Maxine on Halloween

Ya gotta love Maxine:)
Happy Halloween!

Wordless Wednesday - Then and Now... Still Curious Window Friends

Sam and Tozer last Christmas...

Sam and Tozer two weeks ago...
Photos by Jess C.



Link up with Heather over at Simply Heather's Blog to share you pics for Wordless Wednesday.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Peggy over at The Simple Woman's Daybook is the gracious host here.




For Today... October 26, 2009 Good morning!

Outside my window...we are still having gray skies with rain in the forecast. By the way, when I was in grade school, we were taught to spell it "g r e y ". I looked it up and found that the American spelling is g r a y- and the English (England) way in g r e y. So both are correct spellings.
One of the questions regarding this online was written: " I heard it can be grey or gray witch one is it,or is it both?" (Did you catch the misspelled word in this sentence?:)

I am thinking... that I function better when the sun is shining...

I am thankful for... healthy and happy grandchildren.

From the kitchen...making tacos for dinner and baking some apple pies today- gotta use up those apples.

I am wearing...still in my jammies and robe:)

I am hoping...that we have a mild winter like I read that we should have this year due to
El Niño.

I am hearing... a garbage truck gathering its load on our street. Our city now has these new-fangled trucks with a big hydralic arm that picks up our special garbage cans. The driver stays in the truck and and guides the arm to pick up the garbage can, bring it high up over the truck, and dump it into the back. Then it sets the can back down on our yard- really a pretty slick operation. It's actually pretty fun to watch:) And I'm sure it saves a lot of back problems for the employees!

I am remembering... when we were growing up--how much fun my dad used to have getting his kids to taste a persimmon that he had just plucked from our tree. We older kids ( who had already been through this mouth-puckering experience ) would stand quietly by to see their reaction. Have you ever tasted a persimmon? Some people like them- my dad did--not me:)

I am praying... for family and friends...

Around the house... working in the downstairs family room- the computer area needs major organizing.

On my mind...that I need to do more reading...

One of my favorite things... learning new things about my hubby's childhood:)

A few plans for the rest of the week...making more applesauce- lots more apples.

Pondering these words...to this song always inspires me and make me tear up when I think that several of our children (including DsIL) have been a witness for the Word on five continents and that the seed of the Gospel has been sown there through their witness of Christ's love.

He Reigns- sung by the Newsboys:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twuLr5rQmp0

It's the song of the redeemed
Rising from the African plain
It's the song of the forgiven
Drowning out the Amazon rain
The song of Asian believers
Filled with God's holy fire
It's every tribe, every tongue, every nation
A love song born of a grateful choir


It's all God's children singin'
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns,He reigns...


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

Our guys...

and gals...

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Peggy over at The Simple Woman's Daybook is the gracious host here.




For Today... October 20, 2009

Outside my window...the first of several predicted gray, rainy days for this week... thank goodness for that new roof!:)

I am thinking... what a great time we had with ALL of our family together (that's not easy getting everybody in one place:)- on Sunday for Sam and Kristen's birthday and of course visit with Ben, Lisa and little Sophia who made a long weekend visit from Pittsburgh.

I am thankful for...our new roof- seriously- I joke about it, but it is a blessing not to have to worry about leaks when it rains now or snows later...MUCH later. Also for the safe trip that Ben and Lisa had to WI and back home to PA last weekend- one long trip with a baby and doggy!:)

From the kitchen...going to have to be creative tonight-- need a grocery run, but no car here til later.

I am wearing...blue jeans, sweatshirt and black socks.

I am hoping... to get together with my friend Lori this week-it's been too long.

I am hearing... a tv (Martha Stewart) in the kitchen --and a neighbor's car outside.

I am remembering... how my grandpa would bring us walnuts from a farm he worked on-- and he would dump a bucket full out in our gravel driveway where my dad drove up to park the car.--The constant driving over them would get that touch outer layer off the shell. Then we would pick them up and store them in Mom's big country pantry, and shell them as needed for baking- especially at Christmas...

I am praying... a blogging friend, Ashley, who is going through a rough time right now. Also for a safe delivery for our little grandson in about 6 weeks. For Jess's final few weeks that are usually the most uncomfortable--and endurance for her as she keeps up with Sam each day.

Around the house... working on my closet and other projects this week.

On my mind...how much more exercise I need to get in each week--sigh...:/

One of my favorite things...seeing our kids with their kids...:)

A few plans for the rest of the week...keeping on with the reorganizing and sprucing up. I am wanting to leave some stuff off at GW and peruse the aisles while we're there for any treasures that might be sitting on their shelves;0) I should just ask them if they would consider an even exchange:)

Pondering these words... "I have come that you might have Life and have it more abundantly..." -Jesus

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

Kristen showing Sam how to blow candles out on their birthday cake/cookie bar. (Made by Jess:)

Photo by Lisa C.

Wordless Wednesday -- Harvest Time - Our Backyard Apple Tree

Link up with Heather over at Simply Heather's Blog to share you pics for Wordless Wednesday.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Peggy over at The Simple Woman's Daybook is the gracious host here.




For Today... October 12, 2009 Good morning!!:)

Outside my window...We are looking for a cloudy rainy day with the possibility of WHAT????-SNOW mixed in?????!!!!!

I am thinking... that the fact that almost all of the leaves blew off our tree in the front yard on Saturday morning- and most of them were still green!- and that fact that the high temps this week will be in the 40's is not a good sign for a pleasant fall. But I am not giving up!!!:)

I am thankful for...the lower bid (finally) from a roofer for our much needed new roof that is being put on Tuesday, and for the finances to pay for it- thank you Lord!

From the kitchen... for dinner tonight- barbequed chicken leg quarters, mashed potatoes, green beans. Also everything apple- from the apples from our tree:)

I am wearing... jammies and robe--it's 37 degrees this morning:/

I am hoping...for a good trip as Ben and Lisa take off for the 10-11 hour trip home with little Sophia on Wednesday night. That Sophia will be able to sleep while they are on the road.

I am hearing... early morning traffic as another week gets started. Silence in the house- no one else is up yet... a little while ago I heard a quick creaking sound from the attic area of the house- as the wood adjusts to the temperature changes.

I am praying... especially for protection for Jess who is due in Nov. from the H1N1 flu. And for a safe trip for Ben, Lisa and Sophia -- and than a sweet time for them with Lisa's family and ours.

Around the house... still working on sorting and purging in several rooms and the garage. And looking forward to our new roof. As they say- be thankful for the roof over our heads:)

On my mind...how I need to concentrate less on the News and more on the "Old Old Story"...

One of my favorite things...seeing my husband's face, hearing words of awe, as he looks at pictures of our grandchildren...talk about pride and joy...:)

A few plans for the rest of the week...keeping on with the reorganizing and sprucing up. On Saturday will be going to Milwaukee to celebrate Sam (2nd) and Kristen's birthdays. And getting ready for a family get-together here on Sunday.

Pondering these words... "I love you Grammy"-- by Sam on the phone on Saturday:)

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

Amanda loves tins. This one was given to Amanda by her friend's mom who is from England. And now that's where Amanda's favorite tea bags live. I thought it was a cool picture:)

Have a great week! And I hope you have time this week to enjoy a nice cup of tea along the way:)

Wordless Wednesday - Some Aunties Lovin' On Sophie:)

Photos by Jess C. and Lisa C.

Link up with Heather over at Simply Heather's Blog to share you pics for Wordless Wednesday.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Peggy over at The Simple Woman's Daybook is the gracious host here.




For Today... October 6, 2009

Outside my window...It is cloudy, grey and wet outside. Rainy today, looking forward to seeing the sun tomorrow around here!

I am thinking... that I feel a little"bi-polar" after watching the Packer game last night with Brett Favre having a great game... for the Vikings--- something's wrong with the universe... :/ But I am lovin' and laughing at those Sears commercials with Brett...:) I am also thinking how fun it was having our sons Nathan and Tim hear last night to munch away and watch the game with their Dad and Amanda and me:)

I am thankful for...financial aid for Amanda's and Jonathan's college. And that all six of our children have been able to get a college education-- well we're still at it:)

From the kitchen... stir-fried chicken breasts with veggies.

I am wearing... jammies and robe-- toasty:)

I am hoping...for more sunshine this fall- so many grey days in a row now--- we get so many grey days during the winter, so just hoping for a bright, sunny fall:)

I am hearing... tires hitting wet pavement and a beep beep beep as some big equipment vehicle goes backward.

I am praying... and thanking God for answered prayers.

Around the house... we got things kinda torn up around here-- in the middle of sorting and purging from the garage to the bedrooms. Look out good will!:)

One of my favorite things...a little boy in a flannel shirt and blue jeans-- those little blue jeans just make me smile:) see picture below....*

A few plans for the rest of the week...keeping on with the reorganizing and sprucing up.


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

Such a little "happy Jack" - although his name is Sam:)

Photos by Jess C.- Sam's mommy:)

Thankful Thursday

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


1) I am thankful for lessons that God is teaching me these days. I remember thinking in my younger years that by the time I would be in my fifties surely I would have things all figured out and life would be smooth. Well, maturity does bring some wisdom, I hope:), but I've found that here I am-- with still sooo much to learn. And, faithfully, God keeps working on my heart. Thank you Lord for grace and mercy. Those are to be my first response to others also.

2) I am thankful a trip home from Pittsburgh planned by Ben and Lisa and little Sophia for mid-October! Yes, we will get to see that precious granddaughter again soon! Thank you Lord for joyful surprises in our lives.

3) I am thankful for my hard-working husband, who is faithful to his employers and does his best there. And his is also faithful to his family with love and care at home. Thank you Lord, for bringing us together those years ago:)

4) I am thankful for the beauty of the earth. The fall colors are starting to peek out here and there... God's creation brings beauty and joy to our lives each day. Thank you Lord, the mighty Creator.

5) I am thankful for kind friends who take the time to call and stay close. What a blessing they are! Thank you Lord and please bring them to mind often and make time, so that I am a faithful friend also.