Enjoying Morning Light

I am not a morning person but I am trying to change that fact.  For two weeks now I have been successful in rising between 5 and 5:30 and I am truly enjoying it.  The coffee pot usually wakes me at 4:45 and when I get up that's the first place I head.  With hot coffee in my hand I slowly meander to my rocking chair in my office where I finally come alive. 

This morning as I drank my first cup of stimulant I couldn't help but be drawn to the appearance of the morning light coming in my window and making shadows on the wall.

With my discipline of early rising I am also being much more detailed and consistent with my to do list.  I am listing each day's hopeful tasks on my computer calendar on Sunday afternoon and through the week I add to it as need be.  This is working so well for me.  It seems to challenge me to be able to check off the items each evening.  Sometimes I get tired and think about moving a project over to the next day or week and then I rethink it and the desire to make my check mark wins out.  I am really motivated by this and the success and accomplishment I am experiencing. 

As I have said before I love going from to-do to ta-da!  Works for me!!

The day is Yours, the night also is Yours; You have prepared the light and the sun.  Psalms 74:16

But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18

Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle.  Psalms 43:3

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.  Psalms 119:105

The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.  Psalms 119:105

First a Cup Then . . .

Yesterday I had errands to run and the time got away from me but there was still time to fit in a favorite thrift store.  Precious Husband was patient enough to wait till I finished my treasure hunt so we could meet for date night.

Several months ago I found the little Desert Rose teacup in another favorite thrift store.  It was there without a saucer and I had to bring it home because it is the same pattern that my precious friend Dolores used in her home all her married life.  I so enjoy having things that remind me of special loved ones in my life.  So, yesterday I found the lonely saucer and brought it home to complete my cup and saucer.  I love when that happens!

First the cup 

Then the saucer . . .

 Maybe not a first marriage but definitely meant to be together now.

Linking up to Thrifty Thursdays

 

Today's Guiding Prayer

 

 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Psalms 19:14

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. 
Psalms 141:3

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Dinner last Friday was great with special friends and their 3 precious children.  Served my Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas so I am linking up with Lisa here for Tempt My Tummy Tuesday and sharing the recipe.  It most always is a hit - if I can be so brazen : )

Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas

Filling:

1 cup grated cheddar cheese (I use more)

1 cup diced cooked chicken (I use more)

1/2 cup chopped onions

1 dozen corn tortillas

Sauce:

1 cup sour cream

2 cans cream of chicken or mushroom soup

1 can diced green chilies

1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine soups, sour cream, chilies and salt.  Combine filling ingredients.  Dip tortillas in hot oil for a couple of seconds to soften.  Place a spoon of chicken and spoon full of sauce in each tortilla and roll up and place in 13 inch casserole.  Cover with remaining sauce.  Bake at 350* for 30 minutes.

Monday Morning Praises

This will bless you today!  

That's all I have to say for today.  Watch this little face and listen all the way through! Sorry I could not put the video up directly.

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night

Psalms 92:1-2

Company & Signature Dishes

Two questions for friends:
First can you come for dinner?
Second do you like Mexican food?

I love to hear yes to both questions!  If you are coming for dinner the first time and you like Mexican food there is a very strong possibility you will be served my signature dish of Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas.  It is most always a hit and the most requested recipe of my children for a family gathering.  Dessert of course will be Cherry Cheesecake which is the recipe that won Precious Husband's heart nearly 30 years ago.

Today finds me busy making enchiladas and cheesecake and looking forward to an enjoyable evening with friends.

Have a blessed weekend.

Makes Me Smile

 Popping up under my rosemary bush.

I blogged once before about seeds coming up on their own in my yard and how that just makes my heart smile.  Yesterday afternoon I was in the back yard doing some watering and to my delightful surprise there were more precious little blue flowers that had transplanted themselves with the help of the wind to the back of the yard by the pond.  They came from some pots on the patio and this is quite a distance.  I know, I know,  it doesn't take much to make me smile.  This makes me smile.

There is an object lesson here but right now I just can't quite put it into words.  Give me some time on this assignment and I will be back with you on it.

I Can Relate . . .

Proverbs 17:22a

A merry heart does good, like medicine . . .

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

As I wrote yesterday I am sharing the recipe today for my yogurt pancakes.  I am linking up with Lisa at Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.

My friend Barbara and I got into yogurt during a season of our culinary life and we found this recipe in a little Knudsen Dairy recipe booklet.  We all loved the light pancakes and it has continued to be a family favorite for sure.  Barbara and I became friends when our oldest boys were in kindergarten together and we were VIPs (Very Involved Parents) in their classroom.  So when I make these pancakes I think of my friend of nearly 35 years, Barbara and many others who I have served them to through the years.  So here you go:

Yogurt Pancakes

4 eggs
1/4 cup water
1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar.

Whip up the eggs and add water and yogurt.  Mix dry ingredients together and add to the wet.

Facebook, Sunshine Acres and Yogurt Pancakes

 Billy

I joined Face Book a while back but never really saw the benefit until recently when I reconnected with one of the children that lived at Sunshine Acres while I worked there.  We began uploading pictures of the other kids and we have had a great deal of fun reminiscing about years gone by.  Karrie spoke of trying to reunite as many as possible for a get together so we have set a date for July to have a reunion of children and staff from the Acres at our home and I am so excited about it.


These children are actually all grown now and many with grandchildren.  Oh my,  I am getting old!


One of the boys men I have connected with from the Acres on Face Book is Billy.  Billy's housemother was my dearest friend Dolores and she and her husband had actually desired to adopt Billy but it never came to fruition.  Today, I got a note on Face Book from Billy and at the end he says, "and I still remember the yogurt pancakes".  I am so touched that he remembers.  You have to understand that one of my love languages is definitely feeding people that I love.  To think that after all these years (30 something) he still remembers pancakes -- well -- wowie dowie!

Tomorrow I will link with Lisa for Tempt my Tummy Tuesday to share my recipe for yogurt pancakes.

Click Flash, Click Flash

Precious Husband says he smiles when he sees the flash of the camera going off because it means a new blog post is in the making.  Yes, it is true.  I especially love taking pictures when I see the morning sun spotlight something in my home.  

Have a blessed weekend.

Hot Chocolate

We had all four of our AZ grandkids with us for the weekend and we enjoyed every minute of it of course.  Spaghetti for supper Friday night and hot dogs Saturday night.  Kid menus for sure.  Of course you know the cookie jar was full with fresh chocolate chip cookies which made Pépère happy too.

When we have the grandkids I always make a big deal out of having coffee with Mémère in the mornings.  If it is one child alone I usually bring a tray up and we have coffee (which for them is actually hot chocolate) and goodies in bed but with 4 at once we went down to the kitchen table instead : )

This weekend I decided to start using my bright yellow teapot for their coffee.  I hope it will start a tradition - Mémère's coffee in the yellow teapot.  It was fun!

Fruitful Reading

Would love for you to visit Courtney at http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/.  She has a wonderful blog that blesses me in my walk with the Lord.  On Wednesdays she is doing a study on the Proverbs 31 woman which is one of my favorite studies.  Go check her out - today's post is very good.

Table Top Tuesday Vignette

Tuesdays seem to come quickly so I in turn quickly snapped some pictures to share at Marty'sBlog.

Today's pictures are of my hall tree next to the front door. 

The little black hats belonged to my paternal grandmother.  The brightly colored vintage umbrella was Aunt Marie's along with the white gloves.  Aunt Marie was not related by blood only by love and I settled her estate when she had to move into assisted living.

The lamp was a wonderful find at our Salvation Army.





At the bottom is a Thomas Kincaid teapot that says, "home is where the heart is" and I sure believe that. 

 The teacup says "grandmother" and it goes together with the teapot just like cream and sugar.

Home Sweet Home the box says it all . . .

Thanks for coming by.

Monday Homekeeping

By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off.
    --Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Isn't that quote true! To add a note of humor here let me tell you what Precious Husband said this morning.  After eating breakfast and seeing the morning dishes and disarray on the counters Precious Husband turns to me and said, " I don't know how you do it.  Clean the kitchen only to do it again and again and again."  Trying to be an appreciative encouraging wife I came back at him with how he has to go to work everyday, day in and day out and never complains.  "Yes, but I am retiring next year!"

Yep, there is a lot of truth too in the little saying, grandpa is retired but grandma is just plain tired.  But, it is a good tired!  If you know what I mean : )

Happy Mother's Day

Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her  Proverbs 31:28

Want to wish all the mothers and wives (hubbys sometimes need mothering too) out there a happy Mother's Day.  Mother is by far the most wonderful title in the world next to Mémère of course.  Both our daughters, Michelle and Danielle are wonderful mothers to their precious children.  We are very blessed.

I have spaghetti sauce simmering in the crock pot and the small glass things all put away in preparation for our 4 youngest grandchildren coming today to spend the weekend.  It will be the first time I have had all four at one time here to care for.  The baby is 14 months and the oldest is 6 1/2.  When I go there things are babyized and the kids know their routine and boundaries but here it will be another story.  Not to sound negative at all though cause I am really excited about having them all weekend.  Hopefully their Mom and Dad will get some quality time together which is long overdue.

Have a blessed weekend.

Be Like The Sunflower

 We have a sunflower that came up in a pot close to the bird feeder.  It is growing so fast and appears so healthy.  I have watched our little plant in amazement as it follows the sun.  When I get up it has its' face turned toward the east and by noon it is standing straight and tall.  When I start closing the curtains in the evening it is reaching to the west viewing the sunset.  Such a neat object lesson as it is encouraging me to follow the Son each day and be willing to grow and bend and yield as He directs. 

Psalms 113:3 NIV From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised

Psalms 84:11 NIV For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Psalms 148:3 NIV  Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.

 

 

Obeying Precious Husband

Just had an "I love you" call from Precious Husband between appointments.  He asked what I was doing and I had to be truthful and admit I am not motivated and have not been for several weeks for some unknown to me reason.  He had good advice for me which I hope to share later but one thing I will share now.  He said, "Go do your blog".  Isn't that sweet, a husband that encourages you in what you find fun to do.

Lack of motivation seems to include my blog too so will just share couple of pics and get going.  On our long weekend I found 2 books by oldest daughter's favorite author, Erma Bombeck.  So this morning I tied them up with my signature lace and set them aside for the next time we get to see her - hopefully in July.

So I am off now to put into practice the good advice Precious Husband gave me and get busy - with renewed motivation.

Table Top Tuesday Vignette

Again this week I am linking to Marty's Table Top Tuesday blog showing off my treasures found while we were away this weekend.  I had a ball accompanied by Precious Husband scouting out lots of antique and thrift stores in Prescott. 

I love to have something I am looking for while junking and this weekend I had salt and pepper shakers on the list.  The first antique shop turned up a set of shakers and a neat little piece that I am putting Precious Husband's new favorite vanilla caramel coffee creamer into.  Isn't it cute.  First one I have ever ran across.

Also found a candle holder in my Star of David pattern.   Normally you see them in pairs for around $45 or more and I found just one which is fine with me and it was only $6.50. 

A fun find was another yellow bowl for the grandkids.  Have found almost all I need now.

Before we headed home we made one last stop at another antique store and there I hit the jackpot with vintage linens.  I found a "vintagie soft" white and yellow tablecloth with 6 napkins and 9 precious old hankies at a very small price.  Whahooo!  Love the touch of little waffle weave like inserts in the tablecloth.  It is prettier than shows in the picture of course.

Later I will share about the darling teapot I found for a spring table and also sweet teacup.  All in all I had a lot of fun finding treasures to add to the ambiance of our home.

Headed Home

It's nice to get away but even nicer to go home!  We are headed home today after spending the weekend in Prescott.  Had lots of fun walking through the antique stores and finding some treasures. 

The pictures are of my cactus that opened its beautiful flowers Saturday morning before we left home.  Nothing more gorgeous than a cactus flower but unfortunately they don't have a long life so we enjoy them while we can and take lots of pictures :

Tomorrow I will link up with Marty at a Stroll Through Life and share some pics of the treasures I found this weekend.  Fun.

Weekend with Precious Husband

Love this picture.  Precious Husband sent it to my phone earlier this year when I was back in Kentucky helping our daughter out.  He sent the picture and said he was having coffee by the pond and missed me.  Ahhhh!  That's why I love this man!

Another reason I love my Precious Husband is that he made plans for us to go away for a few days of R&R.  Leaving first thing in the morning.  Looking forward to hitting any thrift stores we see along the way and also a couple big antique stores where we are headed.  Yep, he is wonderful about walking through treasure shops with me.  What more could a girl ask for?

So I am packing the suitcase today and getting the love basket ready for a get-away.  Fun!

Gift of Curtains

Just a year or so before we moved into our new home I purchased a set of curtains for my family room.  I really liked the curtains and especially since they were relatively new I wanted to use them in the new family room too but with several more windows here I did not have enough.  I checked Target where I bought them even though I doubted they would still carry them and I was right - no curtains.  Well, here is the point of my blog today to give the Lord praise for one of the little things that He delights my heart with.

I was out junking in one of my favorite thrift stores when I found them.  My curtains!  Like new too! I was so excited and gathered up the panels I found.  Counting them I found that I was short 2 panels.  My first thought was I will take these and just put a coordinating curtain in my adjoining kitchen but then I decided to walk back over to the domestic area of the store and look again.  Sure enough on another shelf I found 2 more panels. 

May not seem like a big deal but it is these little things that touch my heart and make me say, "Thank You Jesus!"  God loves to bless His children and He is interested in the little things too.

The Kitchen Window

Our previous home of nearly 25 years did not have a window in the kitchen and I always missed that detail.  Our new home on the contrary has a big window above my kitchen sink and I so enjoy it.  There is a plant growing well that I started from cuttings and it threatens to take over the wide sill.  My African Violet seems healthy enough but so far is refusing to flower.  Then in the middle of the window is my little oil lamp.  This is another one of my objects with a story.  A special story.

When Jason was young (before we adopted Anthony and added Precious Husband to the mix) we invited another single mother and her daughter to join us for a Saturday road trip.  We headed to Oak Creek Canyon to picnic and see the colors of fall.  We also went into the crafty town of Jerome.  While driving to Jerome I shared with my friend Nancy about a special sermon I had heard based on Isaiah 64:8 and we chatted back and forth about the verse.  Jerome is an old ghost town that is now a tourist attraction for arts and crafts.  As we walked through one large two story building Jason ran ahead of us.  All of a sudden he came running back to us all excited and telling us to hurry we had to see something.  There was a young man sitting at the potter's wheel making oil lamps.  Jason was so excited because he had listened to my friend and I sharing about the potter's wheel and there it was for him to actually see.  Needless to say I had to purchase an oil lamp from the young artist at the potter's wheel. 

My oil lamp sits in my kitchen window and flickers brightly as I wash dishes in the evening and always brings fond memories of when God so perfectly put together a wonderful road trip with a precious souvenir as a reminder of His delightful goodness to me.

Fun With The Grandkids!

I am off to spend the day with my grandkids so there is nothing on the to-do list other than have fun.  Taking some of yesterday's strawberry jam to them and thought it would be fun to take the bread machine along too.  If I start the bread when I get there the kids can have fresh from the oven (well okay the machine) hot oatmeal bread smothered with butter and strawberry jam for their lunch.  Yes, I do love cooking for my grandkids!

Monday's To Do List

Monday means the usual general over-haul of the house and a load of laundry for sure.  Lets see now about the rest of the to-dos hoping to become ta-das.  First I need to find a recipe and turn some strawberries into jam.  Have to run up to town and pay a bill too or Precious Husband said I would be in trouble.  Jason helped me with the weeds in the yard but there are still some more that need extracted from the fertile soil.  Is there ever an end to weeds really?  Yes, I think it will be a full day.  We do have plans to meet friends from Sunshine Acres for coffee tonight so that will be a nice way to end the day.  Hope you too will have a good week filled with lots of ta-das.

First Impressions

You know what they say, "you don't get a second chance to make a good first impression" or something like that : )  Your front door, front porch, front entrance is the first thing people see when they approach your home.  For that reason you need to remember to keep it in tidy, clean and attractive condition.  This is an area I often forget as I go about my homekeeping tasks.  All of a sudden I look down at the welcome mat and it is covered in dust and dry leaves that have blown in from the great beyond.

 



So I make note to myself: check the front porch and take the broom with you!  You only get one chance to make a good impression : ) 

Truth and Wisdom

Proverbs 22:17    Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. * There are three prerequisites for learning truth and wisdom. And they are not listed in any college handbook. You must first humble yourself to admit you are ignorant; you must then stop thinking and talking, so you can be taught by those wiser than you; and then you must love and commit to what you are taught. This process guarantees learning!  * Good notes on this here.

Daily Bread on the Kitchen Counter

It has become a practice of late to keep one of my Bibles on my kitchen island.  It makes it so simple to read a verse here and there as I spend time in the kitchen.  I have read that Ruth Graham (Mrs. Billy Graham) did this when she was busy raising 5 young chlldren with her husband traveling much of the time.    With an empty nest my time is not limited like it was with Mrs. Graham but I simply like doing this and enjoying spiritual nourishment from my kitchen as I go about my day.

Each day I try to read one of the Proverbs (31 days - 31 Proverbs).  Some gems in today's reading:

Proverbs 21:2  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Proverbs 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
Proverbs 21:23 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. 
Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. 

 

Table Top Tuesday Vignette

Again this week I am linking up with Marty at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com for her Table Top Tuesday Vignettes. 

My pictures are of an oak desk and book shelves that stands in my dining room next to my china hutch.  The desk was a find at our Salvation Army thrift store.  I had spotted the desk while out junking one afternoon and it caught my eye because the oak matches several other pieces I have and I liked the combo desk and shelves.  The next day while in the area with my Precious Husband I told him about the desk and he wanted to know why I didn't get it.  Two answers came quickly to mind - I don't need it and where would I put it anyway.  Precious Husband could tell I did want the desk so off to Salvation Army we went.  Oh, yes I forgot the good part of this story.  The price on the desk was $99 which is a good price for such a piece of furniture around our area.  But still I didn't need a desk and where would I put it?  So I stood in front of the desk at the store and hemmed and hawed.  Finally Precious Husband took the tag and went up to the desk to make the purchase knowing his wife as he does.  Would you believe, unbeknown to me everything was half-price that day and the desk went home with us for $49.50  Wahoooo!

I like the special woodwork detail on the front of the desk.  Precious Husband always answers my question of where would I put it? with, "I know you, if you want it you will find a place for it" and I did : )