A Few Ramblings...

An Apple a Day...

You know the old adage, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away".  I don't think they meant loaded in pies and crisps with sugar, cinnamon, and butter........

I was going to make applesauce with the remainder of my apples, but dear husband begged for another crisp.  So I made THIS recipe.  It looks really good, but I haven't tasted it yet.  And really, how can you go wrong with those ingredients?   

Apples are just one of the reasons I love Fall.  There is something special about the season.  To me, Fall is the start of a new beginning; a prelude of sorts.  I know most people probably look at Spring that way, but plants and flowers need to die off first and rest before new growth can take place.  People are that way too.....there is often something planted inside us, a bad habit, thought patterns, etc., that need to die off before we can experience new growth.  I think Fall is a good time for self evaluation and thoughtful introspect.  (And, the colorful foliage is certainly a delight for the eyes!)

Joy in a little quiet thought.....

HDP

A Good-bye Tear...

My mom was here from out of town for a few days to help celebrate my son's birthday.  We crammed all sorts of fun stuff into our days together.

Monday was the zoo...

Tuesday we enjoyed a little shopping...

Wednesday we went to a pumpkin farm, apple farm, and McDonald's play land for lunch... 

And, Wednesday evening was the birthday boy's celebration.  

Thursday was subdued after the festivities earlier in the week.  We took a neighborhood walk while my son rode his bike and spent some quiet time doing things around the house. 

Then it was time for good-byes.

In the car, after we'd dropped off my mom, my son said, "I miss Grandma already" and he quietly shed a tear.  Once we got home I gave him a big hug and held him for a while.  I gave him a kiss and told him we'd see her again soon.  Later, he was playing with his new Buzz Lightyear toy and his hero came home from work.  All is well in the world.

It's always hard to say good-bye, but knowing you'll be reunited again lightens the sadness.

HDP

Pathways...

I believe that God leads the Christian's paths and through His Holy Spirit guides and directs us in the ways that we should go.  The bible is a lamp at my feet (Psalm 119:105) piloting my life and (hopefully) preventing me from stumbling.  I believe that God knows everything about me and through prayer, studying God's word, and consulting with godly people, I am able to make decisions that are within God's will for my life.  Often times the paths God leads us down, are unfamiliar and may not make sense to others, or even ourselves.  But, through faith, as the old hymn says, it is our responsibility to "trust and obey".

I have faith that God will point me in the direction I should go.  Only He knows the plans (thoughts) He has for me (Jeremiah 29:11). 

Psalm 139:1-10

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

 ¹ O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
 ² You know my sitting down and my rising up;
         You understand my thought afar off.
 ³ You comprehend my path and my lying down,
         And are acquainted with all my ways.
 ⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue,
         But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
 ⁵ You have hedged me behind and before,
         And laid Your hand upon me.
 ⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
         It is high, I cannot attain it.
       
 ⁷ Where can I go from Your Spirit?
         Or where can I flee from Your presence?
 ⁸ If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
         If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
 ⁹ If I take the wings of the morning,
         And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
 ¹⁰ Even there Your hand shall lead me,
         And Your right hand shall hold me.

HDP

What Next.....

So now that I've completed my most recent crochet project, I find myself pondering "what next".

I really want to start working on Christmas gifts and have some ideas in mind, but they require purchasing new yarn.

Forking over money for new yarn right now, is, well, hard to swallow.  Especially when I know I have a closet full of beautiful yarn just waiting to be worked into a warm cover-up or blanket for .......ummm, someone. 

I always purchase my yarn with a project and/or person in mind.  I very seldom buy yarn "willy-nilly".  It's always for this afghan, that blanket, or the latest, isn't that project beautiful just to discover that it has, oh yuck, treble crochets in it.  LOL!  (I really don't like doing treble crochets.)

So, with these thoughts in mind, my next project will likely be with yarn from my "stash".  Which, by the way, was all purchased on sale or, with a coupon.  (I'm a very frugal shopper to my delight and sometimes my husbands dismay.)

Joy in pondering, contemplating and thinking about the little things in life.....that make my life enjoyable!


HDP

My Little One

As I was putting my son to bed last night, he asked me, "Mommy, how does the water, when you turn on the faucet, get in our house?" 

Such is the mind of my son.  He wants to know everything about everything. 

I know there will be a day, when I won't be able to answer his questions (without Google anyway).  He is growing up so fast.  Next month, we'll be celebrating birthday number 5; he's no longer a baby. 

I hope, through the years, he will always know I'll be there for him. 

I found this neat poem I'm going to tuck away and give him at a later date and time........

To My Son

© Amy R. Campbell

Oh how the years go by,
Oh how time can certainly fly.
From once just a thought in far away dreams,
now into my arms and in my eyes gleam
the presence of you.
Your laughter and smiles
which go on for miles,
warms my heart and soul.
You're growing up so fast,
as I wish each moment with you to last forever.
My little boy will someday be a man
and right by your side I will forever stand.
I will pick up the pieces when you fall,
I will hold your hand and help you stand tall.
And when the day comes when you are on your own,
never feel that you are alone.
No matter how near or far apart
I am always right there in your heart.
Always remember whatever you go through
that no matter what, I will always love you.

Source: To My Son, Son Poems http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/family/poetry.asp?poem=2172#ixzz0xfbGDUWt

HDP

Second Chances

We opened our windows last night and turned off the A/C.  It's beautifully cool this morning.  I can hear spontaneous chirping of the birds and the crickets are singing their song.  The cicadas are pleasantly silent, hopefully that is a sign that they are dying off.  We've had a lot of cicada damage to our trees this year.  Although we didn't see many, you could hear their hypnotic humming for a good part of the summer.

My devotional today focused on John 21:1-25.  It is where Jesus revels himself to his disciples after His resurrection.  The later part of the passage, is Jesus giving Peter a second chance.

How many times in life do we wish we had a "do over button"?  Turn back time and choose a different path than the one we chose to lead.  I know I've made many mistakes in my life that I wish I could erase, change, or be given a chance to "do over".

Jesus gave Peter a second chance.  Peter denied Jesus three times, turned his back on his friend in His time of need.  Jesus extends that same mercy to each of us and all we have to do is ask.

I'm thankful for the relationship I have in Christ.  I'm thankful for my salvation through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.  God sent His son to die a horrific death for ME and for all, so that we might have eternal life with Him one day.  My life isn't perfect because of this, but it makes me want to be a better person and make better decisions.

God gives each of us a second chance and it's through His son Jesus Christ.

HDP

Peaceful Contentment

It was cool this morning and the outdoor thermometer read 69 degrees as I came downstairs to start the day.  I threw in my first load of laundry, fixed a cup of coffee and sat down to read my devotions.  I feel peaceful contentment as I get into my Monday routine.

I'm thankful for the weekly rotation.  When Friday rolls around, I look forward to spending time together with my little family.  But, on Sunday evenings, I'm ready for the fresh beginning my Mondays afford. 

I may never have riches or fame, but I have something money can never buy and I'm so thankful for God's peace and His blessings in my life.

HDP

Morning Time

Mornings are my favorite part of the day.  The quiet stillness when you can easily hear the birds chirping and the early morning sound of the cicadas.   In the house, the coffee maker brews my morning cup, the sound of the washing machine's gentle whirring, and the dryer humming as it works.  

What do my devotions have in store for me today?  What words of wisdom can I store in my heart?  I pray.  

Looking outside, the day is fresh.  The morning brings hope.  What will the day have in store?  An unknown author wrote, "Each day is a gift."  And, indeed it is.  What will I do with my gift today?

HDP

Morning glory is the best name,
it always refreshes me to see it.
-   Henry David Thoreau

Monday - The Grind

But in a good way.

When I was working full-time, I really disliked Monday's.  It would start about Sunday afternoon, I'd get a big lump in my stomach just thinking about the coming week.  Little sweat beads of anxiety would form in my gullet as I thought about projects, looming deadlines, and bosses to please.  Fridays were the hope of freedom and slipping out of the bondage of 9 - 5.  Sundays brought to mind the tightening of the chains of obligation.

I have a completely different mindset these days.  I like Mondays.  It's a return to my routine and my sense of normalcy.

Our weekends don't have a lot of structure.  With the exception of Sunday morning "Sunday School" and our Sunday morning church service, we pretty much "wing" our weekends.

Mondays are "the grind"; but it's a smooth grind.  The rhythmically turning wheels in a well oiled machine that produce happy accord.  My Mondays of laundry and grocery shopping set the tone for the week; what cuisine we'll partake of at mealtime, a clean supply of towels for bathing, and the soft scent of freshly laundered sheets in which to lay our heads at bedtime.

I take great joy in my routine; my customary Monday.  It's habitual schedule and structure bring me peace of mind, and harmony in my home.  

Happy Monday!

HDP

Adventures in Blogging

Blogging has become a new adventure for me; another avenue for self discovery.  I've never been good at keeping a journal and often struggle with being faithful to something like this in the long term.  So right now, I'm kind of "winging it", just to find my voice and the words to jot down on my electronic "tablet".  It has been fun so far. 

In my other life, in the business world, I would write letters, memos and e-mails for my bosses.  I've also been a "publisher" and writer for different departmental newsletters in the land of suits, ties, and proper business protocol.  But, writing for myself is a fresh idea; what do "I" want to say today instead of what point the person I am working for is trying to convey. 

So, if my writing seems a little disjointed from day to day, keep in mind, I'm a novice.  At this point, I don't have a goal in mind other than to have a venue for jotting down my thoughts on my little slice of life.  

My joy for today is in this adventure of blogging and the things I'm discovering about myself along the way. Happy blogging!

The Joy of Summer

The word summer brings to mind flowers in bloom, a bright sun exuding warmth on my skin and children riding their bikes down a suburban street.  It reminds me of walking barefoot in the cool grass, running through the sprinkler as a child, and catching fireflies in glass jars as the sun sets on the day.  I look back fondly on summers spent at my maternal grandparents' home on Lake Champlain.  They were lazy days; swinging in a green hammock with white fringe, building sand castles on the beach, floating on inner tubes in the cool water, and eating peanut butter and honey sandwiches for lunch.  My joy for the everyday today is in the beauty around me that brings to mind wonderful memories of my yesterday.