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!

Friday, March 10, 2017

My Cabin Rules - Reposted for Friday Foto Friends

To my Friday Foto Friends....This week was kind of crazy and I've already posted all the pictures I took in other posts, so I will have to go back into the archives to find something that strikes my fancy today!  This is an ongoing dream I have (a pleasant dream...not the nightmare that got me the other night!...and by the way, last night I slept like a baby, Praise God...and thank you all for the prayers!)

Anyway, after you read this, please go on over to visit Deb and our other Friday Foto Friends at http://www.jeremiah-2911.com/2017/03/friday-foto-friends-70.html and see what lovely things everyone is posting today!

Originally posted on 9/13/13...and here we are, 2  almost 4 years later...and I'm still wanting to build my own little cabin here in the woods for our guests to enjoy...but it will probably still be a while. But in the meantime, all the other stuff written below still pretty much applies...so read on and dream along with me...and come on out for a visit sometime! If you are brave enough...bring a tent and camp in the yard. Or if you have an RV, bring that and park it in the yard...or camp in the local RV park and campground here in Salt Springs and enjoy all this area has to offer.Click here for details on Salt Springs Recreation Area;  Or Click here for Salt Springs Resort

9/13/13:

This time of year I always get "cabin fever".  No, not in the stuck in the cabin with no place to go trapped and feeling desperate kind of "cabin fever", but the kind of "cabin fever" that yearns and longs to have a cabin to actually go to and become "trapped inside" for the whole autumn and winter...THAT kind of "cabin fever".

Yeah, I've told you about my dream of having a little cabin someday: http://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2012/10/my-little-secret-hideaway-dream.html...and if you ever go to my Pinterest Page for "Little Cabins, Porches,Swings, Birdhouses, etc.", you will see all of my little dream visions for cabins, porches, porch swings, etc. that I have pinned and drooled over.  It's my favorite little place to go to and at least visualize what I'd love to have in a cabin someday if I ever get the chance.

 One of the cute little signs I discovered on Pinterest is this "My Cabin Rules" sign:

This kind of sums up exactly what I want to do at my little cabin in the woods...and what I would want my guests to do if they ever came to visit.

Actually, there really isn't any reason why we can't do that right here and now. I already live in the woods. My house isn't exactly a cabin, but it is rather 'campy'.  So here's my response to the "Cabin Rules":

1.  Take Time to Relax:  Thankfully I have just recently been able to readjust my work schedule so that I can have Fridays off. I cannot begin to tell you how much that has helped me to relax more. Having that one extra day to be totally unscheduled is the best tonic I've ever taken. Unbelievable how wonderful that is. (I am writing this in the evening of one of my Fridays off...can you tell?)

NOTE 3/10/17:  I HAVE SINCE RETIRED...BUT IT SEEMS LIKE I STILL NEED TO TAKE A DAY OFF NOW AND THEN!  HA HA!

2.  Don't feed the bears:   We do have bears...and we try not to feed them. Sometimes they just help themselves to whatever they can find...like my birdfeeders when I forget to bring them inside before dark...and sometimes in the broad daylight.


3.  Look at the Stars:  Yep, I've done that too. Click this for the story.  The stars are so much brighter here with no city lights to steal the show. 

4.  Feel the cool breezes:  Well...right now it's about 90 degrees in the evening...the cool breezes haven't arrived yet, but I am sitting in front of my fan and it feels pretty cool.  The cool breezes will come...I have felt  wisps of them early in the morning as I take my walk...and even in the early evening....they tease us with the promise of cooler days to come.

NOTE ON 3/10/17:  It's early springtime now, and our mornings and evenings are still fairly cool...not looking forward to those hot summer days at all!!!

5.  Walk in the woods: Here's one special walk in the woods.  (click on link)
This is a picture from my most recent walk in the woods this very morning.
(Don't forget, you can click on each picture to enlarge it for viewing!)

And these little bear tracks are also from my
walk in the woods this morning!




The beginning of the trail today.






6.  Listen to the trees:



I wish you could hear the whispering of these trees in the wind...they really do sound like they are talking to us...

7.  Build Campfires:

Yep!! We do that too.


8.  Discover Time:
 Sit a spell...listen to the birds.


9.  Smell the Fresh Air:

 Early morning sunshine...doesn't get any fresher than that...do you see the angel?

10.  Relish each moment:

I suppose what I have learned in this little exercise tonight is that sometimes the dreams we yearn for are already within our grasp...right in front of us...if we'd just open our eyes and look around. Perhaps we need to recognize the wonder and beauty of what God has already given us...and be thankful for such as we have. Then take that to the next level...and share it with others.  Whether it be a cabin in the woods, or a home in the city...or possibly the ability to share positive and happy things with others...through writing, pictures, baked goods, helping those less fortunate or currently in need of physical assistance due to illness or other kind of discomfort. Using the talents we have to bless those around us in one way or another.  Don't wait until you have everything perfectly lined up...that may never happen. Do what you can now with what you have.  No one is promised tomorrow...live today to the fullest...and share it with someone else.

Yep, those are MY Cabin Rules!  Have a blessed day, my friend.


Wanna go for a walk with me?  Be sure to get here early...wear long pants and
closed toe shoes...bring your camera...and bug spray!
Let's go!!!



18 comments:

  1. Pamela, this just "hit the spot" perfectly. The cabin rules are wonderful and I agree that there really is no good reason to wait for the cabin to follow them.
    AND I truly, truly LOVE the new photo at the top of your blog now. Such a window could not be replicated by man, could it? Love you my friend!
    Susie

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    1. Oh, I almost went to bed and didn't see this comment from you. I was having too much fun on Facebook! Thank you, Susie, for confirming what I was thinking! And yes, the picture taken last Sunday morning seen above, continues to grow on me and speak to me. I see such joy and brightness in that picture! My "one word" for 2013 was "Presence"...i.e., the Presence of God. I think He just gave me His stamp of approval of that word! How awesome is our God?
      Love you too, dear sweet friend across the country! :)

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  2. AMEN! And you had me planning the visit until you got to the bug spray in your list of things to bring!

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    1. Now that fall is arriving, the bugs are starting to dissipate...so bug spray may not be totally necessary for the next several months...so come on down!!!

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  3. Hi Pam! I totally would go for a walk with you! I'd leave the camera to you though. I'll just tramp along and enjoy the sights. I can't believe it was 90 degrees when you wrote this, but maybe September is really more summer than fall these days.
    Bears?? Yikes! Interesting that you have to bring in the bird feeders or Yogi will get to them. I suppose you learned that through experience :)
    I would love a house in the woods, and one by the water too. Nature just flashes and sings His beautiful creation.
    Blessings!
    Ceil

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    1. Thank you Ceil! How I wish you WOULD come take a walk with me...but now we have to wait until bear hunting season is over. It just started today, and I am heartbroken. We haven't hunted bears in Florida in 20 years. However, if you ever head this way, please let me know and we will find a safe place to walk in the woods. I'd just be thrilled to have your company!!!

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  4. Absolutely love this post... It's new to me since we're rather new blogging friends. You mentioned my break... I've always tried to post every day and I'm trying to get away from that. Posting every other day has given me a rest. Maybe you've just seen me on Facebook all week. 😊Thanks so much for sharing and linking up each week. Hope you rested better last night. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Thank you Debbie, for your kind words and encouragement. God has been so wonderful...I rested like a baby last night. So thankful.

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  5. Hi Pamela! Wow, I love this post and all your photos. Bears are getting very common here in my neck of the woods too. Right now it's snowing with 2 inches on the ground already. I haven't been visiting much because I haven't been up to par. Have a day of blessings my friend.

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    1. Dear Toni, I hope you are feeling better tonight. Saying a prayer for you now. Please take care of yourself and stay warm and safe inside while it's snowing. Thank you for taking the time to visit here today. Blessings to you my friend.

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  6. You live in a perfect area to be able to do all those things! Every time I see a photo of a bear I think of you! One day {Lord's willing} you will get that cabin.

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    1. Yes, we have a lot of fun and interesting stuff here to see and do...as do you in your area. I love the pictures of the places you ride to and the fun places you visit. I'll let you know when we do get that cabin!

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  7. I would love to go for a walk with you!! You are blessed to live in a wonderful place, nature of all kinds to enjoy! Hope you get your cabin built some day!! btw, like Sylvia said, every time I see a bear I'll be thinking of you!! lol

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    1. Thank you Mary, for your visit and always encouraging words. I hope you don't see too many bears where you live...wouldn't that be strange? When I do get my cabin build, I will be sure to send out an invitation to everyone!!!

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  8. I love your cabin rules, Pamela! My husband and I look forward twice a year to going to a cabin (luxury type) up in the North Carolina mountains near the Smoky Mountains. It is our slice of heaven, a retreat from the daily grind, and a precious time to reconnect with God and with each other. And when we're there, we follow your rules to the letter!
    Blessings, my friend!

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    1. Oh, I'd love to do that. Someday we will take a vacation to the mountains again. It's been way too long. But I am thankful for what the Lord provides right here and I try to appreciate what I've got. He's been very gracious.

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  9. I'm getting here a day late! What a wonderful thought, to have a little cabin right in the middle of paradise! I would love to see a black bear but I certainly wouldn't feed them. I hope to see a few up in Tennessee in Cades Cove. Love the cabin rules.

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  10. Pam, I've clearly gotten WAY behind once again. I really enjoyed this post, thanks for sharing it. We received a bit of snow late last night/early this morning. It was beautiful to see tree limbs covered in a layer of white. If I have "eyes" to see, a fresh snowfall is a picture of how we are made clean, "white" in the blood of Jesus.

    Blessings!

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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.