"Looking Up"

                                    

                                                             

For the Ukraine - "Looking Up"!

I know all of you are doing the same.

Hugs

Debbie

"You are my hiding place, you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."

Psalm 32:7 (NIV) 

10 Years

Today I am celebrating 10 years of blogging.  My first post from Harmony Hills was published February 12, 2012.  (To those of you who are new here - that post can be found under Archives on the left).

Essentially this blog was to share art and make friends.  Who could have guessed then where this blog would take me.

With all of you I have had the privilege of traveling the world.  Each person who has stopped by and visited me in the past decade has left a wonderful imprint on my life.

Some have closed their blogs and moved on.  They are missed!  Others though have continued to share their creativity, thoughts, and their lives.  I cannot adequately express how grateful I am for each of you.

As we all so well know life happens and in those happenings we hit bumps along our path.   When we look back though we know that those who come along side of us during those difficult times enriches and encourages our journeys.  Today I give thanks for all of you who have been there with me.  

May we all celebrate the wonderful gift of blogging and friendship.  "Hats off"  my dear friends!

Hugs!

Debbie

"A friend loves at all times..." Proverbs 17:17 a

Valentine's Day

It has been a rather busy week so keeping this post brief.  Hope everyone has a very Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow.  God willing see you next Sunday!

Hugs

Debbie 

"Love never fails."  1 Cor. 13:8 a

Turn

Everyday we are given a choice to turn.  It may mean a change of direction, a new plan or a different attitude.

With our winter weather having been such a challenge these last two weeks discouragement had been clouding my mood.

Walking on a cold morning was not something that appealed but two furry friends would not be denied.  They wanted outdoors.

As we made our way around the field and turned towards home I found myself captivated by the most spectacular scene.  It made me come back to the house and grab the camera.

The sun was rising above the tree tops and casting lovely blue shadows along the woods.

It continued to rise and shine so bright.  In that moment my spirit took an upward turn.   Such beauty was meant to be enjoyed.  Even though winter is not a favorite season of mine there are still beautiful blessings to be found.   One just needs to look around and make a small turn.  

Speaking of  turn - how many of you remember the song "Turn! Turn! Turn!" written by Pete Seeger and recorded by the Byrds?  It was based on the 3rd chapter of Ecclesiastes.

Thought I would share this song with you to close.   Have a wonderful week and don't forget to take a moment to " turn".   Hugs Debbie

 

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."  Eccl. 3:1-8 (NIV) 

Sweet Treat

Good afternoon dear friends.   Thought I would share a sweet treat on this wintry Sunday.

It is simple to make.  My very own version of baked apples.

Jonagold are a great variety to eat and cook at this time of the year.   They are perfect for baking.

Selected two apples of about the same proportion...cored them almost to the bottom - then placed them in a foil lined pie plate (easy to clean)!

Then mix 2 Tblsp. each of brown sugar, old fashioned oats, and butter.   I just cut in the cold butter with a  fork.

Then place 1 Tblsp. of the mix in the center of each apple.  To make it extra special I added a Tblsp.  of toffee bits with a squirt of honey and just a little bit more butter on the top.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately an hour depending on the size and type of apple you use.

 

  This makes a great treat on a cold winter's day...whip cream or a dip of vanilla ice cream would make a wonderful accompaniment.

Speaking of a treat I think this fella might be wanting one as well.

Hope all of you are surviving the winter weather.  Thinking of my blogging friends along the East Coast and "looking up" for them.

Take care and have a wonderful week.

Hugs

Debbie 

"...they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb."  Psalm 19:10b (NIV) 

Here!

Winter is certainly here!  Last weekend we received 12" or more of snow.  Today, a week later we are seeing 4-5 additional inches.

Our peach tree looks rather forlorn without her leaves and fruit.

The garden has a completely different look when it is buried under a blanket of snow.

Keeping the bird feeders filled is challenging.

 These fine feathered friends need substantial sustenance when the snow arrives.

Well this is what is happening in our "neck of the woods" this weekend.  Hope you will take a moment and share what is happening in yours.

May all of you have a blessed week.

Hugs !

Debbie

"Have you entered the storehouses of the snow"  Job 38:22a (NIV)

Perfect Time

With 8-12 inches of snow in the forecast this makes the perfect time to settle in with something hot to drink and a good book.

Just finished "Rewired"- a true story about a raccoon, a woman and a doctor of great faith.

In fact Dr. Seth was a physician I seen several years ago before this book was written.

If you get a chance you can google this remarkable tale.  It took place in North Canton, Ohio.

The book was given to me from a family member who had just been to see him.  He had sent this signed copy with her.  (It can be purchased on Amazon.)  

The above stack of novels should keep me busy for several weeks.  I had been figuring that there just might be a need for some reading material with the weather forecaster warning that storm "Izzy" would be hitting us in a short time.  

Read a few pages of "The Orphan House".   It looks like it will be a page turner. 

Speaking of turning the page hope you will visit my blogging friend Sharon Wilfong at Gently Mad.  She is now on Word Press but you can follow the link on my side bar.  She shared last week four chapters of her new mystery.  Am looking forward to reading the entire book.  I have been following her for several years.  Her book reviews are always excellent and she is quite entertaining...an artist, a writer and a musician.   I am sure you will enjoy visiting her.

 

Well dear friends hope you have found something good to read this coming week whether you have snow or not.

Have a blessed week.

Hugs

Debbie

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven."  Eccl. 3:1 (NIV)