Pet of the week, Snoopy

Snoopy is this week's pet. Animal Planet has a interesting quote about this breed, "Though they have a bad rap, these animals are eager to please, loving, and intelligent." What is the breed? Pit Bulls.

According to the Snoopy's caregiver, Snoopy is a very obedient pet. All pets without exception need, obedience training and supervision.  Always remember, dogs are still animals. 

Even gentle dogs may at times act out of character. Jackson, my sweet Golden Retriever actually snapped at a man and took a bite at his jacket.  What was weird... it was so unprovoked. 

 Pit Bulls are ready to be rescued at our local animal shelter. The Human Society provides extensive background information. 

Special thanks to Jo for taking and sharing this picture! 

Community and solitude ... a balance

  “Let him who cannot be alone beware of community … Let him who is not in community beware of being alone… Each by itself has profound perils and pitfalls. One who wants fellowship without solitude plunges into the void of words and feelings, and the one who seeks solitude without fellowship perishes in the abyss of vanity, self-infatuation and despair.”Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Bonhoeffer's classic book, Life Together is important food for thought as Christians  seek to live a life together in the Word.

I savor time alone and with others.
 Earlier this evening, I joined other women as we discussed this
week's Bible Study.

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

A local restaurant has added Avocado Toast to their menu. It is not your average whole wheat breakfast toast. With the addition of an avocado topping, this toast is delicious.

Monday Musings

What you don't know can hurt you. That is why health screenings are vital because they often are able to detect abnormalities in their early stages.

Sometimes we have to be brave, call a doctor and make an appointment. After procrastinating for weeks, I decided to face my fears and schedule my colonoscopy. Screenings are important for individuals who are identified specific changes.  In addition, this screening is recommended for individuals who are over the age of fifty.

No matter the age, if someone we know notices changes in some area of their life, we can encourage them to see a doctor. 

It is better to know what is happening in our bodies.

Sunday Scripture

"I will love You, O LORD, my
strength.
The LORD is my rock and my 
fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength,
in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my 
salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the LORD,
who is worthy to be praised;
So I shall be save from my 
enemies. 
Psalm 18: 1 -3 

Pet of the week, Guapo...

Guess where I met this week's pet? In the neighborhood? Around town? At a local dog park? 
 No... do you give up?

It was in the hotel lobby at a Marriott hotel in Omaha, Nebraska. This hotel accommodates pets who are trained to give medical assistance to their companions.

Guapo is this week's pet. Guapo means handsome in Spanish. Special thanks to Guapo's owner who gave permission for me to take his picture. I am sorry I did not capture her beautiful face. 

Safe place

" God wills us to grow in grace and joy"

J.I. Packer

 If the weather is cool, I like to spend a portion of my morning outside studying the Bible. Most often,  you will find me at the kitchen table. This quiet time sets the tenor of my day. 

While I love my quiet time, I love studying the Bible in a small group even more. I think my joy is multiplied when I hear what God is doing in the lives of my friends.  

Our faith in God grows. We feel free to be honest with ourselves and others. It is a safe place. 

Is this an example of growing in grace and joy? I think so. 

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

Are you enjoying some of this year’s summer vegetables? Have you tried any new recipes? What are some of your family favorites? 

The August issue of Cooking Light magazine may be an excellent source for new recipes.  Over the weekend, I tried this recipe, grilled bean and cheese stuffed poblanos.  While I did use the poblanos peppers, I also used yellow and orange bell peppers. Tomorrow evening, I will try another recipe, Mango and Tomato Salad Cups. It looks easy and tasty. 

Tip to myself ... make sure you have all
of the seeds removed from the poblanos pepper.

Sunday Scripture

“Make it your goal to live a quiet life,

minding your own business and working with your hands,

just as we instructed you before. Then people

who are not believers will respect the way you live,

and you will not need to depend on others.”

I Thessalonians 4:11 -12 NLT

Saturday evening

"Mosquito is out,
it's the end of day;
She's humming and hunting
her evening away.
Who knows why such hunger
arrives on such wings
at sundown? 
I guess it's the nature of things."

Midsummer Night Itch
N.M. Boedecker

Pets of the week, Titus and Claudia

Currently the St. Louis Cardinals have the best record in baseball. If you are a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, I image you are  enjoying this time of year. 

Titus and Claudia are the pets of the week. These Golden Retrievers are gorgeous!

Special thanks to this loyal St. Louis Cardinal fan for allowing me to take this picture.
Titus is on the left, while Claudia is on the right. 

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

“We all eat, and it would be sad to waste of opportunity to eat badly.”

Anna Thomas

Our friend Lisa never wastes an opportunity to share gracious hospitality and delicious meals.   Lisa is an incredible hostess.  Her table settings and meals are inspiring. I always leave her home inspired.

Here are a few pictures from three days ago.   Tim and Lisa, thank you for your warm welcome, delicious food, and interesting conversation!

Two beautiful friends .... both named Lisa. 

Lisa has an incredible spoon collection.
This is only a small portion of the spoons displayed
in her dining room.

Monday Musings

“Every house where love abides and friendship is a guest is surely a home, and home, sweet home, for there the heart can rest."

Henry van Dyke

Once a year visits are treasured.  It is preciously because they happen once a year that they are so meaningful. Prior to our visits, we email, text, schedule, plan, and anticipate.

This summer, our vacation began near our home with breakfast at First Watch with friends from Texas.

Traveling west, our next stop is in St. Louis where we visit my brother in laws and their wives. Overnight in St. Louis, we enjoy rest.

In the morning, we continue traveling west; we will enjoy lunch with friends in Kansas.   
What makes are visits so treasured? Love. We dearly love our family and friends. 
At each visit, we receive such a warm welcome.