Friday Foto Friends

It's Friday! Time to join the others as we share pics with Deb at Breathing in Grace for Friday Foto Friends.

My pictures for this week are sky pics ... again. It sometimes seems so redundant and yet no two are ever alike. The sky is ever changing, I can't help myself, I'm drawn outside to behold the beauty of the heavens that declare the glory of God.

What to say on this beautiful Friday? I am going to be a busy bee today getting ready for Sara and her family to be in town for a soccer tournament. Hopefully there will be some down time in-between sitting out in the hot sun watching them play. Not complaining, but it can be tough here in Texas.

It's been a good week and included our seeing two movies which is not the norm for us. We saw Churchill, which was about D-Day and the allied forces landing on Normandy. In watching movies recently about Churchill, I'm impressed for the man that he was and how he cared for his country and the Britons. The other movie we saw was Wonder Woman! I surprised myself by wanting to see this one and surprise, surprise! We both loved it. If the boys haven't seen this one, I am going to offer to take them and watch it again! From the little I have read about the actress who played Wonder Woman, I think she is a pretty amazing woman herself. She is a former Miss Israel and served in the Israeli army. She is gorgeous and on top of all of that, she was pregnant during the filming of the movie!

It was also a productive week in that I finally:

• got all the plants I wanted for pots and planted them,
• bought a new outdoor rug for the patio which amazingly enough goes with the new pads for the patio chairs,
• made a plan and met with the lawn guy to discuss what we can do with the back yard to fill up the vacancy left from the diseased roses,
• baked cookies,
• shopped for new jeans for DH,
• FINISHED a book,
• stayed on track with two new Bible studies,
• made special "Good Job" cards for the kids,
• made my grocery list for the weekend,
• maybe came up with a vacation plan,
• and finally got the critter control people out to finish the job they started months ago.

Thankful Thursday

Every day is a day to be thankful ... we are so blessed and the ordinary days are to be celebrated because they are a gift from God. They are days that are routine and yet without a schedule. The goals are small and yet in the completion of the duties, we can feel a reward in their accomplishments. (Nope, there hasn't been a lot to blog about!!)

In addition to the duties of everyday life, we resumed our regular Monday night visit with friends. And yesterday being the first Wednesday in town and no Bible studies, I was able to join DH and his buddies, along with their wives, for the bi-weekly breakfast meetings. That was fun and I'm looking forward to being able to do that throughout the summer until Bible studies take up again in the Fall. Summer already seems to be filling up with things to do and commitments, so it will speed on by as life seems prone to do these days.

My Facebook memories today brought up a photo from six years ago of our grandsons, Brady and Noah, which was perfect because I wanted to make mention of them today.

This week they have been attending VBS and have called each day to tell me what they are learning and what fun they are having. VBS is certainly different these days in that there is more activity for them in their learning experience than we had when we were kids. (The painted ceramic plaques come to my mind!) They get to do rock climbing, which I know they love, and have also been able to shoot BB guns and the lesson there is all about how we "miss the mark"! I think that's terrific! They are coming this weekend to play a soccer tournament and will be staying with us. I know I will hear more about what they are learning when they arrive.

They were very excited to repeat their memory verses to me yesterday and it was quite impressive to hear each of them quote this Scripture from Colossians 1:15-16:

"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him."

And the best and biggest news of all was their telling me how they are learning about connecting with God and that today they will both be baptized! So while today's memory shows them with their feet in water, today they are going under!!!

Full to overflowing!!!

May you always trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 

Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
    he’s the one who will keep you on track.

(Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV and MSG)

Friday Foto Friends

Friday Foto Friends!

Cloud ships sailing to unseen ports below the hills.

(Shepherd of the Hills)

I could not keep up with this ever changing sunset the other evening.

This is a one eyed, very spoiled Shih Tzu named Bella who does not like for my DH to make faces at her. Several years ago, we met for Bible study at our friends' home once a week. Their little dog took a dislike to DH and provided all of us with lots of laughs when Bella would bark at him  constantly for making faces. We visited them this weekend and Bella just picked up where she left off barking at DH!

Today's wisdom 

Unhappiness with one haircut doesn't necessarily

mean another haircut will resolve the problem!

I am thankful that hair grows back.

Hodgepodge Accomplishments!

1. What makes you feel accomplished? Explain.

Finishing whatever I started. No matter how big or how small the size of the job. Cooking, making bread, planting flowers, handling the finances these days, keeping up with maintenance of the house or our cars. Each day I feel accomplished if I have actually accomplished something. Now, as far as being accomplished at a particular thing, I can't play a musical instrument, nor do I sew, crochet, etc. I felt accomplished in my job when I worked full time.

2. If you had your own talk show, who would your first three guests be? Tell us why.

My pastor's wife, Geni. Because of the size of our church and the demands on her both as pastor's wife and children's pastor, there isn't time to just sit down and visit and get to know her. Everything about her exudes such love, enthusiasm, encouragement, innocence and fun. She is almost too good to be true.
Corrie ten Boom - another of my heroes.
Our president's daughter, Ivanka. I would want to know how she maintains her calm composure in spite of all the ugliness and criticism of her and her family. It has to be extremely painful.

3. Do you have a great burger recipe? Not really.

What's in it? When I do make burgers, the seasoning is simple. A little salt, pepper, Montreal steak season, a little seasoned salt, garlic.
What do you like on a hamburger and where is your favorite spot to order one out?

Lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, mustard. JC Burgers a local burger chain which began as a hole in the wall burger place in Plano, Texas. The owner was a neighbor of ours for years!

Need I say more?

4. What's the biggest anxiety producing thing you do on a regular basis?

These days it might be leaving home for more than a weekend. Or handling the finances on my own, keeping up with maintenance of the house and our cars or whatever else pops up. Maybe trying to plan a family vacation produces a lot of anxiety. See random question.

5. This is the last Hodgepodge of May. Tell us about your summer plans.

Nothing planned so far except to go boating with our son's family, take the kids swimming, have company, hang out with friends, maybe take a weekend trip or two, work on a Bible study.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I really need to plan a family vacation, but every idea I can think of is either too far, too expensive, or has now been booked up. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Leftovers!

From this past week!

Isn't it always a happy day when you get to spend time with people you love? On our way up to Branson, we stopped in Tulsa to stay with my sister. She cooked a delicious meal for us and both my nieces were there, as well as my brother and his wife. Roberta took a couple of pics and since I neglected to take one of her, I am including here a pic of my sister with her husband, Don.

It was a nice visit around the table after dinner

with some good laughs.

Robyn and Jacque

(Jacque would not show her face that day.)

And therefore, I am including a family photo of them all together.

Phil and Susan

Outside the Osage Restaurant at Big Cedar Lodge

On the trail.

I love the way flowers can grow in the strangest locations - among weeds, out of rocks, through cracks in concrete. Thousands (millions?) of flowers grow in the most remote places all around the world. These delicate little flowers growing in the wild or hard places remind me of the untold number of people who go unnoticed every day as they humbly serve bringing pleasure to God as He takes notice of their beauty.

The Taneycomo River

This is a sinkhole! Is it not amazing?

You can read about it here.

I never imagined such things in a sinkhole.

Inside the museum.

You can see how he's rocking that raincoat of mine!

This is in front of the Sight and Sound Theater where we saw the

production of Moses! It was a very good production although they

did take some liberties with the story of Moses. I was relieved to see that

by the end of the performance, the truth of the message did come out.

If the right one don't get you,

Then the left one will.

You load 16 pounds

What do you get?

Another day older ...
And wider still yet!!!!

Breakfast at Cracker Barrel.

Coming back home, we stopped again in Tulsa to stay with my brother and Susan. Now she knows how to grow a flower or two.

Smoke gets in your eyes when my brother grills up a steak on a windy day!

They treated us to a delicious dinner, and one of the vegetables Susan served was sooooo yummy, I am sharing the recipe here. Roasted Brussel sprouts with bacon and sliced apples.

The morning we left Tulsa, Susan's little ensemble had a practice for their gig later in the day. It's fun to watch and listen to them prepare for their concerts for the elderly and infirm. I think they are such a blessing!

When we came home, I felt like a vegetable - a couch potato almost all afternoon. Some chores HAD to be done and the next morning to be ready for this little guy to come stay with us. We went to see the movie Boss Baby, played at the park, had watermelon, went shopping for new Legos, and watched TV. He's really good with the Legos and insisted he could put together the 7-14 set. By George, he did it, too. (I did help just a little by separating and finding pieces for him.

I had to run an errand that had been neglected while we were gone, but neither of these two wanted to leave the house. The two of them left home alone TOGETHER can sometimes be risky because they have a tendency to play too hard and almost always somebody gets their feelings hurt. So I made each one of them "pinkie promise" they would be very good while I was gone. This is the scene I found upon my arrival back home. They kept their promise.

In last week's Hodgepodge questions, Joyce informed us it was National Motorcycle Week. Most everyone in their answers were agreed on the dangers of motorcycles. Upon my return home last Friday I was shocked to learn that my cousin's son was killed instantly when his motorcycle left the curve on the road and ran under a tractor that was mowing alongside the roadway. He and his Dad were riding together when it happened. Northwest Arkansas highways are full of dangerous curves and hills and two other cousins of mine were killed in car accidents there in the past. I am so very sad for my cousin, Lonnie who said,

"I lost my only son Tuesday, May 16. I was with my son while he died in my arms. I loved him as the good son he was, enjoyed him being the close friend he was, and I miss my son like nothing I've ever experienced. ... I wasn't done with him yet. I do have peace in the fact that Shawn is with Jesus now. He beat me there."

Memorial Day 2017

My Dad served in WWII.

His brother-in-law didn't make it back from WWII.

I will never forget my Dad saying that he knew

when Henry left for overseas that he would not return.

Henry left behind a widow and two sons, my cousins.

How thankful I am my Dad made it home.

Most all of my uncles have served in the military and now two of my nephews.

I pray their service will not be in vain.

WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The Korean Memorial

Replica of Viet Nam Wall

and tribute to our military who served in the Middle East

Saturday 9: Stars and Stripes Forever

Joining up with Sam for Saturday 9: Stars and Stripes Forever.

Saturday 9: Stars and Stripes Forever by The Muppets
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.


Memorial Day is the federal holiday designated to honor American service people who died in battle. Though our song choice is humorous, we honor their sacrifice in our hearts.

1) Memorial Day was introduced after the Civil War. War memorials, as well as the graves of veterans, are to be decorated with flags and flowers on this day to show our appreciation. Is there a war memorial in your neighborhood? No.

2) Andrew Johnson, our 17th President, was in office the first time Memorial Day (then called Decoration Day) was celebrated. Have you ever met one of our 45 Presidents? 

No. Does it count that our son got to shake President George W. Bush's hand when he came to visit following 911?

Our son is the tall one!

3) According to the AAA, 36 million Americans will hit the road this weekend and drive more than 50 miles. Will you be traveling far from home this weekend? No.

4) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food? 

Fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans.

5) Have you packed away your winter clothes? Kind of.

Or is the weather still so changeable that you still may need something warm?

My closet is big and I just switch things around and cover the winter clothes with plastic. Right now, all that is needed for cool weather is a light jacket and, most likely, that won't be needed after this week. As I write this, it is 97 degrees! No jacket needed today!!

6) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on? AC is on.

7) This week, we are featuring the Muppets. Jim Henson made the first Muppet out of an old coat, and he used ping pong balls for the eyes. Do you have a talent for do-it-yourself/arts and crafts projects? No.

8) Random question: Think of the last thing you bought. Did you get a good deal?

The last thing I purchased was a pair of shoes at DSW. As the cashier rang up the shoes, she said Happy Birthday! When she said that, I was reminded that a $5 coupon was on my kitchen counter at home. Oh no! She asked if I had an email from them on my phone and I did, so I think it was a fair deal.

9) Crazy Sam needs your help: What song or a performer would you like to see featured in a Saturday 9 this summer? You'll begin seeing your suggestions as Saturday 9 themes in mid-June. Thanks! Anything from the 50's or 60's. Most of the featured songs here I have never heard. Maybe some Motown singers, or the Beach Boys.