Showing posts with label Thank-full Thursday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thank-full Thursday. Show all posts

Thursday, January 10, 2019

{ THANK-full Thursday }


Just a few things I jotted down in my journal this morning.....

*the bank not arguing with me about changing an address

*a clean, organized closet

*a lower number on the scale this morning

*sciatica FINALLY improving

*a better attitude even if the situation NEVER changes

*a daughter who is the greatest of blessings to me who loves and looks out and even reprimands me when necessary (and an awesome son-in-love)

*pink skies

*my year's old hand vacuum that I use almost daily

*magic erasers

*being able to sit in "my chair" since the sciatica is improving

*acceptance of me and by me

*my new Christmas tree and lights found on sale after Christmas - together less than $60

*the energy and mindset to clean and get rid of

*sweet birdies at the feeders
(and they've finally found the red barn,
but they still prefer the "old" feeder.
They're as set in their ways as I am!)

HOPE everybody has a Terrific Thursday!


Thursday, December 20, 2018

{ THANK-full Thursday }

 

Do you ever go through periods of time where you have a feeling of fear that something not so good is about to happen?  Along with that same train of thought, you sometimes feel excited because of feeling there's something new and unexpected right around the corner. In both instances, you're not able to put your finger on just exactly what's causing those feelings because you have no clue what the future holds, you just know you have "that feeling" in your heart and you're either filled with a feeling of dread or excitement.

Maybe it's because it's CHRIST-mas - I don't really think so - but my feelings lately are that God's about to do something BIG. I have no way of knowing what that is, but I do know this. I have some amazing friends and family that I'm so very THANK-full for who are standing in the gap for me in prayer about a certain situation. What would we do without prayer warriors in our life, Y'all?

And, as I'm typing this I think I just received a revelation.
That feeling of excitement has to do with the peace in knowing that God is still in control, 
that He's working ALL things out for HIS glory and for our good.....
and oh, how He loves us!

Happy, happy Thursday before CHRIST-mas, sweet Friends!


Thursday, December 13, 2018

{ THANK-full Thursday }




I'm so grateful for retirement so I can enjoy the early mornings with just me, 
coffee, 
the soft glow of the Christmas tree.....

 and JESUS!

HOPE your Thursday is blessed!

Thursday, November 15, 2018

{ Wednesday's Word and THANK-full Thursday }

providence


**the protective care of God as a spiritual power

  
My precious Aunt Delores passed away last Friday morning.  She was only 7 years older than me and was more like a big sister than an Aunt. My heart is broken and I'm on the verge of tears now as I recall the last few days. Probably the worst of it was going alone to tell Momma that she had lost her sister, one of the most difficult things I've ever done along with watching her grieve in her confusion and trying to comfort her the last few days.

I want to share some things that I'm still so very thank-full for that have transpired since I got this news last Friday morning.

Our daughter and son-in-love have taken a weekend getaway during October or November for the last several years and we are blessed to get to keep all four of our grandkiddos.  That was this past weekend and I was at their house when I received the phone call about my Aunt. If I hadn't had the kiddos all weekend to occupy my mind and my time, oh how much worse it would have been.

God had already worked it out!

I had made Mom an appointment to get a much-needed perm and haircut. I scheduled that for Tuesday because I had planned to attend an "oils of the Bible" class on Monday. Usually, Mom will keep putting things like that off, but she wasn't reluctant at all to go. The appointment got rescheduled for Monday because of a conflict so I told my sister-in-law I wouldn't be able to attend the class. Guess what?  The class got postponed until next Monday.

God had already worked it out!

My Aunt's funeral was scheduled for Tuesday so it was best that Mom went to the hairdresser on Monday so she wouldn't be so worn out by Tuesday night.

God had already worked it out!

Even during the most difficult of times, God is right there with us holding our hands, giving us the strength to do the hard things, pointing out things to us in His Word, granting us grace and helping us show that same grace to others, showering us with love and kindness in ways that only He can.

Some folks have referred to me as being too religious, from the "religious side of the family", thinking that I'm more spiritual than them or a "know it all".  Religion is so totally different than having a personal relationship with the Savior and I in no way think I'm better than anybody. In fact, if you really knew me, you'd discover so many flaws and insecurities, but oh, how I love Jesus.  I'm reminded of a favorite verse in Jeremiah, and would you believe it's not 29:11.....

Image result for scripture in Jeremiah about his word burning in my heart

I'm still in awe of His divine providence and how much He loves me.....
and you!




Thursday, November 8, 2018

{ THANK-full Thursday }

I took my little Momma to the doctor yesterday and as I waited for the car to warm up I noticed how the sun was shining thru an oak tree full of yellow leaves. On the way, we saw a hot air balloon flying low right beside the highway we were driving on. As we got closer to our turn I saw a long train full of graffiti painted on the cars and after letting Mom out at the door of the office one of my very favorite songs came on the radio, This Is My Story by Big Daddy Weave.

Just some very simple things that made my heart happy!



Thursday, November 1, 2018

{ THANK-full Thursday }

Image result for entertain angels unaware

Do you ever have one of those days when the sun is shining, you feel like the stars have aligned, the birds are singing, you have a song in your heart and even your hair looks good? Yeah, yesterday was like that for me.  Those of you who have a Pollyanna attitude and every day is just like that, then I've gotta say, "You go, Girl!" because that's not my life, Y'all, just being honest. Maybe some folks have better coping skills than me, but I do try to be honest with my feelings, even when that can get me in heap-0-trouble and set me up for criticism.

Any-who.....
back to having a good great hair day!

Looking back on yesterday something kinda strange happened. Pappy wanted me to go with him to pick up some building supplies for my she-shed and I reluctantly went because I already had in my mind what I  thought I was gonna spend the day doing, but obviously Pappy.....
and God.....
had a different plan.

We arrived at the store, Pappy parked the truck and I went inside to find the Mom of one of our Special Friends to ask her about her daughter losing her purse on the trip we took last week to the Ark. (she found it, by the way) My conversation with her took longer than expected and when I went back to the truck, it was gone. I saw just the front end of it sticking out from the lumber yard at the bottom of the hill, so I decided to walk down there and on the way met two fellows heading toward me. Pointing to Pappy's truck, I said that I thought he'd left me and the elderly black gentlemen said something that just struck me as profound and I jokingly said, "you need to tell him that", meaning he should tell Pappy. He opened the truck door and told Pappy that he needed to drop some wisdom on him on this day (such a wonderful way with words) and he told Pappy.....
"the day you leave her is the day you will lose yourself".

Some of you won't even understand why this was important to me unless you, too, suffer from any kind of insecurity and/or self-esteem issues. (there I go again sharing my faults) I hugged the gentleman (yes, a complete stranger to me) and thanked him and really didn't think a lot more about what had just happened until this morning when I realized that it had to be a divine appointment.

Ain't God good, Y'all?
Oh, yes He is!

Now, to have another great hair day!

💜





Thursday, October 18, 2018

{ THANK-full Thursday }



Do you ever have an idea and it seems to come out of nowhere and you surprise yourself at just how smart you must be to come up with that?   I've come to realize that my feeble mind that's so filled with "stuff" these days isn't really capable of those "light bulb" moments on its own. During my prayer this morning, I was thanking God for planting those ideas in my mind and how grateful I am for His wisdom and discernment. Y'all, I hadn't much more than said Amen when I was led to this verse of scripture as part of my daily devotion.....


Image result for john 15:5


It was truly a WOW moment for me as I realized that this verse was a confirmation of what I had just prayed. 
Apart from HIM I can do NOTHING - 
that includes having brilliant ideas!

I just want to say how full of THANKS I am on this chilly Thursday morning, 
especially for the love of Jesus!


Thursday, October 11, 2018

{ THANK-full Thursday }


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Although it's raining right now,
I'm very much THANK-full for "sunnier" days!
Most of you understand exactly what that means.

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So very THANK-full for precious Friends.
REAL Friendship is a gift from God!


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THANK-full for those Glade air fresheners that have the batteries and a can of sweet smelling room deodorizers that you can set to automatically spray at intervals during the day!

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THANK-full for time spent with my Momma.


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Especially THANK-full for the most precious grand kiddos on the planet!  As Silas was leaned back on my lap watching a movie.....

Silas, whispering:  "Nannie, I love you."
Nannie: "I love you, too, sweet Boy."
Then, he takes his little arm and crooks it up under my chin and around my neck and pulls me close.
Be still my heart!!!

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THANK-full for the invite from my sister-in-law to come play with her precious grand-girl. What a joy when she finally warmed up to me and let me pick her up and she laid her sweet little head on my shoulder. Babies are the best therapy, Y'all! And, she sent me home with a huge bowl of homemade chicken casserole. 

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THANK-full that it's FINALLY getting cool enough for the first pot of homemade chili and hot tamales!


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Finally had the energy to vacuum and dust the house for which I'm pretty sure my floors and furniture was very THANK-full!


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THANK-full for those who sense you might be struggling and take the time to let you know how much they care!


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Y'all I have the most awesome PCP. I went to her a few weeks ago with my vertigo and before she left the room she said, "Let me pray with you." She got up, took my hands in hers and prayed the most precious prayer. 
How awesome is that? 
I.am.blessed!


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A Bible study I went through a few years ago asked the question "when are you the most real?" I feel I can be the most real when I write my blog posts. I can share from my heart in words that I might not ever be able to express to your face. I can be vulnerable and real and honest and not have to be fearful of criticism. I can share my love of Jesus and that's truly what my blog is all about anyway!


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And, this is in no way is the end of things I'm THANK-full for, but I could never in the world find the right words to even begin to express how grateful I am that the God in heaven loves me and cares about me and what I'm going through and sends His blessings on me each and every day and how He speaks to my heart through His word EXACTLY what I need to hear, whether it be encouragement or a reprimand - it still shows His love for me like a good, good Father should!


Image result for purple HEARTS BLOG DIVIDER


 







Thursday, October 4, 2018

{ Thank-full Thursday }

Related image

These verses have shown up and/or been spoken to me multiple times this week.


Image result for psalm 37-4


Image result for isaiah 43:18-19


I'm so very THANK-full that God doesn't give up on making sure I plant His word in my mind and heart!


Thursday, August 23, 2018

{ THANK-full Thursday }




THANK-full to have FINALLY broken down and made an appointment for my "yearly" physical - since it's actually been a couple of years.

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THANK-full that we're having cooler temps at least for a few days. This heat is really hard on an old(er) gal.

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THANK-full that we get to see our kiddos this afternoon. They're homeschooled and since school has started back I don't get to see them as often and it hurts this Nannie's heart. She's desperately needing a grand-kiddo "fix"!

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THANK-full that this blog has led me to so many amazing ladies that I can call "friend". I truly know that if I asked Y'all for prayer that you'd add me to your prayer list because you've done that in the past. I HOPE to get to meet you face-to-face someday!

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THANK-full that my blog has allowed me to make a tiny bit of $$$ through Google Adsense. THANK you, if you've taken the time to click on the ad that appears at the end of each post. All it takes is a click and a few pennies is added to my account. It has to reach a certain amount before you can cash it in and it takes YEARS for mine to accumulate to that amount, but every little bit helps! Also, I've limited the types of ads that can be posted, so if you EVER see anything offensive, please let me know.

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Also, THANK-full for the opportunity through blogging to review products.  This is the third time I've been asked to review products from Commercial Silk and they never fail to disappoint. When I order the fotos on their website never do the real thing justice. Please check them out by clicking here. If you decide to order at SilkPlantsDirect.com you can get a 10% discount by using the code BLOGGER10. Just look at this beautiful wreath hanging on our front door. There were actually two of them and I was able to bless our daughter with the other one.  Sunflowers and ivy and ferns - just gorgeous!




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THANK-full (and I've mentioned this so many times in the past) to be retired.  God has been so good to both Pappy and me to allow us to be retired at our age. I actually haven't worked in over 12 years and all the glory goes to HIM!

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THANK-full for my health. Oh, yes, I have lots of aches and pains and an issue with my eye and I so wish I could get a good night's sleep - but overall, I feel like I'm in good health for an old(er), overweight lady!
(unless the doctor tells me otherwise in that physical I mentioned above)!

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And, I'm just feeling so extra THANK-full today for LIFE itself. My brother and I, along with our spouses, have some added responsibilities because of our Mom's health and it's made me realize that LIFE is so very precious and we're never guaranteed tomorrow or even the next second. LOVE on folks, show them you care, let things go that don't amount to a hill of beans, take time to REALLY listen when someone's speaking, give lots of HUGS and KISSES and BE KIND!

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HOPE everybody reading this has an awesome day full of so many things to be THANK-full for!





Thursday, October 26, 2017

{ THANK-full Thursday }



It's been a few weeks since I've done a THANK-full Thursday!  I thought I'd start off by sharing a picture of the "view" from where I sit at our kitchen table.


It just makes me happy to look at that little shelf and things on it that are meaningful to me.....
pictures of my Mamaw and my Mom and the little fallish owlies and the big nut with a squirrel on top (I gave my brother the first one I owned and found this one recently at a thrift store). My other fallish owl and the THANKFUL banner. What you can't see.....or smell.....is my awesome pumpkin waffle candle on the table that I burn when I sit there and do my Bible study. 

 Remember last Wednesday when I asked for your favorite fall recipe(s)? Several of my sweet blogging friends obliged me and added a favorite in the comment section of that post.  For that I'm very THANK-full and I'm gonna share them here!

The first one is from Ms. Terri.
Please visit her at Your Friend From Florida.
She also has a tab at the top of her blog labeled "Recipes" that you'll want to check out. I just need to get a plane ticket for Florida and spend about a week with this amazing cook!

"This is the pumpkin bread my Mom used to make every Thanksgiving. It is moist and delicious. I hope you like it! We sure do!"

Ingredients:
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 TBSP cinnamon
2 cups sugar
1/2 (or so) cups chopped nuts (walnuts OR pecans)
4 beaten eggs
2 cups pumpkin (I use one 15 ounce can & it works fine)
1 1/4 cups oil (vegetable oil works best - not canola or other substitutes)

Directions:
Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl.
Add the wet ingredients and stir 

(I don't use a mixer)

Bake in two loaf pans that have been sprayed generously with PAM
Bake at 350 degrees for one hour, or until the center springs back


Next, Ms. Annie left two recipes for a soup and a stew.....
things to warm the tummy on chilly fall days!
Head over to Cottage By the Sea and pay close attention to her blog header.....
it's one of her own paintings!

Vegetable Soup

1 can of garbanzo or red kidney beans
8 sliced carrots
2 large Vidalia or Sweet Yellow Onions, chopped up
4 large celery ribs chopped
2-3 cups of chopped green cabbage
2 cups of chopped green beans
2 cups of peas
1 cup of sweet corn
1 big cans of Italian tomatoes....chop them up.
Chicken or Beef broth to make the liquid part of the soup but about 4 to 6 cups worth.
6 to 8 baby potatoes cut into halves or you can also add some cooked pasta instead of the potatoes for a very filling meal.
1 bay leaf, some pepper, some dried basil.
1 tsp of thyme and 1 tsp marjoram though you won't miss them if you don't add them.
If you like add a big beef bone for more nutrition and flavor or add a pound of cut up beef.

Everything into a big pot and cook on medium heat until done.  That's all there is to it.  Adjust the heat to keep it from burning and stir often. 


And, this one sounds sooooo good because I sauerkraut.


Slovakian Sauerkraut Stew

3 T of olive or vegetable oil 
(the original recipe calls for lard )
1.5 lbs of beef cut up into 1 inch pieces
1 bay leaf 2 pounds of sauerkraut well drained and rinsed and chopped up coarsely.
1 cup of heavy cream
1 and 1/4 cup of bone broth or plain water, but bone broth will add good flavor.
You can now buy it in the supermarket where the packaged broths are sold.
salt, pepper to taste
1 tsp of Caraway seed
2 big sweet yellow onions chopped up.
2 Tablespoons of Paprika

Saute the onion in the oil over a slow heat. 
Soften them up nicely.
Add the beef chunks, caraway and bay leaf and brown the meat. Now add the paprika and pour in the water quickly as paprika can burn very fast!
Cook until the beef is done.
Add the coarsely chopped sauerkraut. You chop it since you don't want long strings of it in the stew.
Simmer about 30 minutes.
Serve in a bowl with dollops of sour cream.
Have it with crusty hot bread and butter and a salad or vegetable on the side.

And, last but certainly not least is a recipe that Ms. Dianna left for pumpkin fudge! 
Oh, me.....
there goes the diet!!!
😉
Ms. Dianna blogs at Forgiven where her writings are as if she's writing in her journal. It makes me feel like she's sharing her most personal thoughts from her heart.

Pumpkin Fudge

3 cups granulated white sugar
3/4 cup melted salted butter
2/3 cup evaporated milk
½ cup canned pure (unsweetened) pumpkin
2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
One 12-ounce package white chocolate morsels (chips)
One (7-ounce) jar marshmallow crème
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

1. Line a 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil. Spray with nonstick spray.

2. Stir together first 6 ingredients in a 3 1/2- quart saucepan over medium-high heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer registers 234° (soft ball stage) or for about 12 minutes.

3. Once mixture reaches 234°, remove from heat and quickly stir in the white chocolate, marshmallow creme, pecans (if using) and vanilla until well blended.

4. Pour into the prepared pan. Let stand 2 hours or until completely cool; cut fudge into squares.


THANKS again, sweet Ladies, for sharing.

HOPE everybody has a great day!




Thursday, September 28, 2017

{ THANK-full Thursday }



I'm participating in a Ladies Bible study at our church that is all about JOY!  The study is by Margaret Feinburg and is titled, Fight Back With Joy.  There's a section in the workbook that you write down at least 3 things each day that she calls "joy bombs".....
something that really stood out in the day that brought joy to your heart!

I thought I'd share a few of mine today as part of my THANK-full Thursday.....

*Seeing my Mom's face light up when I took her fresh eggs from Jess' chickens

*Marking several projects off my "to-do" list

*My sweet back door neighbor ringing the doorbell and bringing me some "happies"

*a hawk flying from a tree and ahead of our car as we drove up the highway

*finding our favorite flavored waters in stock at Wal-Mart

*making coffee each morning and using the handmade scoop that my brother made me from a walnut tree we had cut in our yard many years ago

*seeing "have a blessed day" on the bottom of our receipt at Bo-jangles then spotting a sign with John 3:16 on it as we headed out the door

*our precious 4-year old grandson asking me to read to him and going sound asleep in my lap

*Pappy taking the time to finish up my chalkboard and using barn wood from my Mamaw's old barn

*being up early in the morning all by myself thinking, praying, meditating, studying.....
in the peace and quiet before the day gets hectic


These are just a few of the "joy bombs" God's sent my way this week!

HOPE your Thursday is terrific!