So Happy to Find...

Quite often when I hear about our "famous friends" being published and writing articles in magazines, etc., I am not able to find the magazine. You should have heard me as I stood at the counter checking out at Joann's Fabrics when I spied apron*ology on the rack. I squealed...out loud. Oh my! Then I did the unthinkable as the clerk looked at me curiously. I said, in my proudest voice, "That's my friend's apron on the cover!" Dawn would be mortified. I am mortified...kinda. ;>

And oh what a delicious little break I had reading it in the sun-warmed car a few minutes later. I was waiting for John to come and join me for coffee at Tim Horton's. Anyway, he arrived much too early so now I must find more time to finish reading this gem. What a chore, right?

Thank you very much for your sweet comments about my loss. I haven't seen this precious lady for several years. The last time was outside the local grocery store when she shared with me some personal and meaningful things to me. I consoled her and she consoled me and we told each other that we understood and that it was okay and that it would be all right in heaven. (One of her daughters was my labor and delivery coach when my daughter was born so you can see how close our friendships once were.) She and her husband employed my father many years ago and were a tremendous help to my family at that time. Sadly, things changed and it was not her nor her family at fault. Well, enough said about that. The point is, I know where she is today. I know that her passing released her from many years of a debilitating disease and I know that her family is rejoicing to see her safely home — even her dear husband of nearly sixty years, though his heart is breaking. I am rejoicing, too, except for that part of me that wishes that somehow things could've been different.

This woman was such a saint of God...her son-in-law, himself a pastor, accused her of "terrarium" living. She always saw the best in every situation and in every person. I wish that I had a tenth of her optimism and positive outlook.

It is not unusual for me to have vivid dreams and I dreamed of her two nights ago. In my dream, she was walking along the path near her home. She was wearing shorts and a cotton shirt in true 1965 style. There was a bounce in her step and, though she did not turn to look at John and me, she lifted her left arm and waved. I said, "Oh, John! Look! She knows we're driving by." It's good to remember her that way with the years between all gone.

Guess this might be a good time to go read my magazine...

His Eye is On the Sparrow

His Eye is on the Sparrow never comes to mind without my remembering Ethel Waters singing that great old song at Billy Graham crusades. How I loved to hear her sing! I was just a kid then, too, but I recognized the love and tenderness in that voice. The last time I tried to find a video or clip of Ethel's singing, it was not available. Recently, I found this from YouTube. Though it's not a Billy Graham clip, it's wonderful to hear this voice again singing one of my favorite hymns. In light of the loss of one of my "other mothers" in my real life this week and the losses that have even reached Blogdom, it's a sweet, sweet reminder. His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me...

The Winner Is...

So much for getting away from the computer. I was on the phone and at the computer for nearly six hours yesterday. The only thing that I successfully stayed away from was this blog until last evening when I retrieved the names for the apron giveaway.

Without further drama the winner is...



Ahem, I said, NO MORE DRAMA!








Yay! It's Lovella @ What Matters Most! Lovella, I have your email addy and I will be in touch. Don't be surprised when the subject line says "It's me — Vee."

(Seems those of you who have been sending me email all this time at MyName@Verizon.net have been wrong. My real name has been vzeo----@verizon.net all along. Anyway, I'll be in touch. Talk about troubles...oy vey.)

Sometimes Blogger is a Bugger

I spent the entire day yesterday working on my Kitchen Musings Part II. Last night at nine, I hit the publish post button and received an error message. Then *poof* it was all gone except for two lousy paragraphs. All the photos, all the links, all the remaining words. Yes, I had faithfully saved everything throughout the day as I worked on it, but apparently Blogger had not. I am so frustrated that...well, I won't go there. And it doesn't stop there. I'm one of the 260 thousand whose email account is in limbo because my stupid, incompetent provider (Fairpoint) couldn't handle taking over from Verizon. And I've been dealing with stupid and incompetent from the top levels in government to the little things like blogging. Sometimes I think God is trying to tell me something. Yes, indeed, I think He is. I'm off until further notice. Oh, I will return tomorrow to announce a winner...that I will do.

Sorry for the vent... Hope that you enjoy your day. I know that I'll enjoy mine doing anything but being anywhere near this computer!

Kitchen Musings Again

Tuesdays seem a good day to discuss kitchens once again. This is a photo of my kitchen taken last night and not an especially good one.



It is open to the dining area and the living area. This may change how I think about the kitchen as time goes on. Right now, I'm thinking about function, function, function. Later this morning, I'll try to pop in a daylight photo of a different angle so you'll know what we're up against.

So many offered suggestions on last Friday's post about this topic. Pat suggested that I visit Picket's Place. I found a wonderful and funny post about a cabinet redo on January 24, 2009. This looked very doable. I am quite certain that my beloved would have the very same reaction that hers had except for one thing, my cabinets are already painted.

Heather Bullard was suggested by K. Ashcroft. Heather's kitchen redo appears on January 29 and is a delight.

Also, Melissa at The Inspired Room featured this post on Creative Unique Kitchens, which makes so many helpful suggestions. And I loved the Perfect Pantry post (almost as much as I love alliteration). I really want to incorporate the screen door for my pantry one day soon.

Next Tuesday, I'll delve in a little deeper. I'd love to have an I'll show you my kitchen if you'll show me yours post, but my techie abilities are no match for Mr. Linky. ;>

ETA: My this morning photo with only some of my concerns noted. I'm changing that "next Tuesday" bit to tomorrow. Tomorrow, I'll revisit kitchen concerns with a list of his concerns and a list of mine. This could get interesting...



Wishing everyone a fun day!

Nonni Day

Saturday was my first Nonni Day in quite a few weeks. We've all had colds since the boys' birthday party so we were trying to avoid one another. After this long, I start to get a little antsy so was happy to get the call from my son asking if I could watch the boys while he and his sister went up on the roof to rid the house of those treacherous icicles and built-up snow. My darling daughter-in-law was working at the library hence the need. Not to be left out, John decided that he'd like nothing better than to climb very tall houses and help out.



Good thing that I was nice and warm inside with the boys who were a bit spooked at first with the sounds of thumping upon the roof and the snow cascading down past the windows.

It's a veritable Thomas the Train Amusement Park in their home these days with Thomas himself roaring his way right through the living room and new wall decals in the boys' bedroom. I so wanted to sit inside Thomas and read, but when I tried to climb in, a little grandson zipped past and held up a hand looking for all the world like a junior traffic cop. He said, "No, Nonni. Not now. Get back."







The decals were so wonderful...nothing like the old things we used to have. My mind's been going in all directions since seeing them as I'm hoping to dress up a few things (not here and not with a Thomas theme). I'll have to see what's available, but I'm certain that I'll find that there's a lot of cool stuff going on since I last checked on decals back in the 80s. I really need to get out more often even if it's a visit to the grandsons' bedroom.

After the cleaning of the roof, etc., the hard workers came in for some hot coffee and the scones that my son had baked earlier in the morning. They were so delicious and the lightest scones I've ever eaten. While the men chatted in the kitchen, my daughter, the boys, and I hung out on the sofa where we counted and counted and counted some more.



This is a little experiment to see if I can share a video. It's of our little confused counter (who is counting the pictures on his aunt's camera) and our extremely focused reader. You'll hear the men talking in low rumbles in the background and my chuckles at the grand's speech. Well, see below as the experiment didn't work out quite the way I expected and now I'll just have two posts on this topic or work on figuring out something else... I refuse to tear my hair out over this!

Have a great Monday...

Try It Again

God's Job; Your Job

God has a job, too. It's to protect you, to provide for all your needs, to make sure that one day runs into another and your heart keeps a steady rhythm and you have all the air you need to breathe. His shoulders are big and His arms are long. There's nothing you need that He can't provide, whether it's finances, health, a comforting word, or even a bottle of corn syrup...

We have only one job, and that's to hold His hand. That's it. Under "Duties and responsibilities of the child of God," there's just a single line written: "Hold tight." The minute we let go is the minute all the stewing and fretting begins. We start panicking, and the next thing you know, we're off trying to run our lives again. His hand is still there — open, waiting — but we don't notice because we're too busy trying to keep all the bad things at bay. We're swatting at foes, both real and imagined, and scanning the skies for approaching storms.

It's all so unnecessary. The fix is simple: walk back to Jesus and put your hand in His. Start trusting again. Rest. ~excerpt from a Whisper in Winter by Shannon Woodward

Be merciful and gracious to me, O God, be merciful and gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge and finds shelter and confidence in You; yes, in the shadow of Your wings will I take refuge and be confident until calamities and destructive storms are passed.

I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them]!

He will send from heaven and save me from the slanders and reproaches of him who would trample me down or swallow me up, and He will put him to shame. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! God will send forth His mercy and loving-kindness and His truth and faithfulness. Psalm 57:1–3 Amplified

Praying rest for your hearts, minds, bodies, and spirits today...