SOME REST AND RELAXING

TIME OUT FOR R AND R AND OTHERS...........

A few weeks ago our family took a trip to see our son and daughter in law that live far away from us..........It was so nice to get away from all the work around home.............We took time out to fly and see our married son and daughter in law......My goal was to concentrate just on them and their lives.
We did some sightseeing and such and ate out together but I just loved time sitting in their home
and enjoying our time together.............

Sometimes when you have family that lives far away you can get busy doing other things that you do not get to really just be a family and relax and enjoy each others company.

My heart was truly blessed as each morning I would try and go sit out upon their back porch
in a rocker and enjoy my time with Jesus under the large mountains that surrounded me.......
My eyes filled with tears of thankfulness for what God has been and given to me alone in my life....

Has life always been easy and perfect? Oh no...........but with His ways it has flowed through
His ways and His blessings have come............


Sometimes it is a good thing to take some time out with those you love.........maybe a husband
needs some extra time with you. Maybe a child or a grown child could have a special day just you
and them...............Maybe even a friend could use some encouragement or you may be blessed by them.............

Dr Jack Hyles used to say "Brighten the Corner Where You Are"..........such a simple little
saying and song................Where is your corner today? Where is mine?...............I used to think
to myself...........there are so many out there hurting Lord where do I begin...........and this statement would fill my heart.............MY CORNER.............the little store where I shop. The
family God has given. The hospital where you may have to spend time.............It where you are....

I am thankful for my "R and R" and its refreshment given.............(now I need time to refresh from my time away ha ha ).................God is good all the time................. How can you get some
R and R time when you cannot really get away? Here are a few thoughts...........

. Take time out and spend some quiet time with you and God alone enjoying His beauty around
you. Make a simple list of things you are thankful for.........

. Put on some quiet music or if its a nice day open the windows and let the fresh air flow through
the curtains and enjoy the sounds of nature..........

. Keep things simple and clean around your home so you are not surrounded by too much clutter
(this will bring order and peace)..........have a place in the childrens rooms for everything.

. Dont be overbusy with yourself and take time out to rest if need to. I enjoy being busy but
have noticed I am better if I keep my schedule as much as possible and take time out to rest.
When I was a young mother I thought I had to do everything ........and help everyone. ....I had more energy then also but alas I also had to learn to say no to some things and maybe wait
for a while before I did some things.....I fought some major physical illnesses and now know I
should have taken time out to rest during these days..........but it all worked out for good. God does that I think...........even when we are running to and fro He is there just waiting for us
to come to Him for His advise.

. Make time for others on purpose.........( I like that someone taught me to use your time "on purpose".........I still grieve for my mom who went to heaven a few years ago but I try and make
special times just to think of her and maybe cry or maybe laugh and think of just her).........
Make purposeful times for others in your life..........such as you may be putting away laundry and making your bed and your teenage daughter comes in and you can tell she may need to talk
Make times for the "grands" that may need you to read a book; play tea party or just rock hold close and cuddle....
(purpose those few moments for just you and her)...........(When my mom had to spend some
time in a nursing facility due to rehabilitation I could have thought of a million others things I had to do but purposed in my mind that this was the time for her. We would talk ; watch a show
together; or I would just sit and be near while she rested for a time................ This was what was important at this time in my life.....

My life is not my own...Im just a passing through...God guide through it may have me to slow down and enjoy the sunset with your husband ( as you may want to finish the supper dishes); or make a batch of cookies for someone ; or write that note for that one who needs encouragement....

I see how things can come at us in a vengeance.....but I try and STOP and be still and take the time out to rest and relax and enjoy His beauty so I can give out to others what He needs...

I LOVEMONDAYS....

I LOVE MONDAYS............COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS ONE BY ONE....

I love Mondays! After a long busy week comes Sunday where you stop and reflect on what
you have done and Gods blessings....Sundays sermons are full of good things to make you enter your heart and soul and search and learn and glean...........

This past week bought many blessings..I try and write these down in my "daily notebook"
on the side so I can "remember" His love...........Trips to the grocery where God even sees your
daily needs. Bargains galore from shredded cheese for .99 a package ; red bell peppers for a whole bag for $1; meat with mark down stickers of $1-$2 and then on sale; and other needs bringing more than any coupons could give.

Time given to work ; rest and spend time with Him.................Walks among the sunshine enjoying the beautiful Fall leaves with your grandbabies....walking in the leaves laughing scrunching them underfoot and throwing leaves in the air on a playground and enjoying the giggles.....

Answers to prayers needed. Not wanting but given. Love shown through Him just to you
that touch your heart and renew your days...........
I love the season and its changes............I love old barns ; especially red ones and old dishes; pottery; old books that you find for sale alongside the road in one.............I love the smell of
burning wood tricking throughout the air ; and the sound of marching bands practicing for
football games to come............Took a walk this weekend with my hubby walking hand in hand
in the park over the covered bridge.....Quiet just him and I over the old plank boards looking down inbetween the boards and hearing the quiet rush of the leaves..........( it was like Disneyland to me!)............We stopped by the grocery to pick up a few items and he shows me "Indian Corn" he purchases for me to hang on my front porch!! What a surprise!

You say "Indian Corn"? Oh yes my dad would buy this for my mom each Fall to place on the house for Fall. We knew moms Indian Corn meant Fall. Mom is in heaven this year and Dad two now 2 years......A memory? Oh much more than that!
Time to scrub; clean and freshen my house for the week...........My sister stopped in for a visit
and helped "Fall spruce up" my front room. She has that special touch of grouping things .....Now
its full of "Fall colors" and smells like Fall with the candles given to me with love!!!

I love bringing in the orange; pumpkin; cream; grays; and browns............each room a special touch!
My husband and I love the Fall season and the turning of the leaves and my birthday to celebrate....I just thank God for His goodness to me these many years.

2 nice candles to fill my rooms with Fall aromas; some notecards ( which I love); and a "decorative turkey made with love by her girls!!!! Then a huge bag full of apples from the orchard for me to bake and use.....( I love these apples)........I will try and make some apple butter and fill those little jars sitting in my basement and tie with a ribbon or maybe a few
caramel apple pies might be made and frozen for future use..........

So many things to be thankful for.........I am counting my blessings one by one by one........

OUR EVERY NEED.............

HE GIVES US OUR EVERY NEED............

This past week my daughter and I decided to take the two grandgirls on a walk in the beautiful sunshine and colors of Fall.............

What fun we had walking; laughing and jumping in the leaves.....But inside my heart was
struggling some with "wants" I thought I needed........I had prayed about these and left it at that but soon picked it up again .......trying to convince myself and God this is what I needed ........

And then I noticed something.............As our "sweestest girl" granddaughter would walk
along the path she would STOP .......Stoop down...........and then pick up a small item that was
special to her along the way..........Each little thing whether a........berry; stone; a Fall leaf; or
stick was what she needed at that moment..........and that was precious to her.........When I snapped this photo I looked at all her "favorite things"...........

Then..........I listened and thought God , you take me along this path and provide all my needs...Every thing I need. Not everything I want. But what I need. Sometimes a little one may cry out for a cookie. Some days they may get one but other days it may not be the best thing for them....I am thankful He gives me my needs and then other days extra needs !
God is so smart to bring beauty into our lives just by His creation....Each leaf...each berry......
each person that crosses your path was part of your life..............
Someone may live somewhere where "they cannot see any beauty " in the way of a leaf
or rippling waters..........There life may be "four walls" in a nursing facility"; or a home in a city where darkness fills there days..........BUT ...........God can shine His beauty anywhere.........

I can remember watching a program in which a young girl lived in a "hut" in a village far away
but her own small space had a small mirror; a little bed; and a shelf to hold her things...(she was happy)...........Why? Because she had what she needed at this time in her life.....That young girl
touched my heart deeply ...........(because God sent her story to me)........that she was content with what she had.........
Precious moments cannot be bought..........A face full of joy...........A Heron to say " I love you" from God...........is monumental!
So..............have fun ; love where you are placed.........Bring the best to where you are and those around you..............When I was a young bride I was full of things that I wanted....Things and ways I thought I needed including what my hubby and children should be someday.......I had goals and many of those things were accomplished but now..............30 years later..........my heart has changed to what they need..........and enjoying them in life....I still love to decorate and create
new things in life but I have all I need.............
Thank you God for my "Heron" this past week and for all you have given............These are a few of my favorite things...........................

FALL BAKING.............

'FALL BAKING COOKIES; FREEZING APPLES; AND MAKING "LINDAS TACO SOUP AND PINTO BEANS AND HAM.....

This past week the "winds came" and blew and blew.......I loved the leaves spiraling through the air as I stood safe and warm inside my kitchen........I thanked God for "this time" to be home and puddle around in the kitchen. I love the kitchen and love when I have the time to work with my hands
and create and bring a warm and comfort to our home....This day my granddaughter and I were
going to bake some "pumpkin cookies". I had most of the items needed on hand so we went to
work donning our aprons . I lit my pumpkin candle and had the great music of our churchs
radio station playing great music in the background.....
It doesnt seem like it takes much to make us happy. A little bit of flour; sugar; butter; a cookie cutter; some powered sugar and food coloring..........brings a happy face to all who enter.........
Little precious hands.......( I seem to notice more every little thing about my grandchildrens hands) maybe it was when I was a young mother life was busier but I love her little hands
and the flour; sticky fingers; laughing; flour dusted all over both of us.............little things....
Each creation is special...........God thinks His creations are special too and everything He created is unique! A tree; a flower; a hand; a heart.............its His creation......
Look grandma................."Oh thats sooooo good!"..............Will she remember this as she grows
older? Perhaps.......but someday may she do the same with her babies?
The creation..........the time spent on these little things are important I think..........We went to the grocery store the other evening and I held her up over the big frozen turkeys and said "which one shall we pick for Thanksgiving?" She picked one....... She helped grandma and her mama shop putting things in her little tiny cart .......as we stopped and laughed and giggled....
I made Aunt Linda's Taco Soup this week which was so easy and everyone loved it!......Warm comforting soup ; another day Ham and Beans and homemade cornbread and the cookies;
My husband came in the door and said " Honey something smells good" ..........I just love that!
My friend Lisa gave me a bag of apples from the orchard; I had made several apple crisp and
some breads and still had plenty of apples so decided I would freeze what was left.........
I sat and peeled ( not with a peeler I wished I had had one but I had a hand :).........so begin
to peel and peel ...................
I then put them in a large bowl of salt water so they wouldnt turn brown..............I then put them in a colander; and put 2 cups at a time in a smaller bowl and covered them with abut 1/2 cup of sugar ( would use these for pies or crisps later).............I ended up putting up about 6 cups each in each freezer bag...........
Three bags full.........I was very happy with that to use for the holidays. I also found some bananas on sale for $1 a bag and came home; chopped those into pieces; lay them on a cookie sheet in the freezer; then took out and put into freezer bags to use later in muffins or breads.

I love my kitchen. Its one of my favorite things. I love how the Lord took my time and had be use it for something good and something comforting.........Next time I think I know what is best; I will STOP and PRAY and lean on HE who knows what is best for me......and who brings me more than I could ever want...........

TACO SOUP.........AN EASY DELICIOUS POT OF GOODNESS

Flavorful Taco Soup Recipe This is a great soup given to me by my sweet sis in law Linda....we have had this over and over and its one of my husbands favorites.....

This is a great soup for Fall on a cool rainy day!
Enjoy........great with a side of muffins or tortilla chips..........* Maybe an apple pie!
Can be made in a crock pot also......and served over corn chips........... 10 35 45

Ingredients

• 1 - 1/2 pound lean ground beef
  
• 2 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with mild green chilies, undrained
• 2 can (8-3/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
• 
  
• ( I use whole packet)* Taco Seasoning
  
• ( I use whole packet) * Ranch Seasoning
  
• 
  TOPPINGS: (opt)
  
• 1/2 medium ripe avocado, peeled and cubed
• Shredded cheese
  
• Sour Cream
  
• Tortilla chips

Directions

• In a large saucepan, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the beans, tomatoes, corn, water, taco seasoning and salad dressing mix. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
• Spoon into bowls; top with avocado, cheese and cilantro. Serve with chips. Serves 6-8 or more.........
  

SIMPLE APPLE CRISP..........A WARM TREAT FOR FALL

This is a comfort dish that smells like Fall..................
I bought a bag of apples for one dollar on the discount rack..........and my married daughter said " oh mom do
you think we could have some apple crisp?".........I love making this treat in the Fall ; but
so it was a bit early...........My daughter; granddaughter and I whipped this treat together quickly and all enjoyed a small plate full over lunch.........
Just take some apples (whichever you prefer)........and butter ( or other).......
Peel then; then slice and cut up into bite size pieces........or thin slices.......
Pull in a granddaughter with her apron on...........place some apples in the bowl and (snack on
the rest)...........Top with topping and bake...........Enjoy.......The Recipe follows:

Simple Apple Crisp

Preheat 350..........serves 4-6

3 Large Apples
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 quick cooking rolled oats
3/4 cup flour
1/2 c softened butter ( I cut up the stick)

Directions

. Spray or butter a 9" round pie pan or pyrex dish

1. Peel and slice apples ........Place in bottom of pan
2. Make topping :
Mix together sugar; oats; flour and add in bits of butter by using a pastry cutter or two
forks until this resembles peas throughout the flour ** thats what gives it the buttery top
3. Bake 350 .........20-30 minutes or until golden brown

***May serve with whipped topping or vanilla ice cream

GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY........

GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY...........

I found this sweet little book a few weeks ago at my local thrift shop on Hospitality....
It was chocked full of good ideas....but as I was reading along I thought to myself .......
"these are all nice ideas" but at this time in my life I dont always have an open home in which
to "invite" ladies over for nice lunches; coffee or treats........

Sometimes things will be really busy or food may be short.......BUT

Just then God reminded me.........(you are willing and I have chosen you many times to be
given to hospitality dont you remember?)...........I then thought a moment and looked through
His eyes and saw how God has had so many people come into my home on a weekly basis.
I almost laughed .........when I began to think about this . I thought of how I hear a knock at the door and.......... all of a sudden we have
extra guest for suppers; lunches; treats; visits; ladies mission circle group; showers; overnight guests and those just stopping for a moments time...........

You may think how can God use me to care about others?..............Be willing..........I remember
many a neighbor stopping by our house for my dad to fix something such as a lawn mower;
another small appliance; or for a taste of my dads famous fried chicken!..........They would
always be willing to be a neighbor who cares.

I also remember my mom always sending "treats" home with us or someone else to enjoy...

What are some simple ways we can be ready to receive those who come to our homes....

. Keep things simply clean and ready.

. Have an open heart.

. Have some cookies in a jar or in your freezer.

. Dont worry about being perfect or if you have a big enough or decorated enough or any other obstacle you may worry about....God knows if you have a willing heart and he will use it....

. Bake an apple crisp or purchase a pie and add whipped cream

. Send a guest home with a goodie...(I sent a young mother home with already baked cookies
for her to use and enjoy)

. Add more water to soup..........(as they say..) but you can stretch a meal to feed more

. Offer something cold to drink or warm hot chocolate.......

. If you have something scheduled........be discreet and let them know you care but you must
keep this commitment and send them along with a hug or a time you can make again.

. Have extra sheets and blankets kept aside for overnight. Keep a small basket of
toiletries in a closet for overnight guest to use...

. If you are having someone staying for a few days maybe a fresh bouquet of flowers
or a nice little basket of goodies can be placed in the room........

. If you are on the receiving end .....make sure you say Thank you or send a nice
note..............

TEA SHOPS...RIBBONS...PRETTY THINGS...

I enjoy being a girl ........simple things

I happen to enjoy pretty things; tea shops; and even things tied with a ribbon...........We have a tea shop in town and on special occasion I have enjoyed a nice lunch there............
I remember when my girls were young and how they loved playing dress up with my old jewelry; old hats; and the clunk clunk of a pair of old heels to play in.........It was fun to be
feminine...........Now my granddaughters enjoy the same.........and I like that........Sometimes
I will cut my granddaughters sandwich out in little shapes like a butterfly or a pumpkin...
(you may say is she spoiled? Oh no she is learning to be creative and make her world around
her nice)............
We recently had a visitor over for supper and he was a guest of my husbands. He commented
how he never had all this "fruuu fruu" pretty things on his table but he really liked it!
I just smiled to my husband.......Supper doesnt always have to be a fancy thing but you can
make it special with a few pretty plates; maybe placing the huge tub of margarine in a small
bowl; adding a tablecloth and in the Fall a seasonal candle glowing with your home made soup!
Having pretty things around you doesnt have to mean you spend alot of money ( I never do)
but you can be creative....I remember one Christmas holiday I went shopping in a very fine
department store. Money was tight that year so my bill in my purse wasnt going to purchase
many things there.....But.......I so enjoyed the beautiful music being played on the piano in their
lobby. I enjoyed a small cup of coffee for Free and then I gazed through their clearance racks
and found two small items I was in need of. The stores policy was to wrap it in tissue; then a
beautiful box of silver and gold and a pretty ribbon.......My cost was $3 total and I felt like I
had spent a small fortune..........
On special occasions I have gone to the teashop. It can be pricey but if you order only a few
items and some tea it can be a wonderful deal and the atmosphere is beautiful for the time
well spent...............
At home you can bring that special touch again to simple things by using small twinkle lights;
pretty thrift store plates or silverware; linens; pillows ( I found a beautiful lime green pillow
from Pottery Barn one day for $1) to go in any season.........
Enjoy being a lady and the gift of being creative with the world God has given around you......