Christmas Button Ornament Swap Thanksgiving challenge and a couple of other mimis

Just found a fun Christmas swap.

Go here and read all about it and join in if you want to.

Thanksgiving Challenge
Day #3

I love the changing of seasons and I love living in a four seasons climate.
The gifts of each season are enormous.
But you have to look for them.
After the hard frost we had a few days ago, I discovered this in the area where my fishpond and waterfall had been. 
I had a beautiful Clematis climbing up behind the waterfall which had been cut down, so I thought.


Blooms hanging on protected by a nearby Japanese Maple and Oak trees.

 

A touch of summer still hanging on.

The struggle of nature to hang on coupled with the 

protection of community. Reminds me of Jesus' plan for his church. 

I then went out to bring in the newspaper. Just before daylight.

HH had left his car in the driveway and it was covered with frost.

I am thankful for the gifts of nature and find joy in the simplest of these.

Hooking up with

Tea Talk with Ruth

Joyful Thursday

Having........Hot, steaming, Maxwell House coffee

In......My regular coffee cup

Feeling..........Better than yesterday and the 4 days before.

 Thinking.......This has got to be the worse virus attack I have ever had.

Grateful........That it is gradually going away. Slow, but it is going away. I hope far away into the wild blue yonder and will bother no one else.

Gotta love the small things

while at  the same time disliking the slowness of my computer this AM.

If the future road loom ominous or unpromising, and the road back uninviting, then we need to gather our resolve and, carrying only the necessary baggage, step off that road into another direction.   – Maya Angelou

 

Tea Talk Thursday and Share the Joy

Every other person I run into has a cold, raspy throat and sneezing.

Well thank goodness I had a joyful day yesterday cause I feel bad today.

I caught the cold, raspy throat and sneezing and have 2 ear aches.

But joy of joys, yesterday had breakfast with my beautiful red head friend.

My Cyndie.

My dear dear friend. 

We worked together as intake nurses for years actually putting together the intake department of our home health agency.

She still works for that agency but since it is out of town she never has time to visit.

I so hope you have a friend such as I do.

To have been raised in such totally different circumstances I can never believe how we two share such similar souls.

Literature, art, music, crossword puzzles, the Bible, with such totally different interpretations but we found our common ground and did we ever learn from each other.

I was the first Roman Catholic she ever knew and she was the first Seventh Day Adventist I ever knew.
We could not believe the differences we had been taught about each other.
Shame, shame, shame.
We are so glad we grew up to know the same Jesus.

We have even attended church together.

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.
Albert Camus

This quote is the favorite of both of us.

Having..............Green Tea since I feel I need something healing for my head and throat.

Also some Alka Seltzer Plus

In.................Good sized mug since I love the feel of my hands around the big mug. Love the picture of the fox among the trees on that mug.

Feeling.......As I said above got a cold coming on. Gonna try to keep it from getting any worse.

May need a Hot Toddy later today. Woo

Thinking about....... what a hard time my friend Cyndie is having in trying to drive over 100 miles a day to a job that she has come to hate. Nothing like it used to be. The company is like so many, laying off folks and putting more work on the RNs than is safe.

She has 3 more years before she can retire.

We prayed together yesterday and brainstormed about some different job situations for her.

We prayed for all those who have lost their jobs and especially all the nurses who have worked so hard to get their education and as some, nearing retirement, are finding it hard to replace the type of job they had.

“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”

 Walter Winchell

Joining here with Meri for Share the Joy Thursday

Joining here with Tea Talk Thursday with Ruth

 

Share the Joy and Tea Talk Thursday

Having family get togethers and seeing the young and old enjoying life at it's best.

HH's oldest brother 83, joining in the music making.
This man is amazing.
He still works 2 days a week as a salesman for a huge tire chain in the city.
Attends Churchill Downs racing everyday that the horses are running.

He just radiates joy and it is contagious.

The youngest members of the family.
HH's niece and family.
Feeling the warmth and joy.

Having.............MAXWELL HOUSE COFFEE

In...........my regular coffee cup. 

Feeling.............grateful, very snug and cozy in my nice warm home with my HH especially since the rain and cooler weather was come to us in the form of fall.

Thinking about..........all of those folks out there who do not have a warm and cozy place to be in this world. Doing what I can to help in our small way. Involved in "Coat-a-kid" in our community.

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither
do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand,
and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine
before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
 (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV)

Linking up with

Share the Joy 

Tea Talk with Ruth

Come join us.

These sites keep my blogging in balance.

A Closer Look

Where are you, my heart?

Where are you, my soul?

I cannot find you any more.

I looked at him and I looked at her.

No, that's not what I want to see.

I searched down deep and poked around.

It hurt so much I turned back.

Halfway back I looked at nee.

No, not Mrs. or Miss could I see.

I only see what I had tried to be.

As I backed out of the hole I dug,

I heard myself say

"Here I am!"
"Look at me!"

"Here I am?"

Where did that spring from, this searching day?

I looked asky and I looked aground.

Nowhere could I be found.

I turned and saw a face aglow,

Absent of all worry and woe.

Because I looked just when I did,
Straight ahead.

Now I am found.

Peggy Jones

4/17/2011

Vintage Thingie Thursday and Tea Talk with Ruth

Vintage Thingie Thursday
Tea Talk with Ruth. 

I recently ran across the list I have had for 50 years of all the wedding gifts we got when we were married.

It is a vintage item in itself but nearly illegible.

I was looking to see what I still had that could be used for VTT.

I found this glass relish tray trimmed in gold on the internet, to try to identify who made it, but there was no manufacturer's name on it.

Yes we have had it 50 + years and some of the gold leaf has rubbed off.
There are no broken edges and I still use it for large groups cause this family is pickles and olives lovers.




This was also a wedding gift.
It is a Stippled Ray relish tray by
Jeannette Glass of the
1953-56 era.

It is in perfect condition.

Go here for Vintage Thingie Thursday 

Tea Talk with Ruth

Having........Aveda Tea which has natural sweetness and no sweetener is needed.




My cup........From my Bavarian China Set that we received as wedding gifts also.
Most of the time they sit in my china cabinet and are never used.
That is sad. I had a friend over yesterday and I used these nice tea cups and decided would do so everyday from now on.

The little teapot was a giveaway I won from Mr. Tea and Toast's Creative Tuesday.

On my mind........I do not consider myself a materialistic type person nor do I need all fine and fancy things around me but I do enjoy fine quality and beautiful things.

The items discussed above and my tea cup below were gifts to us on the occasion of our wedding many years ago.

They have lasted a long time.
Lasted because they were of good quality and they were tenderly cared for.

They are not things I would have ever gone out and bought for myself but we were blessed at that time in our lives and each and every day since.

"Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected."

Steve Jobs



Go here for Tea Talk with Ruth

Tea Talk

Tea Talk with Ruth

Having....... Aveda  Tea in my cardinal mug. This is a soothing caffeine free herbal infusion with licorice root and peppermint, calms your senses promoting a sense of well being.

Feeling.......like I had just traveled a long distance. Not much sleep last night due to the storms that seemed to last for several hours.

Thinking........What a devastation some of our states have suffered. We have had trees down and a few roofs damaged, but no injuries or loss of life. Some of the road construction that our SIL does has come to a halt that is not good for 

 a business. 

Very grateful it has been no worse.

 At least the sun is shining this morning.

“May God give you...For every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile, for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh a sweet song and an answer for each prayer.”

 Irish Blessing

Go here for Tea Talk with Ruth and friends.

 

Vintage Thingie Thursday and Tea Talk Thursday with Ruth

Tea Talk with Ruth

Ruth is such a busy hostess. She is attending school and has a lot of other things to keep her busy.

She is always so gracious to sit and hear what we all have to say and I like the chance to put down some thoughts I am having.

What I am having..........Comforting Tea by Aveda. Yes from the same business that sells Aveda make up and relaxation products.

A gift from my daughter.

In ..........Yes it is a Christmas mug. I just love the red birds and felt like enjoying the beauty and remembering the pleasure HH and I get from watching them in our yard.

Feeling...........Contented. Being home to do my housework etc at my own speed and time to plan and prepare a meal when I decide to cook. HH does most of the cooking.

That comes from sharing the chores while both of us were working and raising 6 wonderful children.

Thinking........I just realized the advise we get "Just live in the moment."
really applies in my case.
If I didn't live in the moment I would not live since I can't see tomorrow and can't remember yesterday.
Just take it one day at a time even if I have to stop and check to see, for sure, which day it is.
Aging, ain't for the faint of heart.



If you have one eye on yesterday, and one eye on tomorrow, you're going to be cockeyed today. Anonymous

Go here for Tea Talk with Ruth

Also linking up with


Vintage Thingie Thursday

Love antiques and stories about treasured items?
This is the meme for you.

When my Mom passed away about 23 years ago most of her things came to me.
I had put this little tole painted recipe box away and forgotten about it.

I was recently looking for a container for my sugar substitute and found this.

It was so covered with dust that when I attempted to clean it, I rubbed much of the paint on the top of it off.

I was tempted to repaint the top but decided to leave it the way it is.

It was done in the early 70's and her name is visible on the lower right side.

Here near Mother's day I am so blessed to have things of hers with pleasant memories attached to them.
She did this in a Homemaker's group.

Love you Mom.

Go here for VTT

Vintate Thingie Thursday and Tea Talk with Ruth

Ya it is Thursday again.

Vintage Thingie Thursay is a fun meme. Pop over and visit some and maybe you would like to join in. 

Something old, older or very, very old and a little story to go with it.

Fun for us all and we get to know each other better.

As I have mentioned before on my blog nursing is my second career.

It was a big deal to graduate from nursing at age 48 with 6 children at home.

This was one of my cutest graduation gifts.

 Double click for detail.
 It even has my name on the note pad.



My sister-in-law made this in ceramics class.




It makes me smile everytime I look at it.

Go here for more Vintage Thingie Thursday

Loyola University has a college in Belize where the SCNs work with helping to educate Belizians for lay ministry.


This is my cup that I got when I was in Belize City on a missionary trip.


Having..... Earl Gray strong since it is in the morning and I am working my crossword puzzle.
Need to be wide awake.

Thinking about.........Reflecting on how that trip to a third world county sure opened my eyes to the way another culture lives. 
They are such a proud people and so full of respect for others and themselves. They are working very hard to bring their county back from the devastating loss of the Mahogany tree in 1975 in Hurricane Hattie. Logging those trees was their entire national economy.
Belize is a tiny county between Mexico and Guatemala on the Caribbean coast of Central America. After losing the logging industry the English began to build up the tourist trade beginning to uncover the Myan ruins and building resorts that cater to the rustic way of living along with the luxury resorts.
About the size of the state of Massachusetts, it is governed by Parliamentary Democracy having earned their independence in 1981.
About 50% of the population are Roman Catholic.


Feeling ...........I miss the folks I met there. Some of them get to come to the US to study due to the help of the Sisters and some even join the convent and study here and in Louisville. I occasionally see some of them when they come. I would love to go again.


“All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.” – Samuel Johnson

 Go here to visit with Ruth and all the lovely folks who drop by.

Vintage Thingie Thursday and Tea Talk Thursday with Ruth

Vintage Thingie Thursday with Coloradolady is a fun meme. 

Fine something you love and share with us.

A few weeks ago I showed my packet of fine steel crochet hooks that I was given in 1957 by my dear friend and x-ray instructor.
She also gave me this fine DMC crochet thread made in France. 
I still have 4 skeins after all these years.

She and I became very close.

She was an older nun and her family lived far away and she sort of took me under her wing.
I stayed at the hospital a lot and in fact since I lived several miles away became part of the family of nuns that lived there.
She taught me to crochet.

This is one doily I still have.
Didn't remember I still had it until I found the thread.
I have made this pattern many times with bigger cotton thread.


She also taught me to tat, but I cannot remember how to do that nor do I have the tool for it.
This thread is many years old since she had had it a while.
I don't believe I can see well enough to do work with this fine thread and a tiny steel crochet hook anymore.



DMC is still in business and this is what I found when I googled it.
I was looking for the date of the founding of the company.


DMC® has maintained the same high standards of quality today since its founding in 1746. DMC's® quality products and their extensive color ranges stand the test of time. DMC® threads and your fine workmanship -- 250 years of tradition and a lifetime of memories.

Tea Talk Thursday with Ruth

Having.......Twinings Earl Grey Tea in my favorite china tea cup. 1/2 banana is my snack today.

No sunning on the deck today, it is cold again.
I'm feeling..........totally at peace with trust in God's goodness

 On my mine........I keep up with the goings on in the world and I am totally confused about the events we are involved in in the middle east. I pray a lot.

I hope...that mankind will at length, as they call themselves reasonable creatures, have reason and sense enough to settle their differences without cutting throats; for in my opinion there never was a good war, or a bad peace.
Benjamin Franklin

Go here for Vintage Thingie Thursday

Go here for Tea Talk with Ruth