Wordless Wednesday

... good, pleasing, and perfect will.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

Romans 12” 1 - 2 ( NIV)

Friendship Friday

This picture is from April of 2017. I attended a bridal shower.
What a joy to listen to sister stories!  On the left of is the aunt of the bride.
On the right is the grandmother of the bride.
"T" and "J" are sweet sisters. 

"There is no friend
like a sister in calm or
stormy weather;
To cheer one on the tedious way,
to fetch one if one goes astray,
to lift one if one totters down,
to strengthen whilst one stands."
Chistina Rossetti

A change of address

"Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don't you believe  a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will have just changed my address. 

I have gone into the presence of God."

Billy Graham 

1918 - 2018

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

It was love at first sight! What am I talking about? Shopping at William and Sonoma. The store is gorgeous. Eye candy everywhere.   

My purchases from William -Sonoma have always been online. Shopping in the store is absolutely the best experience. You will find experienced personnel that will be excited to assist you.  Classes? Check them out when you visit. 


I appreciate this quote from Julia Child  "... no one is born a great cook, one learns by doing."

Click here to check out their website: William-Sonoma

Monday Musing ... motherhood

"A mother's joy begins when a new life is stirring inside ... when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone. "
unknown

I image every mother may cherish specials memories of her pregnancy. Some of us remember praying, hoping and waiting in joyful anticipation of the baby's arrival.  One acquaintance is looking forward to the arrival of her baby this spring.

Do you enjoy listening to stories of expectant mothers? I do!  I tend to listen and not offer any unsolicited advice.  There is something about the bond of motherhood that brings women together.

"B" is expecting her second child this  spring.
I am a patron at the salon where she is a stylist.
Pretty Pregnancy. 

Just saying ...

Friendship

Do you have some theory about how your friendships have developed?

Well, Aristotle put friendships into categories.  Ruth Scurr shared that “Aristotle divided friendships into three types, according to whether it was motivated by utility, pleasure or virtue. In his, “ Theory of Moral Sentiments”. (1759) Adam Smith claimed that only the last of these three deserved “the sacred and venerable name of friendship.”

 We (my husband and I) include “Jo” is in the category of friends that are like family. Over the years, she helped at our anniversary party, attended countless dinners at our home, laughed over meals at restaurants, attended church together, luncheons, fashion shows, NSBE conventions, and so goes the list.

We have prayed for her and prayed with her.

Jo is more than a friend; she is like family to us.

Jo is such a cutie. Plus she is so intelligent. Here she is preparing
to teach Sunday School to 3 and 4 year old children. 

... the power of connection

"Every child deserves a champion - an adult who will never give up  on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be."
Rita Pierson

Teachers are often have the power of connection to their students. In a teacher's classroom, they have the power and ability to instruct, inspire, direct, challenge and encourage.

My friend, Mrs. Young was that connection for her students. After a long career of teaching, she continued a difference in her retirement as  a tutor with Read to Succeed.
Mrs. Young was a loving mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, teacher and friend.

At her funeral, we celebrated her faith in Jesus. We will miss her presence at the 8:00 a.m. worship service.  Praying God will comfort her family.

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

“Good Food is healthy food. Food is supposed to sustain you so you can live better not so you can eat more. Some people eat to live and some people live to eat.”

Yolanda Adams

Last Tuesday’s Cooking Light Luncheon had a Valentine Theme. Our hostess wowed us with a lovely table setting.  Susan always pays careful attention to each detail when she hosts. Last Tuesday was no exception. Look at this table setting, her flowers, flatware, and how she skillfully formed napkins in the shape of a heart.

As always, I think the best part of our time together… our conversation over the meal.

Of the course the meal was simply delicious!

February Cooking Light Luncheon

Menu
Chilled Water

Carrot Citrus Crush Drink

Appetizer

Creamy Turmeric Cauliflower Soup

Roasted Pork Lion Stuffed with Prosciutto

Broccoli Salad

Lemon Orange Orzo

Chocolate Almond Gateau

After our meal, Susan shared the history of the china.
I think I might have been nervous, if I had known the history of this pottery. 

Monday Musings ...

"Be with someone who always wants to know how your day was."

Unknown

Oh the depth of the riches

“Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom

and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments,

and his paths beyond tracing out!

Who has known the mind of the LORD?

Or who has been his counselor?

Who had ever given to God,

That God should repay them?”

For from him and through him and for him

are all things.

To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Romans 11: 33 – 36 (NIV)

...God's love

"I am convinced that nothing  can ever  separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither our fears for today, nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8: 38 - 39 ( New Living Translation)

Pets of the week

Special thanks to my friend Nancy for sharing pictures of these precious dogs. Daisy is her sweet Labrador.  This picture is priceless. Daisy welcomed the other dogs over the holidays in 2017. They are so well-behaved!

Starting from the left: Harper, Lucy, Daisy, Della and Deacon.

February Friendships

Southern Living Magazine  has offered Five Things to do with Friends this February You might  consider choosing one or two from the list.

1. Wear Red on the first Friday in February.  This is event is in partnership with the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Did you know that Heart Disease  is the # 1 Killer of Women? The article also offers heart healthy activities for friends. 
2. Share a King Cake with your girlfriends. Enjoy lunch with friends on Madri Gras (Fat Tuesday) For dessert, you might enjoy a slice of a King Cake. 
3. Celebrate Friendships - Send Valentine Cards to your buddies. 
4. Hit the Road for a girls trip down south. 
5. New Year's Resolutions. Choose a small doable resolution with one or two friends. I'm thinking about hosting a craft day for friends.   

Februrary

On the wind in February
Snowflakes float still
Half inclined to turn to rain
Nipping, dripping, chill

Christina Georgina Rossetti - "A Year's Windfalls" 1866