Tasty Tuesday

Our granddaughter's cups.
 New packaging prevents many spills.

"When the milk is splattered all over the floor, and those little eyes are looking for your reaction, remember what really matters. It take 5 minutes to clean up spilled milk. It takes much longer to clean up a broken spirit."

Rebecca Eanes

Monday Musings ...

" A good snapshot stops a moment from running away." 

Eudora Welty

gentleness

"Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4: 4 - 7  (NIV)

Pet of the week, Linus

The pet of the week is Linus. He was adopted from the Humane Society. Linus enjoys taking walks, napping on his favorite ottoman, and playing with his toy rope.  Linus fits right in his new home.

Special thanks to Sister Taylor, my friend  and prayer partner for sharing the information . Also, special thanks to her son Josiah for taking this picture.

Friendship Friday

How do neighbors become friends? Does the friendship begin when you introduce yourself? Maybe it begins with a small gift to new neighbors.

I think our friendship began with  muffins and scones. Two little girls knocked on our door to share some delicious scones. I think that was the beginning ...

Over then next few months, "T" daughters would share treats that they baked. On a few occasions, we  visited one another's home and enjoyed meals. We often had conversations in our driveways.  Some of the things I treasured most are the spontaneous invitations to come over and visit.

The one constant in life is change. Later this year, our neighbors will move.  I will miss our conversations, text messages,  and of course scones.

"Depth of friendship does not depend on length of acquaintance."

Tagore 

While 'T' daughters were at camp with grandparents ...
We enjoyed a visit this summer.  

Thrifty Thursday

I need to remind myself  of this every day... use  time wisely. We can recoup after financial mistakes.  We are  never able to recover lost time. Once time is gone, it is gone forever. Invest  time in things that have eternal benefits.  People and God's Word. 

"Time is free

but it's priceless.

You can't own it,

but you can use it.

You can't keep it

but you can spend it.

Once you lost it

you can never get it back."

Harvey McKay 

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

Little One's First Birthday Celebration

Birthday Brunch Menu

Chilled Water

Orange Juice

Bagels

Waffles & Sausage

Birthday Cake

Birthday Pop Cake

Yes, it tasted as good as it looked. 

Monday Musings ...

"When a child is born, so are grandmothers.

Judith Levy 

On July 18th, we celebrated the birthday of our first  grandchild. Last Saturday, we joined together with 'R's parents, grandfathers, grandmother, aunt, and friends to celebrate this  birthday. The celebration began with a birthday brunch. This celebration was complete with  all the trappings of balloons, streamers, party favors, cake, ice cream, music and games.

As I reflect from last year,  I remember those first days after 'R' arrival. The days were a blur of activity.  Over the course of the year, we have cherished every milestone.  Technology has allowed us to see "R" sit up, witness her first attempts at crawling, walking, and so many more events documented with pictures.

Before she made her entrance into the world, we prayed for her. We thank God for her. Life is a gift from God.
Here she is playing with one of her birthday gifts.

Friendship Friday

I have a long list of things I love about summer ... lemonade, fireflies, ice tea, road trips, ice cream, peach soda, sunflowers, hummingbirds, cantaloupe, fireworks, hot dogs, hamburgers, picnics, road trips, family reunions, Vacation Bible School, longer days, warm weather, summer reading list, days at the pool, shorts, smiles,  and most of all...
My Summer Bible Study Friends ...

I trust this verse describes  from Proverbs 27:17 describes our friendship:
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
We gain insight, strength, and wisdom as we sing, study, and pray together.

This summer we are studying,
entrusted
A Study of 2 Timothy 
a Beth Moore study

Thrifty Thursday

"Industry, thrift,  and self-control are not sought after because they create wealth, 

but because they create character."

Calvin Coolidge

Tasty Tuesday

When friends have been married for fifty years, they have to celebrate with a special cake.
This cake was modeled after the cake they had at their wedding reception
fifty years ago.

Monday Musings ...

One book club member
 suggested this book.
This book published was
in the 1930's! 

"There are perhaps no days of our childhood we lived so fully as those we spent with a favorite book."
Quote from The Book That Matters Most page 8

Indeed, there is something sweet about lingering over the pages of a favorite book. When our childhoods are shaped by the love of books it may foster a lifelong love or learning and reading.

This morning, members of the Morning Edition Book Club gathered to recommend some of their favorite books. It was interesting that some of the members recommended a childhood favorite.   It was a lovely morning as we each shared some of the books that have shaped our lives.

My favorite recommendation this year... Bob Goff's Book Everybody Always: Becoming Love in a World full of Setbacks and Difficult People.
What book would you suggest?

Pet of the week, Oliver

Looking at Oliver's face makes me want to smile. He looks so serious! Plus, he is so stinking cute. At our brief encounter, he was friendly and very curious. He did not follow any command to sit down. He wanted me to pet him. I did.
Enjoy your weekend. Stay cool.

Friendship Friday

"Sweet friendship refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy,
for good friends are like the anointing oil
that yields fragrance of God's presence."
Proverbs 27:9

Carolyn and I friends  are from Bible Study Fellowship.
Then, we become exercise buddies.
It is was a joy to have a short visit on a hot summer day.
She is dear to me! 

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday ... Portland Lobster Co.

This is how they define their company, "We are committed to serving the freshest Maine seafood ingredients, all locally sourced and organic whenever possible. We offer the very best casual dockside dining experience and harbor view of Portland."

In May of this year, the Phoenix voted this restaurant the Best Lobster Roll and  the Best Bar/Patio and Best Waterfront Dining.

What did we think of our dining experience? It was delicious.

Monday Musings ... family

“Families are the compass that guide us.  That guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.”

Brad Henry 

My family serves as an inspiration to me. Those of us who are fortunate to have aunts, cousins, and friends in their seventies, eighties, and nineties. We have access to their treasure of wisdom from their years of living. 

Some of the most valuable lessons I have learned are when family members share stories.  Now, we have an opportunity to sit quietly and listen. Being available is a gift. 

Wisdom's Call

Proverbs 8: 1 – 12

“Does not wisdom call out?

Does not understanding raise her voice?

At the highest point along the way,

where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

beside the gate leading into the city,

at the entrance, she cries out aloud:

To you, O people, I call out;

I raise my voice to all mankind.

You who are simple, gain prudence;

you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.

Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;

I open my lips to speak what is right,

My mouth speaks what is true,

for my lips detest wickedness.

All the words of my mouth are just;

none of them is crooked or perverse.

To the discerning all of the are right;

they are upright to those who found

knowledge.

Choose my instruction instead of silver,

knowledge rather than choice gold,

for wisdom is more precious that rubies,

and nothing you desire can compare with her.

I wisdom, dwell together with prudence;

I possess knowledge and discretion. “ 

Freedom and opportunity

"May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please,

but as the opportunity to do what is right."

Peter Marshall

Tasty Tuesday ... Common Man

The Common Man is a restaurant in Concord, New Hampshire. It is a delightful little place. As we waiting for the server to take our order, we admired the decor. We thought, this is a quaint historical building.

Everywhere we looked, we saw interesting artifacts. We tried to  guess what was the original purpose of this building. We looked at old farm tools, quilts, wooden beams, and the large planks for the hardwood floor.

We asked the manager, tell us the history of this building. He smiled, "This is an old Howard Johnson Motel. The owner purchased items to replica an old farmhouse."

We smiled.

It looks like a Hostess Cupcake.
It is not. On the menu it is listed as a
Chocolate Ding Dang Dong
It is a chocolate sponge cake, layered with silky chocolate filling
and covered with chocolate ganache.
It was served with freshly- whipped cream.
They did not list the calorie count. 

Monday Musings ... Road Trips

"Road trips are the equivalent of human wings. Ask me to go on one, anywhere. We'll stop in every small town and learn history and stories, feel the ground and capture the spirit. The we'll turn it into our own story that will live inside our history to carry with us, always. Because stories are more important than things."
Victoria Erickson

One of the many rest areas where we stopped. 

We are looking back on June's long road, now we are looking forward to another road trip. In June, we traveled over 2,000 miles. We stayed overnight in New York, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. We enjoyed gorgeous views, delicious meals, and crazy spontaneous conversations. 
It was a wonderful experience.   Yet ...

At one point, I turned to "J" and said, I'm ready to go home.   He smiled, "You don't want to see our friends?" I hesitated and said... yes. I am glad we finished the fabulous road trip. 

It is so good to be home.