Days of Elijah
Topic: Photo entries

Songs of Thanks
Topic: Holidays/Vacations
We are so detached to the harvest season, living in American. Our food comes from grocery store shelves and is available to us all year round. Full cupboards, full refrigerator, plenty of things on hand to simply pop into the microwave. I want to consider the people who wrote these hymns of Thanksgiving. They are so basic...thank you for grain, for the seasons, human love, a Savior, for the beauty of nature, for bringing us through another year with food to eat and sound minds and bodies. They are beautiful hymns and bring us back to the basics of giving thanks.

Click on the titles to see the hymn's background and hear the tune.
Happy Thanksgiving!

We Gather Together

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

For the Beauty of the Earth

For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour,
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon, and stars of light.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thy Church, that evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For each perfect gift of Thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of Heaven.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.


Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God’s own field, fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day all offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store in His garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified, in Thy garner to abide;
Come, with all Thine angels come, raise the glorious harvest home.

Wordless Wednesday: Fall memories
Topic: Photo entries


My 3 teens: Never too old to go on a punkin pickin hayride!

**For more WW photo entries go to Wordless Wednesday or Five Minutes for Mom.**

For the dogs
Topic: Humor/memes
My sister sent me these sayings in an email. I love dogs!

~*~My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog thinks I am. ~*~

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.
-Anonymous

Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.
-Ann Landers

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.
-Will Rogers

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
-Ben Williams

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
-Josh Billings

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.
-Andy Rooney

I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.
-Rita Rudner

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.
-Robert Benchley

Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.
-Franklin P. Jones

My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money!
-Joe Weinstein

Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come from a grocery with the most amazing haul, chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!
-Anne Tyler

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.
-Robert A. Heinlein

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man.
-Mark Twain

You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says,
'Wow, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'
- Dave Barry

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
-Roger Caras

If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them.
-Phil Pastoret

Keep me near the cross
Topic: God things
A song caught in my throat unexpectedly this morning during Sunday worship. This hymn brought my dad's death (back in August) to my memory. And all in one mili-second, I remembered his frailty at the end of his life....and how times like that really make Heaven seem like a nearby reality. In that mili-second, I was reminded of the depth of my infirmity (especially here in the U.S. where we all think we're pretty wonderful) and of the over abundance of grace He shows to me each day.

It's all about Him.

Near the Cross
words by Fanny Crosby

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me.

Near the cross I’ll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

He's guarding my heart and mind.....as promised!
Topic: God things
I am so thankful that God not only brought me through this very stress-filled year, but He gave me peace through it. Moving, buying a house for the first time, putting my kids in public school after homeschooling, the death of my father from dementia, and now major surgery. It was quite a stressful year, but I was freshly reminded again that the verse I have put my trust in all these years is still true. I will always stand by it, believe it, cling to it and experience it.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

....the days fly by
Topic: Humor/memes

I must be getting my strength back. Yesterday I walked almost a mile at the park and today we walked a mile around the neighborhood. We're having record temperature highs and it feels like the beginning of summer, when the nights are cool and you wake up with a chilly feeling, then the temps climb about 30 degrees by 2pm. Our highs are in the high 70's this week, including Thanksgiving being forcast as reaching 80! Anyone for barbeque turkey burgers at the park? =)

Well, back to today: we walked Maggie and her friend who is visiting over to our neighborhood park, around the block. The girls played while Charles and I walked the outskirts of the park. Then I sat in the shade at a picnic table while Charles helped the girls shoot off air rockets. It's a toy Maggie got last Christmas, you pump the air pressure up, pull the cord and *pop*, up goes the lightweight rocket. It shoots up to 100 feet in the air, so it's really quite spectacular...if you're 9....or 40something. Charles was right there with the girls, pumping, trying to catch the elusive rocket as it plummeted to earth, laughing out loud each time he missed it. (they never did catch it, it goes so fast!) I enjoyed it all from a distance under my tree and laughed my head off.

As I sat at my picnic table, watching the goings on of the park, I sorted out my day. I've been flying by the seat of my pants this past week. It was a busy week already and then unexpected things kept coming up! It was all I could do to keep from hiding in my bed and playing sick! It's all done now though and I say to myself *once again* that I'll never get that booked up again....overlapping things I was supposed to be there for even! So this morning, with no appointments or activities planned *for me* I puttered around a bit, then decided to fix a big breakfast for the family....bacon, scrambled eggs, pancakes. Everyone was rushing off to different activities for the day, so I cleaned up the kitchen. I had just finished putting dishes in the dishwasher and grabbed a pile of things to put back in the refrigerator.

(if you've ever watched Rachael Ray grab things from around her kitchen on 30 minute meals...you know, the way she makes it a game to see how many things she can carry at once to save trips to the fridge or pantry....that is what I do sometimes)

And this was one of those times....

.....only my coordination is still a little 'off' and as I opened the fridge to put away my stuff, the pancake syrup slipped from my grip. The impact of the bottle and the stone tile resulted in the bottom popping complETEly off of the plastic bottle. Who would have even guessed that could happen! But there it was. Our brand new, FULL bottle of 100percent maple syrup from Canada....gushing out onto the tile, into the grout, slipping UNDER the fridge, dripping from the cabinets and my pajammas. A roll of paper towels, bowl of warm cleaning solution, 2 wash rags, and a lot of muttering under my breath later, Charles attempted to move the 2006 side by side fridge that we tightly wedged into a 1970's small, freezer on top, gold refrigerator space so we could clean under it....no deal, lucille. Then he tried to tip it ever so slightly back, as to settle a brick under the front and reach in to swipe clean the sticky stuff. Nope. We ended up just putting a wash rag over the end of a long flat tool of some sort that was fetched from the garage and running it back and forth, as far back as we could.

I never hated 100 percent pure maple syrup more in all my life. The NERVE of the company who made that bottle! And who does Rachael Ray think she is carrying all that stuff at once! She's a show off, that's what!

I'm ok now though....sorry Miss Ray.

The rest of the day was relaxing. (it wouldn't dare mess with me after that) In fact by 3pm it felt as if it had to be at least 5 or 6pm, but it wasn't....so we went to the park. It's like finding money tucked back in an unused pocket of your wallet. My days have been running so short lately, it was nice to find a little stash of time, saved up to enjoy. More time to spend....I liked it!

Craizin cookies
Topic: Other
I made these cookies today! They are scrumptious. Make them with orange flavored Craisins.

You will thank me!

Wordless Wednesday: Gingerbread
Topic: Photo entries



The girls always have a great time decorating gingerbread men and gingerbread houses!

**For more WW photo entries go to Wordless Wednesday or Five Minutes for Mom.**

ETA: Be sure to read all the comments. People are picking their favorite gingerbread men! lol NO stealing legs though! Look only! The comments are only 10 per page, so you have to hit 'next page' at the bottom.

Maggie has that look on her face because she wasn't supposed to be eating the frosting. It's the heavy, hard drying kind for houses that has raw eggs in it. It's an 'ut oh, got caught and they will have pictures to prove it' look. lol

Thanksmas
Topic: Holidays/Vacations
How's the Christmas shopping going? *errrg* That is not a good question to ask me this time of year. It's not that I have many gifts to buy, but it reminds me of all the things I need to do in the next 5 weeks. (5 weeks!!!) I do like doing said 'things'.....it's just that the pressure of having a list of things to DO intimidates me greatly! *whimper*

See, I told you that as the holidays wind up into gear I'd probably blog more in order to avoid the DO's.

So I'm thinking today as I sat in the park with my sister and our kids, "Gee, I need to think about Christmas stuff.....er, no, I have to think about Thanksgiving! But Christmas DO's need to get rolling! However, first we need to make it through the Thanksgiving cooking and shopping." mmmmmhmmm If someone wants to know my opinion, I think we need to space these 2 very meaningful holidays further apart....at least by 2 months. That way we could enjoy each one for it's own meaning and busyness.

Thanksgiving could be such a wonderful celebration if it were not for the after Thanksgiving sales the next morning ....or football for that matter! It just so happens however, that this is exactly what I think about when I think of Thanksgiving. Here is why:

For many years of our 22 year marriage, my husband and I had a Thanksgiving ritual. We would go to Oklahoma every year for Thanksgiving, quite a drive. But I would have my Christmas lists in hand, because I would go through the stack of 'the day after Thanksgiving sale' fliers Thanksgiving night. We stayed at Charles' parents' home, so with them to watch the girls, we would sneak off at 4:00am and go by ourselves to stand in line for very, very reduced prices on gifts for the girls.

We would pick the store that had the most list items and attack, Charles going to the toys or sporting goods department while I went to the music or clothing departments. We would meet at the front, waving like crazy at each other over the pressing masses of people and come together all happy and slightly giddy from the good buys we had found. Then more stores and more good buys. Finally, we would go out to breakfast, and back to his parents house to wrap the loot before the kids could see it!

We would get all of our Christmas shopping done, plus buy gifts from his parents to our kids for them, so that they didn't have to get out in the Christmas crowds.

And yes, doing this year after year did get tiring. I would try to wimp out of doing it each year, but Charles would talk me into it again. He really enjoyed it way more than me..... that was annoying! Our kids are older now and we don't do that tradition anymore. It just isn't necessary and Charles does most of our Christmas gift buying online. Now the day after Thanksgiving sales have gone the way of memories for us.....or the dinosaurs....left to future generations to follow in our steps.

It was quite an adventure, very very COLD, but a memory we'll always giggle at.....how silly we are to enjoy such madness!!

We're not having a huge crowd this year for Thanksgiving and my sister is helping me a lot with the cooking......so I think there may even be time in the day for a little reflecting.....some actual giving thanks for making it through this stress-filled year.

Happy Thanksmas....er, Christgiving....ummm, we really do need to do a petition or something to get more time in there and seperate these 2 great holidays....

Release
Topic: People/Family stories
My doctor officially 'released' me from her post surgerical care this morning. Whoopie, now I can lift and jump up and down and do housework....and...ummm, hey wait a minute!

I think I need a second opinion!

Chicken and dumplings are stewing on the stove. It was chilly enough to wear a light sweater most of the day today. And I may even bake some cookies tonight. =)

It's finally Fall in Phoenix! *I think*

Whatcha been doin?
Topic: People/Family stories
Things I've been doing lately instead of blogging:

*Watching 21 episodes of the first season of Smallville. I am ashamed and embarrassed to have to tell you that I am all done! My only justification in the whole thing is that I am still in my last week of recovery from my surgery. Yes, that is why I have to glue my rear to the couch each day to watch hours of Smallville....see? It keeps me from 'overdoing it'.

***At which point I break into my own thought to add: Although this first season of Smallville IS enjoyable, I have to say that after watching the current episode last night on television, I can't recommend the later seasons. There was a warning from a friend in my previous post about the shows becoming more and more racy as the seasons progressed and I have to agree. *bleh!* Ruin my fun Hollywood....you dorks! Anyway, I've heard the first 2 seasons are good, so I'll await the 2nd one and let you know. I feel it is my duty now. ;') It was quirky and made me bust out laughing at the weirdness of the plots. I'm also a fan of Northern Exposure and Gilmore Girls...quirky! Funny and rediculous! I love it!***

*Getting back into normal routines of cooking again and cleaning my house, which has been cathartic and rewarding. lol Of course I intersperse this hard work with episodes of Smallville so that I don't 'overdo it'.

*Female bonding times: I've had a sweet run of lunches with friends. This is one of the highlights of being a woman, I think. "Let's do lunch!" "Ooooo, okay, have you tried the new cute little tea room?" It's not just lunch people, it's atmosphere and bonding for us girls. One was a friend from church, who is going through the sandwich generation thing....hard time of life. One you need your girlfriends for! The next lunch was with my friend who moved next door to me when we were 4 years old and we have tried to keep in touch ever since. We will need way more than one lunch to appropriately catch up on things! Today my sister from across town came for lunch. (When I say 'across town' in Phoenix, we're talking it takes 45 minutes when there is no traffic, and that is on the freeway the whole way! Needless to say, we don't see very much of her.) She took my mom, me and 2 of my teen daughters to Mimi's....a girlie restaurant if ever there was one. Then we came back to my house, where my other sister, our 9 year olds and her baby came to visit with us.

*Snuggling the sweetest head that is currently on earth....my little 9 month old nephew. Making him laugh or 'talk' to me is the highlight of my day!

*Going to more activities at church. We're currently doing a Beth Moore Bible study on the book of Daniel that I can't even tell you about now....it's going to take several posts. It's all that!

*Trying to get some window treatments for the bedroom, decide on paint colors for the bedroom, family room and exterior. I hate making these paint decisions!!!!!

*Going to marching band exhibitions and competitions for my daughter Emma. She's so cute in her uniform!!!

*Homeschool stuff. We went to a ballet last week....where I kind of relived some pleasant memories of being in theater in high school and college.

*Practicing the Christmas musical with the church choir...it's pretty cute!!!

*Trying to write thank you notes to all the people who blessed us so much during my hospital stuff and recovery!


I want to do more writing. Maybe with the holidays aproaching, I'll slack from holiday chores by blogging.....seems the way it goes with me. Slacking in one area leads to inspiration in another....go figure!! lol

Yikes!! Holiday 'stuff' is upon us....brace yourselves!!!!

Wordless Wednesday: Perspective
Topic: Photo entries



**For more WW photo entries go to Wordless Wednesday or Five Minutes for Mom.**

Offerings
Topic: People/Family stories
God's blessing...... It often comes through His people.

Did I mention that I haven't cooked a meal in a month?

A MONTH!

Yet my family and I have eaten home-cooked meals almost every night. October 3rd I had surgery, coinciding with pastor appreciation month in October. Our church family provided meals four times a week for the entire month! Besides the blessing of meals, we also got to know several people a lot better, making a real connection with them as they entered our home, bringing their offerings.

Oh, they weren't offerings to US....they were offerings to God. They brought Him lasagne, chicken and rice, chicken pot pies, tatter-tot casserole, chicken enchiladas extraordinare, steak, chicken, burgers, pizza, soup, along with all kinds of cakes, pies and desserts. Each of them blessed God with their offering of help and physical sustinence to another believer. A cup of water, so to speak....

Cool, isn't it?

Now go out and present your offerings before Him....

The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor
have come up as a memorial offering before God."
Acts 10:4

Somebody saaaaaaaave meeee
Topic: People/Family stories


Smallville.

I never gave it a thought until this past week and a half.

A friend of my 16 yr old mailed us the full first season on dvd to borrow, then send back. Bethany begged us to watch the first episode with her.

That was basically where it all went wrong fast. Now we can't stop watching it. Every time we hear the theme song wailing, "Somebody saaaaaave meeeee," we come like obedient slaves and watch disk after disk of Smallville weirdness. lol It's soooo predictable and has such wacked out characters (people affected by the meteor shower that brought little Clark to Earth) but we love it. My question is, does anyone have season 2????? *Pfft*

Silly, isn't it?

Yes, it is! Somebody saaaaaaaave meeeeee....