COMING SOON ....FALL

FALL SCHEDULE......................

Every Season I purchase a few spiral notebooks for minimal cost.................
I then take a few moments and write down goals and such for the season to come. This helps me to take all the thoughts and ideas that begin floating around in my mind ....to come together on
paper.

I simply write "Fall 2010"....................

Goals............

(My hubbys name) * I dont plan my hubbys time I just keep ideas I think He might enjoy....

. His Fall/Winter clothes.....gone through and ridded out; maybe some new purchases....to be
ready for the next season
. Plan overnight (find out ideas he would enjoy)
. Date times ( for you and him alone)
. Projects and goals he needs you to work on.....

(My adult children)
. Special days you can get together (such as a lunchtime; apple picking; caring for the babies
so they may run errands; holiday shopping)
. Holiday time

(My grandchildren)
. Book time.........our reading time
. Baking time...........pies ; etc for Fall together
. Cuddle time........time spent together

(Me)
. Goals on my weight and health ....keeping watch and studying to get to know more on keeping healthy
. My spirit..........ways to get closer to God ; written verses; A study on a need I have been having
in my notebook........
. Goals I want to accomplish in this season....
. Ladies conference at our church ...
. Missions ....ladies circle each month
. Books I am reading each month..........

(My Home)
. Breakfast; Lunch; Supper ideas (one master list)
. Baking for Fall/Winter (breads; pies; holiday baking)
. Healthy treat ideas
. Cleaning for the Fall/Winter
. Projects
. Decorating

( Others)
. Home - have things ready for guest or visitors * basket filled with toiletries; baked goods; pillows and bedding for overnight clean and ready
. Inexpensive gift ideas
. Baking
. Cards and stamps
. Holidays

I MUST WATCH "ASSUMING"........ITS JUST A CHAIR

Lately....I have noticed a change in myself. Thats always a good thing because I am a work
in progress and I am so thankful I have a God who wants the best for me.....

I have to admit some time ago I just "assumed" many things....

Now its just human nature to do this most of the time. After all, if we see a chair just sitting on this porch. Our first assumption might be that "no one is there" .....The chair seems lonely. The chair seems as if it is not being used.......And why is that chair red? Does it belong to a child? Did someone want it red to display an item upon it? Could it be used for gardening?
We have to look at something and make our first assumption.

I have done this at times. I assumed someone didnt like me. I assumed the reason I wasnt like this or that was because I was untalented ; not smart enough; or in the right place......
I have to laugh at all this because God does love me so much for exactly who I am..........

But.......like I stated before its human nature. ....and people (many ladies) will assume things about their husbands; their children; their childrens teachers; their friends; or those around them in their world........They may hear a statement from someone and make a quick judgment
on that person and tell others the same........

God knows each of our hearts.......He knows the story behind each one.........

What sweet lessons God has shown to stop and be quiet .......Be still and listen to what God is telling you about a situation. When you hear things do you quickly think........Oh wait until I get even " .........or do you stop and bite your tongue and wait..........
Maybe God wants you to pray for that person? You may say" Well I am not praying for her ; she is just rude" or rude to my child. " I would have felt that exact way......but I am learning to WAIT and then even if it takes time on my part pray for that person.......Be good to your enemies....

Sometimes its just not our faults! Sometimes the other person is rude. Sometimes God may want you to not be around this situation for a time.........but you can always pray and forgive.

I can be what God needs me to be and whom He wants me to be around...........

There are times when we wont understand......but WE dont always have to understand things all the time.....in fact........for me I know I dont have to know WHY........and for me I think its part of being in control of too much........God is my strength and in control of each day...........

When we assume something about a person........do you ever wonder if someone is desperately praying for that person?............do you ever wonder if someone is doing the best they can?........do you ever wonder if that person is under a huge amount of pressure and their own world and health is spinning out of control?...........

Instead ...of using an assumption and being critical with words......could we look at the "chair" as being used by a toddler to sit and read in..........could we look at the "chair" as a stool to work in the garden by the elderly.........could we look at the "chair" as an antique that once sat in a small schoolhouse kindergarten room............If we did.......we could SEE that chair as useful and full of good things and life................

I LOVE MONDAYS....DAILY DUTIES...

HOUSEWORK AGAIN?????

I HAVE A SMALL COLLECTION OF APRONS! I REALLY ENJOY THE VINTAGE ONES FROM THE 1940'S... *** If you enjoy Aprons be sure to see "Journal for Woman" on my sidebar..... and the beautiful aprons she made.........

I CAN FIND VINTAGE APRONS FOR AROUND $1 AND THEY ARE FUN TO COOK IN WITH YOUR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN..............


This morning after I had coffee; breakfast; my time with my Bible; and my walk I walked in my bedroom to once again make my bed..........Ladies have been doing this routine for years and years. I remember my mom making up the beds so neat and tidy in our home and there was nothing like getting into a fresh made made with clean tight sheets for a good nights sleep.............
But..........I am afraid now a days we see "housework" as a burden never ending........ Its the beds to be made; the clothes to be hung up; laundry to be done; ironing (some have given this up for good ha); sinks to be scoured; toilets to be freshened; wastecans to be emptied; brooms to sweep; mops to swiffer; and its never ending.........

I know that the Lord has given me this home to care His best for and for that reason alone I want to do my best. But I have to say I do enjoy cleaning up and being satisfied with the job well done afterward. Not to mention my husband also enjoys a clean home to live in and our children growing up mentioned to me later that it was important to them as well.
I remember visiting a beautiful "bed and breakfast" with my hubby one night. As we walked into that room the room glistened!! The bed was beautifully made up and the sheets clean and fresh. The bathroom sparkled! In fact, there were even nice little chocolates on the pillows. Anything to make us feel extra special!!!
If I had walked into that room with unattractive odors; stains on the carpets or bedding; dirty anything in the bathroom.... I guarantee we wouldn't be there too long without a comment. If the word HOUSEWORK leaves you with a bad feeling then maybe its time to take inventory of our hearts and our things God has put us in charge of.......... I know some ladies who just are not physically able to care for everything in their homes;
or they dont know how to clean; or they just work long hours and its too much for them.... for those I say: SIMPLIFY............

1. If you are in need of help look to hire someone. If money is tight maybe a young teenage girl for a time or two to help catch up..........

. 2. If you do not know how to clean; go to the library and check out some books . There are many on this subject. You may also have to swallow your pride and ask someone who could help.

3. SIMPLIFY............. You have heard it a million times but throw out clutter; give things away and live with less around you. It is simple but works. A bed with a sheet; top sheet; comforter can be easier to make that too many fussy things if that works for you.

WHAT THEY TAUGHT TO ME............

WHAT THEY TEACH US..............

I LOVE THE ELDERLY...........I ENJOYED
MY PARENTS AS THEY GREW OLDER
AND MORE IN LOVE....MARRIED 68
YEARS.............

I LOVE TO VISIT THOSE IN NURSING HOMES............MOST PEOPLE HAVE A HARD
TIME VISITING AND BEING AROUND SUCH PLACES........I GUESS IT COULD BE TO MANY
A FINAL PLACE THEY NEVER WANT TO BE...........

BUT I LOOK AT THE FACES. I SEE THE LIVES THAT ONCE WERE. MANY WERE WWII
VETERANS. SOME WERE LADIES THAT RAN A HOME OF MANY CHILDREN; RAN A BUSINESS; OR WERE AN ACTIVE PART OF THE EVERYDAY LIFE............

BUT NOW..........ALL MANY OF THESE THINGS GONE. GONE IS THE LARGE HOME;
THE BEAUTIFUL FURNISHINGS. GONE IS THE BUSINESS OF DAILY LIVING REPLACED
WITH A WHEELCHAIR AND A TABLE FULL OF NEW FACES AROUND A TABLE WITH
A BIB TUCKED UNDER THEIR CHIN. GONE IS THE LIFE THEY ONCE KNEW AND ALONG WITH THAT THEIR WILL.

NOW........THEY MUST ANSWER TO A NURSE; THEY MUST HAVE SOMEONE CHANGE
THEIR BEDDING; GIVE THEIR BATH; CHANGES THEIR CLOTHES AND TELL THEM
WHEN THEY MUST WAKE UP OR GO TO SLEEP.

I REMEMBER WHEN MY MOM WAS IN A "HOME" FOR A SHORT TIME FOR HER
REHAB.

I WAS SO TAKEN BACK AS I WATCHED THEM WHEEL HER DOWN THIS HALL
TO A SMALL DINING AREA.
SHE SAT WITH "STRANGERS" AND ATE AN AVERAGE MEAL.

I REMEMBER SO MUCH THAT THIS WAS THE WOMAN WHO MADE EVERYONE'S MEALS. SHE SERVED BEAUTIFUL TABLES WITH BEAUTIFUL DISHES. THERE WAS JOY IN HER HOME AND MUSIC AND LIFE...........I WAS SADDENED TO SEE THIS ..........BUT YOU KNOW....

SHE NEVER COMPLAINED. SHE JUST ACCEPTED HER LIFE AS IT NOW WAS AND MADE THE BEST OF HER NEW PLACE.

WHAT DID THIS TEACH ME?

1. ACCEPT WHERE GOD SENDS YOU AND LEARN TO BE HAPPY......

2. LEARN TO REACH OUT TO OTHERS WHERE YOU ARE........

3. DONT LOOK AT THE PAST BUT KEEP YOUR EYES FORWARD .....

4. HAVE A CONTENT AND JOYFUL ATTITUDE............

5. IF YOU THINK YOU ARE CLIMBING A LADDER TO SUCCESS
OR TRYING TO GET TO THAT GREAT POSITION REMEMBER
IT CAN ALL BE GONE IN AN INSTANT. BUT.............GOD WITH HIS
MERCY AND TRUTH CAN RAISE YOU UP AND USE YOU IN GREAT
AND MIGHTY WAYS...........

6. DONT QUIT. REMEMBER WHO IS HOLDING YOUR HAND AND HE WILL
NEVER FAIL YOU.

I HAVE LEARNED ALOT FROM THE ELDERLY AND THEIR LIVES. I PRAY
THE NEXT TIME I AM AT THE GROCERY STORE AND SOME ELDERLY ONE
IS HAVING A HARD TIME REACHING THAT SHELF TOP OR OPENING A
BAG I CAN TAKE THE TIME TO "CARE' FOR THESE BLESSED ONES.....

SUMMERTIME FUN........AND CLEANING OUT

I have enjoyed the "dog days" of summer.........the Fair; the end of baseball games and watching the beginning of the little guys practicing Football games in the freshly mowed fields...
Sitting on my front porch enjoying the bright early morning sunrises with my husband with a nice cup of coffee and creamer.......Tomatoes in the garden and making 'fresh salsa"; fried green tomato sandwiches; fresh herbs in eggs; and Tomato Basil Sandwiches............
Sometimes life can seem so busy........and yet other times ..........it seems to stand still and make a change in direction............
I have already begun cleaning and ridding out some.......my daughters and I had a 2 day garage sale and did very well..........(we made enough to pay for something we both wanted)....
I love cleaning out and making things fresh and new............

My husband and I have been helping with a "new project" together......I love when we can do things together.......Making special meals; baking cookies; or having folks drop by for a cool drink of iced tea and some burgers on the grill...............
Is not always about "where you go"..........in your life but what you do when you get there......
( as the first picture says)...................Sometimes it can be on your "morning walk" a wave hello to a neighbor; holding a garage sale and having someone come by with cancer and no family to listen to her but you taking time to care; having someone stop by for a few and sending them off with some "goodies" along their way; being somewhere and making it "fun" for everyone around because they need it ( not always because you feel like it); smiling and reading a book to your little "grand" because its where you need to be; sitting with your husband eating "some food" your waistline tells you not to Why because He needs you too!

END OF SUMMER GOODNESS..............LOOKING AHEAD TO "NEW BEGINNINGS AND A FRESH NEW SEASON"

END OF SUMMER GOODNESS..............LOOKING AHEAD TO "NEW BEGINNINGS AND A FRESH NEW SEASON"

The other day my husband asked me what the date was.........I went to the calendar in the kitchen and was taken away at what I thought it was! I had missed a week.......How did I do that
I thought? I usually keep myself informed about dates and times...but as I thought back I recalled quit a "busy summer"..........
It seems we really do not know what a season; a month; or a year will bring but I have to say
I am thankful for a very special season this past year.........Its not always been easy but many
sweet blessings have come my way.........As I open the door to my home.........my heart has also
been opened to new things; new thoughts; new joys........
My flowers that were once vibrant are now fading...they have given me such beauty this summer as I sat upon our porch in my rocker..........
Our rockers have been used this summer to sit and have coffee with my husband; to sit and
rock with our granddaughter; to have friends stop by and enjoy a visit or two...........or to
sit and watch the birds as they have filled the feeders by husband bought for me earlier this
season.......
I have begun to "simplify" things around the house that we used this summer... I have cleared
some extra pillows in rooms to storage. Put away some items that sat upon tables...Cleared out
until the next season begins.............

Our dining room table had its days of use.........with full summer suppers; filled with burgers;
fresh green beans; grilled chicken; salads of all sorts; and cool refreshing deserts........and chairs
brought in all around to fill in for extra guest......I would keep my table set with pretty green
dishes and a full centerpiece of white flowers but I am now clearing the table to bring a blank
slate .............for the next season.........it sits peaceful
I have begun the seasonal change of ridding out things in my closets and drawers; I have enjoyed using the wooden hangers I found this summer at a yard sale to keep my husbands
pants and my skirts hung so nicely in the closet..........I have a few "pretty hangers" to hang
delicate blouses and things...
This summer I was reminded of a the call came one year ago; from my sister that mom was going into the hospital for a procedure and that my husband encouraged me to go with her out of town.......Three to four weeks later
mom went to heaven ......A hard time but a precious time with her...sweet good memories we had
together.........and a sweet time with my brother and sisters that I will never forget........
I am blessed indeed! .........so many complain about how hard it is to get along with their parents
I was blessed to have precious parents that loved me and I loved them. Were they perfect? I know I am not but they loved me and others...........I am blessed to have had wonderful parents and great inlaws...........
This summer bought times of cooking and baking with my granddaughter.........I have to say
I am one of those who loves spending time in my kitchen to create.....as I grow older I have simplified but memories of the aromas that have filled the kitchen are like a hug from home....

I have enjoyed my coffee mornings with my hubby......Early we would rise and sit out on the
porch as the sun began to shine over the rooftops.............God is so good to me I can hardly stand it sometimes!

A batch of banana muffins somehow makes everyone feel warm and cozy some days.......
The Farmers Market in our town became a regular routine this year.....Fresh green beans; onions; herbs; corn on the cob; pretzel bread and a large oatmeal cookie for the granddaughter..
The garden was filled with tomatoes as we dug and worked the garden early in the summer...
It was a project my husband and I wanted to do together...It has provided many blessings for
us and to give to others....but it did not get all the attention needed as other things filled some
of our days...yet we have enjoyed its bounty..........
Many trips with my son in law and granddaughter to to garden; then the grill; then to the table.
Ballgames filled many weeks this year and I loved being able to sit and be there for my husband.....* ( I had some say to me ...."Why do you sit there each week cant he go himself?")
........I knew they didnt understand but my husband did and loved that I was there. Me too!
Pots of fresh beans ; strawberry jam; and other summer goodies filled the kitchen; and
dont forget the "French Silk Ice Cream" with lite whipped cream each night!!!
Memories of baking; reading a book; running through the sprinkler; playing in her kiddie
pool; going to the garden; taking walks to the park with grandpa..........
New baby sister .........now one year old!!
And............so one season ends and another begins........I am SO excited! ........I will share more
on that later.............I am thankful to God for His blessings and for things to come........
What have you enjoyed this season?

LIFES CHANGING AGAIN.....................

I was washing up some dishes on Saturday; then a hot rinse and placed them in the dishwasher.....I then wiped down the counters..........made sure everything was put away and once again took a step back and said to myself......."There all clean and tidy once again"........

But........a thought hit my mind as I gazed out my kitchen window looking at the sunsets reflection coming across the pond........CHANGE.........is coming again..........Just as you think you have one thing finished and done in your life (the kitchen) life comes at it again and you have to
begin again........

It seems I write alot about beginnings..........I also have written that I am not a person of change but in reality I am or becoming more as one..........I have too..........You marry. You have children. They grow and become adults. Some marry. And maybe even grandbabies come.......
CHANGE...... All in life.........

I love to change my home around. I love to decorate for each season. I love celebrate holidays and things I am thankful for..........thats celebrating change........

And God ..........loves to take me along on His path of CHANGE........Things that remained steadfast were my God and His love and care for me; my church; my husband; my children; my parents ( now they are in heaven)........
But.......changes came in the form of homes; cars; our health; friends; those we love; finances and many other small things..........

God nudges me sweetly along giving me "quiet times" to grow and grow. I die daily .....to self and my wants and am trying to listen to His still voice as He tried to teach me what He needs me to be for myself and others........

Lifes changing again I felt calling inside but this time......I felt a great peace and a thankfulness.
I didnt want to let go of things I felt secure and steady in.....but then it was if the Sun was rising across the pond and I LET GOD and let go of my wants once again..........

Good things........great things........that He has been preparing me for and continues to do........

I have seen great changes in some folks I know........some have been very hard changes in the forms of lost loved ones; loss in jobs; or loss in even being able to walk ever again....for these folks
I stand back and pray and yet learn from their change and strength they draw from God......

Life is changing.......stand up and set the table and be ready to bring in lifes blessings He will send!