Storms Are Likely

The question is not, will there be storms?
The question is: will I be ready?

 I have been doing lots of digging these last few weeks.Preparing my garden for winter requires that I remove all the bulbs cana, dahlia, gladiola, and cala which I plant so frivolously in the spring.
Each  needs to be removed and stored in the dark in preparation for more growth and blooming the following summer.

                            a few glimpses... the children(in upper photo)were visiting...

                          I always breathe a sigh of relief when this arduous task is done.


         Storms and seasons come and go . As I 'hide' these bulbs away in my cellar to retrieve in due season , my heart holds on to the promise of things to come, and I know that I can weather many storms if I am  prepared and  have hid His word in my heart.
                   Thy Word have I hid in my heart.... Psalm 119:11

     We can never be lilies in the garden, unless we have
                  spent time as bulbs in the dark.   (unknown)




 almost forgot this..104.shelter from the storm,105.sewing Sommer's 'Dorthy dress' 106.strength for each new day,107.anticipation 108.faith 109.apple-blueberry cobbler,cinnamon spice tea,110.music that stirs my soul,111.phone call from a friend,112. a new workout to try113.again-Divine protection,114.the rejuvenation of a shower,115.hope eternal...

Prayers to everyone affected by hurricane Sandy.

 

A Balanced Philosophy

Never be so observant you can't focus,
Or so focused, you can't observe. L.M.

Ha, how appropriate that this is what is in my head as daughters goof off in kitchen while making Sunday supper of nachos...." Mom how long?( in the microwave she asks?)

A fulfilled life is a steady walk of balance.

Reminds me of this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LSR7Rx0W34
 we watched it on live television a few months ago.I remember watching in awe as this man, a 7th generation stunt walker made history.
http://www.squidoo.com/flying-wallendas

Balance brings us harmony, and also creates a sense of order in an often rushed and chaotic world.

"There is a ditch on both sides of the road,"this is how  my husband will often sum up a discussion about things that just can't be solved with pat answers. He says it , his Mom said it, and it was a phrase passed on, for it's  simple but real reminder to keep our lives balanced and in order.

Are you like me sometimes finding it hard to know just where that balance is?
 I like to be busy, but not so busy that I feel overwhelmed in the moment!
 I like holidays and down time but too much, can make me long for the rhythm of routine.
 I love being around people but too long, and too many people, make me crave quiet.

Thankfully we serve a gracious God. He holds the tightrope we are on and balances each step.

May your week ahead bring you a beautiful bouquet of balance!

                                                                                      

 To everything there is a season......

and a time to every purpose under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3 :1

 so much gratitude here tonight....
91.a wonderful week with eldest daughter home, 92. that the little 'fender bender' she was in tonight on the way back in torrential rains  wasn't worse.THANK_YOU LORD!93.that these things help us become who we are,94.that I felt compelled to pray as she left,even more than usual for some reason,95.Mom and sister day fun, a few days ago,96.a free night in a hotel with sweet friend and four little girls with us 97. helping Carroll with a wedding she was catering and how weary can mean a job well done. 98.impromptu date at a local cafe I had never visited...sooooooo up my alley; filled with unique, one of a kind things...99.me:)100.Quiet Sunday afternoons,101. Scrabble with youngest when everyone else was away,102.second daughter cleaning bedroom without my prompting!103.everyday miracles like tidy dresser drawers,104.for kids who play practical jokes,eg: I was away for one night, and I have often said that whenever I'm away and come home, it doesn't take long for me to look around and sum up the order of their days.This time my son decided he'd hang bathing suits out on the clothes line to see if I would ask what they were up to.Didn't work so well this time, I saw them and thought 'that's funny my daughter hasn't worn that one in a while:) but it sure made me smile that he went to this trouble for me...:)





 

Instant Access

       

                                   



God ,Thank-you that when I call on you
You never say you're too busy.

You are never distracted and unable to hear me.
You don't say' what was that?'
I can't believe you'd ask me that!

You are there.
You hear every prayer on my lips.

Once!! The very first time!

It's that simple and that complex.

Thank-you, your daughter.


          It really 'hit me' today when I was praying just what a beautiful blessing
                         our direct line to heaven is.

 

 

 

 

 

81.shopping with daughter,82.visiting neighbour recovering from a bad horse accident, 83.that time heals,84.opportunity to share faith through the crisis,85,lovely fall leaves,86.canning the last beets from the garden,87.girl untangling yarn 88.girl knitting,89.nourishing muffins,(carrot pineapple)
90.books that make me ponder.




 

Sisters;Surpassed Devotion

I have learned much by watching my two youngest daughters and observing
                     their devotion to one another.

Very opposite personalities are best summed up in this humorous story.
Miss Demure had given Miss Drama her bath one night. The water temperature must of left something to be desired. I overheard Miss Drama say as she blow dried her hair, HEAT!! Feels so GOOOOOODDD!!!
To which Miss Demure staidly responds," I gave you a bath, you should be grateful!"

Needless to say they have 'carried one another's  burdens' (Galation6:2) in all kinds of ways, and shared in each others  joy.
                  I am here on the swing thinking, watching, listening....

I hear....
'what do you like better, raking or jumping? 'cos if you like raking better, I'll jump!'
no, the piles not big enough yet!
fall is my favourite season. Mom ,what is yours? Today it is fall.' I smile.

        Of two sisters one is always the watcher,one the dancer.
                                                        Louise Gluck

 

          We were sisters both bound and separated by genetics and circumstance. We were fragile and tough, stubborn for reasons all our own. (Margaret Becker)

I wanted to add my other two daughters as well, but decided it would be too long a post.

So someday I will try and capture their relationship.

It may read a little like The Tale Of Two Cities....smile.

                    

71.my four sisters,72.eldest daughter home for reading week,73.the bustle of a new week,74.daughter baking,75.trusting Him,76.the word yes,77.freedom to worship,78.lower gas prices,79.joy in the mundane,80.enthusiastic children.

Does Anyone Have A Tissue?

 You will laugh, you will cry,and if you are anything like me, you will feel inspired, to see with new eyes, the people placed in your path.

A little while ago, a friend, (thank you Mynie) recommended this book.

Same kind of Different As Me.

'a rich,soul stirring, read. '
                usually I like to savour my books, enjoy them slowly, in small bites.

This one begged me to finish it.
              
At times humorous and other times heart wrenching,
your mind will be engrossed in this powerful ,true story.

             The truth about it is,whether we is rich or poor or somethin in between,
               this earth ain't no final resting place. So in a way,we is all homeless-
                          just workin' our way toward home. Denver Moore




thanks again-61.cana bulbs out,62.attending ladies night with a friend last evening,63. we have a God who cares and works out details,64. details;the little things that make up life,65.sleepovers here with friends,66.popcorn and movie,67.pyjamas,68.browsing antique store with my mom-in-law69. the opportunity to bless,70.leftovers for supper:)

As Simple as a Smile

Our eyes met as we walked in each others direction. At first I thought I'd avert them and just keep right on striding towards my destination,At the last minute I recanted though and smiled a "hello".
With  true, genteel manner the stranger returned  my greeting. I carried on with my duties feeling a little lighter for having shared something so menial as a smile.

It really is true isn't it, that it does not take much sometimes to make our own day just a little brighter.


Why am I often tempted to think that anything I have to offer,really can't make much of a difference.
 Isn't that right when the evil one is gloating; thinking "good I have her where I want her" The lies from him are endless, and he knows just which ones will work on each of us.
You'll never be as good as her. You'll never stop that bad habit.You'll always feel like a failure.
On and on he can keep us in bondage.

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love and of power and of a  sound mind.
                             2 Timothy1:7



How wonderful that we can have victory through Christ, and be filled with LOVE,  POWER , and
a SOUND MIND. I love that verse,don't you?


I hope your day is filled with ways you can bless others,
         and in return feel blessed from Above.

                     some smiles your way.....

 51.sunshine to work outdoors in,52. colds don't last forever,53.kleenex for this cold,54.a good book,55.a daughter who is disciplined in reading the Word,56.pumpkins to cook and freeze for later,
57.clothes for each season,(even though the tee shirts are packed away the memories of summer linger on)58.ginger tea,59.grocery stores,60.smiles.

Heart Murmurs

please listen to the music..

                                   
                                                     


 After all ,I muse, I knew that time would steal you from me,
I have been preparing myself for this for so long.

You never, really, were solely mine.
Your heart danced ,and I watched as you followed it's lead.

I could never call you back, and pretend it's all okay.
For life is not merely a stage on which we carry out our whims.

It is much more than that.
The ache and the longing accompany deep emotions.

In order to have peace, one needs to release our fears.
Believe in Hope.

Then dear child, and only then,is freedom found.


 
I wrote the above a few days ago. I was feeling a wave of fear/anxiety about the future, and all the unknownsit holds. Then I had to remind myself that God has ordained my/our destiny.Although we are allowed to choose, the outcome isn't some random happening.http://bible.cc/psalms/139-16.htm

gratitude today:41.grace from others, for others, and from Above,42. making sweet potato french fries with sweet husband:)43. and another little indulgence;making tea balls( and thinking about my mother as she used to make them too)44. hosting a family from church that we don't know very well,45.shelter,it's really windy today,46.soft hearts 47.the lure of words,48.reading good writing49.beds that are made ,50.the privilege to be at home.



 

Embracing The Old

The Imperfect Perfect

There is something comforting about things that are rather well worn and a bit tattered per say.

One of my children's favourite books was Old Hat, New Hat by Stan& Jan Bernstein.  
Mr. Bear is shopping for a new hat and after trying many hats on,he puts his old one back on his head and declares it "JUST RIGHT!"
What makes certain, old things so alluring?
Is it the story behind it, or the lack of expectation we may have for it?
After all, it's old!










In decorating it's called( shabby chic.)

 

 

Lovely way to describe a easy and simplistic style that is comfortable because it is lived in and the old is embraced.

 





Hosting guests can at times be reason to stress, especially if I feel somehow things need  to be perfect.
Over the years, I have learned some of the best times were had when company showed up without a lot of notice. This way everyone can relax, and I don't have time to stress about the details!

                 


        







          So next time you're feeling like things are less perfect than you've envisioned,
     Take heart ;and remember ,this could be a big step
     in the direction of ultimate perfection.

                          I love old gardens best- tired,old gardens
                               that rest in the sun.
                                        (H. Bellaman)





more gratitude here...29.waking in time to see sunrise,30. five  children around table eating warm cookies and milk after school,31.seeing girls share happiness,32.a father in the dentist office holding child while looking at a bible story book, 33. no cavities, 34.the words" I'm sorry."35.sunshine,36.a new day,37.prayer,38.encouraging friends,39.hydro,40.time spent outdoors,










 

Falling Fast

                                            It's Fall.
 The sky wrestles between moody greys and opulent clouds.The sun comes out in short intervals as  it   adjusts    to it's reprieve as well.

                             

 The corn fields stand in silent surrender,awaiting the reaper.

  

The forests and woodlands burst with stunning vibrancy.                The magnificent colours sweep the landscape 
               with a grand gesture of benevolence.

The gardens have a weathered appearance . Bravely the flowers bloom on ,as if completely unhindered by the sudden chill in the air.






          





   Lamenting is useless. Completely unnecessary.
Tears and joy mingle to imbue the present with raw beauty.

Only when we have come to the place where we can say,"yes, it is all beautiful.
The hope, the passion,  the thriving,  the surrender."



                                        via google


We humbly whisper "thank-you" in awe and adoration.
                                             



more gratitude,17.family time,18.friend time,19.pumpkin parfait,(a yummy dessert:)20.creative children,21.thanksgiving dinner at sister's 22.being able to cuddle a baby in the nursery,23.reading to girls at bedtime,24.a ride for daughter stranded at school,25.eggs from our chickens,26.music and silence.27.Divine protection.28.Helping hands to empty out the garden.
                                     
                                                            (a few weekend pics....)

                                

Gathering Gratitude

Please listen to the beautiful song...

in lieu of Thanksgiving here in Canada.

                

 

 

To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us - and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him.

Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.”
― Thomas Merton

 

 

 so many times I've thought of writing a gratitude list , and been a bit embarrassed that I haven't started one. Well here goes; beginning late may be better than never beginning.

1.The four seasons,2.my four daughters,3.one faithful husband,4.one terrific son who makes me smile,5.a husband who can fix most things 6.hearing a great song on the radio when I'm driving alone and I can turn up the volume:)7.piano teacher who comes to my house 8.waiting ,and the blessing it can be. 9.supper in the oven 10.flowers and hydrangea,11.laughter& it's healing properties,12.a bible study on the book of Esther 13.grace beyond comprehension,14.consignment stores, 15.light for my bike so I can ride at dusk,16..health more valuable than any wealth...



           I would like to cultivate more gratitude in my life, so I will try and add
                                                                                              to the list with each post.






 

 

 

The Two Sides Of Life

      ~a few nights ago I watched the sun set , while I stood in the
                                         pouring rain.
                   this seemed a bit unusual, and it was such a reminder
          to me that the sun IS always shining somewhere...
                   hope it shines for you today...

A song I learned as a child goes like this...

There's a dark and a troubled side of life,
There's a bright and a sunny side too.
Though we meet with the trouble and strife                                    
The sunny side we also may view.
Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side.
Keep on the sunny side of life.
It will help you along the way,
It will brighten every day.                                                                                  
If you keep on the sunny side of life.