Prayers Please, and New Ideas!

I come asking tonight for prayer warriors. A dear friend of ours, here's a link to her blog, will have to have a large mass removed from a breast. She found it, saw her doctor Monday, had tests today and will see a surgeon Thursday. Her Dr suggested having it removed ASAP. I know she would appreciate your prayers. She's a strong Christian and has great faith, however you know how Satan loves to put fear into our heads. Pray for peace, comfort, a healing and rapid recovery and that this is not a cancerous tumor. Thank you. I will update as we find out what is involved.

Yesterday I shared the cute idea of small mailboxes holding Valentine cards from family members. You can find that idea here!

From these $1 mailboxes and $1 candlesticks

(paint was already on hand)

to these cute mailboxes!

Tonight, I want to share one that is so cute and could easily be used as a nightlight. Those who know me well know that I love nightlights. I love walking through our home at night and having just enough light to add a sweet glow to everything.  Here's the photo below and here's the link! Lookie What I Did.

I'm having our Recipe group over Monday for lunch and have decided against bringing out any Valentine decor. I'm still decorated for winter and yes, the tree is still up. It looks so pretty reflecting off the mirrors and windows we haven't been in a hurry to put it up. So my sweet friends may just see a Christmas tree, along with their winter table settings. They kind of go together {wink font}. Afterwards, I do want to set the table for February and bring out the romantic table decor. With us eating more at home and having friends over, I love the change! Since I've decided to totally renovate the bookcases, one of these adorable Valentine glass blocks will be just the nightlight needed for February! Until ~

A New Blog, A New Idea!

You'll find this adorable blog HERE! I read about it on Pinterest and it's real cute. In fact, I've saved it in order to go back to it when I publish this and look through it a bit more. It seems as if she takes the ideas from Pinterest that she likes in way of clothing and then puts it together and photographs herself! I, myself, have lots and lots of clothing ideas and I have used maybe 1/4 or those ideas. But after a while, I fall back into wearing the same items, simply because they're at the front of the line. A friend of mine puts hers at the back so she knows it's been worn. That's a great idea, too! Go to Pinterest Told Me To . . . and tell me what you think. I heart comments! 

These are too cute for Valentine's Day! She made one for each of her babies. I love Project Maddox for two reasons. One, she has some really neat ideas. Two, she's our baby daughter {big smile font}.  She shows you how she put these together for only $2 each. Neat way to decorate all month long! Then leave nice notes for a job well done.

It's almost the end of January. Wowzer. Time is flying already this year. Until ~

Her Sanctuary ~ My Dreams

adventures in decorating 

one of my favorite blogs

today i clicked on

to find some of my favorite colors

and a nod to an upcoming holiday

we are in the process of redecorating

our bookcases and i want

a more neutral look for the season

a nod toward our area of sand and surf

to bring in glass, silver, and mercury

along with natural woods and finds 

these are so easy to place

they go anywhere

anytime

i love to watch our grandbabies

smell and listen to them

it's a valentine's day tree

makes the heart smile

and when the heart smiles

the soul sings

*   *   *   *

click here to see other photos

of her home

i'm never disappointed

A Guy, A Gal, and A Rule

It was the 100th Day of School at FPK. And also Pajama Day in Noah's classroom. Great job, Noah! Your time at this school changed your life, and we will forever be thankful for not only the opportunity, but the blessings of those teaching and loving you.

It was Princess/Prince Party Day in Elle's classroom for the 100th Day. I have to congratulate Jenny on the Snow White dress. She made this for Elle! We all love FPK and pray for those that guide and teach these little ones. So there's my sweet guy and gal ~

My grandmother, Josephine Bass Yarbrough, was a retired teacher that didn't stop teaching when she left the building. Along with other grammar rules, this one has stuck in my mind forever! You know, the American language has got to be the most difficult to teach.

I love this photo! Jenny's happy and relaxed after putting together a precious birthday party for Noah (Camp Noah); Noah is excited and obviously tickled with the birthday party and goodies; and Elle is having a blast being the little sister and knowing she's in a photo! Click on Camp Noah above to be directed to Jenny's blog and see more neat photos of how she and Brandon put Camp Noah together for a troop of guys and gals. Happy 6th Birthday, No!

Recent Favorites ~

This sweet baby of ours is excited, because~ 

they had a SNOW DAY!

Stacey's a teacher, so she was happy, too!

We got none. Nada. Zilch. Not a flurry.

BUT, Winter isn't over yet!

I laugh out loud each time I see this.

Or think of it! 

And I have a girlfriend that needs this. Bahaha.

She wants a bike to ride,

and she loves walking on the beach.

Heeeeere ya go, Deborah!

This sweet beauty?

One of God's gifts to us in the animal kingdom.

Oh John, find a way to take me here one day.

And not just in my dreams~

I want to make these for Easter.

They're just too cute!

Raspberry Confetti Kisses

And this one has grabbed my heart!

Leslie & Heath's latest 'baby bump' photo

of our newest grandbaby. A boy.

To say we're thrilled is an understatement.

I pray your week has been filled with moments

that made you laugh, made you giggle,

made you thankful, made you dream,

caused you to pause and say a prayer.

If You Keep Your Eyes Shut

An old door. I love shut doors.

I am a very curious person.

Nosy to some that don't understand.

And a closed door, especially a beautiful one,

has to have a treasure behind it.

That's why I love books.

Books carry me away to another place.

Another land. Another life.

My second love is books of poetry.

The one by Robert Frost is by far my favorite.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound’s the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

~ Robert Frost

I had never read this poem by Dr. Seuss, but will keep it now~

If you keep your eyes shut, you'll miss the best things! 

I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
Dr. Seuss

I can read in red. I can read in blue.
I can read in pickle color too.
I can read in bed, and in purple. and in brown.
I can read in a circle and upside down!
I can read with my left eye. I can read with my right.
I can read Mississippi with my eyes shut tight!

There are so many things you can learn about.
But…you'll miss the best things 
If you keep your eyes shut.
The more that you read, the more things you will know
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. 

If you read with your eyes shut you're likely to find
That the place where you're going is far, far behind
SO…that's why I tell you to keep your eyes wide.
Keep them wide open…at least on one side.

When our daughter, Jenny, was born

I recalled a poem I learned in high school.

Jenny Kiss'd Me. We didn't get her name from it,

but I've always thought of it fondly as her poem.

Jenny Kiss'd Me

Jenny kissed me when we met,

Jumping from the chair she sat in;

Time, you thief, who love to get

Sweets into your list, put that in!

Say I'm weary, say I'm sad,

Say that health and wealth have missed me,

Say I'm growing old, but add,

Jenny kiss'd me. 

~ James Henry Leigh Hunt

A Monday Memory ~

I love seeing our daughter's posts and photos from years back. She has a Flashback Friday she does (here's the latest!), and sweet Noah, not quite two months old, I believe. One of my favorites from about that time includes his big brother trying to give the new baby brother a toy. Oh be still my heart~

So I thought I'd see what we, or I, was doing this time a few years back. Thinking I'd go back to the first blog I began, I chose 2008 and surprisingly I'm having the same problem I was then! Sheez, it's either a bad habit or a deep rooted problem I don't seem to want to change. Normally, things that bother me I take care of. One way or another. But this crazy sleep pattern obviously isn't one of them. Here's the blog from January 15, 2008 ~

Sleepy dayz~wake up, Night!

On another note, I'm wondering who is getting our Winter weather?! We aren't {frowny font} I like my Winter season and thought we were to have one this year. Guess again. I was hoping the snake eggs would be taken care of this year (as they weren't last year and everyone had too many reptiles! Miami area just issued 800 permits to rid the locale of a certain species of pythons. Eek! Any python in my yard would be a 'missing' python after The Hood took care of it!)

The new year promises to have its share of excitement and changes and our family is gearing up for them. Have a God-filled week and may you find many moments of love and laughter during your days. Until ~

I Love Winter ~

I love the snow, the cold

the silence ~ 

hot chocolate, time for good novels, time with Him~ 

A great time for whites and neutrals,

soothing to the eyes, to the soul ~ 

Winter brings colds, flu, and prayers for healing

as well as smiles for those recovering ~ 

and one that will enter our world at the end of the season.

I love you already, sweet Owen~ 

The Tide Rolled!

This led to ~

this, which went on to lead to this!

and a National Championship. Again! I love to proclaim that our state now has claimed the last four, that's FOUR, BCS National Championships. Between our three and Auburn's one, we've owned the BCS.

I love it! Roll Tide!!

Using a Bookcase!

Undoubtely, my favorite way of how you can use a bookcase! Here's the link and I'm sure you can do it as well. Not only is it oh, so, handy, but how cute as well! If you make it, come back here and share yours with me by mailing me a photo and a description and I'll post it for everyone to see and be inspired!

This one is not on a swivel but it is a neat way to organize your mudroom or laundry.  This idea came from one of my favorite blogs, Lookie What I Did, and you can find more DIY projects to fill up your DIY days! A great way to start out a new year! Organizing and cleaning up those clutter areas and cabinets!

Favored Posts in 2012 ~

It's about to be a new year. I always get excited wondering what will take place and what new things will be experienced. We don't do much of anything on New Year's Eve, as both of us don't get out much at night nor could either of us stay awake and alert until midnight. Right now we are watching bowl games and LSU and Clemson happen to be playing. (I'm pulling for Clemson!)

This happens to be the 897th post of this blog. I had 136 posts on Faith, Family, and Friends ~ In the Beginning. October, 2012 had the most hits, with 15,384. That's shocking, but I'm grateful. And I truly appreciate each and every one that takes the time to come here. I also appreciate comments but due to the spam that seems to be increasing, I've had to revert to using that dreaded "Type these two words". I hate that on other blogs and has often kept me from commenting because the last word is so hard to read!! The number I can get but running letters together is difficult to read.

Here are the top posts for this blog:

Blessed Beyond Words

Happy Birthday to Me

There is Still Good in America

May God Bless

Through the Eyes of a Camera

The top posts for this year:

May God Bless

Hurricanes, Hugs, and Home

Happy Birthday, Noah

My Favorite Photos This Week

Remembering Sandy Hook

I wanted to include my favorite photos from this year, but that's too hard. There's too many! I am so grateful for God leading us through trials and challenges this year; for being blessed with infinite blessings; and, knowing that He is in control of 2013! It will be an exciting year for our daughters in various way and I'll be sharing them as they happen, so keep coming back.

May you and yours have a God-filled 2013. Don't worry about the media and what "they say". I serve a mighty King and He will handle all. I shall pray for our Nation, our leaders, and know that He will never leave me alone. I believe in His promises and He never lies. Give more this year of your time, your wealth, and your prayers. Do more with less. And laugh, laugh, laugh. Laughing at myself keeps me quite entertained {smile font}. I have long loved with the Threefold Blessing of Numbers 6:24-26 (here's a link to a good description of it) and will end with it here.

“‘“The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.”

*  *  *  *  *  *

(Okay, so I just reread this and clicked on all the links to make sure they go to the correct post. Yeah, I have tears running down my cheek. Heart memories cleanse the heart and reminds one of His blessings.)

Happy New Year's

Here are some vintage cards

for your enjoyment.

May you and yours have a blessed 2013 ~

Merry Christmas, 2012

Here are some vintage Christmas cards

that I thought were sweet enough to share.

I pray you and yours have a joyous Christmas~

(and please remember, don't drink and drive)

I think this one is my favorite. I love fresh greens and the natural colors of this vintage card. May you and yours have a very Merry Christmas. See you soon, as we ready for the new year, 2013! (And I am praying for His guidance! I continue to pray and let Him know there are still Christians in America wanting to change the way our leaders believe and that they pray on bended knee before they make a decision that affects us all. I fear for the elderly, the ones below poverty level that don't want to be there, and the terminally ill. I fear our President and too many in Congress proclaim Christianity but don't live it. Pray with me that this year, 2013, will see a turning point and that America will be blessed because we returned to one Nation under God.)