Sunday Blooms!

GOOD SUNDAY MORNING TO YOU!  This is the same cactus as in the last post.  It just keeps opening buds and there are plenty more to come.  It loves the cold night temps we have been having.  It is such a great color.  The other one that I have had for 40 some odd years blooms closer to Christmas and is a deep red.  I cannot wait to see that one!  Isn't it wonderful that God gave us so many beautiful livng things to fill us wih joy and simple peasures?  I am filled with awe whenever I look at the details in nature that are so precise and beautiful.  Today I am thankful for cerulean blue skies with puffy little clouds here and there, fall leaves on the ground, the browning grass and the mischievious squirrels.  I am thankful for a lovely weekend with grandchildren filling the house with giggles and camping out on blow-up mattresses in the living room! And yes even for the 2 little dogs that came with them-ha!
    Thank you Lord for every blessing that you give to us and for all of those yet to come.  Amen.

Christmas Cactus

THE BEAUTIFUL Christmas Cactus is blooming and since it has turned very chilly at night now, I am afraid to bring the plants in as they will drop their buds if the temperature change is too great.  I have several of these on my back porch and they are so beautiful! 

My Give-A-Way Came today...

Hi everyone!  I just came back from the mailbox and received my winning gift from Heidi at Fairy Footprints!  Please pop over to my Two Happy blog to see it!
http://beaver-kerrie.blogspot.com/   It is more beautiful in real life than it was in Heidi's picture and I just love it!  Special thank you to Heidi.  Don't forget to visit her at http://myarizonaangels.blogspot.com/ Heidi has a wonderfully designed site and it is a real pleasure to visit to see all her special effects and read about her wonderful family.  I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend and I may have to sleep with my necklace on Ha!  Kerrie

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

GOOD MORNING!   Dream thoughts:
   You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.
           Mary Manin Morrissey
Nothing happens unless first we dream ~ Carl Sandburg
   You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. ~CS Lewis
The only thing that will stop you from fulfilling your dreams is you. ~ Tom Bradley

If it were not for dreams, we would have no hope and with no hope, we lose faith.  Never give up your dreams, your aspirations, your goals.  Continue to grow in all areas for all of your life.  It enriches your life, makes you interesting and easy to be around.  It is hard to dream sometimes when all we see on the news is negativity.  But remember all the wonderful things that are happening that is never reported to the world!  There are little miracles in our lives every day that brighten our lives and let us dream.  When you are down, just look around you, go outside and check out everything, bending to see the grass and little inhabitants there, tiny flowers, minute creations of God that he bedazzles us with every day!  Look at the birds and how they are so busy and cheerful.  Take a walk and pick up leaves, pinecones, whatever you find. (also pick up after your pooch! - ha!)  I never walk the 4 or 5 houses to the mailbox without picking up a pretty leaf, I just can't help it.  I press them and sometimes I scan them for writing paper.  I have even saved the rugged rich textured leaves from the Bradford pear tree to paint on!  They contain a lot of oil in the leaf and do not dry out completely.  I love them!  If you concentrate less on self and troubles, you are freed to think of others and happiness.  Keep a diary.  Write whatever, good or bad and ask God to take the burdens from you.  None of us can do it alone.  I love the saying, "Let Go, Let God".  It works.  Last but not least, here is a picture of my morning visitor, a wonderful Great Blue Heron who was fishing along the bank.  Don't forget to visit my Etsy Shop, there is a hand made collector doll and scrollsaw fan wall hanging there.  Thanks!  God Bless, we are half way through the week already!

He is creeping along catchin fish in the shallow water.  He is unbothered by my ceramic boy fisherman and his dog-ha!

Have a wonderul day!

God Loves a cheerful Giver

2 Corinthians 9.26 He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8.  And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every work.
Isn't this beautiful?  I was thinking this morning about how all the bloggers I have met are so GIVING!  You give of yourselves, you give love and hugs, you give from your wisdom and experience and you give little surprises as give-a-ways.  You give Christian support and love, you give music from your heart.  How wonderful that we all can share a common bond, that we love giving and expect nothing in return but the smile and happiness of the receiver!
   When my husband was well and managed a campground many years ago, we used to do the "trash run" on holidays so that the young men that usually did it could be with their families.  One Christmas when we were doing this, we noted that there were about 30 campers that were going to be there during the holiday.  We always made crafts and decided to do up one little craft item with a candy cane and card and give it to each camper on Christmas Eve.  We donned Santa Hats and wore Red decorated Xmas Sweatshirts and went off with our little sack of gifts.  I had a little wind up ornament that played "Silent Night" .  I would wind the ornament, knock on the door of a camper and present them with the little ornament or whatever.  My heart pounds just thinking about it now!  It was the most fun Christmas that we ever had!  The look of joy and surprise on people's faces was so gratifying!!  One lady wrote us a letter and said that it was the only gift she received that year, that her daughter could not come to join her because of stormy weather and she was all alone.  God made no mistake when he made us compassionate to others and giving! I do not remember one gift I received that year in 1996.  I only remember the joy of giving to the others!  What a blessing!  We did this 3 yrs. in a row until the number of Christmas campers reached 100 during the holiday! It is one of the happiest memories of our lives.

I WON, I WON!

LISTEN Y'ALL!  Heidi at http://myarizonaangels.blogspot.com/ Fairy Footprints in the Sand informed me that I won her wonderful give-a-way!  I was floored!  I am so excited as I just love the necklace that she hand made and can't wait to see it in person!  Thank you, Thank you Heidi!  And thanks to all the generous folks who congratulated me on her blog comments.  You are all great!   I told Heidi she must see my grin from here!  Please check out her beautiful blog if you have not visited her.  She does the most amazing job on the blog and I admire it so much!  There are so many great bloggers out there.  I try to visit a few every day and it is like a little vacation getting lost in cyberspace and visiting these folks.  God Bless, Kerrie

GOOD FRIDAY THE 13TH

YES, YOU READ RIGHT, GOOD FRIDAY the 13th-ha!
This is a picture of my Dad and Mom in the early 1950's.  It was taken when one of my sisters got married.  My Dad lived to be 65 and my Mom 90.

My father was born on DECEMBER 13TH on a Friday!  For that very reason I was never superstitious about it!  After all, that was a good thing.  And throughout my life I have had many good things happen to me not just on Friday the 13th but the 13th of any month.  My oldest Granddaughter was born on October the 13th and my nephew is celebrating his birthday today. I have received promotions when I was working on the 13th and just had enjoyable times and memories on that date.  So for me, being a Christian also, takes any superstition away from being afraid of the date!   Now my father was of Irish Descent and the belief goes that he was born with a veil over his face which gave him extra sensory perception and he did seem to have powers of discernment beyond the norm.  But he laughed at superstitions like this and delighted in telling us as children about the different beliefs and stories.  He used to tell me that he was Black Irish which meant he descended from heritage that had mixed with the Spaniards after a war.  And his dark curly hair and mustache was indicative.  But he had Hazel Irish eyes and the devilish sense of humor that we loved.  So I am sharing him with you today so that you will know good things happen on Friday the 13th. 

AFTER THE RAINS

My window world this morning!  As you can see, the Lake level has risen almost up to the drainage pipe across the way on the right.  The trees have become more bare in the last few days of wind and rain and I can see clear to the other side of the next street.  In the other seasons of the year, we can hardly see any houses on the other side because the foliage is so thick.  The pitiful litte bare tree in the foreground is a Crepe Myrtle tree that the Beaver felled and took away 2 years ago.  It has come back nicely and was full of beautiful deep pink blossom clusters that remind me much of the Lilac bushes back in my hometown.  Crepe Myrtle blossoms are exactly that, crepey-ha!  The have wonderful little frills on each petal making them look soft and hugable.  A warm fuzzy, ha!  The roses are still blooming outside this den window and I love them so much.  They are the wonderful bright spot even on a dreary day.

Oh! And while I am writing, who pops up but the Swan couple!!  I was so excited I jumped from window to window to catch them as they seemed on a mission and were heading North up the lake!  I was able to catch them dunking for the green plants that flourish under the water.  Yeah!  How Blessed I am to live here!

Mrs. Swan following in his wake...

He turned to look at me tapping on the window

  Mr. Swan was trucking along and I tapped on the window to make him look.  while he was doing that, Mrs. Swan began to feed on the food in a shallow spot.  What a joy!

Bottoms Up!

View From My Window...

IT'S A RAINY DAY TODAY!  But even with the rain the view from my window is gorgeous!  The trees are at their peak now here in SC near the beach.  The rain makes the tree trunks stand out in black and the leaves on the trees look even more brilliant against a stormy sky.  My camera does not do it Justice!  The lake is low as shown by the receding bank and the rain is welcome!

The Maple tree is so brilliant yellow now but I could not capture it!  When I did more oil paintings I would have loved the dark wet trunks, the brilliant leaf colors and the stormy sky!  Perfect subjects for a fall Painting.  I have one that I did many years ago and will share it with you.

This was one of my very early oil paintings on stretched canvas that my hubby made for me.  The original was bigger and I sold it.  I did this quick little copy for myself.  I hate to part with my oil paintings and do more copies whenever I can for myself.  Another favorite is a night lake scene that I first saw on one of William Alexander's painting lessons.  I also sold the first and we missed it so much that I had to paint another, just a little different from the first for our 2nd bedroom wall.

William Alexander is a wonderful painter and his technique was unmatched.  I painted several successful oil paintings from his lessons on his TV series and from his books.  He was so enthusiastic about his paintings and really inspired me with every stroke.  His paintings of the Grand Titans are wonderful!

Singing Sunday...♫

♫I love old hymns and hymn Books.  I love the sound of voices raised in joyful noise unto the Lord!  My Dad knew many hymns and spirituals and I loved his deep vibrating voice when I was a little girl.  I learned many of the hymns I love from listening to Dad.
   The composers of hymns are so touched deep in their heart by their love of God that they cannot contain it within and burst forth in song!  I feel that joy many times when thinking about God.  Josh Gobin's rendition of You Raise Me Up stirs something so deep within me that I almost want to weep at its beauty and depth of feeling.  The words are below:♫

Song Lyrics

I am so moved by the lyrics and I hope you will be, too.  What is your favorite hymn, old or new??  Please leave a comment.  God Bless and have a Wonderful Sunday!

Winner of my first Give-A-Way!

Congratulations to Sherry at Country Wings in Phoenix on winning the Give-A-Way!!  Please click on my TWO HAPPY BLOG FOR DETAILS http://beaver-kerrie.blogspot.com/.
THANKS TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS (17) AND I WILL DO THIS AGAIN SOON, IT WAS A LOT OF FUN!! 

Friday Evening thoughts....

Food for thought:

  "I honestly think it is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate."  George Burns

When George Burns was 80 yrs. old, he made a new singing Album.  I was at a low point in my life and the kids bought the album for me because I had expressed a desire for it.  I listened to every meaningful and humorous songs that he sang and admired him because he had started a new career that late in life.  How wonderful!  So I pulled myself up by my bootstraps and did not dwell on my unhappiness any longer!  It is amazing what God will put in your life to help you out! 

  "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world!" Anne Frank

  "Take the first step in faith.  You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."  Martin Luther King, Jr.

  Nighty Night, sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite.  Don't know who said it but it's funny!!

More Home is...

Because of the wonderful response to my question what is home to you, I decided to share some more!  Thank you for all your comments, please read what others wrote in comments!

HOME IS:
   Where the clothes line is
   Where the tea Kettle sings
   Anywhere your loved ones dwell
  Where the cat comes back
   Home is where your lumpy old pillow is
   Where the door is always open and
      someone waits for you...
   Where the remodeling never ceases
   Where there is always a light in the window
   Where you put up the Christmas Tree
   Where the cookie jar is
   The place you want to look cozy and loved even
     when no one is coming over.

   Home is the extension of ourselves, our interests, our favorite colors, furniture and books.  Each person's home is a reflection of who lives there.  A happy home is one where you can feel the warmth and love when you step inside the door.  Thanks to all the bloggers that give us glimpses of their homes and welcome us with warmth and Love.   Kerrie

   Sometimes, home is a camper!

WHAT DOES HOME MEAN TO YOU?

HOME is where the swingset is.
Home is where you rock on the porch.
Home is where you were planted.
Home is where you call when you are far away.
Home is where you fly on a holiday.
Home is what our Military are fighting for!
Home to Christians is Heaven...
Home is where memories are.
Home is where children's giggles are heard...even after they are gone.
Home is where you make cocoa on a    chilly day.
HOME IS WHERE THE LOVE IS.

This is a picture of my great Grandfather Phillip O'Hearn.  I also have a pair of his reading glasses that my Dad gave to me that was his.  Funny thing is I can read with them-ha!

What does HOME mean to you?  Please comment, I would love to hear!  For more of my Home is: go to the TWO HAPPY blog at http://beaver-kerrie.blogspot.com/

Hugs! Kerrie