Spring-Summer-Autumn-Winter - A mini-challenge!

Did you know that the seasons occur because of the tilt in the earth's axis with respect to the plane of earth's orbit?  Spring, summer, autumn and winter are four well recognized seasons.    We wear different types of clothing according to the climate of the season - like in summer we wear cotton clothes because cotton helps us absorb sweat.  Winter we bring out the layers of comfy clothes and outer wear.  Then of course there are also the "rules" of fashion and seasons.  No white shoes after Labor Day - shorts are only for summer - pastels are only for Easter or spring . . .

But that's enough information about the seasons, right? 

Here's my point to this challenge - - - what about seasons for reading certain books?  I have noticed that I tend to notice book covers that coincide with the season we are in!   I love to look at allllll beach books during the summer - any beach - anywhere - but I love to see water and sand, boats and beach chairs and umbrellas and swim suits on a brightly colored book cover for my summer reading.

How about you?  Do you do something similar?  Do you have special books that you re-read each season?  Does Christmastime bring visions of warm fires and beautifully decorated Christmas trees on your book cover or cause you to long for a family Christmas story?

Challenge:  Please share your thoughts on this - and if possible maybe you can include a picture of the "seasonal books" you cherish most! 

I will choose a random winner and mail you a book of your favorite season!

Thanks for participating.

Happy Reading - whatever the season!

If you are tired of starting over, stop giving up.

The name of this post says a lot - things I have given up on far outweigh the things I've finished. 

Given up on: 

Weight loss

Reading scripture

Reading books

Exercise

Getting adequate sleep

Some friends

MY BLOG!


NO discipline seems to be the root of my problem.   Time is limited also - but I've been through plenty of time management courses and I know how to fix the problem with that.  

NO discipline means that my heart and soul aren't coming under the direction of anyone.    My blog is going to be resurfacing and will have more of my faith woven into the posts.   My lack of discipline relates to my lack of relationship with God.  I see that and I need to fix that.  My faith has always been part of my life - but the relationship has been missing.

No discipline means that I continue to make the easy choices that are creating weight gain, sore muscles, achy bones, weariness, discouragement, sadness. 

A really good book Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On - by Stormie Omartien - tells us that God illuminates the next step in our path way for us - maybe 2-3 steps will be lit up!   Sometimes just the next thing we are to do will be lit up.  We are to have discipline to continue to tell God our worries, and our fears, wait for him to illuminate the next step, and then follow him.  Every single time! Walking in discipline with God. 

The Readathon became a really fun thing for me to be part of years ago when my sister Tami introduced me to it.  I like the excitement that leads up to taking the day for ourselves to read.  Preparing good snacks - doing up laundry and cooking ahead - Purposefully leaving that day OPEN for no interruptions.  Many times my day will change due to someone elses schedule.  It happens.   Discipline helps me say no to distractions!  

I hope you all have a great readathon as well.  I'll be back to share with my progress and to take part in some challenges. 

If you are interested please check back in as I battle through the next few months with seeking God first and practicing discipline under his authority!

Happy Reading!

Welcome Back to Henningsen Happenings . . .

I started to blog in 2010 and it became a really fun way to share my life.    As with many bloggers, life happens, situations change, and priorities come and go. Writers block? or just life getting in the way?    Forward to 2017 and I'm vowing to make some changes in priorities and begin to share again.

First of all, as life will have it, my priorities were changed for me in a very unexpected way on June 25, 2017.  I've been blessed to live no more than 24 miles from both of my parents all of my life, and at the present we are just down the road 16 miles.   Blessings also in that my parents have enjoyed good health and independent living.    At 80 and 82 - that is not a given - - - and my dad became ill this past summer with some serious medical issues.  Blessing #3 - they were able to turn that illness around very quickly and he has recuperated nicely.  However, at the age of 82 and still actively farming a very big operation, he became in need of help with that as well as help with some other aspects of life.  Blessing #4 - I have two sisters!  I guess if dad ever wondered why God gave him three daughters, it might be that they could help him in life as he faced the "golden years".  Why we call it the Golden Years is another post . . . :)

One of my sisters lives in town - - - my other sister is three hours away.  She lives on a farm herself, she likes to call Green Acres . . . and she has learned to love life in the country!  I guess we have been the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse - because I have had no desire for rock roads, much less dirt roads, no cable TV, no neighbors, no grocery store down the street, etc.  And especially no critters!  Here I sit tonight one mile north of town, actually on a fairly busy highway, with no cable, and a list of critters too long for my liking.  Salamanders, spiders, toads, and mice.    I refuse to even write about them. 

Life looks different for me now . . . many of my evenings and nights are spent with my dad on the farm and I have fallen in love with the countryside here.  There was a time in my life where I became very out of touch with my home town and it's a real regret that I have.  However, now I have learned to love every street - and I can drive around for hours remembering the homes as they looked back 40 years ago.   Jewell, KS.  A "jewel" of a little village.   A few years back, Jewell lost it's school, and has suffered that loss in a huge way.  Once busy streets, full of high school kids from three towns, and many businesses, have become at times bare.    A group of women meet for coffee at 9:30 and 2:30 every day.  The men of the town can gather at the local implement dealer or the elevator to catch up on the latest news or harvest reports.  I recently watched as they planned the yearly Corn Show - an event that has been tradition for 75 years.   There was excitement in the town for a few days before.  And although I didn't attend the parade - the pictures showed people lining the streets.  Activities were planned for the young and old - with BBQ's and an exhibit hall with produce, crafts, quilts, art work, and much more. 

As I begin to put my thoughts out there again and share some of what life has brought my way, I'm taking a new perspective to my last 1/3 of life.  With the Grand 60th year birthday just around the corner in 2019, I am right back where I was in 2010 - - - wanting to do things well - - - finish well - - - be healthy - - - have value to what I do and how I spend my time - have a few good friends - Walk with the Lord every single day - - - be quiet, be gentle, be calm, - honor my mom and dad - enjoy my role as mom and grandma - and I invite you to join me on this journey.  Please . . . share some of your journey with me here as well!

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon

For someone who really enjoys seeing books . . . looking at books . . . touching books . . . sitting in book stores or libraries for comfort . . . and anticipating Dewey's Readathon for weeks . . . I do not get huge amounts of reading done!

Is there a term for that??  Does that problem have a name??  Feel free to diagnose . . .

I am in search of the Truth in my life . . . in several areas . . . and facing the Truth . . .

   Truth is . . . I have a job that requires I look at words all day long . . . I am tired after work.

       Truth is . . . I have a certain amount of house work that I want done each day . . . I do that first.

          Truth is . . . Atenolol makes a person sleepy.  I take a heavy dose of it . . . I fall asleep!

I feel better that I have decided to stop scolding myself for not reading more . . .

     But I still plan to read . . . I enjoy it . . . I learn from it . . . I will read.


My books for Saturday are as follows:

Bible . . . I will start my early morning as always with scripture and coffee.

Fervent - by Priscilla Shirer - Between my Bible study and this book I will be doing some serious type reading and studying.

Lastly, I can't wait to turn the pages of this:  By Mary Kay Andrews . . .

Twas the night before Christmas . . .

The night before . . . there are three "night befores" in my life that I have treasured.  The "night before" we left on family vacation as a kid . . . Christmas Eve . . . and New Year's Eve.  All three bring memories of excitement, anticipation, fun, planning, staying up all night, and family.

So on this "night before" my blog post is to go up, I find myself in a different sort of mood as I write.  I am not having the Christmas that I normally have, nor that I planned to have.  That is not necessarily always bad when plans change, but I have definitely learned to adapt and go on the past several weeks. 

First our oldest child, our son Todd, won't be able to bring his family and come up from South Texas.  We always have such a great time when they come.  The house is crowded and I spend two weeks preparing food for the freezer.   We play games, watch movies, sled, shoot guns, invite grandparents over, and occasionally probably get on each others' nerves . . . not so much though. :)
Surgery, sale of house, house shopping, self-owned business, and full-time job are keeping them home for the next few weeks. 

Secondly, my family unit as I have known it for my entire life is once again making a shift . . . as I age, and my parents age . . . we adjust.  Hard things. 

So as I planned to write about the last minute hustle and bustle before 13 people hit my doorstep . . . I am quietly writing to you tonight . . . the freezer is nearly bare . . . but the car is loaded with gifts, overnight bags are packed, and yes I'm feeling excitement and anticipation, and I will probably stay up late just enjoying the season.   We will be off tomorrow to spend a wonderful Christmas with our daughter and her family.  Enjoyed supper out with my parents tonight.  More family Christmas on the 26th and even New Year's Day!  Blessed . . . even in the midst of change, disappointment, and new traditions.   "Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind"  – Mary Ellen Chase.

Enjoy your Christmas Eve!  Read the story in Luke 2 . . . the first Christmas.  Cozy up by the fire with a cup of hot tea and enjoy your favorite Christmas book.   Share a movie with a friend.  Watch for Santa!  Love those you are with. 

Merry Christmas!

Readathon Fall 2016

Welcome to my cozy little corner of the world today in Beloit, Kansas.  It's an exciting morning around here . . . Well at least I think so . . . The hubs and puppy are sleeping soundly down the hall.  Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon . . .

As I said, I'm reading in Beloit, Kansas - and I am really excited to begin reading The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  A classic!    I love my coffee and later my Diet Coke.  A friend left me a chocolate chip cookie after Bible study class last night - that might be my favorite snack today!  Also thought of sending hubs to the movie theatre this evening for some fresh movie house popcorn/butter!

My husband and I have two grown adult children who continue to be the lights of our world.  We have 8 grand children of all ages and one great grand child.  And I'm only 57!  This time I am really going to focus on reading more than I have in the past. I usually get pretty caught up in reading the website, etc. and unfortunately, napping, but this year I am determined to really make some progress.  Especially focusing on the two books that are on my personal book club list.  The Tavern on Maple Street and Secret Garden.  So thankful my sister Tami introduced me to this exciting life of Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon!

Happy Reading!

Asking The Experts . . .

Those words have come out of my mouth on many an occasion . . .although I am not your typical book worm.  I didn't grow up reading . . . I was more in to paper dolls and doll houses.    My library finds consisted of The Bobbsey Twins when I was in grade school - shared them with my best friend.  Then we moved on to Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys.  Reading ended for me for a few years - - - until my era of reading Janette Oke pioneer women stories in the 1980's.   Then in the 1990's my sister and I started our own version of Oprah's Book Club - naming it after ourselves and sharing a book a month across the miles.   Now I'm at the time in life when I am much freer to do as I please - and I should be pouring through the books.  I'm writing this blog post because I don't seem to be able to stay motivated (and sometimes awake) enough to read all the great books I have either collected or purchased on my Kindle! 

What is my problem?  I tend to think that I can't sit and read unless certain household chores are done. That's #1.  Secondly, when I do sit to read I find myself being sleepy.

So if my goal is to become an avid reader then I need to fix those things which keep me from it.  Easier said than done - My personality is pretty set in it's way and my medicines make me sleepy - but there has to be some ideas out there to free up more time.  I have friends who read like crazy - maintain nice homes and socialize . .   . let me become a student of them!  So, they have graciously allowed me to interview them with a few short questions. 

Here are their valued responses:

When is your best reading time?

Tami (my sister) - I read most consistently in the evenings.  My husband and I have very different taste in television viewing, so I sometimes escape to another room to read when I don't want to listen to his shows.  When I'm home alone, I read rather than turning on the TV.  It has been a standard practice at our house to read before bedtime for our entire marriage.  Reading in bed has become more difficult with age because of restless legs, aching back, etc., things that interfere with comfort.  But I still rarely go to sleep without picking up a book - even if I only read a page or two.

Carol (friend and co-worker) - Any time night or day is my best reading time!  However, I find myself reading most, in the mornings, sitting out on the deck with my coffee.  Another best time is when I cannot sleep and get up about 3 a.m. and read for about 3 hours!  Well, and another favorite time is late afternoon, again out on the deck, sitting in the sun!  (Yes, night or day!)

Mary (Tami's friend) - I read before I go to bed . . . not in bed.  If I don't have a book to read . . I am rather miskanbobbled . . . LOL (Oh wait . . . it is just worse when I don't have a book to read . . LOL)

Is it easy for you to sit and read if there are household chores you could do?  If so - tell me your theory on this!

Tami - Yes and No.  I'm not a terribly finicky housekeeper, so I can ignore a certain amount of housework.  Again, it's easier in the evening.  I established a plan when my kids were young that gave me 9:00 pm. cutoff for housework.  Anything not done by that time, I was allowed to put on hold for the next day.  I would have an hour or so to myself, and I usually spent it reading.  I sometimes read in the afternoon, but it's more difficult to ignore household duties then, so I play games with myself:  One chapter, one chore; or 30 minutes of reading, 15 of housework. 

Carol - It is usually pretty easy!  Sometimes I do have thoseh chores crossing in and out of my mind.  My best theory is, though, that those chores will still be waiting when I come to a good stopping place in my book, or, I come to the end of the book . . . and I'm not ready to start another one!  A proven theory is that "things will get bad enough" and I will definitely have to put those pages down!

Mary - What I do when I feel like reading during the day and I need to get work done, I treat myself . . . like when the living room is dusted and vacuumed . . . then I can read for a few minutes, then off to the next project.

What is the one thing that will keep you from sitting and reading?

Tami - Restless legs!!  I asked my husband his opinion on this one and his immediate response was "TV!  It's so much easier to stare at the television and it's a habit, I think."    Since we usually eat in front of the TV (another bad habit) it's harder to turn it off and pick up a book.  For me, it's my phone - Facebook, Pinterest, games . . . I can get distracted for hours.

Carol - Social obligations!  (And when "things get bad enough")!

Mary - Not much if it is a really good book . . . well maybe going to work . . I have not figured out how to drive the school bus and read at the SAME time . . . if I get that figured out . . . I will let you know!

What is your biggest benefit from the reading that you do?

Tami - There are many benefits.  Reading has given me a broader perspective.  Reading has increased my vocabulary, my knowledge, and my interests.  There are many places and events that I know about only because I read it in a book.  Reading has introduced me to a much wider assortment of people than I could meet in reality.  But the biggest benefit has got to be escape.  I have gotten through stress, boredom, sadness, and even fear by escaping into the fantasy world of a book.  Even when there is nothing in my world that I want to get away from, reading lets me escape to old friends or totally new characters; a mystery to solve, or a mind to explore; real life events or a little magic.

Carol - I don't think I can limit it to one!  Here are some benefits and they all seem big:  Entertainment; escape; learning about new things and old things, and places, and increasing my vocabulary.  Books are full of tidbits!  A big thing that people who don't read miss is this:  Reading the story of someone else, true or fiction, can benefit the reader with different perspectives on different situations, and in turn, the reader may learn to have more understanding and tolerance for those around them (and more empathy for themselves as well)!

Mary - It has increased my vocab a lot . . . not that I use the words but I know what they mean . . . when I was much younger and I came across a word in a book I didn't know, I would look it up . . . don't have to do that so much anymore . . . and I think it is relaxing . . . even a good suspense book!  I wish it made me a better speller but nope!

Thanks ladies for your thoughts! 

I also did some of my own research and found a few tips that I will try as well!

One reader said to set a goal per reading session - determine that you will read 15 pages before laying the book down.

Another piece of good advice - ignore what you "should" be reading - and read what you like!  As my sister often says, "Life's too short for bad books".

And because it's technically possible - be prepared digitally across all your mobile devices - Ipad, smart phone, and of course Kindle - to read the same book wherever you are.

Sacrifice something. You’ve got 24 hours in a day. You spend 8–10 hours (hopefully not much more) working. You spend 6–8 hours sleeping. You’ve got family and friends to spend time with every day. All of this doesn’t leave much time for other interests, like reading.  So . . . I have determined that in order for me to make strides in my TBR list in 2017 I will be more "intentional" about my reading.  9 p.m. seems to have been the most popular hour of the day to say - - - I'm done for today - - - I will read now.  For me that means that TV will be sacrificed.  Shows can be recorded and watched at another time - but not after 9 p.m.   Then I will hit the sack and get some extra sleep - the best solution for my sleepy eyes!

Thank you again to my friends who shared their secrets to reading success . . . I admire all three of them in the books they have read and what they know!   I thought it was very interesting that "my experts" all had some of the same feelings about reading.  Tried and true advice . . .


Everyone make sure to sign up for Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon coming very soon - Saturday, October 22!  I can't wait! 

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers.” — Charles William Eliot

Readathon Ready!

I have started to feel about the "night before Readathon" similar to the excitement I feel on Christmas Eve!  Anticipation!  Like Christmas, I have a list of "prep" to do before the big day comes.  I like to have the house cleaned so that can be ignored on the weekend . . . I like to have my favorite drinks in the house - flavored coffee - and Diet Coke . . . Snacks . . . And meals planned for myself and the hubs.   Do you have a special "to-do" list in honor of Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon?  See you October 22!  Sign up now!

Happy Reading!

Fall begins . . .

Actually not until September 22, do we get to officially settle into Autumn 2016.  I start early.  I love Memorial Day to Labor Day - my favorite time of the year.  Now I'm starting to enjoy Labor Day through New Year's Eve about as much.  Seasons bring about special memories for me and make me think of my favorite things for each time of the year.  Fall is the season when I discovered flavored coffee's, Book Clubs, Readathons, and Kenny G Christmas. 

My sister Tami moved to Beloit, KS in Fall of 1999.    We had really started to bond together as best friends around that time and we did it from a distance - - - we did it with a book club.  I've written about it several times . . . it's named after me . . . and Tami . . . T & T Book Club - the debate is still ongoing whether it's Teri and Tami's Book Club or Tami and Teri's Book Club . . .We used it as a way to keep in touch every month.  We took turns picking a book for the month - sharing the book announcement excitedly.  We would both read and then discuss and sometimes carry out special projects in honor of the book theme.  As I said, Tami moved here in 1999 and the book club has always continued - however, when we lived practically next door to each other for a few years, the book club took a less important role in our lives.  Also during that time period, we gathered for French Vanilla fresh ground coffee after school.  We had never lived in that close proximity and we made the most of it!  It is still one of my all time favorite memories.  We listened to Christmas music and christened Halloween as the official start of the Holiday Season.

That time period ended sadly for both of us, but the book club and love of books has continued  between us ever since.  We do read different types of books and that does make it tricky to share a book - we have also gotten busy with jobs and families and life . . . and the book club has been hard to keep up with.  But don't count us out!!  We have once again revived it as of September 1, 2016.  We have our old determination back - and have committed to a book a month - and we will take turns picking.  We each made a list of books we have on our TBR shelves and will pick from them.  I'm officially underway with book #1 and will post about it when I'm done. 

This brings me to my next favorite thing about Fall - - - Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon.  I often heard Tami talk about it - 24 hours of reading with other bookaholics - snacks - prizes - challenges - cheerleaders - all sounded very new to me - and then I tried it.  I was hooked! 

I am already making plans for the October 22, 2016 readathon.  They are held twice a year in October and April.  You can check it out online for the history and details.  Sign-ups should start soon.

What season is your favorite?  And why?  Does the readathon sound fun and would you like to join?  If you are in a book club - I'd love to hear how yours works! 

Here is to a healthy fall, full of reading, enjoying some outdoor activities, good coffee, prayer and devotion!  Tami intends to fire up her blogging skills a little more and that challenged me to do likewise.  This is still a good place to come for some quiet reflection and sharing my blessings . . .

COLOR ME RESTED!

That's what Saturday's should be for right?  Rest and relaxing.  However, they have always been used for going about being busy!  I picture the Bible time women who worked to prepare for the Sabbath.  All of the cooking was done ahead.  I think of the pioneer women who worked every day to prepare the food they needed and to keep their homes satisfactorily clean to prevent illnesses, etc.  I'm not sure Saturday has ever been intended as a day to rest and relax.  So taking a day out like I am today to have fun online and read might seem wasteful to some.  I'm guessing that we all can do both!  I know I have rested and relaxed, both in the body and in my mind.  I also know that I have taken care of some details around my home, inside and out . . . And some very important cleaning tasks in the corners of my mind . . . So I think the Lord is pleased.

My final Spring Fling post and challenge is rather colorful . . .

Meaning that for the rest of the day and into the evening indulge yourself with color . . . That may be painting, crafting, sewing, knitting, but for me it will be simpler . . . Adult coloring books.  I am hooked on them and so is the world it seems.  I plan to relax with my pencils and books this evening.

Take the challenge:

Paint, design or color a rainbow . . .


     Paint, design or color a garden of flowers . . .

                Put together a spring wreath using only supplies you have around the home . . .

                              Arrange a centerpiece big or small with an Easter theme . . .

                                         
Winner of this challenge will be selected from the picture you send me that highlights how you spent your evening and what you designed!!!   Simple or complicated - all are equally welcome!

Prize will be a brand new box of Crayola Colored Pencils!!!

         

Books to Read this Spring!

How is your reading going?  Maybe you are lucky enough to live where you can read by the pool, or by the ocean, or on your front porch.  I live in Kansas and early March usually means you will need to be in the house with your favorite winter blanket near by - - -

Today I am reading from my recliner in the living room - - - one of my favorite spots because I can gaze out the front window and see pretty trees and the sky.  (Especially when the window has been freshly cleaned)

I wanted to share with you - Top Spring Books for 2016

Disclosure:  I have not read them . . . just want to look in to reading some of them . . .

Challenge #3 - Look the list over and share if you have read some - - - special prize to the person who has read the most!  Share what you are reading today!  Why did you select it?

SEE YOU BACK IN ONE HOUR FOR A FUN "COLORFUL" CHALLENGE!!

Also!  The winner of Challenge #2 is Tami Erwin!!  She has spent more than l5 minutes out in the fresh air cleaning up around the farm and putting storm windows back on their home after replacing window sills!  Definitely needs this next prize . . . One of my new favorite things . . . A Diet Coke and a 100 calorie Dove Milk Chocolate Bar!  A wonderful rewarding but yet healthy enough treat!
Thanks for participating!

High noon - lunchtime!

Hope you are enjoying our Spring Fling - I have spent the last two hours washing some windows and letting the sun shine in . . . I also planned to do a little cooking for today also.  Lunch will be just me . . . Hubs is working and refused food . . .

Next on the menu is some smothered chicken for a potluck church dinner tomorrow.  Fix now and in crock pot later.  Also on the menu for supper tonight . . . Grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. 

Challenge #2 - - -

Grab the tennis shoes and head outdoors if your weather permits . . . I understand it may still be cold or wintery in your home town!    Spend fifteen minutes walking about your yard or neighborhood . . . enjoy the sunshine . . . and the hope of spring!   Be ready to come back here and post your favorite sign of spring!  

Then grab your favorite refreshing drink and it's time to do some reading - - - the part of the day I've looked most forward to!

Be sure to check out Tami at Just One More Thing . . . She is joining in today with pictures of her spring planning and some challenges of her own.  She also is the lucky winner of the Garden Challenge!  Sharing a picture of one of her marigolds!  She will receive a pretty pair of gardening gloves!!

See you back in a couple of hours - enjoy your walk!

10:00 a.m. challenge . . .

I hope you enjoyed the devotional thought on spring cleaning our homes, but more importantly our hearts!  Just for fun before we move on . . . 

Can you complete this quiz?

And now moving on . . .

I am not a gardener . . . I totally rely on my sister Tami to supply me with fresh farm grown tomatoes each year and also "grandma's homemade chili sauce", salsa, and awesome plum jelly!  I do, however, love me some flowers!!

Each summer for years I filled my planters with annuals of all kinds - marigolds, petunias, spikes, vincas, geraniums, alyssum, and many others!

Last summer I slowed it down to a red, white and blue theme only.  Geraniums, wave petunias, and the nearest thing to blue I could find . . . really a shade of purple . . . and the name escapes me. 

This summer I plan to stick with wave petunias and some green filler like a spike or a fern.  Red and white it will be.  I have six planters to fill and one hanging basket.

Why do you spend the money on flowers?  Spend the time to plant them and then the time to water them?  

I assume you are like me - - - I get such a great joy at looking at them - the colors are so bright and they look so inviting.  Most of my flowers are on and near my patio.  One of the most peaceful places I go in the summer. 

Challenge #1 - For the next hour spend some time in "planning" either in your mind or actually on paper - your garden!  Be ready when you hit the greenhouse to go directly to the items you need . . . or it's just like grocery shopping . . . I end up with some beauties that I really don't have a place for!  I can't resist!  Then come back and reply in the comments how your planning session went and share what you hope your garden (flower and vegetable) will look like!

Happy Gardening!    Eligible for prize drawing if you can share a picture of your favorite flower or vegetable or a picture of what your garden has been in the past or your hope for this year!

Whose pretty porch is this??

Let the sun shine in!

Morning blogging friend(s) . . . Do you have your coffee brewing and are you ready for a fun and relaxing day?

First things first . . . Please check your email and you will find a devotion called Spring Clean Up: Christian Women's Devotional.  Spring Clean Up for the Heart and Soul!

And if you aren't my sister . . . Check out http://www.juliabettencourt.com/dev/springcleandev.html

Enjoy!

I'm allowing us the first two hours to have our quiet time with God  - but add a comment about the devotion when you are ready.

See you back here then around 10 a.m. I'll have our first challenge!

Happy Spring!

Spring Fling Kick-Off

It's Friday and it is 11 a.m. - - - I have much to get done but am taking a break long enough to post about the Spring fun that is coming our way tomorrow!   Please join me!

I'm celebrating with Spring fever early . . . Saturday, March 5!

8:00 a.m. - - - Coffee and devotions - - - I'll share a morning devotion with you . . . of course you are on your own for coffee!

Going to shower quickly and be set for a relaxing day!

I am really focusing on two things for the day.  #1 Reading and #2 Cleaning windows.   

I'd love to have you join me and share about your day!  How do you prepare for Spring?  Do you decorate your home?   Do you plant a vegetable garden or flowers?  What is your plan? 

Check back tomorrow at 8 a.m. for a Spring devotion and then at 10 a.m. for the first Spring Challenge!

Hint . . .

Spring Fling

It should be illegal to not blog post for over two months!  Especially when I blogged January 3 and said I was going to allow much more time for fun this year!!  Fun for me includes reading, blogging, coloring, and relaxing.

I'm declaring this Saturday Spring Fling - - - Spring does not begin officially until 3-20-16 but I am in a hurry and I'm having Spring fever.  I have been spending about half an hour every night after work in the back yard with the puppies - to my surprise my youngest puppy has learned to play fetch really well!  I have never had a Boston Terrier who would agree to give up the ball or bone or etc.  But Libby is doing it perfectly! 

First on the list I need to wash windows - - -fun? - - - no - - - but necessary for me to enjoy looking out!

Then for Spring Fling I started to collect ideas on Pinterest - under Spring Fling!  A new wreath for my front door - ideas for Easter baskets - and a spring cleaning challenge.  So . . . this Saturday I plan to work on the new wreath as my project.  The rest of the day will look like this . . .



Reading
                                                   Devotions
                     Coloring

                                          Napping
 
           Cooking

                                                   Coffee                                Blogging

 

Would you like to join me in my Spring Fling?

Please do!

Check in with me on my blog where I will be posting fun challenges for ways you can enjoy a "Spring day"

3 prizes to be drawn for!!

 

And the fun begins . . .

Happy New Year again and as I blogged on New Year's Eve one of the biggest changes I want to make this year is to make time for some relaxing fun projects.  It will be divided between reading and crafting.

Sewing is my first order of fun . . . oops I almost said first order of business . . . but that would sound like it is something on a "to do" list . . . although I do NEED potholders and I love the ones that I learned to make several years ago.    If you refer back to this post - you will see my sister Tami and my mom spent some time one weekend with some sewing projects, baby blankets, and the pot holders were a hit for me and my daughter.  She and I both are needing to restock.  So this afternoon . . . I cut l0 inch squares in preparation for a "Sister Weekend" coming soon in January where I will get some "instruction" again on making these.  

Cutting is one of my favorite parts - - - what is your favorite sewing project - - - or your favorite part?

Share pictures if you'd like!

Happy Sewing!

Happy New Year!

If you are familiar with my blog, you know that New Year's Eve is my favorite night of the year.    It is a chance to reflect back on the previous 365 days and although I always have some regret, I mostly am thankful and blessed.  New Year's Eve is also the time to look ahead to the next 365 days and how I will fill them.      At 56 years of age, soon 57, It's more important to me how I spend those days.  I've used the term "finish well" - "focus on what's important" - etc. but it all means that I realize how fast time goes and there are so many things I want to do in my life!  I have the job that I will retire from I hope - I have my home - I get to travel - and so what is left to do is more about having fun, staying healthy, and helping others!

In 2015 I did not . . . 

Lose weight

Read books

Live healthy

Manage stress well

In 2016 I will . . . 

Read  - My sister and I are using our book club to play BINGO - a card full of different types of books to find and read.  Such fun! 

Improve Health - Exercise three times a week, Get eyes checked, Dental visits, cook healthy meals.

Blog - Post weekly.

Attend church regularly, read the Bible, and pray.

Have fun - I will do craft projects, sew, color, and allow myself time to do these things!  Each week!

Help others - I will support Heart Choices Pregnancy Center, DVACK by donating supplies for women/children, and a baby doll ministry with my niece in New Mexico.  

Lastly - one of my intentions for the new year comes in the form of a challenge I made to my sister and that is to come up with one word that describes what you want to work on.  This was easy for me as 2015 was a year of stress at work and stress in relationships.   I thought and prayed on what one word I would choose.  Gentle.  That's what I wanted to see in myself that I was not seeing now.  Gentleness.  I tend to let things build up - then my response can be aggressive - or I tend to respond without thinking things through.  Either way - I am the one who ends up stressed by that.  

All of these items on my I WILL list won't just happen unless I have a plan.  I do.  I will be sharing that more in my weekly blogs.  

Do you have a resolution for the New Year?  I'd love to hear!  I'll sign off now - going to take a nap - and then fix tacos for our New Year's Eve meal (exciting huh! - hubs request).  Then plan to watch football, the ball drop in Times Square, and start a good book!  Book #1 for my New Year - At Home in Mitford!  

Have a blessed and Happy 2016! 

And here's a few of my blessings . . . 

So this is Christmas . . .

I have been whistling Dixie . . . no I mean Christmas songs around the house for two weeks now.  "So this is Christmas" is one of my very favorite - feel good - Christmas songs.   "So this is Christmas . . . da da da da da da . . . yes I haven't even known the words until this morning!  I pulled up a you tube video of Celine Dion singing it - and the words are on the screen as well! 

Christmas music is one of the best parts of the season for me . . . this music - like no other genre - can cause me to have a mixture of feelings . . . sadness, happiness, carefree, nostalgic, hopeful . . .

   And so Merry Merry Christmas  . . . And a Happy New Year
   Let's hope it's a good one - without any fear . . .

That line jumped out at me this morning - between my make up and my hair spray - "without any fear".   Our great nation is just plain scary right now . . . fear seems to prevail in our hearts.

   And so this is Christmas. . . and what have we done
   Another year over . . . a new one just begun

   And so happy Christmas . . . we hope you have fun
   The near and the dear ones . . . the old and the young.

    Merry Merry Christmas . . . and a happy new year
    Let's hope it's a good one - - - without any fear.

So I ask you - - - What have you done?  As a nation we are a mess . . . but around here I have been watching my friends do RACK - random acts of Christmas kindness . . . bombing parking lots with candy canes . . . leaving change on the pop machine . . . small gifts of thank you . . . donating food to the food shelter . . . giving toys to children . . .

That is one of my goals for the New Year is to find a need and fill it . . . won't you join me?   Share how you are making a difference . . . I know you are!

So This is Christmas

When I am afraid,  I will trust in you,  In God, whose word I praise.  In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
(Psalm 56:3-4)

Thank you for hosting the tour Sprite Writes!

O Christmas Tree

Is Christmas coming?  With Kansas temperatures this week hanging in the 70's . . . in December . . . it is hard for me to feel "Christmasy".  My tree has stood in it's corner with lights for two weeks now and finally tonight ornaments were added.  Decorating the Christmas tree takes me back through all 56 years of my life in the span of about 30 minutes.  I remember the Christmas trees that we grew up with at home and the ones at my grandma's house and I even remember one "real" tree out at the farm at Grandpa Ab's.    Then I move forward to the 3 trees that I have had in my married life . . . plus a couple of real trees thrown in between.  Bringing out the tree in those days was cumbersome and hard work.  I would climb to the top of the highest point in our Glen Elder home, move decorations around, and drag down the huge boxed tree.  Then once decorated the box had to go back up to that high spot until after Christmas . . . It was quite the project . . . but those were special days with kids at home to help.  One of the first things I always did with the kids was to make a red and green paper chain and it decorated our home on more than one years. . . . Now I have my most favorite artificial tree - it is smalll but still 6 foot tall. It fits just right in the corner of our basement family room.  It was part of our Glen Elder home as well as here in Beloit for the last four years.  But this time . . . the tree has a handy closet right here in the basement where it can reside all the year through with its lights intact.  Gone are the days of climbing to the top of a closet - it's just a simple 8 foot carry from the closet!

Many changes through the years - - - but one constant - - - for at least the last 35 years - - - and that is my box of ornaments . . . you see I don't have a "themed" tree unless "my life" is a theme??  The red apple ornaments from Mrs. Goth's and Mrs. Clausen's 1st and 2nd grade class crafts.  The construction paper ornaments with child's picture in the center.  Several flocked deer because they reminded me of my trees as a kid and a couple of flocked angels too.  Throw in some angels that were big craft projects in the 80's and 90's and of course a white felt dove that came from my mother in law's tree as a keepsake.  A few newer ornaments from time to time . . . and that's done.

It's funny . . . I remember the years of kids wanting to help . . . and I in my OCD tendencies days had a hard time with that . . . but they helped.  Great memories.  Then they grew up and didn't want to help but they were there watching me . . . great memories.  Then they were gone . . . that first year was hard to decorate the tree by myself . . . I believe, if I remember right . . . I called them to let them know I was decorating alone . . . Now I enjoy standing in the hubs's view of the TV decorating it by myself and showing him each ornament and adding a "do you remember this one?" and "Remember when Todd made us this?" or "This one was taken when Casey had a perm".    

No matter which tree it was, or what stage in life I was in to decorate it . . . there was something nice about getting it done and sitting in the room in the dark enjoying the lights!

Chistmas begins . . . Do you have a tradition for getting your tree up and decorated?