Just plain “THANKFUL”

that is what I am today.  As I sit here in my home, on my laptop, and watching the news on my TV and sipping coffee from one of my favorite cups, I realize how blessed and fortunate I am. 

Knowing I have a home and a place to shelter from this hurricane that is rolling in, I am reminded that there are people that don’t have that luxury today.

 

So today I just want to thank God and keep in mind all that I have is his and I’m grateful.

I’m linking to Thankful Thursday hosted by Laurie and Dayle @ Simple Pleasures. 

 

 

Stop by and read what others are thankful for.

Psalm 119:165“Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Cindy

Normal days at home

 

Lately there seems to way to much going on.  Whether it is things to do, to get marked off the infamous “errand list” or places to go for those in need. Many of my family and friends are going through some difficult and painful times, which has added some extra activity.  And top of all that, I have much to do with thinking about “our future move”…to where, who knows…. but I know I have a itch to move on and get settled wherever God decides to plant us.



For me, there really doesn’t look like a lot of slow down time for me in the future.  So for me, today I am thankful for just a normal day at home, just taking care of my home. 

Linking up today with Dayle @ A Collection of this or that  for Simple Pleasures, and also to Thankful Thursday @ Women Taking a Stand, hosted by Laurie.  Thanks to Laurie and Dayle.  Feel free to join us.

Philippians 4:6-7“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Cindy

Simple Pleasure and Thankfulness 4/14/11

Hello friends…..at this time of year there are so many little things on my list to be thankful for and so many little pleasures in life.  But the one I chose for today is. Old friendships.

“A friend is a gift you give yourself.”

You see this week, I met up with a girlfriend I hadn’t seen in over 15 years. Oh we have been talking about getting together for the last 3 years…yep, that’s right.  Due to schedules and life, it just never happened.  At the moment we live about 1 hour apart so we decided to meet half way in the middle.  Oh and am I glad we did. We had the best time.

It’s like we have never been apart.  We picked right up where we left off.  However, after 15+ years you know there is a lot of “catching up” to do, talking about our children….where they are all at now and what they are doing.  Plus I had one that is married, which we had to discuss. 

 

We became friends years ago when I was living in Germany.  We had moved there when my ex was in the Navy, and she was there due to her hubby’s job. We met on the ball field.  Our sons played baseball together and we became fast friends.  Being a veteran of living overseas, and she was a “newbie”, I enjoyed helping her along. 

Eventually we were in Sunday school, church, bible study together. She had such a magnetic personality, and people loved her. She was a wonderful dear Christian woman who loved the Lord and aspired to “serve him”.  I really miss those days of growth in our Christian walks.  

We were together quite often..  whether at a church function or ballgame or just dinner.  We shared, cared, wiped tears, laughed, the list goes on.  However, once returning back to the states in ‘93 we got together and that was the last time I saw her….albeit we sent the Christmas cards.  So seeing her still looking as young as ever was such a treat.
 
She and I both are now in new marriages. What is it about men deciding after 20+ years, you aren’t worth the effort to make it work?  Oh that’s another post I am sure…. anyway, we caught up on our new marriages. Mine of 3 years and hers of just 6 months. 

And we decided we would get together again soon so that our new hubby’s can meet.  Plus she and I plan to make this a once a month gift we give ourselves.  I am already looking forward to the next luncheon.



Today I am linking up to Simple Pleasures and Thankful Thursdays.  Feel free to join us. 

   

1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4“[The Resurrection of Christ] Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Cindy

Simple Pleasure 4-7-11

Good Morning Ladies, I hope you will join me in sharing your Simple Pleasure today.  Dayle host our party each week.  Check it out.

 

Today my simple pleasure is really quite simple but one I enjoy immensely. 

My Simple Pleasure today is a hot bubble bath.To me, after a long, stressful day nothing feels quite as good as running a hot bath full of bubbles and maybe even lighting a candle of too.  Turning down the lights and just relax.

 

 

So, what would be your simple pleasure today?  Wanna share, then join us today at Simple Pleasures! 

Quote of the Day:
I was so hungry I could have eaten a horse. But only pigs were available.
--Anonymous

Simple Pleasure and Gratitude 2-10-11

Today I thought I could tie them both in together…. 

It’s been a while since I have gotten to participate in these meme’s but I just love them both and the other ladies are so dear that I have had the opportunity to meet and share with.  I’ve been moving and getting settled since Halloween of last year so it’s good to be back.  :)

 

My Simple Pleasure and Gratitude today is simply REST

   It’s wonderful to have the time to rest our bodies and know that we don’t have anything pressing that has to be done. Can you say grateful?  After several months of running and going non stop it is wonderful to be able to simply stop and rest.

 

 

 

 

 

Join us over @ A Collection of This and That for  Simple Pleasures  hosted by Dayle and Thankful Thursday hosted by Laurie @ Women Taking a Stand

 

And

 

 

1 Corinthians 13:1-3“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Simple Pleasures-Reading

Happy Thursday dear friends….hope your having a great week and are enjoying this fall weather.  I am loving everything about this time of year…

Last night I spent the evening making pumpkin bread and my house smelled so yummy, the mixes of cinnamon and nutmeg and pumpkin spice filling the house was a aroma to behold.  Anyway, I could go on about that and the smells of cooking are a wonderful simple pleasure, but today the one I am really enjoying now is reading.

This is my favorite…Amish Fiction, next to my bible and bible study books, this is what I enjoying reading the most.  These stories are full of family, love, faith.  Such strong family values.  Where life slows down and the real things in life that matter are tended to.

“If you think all romance novels have covers displaying a shirtless Fabio clone embracing a woman with heaving bosoms and are filled with torrid sex scenes, think again. The hottest trend right now in the romance genre is the “Amish inspirational,” which are books with chastely dressed women on the front and no sex inside. Yep, that’s right, kissing is about as racy as it gets in an Amish inspirational. But, for many readers, that’s very appealing. As a recent article in USA Today says, “In our sex-soaked society, nothing seems to inflame the imagination quite like the chaste.””

If your a reader, and you love the simple life, I highly recommend these books.  You will not be disappointed.

So what is your simple pleasure today?  Check out what others are saying, by stopping in at Simple Pleasures. Join Dayle (our wonderful  hostess) @ A Collection of This and That. 

 

1 Peter 1:24-25“For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Simple Pleasure - Lighting my Candle

Happy Thursday to everyone, today I am participating in Simple Pleasures with Dayle @ A Collection of This and That. I hope you will  check out the simple pleasures that others are sharing.


Today my Simple Pleasure is my Pumpkin Spice Candle burning in my kitchen/family room. The aromas stemming from it feel the senses with warmth and coziness.
I love the way the candle changes the mood in the house, as well as mine,something as simple as a candle can slow me.
So what is your simple pleasure today? 

Psalm 40:8“I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Simple Pleasures and Thankful Thursday

all rolled into one.  :)

Today I am joining Dayle @ A Collection of This and That for Simple Pleasure and Lynn @  Spiritually Unequal Marriage for Thankful Thursday. 

I have so much in this life to be thankful for and I give God the thanks on a daily basis. Even the small things.

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Hebrews 13:15)

Today my simple pleasure is really simple really.  Pumpkin Spice Latte…

When I see the signs go up at Starbucks or DD I know that fall has finally arrived.  It is the one thing during this season I afford myself the pleasure. 

I love curling up with my latte and thumbing through some old books or magazines or simply watching a wonderful old Classic movie.  Doesn’t get much better than that, does it?

You might ask why I am thankful for this little simple pleasure….well again for me, it is simple.  For the past several weeks, when my children have come through town on the way to my house, they have stopped off and picked one up for me.  Why, because they know it is a treat that I love.  And seeing their giving and generous hearts is always something to be thankful for.  Plus I am thankful that it is a wonderful time to create  special memories with them while we sip our drink of choice for this colorful and beautiful season. So what are your simple pleasure today, and what are you thankful for?  

God is so good!

Pumpkin Spice Latte
makes 1-2 servings

Ingredients:
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons canned pumpkin OR 1 teaspoon of Torani Pumpkin Spice Syrup (I use canned pumpkin)
2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1-2 shots espresso (about 1/4 cup of espresso or 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee if you don't have an espresso machine.)

Directions:
In a saucepan combine milk, pumpkin and sugar and cook on medium heat, stirring, until steaming. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and spice, transfer to a blender and process for 15 seconds until foamy. If you don't have a blender, don't worry about it - just whisk the mixture really well with a wire whisk.

Pour into a large mug or two mugs. Add the espresso on top.

Top with whipped cream and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or cinnamon on top.

Life is Good!

Romans 12:2“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Simple Pleasure - Sept 23

So what is my Simple Pleasure today…..Flannel Sheets, yep you heard me right. When the weather gets cooler, I’m digging in my linen closet…..

With the cooler evenings and mornings it is the perfect time to break out  the flannel sheets.  To me, nothing says comfort like flannel sheets (except maybe flannel jammies).  Now is the time for me to get my  bed cozy and soft for the winter nights.  Maybe even use a little linen spray of lavender to make sliding between the sheets irresistible.

 

I,also love the printed ones with  all the holiday images. I have a couple of sets that I love to use during the holidays.  How fun are these?, with the little trees, and my little snowflake ones. 

So what is your simple pleasure today?  Join us @ A Collection of This and That to see what others are saying.

Romans 5:3-4“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Simple Pleasure- Sept 16th

Can you guess what my simple pleasure is today?  One guess….you got it.  My Crockpot, actually I have three and I love them all.  :) 

With the cooler weather upon us, I decided today to use mine, and then I got real motivated and pulled the other one out and am using it  too.  So today, I am using not one but two of them.  First one is full of a chicken and corn chowder, ummmmmm yummy, and the second is cooking up a warm apple crisp.

My Crockpot makes my life so much easier, I love the way my house smells with aromas  when dinner is  cooking. I also love the fact that I can toss everything into it and walk away and have a warm, tasty, and satisfying  meal at the end of the day without alot of effort.

If you would love to read some other simple pleasures, jump over to A  collection of This and That where Dayle is our gracious host.  Thank you Dayle.

 

James 3:13“[Two Kinds of Wisdom] Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Simple Pleasures-Sept 9-Flannel Jammies

Good Morning all…

 

This morning I woke up too much cooler weather and it reminds me of one of my simple pleasures.  I {heart A} me some flannel jammies.

And to top it off, is when I can stay in them all day.  I must have  6 or so pair and every season I buy more. Guess you can say it’s a addiction.   In the upcoming months I will be spending ALOT of time in them.  Any time I am home I prefer to wear them to anything.  They just say comfy!!!

So what is your simple pleasure today?  Join us at A Collection of this and that.  Thank you Dayle for being such a wonderful hostess.  B 

Titus 2:2“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Cup of Joe and a book

As I am sitting here this morning thinking about my simple pleasure  and my Thankful Thursday post, they both fit so nicely together.  I love it when that happens. 

             

My simple pleasure this morning is that first cup of coffee while spending time with the Lord. 

And being thankful for the opportunity to enjoy it, as so many women don’t have that opportunity with having to run out to work. 

Now that is the “best part of waking up”.

Feel free to join us for Simple Pleasures hosted by Dayle at  A Collection of This and That  and Thankful Thursday hosted by Iris at  Grace Alone

 

Psalm 119:64“The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Some linky party love

Simple Pleasures and Thankful Thursday are today…seems like I was just writing my post for last week and here we are another week down the road.  I’m a bit late getting this up this morning, I have been taking care of some other computer business…  (time got away from me).

First one up is Simple Pleasures@ A Collection of this and that with our hostess Dayle.

  Ya’ll may think my simple pleasure is silly this morning….but it is magazines…. I love them, and believe me if you look around my house, you will know it too.  Let’s see, with trying to declutter I have thrown away 2 huge moving boxes full of magazines I have saved since the late 80’s.  Yep, you heard me right.  Well it is hard to part with my Country Living and Southern Living.  But I did, and hubby was relieved. But I digress…the reason they are a simple pleasure for me is because it is a cheap way for me to escape and daydream, as well as gather useful information to help make my home run more smoothly.  Tips and tricks that others have tried.  I love trying new things to see if they work for me. 

Do your magazines look like this, mine do.  All tabbed up.  There is so much clever advice and tips in them and I can’t retain it all, so I tab them for future use.  However, I don’t do so well in keeping them all in one place, so when I move, I am making it a point to do this with them. Granted it might take a whole room to organize them all, but  I’m just sayin……

Now onto Thankful Thursday hosted by Laurie @ Women taking a stand.

Since we are on the topic of books (I mean magazines are books, right?)  I am thankful for this book.

My bible!  It is the holy inspired word of God.

It  is the basis for the way I live my life, or at least try to.  It gives me in the instructions on how to live. 

I am thankful for the opportunity to study my bible without fear of persecution . I am also thankful that I can start my day off with quiet time with my Lord.  God gives us so much in HIS word. For that I am thankful too.

Jesus loves me! This I know,

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong;

They are weak, but He is strong.

Chorus:

Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me!

The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! This I know,

As He loved so long ago,

Taking children on His knee,

Saying, “Let them come to Me.”

Chorus

Jesus loves me when I'm good,

When I do the things I should,

Jesus loves me when I'm bad,

Though it makes Him very sad.

Chorus

Jesus loves me still today,

Walking with me on my way,

Wanting as a friend to give

Light and love to all who live.

Chorus

Jesus loves me! He who died

Heaven’s gate to open wide;

He will wash away my sin,

Let His little child come in.

Chorus

Jesus loves me! Loves me still

Tho' I'm very weak and ill;

That I might from sin be free

Bled and died upon the tree.

Chorus

Jesus loves me! He will stay

Close beside me all the way;

Thou hast bled and died for me,

I will henceforth live for Thee.

 

Romans 12:4-5“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Simple Pleasure-August 19

Today I am participating in the Simple Pleasures Meme, feel free to join us at A Collection of This and That.

My simple pleasure is sheets on the clothesline.  Is there anything that smells better than clean sheets smelling like the fresh air. 

“It's not hard to tell we was poor - when you saw the toilet paper dryin' on the clothesline.”

THE BASIC RULES FOR CLOTHESLINES:
Did you know that there were rules for the clothesline, well here they are for you just in case you missed them.
1. You had to wash the clothes line before hanging any clothes- walk the whole length of each line with a damp cloth around the lines.
2. You had to hang the clothes in a certain order, and always hang "whites" with "whites," and hang them first.
3. You never hung a shirt by the shoulders - always by the tail! What would the neighbors think?
4. Wash day on a Monday! . . . Never hang clothes on the weekend, or Sunday, OH MY for Heaven's sake, NO!
5. Hang the sheets and towels on the outside lines so you could hide your unmentionables" in the middle
6. It didn't matter if it was sub zero weather . . . Clothes would "freeze-dry."
7. Always gather the clothes pins and placed in the clothespin bag when taking down dry clothes! Pins left on the lines were "tacky!"
8. If you were efficient, which my Mother was, you would line the clothes up so that each item did not need two clothes pins, but shared one of the clothes pins with the next washed item.
9. Clothes off of the line before dinner time, neatly folded in the clothes basket, and ready to be ironed.
10. IRONED?!!! Well, that's a whole other subject!

A POEM

A clothesline was a news forecast
To neighbors passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link
For neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the "fancy sheets"
And towels upon the line;
You'd see the "company table cloths"
With the intricate design.

The line announced a baby's birth
From folks who lived inside -
As brand new infant clothes were hung,
So carefully with pride!

The ages of the children
Could So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed,
You'd know how much they'd grown!

It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.

It also said, "Gone on vacation now"
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare!

New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy and gray,
As neighbors carefully raised their brows,
And looked the other way . .

But clotheslines now are of the past,
For dryers make work much less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is anybody's guess!

I really miss that way of life.
It was a friendly sign
When neighbors knew each other best
By what hung on the line!

Author Unknown

1 John 5:12“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Simple Pleasures

Dayle over at  A Collection of This and That has a new meme called Simple Pleasures.  I really like the precept for this meme because it has us to stop and pause and think about the simple  pleasures of everyday life.  And isn’t that what it’s all about anyway, is the simple everyday type of things that we take for granted. This mem to me goes hand and hand with the Thankful Thursday meme I like to do.

Today my simple pleasure is simple really.

SUMMER R.A.I.N.

Something that we are in much need of, so therefore I am grateful for it as well.  You can see my Thankful Thursday post below.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back
and realize they were the big things.
-   Robert Brault

Psalm 119:130“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.