Weddings and Such

We just returned from attending the incredible wedding celebration for Jeff and Fritha Turner. It was on the water and so lovely...and HOT! One of the special things for me was the gorgeous flower arrangements on the tables at the reception. They were so much fun to look at, enjoy and drink in the beauty! Each table had one of two different displays, both of which you see here. And, I was able to bring home one of the ones like the one at the left. I am enjoying looking at it as it resides in all of its elegance on my coffee table and remembering all the great things about the day. The friends, the yummy food, the water, the joy of seeing Jeff and Fritha, having fun parasol's to use to keep the sun from making us too hot....fun day!

Congratulations to the happy couple!

The Marvelous Sounds of Trains

Now, I understand that not all will agree with that title. But, I was realizing recently how very much I am enjoying the Marvelous Sounds of Trains. (Seriously)
We live less than a mile from a very heavily used mainline. I am guessing there must be between 50 and 100 trains that most likely use it during a 24 hour period. And, I love to hear them! I love the sounds of the engine, the cars rattling over the tracks, the whistle that blows, especially in the middle of the night! Nights are the best time to hear all the sounds, and it is so comforting to hear that wonderful whistle.
Maybe it is because of the train trips we have been on, and I associate all the sounds with what we heard when we were riding the trains. Maybe it is because of the influence of a certain somebody in my life who has expressed a casual interest in trains one or two times in the past. I don't really know the reason. But, I just want it to be known, I really like the sound of trains!
And, I think that it was wonderful of the Lord to put us in a house where we can hear them so clearly, all day long! So, PTL for the Marvelous Sounds of Trains.

More Sabbath Day Praises

• A wonderful daughter-in-law, who celebrates her birthday today. Happy Birthday Claire.
• Head colds do not last forever.
• The job interview that didn't take place last week, might next week.
• The freezer is now running again, and partly stocked again.
• My talented hubby who fixed the sqeaks on our garage door, so it no longer sounds like a dying animal when it is being opened and closed.
• When my mother fell last week-twice- she didn't injure herself too badly. She is sore, but mending.
• With Mother's Day coming, I am reminded to be very grateful for my mother and her Godly wisdom and example to me through the years.
• Hearing of a young lady who found Jesus as her saviour this week. PTL
• A beautiful moon last night, seen through one of our half circle windows, which made the sight even better.
• Keeping up with friends via blogging.
• The fun of watching Max enjoy faucets...and ice makers.

Ah, yes, another busy Monday. My Monday's are usually busy with doing laundry, shopping and all the other things needed to keep things going. Today is no different, other than we are having company in for dinner, which we are looking forward to, but does involve a little extra thought and effort.

So, after carefully planning out my day, enlisting my hubby's help by having him doing the vacuuming, etc. all things seemed to be going smoothly. As I was getting things ready for breakfast I meandered out to the garage to get some things out of the chest freezer that I needed for dinner. That is when I made some observations which I would like to share with you.

• When the GFI outlet that the freezer is plugged into pops off, that means there is no power to make the freezer keep running.
• When a freezer is not running, it no longers keeps things frozen, or cold.
• When the frozen lasagne is no longer frozen, or cold, it is probably not wise to serve it for company.
• When ice cream is no longer cold, the above mentioned rule also applies.
• Rotten hamberger does not smell very good.
• There are benefits to putting off stocking one's freezer- less to throw away when the power is off for a couple of days.
• When most of one's menu for company dinner was residing in said freezer, it now becomes important to add a few more things to the grocery list.
• There is value in having an abundance of room in the side by side freezer/fridge that resides in the kitchen.
• There is always time in one's busy day to clean out a smelly freezer, even if one does not think so.

End of observations.

Sabbath Day Praises

• Mocking birds that sit on our chiminey, singing their hearts out. It sounds like they are right in our living room and such a delight to hear.
• A lovely new flowering dogwood planted in our back yard.
• Learning a new card game this week, and playing the game all afternoon with my husband, at our breakfast nook table, and enjoying all the birds at the feeder while we were playing.
• The probability of a good job interview next week.
• Pepperidge Farm turnovers.
• A cute little chipping sparrow enjoying the fallen seeds on the ground under our bird feeder.
• The beautiful soft muted colors of the mourning dove, and enjoying watching them resting underneath the new dogwood tree.
• Homemade chicken alfredo pizza.
• Spending time with my daughter.
• The charming southern custom that has me being called "Miss Ellie".

Three Cheers for the birds

One of the first things we did when we moved in was to install the bird feeder that you see here. I knew it would take a few days for the birds to find it, so waited....and waited....and waited. It was literally months, and I was about to give away my bird food, thinking the birds would not arrive, when lo and behold they started coming!

Of course it was just cow birds for awhile, but we did enjoy seeing them. At least they were birds! And, little by little we are getting more. There are not many trees close by which probably is the reason we don't get more. But, house finches, mourning doves, red winged blackbirds, and meadow larks are frequent visitors in our back yard. And, of course mocking birds, and lots of swallows. Yesterday morning while we were eating breakfast it was great fun to look out the window and watch the cute little house finches enjoy their breakfast. The feeder is placed so that it is right outside the bay window breakfast nook in our kitchen.

So, waiting patiently and not giving up has its rewards!