Monday Monday

 I know it is late already...Monday is almost gone, but I just now sat down at the computer to try and play catch up with reading my blogging friends' posts and then try to come up with something worth sharing. Soon it will be Tuesday, and I may or may not be able to get the Tuesday 4 post done on time.  But first things first...it's Monday, so here are some photos from over the past couple of days from here on Still Waters Pond to start out...

I had just been thinking to myself that we had not seen much of the Canada Geese lately, and I wondered if the cold weather had sent them further south in search of warmer waters.  I may have been thinking out loud in the kitchen, because my hubby called me to the living room to look out the window and see the flock of geese that had just landed on the pond:

I love the morning light and trees on reflected on the pond...

Yes, there was quite a large flock of geese!  I think at least a dozen of them were out there...

However, when they caught wind of me watching them from the back porch, they lined up in a row and swam to the other side of the pond...

These few stayed a little closer to our shore for a while...they may have been two different flocks...

They stayed out there for a while and then a little later we heard them honking and up they flew to seek bigger waters for the rest of the day...

Now, this evening we observed that there are just two of the Sand Hill Crane family out there on what's left of the little marsh island in the pond.  Yesterday afternoon we saw the whole family for a while, and then just three of them, and then now this evening just these two.  Maybe the time has finally come for the two "colts" from last spring to finally take off on their own, and I am thinking this is Mom and Dad Crane out there by themselves, perhaps getting ready to think about building a new nest...I've been waiting and watching for this for some time, as you know, so I will keep you posted as things develop.  

There really isn't any land left on that marsh island for them to build upon, so I have a feeling they will have figure out something else if they are serious about this.  

I just enjoyed watching them out there this evening until it got too dark to get a decent picture. I love seeing their reflections in the water.

For those of you who aren't on my Facebook page, you probably haven't seen the most recent sunset photos from a couple of nights ago.  It was really amazing!

The photos never do it justice!  But I though you might enjoy seeing more of God's masterpieces with me!

Now these are just random photos of random things going on around here...

A few years ago my "One Word" for the year was "Believe".  Throughout the year it seemed as though the word believe was popping up in all kinds of interesting ways...but there was one way that I really don't believe  I ever actually noticed until just the other day.  I was putting on my makeup and when I pulled out this little eye shadow container and looked at it more closely I noticed that it had the word "Believe" written on the top of the container!  I have had this for several years and honestly I don't think I ever saw this before! Probably because I normally don't have my glasses on when I am putting on my eye make up!  LOL.  I don't wear a lot of makeup, but I do put on a little bit of eye shadow to help my eyes not look so pale behind my glasses.  This container is already several years old, and I've barely used it up, so it will most likely last a few more years! I only use the blue shades anyway. I just thought this was kind of funny that I'd never noticed it before!

For those of you who are "The Adventures of Lily Grace" fans, I must apologize that we really haven't written any new adventures in quite a long time. It's totally my fault, not Lily's. She still has plenty of little adventures, but she needs my help to get them written down in the computer.  Once in a while she makes cameo appearances here on my blog, like she did a week ago when she got this lovely new dress for Christmas from her Auntie Peggy.  

Well, we've had quite a cold snap here lately, and Lily has been complaining a little bit about being too cold even though she loves her pretty party dress so much and didn't want to take it off. So we searched in her little wardrobe box and found this cute pajama outfit with long sleeves and pants, and put it on over and under her dress, and now she is warm enough and can still wear her party dress!

(in case you are wondering, the pajama outfit had been a gift to Lily Grace last year from one of her Aunties!  Yes, there are several people out there who just love to dote on this sweet little girl...so no, I'm not the only one...LOL)

Here she is with all of her sweet friends, having their daily visit and tea party.  She's holding a sweet  dolly that was also a gift to her from her other Auntie Debbi.  Yes, Lily Grace is still very much active and a happy little girl. Maybe we can share a few new adventures sometime soon.  

Speaking of adventures...Our Grand puppies Sugar and Spice were over for a visit yesterday afternoon...oh yes, and their parents came along too...but anyway, I was eating a chocolate chip cookie in front of the pups...and these are the looks I was getting...

Spice just sat there and stared at me, like "how dare you eat that cookie in front of me and not give me any!"

But Sugar, after being told that no, she couldn't have any of my cookie, went and laid right down and pouted...just like this...

It really was funny but kind of pathetic.  And yes, their Mommy Rose had just given them each an acceptable doggy treat, so they weren't being mal-treated at all.   It was just comical to see their reactions...especially this pouty face! LOL.

Well, I guess I've run out of random stuff to share tonight.  It's going to be a busy week with doctor appointments and other "random" activities going on, so I may be kind of in and out throughout the week. At least I think it is supposed to warm back up for a few days, so hopefully we can get outside and do some walking, etc.

Here's some thoughts and a verse for the day: (from tomorrow's calendar devotional)

I love the thought by Elizabeth Barrett Browning...Yes, God's gifts are so much greater and anything I could ever dream up.  The gifts above of the beauty around us in nature, the sunsets, our health, our families, our homes, our churches, our friends...these are all God's gifts to us...so much better than what I could have ever figured out on my own.  God knew exactly who, what, where, everything that I would need for life.  And He is definitely my "Loving God and my fortress...my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge..."   I am so very thankful for God's provision and protection...way beyond my best dreams! Amen!!

Here's a favorite old hymn..."Count Your Blessings"

"1 When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God hath done;

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

2 Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]

3 When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings, money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain]

4 So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. 

[Refrain]

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God hath done;

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your many blessings, see what God hath done."

(Author Johnson Oatman Jr.)

Have a blessed and wonderful rest of your week!!