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, October 3, 2019

Just Catching Up-Happy October!!

It's October!  Have you noticed any changes in your "neck of the woods"?  I am noticing subtle changes in the position of the sun as it rises and sets each day...I loved how the setting sun was glistening like gold on the pine needles beside the pond last evening...

It just really caught my eye...

And so did this tiny little green gecko (chamelion) as he worked his way around my patio table...

He wasn't too sure which way to go...

And he was very curious about me sitting there watching him. Eventually he climbed up the umbrella pole, and I lost sight of him...and I also got up and moved because I didn't want him to drop down on top of me from the umbrella...

So I came inside and decided to get into the October spirit by lighting a candle on the table...

I love these battery operated candles, don't you?  You don't have to worry about them burning your house down when you forget to blow them out...

Which is what could happen with this jolly jack o' lantern if I go off and forget him...so we'll just watch him for a minute...

While I tell you how decorator savvy I've become in my "old age"...  Remember when I showed you pictures of my kitchen HERE a few weeks ago?  Here's another picture taken today of this wall of hanging plates....Well...I did this several weeks ago, right?

And then THIS came in the mail this past week:  The November edition of "Country Living" magazine:


And I was astounded to see that even the sophisticated decorators from Country Living thought it was a great idea to hang blue and white plates on a wall! Of course, they suggested putting them in the shape of a wreath...which is fine if you have that much space to fill up and want to put that many holes in your wall, but the point is, I thought of this idea all on my own before I ever saw this magazine cover...and when it arrived I felt quite clever to have already done something very similar to what they were suggesting!!  I don't consider myself to be a very savvy decorator very often...I just use whatever I have to make do, and if I like it, and my family doesn't complain, then it works for me!  But it's kind of neat to see that my idea was magazine cover worthy!  (I just noticed something else on that cover..."Embrace that old brown furniture (it's baaack!)"  Well, that's a good thing, because that is pretty much what I have...old brown furniture!!! Especially the "old" part... Ha Ha!

Speaking of "old"....I did have another celebration last Friday with some friends and family to celebrate my birthday:   I know you are thinking, "why would she share such an unflattering picture of herself on her blog?"  Well, because it's a tradition...in our family you have to have a picture of you blowing out your candles on your birthday cake, (in this case, pie), and I was happy to be able to do it. I mean, when you get this old, you are quite fortunate if you can blow out your candles...even if there are only two candles to blow out! So there...I'm telling on myself how old I am too...so you know next year will definitely be an even bigger blowout! LOL.
Okay, so much for all that "old" stuff.  I haven't been around much lately because after my big birthday week last week I came down with laryngitis, which developed into a bad cold/virus something that knocked me for a loop for this past week...and I am just today really even beginning to feel  like doing something "fun" again.  Not sure just what that will be, but I'll think  of something.

Meanwhile, it's good to even feel good enough to sit here and write to you again, dear friends. I've missed you. You are a breath of fresh air and sunshine to me, and I am sorry for not being more attentive lately. These past few months have really been difficult for me since we moved...being this "old" really does take a toll on you when you undertake something as big as this move has proven to be...and I believe my resistance/immune system has gotten a little down...so hopefully over the next few weeks and months the cooler fall weather will help me get back into some healthier activities and more refreshing exercise...like walking again. We really haven't taken many walks since our move, and it has affected both my husband and I...so hopefully we will get back in the walking groove here real soon. We did discover a State Forest nearby with walking trails, and so I am eager to check it out as soon as we get a real fall day. (cooler, that is)

We were reading in our morning devotions this morning from the book of Nehemiah 8:1-12.  The Title for this chapter in my Bible says "The Great Revival Under Ezra, The Law read and explained."

The people of Israel had been in captivity for many years and the city of Jerusalem had been pretty well destroyed, especially the walls of the city.  Nehemiah had been sent (by his request) by the King of Persia, to rebuild the walls.  The people had not heard the  "Book of the Law of Moses" read to them in many years, and they really didn't know what it said.  So Ezra the priest brought the book of the Law to the assembly and read it in the open square to all the men and women who could hear it with understanding. (verse 2-9)  And when the people heard all the words  from the Law of God, the people began to weep and mourn...for they knew they had not been keeping the law as they should.  But in verse 9, Ezra told them not to mourn or weep, because this day"is holy to the Lord your God."  And in verse 10 he told them,
"Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

I want to close with that thought today.  Do not sorrow, for the JOY of the Lord is your strength.  When we are feeling sad or grieving for the loss of someone dear to us, or even the loss of something that was important to us...a home, a job, our health,  or a special treasure...we are reminded not to sorrow...but to remember that knowing the Lord and having His presence in our lives gives us strength and JOY.  These people, when faced with the truths of God's Word, grieved because of their sin, but they also, when Ezra blessed the Lord, the Great God, the people answered, "Amen, Amen!" (see verse 6)  and "lifted up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground."

Let us embrace this beautiful new season of autumn with JOY, knowing that we can march forward with the JOY of the Lord as our strength.  Whatever we may be facing in the future, God is already there...and He will give us the strength to do whatever we need to do...and He will also help us to have JOY in the midst of it all.  


Happy Fall, Y'all!!

27 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos, Pam, and I love the devotions you shared. I am so happy for you in your new home!! Enjoy your 69th... I have 68 coming up in December. How does that happen? I was just 30 a couple of weeks ago! LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know what you mean, Terri! It does seem like we were just 30 a short while ago. Where did all the years go? I'm not sure. It's like a blur. I am so glad you are feeling better and starting to get back to writing again. And I am happy you have a nice little trip coming up soon. That will be nice for you both. Just take your time and enjoy it. Have a good week.

      Delete
  2. O what a nice photos: the sun in the forst and you with the cake and candles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Aritha. I am so glad you stopped by for a visit. I have been negligent in keeping up with you and others. Please forgive. It's been a very long and hard summer in many ways with moving and then some health issues. Hopefully everything is better now and I should get back to "normal." Please take care and God bless you.

      Delete
  3. I just love your birthday photo, grin. Ah, October...yes, we are seeing lots of color and we are even expecting our first freeze this evening/overnight. Smiles.

    I hope you have a lovely day my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my, the first freeze already? Frost on the pumpkins? Wow! I guess it is about time. I know when we were in Maine/NH area, we might see snow sometimes early in Oct., so I guess anything is possible. But then you will have Indian Summer perhaps... Either way, enjoy your lovely fall days. Thank you for visiting, and for your sweet comments.

      Delete
  4. I love the birthday photo so much. 69 doesn't seem that old to me as I'm 62. lol I'm just grateful for each day as I'm sure you are too. So glad you are feeling better.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Ezra and for the reminder to find our joy in the Lord.

    Have a blessed day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting here today...and yes, 69 is the new 49...LOL. well, not really, but I can pretend, can't I? I'm finding that 69 is, well, 69. My body is telling me about it all the time. And yes, I am very grateful for every new day the Lord gives me. One day at a time, thank You, Jesus!! Have a blessed weekend!!

      Delete
  5. It's good to see a blog post from you. With both you and Terri D out of commission for the past couple of months, things have been a little quiet on the blogging frontier!!

    I love what you've done with the blue dishes. Everything looks so homey and inviting.

    And yes, like you, I used electric candles now. As we age, it seems the electric candles are an especially good idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, Terri and I were the "cheerleaders" of the group it seems. Hopefully Terri will be back to posting soon...I think she did something today as a matter of fact! So she's getting back a little at a time. Yes, the battery operated candles are so nice. No smoke, no worries...just gotta keep the batteries coming! I love them. You can put them anywhere!! Take care and see you soon...kind of!!

      Delete
  6. My late mother had blue and white Currier & Ives dishes that she adored. I love how you have decorated with yours! I mailed mother's Currier & Ives tea pot to blogger Dianna at Forgiven fairly recently so she could have tea parties with her granddaughters! Your home looks so lovely and welcoming and how fun to have friends over for your birthday pie! Looks yummy. I do understand the toll moving takes as we get older. You have really had a rough time and I hope things begin to settle down and your health improves. Weekend blessings to you. xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh how sweet of you to share your teapot with Dianna. I would love to see a picture of it. I'm not sure I've ever seen the Currier & Ives Teapot! I've got lots of other pieces, but have never seen that one. I know Dianna will treasure it and so will her blessed granddaughters! What a treat for them. Thank you for your kind words regarding our house, etc. We are enjoying our house, but praying the bugs will go away...the real bugs (lovebugs) and the germ bugs. My hubby has been suffering with some back issues too, and that has been challenging. Yes, moving at our age is not a good idea...even with all the help we had...there is still so much you have to do on your own. It's taking a long time to get it done. Weekend blessings to you and your hubby too. Please take care of yourselves...

      Delete
  7. So sorry to hear you were under the weather, Pamela, but glad you're up and running again! And just wow - you were way ahead of the curve when it came to hanging your plates in the kitchen. Way to go!
    Thanks for all the lovely photos you shared here with us, too. Oh, how we are so looking forward to a "real" fall starting tomorrow with more normal temps. It's been in the 90s all week long!
    Blessings, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know I've noticed that GA has had higher temps than we have some days this week. I am sorry for you (but happy for us that our days are getting a little bit cooler). I am sure you will appreciate the real fall that is starting tomorrow even more. I hope it hangs on. We will be passing through next weekend for NC for a family reunion in Charlotte! Looking for some cooler weather!!

      Delete
  8. Glad you’re on the mend. I was getting worried, as I hadn’t seen any posts from you lately. I got the magazine, too, and thought of those Currier & Ives dishes that I ate on for so many years. Pat’s younger brother, Tim, died recently (COPD) and the funeral was on your birthday. I hope someone called and sang to you! Take care. ❤️

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, dear Becky, I am so sorry to hear about Pat's brother Tim. Please convey my sympathies to Pat. That is so very sad. Regarding my birthday, yes, I had several calls on my birthday and then there was the party on Friday, so I was well celebrated. I guess I didn't remember that your Mother had those dishes too! It seems everyone had them at some point! I still have quite a few, but have given some away in this last move. I just didn't need 20 plates anymore! LOL. Again, please give Pat a hug for me. So very sorry. Love you both.

      Delete
  9. "The people had not heard the "Book of the Law of Moses" read to them in many years..."

    True of today, too. It is interesting how the people wept when they heard it because they really did not know what it said.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wonder if there will ever come a time in America when people will weep because they did not know what God's Word truly said? I pray it won't be too late for them at that time. Jesus is coming soon...we'd better be ready!!!

      Delete
  10. Pam: I was sitting on my porch this afternoon and noticed a tree at the back of the lot across the street from us has just barely started to turn. It won't be long before we see a lot of color in our trees up here. I love that passage in Nehemiah. Thank you for sharing it with us. Peace and blessings to you and yours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am sure the color will be starting everywhere if not now, soon. We will get bits and pieces of it down here, but nothing like it is up north. So we enjoy whatever we can find...especially when the days start getting cooler. That's what I'm really looking forward to! Thank you for visiting today!!

      Delete
  11. Love all the pictures and I’m so happy that you had such a wonderful birthday . Glad you are feeling better dear Pam . Love, love , love those blue and white dishes !!! ❤️ Almost all of my collection are heirlooms . So glad you’re enjoying your new home . God is so good Pam . Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Cindy. Yes, my birthday was pretty special...all week long, except for getting sick. But yes, I am feeling better now...hopefully I will be able to sing in church tomorrow! Or maybe I will just make a joyful noise! LOL. I understand about "heirlooms". That is why I can't seem to get rid of anything...they are all connected to "someone" from our history...and I guess I kind of like having that connection still. Maybe someday you can come down for a visit!!! Take care and God bless you!

      Delete
  12. I gave my parents a blue and white dinnerware set for their 25th anniversary. I have always liked that look. My aunt had Delft tiles in her kitchen I was crazy about. Your home is looking great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I love the blue and white designs as well. Something very clean about it. I love Delft blue too. We tend to gravitate towards things that bring us joy and a sense of connection with those we loved...and that is a good thing. Hope this day brings you peace and joy.

      Delete
  13. Thank you, Karen. It is so good to hear from you, and to see you back blogging again. We have missed you. Thank you for stopping by. Praying you are feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have a gecko family living in the plants on the porch. I saw them the other day and didn't have my camera or phone with me. Momma, Daddy and baby made three. They fascinated me and I watched them until they fled back in among the leaves. I haven't seen them in a few days, wish they would come visit me again.

    ReplyDelete

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.