THIS THANKSGIVING ...BE A BLESSING

THIS THANKSGIVING............I WANT TO BE A BLESSING..............CUT OUT COOKIES RECIPE

As I was walking through the grocery this morning I looked down at my cart and all the good food in it. I was thankful I had gotten "bargains" as well as the means to help someone else today with what I had..........

I couldnt help but notice a lady who had a "few items" in her arms along with a baby in a stroller and counting what she had. I saw her later walking toward her home. I dont know or sure but maybe she was struggling like so many others to be able to purchase even the few needed items for her home....

I think this time of year even more than others ; people feel the "pinch" in their budget.
So many coming and going and buying and selling. It can be really hard on some. But...
whether it be a financial circumstance ; physical or emotional time for someone it is good to think on others...

We all cannot do everything but we can do ONE thing that God may have us to do.

Here are some easy ideas to help bring joy to this Thanksgiving Season.

. Bake a pie; some cookies; a pumpkin roll; or a dinner for someone to take.

. Give to your churchs food pantry.

. Give to the bell ringer in front of your grocery store and tell him/her thank you for standing
out in the rain and cold! Always smile even if you have nothing to give...

. Take a box of food to a family in need.....Make sure to be discreet...

. Take note on a missionary and their needs. Even though far away they need our love.

. Surprise someone and fill a need.

. Encourage someone by a note or words of love....

. Make a basket and fill it with special things........a cup; cocoa; marshmallows; gift card

. Have a God given talent. Use it for someone this season. The lady who did my nails the other day told me she does the "ladies shelter" for FREE. I thought that was kind.

. Take time to get out of your circle of friends once in a while and show an outsider some
encouragement..........."Look for someone who may be sitting alone at a party you may attend and invite her to sit with you.

. Offer to help an elderly one near you or at a nursing home.

Its very hard to find time during the holidays to STEP OUT and care about others but isnt that what the season is really about?

CUT OUT COOKIES..........MOMS EVERYTHING DOUGH...............

BEING THANKFUL ...."THANKFUL BASKETS TO MAKE AND GIVE" FOR OTHERS..

THANKSGIVING TABLES TO PUT TOGETHER....

This week I will be planning some baskets I will put together for others for the holidays....
This basket can be "simple" with a few pumpkin muffins and icing or food items...

My ladies service circle makes a "basket" to give to a lady who may have been ill or needs some encouragement each month........
I enjoy putting together a "holiday table " also ..........Again you can be creative ......and use a
simple branch and some pretty napkins.....
I have seen some beautiful baskets made up but really all you need are a few simple tools...

l. A Basket (can be from a thrift store for $1)...2. Some shredded paper or pretty tissue (dollar
stores) 3. Items for that person or persons (baked items; candles; breads) 4. Long roll of clear wrap to wrap around the basket ( pull up and around) secure with raffia or pretty bow
You may take simple brown bags; fold over punch holes ; add pretty decoration (craft stores for a few cents) and twine..............make a nice label and your done!


The table can be simple or be creative and use cloth napkins; make your own napkin rings;and cut out Fall leaves in felt to toss about the table...Candles always add a festive time to a table.
I have some beautiful dishes given to me from Aunt Michelle in this cobblestone brown and cream.....A white napkin and some Indian corn makes a pretty setting.
Placecards can be done on a computer or visit your local craft store for simple stamps to make
this Thanksgiving meal special..............

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY..............TO MY LOVE

34 YEARS...........HAPPY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY SWEETHEART **** His favorite breakfast recipe

As I walked into my "new homeroom class" that Senior year of high school there he was
this "boy" standing on his head on one of the long science desks in the back of the classroom...
"I shrugged my shoulders as not to join in his silly antics" and sat in my seat......"Others ...gathered around him laughing and applauding his spirit"................I then looked up and realized his desk would be right across from me.........

Little did I realize how much I would need that "spirit" of his throughout the next 30 years of my life..........He asked me several times for a date but I thought "no"......until one time his
gentle kind nature touched my heart...........It has touched my heart since .........

Years of growing together........God knew..........and in the first year of our marriage we moved to upstate New York where we would both hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and pray to ask Jesus into our hearts..........Was there instance love and perfection in our lives then??? ..............No
we were both young people growing in our marriage and love and now growing in Jesus and what His love was to show...........Many years of growing together...........For better ; for worse; in sickness and in health...........WE had it all...............rich or poor............our love grew............

Children God gave. Three to which I was amazed how great of a Daddy he was to each one of them. Love abounding; teaching; playfulness; joy as he loved each of of our children. Weddings; new mates; now grown.........He slide through it all..............giving and sacrificing many many times so that they could go to a Christian School ; be involved in things; learn new things; and have needs meant. ...........Now new parts to our family he and I both loved as if they were are own...

And now.........as we have grown Jesus has given us a stronger love that ever before.........

A love that is long suffering; works hard; sacrifices; accepts each other as they are; looks to the others needs before our own.............Marriage is hard work.......my parents 67 years; his parents over 50 years..........hard work; thinking not of ourselves but whom God hath joined together.........
I love you sweetheart! One of my hubbys favorite breakfasts is sausage gravy and biscuits ( although we cant eat as much of this these days we enjoy at times......here is the recipe.
*** On sidebar under recipes

BRIGHTEN THE CORNER......WHERE YOU ARE

BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE........

This past summer I came across a yard sale and there I saw it....This little small white desk
( I knew it would fit perfectly in the corner of my bedroom).....I saw it was marked $5 but the lady took one look and said, oh you can have this for $2 ok? " I said, " Ok thank you" and took it home........The desk was cream and I thought I would paint it "cottage gray"......( I love names on paint I dont know why but they seem to be more real?) So it sat and summer flew by.........

By Fall my hubby said to me as he was cleaning out the garage; " Honey do I throw this thing out?" What? I thought......"This is a treasure and my corner".........so sweetly he left my "treasure in its place"........I had a picture I had found of a corner desk with a shelf above it and and nice little chair........" I didnt want to put any money in this little project" so I just whispered to God of my need.......Within a few weeks I found a vintage chair that was painted black and had
a gray and black seat for $2; then I found a small shelf with scrolls holding them up for $1; " I couldnt believe it! But..........then God was caring for me!
So........I kept the cream desk; moved it into the corner behind my wing chair and it fit perfectly.........I began to add my "organizer"; some flowers I had in a box; a few things here and there and lit my candle and it came to life.......
I love the detail on the desk and its little curves......
Sometimes I find cute little bags and I hung this one from the bottom of the shelf.......
This is a photo of my grandmother and grandfather..........( I never knew them) but my granddaughter has her name..............I sometimes look at that photo ( the only one my mom
ever had) and wonder if she knows her granddaughter admires her............
My shelf............holds some of my favorite things; a picture of mr favorite guy and I; my Bible verse ( found the frame for .50 and put my verse in it); a favorite book and a pillow my sister
sent to me..........
My granddaughter and I had fun one day picking up pinecones and glittering them............
We then placed them in a basket for Thanksgiving.......to enjoy


Dr. Jack Hyles used to have a favorite song; "Brighten the Corner Where You Are"........(this always reminds me God can use you right where you are)...............

I love the little desk in the corner.........it helps me keep my files in one place; notebooks together ( basket underneath); day and month items posted; and a place where my granddaughter can come bring me "tea" with her playset..........

LIFE AS A PRINCESS

LIFE AS A PRINCESS..............

I LOVE WATCHING OUR GRANDDAUGHTER PLAY
DRESS UP........SHE CAN BE A PRINCESS WITH WINGS
AND STRIPED TIGHTS..............
IF ONLY I COULD WALK IN THESE SHOES BETTER....
A CROWN WITH MY OLD EASTER HAT
IS A MUST.....
A PRINCESS CARRIES ON AND CARES
FOR HER KINGDOM...........
SHE WATCHES OVER THOSE SHE LOVES...
EVEN IF HER CROWN "SLIPS SOMETIMES"
SHE ADJUSTS ( WITH THE EASTER HAT)
AND GOES ABOUT HER WAY.......DOING
THE NEXT THING.....


Do you ever remember playing a princess when you were younger?......You may be saying
my life is anything but that of a princess........

But.......we can all be a child of the King. And that is Jesus! If you do not know Him personally
I ask that you read the sidebar of my blog.....

God makes a child of His and thus a child of the King of Kings.... Our crown may have started out shiny and bright but has become dim and dull through the years.....

Take that crown off and apply some polish (your Bible) and a little work (effort) and your
crown will shine like new.....

Its too hard you say. But you have a friend who will help you as you take your journey.

Here are a few ways to "shine again".....

. Be truly thankful for the things around you......If you cannot find any at all begin with the trees; your kingdom; those around you......

. Dress like a princess. Remember you are a daughter of the King and thus your dress is to be clean; pressed; and pretty. **I have found beautiful "brand name" items at thrift or consignment shops or on clearance at fine department stores.....You may have to work at this.

. Be good to others.......Royalty doesnt destroy their kingdom but cares and lifts it up!

. Take care of yourself by getting enough rest; eating good foods; and seeing what helps
you.......

Being a "princess" isnt always easy.......But as I rest in the fact that I am a daughter of
the King..... I can walk in my role.

RENEWING YOUR RELATIONSHIPS...

WELCOME...............YOUR SPECIAL TO ME

Yesterday I opened a "surprise card" from my husband.........It was very sweet and of course I loved it! Fall is both of our favorite time of year......I can remember our trip to a park down
south where we would picnic; walk and he even cut our initials in a tree just for us..........

I remember as we were dating keeping a scrapbook filled with everything we did together.
I filled this book with napkins were we ate; sticks of ice cream we had; photos; and even the
little daises he picked for me alongside the road........ It said He was so special to me!

Sometimes as couples we grown and become busy with life. Children come and we enjoy them and help them grow. Financial burdens prevail and enter our lives and you work together to
live and provide for the needs. Life can become farther and farther apart.

Some couples may become bitter and pick at each other little by little . Maybe the way things are cooked; whos turn to take the dog out; or other little small things...They become a worn
place that gets bigger and bigger..........
And..............soon the glow of that "light" you once had may begin to fade..........but I heard this
wise little idea I thought I would pass along............Begin anew.........You can always begin "new"
each day.........God brings us His peace and joy and love and can bring it to you....
If you have a relationship that may need "renewed" here are some ideas..........

. Purchase a new scrapbook for just you and him.

. Begin to fill it with new pictures of you both.

. Fill it with a new beginning and new memories to build upon.

Soon.............you will have a "new door " to open and once again say "your special to me"

I LOVE MONDAYS...EVERYDAY SCHEDULE

I LOVE MONDAYS.........EVERYDAY SCHEDULE

I love Mondays......................I love how they come after Sundays and the joy of church and how
the sermon gives you strength to live.........the music uplifts your soul; and the sweetness of
time with Jesus gives you joy!!

I love Mondays and the beginning of a "new week" and "everyday schedule"...........I remember
so much how my mom would get up early ( I could hear her in the kitchen....pans clinging; the sound of a peculator bringing the delicious aromas of coffee brewing; singing quietly while eggs
and bacon filled the skillets)..................Then everything would get a clean sweep and down into
hot sudsy dishwater ( plunk ; plunk) and rinse and a quick swipe with a fresh dish towel and
surprisingly a sparkling fresh kitchen would appear....................
I love the leaves God has brought each painted a beautiful bright orange; red; or yellow out my kitchen windows reflecting in the pond..............Windows open bringing forth cool ; crisp breezes.........time alone with God............laundry started in the washing machine; beds made; dishes put away in the dishwasher; menu made for the week; chicken set out on the counter ( I know you have to watch it now a days doing this but why did my mom do it everyday for 30 years? ha) to thaw for dinner; porch swept; house swept; baths wiped down; and the everyday
things of life seem to go along..................

As I was folding some dishtowels from the dryer this morning..........I thought to myself how
this might be boring to some..........but for me........I love it! There is something about the folding of these simple little towels ; all stacked nicely and fitted in a drawer that brings a satisfaction....

And..........then I realized...............it was just doing what your suppose to do that brings peace.
I heard in church yesterday how "doing right" brings peace to your soul..........this brings "peace" to mine................

Simple dishtowels ...........I love them..........they can dry a dish; wipe a spill; help take out
a hot dish from the oven; wipe a tear; become a dust cloth; clean a mirror; or just hang upon
a oven door looking pretty...................

Everyday things.........simple..........yet purposeful..........Peaceful