Friday's Fave Five

Hosted by Susanne.

The hands of time  do not stand still... time  seems to be  rushing along the continuum more  rapidly each day. Sometimes I can barely keep up!

• But I have only to look out the window to see the most amazing day   to know  how thankful I am to my Savior, my Redeemer,  my father, and my friend!  I am so thankful He awakened me this morning   and I am  able to  see enjoy this  wonderful new dayI  Today I have a choice of  spending my time indoors or out,  because again the weather is a special gift   from heaven. Right now, at 11:30 am it is a perfect sunny 75 degrees! 
• I am thankful for the strength and capability  we have had to  do the work here in our home  to  refresh and  and update it..it really need  a refresh after  almost 20 years of the same color  in the main level. This winter  we repainted the main rooms,  but saved the den til last.. It serves as a library  and tv room  and  needed the most work done. Just before our trip in July Lynn got around to painting the walls  and  most of the woodwork,   that left mainly the   wall of  bookcases  around the double hung windows that, also, need painting. 

I am so pleased to see how far Lynn is along on   the den.  I now can see  the  paint palette..   the  teal  bookcase  was  the first  paint choice,, , well  not  withstanding the   woodwork was already white.  but the wall color  was  the most difficult to decide.  But I praise God  that  He knew best and it was  with His guidance  we picked  Baja  tan by Behr.  Without reasoning it  in the beginning it   is the color that will blend the whole room together..  but  you'll understand this better  later!

Thank you, Lord!

Thank you, Lynn!

• I am thankful for small blessings, as well.  My hair  has gotten  thinner  this year from all the  ERCP procedures, being put to sleep  5 times this year.    So my regular  hairstyle  just  isn't  right for me anymore.  I'm going today to get a make over.. shorter and layers..    pretty excited,  but I am thankful  for this opportunity  because I know it will make me feel better  and not be so   stressed out over my hair! I hope this doesn't sound vain!   But for me it a blessing,  still!
• I am proud of my kids. But mostly I am so pleased and thankful that  the Lord blesses them so mightily.  Both Amanda and her husband are  very musically talented and were given  wonderful opportunities in their young lives to make the most of their talent. Now we are seeing the fruit of their labors  in the grands.,,  our  precious granddaughters. are  both taking piano   and  doing  very well with it,  plus they are excited   to being  playing.  This week I heard them both playing duets with their mom!  And the youngest  one is also taking violin lessons like her mom and dad did!  I pray she will stay with it like they did and really  be able to use  that gift as an adult.  Amanda and I enjoy  our piano for our own  pleasure and ability to pay just about anything we aspire to.  But to be able to play violin well opens so many doors to  wonderful cultural opportunities, even if it is to play  in the church orchestra which is a wonderful endeavor. It is giving back to the Lord  that which He has enabled  you to do  and when you  discipline yourself to  stay with it    long time,  it is  a special component of your life that  you have not only earned, but something no one can take from you! Thank you, Lord  for    these gifts, great and small.  Praise Your Holy name!

Tuesday 4

Dinner Out

Hosted by Ann!
Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4... 

Let's talk about restaurants and eating out, okay?

1 Do you like eating out with friends or would you

 rather have them over for a meal?  Both, But we  dine

 out with our best friends every week,  usually on 

Sunday after church. Yesterday we went to our 

favorite Mexican place!

Gerri ordered this

2. Let's go out to eat. You pick.    Where are we going ? 

Out for Chinese!

3. What are you going to order tonight?well, hubs is 

making the  best chicken salad with  cranberries,  

roasted pecans,  and   sweet pickle relish,  served

 with corn salad and bbq chips!

4.  Are you going to have dessert?  What will it 

be?A dish of Haagen - Dazs  strawberry ice cream!

  Yum!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hosted by Sandra@ Diary of the Stay at Home Mom

Today's Weather 

Monday   scattered storms, 70, 65

Tuesday rain, 69, 65

Wednesday  partly cloudy, 75, 62

Thursday partly cloudy, 79, 63, 

Friday  partly cloudy, 77, 63

  Oh, how I love this week.  The weather suits me to a TEA.  I think I may   host a small tea this week.  A  wonderful week for baking up something special.

As I Look Outside My Window 

It has been a rainy morning for which the ground and flowers outside are so thankful! I will not mention, (too much) about my sad roses..  The deer really    chewed them up while we were gone.   I am rather heart sick over them! 

Right Now  

I am over the moon that I tested negative for covid over the weekend ,   my cough has essentially disappeared,  and  I was actually able to sing at church yesterday!  My  arthritis is  not too limiting today so I am in a great mood for decorating after I post this.  Lynn brought up and summer and fall decor boxes so  I can jump right in, once I   finish this post!  

How I am feeling this morning!

As I mentioned above I am feeling so much better in many ways.. Good enough to plunge into some home decorating and  even a bit of baking   planning!

Thinking and Pondering

A recent  evening while sitting in my living room I  looked  up and  admired  a pastoral painting  on the wall of sheep  in a  gorgeous green glen and I thought , my, that reminds me of Scotland. Then a wonderful idea  came to me. While  in Loch Lomond at the  Games we  shopped in a tent where they had all kinds of Scottish paintings ...reproductions  ready to  frame. I found  one that  screamed buy me and was so thrilled to have it.  I will share  what it was   once it is a completed thought and  activity.  Well,   that  picture along with the sheep  made me think of another  photo  I had taken   that also  included a  "like" subject. Suddenly I had the most  wonderful idea for a gallery wall in our  living room  to commemorate our trip!. I cannot wait to  get it  completed.  I will say though at this time it is 2/3    finished    and    the last third is well on its way to being  accomplished!

PS: I did just  get the summer flowers  stored away and  got the sun flowers  going!!!   Also, last week I was asked about  the pheasant feathers on my  Amazon  wish list.  Well, they have arrived  and apparently  as I have seen them time and again on British home styling  blogs, of course, I had to have some, too!   Can you find any being  used on my blog above? 

On The Breakfast Plate

I had  coffee and yogurt, then   for lunch Lunn made the most amazing  egg casserole   served with orange  marmalade toast. Something  magical came over him and I  gladly  feasted on  a delectable lunch!

On My Reading Pile

I have only a couple more days in II Samuel...goodness these books have been  wrought with  murder and intrigue.  David is one many of my favorite Biblical heroes,  but he surely  was   involved in a lot of bloodletting..   what I mean is he had a lot of enemies  who were  after him.  I am so glad we are studying  the psalms in Church each week.  David's love for God  is so encouraging and   he really set the example  for us  in how to  really  worship God in Spirit and Truth!  Another book I am beginning is one book Amanda sent me.. The Book Woman , a sequel to  the  one about her mother ,  set in Appalachia,,  which was so enthralling that she sent me last year. Wonderful stories,  written about real women!

On My TV 

  I continue to enjoy  programing on YOUtube to anything on   the networks,  and  I really  and truly consider  this program  that I am       sharing below to be the most important program of our time. Pastor Allen Jackson  has  had to multiply the size of his church to make room for the thousands who are coming from all over the country to hear what and how he is dividing the word of Scripture  that  we  Americans living in  this a very tumultuous time in our history really need to hear!

A Youtube I really like

This  could be the most  relevant and important 55 minutes you might spend  watching something on air.  

On The Menu 

Monday:   Chinese stir fry chicken   with   veggies and rice

Tuesday: spaghetti and salad

Wednesday:  hot dogs and   Frito salad

Thursday : dinner with friends

Friday :  left overs

 Around the House 

Last week Lynn got some great painting done in the den.  He  got    one double hung window set  painted and  worked on the doors.  He,  Ta-Da!!!  finally got the teal paint on the book case  insert.  Now I can really see how the paint colors  marry in the room.   And I love it.   It will probably be   a few weeks before I can share the room completed . I would love to wait until the shutters are installed,  but I have no idea when that might   be!

From The Camera  …..

I do not want to miss this.   We have  gorgeous views  from right around my home.. I love the Blue Ridge Mountains.. we may even have some UFO's!!😜

On My To Do List

• Ok, I need to  clean up the guest room..  bah humbug.  
• get my allergy shot
• attend  Bible Study.. oh, how Ive missed it..   Studying the book of John
• Go to a Biblical seminar

Dine out with friends

On My Prayer List

Pray these promises into your life!

AUGUST 15 - PROMISE #227
I give power to the exhausted and I strengthen the weak.
Isaiah 40:29

AUGUST 16 - PROMISE #228
If I am for you, no one can stand against you.
Romans 8:31

AUGUST 17 - PROMISE #229
Though you have many plans, My purpose will be fulfilled.
Proverbs 19:21

AUGUST 18 - PROMISE #230
If two of you agree in prayer, I will do whatever you ask.
Matthew 18:19

AUGUST 19 - PROMISE #231
I will make you fruitful in your old age.
Psalm 92:13-14

AUGUST 20 - PROMISE #232
Do not despise My discipline, for in time, I will heal your wounds.
Job 5:17-18

Saturday 9

Welcome to Saturday 9. Hosted by Samantha! 

W.O.L.D. (1973)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song tells the story of a man who has made a career in radio.  How many professions have you worked in?I have worked in    retail   as a teen and very young adult  on school vacations and  education as I taught 3rd and 4th grade for  30 years.  

 

2) He describes himself as "45 going on 15." This morning, do you feel older or younger than your years?At my age I generally feel younger  than 72.   I refuse to  ever feel  the  age I am except  I cannot  refute the  aches and pains.  But my mind is  really what determines  my age  and I always feel  much younger!

3) He estimates that he's traveled thousands of miles, from town to city, as disc jockey at various stations. Have you ever relocated for a job? No.

4) This song is written as though he's reached out to an ex. Is there someone from your past who is on your mind this morning?My dear hubs qualifies for    someone from my past as we  have been together  for 55 years.

5) Tell us about a radio personality you grew up listening to. I always loved listening to Wolfman Jack.. Hubs and I  while we dated listening to his show as he counted down the top tunes.   

6) This week's featured artist, Harry Chapin, was an Oscar nominee. Before he became a musician, he wrote and directed a documentary about boxing called Legendary Champions. When you sit down to watch a movie, would you prefer action, comedy, drama, fantasy, horror, mystery, romance, thriller or documentary?This all depends on my mood.. Let's say I detest horror, and thriller is a bit much for me.  I  would enjoy any of the others!

 

7) Today Harry Chapin is fondly remembered for his philanthropy. He filled his calendar with benefit concerts that supported local food banks all around the country. How would you like to be remembered? I would love to be remembered as a beloved mother to our daughter, and    a  sweet  Gaga  to my  wonderful  grands,  as a good friend to many, a deep  Christian   and prayer warrior, and  teacher who loved her craft and  especially loved sharing  good writing skills with her students.

8) In 1973, when this song was popular, one of the top-selling toys was a Curious George book packaged with a plush Curious George. Can you recall a favorite book from your childhood?I loved a book hosting the  collection of Hans Christian Andersen's  stories, my aunt ave me  as a young teen. I kept that book   all through my  teaching career and loved reading the stories to my class,  because so many of the stories they had never heard!

 

9) Random question: Here's $100. What will you spend it on?I suppose I would use it on the items in my Amazon  wish list...

 Vintage Victorian Round Tea Caddy 

Kaariok Boho Mandala Teal Flower Round Placemats Set of 6, Washable Heat Resistant Place Mats for Dining Kitchen Table 

Cordelia de Castellane

Life in a French Country House: Entertaining for All Seasons   A  beautiful book

a set of 12 natural Pheasant feathers  

...this add up pretty closely to $100.00

PS I had a question about pheasant feathers..  Many  British Country style blogs  use   nifty contains  to  display  these feathers.. Apparently it is a British thing to do!    So  Of Course, I do not want to be left out the pheasant feather  phase!    They are  beautiful!  See if you can find some  above!

Tuesday 4

 Hosted by Ann.

 Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.      Let's talk about books and reading. If you are not a reader consider substituting movies and TV programs.

1.  What book brought out your emotions and why?of course, the most life changing book for me is the Bible.  It has been completely transformative beginning first with my heart and then my motives and behaviors.   From a more secular book, I think it would have to be the Mitford Series.  I’ve read the whole set of wonderful  books that moved me in every way! When I look at my book case a whole shelf is given over to Mitford.  That says a lot about how important the series is to me. 

2.  How has reading changed your life both for good or for bad? What you get out of it? Besides the aspect of growing my mind and capacity to learn through reading,  it was a fairly early age in my only child situation where reading was my favorite pastime. It gave me the ability to travel from one nation to another, one time to another, it sent me on adventures, it calmed my inner being, it set my heart to laughing. They helped form some foundations in my intellect.  I owe so much to authors , who helped me to become myself through the thinking process, opening my eyes to new sciences, and social issues. Reading the love letters Lynn and I exchanged during the years of our separation before marriage helped to grow me in my understanding of love and what I wanted  out of a loving relationship. Reading has had a huge influence in my life!

3.   What character(s) do you love and which do you hate and why? I love characters who show courage, yet tenderness, who are funny without treading on others, I love characters who are selfless and good in their interactions with others. I do not like selfish characters who trod on others, vile characters who are completely untrustworthy, or weaselly whinny characters.

4.    What book or books  do you think everyone should read once in their life time?The Bible, Secrets of the Secret Place , by Bob Sorge,  To Kill a Mockingbird,by  Harper Lee,  Pride and Prejudice, The Secret Garden, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. To name a few. 

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hosted by Sandra@ Diary of the Stay at Home Mom

Today's Weather 

Monday   sunny,89,71

Tuesday thunderstorms, 89.74

Wednesday   thunderstorms 84,73

Thursday  scattered storms, 85,72

Friday  sunny, 81, 66

  Not such a bad looking week..  actually,  there is a bit of cooler air    because of the storms.  and I do love a nice thunderstorm!!! I did say nice!!

As I Look Outside My Window 

The humidity seems  less, the air is clear and  a love that slight breeze in the trees!  It begs the question,  what am I doing in the house?

Right Now  

It appears to be a  new corner we have turned. I am feeling  great..  just a sinus  / allergy    stuffy nose and  very occasional cough! Lynn is  really doing better  he is actually  making plans for  working on the den and  is  working on the windows that need to be painted.  checking out the  brass pulls    taking them  off and  working on shining them up.  I love it  that he is  finally in the mood to get started in the den!!!!!

Thinking and Pondering

 I 'm consider the possibility of finishing the  den and finally getting the house back in order.  By this I mean getting the sunroom cleared out of the tons of boxes of books that go on the library shelves.  Putting the rugs  that are actually rolled up in the living room,  back down on the den floor....  getting the pictures back on the wall.  Said pictures are  presently propped up all around the downstairs. I mean ever since early May  I have  passed through the downstairs  squinting my eyes so as not to notice all the "stuff" that is in every room! Of course, we were out of the country the month of July and  sick with covid for  3 weeks. so I do have  somewhat of an excuse....  but  glory to God we are back  in the groove!!! 

How I Am Feeling This Morning 

As I mentioned earlier,I am feeling  good and especially happy that my cough has changed  form a covid cough to an allergy   cough!

On The Breakfast Plate

I had  coffee and yogurt, and as a special treat, a doughnut!

On My Reading Pile

I am almost finished reading First Samuel.  I love  reading about  David  , so this has been a special treat. I am also  finishing the book I took with me  to read in Scotland. It  takes place in Scotland  and I really  have enjoyed it  but  unfortunately  the light in the places we stayed  was not conducive to reading such small print and I  had a hard time reading in the long car rid  back from Boston because  of the light issues.  it is rather nice to be back home where I have complete  control over my reading environment !

On My TV 

I am still enjoying watching Scottish vlogs..  I am so charmed by all we have seen and done!  I know  because of my  mobility issues I didn't get to do  some things  but watching online    has been  wonderful!  And this is  still happening this week.  I will jsut say,  I am so much in love with Scotland  I never grow tired of watching  vlogs about it.  And especially even the drives    you find on YouTube.  I  ride along on the same roads we  travelled    and  it brings it all back to me.  I love it!!!  Also, I discovered  the Youtube  programs called ABODE!  Love them.  

A Youtube I really like

On The Menu 

Monday:chef salad 

Tuesday: spaghetti and salad

Wednesday:  breakfast for dinner

Thursday : dinner with friends

Friday :  baked fish and chips

 Around the House 

 The den is ,of course, the tv room so we still have our chairs set up in there.   The walls and  baseboards and doors have been painted ...all that is left  are the windows and  then the bookcase. The windows will be white and the  book case with will  a  teal color   Soon we will be  having Budget Blinds come in and  size up the windows  for  plantation Shutters. We have these in other areas of the house ( kitchen, and both   large bedrooms upstairs )and I love them for the privacy  and quality they offer.  These windows are low to the ground and I  have always felt strange about being in there  at night!. I can't wait to get the shutters  installed.

From The Camera  …..

I found this  amazing photo of Oban  online and got excited because our  air B&B  was the light tan    4 story building on the right. What a marvelous location  we had  looking out over the bay  .  We could watch the ferry   come and in and out  several times a day.  It was  such a beautiful apartment, too!

On My To Do List

• still need to put  laundry away
• start up my allergy shots again
• attend  Bible Study.. oh, how Ive missed it..   Studying the book of John
• begin work on planning a few changes to the gallery wall I have plans for a Scotland gallery wall, too, in the living room

On My Prayer List

Praying the Promises of God  for August

AUGUST 7 - PROMISE #219

Through faith in Christ, you can boldly approach Me with confidence.
Ephesians 3:12

AUGUST 8 - PROMISE #220
If you walk in the light, the blood of My Son Jesus will cleanse you from all sin.
1 John 1:7

AUGUST 9 - PROMISE #221
Trust in Me, and do not be afraid of what others can do to you.
Psalm 56:11

AUGUST 10 - PROMISE #222
I will be your security and a safe place for your children.
Proverbs 14:26

AUGUST 11 - PROMISE #223
I am your shield, your glory, and the lifter of your head.
Psalm 3:3

AUGUST 12 - PROMISE #224
I will gladly give the Holy Spirit to those who will ask.
Luke 11:13

AUGUST 13 - PROMISE #225
Forgiveness and healing are among My many benefits.
Psalm 103:2-3

Friday Fave Five

Hosted by Susanne!

Time continues to fly by!  Here we are again at  week's end and time to  be thankful for  the many blessings we have! 

• Here it is  August..  because of our trip,  July  flew by,  but also because  I had covid  when we returned home..  Covid  that dreaded  word,   am  so thankful that if I had to have covid,  it  was a very slight case. The  sickness lasted about 4 days with  fatigue,  fever , and a feeling like a  head cold.  Now 16 days later, I  still have a cough,  but  it  seems more like  the allergy cough I  always have anyway.  According to the CDC I should be clear to  go to church  this  Sunday which  will be  wonderful.  I  have mossed for the last 5 weeks,  with mot of those  being during our  travels. I am so  thankful taht we did choose to go to   the Church of Scotland in Glasgow. What a gorgeous  church and the sermon was so  great  about  Martha and Mary .     

Next I am very excited to   get back to church this weekend.  I have missed my  church friends and especially   a couple    with whom we have shared many meals and vacations together.  We always dine out together after church  and Lynn and I both have   missed  our fellowship with  David and Gerri. At our ages  one never knows when something might happen to  change  everything  and  we just  desire to make the most of every time we can share together. They are the best friends we have ever had   together as  couples. So  we all are looking forward to getting together  Sunday, at church and  afterward!!!

I  am looking  very forward to  things getting back  to normalcy here around the house. Back in the spring we had begun a painting  season  whereby we  were committed to painting the whole lower floor.  Well, before we left on our trip we had  gotten about half of the den, our last room completed.  But  with everything going on,  it seems very hard to get back in the painting groove. I cannot wait tog et this job  completed.  and the house put back together.   I am  so delighted to be so far along and just  an getting anxious to  get it all done! I thank  the Lord for  the strength w e have  to get things like this done  around the house.  

I am so thankful for the  good rain we had this afternoon.  So many places around us  are  either  in deep drought or having   torrential rains and flooding. I pray  that this  difficult season of  strange weather will  soon be behind us ,..  that there will be no more  flooding or droughts and that  the suffering  that  comes along with this  tragedy will be  soon be  a distant memory and things can  get back to  normal in the weather as well. 

I am thankful  for  the health that we are enjoying at this time.. I mean I have so many friends who are going through  very difficult health issues  .  We never know when  something wills trike close to home and so when things are  going well,  I  pray  God's  continued  good provision and   pray healing prayers for those who  are  undergoing trying times!