Monday, October 28, 2013

A Cat Cuddle

Today I am grateful for a Dory cuddle. A soft purring cat in my arms calms me and brings me joy. 
Thank You, God, for a cuddle with Dory this morning.


Sunday, October 6, 2013

Undo Redo



I was upset. In the last upgrade Apple put an undo button on the keyboard of my iPad. I hit the undo button by mistake and all my writing disappeared. I didn't see the undo button so I had no idea how it all went away. I had actually done it, but I did not know it, and I was blaming Apple. The next day I discovered the undo button. Now I realized that I had done it myself. I was very upset that Apple had put an undo button on the keyboard without a way to undo the undo. This made me very nervous. Now I was very cautious when I used the keyboard, almost to the point that I did not want to use it. I was angry at Apple. I was frustrated. I was upset about the change. Today, I discovered the redo button. It was installed when the undo button was installed. Now, I am not so concerned about the undo button. Now the undo button is not threatening. Now, I might actually choose to use the undo button. I have yet to embrace it, but I may at some point. 

Changes. There are several changes in my life right now. I cannot see how I brought these changes about, but if I am to believe in the law of attraction, and I do, then I believe that I attracted these changes. Right now, I do not see how, perhaps at some point I will, perhaps I may never. But the key is that I attracted theses changes. I hit the undo button. I have big fears. My fears are tied to the thought that there is no redo button. That these changes are going to permanently take away what was. Poof. Gone. Yes, I have anger over that. Yes,I have frustration. Yes, I have fear. I want things to go back to what they were. I think if I complain loud enough that they will. (I thought of complaining about the undo button on Facebook or to Apple, but I didn't because somewhere inside of me I knew I was missing some information. Perhaps, if I had complained I would have been given the information, but then I would not have discovered the redo button myself and I would not be seeing this analogy.) So will there be a point that I will see that there is a redo button here among these changes in my life? That I might actually see the good in these changes? That I might choose to embrace these changes, and like the undo button? 

I don't see the redo button yet, but now I do believe that it is there. Now, I do believe that all is happening for my good and the good of all involved. Now, I do believe that a time will come when I will be grateful for these changes. So I choose to let go of my anger. I choose to let go of my frustration. I choose to let go of my fears. I choose to believe that I hit the undo button for a reason. I choose to believe that these changes are a blessing. I choose to be grateful for these changes now. I believe all is well.

Thank You, God.







Thursday, September 5, 2013

Another Amazing Book

I love to read! I love books! 

I believe in The Law of Attraction.

The  Law of Attraction brought this fabulous book to me.


If you do not believe in The Law of Attraction you must read this book.
If you believe in The Law of Attraction you must read this book.
If you never heard of The Law of Attraction you must read this book.

In this book you will find simple experiments that will show you how The Law of Attraction works. 

I believe in The Law of Attraction, and this book helped me to understand more about it.

You really do have control over your life. This book will show you. 

Monday, September 2, 2013

Creativity

This morning I came downstairs, went to make a cup of coffee, and found this by the coffee pot.



A little morning gift from my daughter's boyfriend.
So creative.
It made me smile.
A beautiful morning blessing.

Thank You, God, for creativity.
Thank You, God, for those who use their creativity to bring a smile to others.




Lunch on the Lake

Saturday we had a wonderful lunch on Lake Hopatcong. The sun was shining, the breeze was blowing, the food was delicious and the wine and beer was icy cold. It was a great afternoon!

Thank You, God!


Thursday, August 29, 2013

Motherhood

There's a saying, "A mother is only as happy as her least happy child." 

Thank You, God, for blessing my children with peace, joy, love and laughter.
Thank You, God, for blessing me with abundant happiness.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

A Morning Walk

Nearly everyday this summer I have met my friend Denise to walk. We are blessed with a beautiful and safe place to walk. Today, I am grateful for my friend Denise and the path we walk together.





Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Stolen Kisses

My husband and I have been married for 32 years. Last night we went food shopping at BJs, and still, after all these years, he stopped what he was doing, a few times while shopping, to give me a kiss. I love that!

Thank You, God, for a wonderful marriage! I am eternally grateful!

Monday, August 26, 2013

The Law of Attraction

I love to write. I may not be published, or paid for my work, or even considered by others to be very good at it. That does not matter to me. I love to write. I need to write like I need to breathe. 

I would love to be able to draw. I want to learn how to draw. I try to draw all the time, but drawing, I admit, I am really bad at.

I dream of writing a beautiful book and embellishing it with my drawings. 

Yesterday, I received in the mail, a catalog for some classes. I did not request this catalog. It simply arrived, and guess what was in it?

A writing workshop taught by Julia Cameron at a time and place that works with my life, and at a price I can afford!

And

A drawing workshop! However, this workshop does not fit into my schedule or budget ... right now. 

What excites me, what I am abundantly grateful for, is that I attracted these workshops into my life. That God is blessing me with Divine Guidance to attract into my life what I want. 

Thank You, God!

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Dream Accomplished

"I am independent! I can live alone and I love to work." -Mary Cassatt 

I read this quote this morning. I had no idea who Mary Cassatt was so I googled her and found out that she was an artist in the late 1800's - early 1900's. Like Louisa May Alcott, whom I've been recently reading about, she was determined to be independent.

This morning I realized that I had accomplished a dream I had in my early twenties - to be able to support myself. 

I am a teacher. When I began teaching, in the early 80's, I did not make enough money to support myself. Although I dreamed of having such an income, I married and my husband and I combined our incomes.

We had children, and I stopped working and stayed home with them. I am eternally grateful to have been able to stay home with my children. I observed, however, that my husband made enough money to support our family of six, and when I had stopped working I was yet earning enough to support myself.

I remained home with my children (quadruplets) until they were in second grade, then I returned to teaching part time. Still not earning enough money to support myself.

Several years later, when my children were in eighth grade, I returned to full time teaching. My salary was combined with my husband's to support our family. I no longer considered if my income was enough to support myself.

Now, let me make myself clear, I did not have any intention to go off and live alone. My biggest dream was to be married and have a family. However, for some reason it was important to me to earn an income that could support myself. The independent part of me was still there.

Just this morning, as I read Mary Cassatt's quote, I realized that at this point in my life, at age 55 with 25 years of teaching, I make enough money to support support myself and live comfortably.  I accomplished my dream, and hadn't even realized it.

Today, I am grateful for this accomplished dream. I am grateful that while I was living the life I dreamed of I was accomplishing a dream I had forgotten about. Or had I? 

I love my life! I am living the life of my dreams. I still have dreams. I am so excited for the future!

Thank You, God, for an abundant life!

Friday, August 23, 2013

Shop till You Drop

Yesterday, I had a wonderful day shopping with two of my daughters. We went, with grateful hearts, with the money God blessed us to spend. We went with grateful hearts that God blessed us with the day together. We literally shopped until our bodies said,"No more!" We came home joyfully exhausted.

Later that evening, my daughter who was not able to join us, asked each of us to show her what we bought. She was so happy for us that we had such a nice day. Although we all would have loved for her to be able to join us, she too had a very nice day. 

Today, I am grateful for being blessed with three daughters and the abundant love that we share. Thank You, God!

P.S. I have a son whom I love abundantly too. 

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

The Many People Who Serve and Bless Me

God, has placed many people in my life to serve and bless me. 

There are people I see: my mailman, the cashier at the supermarket, the gas attendant, the ladies who dry clean my clothes, my hair dresser, my manicurist, the UPS and Fed Ex drivers who deliver packages to my home, the waiter/waitress serving my food,... This list goes on. I am abundantly grateful for all these people whom God has placed in my life.

There are many others who are serving and blessing me that I will never see: the people who work everyday to make the clothes and shoes I wear, the accessories I carry, the appliances I use, my car, my iPhone, computer, iPad, pens, books, yarn, the furniture in my home, the tires on my car, the food I eat, the wine I drink, the laundry detergent I use, ... Everything I use everyday comes to me via another person. The roads I drive on, the stores I shop in, the electricity in my home all are there for me because of someone else. I am abundantly grateful for all these people God has placed in my life.

Today, I say, "Thank You, God, for every single person who is serving and blessing me."

Bless them abundantly.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Read, Write, Knit Sundays

I can easily spend an entire day reading, writing and knitting. Yesterday I was blessed with such a day. As I was taking care of the laundry,


after a week at the beach,















I would curl up in my comfy green chair and read.


Reading always prompts me to write, so I would then grab my iPad and write my thoughts.




 Grabbing a cup of coffee later I switched to the upright wing back chair to knit.




















In the evening we ordered pizza and relaxed some more. It was a glorious day! Thank You, God!







Note: All photos are mine. Sharing Divine Inspiration is my other blog.




Friday, August 9, 2013

A Morning at Barnes and Noble

This morning my friend Denise and I spent three glorious hours in Barnes and Noble! We didn't plan to, the hours just flew by. First, we walked five and a half miles around a beautiful lake, then drove over to Barnes and Noble. We selected books and magazines that interested us and took them into the cafe. Our little round table was so little we had to pull over two extra chairs, one for our look-through stack and one for our put-back stack. The ones we were purchasing went to the bottom of our look-through stack. We got our coffees and scones and settled in. As we browsed through our books and magazines we read bits to each other and shared beautiful photos. At the end we each selected a book and a Stampington magazine, but it didn't end there. As we made our way to the register we walked among dozens of bargain items. So many to look at and say no to. Yet, we each ended up with two more books and a calligraphy set. We always wanted to learn calligraphy. How could we resist? It was bargain-priced!  At the registers we discovered that we spent exactly the same amount of money, right down to the penny! We laughed. It was a glorious morning and we each had an armload of bargains!

Today, I am grateful for my friend Denise and the hours God blessed us with to enjoy together. I am grateful for the items I purchased. I know they will bring me great joy. I believe God's hand was guiding this day.

Thank You, God.

         The gorgeous lake we walk around at least twice everyday.



That's not a book on top of a book. That is the book cover! Isn't it beautiful? I know I should not judge a book by its cover, but this one was impossible to resist. Plus Little Women is one of my favorite books.



I devour everything written by Susan Branch. Susan's new book A Fine Romance is an artful journal. I have dreamed of writing an artful journal. This book shall be my beginning.



        My favorite magazine in the whole wide world!



        Gotta learn calligraphy in order to write an artful journal.









My Gifts

"Open up your arms and sing the praises of your many gifts." -Alexandra Stoddard

God has blessed us all with gifts and talents. The Bible tells us to go out and serve and bless others with our talents. To go out and multiply our talents, not to bury them. As long as we use them God is pleased. 

First, we have to think about our talents. What gifts did God bless us with? 

I have recognized four gifts God bestowed upon me - the ability to read, to write, to knit and to teach. I believe that God gave me my gifts to bless myself and others. 

 I bless myself when I read. I enjoy reading. I learn many things when I read. I am able to read the Bible.

I bless myself when I write. Writing is a need for me. I think by writing. I pray by writing. I tell my story by writing.

I bless myself when I knit. Knitting is my meditation. Knitting controls my blood pressure. Knitting keeps me calm.

I bless myself when I teach. I learn much from my students. I learn more about reading, writing and knitting when I teach them to others. 

I bless others when I teach them how to read. I bless others when I read what they have written. 

I bless others when I teach them how to write. I bless others when I write my story.

I bless others when I teach them how to knit. I bless others when I knit a prayer shawl or a blanket or another gift for them. I bless my husband when I knit in the car and I don't tell him how to drive.

I pray that I am using my gifts to the fullest. That I am multiplying them. I pray that I will hear God when He needs me to bless others with my gifts. I pray that I have recognized all the gifts God gave to me. I pray, "Thank You, God, for my gifts."

Erma Bombeck once said, "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'.

Me too. 









Thursday, August 8, 2013

Sabrina

Have you seen the movie Sabrina? Not the 1995 version, although that is a wonderful movie, the 1954 version. Oh my goodness! The 1954 version with Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn and William Holden is fantastic! It is a fun movie that will make you laugh and warm your heart.

The 1995 version of Sabrina was my favorite movie. I fell in love with this movie as I watched Sabrina write in her journal. My daughter bought me the 1954 version for my birthday. I watched it yesterday and fell madly in love with it. Audrey Hepburn is amazing! She is absolutely gorgeous! This movie brought me so much joy!

Today I am abundantly grateful for the movie Sabrina and everyone who had a part in getting that movie in front of me and blessing me with such joy - especially my beautiful daughter Meredith.

Thank You, God!





Friday, August 2, 2013

My Favorite Bloggers

I subscribe via email to about six blogs. I follow many on Bloglovin. There are two blogs that when I open up my email and I see their blog titles, in the list of new emails, my heart jumps with joy.

The first one is Susan Branch at http://www.susanbranch.com/. Susan is absolutely delightful. I know that when I read her blog post I will be filled with joy and enthusiasm. Susan writes that she has the "happy gene."  If that happy gene is contagious you will catch it from Susan. Susan writes about her cooking, her art and her travels. She has a unique way of taking us along with her as if we are her very best friend. Susan blesses and serves others with her contagious joy for life. She makes me want to write, create and share my love for life.

The second blog that I adore is Vicki's blog at http://www.vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com/.  Vicki is sweet and kind and generous. Vicki writes about her travels and her knitting. Hence, " two bags full', one for her clothes and one for her yarn. Vicki serves and blesses her readers with beautiful give-aways and " build your blog" parties. Then, she gracefully reaches out to her readers to serve and bless others through knitting for charity or purchasing her elegantly knitted bird nests, of which she donates 100% of the proceeds. Vicki inspires me to serve and bless others.

Susan and Vicki are my mentors. They inspire me to write, to create, to share and to bless and serve others. I am abundantly grateful that God blessed me with Susan and Vicki. 

Thank You, God!


Thursday, August 1, 2013

Positivity

I did not grow up in a positive atmosphere. I grew up amidst worry, fear and judgement. Yes, I was loved, but worry, fear and judgement were the dominant feelings in our home.

At the age of 18, when I was in college, I decided that I did not want to live this way. I decided that I wanted to be happy. I remember clearly thinking, "I am not happy." I made the decision to take control of my happiness.

It did not happen overnight. But, over the years, every day of my life, I learned to be happy. Each day I was happier than the day before. Susan Branch, a wonderful author and artist, says that she has the "happy gene." I believe we all do. We just have to nurture it.

I learned to be happy by reading positive books and studying happy people. God will put happy people in your life if you choose to nurture your happy gene. Pay attention to them. Talk to them. Find out how they are so happy. We all have situations in our lives that, if we allow it, can change our happiness. Seek out people who remain happy through challenges, and find out what they do to remain happy.

Read. There are many amazing authors who have written excellent books teaching us how to choose happiness. Here are just a few that I have found helpful over the years: 

1. The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
2. Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach
3. Anything written by Susan Branch. Start with her delightful blog. www.susanbranch.com
4. Anything written by Alexandra Stoddard.
5. The Secret, The Power and The Magic by Rhonda Byrne
6. Change Your Thinking Change Your Life by Wayne Dwyer
7. Tao Te Ching
8. The Tao of Pooh
9. Go To ELF by Lauren McLaughin
10. God's Guest List by Debbie Macomber

 Today, I am grateful for Divine Guidance to happiness. I know that the people and the books that helped me nurture my happy gene were gifts from God. Thank You, God.


Monday, July 29, 2013

A Day of Rest

Sunday is a day of rest.

That's what I was told in Catholic school. Growing up it was. At my house, on Sunday, we went to church, to the bakery then home to linger all morning eating crumb buns and reading the paper. 

I grew up and got married. Sunday wasn't such a day of rest anymore. To my husband Sunday was like Saturday, another day to get work done around the house. He may have slept in a little later, but by noon he was working outside or in his shop.

Now, at 55, Sundays are a bit quieter for him. He sleeps a little later, lingers over coffee and the newspaper, maybe does a task or two, but at some point in the afternoon he sits down and rests. Sometimes he even falls asleep. It is really nice. Now, I can rest too.

Today, I am grateful that my husband is slowing down. Life is good. Real good. It's nice to stop and just rest in it once in a while. 

Sunday is a day of rest. Thank You, God.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Home Sweet Home

Yesterday was perfect!
The weather amazing.
I opened up all the windows.
Everyone else in the house had to work.
I had the house to myself.
I cleaned. 
I cooked.
I went on the treadmill.
I crocheted.
 Heaven!
Everyone came home.
Dinner.
Laughter.
Love.
Yesterday was perfect!
Thank You, God!


Friday, July 26, 2013

Book Bub

Have you heard of Book Bub? If you are a reader you must check it out. It is a website. You join for free, answer a few questions about your reading preferences, and they send you three book suggestions everyday. There is always at least one free book, often two, and the other books are never more than $3.99! The books are not the bestsellers, but sometimes an older book by a popular author will be available. I have read several of the books, and I only abandoned one. I highly recommend that you give it a try. It's free!

Today, I am grateful for Book Bub. I like free! Thank You, God!

http://home.bookbub.com/home/






Thursday, July 25, 2013

Completing My Projects

I am a multi-tasker. I flit like a hummingbird from one activity to the next. I read two, three, even four books at a time. I am a knitter and a needle-felter.  I have several projects going all at the same time. I really do finish everything. 

This summer I decided that I would not start another project until I completed all the projects I had going. That would be all six of them.

God has blessed me with the time. Now it is up to me to use it wisely. 

Today, I am grateful for the gift of time. I am grateful for the gifts of self-discipline and perseverance. My projects are getting done. Thank You, God.




Wednesday, July 24, 2013

A Great Price

I have been dreaming about making table-skirts for two six-foot folding tables that I use in my studio every day. These skirts require at least ten yards of fabric. I went to the fabric store, but I wasn't willing to spend close to $100.00 on fabric. The other day I was struck with Divine Inspiration that maybe I could use sheets, so off I went to Target. Sheets are expensive! I still would be paying $100.00. I decided to take a look at the curtains, and much to my delight I found ivory sheers for $4.99 a piece! They were the perfect size too! I needed five of them. I brought them up to the register, and I asked the girl to check the price before she rung them up. They were marked down even further - $4.74 each! Yay! Now $25.00 for two table-skirts was a price I was happy to pay. 

Today, I am grateful for the right price. God blessed me with what I needed. Thank You, God!

Today I am off to WalMart to look for some pretty trim to decorate my table-skirts...


I think Bernie is going to really like his new more private space.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

PASSION

I love Alexandra Stoddard. She is an amazing author of non-fiction books about living really well. Today, I read the following quote by her:

 "People clutter up their lives because they haven't found their inner fire. Once we discover our passion, we tend to simplify." 

I categorize my passion into two groups. Passion with a capital P and passion with a lower case p.

My passion with a lower case p are my interests reading, writing, knitting and walking, (it used to be running, but at 55 I switched to more walking) and all things in my life associated with those four activities. I am about to clear out my craft closet, and yes, it will be very easy to clean out because I know my passion. Therefore, I know what I want to keep and what I am more than ready to let go.

 My Passion with a capital P is my family. My husband, my four children, and all my family members are my Passion. I will drop all of my passions for them. I love my family with my entire being. I truly do believe "family first."

I have a PASSION that encompasses all of my passions/Passions - God, Jesus, Faith. This is the title of my post. This is the title of my life.  

Thank You, God for all the PASSIONS in my life!




Sunday, July 21, 2013

Nurturing A Marriage

My husband and I are celebrating 32 years of marriage this weekend. 


When our quadruplets were born we started, with the encouragement of my in-laws, to get away for a weekend at least four times a year. One of those weekends is always for our anniversary. How smart are my in-laws? I treasure our weekends. We even, over the years, found one place we like the most, and often go there just to rest together.

If you are married, with or without children, I strongly urge you to take a weekend a few times a year and devote it to just the two of you. Take the time to nurture your marriage. 


See, 32 years later and our love is deep with roots that will keep it strong!

Today, I am grateful for my wise in-laws, the weekends my husband and I have devoted to one another and our marriage, and for a wonderful marriage. I pray that God will bless us with at least 32 more years together.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Freebies

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. -Luke 6:38

In the world of apps there are many that are free and there are many that offer a free version and an upgrade version. I love this! I can try an app for free, and if I love it, I can buy more of it. There are also websites that do this also. As a blogger www.shabbyblogs.com and www.picmonkey.com are two of my favorites. Shabby Blogs provides a wide selection of blog backgrounds, blog buttons, blog headers and more for free. If you want to pay, there is even more. Pic Monkey is a photo editing website. I am learning about photo editing for free! If I want more I can pay. Most likely I will pay for more to both of these websites because I love them and use them so much. I am also learning photo editing on www.irfanview.com. This one is free also. 

Today, I am grateful to people, companies, organizations, etc. that serve and bless others with their gifts and talents without charging one penny. 

dream of owning a Fiber Arts Studio some day. I want to apply this concept to my business. I want to offer many free services. I want people to be able to discover their own skills and talents for free. I want to serve and bless others with the skills and talents God gave me. I think God is working on this dream of mine right now. 

Right now, I am a special education teacher in a public school. I do my best to give above and beyond at my job. I believe one should always give more than is expected. I serve and bless others for free by volunteering with Literacy Volunteers of America. 

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. -Luke 6:38

Friday, July 19, 2013

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/9930849/?claim=ghgckbgcdtb">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Friends

God has blessed me with amazing girlfriends! Denise, Liz, Milly, Sue, Jean - friends who really do love me unconditionally. Wow! Thank You, God!


Thursday, July 18, 2013

The Morning Breeze

As I sit on the porch this morning, drinking my coffee, there is a beautiful, gentle, warm breeze.



Today, I am so very grateful for this gentle breeze that is blessing me with peace.




Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Our Air Conditioners

This has been one hot summer! School is out four weeks this Friday, and I have not been able to turn off the air conditioners and open up the house one day. We do not have central air, but we do have window units in the bedrooms. If we keep those on all day the air falls down and the house stays cool. 

Today, I am grateful for our air conditioners and for the electricity to run them. 



Tuesday, July 16, 2013

When Gary Makes Dinner

My husband is not a cook. My husband does not cook. However, every now and then he will prepare dinner - a simple dinner - but it is dinner. Last night he made hot dogs - in the microwave. He even toasted the buns - in the toaster. If you want side dishes, when he makes dinner, you have to make those yourself. That hot dog tasted real good last night. No matter what he cooks, when he cooks, it tastes absolutely delicious! 

Today I am very grateful for the times my husband serves and blesses me with cooking dinner.

He makes great toast for breakfast too. I love that man!


Monday, July 15, 2013

My Daughter's Feet Are Back On the Ground

Yesterday my daughter Meredith jumped out of a plane.


That's her way up in the sky.

This was her fourth jump, but I still pray like crazy. 

She landed safe and sound.

Thank You, thank You, thank You, God, for protecting my baby girl.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

God is Watering the Plants



I love beautiful plants and flowers, but I do not enjoy gardening. You know that garden plaque saying about being in a garden is like being a little closer to heaven? Well not for me! So every spring I tell God that I will do the planting, but it would be really great if He did the watering. Most summers many of my plants die, because I don't water them. Not this year! This year God is doing all the watering! I only had to water once this summer. Yay!!! Thank You, God!

The hydrangeas in this area are absolutely stunning! The berries are growing in abundance. My flower boxes are thriving. The trees and shrubbery are amazingly lush. 

We have been having a lot of rain and humidity. The sky has been looking a bit dreary. If we choose to look at the beauty this weather is bringing we will find it in abundance.

Thank You, God, for watering the flowers and plants and making the scenery even more stunning!














Saturday, July 13, 2013

Flowers

Check out these gorgeous flowers!




There is a lady who grows and sells these flowers, in her yard, right here in my home town. Her flower stand is only open on Fridays and Saturdays. This gorgeous arrangement is in a basket. Would you believe that she only charged $20 for them? I bought them as a gift for my friend. We were going to her house for dinner. They look amazing on her coffee table! She has denim sofas and her coffee table is blue. The blue hydrangeas just pop in that room. It brought me such joy to give them to her!

Today I am grateful for God's beautiful flowers and the lady who grows, nurtures and blesses and serves others with them.


Friday, July 12, 2013

Where Bloggers Create

I love the month of July! I love it because I am rested, relaxed and joining Karen Valentine's Where Bloggers Create party. Every July Karen hosts this fantastic blog party where creative bloggers bless us with a tour of their studios. Tons of inspiration all in one place! 

Today, I am grateful for Karen Valentine who chooses to serve and bless others by bringing together kindred bloggers. Thank You, Karen! Thank You, God!



 http://www.mydesertcottage.com/

Thursday, July 11, 2013

The Weather App

Have you tried the Weather Channel app? It is fantastic! I walk every morning, and this app lets me know the exact weather for an exact time. If I think it is going to rain, I check the app. It gives me the percentage of precipitation for each hour. I love it! One day my daughter and I were going walking. It was pouring out as we drove to our starting lot. She said, "I don't know about this mom." I replied, "The app says that there is zero percent chance of precip at 8:00." It was absolutely pouring! We sat in the car. At 8:01 the rain stopped. We walked!

Today I am grateful for The Weather Channel app. I am grateful for technology. I am grateful for the people who created it, using their gifts from God to bless and serve others.



Wednesday, July 10, 2013

A Summer Routine

  • There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. - Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV



I am a routine person. I enjoy breaks from my routine, but I like to have a routine. I am a teacher who is blessed with the summers off. Sometimes I struggle to get into a summer routine. Sometimes I go back to work in September without ever falling into a summer routine. Not this year! This summer I have fallen into a delightful summer routine. Yay!


 I am up by 6:00 a.m. - I love summer mornings!
I put on a load of wash, make a cup of coffee and spend some time outside with God talking and listening to Him. I am so very grateful for Divine Guidance. I can never get enough.



Next, I meet friends to go for a healthy brisk walk around a gorgeous lake. I am grateful for this beautiful lake to walk around in the company of good friends.



 I return home from my walk to House Blessings. That's a nice way of saying I clean my house. I am grateful for my home. It is a gift from God for which I am very grateful. I spend some time each morning caring for our home.

By noon I am showered and ready to move into my studio. My studio used to be our dining room, but we never used it so,with my husband's blessings, I took it over. I knit, crochet, needle felt, blog, read, write, dream and sometimes even nap in my wonderful space. I am grateful for my studio. I love spending time in my studio.

In the evening I am preparing dinner, spending time with my husband, having a glass of wine on the front porch with my family. I love this time of day when everyone is returning home from work. I am grateful for the time we can all spend together.


After dinner we settle in to watch TV for a little while. This is great knitting time!



Since I'm up early I go to bed early. I take my book, a big glass of water and settle in for some reading time before I go to sleep.




I am abundantly grateful for my summer routine. I am very blessed. Thank You, God!





Monday, July 8, 2013

The Peace and Quiet of the Early Morning

"Give thanks in all circumstances." -1 Thessalonians 5:18

Each morning, when I wake up, I put on a load of wash, get a cup of coffee and spend some time with God. First, I thank Him. Then I read a devotional or two and meditate upon what God needs me to understand and apply that day. I end my time with God by praying for others.

In the summer I sit out on our side porch and enjoy the silence and solitude of the early morning.

Today, I am grateful for my special time with God every morning, and my special place to meet God.






My Daily Walk

Every morning I meet my friend Denise and we walk. We walk around a beautiful lake. Our path is very hilly, but it is also nice and shady. We meet lots of lovely people as we walk. Many of them have adorable dogs who are eager to say hello. Today I am abundantly grateful for my daily walk.


Sunday, July 7, 2013

Friends

We had a Fourth of July party. We had a lot of food leftover. Last night we invited our closest friends over, and I let my girlfriends loose in my kitchen with the leftovers. They are both amazing cooks! I knew they would come up with something great! They did not let me down. They prepared a delicious and nutritious meal with the party leftovers for eight people last night. We had so much fun! 

Today I am grateful for our friends. Friends who are comfortable to cook in my kitchen. Thank You, God.

If you are wondering what they prepared - they made shrimp scampi with rigatoni and arugula, garlic toasted cheese flatbreads and a salad with the works. Yum!


Saturday, July 6, 2013

The Liebster Award

Susan Barclay from http://notesfrominnisfree.blogspot.com/ nominated my blog www.sharingdivineinspiration.blogspot.com for the Liebster Award. The Liebster Award is a blog award given to blogs with less than 200 followers that the person doing the nominating believes to be a blog worthy of recognition and with the intention to encourage the blogger to keep blogging. 

Today I am abundantly grateful for Susan Barclay. Sometimes we all need a little recognition, a little whisper from God, to keep going.

If you are interested in reading more about The Liebster Award go here:

http://www.sharingdivineinspiration.blogspot.com/2013/07/liebster.html




Friday, July 5, 2013

The Fourth of July

The Fourth of July has always been a big holiday in my life. 



When I was a little girl we always had a barbecue. It was the only day of the year that we used the barbecue grill when I was young. My dad would spike the fruit salad in the watermelon basket, light up the charcoal grill - ah, I still love that smell - and set off fireworks. I never liked the noise of fireworks. I only liked the sparklers. We all wore our red, white and blue and created joyful memories.



My husband and I have a Fourth of July barbecue every year. The whole family and our friends would come. The little kids would have a blast in the pool. We would cook lots of hot dogs and hamburgers on three or four grills. At the end of the evening we would all walk down to the high school, spread out our blankets and watch the fireworks. We created joyful memories.



Last night my husband and I had a Fourth of July barbecue. I didn't spike the watermelon. We started up the propane grill, and everyone made their own pizza on a Boboli. It's against the law to set off fireworks in your back yard, and the town doesn't have them anymore because they cost too much money, so there were no fireworks. Well, some of our neighbors set them off, but the police go all over town stopping them. We created memories.


I am very grateful to live in the U.S.A. I am very grateful to have happy childhood memories about the Fourth of July. I am grateful for the childhood memories we gave to our children. 


I joyfully anticipate being a grandmother someday. I want to bless my grandchildren with wonderful memories of the Fourth of July. 


I am abundantly grateful that I can choose to create joyful memories. Thank You, God, for the gift of freedom.



Thursday, July 4, 2013

My Sister Helen

My sister Helen is 14 years older than me. My mother died when I was 8, but Helen was always there for me. Always. Today I am abundantly grateful for my sister Helen. Thank You, God!