Joy in the simple things

This morning I joined my two daughters and their children to go on a walk before our day got too hot. It is always so fun to see things through the eyes of children, to see joy in the simple things-red ants in the open space, butterflies, birds and creeks. Trying to run through the sprinklers without getting wet or falling while running, giggles and laughter as well as one granddaughter crying because she didn't want to be wet. Kim, my pregnant girl, telling me later she didn't expect to go on an hour long walk and being surprised that this walk was not a long walk by our standards. Boys that love to race around the trails, riding through the puddles and skidding to a stop only to be told they need to come back and join the group. Little ones falling asleep while being carried by mama despite all the noise and jostling. Life is good, the Lord has richly blessed us.

Lilies of the Field

One of my favorite verses is:

And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,

Yet I say to you that even Solomon is all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these.

But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you... Matt.6:28-30

I made this quilt in 2005 and decided to call it Lilies of the Field even though the fabric was Irises. Seeing this quilt reminds me of the splendor of the flowers that my God has created for me to enjoy. I always think on this verse when I see my quilt. I love nature and I love to create quilts so it was natural to choose the fabric that reminded me of lilies and irises.

May you find beauty in your day that causes you to create something from within, whether it's a photo, poem, art work or cooking. Be blessed today.

A Cozy Welcoming Feeling

In our small town of 17,000 people we have three coffee houses and two Starbucks which are located in grocery stores. We were new in town and happened upon my favorite spot, House of Windsor. This is a combo coffee house and country gift store. I love to just go hang out there and visit with the owners or any other staff members. Often they have "girlie" mornings and bring in local artisans to show their ware. I have joked about working there in exchange for merchandise but I am not the only one who thought of this. One of my favorite friends is pictured above, Kim with her daughter Rachel. Being a newbie in town I don't have many girlfriends, o.k only 3 besides my two daughters. Kim is always reaching out to me and making me feel loved. Kim and her family have only been in town for two years, so I imagine she remembers what it was like.

A home near my daughters' house that I love to look at.

When we left California to move to Colorado the housing market was very soft, to put it mildly. Our home of 18 yrs didn't sell and dear hubby and I found ourselves renting a very lovely home. I am so grateful for the house we rent but when I take my daily walks around various neighborhoods I like to pick out the type of house I would like and what the character of the house is. I found this home on one such walk and immediately felt it welcoming me. Can't you just imagine sitting in the rocker with a friend and glass of ice tea. I am a country girl and if I can't live out in the country I'd like to have a house that is country style and says welcome. So I hope, dream and pray as I walk; looking forward to the day when we will be able to buy and I can plant all the flowers I want and make it inviting to others.

So this day, I again am rejoicing in the area that we live in and all the blessings of my life. Today I spent the morning with my daughter and her girls and this afternoon I was able to run across the street and see our other daughter and her four children. Life is good. This evening I took dear hubby out to dinner for his birthday and we enjoyed a great meal. I am notorious though for always wanting dessert and tonight was no exception. We ordered a Caramel Apple Bread pudding and it was phenomenal but I found myself very full afterwards. The great thing about living in a new climate is that we can actually go for walks in the evenings and not get cold. I love it here.

May you find joy in the simple things of life and see the beauty all around you.

Song

I have vivid memories of being a young elementary school student, riding my bike home each day and singing hymns while I rode. I'm sure there were snickers at my singing but the sense that I have is being totally focused on singing. When I got to high school, my best friend and I did what many others did-we picked up guitars and sang in all the talent shows as well as a little coffee house once a week. My girlfriend had the talent but we both had the passion to sing our hearts out. Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Buffy St.Marie and of course John Denver(later on) were just a few of the artists we copied. It was fun and although my voice wasn't anything special, music has always been part of my life. As a young mom I would always sing to my girls, no matter where or when and also make up funny little rhymes and songs. Now in this season of life, I sing silly songs to my grandkids but also teach them to lift their voice above. I still love to sing; I often wake up with a worship song on my heart. I love to praise my Lord with my voice. One of my favorite c.d.'s is Valley of Vision by Sovereign Grace. These songs are based on Puritan Prayers and so eloquent, so relevant to my heart today.

In The Valley
Based on "The Valley of Vision"

When You lead me to the valley of vision
I can see You in the heights
And though my humbling wouldn't be my decision
It's here Your glory shines so bright
So let me learn that the cross precedes the crown
To be low is to be high
That the valley's where You make me more like Christ.

Let me find Your grace in the valley
Let me find Your life in my death
Let me find Your joy in my sorrow
Your wealth in my need
That You're near with every breath
In the valley

In the daytime there are stars in the heavens
But they only shine at night
And the deeper that I go into darkness
The more I see their radiant light
So let me learn that my losses are my gain
To be broken is to heal
That the valley's where Your power is revealed.

May you find something today to sing about. May you have joy in the song.

Some of my favorites

A Lifetime building friendships, no matter how much time passes or what the distance, you know you'll be friends forever. John, Noreen, Aletha and Dave

My two middle grandchildren bring me such joy

Ben waiting to play, Shannon looking at flowers in a neighbors garden during a walk

Some of the most beautiful sites sit in the mountains near my home. There is an abundance of elk, big horn sheep and mountain goats plus many peaks over 14,000'. The beauty of the Rockies is phenomenal and breathtaking.

Enjoy the beauty around in this day.

Thankful Thursday

Daily I am trying to cultivate an attitude of gratitude but on Thursdays I love to jot down some of my favorite things.


I am thankful for the beauty of orchids that grow among lava gardens. I love the flowers that grow in Hawaii and also here in Northern Colorado-my home.

I am thankful for all the different birds, wildlife and flowers that I am learning to love right here.

I am thankful for the birds that serenade me early every morning.

I am thankful for the crickets that chirp as I drift off to sleep at night.

I am thankful that even though we have warm mornings and thunder storms in the afternoons, our sky is clear and free from smoke that our family and friends in Ca. are living with.

I am thankful for days spent with loved ones and remembering when the little ones were my daughters, not my grandchildren.

I am thankful for my daughters and their hubby's faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and how they are raising our grandchildren in the knowledge and admonition of the Lord. I am thankful for God's plan for each of our lives; that His promises are true and will not return void.


I am thankful for a small local farmers market that carries fresh produce and plants that I can get in the ground before the season is over.

I am thankful for new friends and coffee time.

I am thankful for the ability to call, on a cell phone, dear friends back home and tell them how much I miss them, to be able to catch up and not worry about expensive phone bills.

I am thankful for the wonderful trips my beloved and I have taken and the possibility of trips next year.

I am thankful for the gift of prayer and knowing it does make a difference in our lives.

I am thankful for dear sisters who pour out their lives as a drink offering unto the Lord. I am grateful to Lynn and Dineen at Spiritually Unequal Marriage as well as 1Peter3Living for the encouragement, support and wisdom they give to others.I am thankful for kindred spirits, some whom I've met and some whom I haven't that I learn about via the internet.

I am thankful that today I will spend the morning at home helping my daughter to sew.

I am thankful that I can wear capris and flip-flops every day except on Sunday when I worship our Lord.

I am thankful the Lord has blessed me with this day, this life in this time.


If you are reading this, I am thankful for you!

Tales of Old

I found this old barn standing alone, solitary and beckoning.

I wanted to step into the past and see what stories it could tell; was it a structure built decades ago by one family who eventually left the farming community in search for an easier life or possibly still belonging to someone who no longer sought life from the land or needed a barn to house animals. I can almost hear children doing daily chores all the while talking about quiet times up in a hay loft. What tales were spun under its beams, what values and skills were honed into a person daily toiling here. What life could still be gleaned under the rafters...could it return to its useful purpose and be restored? How many people drive by not giving a thought to the heritage it holds, to the lives that were lived here. How many people look without seeing?

Lord, let us stop and look all the while being eager to learn Your lessons on life. Help us to have eyes that see the beauty around us. Amen.