our fast   out on the porch!

On my prayer list..... 

Our family, parents, daughter ,  Little Birdie*, son-in law, 

Our church, and church family 

our nation, leaders, 

Israel and the Middle East 

Bible verse, Devotional  or  thoughtful  words:

Colossians 1:15-20

The Supremacy of the Son of God

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

  Smiling Sally here!

Happy Homemaker

Visit Sandra here for more HHM!

The weather.....

yikes,  it is  91 degrees and  humid.....   think I'll stay in the hopuse  today!

Right now I am....

taking a break... ahvent  been blogging for a  spell...  been too busy....   today I finished  making   my  Grammie CC gift   to Little Birdie.... more on that later.

Thinking.... 

One of these days  pretty soon, Lynn and  I will be  boarding  the train  and heading  north to see the kids....  toa ttend   a baby shower for Amanda and Birdie....I  am  so  pleased that  my  sewing  ability   came  out  jsut in time for me to tackle and complete  my  secret   shower gift...   however, it wasnt without it's shares of  trouble.....  Let's jsut say I did quite a bit of  ripping out yesterday!
   yikes!
  But today  it is   complete and looking   very nice!

Looking forward to...
getting  to  actually see and hold Little Birdie in my arms...

On my reading pile....

Daily Bible reading...Proverbs

Daily devotional.. My Utmost for His Highest 

Seven Men by Eric Metaxas

On my TV..... 

an occasional   old  film on  TMC

Blog Hopping

Today I enjoyed Pondside
Uplifting,   peaceful,. and   simply   sublime!

On my to do list....

sewing project

laundry

errands
clean house (this list never changes)

grocery shopping  

In the craft basket.... 

Looking around the house....

looks like    someone is trying to get some things ready to post.... 

  a large box,  filler paper, and  bubble wrap,   and   bundles  lying about... Hmmmmm

From the camera:

Documenting   the  fun evening we  enjoyed last Friday at  the Yacht club on Smith Mountain Lake

 It was    cool and breezy  well, it  fell  wonderful compared to today!

The water was a bit choppy  so   we   didnt  take the  sailboat out....  but  enjoyed watching   others   speed by...   The  food   brought by  our  Sunday School class was   delish and the  company  as usual was   merry!...

I   found  my game....  I  pretty good at   throw the bean bag!!!

heheheheheheh!

On my prayer list..... 

Our family, parents, daughter ,  Little Birdie*, son-in law, 

Our church, and church family 

our nation, leaders, 

Israel and the Middle East 

Bible verse, Devotional  or  thoughtful  words:
PSALM 51:1

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin

  Smiling Sally here!

There was a ton of blue to be seen Friday , as compared to the   tones of  gray all last week!

Back to Basic Living

It  has been   rather   good to put the  red, white, and blue away and get back to basics...

It all started with my  birthday yesterday...

  I  received  some   wonderful  gifts...

This book  is one  our   Bible  teacher has  been  quoting from   now for several weeks...

I  can't wait to   get into it... Im definitely taking it on my train trip....  later this month!

Another great read   I got was 

I am  reading this book aloud to my husband each morning..   we  are  so inpsired  by   Eric Metaxas' writing!

Some   personal items and  delicious food followed...   but this next item I,  also, love....

My friend   walked into  the    consignment shop and  just  said, "Lord,  Show me what Carolyn would like."

This gorgeous brass pitcher made in Italy....  

which I added to   this   arrangement

I felt  so   amazed  a month ago   when  the Lord led me to this  painting.. one Im pretty sure most  folks  would  bypass in a hurry,  but   I love it........  what cant be seen  in this photo very well,  is that in the far background  on the right is the shadow of St. George slaying the dragon.... I love the  spiritual  connotation of this...

for  our battle is in the spirit realm....our weapons  are  spirit, as well!

Notice how the   delicate   yet intricate  shape of the   new pitcher   mimics the   graceful lines of the one in the photo....  I  love it!

I turn now   180 degrees and  capture the  dining table...

Time to  hail   teatime.... 

My dear cousin, Pam,  is   coming   for a wee visit  this evening,  as   several of my mom's sisters  are gathering to   visit with  her, dad and us  tomorrow  for luncheon.......

I want to take  advantage of  Pam's visit  to   enjoy a bit of teatime together...  
   so I found this  wonderful low carb  dessert  to try 
for this evening...paired  with  a nice  green tea  fruited  cooler....   yum!


Summer To Autumn Peach Galette
in Diana's Recipe Book


Servings: 8

Comments:
Top each slice with a dollap of Lite or Fat-Free Non-Dairy Whipped Topping, and indulge in this lovely summer to autumn galette.


Ingredients:
1/2 of a 15-ounce package folded refrigerated unbaked
piecrust (1 crust)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 cups peeled and sliced peaches
(1 1/2 pounds)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 large egg, beaten
1 tablespoon water

Instructions:
Let the pie crust stand at room temperature according to package
directions; unfold. Line a large baking sheet with foil and lightly flour.
Place pastry on the prepared baking sheet and roll to a 14 x 11-inc oval.

In a large mixing bowl stir together granulated sugar, flour, and
nutmeg. Stir in peaches and lemon juice. Spoon peach mixture onto
pastry, leaving a 2-inch border.

Fold pastry border up and over peaches, folding edges gently as needed. Combine egg and water.Brush egg mixture onto the top and sides of the crust. Bake in a 375 degree F. oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until the crust is golden. If necessary, cover top crust with foil for the last 10 to 15 minutes of baking to prevent overbrowning. Cool for 30 minutes on the baking sheet. Makes 8 servings.

Tip: You can substitute nectarines, plums, or other summer fruit for the peaches, if desired.
source

This week Im sharing here....

Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally
A Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life
Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage
Tea Cup Tuesday~ Artful Affirmations
Tea Cup Tuesday ~Martha’s Favorites
Tuesday Cuppa Tea~ Antiques and Teacups
Friends Sharing Tea ~ Open House @Bernideen’s Teatime Blog
Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday
Cottage Style Party @ Lavender Garden Cottage
Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine’s Corner
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home on Thursday

July is Here!

Good morning, and Happy July!....
I  am  so honored to have been featured   this week on  A Return to Loveliness

I must say, Im not so unhappy with the turbulent summer weather we've experienced here in SW Virginia.... Thankfully, the storms  havent been too damaging, but they surely do keep the temps down, which I really love,,,

and the flowers are heavy in bloom!



This is the fabulous view from my morning porch where I enjoy my first cuppa and meet with the Lord!!!



I am reading the Bible through in chronological order and to be honest I have fallen behind, so this morning I spent my time reading through almost the entire book of Proverbs..... We need to reread this book often to keep our minds fixed on Christ likeness! Anyway, that brought me up to June 17th which is making me f eel somewhat better about being behind!!!



So today seems to be a catchup kind of day..... life events have taken a toll on our time lately and I have taken time now to get in the Patriotic Spirit!



Having the sunroom table ready for what may come seems to keep me in good stead....

of course, I wash  everything prior to dining, but keeping it set motivates me to be more hospitable and prepared for good times with friends!




I love my flower vase I picked up in Williamsburg.... so easy to arrange summer flowers in and makes a patriotic statement, as well!





Our wonderful Old Glory is the most beautiful standard in the world.... may it ever wave!

Bright and Early

Visit Sandra here for more HHM!

The weather.....

a beautiful, if humid 74 degrees

Right now I am....

contemplating my day  whiole I enjoy my  fruit, yogurt and first cup of coffee...

Thinking.... 

how   very happy   we are that   my parents' home has sold, and we    wont have to be  going over there to work, mow,  paint or  clear out anything anymore,.....  it  was a long  18 months!

Looking forward to...
another  week  of living....  things have settled down a bit and   we actually have time to plan  projects around here!  YAYAYAYAYAY!

On my reading pile....

Daily Bible reading...I and II Kings  along with   appropriate Psalms

(Im reading the Bible through  in  chronological order)

Daily devotional.. My Utmost for His Highest 

Spiritual Warfare by Derek Prince

On my TV..... 
I   have a  couple of videos  to watch,  but   I  just  dont care for  regular tv  shows much anymore, unless it is an old movie,  or  a food or  home and garden show

Blog Hopping

On my to do list....
menu planning

laundry

errands

photography session
work the  church   during photography sessions

clean house (this list never changes)

grocery shopping  

Looking around the house....

I need to   get  some  areas   of the house picked up...

From the camera:

My  baked egg, ham, and cheese  dish   seasoned with fresh basil   suits me to a tea  ! 

fresh flowers from the garden make me  smile,  but alas,,,    I have very few    blooms on my hydrangea  bush this year!

On my prayer list..... 

Our family, parents, daughter ,  Little Birdie*, son-in law, 

Our church, and church family 

our nation, leaders, 

Israel and the Middle East 

Bible verse, Devotional  or  thoughtful  words:

Psalm 42

7 Deep calls to deep

in the roar of your waterfalls;

all your waves and breakers

have swept over me.

8 By day the Lord directs his love,

at night his song is with me—

a prayer to the God of my life.

  
Smiling Sally here!

VBS Begins

Visit Sandra here for more HHM!

The weather.....

a beautiful  presummer day....  even though  a bit   humid 80 degrees

Right now I am....

finally recuperated from   doing  vacation Bible School  snack team this morning.....

Thinking.... 

how very much  I love vacation Bible school....back in my  teaching days,  I  also taught  Sunday School and   VBS every summer...  but the summer of 1992  was  the  very best of all, because  Amanda, our 7 year old, came home on that Thursday   and told us  she accepted Jesus as her Savior...    and   she   immediately,  and ever since,  has   demonstrated the fruit of   her  conversion and   her life in  His kingdom!  

Looking forward to...

This week when  our   BFF's   meet  out for dinner and   then go to  a  special  ministry series on  the Prophetic  Words of the Bible  being   realized   in today's   world

On my reading pile....

Daily Bible reading...I and II Chronicles  along with   appropriate Psalms

(Im reading the Bible through  in  chronological order)

Daily devotional.. My Utmost for His Highest 

Spiritual Warfare by Derek Prince

Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan

On my TV..... 

what is tv??

Blog Hopping

I just haven't had time to hop  this week......   hopefully, soon though!

On my to do list....

VBS

  important meeting   with  church leadership

laundry

 dinner out with friends and  Prophetic ministry

errands

photography session

clean house (this list never changes)

grocery shopping  

In the craft basket.... 

no time

Looking around the house....

things are looking  a bit  out of sorts here and there

From the camera:

I celebrated   Father's Day   yesterday   praising my dearest Lynn  for  being the  best father, husband, and sweetheart!

dad was always   a most dapper dresser.....   I always loved him in blue!

I, also,  praised my   daddy  who will be 94  next month and who  is just  is  the   very sweetest dad.. We are so  fortunate to still have him with us!

and I  praised my   grandpa

who  fought valiantly in WWI in France and   came home to marry  grandma and   build a  very  profitable   dairy farm in SW Virginia...  He was a  great   man and   I"m only sorry  our daughter never knew him,  but  Im sure we'll all get together   one day!

On my prayer list..... 

Our family, parents, daughter ,  Little Birdie*, son-in law, 

Our church, and church family 

our nation, leaders, 

Israel and the Middle East 

Bible verse, Devotional  or  thoughtful  words:

2Corinthians 10

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

  Smiling Sally here!

Happy Homemaker Monday with Splashes of Blue

Visit Sandra here for more HHM!

The weather.....

a cool,   drizzly 72 today

Right now I am....

I am trying to keep my eyes open... been a tiring  last   few days... but   so  full of joy, as well!

Thinking.... 

I  can't believe what a whirlwind weekend we just enjoyed.  Amanda nad Joshua were here to celebrate the upcoming birth of  their first and our  first   grandchild,  Lil Birdie, with  2   amazing showers!  

Looking forward to...
becoming    Grammy CC in the fullest extent of the  word!

On my reading pile....

Daily Bible reading...Psalms

Daily devotional.. My Utmost for His Highest 

Spiritual Warfare by Derek Prince
Random Harvest by James Hilton

On my TV..... 

what is tv??

Blog Hopping

Eleanor's beautiful blog  from Pretoria, South Africa...  , Thatchwick Cottage!  The joy   of blogging   is  discovering  kindred spirits  all  around the world!

Even though  she lives in a gorgeous thatched    cottage   half way around the world,  we obviously share  so  many   loves  of  home,    family and   happy times in  the same season of life!

On my to do list....

laundry

errands
clean house (this list never changes)

grocery shopping  
put together a memory book   about  the  shower   for my  sweet   Birdie!

In the craft basket.... 

try  to  go to  knitting class  this week if they hold it

Looking around the house....
the remnants of   a   wonderful weekend shared with our   sweet, sweet family

From the camera:

Our  Special   tea luncheon last Friday with   special   and  dear   family and friends  from  Amanda's   life! 

 The shower    held  Saturday.....

 Very  dear friends...

and family.. 

 The coming down from   my adrenalin  rush  and   joy  from the showers , as well as, putting the kids back on the plane for   home this  morning  at 6  has left me at 6's and 7's  today!....

On my prayer list..... 

Our family, parents, daughter ,  Little Birdie*, son-in law, 

Our church, and church family 

our nation, leaders, 

Israel and the Middle East 

Bible verse, Devotional  or  thoughtful  words:

“I think the only answer is to live life to the fullest while you can and collect memories like fools collect money. Because in the end, that's all you have - happy memories.” “A mother is a mother from the moment her baby is first placed in her arms until eternity. It didn't matter if her child were three, thirteen, or thirty.” 

― Sarah Strohmeyer, Kindred Spirits

  Smiling Sally here!

can you   find a bit of blue throughout   our weekend...  I can!