Sunday, December 19, 2021

Gifts


 The gifts are wrapped.








 They are waiting to be placed beneath the tree.








 

The cookies are baked.




The decorating is complete.



Of all these tasks, the most challenging is finding the perfect gifts to give.

This year as I pondered my Christmas list a thought came.  Why not give what I would like to receive.

Monetarily they have no value but spiritually they are priceless .

So sweet friends I am sending you what I want to unwrap Christmas Day. 

 I hope you will find them waiting under your tree. 

 Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a blessed coming New Year!  See you in 2022!

Hugs

Debbie

"On coming to the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.  Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, and of incense, and of myrrh."  Matthew 2:11 (NIV)    

  






Sunday, December 12, 2021

December

Today did not look like a December day.  The snow we had last week is gone.  It did not stay for  long.






The sky was a breathtaking blue...not a cloud to be seen.







Red rose hips glistened in the sun.





Even a few blackberry leaves were still clinging to their branch.  







No it did not feel like a day in December.   Hard to believe it is less than two weeks until Christmas.

Are you ready?  

Hope everyone has a blessed week.

Hugs

Debbie


"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph a descendant of David.  The virgin's name was Mary.  The angel went to her and said Greetings, you who are highly favored.  The Lord is with you."  Luke 1:26-28 (NIV)  

Sunday, December 5, 2021

For the Birds


 If it were not for the birds - winter here in Ohio would seem quite dreary.






This sweet sparrow is one who visits often.


In doing research I was surprised at how many varieties of this species abounds.  Chipping, American tree, song , fox, swamp, white throat are just a few to mention. 







This little fellow is perhaps an American tree sparrow although his crown is not orange.  Identifying them can be a challenge because the females may have different markings than the males.

For the most part they seem like very polite birds.  They are quite amiable and seem to not mind sharing with others.  In fact I often see them side by side happily munching their brunch together.


Well friends if some of you are needing a fun past time to make winter not seem so long, you might enjoy taking up bird watching.  It can be quite fascinating as well as entertaining.

Till next week God Bless!

Debbie 
 
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?"  Matthew 6:26( NIV)
   

Sunday, November 28, 2021

Last Days


These last days of November have passed far too quickly.







What leaves remain on the oaks will most likely stay until spring.  It makes me think it is their way of holding on to their attire through winter's sojourn.  






A few remnants are scattered on the ground but they will probably be carried away when the cold winds of December arrive. 






Chippy Chipmunk is thinking he had better get busy gathering his acorns before they are covered with snow.






I too need to prepare as autumn takes her leave and savor these last days of November.


Take care and have a great week.

Hugs!

Debbie

"In the last days, God says I will pour out my Spirit on all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."  Acts 2:17 (NIV) 

Sunday, November 21, 2021

Family Favorites & Fond Memories

With the coming holidays it seems fitting to visit this cookbook my Mama created forty four years ago. It was one of my wedding gifts.  What a priceless treasure - a gift that can not be replaced. 

Packed within these pages are family favorites sprinkled with fond memories.





On the first page is a lovely note written to me.


 





Thumbing through I spot Grandma's Pie Dough Recipe.  She made the most delicious pies.  












Her homemade rolls were the best ever.

There are some notes written to the side.  They are mine.

Was it not yesterday that this young bride called her grandmother to get better instructions and write a few additional tips? (Ah how the passing years fly!)  

Grandma was one of those cooks who did not need a recipe.  She just knew how much flour was needed by the feel of the dough.

Unfortunately I did not inherit her gift.  It is still necessary for me to consult a few directions.

This 7-up Salad is a favorite of mine.  Hubby used to tease Mom because she had such a variety of ways to hide jello. He would often ask her if there was some hidden in something he was eating.  Only a rare family dinner did not have it being served in one form or another :)!   







Well thank you sweet friends for letting me share some family favorites and fond memories.
I hope all who are celebrating Thanksgiving this week will have a blessed one. 

To those who are not - may your week be filled with joy and many blessings.

Hugs

Debbie

"Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song."  Psalm 95:2 (NIV)

Sunday, November 14, 2021

Believe


 Can you believe we went from this autumn scene







to this snowy one in a few short days.

I am sipping hot cider, watching the snow fall, and writing this post.

There is a box of tulip bulbs needing planted, a yard full of leaves awaiting a rake, and a garden not prepared for winter's visit.  

Will there be a reprieve?  One can hope.  The forecast promises a warm up mid week and possibly time to get those final chores complete.
We will see.


In the meantime here are a couple of wonderful books to help me adjust to the weather change.

Sarah Clarkson's book is superbly written.  She shares her own walk through mental illness and how the truth of God's love and goodness brings light into the dark.  I would recommend it to anyone who has ever struggled with depression and despair.  "This Beautiful Truth" is beautiful.

"Lost Castle" is by an author that is new to me.
Kristy Cambron's novel has thus far captured and entertained my enjoyment of the past being bridged with the present.  The story takes place in Loire Valley, France encompassing three time periods...the French Revolution, World War II and present day.
Definitely a lovely read.


 Well dear friends thank you for stopping by this afternoon.

Hope you all have a lovely week.

Hugs

Debbie

"If  you can" said Jesus.  "Everything is possible for him who believes."    Mark 9:23 (NIV)

Sunday, November 7, 2021

Laughs


Sometimes I wonder if God laughs when he sees our feeble attempt to control time.

In this part of the country this weekend  Day Light Savings Time ended for the year.




This setting the clocks backward or forward every autumn and spring makes me stop and scratch my head.  There is only as much daylight available for whatever season we are in.


Many years ago the organist at my childhood church got confused about changing the time.  It just happened Day light Savings began that year on Easter Sunday.  When she didn't arrive we assumed she had forgotten to "spring forward" and she would be an hour late. 




No she was two hours late and the services were over.  

To her chagrin she had remembered the time change but instead of setting her clock forward she set it backward.

It made for a great laugh among the congregation.

Wonder how many times this scenario has happened to others??

I realize that this playing with the clocks doesn't occur everywhere in the country or for that matter the world; but for those of us who live in the land of silly let us laugh with God!

Have a blessed week! 

Hugs

Debbie


"The One enthroned in heaven laughs; Psalm 2:4a  (NIV)




   

Monday, November 1, 2021

Good Morning Friends


- wishing all of you a wonderful start to November.

It is an early Monday as I write this post.

We are seeing a change in the weather...temperatures are cooler and a killing frost is in the forecast for us this coming week.




So unusual to still be picking zucchini this late in the season.  What an unusual autumn!






   Even the trees were reluctant to don their fall colors.







 Maybe this means winter might be late!!  We will just have to wait and see.


Well dear ones have a blessed week.  

Hugs!

Debbie

"The harvest is past, the summer has ended...Jeremiah 8:20a (NIV)



Sunday, October 24, 2021

Special Sketchbook

I am in the process of completing this special sketchbook.

It is not of the finest quality.  The paper is best suited for dry media.  





If one is careful a light watercolor wash with a bit of colored pencil will work.

So what makes this sketchbook so special?

It belonged to my Mom... found tucked away in one of her drawers with some of her art supplies.



Here is a page she sketched when she and I spent a day at a nearby park.

The two of us would often enjoy an outing where we would sit and sketch together.

As mom's health declined those times became more rare.  Carefree days gave way to doctor visits and getting the necessary things done.


Unfortunately most of this sketchbook is blank.  Only a few pages contain her precious art.   It seems quite appropriate that it be filled...a necessary thing needing done to honor Mom.  

Thank you friends for visiting me and for your continued prayers for the missionaries in Haiti.  (Last I heard they are wanting 17 million for their release.)  Please keep "Looking Up" for them.

  "Honor your...mother"  Matt:19:19 (NIV)

  

Sunday, October 17, 2021

Prayers


On this Sunday I am asking for prayers.  Some of you may have heard that their was a group of missionaries from Millersburg, Ohio as well as Canada that were kidnapped yesterday in Haiti.  They had been working at an orphanage and were at the airport getting ready to return home when they were abducted by a gang.  

 Please "look up" for them and pray they will be kept safe.


Thank You and God Bless!

                                                                                     Debbie


"The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand." Rev. 8:4 (NIV) 

Sunday, October 10, 2021

Late


 Autumn's changing colors are a bit late.  The weather has been so warm for this time of the year.







The white phlox are still blooming...







bachelor buttons too...







and morning glories as well.







 Yes there are some spots of color but October's usual array of hues is late.

Perhaps winter will be the same.  That would not make me sad!!

Hope everyone has a lovely week.

Hugs

Debbie


"The end of the matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride."  Eccl.6:8 (NIV)

Sunday, October 3, 2021

October


Hoping everyone is enjoying a lovely start to October.







It seems that the bluest skies accompany this time of the year.






 There doesn't appear to be a cloud in the sky.

One certainly can enjoy taking time "to look up" on a day like this one.





Wishing each of you some of October's blue skies. 

Hugs

Debbie

"The heavens declare the glory of  God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."  Psalm 19:1(NIV) 


Sunday, September 26, 2021

Cozy Things To Welcome Autumn


With Fall's arrival this past week I found myself doing cozy things.

The last gladiolas of summer begged to be picked.





The cooler days made us hungry for cornbread baked in an iron skillet. (Somehow it tastes better done this way.)







Spent more time in the studio because the evenings are arriving earlier.  





Afternoon walks provided lots of treasures to gather.

These will be fun to sketch.






The wildflowers this time of the year are lovely to cut and dry.  They make delightful arrangements to hang or display in baskets.  







Lastly a pleasant book to read before bedtime makes a good ending to a day.


These were some of the cozy things I did to welcome autumn.

Maybe you will share yours too.


Take care and have a blessed week.

Hugs

Debbie

"...the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."  Matt:14:52 b (NIV)



 

Sow

 It is the time of the year when I begin to sow seeds for the coming season.  Discovered a different method on You Tube...they call it "...