Fabulous Friday

Friday Blessings to you dear friend! What a glorious day it is, such a gift from the Father to be appreciated and enjoyed. Yesterday I went on two walks~ the first one with my oldest, C, and her four and then later I took our little granddaughter for a walk while our Peanut had therapy. Many of you have asked how Peanut is doing and although she continues to have struggles with GERD and also with fainting spells she is a happy and loving child. She has therapy once at week but mama meets with the nutritionist once a month and also a physical therapist on a regular basis. Thank you all for your prayers concerning this little one...at two she has gone through some challenges and has a strong will to show for it.
Today I hope hubby and I can go on a bike ride; we rode 8 miles on Wednesday and today I hope to do the 14-18 mile ride nearby. It is an easy ride and now that I know hubby still has padded bike shorts from his days of mountain biking I think we'll be fine especially if it is a nice morning.
We are in our spring and summer weather pattern of afternoon thunder and rain storms. I love it but it terrifies our two dogs, in fact I don't think I've ever owned a dog that wasn't fearful of thunder.
Tomorrow a neighbor near our youngest daughters house is having a garage sale and she always has the cutest country items, both for home and garden, so I plan to be there as soon as she opens her garage door.
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I often wear my heart on my sleeve and have always had a difficult time keeping secrets. There are those family members that lovingly tease me about this so I can now say it isn't always the case....you know who you are. So I am proudly announcing(now that our daughter blogged about it) that our oldest daughter is 13 weeks pregnant, making her parents very proud. It seems like just yesterday that she was pregnant and moving(from Ca. to Colorado) and here we are again- she's pregnant and may very well be moving to a new home near here. Daughter and sil are in the process of buying a home in the country; the house will meet their needs with a growing family and it has acreage which will be a blessing. If all comes together they should be in there new home at the beginning of August. I am so excited for them and have already started looking for fabric for a new baby quilt. They are planning on finding out the sex and that will make it easier for me to complete the quilt before the baby arrives, before Thanksgiving and Christmas although it seems I somehow get quilts done when under pressure.

Have a wonderful weekend filled with all that makes you happiest.

Good Books

I borrowed a book on Tasha Tudor from my daughter yesterday. I have seen several of her children's books but this is a book on her garden entitled Tasha Tudor's Garden with photography by Richard W. Brown. What a delightful book this is and so inspiring; although this grand little lady passed away about a year ago it is still thrilling to read of her life with art and gardening.
Until this year I hadn't heard of her but I am so glad I did and I hope someday to be able to plant bulbs and plants that are similar to what she had. Many of her favorites are mine as well and I've come to love flowering crab apple trees~which I hope to plant in the near future.
If you can get this book from the library or add it to your collection by all means do-you will enjoy it!

A Little Blessing

Yesterday I went out to a girlfriend's house to help her pack for a move into her home that she and hubby just built. We were cleaning the basement when all of the sudden another friend spotted this baby bunny in the window well. She was able to retrieve him and then one of the sons decided to take it out to the field so hopefully mommy bunny can find him or at least he can get some water from the tall grasses. Isn't he just a cute little thing! I love wildlife of all sorts and this little guy brought a smile to my face.

Pelican Festival

Sunday dawned and hubby and I joined our daughter, her hubby and her three girls to participate in our local Memorial Day Festival. There were so many great activities from the 5K run/walk to a rock climbing wall, bungee experience, Scottish highland games, concert plus a lovely area of town to hang out in. This is the first 5K I've ever walked although I've walked around the lake many times, just never in a timed competition. Needless to say I did not do as well as I had hoped but I did finish. Of course having our granddaughter finish the race with us certainly helped. My next goal is to improve my time by walking more and bike riding. Hubby and I especially liked the Highland games~watching the men throw the hammer, shot put and the girls throw a hay type bale over a 24' high bar. We did not get to see the men throw the cabers but loved seeing all the great effort and emotion they put into their games. We hope to see them again Labor Day weekend in Estes Park. Our weekend finished with rain, hail, thunder and of course lighting with more in the forecast. Got to love living in a state where the weather changes constantly.

Happy Memorial Day My Friends

graphics by Irene

Fantastic Friday

As I picked these two bunches of lilacs yesterday I realized that their fragrance blesses all those within close proximity to the bushes. Do our lives bear a sweet fragrance of faith that blesses those whom we come in contact with? I hope and pray mine does and that others are refreshed after being with me but in truth the only way that can happen is by being with my Savior and allowing His Spirit to pour out of me. I want my life to so reflect Him that whenever others have been with me they will have memories of a sweet incense of prayer, devotion and love for the Lord that lingers even as the fragrance of lilac lingers in my home.

Have a blessed weekend celebrating our country's rich heritage.
Noreen

This is a home that overlooks our town lake that we walk around. I love this house and would love to be its owner but a girl can dream can't she?! There is something about wrap around porches that makes a home feel so warm and inviting; I'd love to get a look at the inside of this home but I don't know the owners. We've never lived in a house that had a wrap around porch but we've lived in several homes with porches, albeit small. I always try to decorate them with plants and country touches to make my entry look warm and inviting. So friends, how do you decorate the front of your home?

Today I'm thankful that I have a mansion waiting for me when I enter heaven.
How about you?

Outdoor Wednesday

This is one view from the path around our town lake. This weekend is our annual Pelican Festival complete with a 5K run/walk, triathlon, hot air balloons, Scottish games, strongman competition and band concert. Last year our festival was canceled due to the tornado that destroyed much of our town so I'm really excited about this years shindig. The view from the path looking at the Rockies pales in comparison to how grand they are but you'll get the idea.
Our town has quite the feeling of bygone years and everyone turns out for the parades and festival so I expect that this weekend will be no different.

For as long as I've know my beloved, he has always loved cars. One of his very first cars was a Model A and over the years he has collected sports cars as well. Currently we don't have any "fun"cars as he'd say but I know he hopes that someday we'll be able to find a Model A again. Yesterday while out with my girl I came across these two replicas at Ross and had to get them for hubby. They were inexpensive and a good size with wheels that actually turn. I don't buy him toys on a regular basis but I thought these would be a perfect welcome home gift, plus the grandsons can play with them.
Well, today is another busy day for me; my girl and her three daughters and I are going to go walk around our town lake in preparation for a 5K run/walk this weekend. I will be walking but daughter and her hubby hope to eventually be able to run it. After that I'm helping a friend box up her home for her move this weekend to the new house her family built. Church tonight; I usually don't go on Tuesdays but with hubby gone I thought it would be a treat.
Have a blessed glorious day in our Savior.

Monday Madness

Do you ever wonder where your day goes? Take today for example~I ran errands with my youngest and her three; we got a lot accomplished and when you have three toddlers in tow that is something to be proud of. I came home and it is already past lunchtime and I still have loads of other things to try to get done today before I head to their house for dinner. Add in 90 degree weather which makes the idea of gardening go right out the window. I'm already tired from this morning and would like to do nothing other than sit and work on the border for my wall hanging or look at the library books I picked up today but alas the sooner I get my other errands done the sooner I can kick back and sew. It would have helped if I had gotten up earlier but with dear hubby away I have a terrible time getting to sleep at night~in fact it is midnight before I turn off the lights and generally several hours before I drift off to a deep sleep. He'll be back Wednesday eve and I can't wait!
For any friends who reside in Southern California, I hope you weren't too rattled by the earthquake last night. My oldest girl and her family are vacationing there and I wasn't too thrilled to hear about the quake. We went through the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 and it was very traumatic for all of us; just the idea that they are there plus the potential for more makes me uneasy but I will trust in Him who holds the earth in His palm.
Have a joyous productive day.

Springtime Maladies

When I was a child I used to have severe topical allergic reactions to Mosquito bites. The bite area would swell the size of a nickle or as big as a half-dollar depending on how much I would scratch it. Those pests would even bite through my clothes. I remember scratching the bites just to make them bleed so they would stop itching. Somewhere along the line my mom talked to a pharmacist about taking a B vitamin-either B11 or B12 because it gives off an odor from the skin that mosquitoes don't like. Years passed and my reactions became less; I don't like using bug repellent but if I'm camping I would. This year I'm experiencing the same reactions again; don't know what has changed in my chemistry or if it is these Colorado bugs know I'm a newbie but I'm getting bit just by being outside for a minute or two. Do any of my bloggy friends know what I can do to make myself less appealing to these bugs? I could easily where a long sleeved shirt and pants but that isn't always the thought that pops into my head.

Dear hubby leaves today for a five day golf trip and I had all sorts of wonderful things planned but alas I feel a cold coming on so I may just be taking it easy while he's gone.
Have a wonderful weekend friends and enjoy life.

Word Filled Wednesday

On Pastor spoke on the role of older women in our Mother's Day service Sunday evening. It was a good reminder for me and one other grandmother in attendance but I think the lesson is for all women throughout all time. This stance is most unpopular in today's world, even within the church but it is God's stance so for me there is no disputing it.

"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things:
That they may teach the young women to be sober to love their husbands, to love their children,
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God not be blasphemed." Titus 2:3-5

In eras past, most men worked out of the home-farming, woodworking etc and was a pivotal influence in the family, especially in the lives of the children. With the industrial revolution men started taking jobs outside of the home; therefor no longer as great an influence as before. Then came a time when women were drawn away from the natural God given responsibilities of a family and home. They began to find their fulfillment out in the world and away from children and husbands. God instructed us to be helpmeet's to our husbands, to train up our children,
to be keepers of the home and when the time comes and we have no more children we are to teach the younger women how to live godly lives. For some staying at home is an impossibility but for many it is a choice. A choice to have nicer homes, cars and things while husbands and children suffer; it is not a choice the Lord designed for us.

For those of us grandmothers, let us raise up to the call to help our daughters, our sons, and other young wives and mothers to live in a way that glorifies the Lord. If we don't accept this responsibility, who will?

A Bike Ride

Yesterday hubby and I decided to enjoy the beautiful weather and go for a bike ride. We are blessed to have paved trails near our home that connect three towns. We checked our air pressure for our tires and filled our water bottles and set off. I have to tell you that we had a leisurely ride and had a very relaxed pace. About a quarter of the way we noticed a cow on the trail, next to her pasture. We didn't see a gate and didn't know how she got there but were concerned that she might wander up to the road so my husband, my hero, held the barbed wire fence and got her back through to the other side. Actually she was trying to get away from us, as this silly woman talked to her about going back to her friends. She finally jumped through and ran off to be with the herd. We continued on our way but the whole time all I could think was "My Husband Rocks". We saw a lot of birds, two eagles nests and also a Muskrat swimming with a snake in his mouth. Of course we didn't have the camera as I worry about dropping it and ruining the new lens. So next time we ride we will have that with us as well as binoculars. This nana is out of shape and a bit heavier than I'd like so I'm hoping to get into shape and ride it on a regular basis. What is amazing to me is that we rode approximately 14 miles round trip-how's that for exercise.

Our Weekend Getaway

As you can see we had a wonderful weekend in the mountains. Saturday's weather was perfect, the mountains were majestic and the elk were around for our daughter and her family to see. Our grand daughters loved having nana and papa with them and Peanut did well on this trip. What more could a nana want than spending time in the mountains with her grand daughters and seeing lots of wildlife? Yesterday we woke up to a light dusting of snow and slight drizzle but the snow capped trees were delightful to behold.

Have a great Monday!

My Second Mother

Dee, our brother and myself-1999


















Easter 2005-again myself, Dee with our brother


When my mother found out she was pregnant with me she wondered "how can this be~for I am too old" and had long since given up the thought of any more children. My sister was 13 when I was born and so naturally she was given much responsibility for my care and nurturing. When she moved out to go to college I vividly remember running down the street crying and begging her to take me too. While in my teens and early college years, achieving all that she had accomplished became my mission. When I got married she was the last to walk down the isle before the bridal party and sat in the place delegated to the brides mother. So much of our lives were intertwined and I adored her. When she moved to a town to be closer to my family our relationship developed on a deeper level and sometimes our roles switched. Dee had more impact on my life than most sisters and she held the role of mother in more ways than one. In 1998 she was diagnosed with a late stage Ovarian cancer; she went on a mission to research and encourage others battling this disease. She fought a valiant battle for 8 long years, enduring three or four surgeries and many rounds of chemo. It was on Valentine's Day 2005 that we found out her battle was near the end; no more surgeries, her heart being weakened from chemo could not withstand more either. I was blessed to be with her her last seven months, blessed to be at her side her last days and the moments she took her last breathe. She was more courageous than I could ever imagine and the last months of her life were probably the sweetest. I miss her terribly for she was my chief defender, encourager and best friend. It is not surprising then that at times I swear she is near me~sometimes when I laugh I sound just like she did and when I try on new glasses I look just like she did. I never had a close relationship with my mom but I had one in my second mom-my sister. So this Sunday when others think about their own mother's I will be thinking about my beloved sister. Every time I look at her little old dog we adopted when she went home to Glory, I think about her.
Today and everyday take time to thank your mom, not just this Sunday.
Happy Mother's Day!
Be blessed.

Thankful Thursday

There is a song that is floating through my brain right now...

How can I say thanks
for the things You have done for me?
Things so undeserved,
yet You gave to prove Your love for me;
the voices of a million angels
could not express my gratitude.
All that I am and ever hope to be,
I owe it all to Thee.


To God be the glory,
to God be the glory,
to God be the glory
for the things He has done.


With His blood He has saved me,
with His power He has raised me;
to God be the glory
for the things He has done.

Just let me live my life,
let it pleasing, Lord to Thee,
and if I gain any praise,
let it go to Calvary.


Today I am so very thankful that the Lord saved me and has raised me. Words can not even begin to express the gratitude I have for what He did at Calvary.
I am thankful for spring like weather and a chance to get outside and exercise, whether it is on a trampoline with two granddaughters or walking with dear hubby and our dogs in our neighborhood. I am thankful that I have eyes that behold the beauty of this area and of our world. I am thankful for health and all that He has given me. I am thankful for the ability to sew and write simple ramblings from a nana's heart. I am thankful that this weekend hubby and I get to go up to the mountains with our youngest and her family.
It is with deep gratitude to you, my bloggy friends, for the friendships you have given me and for the joy in getting to know you.

Be blessed this day.

A Birds Eye View

Last Sunday dear hubby and I were out for a drive~looking for the two eagles we had seen last week. Alas, we only found one and couldn't get a very good look at it, but we stopped at one of our local lakes and saw a fair amount of pelicans plus some other birds. Now I understand why professional photographers spend hours just sitting and waiting for the perfect shot because we really wanted a better shot of the pelicans but didn't plan on spending hours waiting for it.
I love the fact that we have Pelicans here in Colorado! For some strange reason I always expected them to only reside in the southeast area of our country. I love watching them come in for a landing and hope that at some point before they migrate to their winter nesting areas we will get some better photos. It is wonderful to have different birds and wildlife here than we had in California. Sometimes I feel like a kid in a candy store when I get to see the wildlife up close and personal. Our God is so good to bless us with His creation.

Verse for the day: "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?" Matt. 6:26

"For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea and its waves roar(the Lord of hosts is His name). And I have put My words in your mouth, and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth and to say to Zion,'You are My people." Isaiah 51:15-16

Have a blessed day enjoying all that the Lord has done for you.
Noreen

Monday Memories

I would love to say this is a quilt I made since most of my quilts are works -in-progress at the moment but this is such a treasure to me I had to share it with you. This antique quilt dates back to the late 1920's and was pieced by my dear hubby's grandmother. When I came into the family the quilt top was just sitting in a box in a closet at my mother-in-law's. I wasn't a quilter but had friends who were and I knew it had to be finished; I finished piecing the outside border and did the sandwiching with the batting and backing. This alone took quite awhile for me to do; next it was taken, to Tennessee, to a cousins home who was a very experienced quilter. She did a beautiful job on it. Once again it was sent back to my mil's and stayed there until about 5 years ago when she gave it to me. Back when I first got the quilt and worked on it I wasn't into the retro 20's fabrics but now I just love it. It has hung on the wall here in the basement and I know eventually I will have a special spot for it. The colors are still very bright and it is is wonderful shape; in fact when I originally given it 5 yrs ago, it was displayed at our county quilt show in Ca.
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I would love to say that the reason I haven't been doing daily posts is because of our wonderful, warm spring weather has kept me outside but that isn't the case. We've just been getting back into our daily routine of running errands and such and I really haven't given to much thought about posting. I had hoped to be back on a normal schedule by now but alas today I need to appear for jury duty. In our county a person usually only serves for one day or at the very most three days~in any case I am quite happy to serve in this way; I just wish we didn't have to be to the courthouse by 8:00am because now I have to think about the 30 min. drive and add time in for traffic. By that statement alone you can tell we are very used to our retired life.

I hope you are having wonderful weather and the beauty of springtime has graced your area.
Have a blessed day.