Thankfully Blessed ~

 we are so blessed

to have such loves

and to be loved

our children grew fast

and the grandbabies even quicker

truly, where does time go

we are so proud of the adults

they are becoming

and the parents they are

the grands?

very proud of those young ones

that are already moving into

the teen years

our hearts runneth over

with thanksgiving and deep love

Thanksgiving, 2016

America has much to be thankful for. Our families have much to be thankful for. And I bet if you look around you, you do, too ~ Have a blessed week and a great week. Before you know it, Christmas and Winter will be upon us. And I will be one happy lady! God bless us and God bless America ~

A Week of Thanksgiving ~

we are truly thankful for God's gifts, mercy & grace

not our mantel but isn't this easy to copy & says it all

again, pinterest with oodles of beautiful tablescapes

this came from my board titled 'thanksgiving'

this sweet pup caught my eye on my way to my board

the photo didn't lead to a breeder of aussies but i'd love one

may you have a blessed week

filled with love, laughter, and reasons to feel blessed

in my darkest days, i've always found at least a handful

to say, 'thank you, father'

we all have that many and more ~

oh, in love with autumn

oh. i am so in love with autumn

and i love to waltz thru pinterest and dream

like today, like now

with this adorable house

it would be mine

#13 would be the home of a sweet older lady

who would keep delicious smells wafting in and through

our shared porches and patios

yummy simple meals

i live next door, behind the green door

and i bake desserts to go with our meals together

but today is a great day to wander

i wonder how long it has been since a train traveled these tracks

what did the passenger cars look like

were there more people going home or visiting family

oh, what beauty they had from their windows

when i was younger, my family traveled on the hummingbird

from central florida to montgomery alabama

it's a heart memory i hold close

walking home, d i notice i need to clean up the table

site of our impromptu meal last night at dusk

much loved linens on the table and mismatched pieces

we toasted to cooler weather

the beauty of our God's painting

and to each other's continued good health

my sassy greeted me at the door with kisses

lots of kisses and snuggles

sweet pup, we have a mutual admiration and love

 they imprint forever on our hearts

just ask anyone that's loved and lost

it hurts forever

we'll cuddle up in my cloud, get cozy, maybe

revisit the beauty of today and its' blessings

drift off in mounds of softness

and mushy pillows

until tomorrow's light peeps in

do you dream

i always have

i believe that dreams of tomorrow

become the realities of today

so hold on to dreams

they do come true

have a blessed week, a thanksgiving time of

remembering your blessings

heart memories

and feel free to use these two free printables.

A Few Tablescapes For the Season

Oh, how this makes me feel like we will be with a grandmother. Peaceful and neutrals. One of my favorite color themes. And I love love love the table! You can find this photo and more about her style and home here! I couldn't find this particular photo but I didn't have much time this morning looking. However, I DO intend to add her to my blog list and keep up with this blogger!

Another one of my favs is Stone Gable. Click and go see her eye candy design sense. I have these leaf dishes and love them. Now, if I could find the white set. Oh my downfall. Dinnerware!!

Like me, she loves to decorate for all the seasons and holidays. Although, I have to admit I don't decorate as I did when the babies were at home and the grands were young. I still decorate enough that the mister grins and patiently helps me bring it all out, but I'm finding as we downsize that less is more.

On Stone Gable's far right bar, scroll down and you'll see where you can be redirected to her Fall Tours. Have fun! Take notes!! Leave her a comment. Bloggers 'heart' comments!

Need an elegant Fall tablescape? Inessa Stewart's Antiques can help you set it up and be ready to impress! Good food, great friends, conversation that ebbs and flows with laughter, memories of times past ~ sigh. Perfect time together.

I remember well our Thanksgiving meals in the past, meals on Autumn Sunday afternoons after worship, and how the heart still remembers with clarity the ones present, the ones that have gone on, the little ones that began gracing us with their births. Life is a precious circle of those that have been, that are, and that will be. Make the most of these times, my friend. Time is fleeting and moments pass. The heart remembers and for this, sweet Father, I am most grateful ~

Reconnected With an Angel

Through a dear friend going through knee surgery, Johnny and I have reconnected with an angel from ICU at St. Vincent's. Our hearts are overwhelmed for we grew to love and depend on her greatly. She was a source of strength for my family and became my favorite nurse. God works in mysterious ways and we are so appreciative for this gift of reconnection. It was nine years ago April 21. It's easier now but Johnny and I still lay low on that day and pray and give thanks~

Sadly, when Kim knew me I was going through an emergency traumatic issue that only got worse before things began to get better. This is how I'm sure she remembers me ~

or this

A very difficult 77 days, from a terrible mistake an impatient doctor made. BUT the other staff at St. Vincent's are superior to any hospital we've ever had to spend much time in. They became family. God is so good. In fact, He is awesome. Here's a photo a year and half later, when we went with Nelson and his wife, Glenda, to our favorite vacation spot, Gatlingburg TN.

Thank you, Kim for being good not only at your God given gift but for going the extra miles during those long days and longer nights when I only wanted you. What I remember and what actually took place are so vastly different! One day soon, we will get drive up your way, meet and catch up. And thank you, God, for working through dear Wilma ~ even though she had to have surgery. If Kim was her nurse, she had the best ~ thank you, Kim. For so much {heart font}

Below, Thanksgiving 2014

Weekly Favorites ~

Susie Harris. Redeemed.

Beautiful.

For Sale. To remind you.

Of His Love.

Breathtaking~

Chad & Allison Granger ~

Precious couple. Godly couple.

God led them north. Chad to Seminary.

Allison to medical school.

New friends, stepping up to the challenge.

I am so proud of them. For them.

And pray daily He will keep them safe

and bring love, laughter, and blessings ~

I could live here. Easily.

It looks cozy. Small.

But looks can be deceiving.

As is this beaut that sits on Lake Martin.

Southern Living's new house.

Have you seen it yet?

Autumn.

Sigh ~ 

Remember these swings?

The holidays bring yummy goodies. 

May you and yours find joy and delight

in the cooler temps. Breath deeply of the brilliant

colors of the season and its freshness.

Sing songs of praise.

Be thankful ~

My Favorite Photos This Week

Jenny's family had a nice Thanksgiving break filled with dinners, shopping, laughing, and dreaming of all that comes during this season. This photo was taken at Brandon's parents, but I now have a photo of the tree already up in the Maddox household! Ah, to be a child again. Well, not really. It had its worry free days but I love this stage of life as well. Older, maybe wiser?, and happy. The older I get, the more I treasure photos such as these.

When I saw this one, I actually cried. This is our Leslie. Pregnant with our sixth grandbaby and we are overjoyed. The pathway to welcoming this precious child was a bit more difficult and the answer to many prayers. She and Heath made a fun and relaxing trip to the Smokies over the holidays and I love that this was made, for it's a vision I'll hold for a long time. I'm so looking forward to rocking their little man. Yes, we have another grandson to love and spoil. {heart font}

When Stacey posted this one, I thought, "Gosh, I miss them. It's been awhile since we saw them!" It really hasn't been, but I have the heart of a grandmother that adores her 'babies'. My sweet mother in law love always called hers "babies", no matter how old they were. Now I know her heart and how it feels to be a grandmother. There really aren't words, just as I never understood a mother until I became one. Babies. Be still my heart. 

Stacey and Brett. The proud and loving parents of the two decorating their Christmas tree. All three girls have so much to look forward to in the new year with various dreams coming true. All three families stay busy. Busier than I think we ever were. However, it's easy to see that our children take time to share life with laughter and adventure; fill their homes with love; and make sure the Word of our Lord is taught and nurtured. It is an indescribable feeling to know we will walk through His gates one day and be together through Eternity.

I pray your holiday week brought joy and delight to your heart and home. Now begins the wishing and dreaming of a white Christmas, a baby's birth, and the gift of giving. I'd love to think we might have a white Christmas, but with our azaleas still in full bloom, I doubt it. But one can hope {wink font}. Take care and have a great week!

Happy Birthday, Noah ~

We fell in love easily.

"I hold you, Nan".

And I did.

How my heart misses those words. 

A bit shy, loves his parents and big brother;

a homebody that giggles. A lot. 

A sister came along and he became

a big brother himself!

He does well with the role.

Began karate and preschool,

and that shyness became no so anymore. 

He and John are buddies.

They love to snuggle and watch

silly shows on TV. 

Oh, how we love our Noah.

Six years old today.

Thanksgiving, as matter of fact.

A true Thanksgiving blessing. 

May your years be many,

your laughter long and your fears few.

You have a large support of family & friends

that love you, Noah. You'll always have

someone to turn to, to confide in, to giggle with,

and to love and be loved. Happy Birthday.

We love you very much.

May God Bless ~

We Gather Together

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;
He chastens and hastens his will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,
Sing praises to his name: He forgets not his own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side, All glory be thine!

We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
And pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
Amen

--Traditional Thanksgiving Hymn
(A translation by Theodore Baker: 1851-1934)

I Love Fall ~

I love Fall. And Winter. Always have. Always will.

You can have your Summer!

Back to the subject {grin font}

Look how easy-peasy this idea is!

Three items from the grocery store!

One hurricane!

A bit of twine & a candle (on sale, of course)

Yeah, I'm doing this next week. 

This grabbed my heartstrings. Hard.

I want to do this SO badly.

Just not sure I can recreate it.

I'm not that good with floral items.

I try. And I fool some of the people.

But not all of them.

I have the urn already.

Walmart and Target have the fake pumpkins.

I have the gold paint. And stencil!

Need a bit more silk stuff.

Okay, so I'll try this AND

let you know how it goes.

{crossmyfingers font} 

I'm writing while watching the Tide and Mizzou.

That's hard. I love the Crimson Tide. Okay,

I love everything about this.

So much so, that at 2 am I was up

 painting a primer on a lamp that was too gold.

I have all the elements EXCEPT a husk wreath.

Maybe Old Time Pottery will?

I can pick up an old frame

at the many flea markets here.

The ribbon is easy to find now.

As is the iron piece.

So, IF I can find a wreath of husk,

I'll do this project as well.

Stay tuned!

{Photos from Pinterest}