America's Hope

If my people, which are called by my name, 

shall humble themselves, 

and pray, 

and seek my face, 

and turn from their wicked ways; 

then will I hear from heaven, 

and will forgive their sin, 

and will heal their land.

II Chronicles 7:14

Love Lily

 Lily

2001 - 2013

. . .  the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away;
blessed be the name of the Lord.

Job 1:21b

Celebrating a special day

We celebrated my aunt's special day with cake, ice cream, movies, projects, and not one, but two, special shopping trips to the fabric store, where the Lord blessed her with a special treat . . .  just about everything was on sale!

(The celebration lasted for more than one day! :))

(I saw Alicia's pretty welcome banner in this post and was inspired to make a birthday banner that we hung on the guest room mantel.)

This is the day which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Scenes from Christmas past

The Lord blessed us with beauty this past Christmas,

and I am grateful.

Red "silk" roses adorned our wreath.

(A simple imitation of Lanier's beautiful wreath, seen here.)

The tree twinkled (literally!) with new lights.

New-to-us lamps lit the mantel.

A petite tree shone a welcome in the guest room.

. . . whatsoever things are lovely, . . . think on these things.

Philippians 4:8

Autumn domesticity

This past Saturday, the weather was just right for line-drying some of my favorite wool afghans and two of my mother's new-to-her tablecloths. 

Our clothesline runs between two pecan trees, which are now yielding their fruit, so I also spent some pleasant time beginning the harvest.

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Genesis 8:22

The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Psalm 126:3

"His Word my hope secures"



"The Lord has promis'd good to me,
His word my hope secures;"

(from Amazing Grace by John Newton)

 

 

And blessed is she that believed:

for there shall be a performance of those things

which were told her from the Lord. 

Luke 1:45

A little spring-ish luxury

On a Sunday afternoon earlier this spring, I pulled one of my favorite "list" books off the shelf.  I don't think I've tried the recipes in Chin Deep in Bubbles by Melissa Placzek, but her lists are charming . . .  like "Good Deeds," "Good Books For Your Quiet Time," and lists of "Little Luxuries" for each of the seasons. 
I turned to the spring list (page 101) for a bit of inspiration and found this little luxury suggested . . .   

* "Using 'Nantucket Briar' drawer liner paper by 'Crabtree & Evelyn.'"

Now, that made me smile, because we'd gotten *this* at the Thrift Store not so very long ago . . . 

With thanks to my heavenly Father,

. . . the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

I Timothy 6:17b

 

Who once again, had already provided for my enjoyment!

 

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer;

and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Isaiah 65:24