Cottage Sunshine

Changes....

2011-09-11T01:14:00.000-04:00

I pulled up my carpet last weekend to uncover beautiful hardword flooring. The floor is almost flawless...with no scratches! SCORE!! My carpet was needing to be replaced but it really does not fit in my budget right now. I could not remember what the hardwood floor looked like under the carpet from when we had replaced it several years back....and generally, I thought I preferred carpet over hardwood floors. I have lived with the hardwood floors for a week now....AND I think I really, really like it! Never had hardwood floors before in my life and thought I would always be a lover of carpet because I love the feel of it on my feet.

I still need to do a really deep-cleaning....which I will do in a couple of weeks when my daughter lugs over her big hard wood floor deep-cleaning machine! When this pic was taken with my daughter's i-phone last week, you can tell we had just pulled the carpet up as there is still a roll of carpet leaning in the corner.

***sigh*** Very happy with the floor....

Psalm 28:7

BEAUTIFUL Give-Away!!

2011-06-23T18:59:00.000-04:00

Another amazing give-away!! Don't want to miss out on this one! It is unbelievably BEAUTIFUL!! :)

Rebecca at A Gathering Place is one of the most talented ladies I know in sewing abilities! My mother was an awesome seamstress too and was very careful with the details of her work. Rebecca reminds me so much of my mother with her focus to details! Makes such a difference when the gathers in a ruffle are perfectly spaced, when the seams lie down perfectly flat....oh, so many things in this form of art that can either make it very special or just ordinary by either taking the extra time or ...not. And Rebecca takes the extra time... :D

LOL!! Hurry now....go visit this little lady with the magic needles! :)
P.S. Hurry!! Time is running out!!!!!

Psalm 28:7

Susan Branch...

2011-06-13T20:40:00.001-04:00

Did you hear??? Do you just love Susan Branch?? Then you will want to know the latest gossip about this wonderful lady! :D

courteousy of FOSB - FB

She now has a blog!! And it is so delightful!! I have been a fan of Susan Branch for probably about 12 years....when I discovered her! I had not been divorced for very long at all and knew I needed to give my little girls a fun, new hobby and interest! Sooooo...we started scrapbooking! They LOVED it and spent countless hours with their pictures and being creative. We would spend a few hours every week after school stopping into the Scrapbooking Store in the area to check out new embellishments! It was one of the best investments I ever made! It was quite an amazing distraction for the girls after getting the shock of their lives when their daddy left us.

As a result of spending quality time together in the little shop, we discovered Susan Branch's adorable art! She had the cutest stickers of allllll the stickers in the store! Her art depicted so much of things we loved and knew as a little family...ants scurrying acoss picnic tablecloths, beach fun, hot summer days with a tall glass of iced tea, beautiful summer flowers and watering cans...

Check it out....
Susan Branch's blog

I hope you have a wonderful evening.....as for myself, I have to get back to studying. Still have to take my L&H insurance license state test! Took the class last week....test is planned for this week!

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Matthew 6:32-34

Psalm 28:7

Spring Freshness...

2011-05-22T13:00:00.001-04:00

Just had a big morning downpour....just like in the picture.

It has stopped now...

everything smells so fresh and clean.

The world is lush and green...

The sparrows are singing...

The sun is peeking...

Raindrops on leaves, glistening...

Ahhhh...Spring!

"I'm afraid to speak or move for fear that all this wonderful beauty will just vanish... like a broken silence."

— L.M. Montgomery ~ Anne of Green Gables

Psalm 28:7

Saturday!!

2011-05-21T19:38:00.000-04:00

Happy Saturday Afternoon!

For today.....Saturday, May 21, 2011

Outside my window.....is a nice spring day....a tad bitty cloudy with the sun peeking on & off....as my granddaughters would say the sun is playing peek-a-boo.

I am thinking.....boy howdie, my neck is killing me!!! I am not sure exactly what I did....but it hurts something terrible!! My granddaughter spent the night with me on Wednesday night and I shared my bed with...she even wanted to share my pillow! :) Okay, I didn't see that would be a problem....HOWEVER, when I woke up Thursday morning to get ready for work....OOOOuUUuuCCCCccccCHHH!!!! I guess I slept real stiff as to not disturb her sleeping...I am not sure but today it hurts worse than Thursday morning! I am wondering if I am going to have to go to a chiropractor! I cannot move my head to the left or the right (very dangerous when driving)... cannot look up either! I can look down without too much pain and look straight ahead. I had so much planned for this weekend... :(

I am hearing.... I am listening to one of my favorite blogs music... Rebecca over at the Gathering Place has the best music evah!! Ha!Ha! She always uses that word "evah"! :) "In the Palm of Your Hand" by Alison Krauss to be more specific.

I am wearing.....ha!ha! You don't want to know what I am wearing...in spite of my bad neck, I refuse to throw in the towel and not get anything done. I was working out in the flower beds just a few minutes ago...and I still have on my brown sweats and white t-shirt....splotched with a little dirt and sweat! :)

I am going.....to put my foxglove in the flower bed. I bought a new plant this afternoon and I need to get it in the ground. I love love love foxgloves. They are the prettiest flowers in the world in my opinion!! I bought a little platter on ebay yesterday with a foxglove painted on it....so pretty. When it arrives, I will have to take a picture and post it! When my daughters were little, I had a big flower bed FULL of foxgloves with a white bird house on a post in the bed...so pretty.

I am reading.....I am not reading anything right now....but I felt a little melancholy earlier today and was thinking I would like to read the Little House on the Prairie books again...return to the basic old-fashioned goodness of life...before all the world's craziness that we are in now (thinking of Arnold S). It has been years since I read those old books but I remember the last time I read them when my daughters were in grade school how much they made me feel good, wholesome, and warm... :)

On my mind.....how much pain I am in. I am constantly trying to relax my shoulders and neck....I mentally force my shoulders to fall back down where they are supposed to be and before I know it, they have tensed back up again. Maybe I should go take some Tylenol and take a nap....save the Foxglove planting for later.

From the kitchen.....well, I am on a new diet....called the Dukan diet. It is really working for me. I will be having tilapia with onions with a little bit of seasoning and fresh green beans tonight. So yummy!

Around the house.....my daughter and granddaughters went back home Friday morning after a couple days visit but I still see evidence that the little girls have been here. A couple of toys still out ...sometimes it is nice to have them out...makes me feel like those beautiful, happy girls are still here just around the corner and will jump out any second to give me a hug! :D The windows are wide open, letting in fresh breezes after so many days of rain and cold. The little red teapot is on the burner, ready to whistle any minute...to make a cup of afternoon tea. I just receive and am enjoying my "Willard" mail from Susan Branch....I just enjoy her sweet art and her pretty home on Martha's Vineyard with her updates.

One of my favorite things....is peace and quiet! I love my granddaughters but this weekend has been guarded to belong to only me! :D Haven't had any alone time for months with all the activities in my life and learning a new job....so I actually worked hard on keeping it a secret that I took Monday and Tuesday off and none of my friends or family know!! LOL!!! SSSHhhHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! I am hiding....only my boss knows I am off!! And she promises to keep my little secret too!! :) Do you enjoy your "me" time? Do you have to have it periodically too? :)

A few plans for the next few days....church tomorrow and more gardening for the next few days! :) Praying God will heal my neck so I can be a little productive with my time.....maybe He wants me just to relax... at any rate, I just would like the pain to go away.

Blessings to you and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Psalm 28:7

Memories are made of this....

2011-05-20T22:53:00.001-04:00

I promise, I wasn't trying to tease about being back... :)

Life has a way of getting in the way! I think I am just going to post when I can and not worry about being consistent....or even if anyone looks at my posts! :)

Life is too short to worry!

I appreciate all the sweet notes of welcoming me back on the last post after being gone for so long. I marvel at all of you who are able to keep up with your blogs....I imagine that your life must be slow and full of bon-bons!! :D But I know that isn't true....so many of you are so busy, busy too and work as well. So maybe it's me!! I just don't have the stamina to keep up!

But that's okay for if that is the case. I am not going to beat myself up! :)

Last weekend I went to a wedding out of town...in St Louis. My dear, dear friend's daughter just got married....such a beautiful bride. My darling little granddaughters were the flower girls....they did such a nice job. They were rewarded with their little dolls!

I love weddings.....so beautiful! At the reception, I sipped on a little wine and danced and danced and danced! :) So many sweet memories made.....dancing with my daughters and little granddaughters! :)

Be sure and pause the music at the bottom of the blog so you can listen to good ol' Dean!

Blessings to you as you make sweet memories too!

Psalm 28:7

I'm back....

2011-03-30T19:07:00.000-04:00

It has been so long, I don't know if I remember how to do this....

Well, I seem to remember how to add a picture! LOL! My new job is really coming along. I get paid pretty well.....but by golly, I have earned every dime of it!! There has been so much to learn and so many details.....it is like I have to learn EVERYTHING that the district manager does because I can be called on any day to cover for her if she would have any emergencies, etc....and at the same time being so new to this company and their different computer platforms, etc. I know I sound like I am complaining, but I am not. Just had been so overwhelmed and snowed under that ....well, it feels good to see a ray of light at the end of the tunnel and I am starting to catch on!! :)

I am going to have to dig my camera out again if "I'm back"....hmmmm...let's see where is it?? Well, it might take a while to find it....

Psalm 28:7

New Year's Resolutions!

2011-01-09T19:23:00.001-05:00

Do you make them? ...but then only to break them? :) I have never been one to make many resolutions only because I know if I am only making a resolution to do something just because it is a new year, it is going to get broken and go by the way side! So why bother? I just know myself all too well!

But this year, I am starting the new year with something I want to do through the whole year on a consistent, regular basis! And I have a resolve to really want to make this a priority!

My dear little friend, Patty, over at Sewing Seeds mentioned in her blog yesterday that she is joining a group with Beth Moore to commit to memory two verses a month for one year. If you have never met Patty, you must go pay her a visit as she has a beautiful blog and she is one of the very very first ladies to introduce herself to me and become my "friend" when I first started blogging. She is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met!!

Getting back to my New Year's Resolution ....Patty intrigued me with a desire to join this little group of women to committing verses to memory on a regular basis! I then googled Beth Moore's little group and I found her blog: Beth Moore If you would like to join Patty and me in this great idea for a New Year's Resolution, go to Beth Moore's blog to sign up!

How To Participate:

On the 1st and 15th of every month of 2011, you will find a post on Beth's blog where she will ask for your memory verse and give you hers. This will begin New Years Day. You are committing to 24 Scriptures in 12 months. Beth says NOT ONCE has she ever known anyone to get to the end of a Scripture memory commitment and say that it didn't make any real difference.

You are to enter the verse you've chosen to memorize for that two week period within 24 hours of the post going up. Write your verse in a spiral index card book to keep them all together through the year.

-
Now don't think just because we are already on January 9th, that it is too late!! You just pick an easy verse for the remainder of now to January 15th! You can do it!! Trust me, if I can do it you can!

I would like to tell you one reason why I believe it is so important to memorize scripture. It saved my life!! Seriously!

I went through my divorce 13 yrs ago (well, almost 13 yrs) and realized I needed His words and truth embedded in mind to get me through the most wretched time of suffering! I spent many nights not being able to sleep, trembling in fear and it was only His Word and quoting over and over again His precious truth that got me through those long dark, sleepless nights!! To know more about that wretched time of my life, check out the labels "New Gal on the Block."

Scripture memorization truly has new meaning to me now because when you go through a really deep valley and every single second of the day (as you are working or driving, or in the middle of a dark night), you can draw strength in His Word without opening your Bible....His Word is locked in your mind at any given second! Which is crucial when you are teetering on hope versus hopelessness!

...And now I am happy to say, I LOVE memorizing His Word and it comes much easier knowing if I ever go through a horrible trial again where I need His Word again non-stop, I have a bigger reserve to draw from!! :D

I personally don't think it is critical to memorize the reference...I try...but yet it is not critical to me. Because when you are in despair and not needing to search it in the Bible, you pull up the words to your mind that is hidden in your heart and are able to meditate and draw strength on His Word right then and there regardless of where you are.

My first verse for the year that I have chosen is:

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”

II Corinthians 4:18 NIV

It would be wonderful if you join me in one of the most rewarding New Year's Resolutions possible!

Please also visit the other folks at Spiritual Sundays for a wonderful blessing:

Happy New Year to YOU!

Psalm 28:7

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear...

2010-12-24T11:30:00.001-05:00

The Birth of our Saviour!
Oh, the beauty of that night of long ago holds so much truth and glory!

courtesy of Photobucket

Today being Christmas Eve,

holds so much anticipation!

Some traditions at our house when my girls were little,

My 2 daughters were able to open one gift each --prechoosen by me :)
This one package included a warm, soft, fuzzy, flannel nightie that I made earlier in the month along with a Boyd bear and a specially selected book.
Once the girls were changed into their new yummy, cozy nighties, Daddy would read the Christmas story.
Oh, not in the normal fashion....we would all gather around the Christmas tree on our tummies. At the foot of the tree was our vintage nativity scene as Jesus was our favorite gift of all! We would have all the lights turned out except the twinkle of the Christmas lights on the tree and candles. Daddy had a flashlight and would shine the light on each figure of the nativity scene as it came into play in the story.
Once the story was told and the girls had a chance to re-tell their version with the flashlight and we giggled and played a little. The girls were tucked into bed with their new teddy bear and book. It was so hard to leave the girls as they were so snuggly soft in their flannel nighties. I loved hugging them as they were so cuddly!! LOL! I remember that so well! :)
They were then left to dream of the sweet anticipation of what tomorrow would bring...

So many sweet traditions...each family having their own.

Not so important as to what the traditions are as long as they are special!!

My daughters to this day at the ages of 25 and 23 love love love the traditions of our little family! Some old and some I created! My daughter now with her 2 daughters is carrying on some of the traditions she knew as a child and also creating a few of her own!

Whatever your traditions are, I wish you
a very blessed and wonderful
CHRISTmas!

My granddaughters helping decorate my tree a few weeks ago... :)

"It Came Upon The Midnight Clear"

"It came upon the midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth,

To touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men

From heavens all gracious King!"

The world in solemn stillness lay

To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,

With peaceful wings unfurled;

And still their heavenly music floats

O'er all the weary world:

Above its sad and lowly plains

They bend on hovering wing,

And ever o'er its Babel sounds

The blessed angels sing.

O ye beneath life's crushing load,

Whose forms are bending low,

Who toil along the climbing way

With painful steps and slow;

Look now, for glad and golden hours

Come swiftly on the wing;

Oh rest beside the weary road

And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on,

By prophets seen of old,

When with the ever-circling years

Shall come the time foretold,

When the new heaven and earth shall own

The Prince of Peace, their King,

And the whole world send back the song

Which now the angels sing."

Wishing you a Very Merry Merry Christmas!!

2010-12-22T16:53:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone is enjoying the wonder of the Christmas season!

2 days left for Christmas shopping! Oh my!

I am actually finished with my shopping...I did a flurry of shopping the first week of December and got it out of the way before I started my week of classes last week for my insurance property and casualty license!

I became extremely sick at the beginning of the class last week and had the flu bug with an incredibly horrible migraine headache the whole week as I was trying to learn.

But miracle of all miracles....I passed the state exam yesterday!!!! WhoooooooHooooo!!

If you know anything about state exams, they are not a breeze to pass.

Instructor said that our state is the third hardest in the country. They make it difficult with trick questions so that you have to take the test again...making a big $75 profit on each test! Grrrrr!

But that is behind me for now! My boss let me have the rest of this week off and a sweet short week next week! :D I am so thankful for the break....a wonderful Christmas gift as I am tuckered with all the studying I have done over the past 3 months along with learning a new job!!!

I am sorry that I didn't even say boo for the past couple of weeks....too busy and then getting sick to squeeze in getting on my blog!

Thank you for all the ones who sent messages to me! It was so sweet!

I have to tell you that it took me a few minutes to remember how to log back on to my blog and check in on it!!

I look forward to spending Christmas day with my two beautiful granddaughters...

Little Miss C & Miss T...my granddaughters!

My beautiful daughter with her little girls!

with their Mommy and Daddy along with....

my other beautiful daughter with her wonderful boyfriend/fiance!

Well, I have a lot to catch up on and to get ready for the big Christmas day so I will run for now....

but I sure hope everyone is enjoying this season and are taking a few minutes to stop

and remember...

The Reason of the Season

Jesus!

Merry Christmas!

Start your Christmas Shopping Season out right! :D

2010-11-24T10:50:00.000-05:00

Psalm 28:7

Ready for the big Thanksgiving Day?

2010-11-23T14:56:00.000-05:00

Apple Pie ....yuuummmmmm...

that is on my list of to-do's before Thanksgiving ....along with corn pudding

and broccoli/cauliflower casserole

and cranberry salad.

Fortunately, I will be toting all of my dishes over to my brother's home.

We will have over 30 in our party this year as our family keeps growing and growing.

He has a big beautiful home ....not a little cottage like mine. :)

I am not complaining though...I LOVE my little cottage!

I was watching "The Holiday" the other evening with my daughter ....do you remember the movie?

It has Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet.

Love that movie...

But anyway the little Rose Hill Cottage in England reminds me so much of my own little cottage....

and that is my kind of home....just old and charming. :)

Just a little update.....things are coming along with work. I have to get my insurance license....

life/health and also my property and casualty license.

Sooooo....

that means lots and lots of studying...

work, work, work.... :)

LOL! Just thankful I have a wonderful job and have a reason for the loads of studying!

So much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season!!

Counting my blessings, one by one......soooooo many to count...

too many to count! But too many blessings is not something we complain about though, now is it? :)

I have been enjoying the last few robins at my antique bird drinking trough before they head south for the winter!

I know it won't be long before I will have my eyes sharpened, hoping to see one of those little fellows again....my first hope and sign of spring.

I have not been in blogland for a while because of the work and studying...no time to visit.

I am sure I will have more time after the holidays and having those license under my belt!

But in the meantime, Happy, Happy, Happy Thanksgiving to YOU!

Don't eat too much apple (or pumpkin) pie! :)

Psalm 28:7

Something Came Up...

2010-11-14T20:10:00.002-05:00

Okay, okay...I am going to be honest. I didn't want to post anything all week...and not even now. I have been so busy that the last thing I wanted to do is prepare a post. :( Sorry, isn't that sad?

...But you know sometimes you know when God is speaking to your heart and nudging you to do something.

There was something He laid on my heart to share last Sunday...something beautiful.

But I have so much on my plate right now

that I kept shutting it out. :(

The kicker was when I peeked in on one of my favorite blogs

(haven't done much visiting this week...no time)

to see what she was up to.....

there it was....the "something"!

The very thing that God wanted me to share!

I am going to send you over to her blog to read this something!

But....first....

I want to start by sharing a little bit of what God shared with me...

what He gave to me....

Do you ever look around you and say

"Wow, this isn't fair? Why do I have to deal with this while...(fill in the blank of someone you know and who you have witnessed delighting in a world of blissful blessings and seemingly no care in the world)."

Yeah, that's right it isn't fair, is it??

No, wait.

Stop...

If I received what was really fair

....what I deserve

...hmmmm. what. does. that. look. like?

But I live with the generosity of

Grace which is

Beautifully Unfair!

We have grown accustomed to His Grace being the norm...

our expectations become increasingly higher with His abundant blessings.

Blessings, though, are exactly that...undeserved gifts.

When we think life is unfair,

we need to hit the reset button

and remember we don't deserve His Grace, let alone anything else!

So you see, life isn't fair at all....but that is a very good thing!!

So, the next time I find myself, sulking and thinking it is not fair...

I will be hitting the reset button! :)

God has given me a reset button!

And, that is what I wanted to share...

and now you also must go see what Rebecca at "A Gathering of Thoughts" has for today in regards to this "something"...

Linking with...

Hitting the reset button with you today, my friend! :)

(see Matthew 20:1-16)

Psalm 28:7

I was Drugged as a Kid

2010-11-06T22:17:00.002-04:00

It's true! I was drugged!

But you know what, I am grateful for that!

"The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, “Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?”

I replied, I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of dad's fields. I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood, and, if my mother had even known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us." ~ Anonymous

Wishing more of our kids today were acquainted with this kind of drug!

"Train up a child in the way that he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6

Linking with Spiritual Sundays...

Psalm 28:7

This One is for the Girls!

2010-11-04T13:27:00.000-04:00

I marvel at the woman's ability to persevere! As a woman, we wear so many hats and work hard to make it all work!

I am thinking about all the different journeys that women may be walking but the one that stands out the most for me right now....are the ones who are divorced, separated, or just single. As I have been working really, really hard on learning Excel for my new job with the start date fastly approaching, I was thinking about how thankful I am...

that God has allowed the doors to open to have this job,
the time I have been given before start date to be able to relearn Excel from years ago (how often does that happen to get so much time before actually starting a new job! that is truly a gift!),
as well as, a dear friend of mine giving me access to a wonderful website to learn Excel and loaning her workbooks to me....

.....but I was also thinking of all the gals out there trying to make it on their own! So here is to making it on our own! :D This one is for you....

Have a happy day being confident in whatever you do and ....never giving up! :D

Psalm 28:7

I WON! I WON!! :D

2010-11-01T10:10:00.001-04:00

Wow! How is that to start off the week!! I won a BEAUTIFUL giveaway over at The Gathering Place with Rebecca!! :D

I won a beautiful set of Christmas cards lovingly made by Rebecca herself! Rebecca has such gifted talents of sewing and painting. If you don't know Rebecca, you need to meet her....trust me, you will become a follower! :) She not only has a talent with a needle and a paintbrush, but she is also a wonderful story teller! Her stories will make you cry happy tears of joy and also pull on your mother heartstrings! She loves the Lord with all her heart and sometimes will explain this worship of her heart in her posts.

If you haven't done your Christmas shopping yet, you have to run over there now to her little on line store and do a little shopping as her beautiful treasures go fast! Each little treasure is handmade with such beauty and precision! Ha! I sound like a salesman....I promise she did not ask me to say these things!! I just have been following her for a while and have witnessed beauty in her craftsmanship! :)

Well, I must run for now as I had mentioned earlier in a previous post....I will be starting a new job soon that I am SOOOOO excited about it! However, I really really really need to learn EXCEL. Really! I worked on it all last week....but I want to learn it like I have been doing it forever (and trust me, I am not there yet...not even close) :)

Have a wonderful, wonderful day....I will too as I will be dreaming of a special package coming in the mail! ;)

Psalm 28:7

Up To The Mountain

2010-10-29T14:46:00.003-04:00

A couple of months ago, I was feeling discouraged..you know what I mean...life can be tough sometimes and you feel the weight of many burdens that can all the sudden be overwhelming.

I happened to go out with a friend for dinner during this time of heaviness...and shared some of my private feelings on this matter with her.

I went out to dinner with her again last night....Cheesecake Factory...yum! Pumpkin Cheesecake for me! :) At the end of our time before we went our separate ways, she said, "Carolyn, remember how you felt several weeks ago that life sometimes seems like it can be so overwhelming and you get tired? Well, this song is perfect for you!" Please listen to the song below ...if you are feeling discouraged and it seems to be a constant uphill battle, you will be blessed. :D I promise!

Be sure and turn up the volume!

~Up To The Mountain lyrics Songwriters: Griffin, Patricia J.;

"I went up to the mountain because you asked me to

Up over the clouds to where the sky was blue

I could see all around me everywhere

I could see all around me everywhere

Sometimes I feel like I've never been nothing but tired

And I'll be walking till the day I expire

So sometimes I just lay me down, no more can I do

But then I go on again because you ask me to

Some days I look down afraid, afraid I will fall

And though the sun shines I see nothing, nothing at all

Then I hear your, your sweet voice, ooh

Come and then go, come and then go

Lord, telling me softly you love me so!"

Ahhhh! He makes life worth the living...even during the tough times....because He loves me so! :D

Galatians 6:9
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

(That was several weeks ago that I was feeling a little blah....I feel happy and wonderful today! I just wanted to share this special song sung by Susan Boyle because maybe you are finding yourself feeling a little blah today. BTW, Excel training is coming right along (see previous post)! PTL! Thank you for all of your words of encouragement! So so appreciated!)
Linking with Spiritual Sunday...click on the little birds to be inspired and blessed!

Psalm 28:7

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Read All About It!

2010-10-27T08:30:00.000-04:00

LOL! I am just kidding! This news isn't really headline news.....but it is to me! :)

A Time for Celebration!

Do you remember I had said there was an awesome job opening that I was so excited about? Do you remember that I had two interviews and I was waiting for a response? Do you remember that the position was newly created and I would not start until January.....so I would not hear back until probably mid-November if the job is mine?

Wellllllll................

I went in for a third "chat" earlier this week with the lady I would be working directly under and .....
I HAVE THE JOB! :)
It has not been cleared yet with HR so it is 99% sure, I guess you would say. I am so so excited....and I will be starting in mid-November!

I will be working directly under a district manager of a Fortune 500 company and will be teaching classes as new updates are implemented. I will travel around the district working with individual managers and their staff. Did I mention that I am excited? Yes, I am very excited! :D

HOWEVER....

now don't laugh....

I have to really really brush up on Excel :( I took a course in college, but I have NOT used it enough to feel comfortable with using it frequently. every day. Taking stats from other spreadsheets and incorporating them into a new one. I know this is something a lot of people use every single day. Everyone has told me....it is NO big deal. Easy to learn. But I want to MASTER this computer program....I want to EXCEL in Excel! I want to walk right in to this position and manipulate this program like it was second nature. I don't want anyone within the company to wonder and second guess their decision to bring me on!

Study, study...practice, practice, practice!

So what does this mean?
Well..... it means I will spend less time in blogland for a few days or so. I will update with new posts as I can...but I won't be able to visit with all of you like I want to and make comments. :( ....I will be dedicated to learning this computer program in time for my start date at my new position!

I know it won't take forever to learn.... and with God as my source of strength and my provider, it is not a concern! :) I thank Him for being my Father, my Provider, my Shepherd, and my Counselor through my journey!

"Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;

you have made my lot secure.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

surely I have a delightful inheritance."

~ Psalm 16:5

I will post with updates and be around soon to comment on your posts! :) Thank you again for all your sweet comments of encouragement and prayers! Blogland has the nicest people ever!!!

Psalm 28:7

Betsy McCall Paper Doll Day! :D

2010-10-26T12:24:00.001-04:00

It is a rainy, rainy day!

That's okay... I love the rain! :)

A time to come in from outside and spend some time indoors...

Maybe...

snuggle up with a good book
sip on a cup of hot spiced tea
wrap in a big wooly sweater
have yummy beef stew simmering in the crockpot for dinner tonight
children play quietly with crayons and coloring books
classical music play quietly in the back ground
time for reflection and pause in prayer of thanksgiving

What do you do on a quiet, rainy day?

Any ideas to pass along?

Since it is a rainy day, let's play with paper dolls!!! :D

Betsy McCall Paper Dolls....they're the sweetest as they bring the sweetest memories! :)

courtesy of http://www.thebleudoor.com/

Today's paper doll features Betsy from January 1953...isn't she adorable? The little story is sweet too! Click on the above picture to see it enlarged to read the story and to also print and cut out your paper doll for your little girl or granddaughter! Please don't hesitate to visit the above website for more paperdolls!

Hope you have a wonderful, rainy day....I will be spending a quiet afternoon with my scissors cutting paperdolls for two special little granddaughters who love to come visit Gamma! :)
(I have an update on my job interview...coming shortly! :) A BIG thank you for all those who prayed!)

Psalm 28:7

Zippity doo dah, Zippity AYE!

2010-10-21T22:43:00.001-04:00

Zippity doo dah, Zippity aye,

My oh my what a wonderful day

Plenty of sunshine coming my way,

Zippity doo dah, Zippity aye.

Mister blue bird's on my shoulder,

it's the truth,

it's actual,

everything's satisfactual!

Zippity doo dah,

zippity aye,

zippity doo dah,

zippity aye!

I love children's songs....I really do! There is so much happiness and fun in the lyrics...also brings back tons of memories of childhood play! Do you know that when my children were little, I tried to see EVERYTHING through their eyes...all of the awe and wonder.

You know what happened? .....It became a habit! Everything became refreshed and new to me. I somewhat, I guess you could say, was able to become a child again! It is such a joy to look at things with "new" eyes! There is so much wonder around us ....but often we allow the burdens of adulthood weigh us down; blinding us of wonder and God's beautiful creation...all the simple pleasures everywhere around us if we can take the blinders off.

Words of pondering that allows the blinders to come off:

Ephesians 4:26;29-32 (New International Version)
26... Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry ...29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Remember this song? I loved this little movie from many years ago! :)
I will be away for a few days but one last verse I want to leave to you....

"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for ever more."

~ Psalm 16:11

I am joining all the other amazing bloggers over at Spiritual Sunday...click on the little birds below so you may be blessed! :)

May you have "eyes" of children today! :)

Psalm 28:7

Oh Me, Oh My!! GiveAway Haven!

2010-10-21T10:58:00.002-04:00

There are so many beautiful, ...hmmm, excuse me....ABSOLUTELY beautiful giveaways going on right now!

I can't keep this good stuff to myself!! I just can't! Sooooo.....

Anita is a very sweet and talented lady....

and she is having an incredible giveaway over at "Far Above Rubies"!

Mikasa Italian Countryside Flatware!

Click on the above pic for details!

One of my favorite people in the whole blogland is having a beautiful giveaway!

Rebecca's beautiful handmade items are exquisite as she adds so many intricate details to every thing she makes with such precision!

Lynn is also a favorite lady I like to visit and she too makes beautiful, exquiste pink treats! She is also having an awesome giveaway!
Just in time for Christmas...a gorgeous Christmas stocking!

~

And then we also have a gal, Gloria at Happy to Be whom I just met today!
She has been blogging for 2 years and she is celebrating by giving away this:

click HERE to learn more!
~

Oh MY! I feel like a child in a candy shop at Christmas time! :D
So many pretty treats!
Click on each of the pics to attempt to become owner of any of these pretty treats!

~

I have also met a new gal by the name of Rosemary! Her blog is so romantic and dreamy!
She is having a beautiful giveaway too that you will not want to miss out on! This bag is filled with beautiful treats! Click on the pic to learn more!
~
Oh and don't forget about your Willard!
Click: HERE
to get your FREE Willard from Susan Branch!
~

Hope you have a wonderful day as you daydream of the possibilities! :D

Psalm 28:7

Willard has arrived!

2010-10-20T23:09:00.000-04:00

Did you receive your Willard yesterday?

Oh, what is that you say?

You don't know what Willard is??

**gasp**

For those of you who don't know what Willard is....

*blushing for you*

Come sit down...

let me explain....

Now, you know who Susan Branch is, of course...right?? Huuuhhhh...you DO know, right??

Oh, lol, of course you do!! LOL!

For a minute there, I though you had hesitated...

Well, now that we have that clear..

Susan writes a letter to her favorite people....and I am one of them! :D

Yes, yes, you can be one too!

Check this out: HERE

At the bottom of the page, you can sign up to receive each month

a wonderful, fun, cheery, pretty, informative, seasonal, witty, clever, little letter

from a happy, vintage, artsy, talented, Martha's Vineyard kind of gal! :)

You will thank me for telling you about Willard...you will!

It is fun to get something pretty in your mailbox!

Now go on... check it out! :D

Psalm 28:7

An Autumn Quietness...

2010-10-20T13:13:00.001-04:00

Good Afternoon to you!

Here is a quiet little thought to bring quiet joy for you as our lives tend to be a little hectic sometimes...

~Thomas Kinkade

There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude,
a quiet joy.

- Ralph H. Blum

May you be able to slow down today and live in a calmness filled with gratitude...such a quiet joy!

Psalm 28:7

This Puts Life into Perspective....

2010-10-19T10:56:00.001-04:00

The wedding.

Her name is Katie Kirkpatrick, 21 yrs old. Next to her is her fiancé, Nick, 23. This picture was taken prior to their wedding January 11th, 2005. Katie has terminal cancer and spends hours in chemotherapy. Here Nick awaits while she finishes one of the sessions...

Even in pain and dealing with her organs shutting down, with the help of morphine, Katie took care of every single part of the wedding planning. Her dress had to be adjusted several times due to Katie 's constant weight loss.

An expected guest was her oxygen tank. Katie had to use it during the ceremony and reception. The other couple in this picture is Nick's parents, very emotional with the wedding and to see their son marrying the girl he fell in love when he was an adolescent.

Katie, in a wheel chair listening to her husband and friends singing to her.

In the middle of the party, Katie had to rest for a bit and catch her breath. The pain does not allow her to stand for long period of time.

Katie died 5 days after her wedding. To see a fragile woman dress as bride with a beautiful smile makes you think... Happiness is always there within reach, no matter how long it lasts. Lets enjoy life and don't live a complicated life. Life is too short.

Work as if it was your first day. Forgive as soon as possible.

Love without boundaries. Laugh without control and never stop smiling. Please pray for those suffering from cancer.

I hope this story touched you as it did for me....I received this via a forward email from a dear friend. I didn't know this little gal and her husband....but their courage to go on with the wedding and laugh and love...helps me to realize any of my little griefs are not worth the sorrow! "Smile and be HAPPY!"...that is what I always had told my girls as they were growing up and even now!

May you smile and be HAPPY today!!

Psalm 28:7

Fall Planting...

2010-10-18T14:48:00.003-04:00

I have been visiting with my daughter and her family out of state for a few days.

They bought a newly-constructed home last Christmas on 2 acres which was farmland before the construction. There are virtually no trees except the wooded lot line.

This weekend, we planted 20 trees and shrubs...including 3 weeping willows.

Oh, my favorite tree!!

I can imagine after just a couple of years as we sit on their pretty front porch, what the trees will look like with the farms and lake in the backdrop!

They have such a lovely home!

Of course, we planted bulbs and perennials, as well!

Now that I am home, I need to plant a little of this and that for my own home!

Are you doing any fall plantings?

Psalm 28:7

Mom's Clothes Pins

2010-10-14T14:11:00.002-04:00

Mom's Clothes Pins

"Just a few more warm days that the laundry can be taken out!"

I am sure that is what my mother used to think as the warm days were coming to an end.

I wish I had a clothes line

.....how I remember the fresh fragrance of the sheets as I would go to bed that night after they had hung in the warm sun all day!

Have a warm and sunny day!

Psalm 28:7

Betsy McCall Paper Dolls

2010-10-13T13:54:00.001-04:00

Do you remember Betsy McCall paper dolls?

Oh my goodness, I loved them as a little girl! When the postman delivered our magazine,

I was so excited to be able to play with a new paperdoll!

It was just as exciting as receiving the Sears Roebuck Wish Book catalog in the fall and my sibilings and I would drool over the pages,

trying to decide on what we wanted for Christmas and then to narrow that list down.

Go HERE to see in PDF form

.....and to print for your little girl or granddaughter(s)! :)

You can go to this link and get all of the paperdolls that have been collected over the years by a special lady in Colorado!

What a treat!!

This particular doll that is featured today was from September 1952.

Her dresses are just like the dresses my mother had made for me when I started kindergarten in 1962! :)

I remember the pretty little red school plaid and also the scalloped bib...

my mother was quite the seamstress!

It was fun going down memory lane with you today!

Have a happy day!

Psalm 28:7

The Journey is Worth It!

2010-10-13T08:45:00.001-04:00

"That's the best thing about walking, the journey itself. It doesn't matter much whether you get where you're going or not. You'll get there anyway. Every good hike brings you eventually back home."

- Edward Abbey

When I went to Bible Study Monday night, one of my friends challenged me to exercise and diet with her.

We are going to be accountable to one another.

We won't necessarily work-out together and plan our diets together, but when we meet again on Monday nights, we will share our journey and how much we lost.

Our plan is to workout an hour a day, 6 days a week.

Our goal is to have a 1400 calorie intake for each day.

One of the things I will include in my program is a good fast-paced walk in the neighborhood along

with an aerobic workout from a CD.

I also like to run in place listening to Celine Dion standing in front of a mirror with just shorts and a sports bra. If I can see my shape and if I am not content with what I see, then it motivates me to keep running! :)

Sound cheesy or a little quirky?

It's not!
It works!

I have had a very successful weight loss and toning doing this BEFORE!

If I don't meet my weight loss goals,
it is okay because working out and walking just makes me feel wonderful!

Once I get into the routine,

the rest is fun!
I am off to a good start! :)

May you have a healthy (quirky?) day! :)

Psalm 28:7

Letters...a lost art?

2010-10-12T14:18:00.001-04:00

Is letter writing a lost art?

Does anyone write letters anymore to their loved ones and friends?

Does it take too much time to do so?

I don't think so! I love to write letters!

Just a little something for my dear one to open the mailbox and

be pleasantly surprised!

I enjoy thinking I did some little, bitty something

to brighten their day! :)

I usually add a little tea bag just to make it a little bit more fun!

Sometimes if I have a little more time, I will add a pretty little recipe card with a favorite recipe!

Hoping you are having a sweet, pleasant day! :)

Psalm 28:7

Autumn Delight brought to the Office!

2010-10-11T11:20:00.002-04:00

I am missing the wonderful autumn fragrances from over the weekend....

Just had a thought! :D

Taking the potpourri recipe from my last post, add it to a pretty mug or small dish and then sit it on a mug warmer. Turn it on and enjoy the autumn fragrances in your office!

Tonight, I will be purchasing a mug warmer for the office along with a pretty autumn mug!

mug warmer ---check
pretty cup --- check

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth

seeking the successive autumns."

~ George Eliot

Loving Autumn!

Hugs, Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine

Psalm 28:7

Spicy Simmering Potpourri Recipe

2010-10-10T14:01:00.001-04:00

Do you love potpourri simmering in your home?

I love it too! :)

When I was at the apple orchard recently, I bought a little bag of simmering apple scent potpourri.

Hmmmm, it has such a wonderful autumn fragrance!

I am enjoying the scent now as it simmers in my little potpourri burner in my kitchen.

I typically make my own Spicy Simmering Potpourri mix:

1 oz. can cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces
1 (1.12 oz) can whole cloves
1 (1.25 oz) can whole allspice

Mix the ingredients in airtight container. Place 1 heaping teaspoon into 1/2 c. of water in simmering burner or you can also simmer in pan on your stove. You can certainly add other favorite spices, as well. (Just a little warning, though....please watch your water level as the water level decreases!)

Have a Beautiful, Autumn Day!!!
Hugs, Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine
Psalm 28:7

I'm Having an Attitude!

2010-10-09T23:15:00.004-04:00

Where is your attitude today? It certainly can make or break your day! Little word but big effect!

My favorite thoughts about attitude were written by Chuck Swindoll:

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company ... a church ... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude ... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you ... we are in charge of our Attitudes."

May you have a wonderful attitude regardless of where life finds you today! It is all up to you! :D

I am linking up today with:

Spiritual Sunday
and Words to Live By
and Signs, Miracles, and Wonders

...be sure and visit all these blogs as you will be blessed!

Hugs, Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine

Pumpkin Patch Musing!

2010-10-09T08:18:00.003-04:00

Whimsical centerpiece with my granddaughters on my mind! :)

My daughter is on her way into town with my little granddaughters!

We are going to go to the pumpkin patch today!

We will have a small lunch of chicken salad with diced apples on crossiants and mixed fruit cups along with pumpkin bread with chocolate chips.....and then off we go! :)

We will enjoy a little hayride with my granddaughters

and then we will wander and wander over the acres of the pumpkin patch looking for the perfect pumpkin! :) Afterwards we will enjoy a cup of hot apple cider and honey sticks that the farm provides in their little rustic gift shop.

My cottage quote today is

"One makes his own happiness only by taking care of the happiness of others."

~ Saint Pierre

I must get back to my lunch preparations but I hope you have a wonderful fall day too enjoying lots of sunshine and cool autumn temperatures!

Hugs,

Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine

Psalm 28:7

Psssst! Should I tell...?

2010-10-08T23:27:00.002-04:00

©Jessie Wilcox Smith

Possibly write a book?

Last night I went out with an old girlfriend to Starbucks to share a cup of Pumpkin Latte and to "catch up." She asked me if I had started my book. She is always encouraging me to write a book about my life. One time many years ago, my daughter had said she was going to write a book about my life because it is so interesting and that I am so amazing. *blush* My daughter loves me and is a little prejudice, of course. Well, I had mentioned it to my friend several years ago. And she took notice and sat up, eyes wide open, and said you need to write that book! She said, "Carolyn, your life IS very different....you have been through so many hurts, pain....and you have so much wisdom as you handled each struggle...in particular your divorce. So many women can glean from what you had been through and how to handle a blast of shock and unbelievable heartache." After we talked that day several years ago, I took the thought home....are there any books out there to advise a woman with the pain and shock of a marriage of many years to only become aware of all those years equaling deceit, dishonesty, infidelity, and adultery? I knew as I walked that road, it was God leading me, carrying me, and keeping me under self-control. I knew it was God bringing all those things out in the open for my eyes to finally see. I prayed for several months wanting only His direction as how to react. I knew my behavior and reaction was not your normal reaction which typically you would expect outrage....at times when it was so unbearable, I had felt like God lifted me up above the earth almost like I was looking down on this woman named Carolyn and her two little girls. I knew my mind was fragile and I could step right over the edge at any second into insanity... it was critical that I devoted my heart and mind at all times to God.

After time though, I thought writing a book was a ridiculous idea. Many women have been through divorce....I am no different. There are enough sad books of divorce on the store's bookshelves. But last night, Shelly brought it up again. "Where are you with your book?" When I told her that I threw the idea out the window, she started explaining to me why I needed to write it. She was so adamant. You see her husband two years ago also was discovered to have been cheating on her. She was devastated and came to me for counseling. (...of course I am not a counselor.) Their marriage is still intact today...she believes I had a lot to do with that. She believes that women need to hear my story and what God did for me during that time....she said it would be a blessing for women experiencing similar heartache. I am praying about such a task being something God would want me to do. It would be a huge project and I am not sure the road I would have to revisit to write the book effectively is one I would voluntarily want to go down.

Oh well, I am not sure. She suggested just typing a little here and there. Just bits and pieces just to get it down on paper. I guess I can do that....no harm in that. Something I will be praying about in the meantime.

Hugs, Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine
Psalm 28:7

Mom's Pumpkin Bread!

2010-10-08T20:23:00.002-04:00

I was craving chocolate all week. So what do I do this evening? I bake pumpkin bread :)   ....with chocolate chips! It is so yummy and my home smells wonderful with the pumpkin spice scent! This recipe was my mother's and she would always bake about 6 loaves of this bread a couple of days before Thanksgiving, as it tastes better if it "ripens" before serving. We had a large family of 8 and all of the children loved Mom's Pumpkin Bread! We all have such warm, special memories of our mom bustling about in the kitchen preparing such wonderful deserts...she felt you could not have a meal without desert!  I find that I too have adopted her same philosophy! :)

Mom's Pumpkin Bread
(2 loaves)

    2/3 c. shortening
2 2/3 c. shortening
        4    eggs
        1    can (1 lb) pumpkin (2 cups)
    2/3 c. water
3 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
    1/2 t. baking powder
       2 t. baking soda
1 1/2 t. salt
      1 t. cinnamon
      1 t. ground cloves
    2/3 c. nut meats, broken
    2/3 c. raisins

Cream shortening and sugar thoroughly; add eggs, pumpkin and water.

Sift together dry ingredients; add to pumpkin mixture. Stir in nuts and raisins (This evening I substituted the nuts and raisins for chocolate chips).

Pour into 2 greased loaf pans (2 quart size). Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Allow to "ripen" one day before serving.

This recipe was from a local paper back in the early 1960's.

If you love recipes, you must click HERE to enjoy more awesome recipes...these coming from Gooseberry Patch!

Enjoy!

Hugs, Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine
Psalm 28:7

Job Interview Results!

2010-10-08T18:46:00.002-04:00

My sweet little grandbabies with Gamma! :)

So how did the interview go? :)

It went really well! Thank you for all of your prayers and well wishes....they were all so sweet and really touched my heart!

Let me explain a little bit of the job possibility.

This Fortune 500 company has recently restructured and have created this new position I am being considered for. They do not need the position filled until January.

They advised me in the first interview that it would be a lenghty process....they would interview in September and then from the best of those, they will

interview them again in October.

Well, I was one of those chosen for the second interview.

The person I interviewed with the second time is the person I would work directly and closely under.

We hit it off really well in this interview and our personalities meshed.

She said that if I am chosen (she along with HR would make that decision), she would like for me to work right away but that decision will not be made until mid-November.

Sooooo.... :)

I still don't know anything for sure....but it is very promising!

I will keep you posted! :)

Whatever the outcome though, I am trusting God with it!

Thank you again for being such sweet friends and caring! :)

Have a wonderful evening!

Hugs, Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine

Psalm 28:7

Reaching for my Dreams...

2010-10-05T23:17:00.000-04:00

Oh oh oh....tomorrow is the big interview!

My second interview for the job I really want!

I started working last week at a job.....it is working out okay, but I didn't foresee when I took the job that I was going to get a second interview for a job that I had really hoped for several weeks ago!

I am still hoping for this job....my heart is racing with high hopes! :D

Just hope the interviewer won't hear the pounding! LOL!

Hope I can sleep tonight....off to bed I go in an attempt to sleep!

Good - night!

(My little scarecrow has been part of my autumn decor for exactly 30 years now! :) It was the very first autumn purchase I made as a young bride of 23!)

Hugs, Carolyn

Cottage Sunshine

Pslam 28:7

Better than a Hallelujah! :D

2010-10-02T14:57:00.003-04:00

Amy Grant's beautiful song "Better than a Hallelujah!" reminds me of my father. He drank excessively and there were times after I became a teenager that I would try to talk to him ....at the right times, of course. I wanted him to go to church and leave alcohol behind and get his heart right with God. He would tell me that I was right.....but he had to "clean up his act first...he was too sinful now." I would tell him, "Oh no, Dad, it doesn't work that way! You go to Jesus and He will clean you up! No sin is too dark that He will not accept you!"

May you today KNOW that our Father in heaven loves you just as you are....come to Him and He will make you whole! I hope you have a chance to go to church this Sunday! :)

Amy Grant's Better than a Hallelujah

God loves a lullaby

In a mothers tears in the dead of night

Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

God loves a drunkards cry,

The soldiers plea not to let him die

Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries

God just hears a melody

Beautiful the mess we are

The honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a Hallelujah

The woman holding on for life,

The dying man giving up the fight

Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes

The tears of shame for what's been done,

The silence when the words won't come

Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries

God just hears a melody

Beautiful the mess we are

The honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a Hallelujah

Better than a church bell ringing,

Better than a choir singing out,singing out.

We pour out our miseries

God just hears a melody

Beautiful the mess we are

The honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a Hallelujah

Repeat Chorus

To listen and enjoy this song go: HERE

Have a wonderful, blessed Sunday! I am linking today with Spiritual Sundays ....please visit them and be truly blessed by all the others joining the Sunday party!

Hugs to you!
Carolyn
Pslam 28:7

Autumn Cottage Musing

2010-10-02T13:42:00.005-04:00

Beautiful time of year~

Love pine cones~

LOL!See me in my PJ's! :)

Whimsical window decals for my granddaughters! :)

Warm glow of candles~

Pitter Patter of rain outside my window this morning~

Hello! We all are bustling around getting our little homes ready for autumn! So much fun!

I thought I would share with you a few images of my humble little home. I woke up this morning to the sound of a soft rain outside my open window and a cooler breeze tickling around my face. Such beautiful sounds, smells, and feeling! I am home alone today and it feels really nice. After a week of work on a new job, trying to learn the new computer system, their computer platform and procedures, it is nice to have the morning to myself to relax. I immediately came down and put the coffee on and lighted candles throughout the house. I am now enjoying the smell of pumpkin spice scents to go along with my coffee and cereal. :)

The cottage musing quote I have picked today is very simple but it makes me think of what women like to do most and that is to make our homes cozy with our nesting....autumn nesting for this time of the year. :)

"Love builds the strongest nest."

~Anonymous

I am joining Tracey today; please stop over there and learn more "Weekly Words to Live By"! :)
Also joining Tablescaper; be sure and join the other gals who are enjoying the beauty of the season!

May you enjoy a sweet day of rest and love!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Delights!

2010-10-01T20:12:00.000-04:00

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

Did you know that if you give your worries and concerns over to Him, that He will take care of them?

Yes, he sure does! Really!

I have been looking and searching for a job for the past several weeks....giving up on real estate in this down economy. Scary times to be looking for a job. No guarantees and there are a lot of unemployed individuals to compete against.

I gave it over to the Lord.

Now I have quite a few offers for jobs!

I believe and know it is because I gave it to Him! :)

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Decisions, decisions...

2010-09-27T23:34:00.000-04:00

I recently posted on my blog some pointers for job interviews and that I was looking for a job....

Well.....I have a new JOB!! :)

I am now a working girl again!

I interviewed last Thursday and I started today! It is a nice job.....but I received notification today that another company wants to interview me for a second time!

When I went to Bible Study Fellowship last week, I mentioned during introduction that I am looking for a job. Not too worried about it that I am trusting the Lord.

Afterwards, one of the ladies came to me and explained that she is a bank manager. She asked if I would be interested in mortgage lending since I have the experience in real estate. She gave me the information of the contacts needed to pursue if interested.

My goodness, when it rains, it pours!! :)

Showers of blessings!

(....Also literally.... received the much desired rain in my area that I was yearning for!!)

Now....decisions, decisions to be made!

What do I want to be when I grow up??

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Rain, Rain....Sweet Memories of Rain

2010-09-19T22:07:00.000-04:00

Doesn't this little

village

with

RAIN

look

like a

sweet

dream?

I will be dreaming sweet dreams tonight... of someday being blessed with rain.

We had rain today for 2 minutes...that's it...2 minutes.

*sigh* ...We have not had rain for 2 months! :(

May your night be blessed with sweet dreams....good-night!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Sparrows

2010-09-18T17:00:00.001-04:00

"His Eye is on the Sparrow"

Verse 1:

Why should I feel discouraged,

Why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely

And long for Heav'n and home,

When Jesus is my portion?

My constant Friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

Refrain:

I sing because I'm happy,

I sing because I'm free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

Verse 2:

"Let not your heart be troubled,"

His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness,

I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth

But one step I may see:

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

Verse 3:

Whenever I am tempted,
Whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing,

When hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him,

From care He sets me free:

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

I enjoyed putting this post together and finding the sweet little pictures. I love this song, His Eye is on The Sparrow. I remember the first time I heard it as a young mother; I was at a Women's Seminar and we had an excellent speaker. I remember thinking how loving God is....He cares so much for the sparrows. One of the smallest, and used to be one of the least favorite birds because of the damage they can do. But God cares for them.....and if He cares so much for them...you KNOW He cares for you!!! What an encouraging song! Puts a song in your heart! :D

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Please join the other folks over at Spiritual Sunday and be truly blessed!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Cottage Musing

2010-09-18T00:12:00.001-04:00

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.

Elizabeth Kubler Ross

May the light within you be the Light of Jesus!

You must visit the other gals over at Tracey's for more words of wisdom!
Hugs, Carolyn
Psalm 28:7

Blogland Giveaway!

2010-09-16T21:47:00.000-04:00

Girls! There is a wonderful giveaway that you just HAvE to check out!

Garden of Daisies

is the place to go!! Hope you win..

..or maybe even better, I hope I win!

LOL!

Only being honest! :) Either way it is fun!!! Now HURRY and go sign up!

Hugs to you!

Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Bloggy Friends! :D

2010-09-16T00:45:00.002-04:00

If you are passing through today, I would like to share with you one of the loveliest blogs in blogland! :)
My sweet friend, Rebecca at A Gathering of Thoughts is one of my favorite people & places to visit!
She offers inspiration, funny stories, tutorials, beautiful music....
AND BEAUTIFUL, hand-made items she sells in her on-line gift boutique!

I probably should warn you....often times in your visits, you will find yourself shedding a tear or two!
So pour yourself a fresh cup of coffee and go for a visit! (Probably should take a Kleenex along too!) :)

Hugs & Blessings to you!
Carolyn
Psalm 28:7

Bird Fun!

2010-09-15T11:04:00.001-04:00

I love birds! I enjoy watching them...they put a song in my heart and smile on face!

But there was one day....well, let's just say I was not so fond of them.

Let me tell you a funny story....learning to do a man's work.

My husband and I had just divorced months earlier.

Yard work had always been my husband's responsibility....and he did a fantastic job. I was so appreciative of his hard work. I took care of the flower beds while he kept the grass perfect. We had the most beautiful lawn of the neighborhood, with his outstanding care. I never mowed the grass....ever. I would occasionally watch him. But, nope! That wasn't my job.

But then he was gone. Hmmmm....I guess I better get the ol' lawnmower out and get to work....the grass was getting longer and longer that first spring without him. All you have to do is pull on that string...right? Well, so I did ....again, and again....and again. Nothing. What am I doing wrong? I was getting so frustrated.....and why isn't anyone walking by or driving by, helping this lady in distress??

Wait, I do remember him tinkering with something as he would get the lawn mower started. He would bend over and touch something or pull or something! So I did the same....I would touch and pull and push on this and that. And then I saw this little rubber bulb....I squeezed it. Uhhh...that seemed to feel right. I stood back up and pulled on the string again! Yiiiipppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! It started up! I was worn out and sweaty at this point...and I still haven't done anything yet
but the mower was running! :)

So up and down the lawn I went, feeling quite victorious!
I am woman, hear me roar!!! :D
As I was pushing along feeling quite smug about my independence...

PLOP!!!

Oh my! What was that! I felt something wet and cold on my head! Yup! You are right!

I reached up and touched the top of my head and I was just blessed by a bird flying overhead!

OH GROSS! ick! ooooo! gag!! :(

But I did not dare stop because it took me so so long to get the ~~stupid~~ good ol' lawnmower started and I had the longest grass in the neighborhood and if I stopped at this point and could not get it started again, what a ridiculous mess of a yard that would be!

So......I didn't stop until the grass was all cut....looking like a complete idiot with this pile of ~~poop~~ bird dropping on top of my head!

Haha! I am woman, hear me roar!!

I will never forget that incident! It has been difficult learning to do everything on my own...
but if there is a will, there is a way!! :D

Hugs to you and have a wonderful day!

Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

BTW, I still love birds! They still put a song in my heart and a smile on my face!

Book Crazy

2010-09-14T23:22:00.001-04:00

Do you like to read?

As we go into the cooler seasons, it gives more opportunity to snuggle up with a book!

I just finished a great book that I would highly recommend! I discovered the author this summer. Her name is Karen Kingsbury and she is an exceptional writer.

The book I just finished is

"Shades of Blue" -- it is a must read!

I am still hanging on to this horrible head cold!! It has really stolen so much of my time!

I feel too crummy to do much of anything else but read and sleep....

so I will go back to my books! :)

Stay well and I will see you again soon!

Hugs,

Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Having a Pity Party...

2010-09-10T19:43:00.000-04:00

Under the Weather....

I am already suffering from a horrible head cold and we are not even in the "cold" season yet! :(

I will be taking it easy this evening...maybe read a book...
and hopefully, tomorrow I will be feeling better because tomorrow is my
daughter's birthday!

I want to celebrate and have a good time with all!

Have a wonderful weekend!
I will see you again Monday! :)

Hugs and blessings to you!
Carolyn
Psalm 28:7

TGIF « Marketplace Leaders

2010-09-09T13:38:00.001-04:00

TGIF « Marketplace Leaders

Today as I was strolling around in Blogland...I came across a friend that is really hurting. Seems life keeps delivering loads of tough struggles her way. Her struggles made me think of my quiet time this morning in God's Word.

I am going to share with you what the Lord showed me this morning. If you are feeling overwhelmed with difficulty and feel hopeless at times...and possibly feel at times you just don't understand all the hardships that come your way, I believe this might be of help!

I was reading a devotional that I received today which I receive every day in my email. It is from a wonderful teacher, Os Hillman, called "The Way of God". If you look at the attachment, it has the complete devotional from this morning. There is also a place to receive these words of wisdom every morning in your own email.

Hugs, Carolyn
Psalm 28:7

I also would like to insert a link to an awesome, classic example of a loving Father who allows us to go through hardships---carries us through them....but has a blessing for us if we remain hopeful in Him. We may be in the furnace and He is removing all the impurities, but He won't leave us there....there is a plan in all He does. The link I am going to insert here is from Marty from "A Stroll Thru Life" and once you read it, you will understand exactly what I mean and why I would love to include it in this post. I am sure many of you have already read this beautiful post, but I also know there are many who might not have.

Circle of Friends Cookbook-Free Downloads-Gooseberry Patch

2010-09-09T12:04:00.001-04:00

Circle of Friends Cookbook-Free Downloads-Gooseberry Patch

Girls, I know how you all love love to bake!! Welllll....Gooseberry Patch just made their free choc chip cookie cook-book available!! It is that time of the year to light up your oven!! :D

Happy baking!

Hugs, Carolyn
Psalm 28:7

Looking for a Job?

2010-09-08T11:25:00.005-04:00

Good Morning to you!

I have some pointers for you if you have some interviews coming up in your future! I am looking for a job! Yes, I am! I have been in real estate for a while but with the economy being as it is....real estate is not the place to be! And you know what, I am really fine with that! It has taken me two years now to accept leaving the real estate industry from when the economic meltdown happened back in September of 2008.

To honest with you, I am excited for what is around the corner! I have been on careerbuilder.com and I have to say there are quite a few jobs listed and new ones every day! I had an interview yesterday! It went really well! It was a phone interview which I have never experienced that before ....a little nerve wrecking! I am more comfortable meeting someone face to face so I can read their face and also they can see mine. But surprisingly, it went really well! :)

Before the interview, I wanted to prepare myself....I would like to share with you some things that I have found and learned for that preparation. We are competing for jobs like we have never before in this economy. Before when I wanted a job, I always got it! Well, that is not necessarily true anymore. It will be a little more difficult today with all of the competition. Hopefully, these hints that I pass on to you, will be beneficial for you, as well!

How to Prepare
• Know yourself – your goals, your skills and your plans.
• Know your resumé and be prepared to discuss your past experiences in detail. Spend some time before the interview recalling your past accomplishments and contributions.
• Take some time to recall relevant work experiences so you’re prepared to talk about them.
• Come prepared with a list of any questions you have about the position and our company.
• Dress professionally if it is a face to face interview.
• Practice, practice, practice! Review the information on your resumé and recall as many professional experiences as you can – projects you’ve led or been a part of, contributions you’ve made, successes and achievements of which you’re especially proud. Be prepared to discuss specific work situations, including actions you took and the end results of those actions. Think of the interview as your chance to tell them stories about your work experiences.
• Arrive on time for your interview. Make sure that if you don’t know the way you call ahead and get directions ahead of time.

You need to expect questions of examples or scenarios of cases where you handled a specific situation from your past employments. I did some research on these questions to help prepare myself and have some scenarios on the top of my head ready to answer. I did not want to fish from my memory and then take up time not only to talk excessively but talking in circles. This is what I found:
http://www.jobinterviewquestions.org/questions/interview-questions.asp

Not only does this site have lots of examples of the questions you should expect but it also has a lot of great information to help you succeed. The main thing is to really know your resume, as well as, really brain storm for examples of past experience and success as they will ask for examples.

I hope this has been helpful! :) As I was doing my research and preparation yesterday, I thought of sharing this with others. Unemployment is prevalent today and I thought surely someone else could use this information or know someone else who could and to pass it on.

I am sure with each interview, I will improve....and eventually get an awesome job! :D God is good and I know He will provide!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

You are ALL Invited!! :)

2010-09-08T08:47:00.001-04:00

Do you like to get together with other women and have a delightful, lively conversation on a subject that will never cease or run dry? Then I have a fellowship for you in your very own area that you will LOVE! It is called Bible Study Fellowship! It is an awesome, non-denominational study of the Bible that gives you an opportunity to study the Word and then get back together to discuss it! It all started many years ago by one little lady with her small, small group of ladies willing to learn! And today it is world-wide and loved by everyone! Do you have a Bible stuffed in a drawer or on a shelf gathering dust? Why not open it up and glean from God's wisdom and love? And the best way to do that is to gather with other beautiful women and talk, giggle, share, and maybe even shed a tear or two.... and well, as women, we do that well, don't we? :)

Don't wait until a tragedy touches your life to learn His powerful Word. You might be too devastated to draw much strength from it.....prepare today. We will all suffer at some point in our lives and usually for most of us, suffering arrives at our doorstep more than once in our journey in life. It is wise to learn who this Father is and His character before that day of pain arrives....usually it sneaks up behind you and throws you for a loop and knocks the wind out of you. Then it is too painful to do anything but cry. I have learned that it is critical to KNOW this source of strength before that dreadful day comes. Life is fragile, you know. When my father passed away in 1994, I was devastated because it was a tragic death. No good-byes...no special final words to depart with him. My sister gave me a pretty little wall hanging with the words, "Life is fragile, Handle with care"....not anything super clever until you do go through a dark valley, and then you realize how profound those words are. I have reflected on the words many times since his death. We are fragile human beings and it is important to have an anchor that we can cling to and trust. And, my friend, I want you to know that I don't know how I would have made it in life without my Anchor to cling to and carry me. There is power in his Word....but you can't draw from that source of strength if you don't open your Bible and learn who He is! :)

LOL! I have gone on and on this morning! :) As I had my quiet time this morning with my Father, I had an overwhelming desire to share my excitement for BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) starting up soon (it runs just like a school year, starting in the fall and stopping in the spring...and if you have children, don't let that stop you, as there is a children's program as well). Oh and don't worry that you can't understand the Bible or have never opened it up before to know what it is all about....there are many ladies who are in the same boat. The women who are more familiar with the Word are very helpful too.

Go here to check out more for your area: Bible Study Fellowship

Have a beautiful blessed day! :)
Hugs, Carolyn
Psalm 28:7

Doris Day- A bushel and a peck

2010-09-08T00:12:00.003-04:00

Don't you just love love love Doris Day! She was so beautiful with fresh pretty skin and sparkling blue eyes! I remember as a little girl getting my first record player and the first album was Doris Day's recordings and another one of Dean Martin. To this day, I love to hear both of them sing!!
My mother used to say to me whenever I would kiss her good-bye to leave the house, "I love you, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck!" :) I did not realize where this little saying originated from....just thought my mom made it up, I heard it for so long. But one day a couple of months ago, I was searching the you-tube for Doris Day songs and came across this little clip! It is so precious to me....I would love to hear my mom say again...."I love you, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck!" Just one more time! Well, Doris, you are just going to have to do! Doris does put a smile on my face though! I loved that era when she was a "movie star"...everything was so wholesome then!
Sweet memories! Do you have a special memory of the way your mother said good-bye to you as you left the house when you still lived at home? No matter what comes, you will always have your memories!
Hugs, Carolyn
Psalm 28:7
****Be sure and pause the Playlist music at bottom of page before watching the video****

Stopping to say "HELLO!" :)

2010-09-04T12:31:00.004-04:00

Hello everyone! I have been away for awhile spending time with my two daughters and two granddaughters ....and loving every minute of it!!! I also have had a chance to get to know my daughter's "b-ooiiii-y-friend"...I really like him a lot! He is a very nice guy! You know, as a mother you are always concerned who your children will marry as you will be spending a lot of time with that person ....always at family functions, always a part of your grandchildren's lives and their upbringing (that is HUGE!). It is a huge decision for your child and you really don't have a lot of say in it. BUT we can PRAY! ;) There is comfort in knowing that you can do that! :)

I just wanted to stop in and say hello! We have had a very very hot summer and very dry! My grass is brown and my flowers have given up and the hostas are not lush and green at alllll! We have had over 100 temps for so many weeks which is not the norm for this area. I am used to just having a couple of 100 temp days for the whole entire summer. BUT yesterday we had an incredibly delicious cool down and today the temps are just a tad bit chilly.....it feels wonderful! It is nice to throw open those windows and let the wind dance throughout the house! Time to start thinking about autumn!!! YAAAYYYY! Love that time of the year!!! Yummy hot cocoa, roasting marshmallows over a toasty campfire (just did that last weekend with my daughter, her husband, and my two grandchildren), cozy evenings wrapped in a blanket, baking banana bread and then spreading the butter on thick to eat as you are sipping on a big mug of coffee, pumpkins displayed throughout the home, taking drives in the country to enjoy the fall foliage.......on my! that wonderful list goes on and on, doesn't it? :)

Most of all, it is a time to reflect on our many blessings. So rich is God's favor on us and often there is so much we take for granted!

I have peeked in on so many of you over the summer ....I knew I couldn't stay away! LOL! :) But many of you had no idea that I was peeking! :) Sneaky, sneaky! I love your blogs ...they are all so beautiful and you all have so much wisdom and talent that it blesses my heart! What a wonderful discovery when I stumbled on blogs one day almost a year ago now! I had to tell my heart to be still! There are so many beautiful women across the land who share the same interests that I have and we have the same personalities that I was almost shocked to know there were so many kindred spirits out there! I sometimes felt very alone with my old-fashioned love for old things and old ways.. and vintage things and antiques...ha! not anymore! There are a ton of us women! :) Thank you too for all the sweet comments of wishing me well and missing me!

I will stop in again soon but until then, may God watch over you and keep you! :D Happy Fall!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Taking some time...

2010-05-17T20:49:00.003-04:00

My little girl.....well, she really isn't this little anymore...is coming back home for a year to live with me. She has college debt that she wants to whittle away very quickly and the best way to do that is to live with Mom. Do you hear me complaining? Nope, you are right...I am happy!! I love my daughters and have always enjoyed being with them!

I hear wedding bells in the not-so-far-off future for this little gal and what a wonderful time now to make some treasured memories with her before she rides off in the sunset with her sweet prince! She had been living with roommates after she graduated and started off her career...so I haven't spent a whole lot of time with the prince. She moved in two weekends ago and I have had the opportunity to visit with him quite a bit...I am very pleased with this young man! :) He is such a gentleman and very mild-mannered and gentle....most of all, he makes God his first priority! I look forward to a year of getting to know him better! :)

Since my next year will be busy with my daughter ...and also my granddaughters, I have decided to postpone blogging for a while. I might pop in here and there to post something....or make comments on other blogs now and then, but for the most part, I want to treasure this time in my life with my daughter.

I also want to mention here that I am amazed at the blogging world! There are so many kind, friendly ladies out there with a kindred spirit! I have enjoyed meeting so many of you and have learned tons of invaluable decorating ideas! Maybe I won't be able to stay away that long... :) I don't know....but thank you for all that have befriended me!! :)

Take care!
Hugs, Carolyn
Psalm 28:7

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-08T13:15:00.005-04:00

Happy Mother's Day!

This sweet little hat belonged to my mother many years ago when she was a young lady! I wish we still wore hats today. I tried to wear them years ago when Princess Diane brought them back into existence but I felt odd being the only one wearing them!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day!

Linking to Show & Tell Friday with Cindy

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Romantic & Old-Fashioned Girl Candle Holder

2010-05-02T14:23:00.010-04:00

This beautiful little candle holder was a birthday gift from my daughters one summer several years ago. It has a little handle and you drop a tea light or small candle inside the little "bucket"...there are pretty little cut outs on the side to let the light dance & shine through. They bought it at a delightful shop that is now gone. Don't you hate that? :( It was a tradition every year for 20 years in early December for me to stop in there to pick up my daughter's annual Boyd's stuffed bear along with other gifts. Every Christmas eve after reading the Baby Jesus Christmas story to the girls, they would open 2 presents -- their bear and a new storybook in one package and then a flannel nightgown that I had made for them in the other package. So when their daddy and I tucked them into bed they were all snuggly as they hugged their bear. We would allow them to read their books for about a half an hour before turning out the light. (After they were older, I bought a classic novel and they would read for a little bit in anticipation of Christmas morning.) Sweet memories! :)

Anyway, I am getting off course... If you remember back in an earlier post, The Funny Furniture Story, I thought this beautiful candle holder was gone. My daughter was encouraging me to move on to the more contemporary look --"no one uses this kind of decor anymore in their homes" ...ha! she hasn't checked out all the cottage and vintage blogs on line! :) As I was upstairs rummaging through the attic looking for my grandpa's wedding gift, the White Milk Glass Hobnob, there was a box. Hmmm...what is in that? Oh my! Teapots and other delightful cottage items! Including this candle holder....it was not sold in the yard sale after all! So it is Christmas in May for me minus the Boyd bear and snuggly flannel nightgown! :)

Happy May!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Cottage Musing ~ Week 6

2010-05-01T22:48:00.011-04:00

"Unless the Lord builds the house,

its builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

the watchmen stand guard in vain.

In vain you rise early and stay up late,

toiling for food to eat--

for He grants sleep to those He loves.

Blessed are all who fear the Lord,

who walk in His ways.

You will eat the fruit of your labor;

blessings and prosperity will be yours."

Psalm 127:1-2 & Psalm 128:1-2

I just recently had a modification in my job...I am now working full time as a realtor. Well, we all know how the real estate market has been going recently.

I was working as a pend-to-close agent for our real estate team and received salary plus bonus' for the past year to weather out this storm.

I remember before the pend-to-close agent position how I strived to work beyond the normal hours, working feverishly to make-up for the slowdown in the market...pay is commission only.

This time...I will not work in my own strength.

I have learned the above passage and have learned it well. :)

His strength, not mine.

His hours, not mine.

His provisions, not mine.

Praise Him that I have learned this lesson and have a renewed trust!

Today I am linking with Words to Live By with Tracey

and also,

Spiritual Sundays with Charlotte & Ginger!

Have a blessed Sunday!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Pink Tulips and White Milk Glass Hobnob!

2010-04-30T19:40:00.013-04:00

My grandpa gave me this beautiful milk glass basket to me on my wedding day!

...But I didn't like milk glass as a young bride! :( Yeah, I know!

I had it stored up in the attic all of these years. Since I just recently joined blogland and I am seeing it everywhere...I am thinking oh my goodness, that is so pretty!

And then I remembered.... my grandpa gave me a piece as a wedding gift

...and it is somewhere in the attic!

I FOUND it! :D

....and I.LOVE.it!!

Thank you, Grandpa...I.LOVE.YOU!

I might have gotten carried away with the picture taking, but it looks so pretty with the tulips and spirea!

Today I am joining Beverly at How Sweet the Sound
for Pink Saturday!

I actually didn't get signed up in time...but head on over there because lots of beautiful pink treats on this beautiful May Day!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Home Sweet Home!

2010-04-30T12:26:00.010-04:00

This is my sweet little humble home ~ it brings me joy!

I am grateful for what the Lord has provided for me!

I have been working on flower beds...in a previous post, I had said they have been neglected for a couple of years due to being in one of those "life storms"...

but after working on them this spring, they are starting to look better. The ivy is looking a little "bald" but ivy grows so fast, I have no fear it will be very full in no time ...quicker than what I prefer! :)

My front door has almost been swallowed up by shrubbery, so that is a project to be tackled very soon. I also am having mulch delivered in a few minutes by a friend. At a nearby park, they offer free mulch if you come with your truck....which I don't have...but thank the Lord for awesome friends! :)

I am grateful!

It's Friday! Enjoy! :)

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Romantic Spirea Flowers

2010-04-29T15:49:00.009-04:00

Beautiful Spirea branches...so old-fashioned and romantic!

When my daughters were little girls, we would call it the bridal veil...

the branches always spill over creating a "veil"!

They would get under the branches and play...delightful memories!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Pussy Willows ~ Another Sign of Spring!

2010-04-27T18:17:00.010-04:00

A dear and sweet friend brought these to me last week....pussy willows!

I googled pussy willows to see if I should consider growing them myself...I love them!

What I found:

Pussy willow trees are wetland plants --so they would be ideal occupants for areas that suffer from poor drainage. If not, then water FREQUENTLY.
Propagating is easy...they can root so readily that all you have to do is simply insert the FRESH, cut branch into the moist soil in summer. Roots develop within a few weeks.

(Drawback is that these trees have invasive roots....must be planted far enough from sewer or water lines to not interfere.)
I am linking up today with WooHoo Wednesday! :) WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs,
Carolyn
Psalm 28:7

Pretty Seed Packets

2010-04-27T12:43:00.007-04:00

I am ready to get these seeds in the ground!

...but they are pretty as I wait in anticipation! :)

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Old-Fashion Lilacs

2010-04-26T19:01:00.012-04:00

I almost waited too long to cut some lilacs to bring in my home! Last week was so busy that I kept putting it off...peering out the kitchen window in the morning before work, but just never getting out to cut them! They smell wonderful even if they don't look their best in these shots! :)

Linking up with Table Top Tuesday!

Also linking with Tea Time Tuesday and Tuesday Tea for Two for the first time! :)

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

In The Eye of the Storm

2010-04-26T17:39:00.005-04:00

In The Eye of the Storm

“Storms come. They come quickly. They pounce ferociously. If you are in one, then you know what I mean. If you’re not in one today, you know as well as I – one may be in tomorrow’s forecast.”

“Faith is often the child of fear.”
“Great acts of faith are seldom born out of calm calculation.”
“Faith that begins with fear will end up nearer the Father.”

“Faith is a desperate dive out of the sinking boat of human effort and a prayer that God will be there to pull us out of the water. …just as Peter walked on the water to Jesus.”

“Peter was terrified of the storm—terrified enough to send him out of the boat to go to Jesus. But out of this fear would be born an act of faith for faith is often the child of fear. If Peter saw Jesus walking on the water on a calm peaceful day, do you think that he would have walked out to Him?”

“Give a man a choice between sure death and a crazy chance, he will take the chance…every time.”

“Salvation is God’s sudden, calming presence during the stormy seas of our lives. We hear His voice, we take the step.”

~ This has all come from an excellent little book by Max Lucado, “The Eye of the Storm”
~
I am finding myself in an unexpected “eye of the storm” today. So I have chosen to take the day off work and meditate on His Word. I know as I have also experienced in the past, He will allow me to walk on the water to Him…as long as I keep my eyes on Him. Not my strength, but His. As I scribbled notes as I am reading on this cold, dreary spring day (after 3 days of consistent rain), I thought I would share my notes on my blog. Maybe someone else is in the eye of the storm and Max’s words would be a comfort to them too.

Cottage Musing ~ Week 5

2010-04-25T11:55:00.001-04:00

"Very little is needed to make a happy life."

-Marcus Aurelius

Linked to Weekly Words to Live By with Tracey

Happy Sunday!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Childish Play

2010-04-23T09:26:00.016-04:00

When I married so many years ago, I could not believe how much I missed my family! But I was “in love”…nothing else matters, right? Wrong! I did not expect to miss them all so much! I thought you rode off into the sunset in sweet bliss and lived happily ever after....that's the way the fairy tales go... :) I especially missed my mother. In fact one evening at the dinner table in our sweet little newlywed home, I was telling my husband about the fun day I just had with my mother on a shopping jaunt. And then I slipped and said “I love my mom more than any one!” Ooops! Uhh, did I just say that? :)

On one of those shopping jaunts, I bought this little silhouette because it reminded me of my siblings when we were children. There were 6 of us but the two older ones were so much older that they were not so involved in our childish play. This silhouette reminds me of the one summer we had a parade around our neighborhood. Yes, that would be me the second child down from the tallest! :)

This is an old book that I found on one of those shopping jaunts. I adored this book when I was a little girl…partly because it was about a little girl with my name (well, close to my name). I could not believe it when I found it when my mother and I were antiquing one day! :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Psst! Susan Branch commented on my previous post! Teehee! How sweet is that?? :)

Tweet Tweet!

2010-04-23T08:07:00.004-04:00

Do you have one of these? :)

One of the guys brought this clock into our office. Everyone hated it! On every hour, it makes a real life sound of the bird of that hour. It just was not a sound you would expect to hear in an office. Everyone made the gentleman get rid of the clock. He was going to pitch it ....until I said "I love it!" :)

That took bravery! LOL! What nerd would love it after all the ridicule??

...ME! :) I love birds, what else can I say??

It is charming in my little cottage!

Even Susan Branch has one in her cottage! (She is the famous artist, if you don't know who Susan Branch is!)
~

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Gardening

2010-04-20T14:55:00.005-04:00

My goodness! I have worked in my flowerbeds this weekend after the granddaughters left to go back home Sunday afternoon and now... ouch! I am so sore!! I feel like I have never worked a muscle in my life and now I am paying for it!

The last couple of years have been extremely difficult years....my daughter and her sweet little toddler living under my roof along with a new precious, pre-mature arrival while her husband/their daddy fought in Iraq ...along with other "extras" in my life as I worked FULL (lots of overtime work) time. As a result, my flowerbeds have been neglected! I worked from 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. It felt so wonderful to enjoy the cool spring tempatures with the sun warming the top of my head as I worked away in the dirt! My grandpa was a farmer and he used to say that you feel closer to God when you get your hands in the dirt and work the soil. :) I miss my Grandpa!

It was hard work pulling the weeds and cutting back the ivy but it is so well worth the work! I love the results and I love the flowers! As I get more done, I will post my flower beds! :)

Happy Tuesday!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

White Lilacs

2010-04-19T17:13:00.012-04:00

Ahhh! The perfume of lilacs!! My home smells so wonderful! I love lilacs!!

While visiting with a dear friend, she was showing me all she had done in her garden. When we came to her lilac bush, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. It is one of my favorite fragrances in the whole world! :) She cut some to make a bouquet for me to take home! I was so excited...doesn't take much to excite me! :) My lilac bush is lavender rather than white and is not quite at it's peak performance. Little tiny purple buds, but not flowers yet. I would think by the end of this week it will be putting on a spectacular show! I will post them then!

Linking to A Stroll Thru Life ~ Table Top Tuesday

Hugs,

Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Cottage Musing ~ Week 4

2010-04-19T14:26:00.004-04:00

Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.

~ Anonymous

Linking today with Words to Live By with one of my favorite bloggers,

Tracey Buxton

Have a wonderful Monday!

Hugs,

Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Granddaughters are so much fun! :)

2010-04-19T14:10:00.006-04:00

Had a wonderful, wonderful extended weekend with my precious granddaughters!

Had so much fun....but now it is back to work! Hard to stay focused! :)

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

My Pink Depression Dishes

2010-04-15T16:24:00.011-04:00

I love pink depression glass! I fell in love with it many years ago as a young bride and have been buying a piece here and there ever since when I go antiquing! It looks so pretty with my china trimmed in pink!

I thought I would share one of my favorite things today!

Hope you are having a wonderful, sunny day!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Table Top Tuesday

2010-04-12T21:05:00.005-04:00

Good Morning!

I am linking to Tabletop Tuesday with "A Stroll Thru Life"
~

I have always been partial to the color pink....so as a result, I seem drawn to pink dishes and accessories as you can see on the little tea cart in my dining room!

I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Hickory Dickory Dock!

2010-04-12T19:51:00.013-04:00

My granddaughters were supposed to come into town today....doesn't look like they are able to make it. Unexpected plans came up...

LOL! I had so many fun things planned for my little granddaughters for today! :)

That's okay...I have lots of things that I need to do today. We will all have fun another day!

Hope you are having a fun day!

Hugs, Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Tax Time!

2010-04-12T19:13:00.006-04:00

Okay, I need to get busy....been putting this off for too long! You know a girl has to make sure her space is just right before she gets started! Right? :) I am losing daylight...better quit playing...arranging and then re-arranging! A better word for it is called procrastination!! I bet I am the only person who hasn't already got it done!

Must go for now! :)

Hugs,

Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

Russian Teapot

2010-04-09T13:50:00.007-04:00

A dear friend who lives in Missouri had adopted a little baby boy from Kazakhstan and traveling home through Moscow, she picked up this little teapot for me. That has been 12 yrs ago....

...for the past 2 yrs, I have been purging all my blue decor.

This little teapot will always remain in my home because of a beautiful dark-eyed little boy!

~

Linking to My Romantic Home with Cindy

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Carolyn ~ Psalm 28:7

Cottage Musing ~ Week 3

2010-04-08T13:17:00.006-04:00

"God never withholds from His child that which His love and wisdom call good. God's refusals are always merciful- "severe mercies" at times but mercies all the same. God never denies us our hearts desire except to give us something better."

— Elisabeth Elliot

Prayer Box...ummm.. I mean Church

2010-04-06T23:11:00.010-04:00

Isn't this little prayer church so cute? An awesome friend gave it to me just recently! You list your prayer requests on the little pretty piece of paper.

Hmmm...what prayer requests do I have?

Okay....finished. Roll it back up and tuck it back in the church. ....Looking at the little church, you would never know there was a secret inside! I love secrets! ;)

Hugs, Carolyn ~ Psalm 28:7

Funny Furniture Story

2010-04-06T23:01:00.009-04:00

I have to tell you a funny, funny story! I chuckle every time I think about it!

A couple of years ago my daughter graduated from college. She came home and insisted my house needed a makeover! I looked around trying to see things with “new” eyes to see what she could possibly be talking about! Oh my! Wow, she was right! I had been working so hard and had kept my nose to the grindstone so that I had become pretty blind to the things I used to enjoy!

Alright! Next step according to Miss Smarty Pants was to have a yard sale. Okay…yeah, I could remove a few pieces of furniture out to the sale. Before I knew it my house was empty and there was a complete house outside without the walls! I am serious! All of my living room furniture was gone except for my grandfather clock and my grandma’s old sewing machine! We even sold my entire bedroom suite in our overly zealous salesmanship! This meant I sold my beautiful four poster bed! Her logic was that now Dad was gone, I should get a “new” bed—okay, I could see where she was going with her thinking process. Her other thought was that now she and I were realtors as a team, we were going to new heights! Wow! The money we were going to make! Everyone would be pea-green with envy! Ha! Stuck a little bit of “Gone with the Wind” in my story….because my furniture was gone with the wind! ;) Okay, I will stop...

Uh oh!!!! The economy took a huge nose dive!! Sales slowed down…ummm…I mean stopped. My living room was empty with no place to sit! My bedroom was empty with no bed! LOL! I prayed. As I waited to see how God was going to supply and help these silly women, we put my daughter’s loveseat from college in the living room. If you close your eyes and imagine a dorm full of messy college girls, you can imagine the stains on the loveseat. But it was a place to sit for the time being instead of the floor. We took the bed that was Mom & Dad’s from the ‘60’s into my bedroom….we had just recently acquired the bed when my mom went to the nursing home 2 years ago.

Four months later, the Lord provided in a miraculous way! My daughter started going to a new church once she returned from college and met this guy. This guy had connections at a huge furniture store outlet and they were having a family & friend sale before opening the sale to the public!! My daughter said she would buy a few pieces for me for my birthday as she had landed an awesome job with her degree! She was able to purchase everything I needed to furnish my living room…..for $500!! That included a sofa, love seat, overstuffed chair, and a dresser along with 3 extra chairs and a huge mirror! We could not believe it!! We sent other friends over to the sale…no one else walked away with the amazing deal that we did!! We knew it was our own special miracle delivered by our Provider! :)

I wouldn't suggest doing a makeover this way!

Hugs,

Carolyn

Psalm 28:7

The Sun Bonnets

2010-04-05T18:19:00.008-04:00

Several weeks ago I was visiting my daughter and her little family in KY with my sister. On the way home, my sister and I stopped at an antique mall and we were very late getting home. Ummm…do I need to explain why? :) I found several old bird hooks….I had to have them! I found a home for one of them for now. They go so well with the “feel” of my home. Presently, I have my daughters’ sunbonnets hanging on the hook.

One year many years ago, my mom and I took my daughters to see the “Little House on the Prairie” home in Missouri after reading all of the books. It was Laura Ingalls’ home after she was married to Alfonzo Wilder. Before our trip, I made prairie dresses and bonnets for the girls to wear to make it all the more fun for them (like I said, this was a long time ago before they were too old to worry about being “cool”). I made pockets on the pinafore. Inside the pockets, I sewed in little itty, bitty pockets for secrets…notes or trinkets! They loved it! All children love secrets!

Psalm 28:7

........…And I have a secret! :) I met through blogging a granddaughter of Laura Ingalls! Pretty cool!! You can meet her over at her blog…her name is Laura. She looks so similar to the actress, Melissa Gilbert, who portrayed Laura in the TV series.

P.S. I believe she told me she is a granddaughter~ it might be that she is a niece. It was several weeks ago that I stumbled on to her blog.

P.S.S. I just went over to her blog and she just lost her mother....sweet little gal to keep in your prayers!

Hugs,

Carolyn

Grandma's Sewing Machine

2010-04-05T15:06:00.006-04:00

Did you have a wonderful Easter weekend? Mine was incredible! The church service on Sunday morning was incredible and I have a peace unlike I have ever known!

The old sewing machine that I have posted today is the sewing machine my mother learned how to sew on at a very sweet young age of 7 years old. She started out with only handsewing and made so many dolls clothes. Finally at the age of 7, her mother let her sew on her sewing machine. After my grandma and grandpa moved to the nursing home, we rented out their home. Years later when we were ready to sell the farm, my mom, sister, and I took a trip to the country and went through the house, barn, and farmland for one last time down memory lane. They had a wonderful farm with sweet lanes lined with wild flowers, interesting old trees, and a babbling little brook. When we went into the barn, there was Grandma's sewing machine! It was covered with dirt and looked like it had been discarded. I immediately ran over to it and starting wiping away the grime and screamed with delight, "I want this!!" I didn't know how I was going to get it home for the car was pretty full but I knew no matter, this baby was coming home with me! Getting it home, I cleaned off the grime and then painted all the steel pieces that had turned rusty. I loved it! It will always be a treasure as my mom has taught me to sew as well....every time I pass it, I think of the history of seamstress' in my family. I don't sew near as much as I had when my daughters were little, but I hope that will soon change as I always enjoyed it and I should have more time now that the girls are grown!

Have a wonderful Monday!
Hugs,
Carolyn
Psalm 28:7

Happy Easter!

2010-04-01T16:03:00.007-04:00

I will wish you a wonderful Easter weekend today as I will be celebrating this glorious holiday with my family!

Matthew 28:6 "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said."

Hugs! Carolyn ~Psalm 28:7