Fresh Fruit from Your Garden / Legacy Plants

I love fresh flowers, blossoming plants and those that bear fruit.  The others are "background" to me, but these just perk up anyone's yard or garden.

A dear friend passed away a few months ago.  Last summer he had planted a blackberry bush for us in our front yard.  We were so surprised and touched that he did this for us.  Now that he is gone, when this bush bears fruit, it is a sweet reminder of a godly man who touched all of our lives.

Psa. 116:15 

Precious in the sight of the LORD 

Is the death of His godly ones. 

Matt. 13:23 

“And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil,

 this is the man who hears the word and understands it; 

who indeed bears fruit and brings forth,

 some aa hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”

Make Someone Feel Special / Use Your Good China and Crystal

What are you saving your good china and crystal for? (I know, the preposition should not be at the end of the sentence.)    Make someone you care about feel loved and special, ESPECIALLY your own family and friends.

I often use our dining room table as a place where I do paperwork, write letters and other projects.  I cleared it off and invited a friend over for lunch.     This table set for two was for a birthday lunch for a friend who works nearby.  She only had an hour to eat so rather than go out to a restaurant, we "ate in".   Even turkey sandwiches, chips, green peppers and fruit taste better on pretty dishes.  For dessert... a small plate of Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies.  :)    Good friends and conversation with special little touches made for a very pleasant meal AND good digestion!

So,  please stop saving your "good" dishes for something in the future and use them... THIS week.  :)

NOTE:  Those are our homemade Resurrection eggs as the centerpiece.

Hospitality / Spontaneous Time With Your Friends

I'm trying to be more hospitable.  We have company periodically and the teenagers come for game nights every now and then.  I don't often get to see my girlfriends (just girls, that is) so I am especially trying to be creative in getting together with some of them.  Some of my getting together times are during the day while my husband is at work and my younger son is at college classes.  Some of it is during the home Gator games that my husband is attending with his cousin this year.

Last Saturday night I had two college friends over for dinner [I made stromboli] to celebrate a birthday of one of them.  We had a great time together.  I've had some of the younger women from our church over for a couple of hours lately to visit and talk, each on different mornings.  One came with her young daughter and I thought it would be fun to have a little "tea party" to make her feel comfortable while we talked.  It was very easy and took all the stress out of "entertaining".    We sat in the living room for a couple of hours and had a really nice visit together.

Ingredients:

• One card table
• One white fringed throw
• 3 cloth napkins
• 3 coffee / teacups
• 3 luncheon plates
• One platter
• Storebought decorated sugar cookies
• Sliced apples
• Fresh coffee & cream
• Fruit juice

Very simple, but a little attention to detail  for a guest or two in your home makes them feel loved and welcomed.  Entertaining doesn't have to be complicated and your house doesn't have to look perfect.  Just find a quiet spot for 2-4 friends to sit and chat and enjoy each other's company.

The ornaments of your house will be the guests who frequent it.  ~Author Unknown

Graciousness (A Spoonful of Sugar) When Mistakes Are Made

I was cleaning out some shelves this morning and found a few more books to list on Amazon and Ebay.  I regularly weed through our bookshelves-- we have them in just about every room of our home.   I found a book that I had intended to either PaperBack Swap or sell.  It's funny how just the sight of a book can bring back a memory.

The movie Julie and  Julia came out a couple of years ago.  I had not gotten around to seeing it after it had been out a few months.  This  book that was given to me on my birthday that year by two dear friends who really wanted me to see the movie.

I finally saw it, thoroughly LOVED it and  highly recommend it.  You'll laugh and cry, but mostly laugh.    I do NOT recommend the book however.  

I sat down one evening and picked up this thoughtful gift that my friends had given me.   I thought since I enjoyed the movie so much that I would probably enjoy the book even more.  I'm sure that's what they were thinking when they gave it to me.   It's usually that way with films. The books are almost always better.  Well, not in this case.  I got about 2 chapters into the book and it was WAY too inappropriate [language and situations mostly] for me to read and enjoy.  I was shocked and I knew that my friends would be also.   I didn't want to make them feel bad for having given me the book but I thought I'd better head them off before they gave it to someone else so I gently told them what was in it.  They were so sorry  and they were SO glad that I clued them in before they gave a copy to someone else who might not be as understanding.  We all had a good laugh over it and what might have occurred with similar subsequent gifts to others.

Morals of story:  

• Don't assume the movies  you enjoy are as good as the books OR vice versa.
• Always think the best of people when something doesn't seem quite right (I knew they would never have given me this book had they known what was in it.)
• Speak up when someone needs to know some information even though it may be awkward.
• Laughing and humor helps almost any situation.  :)

Look through some of the books on your bookshelves. Do any of them hold any special memories for you?  I may write more on this since I love reading--all different types of books.  I prefer mostly non-fiction but will read fiction if it's highly recommended.  How about you?

Starbucks SHARE / Buy 1 holiday drink, get 1 free Nov. 18-21, 2010

Buy 1 holiday drink, get 1 free.  I saw this on Esther's blog earlier this week.   Thanks for the tip!

November 18-21, 2010

2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

At your local Starbucks


More info and specific flavors that apply to this offer  at THIS LINK.

Starbucks will begin its 12 Days of Sharing starting on December 1 as well, so check back!

Surprise Gifts / Random or Planned Kindness

Last Wednesday I was having a not-so-good day. I came home from a harrowing afternoon and found a package in the mail for me.  What  a wonderful surprise--the 12-year-old daughter of long time family friends who live in Arkansas had made me this lovely purse and mailed it to me!  I had to shed  a tear when I opened the box. It was almost as if the Lord were saying "I have seen what you have gone through today and wanted to make sure you know that you are loved."

Her mom had called me a couple of months ago and mentioned that her daughter wanted to sew a purse for me and what colors would I like but I had really forgotten about it.  (This is the third one she had made--the other two were for her grandmothers.) So, I guess this was a "planned" surprise since it took her awhile to stitch it, then package and ship it to me.   Nevertheless, the thought of a younger one making me a handmade gift was just TOO sweet.  And it wasn't even my birthday or Christmas! Thank  you, Miriam. You can't imagine how receiving this cheered me up.  :)  I carried it to church with me on Sunday and since black is one of my basic colors I will be using it often. :)

What we make ourselves--artwork, sewing, cooking, woodwork, crafts, cards--becomes a gift like no other.  There are SO any things we can do with our hands.  They are truly gifts of self that mean more than you might think.  Brighten someone's day today with something as simple as a handwritten note of love or encouragement.  

Use your gifts and talents to bless someone this week by giving them a bit of yourself.

1Thessalonians 4:9-11 

Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren ... But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,  and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you...

Back to or First Day of School and/or College

Jeremiah 29:11

‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope..."

Ah, the first week of college classes. And the first week for school to begin in our area.  For my younger son who is homeschooled (with three group class sessions a week), we began 11th grade last Monday.  For my older son, Monday was the beginning of his senior year in college.   We have other young friends who have their very first day of college life today, some via dual-enrollment while still in high school. I remember when I began. It was bittersweet leaving high school although my college (as well as my son's) is in our hometown.  Lots of changes in college, both fun, exciting and a bit scary, too...

• New responsibilities--no one to remind you to do your homework or projects, choosing your own classes and making sure that two don't occur at the same time, budgeting your money, working part-time, paying bills on time, taking charge of your bank account
• New friends--many of them several years older and most do not live in your neighborhood
• New instructors who are called professors, not teachers
• New course requirements--blue-book essay tests, online classes, one test can sometimes determine   your grade, and their strange letter/number format (AR101)
• New grading system--it is more difficult to get an A (93-100)
• Finding your way around campus and getting to classes on time

Every large group (student enrollment) needs its share of smaller groups so students can really feel a part and make solid friendships to encourage you during this stage of life. Some choose fraternities or sororities as I did (I was not a Christian during my college years); some choose athletics / intramurals; some choose clubs based on personal interests and others choose religious non-profit groups i.e. Campus Crusade for Christ which my son and many of his friends participate in. Whichever group you and/or your students find themselves a part of, be careful of the company you keep. If you make a mistake and choose a group that later you discover is not for you, by all means, be bold and leave that group. Make decisions ahead of time as to what you will do when the temptations come--going along with the crowd, drinking, skipping classes, taking drugs, having premarital sex--to name a few.

Nowhere is it more apparent than in college, that bad company corrupts good morals, so do not be deceived. 1Corinthians 15:33

My thoughts and prayers are with all who are beginning this initiation into adulthood and time of testing called college life. It can be a wonderful adventure as long as you make wise choices. More than likely, loving parents are on their knees constantly during this time in their child's life.  Often this is a time when children/young adults begin to appreciate home more than they may have in the past.  For parents, let them go, struggle and learn; for students, no one loves you quite like your parents do and they are always there to help when needed or asked.   :)   THIS SONG says it all. 

Gift from a Friend Georgia Peaches

Just a quick photo blog about a special gift.  My favorite fruit is the peach. I was raised in Georgia from about age 4 through age 13.  There was never a shortage of fresh peaches and pecans in our home growing up. We had pecan trees and many nearby had peach trees.  SO delicious!   

A friend of mine was visiting here from Georgia recently.  When we got together I mentioned that I had not found a decent peach here all summer and that I should have asked her to bring me some peaches (she drove down this time).  A day or so after she went back home I received a Fed Ex package. What a surprise to open it up and find a bag of fresh Georgia peaches!  Now THESE are the right size, the right color and smell and definitely the best taste I'd had all summer...

I started grocery shopping at the Wal-Mart SuperCenter near us recently and I must say that they have good tasting peaches, too.  I think the ones above tasted best because they were sent with love from a dear friend who thought of me.  :)  Thank you, Jacque.

Sometimes it's the little things that mean so much...

Galatians 6:10 

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, 

and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. 

Generosity: Baking for Someone Else / Random Act of Kindness

This weekend someone was talking about Random Acts of Kindness.  You know, when you do something for someone out of the blue, just because.  Totally unexpected.  No strings attached.   It's a lift to someone else's spirit and blesses you at the same time.  Like a quiet hug from the Lord.


Last week a young college-age friend posted  on Facebook that she wanted to bake a cake but didn't want to eat it.  (My son said that's against the laws of nature.)  I told her that if no one else wanted it that I'd love to have one.  I was planning on having company over this weekend and a nice homemade dessert would be great.  

We live about 30 minutes apart but I was on that end of town on Friday morning.  We met at a convenient location to pick it up.  What a treat!    Homemade Chocolate Mousse Cake.  Thank you, Amy.  It was absolutely delicious. At least eight people have had some and all enjoyed it.   I think there are 2 pieces left which our family of four will share tonight after supper.  :)  

I baked her a loaf of homemade bread and took it to her on Sunday for her family to enjoy as well.  :)

Galatians 6:10 

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, 

and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. 

Women and Friends Girlfriends

I recently  saw the poster below in a gift shop.  I know what you're thinking--she takes her camera into gift shops?!  I carry my new one everywhere with me.  Actually, I didn't have it with me yesterday and MISSED what would have been an amazing shot of two large brown herons walking side by side down the street together!  That won't happen again.   My camera is  a slim one so it fits in my purse or in my hand without any trouble at all and takes great pictures.

Close Girl Friends.  I'm not talking about women that we know who are  simply acquaintances or hordes of friends, like on Facebook, in clubs, at church, etc. although those people are certainly enjoyable.  I mean a few REALLY good, close girl friends with whom you can just pick up the phone and chat, go to for advice, cry with, rejoice with... Sometimes these friends are long distance but when you see each other, it's as though you have never been apart.   I am blessed  to have a handful of these friends.    Did I say a handful?  A few is actually a heart full of them and I am so grateful for their friendships, for most of them, for 25 years or more.

Some people believe that your best friend should be your spouse and I agree that he should be your best friend as well, but no one man can fill the void or has the time or patience to hear everything on a woman's heart.  That's what the Lord loves to do for us (He has all the time we need) and why He provides us with close women friends.  Take advantage of this gift and start developing some girlfriends (if you don't have any close ones) or nurture  the one(s) you already have--older ones and younger ones alike.  Isolation can be a dangerous thing in more ways than one.   Good friends make your heart soar and will always lift you up in times of need.

Our culture breeds independence but in reality, a healthy well-balanced life (if you admit it) has a deep need for others to know us completely and love us dearly.

Proverbs 17:17 

A friend loves at all times, 

And a brother is born for adversity. 

Proverbs 18:24 

A man of too many friends comes to 1ruin,

But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. 

Saturday Fun, At the Beach

A few photos from our fun day yesterday at the beach with some of our oldest and dearest friends:

My husband had asked for a blueberry pie for his birthday, so I made two to share with our friends. This one is the prettier of the two.  :)

Lots of smiles watching their kids, our kids, other kids... one big happy family...

We parents never get tired of just sitting and talking together...

We had planned to go to Boston Fish House for dinner but we left so late that the lines were VERY long.  We went to Norwood's instead for  a delicious dinner!   (Unfortunately we didn't see Bob's leftovers in the back of the car when we unloaded last night in the dark, so we had to throw them away today.)  Birthday dinner guests receive a free slice of key lime pie which we did not know.  

A perfect ending to a lovely day.  The sunset around 8:00 p.m. on the drive home...it was if God was reminding us "it is well, with my soul". 

Saying Goodbye Farewell to a Special Family / Moving Away

First, from my windowsill:

Today is a day of mixed emotions.  It's a beautiful spring day, a time to get outside and enjoy the weather.  The windows are open and the sweet smell of the fresh air is wafting in, birds are chirping--a lovely day in the neighborhood.    It's also a day that we say goodbye to some dear friends in our church who are moving to North Carolina next week.  

This young --30-something--couple  has been with us for about 13 years or so.  We have seen them through the beginning stages of their marriage (the husband was here when he was single), miscarriages,  the birth of two beautiful sons, the sad death of one of them while still very young, career changes, young parenthood, missions ministries and women's ministries.  They have interacted and spent time with so many of the various age groups in our church including both of my sons for which I am grateful.  The Bible verse above is so true for them as their light has certainly shone through the years we have known them.  We have loved them not only for all they do, but for who they have become in the Lord.  

I collect antique lace handkerchiefs which I use regularly and also give as gifts at important stages of life.  As is my custom, I will be giving Abby one of these as one of my  farewell gifts.  I chose this one because it is embroidered with the shape of a cross.   

Goodbyes are always a time for tears so it will probably be needed tomorrow on Easter Sunday as she says goodbye to the rest of our church.   We will be worshipping with our older son at his church tomorrow so we won't get to see them on their last day.  Times like these I am so thankful for email and Facebook to keep in touch with those who are no longer so near and convenient as before.  May God bless them and care for them in their new residence.  Their new friends (unknown as of yet) will be receiving an unbelievable gift.

FAMILY & FRIENDS: Girls' Night Out

This week we had two fun weekday evenings with friends. Tuesday night our family watched Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with another couple, their kids two other high school boys and a single woman. Last night I was invited to a girls' night out with two of my friends to watch Anne of Avonlea, one of my all-time favorite movies. I never read the Anne of Green Gables books until I had children of my own and just love the stories. My husband and son have watched (endured) this very long movie with me once, but I know they don't enjoy it nearly as much as I do. We ladies made a whole evening out of it while our husbands were at a meeting. We had pizza, salad, ice cream & cookies... very simple, but comforting and had fun just being together crying at the touching moments with each other and watching Anne finally decide that she loved Gilbert. :)

I encourage all women to spend some time with each other apart from your husbands and families occasionally. Our men were not meant to meet all of our needs, so why put that excessive pressure on them? Hospitality can be easy and it's so enjoyable to spend a quiet evening in someone's home rather than battle the crowds at the theater. We do splurge occasionally and attend a new film, but I much prefer a home setting to watch movies and visit. It's more affordable and lends itself to more conversation in the long-run. Good, quiet times...

Saturday: Last-Minute Company for Dinner

Hebrews 13:2

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

After today's chores...I cleaned out a wall of garage bins this morning...my husband and sons had an outdoor project to work on...we all had lunch and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. Half of the family took long naps. I was enjoying reading and watching reruns of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (I loved that old program) when my husband got a phone call at 4:00 p.m.---last-minute company is coming for dinner.

Having company and showing hospitality, even the last-minute kind, does not have to cause major stress, especially if you maintain your home regularly. The house was already clean. There was food in the frig and staples on hand. I quickly wiped the bathrooms and dusted a little. We're ready!

We're having a quick, simple supper but enjoying some time with old friends. What's on the menu?

• Loaded baked potatoes (w. cheese, broccoli, sliced fajita beef, onions, sour cream), requested by my son for dinner tonight
• Salad (they're bringing)
• Fresh oatmeal cookies (coming out of the oven now)
• Tomatoes & mozzarella cheese
• Iced tea

Maintain your home a little each day and enjoy having friends over to visit, rather than having a simple social time turn into a nightmare.

FAMILY & FRIENDS: Love Between Brothers

Psalm 133: 1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!

My older son (age 20) did something today that absolutely warmed my heart. He invited his younger brother (almost 15) to spend the day with him sometime this week. As you know, our older one moved out of our home to share a house with some college friends closer to school on August 1. The adjustment has been the hardest for me, but I think our younger son misses him as well. Although we see him every other week or so and talk or email even more often, it is not the same as him living with us and seeing him every day. I was just delighted when he invited his younger brother to spend some time with just him.

How did this happen? Why do they have a good relationship? There is a 5-year age gap between them, so there never has been what I would call sibling rivalry. The older one has always looked after and protected the younger one and I have always encouraged him to do so. They shared a bedroom when they were very young for 3 1/2 years. After that they have had their own bedrooms next door to each other. Homeschooling has helped tremendously since we would all be home together from the time my older son was in the 5th grade. They did field trips together, had many friends in common through our church and neighbors, ate almost all their meals together, played together and have enjoyed many of the same interests. We have never allowed them to roughhouse with each other as I have seen in other families. It's shocking for me to see brothers beat the tar out of each other and I don't think it's helpful to their relationship or with the rest of their families.

It has always been a "mission" for me for them to be at least as close as my brother and I are even to this day and we're in our 50's. I have specifically prayed for them to be good friends as well as brothers and also to love each other well. Parents usually die before their children and I have tried to instill in them that one day when they are older, they will probably be each other's best friend and thankful that they have each other, regardless of their own families. This is a legacy that I hope they instill in their own children. For now, I will just rejoice in their relationship. :) :) (Photo above is when they were 9 and 4 years old.)

FAMILY & FRIENDS: Creative Gifts for Friends

Philippians 1:3-4

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you...

We all have friends and acquaintances other than family that we would like to give small gifts to on their birthdays, Christmas or other special occasion. Women and girls tend to do this more than men or boys. In order to not go into the family budget I try to give something creative or handmade, but not too time-consuming. I love to take photos and people often send me nice ones as well since they know I enjoy editing and framing them. Often I'll make a simple gift of an enlargement print in a tasteful frame as a gift. We have an Old Time Pottery store AND a Bed Bath and Beyond about 2 minutes from our home where I often pick up attractive frames at deeply discounted prices. Picture prints range from 13 cents to $1.50 at the Sam's Club Digital Photo Center which is also nearby. A lovely gift with a personal touch for $5.00 or much less. Don't forget the card (I usually make these on our computer as well).

If you have another skill such as baking, calligraphy or flower arranging, these are much appreciated "homemade" gifts as well. Gift giving does not have to add financial stress. A small, thoughtful gift tells your friend that you cherish and love them.

FAMILY & FRIENDS: Labor Day

Psalm 118:24

This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Not much time to blog today except to say that it's going to be a fun family day for us. Our older son will be home for the whole day with another family coming later in the afternoon for dinner. Hamburgers on the grill, watermelon, corn on the cob...Mmmm...Enjoy your holiday with family and friends, too!

FAMILY & FRIENDS: Making Your Family Feel Special #1

Psalm 139:13

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.

Does your family know how special they are to you? Do you tell them so regularly? Are there any special touches that family members like so they know you value them as individuals? There are so many little things that we can do, most of which are so small you might think "who cares?" but are really noticed by the one the touch is for. I'll use my family of four to illustrate.

My husband likes to have a cup of ice water by the side of the bed before going to sleep at night. I actually just started doing this recently (I like ice water, too). He has commented and even thanked me many times for doing this. It was such a small thing, but he noticed I did something just for him and no one else. One of our sons prefers that the ice in his beverages be in cubes rather than crushed and really appreciates it when I make his glass different from everyone else's with cubes rather than crushed ice (the other is starting to mimic this lately). Our other son really likes it when I go shopping and pick up oranges at the store. Hardly anyone else eats them in our house. Three very small details that some may look at as spoiling the family; I look at it as having studied them and showing them that I noticed that although we are in the same family, we are each different from one another and like different things.

What do they notice about me? I love old sappy TV shows like Touched by an Angel and Little House on the Prairie, and yes, they do occasionally sit and watch an episode with me. That makes me feel special, too. :)

How are you showing your love and valuing the uniqueness in each of your family members? It takes being a student of those you care most about--watching and learning all the time. Moms are in the best position of all to be able to do this. Trust me, they will respond in many positive ways by your being a servant and doing these little acts of love.