Memories

In light of trying to simply my life, I have been going through and de-cluttering my closets and cubby holes. Isn't this what you do in January???! Anyway, I was in our little shed, and popped off the top of a container. In it was forgotten items that I had taken from my mothers home after she passed. I brought them inside to unpack, and memories of past times started to surface, which caused my thoughts to drift to unhappy occasions. I realized that you can really sink low if you choose to dwell on bad moments or unkind words....mmm. After all, you can't go back and change it, but I can change. Eh?

Most of these items were glassware, so I carefully washed them with hot soapy suds and chose to remember the good times and used the art of understanding- lacing it with wisdom - to choose the better memories. My father used to be a barber, so straight razors I have. A pair of my fathers eye glasses made me smile. I hope my son will be willing to have them as to remember his grandfather.

You can't change the past, things said or done, but you can choose to have understanding and ask for wisdom, to forgive.

Which all of this brings me to: Wow- I am the "adult" now. Well, I have been an adult for a long time! Well I mean that hopefully, I will be looked up to for wisdom, advise and unconditional love. I hope that I can deliver with Gods help!

"In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, concerning you." 2 Thessalonians 5:18.

After the hoopla

After our family flew the friendly skies to Boston for other visits, we took off for Asheville North Carolina to see the Biltmore Mansion by candle light. You could not take pictures inside, but I will try to give you some insights for your imagination! It was suprisingly warm inside this fortress of stone. Candles were blazing here and there as you walked into the entry. Carolers sang old fashioned songs in beautiful harmony. The tour was self guided so we passed thru the many rooms. What made a most grand impression was the formal dining room, with three fireplaces blazing at one end of the room, and a 40 foot decorated Christmas tree at the other end. Very romantic. On that note, here is my romantic hubby!

Fun in the sun! You could feel a little warmth!

The Hills are clothed with gladness. Psalm 65:12. Yes how serene and beautiful this was but bitterly cold. This vista is what the Vanderbilts viewed outside of their home.

Locals told us it was unseasonably cold for them for this time of year. Oh well. We made the best, bundled up and drank alot of coffee :).

I never pass up spending time with my hubby as he is the love of my life!

If you ever get the urge, North Carolina is a nice place to visit in the fall.

May He (God) give you the desire of your heart, and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4.

Fun times, happy faces, local places. We start with a wedding, ending with Christmas!

John and Sarah's wedding.

Christmas at Disney World.

Kennedy Space Center. Erik had alot to grin about!

Caroling on my back porch. Wonderful time!

Christmas Eve happy faces.

Christmas happy face morning!

Christmas Day gals and guys.

Remember: happiness keeps you sweet, trials keep you strong.

The Family Visit

It was finally time for a visit from Anna, Stephen and the boys. Anna and the boys came mid November and Stephen came around December 10th. Here are a few pictures while they were here and places we went!

Jayden was staying the weekend so he joined in on the fun! We visited Oldmar Park and the boys had a blast. Their first thing on the agenda was to play with the dryer!

Happy Birthday Jayden!

We celebrated Jayden's 4th birthday on November 29th. He reminds me of my son when he was growning up.

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR........

This is the time of year when families meet together. Our family is everywhere but Tampa, so Jim and I have our two grandsons and daugher-in-law with us from Maritius. We look forward to their visits as we do not see them on a regular basis. The boys are very active so day care was an important choice to keep their minds and bodies occupied! Here are a few pictures with Erik, Isak and Jayden at the Oldsmar Park.

"The sweetest love is that which is neither sought nor deserved." Nothing touches my heart more, when a child comes up with a big smile and says -I love you- or wants to curl up in your lap with a hugh hug! Proverbs 17:6 says: "Children's children are a crown to the aged..." mmmmm - that would be my grandkids?? Yeah!

How is your heart?

Definition of rich: "having more than I need." After I heard my pastor speak about responding to the poor, I knew that I had to contribute to our new pantry at Grace Family Church. This is to feed the local community that may not have enough to eat due to this recession. But mostly, in my heart, it is the right thing to do. Not just in this holiday season, but all year long. I thank God that He is speaking to our pastor in ways that will reach out to the hurting.

How about you? Can you bring extra to your church's food pantry? My challenge to you is to bring at least three items (canned or boxed) this week to your service. For Grace Family, take it to the Guest Relations booth, and advise it is for the food pantry! But the extra challenge is to pray for the people who receive the food that God will move and bring help to them.

For those with more than enough to share, how about turkeys and hams to Metropolitan Ministries? Bless you as you bless others!

"All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need." Acts 2:44-45.

For the love of Acadia

I just wanted to express my love for this part of the country. Acadia National Park, Maine. This is where we wanted to see the fall colors with our friends from Seattle Washington. We stayed in a town called Bar Harbor. At low tide, you can walk across the "bar" to a small island, hike up the hill and look back to the town. Great spot to take a picture...unless you didn't check the tide chart! The water was coming in fast and we escaped without having to swim to shore.....a good laugh! We wanted our friend to experience "The Beehive" hike first, which is shown behind us in the pic, just as a warm up before venturing to the Precipice Trail. The views are spectacular from the top and you can almost touch heaven...more pics follow. Almost there! You had help with iron ladders and rungs to hoist yourself along the way. When I am climbing, I "know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His." Psalm 100:3. We are staying at this b&b. My hubby found it a few years ago and fell in love with the inn and the owners. They are wonderful people and make you feel like family. You can check out their site: http://www.hearthsideinn.com/
I recommend this place in Bar Harbor, Maine! They cook breakfast for you that is out of this world and make reservations at restaurants when you ask, and recommend places to see and do. Thank you Barry and Susan!

The next day we rode bicycles on the Rockefeller carriage trails in the park. We had a blast and stopped for lunch at Jordan Pond. We ate Lobster Stew and Seafood Stew with their famous popovers. Yummy. Then we hiked up the "Bubbles" for a view of the ocean and rode back to town. We had a full day and loved every minute of it!

The next day we headed for the "Precipice Trail." With our lunch from the Morning Glory Cafe in town and our huge cookies, we set out for this awsome climb. "A mans wisdom gives him patience."Proverbs 19:11. And you should have patience climbing this mountain!

After that great hike, we showered and headed to Lundt's Lobster Pound. Steve and Teresa tried their first whole lobster. Not for the faint of heart!

After 4 days in Acadia, we left for New Hampshire to drive on the Kangamangus Highway. The leaves were golden and the air crisp with a dusting of snow at the highest elevation.

Franconia Notch was our next stop. This is "The Flume."
Someone had to do it! After another great day in the cold autumn air, we headed south to Boston Massachussetts. We followed the Freedom Trail to glean some history of our past. This fellow citizen headed up the tour! We met Jim's son for dinner and caught up on his ventures.
It was absolutely freezing and I was frozen at the end of the tour! I cannot remember half of what he told us but there were many brave men and women who stood up for what was right and is still an example for us today. Our next stop was the Plimothe Plantation which shows how the pilgrims lived during their first years here in America. I enjoyed this very much.
The life was harsh, but that was what they only knew, cooking over a fire, gathering wood, trying to exist in the freedom they had heard about....
Well, here is my pilgrim!
We stopped by the Mayflower replica but I was too cold to get a good picture of it, but I snapped a painting of that small ship that sailed to America.
I hope you enjoyed our journey and hope to inspire you to create your own.