The Thousand Word Project - A Quiet Day at Home

Orchids

Random List - May 2019

Matthew 6:33-34 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 


Lately I have been…

Making: messes. I can't seem to stop leaving stuff lying around and then I have to backtrack later to tidy it all up.

Cooking: less variety due to my very limited diet for SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) combine with my food intolerances. It's a frustration sometimes.

Reading: Just finished a novella by Chautona Havig yesterday. Various and sundry other things. Proverbs.

Wanting: to get our master suite more thoroughly cleaned.

Looking: for athletic shoes that are in my size, not ugly, and feel comfortable for daily wear.

Playing: a word game on my phone. A little with paper crafting stuff.

Learning: the challenges of helping aging parents with the complications of health problems and life.

Deciding: some hard things.

Wishing: I could eat some things that I used to be able to eat without any trouble. Ho hum. Also that I would get more done some days.

Enjoying: time out and about with my husband.

Laughing: at our silly cat and my husband's ridiculous humor. :-)

Waiting: for my digestive issues to improve?

Liking: photographing wildflowers.

Wondering: when life will calm down a little, and how bad the next set of thunderstorms will be.

Loving: hot showers, my husband's helpfulness, the extra green spring we're having, our cats being social.

Pondering: whether it's time to transition into a somewhat different ministry phase - at least for the time being.

Watching: my parents struggle with the limitations of aging. (Very sad.)

Hoping: we can do more in the way of hospitality; that some things become more clear soon.

Marveling: at the variety of wildflowers we've had this spring. It has been a delight from the Lord.

Needing: to take on new challenges, to allow things to be out of control when there's nothing I can do about it, and to rest in the knowledge that the Lord knows all about it.

Smelling: mold. We've had a lot of rain this spring.

Considering: what "wishful projects" I could let go of to stream line my hobbies and art into a more productive direction, and whether a better organizing system would make me more productive too.

Wearing: loose fitting t-shirt dresses that are cooler and more comfortable.

Buying: shoes that don't fit. Argh. Did you know that women are punished in America for having wide feet? Look at the very limited choices in shoe stores. It's discouraging. Maybe it's just where we live?

Noticing: that I'm struggling to keep up with the online writing and ministry.

Knowing: (or trying to know) that the Lord is growing me in ways that may not be entirely apparent or understood at the present, and that He is already in the future that feels so uncertain to me and knows exactly what I will need when I get there.

Thinking: out story plots for books I'll probably never write. Sigh.

Feeling: like life is out of control, and I'm not keeping up.

Admiring: My husband's persistence. My dad's care for my mom. My mom's determination to remain cheerful in the midst of her health struggles. My mom's beautiful red rose bush.

A Random Day In March (2016)

Today I like the… 
Smell of…my husband.
Sound of…the old hymns.
Taste of…pretzels.
Sight of…fuschia colored orchids (inside) and red wild poppies (outside).
Feel of…a soft, warm tunic (because it’s just a little chilly this morning).

Good Things about Today:

• There is a chance of rain which we really need.
• I don’t have to go shopping or to the doctor today.
• It is not going to be a hot day. :-)  (Something to be thankful for as we are headed into the warmer weather.

Things Already Accomplished Today:

• Bible reading, breakfast, and light therapy.
• Communicated with my sister-in-law about a project.
• Played the piano.
• Looked up some music on You Tube.
• Working on a blog post now (which is taking much too long). :-)

Things that Need to Be Done – Hopefully Today:

• Some laundry.
• Putting away things that have strayed from their proper places and finding locations for things that need new proper places.
• Try to get an appointment with the eye doctor scheduled so that we can find out the results of my MRI and what is going on with my swollen optic nerve.
• Working on my sewing projects some more.

Random Photo from My World:

How our cat asks to go outside. :-)

Quote for Today:

“Driving around most of the National Parks is pretty strenuous in itself.  If you could put Yosemite and Yellowstone together, you would have something about the area of Wales whose geography is a combination of Switzerland, Persia and the Day of Judgement.  …these parks were lovingly created two generations ago by men who chopped through thousands of feet of lumber, who rode into them on a horse, who discovered the sublime with an axe, a botanist’s kit, a piece of bacon, a tent and a stout heart.”
- Alistair Cooke; taken from Letter from America 1946 - 2004, p. 16. (Original quote from 1948.)

Verse for Today:

Jude 1:24-25  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Poem for Today:

Trusting

You ask how you learn to trust Him?
Dear child, you must just let go!
Let go of your frantic worry,
And the fears which plague you so;
Let go of each black tomorrow
Which you try to live today;
Let go of your fevered planning,
He knoweth all your way.
Fear not lest your slipping fingers
Let go of your Savior too, --
Trusting is only knowing
He’ll not let go of you!

- Martha Snell Nicholson

Random Thoughts On An Autumn Afternoon

 

Photo taken in Roane County Park, Tennessee, circa 2005.

I didn’t plan a particular post today, so I’m just going to ramble.  There is nothing quite so nice and chummy as a nice ramble through the Fall woods with a good friend talking and looking and breathing in the loveliness of the day and the smell of burning leaves. 

Since I can’t do that, I’ll do this instead –

This was taken two years ago shortly after we arrived in Australia, hence my somewhat disheveled look.

If I could be anywhere on earth this afternoon, I’d like to pop in at my brother and sister-in-law’s house in Australia for tea and a chat.  (I know all about the time difference, but this is just “what if”, so…)  It would be so much fun to see the things my niece and nephew are working on and talk to them about what they are learning.  It would be nice to sit down and talk with my brother and his wife about the things that are on my mind and about family news, to ask them how they are doing and what they are thinking about these days.

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I have thought more than once that I’m glad my husband isn’t particular about the house décor.  He never knows what he will find “decorating” this house when he comes home from work.  Maybe it will be a handful of bean pods laid in a fancy glass bowl to dry.  Maybe it will be a selection of fossils collected from the yard and put in a beautiful glass candy dish for display. There are dried leaves and other bits in several places, and it’s not uncommon to find paper towels with seeds spread on them to dry.  Today it will be a chicken skull that was picked up in the yard and added to the candy bowl till it can be passed on to some kids who will find it interesting.  I admit it’s kind of strange, but I’m glad my husband is OK with it. :-)

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Due to the lack of rain over the summer months, many areas here in Texas have had a very dry Fall and there have been wildfires.  They were asking people to remove dry plant material from around their houses to reduce the fire risk, so I have done a lot of raking and a little pruning.  We have quite a few trees that drop leaves around our house.  I think I’ve raked at least 14 piles of leaves so far.  My husband and I, with the help of my dad, removed 10+ of those piles on Saturday and put them in the garden where my dad can use them for mulch.  I was more out of shape than I thought, so I’ve been really tired between the exercise the the heat (which is, thankfully, reducing now).  I’m trying to keep on doing some yard work almost every day so that I will build back up instead of just aching! :-)  There is a good chance of rain this week, so I’m praying for rain here and in the worst hit areas.

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I read this today:

Jeremiah 39:15-18  Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee. But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid. For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.

I think sometimes we tend to get the idea that if our country is judged by God, or if the people around us are judged by God for some reason, that we will be judged too.  But, notice that in spite of the fact that he was afraid of the Babylonians, the Lord intended to deliver Ebedmelech because he trusted in Him.  Certainly Ebedmelech suffered due to the judgment that the others received and bad things may happen to us because of other people’s choices or persecution or judgment, but let’s not jump to the conclusion that if God’s judgment falls on a nation around us, that it will automatically destroy us also.  It is certainly food for thought.  How many other examples can you think of where God protected some while His judgment was falling on others around them?  Abraham said in Genesis 18:25,  That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

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A short poem to end this ramble:

To live above
With those we love,
Oh, that will be glory;
To live below
With those we know,
Well, that’s another story.

- Author unknown

Another Random Day In the Texas Hill Country

 

This picture was taken in February 2013. :-)
Oxalis, also called wood sorrel.

Ah, February.  Here in Central Texas it is basically our early spring.  We can have cold weather and frost clear into April, but we usually start to have some lovely balmy days in February.  This week we’re having several day in the 70s and low 80s (F)!  (21-26C)  But, the nights are still chilly, which makes for better sleeping, in my opinion.  Of course, if the weather stays too nice for too long things may start flowering and leafing out, which means they’re more likely to be frosted or frozen off later, so it can be a bit of a worry too!

Today I like the…
Smell of… the heater running. (Later it will be almost too warm to open the house, probably!)
Sound of… the cat jingling her collar as she has her morning bath.
Taste of… grape jelly.
Sight of… SUNSHINE!
Feel of… already having a good start on my day.

Good Things about Today:

My husband has a job.  The sun is shining.  I already communicated with one of my friends.  My headache is minimal.  Most of all, God is still Faithful!

Things Already Accomplished Today:

Light therapy, breakfast and Bible reading done.  Dishes loaded into the dishwasher.  Laundry started.  Cat hugged – regardless of her feelings about that. :-)  One blog post already done and another in progress.

Things that Need to Be Done – Hopefully Today:

Maybe some yard work before it warms up too much.  (Will depend on allergy levels!)  Finish washing the dining room window.  Transcribing some research.  Some ironing and maybe working on the sewing room clean up as well.  It sounds like a lot to me, but taking small bites of each helps me get more done over the long haul, and mixing things up between active and sitting projects and taking breaks throughout the day helps.

Random Photo from My World:

Two of our mixed breed roosters.

Quote for Today:

It's when you're safe at home that you wish you were having an adventure. When you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home.    -- Unknown

(An excellent reminder for me today as I’ve been feeling a little cramped by the monotony of life recently.  Adventure isn’t all it’s cracked up to be!!)

Verse for Today:

Two sections stood out to me today in Matthew 20.

Matthew 20:15   Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

Sometimes it is a challenge to accept that God has the right to do good things for other Christians when He is doing something different for us.  Are we going to resent His goodness to another because we feel like we’re being cheated or treated unfairly?  It’s a sobering thought.  As His servants, He has the right to deal with each one of us as He sees fit, not as we see fit.  If God had to act on our terms what kind of a God would He be?  Not the wise and kind one that He is!  Just because it doesn’t feel good to us at the moment does not give us the right to complain about His treatment of us and/or be jealous of others.

Matthew 20:25-28  But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

There is so much in this short passage!

First off, did you see that it’s normal for the Gentiles to exercise dominion and authority over each other?  What a waste of the time God has given us to fret and thrash around about how bad our present governments are and how they are taking away our rights, invading our privacy, or doing this or that.  Jesus said that is normal.  And notice He mentioned both princes and those who are “great”.  That pretty much covers any form of government to which you might attach your hopes.  Sorry, but we can’t escape it.

Secondly, Jesus said it was not supposed to be that way among us – His followers.  Well, that shoots a big, big hole in the idea that any form of human government should be in the church – not democracy, not republicanism, not tribalism, not monarchy, not militarism, nor any other form of human rule.  In the body of Christ we are not to be exercising authority or dominion over each other like the unsaved do.  Yes, I know there are certain orders set up in the N.T. for family and church life, but they have to be interpreted in light of this as well. 

The point is, we’re called to serve and to minister!  Splitting churches or families with democracy, tribalism, castes or any other form of man-made government or society is not ministering to each other as Jesus Christ did.  His example of service and ministry was sacrificial – not dominion seeking, power seeking, nor glory seeking in the human sense.  We need to beware ourselves, but also we need to consider those in the church realm who demand the right to take dominion and authority over others in this context.  Is that the mind of Christ?  Not according to what He said in Matthew 20.

Colossians 3:12-14  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Random List of December Things

 

Lately I’ve been:

Making: progress on my sewing room
Cooking: extra food to get ahead on meal preparation
Reading: the book of Ezekiel, which has some fascinating things in it
Marveling: at some of the things God showed and told Ezekiel
Wanting: to carve out some time for sewing and crafting
Looking: at fabric sales
Playing: Snap Attack
Deciding: how to better organize my sewing room
Wishing: I’d done more grocery shopping over a week ago when I was out.  Now I may have to shop in a holiday week. :-P
Enjoying: Pumpernickel bread, family time and having an occasional fire in the woodstove (but not in that order)

Waiting: on the Lord to answer some pretty complicated prayer requests
Liking: that I finished my challenge to get rid of 365 things this year!!  And, I went a little over and even finished ahead of time! :-)
Wondering: how bad “cedar season” will be this year
Loving: being able to be a little more busy and involved with other people without serious negative health effects
Pondering: the image that the Duggar family is giving the world and why it seems false or unbiblical to me
Considering: which projects to work on next
Watching: thought-provoking videos on relationships
Hoping: to get some sewing done!
Needing: to get the house ready for company and catch up on email
Smelling: the winter woods and freshly shredded cedar
Wearing: leggings and leg warmers to keep my legs warm
Noticing: how things could possibly be painted in watercolor
Knowing: that I need to reorganize and/or rethink some of my interests/hobbies
Thinking: about various writing projects
Admiring: the beautiful, rich greens and blues on the peacocks
Buying: a couple new bath towels in lovely colors
Getting: older
Opening: some new thoughts and ideas of things I’d like to do in the near future
Giggling: at my own and my husband’s silly jokes
Feeling: the need to take full advantage of sunny days!

Our cat loves the extra “blankets” she sometimes finds on the couch this time of year. :-)

Another Random Day In the Texas Hill Country

 

Today I like the…
Smell of… peppermint oil that I added to my mopping water.
Sound of… our cat purring.
Taste of… nonGMO corn flakes with raw milk and raw sugar. :-)
Sight of… a tidier house.
Feel of… air conditioning.  (A modern luxury that is very helpful to me.)

Good Things about Today:

It was cool enough this morning that I was able to open the windows and run the fan to air the house out.  This meant that my kitchen floor dried faster as well as the house smelling better, a win-win situation.

Things Already Accomplished Today:

I mopped the kitchen this morning (I actually did part of it twice in order to eliminate stickiness).  Did some odds and ends.  Fed the cat.  Puttered on the computer.  Worked a little on kitchen tasks.

Things that Need to Be Done – Hopefully Today:

Visit my sister-in-law to discuss some plans, take a nap, tidy the house more, answer some email, make a blog post, etc.

Random Photo from My World:

One day recently my mom and I accidentally dressed exactly alike. :-)  (Note that my shirt appears pinker than hers.  I wash mine in my red-pink load.  Interesting.  I didn’t realize it was making that much difference.)

Quote for Today:

“Few things are more self-destructive than a combination of high entitlement and a lazy work ethic.”

Verses to go with this:

Proverbs 13:4  The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Proverbs 26:15  The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

Verse for Today:

Luke 2:40  And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
(Speaking of Jesus Christ.)

A Random April List

 

Source unknown
I love this picture.  You will probably see it again.

Lately I have been…

Making : plans for a trip at an uncertain date in the nearish future.
 
Cooking : leftovers – woohoo!  It’s great to have leftovers for a busy week!

Reading: Wells Brothers: Young Cattle Kings by Andy Adams.  Not sure if I like it or not, but it’s quite informative regarding early ranching.

Wanting: to get some things done this week so I don’t have to think about them again.

Looking: forward to getting “the project” done. :-)

Playing: Words with Friends.

Learning: HTLM

Deciding: how to rearrange a storage and utility room so that the shelves in there can be better utilized.

Wishing: that I felt a little better than I do at the present time.

Enjoying: time with my husband.

Waiting: for the dryer to get done.  Since it tends to overheat sometimes, I have to run it in short segments often to get a load done.  But, it still works, so hey…

Liking: to rearrange some of our décor.

Wondering: how the project we’re taking on will turn out.

Loving: getting pretty good sleep at night.

Pondering: how the practices of “Biblical Patriarchy” redefine their beliefs in comparison with what they claim to believe.  Something we should consider for ourselves as well.

Watching: some documentaries, sewing and baking videos and things relating to “patriarchy”.

Hoping: that our upcoming trip will turn out well. 

Marveling: at the abundance of wildflowers this year!  It has been truly amazing to see God’s art work.

Needing: to let God work things out.

Smelling: wildflowers and fresh spring smells.

Considering: getting rid of more things and scaling back some of my hobbies.

Wearing: work clothes as I try to get various messier jobs done.

Noticing: that it’s harder to write email than most other things. :-/

Knowing: that something good will come from the present challenges.

Thinking: about reducing the amount of décor in our house so that it takes less cleaning time and I have more time for more important or interesting things.

Feeling: a bit overwhelmed.

Admiring: the colors of the wildflowers.

Buying: stuff to help me deal with some physical struggles.

Laughing: at our silly cat. :-)

Bookmarking: things for potential blog posts.

Bluebonnets.

Sleeping in a kindling box.

Random Evening List

 

I took this photo in February a year ago.

I got this list from another blogger, though I did adjust it some for my own use. :-)  (Gotta change those recipes, you know!)

I have been….

Making…a quilt top, a pillow cover, and a winter scarf.
Cooking…simply lately, as we’re recovering from a stomach bug.
Reading…a book that I don’t like much.  Think I might delete it. (Kindle)
Wanting…to feel well again! 
Looking…tired.
Playing…Wordament.
Deciding…what changes to make in the living room next.
Enjoying…having had a good one-on-one conversation with my mom today.
Waiting…to find out when Mom’s next surgery will be.  (sigh)
Liking…the idea of getting the T.V. out of the living room.
Wondering…how to adjust my diet to improve some health problems.
Loving…my husband. :-)
Pondering…the Hyper Patriarchy Movement and its beliefs.
Considering…how I want to spend some money I have for projects.
Watching…myself type.  (No brainer.) ;-)
Hoping…to get to go to prayer meeting tomorrow night; and that my mom will be able to walk even better after her next surgery!
Marveling…at the glory of winter sunsets.  God’s artwork is without equal.
Needing…to take an Epsom salts bath.  Ahhh…..
Smelling… - probably, but that is none of your business. :-D
Wearing…comfortable clothes due to being sick.
Noticing…that my husband and I look middle aged now.
Knowing…that we need to go to bed soon.
Thinking…about people’s tendency to make others perform to their expectations through guilt.
Admiring…batik fabric.
Buying…groceries?
Getting…tired of this list already.  Hmmmm.
Bookmarking…too many things to mention.  I’m an incorrigible researcher.
Giggling…with my sister-in-law.  :-)
Feeling…a little melancholy from being sick, having so much cloudy weather, and my mom facing more surgery.
Thanking God…for helping me to feel really well for a little while when my in-laws spent a long weekend with us; and that we had a very blessed visit with them!  Also, for some sunshine and a sun bath this afternoon!
Smiling…because I changed this list some more.  :-D

And so good night!  (To quote a famous diarist – to whom I bear no resemblance in style, but it’s always more impressive to quote someone famous…right?) :-)

A Random Winter Evening

 

Verse for Today:

Psalms 118:24  This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

This Evening I like the…
Smell of…a wood fire.
Sound of…the dog snoring in front of the crackling fire.  My husband typing.  (He’s working late tonight, but thank the Lord he can work from home!)
Taste of…chocolate.
Sight of…electric lights.  These early evenings of winter make me thankful for electricity.
Feel of…warm extra layers of clothing.

Good Things about Today:

The sun shone – almost ALL DAY LONG!  PRAISE THE LORD!

Things Already Accomplished Today:

Not much. A load of laundry.  Cleaned up the kitchen some.  Dinner.

This morning I thought I really needed a day to “play”.  I’ve had so many things hanging over me since I fell behind while we were sick.  I’d gotten some pressing things done and felt like some things weren’t that important today after all and I needed a break.  So, I got a slow start, read, played a couple simple games on my cell phone, and played “in and out” games with the cats.  (I’m a semi-automatic door opener apparently, and had both our cat my brother’s playing with me this morning.)  Then my sister-in-law came and we played with fabric and made plans for a project.  Eventually she went to get some stuff  from her house and brought my mom back with her.  We discussed projects, looked at fabric and talked, and talked, and talked.  A good time was had by all. :-)

Things that Need to Be Done – Hopefully Today:

A blog post.  Ahem!

Random Photo from My World:

Not a recent photo, but our cat has been doing quite a bit of this lately due to cold weather. :-)  She likes this afghan pretty well.  (Btw, that afghan is not as bright as it looks in the picture.)

Quote for Today:

Mrs. Liscombe sang for us.  I could not make out what it was she sang, being unfamiliar with the music and unable to understand the words.  She possessed a voice of some beauty, but was evidently determined to be classed among the sopranos who are able to soar highest, and when she took certain notes I experienced a peculiar and most disagreeable sensation in the back of my neck.

“I wonder if we couldn’t bring in a stepladder for her,” murmured the Skeptic in my ear.  “It give me a pang to see a woman, alone and unassisted, attempt to reach something several feet above her head!”

Grace S. Richmond, A Court of Inquiry

A Random Evening – for a change

 

This evening I like the…
Smell of… my own house.
Sound of… my husband puttering at his computer in the same room with me. :-)
Taste of… raw milk and honey, which I’ve been thinking about for awhile now.
Sight of… our bed, which I cannot see from here, but which sounds really nice about now.
Feel of… being at the end of the day.

Good Things about Today:

I LOVE this kind of fall weather!!! :-)  I had a good walk and talk with my mom and sister-in-law.  My husband is safely home. 

Somehow, this fall I am not experiencing the intense dread of winter that I’ve had in recent years.  I am Very Thankful to the Lord for this!  Maybe – maybe – I’m learning a little bit not to fear the passing of time!

Things Already Accomplished Today:

Too much to mention – ok, I wish. :-)  But – some things that I wanted to get done, though not all.  Some cleaning, some reading, some resting, some visiting, some planning, some computer work and loafing, some cooking, some laundry. :-)

Things that Need to Be Done – Hopefully Today:

Make a lunch for my husband for tomorrow.  Go to bed!  (It’s nearly bed time, people!) :-)

Random Photo from My World:

Delicious Pecan Pie Muffins that my husband made a couple weekends ago!  (Thanks to “Ranch Wife” at “Lovin’ Life At the End of the Dirt Road” for sharing the recipe.)

Thought for Today:

God made autumn glorious so that we would remember that not all death is hideous.  Some things, and people, pass with great glory.

Verse for Today:

Ecclesiastes 7:8  Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Another Random Day In the Country

 

This Morning I like the…

Smell of…leather gloves?  No, not really, but that’s the smell that my garden gloves leave on my hands for me to “enjoy” for awhile after using them. :-)

Sound of…Hmmm…it’s pretty quiet in here this morning. 

Taste of…my breakfast/snack – Greek yogurt with peanut butter, old fashioned rolled oats, maple syrup and a bit of stevia mixed in.

Sight of…tiny birds sitting on the top wire of the garden fence.  Maybe gnat catchers?

Feel of…having worked outside in the pleasant morning coolness and now resting.

Good Things about Today: 

I’m feeling quite a bit better today after having not felt well this past weekend.

It was lovely and cool outside this morning even though it will be scorching hot today!

Things Already Accomplished Today:

I got a “lottle” yard work done this morning.  It would be a little by many people’s standards, but by mine it was good. :-)  After you’ve been at a point in your life where you could do very little it’s good to remember that and be thankful for what you can do without bemoaning that it wasn’t more.  I have found when you pace yourself properly you can go farther.

Things that Need to Be Done – Hopefully Today:

There is laundry that needs to be attended to, along with some kitchen chores and cleaning; and I very much hope to get some sewing in today!  I have a couple phone calls I’d like to make as well, if possible.

Random Recipe:

Coconut Cream Chocolate Walnut Fudge

Random Photo from My World:

Quote for Today:

Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous mind.  -- Samuel Johnson

Verse for Today:

Psalms 131:1-3  <<A Song of degrees of David.>> LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.  Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.  Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.

It’s interesting how often we get ourselves all worked up over things that are completely out of our control.  Yet here is David, the king of Israel, saying that he did not exercise himself in great matters or things too high for him. 

Have you ever noticed the difference between a contented weaned child and one that is not weaned yet?  It’s harder to find in our modern cultures because so many children are weaned way too early or never breastfed at all.  But, you’ve probably seen a small child who was happy to just play and be content with his or her own little enjoyments, plans and busyness without being involved in everything or demanding constant attention from “mama”.  This is an interesting comparison that David is making.  I don’t grasp it entirely myself, but I sure know what a happy, contented child acts like who isn’t always demanding attention, wanting something or fretting.  It’s hard to be that way sometimes in this crazy world we live in, BUT – if our hope is in the LORD “henceforth and for ever”, we can be like quieted and well behaved child too!

A Random Late Spring Day

 

This Morning I like the…
Smell of… the garden in the warm sunshine.
Sound of… outdoor country noises floating in through my open windows. (In the middle of May in Texas!)
Taste of… a radish seed pod that went from the plant to my mouth in a second or less.
Sight of… sunshine.
Feel of… the gentle breeze.

Good Things about Today: We live in the country.  My dad has grown a lovely vegetable garden for our family’s use, and the Lord has blessed his hard work with produce.  My husband likes his job.  I like mine. :-)

Things Already Accomplished Today:  Picked fresh lettuce for later use.  Planned ahead and got beef tongue out of the freezer for dinner.  (Yes, I LIKE beef tongue!)  Killed a scorpion in the breezeway. (The occasional chore I hate the most!!!!!!)  Killed a caterpillar that was devouring my puniest mint plant. (Why the puniest one?)  Various and sundry other usual things. :-)

Things that Need to Be Done – Hopefully Today: Need to take a load of laundry to my mom’s house to wash since our washing machine is out of service right now. Write a blog post – happening as I speak…er, write.  Do exercises with my mom and sister-in-law (if sister-in-law hasn’t already done them by working in her garden). :-)  Move some stuff into the “garden room” that we want to get rid of.

Random Photo from My World:

Not taken today, but I hope to do this later. :-)

Quote for Today:

I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.
-- Laura Ingalls Wilder

Verse for Today:

Psalms 17:4  Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

There are a lot of destructive things going on these days from politics to Hollywood to books.  These are things that can easily influence our lives; things that destroy individuals, families and church fellowships.  The wisdom we need so desperately to keep us from this wholesale destruction comes from the word of God, not the works of men no matter how great they may sound or appear to be!  (Rom. 16:17-18)

A Random Spring Day!

 

Lily of the valley shoots taken in Tenn.

This Afternoon I like the…
Smell of… rain last night!  We were so blessed to get some good showers without any hail!  There was some amazing hail not far from us!  I’m so thankful the Lord spared us our garden! 
Sound of… birds singing their sweet spring love songs. :-) 
Taste of… Philippine brand dried coconut.
Sight of… lovely, gorgeous, intoxicating spring greens!!!!
Feel of… fresh spring breezes.

Good Things about Today:

We had rain last night, so I didn’t have to water today as I’d planned. :-)  The weather is sunny and just pleasantly cool – something rare and of great value in Texas!

Things Already Accomplished Today:

I got two unpleasant jobs done that needed attention – scrubbing the grossness out of the dishwasher that had accumulated over time - and from bad soap; and dragging some fallen branches down to the brush pile which we hope to shred into good garden mulch “one of these days”. Maybe you could say I did three things because I also started the job of pulling up the dead, sprawling branches of purple spiderling plants in the yard. Texas has some amazing weeds. They say everything is bigger in Texas… Some things you don’t want bigger, believe me!

Things That Should Be Accomplished Today:

I still need to fold some laundry and plant a beautiful strawberry plant I bought yesterday.  I love strawberry plants that have pink flowers.  Pink flowers and strawberries from the same plant – how great is that? :-)

Random Photo from My World:

My husband took this photo of me earlier this winter.  Today it was sunny and springtime outside when I ate breakfast in front of my light. :-)  I use this artificial “sunlight” lamp from late Sept./Oct. through sometime in March or early April.  It helps wonderfully with my seasonal affected disorder!  It is not ultraviolet light, so there are no worries about skin problems, but it provides that light that is so necessary for our emotional well being.  There is a good reason why Jesus said, “I am the light of the world…”!

For me it is often easiest to eat breakfast in front of the lamp and so accomplish two things at once.  In fact, often I read my Bible during this time also because on the darkest/shortest days I use it for up to 45 minutes a day.  Our kitty does not usually join me like this, but that day she was being unusually social – for a cat. :-)  My husband sometimes joins me when he’s home, but he eats much faster than I do. :-D

Quote for Today:

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils…

…oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

- William Wordsworth

Verse and Thought for Today:

Genesis 1:31  And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good…

If God Himself looked at His creation and saw that it was very good, don’t you think that we also ought to take the time to look at His creation and see that it is very good? :-)

Another Random Day

 

Today:

Outside my window…

It is sunny, over 80F and the air is obviously full of cedar pollen, so we can’t open the windows.  I’ve been considering turning on the air conditioning, except that seems illogical for January!  Only in Central Texas.

I am thankful…

My mom is recovering well from the hip replacement she had this month!  What a blessing to see her go through such a surgery so well, and improve so much.  It’s a real blessing to see her smiling and alert again and hear her laughing so much more! :-)  Her courage has been an inspiration to me.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow! 

I think…

Christians need to be more discerning about whom they follow and listen to.  We need to be noble Bereans and search the scriptures to see if what anyone teaches or says is truth – no matter how “great” they may seem.  Acts 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.  I also think that when someone is seriously off in some area we need to mark and avoid them (Rom. 16:17) rather than trying to pretend we can pick out the good from the bad.  Let’s stick with the Book and the Lord who wrote it rather than the “wisdom” of man!

I would like…

To be able to make it to our church’s Bible conference meeting tonight.

Blessings…

My husband was able to work from home. :-)

Things already accomplished…

Not a whole lot.  It’s been a slower day for me after spending a few days working on a rather intense research project.  I read some quilting blogs and some interesting news articles, made two meals so far and have fought with allergy related symptoms – dizziness, itchiness, sore throat and shortness of breath.  Worked a little on laundry.

What’s for dinner?

We had ham and home canned green beans and warm tortillas with butter and black pepper on them. :-)  Super simple!  And we ate early so we can have a lighter meal later.

Random photo I like:

When we went on vacation in November my husband brought a bottle of Mexican Coke but we didn’t bring a bottle opener.  He was determined to open it, and so he broke out the tool box to find something that would work. :-)  He used something as a lever and finally did get it open.

Quote for today:

If I understood all about the Bible I'd know somebody wrote it who didn't have any more sense than I have.
- Sam P. Jones

Verses for today:

Romans 6:8-10  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

These are great verses – but did you think about the fact that they teach eternal security?  We know that Christ is in us, the hope of glory, Col. 1:27, and we know that Christ is raised from the dead and cannot die any more but lives forever.  How can we lose our salvation and die again once we are in Christ?  He cannot die again!  Praise God!

A Random Day

 

Since the The Simple Woman’s Day Book post was fun and one reader especially liked it, I thought I might try doing more in that vein.  I took some ideas from others and mixed them with some of my own.  I may keep on doing something like this from time to time.  Hope you enjoy it. :-)

This Morning I like the…
Smell of…fresh air.
Sound of…birds singing outside our living room.
Taste of…a banana, mixed berry, yogurt smoothie.
Sight of…sunshine.
Feel of…a jacket (Yes, it’s actually cool enough to wear a jacket inside this morning, though our weather this December has been unseasonably warm.)

Good Things about Today:

My husband has a job, and he was able to get to it (our own car is in for repairs, so we are borrowing my brother’s.)

I have family nearby whom I hope to visit with later.

Things Already Accomplished Today:

Made a banana, berry, yogurt smoothie. (Bet you didn’t see that one coming.) ;-)  Also fried an egg.

Entered some fabric giveaways online and also discovered some neat quilting blogs.

Let the cat out and petted her briefly.  (She was in one of her weird moods.)

Started working on the laundry – again.

Had my special time with Lord while doing my light therapy.

Created this blog post. :-)

Things that Need to Be Done – Hopefully Today:

Process and can the green enchilada sauce that is in the fridge and freezer.

Dust the house.

Random Photo from My World:

A batch of green tomato enchilada sauce before it was cooked.  Hopefully I’ll get the recipe posted for you all soon.

Quote for Today:

“You’re never safe from surprise till your dead.” – Irene Isenhart

Verse for Today:

Psalms 68:9  Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.