Once again as I look back on my week, my heart is filled with "Thankfuls". My list includes:
- This tree that I saw at church last Sunday. I took several pics, and this one has been my wallpaper for the week. Such a joy to delight in His beautiful creation.
- Our Blue Moon rose bush has at least 29 buds on it. This is the second year for this bush, and I am waiting for them to burst open with color.. a lovely purple.
- Participating in Liane's photo week.
- Grilling chicken on Tuesday and having it come out so moist and tender. What fun.
- Enjoying hubby's dinner last night: chocolate chip, raisin, pecan, cinnamon pancakes. Yummy.
- Making it through an 11 and 1/2 hour work day on Thursday. It was my only day this week, but it sure was a long one. I had to go in early, and of course we had to stay late. Usually we leave at 10, and the last hour or two is nice and quiet. Not that night. I clocked out at 10:38. Sigh. But, the Lord is good, I am thankful for the job, and that He gives grace and energy to these "mature" bones.
- Making reservations to fly north in a couple of weeks to see my mother, and also fit in time at the Women's Retreat.
- Knowing that my Heavenly Father loves me, and hears my every heart cry.
- Finding out that the geranium I planted in my "Jan Garden" last spring did not die from the frost this winter as I had originally thought. I found some new leaves poking up out of the pine straw when I was watering on Wednesday. What a bright spot in my day.
OK, here is my "stranger"...little Marq Alexzander Aldrich, born March 21. He was a week old in this picture when I met him for the first time. Bryan and Sarah are enjoying this newest member of their family.
I will admit it took a certain amount of creativity to come up with this challange for photo week..I had decided early on I was not even going to try, but then I met Marq!
And, many kudo's to Liane for instigating this whole thing...it has been so much fun to participate, and to see contributions from others. Thanks Liane.
Max and I were both inside looking out yesterday, enjoying the view. I was delighted to see the Chipping Sparrow on the feeder as it was the first I had seen since we moved. The variety of birds here is not that many yet, so it is fun to add another one to the list.
Max probably had different reasons for enjoying the birds.
And, thanks to my son who explained to me how to tweak pictures on the computer and make it possible to publish them. Now I know.
OK, here is my "black and white" offering. My digital camera does not take black and white, and I haven't yet figured out how to change one of my color pictures to black and white using programs on the computer...so, here is a black iron, a white bear, residing on my black kitchen table.
And, FYI...this is my 100 post!!!! Exciting.
Self portrait that also shows another of my favorite corners.I wasn't at all convinced that I would post today's topic. But, I decided to be brave.
I am semi participating in Liane's photo challange (see here) This "corner" is a good reminder to do what the picture says.
Our azalea's have been extra lovely this year...course this is only the second year we have seen them....but who is counting. This one that is just outside our kitchen window is a joy to look at.
Other blessings of the week:
- Enjoying grilling again. I haven't done much for several years and it is a delight to get back into it again. (and for the splendid expertise of our daughter who assembled the new grill for us...as well as delivered it to us. Thanks Penny.)
- Besides my usual Thursday stint at work I picked up two more days...or to be more precise half days. And I find that half days of working only 4 and 1/2 hours is much easier than 10 hour days. Hmm....
- Going out to dinner at Cracker Barrel with hubby this week. An unexpected treat.
- Some good telephone chats with my mother...and looking forward to seeing her in April.
- Spending some time enjoying the company of Phoebe...our "granddog".
- Reveling in spring. The air smells so good, the birds are singing, it is not too hot or humid yet, the flowers are blooming, there are buds on one of our roses....the list could go on. God is indeed Good.
It is spring...windows are open...birds are singing and there are wonderful scents in the air. This morning we were sitting here at this table in our breakfast nook, enjoying the sunshine, and so thankful for this lovely sunny warm spot.
And, as you can see, Max also enjoys this spot. He does spend quite a bit of time here. Can't blame him.
And, we are so thankful for this stage in our lives. Living semi-retired we actually have time to sit and relax over breakfast. The Lord is indeed Good.
Lest you Northerners get jealous, remember that before long you will be enjoying your warm weather as well, and we will be tightly sealed inside our air conditioned havens trying to escape the humidity.
This just gives you a hint of the beauty of the Bradford pear trees in our area that are in full bloom right now.
Pictures do not do justice to the beautiful white blossoms, and what a delight it is to ride down this particular road that is lined on both sides with these incredible trees.
Take heart, those of you who live in snow country....spring really is coming!
God Is Good! PTL for:
- Two 10 hour days of work...though one turned into nearly 11 hours, with no break. These old bones can't do that very often! But, His Grace is sufficient.
- The enjoyment of watching the new growth on our rose bushes.
- The blessings of warmer weather, and trying to feel not guilty about it as I think of family and friends "enjoying" the snow in NH.
- The Lord's faithfulness in meeting our needs for another week.
- The delight of listening to the Mocking birds. They sometimes sit on our chimney which makes it sound like they are in the house! Lovely!
- White pansies and petunias in planters in the front of the house.
- Prospects of heading north in April to spend some time with my mother.
- Good co-workers.
- A day to rest.
God is Good!
God is good! I am so thankful for His faithfulness through another week. PTL for:
- Two days of work...even if one of them was way to busy and stressful. His grace made it possible for me to make it through the day.
- Wonderfully warm sunny weather for most of the week. What a delight to be outside soaking in the warm sunshine. It did turn cooler yesterday though...I had to wear a sweater when I was outside doing some work in the yard!
- Watching the progress of the blooming of Bradford Pear trees. They have a beautiful white blossom and it has been great fun during the last week or two to watch the progress of the opening of the buds. Next week they should be in full bloom. What a delight to the eyes!
- Enjoying planting flowers in a nice big pot that is sitting in front of our house. I like gardening in containers!
- Enjoying Hubby's dinner last night that was yummy. Raisin pancakes! And decaf coffee! Perfect.
- Having such a convenient craft area where I can work on Scrapbooking and making cards. What a blessing to have all that space and the blessing of having an abundance of supplies to work with.
- Chocolate flavored coffee beans to grind for a special Sabbath morning coffee.
- Being able to talk with my mother on the phone nearly every day.
- The joy of anticipating the return of my Lord and King. It won't be long now. What a glorious day that will be. Amen, come Lord Jesus.
I am thankful for many things from this past week. God is Good!
- Our roses are planted....and I have noticed new growth starting on some of them.
- Trying out a new hairstyle, and getting some positive feedback!
- Safety during the wild weather in our area on Thursday. I had to work that day which made it very interesting to say the least. We were under a Tornado watch for most of the time I was at work, but all we got was heavy rain, PTL. And thankfully when I left at 10 that night to come home, even though I got soaked getting to the car, the rain lightened up enough so that I didn't have much of a problem getting home.
- From my desk at work I can look out our big front window and enjoy seeing Forsythia blooming!
- Surviving a staff meeting at work this morning, starting at 8. Sigh. But, it was the only time my manager could get us all together to go over some issues. We are open 7 days a week, and usually during staff meetings one or two people are busy up front. But, on Saturdays since we don't open until 10, everyone could be there. At least now I can relax and enjoy the rest of my Sabbath.
- Spending time shopping with my daughter.
- Celebrating my s0n-in-law's birthday at a nice local eatery. Good breakfast and conversation!
- Hubby having a good appointment with his endocrinologist. (IE, his diabetic Dr.)
- Watching a mocking bird enjoy the suet I put out this week. A friend gave me a suet feeder and some suet to see if I could attract more birds. At least the mocking bird is enjoying it!
- Very thankful that the Lord gives us wisdom and direction. So many times this week I cried out for understanding and wisdom to know what to do...in things little as well as big. And He faithfully guided and led, and worked out details and attitudes. He is good.
- Discovering dark chocolate covered Altoids. Oh, my.... yummy.
Once again as I look back on my week, my heart is filled with "Thankfuls". My list includes:
