For Today - Saturday - July 9, 2011

Outside My Window. . . The sun is going down and a squirrel is visiting the "water hole", a hollow in the tree that holds water.  Birds and squirrels have been visiting. . . . and God-made waterer/bird bath!

I Am Thinking. . . I need to charge my camera batter and tidy up dining room and bedroom

I Am Grateful. . . that my hubby got to visit his dearest of guy friends, Aqeel.  They don't get to visit with one another nearly often enough. . . 

In The Kitchen . . . there are LOTS of Zipper peas in the fridge.  Hubby picked a bushel full and BL shelled them for free!

I Am Creating. . . a real appetite for peas!  LOL

I Am Going. . . to tidy up and go to bed early.

I Am Reading . . . everything at Dr. McDougall's website.

I Am Hoping . . .  . to wake up early enough to paint my toenails before getting ready for church in the morning.

I Am Hearing . . .A fan humming; a clock ticking and a car driving by.

Around The House . . . is the aroma of Young Living Essential Oils. . . . especially oregano.  I gave my daughter a Raindrop, and oregano is the prevalent smell, undertones of peppermint and Wintergreen and seven other oils!

I Am Wearing. . .khaki shorts and a blue shirt.  

I Am Thinking . . . that hubby should be home before much longer.

I Am Wondering . . . what caused daughter's back to start acting up again?  :(

One Of My Favorite Things. . .Good health!  Mine, my husband's, my mom's, my children and my grandchildren!  

Something You May Not Know About Me. . .I don't have a dish washer.  We wash dishes by hand and it doesn't really bother me.  There's only the two of us and when we have company there is always someone who volunteers to help do dishes. . . . and once we're done - we're done!  

About Today's Photo... Dishes in the drainer!

Morning Dishes, originally uploaded by Vera*Smith.

For Today - Sunday - July 3, 2011

Outside My Window. . . It is hot and sunny. The new hydrangeas and double impatiens are doing well. They are in deep shade and are surviving the heat wave.

I Am Thinking. . .many folks don't understand the meaning of Independence Day. You can read the Declaration of Independence here http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html. . . . Powerful words. Even more powerful ideas!

I Am Grateful. . . that my 90 year old mama spent the night with us last night.

In The Kitchen . . . it's all neat and tidy after making a big breakfast this morning. Mom is used to big breakfasts. Hubby is not. He was glad she was here!

I Am Creating. . . nada. I'm not feeling creative at all. No current projects I'm working on.

I Am Going. . . to take a Sunday afternoon nap.

I Am Reading . . . everything at Dr. McDougall's website.

I Am Hoping . . . .to relax this afternoon.

I Am Hearing . . .A fan humming and the TV in the background.

Around The House . . . is a sense of orderliness. Yes, floors need mopping and furniture needs dusting. . . but all is n order.

I Am Wearing. . . white capri pants and a red v-neck tee shirt. And bare feet.

I Am Thinking . . . how much I enjoy serendipity. Hubby and I went to the movie yesterday. We hadn't been to a movie since Christmas Day. And we sat down right in front of old friends whom we later had dinner with! What joy!

I Am Wondering . . . what news youngest son will get when he goes for doctor follow-up this week.

One Of My Favorite Things. . .Quiet Sunday afternoons!

Something You May Not Know About Me. . .Aw - I don't think there is anything!

About Today's Photo... My90 year old mother's residence lost electricity yesterday. After 6 hours without air conditioning, hubby brought her home to spend the night with us. She did well. . . . considering we called her about 10 PM! She was already asleep, but was VERY hot. This is a picture of her loving on youngest son's cat. They really enjoyed each other's company.

photo take w/ce

ll phone, w/out flash

I Choose. . . . .

I Choose Love. . . No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I Choose Joy. . . I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical, the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I Choose Peace. . . I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I Choose Patience . . . I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I Choose Kindness . . . I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the right, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I Choose Goodness. . . I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse, I choose goodness.

I Choose Faithfulness . . . Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My husband will not question my love. And my children will not fear their Mother will not come home.

I Choose Gentleness . . . Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.

I Choose Self-Control . . .I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love,joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when the day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

Max Lucado from When God Whispers Your Name.

Please note. . . none of these are attributes I posses. . . but they are what I wish to choose. . .

For Today - Friday - July 1, 2011

Outside My Window. . . There are two new hydrangeas and a pink double impatien along the wooded edge. . . .

I Am Thinking. . .that since our County has issued a Fire Ban, it makes no sense to allow fireworks.

I Am Grateful. . . to have this day to piddle around the house.

In The Kitchen . . .3 quarts of fresh Purple Hull Peas simmering on the stove and new red potatoes waiting for me to do something with them. . . . hubby is hoping for hash browns. I'm leaning toward potato salad.

I Am Creating. . . a pretty photographic outdoor spot with the hydrangeas, impatiens, bench and "English Conservatory". I have no idea what it's called. . . but it's pretty. I guess I need to take photos!

I Am Going. . . to check on the hydrangeas and give them a good, long drink of water.

I Am Reading . . . everything at Dr. McDougall's website.

I Am Hoping . . . .to rewrite some notes, rearrange my tiny home office which is now in the Nature Room and edit some photos.

I Am Hearing . . .The air conditioner humming; the peas simmering; the clock ticking and a ceiling fan going around!

Around The House . . . there is lots of dog hairs. We dog-sat for dear daughter while she was on vacation. Our big Golden Retriever, plus hers and her Black Lab. They all shed. . . . it's a hot summer in TX, and I can't blame them!

I Am Wearing. . . white capri pants and a cantaloupe colored sleeveless Tee-shirt

I Am Thinking . . .my life is so very, very blessed.

I Am Wondering . . . if hubby and I will feel up to rearranging our bedroom this weekend.

One Of My Favorite Things. . . fresh fruit and veggies. Many recent suppers have consisted of Purple Hull Peas and FRESH corn on the cob! Very lip smacking good!

Something You May Not Know About Me. . .I've lost 8 pounds in 8 days, following Dr. John McDougall's plan!

About Today's Photo...This is a huge original painting that is one of many displayed on the courthouse square at Christmas! All are painted by inmates. . . .

Linking to The Simple Woman's Daybook. . .

Some Mornings. . . .

Some Mornings. . . ., originally uploaded by Vera*Smith.

The lighting is so vibrant and soft and dreamy all at the same time.

Always new.

Always illusive.

This is the most recent attempt to capture it. . . .

One day I will.

For Today - Monday - March 21, 2011

Outside My Window. . . There is the smell of smoke, from all the leaf burning on Saturday & Sunday. Redbud trees are blooming. Dogwoods are, too. Most of the trees have budded out. And the funny old oak trees are pushing out the last of their dried, brown leaves in preparation for the new buds!

I Am Thinking. . . How very much I love Spring! And how very much I love having the windows open. I wish east TX climate was such that we could keep them open year round.

I Am Grateful. . .that my husband is not suffering from allergies this Spring. He usually does a lot of sneezing, especially when the everything is covered in that yellow pine pollen. But not this year. We figured it's because he has a nightly ritual of rubbing therapeutic grade lavender in/around his nostrils every night to keep him from snoring. And it works like a charm - no more snoring!!!! We didn't realize, though, that one of the positive side effects would be no allergy symptoms! But since lavender is a natural anti-histamine, it makes perfect sense!

In The Kitchen . . .Fruit, veggies, a dishes in the sink, waiting to be washed. And within the hour my hubby. He gets to come home every day for lunch. Again - almost heaven!

I Am Creating. . . .a very aromatic home! Diffusing a blend which includes spearmint, sage, geranium, myrtle, chamomile, nutmeg, orange, tangerine, jasmine, ylang ylang, sandalwood, spruce, lemongrass and neroli. Fantastic! Great, great, uplifting aromas that also disinfect the air. . .

I Am Going. . . to check the load of jeans and wash a load of whites. Then I need to sweep/vacuum and mop the floors. It's a busy day of blessing my home!

I Am Reading . . . oh my. . . . several books. . . and too lazy to get up to get the correct titles!

I Am Hoping . . . .to get home blessing done and then play w/my camera.

I Am Hearing . . . Birds. Probably 8 -9 species of birds. A mild day in east TX w/the windows opened, birds calling, and sweet, sweet smell of natural fragrances in about as close to heaven as I can get.

Around The House . . . Yellow pine pollen and dog hair. Yep - the furniture needs dusting and the floors need cleaning!

And Shiloh needs a haircut!

I Am Wearing. . . plaid pajama pants, gray t-shirt & walking shoes! It's a comfy, stay-at-home look!

I Am Thinking . . .my life is so very, very blessed.

I Am Wondering . . . when we're REALLY going to start landscaping. We still don't have any ideas about this piece of land.

One Of My Favorite Things. . .not having to get dressed and leave the house!

Something You May Not Know About Me. . . my youngest son got married on March 14!

About Today's Photo...Youngest son & his bride, a few months before getting married.

Daily Journal - Special Christmas Edition

Yesterday was a simply wonderful day. It started off with a quick trip to pick up a couple of gift cards, but not any old gift cards! These gift cards are each worth a one hour massage from our favorite therapist, Renita! Dearest daughter because of her back injury 7 years ago, can really use a massage every now and again. Her hubby, who is trying to beat a PhD deadline, is sometimes stressed & he too can really use an hour of pampering. So - one hour massages are the perfect gifts that don't add clutter to their lives!

After getting the cards I picked up my 89 year old mama. Yep - I'm 60. She's 89. I still call her mama! I'm a southern girl. Yes, I am.

Anyway - back to my story & why it deserves a special edition of its own. My daughter had us & her older brother & his family over for dinner yesterday because it's gonna' be impossible to all get together on Christmas day. She had a wonderful lunch of meatballs, mashed potatoes, green beans & cranberry sauce. I brought Maxine's fabulous homemade sourdough bread & my son brought two yummy desserts. {note to self: the family's favorite seems to be cheesecake!} Afterward we watched, "While You Were Sleeping". . . actually only some of us watched it & some of us napped! :) When it was over, shortly after 4, there was a hustle & bustle of son's family getting coats on, gathering things & hopping into their vehicle, to make a 4:30 appointment with the Realtor to look at the land that's for sale across the street from us!

Now - I could write an entire blog completely devoted to the wonderfulness of having my son & his wife willing and eager to live across the street from his dad & me. It really does humble us. First Amanda & David moved just 15 minutes away from us & now our son is considering moving nearby. We are blessed. . . & we know it. These are the things we ponder in our hearts. These are reasons we live lives of gratefulness and joy.

Back to the story. Hubby & I & mama tagged behind a bit, but we showed up in time for me to walk to the back of the 10 acres & admire the gorgeous piece of property. Mama & hubby stayed across the street in our cozy little cabin.

Once they were through looking, no decisions nor offers were made but it sure would be nice if there was some clear indication this is what God has next for them. . . (just as he did for us) - we gathered at the cozy little cabin for a campfire & wienie roast. Boy! What a run-on sentence! Oh - never mind!

The campfire area is really beautiful. . . hubby has stacked rocks around it & there's a concrete bench near it along with several outdoor chairs. The fire area is really lovely & I really am sorry I don't have any pics of it! We deliberately built it in a relatively cleared area outside the viewing area of the dining room, which is mostly windows! This was done so my my mom & other friends & family who may not want to get into the actual camping area, have a chance to watch the fire from the cozy inside!

While sitting in there, watching the campfire getting lit, mama asked if I thought she could go out there. I explained we'd have to go around the house, because the steps from the kitchen are way too steep. Instead of her cashmere dress coat we put her in one of hubby's heavy work jackets. And a pink hat to keep her ears warm. And a hand-knitted scarf tucked in around her neck. She was READY!

I had a flashlight with us & carefully held on to her hand. While walking to the back of the cabin we admired the moon, which was almost full, & her face lit up as we approached the roaring campfire! My son gave up his seat for her & we got her settled in. She looked around at everyone. . . . my hubby, her great grandchildren (ages 8-19) & their friend, her grandson & his wife, her grandson-in-law, etc.

And she. . . .

Smiled!

And.

She.

Said.

"I Don't Feel 89!"

I almost started crying. What better Christmas gift could she receive than to feel younger than her almost 9 decades of life? She ate a hot-dog & chips & even ate a roasted/toasted marshmallow & she basked in the warmth of the fire & the warmth of her family.

Is her life perfect? No.

Are our lives perfect? No.

But for a little while mama seemed to be completely at ease. You see, she has macular degeneration & doesn't see well at all. She's completely deaf in her right ear & has very little hearing in her left. Even with a lot of people around she lives a life of isolation.

But none of that mattered around the campfire: she could see that!

And while she couldn't understand any of the conversations going on, she could hear they were happy ones without any arguing or politicking or snarkiness. Just her family laughing & having a good time.

The best Christmas of all is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up with one another.

So Merry Christmas, Mama. I'm guessing that soft, fuzzy fleece blanket I got you isn't going to compare at all to feeling younger for a couple of hours!

With love & gratefulness,

Merry Christmas to all!

For Today - December 20, 2010

Outside My Window. . . it is getting light outside.  I've been up since 6AM. . . snapped some pix of the Christmas tree, etc., before camera battery went dead.  It is also very chilly - but that is okay.  After all, it's almost winter!

I Am Thinking. . . that unintended consequences oftentimes turn out simply wonderful!

I Am Grateful. . .that I got to spend yesterday w/most of my family.

In The Kitchen . . . is a bag of marshmallows & bags of chips.  Something that doesn't appear too often in my kitchen unless kids/grand-kids are expected!

I Am Creating. . . .a special posting about my mama.

I Am Going. . . to church, then make a quick visit to a dear friend before he departs for an overseas trip.

I Am Reading . . .nada.

I Am Hoping . . . .for an uneventful day.

I Am Hearing . . . the EdenPURE humming & Shiloh snoring.  And a bird chirping outside. 

Around The House . . . are leaves on the floor & throws waiting to be folded on backs of couches & chairs.  Evidence there were people here.  People snuggling on couches.  :)

I Am Wearing. . .flannel pajamas & a deep red maroon robe.

I Am Thinking . . . that my mama received the best Christmas present she could ever have!

I Am Wondering . . .if my oldest son & his family made it safely home.  No matter how old they are (40), I still wonder.

One Of My Favorite Things. . .Getting together w/family w/o a lot of *agenda*.  I'm not overly fond of having every moment of a gathering choreographed & scheduled.  I like impromptu!

Something You May Not Know About Me. . .Christmas is one of my least favorite holidays.  I'm not Scrooge about it. . . . but I'm happy to have others take over the dinners & plays & holiday merry-making.

About Today's Photo. . .Mama - 

For Today - December 9, 2010

Outside My Window. . . It is just getting light. . . . and it is cold!  But not as cold as Oslo, Norway, where my youngest son is visiting until the end of January!

I Am Thinking. . . I need to tidy up the house.  I've been gone since Monday, getting home last evening. 

I Am Grateful. . .that I got to spend the last couple of days w/my daughter-in-law & grand-kids.  They are the best!  I'm also grateful for having much of the Christmas shopping done.

In The Kitchen . . . I am smelling meat pies and franincense!  I bet that is indeed an original sentence. . . one arethat's not been spoken before!  LOL 

Meat are pies  in the oven for breakfast because there are no eggs nor oatmeal.  Nothing else hot to eat!!!!  So out from the freezer came a meat pie from Lasyone's Meat Pie Restaurant in  Natchitoches, Louisiana.  Hubby made a run there not too long ago to buy some to have for Christmas.  He bought enough to have a few extra ahead of time!  The kitchen is getting warm from heating them up in the oven!

There is also the aroma of frankincense.  I bought some resin & burned some in the kitchen this morning.  A wonderful, wonderful fragrance!

I Am Creating. . . .a place I like to be!  I love being at home.  I love tweaking the decor.  I love cooking & baking & laughing & loving here in this little  home!

I Am Going. . . to call mama, do some laundry, tidy house, & vacuum.  And have the 7th of 8th Bible study sessions here today.

I Am Reading . . . my  Bible lesson.

I Am Hoping . . . .my son can survive the Oslo winter!  Current time there: 2 PM.  Current temps: 5 degrees F.! 

I Am Hearing . . . the EdenPURE humming & the oven cycling on/off as it heats my breakfast.

Around The House . . . Frankincense, Christmas decor, and a cat.  We're cat-sitting for youngest son.  She is the sweetest cat there ever was.   Content to travel across country w/son, she seems to be adapting well to the cozy little cabin.  This is not her home of origin - the old house was - but she seems to be just fine.  Even w/our bear of a dog: Shiloh!


I Am Wearing. . . two pairs of socks, Cuddle Duds, velour pants, turtleneck & velour robe.  It's chilly in here!

I Am Thinking . . . there's no place like home!

I Am Wondering . . . how son is enjoying Norway in winter!

One Of My Favorite Things. . .Getting & staying warm!  I don't like it hot - I don't like it cold.  Warm/cool work best for me!

Something You May Not Know About Me. . . My least favorite Christmas song is "Frosty the Snowman".  I think I was hearing it in stores/restaurants while it was still  October!

About Today's Photo. . .My son after a whirlwind drive from Oregon to Texas; a quick shower, 1.5 hour nap, and on the way to the airport, 3 hours away! 

For Today - November 28, 2010 - Sunday

Outside My Window. . . It is dark. I usually blog in the morning but I'm waiting to do a wee bit of Cyber Monday shopping. I would have thought it would be 11 PM Central time. . . . but I think I'm wrong.

Anyway - it's dark outside & it's been cold. It seems to me we have an entirely too long summer and way too short autumn. Sometimes it seems as if we go straight from summer to winter!

I Am Thinking. . . that it's been a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with lots of family here.

The little cabin did just fine with a total of 13 folks here. That's not as many as we've had in the past, but since this was our first year here, I guess that's a good thing.

Setting up the buffet in the Nature Room was a good idea. . . . I think it worked out just fine.

Setting up a card table in the dining room wasn't such a good idea. With wing-backed chairs it was too crowded . . . . . & the chairs sat way too low. Next year we'll have tray tables for in there & move the card table to the living room.

But all-in-all it worked out fine. . . . with a delicious dinner consisting of fried turkey (great job, Simon!), ham, mashed potatoes, homemade mac/cheese, dressing, broccoli/rice casserole, Maxine's homemade bread!, green bean casserole, cranberries and, are you ready for this? A steady supply of HIPPIE TEA! I don't know all what is in it, but it seems that Hibiscus flowers are a main ingredient. My son & several grandchildren really like it! And of course DESSERTS! Lots of yummy desserts. Friends joined us in the evening & brought lots of desserts, too. I think I've had enough sweets for quite a while!

I Am Grateful. . . that my daughter & daughter-in-law convinced our friends to leave their twin boys with us for the evening. I was taking my mom back home when our friends from west Africa stopped by. Unfortunately they had to leave before I got back, but like I said, were convinced to leave the boys at our house! Oh - they are so much fun, although they pretty much wore out the 8 adults who watched them! LOL

In The Kitchen . . . lots of turkey, broth & soup! Come over - I'll share some with you!

I Am Creating. . . .a December calendar..

I Am Going. . . to bed as soon as I make my online purchase. This is late for me!

I Am Reading . . . nada.

I Am Hoping . . . .my daughter & her beloved dog, Promise both start feeling better. Daughter is run down w/a cold & sore throat & Promise had surgery for a twisted stomach. She is 13 & the best of companions & came through the surgery just fine. . . . I'm hoping she makes a quick & complete recovery.

I Am Hearing . . . the EdenPURE humming. It's a wonderful little heater. . . .

Around The House . . .it's just me. Hubby goes to work tomorrow so he's already in bed. It's just me & the dog in the computer room.

But speaking of my dog - - - - he ate some of my son's dog's dog food...dog food that was spilled onto the pea gravel path. Apparently my dog does NOT chew his food as he hurled up almost 1/2 cup of gravel! HE's the one who should have a twisted stomach!

I Am Wearing. . . black velour pants & a red turtleneck.

I Am Thinking . . .that the 10 foot, 3 inch church pew is the very best curbside find I've ever made!

I went to pick up mama Thanksgiving morning & bring her to our house. As I drove through town I saw it sitting on the curb, next to a giant trash can & two bags of trash: an old, long church pew! A perfectly wonderful church pew! A real treasure of a church pew. A really, really long church pew!

As soon as I got home, hubby went back into town to see if it would fit in our van = nope, not a chance. And not in any of the other vehicles that were already here. I called my daughter, but they had already left their house and were NOT in the truck.

Well, there was no use crying over it & I quickly got side-tracked with all the last minute preparations.

Later in the evening when I came back from taking mama back home, my son-in-law was leaving to go back to his house to get the truck to bring me the pew! Isn't he just the best? I didn't have to ask him again to do it - - - apparently he remembered on his own! Once he arrived in town with the truck my hubby & grandson joined him to help load it up.

That pew already has some very good memories to it. . . . a fabulous *find*, my daughter's fabulous hubby going after it for me & my hubby & grandson going out in the bad weather to help load it up! What a treasure!

I Am Wondering . . . if my daughter is getting a good night's sleep & if my coupon code will work 13 minutes from now!

One Of My Favorite Things. . .Finding great stuff on the side of the road!

Something You May Not Know About Me. . . It's November 28 & I heard "Frosty the Snowman" twice while at lunch today. I do not particularly care for that song. I especially don't care for it when it's still November.

About Today's Photo. . .My husband & one of the twins. Aren't they both adorable?

179/365 ~ The Two of Them, originally uploaded by Vera*Smith.

For Today - November 24, 2010 - Wednesday

Outside My Window. . . It is cool & breezy & the leaves of autumn are falling & swirling & piling up on the ground.  It s perfect.

I Am Thinking. . . I have never been this content in any home, at least not the day before Thanksgiving.  You see, the other house had flowers.  Lots of flowers.  Oh how I have mourned not having any perennials or roses at this house.  Something was blooming almost year round.  But usually nothing on Thanksgiving Day.  Why?  Because we most often had a frost w/in the Thanksgiving week & the beautiful gardens turned to mush.  They usually looked just horrible. 

But that's not a problem here because there are very blessed few flowers!  Just a scraggly lantana & ruellia.  I'm not certain if the azaleas & hydrangeas we planted survived the summer.  They sure don't look like they have!  NOTE TO SELF: Never do any landscaping until you've been in a place for at least one year!

The point being is that there is no fear of the flowers being ruined at Thanksgiving.

There is something better at this house than autumn flowers.  Oh yes - I've bought some mums & pansies - but the real stars of the show are the trees!  Sweet gums, winged oak,  sassafras & I don't know all what else!

I may miss the flowers again next summer . . . . but not at all this autumn.  The trees are enough.  They are more than enough.  They are beautiful.

I Am Grateful. . . that I took the time to go on a short walk this morning.  I had my clippers with me just in case the Yaupon Holly was still holding on to its bright red berries as I wanted to bring some more into the house to use in a table arrangement along w/some branches of colorful leaves.

As I said earlier the air was crisp & cool & breezy.  The side road next to our house is covered w/colorful leaves.  Covered!  Instead of a wintry day blanket of snow it's a blanket of leaves!  An old red pickup truck came by, kicking up the leaves behind it just like you see in a car commercial!

I was so enjoying the falling leaves & the breeze & the birds singing when  spied the holly & yes!, the red berries are still covering it!  I impulsively threw my arms out into the air & spun around!  Yes!  Like a child I spun around w/glee! 

And then it hit me . . . I haven't felt that sort of freedom since I was a little girl.  I ran to the holly w/my arms outstretched like a kid pretending to be an airplane!  Like seeing an old friend!

And I was overwhelmed with such contentment.  And joy.

Now don't get me wrong. . . . I am most often very contented: sleeping on my husband's chest; spending time w/my children & grandchildren; having God reveal something to me through His word.  Contentment is a regular part of my life.  But there are lots of ways to experience contentment.

At the old house I experienced it outdoors with my flowers & today I experienced it outdoors w/the trees & berries & leaves!  And the birds chirping!  It was like Disney movie, except so much better!  It was real!

Ah - I've been glowing ever since!  It's a very nice day.

From The Kitchen . . . pumpkin seeds roasting; & all the ingredients to make pecan tarts & broccoli/rice casserole.  Oh!  And 4 loaves of Maxine's fabulous sourdough bread!

I Am Creating. . . .an abundant life.  An abundant life filled with love.

I Am Going. . . . .to get off the computer & more progress on my to-do list.

I Am Reading . . . my to-do list! ;)

I Am Hoping . . . . to hold on to this sublime feeling.

I Am Hearing . . . the wind through the trees.  A car passing by.  And those acorns hitting the roof!

Around The House . . .Busy-ness.  The busy-ness of getting ready for a holiday.  Since Thanksgiving is my all-time favorite holiday I don't mind it at all!

I Am Wearing. . . Capris, lightweight denim shirt & walking shoes.

I Am Thinking . . .if I make it through my list I must go out & take picture this evening.  Before I know it all the leaves will be off the trees!

I Am Wondering . . . about nothing.  Not really.  All of life is wonder-ful.  So either I'm wondering about nothing.  Or else about everything!

One Of My Favorite Things. . .Sublime contentment!

Something You May Not Know About Me. . . My given middle name is Mae.

About Today's Photo. . .Isn't this a crazy way to make a to-do list?  Does yours look so "mappy"? 

I am happy to say that a great many of the jobs have been checked off the list!