THOUGHTS...............THE END OF AN ERA

MY DADS FISHING JACKET AND FISHING POLE

This week I am with my sister helping as she and I took my mom from rehab to her "home" with full time care. She worked so hard in rehab but her little 88 year old body could "not make it over the mountaintop" so to speak so she will come to live with my sister with full time care.

They just sold my parents home of many years and my sister and I went to take out the last remains. My sister and her husband spent the last year cleaning; organizing; sorting; lifting; and gettting their home ready to sell. My dear mom asked if it was all empty. I told her no it wasnt.. it was full of memories!! In the last moments of time. .. all that was left was my dads fishing jacket and pole hanging in the corner of the garage. He and mom had a small pond outside their back porch. He spent many a time fishing and allowing the grandkids to fish along the pond.

As I walked through the house the last time............I walked through the kitchen and remembered the good smell of pork chops cooking; stepped into the diningroom and remember playing "pass the pigs" eating a Pizza Hut pizza and laughing our heads off; I looked at the front door and thought of the many people that entered that door ( it was always .... Well look who came by...!!!!) and you always felt welcome. I looked through the yard and saw where beautiful flowers reined and grew. Dad always had a green thumb.

As my sister walked out she said her "good-by" to an era of our lives. She now begins another new era with my mom as well as the rest of our brother and sisters do.

As I walk out of my home..............what things to I leave? Love? Care? Selfish words? Bad attitudes? As I walk my days with God I pray I will leave an "era" of good memories behind.

RECIPES....................BERTOLLI FROM "SAMS CLUB"

ONE PACKAGE OF CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI

THIS DISH FIT PERFECT FOR A "BASEBALL NIGHT " SUPPER READY TO GO AND EAT.

THIS SUMMER I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND MEALS THAT ARE HEALTHY AND INEXPENSIVE. MY DAUGHTER BECKY FOUND THIS MEAL AT 'SAMS CLUB'. NORMALLY SOMETHING FROZEN WOULD NoT BE MY FIRST CHOICE BUT THIS WAS EASY; COST WAS AROUND $10; AND IT FED 6 PEOPLE WITH A FEW LITTLE SIDES.

MY HUSBAND LOVED IT AND IT FIT THE PACKAGE OF A PROTEIN; VEGETABLES; AND STARCH.

WE ENJOYED IT . I HOPE YOU DO TOO!

SUMMER...THIS AND THAT

SOME NICE DISHES MY MOM GAVE TO ME AND SOME LITTLE VINTAGE GLASSES I GOT FOR A FEW CENTS

A NICE LITTLE PLATE GIVEN TO ME BY MY SISTER JOYCE

A SUMMER CROSS-STITCH PICTURE MY MOM DID

A FUN LITTLE SUMMER SIGN

A PICTURE I LOVE IN MY KITCHEN GIVEN MY SISTER PHYLLIS

A FILE AT MY DESK AND SOME PRETTY FLOWERS I FOUND FOR .10 CENTS

MY DAUGHTER FOUND THIS LITTLE FRAME FOR FREE AT A YARD SALE AND SO IT BECAME A NEW LITTLE ITEM FOR SUMMER DECORATING

HOPE YOU ENJOY MY LITTLE TOUR OF SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS .....
HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

SUMMER SCHEDULE..........THE LIBRARY

A BOOK FOUND AT THE LOCAL LIBRARY FULL OF GOOD IDEAS

ONE OF THE PAGES OF THE BOOK FILLED WITH DECORATING IDEAS

ANOTHER IDEA; BEAUTIFUL

MORNING GLORIES BY THE LIBRARY

A BEAUTIFUL SPOT TO SIT; RELAX AND ENJOY A FRESH GLASS OF LEMONADE AND READ A BOOK

One of the days I have scheduled into my summer is "library day". I love our library because it is small and old. I live in a small town thus the library is with places to park your bike in out in front with the large parking area across the street. There is an old house that stands across from the library made of red brick from eras gone by. I see children walking; bikes parked outside; and the sound the church bell ringing around the corner. I sometimes feel I have stepped into by gone days.....

Once into a library I know the isles of what I like pretty well. I wander down the ways searching the covers first to see of any that strike my eyes. I have my favorites I get out each year if possible. "The Summer Book" by Susan Branch is all hand illustrated and is a cookbook/ idea book for summer fun. She has several other books. There are many books such as gardening books; cook books for healthy eating; flower arranging; scrap booking; making curtains; fixing things around the home; or any other thing your heart desires.

Sometimes I have looked for certain Christian books for ladies and found those there.
I remember when my girls were young we checked out books on how to fold napkins pretty; making wreaths; how to cut a watermelon like a basket; and other fun projects. We always left with a bundle of books and it costs us nothing except if we didn't bring them back on time.

I knew of a lady who loved decorating and complained she had nothing to do in her life. I told her about the library and she dismissed the idea. She didn't want to be bothered. Maybe you could go to the library and bake a yummy dessert to take to someone in need! There are so many ideas.

When I was a young girl we would play "library" in our garage. The neighborhood girls and I got our books together and made "cards" ( you know the kind that used to go in the back of the books") and a system where other children in the neighborhood could check them out! We had so much fun that year. But its really wasn't until my children were born that I learned to love the library myself. I felt as if a whole world opened up in there and it was free.

I hope you get a chance to go to the library this summer. Let me know what you find?

THE HOME........SUMMER FINDS AND BLESSINGS

I FOUND THESE TWO WHITE ROCKERS SITTING OUT IN FRONT OF SOMEONE HOME.
I BROUGHT THEM HOME AND PAINTED THEM.

A COZY SPOT ON MY PORCH

JUST THE RIGHT SPOT FOR SITTING WITH A GLASS OF ICED TEA AND ROCKING MY GRANDDAUGHTER OR READING A BOOK

FOUND THIS "SET" AT A LOCAL YARD SALE FOR UNDER $10.
I WILL PAINT IT WHITE AND MAKE SOME NEW CUSHIONS FROM THE 1940'S VINTAGE TABLECLOTH I HAVE. THE POT NOW FILLED WITH FLOWERS ARE FROM MY MOMS HOME WHICH IS NOW GONE.

I dont know about you but we have been trying to "tighten our belts" a little more this summer. I have made new lists of healthy ; inexpensive meals; cut back on things such as gas; lights; air conditioning on as needed; and purchases that are part of our lives.

I have been writing that I love my " little porch". I sit out there when I can and it was full of flowers and comfort. I even wrote a blog on "porches" and have admired other porches and their pretty wicker furniture. Lo and behold I saw a little yard sale around the corner one day last week as I was out for my daily walk. There was this funny little "yellow" wicker set. The man said I could have it all for under $10. My daughter was with me and said to "get it mom". ( is that impulse buying? ha) I knew I must paint it and such but for now it fits perfectly on my back porch in a corner.

A few days later I was going to the mailbox and saw what I thought were two "plastic chairs".
A closer look revealed two white rockers in good shape but needed a fresh coat of paint. I brought those home and thought.... another project to do. I do not like to have alot of unfinished projects. I thanked for Lord for His goodness in giving me these pretty things but I didnt want to bring home more projects for my husband to look at. I decided to clean out the garage and my girls helped. We cleaned; swept; organized and scrubbed that garage clean. Upon the cleaning I found a couple cans of "primer" for wicker and "white paint" for wicker. My daughter Ruth took the chairs out back and did the work while we continued on the garage. Finished!!!

I felt so good at a job finished and well done; at a good buy and Gods blessings; and finishing a job. My husband came home late that evening. I was so glad he didnt have to worry himself about all those projects. The next morning as I walked him to the car to say goodby. He said" Those chair look really nice". Then he walked through the garage and looked around and said " Wow" ( that means GREAT: BEAUTIFUL; YOUR GREAT) and spied something he had been looking for and took it under his arm to work.

As each day goes by day after day. I want it to be on purpose. I want to do the right thing even when "I dont feel like cleaning; mowing; pulling weeds; watering; making dinner; doing laundry; walking; and any other need to be done. Then when "blessings" come I can sit back and rock and appreciate all His goodness.

OTHERS...........GIVING AND EXPECTING NOTHING BACK

OTHERS...............GIVING AND EXPECTING NOTHING BACK


The most fun part about giving sometimes is seeing the look on that persons face as they open the present you bought for them. But their our times in our lives we must learn to give and not expect anything in return.

My mom ( now 88 years old) made many a meals in our home. She had the house clean and neat and clean. She would have a pretty table set and a delicious meal ready for us to eat each evening around 5-6 o'clock. Everyone in the family would have to come to the table and we would even ask our dad to be excused. It wasnt a bad thing ; it was a polite and respectful thing we just did in our family. Dad would lead in a family grace and we would eat ; talk and their would be no TV; radio; or outside distractions going on. After dinner, my dad would take his plate to the sink and we girls also would help "red" up the dishes. The dishes then would be "hand-washed" in hot sudsy water; dried and then put away. The kitchen would be swept and the light turned off ready for the next meal.

I can't imagine after 6 children; helping my dad with our drugstore ( they inherited) for a couple of years; and other lifes work that after 69 years my mom would say: " I have given and given and have nothing in return". But............I have not heard her say anything like that. In fact, she asks how we are; the children are and what we are doing in our lives. She thinks about others; and not herself.

Our pastor has been teaching on "giving" in secret. Doing something for someone else without them knowing about it. This is a biblical principle. What a wonderful truth this is in life.


I have seen this "truth" done and the blessings that follow. I am praying that God shows me ways to "give" this summer . I am excited to see what follows...................

Matthew 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

THOUGHTS.......YOUR PURPOSE

MY HUSBAND AND I AND OUR GRANDDAUGHTER

MY SON-IN-LAW ; GRANDDAUGHTER WATCHING ONE OF THE BASEBALL GAMES

MY HUSBAND UMPIRING A GAME

THE BIG GAME

MY GRANDDAUGHTER ENJOYING HER GRANDPA'S BASEBALL AFTER A GAME

Our Pastor spoke on your purpose in life and how important it is for God. I was thinking about that after the service and thought to myself how easy it is to get away from our purpose each and every day. So many things come into our days to take us away from "where we are to be".
As a mother a simple phone call can draw us away from keeping our "eyes" on the things at hand with our children. Our purpose to love; train; and teach those that God has given. Now the phone call itself isn't bad but being on it for extra long periods of time and using it to give out or receive information that doesn't help us to grow and encourage ourselves or others takes us away.

My little world and its purpose can be quite different from another friend who lives in another state. God has His ways in where He wants me to be. Isn't that wonderful that He picked YOU to be where you are to encourage that ONE person in your little world.

I have been married for 30 years. I know that my main purpose is that man who God has given to me. So it is with the "baseball pictures". I try and be at every game that he umpires this summer. Is that a "BIG" thing? Not to some... In fact when some ladies find out I come to every game and sit on those bleachers they have stated that I am CRAZY! I am crazy......crazy in LOVE! ha But..........God watches what your heart is. It doesn't matter who thinks what.... It matters what he thinks as I sit out there on those wooden bleachers. I remember one day when I wasn't able to get to the game because of a ride and he was ok with it but about 1/2 hour into the game a ride became available and I took off to be there. He told me later...........that when he saw me in those bleachers that it meant the world to him. I like when he looks over from the field and waves lightly underhanded to me.To some its just a ballfield and a little league game



Our purpose is to glorify Him! I pray I can do just that with His days!

***EXTRA .....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BECKY JOY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECKY JOY



This is an extra Happy Birthday ( fellow blogger) for her Birthday today!!!
I am proud of all my children in different ways. I love them each in their own special ways.
But today I am thankful for Rebecca Joy!

When Becky was born she was 10.1. But : oh my was she a sweet; cute little girl!! Her daddy and I were so excited and everything was PINK! Becky was a quiet baby who was content with playing quietly with her things. Then one evening she began to fuss and fuss . I noticed she was very warm and when I took her temperature she was about 102 degrees. We called her Dr. and took her to the clinic that night. After a time of waiting the Dr checked her out and said she had the summer flu and to take her home and give her some fever medicine. I did just that!
My husbands parents had come into town to visit that afternoon and little Becky just wasn't getting better and the crying increased. My sweet mother-in-law coaxed me to call again the Dr.
We went back that very next morning. I prayed that something could help my sweet baby.
This time I had a different Dr and he immediately had her taken to the next room for a spinal tap. Through a series of test we found out she had meningitis and she was taken directly to the hospital. I called my in laws who were staying with our older 2 year old son and my husband out of town.

He came quickly and finally saw her all hooked up to tubes; etc... and in quarantine. We sat vigil by our sweet little girls bedside for days until her fever left her. God gave us a precious time and a healing time. They told us she could have brain damage or other as she grew older.

Days; months; years went by. School came. A pluses came. After graduation from Jr. High she had gotten one B. High school came with A's and B's also. Her spirit was that of joy! Her mind of clarity. Bible college came and she became a teacher. She meant my dear son-in-law and now is mommy to our newest little granddaughter.

Happy Happy Birthday! God given and used. Blessed by Him. Blessing to us! Thank you for being you our sweet little girl of whom we are so proud!

RECIPES- CREAMY LEMON PIE

CREAMY LEMON PIE WITH BERRIES

INGREDIENTS:

1 PREPARED GRAHAM CRACKER OR VANILLA PIE CRUST

FILLING INGREDIENTS:

1 CUP COLD MILK
1 (4-OUNCE) PACKAGE INSTANT LEMON PUDDING AND PIE FILLING
* CAN USE SUGAR FREE
1 CUP SOUR CREAM * CAN USE LOW-FAT
2-3 TEASPOONS FRESHLY GRATED LEMON PEEL
1 CUP HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM *MAY USE LITE COOL WHIP
2 TBLS. POWDERED SUGAR

FRUIT:
2 CUPS ASSORTED FRESH BERRIES

HEAT OVER TO 375.
COMBINE FILLING INGREDIENTS; BEAT WITH WIRE WHISK UNTIL WELL BLENDED.
STIR IN SOUR CREAM AND LEMON PEEL. SET ASIDE.

* IF USING REAL WHIPPING CREAM; BEAT AT HIGH SPEED UNTIL SOFT PEAKS FORM.
CONTINUE BEATING; ADDING POWDERED SUGAR, UNTIL STIFF PEAKS FORM.
**BE SURE YOUR BOWL AND BEATERS ARE COLD. THIS HELPS THE PEAKS.

GENTLY STIR 1 CUP WHIPPED CREAM INTO LEMON MIXTURE. SPOON MIXTURE
INTO CRUMB CRUST. SPREAD REMAINING CREAM OVER FILLING. REFRIGERATE UNTIL SET ( AT LEAST 2 HOURS).

COMBINE FRUIT IN MEDIUM BOWL. TO SERVE: CUT PIE INTO WEDGES; TOP WITH FRUIT.

THIS MAY BE A NICE DESSERT TO SERVE AS THE WEATHER GROWS WARMER.

SUMMER CELEBRATIONS.....GRANDPA'S DAY

THE SIGN MY SON-IN-LAW MADE FOR MY HUSBAND FOR FATHERS DAY.

MY HUSBAND AND OUR "SWEETEST GIRL" GRANDBABY

GRANDPA AND "SWEETEST GIRL" HAVING A TALK

Celebrations can be so fun during the summer and anytime! My husband loves being a grandpa! I know of some ladies who shun at the idea of becoming a grandmother but I love it and my husband says he loves being called "grandpa".! He is so proud and treats our granddaughter ( as he did our daughters) with kindness and gentleness!

Some people as they grow older cannot wait to "break away" from all the noise of children and the things they bring with them. My husband was always taking our children for rides to the corner store; horse rides on his back; games; playing ball; singing silly songs and even helped in puppet shows behind the sofa! I have noticed as our granddaughter begins to crawl he is down on the floor again talking and encouraging her along.

I know he will be the kind of "grandpa" that will pray for her; protect her; have fun with her; respect her parents wishes; help her to obey and be respectful; and encourage her as she grows to follow the Lord along life's way.

He will also be the kind that wants to get her ICE CREAM! ha I am thankful for a man who is such a man that he is strong yet gentle for this new time in our lives! Grandpa and Grandma .
Isn't that nice names?

SUMMER SCHEDULE.....THE FRONT PORCH

SUMMER SCHEDULE.......THE FRONT PORCH

Part of my summer routine this summer has been sitting out on my front porch!!
I love a porch ; whether screened in ( like my sisters facing her pool and beautiful backyard and beautiful flowers); or a simple bench or a beautiful veranda with rockers and soft pillows and and swing!

Porches remind me of the days gone by where life was slower and people sat and talked in the end of a day. I can remember swinging on my friend Robins porch sipping pink lemonade watching our children play in the yard as we talked and laughed about life. She now lives far away but it is a good memory.

I can remember my husband and I staying at a nice hotel where we sat in large white rocker and we enjoyed a great dessert on a large veranda that wrapped around the whole front of the hotel. We were young and so in love ( still are!) and that's a good memory! I remember sitting on a back porch where my mom and dad lived sitting in the swing listening to dads low strong voice tell a story to us all while in the background a pond would spray a fountain into the air and ducks would be floating along their merry way across the pond! That was a sweet memory that was!

My porch is simple. Some hanging baskets. Two chairs. A place to hold cold ice tea. A book or two to sit and read. A lantern to light and sit among the stars at night. A place for memories.
My husband; our granddaughter; friends that stop by and an occasional chipmunk bring their lives onto the "porch" this summer of 2008.

What is your special "porch" this summer?

THE HOME...... THIS AND THAT

A SINGLE ROSE FROM MY FRONT YARD

MY FRIEND LISA GAVE ME SOME PRETTY FLATS OF FLOWERS SHE HAD LEFT OVER SO I FILLED FOUR POTS WITH THEM!

ONE OF THE POTS I FILLED TO THE BRIM

FLATS OF FLOWERS AND MY PLANTING BASKET . I WAS UP AT 6 AM ON THE FRONT PORCH PLANTING THESE POTS! IT WAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

MY ROSE BUSH IS STRUGGLING ABIT BUT I STILL CUT A ROSE TO BRING IN AND ENJOY!

THIS DOESNT GO WITH THE OTHER PICTURES BUT THEY WERE HAVING A NEIGHBORHOOD YARD SALES AND I FOUND THIS CUTE LITTLE BUNNY FOR $1 AND HUNG IT ABOVE MY LITTLE BLACK WRITING DESK.

Summer decorating can be so simple and fun. God gave me these fun little flowers from a friend to fill my pots. A pretty little rose bush adorned my kitchen sink. And fun little yard sales can bring treasures to fill our rooms.

I love my front porch this year! My hanging baskets and simple chairs and a ice cold glass of sun tea can make for the most peaceful moments to read or sit and chat with your hubby late at night!

Simple changes in our homes can make it feel refreshed and organized! What are some of the changes you have made in your home?

OTHERS...........GIVE A BASKET OF MUFFINS

OTHERS..........GIVE A BASKET OF MUFFINS

Do you ever have days when nothing seems to be going right? Weeks? Months? I have had those days. Life seems to travail one after another. The days bring rain. The fridge looks unappealing. Your plants are dying. Your dr. says your health is not good. Your hair turned out too flat or too curly. Your trip was cancelled. Your husband had to work on your date night.
Your friend was unkind. Your diet came and went again. Your bank account surprised you.
Your dog ate your favorite book. Your team lost. You think no one cares..............

These are just a few of things I and others have experienced over the years. It seems that your problem is overbearing and you think to yourself what am I going to do?

My pastor told of a woman once that said she had just "had it" with her life and she was about to break down. He listened and then simply advised her to "go do something for someone else".
She did that very thing and ended up cancelling her "break down".

Its hard to be in the midst of "troubles" and still give. But...........its a good thing to do. When we "give"; we get our minds off ourselves and on to others!

We must fill our lives with "good things" and be in our Bible and keep our hearts close to Him.
But even when we "don't FEEL" like we are all those things we need to continue to "give to others".

There are so many people that hurt; are sick or need encouragement. We just need to reach out. Find someone to "bless this month" and as you give it shall be given back to you".
In July , the blueberry farms are bursting forth with blueberry's. Here is a little muffin recipe for you:

Blueberry Muffins

3/4 C butter
1 c sugar
3/4 c milk
1 egg
1 3/4 cup sifted flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup blueberries
1 T flour

Cream butter and sugar. Add milk and egg and beat till smooth. Mix dry ingredients, Add to creamed mixture until moist. Toss blueberries with flour and fold into batter. Fill a well-greased muffin pan 2/3 full with the batter. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

THOUGHTS...."I JUST NEED PEACE"

PROVERBS 3:17 "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."


Peace can mean Its seems that I hear so many ladies say " I just need some peace in my life"!different things to different people.

For some its the splashing of the waves upon the seashore or walking along a quiet beach picking up beautiful seashells. For others its the sound of a little baby cooing as she falls asleep.
Some things such as early morning dawn breaking through the clouds or the songs of a cardinal sitting up high among the tree branches. Quietness sounds like peace to some. An American flag waving for freedom brings peace to the heart of others.

How do we find peace among life and its daily trials and tribulations? We find it deep in our soul as we pray and seek His will and His ways for our life.

I have been in the busyness of a large city only to have my "eyes" stop and see a daddy and his child as he stoops down to put his loving arms around her as tears flow from her eyes reassuring her everything is going to be alright. That's peace!
I have been to a wedding where all is beautiful and bright and as the bride begins her walk down the isle "tears of joy" flow freely down the cheek of a brother standing proudly as he watches his sister begin a new life. I have seen a nephew in his "dress blues" come back from the Marine Corp with a crumpled note taken from his pocket he had written on the plane and read with strength and allegiance a tribute to his grandfather now standing by his casket.

Peace isn't always quiet. Peace isn't always when things are going right. Peace isn't something you can buy. ........................It is inside. It is in your heart. It is in your soul.

Her ways.................. are?

RECIPES.....RED,WHITE, AND BLUE PARFAITS

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE PARFAITS

1- 8 OUNCE VANILLA LOW-FAT YOGURT
1/4 TEASPOON ALMOND EXTRACT OR 1/2 TSP VANILLA
1/2 OF AN 8-OUNCE CONTAINER COOL WHIP (THAWED)
3 CUPS FRESH RASPBERRIES AND OR CUT UP FRESH STRAWBERRIES
3 CUPS FRESH BLUEBERRIES 1. IN LARGE BOWL MIX YOGURT, EXTRACT AND FOLD IN COOL WHIP.
2. IN SIX ...12-OUNCE GLASSES OR DESSERT DISHES ALTERNATE LAYERS OF THE BERRIES WITH LAYERS FO THE YOGURT MIXTURE.

MAKES 6 SERVINGS.

THIS MIGHT BE A FUN, HEALTHY DESSERT TO USE NOW OR FOR THE 4TH OF JULY.

SUMMER............THIS AND THAT

MY HUSBAND UMPIRING THE BASEBALL GAME

A PRECIOUS SITE GOING FOR A WALK

A PEACEFUL SPOT IN AMISH COUNTRY

SOME NICE AMISH LADIES RODE UP TO DO THEIR SHOPPING ON THESE

AN AMISH BUGGY

THE NICE RESTAURANT IN TOWN FEATURING DELICIOUS AMISH FOOD

Here are a few places I have been in the last week. I went to a nice Amish community where they they hold a "large flea market" and sell everything from huge strawberries and flower baskets to antiques and pictures at a good price. It was such fun watching the "Amish community go about their days in the horse and buggy's ; riding bikes and keeping their simple life. We stopped at a grocery store where their were many fresh bags of flours; cheeses; and home aide jams and jelly's.

My husband umpires a game 2-3 times a week where I go and find a seat and cheer them on.
Its so nice to sit in the fresh air and see the little boys all dressed in their uniforms with looks of determinations on their faces. Popcorn; hot dogs; the flag waving in the air. The Pledge of Allegiance being said with hands over our hearts and a sounding song of "Take me out to the ballgame!"

A nice walk with my granddaughter as she grows and grows with exciting changes everyday!
I love to hear her squeal's of joy and see her jump up and down in her little walker. My husband tells me she brings "such joy" to him when he has had a long rough day.

Precious days of everyday life............What are some of yours?

SUMMER SCHEDULE.....MINI VACATIONS

SUMMER SCHEDULE....MINI VACATIONS

In keeping up with my "summer schedule" I wrote down to take "mini vacations"!
In the times we live in with the cost of gas and other things going up it can be even more important to take "mini-vacations".

I never feel deprived but actually inspired to make up such times! This can be as simple as a trip to the library to gather many books and taking them home; finding a quiet space and enjoying a large cold glass of iced tea! The other day I went on a one day trip to a large "flea market" and Amish town where we shopped and ate at a very nice restaurant.

Here are some simple ideas for "mini-vacations""

. Attend a baseball game ( take sandwiches; healthy chips; cookies and lemonade)
. Go to the county fair in your area ( go on free day and see the animals and buy only what you can; if you make it fun it will be fun)
. Go to a park and take a picnic ( take a Frisbee; bubbles; a book; your camera and have fun)
. Go to the library and gather books and DVDs on history that you and your husband can enjoy
. Go to Starbucks ( even the drive through with your hubby is sooo fun!)
. Go for ice-cream cones ( if they drip all over its even more fun!)
. Take a walk in the evening and enjoy each other
. Have a family over for dinner or a cookout ( if money is tight use a pitch-in)
. Save your money and go overnight ( with your husband or family) Make 24 hours of memories!
. Look for ways to save money. Choose how much you have to spend and plan a day. A walk through a small town where you could purchase a nice cold drink; get "free samples of chocolate at the candy store"; purchase that nice calender for $1 to be made into pictures; and enjoy a simple lunch together.
. Camp out together in the backyard
. Light some centralla candles and lanterns to sit out among the stars.
. Enjoy ice cream at home ( when the children were young I bought a ice cream maker at a yard sale and we made ice cream all summer)
. Fly kites
. Go to local 4th of July parade. Dress the family in red; white; blue and use sparklers
. Enjoy a friends pool or if not go splash in the rain. ( remember the sprinkler when young?)
. Go fishing; putt putt; bowling.
. Think of others and have your family "give" to someone once a month.
. Be happy


I once knew a lady who told her children that she was sorry but this year they would not be able to go on a vacation because they didn't have extra money. This lady might not of known she was being foolish because not only was she making her husband look foolish ( he was a hard working man) but she had her children learn that you had to have this or that in order to be happy in life. If only she had said nothing ; and taken that summer and planned "fun" with what she had. Enjoy your summer and enjoy planning these days to come.
.

THOUGHTS.....THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

THOUGHTS...."THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME"

Summertime is in full swing at my house. My husband and I and some of our family went away for the weekend to a graduation picnic; visit some family; stop and remember my father-in-law at the cemetery; visit with my mom; and then back home and out of town with my Sunday school class ladies to a giant flea market. All in all it was enjoyable and fun to be with those I love and care about. But..........this morning as I was pulling my sheets off to take downstairs to wash I thought to myself "there is no place like home".

As I arose early this am I loved seeing the "remnants "of life" scattered around the house. My husbands bowl sitting beside the sink of the cereal he ate late the night before. The suitcase sitting in the corner reminding me of our weekend with family. My granddaughters little bib folded on the counter reminding me of the fun of feeding her "bananas" now. My husbands "baseball" hat sitting with his baseball stuff and next to that "coils' for a book we had bound for a job he had done. Thankfulness flooding my heart on all the hard work he does for us and for taking time for his "umpiring baseball" for others.

Home is so different for everyone. It can be large with alot of land or a corner apartment in a big city. Its what everyone puts into their home that is what makes it up. Its the "remnants" at the end of a day what remains.

God gives each of us a purpose in our life and a home in which to live. What you do with it is up to you. I am constantly learning and striving to make my home a place in which others can have comfort; rest or joy. I daily must pick up; clean; organize; plan meals; purchase the right foods; pick the colors and decorations; and set the attitude of my home. I actually find joy in this
after I am done. Its not always a easy job when the dryer quits; the air conditioner stops; the money runs short ; we have to be gone for various reasons from our home; or when the day to day of life gets us down.

But...........there's no place like home. I am trying to keep my mind this summer focused on the things at hand. I think this helps me instead of thinking "I wish I could"; If only I had time to"; maybe if I could buy this or that my house could....". Instead; in keeping focused you could rearrange your whole room; change the color of your sheets; clean and sweep all over; and finish by spraying your sheets and comforter with fresh linen spray!!! ( that's my plan today!) Oh I cant wait!!

What makes your home " no place like home?"

RECIPES............GOOD FOR YOU SMOOTHIES

GOOD FOR YOU SMOOTHIES

BLUE VELVET
1/2 C 1% CHOCOLATE MILK 1/2 C LOW FAT VANILLA YOGURT * I PREFER DANNON LIGHT AND FIT 1/2 C BLUEBERRIES 2 t CHOCOLATE WHEY PROTEIN POWDER * CAN BE VANILLA AND AT WALMART 2 t GROUND FLAXSEED
3 ICE CUBES

MAKES 2-8 OUNCE SERVINGS 140 CAL.

MINT CHOCOLATE MORNING
3/4 C 1% CHOCOLATE MILK 1/2 C LOW-FAT VANILLA YOGURT 2 t CHOCOLATE WHEY PROTEIN POWDER 1 FROZEN PEPPERMINT PATTIE 2 t GROUND FLAXSEED 3 ICE CUBES

MAKES 2-8 OUNCE SERVINGS 168 CAL.

THE ALMOND
1/2 C 1% MILK 1/2 C LOW-FAT VANILLA YOGURT 1/4 C SLICED ALMONDS 2 t CHOCOLATE WHEY PROTEIN POWDER 1 t HONEY 1 t GROUND FLAXSEED 6 ICE CUBES MAKES 2-8 OUNCE SERVINGS 179 CAL.

DIRECTIONS: 1. PUT ALL INGREDIANTS IN A BLENDER AND BLEND 20-30 SEC. 2. ADD ICE CUBES AND BLEND TILL THICK AS LIKE ( ABOUT 40 SEC) YOU MAY ADD MORE ICE CUBES IF YOU NEED TO THICKEN. 3. SOMETIMES I ADD BLENDED FRUIT YOGURT IF I DONT USE FRUIT. ENJOY!

SPRING/SUMMER.........A SPRINGTIME WALK

A SPRINGTIME WALK
A PRETTY HANGING BASKET GIVEN TO ME BY MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW

A PRETTY CLIMBING MORNING GLORIES

I LOVE PEONIES
AS A LITTLE GIRL MY DAD PLANTED LOTS OF THESE

A NICE BOOK FROM THE LIBRARY

A NICE IDEA FOR A PRETTY FRUIT BOWL

A WALK IN A GARDEN

Yesterday was a warm day! The heat of summer has at last come upon us. Our air-conditioner decided it didn't want to come on so we made the best of it and opened all the windows and turned on the fans. I can remember the day when we didn't even have air conditioning and a nice sound of a fan was the sound of the day. Back then we made "sun tea" and took the laundry out and hung it on the line early in the morning to dry in the hot summer sun.

But...as the heat of the day began to climb I felt tired and weary. I knew I had alot of work planned ahead and it needed done. So...... I made a quart of fresh cold ice tea with Splenda.
Then I got busy with work for my husband; some much needed ironing in the cool basement; put ham and beans to cook in the crock pot; and various other things. A call from a friend in the afternoon brought two little girls to come visit while her mom ran to the Dr. quickly. We played with the dolls; took a walk to the garden; played with the crayons and chalk; and played some games until mommy returned.

As the late afternoon sun began coming down; my daughter asked if I wanted to take our granddaughter for a walk in her stroller. So we did. A Springtime walk. Down the sidewalks; through the puddles of last nights storm; and around the bend finding shade from the large oak trees lining the way. Back home my husband came home for a quick meal and out to work again.

As the evening came I went to now one of my most favorite places (the front porch) and lit my little lantern ( I bought at Khols) and sat and looked at one of my library books filled with gardening ideas. I then thought of the day and all that good things the Lord had brought that day. I thought of my husband who had worked hard since early that morning and now on his way out of town for the night. As I listened to the stillness of the night and looked at my pretty baskets of flowers my heart began to yearn for my husband . I missed him . Things just didn't seem as pretty on that porch that night. I prayed for him then blew out my little candle and went inside.

This day was one of many the Lord gave to me. Life doesn't always go as planned on our list or in our mind yet its His day. I am thankful for a day of hard work and pouring sweat; a day given for things for my husband; a day given for others; and a day full of thankfulness and His goodness.