Philippeans 4 and Blueberry bread with tea

 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by PRAYER and SUPPLICATION with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is TRUE, whatever is HONORABLE, whatever is JUST, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is COMMENDABLE, if there is any EXCELLENCE, if there is anything worthy of PRAISE, think about these things.

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - PRACTICE these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me.

You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be CONTENT.

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.

In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

I can do all things through Him who STRENGTHENS me.

Yet it was KIND of you to share my trouble.

[Philippeans 4:4-14 ESV]

ꜱᴜᴘᴘʟɪᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ: ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴀꜱᴋɪɴɢ ᴏʀ ʙᴇɢɢɪɴɢ ꜰᴏʀ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴇᴀʀɴᴇꜱᴛʟʏ ᴏʀ ʜᴜᴍʙʟʏ.

I love these scriptures. They are such a blessing to my heart and I hope that anyone reading them here today is blessed as well. I made this blueberry loaf using Krusteaz wild blueberry muffin mix.

TIPS: I substituted a stick of melted butter for the oil. I brushed the entire inside of loaf pan with melted butter. I sprinkled brown sugar over the top. I added all the water in from the can of blueberries instead of draining. RESULT: Delicious and moist.

VARIETIES OF KRUSTEAZ

Enjoy your week friends,

HAPPY SPRING

Well hello and happy 1st day of SPRING friends!

I thought I would share a few garden photos and lovely views as well.

Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.  Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.  Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.  Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.  Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.

Psalms 85:9‭-‬13 ESV

I do NOT garden, but I have always wanted
Lavender.  So I dug a hole, threw in
some miracle grow plant boosting
thing-a-ma-jiggers and am
hoping for the best!

CA citrus

My state flower - the California poppy growing wild in God's garden.

Bird of Paradise

giant shamrocks growing wild by
the handfuls.
{God the Father, Jesus the Son, Holy Spirit - three in one}

No idea what these are, but they are SO pretty.

I am also very excited about my new (to me) bookshelf.  I spotted it on Instagram and made sure to be the 1st one at the store to snag it!  It's exactly what I have been wanting and was able to finally organize my TBR (To Be Read) pile. Yippee!!

This postcard I spotted at a fun little shop cracked me up and it had to come home with me. It reads: The box of oranges I promised you from California.  hee hee.

Thank you for joining me, and enjoy all the
beauty of the season!

Adventure is Out There

Dear friends, loved ones and acquaintances,

Friday I went adventuring! That may not be a word, but who cares; I’m having fun! A few years ago, my daughter worked a summer at a Christian camp in Forest Falls, CA.  I have fond memories of visiting her there.  I decided to drive up for my day off.  The part I intended to visit has changed quite a bit, with new construction happening in the exact spot I had pictured myself in! EEEEEEEK!

But, I drove a bit further and took a chance.  As I approached a bridge, I could see a lovely little river flowing. 

I promptly ignored the ‘no trespassing’ suggestions, because let’s face it; a chubby white middle-aged girl is really no threat to anyone.  Guess I’m just a rebel like that.

I grabbed my backpack and hiked down, and by hike I mean 3 minutes at a somewhat steep incline, but not really too steep or I wouldn’t do it! Ha ha.

I was SO VERY HAPPY! The water was so lovely cascading over the rocks like sparkly diamonds, but so much better because this was out in nature and not a bazillion dollars under fluorescent lights!  I’d guess it was only about a foot deep or so in the center.  

I poured a cup of tea, because what good teatotaler doesn’t take fine china to the river?  

As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good old way
And who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way!
O sisters, let's go down,
Let's go down, come on down
O sisters, let's go down
Down in the river to pray

“We’re all mad here” anyhow. Right? 

I peeled off my socks & shoes, and plunged my purple painted toes into the icy water!  It was GLORIOUS!

There was one lone but lovely yellow flower growing out of the sandy dirt nearby.  A small black bird fluttered and landed on a rock in the sun.  

I took several pictures with my phone, and then decided to turn on my GPS just in case a bear showed up and ate me… and hopefully not my phone.

I was able to pull out my Bible and read Psalm 150.  So lovely to be in His presence there.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

I also brought along ‘Love Does’. A wonderful collection of memories shared by Bob Goff.  He writes with such wit and charm.  The story I randomly choose just happened to be about him wanting to be a Forest Ranger as a young man.  How appropriate, I thought. But, when he found out he didn’t actually get to live in the forest, and do awesome foresty things, but rather write tickets to naughty people trespassing in the forest -ahem, and there weren’t any girls to be found; he decided perhaps a career choice change was in order.  The chapter is titled The Rearview Mirror if you’re interested. 

I brought along fresh, dark red cherries and listened to the water roll over the rocks.   

After about an hour, & still thinking about a bear, I wiped the sand off my feet, dusted them with the teeny baby powder I had brought along and thankfully remembered to pack having seen it on FaceBook for ‘what to bring to the beach’, and was on my way. 

But, I had driven an hour to get here, so what now?

I headed about 20 minutes into Apple Country! Yay!! Oak Glen is a wonderful gem nestled inside some sweet hills of Southern California.  It has its own weather that is perfect for growing apples.  

Just as I was about to turn on the road that leads up there, I spotted a family of deer in an apple orchard.  There were babies, mama and papa.  At one point, mama stood on her hind legs to reach the apples.  They were so much fun to see.

Once I got into Oak Glen I went into The Apple Tree gift shop where I found a charming card to send to my Aunt Dixie and share all about my adventure.

Inside: I meant to do my work today, but a brown bird sang in the apple tree, and a butterfly flitted across the field, and all the leaves were calling me.

I had lunch (a rather blegh burger, but whatever) at a coffee shop and proceeded to write my letter.  I pulled out my phone and appropriately played Glen Miller’s “Don’t sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me”.

After that, I drove up the road to a favorite apple orchard to purchase fresh pressed cider.  

Ooooh, it’s like biting into the freshest, juiciest apple. If you have the chance to go to an apple orchard; GO!  

A gentleman there asked if he could purchase a label to frame.  It was so lovely, I decided to get one too.  

At another orchard, I stopped for some baked goodies to bring back.  Check out this wee biscuit ;)

I'm pretty sure who ever said, "Tea Without a Biscuit is an Opportunity Wasted", didn't exactly mean this! Hee-hee.

The tea is a fun Sherlock blend from Adagio Teas.  It features hazelnut honeybush, rooibos vanilla, decaf apricot black tea, and apricot pieces. It is quite tasty!  The teeny tin is from their fandom blends. Super adorable.

It was a really fun adventure, and I hope you enjoyed sharing it with me.

Until next time, Hugs and a cup of tea!

Weather Mobile for the Littles

Good afternoon.  Today, I want to share a fun and simple weather mobile you can easily do with your Littles.

I was inspired when I saw a rough version posted on IG by "PlayIdeas" also www.PlayIdeas.com.  I decided to modify it using the same fun style of faces that Vanessa uses over on the FB page Wee Who Wander. And then I added scripture. Here are my 2 simple drawings, which you are welcome to copy/paste and print onto 2 pieces of cardstock.

Sun, Cloud, Raindrops

Rainbow and more raindrops

Supplies: Printed pictures, scissors, hole punch, colors, string, a branch (or a chopstick if you can't find one!)

Proud Littles with their mobiles!

 I hope you are enjoying the weather wherever you are!

Hugs and a cup of tea,

Psalm 5:11-12 Refreshment

I read these words today in my new Bible study workbook [Jesus Calling: Living A Life of Worship] which I happily found on sale at Sam's Club for only $5.48.

The photo is from my own garden where things pop up of their own accord.  I was pleasantly surprised to see the sweet alyssum not only in the standard white, but also in lavender!

**YOU CAN RIGHT CLICK THE VIDEO TO OPEN IN SEPARATETE WINDOW & HAVE LOVELY INSTRUMENTAL HYMNS PLAYING IN

THE BACKGROUND**

[Psa 5:11-12 NKJV] 11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. 12 For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as [with] a shield.

Have a refreshing day friends.

Hugs and a cup of tea,

CONTENT - A word for 2017

 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be CONTENT:

Philippians 4:11 NKJV

I love choosing a word to embrace @ the beginning of a new year that will speak life, and glorify the Lord. For me that word is content. It is interesting how easily those "little foxes creep in to spoil the vines", isn't it? We believe we need to post more pictures, which means time for staging more pictures, & editing, buying props, etc. so we too can effectively engage social media. 

I found myself sucked into that world in the last couple of years. Buying more teacups than I have room for, ordering things I don't need, such as the ever-popular "vintage", etc. 

Just checking social media to see if I've missed anything when I could be cleaning the clutter, doing chores, loving the people around me, reading books, and of course reading God's Word; exercising, whatever.

The lust for collections & social media seems to be a form of gluttony, that has left a bad taste in my mouth. 

Luckily in May, I made a commitment with my dad to read the entire Bible before the end of 2016. It was not always easy. But, we encouraged each other & succeeded just before Christmas.

a little graphic I made to commemorate finishing The Word

 The refreshment was so amazing & welcomed in my life. I have deleted my participation in various social pages, & unfriended those who aren't helping me grow in Christ, reduced my blogging,  and plan to give away things that are out of control in my home. I find I have to make a CONSCIOUS EFFORT to not reach for my phone!!! Uuugh...a hard habit to break. So please pray for me if you would. My goal, & I believe God's will for me, is to become more content with what I have. 

Here is a recent moment, out with new friends from church.

Lori, Lisa, Heather, Carol, Terri

We drove to look at Christmas lights, and then had dinner at The Corner Bakery, where we fellowshipped and got to know each better.   It was a lovely time of sharing and laughing.

My annual kitty picture & my copy of Santa Mouse
that I have had since 1971.

I pray that you also will enjoy contentment in your own life, and find joy in the sweetest of little blessings already around you.

Hugs and a cup of tea,