What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Monday, July 4, 2016

Happy 4th of July! Some Random Thoughts and Memories - UPDATED 7-4-16

I originally posted this on 7/3/2013.  A lot of things have changed in our lives since that Independence Day three years ago.  But some things have not changed and hopefully never will.  We still gather with whatever family and friends we can bring together to celebrate the holiday, holding fast to as many of the old family traditions as we can.  I am so thankful that we still have that freedom in our country...and I pray we never lose the freedoms that we hold most precious.  This is a presidential election year, and it  would appear that a lot of those freedoms and rights are being tested and tried in our country's midst.  We need to pray for our nation as we make decisions that will affect our future generations in ways that could mean a great loss of many freedoms that we take for granted right now.  

Original Post 7/3/2013 (with a few additional current pictures and comments):

I know you may not understand why I am posting a picture of a doll for the 4th of July, but that's okay. You don't have to understand. I just wanted to take her picture all dressed up for the holiday! This is my "Margie Doll", named after my Aunt Margie, who gave the beautiful doll to me for my 7th birthday! I won't tell you how old that makes my Margie Doll. Let's just say that she would qualify for a senior discount at most restaurants.

The Original "Margie"...My Aunt Margaret Tedlie Moss a  "real doll"!
I don't know how I found such favor in the sight of my sweet Aunt Margie to receive such a wonderful gift for my seventh birthday, but as you can see, it is a gift I have treasured.  My mother actually made the dress that my Margie doll is wearing.  She also made her a couple of other dresses that she wears for other occasions. (Click for picture of Margie in her Christmas Dress, with her friend "Valerie", another special doll)
(see the Page "A Few of My Favorite Things")


Here is a picture of my wonderful Mother, all decked out for the 4th of July also:
My Mother, Always the patriot!!
(1917-2006)

This is one of my favorite pictures of my mother, Dorothea Tedlie Mursch, waving her flag proudly on the 4th of July! I sure do miss her.

Tomorrow (2016- we already did on 7/2/16! Couldn't wait!)  we will celebrate the 4th of July in the traditional family manner...we will have a gathering of some friends and family, bar-b-que some chicken, eat potato salad, deviled eggs, baked beans, and all the other good stuff that goes along with that...and then we will make homemade ice-cream, following my mother's recipe.(Click on link to go to "It's Recipe Thyme-some of My Mother's Recipes" , and then scroll down on the page until you come to the recipe.

Yes, holidays and birthdays have always been special occasions in our family.  I am so thankful to have grown up in such a family.  Here are some pictures from some of our 4th of July memories from the past.  These are pretty special to me, as now my Daddy is in heaven, and so is our son Matthew.
Our son Matthew, 7/4/2009
My sweet Daddy, 7/4/2009, with my brother in law Art assisting


My grand-niece Sarah, my brother in law Art, brothers Russell and Clifford
7/4/2009

My grand-nephew Jack, 7/4/2009


Our grandson Noah - 7/4/2009

I come by my doll interests honestly...my mother loved dolls too...so that is another family "tradition" passed down to me.

This is my "Baby Elva" doll, all dressed up for the holiday  (7/4/2016)


I guess you could say that I am just an old fashioned girl.
yeah, that's me, "several" years ago, dressed up
like an old fashioned girl
 I like doing things the way we did when I was growing up.  I enjoy carrying on the family traditions, playing with my dollies, dressing up for fun, having tea parties, acting silly, laughing and enjoying life with my family and friends. I also look forward to sharing these thoughts with you, because you are my special friends.  Many of you may never actually visit with me in person, but we share many wonderful treasures of memories and dreams together through our journals and daily posts. (weekly, monthly, whatever, whenever!)

So thank you for indulging me this evening while I allowed you a little glimpse into my childish heart. You know, Jesus said

"Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3)

In another place He said, 

"Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." 
(Matthew 19:14)

I know He didn't mean that we should play with dolls and act childish, but He was speaking of the faith and humility of a little child...that we should trust in God like a child, and not worry ourselves about things over which we have no control. We ought to: 

"become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain." (Philippians 2:15-16)

Some final words to us personally as we celebrate our independence as a nation in a time of great turmoil and anxiety and disappointment in our current national and world situation:

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men.  The Lord is at hand.  Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:4-7
Amen...and Have a Blessed and Happy 4th of July!


These pictures are from our 2016 celebration (we celebrated on 7/2/16 this year)

My sister Doris and my son Benton, getting the ice cream maker ready
to "crank"...we cheat now and use the electric motor...

My niece Debbie and her hubby Darrell enjoying a sweet moment

Me with my sister Doris...carrying on the family traditions

Here's the finished product!

Doris says it is perfect!

Taking out the dasher...and sampling the goods!

That first spoon full off the dasher is the best ever!

My 93 year old mother in law Nanny Steiner says it is delicious!

Some more of the family enjoying the wonderful treat!

Son Benton

That's my grand-nephew Jack...much bigger than the earlier picture above in 2009

My son Scott...

My niece Debbie

My sister Doris with a BIG spoon full!

And saving the "best for last" ( Ha - ha) Yours truly!

Happy Independence Day!


21 comments:

  1. Hi Pam,
    What a beautiful post! I love how you can put your thoughts into words so graciously. Such a cute doll you have and to think she is in such great condition for her age! I only have one doll from my childhood and she is a treasure to me. Sounds like you are going to be busy tomorrow! I am doing the same, having family and extended family over for a cook out in the afternoon.
    Take care and blessings to you , my friend.
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Nancy! We have had a wonderful day...company just left and we are relaxing. Just started to rain. But we had our homemade ice cream and chicken and everything was perfect!!! Hope you are having a good day too with your loved ones.
      Thank you for dropping by! Happy 4th of July!!

      Delete
  2. Great Post,Pamela. Hope your 4th was great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was...we are starting to wind down now. Company just left, and we are relaxing and reveling in the memories. It was a great day! Thank you for dropping by!

      Delete
  3. Happy 4th Pamela! Your mom made such a wonderful dress for your dolly! And I REALLY love the pic of you all dressed as an old fashioned girl! You and your mom are true beauties. I'm glad you've had a fun holiday already.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Susie! You are so sweet. Yes, we have had a wonderful day, carrying on the family traditions and enjoying our freedom to do so! Hope you have had a good day as well. Blessings to you and yours.

      Delete
  4. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! Miss those days!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wish you could come celebrate with us sometime! We'd bake you a birthday cake too!!! Happy Birthday Cousin. Now you are as old as me for a few months.

      Delete
  5. Great post, Pam! Happy 4th of July to you, too! It's a blessing to live in America. It's scary to see where we're headed as a nation. Thank you for the great reminder from Philippians 4: to rejoice ALWAYS! When I think about freedom--the greatest freedom of all is the freedom we have in Jesus!

    Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it is...our freedom in Christ makes us free indeed...no matter what that world may throw at us. We have a future secured through Christ in heaven. We need not fear what man may try to do. Praise God.

      Delete
  6. As our pastor said in his sermon yesterday--in all the turmoil, always remember that no matter what---Jesus Is Lord!!!!

    We had a wonderful day with family at your home! Everything was wonderful as always!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amen! Jesus IS Lord...and He has set us free from the snares of this world.
      So happy you came and enjoyed celebrating with us. It was wonderful for me as well! Love you always!

      Delete
  7. Hello Pamela~ so nice to have found you and your blog.
    Such a lovely post as you shared your memories and the joys of your heart, just precious.
    Great photos too.
    Jesus is Lord! Amen.
    Have a beautiful and blessed day~~
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Debbie! So wonderful to discover a new friend on my blog today! Thank you for stopping by for a visit. I just took a quick peek at your blog and am anxious to get back over there and become better acquainted with you! May the Lord bless you and give you peace each day! Amen!!

      Delete
  8. Hello Pamela~ so nice to have found you and your blog.
    Such a lovely post as you shared your memories and the joys of your heart, just precious.
    Great photos too.
    Jesus is Lord! Amen.
    Have a beautiful and blessed day~~
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Pam, what a beautiful post with lots of interesting tidbits of your life and family! Your celebration of Independence day was so much fun to see! It would be so nice if you and hubby (and sons) could come for a visit! Let me know if and when you are planning to come so we can make sure we are not out of town! Hope you are enjoying your retirement!
    Hugs, Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THank you Nancy. It probably won't be for a long time since we still caregive my mother in law and we aren't planning any long trips in the near future. But it is on our list for the future. Wish it could come sooner!

      Delete
  10. Pam, thank you for letting us have a glimpse of your family and your holiday. I sure do miss celebrating holidays like this with my family. Most of mine are in Tennessee and I'm in Florida. Some day.... Love your dolls. I have a Baby Oliver similar to Baby Elva. Have a wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting, Melanie! I am sorry you are so far from your family. We are in Florida too. Are you near Ocala by any chance? We live in the Ocala National Forest.
      Would love to see a picture of your Baby Oliver! Have a blessed day, my Florida friend.

      Delete
  11. You have great family traditions from dolls to home made ice cream and a love of country. I enjoyed these photos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Terra. We are a family that loves to make up excuses to celebrate! So thankful for this heritage. And thankful for our country..and our friends. Bless you Terra.

      Delete

Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.