Welcome to my "Open Window"...a place of hope, encouragement, and adventure as we journey down the road from "Closed Doors" to the new opportunities God places in our pathway. I hope you will take the time to go back and follow the trail of mixed blessings and fears, failures and triumphs from the past and side-trips in the present. Perhaps it will conjure up some of your own special memories, and be an invitation for you to share with others. I look forward to spending this time with you!
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!
Sunday, October 30, 2022
It's Sunday...A Day of Rest
It's Sunday, and I am home instead of being at Sunday school and church. Had a bit of a "bug" yesterday and today, and I just needed to stay home and let my body heal. I've been taking a lot of little naps...seems like that is what is needed most. This morning after hubby left for church I decided to treat myself to being a "guest" in my own house and went and laid down on the bed in the guest room to see what it would feel like to be a guest here. LOL.
I pulled Nanny Martin's restored quilt* up over me, and I went to sleep pretty quickly, so that is a good sign that the room is cozy and comfy.
Then I made the bed back when I got up so I wouldn't be tempted to lay back down...
I am enjoying the new little shabby chic nightstand that was given to me by my son at Dixie Cottage, and am very grateful to have it.
It will be a nice spot to put a cup of tea and a good book when I feel like reading...
And when I awaken from my nap I can refresh myself with a pitcher of warm water...(or I could just go across the hall to the bathroom where there is real running hot and cold water! LOL)
Anyway, I am thankful for the comforts of home when I don't feel up to being out there in the world. Sometimes we just need to "retreat' and let our body be restored.
Interestingly the sermon today at church is from the 23rd Psalm. How do I know? Well, our Pastor records his messages ahead of time to put on the church website so that people who are shut in at home can go online and hear the message and also sing along with the choir on one of the hymns. Our choir pre-records the song at our practice time earlier in the week, so that is why you will notice that I am singing in the choir when I am not there at church today. LOL. Here it is for you if you want to listen to a good message and hear us singing "Oh, How I Love Jesus!"
"There is a name I love to hear; I love to sing its worth
It sounds like music in my ear, the sweetest name on earth.
O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus
Because He first loved me.
It tells me of a Savior’s love, who died to set me free
It tells me of His precious blood, the sinner’s perfect plea.
O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus
Because He first loved me.
It tells me what my Father hath in store for every day
And, tho’ I tread a darksome path, yields sunshine all the way.
O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus
Because He first loved me.
It tells of One whose loving heart can feel my deepest woe
Who in each sorrow bears a part that none can bear below.
O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus
Because He first loved me."
While I was sitting here writing this to you I was blessed by a little visitor out on the porch. I couldn't get a good picture of him while he was sitting on the porch rail right outside my window, but he soon moved out to perch on the post that holds one of our birdhouses, and there he posed for me so sweetly so I could share him with you:
Isn't he sweet? This is a little Eastern Phoebe, and he is a welcome visitor since he loves to catch flies and bugs. You can often hear them calling "Phoebe, Phoebe" as they sit and watch for the bugs to appear.
This was a sweet gift to see him today. I love the ways God blesses us when we need little reminders of His Presence.
This little bird sits "Beside the Still Waters" here at our own Still Waters Pond...,
very fitting with the sermon today from the 23rd Psalm, where God leads us beside the still waters...where He restores our soul...
A Psalm of David.
Psalm 23
"1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever."
I hope this has been a refreshing and restorative retreat for you today. May the Lord bless you and keep you in peace.
I do hope you get to feeling better. I can't wait to see what Benton and Rose have "new" up there at Dixie Cottage. I just loveeeeeeeeee that nightstand, smiles.
Can't wait to see you. Benton needs to know, if you want a china closet/hutch, do you want it painted white? Just wondering. We can talk more on Saturday. Hey, my nightstand isn't a pretty pink like yours, but it still serves the purpose! LOL.
Oh that sermon and song is like being in a time warp. I am sorry that you haven't been feeling so great, but how nice to experiment and find out that your guest room is a cozy spot for taking a little nap. Our chickadees sing 🎵 Phoebe🎵 in the spring and summer and 🎵chicka-chicka-dee-dee-dee🎵 the rest of the year. Feel better soon! 🙏🏼
Thank you, Vee. I love our little church as we do sing the old songs along with some new ones, and the spirit is that of good old fashioned faith. Oh yes, we have chickadees here too, and they love to scold me when I come outside, usually telling me to put more bird seed out! LOL. Thank you. I am trying to feel better...had some homemade chicken noodle soup for lunch, and that is helping. I have a question for you...do you know anything about the Annie Wilkins story...the woman who rode her horse from Maine to California back in the 1950's? I just learned about her yesterday and have ordered a copy of a book about her life, but on one of the internet pages I was reading about her there is a photo of her with Art Linkletter, and under the photo it says the photo is by "A Heaven for vee". I thought that was so interesting that it was something so close to your name...https://www.shutterbulky.com/annie-wilkins/ and it made me wonder if you knew anything about this woman or this picture or who the photographer could be since it was so close to your pen name? (see the link above) Probably just very coincidental, but I thought of you immediately when I saw it!! Oh, the name of the book I ordered is "The Ride of her Life" by Elizabeth Letts. I like historical stories about people in Maine and NH like that and thought it might be interesting. I'll let you know! But maybe you already know???? I'm curious!
I see that Mrs. T helped me out by pointing you to my post. Having just been diagnosed with a terminal illness in 2019, I was most intrigued by Messannie's story. Her own book about her adventure was most interesting as you might imagine. I will have to look for the biography you found.
Whoa, I did not know about your illness??? How are you now? I've never known you to mention it in the few years I have been following your blog. I am very sorry to hear this, but am wondering if the Lord has healed you because you seem to be doing well as far as I can tell from here...and I honestly did not know about this. (((hugs))). Now I will be praying for you...
Thank you, Annie. I am feeling some better tonight, but still not dancing any jigs. LOL. The guest room is dressed up more for a female guest than a male guest, but if a male shows up, I will remove the teddy bears and dolls...LOL. I'm flexible. I just enjoy having a "girl's room" to retreat to when I need to. It was very comforting today. And yes, the picture of Nanny Martin is special So much of what we have in furniture in this house came from her home, so I feel like she should be honored. She was a very special lady in every way.
Vee has actually written a post featuring Mesannie Wilkins. She has seen her grave! Ms. Wilkins also wrote a book about her adventures called The Last of the Saddle Tramps. Read Vee's post here: https://ahavenforvee.blogspot.com/2019/08/of-saddle-tramps-and-cemetery-stories.html
OH MY GOODNESS! I sure didn't know that! I just went and read her post, but she has comments closed on it so I will just have to comment back to her if she responds! Now I wish I had looked for the original book by Mesannie Wilkins herself. I may still. I wonder if our library will have a copy? Probably not much call for it here in Florida, but you never know. I will have to check. That is really amazing. Vee wrote that post before I started reading her blog, so I had no idea! thank you for telling me!! So funny how small this world really is! LOL.
I am sorry your aren't feeling well but am sure your day of napping and taking it easy will heal your tummy and get you ready for the week ahead! I always love seeing your photos of visitors to your Memorial Garden and Still Waters Pond. What beauty you have right in your back yard!! Give Linda a hug for me when you see her this coming Saturday! xo
Thank you, Terri. I am feeling better this evening, but still not ready to dance a jig. I am looking forward to seeing Linda on Saturday. I'm so happy she's finally in her own house!! God is good.
I'm sorry to hear you're feeling a little under the weather, Pam. But what a splendid idea you had, 'treating' yourself to a little stay in the guest suite! I'm feeling okay, but given the number of congregants battling the flu (that I know of), I elected to stay home in bed with the pups -- just getting out long enough for coffee. For some reason, I couldn't watch our services online -- so as soon as our dinner is over I can pull up yours!
I hope you are not getting a bug...some times taking a precautionary "rest" is a good idea...especially when you know there is sickness around. I do feel better after my two days of enforced rest, but am still very tired feeling. I'm going to just take it easy until I begin to feel perkier. If you watched our church service, I hope you enjoyed it. God bless you dear friend. Take care!!
Thank you, Deb. I am feeling better tonight than I was, so I am hoping it is a passing bug that is well on its way out. I hope you have a blessed and wonderful week too.
Sorry you’re not feeling well. I used to have a guest room but now it’s my craft room. I used to do the same thing - pretend I was a guest and take a nap. Especially when I wasn’t up to par. It does look like a very comfy cozy room.
Thank you, Debby. I am starting to feel better, and that nap in the guest room was a comforting thing. I am not a very crafty person, so when I do crafts, it's usually all over the dining room table. LOL. We don't have overnight guests very often anymore, but I like to have a place ready just in case...you never know who may surprise us. Thank you again. My body kind of gave me no choice...I had to rest or just fall asleep standing up. LOL.
Is this my Vivian friend from right here? Oh, I love hearing from you. I hope you are doing well...and your sweet hubby too. Thank you for popping in here to visit. I hope to see you soon for real. Love you.
Ha ha! I can't find the energy to start decorating for Christmas until after Thanksgiving is over. We usually have the family here for Thanksgiving, and I actually enjoy having the pilgrims and turkeys and pumpkins still all about. Then when that's over, I take my time bring out the Christmas tree and decorations and savor every step of decorating. We usually leave it up until Jan. 6th or thereabouts, so that's a full month of decorations, which is usually long enough for me. I like to savor each and every holiday for itself and don't like to slight Thanksgiving day. That's just my feelings and it works for me. Others may enjoy doing whatever works for them and that's fine for them as well. But me and the Pilgrims gotta enjoy our pumpkin pie together to the very end...LOL. Thanks for visiting. Keep watching...you will see that I enjoy it all, in its time. Have a blessed November!!!
Hi dear Pamela, sorry to hear you are doing poorly but getting some good rest should put you back in commission. Your guest room is very cosy and comfortable and the quilt is absolutely gorgeous. Your little visitor is pretty cute too. Enjoy your week ahead.
"Oh, how I love Jesus because He first loved me." This phrase spoke directly to my heart, Pamela. I'm sorry to hear that you've been under the weather, and had to miss church, but certainly understand those feelings of lethargy and weariness. There is hardly a day that goes by that I don't find myself needing a nap. Maybe, it's God's way of helping us to acknowledge that in our latter years, it is necessary to slow down in order to live more closely with Him. At least that's what I'm hoping! I should have a blog up this coming Tuesday. Lots of good news to share! Blessings!
Such sweet and restful scenes you've posted today. I hope you're feeling much better today. Sometimes we just need extra peace and quiet to restore us. Looks like you were getting that!
Pam: I got to church yesterday morning. However, I was unable to make it back there for a special meeting last night. I couldn't get warm, then had some chills. I slept a lot, like you did. This morning presented me with sort of a headache. A friend from church was ill yesterday and made a trip to the doctor this afternoon. My best friend's daughter has a sore throat today. This stuff seems everywhere.
I hope you are feeling "right as rain" by now since I'm several days late getting to blogs. I sure hope life slows down a bit soon. Your guest room looks so nice and comfortable. Peaceful and welcoming. "Oh How I Love Jesus" is one of my favorite hymns. Sunday was all hymns at our church. We do that everytime there is a 5th Sunday in a month. You can sure tell everyone loves it. We sing all of the old hymns and it's wonderful. Blessings and hugs, Betsy
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.
I do hope you get to feeling better. I can't wait to see what Benton and Rose have "new" up there at Dixie Cottage. I just loveeeeeeeeee that nightstand, smiles.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see you. Benton needs to know, if you want a china closet/hutch, do you want it painted white? Just wondering. We can talk more on Saturday. Hey, my nightstand isn't a pretty pink like yours, but it still serves the purpose! LOL.
DeleteOh that sermon and song is like being in a time warp. I am sorry that you haven't been feeling so great, but how nice to experiment and find out that your guest room is a cozy spot for taking a little nap. Our chickadees sing 🎵 Phoebe🎵 in the spring and summer and 🎵chicka-chicka-dee-dee-dee🎵 the rest of the year. Feel better soon! 🙏🏼
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vee. I love our little church as we do sing the old songs along with some new ones, and the spirit is that of good old fashioned faith. Oh yes, we have chickadees here too, and they love to scold me when I come outside, usually telling me to put more bird seed out! LOL. Thank you. I am trying to feel better...had some homemade chicken noodle soup for lunch, and that is helping. I have a question for you...do you know anything about the Annie Wilkins story...the woman who rode her horse from Maine to California back in the 1950's? I just learned about her yesterday and have ordered a copy of a book about her life, but on one of the internet pages I was reading about her there is a photo of her with Art Linkletter, and under the photo it says the photo is by "A Heaven for vee". I thought that was so interesting that it was something so close to your name...https://www.shutterbulky.com/annie-wilkins/ and it made me wonder if you knew anything about this woman or this picture or who the photographer could be since it was so close to your pen name? (see the link above) Probably just very coincidental, but I thought of you immediately when I saw it!! Oh, the name of the book I ordered is "The Ride of her Life" by Elizabeth Letts. I like historical stories about people in Maine and NH like that and thought it might be interesting. I'll let you know! But maybe you already know???? I'm curious!
DeleteI see that Mrs. T helped me out by pointing you to my post. Having just been diagnosed with a terminal illness in 2019, I was most intrigued by Messannie's story. Her own book about her adventure was most interesting as you might imagine. I will have to look for the biography you found.
DeleteWhoa, I did not know about your illness??? How are you now? I've never known you to mention it in the few years I have been following your blog. I am very sorry to hear this, but am wondering if the Lord has healed you because you seem to be doing well as far as I can tell from here...and I honestly did not know about this. (((hugs))). Now I will be praying for you...
DeleteHope you are feeling better. The guest room looks very Bed and Breakfast like and the founder of the quilt photo is a nice touch on the dresser.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Annie. I am feeling some better tonight, but still not dancing any jigs. LOL. The guest room is dressed up more for a female guest than a male guest, but if a male shows up, I will remove the teddy bears and dolls...LOL. I'm flexible. I just enjoy having a "girl's room" to retreat to when I need to. It was very comforting today. And yes, the picture of Nanny Martin is special So much of what we have in furniture in this house came from her home, so I feel like she should be honored. She was a very special lady in every way.
DeleteVee has actually written a post featuring Mesannie Wilkins. She has seen her grave! Ms. Wilkins also wrote a book about her adventures called The Last of the Saddle Tramps. Read Vee's post here: https://ahavenforvee.blogspot.com/2019/08/of-saddle-tramps-and-cemetery-stories.html
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOODNESS! I sure didn't know that! I just went and read her post, but she has comments closed on it so I will just have to comment back to her if she responds! Now I wish I had looked for the original book by Mesannie Wilkins herself. I may still. I wonder if our library will have a copy? Probably not much call for it here in Florida, but you never know. I will have to check. That is really amazing. Vee wrote that post before I started reading her blog, so I had no idea! thank you for telling me!! So funny how small this world really is! LOL.
DeleteI am sorry your aren't feeling well but am sure your day of napping and taking it easy will heal your tummy and get you ready for the week ahead! I always love seeing your photos of visitors to your Memorial Garden and Still Waters Pond. What beauty you have right in your back yard!! Give Linda a hug for me when you see her this coming Saturday! xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terri. I am feeling better this evening, but still not ready to dance a jig. I am looking forward to seeing Linda on Saturday. I'm so happy she's finally in her own house!! God is good.
Delete"May the Lord bless you and keep you..."
ReplyDeleteThanks. You too, Pamela. 🙂
Thank you sweet Sandi.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear you're feeling a little under the weather, Pam. But what a splendid idea you had, 'treating' yourself to a little stay in the guest suite! I'm feeling okay, but given the number of congregants battling the flu (that I know of), I elected to stay home in bed with the pups -- just getting out long enough for coffee. For some reason, I couldn't watch our services online -- so as soon as our dinner is over I can pull up yours!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are not getting a bug...some times taking a precautionary "rest" is a good idea...especially when you know there is sickness around. I do feel better after my two days of enforced rest, but am still very tired feeling. I'm going to just take it easy until I begin to feel perkier. If you watched our church service, I hope you enjoyed it. God bless you dear friend. Take care!!
DeleteThank you, Deb. I am feeling better tonight than I was, so I am hoping it is a passing bug that is well on its way out. I hope you have a blessed and wonderful week too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute little bird!
ReplyDeleteSorry you’re not feeling well. I used to have a guest room but now it’s my craft room. I used to do the same thing - pretend I was a guest and take a nap. Especially when I wasn’t up to par. It does look like a very comfy cozy room.
Take care, listen to your body and get your rest.
Thank you, Debby. I am starting to feel better, and that nap in the guest room was a comforting thing. I am not a very crafty person, so when I do crafts, it's usually all over the dining room table. LOL. We don't have overnight guests very often anymore, but I like to have a place ready just in case...you never know who may surprise us. Thank you again. My body kind of gave me no choice...I had to rest or just fall asleep standing up. LOL.
DeleteI loved reading this my friend! I do hope you feel better soon. Love you.
ReplyDeleteIs this my Vivian friend from right here? Oh, I love hearing from you. I hope you are doing well...and your sweet hubby too. Thank you for popping in here to visit. I hope to see you soon for real. Love you.
DeleteRead you have a rule about waiting to decorate…read n Linda’s website…Texas…well…change your rule…Christmas is so beautiful…make it early…enjoy..
ReplyDeleteHa ha! I can't find the energy to start decorating for Christmas until after Thanksgiving is over. We usually have the family here for Thanksgiving, and I actually enjoy having the pilgrims and turkeys and pumpkins still all about. Then when that's over, I take my time bring out the Christmas tree and decorations and savor every step of decorating. We usually leave it up until Jan. 6th or thereabouts, so that's a full month of decorations, which is usually long enough for me. I like to savor each and every holiday for itself and don't like to slight Thanksgiving day. That's just my feelings and it works for me. Others may enjoy doing whatever works for them and that's fine for them as well. But me and the Pilgrims gotta enjoy our pumpkin pie together to the very end...LOL. Thanks for visiting. Keep watching...you will see that I enjoy it all, in its time. Have a blessed November!!!
DeleteHi dear Pamela, sorry to hear you are doing poorly but getting some good rest should put you back in commission. Your guest room is very cosy and comfortable and the quilt is absolutely gorgeous. Your little visitor is pretty cute too. Enjoy your week ahead.
ReplyDelete"Oh, how I love Jesus because He first loved me."
ReplyDeleteThis phrase spoke directly to my heart, Pamela. I'm sorry to hear that you've been under the weather, and had to miss church, but certainly understand those feelings of lethargy and weariness. There is hardly a day that goes by that I don't find myself needing a nap. Maybe, it's God's way of helping us to acknowledge that in our latter years, it is necessary to slow down in order to live more closely with Him. At least that's what I'm hoping!
I should have a blog up this coming Tuesday. Lots of good news to share!
Blessings!
Such sweet and restful scenes you've posted today. I hope you're feeling much better today. Sometimes we just need extra peace and quiet to restore us. Looks like you were getting that!
ReplyDeletePam: I got to church yesterday morning. However, I was unable to make it back there for a special meeting last night. I couldn't get warm, then had some chills. I slept a lot, like you did. This morning presented me with sort of a headache. A friend from church was ill yesterday and made a trip to the doctor this afternoon. My best friend's daughter has a sore throat today. This stuff seems everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling "right as rain" by now since I'm several days late getting to blogs. I sure hope life slows down a bit soon.
ReplyDeleteYour guest room looks so nice and comfortable. Peaceful and welcoming. "Oh How I Love Jesus" is one of my favorite hymns. Sunday was all hymns at our church. We do that everytime there is a 5th Sunday in a month. You can sure tell everyone loves it. We sing all of the old hymns and it's wonderful.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy