Autumn . . .

Winter is an etching,

spring a watercolor,

summer an oil painting,

and autumn a mosaic of them all.

~Stanley Horowitz~

Charlotte Would Be Proud . .

This is what I saw outside my dining room

window late this afternoon!

The web detail is amazing. . .

I think Charlotte would be proud!

Sunday Thoughts . . .

There are two ways of looking at the future. You can worry yourself silly, or you can place your future in the hands of God and walk forward with confidence and courage. It isn't that God wants you to be unconcerned about the future. Jesus urged His disciples to plan and prepare for what was ahead of them. But He also told them not to be consumed with worry.

God has a wonderful plan for your life~whether you are fifteen or fifty~five. He wants you to fearlessly face each day with you hand in His. Don't allow what might happen to rob you of your sense of excitement and anticipation. Go forward into the future with God.

"I've read the last page of the Bible.

It's all going to turn out all right."

Billy Graham

Taken from: God's Daily Answer

Monarch Siting. . .

This is another thing I love about Autumn. . .

Today I saw a 'Monarch Butterfly' flutter by my kitchen window.

This is my first siting of the orange & black beauty this Fall.

I'm eagerly waiting to see if there will be a huge group

of them migrating through our area.

They usually show up the first 2 weeks of October.

Welcome Autumn . . .

My favorite season is here!

Here are some of the reasons why I love this season.

Cozy & warming fireplaces. . .

Front doors to homes that invite you to come on in. . .

College football. . .



Candles in jars that smell like
apple & pumpkin pies. . .


Autumn leaves & crisp air. . .

The Pumpkin Patch. . .

Thanksgiving & family gatherings. . .

Halloween, candy,

& trick or treating. . .

Playin' Around . . .

Ethan had a great time on Sunday

playing with some new gadgets.

He's looks like a big boy in his new highchair.

Here he is playing with a little drum
that belonged to his Daddy.

He's sitting up very well!

Learning all about a new toy.

Sunday Thoughts . . .

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James 5:16

From one end of the Bible to the other, there is the record of men who turned the tide of history by prayer; men who fervently prayed, and God answered. The problems of the world will never be settled unless our national leaders go to God in prayer.

Taken from: Unto the Hills by Billy Graham

Perception . . .

Perception . . .

Something to think about

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007.

The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes.

During that time approx. 2 thousand people went

through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed

there was a musician playing.

He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and

then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later the violinist received his first dollar:

a woman threw the money in the hat and,

without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him,

then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother

tugged him along hurriedly.

The kid stopped to look at the violinist again,

but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk,

turning his head all the time.

This action was repeated by several other children.

Every parent, without exception,

forced their children to move on quickly.

The musician played continuously.

Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while.

About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace.

The man collected a total of $32.00.

He finished playing and silence took over.

No one noticed.

No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell,

one of the greatest musicians in the world.

He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written,

with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.

Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston

where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story.

Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized

by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception,

taste and people's priorities.

The questions raised: in a common place environment

at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

Do we stop to appreciate it?

Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best

musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music

ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made....

How many other things are we missing?

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Take time to see the beauty around you!

The Great Pumpkin ? ? ?

No, it's not The Great Pumpkin

standing in our garden.

It's my hubby checking on the okra.

He's trying to pick some before the rain
starts pouring.
Notice how tall the plants are.
Over 7 feet tall!

Praying For Max . . .

Please join me in prayer for this precious baby.

Click on his picture on my sidebar so you can read

all the details on his Aunt Whitney's blog.

Blogaversary . .

Today is my blogging anniversary!

It's hard to believe that I have been blogging for a whole year!

I have been blessed to meet new friends from all over the USA.

I've blogged about a variety of subjects

weather

cooking

cleaning

decorating

entertaining

holidays

memories

God

family

and my most favorite subject

my grandson Ethan!

I'm looking forward to another year of blogging. I encourage all you lurkers out there to leave a message when you visit here! I'd love to meet you and visit your blog!

Our First . . .

Yesterday we celebrated our first Grandparents Day!

We had lunch at our favorite Mexican food

restaurant, Abuelo's.

Ethan was all smiles when he gave us our card.

We had such a good time!

Sunday Thoughts . . .

Peace carries with it

the idea of unity,

completeness, rest, ease,

and security. When you and

I yield to worry, we deny

our Guide the right to lead

us in confidence and peace.

Only the Holy Spirit can

give us peace in the midst

of the storms of

restlessness and despair.

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith." Galatians 5:22

Saturday Visitor . . .

A cute little visitor came to our house this afternoon.

Ethan's mommy went to see

the movie "Julie & Julia"

with her sister & mom.

Ethan was sporting a new outfit

& looked so adorable.

What a sweetheart!

Remembering . . .

Today we remember a day that changed America.

We should never forget the sadness, fear, & disbelief

we experienced that day & the days that followed.

We found comfort in praying & gathering near

our family & friends.

We're showing our strength today by flying

Old Glory.

God Bless America!

Fly Your Flag . . .

Remember to fly your flag tomorrow

in memory of 9-11-01.

Picture Perfect . . .

Ethan had his first professional photo shoot

a few weeks ago.

So, as a proud Nana I'm going to show

two of his adorable pictures.

This smile melts my heart!

Even in black & white his blue eyes are beautiful!

Sunday Thoughts . . .

We Christians should stand

out like a sparkling

diamond against a rough and dark background.

We should be poised, cultured,

courteous, gracious, but

firm in the things we do or do not do.

We should laugh and be radiant;

But we should refuse to allow

the world to pull us down

to its level.

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

I Corinthians 4:2

Taken from: Unto the Hills by Billy Graham

Weekend Plans . . .

My weekend plans include. . .

* Relaxing *

* Watching college football *

(Go OSU, beat Georgia !)

* Family smoked meat fest *

* More relaxing *

* Enjoying time with family *

Have a wonderful 3 day weekend friends!

Memories Of Highland School . . .

I attended Highland Elementary School during 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th grades. Kindergarten was not offered in public school in our town, so I started 1st grade when I was 5 years old, I turned 6 in October. My school was located 2 short blocks from our house. It was a large two story brick building. I walked home for lunch everyday because the school didn't have a cafeteria. The principal (I can't remember his name) taught 5th grade on the second floor. A few times I was asked to take a note to the principal. Those stairs seemed so steep to me. There was no school office with a secretary, just a phone on a little desk in an empty classroom that hardly ever rang. If it did ring the principal answered it.


I have vivid memories of my years at Highland. I'd like to share a few of them with you!


This is how little girls dressed for school each day minus the gloves. If it was really cold I wore cordoury pants under my dress.

In 1st grade I learned to read from the Dick & Jane reading series. Mrs. Vaught was my teacher, she was a very calm lady. I remember doing phonics work pages & being a daffodil in our spring play.

Mrs. Aycock, my 2nd grade teacher, spoke with a thick southern accent, she was jolly & fun. She taught us to sing Silent Night for our Christmas play. She made sure we accented the 't' at end of the words that ended in 't'. I still have my phonics workbook with a swan on the cover.

Mrs. Young was a stern teacher with a twinkle in her eye. We walked to her house around the corner from the school to watch the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy on her black & white television.

4th grade was my last year at Highland School. The building was condemned because of its poor condition. My favorite teacher of all time was Mrs. Rose Jefferson. She had a beautiful smile. I think she was probably in her late 40s. She made sure we learned the books of the Bible. I had already memorized them in Sunday School so this was a breeze to me. We went down to the basement at least once a week to learn songs. I was amazed at how well Mrs. Jefferson played the piano. I think this is what influenced me to become an elementary music teacher. Mrs. Jefferson came to my wedding. She looked the same to me, smiling & beautiful!

I Can't Believe It ! ! !

My jaw dropped when I received an e-mail

from my son about this news.

Make way for more Duggars!

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar of Tonitown, Ark., who have 18 children and one grandchild on the way, are expecting a new addition to their household – baby No. 19 will arrive in the spring. "We are so thrilled," says Michelle, 42. "We just couldn't believe it is happening." Jim Bob, 44, agrees: "This never gets old. We are so grateful for each child. We are looking forward to our first grand baby and our 19th child." Oldest son Joshua, 21 and his wife Anna, 21, are expecting daughter Mackynzie Renée next month, so she will be older than her new aunt or uncle. "I think it is going to be awesome, it is going to be great," says Josh about the news that his parents are expecting. "We have been looking forward to the arrival of my little girl and to now get to celebrate for my parents, it's a wonderful thing."

Wow!

I'm not sure what I think about this.

I can't even imagine having 19 children.

I guess if anyone can handle this it's the Duggars.

I'm worried about Michelle's health while

carrying & giving birth to #19.

She had complications during

delivery with #18 & had to have a c-section.

What do you think?