In Every Season

This Is How We Do It

2012-02-07T15:40:00.000-05:00

Winter in the South....

My daddy's camellias, in full bloom

Jonquils (or are they daffodils?) peeking up through the ground.

A bit of sunshine in my otherwise dreary brown garden.

And, this little fella.

I think the bluebirds take advantage of the warm days,

not too often seen in February,

to flit around the field.

When they fly together, they look like they are playing.

from Google images

I think February likes to tease those of us

who are lucky enough to live in the south.

Today, its sunny, and 60 degrees.

A hint of Spring is in the air.

But tomorrow...or next week...

Who knows what Mother Nature will send our way.

Groundhog Day in Georgia

2012-02-02T10:47:00.000-05:00

An early spring for Georgia, says General Beauregard Lee! Can I just get an "amen!"

I'm always hopeful on Groundhog Day, that General Lee will not see his shadow. Spring never comes to early for this girl. My southern blood is just too thin for cold weather.

This was on our local news website this morning, and I'm happy:

The South's iconic groundhog, Gen. Beauregard Lee, waddled out of his "Weathering Heights" mansion and failed to see his shadow on the Georgia red dirt.

The development bodes well for warm weather, since no shadow means an early spring. Hundreds of spectators were on hand as the prediction was made around 7:30 a.m. Thursday outside Atlanta.
The groundhog emerged to make the prediction moments after a crowd cheered, "Go Beau, Go Beau, Go Beau!"

Beau's caretakers at the Yellow River Game Ranch in Lilburn say he has a 94 percent accuracy rating, giving him a better record than Punxsutawney Phil, his famous Pennsylvania counterpart.
The ranch says that every year on Feb. 2, the Georgia groundhog wakes up to the ringing of an antique bell to forecast the spring weather.
(from http://www.accessnorthgeorgia.com/)

Hurry Spring!

Ahhhh, January

2012-01-20T10:45:00.003-05:00

January in Georgia tends to be cold, and wet.

Always, during this season, I find myself homesick for Spring in Savannah,
and on my Island....

And, the mysterious places.

There are places on my Island,

Magical...and Spiritual.

Where sometimes, the lines between reality,

and imagination, become blurred.

Where the scent of plough mud,

and salt water,

often unpleasant to others,

suddenly becomes a perfume to the soul.

A balm of Gilead.

Where it sometimes seems that time

really does stand still.

And, memories linger.....

This place, I dream about...

On a cold, wet January day.

Ain't Love Grand?

2012-01-08T14:36:00.000-05:00

He told her he would not be home before Christmas. The demands of school and work would keep him an entire state away from her until Christmas Eve.

The weekend before Christmas, her best friend convinced her to go to lunch...at "their restaurant." "That's our restaurant," she told her friend.

"Yeah? So?" her friend replied, with a smile.

At the restaurant the waiter would deliver to her a scrolled message on parchment paper. This message would send her on a scavenger hunt...to their favorite waterfall on their river, finally to the schoolyard, where it all began. Where they met, and their love would blossom.

When she came into the schoolyard, there he was....

"But, you're suppose to be in Tennessee......."

"No, I'm suppose to be right here, at this moment, with you...."

Congratulations to our sweet girl, and her new fiance.

It's going to be a busy year!

Images were provided by Paige, at Simple Thoughts. Visit her lovely blog at www.paigeknudsen.blogspot.com

The Future's So Bright

2012-01-04T13:55:00.000-05:00

I feel the winds of change.

Maybe its a new year,

and a new beginning.

A chance to start again,

to give it one more try.

For now...I feel a change coming.

Something feels good...exciting.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord...

Jeremiah 29: 11-14

"I will be found by you..."

Always.

The Best Christmas Gift Ever

2011-12-21T11:30:00.000-05:00

Things are winding down at our house,

My baking is done...praise God,

Although the noshing still remains...have mercy.

Presents are wrapped.

Children are gathering in,

my work holidays begin,

and I can feel that quiet peacefulness

that settles over me during this season.

I always find myself a little nostalgic

during the Christmas season.

And, I think about the last few Christmases past...

filled with remembrances of loss...and grief.

a bit of it lingers this Christmas season...just a bit.

But, I am reminded, by that sweet soft nudging on my heart strings,

of what this season means...and what it brings.

For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only son,

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Yes, the best gift ever.

Wishing you a Christmas filled with the love of the Father, the miracle of Jesus...peace, comfort, and joy.

Being Festive is Killing Me

2011-12-19T08:33:00.001-05:00

With all the parties at work...

and with family...

and with friends,

I'll be wearing pajama jeans by the new year.

Yes, with all the food and drink,

being festive is killing me.

I've made these little diddies for years.

I'll be making them again this week.

I. Must. Find. Someone. To. Give. These. To.

Salted Caramel Pecan Bars
From Southern Living.

1 cup chopped pecans

12 whole graham crackers

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

3/4 cup butter

2 Tbsp whipping cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp kosher salt

Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.

Line a 15- x 10-inch jelly-roll pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper; lightly grease foil. Arrange graham crackers in a single layer in prepared pan, slightly overlapping edges.

Combine sugar, butter, and cream in a medium-size heavy saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla and pecans. Pour butter mixture over crackers, spreading to coat.

Bake at 350° for 10 to 11 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly.

Immediately sprinkle with salt, and slide foil/paper from pan onto a wire rack. Cool completely (about 30 minutes). With a knife, cut into bars.

But wait! Want to know what makes these little yummies even yummier?

Why, add chocolate, of course!

Chocolate-Pecan-Caramel Bar Variation: Prepare recipe as directed until removal from oven. Once removed from oven, top warm bars with 1 cup dark chocolate morsels. Let stand 3 minutes, and spread chocolate over bars, then sprinkle with salt and proceed with recipe as directed. Chill 20 minutes before serving.

Yep...pajama jeans...I just know it.

Holiday Yummy

2011-12-16T16:30:00.000-05:00

I love this time of the year.

People are jolly-er...at least most of us.

There is a sense of peace, joy, comfort in this season.

And, lets not forget the food...

Much to the chagrin of my waistline...and backside.

Lord, have mercy.

No wonder Santa's belly is so round.

I wonder if he and the elves have office parties,

Or workshop parties as it may be....

One of my friends and co-workers makes this yummy little treat for us at Christmas.

She brings it in still warm in the mornings.

Sausage & Cream Cheese Croissants

1 lb hot sausage

1 block of cream cheese (8 oz)

2 cans of small croissants or crescent rolls (I prefer the croissants)

Crumble and cook sausage, then drain.

Return sausage to the pan, add the cream cheese,

Stir through until cream cheese is melted and mixture is warm.

Unroll croissants or crescents.

Spoon sausage mixture onto wide area of the croissant.

Roll up the croissant as called for.

Bake as called for on the can of croissants.

Y'all this such a yummy, and easy recipe.

And easily doubled if you're feeding a crowd.

My sweet friend doubles the recipe for our office party, but adds only 1/2 again the amount of cream cheese.

1 1/2 blocks...

So good with a cup of java, or hot tea.

I have a gang of young adult children and nephews heading to my house for the Christmas holiday. This little yummy will probably grace my breakfast table one or two mornings.

Wishing you a Christmas season filled with the love of the Father, the miracle Jesus, and the comfort of home and hearth.

White Christmas

2011-12-05T15:33:00.000-05:00

I'm pretty much a traditionalist, when it comes to Christmas decor.

I like pine, cedar, magnolia, natural elements that are found in the north Georgia region where I live.

I enjoy cutting the cypress limbs, and magnolia boughs from the trees down the road,

and collecting pine cones from the deep woods where I live.

But, lately I've been eyeing these

from Google images

from Southern Living

from Google images

White Christmas trees...

This year I find myself longing for a white christmas tree.

White...I've always thought so "fake"...so "cheesy."

One cut above an aluminum silver tree.....

And, I have these....

Vintage Ornaments from my Grandmother and Mother.

Ornaments I remember as a child.

Last year I found a box full, in my dad's attic.

I took them home with me,

and now they sit in a crystal bowl each year, as part of my Christmas decor.

I'm afraid to hang them from the tree, they're so fragile.

But, I love this idea....

And, I really love the thought of my vintage ornaments....

On a white Christmas tree.

I know I'll never replace my traditional green Christmas tree,

With all the ornaments I've collected through the years.

Ornaments inheirited, ornaments given by family members and friends,

Ornaments that are like seeing old friends each year as I gingerly unwrap them from their boxes.

But, I would like a White Christmas tree, filled with Granny's and Mama's vintage ornaments...

Maybe....in my bedroom.

Quiet Time

2011-11-21T09:11:00.000-05:00

It's Thanksgiving, y'all...a time that is usually busy at my house, with family, food, friends. I have a large extended family, and through the years everyone has gathered in our home on Thanksgiving Day. Its not unusual for us to host 18-20 family members on that day. But...this year, I'm breaking tradition. I've decided to have a quiet, intimate family gathering. Several of our family members are traveling, and going in several different directions. Our older children are visiting other parents, girlfriend's grandmothers...ahh, the joys and trials of blended families. So, I looked at my husband, and I said, "Why don't we skip the large, organized, crazy dinner this year, and just do something small and quiet?" "Sounds like a stellar idea, my dear." So, I'll cook a small dinner, and we've told all the kids to just drop by whenever they want, after, or in between all their other commitments. I have a smoked turkey. I'll make dressing and gravy, and all the other fixin's, but simpler dishes, in smaller amounts. My table will be simple. This year I crave quiet. I crave simplicity. I crave informality.

Of course, this guy will come out. Several years back, my sweet sister gave me this depression glass turkey bowl. I use him for cranberry sauce. He is indeed a treasured possession and a part of our holiday traditions.

And, I can't forget about these two. Would it really be Thanksgiving without them?

Wishing you a peaceful and joyful Thanksgiving holiday.

Fall

2011-10-04T14:33:00.001-04:00

What I like about Fall in the North Georgia Blue Ridge.....

The way the morning clouds hang low in the valleys and hollows of the mountains~

Pumpkins~

Mums~

Visits to the Apple Farm~

Apple Bread~

Apple Crisp~

Caramel Apples~

Boiled Peanuts~

(Ummm, seeing a trend here?)

Warm coffee on cool mornings~

Red and Gold trees reflecting on the lake~

The smell of wood smoke from a distant chimney or campfire~

Scarecrows~

Old cemetaries~

My camera~

Blankets~

Football~

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree." ~Emily Bronte

Happy Fall Y'all!

Summertime

2011-07-12T15:19:00.000-04:00

and the livin' is easy. My heart is not in my blogging this summer. My heart is down on my island, crabbing off the pier, and fishing in the creek. The rest of me wants to be there too. Hopefully I'll get around to posting some pics from my last trip there. I just need to tell my head (and my heart) to come on back home.

"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies."

2011-05-20T09:32:00.000-04:00

My mom told me that one time. Seems she said someone long ago had said the same to her during an uncertain time in her life. My dad had accepted a new position in broadcasting, which would move them to a new town, where she had limited acquaintences. With four small children, she would be leaving behind her own mom and siblings.

I made a change this week. I decided to accept a new job, that puts me back in the fulltime workforce. I remember blogging here several years back, when I decided to stop working fulltime and step away from the pressures of management and responsibility. I needed to slow down, to breathe, to rest. I took a part time job, teaching as an adjunct faculty member at a local college and working with a domestic violence center.

Sometimes things run their course, right? Sometimes a time comes when you have to weigh out the options, the pros and cons, and make a decision; decisions based on need and on your heart's desires.

So...in a couple of weeks, I'll be back at it. It will be a change...new...different. Somehow I feel like I've just closed my eyes, held my breath, and jumped into the deep end of the pool.

But I know how to swim.

My new gig... http://www.northgeorgia.edu/

Good Friday

2011-04-22T11:49:00.000-04:00

"He grew up like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brough us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." Isaiah 53:2-7

Hoping you remember why your Good Friday is so good. It may be Friday but Sunday's coming!

White Gloves, Lace Hankies, & White Wicker Purses

2011-04-21T13:32:00.005-04:00

Amid the horrific beauty of the Cross, the power of Christ's resurrection; amid the Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies, always at Easter creeps in the memory of my Mama's white gloves. As a young girl, growing up in the South, white gloves at Easter were as common as eggs in our baskets. Each Easter Sunday morning, my Mama would pull out new boxes of white gloves for my sisters and I to wear along with our new Easter dresses. I remember fingering the soft fabric of my Mama's gloves, running my fingers over the artful design and embroidery. I always loved holding Mama's hands when she wore her gloves. I wish ladies in the south still wore white gloves at Easter.
Ladies carried handkerchiefs at Easter too. My grandmother and Mama had beautiful lace handkerchiefs, often scalloped along the edges, or embroidered in white thread with beautiful scrolling designs. I wish ladies still carried white scalloped or embroidered hankies.

Along with our new Easter dresses and little white gloves, we always received a pretty little white wicker purse to carry on Easter Sunday morning. Mama would give each of us girls a small white hankie, often embroidered with small colorful flowers. In our purses we would carry our new hankies, and the quarters Daddy would give us for the Sunday School offering. Sometimes I would slip a few chocolate Easter eggs in my little white wicker purse. My new purse was also a good place to store my new white gloves should I be overcome with temptation to eat said chocolate eggs. This week I paid a visit to my parent's home. I rambled through my Mama's chest of drawers, gingerly fingering her old jewelry, thumbing through her old journals, and smiling at long ago cards made by the hands of her growing children. I stumbled upon her white gloves, and a small box of white scalloped handkerchiefs. This Sunday I'll carry a white scalloped hankie. It won't be carried in a little white wicker purse but instead in a grown up girl's new purse. Do I dare wear Mama's white gloves too?

Pear Salad Memories

2011-04-12T11:17:00.008-04:00

Isn't it funny how sometimes a memory, from way back in the back of your mind, perhaps a memory not thought about in years, will suddenly pop into your head totally unprovoked? Maybe you're just moseying along, thinking some mundane or routine thought, totally unrelated to the suprise visit from your memory.
This happened to me the other day. I believe I was dwelling on upcoming assignments for my students, engrossed in the subleties of business writing...and WHAM! Into the forefront of my thoughts charges the memory of my mama's pear salad. "Where did that come from?" I thought. I haven't thought about or even had Mama's pear salad in ages. I was taken aback by the sudden memory, and then the longing for a bite of that sweet pear yummy-ness.
I've never seen or found this version of pear salad outside of the South. I believe there was once a generation of women who, at one time or another, routinely served this pear salad on their table. It was a staple of Mama's spring and summer menus, and always served at Easter.
So, this year, for the first time in many years, I'll be serving it on our Easter table. I'm afraid this old fashioned, southern Pear Salad may be one of those dying recipes from our past. I'm determined to keep it remembered, as generations of the women of my family did. Its simple, its good, its southern.
Pear Salad
1 can of pear halves, drained. (Save the pear juice for something else.)
Mayonnaise (preferably Dukes or Blue Plate)
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Maraschino cherries (whole or half, I like halves)
Simply place the pear halves on a pretty plate. Add a dollop of mayo to the little pitted center of the pear. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar. Add the cherry on top.

Sweet...tangy...tart...yum!

Sunday Pondering

2011-04-10T09:40:00.002-04:00

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheiritance?

You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

You will again have compassion on us; and You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

You will be true to Jacob, and show mercy to Abraham, as You pledged on oath to our fathers in the days long ago.

Micah 7:18-20

A New Discovery

2011-04-07T12:20:00.007-04:00

I love me some Pimento Cheese. But, I've never been able to stand the store bought versions. Thankfully my dear departed Aunt passed down a recipe to her sisters, my mother, and on to me. It was a heavenly blend of sharp cheddar, cream cheese, mayo, some secret spices and flavorings, and of course pimentos. Oh, once I did discover some made on site at a neat little family grocer in my town, and it came a very close second to Aunt Dottie's pimento cheese but I still often found myself whipping up batches of my own. Then...my friend Bella Michelle introduced me to this a few days ago....Good friend that she is, Miz Michelle knows my love of pimento cheese and low carb eating.

http://www.palmettocheese.com/

Palmetto Cheese? "Hmmmm....don't know this one, and besides its store bought." I said to myself, with doubt. But...on a whim yesterday, while in one of the large grocery store chains that were said on their website to carry Palmetto Cheese, I thought I would see if by chance they had it. They did! One container left of the original, one container left of jalapeno. "Which one?" I thought..."ok, I'll get both." Boy, am I glad I did! This stuff rocks! It comes the closest to tasting like my Aunt Dottie's pimento cheese than anything else I've ever tried. So yesterday, I had a scoop of original and a scoop of the jalapeno (and it has a KICK!) with a spinach salad for lunch. I decided today I would have it again for lunch...a scoop of each, a scoop of chicken salad, and a sliced tomato. What a bite of heaven for this low carb gal.

So, if you love good homemade pimento cheese, like I do...check out Palmetto Cheese. It's gooood. And, while you're at it, check out Bella Michelle's blog. She's an awesome writer, mom, and fine southern gal. I love her book reviews, recipes, and great outlook on life. http://www.southernsomedays.com/

Southern Springtime

2011-04-05T10:37:00.007-04:00

Mark Twain once said, "In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty six different kinds of weather inside of twenty four hours." Yesterday, it was 70 degrees at 10:30 a.m. By mid afternoon is was 83 degrees. We played at the lake, walked along the shoreline, rode the golf cart. We spent time resting on the dock, reading the latest gardening magazines. Last evening we grilled chicken outside on the grill. It was a wonderful Monday, the perfect way to start Spring Break. But by nightfall, it was stormy. Terrible storms that threaten to break the tree tops, bending periously in the wind. The kind of storm where lightening outside the window is enough to make one jump. The thunder boomed and the sounds of small twigs and debris could be heard hitting the house. This morning, its bright and sunny, but cold and breezy. It feels like winter is trying to make one final stand. One last hurrah to show us that she doesn't go out easily. This morning I said to God, "Ok, make up your mind already." I hope He smiled and wasn't offended that I would question His awesome power to orchestrate exactly what the earth needs to prepare for her spring beauty. I like to think he understands the longing of this southern girl's soul...for spring, warmth, new life, and always the return to my old places. "Look!" He says..."Here's what my power sends to you." Spring in the south is an awesome, ever changing landscape, just like life. Sometimes stormy, even terrifying storms...but always behind it comes the beauty, the blessings, the everpresent gifts of God. Always delightfully surprising.

I Love Spring

2011-03-16T15:28:00.007-04:00

Yes, I do! Yes, I do! Time to dig in the cool, damp dirt. I love the smell of freshly turned garden soil. I love the wiggly wiggly earthworms. I love the way my muscles ache, after a long winter's rest from digging and planting. I love the flowers that peep out of the ground, the daffodils that are already showing off around my birdbath. Yes,I love spring.

Each year, I think about this poem, one of my favorite children's poems...

My Spring Garden...

Here is my little garden,
Some seeds I'm going to sow.
Here is my rake to rake the ground,
Here is my handy hoe.

Here is the big, round yellow sun;
The sun warms everything.
Here are the rain clouds in the sky;
The birds will start to sing.

Little plants will wake up soon,
And lift their sleepy heads;
Little plants will grow and grow
In their little, warm earth beds.
-Author Unknown

Pondering

2011-02-26T15:16:00.002-05:00

I'm pondering this today...

From Zechariah 7:8-10....The word of the LORD came again to Zechariah: "This is what the LORD Almighty said: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner, or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.'

I've read with interest on the recent events regarding the Immigration bill in our Georgia State House, as well as in the federal ranks. I understand the issue, I believe, from both sides. I've seen it from a range of experiences, working with "foreign" victims of crime, and from the legal system. I've seen it from the perspective of an HR manager in the workplace. I've seen it from the perspective of an educator. So, I'm pondering....pondering this verse, and my personal beliefs. I have no answers for myself, not yet.

At 16

2010-11-05T11:04:00.005-04:00

Once upon a time, you liked matchbox cars, toy tractors, scooters, and sandboxes. You loved playing in the woods, running the creek, and feeding sugar cubes to the horses. You told elaborate stories of kings, soldiers, and monsters, and made your own swords out of sticks and limbs.

You loved the ocean, rolling in the waves and yelling at the top of your lungs. We built sandcities, big and elaborate. I thought you would be an architect, or an engineer. You loved crabbing on the pier, walking through the old places on the island, and telling ghost stories. You loved ice cream from that special shoppe.

Nowadays you love long hair, video games, computer games, playing the guitar, and acting in your school's improv club. You love your Itouch, and texting on your phone...all the time. You love driving, and dancing, and wearing a fedora.

You are 16 years old today. You are kind, funny, sweet, loving, and what a wild ride you have taken me on. At two, you literally climbed curtains. At four, you took apart the vacumn cleaner... and the VCR... and the TV. I sat on my bed and cried. At seven you read "real books mommy, not those baby books", and did math problems at an amazing speed. At sixteen....you're still my baby. Smart, witty, bright, fun...love. Love in its purest form. Happy Birthday sweet boy.

"Between the innocence of babyhood and the dignity of manhood, we find a delightful creature of a boy."

An October Night

2010-10-29T08:43:00.003-04:00

The wind whispers

A wary warning

There was plenty, still

Early this morning

These primal urges

Are hard to fight

An unholy diet

A dark appetite

The pavement scrapes

With scuttling leaves

I'll pull the drapes

And hope to deceive

The moon suffocates

In ominous clouds

Shut off the lights

Heartbeats too loud

Then the neighbor's gate creaks

But its not the wind

That seeks to feast

On fearing humans

Red brake lights

A car crawls by slow

The shadowy shapes

Of my dark doorstep know

That the empty window

Of my house lies.

The horrible truth

Lies deep inside

Everything tonight

Could have just been dandy

But now the demons have wrath

Cause I ate all the candy!

Happy Halloween!

poem by Charles Audette

Under Old Great Trees

2010-10-22T10:50:00.004-04:00

I remember this place, from my childhood, this long road under old great trees. My sister and I would run there, in and out of the trees, picking up acorns, and berries, and leaves of scarlet and gold. My mother and her sister would gather pecans on the nearby farm. Thanksgiving would be here soon, and pecans were needed for pies, cakes, and other southern staples of the season.

I dreamed of this place last night, and Judy, and Mama, and Aunt Elsie. I don't know what took me back there. But for a time, I was there again, under the old great trees.

"I remember more dearly autumn afternoons in bottoms that lay intensely silent under old great trees." C.S. Lewis

October

2010-10-15T11:18:00.002-04:00

"A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air."- Eric Sloane

Dry Spell

2010-07-06T10:13:00.004-04:00

I wish I could be one of those cool bloggers, who manage to write something creative, funny, or witty, even inspirational, on a regular basis. You know, the ones that can blog almost daily, or at least weekly? But, I'm not. My blogging seems to come in spirts. Almost as though I have to be in the mood to sit down and write. Shoot, its been 3 months since my last post. Thats quite a dry spell. I suppose I just haven't been inspired, or in the mood. I still love to follow my favorite blogs, I've just been poorly attentive to my own.

So, here's to another go at it...Let's see....

Summer has been very nice so far. I'm working three days a week at the shelter and decided to take off summer quarter from teaching at the local college. I've been to the beach, have worked a bit on remodeling the cottage at the lake, puttered about in the yard and my garden, enjoyed time I could grab with my children. None of those things seem so exciting to blog about. Hopefully...maybe... I"ll get around to posting pictures from our beach trip.

Where, oh where are my creative juices??

Road to the Cross

2010-04-02T10:33:00.003-04:00

He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.

He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.

After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:2-12

Today...remembering...imagining....

Hello Legs

2010-04-01T10:30:00.003-04:00

Its good to see ya...I think.

Today is the first day, after the long cold winter, that I'm pant-less. I've slipped on a cute new spring-y dress, a pair of cute flats, and a layer of self tanner on the legs. I'm hoping no one at work really thinks this is a cruel April Fool's joke, that I'm bearing my lily white legs. But...spring is in the air, its a beautiful day, temps are suppose to be near 80 here in Georgia. What's a girl to do? Wear pants, on a day like today? Oh no...goodbye drab winter sweaters, slack, and jeans. Hello self tanner, legs, and skirts! Spring has sprung!

I'm hoping you celebrate spring this weekend. If the weather permits, pull out your spring wardrobe and your Easter dresses. Have a blessed Passover, Good Friday, and celebrate Easter.

I Love Her

2010-03-19T08:18:00.003-04:00

"Don't get hung up on the size. If you feel bad about yourself because a 12 is what fits, take a sharpie and write 6 on the label."

Stacy London

What a great idea! Seriously, for me right now, Stacy is a huge comfort and inspiration. Whenever I watch What Not to Wear, I feel like there is always a way to look good, regardless of how I might be feeling about myself at the time.

For the last couple of weeks, I've tried to change my eating habits, with the ultimate goal of losing weight. In the last couple of years I've put on about 20 pounds. Thats 20 pounds I could not afford. I don't feel good, I don't look good. So...with summer right around the corner, which means swimsuit weather, I really need to get back into shape.

Just as important as weight, are the health issues for me. I know there are certain foods that really affect me in how I feel physically, foods that seem to have an adverse effect on my body. I know that products with flour make my tummy hurt, certain grains make my tummy hurt, sugar gives me a headache and makes me feel very sluggish. Food products that are high in starch, high gluten, high carbs, make me feel bad, physically and even affect my mood. Trouble is, I love that stuff...pasta, potatoes, rice, yeast rolls, and anything sweet I can get my hands on...chocolate, cake, cookies, candy. But...I must stop...for my sake.

I'm trying hard to "be good" and stay away from those foods I should not eat. For the past couple of weeks, I've eaten high protein, lots of salad veggies, very little fruit. I've seen a big change in how I feel but not in my weight. Hopefully that will come in time. My next task is to head to the gym. Exercise needs to go along with diet. Years ago I was a runner, power walker, and routinely did step aerobics. But now, at my age, and with a bum knee (thanks to all those years of running) and back issues, I need to find a different routine. I'm thinking about a personal trainer, at the gym nearby. Someone who understands the needs and conditions of a middle aged woman.

Meanwhile, Stacy makes me feel good. She reminds me that I can still be beautiful...that true beauty comes from the inside and only brightens up whats on the outside. No matter my body shape, I can still look "Shut up!" beautiful. And....if I really want to be a size 6, all I have to do is change the label.

Every Once In A While

2010-03-04T09:34:00.016-05:00

that special time comes along. Those times that seem to surprise you, times so special that you know you are experiencing a "once in a lifetime." Times when you are able to be with the people that matter most to you in the whole wide world. Times of honor, and fun. When family gathers together to celebrate, and cheer, and support, and just "be," for you know these moments don't come along just any old day.

You cut up, laugh, and act silly.

You savor being there.

Maybe do a little line dancin'...or boot scootin.'

And you visit beautiful places...awesome and dreamy.

And for a time, you enjoy summer...in February. Even in Nashville.

And, you catch up with old friends, who have become old legends. "Whisperin' their way through songs, carving out a musical career.

Old friends who have become old icons. Like Bill Anderson, and Little Jimmy Dickens.

But best of all, you get to experience your daddy...appearing on the stage...at the Grand Ole Opry. Stealing the show, no less.

Old radio men never die...they simply appear on the Grand Ole Opry. Congrats Daddy!

Dreamin'

2010-02-23T14:42:00.007-05:00

Of Spring....and a new garden

and favorite places...

and garden parties...

and new babies

I need Spring.

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.

Malachi 4:2

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some skipping.

A Birthday Remembered

2010-02-22T09:57:00.003-05:00

Today is your birthday. We would have chatted on the phone, you would have eaten cake, and opened my package I sent to you. We would have laughed and joked about growing older, yet still being young and beautiful and full of life. You left us way too soon, and I miss you. But, now I rejoice for your new birth in heaven, for your new and healthy body, for your youth, your health, your vitality there. Sing sweet sister, sing, for your song is a new one.

"Arise my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come..."
The Song of Songs

For Haiti

2010-01-15T13:37:00.012-05:00

"Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Its the faces that stay with me....

"No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm. I will come to you." John 14.18

Singing and Praying at Night in Port-au-Prince

by David L. Wilson for MR Magazine

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Jan. 13 -- Several hundred people had gathered to sing, clap, and pray in an intersection here by 9 o'clock last night, a little more than four hours after an earthquake had devastated much of the Haitian capital. Another group was singing a block away, on the other side of the Hotel Oloffson, where I was camping out.
I couldn't make out many of the words. "Alleluia" was the refrain for some of the hymns the group at the crossroads sang. A minister was preaching to the other group about Bondye ("God") and kretyen ("Christians"). The congregants replied with bursts of song.
There were frequent aftershocks. With each tremor, the singing stopped and the singers wailed; after several minutes the hymns would resume. Many of the people in the streets had lost their homes, but even those whose houses weren't affected sat outdoors for fear of what might happen if they were inside when the aftershocks came.

Earlier in the night I was listening to the singing with a young Haitian American at the hotel. "Haitians are different," he said, referring to the singing. "Its a sense of community."

They were remarkably in tune with each other...The beautiful music continued through the night.

Snow Day!

2010-01-12T19:25:00.015-05:00

It started that night...

Sunrise on a snow day...It was cold. It was quiet. I felt like the only person out that morning.

Quiet reflection. Thankful for a snow day, a holiday from school.

The view of the country church over the hill. Winter is the only time we have the view of her steeple.

Bunny Tracks!

A winter garden...

Snow Birds...

Shelter...

Having fun...

Hoping Hoping Hoping

2010-01-06T12:04:00.004-05:00

Our weather service is calling for snow for our area tomorrow. I'm so excited!! I LOVE snow! If its going to be this dadgum cold outside (it was 14 degrees at my house this morning) then pleeeeze let there at least be snow!

Snow is a real treat, an unofficial holiday, an O-fficial fun day in our part of the world. We rarely see snow in Georgia, even in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, where I live. When we get word of it heading our way, most of us get downright giddy with excitement. Today our grocery stores will sell out of milk and bread and any kind of soup fixin's. Schools will send home "just in case" notes on where to tune your dial for school closings.

Snow! Snow! Lovely snow! Won't you join me in crossing fingers and toes, and wishing big for snow in Georgia tomorrow!

Can you tell I'm in for a major disappointment if it doesn't...............No, don't even speak it!

Another Chance

2009-12-30T10:14:00.003-05:00

I have mixed feelings about each new year. Sometimes I hate to see the old year pass away, other times I am so ready for a new beginning. This is especially true this year. I've found myself reflecting on all that has passed this year, a year of loss and grief. Its hard to find the good and happy things that have happened this year, maybe because the loss and the grief seem to far outweigh the everyday happy occurances although I know they were there. This year I lost Judy, a sister, young, vivacious, kind, and full of life. Why? I've pondered that question so many times that now I'm just tired of thinking about it. This year my husband lost both parents, a mother and a father who were loved and who loved with abandonment. Grief is heavy, consuming. It robs you of your joy, and sometimes your hope.

But, there is hope, right? Hope in a new day, hope in a new year, hope in a new beginning, and another chance. With the new year I feel like its an opportunity to take a deep breath, shake off the heavy burdens, and say, "Ok, lets try this again."

No New Year's Resolutions for me this year. I can never keep those, and seem to only disappoint myself anyway. This year, simply reminders of those who are important to me, those who love me, and making the most of every single minute I have to give to those dear ones. I intend to keep a promise, made earlier this year, that I would live life joyfully, and fully, and not wallow in grief and disappointment, that I would seize each day and opportunity to find something good and hopeful in a person or situation. Thats a hard promise to keep sometimes, but isn't this the perfect time for renewed determination? Another chance, with a new year beginning?

This year I am determining happiness in my Happy New Year.

Remember ye not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19

I like that promise, don't you? Here's to new beginnings and new things. Happy New Year.

I Swear....

2009-12-21T15:01:00.003-05:00

I am going to write myself a note, tape it to the inside of my cabinet door, the cabinet where I store all my "not used very often, (as in only at Christmas)" recipes, that says: "Christmas 2010, DO NOT fool yourself into thinking that you are a baker. Stick to recipes that you know and are good at. DO NOT try making candy or other never before tried cookie recipes!" My friends and family will thank me, Santa will thank me, and my wallet will thank me.

This weekend I threw away three, yes three, batches of Peanut Brittle. The recipe said "No Fail Peanut Brittle." Well, I failed...three times. And...I tossed out a batch of cookies, into the woods, from what sounded like a yummy recipe, but came out of the oven tasting like baking soda, or uncooked flour, or something not right. Something went horribly wrong. I don't know if even the forest animals will eat those cookies.

Oh how I long to be a Christmas baker. At least the Magic Bars and the Fudge turned out and tastes quite yummy. I guess two out of four is ok. For me, the wanna be baker, its par for the course. So, I'll whip up a couple of Pecan Pies from an old tried and true recipe given to me by my grandmother and use those as gifts instead of the cookies and peanut brittle.

Maybe to my note I should add..."Here's what you are good at...pecan pies, fudge, magic bars, and cheese balls. Stick to these!"

Meanwhile...my beautiful pink KA mixer goes back in the box, and back into the closet.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-15T10:32:00.003-05:00

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:9-11)

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

He fills our holidays with joy, strength, and peace. Hold your dear ones close this holiday season, and give Him thanks. Merry Christmas!

I Like Fall

2009-10-14T14:08:00.003-04:00

I'm a summertime gal. I love the warmth, the sun, wearing shorts and flipflops, playing on the beach and swimming in the lake. But...I also like Fall, in spite of myself. I try to tell myself that Fall means the cold darkness of winter is right around the corner. That Fall, in all her beauty simply fools us into believing that the warmth and sunshine will last a little longer, hiding the fact of what is to come. Winter...with her bone chilling cold, brown and gray trees, a garden that is desolate, and darkness that sends me into depression, wishing I could hibernate until Spring.

Try as I might to poo-poo Fall, I still find myself reveling in her beauty, her smells, the way the sunlight becomes golden and harsh, and my shadow is long on ground. I still find myself anxiously anticipating soup on the stove and a fire in the fireplace. I still love Fall. I'm a fool for her, even as she laughs at me, beckons me into winter, teasing me with her brilliant colors and warm sun.

A few of my Fall favorites:
Warm sun among cool, crisp breezes
Pumpkins and Mums on the front porch steps
Honeycrisp Apples, and trips to the Apple Farm
Starbucks Gingersnap Latte and Pumpkin Spice Latte
Bonfires...even the neighbors burning leaves all weekend long.
Apple Spice scented candles
Ga. Bulldawg Football
Monday Night Football,
High School Football...heck, just football in general
Seeing the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance, dressed in brilliant colors of crimson, gold, yellow, and green.
Hiking the woods around my house, basking in those colors.
The way the trees are mirrored in our lake, turning the water a kaleidoscope of colors.
Driving into the mountains, looking for the best boiled peanuts and apple cider.

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting, and autumn a mosiac of them all." Stanley Horowitz

Feels Like Its Raining All Over the World

2009-09-22T14:33:00.002-04:00

We're flooded. I mean, is it time to build an ark or what?? The first day of Fall in Georgia has been marked by a 100 year event of flooding and record breaking rainfall. When the rain started over a week ago, I was so excited, and I was happy all week long as the rain continued to pour...and pour everyday. We've been in such a drought for so long that the rain felt like a real blessing from heaven.

Yesterday, as the rain continued to fall, without relent, my attitude began to change somewhat, into one of worry. I spent the day at home, cooking veggie beef soup, turning on all the lights, lighting candles, and doing housework. Every now and then I would peek out the window, and out the front door, wondering if the rain would ever stop. It rained nonstop from about 7:30 a.m. until late into the evening. My poor dogs were finally forced to go outside, in the pouring rain, simply to relieve themselves. Of course, my old girl, Sophie, was a bit insulted.

Last night, as news spread of the flooding south of us in Atlanta, and the deaths that followed, my worry deepened. I kept a close eye on the creek that runs below our house, thankful for the small bluff my house sits on, and the deep creek bed. Worry also turned to aggravation as we realized our dock at the lake, the one that we've had to move out more and more as the lake fell more and more, was now partially covered with water. Happy to have a full lake, not so much to think about recovering a partially submerged dock.

This morning as I took Youngest Son to school, I was anxious to see how the pond down the road, and the Etowah River that we travel over, had fared in the flooding rains. If it wasn't so dark, and the rain so heavy, I would have taken pictures. The Etowah was over the banks in some areas, and had risen to cover the canoe/kayak dock at the river park. As I crossed the bridge, I took a hard look at the muddy river, as it raged. The water was up way too close to the bridge. The pond down the road had flooded its banks and was up into the backyard of our neighbors who live there. I wondered if she had worried yesterday and last night. If she had peeked out the window like I had, watching the water as it rose.

Most of all this morning, I thought of all the people along the Chatooga River, not too terribly far up the road from us, who had such terrible flooding. I thought about those south of us in Atlanta whose homes were flooded, whose belongings were gone, whose lives were forever changed or lost by the flooding. This is not something we see in Georgia. Not something that happens to us.

So Fall has officially arrived, blowing in with a flood of rain and destruction. I'm not sure whether to pull out my Fall decorations, or build an ark. I know one thing...I need some sunshine. I'm a solar powered girl and I'm running out of energy.

Ohhh...with a little whine thrown in

2009-09-17T15:55:00.005-04:00

Remember these?

And how I was bragging that I'd almost eaten them all?

Ummm hmmm, at least a couple a day? Well.... this... led to....

this....

But I still love me some North Georgia apples... just not so many.

September Apples

2009-09-15T20:19:00.005-04:00

I had an "alone" day a few days ago, so I went here, to the apple farm The apple farm is located just up the road a bit, into the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. I chose a day when I knew it would be quiet, and uncrowded, just the way I was feeling.

I bought some of these Honeycrisp apples. I've already eaten most of them. If what they say, "An apple a day..." is true, I should be in doubly good shape.

I also bought some of this. Good, homemade apple bread. I didn't need this. No, not at all. But it looked so good, I bought it anyway....I've almost eaten all of it too. Does that cancel out the good that all the apples did for me?

Work

2009-09-14T08:56:00.004-04:00

"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."
2 Chron 15:7

Do you ever wonder sometimes why bother? Maybe you've just cleaned the house, it looks all pretty and shiny, and the dogs come running through with muddy feet, or the kids track in grass and dirt?

Or, maybe you're trying to make a difference in someone's life, lend a helping hand, a listening ear, and it doesn't seem to make that difference?

This verse was in our church bulletin yesterday, and it jumped out at me, grabbing my attention. Maybe it was because I've spent so much time lately trying to figure out the what and the why in the things that I do.

I work for a domestic violence center. Sometimes working with victims and survivors of domestic violence, but mostly working out in the public schools, with children and young people of all ages, speaking in the classrooms about family violence and teen dating violence. I haven't always done this work. Last school year was my first year. I come from a background of business and management and politics. I'd never worked with masses of kids before. Often I felt challenged, disillusioned, and exasperated, especially when working in middle school classrooms. What is it with middle schoolers anyway?? Can they care about anything other than cutting up with friends or texting? I was so thankful when summer arrived and school was out.

As I've faced the arrival of a new school year, with dread I must admit, I've found myself often thinking, "God help me. Why am I doing this? Those kids don't care." In the midst of that dread and questioning, I think God has reminded me of those kids, those few out of thousands, whose faces and body language betrayed their silence, whose story was written in their eyes, as they absorbed and realized I was talking about them, about their families. Or the kids who were desperate enough to write me a secret note, requesting to speak privately with me, and then told me the stories of what they live with, the violence and abuse...those that said "Help me." Or, "Mom won't listen to me. What can I do?" Maybe God is teaching me, that sometimes the work is hard, unpleasant, and often seems useless. Maybe I'll never see the fruits of my labor. Maybe I'll never know the one child that took what he heard that day and tried to make a difference. Or, knowing that I may never know what becomes of the young boy that cried as he poured out his fears to me, the secret he has kept for so long.

Sometimes your work may not be where you envisioned yourself, or be the ideal position that you thought it would be. Maybe sometimes God puts us in places that we'd rather not be, to do something thats not always comfortable, but that has a purpose. Even if we don't always understand what that purpose is or why we have to be the one to do it. But maybe, if the work makes a difference to only one life, only one impact for good, isn't it all worth it?

Grace

2009-08-05T09:50:00.006-04:00

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weakneses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

2 Corin. 12:9

God cannot make His grace any more sufficient than He has made it; get up and believe it, and you will find it true, because the Lord says it in the simplest way : "My grace is (not shall be or may be) sufficient for thee." Never turn God's facts into hopes, or prayers, but simply use them as realities, and you will find them powerful as you believe them. (Written by H.W. Webb Peploe, after asking God to let His grace be sufficient for him)

I don't always understand God's grace. Its beyond my capacity to understand such unconditional love, such faithfulness, such desire for me. All I know is I am so very thankful for it. Let me grasp on the the reality of "where sin increases, His grace abounds all the more." Romans 5:20

Abounds. I love that word in this verse. His grace abounds for me...abundantly. Not just enough, not just what I need, but more, over and above, abundance. Thank you Jesus, for I sure do need the abundance.

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater;

He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;

To added affliction He addeth His mercies,

To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

Our Father's full giving is only begun.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth and giveth and giveth again. -Annie Johnson Flint

Abundance! Yes!

St Simons Island

2009-07-24T14:13:00.013-04:00

My Granny use to say that St Simons Island was a "dripping place." It dripped with spanish moss, humidity, and the old spirituals sung by the Gullah women on wash day. I think Granny was right. Sometimes I think my blood, my very soul, is mingled in the sand and the plough mud of the island and her marshes. I find myself called back there time and time again, since I was a child. Its been difficult, sometimes heartbreaking to see how the island has changed, from the sleepy mysterious place it was for me as a child, to the development of residential communities and vacation condos for tourism today. Here are some pictures of our trip there a few weeks ago.

Sunset on East Beach

Live Oaks and Spanish Moss at the Indian Burial Ground Christ Church

Black Banks Creek, my favorite crabbing spot

I let this one go.

Pretty Shells

Prettier Babies

My Least One

St Simons Light at Night

Sunset from the Pier

Lazy Hazy Dayz of Summer

2009-07-20T13:18:00.003-04:00

Not really. Not at my house anyway. This summer has been jam packed full of activity. I've barely had time to catch my breath, much less blog. Sorry to all my readers, um, like all 4 of you. I have however tried to keep up with my blog reading. Its just my own blog posting is taking a beating.

Here's a few things happening at my house this summer, and my list of things yet to do:

1. I have TONS of photos on my camera that I have not even downloaded. Pictures from our trip to St Simons Island, garden pictures, pictures of cool vintage items I scored at an estate sale several weeks ago, pictures of my sister's grave at the cemetary (ok, please don't let that creep you out, its no big deal, and her grave is still new and my brother in law wanted pictures, 'nuff said). Anyway, tons of pics I want to download so I can blog about such things. Need to get that done.

2. I started the summer quarter teaching an online management class. Found out I had to develop about half of the course content, so a huge amount of my computer time has been dedicated to that.

3. Hubs and I purchased a vintage boat (does 24 years old qualify as vintage?) at the previously mentioned estate sale. It is so cool! A 24 foot cabin cruiser, complete with galley and john. But, it has needed so much clean up. So, days have been spent washing and scrubbing and tearing out old upholstery. The bulk of the upholstery will need to be replaced. Its moldy and yucky and rotten. Soon I'll be blogging for old boat cabin decor and upholstery ideas! Websites and suggestions are welcome!

4. I'm planning a trip to Key Largo, leaving this upcoming weekend. My oldest boy is there and I cannot wait to see him. I know it will be hot as blazes in Key Largo Florida in July. I don't relish the thought of the humidity. But I do treasure the thought of getting my arms around my boy. We'll be there a week so I've got tons to do before we leave.

The picture above is my youngest boy, on the beach a few weeks ago in St Simons Island. Photo courtesty of my 20 year old stepdaughter, who seems to be much more on the ball with getting her photos downloaded.

So, how's your summer? Lazy or Crazy?

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-02T11:13:00.002-04:00

I'm gearing up, or maybe gearing down, for the upcoming July 4th weekend. Our holiday starts tomorrow, with the holiday from work and fireworks in the park at our small town.

I love small town 4th of July celebrations. Parades, cookouts, fried chicken, watermelon, music, dancing, and of course, fireworks. Our town does a very nice fireworks display at the large park on the river. Pre-fireworks festivities will begin early with lots of food vendors, games for the kids, a stage for music and dancing, facepainting, and socializing with friends and neighbors. Living in a small town, almost everyone knows everyone else. Gatherings tend to be festive, old fashioned, and clean fun. One thing I love the most about the celebration at the park is the little old ladies and life long farmers, who have lived in our rural area for generations, who will come out to sell their wares, usually fresh garden grown veggies, canned and pickled produce, homemade cakes and pies, handmade quilts and blankets, aprons, and sometimes even small livestock. This is what I love about my town, and about my country.

We'll attend the 4th celebration, and probably spend the day on the lake, swimming and sunning on the dock. I'll pack up cold fried chicken, potato salad, watermelon, a pound cake, lots of bottled water and soft drinks. We'll take our sparklers and bottle rockets to shoot from the dock later that night after the fireworks display. Hopefully I can dig out my daddy's old ice cream maker and sweet talk my hubby into churning ice cream for us. I remember as a child how special it was to help daddy church the ice cream. I know now how my daddy made it look and sound special so he could sit in the shade and tell us what a good job we were doing. Making ice cream was a natural part of our summers, and our 4th celebrations.

Yep, the 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. I'm proud to be American and I'm thankful for those who have made my freedom possible. Those who have come long before me, those who currently fight in many ways for our freedom, and those brave ones yet to come.

Have a safe and fun filled 4th of July. God bless America!

Down Time

2009-06-20T18:13:00.003-04:00

We're heading out tomorrow, for our favorite place. I'll enjoy a little beach time, pool time, visiting the old places, and eating lots of she crab soup. I'm taking my laptop but planning on using it very little. Y'all have a good week, and be sweet! Bye!

I Heart Old Things

2009-06-15T11:27:00.004-04:00

I like vintage stuff. Vintage kitchen appliances (last year I was on a vintage mixers kick), antique books, vintage dishes, antique toys, and vintage linens are a few of my favorites. Right now I seem to be on the linens kick. A couple of months ago my dad asked me to clean out some of my mothers things that had been left in a drawer of her dresser, untouched for years. I knew the items were there. I had spent several quiet afternoons alone in my father's house over the past few years, snooping through my mom's things, lifting each item delicately from its resting place, unfolding and gently refolding after I relived long ago memories. In the drawer that he sent me to were about 7 or 8 old aprons. All but one were for little girls, made probably 40-50 years ago by the hands of my grandmother and great grandmother. The designs and colors varied, mostly gingham, trimmed in lace. One is a light gingham blue, trimmed in white lace. Others are gingham green, trimmed in red ric rac, with a tiny rose made from red ribbon on the little pocket. One is made from cloth patterned with Santa's big rosy smiling face. I vaguely remember those little aprons, wearing them as a tiny girl. I found one that my mom wore all the time. I vaguely remember my grandmother wearing it too. I'm not sure how old it is but I can remember my mom wearing it throughout my childhood and later in my adult years. I brought it all home with me. I spent this weekend gently washing each apron and hanging it to dry, then pressing with the iron. I was careful of the delicate lace trim, some of which was already spotted brown with stain and even had tiny little holes. I don't know what to do with them. I went ahead and packed away the little aprons, in a box with tissue. I'll share them with my sister, perhaps if she comes to visit this summer.

Daddy also sent me home with a few vintage doilies, made by the hands of my aunt, long gone to heaven. One doilie is fairly large. I plan to put it in the center of my dining table, maybe add a tall vase of long stemmed calla lillies. I like simplicity.

Aren't these table linens lovely? I am longing for a set of vintage table linens, like these, with a beautiful, yet subtle design. I'm sure there are some around my childhood home somewhere. I'll go snooping, or junkin' the local antique stores soon. Maybe, when I head south to my sea islands next week, I'll spend a day junkin' around Brunswick and Savannah.

I'll take pictures soon of the aprons and doilies. I'd love ideas about what to do with the little aprons. The big apron of my mama's? I'll be using that one. Carefully.

My Place

2009-06-10T09:08:00.003-04:00

This is my lake. Over 500 miles of beautiful, island like scenery. Fresh water, straight from the mouth of the lovely Chattahoochee River. The Chattahoochee flows down "out of the Hills of Habersham, into the Valleys of Hall" (from the poet Sidney Lanier, Song of the Chattahoochee) forming the beauty that is Lake Lanier. We have a little cabin nestled here, along the shoreline. For the past few years, our lake has suffered. The ravages of drought, and questionable decisions by the government and the Corp of Engineers has drained this beauty dry. Her shores have been left ragged, cracked red mud, and empty. But, with the rains of late, she is finally refreshed, returning to her natural beauty.

I think I'll go swimming today. I probably won't make it before noon, but this is a picture of Lake Lanier in the early morning. I love it when the lake looks like this, smooth and calm, before the boaters arrive to break up the stillness. They come in droves, heading north to my lake from the big city, eager to escape the chaos that is the "ATL." I hope today, being a weekday, the lake will be quiet. I want to sit under the umbrella, on the dock, and read...without being jostled by boat traffic, without listening to the constant whine of jet skis.

I long for a quiet, still, early morning on the lake. God is there in the mornings. When I arrive down on the shore early in the morning, I feel Him. He whispers to me in the wind that dances in the tall pines. He laughs with me in the busy chirping and singing of the morning birds. He touches my cheek in the gentle warmth of the rising sun. I'll go there and visit Him this week. He will refresh me like the rains have refreshed my lake...full, alive, new. I love this reminder, "His mercies are new and fresh every morning" for me, and for you.

Random Thoughts on a June Day

2009-06-08T13:59:00.003-04:00

Thought #1. I'm worried. Worrying too much I suspect. After all, "worrying doesn't solve anything" my granny always said. FEAR=False Evidence Appearing Real. I'm worried about our economy, people losing their jobs, our finances, short hours this summer, which means shorter paycheck. I worry about my children, especially my oldest boy right now, trying to work, find anything, to make ends meet. Isn't the next generation suppose to do better than the last? What will the future hold? I don't know. But, I tell myself, "I know who holds the future."

Thought #2. I'm tired of worry, of sickness, of death, of grief, of disappointment. Here I am blogging that thought, when I don't even want to talk about it anymore. I want to talk about something fun, I want to think on fun things, on happy things. I want to laugh, howl, roll on the floor with laughter. I want to sleep at night without waking up frightened and not knowing why. But, I tell myself, "Jesus is my portion. A constant friend is he. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me."

Thought #3. I love June. June is my absolute favorite month of the year. Ahhhh, June...
The promise of summer, free and adventurous.
Magnolia blooms, large and bright on the big tree at daddy's house.
Jasmine, small and white, sweet and intoxicating, covers the lattice work on the
deck.
Bluebirds in the field, and new babies in the birdhouse.
Cardinals in the thicket along the fence.
Sunset on the dock, when the lake is still and quiet, and the colors of the evening
sky are reflected in the mirror of water.
Evening birds as the swoop and dart along the surface.
The sound of my boy and his dog, playing ball on the cul de sac. Laughing and
barking go together very well.
St Simons Island, dripping with spanish moss...and memories. Memories of
Granny, and oyster roasts, and a little gullah boy named Boo.
Crabbing on the Black Banks River, and the smell of the marsh.
Ice Cream at the pier.

Thought #4 June is a magical month. My thoughts fill with warm days and cool nights, savoring the gentleness of early summer, before it grows into dog day afternoons and steamy nights.

Thought #5 "Arise my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth, the season of singing has come."
Song of Solomon

Rain, Rain

2009-05-28T14:59:00.008-04:00

Everything in Georgia is wet. Rain, rain and more rain, for weeks. I heard today that it has rained somewhere in Georgia everyday for the past month. Finally. Its about time.

We've been in a drought now for about 4 years. I've lost countless plants, flowers, vegetables, even a couple of dogwood trees. Our lake has been 20 feet below normal. So for a gardener and lake rat such as myself, this rain is an answer to prayer.

But...why is there always a "but" in there somewhere? The snails and slugs are everywhere. Eww, I hate those creatures. They are enjoying a feast courtesy of my petunias and just last evening, my blanket flower. Gross little monsters. So each evening I'm giving my flower garden, and my container arrangments a thorough once over. Its all I can do to pick a snail or slug from a plant. Shivers and gags.

Snails aside, my flowers and veggies are reveling in all the rain. I even have one tiny tomato already on one of our tomato plants. I suppose I'm reveling in the rain as well. I know the heat of summer is right around the corner. Thankfully there's water in the lake, a dock gently rocking right offshore, and comfy lounge chairs under a big umbrella. Now, where's that cabana boy?

I Love Summer...But Not Swimsuits

2009-05-20T13:49:00.004-04:00

A swimsuit looks lovely on Grace, doesn't it? But of course, didn't everything?

Today I went shopping for swimsuits. UGH! I hate shopping for swimsuits. But, we're going to the beach in a few weeks and I haven't gotten a completely new swimsuit in a few years, so I thought it was about time. I have two swimskirt bottoms that I've bought new tops to match, but I wanted a completely new swimsuit. Can there be anything worse than trying on swimsuits, under those horrible dressing room lights? I think I'd rather be pinched. Nothing like a little (or alot!) of cellulite to re-motivate my not so steady healthy diet. After much groaning, and sucking in of stomach, I finally found one I was happy with. Its a cute navy swimskirt bottom, and I bought two separate tops to match, in pretty navy, green and white patterns. I think never again will my tummy see the sunlight, not to mention my hips.

Aren't these girls cute? I love the swimsuits of the 40's and 50's. Isn't that second one from the left just adorable?

I love summer, the beach, hanging out on my dock at the lake, spending early mornings in the garden, fresh veggies and tomato sandwiches for dinner. Yes, I heart summer. Just not swimsuits. Are you ready?

National Day of Prayer

2009-05-07T10:50:00.002-04:00

The day our nation calls us all to pray. I hope you will find the time.

The Prayer at Valley Forge

“I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my official life by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God and those who have the superintendence of them into His holy keeping”

Gen. George Washington

One Creative Belle

2009-05-05T08:54:00.002-04:00

Y'all run quickly over to Jennifer's blog www.beaufortlookout.blogspot.com and look what she did for her Fireproof study. I thought it was a fantastic idea and I grabbed a couple of great looking recipes. I am so C&P-ing that Crabby Salad.

Hubby and I did the Fireproof study a couple of months ago. It was great. I have to say, the movie was much better than I expected. I'm not sure what I was expecting, cheesiness maybe, but it was really good. The marriage study, based on the movie, was very good for hubby and I and we really enjoyed it.

In Memory

2009-04-29T10:46:00.002-04:00

Judith H. Griffin

February 22, 1961 - April 28, 2009

Vibrant, Vivacious, Witty, Funny, Smart, Kind, Compassionate, Servant. A girl after God's own heart. Beautiful Child. Whatever will we do without you?

Spring, New Life, and Not Giving Up

2009-03-23T16:02:00.003-04:00

I missed the first day of Spring on Friday. I spent last week with Judy and was on the road, traveling home on Friday. My mind was on other thoughts I suppose.

I've always celebrated the first day of Spring. Perhaps with a cup of tea and lemon cookies, or treating myself to new bulbs, or new seeds, even shopping for a new Easter dress or shoes. But I missed it completely this year.

Spring is my favorite time of the year and Easter is my favorite holiday. I love how my garden comes to life. I love Easter bunnies, the wonder of the Cross, and the awesome power of the resurrection. I like to think about what that day must have been like. What were Mary and the other Mary feeling when they realized the One they loved was living once again. Wow....

I wandered around my garden this weekend, after I got home, desperately searching for renewal and refreshment. My hostas are peeking through the earth, like little green fingers stretching for the sky. My daisies are bunching up, already looking thick and green. Even my rose bushes have new green leaves. My tulip magnolia is decked out in bright purple. New life abounds all around. I like to think about how the earth comes alive with new life at the very season our Savior resurrected and gave us new life. Surely God planned it that way.

I struggle with my love of spring this year, everything coming to life, reborn, renewal; at the same time my sister's life seems to be ending. Judy came home from the hospital this past week, and has started hospice care. She made the decision that enough is enough, no more chemo, no more radiation, it is done. I don't know what all I feel. If I let myself I feel immense sadness at the unfairness of it all. I feel angry at the irony of her life waning away in the spring, when all the earth is coming alive, when Jesus died for our sins and bore our sicknesses. "By his stripes we were healed."

Something in me will not give up. I still feel led to pray for divine healing, for a miracle for Judy. Some say I'm being unrealistic, that I'm in denial. But my God is a healer, Jehovah Ropha. I'm not ready to give up, and count this battle lost. Its never too late for God, is it?

"The prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will raise him up" James 5:15

Flying the Coop

2009-03-08T16:50:00.004-04:00

My oldest is 24. He's been in and out of the house for several years. First leaving to attend college, then moving back home. Then he got a great job, moved out again, lost the job last year in the collapse of the real estate and new home construction market, and moved back home again.

Its been tough on him lately, trying to find work in a field that he enjoys. Its just ain't happening out there right now. So, he's settled for waiting tables, working as a cook, and catching a break doing little remodeling jobs here and there. He's really fought depression, restlessness, and sometimes hopelessness.

Then, a few days ago he dropped a bomb on me. He's moving to Key Largo. Yep, waaaay down there in the Florida Keys. He's leaving Tuesday. "What??!!" "Yes mom, this Tuesday." He has an old friend from school that is a scuba instructor there who has pleaded with him to come to Key Largo. His friend is "just so sure" that my boy can find work there. In fact, my boy already has a couple of job leads. So, he's heading that way, giving it a month to find work, and hoping for the best.

Part of me is happy and excited for him. He's excited for himself! The other part of me, that other mommy part, is worried, anxious, and prayerful for his safety. All I can do is pray, and hope. I still feel like he needs me. But he's 24 years old (insert BIG sigh here). Still, Key Largo is a loooong way from home.

"Raise up a child in the way he should go and when he grows old he will not depart from it."

I'm holding on to that right now.

Road Trip

2009-03-05T15:26:00.005-05:00

I'm so excited. At the end of this month, hubby and I are going here http://ocw.esiteasp.com/gardenclubofcharleston/houseandgardentour.nxg. I've always wanted to do this tour and I can't wait to get a peek at the secret gardens. My camera and I are really looking forward to it. I hope the weather is beautiful and not rainy.

We'll be staying here, at a friend's house on the Isle of Palms. I can't wait to have fish tacos at Poe's on Sullivans Island, and crab soup at SeeWee's.

Snow Day? What Snow Day?

2009-03-02T10:05:00.003-05:00

Yeah, I had myself so psyched for snow. I had fixin's for a big pot of Taco Soup. I had my snow boots (really hiking boots in disguise) out, beside the back door. I was so excited! Instead, all we got was this. I can't believe it. I feel cheated! Everyone north and SOUTH of us has snow, and a snow day from school. What gives??

I'm thankful for the rain, really I am. We desperately need it around these parts. But geez, I really wanted snow.

Sophia

2009-02-26T18:29:00.002-05:00

I'm pretty sure that was her name. She was a gorgeous young girl, 13, maybe 14 years old, with long jet black hair. Her eyes were deep and brown against her olive skin. She looked older than her tender years and I knew that very soon she would be an exotic beauty. She left an anonymous question for me yesterday, after I finished my presentation in her 8th grade health class.

It went something like this:

"So my mom is being abused, and she will not leave, for all of the reasons that we discussed today. She will not listen to me, and I am scared. I don't know what to do."

Today, during Day Two of my presentation, I could tell the question came from her. Or at least I'm pretty sure it did. As I answered the question during our anonymous question and answer session today I noticed the flicker of remembrance cross her face. I saw as her body slumped slightly down into her desk chair. As I addressed her question, I watched as she slowly dropped her head into her hand, covering her eyes. A minute later, I caught her eyes as she peered over her hand. Her eyes looked lost, almost desperate, as though she needed saving. Even as I namelessly encouraged her to seek help, to talk to a trusted adult, to talk to her best friend, to have a safety plan for her and her mom, she never looked reassured. It will take me a long time to process Sophia.

Tell someone Sophia. Tell someone....

http://www.ncadv.org/learn/TheProblem_100.html

Spring Fever

2009-02-23T18:42:00.010-05:00

I can't stand it! I am so ready for spring (as I write this on a cold Feb evening). I'm tired of the cold, the wind, and I've almost used up all my firewood. Its time for Spring! I should take heart though, Spring is right around the corner. Finally, my jonquils are up and blooming. I've watched them for about a week now and they have finally opened. I wanted to post some pictures from last year's roses and peonies, and a lone little petunia. I have alot of pink, huh? Hurry Spring!

My Cause

2009-02-17T14:06:00.005-05:00

Did you know....

Only 15% of women are familiar with the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
82% of women have never talked to their doctor about the symptoms and risk factors of ovarian cancer.
54% of women who haven’t spoken to their doctor about ovarian cancer don’t think it’s an issue since their doctor never initiated the discussion.
40% of women stated they are not sure about the risk factors of ovarian cancer

67% of women incorrectly believe that a yearly Pap test is effective in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
Many women incorrectly identified the use of high dose estrogen without progesterone (35 percent) and extended use of the birth control pill (27 percent) as risk factors.
Women who have used oral contraceptives for three or more years have about a 30-50 percent lower risk of developing ovarian cancer.
53% of women are familiar with the symptoms of breast cancer while only 15% are familiar with the symptoms of ovarian.
59% of women have talked to their doctor about breast cancer; only 18% have talked to their doctor ovarian cancer.

In women age 35-74, ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. An estimated one woman in 58 will develop ovarian cancer during her lifetime. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2008, there will be 21,650 new cases of ovarian cancer and 15,520 women will die from ovarian cancer.
Because each woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer has a different profile, it is impossible to give a general prognosis. If diagnosed and treated early, when the cancer is confined to the ovary, the 5-year survival rate is over 90%. Unfortunately, due to ovarian cancer’s non-specific symptoms and lack of early detection tests, the only 19% of all cases are found at this early stage. If caught in stage III or higher, the survival rate can be as low as 29%.
(Source: American Cancer Society)

Ovarian Cancer is a silent cancer. It whispers, so listen.

Please go to http://www.ovarian.org/ and learn more about ovarian cancer. The symptons are very very difficult to detect in the early stages, and by the time a woman is suffering from the symptoms, it is usually detected in a late stage, where survival rates drop dramatically. Ladies, do your research, educate yourself, talk to your doctor, and please please heighten the awareness of this silent killer. We have done wonderful things for breast cancer, and look how dramatically education and survival rates have soared over the last 20 years. Let us not overlook ovarian cancer. Afterall, it is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths.

Look around the ovarian cancer website, look at the "Medical" and "Break the Silence" tabs on the left side bar. And for a treat, link to the marketplace at the bottom of the page, and check out the links to the cool jewelry and gorgeous notecards.

Thank you Kathi, www.lavenderlaceandthyme.blogspot.com for adding the Break the Silence icon and link (found here on my sidebar) to your blog.

I Had A Dream

2009-02-10T08:10:00.003-05:00

Last night. It was a dream intermingled with memories. It went something like this.

It was the summer of my 9th year. School had ended only a week before. I had come to Savannah with my grandmother, to spend several weeks with her, and my great grandmother. Just yesterday we had traveled from Savannah down to St Simons Island, to the house that belonged to my great grandfather. In the years that had followed his death, my great grandmother had felt the need to return to the island several times a year, just to maintain the home. I thought maybe she really wanted to re-live memories, and perhaps feel my great grandfather’s spirit there.

This particular evening, I had wandered out of the house, in search of my magical friends. I left Frederica Road, and wandered down the sandy road, toward the marsh, and where the coloreds lived. The evening was hot and steamy, the kind of evening where the air you breathe feels warm and wet. Summer evenings on St Simons Island were like a sauna. Within minutes a person would be wet, with clothing sticking to her as though the very air around her melded with the ocean. I kicked at the sand along the road, occasionally kicking up a piece of an old oyster shell. I thought it was wonderful how different it was from the paths and roads I was accustomed to at home, red clay with hard rocks and pebbles. On St Simons, the earth was soft, and sandy, and hid secrets, such as oyster and small pieces of nautilus and scallop shells. As I drew closer, I could smell the marsh long before I saw it. It was a smell like salt and earth, pungent yet sweet.

As I approached the small shack, just off the sandy road, another smell danced on the breeze. It was the smell of smoke and the earthy briny smell of oysters over a wood fire. I heard the low soft voices of the men as they sang, deep, slow, haunting songs. I couldn’t understand the words. The Gullah refrains were like another language to me. But I knew they were songs about suffering and hope, and Jesus. I hung back a few seconds, gathering the courage to approach them. They had not yet seen me. The men seemed intent on the open fire and lost in the soulfulness of their songs. Slowly I approached them, feeling my shyness welling up inside me, fearful of my intrusion into their strange world. I tried to avoid them, as I slowly made my way toward the front porch of the shabby cottage.

“Girl, come over heah.” I held my breath as I approached the tall dark man who was waving me over to him. “Come heah!”

“Um, are Frances and Boo Cat here?”

“Ain’ t you Miz Adora’s baby?”

“Uh-huh. I’m here with my granny and great granny. I came to see if Boo Cat and Frances can play.”

“Yo Grandmama know you down heah?”

“No. I was just gonna see if Boo Cat and Frances could come up to my house.” My grandmothers would have a fit if they knew I had gone down to the colored’s house. I knew better than to ask for permission. My plan had been to sneak off down to Boo Cat and Frances’ house and see if they could come up to my house and play. As though my grandmothers would think they had come to see me.

“I know yo grandmamma ain’t llowin’ you to be down heah. You head on back home now fo you get us all in trouble. I tell Boo Cat and Frances that you’s is heah fo a few days. You’uns can play tomorrah.”

About that time I heard the screen door slam and I jumped as it startled me in my already nervous condition. Down the steps and across the yard ran my magical friend. He was dirty, barefoot, clothed only in ragged shorts cut from some old dungarees. His face was lit up with a smile so white against his dark skin, and as wide as the Frederica River. He ran up to me and just stopped. Shyness suddenly overwhelmed us both and he hung back shuffling his feet in the sandy earth. It was summer again, and I had come back to the island, to his world.

A Day In Washington DC

2009-02-03T18:10:00.012-05:00

Just a few snapshots from a day spent in DC, the day after the inauguration. It was a beautiful sunny day, the sky was bright blue, but cold cold cold. I love DC, one of my favorite cities in the world.

The WWII Memorial...D-Day

The Capitol, still draped in flags from the day before.

The Jefferson Memorial

A cute pot of tea, shared by Patti and I at the Tavern Restaurant at Mount Vernon the following day.

Politics, Hope, and Disappointment

2009-01-26T11:01:00.006-05:00

This past week, I spent the week with Judy in Virginia, and enjoyed an exciting day trip into Washington DC. Judy is hanging in there, fighting the good fight. She felt well enough to drive into DC and hang out in the car while we did a little sightseeing and picture taking. We spent the day in DC on Wednesday. The city was beautiful, still decked out from the previous day's inaugural festivities. I'll post pictures later....

While at Judy's, we spent the day on Tuesday watching the Inauguration festivities. Although I did not vote for Barack Hussein Obama, I was filled with hope as I watched the inauguration. I could feel the spirit of pride from Americans of all color. I could feel the spirit of celebration going on in the city down the road from where we were. My sisters and I talked about Michelle and Jill's dresses and ball gowns. We giggled at how eager the Bush's must feel to get back home to Texas, and how relieved they must feel to be able to relax in private. Although my staunch conservative brother in law made wisecracks throughout the day about our new administration, we laughed it off, and somehow I felt hope, that just maybe....

Then this...
President Obama on Friday lifted a ban on federal funding for international groups that promote or perform abortions, reversing a policy of his predecessor, George W. Bush. "President Obama not long ago told the American people that he would support policies to reduce abortions, but today he is effectively guaranteeing more abortions by funding groups that promote abortion as a method of population control," said Douglas Johnson, legislative director of the National Right to Life Committee. From Fox News sources

Let me say that I am very far from being able to judge or make decisions for women who find themselves in the place where they feel abortion is their only alternative. Believe me, I know that desperation. We could all debate on the different situations that constitute an unwanted pregnancy. None of us can know the real depth of emotion that goes into a decision to abort a child unless we've experienced it. My belief is that there are many women out there who struggle everyday with the decision they made, just as there are those who never gave it another thought. But I don't understand why in the world my tax dollars are funding groups, national and international that promote and/or perform abortions. In these difficult economic times of joblessness, war, and financial struggle, why are our tax dollars supporting abortion?

So much for my short lived hope for our new president.

2009-01-09T10:32:00.003-05:00

Thank you Kathi and Kelli, at www.lavenderlaceandthyme.blogspot.com for the too cute snowman apron! Shown in the picture below...

Christmas Scrapbook - Fun Time, Family Time

2009-01-09T10:20:00.002-05:00

New Years Resolutions

2008-12-29T09:57:00.002-05:00

I don't think I'll make New Year's resolutions this year. I use too, but I kept disappointing myself because I never seemed to achieve them. By the time the cold dark months of winter melted into the warmth of spring and summer, I couldn't even remember my new year's resolutions. I then decided to make "goals" instead of resolutions. This past year I met one goal out of several. I guess thats a little better than in past years.
For this new year, I feel the need to just keep my options open. I think alot lies in store for me this year so I'm keeping my stress level as low as possible. Don't you know those new year's resolutions/goals can just be another layer of something that you have to do. I think I'll just keep striving to be better at the things I feel are important and give my attention to the people who need me. Self improvement, yes, thats it! To be better at what and who are most important in my life.
Here's to new beginnings. Happy New Year!

I have some wonderful pictures from Christmas. I'll post a few this week.

Good News!

2008-12-18T12:10:00.005-05:00

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Good news indeed! This may be my last blog entry before Christmas. My sisters and brothers are due to arrive home within the next couple of days. I'll be readying my home, running last minute errands, and joyfully awaiting the upcoming week. This next week will be filled with laughter, love, and fellowship with those I love the most. Let me not be too busy, lest I forget about the One I love the very most, and the gift He has given to me. Never have I known such love. Never have I known such mercy. I am awestruck at the enormity of Him.

I wish for you all a season of joy and celebration, filled with all those people and things you love the most. Merry Christmas!

P.S. Wanna hear some more good news? I talked with Judy this morning. She sounded like her old self. This is a true gift, considering the last few weeks of nausea, weakness, pain, and just pure suffering. We had begun to doubt that she could make the trip home and even wondered how much longer this could last. But today she has turned a corner. She's hungry, restful, perky and says, "I feel better than I've felt in weeks." Praise God for his loving mercy. He will fill our holidays with joy, strength and peace. Hold your dear ones close this holiday season, and give Him thanks.

Baking Day

2008-12-11T10:32:00.004-05:00

So this will be me on Saturday. Its time to do my annual Christmas baking. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say I'll be doing my annual baking, of any kind. My lovely pink KA mixer has been in the box since I last used it. That would be last Christmas. I love to cook, and enjoy making pies and a few other sweeties. But baking cakes, cookies, bread has never really been my "thing." Sometime late last year I decided to give in to my urge to purchase a KA mixer, having all these grand ideas that it would turn me into a talented and accomplished baker. And that pretty pink one was on sale! I think I've used it about 5 times. I'm scared of it.

Anyway, Saturday's the big day. Here's what I'm planning:

Iced Ginger Cookies (a yummy cookie from my friend Jeannine)
Chubby Hubby Cookies
Kathi's Mom's Melting Moments (find this fantastic recipe on Kathi's blog http://www.lavenderlaceandthyme.blogspot.com/ )
Sea Island Bars
Cheese Wafers (for a little something savory)
Brin's Crock Pot Christmas Candy
Kathi's Peanut Butter Balls (you'll find those on Kathi's blog too)

I think that will do for now.... wish me luck!

I have been young and now I am old. Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging for bread. Psalm 37:25

Praise God His descendants aren't counting on me!

Other Good Gifts

2008-12-09T15:12:00.003-05:00

On my side of our extended family, we decided not to shower one another with christmas gifts this year. I suppose this is for a number of reasons, one of which is that I have such a large family, 5 siblings, plus spouses, neices, nephews, and now the children are having children. So for the last few years gift giving among all of us has almost become a monumental event. I'm sure the state of the current economy is coming into play.

I think another reason may be because we're all putting into perspective the knowledge of what this Christmas means to us as a family and the time we have left with Judy. Her cancer is progressing and her energy is waining. I know she worries that she is not up to shopping, spending hours picking out just the right presents for each of us. It will be difficult enough for her to travel to Georgia for Christmas. The journey will not be easy, or light this year. She comes in spite of pain, weakness, and fatigue. But she comes. She wants to be home for Christmas. I'm sure she feels the importance of this particular Christmas holiday. As for me, I struggle with trying to figure out how we'll get through it. Knowing......

I've been so blessed with a large, loving and devoted family. God has been good to us. Mama left us way to soon, as least too soon for my liking, but I have been blessed to have two loving parents, who taught us to love unconditionally. Sometimes I look around and see that not everyone has had the kind of love that I grew up with. Or, somewhere they lost it along the road to becoming an adult. Thank God He granted me the blessing of a strong and loving family. And whats so cool is that now I'm old enough to see that the blessing was extended from generation to generation to generation, even now to the youngest generation.

So this year, there will not be the large bustling noisy crowd ripping open gifts around my daddy's Christmas tree. But just those presents will be missing, nothing else. We'll still be a large, noisy, laughing, loud bunch cutting up and teasing one another, eating until we pop, or fall asleep, celebrating my daddy and baby brother Jason's birthday (yes, they are both Christmas day babies so an afternoon birthday party is in order) and generally having a grand time. What better gift to one another?

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
Bobby, age 7

The Best Gift

2008-12-07T15:25:00.002-05:00

For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Real Things

2008-12-04T14:26:00.002-05:00

"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong."

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Tis the Season

2008-12-02T14:10:00.003-05:00

I feel like I lost a few days of Christmas decorating, with Thanksgiving being so late this year. I spent all day Saturday decorating. I love Christmas decorating and do a ton of it around the house, but other than hubby getting the decorations out of storage, and putting up the tree, I do all the decorating by myself. I just don't understand it. My children LOVE the house decorated, and love to hang out around the tree. But since they have gotten older, they just don't seem to care about helping to decorate the tree. I'm amazed at that because when I was a child, even up until I moved out of the house, I loved helping my parents decorate for Christmas. Now my older kids are out of the house, or partially out, or working and going to school...too busy. And my 14 year old? He just doesn't really care about the decorating part. Oh, he likes hanging "his" ornaments on the tree, but thats about it. He loves his advent tree, which he started last night, but other than that....He loves to "watch." :) But...when my oldest son came home on Sunday night, I saw him start smiling as he walked up the walkway, seeing the small trees on the front porch decorated for the holidays, and our wreath on the door. And I watched him smile as he came through the door, his eyes bright and dancing around the room, finally landing on our Christmas tree. A few minutes later he said, "It feels good to be home at Christmas. It feels good in here." Ahhh, the spirit of Christmas has arrived.

Thanksgiving Day

2008-11-24T10:25:00.004-05:00

This week I'm readying my home and my kitchen for our big Thanksgiving Day feast. I love Thanksgiving. Good food, football, a fire in the fireplace, a big family, a quiet evening after everyone goes home, whats not to love?

So, sweet hubby is finishing up the painting. Oh, we've been painting the interior of the house over the last few weeks. Currently my living room and dining room are in total disarray. But hubby promises it will be back to normal by tonight. How does this sound for yummy (literally) paint colors? Pumpkin Butter in the living room, foyer, and hallway. Spicy Cayenne in the dining room. Food colors....or maybe Fall colors. Anyway, I'm ready for the painting to be finished.

So here's my menu for Thanksgiving. I'm expecting about 12-15 guests. Yes, I'm blessed with a large family. It makes for crazy fun holidays. I won't be preparing all this food myself, as I have a brother thats a decent cook who will be contributing, as well as the girlfriend of my other brother. But here's what it is so far....always subject to change at the last minute.

Turkey (fried in our turkey fryer. If anyone has any great seasoning ideas for a fried turkey, I'd sure love to hear your suggestions.)

Dressing and Gravy

Cranberry sauce (I'm trying to decide whether to keep it simple or go for Cranberry Jezebel)

Candied Sweet Potatoes (a tradition for my Daddy)

Squash & Zucchini Casserole

Cream Corn (brother's secret recipe)

Green Beans with New Potatoes

Fruit Salad

Homemade Yeast Rolls

Pecan Pie (my great grandmothers recipe)

Chocolate Pie (gotta have something chocolate)

My brother's girlfriend wants to bring a broccoli casserole too, but I'm thinking we don't need it. And, I'm thinking we need another dessert besides two pies. Maybe a simple pound cake.... Oh lawd, speaking of pounds....

Happy Thanksgiving!

Scribbler, eh?

2008-11-22T09:25:00.003-05:00

My friend Jennifer, over at www.beaufortlookout.blogspot.com awarded me this cute superior scribbler award. Don't know that I'm all that superior at it, but I do enjoy scribbling. I do it all the time, whether on my blog, or during meetings. :) And, if you haven't visited Jennifer's blog, you should take a look at it. It always makes me feel like I'm at the beach, listening to Jimmy Buffet, and feeling the sun on my shoulders.

Thank you Jennifer!

In the Mood

2008-11-20T15:34:00.003-05:00

I don't understand whats wrong with me. I have a bad case of Christmas spirit. This is not like me at all. I usually dread the holidays, mostly the stress that comes with getting ready, like buying presents, planning for family gatherings, etc. I always feel this sense of "rush" or a kind of "harried hurry-ness." And it always bugs me that Christmas is all over the place as soon as Halloween is over. Thanksgiving gets tossed aside for the mad rush of the Christmas season.

But for the past few days I've wanted to Christmas shop, I've wanted to listen to Christmas music, and look at this season's newest in holiday decorating. I've even planned out my Christmas baking. I'm not a baker. I have a super cool KA mixer, that I've used all of about 3 times. I'm scared of it. But Christmas baking? Yep, its on my list. And, I've bought a few presents this week, and organized my Christmas cards. Yessirree, I've got it bad.

I hope its God giving me joy for a holiday season that I've dreaded, with a sense of sadness, fearing that it might be our last with Judy. I've wondered how in the world will we get through this Chistmas season? I've watched all our family, even those who live oceans away, planning to be here for Christmas, to spend it together, with Judy and her family. I've been overwhelmed at just the thought of what this Christmas could mean for us, and how we would handle it.

Yet, in the fear, God has given me joy. Joy for a season, for a babe who came for me, for us, in spite of death. Joy for a babe who conquered death. Joy for a babe, a man, a savior, who longs for us. He's a mighty God, yes He is, who can send joy to interrupt the sadness and fear. Only Him.

2008-11-07T20:18:00.002-05:00

This is what it looks like around my neck of the woods this week. Autumn is in full swing in the Blue Ridge mountains of north Georgia. My friend Kathi, at www.lavenderlaceandthyme@blogspot.com and my friends Patt in Nevada and Char in Michigan are all coming in with reports of expected snow. Snow!! No, not in Georgia.

I'm not a winter person. I love summer. And I adore the Fall, up until about Christmas. But then, come January, I'm ready for June again. The dark winter months to me are just cold, wet, and depressing. The best I can hope for is a couple of snowfalls, which means a holiday, for a special playday in the south.

I do love the mountains in the winter, when the trees are bare, and hiking is invigorating. Your breath hangs in the air, and if you are high in the mountains, there might be a dusting of snow on the ground. But after a few days of that...I'm ready for spring again.

Right now, I'm enjoying the cool days of autumn, kissed gently by a warm sun, and the brilliant colors God has painted on the trees. Even through my front door, the colors of the trees outside reflect on the walls of my house. Its pretty cool when God sends us a special little gift like that.

Rock the Vote

2008-11-04T12:10:00.002-05:00

I voted a couple of weeks ago, during early voting. I am soooo glad that I did. I read this morning that voting lines started hours before the voting locations even opened up. By 7:00 a.m. this morning, in my town, some lines were almost 100 people long. I hope people will not get discouraged, or tired of waiting in line. Voting is so important, and such a priviledge. This campaign has been so divisive, and so critical. So go out and rock the vote. Be patient, be congenial, and be proud!

Bookworm

2008-11-03T10:46:00.003-05:00

My friend Jennifer at http://www.beaufortlookout.blogspot.com/ , knows me well. She tagged/awarded me this cool Bookworm award. How could a bookworm not love this award? Thank you Jennifer.

So here's how it goes. And, I'm passing the love....

Pass this on to 5 blogging friends.

Open the closest book to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, to page 56.

Write out the 5th sentence, as well as two to five sentences following that...

So, the closest book to me is Dorothea Benton Frank's Full of Grace. I read that this summer but its still laying here on my desk. Page 56, Sentences 5 thru about 11 I think:

"The very first thing that struck me about Sardinia was its landscape. As we circled low and around, preparing to land, I felt like I had been thrown back two thousand years. Huge juts of granite, smoothed by millenia of salt and wind, lurched upward from the earth. Some resembled animals and others looked like objects. The landscape was craggy and arid. I would not have been at all surprised to see herds of goats or sheep led by ancient bearded men in long homespun caftans and turbans navigating the scrub growth and sharp pitch of the hills. Sardinia was biblical, exactly as you would imagine the world looked when Abraham walked the earth."

Now to tag my reader friends...

Sheila at www.lifeatnumber17.blogspot.com (cuz I KNOW what a reader she is)

Paula at www.virginiasweetpea.blogspot.com

Kathi at www.lavenderlaceandthyme.blogspot.com

Cathy at www.cathysoutjunkinagain.blogspot.com

Serah at www.honeysuckleandcupcakes.blogspot.com

It will be fun to see what books people have lying close by.

A True Belle

2008-11-03T09:51:00.007-05:00

Southern Belle Award

To my friend Kathi at http://www.lavenderlaceandthyme.blogspot.com/

Kathi, I'm awarding you my first ever Southern Belle award.

Although you are a daughter of the North, the graciousness, the kindness, and dedication to family that you exemplify in your blog, as well as your comments to others make you a honorary Southern Belle. A true Southern Belle is warm as the southern sun in June, and sweet as a Georgia peach. She is as beautiful as a magnolia, and soft as the breeze blowing through the jasmine. Combined with those attributes, she is also as sly and sharp as a fox, with a wicked sense of humor. I know no other belle that is more deserving, and better fits that description than you. I'm mighty proud to know you.

Musings on an Autumn Day

2008-10-22T14:28:00.003-04:00

I love the Fall. It is one of my favorite times of the year, right behind early summer of course. There's something magical about Fall. Its the smell in the air, of distant wood smoke, the earthy smell of leaves. Its the way the light changes and becomes a little brighter, harsher, and shadows are longer and darker. Its the way the breeze lifts the leaves off the trees and they dance as they fall to the ground. Fall always brings back the same memory to me, of playing outside in our large front yard while my daddy raked leaves, along with the other neighborhood men on Saturday afternoons. Radios blaring the Georgia game, with Larry Munson's voice booming across the entire neighborhood. Ahhh, football, especially bulldog football. Fall Saturdays in Georgia...like nothing else.

I'm afraid I've spent this Fall afternoon musing over deeper issues than leaves changing and Georgia football. Its one of those days spent musing "life" issues. I need to write about Judy one of these days. I just haven't been able to do that just yet. As though writing or seeing the words might make it all too real. But I'll get around to it....

Today I'm thankful for wonderful friends who are never too far away, and the "belles" who lift me up with prayer and encouraging words and laughter. I'm thankful for healthy children, who love their mama. I'm thankful for a husband who loves me and sticks by me, Lord love him. And, I'm thankful for a God who loves me, and supports me and lets me dump all my "stuff" on Him, and never seems to tire of saying "Give me the rest of it too..."

Yes, its a beautiful Fall day. Think I'll go up to the Apple Farm, grab a basket of apples, and do some baking this evening. Happy Fall Y'all!

My Mom

2008-10-03T11:23:00.003-04:00

This is a picture of my mom, with her mom (my granny) and her sisters. My mom is the one on the end in the white sweater and dark scarf around her neck. From left to right, Aunt Sue, Aunt Dottie, Granny, Aunt Elsie, and Mama. Don't they look like they were just having so much fun? I wonder what they were saying and laughing about. They look so happy and so silly. I'm guessing this picture was taken probably in the late 40's or very early 50's.

I come from a family of very independent women. My grandmother was fiercely independent, very artistic, and I think way ahead of her time. She was a painter, photographer, and ran away from home at 17 years old to marry a full blooded Cherokee indian. Can you imagine the scandal at that during the days of early 1900's? She eventually married two more times after her first husband. Two of my favorite memories from her are the rose garden she tended in our backyard, and the smell of her oil paints and turpentine from her studio upstairs in our home. To this day the smell of paints and turpentine whisk me away in a second, back to that room and among all the colors of her palette and on her table.

My mom was also creative, a photographer, writer of historical romances (we always teased her about writing smut novels) and could draw beautiful pictures. She loved drawing with just pencil. She loved all animals, big and small, and we always had a house full of dogs, cats, sometimes even bunnies, guinea pigs, hamsters and even a chicken or two. She loved good books and instilled in me a love of reading and old books. She was so excited when home computers and the internet came along. She was writing her books on a word processor long before any of us even had home computers. And she was on bulletin boards and in chat rooms before I even knew what they were. She was cool like that. All my friends loved her. And later, after she died, I had friends that came up to me and shared secrets they had shared with my mom, things she had done to help them during difficult times in their lives, that she had never even shared with me, nor had my friends told me. I was amazed at her compassion that extended beyond what my family was blessed to know, and that my friends had come to know.

My mom would have been 75 years old today. I've always felt she left us way to soon, so full of life and vivacious. But I like knowing she's in heaven, and on my side up there, probably shaking her head in amusement and agreeing with God about some of the crazy things I do, and most especially about my hard headedness and stubbornness, probably laughing and getting a big kick out of me too. I hope so.

Happy Birthday Mama!

Don't Look Back

2008-09-29T09:41:00.003-04:00

My friend Char sent me this magnet this weekend. The second arrow which is harder to see says "No Longer An Option." It made me think, life changes in so many ways, doesn't it? We never know what twists and turns our paths will take. Some paths are straight and narrow, smooth and easy. Other paths are bumpy, rocky, even broken and dangerous, like a path I once hiked along side a canyon wall. I was so afraid of slipping and falling.
As I've gone through these months of fear and hope and then fear again with my sister as she has battled ovarian cancer, I'm reminded that we never know where life's paths will lead us. But one thing we know for certain. He who is able will never forsake us. He holds us in the grasp of his mighty hand, never letting us fall off that cliff.

I found this quote from Tony Snow. I wondered if he was facing his cancer when he said this. But it sums up pretty well the path I'm on right now, and maybe Judy's too.

"We want lives of simple, predictable ease—smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see—but God likes to go off-road. He provokes us with twists and turns. He places us in predicaments that seem to defy our endurance and comprehension—and yet don't. By his love and grace, we persevere. The challenges that make our hearts leap and stomachs churn invariably strengthen our faith and grant measures of wisdom and joy we would not experience otherwise."

-Tony Snow

Coming Home

2008-09-19T15:57:00.002-04:00

My sister Judy is coming home for a visit next week. I am so looking forward to our time together. Its been a rough summer for all of us, and I guess especially for her. The news she received this summer regarding her cancer has not been good. So she feels the need to come home for a time, however short her visit might be, and surround herself with family. I can't wait to see her. Right now I choose not to think on the future, and what it holds for her, for us. Right now I choose to plan for next week, for the outings we will make, the tea we will drink, the sunsets we'll enjoy from the deck, the laughter that always comes from our silly husbands who choose to act like crazy kids and cut up too much. Right now I choose to plan menus for family dinners...and to make sure I have my camera ready for those pictures that will last forever.

I'll think about the other stuff another time... Hurry home Judy! I can't wait to get my arms around you.

Huh?? Are You Sure??

2008-09-17T08:33:00.002-04:00

That was my reaction yesterday... as my doctor told me that I have the chicken pox. Honestly, I had been suspicious for several days, wondering about this strange "stuff" that was slowly covering my body, and the achy flu like symptoms I started to experience. But I guess I just could not fully wrap my mind around the possibility of chicken pox. Not at my age anyway....

I really wanted the chicken "pops" when I was a child, and I was exposed plenty of times. All of my siblings had the chicken pops, almost one after the other. In fact, my two sisters had it together at the same time. I can remember lying in the bed with them, just knowing that my time was coming. Then I too would receive extra pampering from my parents. I too, would get to stay home from school, laid up in the bed, enjoying chicken soup and new books that Mama would bring home from the library. Shortly after, my baby brothers followed suit, and they too received the special "gifts" that came from being sick with the chicken pops. But wait! What about me?? Alas, I never ever broke out with the childhood illness that everybody gets. I totally missed out on all that fun.

Years later, as my own children contracted chicken pox, and went through the agony of the itching, I wondered and worried, "Oh gosh, will I get it now, as an adult, and a busy mom who does not have time to be in bed with the chicken pox??" I pampered my babies as my mom had pampered my siblings. And, I counted my blessings as the chicken pox once again passed me by.

So....why now? I'm too old for this, well, no one really has to know that, but you know what I mean. Anyway, I just don't get it. How did the chicken pops find me after all these years? I thought I was well hidden.

Would someone please draw me a nice cool oatmeal bath? And bring a good book from the library, and maybe a nice cup of tea too?

This Time of the Year

2008-09-15T22:34:00.002-04:00

my heart bleeds red and black. Yes, I love me some Georgia Bulldawg football. And I especially love Uga. I was so sad this past summer when our beloved mascot Uga VI died suddenly of heart failure. He was a grand mascot and a beautiful bulldog.

http://ugaphoto.alumni.uga.edu/multimedia/UGAVI/

But, we were introduced to our new mascot, Uga VII at the opening game this year. He's a gorgeous dog too. I'm sure he'll be a fine mascot. I hope he has the personality that Uga VI had.

http://photo.alumni.uga.edu:80/multimedia/uga7/index.html

I think it will just take some time for him to adjust to all the pomp and circumstance of being one of the most beloved celebrities in the state of Georgia.

So, for now.... GOOOOO DAWGS! SIC 'EM! WOOF WOOF WOOF!

P.S. Hi Kathi! Thank you for being such a faithful blogger friend. :)

Coming Up For Air

2008-06-13T08:52:00.002-04:00

Oh my goodness, it has been a month since my last blog entry. What a worldwind month it has been! Since my last post, I've left my job, gone to the beach to visit my sister, been offered a part time teaching position at a local college, been training for the part time position I start with the domestic violence center, packed/unpacked/reorganized my home office, and preparing to head down to St Simons Island tomorrow. Whew!

I don't know if anyone is even still visiting me here. But if you are, thanks for checking in on me. (((Kathi))) Thank you for asking about me, and thinking about me. I"m going try to be better about posting more often.

My sister Judy is doing very well in her fight against ovarian cancer. She has finished six rounds of very aggressive chemo, has no hair, but is feeling great. Her doctors are very encouraged that her numbers look good, and her cat scans look good. They tell her they are very impressed with how good she looks and feels. She has handled chemo so well, and not had as bad a side effects as many do with the kind of chemo she has received. Her appetite has returned so she has gained about 10 pounds, which is really needed. And she says she can feel her strength and stamina returning with each new day. So we continue to hope, and pray for a miracle.

The family and I are leaving tomorrow morning for a week at St Simons Island, one my favorite places on earth. Each time I go, as we cross the causeway over to the island, I always feel myself exhale, breathe deeply, and my muscles relax. I need it bad!

Homewrecker

2008-05-14T11:44:00.002-04:00

I think little brown Carolina Wrens are one of my favorite birds. I love how they are so litttle and round, and always seem so alert. I have another story for another day, about how a little Carolina wren came to see me once, at a sad time in my life....but thats for another time.

I was getting ready for work the other morning, and was happily watching through the French doors in my bedroom, two little wrens outside flitting around on my deck. When the time came to leave for work, as I was locking up, I noticed the two little wrens flitting around my grill and actually going in and out of the small vent hole in the hood of the grill. I thought perhaps they might be hungry, or could smell the grill, so perhaps they were looking for something to eat. I decided, since I was out of bird feed, that I would take some dried bread crumbs out to them and leave it on a small paper plate right outside the grill. As I started to place the plate of crumbs down below the grill, I noticed some "stuff" sticking out of the vent hole on the hood. I lifted the hood, and it was apparent that the little wrens were in the throes of building a nest. Since I was on my way to work, there wasn't time to do anything about it, so I just closed the hood of the grill and left.

When I got home that evening, the first thing I did was go out to the grill to have a look. When I lifted the hood, there was a completed, beautiful work of art. The nest was huge, and full. Funnel shaped with a little burrow way down deep into the nest. It was incredible how the the leaves, twigs, moss, even pine straw from my garden, were created in a perfectly circular design. Indeed it was a thing of beauty. And the wrens had done all that work in one day. When I left the house that morning they were just getting started and had merely a small handful of nest materials inside the grill.

I was so upset. I knew that we would have to move the nest because we are avid users of our grill. There was just no way to leave it there. I was so sad, imagining how distressing it must have been for the little wrens to have us open the hood, leave it open and later move the nest. My husband, in an act of kindness, attempted to make a surrogate house out of a box that I had saved from my new blender. He took two big sticks and a shovel and picked up the bird nest, so as not to touch it with his hands, and sat it on the white chair you see in the picture. Having cut a small hole in the box, the same size as the hole in the grill hood the birds were using, he sat the box down over the nest. All in the hopes that the little wrens might see it and figure it out. But they haven't been back. I feel so badly, disturbing their plans, wrecking the home they had readied, I'm sure for mama bird to get ready for babies. I keep hoping they will return to the box we made for them. But I'm sure they have made another nest, hopefully one that is bigger and better, somewhere else.

But the box and nest still sit there, hoping someone else will take advantage of it.

Happy May Day!

2008-05-01T11:13:00.003-04:00

I love May Day! Its the promise that spring is here, the sun has warmed the earth, that God has awakened us, new and fresh, from the cold dark days of winter. May Day, it feels like revival!

I love the May Day tradition of leaving baskets of flowers on the door steps of those you love. I remember when I was just a little girl, my mom would help my sisters and I fix up little May Day baskets for our neighbors and family members. Sometimes they would be tiny little straw baskets that my mom or grandmother had picked up from somewhere, other times I can remember making the little baskets from construction paper. We would line the baskets with fresh grass, picked by little hands right out of our back yard. Then we would add fresh picked flowers, whatever was in bloom, from my mom and grandmother's garden. My maternal grandmother always lived with us, and she was an incredible gardener. I remember rows of rose bushes, full, fragrant, and colorful. I remember iris, and day lillies, and dahlia. And my daddy's azalea bushes, full of pink and white blooms in spring. But as a child, what I loved best were the tiny little wild violets that grew at the bottom of our backyard, under the shade of the big oaks. I thought those were the most beautiful little flowers. My sisters and I would play down there for hours, imagining ourselves as princesses, or orphans who lived in the woods with all the friendly animals (our ducks and cats and dogs played that part well).

Yes, May Day meant summer was just around the corner, the flowers were in bloom, and soon we would be swimming in our neighbor's small lake. And, May Day meant sharing that joy with neighbors and loved ones, in the form of sharing beauty. Celebrate!

My lover spoke and said to me, "Arise my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come; the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me."
Song of Solomon 2:10-13
This is what I long to hear from the One who loves me.

Desires of the Heart

2008-04-29T16:45:00.003-04:00

I can't recall that I've ever wanted anything so badly, that I literally ache for it. I mean, I've lusted after things before, and been very hopeful for things. But to really ache for something, and that something be one of those everyday (at least some might consider it everyday) gifts of nature, that we come to expect. Like having children. Most of us never know the feeling of wanting a baby, and for whatever reason, being told that we might not be able to have that. There are so many reasons, maybe unable to conceive, maybe its a health risk to the mother or the baby, maybe the time or circumstances just aren't right.

I have a close friend who is in this place right now. And, I'm stepping out there to guess that she also feels her biological clock ticking. She would desperately love to have a child, while she is still physically young enough. Please keep my friend in your prayers. She faces a few obstacles before she can even consider attempting to conceive. Pray that God might find it in his good and perfect will for her to have a healthy baby. And to remember that regardless of the outcome, God always has her best interests as the desires of His heart.

"Just Close Your Eyes

2008-04-23T16:29:00.003-04:00

and jump, honey!" I remember those words my mama would say to me, as she treaded the deep water just below the diving board. "I'll catch you."

So today, I jumped, way out into the deep water. Only mama's not here, but I'm not alone. I told my boss today that I intend to resign my position. I have too many other things calling my name. I've worked 8 years in politics/government at this one organization. Before that I spent many years in higher education. I'm not one for big changes, especially where it affects my security. Some might call it a paycheck.

Funny how life changes, and begins to mold you into a different person. "Life happens." I think I saw that somewhere, maybe a bumper sticker or something. But my roles are changing, as I take on more care for my aging father, wanting to be more available for my sister, and just wanting to do things around my home, and for my family, and children, that I haven't had the chance to do before. Why suddenly do I feel that I need to fulfill a missed role of domestic goddess, or stay at home mom, or something like that? Its like a long lost desire, that was pushed way way down inside, and piled upon with stuff like career girl, money maker, independent woman, modern mom. Now, suddenly it's breaking through all the "stuff." And why now? When three fourths of my children are grown and out of the house, and my baby has become a teenager?

I don't have the answer. All I know is that now is the time. And part of me is giddy with excitement over this new season in my life. And the other part is scared as heck of the unknown. My friend says "Girl, you are giving up that salary? You are in the prime of your earning years." But what will that salary cost me? My soul? My time? My freedom? My last chance to grasp on to....what is it? Peace, and home, and stillness?

I'm glad I'm not out here in the deep all alone. I'm thankful that Jesus, through his Holy Spirit, makes himself known to me, and guides me and reassures me. "I am your provider." I feel like I am embarking on an unknown adventure with Him. And he has tons to show me, and to teach me. Lord, teach me to trust wholly in you. Open me up to your teachings and the lessons you will lay out for me. Let me be worthy of this blessing.

Fun Stuff

2008-04-16T10:33:00.002-04:00

While I was on my so called "sabbatical" last week, my blogger friend Julie gave me this neat award. Thank you Julie! I've never received a blogger award before. It was a fun surprise.

Also, my friend Serah tagged me. I've never been tagged before either. So for fun, I'm going to keep up the tag. Here are the rules:

1. Link back to the person who tagged you.

2. Post these rules on your blog.

3. Share six unimportant things about yourself.

4. Tag six random people at the end of your entry.

5. Let the six people know by leaving a comment on their blogs.

So, here are six things about me:

1. I hate sitting in a restaurant, or any other place where there are large objects hanging over my head. Objects like chandeliers, TVs mounted from the ceiling or wall, etc. I have this fear about the object falling and smushing me.

2. I drive too fast. Yes, I have a need for speed. I'm not a reckless driver, but I have a problem keeping it at 55.

3. I got a new digital camera for Christmas, a Canon S5IS, and I still haven't taken it out of the box.

4. When I was a teenager I wanted to be a photographer for National Geographic. You wouldn't know that now seein' as how I haven't even looked at my new camera. Shame on me...

5. I have about 7 specialty certifications in scuba diving. I use to love to dive, but haven't been in a few years now.

6. I love to hike in the woods in the winter time. Something about the cold air, the crunch under my shoes, the look of the bare trees. I love the woods and the mountains in winter. And I don't understand that because I don't even like the winter season.

I'm tagging:

Just Playin' Around

2008-04-15T16:22:00.002-04:00

Pardon moi, while I test something. I'm trying to learn to put a link with a name, or series of words. You techno types know what I mean. That sweet Serah at www.honeysuckleandcupcakes.blogspot.com (in case my link on her name doesn't work) told me how. But I posted this morning, a nice long post, with links, and it didn't work. So I'm sure I have a learning curve or something... Anyway...this is a test of the emergency broadcast blogger...

I hope a couple of my fellow bloggers don't mind if I used them as guinea pigs.

Kathi

Jennifer

Be Still and Know

2008-04-14T15:27:00.002-04:00

I spent last week on a "sabbatical" of sorts. If a sabbatical can be as short as a week. But I spent zero time on the computer, zero time on my job, zero time on the phone, practically zero time watching tv, except maybe a little bit on a couple of evenings. Instead, I spent a lot of time in reflection, and prayer and study, seeking God for a major decision that I've been facing. This decision has the potential to change my life, as well as affect the lives of my family. In many ways, I've known the road to take, but I think because it was such a huge life change for me, I wasn't quite trusting God completely on what He was leading me to. I have trust issues. Trust issues with those I love the most, and I think just people in general. And, trust issues with God. I didn't know that until last week, and God graciously revealed that to me, through his word, his voice, and using a sweet friend, who I think has no idea, at least no idea just yet. But I'll tell her.

Sometimes when we get ready to step off into the deep, into the unknown, its an extremely frightening thing. We become so comfortable with what our lives are, and the things we know, that we can touch and feel and see, and perhaps even the idols we have made. Sometimes when God calls us to something so very different, so out of character for us, its easy for us to question Him. "Are you sure about this God? I mean, it looks kind of risky to me." Honestly, I think God must love me alot, to endure all my "are you sure's." Sometimes I think he probably just shakes his head at me and thinks, "Child, look what I've brought you through. Are you saying you can't trust me in this particular "thing?"

So my life is taking a different path, one thats huge for me, and scary. Not scary in a bad sort of way, but scary in an exciting, new adventure kind of way. Yes, thats Him, the God of new adventures. And I'm so glad I can trust Him, even in the deep, even in the unknown.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psm 143:8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5-6

Random Thoughts of Spring

2008-04-04T12:58:00.005-04:00

So, I changed my "look" today on my blog, new picture, new colors.

Azaleas are on my mind, probably because the azaleas in my garden and around my house are just beginning to bud. I think in the next week or so I'll have lots of pink and white around my house. Azaleas are one of my favorite signs of spring. I just wish the flowers lasted longer than a couple of weeks. The picture on my blog header is of azaleas in bloom on a wrought iron gate in Savannah. I love Savannah, especially in the spring.

I'm also eagerly awaiting the bloom of the wisteria and jasmine. There are only a few things as sweet to me as the smell of wisteria in bloom in the spring. I love the big grape like clusters, and the soft sweet scent. I always know that summer is just around the corner when the wisteria blooms.

Wisteria and jasmine should be the scents of the south. I'm looking forward to the bloom of jasmine too, on the lattice of our deck. Dear hubby has to cut that wild thing back every year, its a giant. But the scent of jasmine on a soft summer night's breeze is like nothing else in the world. The sweet scent of jasmine evokes memories in me like few things do. What is it they say, that smells are the strongest memory recallers, or something like that? Jasmine on a soft summer night takes me back to my childhood like a fast train back in time. Once again I'm a little girl, in my great grandmother's yard in Savannah, feeling the steamy warmth, still lingering at nightfall, from the heat of a July afternoon. Or, I'm down on Jekyll Island again, smelling the beautiful flowers from the vines that grew up around the iron rails on the porch entry of the little efficiency we would occupy in the spring. Jasmine smells like home to me.

Today its cool and rainy, feels almost like February instead of April. But we're thankful for the April showers. We've been in such a bad drought for so long. The rain will help, although we could use a lot more. When I look outside my window on a gloomy wet day like today, its nice to be able to anticipate the "springy" things to come. Its poppin' out all over!

Happy Spring y'all!

Book Reviews

2008-04-03T14:49:00.002-04:00

Gosh, I haven't posted in a while....

So, in the last month or so, I've read three books. Here are my reviews, in the order in which they were read.

Deep Dish, by Mary Kay Andrews: I like Mary Kay Andrews writing. I loved Savannah Blues and Savannah Breeze. Weezie Foley is one of my all time favorite characters. I also loved Hissy Fit. Her characters have endeared themselves to me, and I've found her main female characters sassy and fun. Deep Dish was different for me. I still found it to be a pretty good book, and I loved the male character, Tate Moody. There was one thing that bothered me in the book and it was the very frequent use of the F word. Now, I'm not all that bothered by the occasional use of the F word in literature, and have myself been known to sling a few cuss words around when provoked to anger. But in Deep Dish, the F word was used constantly. To me the routine use of it, when it added nothing to the story, was overkill. Also, I was bothered by the use of Jesus Christ as slang, and how often it was used in the book. There were a couple of times that I literally cringed at how the name JC was used. I think had the F word and the name of Jesus Christ not been used soooooo much, it would have made it a much better book for me. Aside from that, the story was fun, in Mary Kay's usual crazy way. I enjoyed their travels to coastal Georgia, a place near and dear to my heart. And I found a number of the supporting characters to be colorful and amusing. I give Deep Dish 3 stars out of 5 primarily because of the language.

The Will of Wisteria, by Denise Hildreth: I loved this book! Denise Hildreth is another one of my favorite authors. www.denisehildreth.com She also has trilogy of books, Savannah From Savannah, and the others that follow, about a young woman named Savannah, obviously from Savannah. The Savannah books made me a huge fan of Denise's writing. I highly recommend the Savannah books as well, for fun, and laughter, colored with a bit of faith. The Will of Wisteria is about a family of shallow, selfish, spoiled siblings who have to meet the demands of their deceased father's will in order to inheirit his gazillion dollars. The demands made by the father have the potential to be life changing. Denise takes hard to like people, weaves them into the beauty of the story, and by the end of the book you are in love with them. This was a lovely book set in Charleston SC and I really enjoyed how she wrote about Charleston and the outlying islands. The book will make you laugh and cry. It was nice to read something that wasn't riddled with bad language or graphic sex. In fact this book is uplifting and hopeful. I give The Will of Wisteria 5 stars out of 5.

Sullivan's Island, by Dorothea Benton Frank: I'm not sure but I think this may be DB Frank's first book. But its been around awhile, maybe since about 2000. www.dotfrank.com I had never read any of her books before, and thanks to a recommendation from Jenn over at www.beaufortlookout.blogspot.com I decided to check it out. Jenn is a big fan of DB Frank. And, now it seems that I'm a big fan too. I loved Sullivan's Island and devoured it in just a few days. Like The Will of Wisteria, this book is also set in Charleston and Sullivan's Island SC. Its a wonderful story of a middle aged woman, learning to live with divorce, her memories of childhood, and the special relationships of mother and daughter, and sisters. The characters endeared themselves so much to me. Its hard to pick out which one was most special. The book is filled with such a range of emotions, and events that span the racial tension of the 60s to ringing in the millenium of 2000, and a little bit of magic thrown in too. And, it contains one of the most hilarious sex scenes I've ever read. Not a raunchy graphic sex scene, but a downright funny one. I liked this book so much that I went out and bought it (I had gotten this particular copy from my library) and her next two books as well. Thank you Jenn for the recommendation! I give Sullivan's Island 5 stars out of 5.

Happy Reading!

Look Good...Feel Better

2008-03-25T16:06:00.005-04:00

I spent last week with my sister Judy. It was the first time I've seen her since she lost her hair. She's bald...and cute as a button. She looks like a little pixie elf, just like she did when she was a little girl. Its funny because she looks years younger. Judy has these beautiful big brown eyes, a doe's eyes. With her hair away from her face, in her case gone completely, it accentuates her eyes. Bald becomes her.

I am amazed at the grace and bravery that she shows in her battle against ovarian cancer. She has so much determination, and peace about her. Her constant comment is "I can use this as a ministry to others. God has a purpose in this for me." And she did that on Wednesday when we spent the day at the hospital for her third chemo session. Now Judy, being the southern girl that she is, was not about to go off to the hospital, or anywhere else for that matter, without being properly "made up." So we left her house early that morning, looking like we were ready for a shopping spree in Atlanta instead of a day of needles and bags full of chemotherapy. Judy wore this darling blue hat with a cute little flower on the side, it was precious. And a bright blue sweater. Her make up was soft and beautiful. I remember thinking that she literally glowed. How does one glow in the midst of cancer and chemo? She was gorgeous. There was a lady, Camille, that we met that day who was also spending the day in the same room with Judy, getting chemo treatment for breast cancer. Camille was a talker. And, Camille was bald as she could be. After properly making small talk, and chatting about their common issues with cancer and chemo, Camille begins to ask Judy about her makeup, her hat and sweater, and how in the world does she find it in her, in the midst of all her trials, to "fix herself up." Camille said, "I haven't had make up on since I was diagnosed in October." Judy begins to share with Camille about how others will see her as a reflection of cancer, and in doing things that are normal for her, like putting on make up, going to work, etc, she is able to overcome and not be defeated by the cancer. Judy told Camille that God will use people's inquiries and comments as a door for Judy to spread His love and what He has done for her. She began to tell Camille about the Look Good Feel Better program, that works with women who are going through chemo, in doing makeovers, skin care, etc, and how much fun she had at the program when she attended. Not to mention all the cool free make up she received from companies such as Estee Lauder, Lancome, Clinque, Mary Kay, and others. She gave Camille tips on make up and skin care for a cancer patient. Judy complimented Camille on her beautiful clear, creamy complexion, on the bright blue of her eyes, and how to play that up with her make up. By the end of the day, Camille was making plans to attend the next program, and leaving the hospital to go buy new makeup.

Judy's doing well I think. It humbles me that she is so gracious and serene. I want to scream and yell and cry, and beg God to make her well, not to let her die. I want to shake everyone and shout "How can this be happening to her?? WHY is this happening to her?" She is too sweet for this. Why not someone like me, who is not nearly as pure in heart as she is. Yet, I am so proud of her. She is so beautiful, even in the face of cancer. She refuses to be defeated.

I love this verse. Notice how its speaking to a female. God gave me this verse last week while I was at Judy's house. I think it was meant for her.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

I especially love the "that right early." part. He comes before we call. Praise Him.

Look Good...Feel Better http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/

Warriors

2008-03-24T16:15:00.002-04:00

I spent the week with my sister Judy last week. She is halfway through her chemo at this point. All indicators are good that the chemo is doing what it is suppose to be doing, as far as the CA125 test is concerned. More about that in my next post...

Right now, I feel urged to write about other observances of my week with Judy. On Wednesday I spent the day with Judy at the hospital for her chemo treatment. The chemo treatment and the other patients I met are another story too, and maybe I'll get there in that later post. But right now I want to write about the "warriors" I encountered. Judy is being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, located in Washington DC. Luckily for Judy, Walter Reed is one of the foremost research facilities for gynocological cancers. We feel blessed that Judy is at one of the best medical facilities in the world, with a team of nationally recognized medical professionals. Judy is not an army gal, but she is an army wife. Thats why she's at Walter Reed. Anyway...I was overwhelmed at some of the sights I saw there last week, soldiers of all ages there for a variety of treatment. I saw young men with war wounds sent home from Iraq. As I waited at the hospital pharmacy to pick up Judy's meds, there was a young couple, he had lost both legs in the fighting in Afganistan. He was a proud young man, with a smile that lit up his entire face. He could not have been more than 25 or 30 years old. His wife stood serenely by his wheelchair, her hand on his shoulder, her kisses tender on the top of his head. They were not much more than children themselves, living in a hard adult world.

I met an older gentleman, Mr. Hails, who was getting his weekly bloodwork for his own cancer treatment, who had spent several years in Korea, during the Korean war. He gave us a history lecture on the Old Soldiers Home in Washington, where he lives. He told us about the Mexican American war, how the Old Soldiers home was built for the wounded soldiers of that war, so they would have a place to live. And, about how Abraham Lincoln had a home on the grounds of the Old Soldiers Home because he felt safe there, and could escape from the pressures of Washington and the Civil War. Mr. Hails was proud to be a historian, and a patriot. He told Judy how pretty she was, and asked her how old she was. He was precious, full of words, and history, and happy to spend an hour with us, chatting with two "younger" ladies.

I was humbled at what I saw at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Men and women, all ages and all colors, from different wars, proud of their service, many of them wore their uniforms, their medals, and their injuries with honor. I winced at those that were not much older than my own sons. Humbled, yes, thats the word, and honored to be among them. I felt like another world had been opened to me, one that up until then, I could only imagine. Often I found myself holding my breath, overwhelmed, and I would have to remind myself to breathe. Later I pondered on the thought that everyone should experience what I experienced on that day, to see the things and the people that I encountered, see determination, pain, pride, and tenderness all in one place. Warriors, yes, every one of them.

Walter Reed Army Medical Center http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/Pages/default.aspx