Wednesday in the Word

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
    and the pleasantness of a friend
    springs from their heartfelt advice.

Proverbs 27:8

I love my friends...xo

Sunday morning...

my favorite scripture.

Well, hello Sunday morning...

It's been a while since I've been here...our internet was down and posting from a phone or tablet is just too tedious. So...I took a break.

It was good...it encouraged me to get up off my butt, get out of the house and go for a few walks. I have been making excuses as to why I can't exercise...no time, no exercise clothes, old shoes that cause shin splints...yada yada yada...blah blah blah.

Last Saturday I was going to go buy good walking shoes and a few pair of yoga pants (nope, I don't own one single pair) because I kept saying, "I need {fill in the blank} before I can exercise." But then it's like a voice inside my head said, "What you need to do is quit making excuses and for a dang walk."

So, I did. In jeans and my ratty shoes. And it felt good.
And the next day? I did it again.

I know. It's two walks. Big deal. But you have to start somewhere. And I did. Granted, I haven't walked since Monday evening (which actually makes three walks last week), but hey, the World Series is on and MY TEAM is playing! I'm sure I'm burning calories yelling at the TV and pacing the living room floor!

This is my plan...I'm going to walk regularly, 3-5 times a week, as time and life permits...and take one or two yoga classes per week. I need to get healthy. And strengthen this body of mine. I figure if Joyce Meyer can start at 60-something, I can certainly start at 40-something. ;)

Maybe I can squeeze in a walk today between seeing Seth off to school (yes, he was home for the weekend...my mama's heart is happy) and tonight's game.

Enjoy your Sunday...xo

Wednesday in the Word

You’re blessed when you stay on course,

    walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
You’re blessed when you follow his directions,
    doing your best to find him.

Psalm 119:1-2

I went to bible study last night. I love this group of women...what a crazy mix of ladies from all walks of life. We laugh, we cry, we share, we pray, (we eat!)...it's good. 

Last night we read Psalm 119 out loud, The Message version. Can I just tell you...it was powerful? Man...God's word never fails. Ever. 

I will tell you, Psalm 119 is long. Really long. And if you look at it, you might talk yourself out of reading it, like I've done on a few occasions. But now that I've read it, I'm so glad that I did. 

I want to encourage you to take a bit of time to read it, too. Make a cup of something nice to drink, quiet yourself and read it yourself. You will be blessed...I promise.

This weekend couldn't have come at a better time...

AT&T Park...home of the SF Giants

I took this photo when I went to a game with a friend a couple of weeks ago...this view, this stadium, this scoreboard...it literally makes me happy. AT&T Park is amazing...and when I'm there I feel happy and carefree and...hungry.

I usually get a thing of nachos (with extra jalapenos!) because they're inexpensive and tasty...and that leaves room for the real reason I go to Giants games...the Ghirardelli hot fudge sundaes! I kid...I go to cheer on my Giants...but the promise of a hot fudge sundae doesn't hurt, either. And they're huge, so I usually share. Usually.

Speaking of the Giants...we're heading to mom and dad's later today to watch the game. I'm looking forward to that...I need a change of scenery...and mom and dad's house will be good for the soul. Melodramatic? Maybe. But it's been a rough week. Let's just say, this weekend couldn't get here fast enough.

As usual, I'm moving slow this morning. But I gotta get going soon...I have a 10:30 appointment to get my brows waxed, then a stop at the grocery store, then home to whip up a batch of baked beans to take to mom and dad's.

How about you? Any big plans for today? Are you a baseball fan? Will you be watching the game?

It's Friday!

Don't you just love Snoopy? Me, too.

Happy Friday!

"Just let your pile of good things grow."

Life is happening. And it's happening fast. And it's happening whether we are paying attention, or not. The days can seem monotonous...get up, get dressed, go to work, come home, cook dinner, go to bed. Lather, rinse, repeat.

But in between all of that so many good things are happening. Like eating ice cream and laughing so hard we cry (and maybe even pee a little!). Watching sunsets and taking long drives to nowhere just to enjoy the view. Smiling at strangers and offering a helping hand when given the opportunity. Spending the early morning hours watching the garden grow and listening to the neighborhood wake up. Stopping in the middle of chores to notice that dusk is happening, and maybe even grabbing the camera to try and capture it. Loading up the canoe on a rainy day and getting out on the dimpled water to watch the herons fly and the ducks bob for their breakfast.

This is a small pile of my good things...and I'm adding to it, one good thing at a time.

Wednesday in the Word

Menu Plan Monday

I know...it's a little late in the day to share my Menu Plan Monday...but, better late than never? Maybe? I hope?

On the menu this week, and in no particular order....

Chicken fajitas with caramelized onions, peppers, mushrooms and cabbage
BLT's (just about a weekly staple) and asian slaw
Paninis (a definite go-to for this family) and fresh fruit
Chicken sandwiches and frozen fries
Oven tacos (I have yet to make these...I think I've had them on the menu three weeks in a row!)

Throw in a leftover night and a pizza night and you've got one week's worth of meals.

What are you making for dinner this week? I need some more inspiration!

Sunday morning.

A to-the men.

(Amen.)

a small collection.

I've been fascinated with photography since high school. I was on the yearbook staff...selling ad space and creating layouts. It was pretty fun, really. But I always wished I could be one of the photographers, walking around school with a camera hanging around my neck, capturing moments and memories.

I've shared here before that I was gifted a 35mm camera when I was in my mid-30's. And what a gift it was...it opened up a whole new world of creativity for me. Photography is a good hobby to have if you don't have a lot of space to store craft supplies. And I don't. So taking pictures has been a great way for me to capture and share with others what I find beautiful and interesting.

Over the years I have gathered up a handful of old cameras. It started about 10 years ago when Chris and I went away for a weekend to Burney Falls. We landed upon an old junk shop where I found two cameras...a Brownie Target and an old Polaroid SX-70 in a leather case. I bought them both and a collection was born.

Since then I've added three more cameras to the slow-growing collection...an old Kodak 2-A folding camera, a Herco Imperial that I picked up recently at the flea market and my favorite and most valuable, a Brownie Hawkeye.

The Brownie Hawkeye appears to come a dime a dozen and worth about the same. But the one I have is priceless because it was given to me by Noni. And it's even more priceless as it belonged to her sister, Aunt Betty, whom I never had the privilege of meeting.

It's a small collection...and it will grow as good finds come along. I don't really seek cameras out...but rather happen upon them, which makes it all the more fun to collect them.

How about you? Do you have a collection?

Wednesday in the Word

I need this reminder...pray, pray, pray. 

God answers prayers. 

xo