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!

Thursday, September 19, 2019

It's About Time I Wrote Something!

I know, it's been a long time since I wrote anything...and I apologize for not being more attentive to everyone else's posts as well.  All I can say is, if you've ever moved, you will understand...and if you've ever moved at this stage in life...(late 60's early 70's, 50 years of marriage) then you should understand even better.  It's slow moving...literally...our bodies just can't do what they used to do, and the struggle to figure out where to put things, how to move them, what to do with many things, waiting for others much younger and stronger to help...the struggle is real...moving is NOT for old folks or sissies!

All that being said, I guess it's about time I give my dear blogging friends a sneak preview of what's been going on here...this is an exclusive just for my blogging friends.  Most of these pictures have never been seen before on Facebook or elsewhere...they are brand new, hot off the "press" so to speak. So where should I begin? Let's see:

Well, I do spend a lot of time looking at the pond, and that is probably another reason why this settling into the house is taking so long...I'd rather sit outside and look at the beauty surrounding us...the reason we bought this particular house...So here's a lovely look at the lilies on the pond as they opened up their blossoms to the sun...


And this is a lovely female wood duck seen paddling around on the pond early in the mornings and in the evenings...


This is the silhouette of our resident hawk who keeps a "hawk eye" on everything that goes on around here...


Today this Downy Woodpecker was pecking its way around the pines...

They are so small and quick, I was fortunate to get these photos...

These are "phragmites" on the island in the pond.  If you don't know what that is, here is a link to some information: https://www.fws.gov/gomcp/pdfs/phragmitesqa_factsheet.pdf

I think they are pretty waving in the sunshine, but I guess they are a bit invasive and apparently not a desirable thing to have. Oh well...I still think they are pretty.

My view from the "Secret Garden" bench...no I haven't exactly established the "secret garden" yet, but this is the closest thing to it for now, and I love to sit here in the evening looking at the pond.


This evening while I was sitting there I noticed something large fly in across the pond:

It was this giant blue heron...

See how tall he is when he stretches out his neck?  I guess he was looking for his supper...

The following pictures have already been shown on Facebook, but many of you haven't seen them...this rose is a blossom from the Memorial Garden rosebush that I dug up and brought with me when we moved.  I have been nursing it along all summer in its pot of dirt, and this week it rewarded me with this lovely blossom.  For those who may not be familiar, the "memorial garden" was established in memory of our son Matthew, who left this world for his eternal home five years ago.  We built a special Memorial Garden at our old house and planted special plants there in memory of him.  I brought this one with us and also the Rose of Sharon bush that we planted. It is also doing well, but no flowers right now. They usually only bloom in June and July.  I hope to plant these in a new "memorial garden" here at our new home, once I figure out where is the best spot to put it.

The wonderful blessing of this particular blossom is that my birthday is next week, and it always seems that this rose bush has bloomed on or around special days of our lives. I consider it a gift from heaven from our son...and I feel extremely blessed and thankful. God knows exactly what we need...

Switching gears a bit, many have been asking and waiting to see what the inside of our new house looks like.

I should have warned you that this post would be photo overload! But this makes up for the last few weeks that I haven't posted anything! Thank you for hanging in there with me. I don't know when I will be posting again, so might as well enjoy it while we can!

These pictures are of our kitchen cupboards.  I know many will say it's too cluttered. Others wonder why I didn't get rid of all this stuff.  I've been trying...I actually have gotten rid of quite a bit...but, well, what can I say?  I asked my hubby if it was just "too much" and he said "No".  "It's our home and these are things that make it special".  So there...he actually made me feel so much better. But I am still trying to eliminate quite a few things...it's just not as easy as one would think...


Having all glass door upper cabinets does make it look a bit busy, but actually I am enjoying them now that they are filled.


Since I had to leave behind my big white china cabinet where I was able to store and display so many special dishes, these cabinets have helped to provide a place for the special dishes and tea pots, tea cups, etc. (Even a place for the Pink Flamingo cookie jar..that was supposed to be a "joke", but it's still hanging around...it may become a gift to someone else one of these days...)

The Tea and Coffee station

I forgot that my blogging friends haven't seen this new pantry cupboard that my son built for me.
I really needed a place to put canned goods and some large items that wouldn't fit in these smaller cabinets. Plus, I am too old to get down on the floor to look for canned goods anymore. This has been a life saver.

Here's my sweet son and his wonderful wife. They do have a furniture building business in their home, so this was a natural thing to do...(after I presented the idea with a big "please, please please?")

Here it is filled up:

Welcome to the foyer...please be sure to sign the guestbook when you arrive...

And the buffet has to be in the living room/great room. This house does not have a formal dining room, so we are innovating...

Here's the dining room table, trying to look like fall...

Around the corner in my little den...yes, the doll house made it without too many bumps or issues!
 These cabinets are all in my little "den"/office/tea room...it's a bit crowded, but there was no other place to put them...and I can't get rid of "Nanny's Hoosier Cupboard" or the lovely hutch cabinet that my son built for me at our old house...

Remember, "the room with a view"? 


(my view on a sunny day:)

But all this stuff had to go somewhere...so as I twirl around in my rolling office chair, these are the things I see around me..."Nanny's China Cabinet" (remember the one I broke the curved glass in when we moved into our other house?  Thankfully the remaining glass survived this move).


Now, on to my bathroom...yes, "my bathroom"...I've never had my very own bathroom before that I didn't have to share with my hubby...but this house actually has two bathrooms in our master bedroom...one with a shower, sink/vanity and toilet, and the other with a large soaking bathtub, sink/vanity, toilet (remember the three toilet story HERE?) and then an additional bathroom for our guests on the other side of the house.  But here in my bathroom (the one with the tub) I hung the picture of the "Angel of the Woods" that I took back at our old home...I thought she would enjoy living here and watching over these "woods" too....

 Our living room is still a work in progress. We haven't been able to hang too many pictures, etc., yet, as I am still trying to make sure the furniture is where we want it before we start hanging things. But I think we are about ready to get pictures hung...it's just so time consuming and you have to be so careful to find the studs and line things up straight before you poke a hole in the wall.  So I am taking my time with this...

The other side of the living room, looking back toward the foyer and front door.
I probably should have cleaned up a little before taking pictures.  But if you have to wait for me to clean up you will never see any pictures...

So, let's go back outside before we close for the night...Last evening our kids came over and helped us set up the new patio tables and umbrellas.  We got an extremely good deal  at Home Depot on their end of the season patio furniture sale. We were able to purchase two round tables and umbrellas basically for the price of one...and now we are ready to start entertaining on the back deck...


as soon as these pesky "lovebugs" go away.  (You have to live in the south to understand just how nasty these things are...we are definitely ready for them to leave...usually here for the month of September and May...)


And the front deck is decked out for fall and ready to welcome guests...


So here we come to the end of this day and time to say good night...
But like Motel 6, "We'll keep a light on for you"...if you want to come and stay a spell...
(Just let me know in advance...the guest room is one room that is NOT ready...but I am working on it a little at a time...it's just a kind of catch all room right now for things that we don't know what to do with...and there's still a lot of that...but if we know you are coming we will get it ready asap!)

So thankful that the Lord always keeps a light on for us too...His guest room is always ready and He will never turn anyone away empty...

Here are some thoughts from the Psalms as we close for this evening...(actually this is what we read in our morning devotions this morning)

Psalm 111

"Praise the Lord!
I will praise the Lord with my whole heart,
in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.
The works of the Lord  are great,
studied by all who have pleasure in them.
His work is honorable and glorious,
and His righteousness endures forever.
He has made His wonderful works to be remembered;
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
He has given food to those who fear Him;
He will ever be mindful of His covenant.
He has declared to His people the power of His works,
in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of His hands are verity and justice;
All His precepts are sure.
They stand fast forever and ever,
and are done in truth and uprightness.
He has sent redemption to His people;
He has commanded His covenant forever;
Holy and awesome is His Name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever."

Amen.

Here is a little worship song we have been singing as our "call to worship" at church lately, and I find myself singing it over and over again as I enjoy the beauty of each morning out on the deck overlooking the pond...


All that we have is a gift from God to give back to Him in honor and glory.  Our home is to be a place to honor Him as we open our home and hearts to encourage others.  We are just the caretakers of God's house here on earth.  Our real home is in heaven, where neither dust or moth can corrupt or destroy. (Matthew 6:19-20). 

I hope you have enjoyed this little tour of our new home on the pond.  We are loving our new community and church and being so close to our kids...who are such a blessing to us. We are thankful and blessed beyond measure.  Now may we give back to the Lord all that He has invested in us for His glory and kingdom.

Have a blessed and wonderful weekend my friends. I hope to get caught up with you all very soon.

17 comments:

  1. I loved seeing the photos again! I am looking forward to visiting one of these days! Your new home is perfect!!

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    1. Oh Terri, I am so looking forward to the day when you and Joe can come visit! Just take care of each other and get stronger. Especially get your knees feeling great, because unfortunately one down side is we have several steps to climb to get into this house. We are trying to get bids on getting a ramp for our friends who have difficulty climbing steps, but it may take a while as it will be expensive since we are so high. I just hope to get one built before WE need it!! Anyway, please take care and just get well. So glad you are doing so well. Now we pray for Joe... God is in control!!! One day at a time.

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  2. Thank you for sharing so many photos. I know it takes so much time but I see you are making your new place into a cosy home. Over time you will find a place for everything or decide what you want to let go if anything. I love the angel you hung in the bathroom. I hadn't heard her story yet. I also love the story of how the roses bloom during significant events in your life. That is just like God. May you and your husband have all the strength you need to continue to get things done just the way you like.

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    1. Thank you for visiting here today. Yes, we are definitely taking our time and little by little it is coming together. We have taken several loads of unneeded items to the church for their upcoming yard sale this weekend (the youth and the ladies who make quilts for the sick are having sales). But I know there is much more I need to let go of...it just takes time to figure out what and where it should go. Here is a link to one of the stories I wrote about the "Angel of the Woods" photo: https://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2017/09/post-irma-reflections-friday-foto.html I took this photo one day as we were walking, just because the sunrays looked so beautiful coming down through the trees. When I looked at the photo and posted it on facebook, everyone remarked that they could see an "angel" in the light...and so could I...and ever since then my thoughts were that God had sent a special 'angel' to our woods to keep us safe while we lived there, and indeed He did keep us safe through many storms of life as well as real storms. I know it was God Himself, but this picture was a glimpse into the world that we cannot see with our naked eyes, but a glimpse of perhaps what is around us all the time, as ambassadors of God to watch over His children. So this "Angel of the Woods" has become a "special friend" gift from God, a symbol of His loving care for us wherever we go. God shows us His love in SO many ways...like the rosebush that keeps blooming... Have a blessed day my friend...and be sure to watch for the special gifts of love sent from God your way each day...

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  3. I think you’re doing great with all the unpacking! Do you think the guest room will be ready by February? If so, we’d like to drop by and see you. More on that later! Glad to see you’re settling in.

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    1. Oh how wonderful! Of course we will be ready for you by February! Do you plan to stay overnight? That would be marvelous. We'll keep a light on for you. Always a joy to see my wonderful cousins!!!

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  4. Your home is beautiful, Pamela!

    "God knows exactly what we need..."

    Amen.

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    1. Thank you, Sandi. You are so sweet, and always know the right things to say. Yes, God DOES know exactly what we need! Blessings to you today...

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  5. Thank you so much for sharing and I just love that cookie jar, smiles. Moving is a bear, hubby and I were discussing the "what ifs" concerning the end of school soon --and he said, "Linda, we would have to hire someone to move us this time." We shall see where the good Lord wants us...right now, its here, at least for now. smiles

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    1. We had to hire some local guys to help us, in addition to our own two sons. And we actually moved twice in a month...but the second move was from storage to our house, so it wasn't quite as hard as the first move from our house to the temporary location...but it was a LOT of stuff to move twice, and we had to pay some good competent help, but it was worth it. We still rented a Uhaul, but the young guys did all the heavy work. We just supervised. Praying for you as you come to that point in time and decisions. God will lead you when the time is right. Just concentrate on finishing your course first, and then see what happens. Blessings to you dear friend. Move back to Florida and I'll give you the cookie jar! LOL.

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  6. Seeing the inside of your new home, and the environs, is simply delightful, Pamela! Yes, moving is tough no matter how old you are when you do it, but when we're older . . . I just can't imagine even trying. I hope you know how missed you've been around the blogosphere, but there's not one of us who doesn't completely understand.
    Blessings, my friend!

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    1. Thank you, Martha. It has been quite a "trial" for us, but God has been with us all the way, and we are seeing His hand in all that we have been doing...He has prepared the way before us and we are so thankful for His kindness and gracious provision for all our needs. I am glad to be back, and hope to get caught up with everyone soon. Thank you for being there!!!!

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  7. Your new home is so cozy, warm and inviting. And I agree with your hubby...We have a lot of "stuff" too but and it will be safely stored in a storage facility until the farmhouse is built. It's not just about have "stuff"...it's about what makes us feel like we're home.

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    1. Thank you for understanding! We have moved so many times in our 50 years of marriage, and for our kids and us the things that make them feel "at home" are the many reminders of our loved ones who have been there and gone on before us...we never had a real "hometown", so our home was it. I know these are only things, and the real home is eternal and spiritual, but we need this sense of who we are and where we came from...it's just a normal thing for human beings. So much of what we have belonged to loved ones and were given to us to enjoy, and so we do. I struggle with it sometimes but when all is said and done I enjoy the memories of those dear ones and the things that were special to them. I think God understands as long as I don't put them before Him. Instead I use these things as a way to serve His children. I can't wait to see your farmhouse. I know it will be so very special, because love is building it. So happy for you to be on your way "home"...God is good.

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  8. Pamela, your home is looking absolutely lovely!
    Just seeing your cupboards filled and all put together so beautifully is heart warming.
    Your pond is certainly wonderful and I too would find myself out near it often.
    This is certainly the best time of year to purchase outside patio furniture and yours looks lovely.

    It's good to visit with you and thank you for your beautiful comment on my post.
    I too have been away and now trying to play catch up.

    Joy to you ♡

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  9. I think it is coming along nicely. Some of it can wait until you have been there a good bit and see how you feel about things and when you have enjoyed the outside enough. It is hard to get rid of all those things that hold so many memories. I can't even imagine trying to move and decide what would go. Made me shudder just thinking of it.
    The pictures are all lovely.

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  10. Pam: Your new home is beautiful. I like what you have been able to do with it. I especially love your back deck and that marvelous God-given view. God has indeed blessed you and John many times over. Peace and blessings to you.

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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.