Ruby Tuesday

For more  reds visit our host, Mary.. Always a blogging treat to visit her site!

According to one of my favorite Bible Scholars, Bob Sorge, from his book Secrets of the Secret Place, 

"One of the best kept secrets of the faith is the blessedness and joy of cultivating a secret life with God. Imagine the sheer delight of it even now. You're tucked away in a quiet nook, the door is shut, you're curled up in  a comfortable position; the living Word of God is opened before you' Jesus himself stands at your side; The Holy Spirit is gently washing your heart;your love is awakened as you meditate upon the gracious  words of His mouth; your spirit is ignited and your mind is renewed; you talk to Him; and He talks to you in the language of intimate friendship......   so shut the door and met the father who is graciously awaiting you there!"

When I was looking for red in my home this morning  I realized no better  place than where I was sitting... in my secret place...  which Id love to share with you..
Soon after I read Sorge's book a few years ago I realized I needed to designate an special place in my home for my secret place to go and grow in intimacy with the Lord .   I had recently received a most special gift from my art teacher,, the last piece she ever created,,,   this amazing oil of the Cloisters of Waltham Abbey in the south of England.   I already sensed just sitting in the  chair beneath this wonderful masterpiece that I could feel in my spirit the warmth of sunlight shining down upon through the painting...so it was only natural that this very comfy spot would be the cozy nook.

Situated between two bright windows I could choose whether I preferred  natural or lamplight.


Immediately I tucked  my smallish bookcase in between the chair and wall for easy access to my texts I am studying,  Often times as now, the books are filled to overflowing.. The side table is perfect for collecting the accoutrements of study... the Bible, several marking pens, and of course, my cup of tea.   I found that having a prayer basket handy is  very helpful.  There I keep an assortment of devotionals, journals, note cards, and address book, and  stamps  to write notes to friends and family  for whom I've prayed.

Matthew 6:6  "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

Just a Tidbit of my Style for Mosaic Monday

Tomorrow is the beginning of February, and being the true romantic that I am,.  I am always taken by details that speak romance to me,,,,  many also speak Olde World to me... for my heart belongs in the Olde Country... Britannia!  So I surround myself with details that resonant  in my heart.... I suppose my style is quite eclectic, but I love it!


Visit Mary at the Little Red House for more Mosaic Monday!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY  The last day of January 2011

Outside my window... it has been a terribly bleak and damp kind of day,  I was supposed to get out and go
,to church this morning, but I just am not feeling up to par today.    I thought maybe a day in and saying nice and warm would do me good.

I am thinking...   today is the birthday of my very dearest friend and   colleague, Pam.  She would have been 64 today, but she went to be with the Lord ten years ago...  we taught side by side for many years.... we  traveled around the Mid Atlantic together   leading reading seminars at teacher's conferences.  Planning and executing extraordinary   activities was our forte... we loved working together.  I have missed her terribly, but Im sure she is busy at work in heaven planning events  in preparation for something grand..


I am thankful for... my husband... he is a true blessing to me and our family!  I think of him more and more as Valentine's Day is fast approaching.






From the kitchen...I am moving into a fruit and veggie mode, so Im thinking a nice fruited winter salad for dinner this evening.  



I am wearing... my white turtle neck and navy slacks.  just simple and comfy.. thats on my plan for today!




I am creating...no plans for creating this week



I am reading... A Praying Life, by Paul Miller;  The Peacemaker by Ken Sande; Growing in the fruit of the Spirit, a Bible Study Series

I am hoping...to get more energy since I recently  started taking a b complex vitamin
  I have always taken the B-12 but I'm movin' on up!


I am hearing...  the romantic tunes that I love on my blog.   Hope you a re enjoying the music!




Around the house...laundry .... I can never seem to get ahead of it... and get pick up.

One of my favorite things...china/dishes...  I went to Marshall's last week and I just felt something luring me on to the housewares department.  When I arrived at that one delicious ailse... you know the one....  with all then dreamy odds and ends of china ware... there it was   the most delightful set of 6 dinner plates and 6 matching bowls.  Made in England ...Royal Stafford... for a song in price..  me,me, me!    I'll share more about it on a pater post.  But I LOVE it!!!



A few plans for the rest of the week:   Well, not much!  And it's a good thing because as I said before I just don't feel like doing much of anything!  The forecast is rain, drizzle, cold, cold, cold, miserable weather.  Too much for me to have to tackle feeling as I do so I intend to stay put!   I do have to go to church a couple times this week for studies, etc, choir practice, and a doctor's appt. to check on my eyes.. following the flashing episode for a few weeks ago.  But I intend to stay pretty close to home all week!
Here is picture I thought Id share with you :

Since we 're coming up on Valentine's Day soon I am reminded of all the people and things that I love!
For the 2011 edition of The Simple Woman's Daybooks visit Peggy here!

Pink Saturday

Happy PINK Saturday!!

I have a dear friend, Lois, who has recently been converting her monthly homemaking newsletter into  the most fabulous blog...Heart to Heart!

 Once you start visiting her blog, you will definitely want to bookmark it.  It is filled with all things lovely,  spiritual, and uplifting...  you can also move over to her other recipe blog from her home page and find many, many fabulous recipes!  She has been working very hard to get her newsletters archived and it has really paid. off.    You will want to visit her site often for refreshing and   marvelous homemaking tips and ideas.

Visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for more PINK SATURDAY!!

Skywatch Friday

This winter sunset over our house was just beautiful!

Check out Skyley for more wonderful photos!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... It is the middle of the afternoon and still well below the freezing mark! Brr it was cold getting out this morning to go to Bible Study. But the sun is shining it has been a very nice day, all in all.

I am thinking... as I look at my French manicure how much I enjoyed our visit with our daughter, Amanda. Going to get our manicures on Saturday morning was a real treat for me, and really, that is one treat I plan to continue in my old age!!

I am thankful for... all the advances in our scientific society... medicines that relieve pain, hair color that relieves that haggard look that I am trying to dispel of today! Technology and science affect us daily and I thank the Lord he cares enough to give us these things to enhance our lives in this difficult and ever changing world.

From the kitchen... nothing! Lynn is taking my friend, Dottie, and me out to dinner tonight prior to the symphony. It is our great pleasure to have Dottie with us tonight! We're going to Annie Moore's Pub for dinner!

I am wearing... I am wearing my winter white slacks and rose colored turtle neck sweater. It is so cosy, I plan to wear it tonight as well.

I am creating... a power point presentation I will use as I teach part 1 of The Praying Life this Thursday evening at church!

I am going... to be taking mom to get her pt checked in the morning and marketing for her after that. Hope any bad weather holds off until after that outing. Then it is back to the drawing board for the next couple of days!

I am reading... A Praying Life, by Paul Miller The Peace Maker by Ken Sande both of these are for bible studies at church! The Peace Maker is for our Sunday night Pastor's study. It promises to be really great!

I am hoping...that Dottie will really enjoy the concert tonight. I am basically trying to introduce her to the love of classical music. Tonight

's programme promises to be quite inspiring... tonight is the Movie Masterworks.. classical works featured in the movies.

Ravel - Bolero
Grieg - Peer Gynt selections
Rota - Bassoon Concerto - Elizabeth Roberts, Bassoon
Mendelssohn - Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream
Wagner - Tannhauser Overture

I am hearing... the acapella singing of my favored group at this time, Glad. What harmony and wonderful lyrics! It sweeps me away with its perfection!

Around the house...even though there is snow in the forecast and we still have 2 months of winter ahead of us,,, I cant help but think of spring! My neighbor who recently moved here from Indiana must think that it is quite balmy here because he is outside everyday creating a new garden in his front yard...digging, laying rock.... working through the sod.... I cant help but get excited!....Right?

One of my favorite things... well, I wish it was housework...I could imagine a zillion things I'd like to accomplish... but alas, ever since I retired that is low on my to do list. I like to plan, and plan and plan but I dont seem to get things accomplished... perhaps when Lynn gets retired this year then things will change.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Monday-Bible Study and dinner /concert this evening

Tuesday-Mom to doctor and then marketing spend time on the power point

Wednesday- snow expected so a perfect time to finish up the power point and work on the specifics. I am drawing in much from other texts so that should fairly well take up a couple of days teach Thursday night

Friday- nothing... ummmm perhaps breakfast out with a friend

Saturday- prayer team- prayer in the prayer chapel in the morning

Here is picture I thought Id share with you :

Church is such an important part of my life that it seems right to put a photo of my church up

Church is not only a place of worship and learning of our Lord and Savior, our heavenly Father, God, and the precious Holy Spirit, but it is a place of fellowship and delight.


Like one year we took this road trip to the Cass Railroad in West Virginia together with the senior adults. This is our recent senior pastor whom we honored last night for his years of ministry with us!

For the 2011 January edition of the Simple Woman's Daybook visit Peggy here.

Pink Saturday

Happy PINK Saturday!!

Today is Sanctity of Life Saturday as we remember that 38 years ago today our Supreme Court decided against the sanctity of human life in favor of a woman's right to choose, hence legalizing abortion on demand... even as a form of birth control.

Historically, in 1983, President Reagan issued a proclamation creating a special day to focus on the sanctity of human life and the fundamental right to life. National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is held on the Sunday in January that falls closest to the day on which the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions were handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court on January 22, 1973.

Here are the facts:

FACTS ON ABORTION AND RELATED ISSUES

(AUGUST 2010)

Abortion in the U.S.

Nearly half of pregnancies among American women are unintended, and 4 in 10 of these end in abortion.In 2005, 1.21 million abortions were performed, down from 1.6 million in 1990, a 25% decrease. The abortion rate decreased 9% from 2000 - 2005 to 19.4 abortions for every 1,000 women between the ages of 15 and 44. From 1973 through 2005, more than 45 million abortions occurred. At current rates, about one-third of women in the U.S. will have had an abortion by age 45.

After the horrendous report that came out of the Philadelphia abortion clinic regarding the governor's ceasing of regulations of clinics throughout Pennsylvania, The American Family Association has been tracking this development and is making it very easy for us to contact our own governors to plead the case for proper state regulatory action at least to insure humane abortions in the future.

I am all for the human right to choose, but to choose responsibly... before the act of conception... for more on this topic this site has more thoughtful discussion. There is a wonderful poem written by the author of this site which demonstrates my feelings on the topic. They say now that since 1973 over 50 million babies have been aborted.

To me this is a huge sin of our nation... a sin against God for we are created in His image. How long will God sit idle before His full wrath is brought upon us,,, for God is a mighty judge of the nations. Please pray with me for those women who are thinking of and deciding now to choose abortion... pray also for the miracle of our nation repenting and turning back to God, repealing this heinous aberration, and choosing instead to value life, protect the innocent, and live wisely as before the Almighty who is faithful to forgive the truly repentant heart.

Visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for more PINK SATURDAY!!