Thankful Thursday


Here are some categories that come to my mind when I begin counting my blessings. Today I just want to contemplate these areas in their broadest sense and perhaps later (each week or month) be more specific.














Faith - that God quickened my heart at a young age and He keeps me on His path
Health - that mine is indeed good and I enjoy it
Temperament-that I awaken rested with a positive outlook each day

Husband - that he works sacrificially and lovingly for me
Family - for four beautiful daughters (and 2 SILs) who love and serve the Lord
Church - for over thirty years of sound sound preaching

Home - safe haven in a lovely community
Employment -for the ability to serve DH in his profession
Country - for these United States, O Lord, have mercy on us and save us from civil tyranny


I want to try next time and count (recognize) blessings like Kelly's or simple pleasures like Carol's.

Bingo!

As I was looking for a picture to illustrate my writing, I remember this beautiful bouquet brought to the office by one of our nurses. I am thankful for her and her gardening skills.

What a blessing!

This is a simple pleasure at its finest!

Summer Five

What is your favorite thing to eat in the summer?

BLTs aka Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato sandwiches. In fact, they're on the menu tonight along with steamed corn on the cob. Grandma Jago is coming over :)

Actually, the highlight in addition to home-grown, juicy, ripe, red tomatoes is garlic cream cheese.

Have you ever tried it?

What is your favorite thing to drink in the summer?

Lately I've been making my own wine spritzers, using lots of LeCroix (carbonated water with no sodium) and a little bit of whichever wine is open. This beverage doesnt top the all-time favorite gin and tonic with lime, but it does help reduce caloric intake.



I think it's the bubbles.... I like the bubbles.





What is your favorite thing to wear in the summer?

I think my *new* (last five years) favorite thing to wear for summer is painted toenails ;) This month I'm wearing an OPI color - Tazmanian Devil.






Also, I get a charge out of coordinating clothing for my daughters. But now that they're grown, it's somewhat more difficult. DD#2 proposed a color board of yellow, white, and blue/greens for our family photo. It's based on this fun scarf from Old Navy.

What is your favorite thing to read in the summer?

A newly-published fiction from the light (brain-candy) reading category.

This year's is yet to be chosen, unless you count The Help, already completed and reviewed on my Xanga site.

What is your favorite thing to do in the summer?






Family reunions are my favorite thing about summertime. We've been gathering since 1983 around the pool and at Callaway Gardens. We've named it CWAC or Cousins' Week at Callaway.

This highlight of the year combines the fun of Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years, and Independence Day into one, fast-paced week of bonding.

I highly recommend establishing this tradition.





HT: Donna at Quiet Life

Father's Day Menu


Baked Pork Chops 'n
Rice

Collard Greens

Grilled Yellow Squash





Pinwheel Croissants

Black Swan Merlot
Tea/Coffee

Banana Pudding
(made with Nutter Butter cookies)



At church today we were blessed by worshipping together with the saints: singing hymns and psalms, hearing the preached Word of God, participating in the Lord's Supper, and receiving the benediction.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! Psalm 57:11

Flag Day



The opening and closing scenes of this movie are significant and worthy of your attention on this June 14th, Flag Day in the United States.








Never mind the fact that the movie tells a good story, it also demonstrates the widespread ignorance associated with the treatment of our national flag. In the opening scene, the main character portrayed by Tommie Lee Jones is explaining to the janitor of a school the proper way to raise a flag.

Whether you agree or disagree with the policies of the federal government, there is a place for civility and respect in society. There are lots of ways to show that - like standing when our President enters the room, even if I disagree with him. Another is the proper treatment of our national banner.

At the end of the movie, Tommie Lee Jones is again with the janitor and they are talking about how an upside down flag indicates distress. This is so true on many levels, not just in the movie, but in our lives in general.

Today is a good day to think about the stars and stripes by reviewing the link to flag etiquette.

Furthermore, the Israelites lined up around banners/flags. From Numbers 2

1Now the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 2"The sons of Israel shall camp, each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers' households; they shall camp around the tent of meeting at a distance.

Another thought -

Remember who triumphed in the Valley of Elah?

Tasty Thistle

Here's one example of something I've been doing lately:

learning

how to

edit

pictures.














Here's a link to the hike where I found this gem.

Scarlet Tanager

Hiking along the Chattahoochee River over the weekend, I encountered a beautiful bird.








This Summer Red-Bird was singing so happily that it was impossible not to notice.


I believe it is a Scarlet Tanager as they do enjoy the southeastern US at this time of year; and his color may not have been as bright as the mature male.... because he was *immature* Here's a photo clipped from Wikipedia.











I have seen one once in my own backyard. His redness was so obvious, I couldnt not notice him. They're only around for a few months, before they head south again.

Time to clean out the feeders again.

I've been neglecting my friends.