For Today . . .
Outside my window . . . beautiful sunshine, blue skies & hot, hot, HOT!
I am thinking . . . about what a great time we had w/our dear friends in Michigan over the weekend.
I am thankful for . . . the memories, trust & love of old friends; that my girls come to me w/their problems.
From the kitchen . . . chicken salad sandwiches on croissants w/cukes, & stir-fried summer squash & zucchini from a friend's garden.
I am wearing . . . jeans, t-shirt.
I am remembering . . . the fun we had w/our friends & the great road trips ~ getting there & back ~ w/my sweet hubby.
I am hoping . . . that some tentative plans we made w/our friends will come to fruition.
I am creating . . . a peaceful, Christ-centered home.
I am hearing . . . radio, DD#2 watching something on the living room T.V., washing machine & drier.
I am noticing . . . I need a coffee refill. :-)
Around the house . . . general pick up, laundry, copying sermon notes into my notebook . . .
One of my favorite things . . . can you guess? Seems today's theme is time w/precious old friends.
Plans for this week . . . family time, work, CCL class, worship practice, Sunday worship w/the saints. {God bless the USA that I can write a sentence w/"CCL class" & "Sunday worship w/the saints" in the same sentence!!!}
Pondering these words . . . "The life we live is NO COMPARISON to the life we're GOING to live!" {From Sunday's sermon.}
Scripture thought . . . "And he [the angel] carried me [John] away in the Spirit to a mountain great & high, & showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone w/the glory of God, & its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal . . . I did not see a temple in the city, b/c the Lord God Almighty & the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, & the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, & the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory & honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." ~Rev. 21:10-11, 22-27
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you . . .
{I love that face}Read 100's of other Daybooks at Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
I take (almost) any excuse I can to find a way to get away for a weekend w/some dear, dear friends of ours . . . even if it's to go to Michigan. Yes . . . even die-hard Buckeye friends will occasionally cross the border w/"The State Up North" ~ eh hemm ~ to visit people we love.
The grown (can it be???) children of our friends have had the blessing of graduating in the same year ~ one from college & the other from high school. So, of course, these milestones MUST be celebrated.
My Sweetheart & I arrived at our motel late on Friday night. We were joyfully awakened the next morning by a phone call from "B" asking if she & "J" could take us to breakfast. Are you KIDDING?! Bring it ON! I'm mean . . . we politely accepted their invitation.
Lovely, yummy breakfast in an outside dining area in their quaint historic town w/dear friends. A great way to start the day.
After breakfast, we ventured to a weekly farmer's market for herbs & flowers. Oh, & homemade toffee from a vendor. :-P
{Note my Sweetheart's Ohio State t-shirt!}
Off to the house to help put the final touches on home & yard to get ready to the next day's festivities. Why is it that work doesn't quite seem like work ~ even when it's hot & humid ~ when you are w/people you love & enjoy? Pranks, jokes & laughing over memories of times past while working sure helps it all pass quicker.
I went to my 1st Costco ~ all I could think of was "Did You Hear What Happened to the Morgan's" the whole time I was in there! HA! And we also went to the coolest trendy-but-well-priced grocery store I've EVER been to. WOW! I wish we had one here.
Then, Sunday worship w/our friends at their church. Tremendous worship & timely, effective message.
And on to the house to PAR-TAY! Food, family & friends ensued. I'm sure the grads had a great time & many happy memories were made.
{Poor guy ~ he knows that he HAS to get a lipstick kiss from me ~ tradition, ya know. He has learned to simply give in b/c it's GOING to happen.} '-)
Then, all too soon, we had to make our way home b/c, after all, Monday has a habit of coming every week & that means back to the real world & my hubbie's early morning wake up time.
We had a very nice drive back ~ made a stop at a huge Bass Pro store. WOW! And I'll say it backwards: WOW! We could have stayed there for weeks! Then a nice supper at a Penera, a couple more hours down the road & we were home. And WHAT should await us but a sparkling scrubbed bathroom & a cleaned out frig that our DD#2 & her friend had done while we were gone! Gotta love THAT!
The weekend simply went too, too fast. Why does it always happen that way?
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
Herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar, has a great line: "Don't wait until you're sick to use herbs. The best way to cure illness is not to become ill . . . "
She breaks down herbs & supplements into 3 groups:
1) Nutritive herbs ~ used as a regular part of our diets {horsetail, red clover, lemon balm . . . }2) Tonic herbs ~ to feed, tone rehabilitate & strengthen certain systems of the body.
3) Longevity herbs ~ these WILL NOT extend life, but they help our quality of life on into our elder years.
Below are some of her suggestions for Tonic Herbs or Supplements & the parts of the body that they help ~
Blood ~ Burdock, Dandelion
Stinging NettleBones ~ Nettle, Oats
Brain ~ Ginkgo, Gotu Kola
BilberryEyes ~ Bilberry, Lutein
Heart (cardiovascular system) ~ Cayenne, Garlic, Hawthorn
Kidneys ~ Dandelion Leaf, Nettle
Liver ~ Burdock Root, Dandelion Root
Muscles ~ Fo-ti, Glucosamine Sulfate
Nerves ~ Ginseng, Nettle, Oats
Nervous System ~ Fo-ti, American ginseng, Siberian Ginseng
Kava KavaRestorative/Mood ~ Flower Essences, Kava Kava
If you have any other recommendations be sure to let us know.
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
"Once when Jesus was praying in private & His disciples were with Him, He asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; & still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life."
"But what about you?" He asked.
"Who do YOU say I am?"
Peter answered, "The Christ* of God."
~Luke 9:18-20
{*Messiah ~ The Anointed One}
"I'm trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is the ONE THING we must not say. A man who was merely a man & said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would be either a lunatic ~ on a level with a man who says he is a poached egg ~ or else He would be the Devil of Hell.
You must make your choice.
Either this Man was, & is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit on Him & kill Him as a demon; OR you can fall at His feet & call Him Lord & God. But let us NOT come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has NOT left that open to us. He did NOT intend to."
~C. S. Lewis; Mere Christianity
{emphasis mine: KW<><}
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
For Today . . .
Outside my window . . . beautiful sunshine & blue, blue skies.
I am thinking . . . what did the jury in the Casey Anthony trial NOT see?
I am thankful for . . . America ~ Land of the free BECAUSE of the brave!
From the kitchen . . . yummie 4th of July picnic left-overs & I have a batch of laundry detergent curing on the stove-top.
I am wearing . . . jeans, tan top w/sage-colored swirly/floral design.
I am remembering . . . the fun day we had yesterday.
I am hoping . . . for a peaceful mind for my mom.
I am creating . . . a peaceful, Christ-centered home.
I am hearing . . . the radio, Maggie's little paws & tags jingling as she prances by me, the washer & drier.
I am noticing . . . all the little holes that the shews who ate ALL of my veggie seeds have left in my little garden! ARGH! Well . . . at least I still have my herbs & sunflowers.
Around the house . . . general pick up, laundry, scrubbing some spots out of the carpet, making laundry detergent . . .
One of my favorite things . . . 4th of July fireworks! Ooooo, ahhhh!
Plans for the week . . . family time, work, seeing dear old friends.
Pondering these words . . . "The intelligence of God would blow our minds!"
Scripture thought . . . "So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace." ~Romans 11:5-6; Paul speaking.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you . . .
Read 100's of other Daybooks at Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
Today, I've decided to show you various "shades" of our little Magpie Maggie Mae. From puppy to untidy little raggamuffin when we couldn't have her professionally groomed in our leeeean years to the lovely 3-1/2 year old "young woman" she is today.
When our incredible Hickory (Dickory Dog) passed away at 10yrs old from liver cancer, we set out on a search for a new puppy. After having 2 wonderful Shelties (Bonnie & then Hickory), & always enjoying the the Scottish Highland Breeds, & thought we might like a Scottie this time. But they have a bit a a reputation of not being the nicest to little ones they aren't used to. So . . . hoping to have this dog at least another 10 yrs, & the possibility of grand kids coming along in that time :-D we did a little research, settled upon a Miniature Schnauzer ~ & we got a BLACK one b/c it would remind me of a Scottie! lol
We love our little Magpie Maggie Mae & once she stops barking '-) ~ eh hem ~ she's our sweet, fun little bundle of energy & love.
So, here are various "shades" of our little Magpie Maggie Mae. From puppy to untidy little raggamuffin when we couldn't have her professionally groomed in our leeeean years to lovely 3-1/2 year old "young woman."
This was the day we picked her out of her litter at the breeder's house. 5 weeks old & the only little girl of 5 puppies. As you can see, it was love at 1st sight for DD#1.
The day we brought her home, at 8 weeks. Look how HUGE Hickory's old leash looks on her! Couldn't you just kiss that little face?!
This is Maggie & her friend, Bear. She was chomping & jumping all over sweet Bear & it always makes me think of the movie "Homeward Bound" when wise old Shadow says to Chance: "Ya gotta lot to learn, Pup."
Maggie's winter fur coat.
Gotta love that face!
The Pebbles-look . . . ummm . . . not.
Maggie LOVES car rides! Especially to the farm stores.
We named her "Magpie" b/c of her black color, but we have learned to keep beach towels on the upper-backs of our couch b/c Maggie actually lives up to her name. She likes to sit there ~ on her "perch" ~ & watch out the windows.
Be careful . . . once you give up your chair, Maggie is right there to enjoy the warm spot!
And, oh, the concern when someone is on the "sick couch."
My little Maggie.
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
Or is it "downloading"? . . . Oh well . . .
I am so happy that my sweetheart found a little adapter-thingy that allows us to, once again, download photos for our digital cameras onto our PC. Since we up-dated to Linux back in October, I haven't been able to show you some of my own pics. I'm a happy camper! So . . . here are a few shots to show you of the time that has passed that I thought were sorta fun . . .
This is me at the PC . . . Just so ya know who's lookin' at ya.
These are a group of lovely ladies from our church at our Women's Retreat last fall, Nov. 2010. We went to a wonderful place that I had been to w/another church we attended. It's a wonderful place, Golden Eagle Christian Retreat Center in Palestine, Ohio (fyi ~ about 5 miles from where Rich Mullins ~ my Christian music hero ~ is buried). It had once been an old school & has been lovingly & meticulously redone & made into a retreat center. The classrooms are now dorm rooms.
This was my dear friend Pam's & my room. These are the BEST sleep-away beds I've ever slept on. EVERY bed has a luxury mattress, goose-down covers, reading lights, etc. Ahhhh . . . Plus, all the meals are like living on a farm. No she-she-foo-foo-"girlie" food. It's REAL food, folks. Leave the diets behind.
It's always wonderful when your daughters will let you use them as guinea pigs. :-) . . .
DD#2 & I are using my Green Clay Masks. I had hoped, when I posted the recipe, to have these down-loaded, but it didn't work out. I'll have to repost these.
And then, Thanksgiving 2010 rolled around.
Here's our little dining area. I'm sure you guessed that that's my wonderful hunk-a-man! He's watching the game while keeping me company in the kitchen . . . or was he keeping me company in the kitchen while he watched the game. Hmmm . . . anyway . . . This year, we had the pleasure of adding DD#1's boyfriend to our family meal. Great day, great fun.
This is our wedding china. Also on the table are my Homemade Seasoned Salt & Homemade Butter.
And on to Mother's Day 2011. Just LOVE my girls!
And I just LOVE my wonderful hunk-a-man! Big kiss, Sweetie!
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
For Today . . .
Outside my window . . . gorgeous sunshine, low humidity, lush green maple trees waving in the breezes.
I am thinking . . . that this is a busy week, but it is filled w/seeing ppl I haven't seen in a long time.
I am thankful for . . . lasting friendships.
From the kitchen . . . actually . . . I'm thinking: corndogs!
I am wearing . . . jeans, tank top.
I am remembering . . . school friends.
I am hoping . . . that the Lord will have mercy on us & bring godly people into the Presidential race . . . & that he/she will WIN.
I am creating . . . a peaceful, Christ-centered home.
I am hearing . . . the radio, typing fingers.
I am noticing . . . that "the world" will tear you down no matter how much good you try to do.
Around the house . . . general pick up.
One of my favorite things . . . lunch & lots of good gab w/girlfriends.
Plans for the week . . . family time, work, worship practice, meeting w/some old school friends, Sunday worship.
Pondering these words . . . "God is not done w/Israel; we are witnessing history & prophecy fulfilled."
Scripture thought . . . "I will increase the number of men & animals upon you, & they will be fruitful & become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past & will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the LORD." ~Ezekiel 36:11
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you . . .
My dulcimerRead 100's of other Daybooks at Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
"My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice." ~Ezekiel 33:31-32
"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of like and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever . . . Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for they would be of no advantage to you." ~Hebrews 13:7-8, 17
So, went to church, yesterday, did you? What was the sermon about? Did you know that most people don't remember even 3 points of Sunday's sermon on Monday.
When you are at church are you just "there," mind wondering or are you inwardly criticizing the dominate soprano in the choir, rolling your eyes b/c the instruments were louder than the singers on the praise team, irritated that the pastor is preaching on "that" subject again? . . . or are you engaged in the worship and in the sermon.
If you are simply "there" or something keeps you from engaging in your worship or the sermon, consider where you are in all of this. Remember that old saying: "when you are pointing at someone, there are 3 others fingers pointing back to you."
Now, certainly, those things I mentioned CAN effect our worship & concentration, but if it happens on a regular basis then you need to consider talking to leadership about it, getting enough sleep, leaving . . . OR . . . dare I say it: PRAYER.
Do you pray for the life of your church body?
Do you pray for your pastor(s), your Sunday School teachers (children's, teens' & adults), your worship team?
Consider that your pastor(s) are not only under the Divine pressure of expressing the Word of God correctly & in a way that we can understand & apply it, & the praise team is not up front for your entertainment ~ they are there to bring you to the very Throne of God. God inhabits the praises of His people. (Ps. 22:3) God told Joshua to, literally, have the praise team march in front of the Israelites before they defeated Jericho. Maybe that's why worship is usually before the pastor opens His Bible & the Word of God is preached, to get us ready to receive & to prepare for the spiritual battles we will face in the coming week.
Please don't take the preparation & hard work of those who serve you for granted. Being "up front" is a calling to God's service that requires time, work & prayer . . . from everyone.
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
Edinburgh
