Friday Give Away

                                                         
Our winner is number 18, Mary of Visits With Mary;  she has a lovely blog,http://visitswithmary.blogspot.com/, so make sure you stop by and say hello. For some strange reason, every time I use this widget and then post the number it generated disappears.  Don't know what I'm doing wrong-maybe one of you can fill me in. 
Have a wonderful, joy-filled weekend.
Hugs, Noreen

Happy Thursday friends. How is life in your neck of the world?  Yesterday, hubby and I had a wonderful bike ride-8 miles in all and today the only thing reminding me that I haven't ridden is my backside. Last night our weather turned again and we not only had rain, but hail and lightning which made me keep checking the weather channel for any warnings.  There are some areas that are experiencing flooding but so far we aren't having any.  I am thankful for warm weather, especially when the temp. drops 30 degrees in the period of one day.  I am thankful that our house finch hasn't abandoned her nest; in fact this morning there were three little finches(not babies) hanging out on the wreath-I think getting out of the weather.  I am thankful for being able to exercise with my friend this morning.  I am thankful that I will get to sit and quilt today before we head south to have dinner with friends.  I am thankful that the weather this weekend is supposed to be warm again.
I am thankful for the love of family and friends and most importantly my Lord.
Just a reminder, tomorrow I will be drawing a winner for my book giveaway-so if you haven't entered yet, leave me a comment and I'll put your name in the drawing.
Have a blessed day, Noreen 

Outdoor Wednesday

Somehow yesterday just seemed to get away from me.  I had two walks in the morning and it felt great; then ran errands before starting to hand quilt the baby quilt for my good friend in California. 
Over the weekend, at our town garage sale, hubby and I found him a new bike.  Our bikes are almost twenty years old-go figure-where does the time go? Anyway, we have classic mountain bikes because of the terrain we had in Ca.  Now that we live in the flat lands or plains we didn't need that as much anymore, although we still go on dirt trails.  Hubby was noticing that it was not as comfortable to be leaning forward so we had been looking for a more upright bike, which we found at a yard sale.  Yippee!!!  This morning we are going to ride to our Post Office, to drop off some bills and maybe even ride around town a bit.  All in all, it will be about 3-5 miles; I have wanted to get more active and I guess we are.  Tomorrow, Kam and I will walk then come back and do our weight training. 
Our weather is incredible and I love it!!!!
Get out and enjoy the amazing world we live in.   Don't forget to enter the drawing for my giveaway.
Blessings,  Noreen

Last month I posted photos of a Robins nest with four bright blue eggs in it; I was so excited that we would be having baby birds in the yard.  Unfortunately, there was a very bad rainstorm and the mama abandoned her nest, leaving the eggs there and never returning.  About two weeks ago we noticed that a House Finch had built a nest in the wreath that hangs by our front door.  Because I love to see baby birds, I quickly tied a string across our walkway, blocking the front porch to visitors-I didn't want this little bird to become frightened.  Some of you may be laughing at my silliness but I wasn't about to take any chances.  Last night when mama bird was out of the nest, my dear sweet hubby took our camera out to get a photo; it was difficult because of where the nest is built and it was getting to be dusk.  You can well imagine my surprise when I loaded the photo onto the computer-there were five eggs. Sorry about the blurred photo-you'd have to be here to understand.  I haven't researched House Finches to see what is typical but this seems like a lot to me.  I haven't seen the male around much and am wondering if they help as much as the male Robins do?  I am thinking these eggs should begin to hatch any day now and I know mama won't leave very often but we will try to get some photos, if possible.  I know that many birds can be more of a nuisance than a joy(remember my stories last summer about the Grackles) but I love that our Papa shares His creatures with us.

Have a blessed day.

Noreen 

Don't forget my giveaway-if you are interested please make sure to mention it in your comments and I'll enter your name in the drawing.



A Happy Monday Giveaway

Yesterday I had the privilege of hearing Don Piper speak and share his testimony.  I had read the book about three or four years ago and was impacted by it, but honestly friends hearing him share his story in person really impacted me.  His testimony wasn't just a sugar coated story but a real life miracle filled with God's word.  His focus is that Jesus is the Way, The Truth and The Life and no one gets to heaven except through Him.  I have recently read the book "Heaven is for real" and so much of Don's descriptions, which occurred 22 yrs ago, coincide with the story of the little boy.  While I have read criticism of Don's description of heaven, I for one did not take issue with it.  I found him to be an authentic, god fearing man whose love for the Lord shines through every word.
I hadn't planned on buying a book but couldn't pass up the chance to share an autographed copy with you my friends.   So all week I will be holding this open and on Friday I will announce the winner.
All you have to do is leave a comment and I'll enter your name once; if you are a faithful follower I will enter your name a second time.  This is a book that would be a wonderful tool in ministering to those who have lost a loved one.
Blessings on your day.
Noreen

Friday Fun

It's that day of the week again when I hit garage sales and this weekend is spectacular-we have dozens of sales.  They call it Crazy Days and I totally understand why-people go crazy buying and selling things and traffic is crazy.  The only difference today is that I will probably be alone; my bf Kam is having to stay at her house to sell and although she has her sweet sister and mom here who would gladly take me with them, I will probably head out alone.  I had thought about going with my youngest but her hubby,now home from Denmark, and four girls will be going with her.  Hubby sometimes goes with me but he doesn't enjoy this as much as I do, so I think I'll shop til I drop while he watches a golf tournament at our local club. 
Sunday the author, Don Piper, who wrote 90 Minutes in Heaven will be talking at a church around the corner-I'm looking forward to hearing him.  In the afternoon there is a party at the "community farm"(people from our church co-op)with lots of old fashioned games and they are even roasting a pig-yuck. Sorry but I don't eat pork-my body has an issue with it and I've never liked seeing a pig being roasted.  There will also be fresh bbqed chicken as well as lots of side dishes.  It should be a lot of fun. Monday our Beth Moore study on Revelation begins-I'm so looking forward to this!
Our weather finally warmed up yesterday and it truly feels like summer.  Have a glorious weekend.
Noreen

Happy June to you.  Where have the months gone?  Each day seems to fly by and the weeks are going equally as fast.  I always love June because it is the start of summer, both warm weather and fun activities.
Unfortunately here in Colorado June also ushers in the migration of Miller Moths.  Miller Moths are huge moths that neither eat cloths, food or lay eggs but just big and pesty.  They frighten little girls and big girls as well.  If you leave a door or screen open you will be inundated with them.  Thankfully they are on the move to the mountains and will only pester us for a couple of months. 
Today we are supposed to have weather in the high 80's but we are having high clouds today so I'm not sure we will warm up as high as predicted.  We had hoped to go camping next month but due to high flooding from our incredible snow pack, we will be postponing our camping.
I'm not sure what else the summer holds for us but I'm sure it will be fun.
Have a wonderful day!
Blessings, Noreen