Simple Pleasures-Reading

Happy Thursday dear friends….hope your having a great week and are enjoying this fall weather.  I am loving everything about this time of year…

Last night I spent the evening making pumpkin bread and my house smelled so yummy, the mixes of cinnamon and nutmeg and pumpkin spice filling the house was a aroma to behold.  Anyway, I could go on about that and the smells of cooking are a wonderful simple pleasure, but today the one I am really enjoying now is reading.

This is my favorite…Amish Fiction, next to my bible and bible study books, this is what I enjoying reading the most.  These stories are full of family, love, faith.  Such strong family values.  Where life slows down and the real things in life that matter are tended to.

“If you think all romance novels have covers displaying a shirtless Fabio clone embracing a woman with heaving bosoms and are filled with torrid sex scenes, think again. The hottest trend right now in the romance genre is the “Amish inspirational,” which are books with chastely dressed women on the front and no sex inside. Yep, that’s right, kissing is about as racy as it gets in an Amish inspirational. But, for many readers, that’s very appealing. As a recent article in USA Today says, “In our sex-soaked society, nothing seems to inflame the imagination quite like the chaste.””

If your a reader, and you love the simple life, I highly recommend these books.  You will not be disappointed.

So what is your simple pleasure today?  Check out what others are saying, by stopping in at Simple Pleasures. Join Dayle (our wonderful  hostess) @ A Collection of This and That. 

 

1 Peter 1:24-25“For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Simple Pleasure - Lighting my Candle

Happy Thursday to everyone, today I am participating in Simple Pleasures with Dayle @ A Collection of This and That. I hope you will  check out the simple pleasures that others are sharing.


Today my Simple Pleasure is my Pumpkin Spice Candle burning in my kitchen/family room. The aromas stemming from it feel the senses with warmth and coziness.
I love the way the candle changes the mood in the house, as well as mine,something as simple as a candle can slow me.
So what is your simple pleasure today? 

Psalm 40:8“I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Thankful Thursday-Good Health

Another Thankful Thursday is upon us….and today I am extremely thankful for my health.  For the last several days I have not been feeling all that well.  Not really anything bad, but just didn’t feel good, mainly upset stomach and just feeling blasé.

And this morning  I woke up feeling much better and it made me realize just how much we take for granted when we feel good.

And it gave me enough incentive today to decide to change some of my habits. Drink more water, green tea, drink less caffeine, etc… I want to feel healthy more than I want to feel tired, sick
and just not myself.  How bout you?

Today Lynn, suggested we share ten things that make you uniquely you.

• I have a heavy southern accent
• I share my birthday with the Marine Corp
• I LOVE history
• I love to watch it snow, but hate driving in it
• I love  old black and white classics
• If I could have done anything other than being a mom and housewife, I would have liked being a investigator
• I'm the oldest 
• I lived in 4 other countries
• I like to salt my apples when I eat them ( I get laughed at for this)
• I take sugar and cream in my coffee.

So what is unique about you?
What are you thankful for today?  If you would like to join us for Thankful Thursday hosted by Lynn @Spiritually Unequal Marriage, stop in.

Psalm 40:8“I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

I did it again

went and stayed away much longer than I had planned.  Guess I needed this little break from the blogging world.

Not sure about anyone else, but  the last several weeks my life has been rather busy and at the same time, I can’t tell you alot that I have actually done.  Nothing that would look like a major accomplishment, but one of great self satisfaction for me.

One of my primary focus though has been less time at the computer.  Seems some days get lost while sitting at the computer, and I have made a pretty concentrated effort to stay away from the computer during the days.  Spending much more time, getting caught up on things around here and puttering around with some “fun things” for the home.

My weekends have been full with all my kids here, so I have been spending time with them and doing quite abit of cooking.  It’s all good!  Something I have greatly missed since they have all been away. 

I’m just taking in the wonderful days of Autumn, enjoying the weather and fall festivities in the area this time of year with family and friends. It has been like a breath of fresh air.

A little run down of some of the things I have been up to:

• Antiquing with friends
• Fall festivals and carnivals
• Watching apple butter being made (and buying some) can you say YUMMO?
• Decorating my front porch for Fall
• Traipsing around hunting down the perfect pumpkins
• Going to farmers markets
• Creating list of upcoming crafting projects
• Hitting some yard sales with my bf
• Starting to organize photos (getting them ready to scan)
• Cooking home cooked meals for my kids on the weekends
• Watching football on Sundays with my sons
• Reading for pleasure
• Spending more time studying THE WORD
• watching movies with my hubby
• getting to bed earlier

So as you can see, I haven’t gotten alot to show for my time away, except a content heart.  Which is a wonderful feeling.

I feel like I have been a terrible blogging friend/buddy, but this season has been a time for slowing down and making some changes and something that I feel like I really needed to do.

Not sure how often I will be around, maybe daily, maybe once a week…maybe when I feel like I have something to share….basically I am just taking this time as God leads me too, to enjoy those things that I get great joy from. My home, family, and friends. I know I will not be gone totally, because there is just so much out there in blogland and friends that I love to visit with and learn from. 

K…since I have a few minutes tonight by myself…going to do some blog hopping. It’s been awhile. 

Hope your having a blessed week so far.

Jeremiah 29:11“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Simple Pleasure- Sept 16th

Can you guess what my simple pleasure is today?  One guess….you got it.  My Crockpot, actually I have three and I love them all.  :) 

With the cooler weather upon us, I decided today to use mine, and then I got real motivated and pulled the other one out and am using it  too.  So today, I am using not one but two of them.  First one is full of a chicken and corn chowder, ummmmmm yummy, and the second is cooking up a warm apple crisp.

My Crockpot makes my life so much easier, I love the way my house smells with aromas  when dinner is  cooking. I also love the fact that I can toss everything into it and walk away and have a warm, tasty, and satisfying  meal at the end of the day without alot of effort.

If you would love to read some other simple pleasures, jump over to A  collection of This and That where Dayle is our gracious host.  Thank you Dayle.

 

James 3:13“[Two Kinds of Wisdom] Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

My Monday

Happy Monday Morning everybody!!!!  I hope everyone had a great weekend and got a chance to spend some time with that special “father” in your lives.  Unfortunately I didn’t get to  spend it with my dad, but I did talk to him on the phone, nor did I spent it with my hubby as he went to Houston to spend it with his dad.  Plus he got to spend it with his children.  So he had a nice day.  :)  And that is all that matters right?  I mean, it is their day!!!

 

Let me say “thank you to everyone that has left me comments or sent me emails” to my last post.  Your prayers, and concerns really mean the world to me.  Let’s just say that I am doing quite a bit better, I have taken action and started on some medication.  Which I can see a big difference already and it hasn’t been that long…so I know it will get better as time goes on.  The hopeless feeling has dissipated and for that I am grateful.  Each day brings new hope and excitement.  I can’t tell you how good that feels.  Anyway, just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you all.

Since I had the weekend to myself, by the way it was a LONG three days, I missed my hubby while he was gone, I had a chance to catch up on some reading.  I finished up “Plain Paradise”  by Beth Wiseman and “A Promise for Spring” by Kim Vogel Sawyer, (which I highly recommend both these books) and I’m now reading “Hanna’s Dream”.  Yet  another Amish fiction for me.  The book description states ” Set in the Amish communities of northern Indiana and Montana, Hannah Miller has just found a poem about love that stirs her dreams. Checking her past experiences with boys, no one seems to fit, especially not Sam. She had chosen him in the eighth grade only because everyone back then just had to have someone. With his mouth that always fell open when astonished, Hannah now looks for someone else. Feel the agony of mistakes, the burden of guilt, and one girl s attempt to make sense out of love. In this end, will Hannah go the whole way with the logic of her conclusions?”

I also had the chance to spend some time with my daughter and her boyfriend on Friday night, they came over to visit and it was such a wonderful treat to have them here, we didn’t do anything special just visited and watch some TV but it was WONDERFUL!  I loved seeing her and catching up with her. We talked about her recent trip to the beach, (wish I had pictures to show you but she hasn’t uploaded them yet) her work schedule, and just things going on in her life.  Then on Saturday night my son and his wife came over, actually we met for dinner and then came back to the house and just  chilaxed! It is one of the first times I have seen him since he got married and I loved having them here too.  I really do miss seeing my kids on a regular bases so it makes the time spent with them now even more precious.  They really made me one happy momma this weekend.  Thank you Wesley and Tori! 

I am suppose to have a lunch date with Tori and her boyfriend tomorrow, but other than that nothing is on the agenda.  Not really sure what this week holds in store.  I haven’t really kept up with my blogging or blog visiting, so I may try to catch up on some of that. Really need to scoot, want to spend some quiet time reading.  Hope you have a blessed  Monday!

Psalm 91:1“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

I gotta see this

how ‘bout you?

I just know it is going to be one of those feel good movies.  Sandra Bullock looks awesome in this movie.  Love her!  Release date is 11/20.

Now here is chick flick…gotta see this one too. 

Release date is 12/04.  I love anything that Meg Ryan is in. 

Happy Viewing,

Me

Wow what a wonderful weekend

I had a great weekend.  Family, great food, and great friends, who could ask for more than that, right?  My stepson and dil came into town late on Friday evening and it was great to see them.  We got to catch up with all that is going on with them.  They are the cutest little couple.  Unfortunately because of the distance we don’t get to see Michael’s children as often as we would like, so when we do, it is such a blessing and treat.

On Saturday, they had things they needed to do.  They actually came up here to buy a car.  So they had to scoot off to the dealership and hubby had to finish up some work at the office, so I headed into town to get my nails done and run a few errands, it was a nice morning, the sun was shining and it was picture perfect.  Once I finished with all my errands, I headed back home to rest before everyone got back home.  Little did I know that my hubby had planned a surprise birthday dinner for me.  (My birthday is Tuesday) So needless to say I was shocked when everyone started rolling in.  Glad I got that nap in.  :)  We had a Mexican fiesta, everything he made was scrumptious.  Everyone loved the food and had a great time. 

Sunday was a day of relaxing for me…I watched some football with my son for a bit and took another nap.  Spent some time reading and just hanging out with them.  The weather here was awesome, and so hubby worked in the yard.  Thinking that today, I should get out there and do some weeding in the flower beds and pots. 

I have been reading my blogroll this morning and I am so inspired to get to work on some projects, but think I had better make out a list if I want to get anything accomplished.  But it looks like today is going to be busy, busy, busy…so guess if I want to get anything done, I need to head off here and get at it. 

Have a Blessed Monday all,

Cindy

Aren't long weekends wonderful?

I am so happy to have this long weekend.  My Saturday was spent running around and having some fun.  My day started with running some unwanted yard  items ( old wicker chair and settee, trash cans, and misc things) to our city park.  Twice a year the city brings in trash trucks and dumpsters to the park to make getting rid of old, tired, worn, broken things easier for us instead of having to carry it all to the landfill.  We didn't have any little things this year, mainly bigger items so it didn't take us long.  So off we headed to rid ourselves of the unwanted baggage.

Then we were off to do some yard saling.  And yard saling we did.  We also traipsed through the craft fair at ColorFest.  We finally got back home around 2:30 and my body was aching from all the walking. So I took a little nap and headed out again, only to get back home with bags of goodies all over the place and no energy to put them away.  So that leads me to what I am going to be doing the rest of the weekend.

Now for my do-list for the next two days-

• Clean my kitchen (completely) wash down my cabinets and counters, clean out fridge, run dishwasher, possibly rearrange my countertops.
• Put goodies (from saturday away)find a home for all my little treasures
• Spend some time reading - Picked up some reading material last weekend and again this weekend.  One book for pleasure and one for a bible study.
• Complete some computer work- upload some pictures to the web, create a new banner for the holidays, to be used at a later time.  Work on organizing some of my computer files, etc.
• Bake- some pumpkin bread and possible make something using some of my apples.
• Cook- I am craving for some home cooking, I get tired of eating quick type meals. Hopefully I will have plenty of leftovers to carry to work this week.
• Get to the antique mall (I always like to check it out several times a month)
• Craft projects- I have several projects that I need to complete.  Get out the black spray paint. 

I am sure there is more, but most likely will not get all these accomplished.  But I hope I get most of them done.  What a awesome feeling it would be to go back to work with all that behind me. What are you working on this weekend?

Have a blessed Sunday!

Wedding plans

Hi Ladies, as you can see from the woman at the left she is relaxing in a nice hot bubble bath. Well that was me just a few minutes ago. This has been one busy week for me and hoping that this weekend will be one of productivity. I have lots I want to accomplish but not sure how far I will get. As Michael and I have lots on our plates at the moment.

First things first, I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentines Day. Mine was very nice, albeit Michael and I didn't get to really spend alot of quality time together we did manage to grab some Chinese food before heading to Tori's cheer competition. He also surprised me with a beautiful carat diamond heart necklace. It is full of baguettes and single stones. It just shimmers and glitters know matter which was you look at it. I was shocked. It is the most beautiful heart necklace I have ever seen. He felt bad, because he wanted to get me my engagement ring (I have a ring he gave me when he proposed, but he said it wasn't my real engagement ring)...which we have been looking at for awhile, a marquise, but just before he got it, he was called by his mother and she asked him if I would like to have her diamond set. As you all know she has terminal cancer and she has started dispersing her things. Can you say honored? I was in total shock as it is a gorgeous ring. So my engagement ring will be a band of diamonds that have been taken out of various jewelry that Michael's dad has given her over the years and put into one ring, with a big stone in the middle. Can't really describe it, it is very different. But I am so honored that she wanted me to have it. So now Michael and I need to get wedding bands that will compliment this ring. Because of his mom's health we decided we needed to get this wedding in motion so that she will still be able to travel and be there. This is something that is so important to us.

As most of you know, we are getting married, and we were planning on a wedding possibly in late spring, early summer, but with his moms health, everything is getting pushed up. As it looks now, it will most likely April 12th. He and I are taking a trip to Texas and Kentucky in two weeks just to check out venues, but I have the church in my hometown on reserve and have a paster that will perform it. But as much as I would like to get married there, it will be alot of work to do it long distance. Therefore we want to check out some venues in Nashville that will basically do everything. We want something simple but yet elegant. We are starting to put all the details together, but one of my main concerns now, is finding the perfect dress. I want something simple, but elegant as well. Looking for ivory or champagne color. But it is so hard to find. So guess I need to start hitting the bridal shops. So that is what I know for now, and will keep you up to date as things happen. The next six or eight weeks are going to be busy busy.

This morning has been a busy one for me...I have already unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, put dishes away and wiped down the stove, also cleaned down all the kitchen counters and cleaned up the clutter on the ground floor and my bedroom. Laundry has been sorted and ready for washing. Michael went through all the hotspots on the tables of mounds of mail and trashed most of it. I also got the kitchen and family room floors sweeped and mopped. Now the rugs need to be vacuumed. So basically all the general cleaning has been done, and it now gives me time to work on some projects that I have listed that need to be done over the course of the next three days. Looking forward to this extra day off this weekend. I want to spend time with my blogs and new cooking blog this weekend, as well as more time with my Household Management Binder and Prayer Journal.

I am going to try to get around to visit with all my buddies this weekend too. Just haven't had much online computer time this week, so hope to make up for that this weekend.


Hope you all are having a great weekend.
God Bless!

It's almost bed time

and I have everything done for the night...not bad and it's 8:00 so might get lights out on time. Let me first thank you all for remembering Michael and his mom in your prayers. All I can say is Michael has felt it this visit with his mom. He said they have had an incredible visit and she is dealing with things in a very realistic manner. I haven't spoken to him today for more than 10 minutes, but I am sure I will talk to him tonight before I go to sleep. All that I have gotten so far, is that she had her first chemo treatment yesterday and whatever oral medication they are giving her she didn't get nauseated. She felt good when she got home....only tired. They apparently sat up and talked most of the night away. Michael was up at 3:30 yesterday morning,so he was running on very low energy by the time he hit the pillow. Anyhow, he didn't expect her to get up this morning, he expected her to sleep in and she ended up getting up and they had another good visit. So from what I gather, this has been a wonderful trip for him and his parents. Please remember him in prayer tomorrow (Friday) as he is flying back home. I can't tell you how truly happy I am that he got this time and it has gone well.

Last night I didn't do a whole lot, just mainly spent some time surfing the net and reading my new book. I started a new book called "The Bishops Daughter" by Wanda Brunstetter. It is really good. It is the last in a three series collection. I also took a leisurelly bath....Calgon, take me away. It was so relaxing, I just lounged with all the bubbles and my favorite soaps. Then climbed into my bed with sweet smell of "Sleep Pillow Mist" by Bath and Body Works. If you haven't tried it, you must. It is heavenly. Love it! Derek and Nikki gave me that in one of my Christmas packages. Definitely something that I hope they keep in their line.


Tori is in Driving class this week. It's a two week class that is required by the state of Maryland you have before you are allowed to get your license. It is from 6:30-9:30 M-F for two weeks. She has one more class tomorrow night. I had to run out last night after nine to get her and by the time I got home it was nearing 10:00. So needless to say I was worried about not getting enough sleep last night....but gratefully God answered my prayers, and when the alarm when off
this AM I bounced out of bed all bright eyed and bushied tail.....well that might be a little much but you get my drift. Anyhow, God truly blessed me today with my energy level. Thank you Jesus!


Today I added a new little feature to my blog...did you see it? I added the Amazon wish list. Mainly so when kids or Michael or Mom or anyone says what would you like to have...I can point them right there. One feature that it has that I really like, is you can hide if it has been bought for your birthday or valentines, mother's day, etc. Kinda kewl....that way it stays a surprise. This is one of my wish list. I have another one for my homemaking wants. A girl can never go wrong with books right? I just wish I had more time to read. At the moment, I probably have 10 that I want to get too. All in due time.


Well ladies, tomorrow is another day and I need to scoot, At the moment, I am at peace, my home is clean, my mind is cleaned out of the clutter, and my heart is full. Call me blessed.

God Bless!

P.S. Hope to make some updates to the HomeMaking Blog this weekend. Thanks to those that left me a little note or emailed me. :)

My Lazy Sunday!

Hi ya!
This young lady to my left was me today. I was out for a bit today and I was sporting my cool rays. Not to be cool, but because I needed them. It was rather cold today but the sun was shining so bright. It was gorgeous. The weather man called for snow today but so far we haven't gotten anything. Really hoping that we don't. I have already asked Michael if it does, if he could take me into work tomorrow. Between the weather and the darkness, I would prefer not to drive. So I am sure that Michael is hoping that it doesn't snow, cause I am sure he really would rather not have to leave the house in the AM at 4:30.


We are sitting here watching the Dallas game. Me and Michael and my boys. They really aren't Dallas fans, but their teams are already out of the playoffs. I am really hoping that they win this game. I would love to see them go to the super bowl...but one game at a time.

I ended up being a very lazy today, well I don't like to think of it that way but decided to give myself a "ME" day . I spent my morning in my jammies and sipping coffee. What a treat that was. I was debating on doing some things on my to do list ( I got through most of my chore list I made for this weekend,yesterday) but decided those other things could wait. So Michael and I decided to get up and get ourselves ready and go out, granted I had long, hot, steamy bubble bath first. After our Monday excursion to the Antique Mall in Ellicot City, we headed to another one in Emmitsburg. We had a great time, just roaming around the mall looking. Sometimes I get in there, and I just daydream, or spend time visiting times past. I didn't find anything that I couldn't live without, but Michael picked up a few things for his son-in-a-law. So it was just another great day sharing time together and laughing. And he does make me laugh.

Going to have to get myself ready for the new week here in a bit, but still gotta do my bible reading for today.

I know this isn't much of a post, but wanted to make a small one before the hectic week started just in case I can't get back here for a few days. I hope you all have a great week.