An Award

I was recently given this blog award from these two sweet blogging sisters--
Liz at http://craftfrommyheart.blogspot.com/ and
Annie at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

Thank you so much! I am honored that you come by to visit me and are kind enough to give me this award.

I am going to award this to those listed on my right sidebar bloglist. Please feel free to take this ( I think you all have beautiful blogs :) and please pass it on and bless other blogger friends.

Thankful Thursday and The Smallest Blessings

Sonya at Truth 4 The Journey has invited us to join her and list of five things for which we are thankful.




And join The Southern Housewife for The Smallest Blessings. Check out her blog and read about others' blessings.









The blessing that I am telling you about today is small... but also is a HUGE blessing at the same time:) - an expected grandbaby! This is our DIL Jess and her "baby belly". She took this picture herself. Isn't she a cute mommy? Of course, you know that Jess is the mommy to our grandson Sam. I think I've mentioned him a time or two:)

So this is our "smallest" blessing - a grandbaby due on November 28th. And Jess is a blessing too!!:)

Five things for which I am thankful:

1) I am thankful for our growing family - Our son Tim is engaged to Brooke, and they are getting married in August!!! So we are going have another wonderful daughter-in-love!:) God has blessed us so richly!

2) I am thankful for Brooke, and how she lets Christ shine through her life.

3) I am thankful that Jonathan is healing from having his wisdom teeth removed last week. And for the time he spent with us recuperating here.

4) I am so thankful for the good health of our children and grandchildren.

5) I am going to say this again- I am thankful for blogging friends who share their lives online. I laugh, cry, pray, learn something new and am inspired every week. What a blessing is this community of special ladies!

Wordless Wednesday - Salt and Pepper

Please stop by and visit Dixie over at French Lique, Texas for more pictures on Wordless Wednesday where today's theme is Salt and Pepper.

Show and Tell Friday- Memorial Day Weekend

Kelli @ There's No Place Like Home is hosting Show and Tell Friday. Don't miss seeing Kelli's special items! And be sure to check out all of the other treasures of those participating this week!

Remembering Dad...the veteran.

U.S. Army

Dad and Mom on their wedding day.

Dad writing a letter to Mom while in Korea. No email, video conferencing, or phones. Mom said that mail often took a month to arrive.

My grandfather (Dad's dad) holding my older brother, Loyd (their only child at the time) and Dad's picture in 1951.

Mom and Dad - 4oth Anniversary
Dad passed on into heaven in November, 2006. We love and miss him very much.
Mom and Dad had just celebrated their 59th anniversary that September.
What a blessing to have them as our parents...

I hope you have a wonderful weekend:)

Wordless Wednesday -"Yummy Tatoes!"-

Please stop by and visit Dixie over at French Lique, Texas for more pictures on Wordless Wednesday where today's theme is Blogger's Choice.

The Simple Woman's Daybook- May 18,2009

Stop in and visit Peggy over at Simple Woman's Daybook.




For Today... May 18,2009

Outside my window...beautiful sunny day- rather chilly though. Our furnace actually kicked on when I first got up this morning! But we are heading for 82 degrees by Wednesday!

I am thinking...about how our son Ben just earned his second Masters Degree while on his way to his PhD. And with becoming a new daddy in March- that is quite an accomplishment! Very little sleep... Congrats Ben!!

I am thankful for... Our sweet little grandchildren Sam and Sophia AND the new little on the way come November!

From the kitchen...the smell of coffee, Good Morning America on tv. And I need to load the dishwasher. I watched the Hallmark movie The Magic of Ordinary Days on YouTube last night instead of doing them then.

I am wearing... pajamas-come on, you know me by now:) I just left this comment here from last week:)

I am hoping... to get lots of projects done ahead of time before the graduation party in mid June.

I am hearing...usual morning traffic. The garbage truck's squeaky brakes as it makes it's stops down our street. Birds chirping.

I am praying...for our son Jonathan -he's having his wisdom teeth removed on Thursday.

Around the house... laundry (of course:), deep cleaning the living room- pull out couch,etc.,

One of my favorite things...blackberry pie/cobbler- my grandfather (a farmer) used to bring us a gallon bucket full of wild blackberries that he had picked in a hedge row or near a woods. Mom would freeze them, but then save some out and make them into a cobbler for dessert that night. I think I like blackberry cobbler the best because of the wonderful memories that go with it:) What foods have sweet memories attached to them for you?

A few plans for the rest of the week...get things done around the house and then be ready to take care of Jonathan after his oral surgery later in the week.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...*

Ben and Lisa

Here is Ben's Master of Science degree that he was just awarded from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

Here is Ben with Sophie, who brings him a High Degree of JOY!:)

Thankful Thursday and The Smallest Blessings

Sonya at Truth 4 The Journey has invited us to join her and list of five things for which we are thankful.




And join The Southern Housewife for The Smallest Blessings. Check out her blog and see what its all about.







I love how our apple and cherry trees bloom in the Spring. This is the view from our patio doors by our kitchen table each morning.

The blooms only last about a week before they fall off. They are at their peek right now.

I am thankful for this blessing of the beauty of nature that greets our day.
Can't you just see grand kids climbing and sitting on those low branches?:)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For my list of five things for which I am thankful:

1) For the beautiful Spring days that we have been having.

2) That the severe storms didn't hit this area last night as predicted.

3) For the lovely gifts that I received from my kids for Mother's Day.

4) For the blessings of wonderful family and friends.

5) And last but definitely not least--- For the blessing of another grandchild expected in November!!! Daniel and Jess are expecting a new little brother or sister for Sam!!!:)) Yay!!

Today is Works For Me Wednesday over at We are THAT Family. Kristen is hosting this fun and helpful meme. Check out all the tips offered by the ladies participating.

How many of you love dusting? No? Well this product can make you dusting chores a little easier. I have found something that works and I think is worth passing along. This is not an advertisement, other than just saying this product does what it claims!

This is the Swiffer Duster. What really impresses me about these dusters is how they grab and hold on to dust and cobwebs. It doesn't just spread it around, but the dust STAYS in the duster.

This is the extension wand that is adjustable, along with a box of refill dusters.

The wand extends from about 21 inches out to 36 inches. I am able to reach high shelves, and cobwebs up by the ceiling- and I am not tall:)

The end with the duster can be put in many positions for various jobs.

This has changed my attitude toward dusting,--still not crazy about it, but I don't hate it now:)

The Simple Woman's Daybook- May 11,2009

Stop in and visit Peggy over at Simple Woman's Daybook.




For Today... May 11,2009

Outside my window...beautiful sunny day- a little chilly though:)

I am thinking... about the dedication of our grandson, Sam, yesterday at Daniel and Jess's church in Milwaukee. What a touching service and then great preaching from the Word. I was blessed.

I am thankful for... my loving family and the wonderful day that we had together yesterday at Daniel and Jess's home! A special morning service, a delicious lunch, a precious afternoon being together...

From the kitchen...planning meals, grocery list.

I am wearing... pajamas-come on, you know me by now:)

I am hoping... for a week filled with sunshine!

I am hearing...a mourning dove calling in the distance, children being dropped off at the home daycare across the street.

I am praying...healing for a nerve that gives my mom pain in her face. Also for Jonathan as he starts final exams today at college.

Around the house... catching up with laundry, vacuum the stairs, refilling bird feeders.

One of my favorite things...the special relationship that little Sam has with his uncle "Jonny":)

A few plans for the rest of the week...get some things ready for a trip to GW.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...*

One of my Mother's Day blessings from my kids:)

Happy Mothers Day

This poem tells about reality of being a mom - plus the pure joy of it:)

Before I Was A Mom

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.



Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much..
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body...
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom .

-Author Unknown

A Mother's Love

There are times when only a Mother's love
Can understand our tears,
Can soothe our disappoints
And calm all of our fears.

There are times when only a Mother's love
Can share the joy we feel.
When something we've dreamed about
Quite suddenly is real.

There are times when only a Mother's faith
Can help us on life's way
And inspire in us the confidence
We need from day to day.

For a Mother's heart and a Mother's faith
And a Mother's steadfast love
Were fashioned by the Angels
And sent from God above...

- Author Unknown.


May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life.

Thankful Thursday

Sonya at Truth 4 The Journey has invited us to join her and list of five things for which we are thankful. This picture on her new button really looks like her- so cool! Check it out:)






1) I am thankful for a loving Father who loves us more that we can even imagine. And each day of our lives He cares about what is happening to us.

2) I am thankful for my husband, who is loving and hard working. He shows mercy and concern for others. He love his children and cherishes time spent with them.

3) I am thankful for the example that my parents were in their marriage as models, that in good times and bad, you stick together- you don't give up. And now for Mom as she goes on without Dad, I pray that she finds things that give her joy in filling her days. I am thankful for her good health and the blessing that she is to our family.

4) I am thankful for our children and wonderful DIL's (we count them as our children too:). I treasure the memories of their childhood, but am so blessed by them as young adults- their faith, and their genuine caring shown to each other and those around them. I have to add in here the blessing of our grandchildren, Sam and Sophia. What a joy they are!

5) And I am so thankful for my blogging friends. You have no idea how you have brightened my days since I started this blogging journey back in September! You kindness, humor and encouragement have put tears in my eyes and a smile on my face many times. You truly are a blessing. Happy Mother's Day to you all:)

Thank you, Heavenly Father...

Wordless Wednesday - Mom

Please stop by and visit Dixie over at French Lique, Texas for more pictures on Wordless Wednesday!!

Today's theme is :

Mom

The Simple Woman's Daybook- May 4,2009

Stop in and visit Peggy over at Simple Woman's Daybook.




For Today... May 4,2009

Outside my window...sunny and heading for a beautiful day!

I am thinking... how wonderful it is that Spring is here:)

I am thankful for... a great time we had with Tim and Brooke Sunday - eating lunch on the deck and enjoying the beautiful weather!

From the kitchen... the great feeling waking up to counters all clear and sink empty, except for a couple of glasses. It was worth it to run that second load of dishes last night.

I am wearing... jammies and robe- Actually what I want to wear today is in the dryer:)

I am hoping... that the rain coming on Wednesday will not be heavy- the ground is saturated already and some communities fear flooding.

I am hearing...those sweet birds chirping, a neighbor down the street mowing.

I am praying... for the dedication service for our grandson Sam this weekend. Looking forward to a very special day.

Around the house... I'll be washing several blankets and sheet sets along with regular laundry.

One of my favorite things...a newly mowed lawn (thank you Amanda!)

A few plans for the rest of the week... some organizing projects around the house- And attacking those cobwebs in my laundry room- I rarely see the spiders- just the cobwebs- yuck. Any one have any formulas for getting rid of spiders and grand-daddy-long-legs?

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...*

Wishing our son (and new daddy:) Ben Happy 27th Birthday tomorrow!
You are so far away from us, but we send you our love and hope you have a great party with Lisa and your friends and enjoy your traditional Mexican food celebration!
We love you!

Show and Tell Friday - Soup Tureen

Kelli @ There's No Place Like Home is hosting Show and Tell Friday. Don't miss seeing Kelli's hand embroidered flour sack towels! And be sure to check out all of the other treasures of those participating this week!

Today I am showing this soup tureen that I picked up at GW several years ago. I like it's simple white color along with the ribbed design on the tureen, lid and platter. I don't remember how much I paid for it, but probably not more than five dollars.

There are no markings to identify its origin.
From above, you can see its octagon shape.

I went online to see if I could find a similar tureen to compare mine to. I was amazed at the variety in design and PRICE!

You can find beautiful tureens in design and color...



Or you can enjoy your soup on game day while cheering on your favorite team!

But I'm happy with my simple white one that goes with everything:)