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!

Sunday, November 3, 2024

Sunday Thoughts

 Today is the first Sunday of November! We didn't make it to church today, due to both still feeling a bit under the weather...coughing especially, (and I don't think anyone wants to hear us coughing in church. I know it always makes me cringe when I hear people coughing in such a close area), and we didn't sleep very well last night either.   Time change always effects me negatively, no matter which way you turn the clocks! It takes about a week to get back into the rhythm of things again.  But we actually woke up early,(according to the time change) had our morning devotions and coffee/tea, and breakfast...(hubby wanted a good breakfast today), so we had sausage links and French Toast. I had purchased a loaf of uncut Italian Bread at Walmart for $1.00...they've been doing that lately, and it's fresh baked from the bakery, and so good...so I cut thick pieces of that and made French Toast.  I don't usually like sweet stuff in the morning, but I must say that was good.  I should've taken a picture!  But then we went back to bed and slept for another hour or so. Oh, I also put a half ham in the oven to cook, so it baked while we slept.  It smelled so good.  When we got up it was getting close to lunch time already.  When the ham was done I cut off pieces of nice hot ham and made hot ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch. That was really good too. Benton and Rose stopped by briefly after church to bring us some milk (I had texted Rose when they got out of church and asked if they would mind doing that...the Dollar General is about a block from our house). I let her cut off a big chunk of the ham to take home with them for their lunch.  If we hadn't have been sick we would've had the kids here for lunch after church, but since that wasn't really reasonable, (thankfully they haven't been sick even after spending all that time with us in the mountains, etc., and we don't want them to catch this bug) it was just better to let them take some ham home for themselves.

So, that's how our morning went!  

We could've watched the church sermon on YouTube, (see below) but didn't get around to it yet. However I did watch the choir singing, "In Christ Alone". You will notice that I'm not in the choir, because they record these songs at choir practice during the week, and I wasn't there.  I hope to make it this week, even though this cold has affected my voice and I really still can't sing, but we are practicing for our Christmas Cantata now and I need to at least hear it and learn it even if I can't sing.


Here are the lyrics to the song, if you'd like to sing along:

"In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand"

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Traditional / Keith Getty / Stuart Townend
In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found) lyrics © Thankyou Music Ltd., Thankyou Music, Thank You Music Ltd.

This afternoon I went outside and sat in the swing in the Secret/Memorial Garden. It was so pleasant, and it felt good to get outside for a while.  Here's a few pictures while I was sitting in my little outdoor "sanctuary":






I enjoyed a cup of Pumpkin Spice tea while I sat there listening to the birds and soaking in the fresh air and warmth of the sun.

Oh! My Memorial Rose bush has another bud on it! I sure hope it makes it to full opening this time and not fall off like it did last time! You can read more about THAT disappointment HERE.

I will be sure to go check it tomorrow morning, and pray that it is ready to open and enjoy.

I later took a little walkabout the yard just as the sun was setting...look how bright red these holly berries are!  I hope the Cedar Waxwings and Robins will come and enjoy them again like they did a few years ago...


Here's some pretty little wildflowers beside Still Waters Pond:

I was happy to see that my Firespike bush is finally blooming:



I've also been noticing that Phragmites are blooming all around the pond:

Can you see them out there on the island...and notice the sunset in the background!  That's the only photo I got of it tonight, as it kind of fizzled out right after that:

Oh, and these sweet little wild Sky Blue Aster flowers are blooming in our yard too.  I love them...and I understand that the blue aster is the flower for my birthmonth, September.  It may be a little late, but it's nice that it showed up here in my yard!

While I was out wandering around, I went over next door to the new house and checked out its new skirting:
It's looking good!  They still have some more land cleaning up to do, but they are close to putting a for sale sign in the yard to hopefully attract a GOOD NEIGHBOR for us!  Please keep praying!!

A couple more things before we go for the night...if you remember from my last post HERE I posted a picture of this calendar that showed the girl holding a "naked turkey", and I said I didn't think I could stand to look at that all month long...well, I found a solution. I had some stickers with different kinds of teapots on them (a gift from a blogging friend!), and I found one that would cover the naked turkey just fine: 
It may look a bit too big and out of proportion for the girl holding it, but it still looks much better than that naked turkey with its head cut off! LOL.

Oh, look who showed up in the yard yesterday afternoon?...Yes, that's Blackie the neighborhood Cat, who hasn't been hanging around our house much lately, but there he was, hiding behind that little plant, trying to stay out of the sight of the Sand Hill Crane Family.  They weren't fooled...all three of them were in the yard, and they kept a wary eye on Blackie, until he kind of slinked away and got out of harm's way without incident.  

One more thing, I mentioned that the wedding we attended last weekend was serving a Vegan Menu for their reception dinner...the dinner we missed because it started raining and we had to leave early, etc., https://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2024/10/vacation-part-two-visiting-friends-and.html (click on that link for the whole story), but here is a copy of the menu . As you can see, it was very interesting and quite detailed, even with codes to explain what categories each item fell into.  I was sorry that I didn't get to taste any of this dinner, but I heard that it was very good.

And so, I think I will close on that note, but here are some pictures of our sunset from last night, which was very beautiful:

(first verse to "In Christ Alone")

"In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand"

(verses 2-3 of "In Christ Alone")

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

(last verse of "In Christ Alone")

"No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand"

Amen.













14 comments:

  1. In Christ Alone is a great song we sing now and then, too. Pam, I've missed you here, and your photos are always beautiful. Blackie was hiding but the cranes knew right where he was!! Keep resting and feel better soon!! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Terri. It's nice to be missed, and I've missed my blogging friends. I'm still trying to catch up! And yes, those Cranes were well aware of Blackie and had their eyes on him. He thought he was camouflaged, but that little green plant didn't cover his big black body very well at all. LOL. Cats are fun to watch, as you well know!

      Delete
  2. That is one of my favorite hymns. Especially the last verse. I'm sorry that you are still a bit down and weren't able to attend church today. My sister and I had the "little lights" during the service. We went to Sunday school and then Dennis went up to the service and Melanie and I "tackled" the lights! Ha! It sure tells us that there is no way we're getting younger! We were both exhausted just trying to contain 7, 2 to 5 year olds. I was hot and sweaty and ready to go home at the end. I used to do that every week and didn't give it a second thought. That's a big age range. The two year olds weren't interested in the lesson at all, even coloring. They just wanted to play with the toys. So of course the older ones didn't want to sit still either. Whew!
    I enjoyed seeing the progress on the house next door and the happenings in your yard and around the pond too. I pray that you continue improving every day and are able to get back to your "normal" life.
    Blessings and hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are brave to tackle the "little lights" (I had to figure out what you meant and finally realized you were talking about the children, LOL). I know I wouldn't be able to do that anymore. We have a nice group of ladies who take turns doing "children's church", and they seem to have it under control, so I am quite happy and content to be in the "Big Church" with the adults and sing in the choir. LOL. I've missed it the last two Sundays, and I feel like it's been forever. Hopefully we will be back to normal this week. Thank you for visiting here. You are a "bright light"!

      Delete
  3. In Christ Alone is one of my favorite hymns. I'm trying to learn it on the dulcimer.
    I'm glad you are feeling better. My church does live stream and I'm so thankful for those times when I can't be there.
    Hope you have a good week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Melanie. I'd love to hear you play it on the dulcimer! I love the Scottish melody of this song. That would go well with the dulcimer! Keep practicing! You will get it!

      Delete
  4. the new home is looking better and better and is really attractive. I would love to live in the area you are in, but I live with an oak tree that has put his roots down and the only way out of here is nursing home or death. I love your views and peaceful quiet with trees and birds and cats who standoff with cranes. ha ha.. sorry the lingering cough is still hanging around, and I agree, sick people need to stay home.. now I am wanting a hot ham and cheese sandwich. yum...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We still have plenty of ham and it can be warmed up! Wish you weren't so far away, I'd bring you one!

      Delete
  5. That's such a wonderful hymn ... just lifted my spirits! So glad you and John seem to be on the road to recovery; your French toast and sausage breakfast is making my mouth water, big time. I may have laughed aloud at your covering up that turkey's private parts. Clever girl! Jordan and Casey's wedding menu is interesting! Despite my own carnivore leanings, that stew sounds good.

    PS - Still praying for GOOD new neighbors.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Pamela. Wow, that new home next door is looking good. I hope you get wonderful neighbors! I hope you feel better soon. That is a truly beautiful hymn. I hope you have a good week!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Blue Aster's are so pretty. I am partial to almost anything blue anyway.
    Lovely photos. Hope your new neighbors are good ones.
    Blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  8. First off...I do hope you and your Hubby are on the mend. Colds are so awful. Next, we sang In Christ Alone at church yesterday too. Wonderful words and promises.
    Dave and I went out for lunch today for my birthday. It was fun and of course I didn't take a single photo or yesterday either, when our son, DiL and granddaughter took us out for yummy pizza. Delish. I have gotten so many wonderful wishes, texts and phone calls. I am truly blessed.
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh I love that hymn!
    Your ham sandwiches sounded so good. I like ham sandwich sliders on Hawaiian bread. Now I want a ham sandwich. We had a big pot roast this weekend with potatoes and carrots and delicious gravy. Now we can start having cozy meals using the oven.
    Funny what you did with that turkey on your calendar.
    Have you been able to peek in the windows of the house next door? Oh that sounds just awful doesn’t it? I figure no one lives there why not? I’m excited for you getting new neighbors. They just might be your new best friends!
    My advice is to get rest, drink fluids and take aspirin every 4 hours! Wait, that’s what we did back in the old days. Just get some rest and you’ll be peeking in those windows in no time! 👀

    ReplyDelete
  10. That hymn is one of my very favorites. I've loved it since the first time I heard it.
    Since I am vegan, I recognized everything on that menu list. Yum!

    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.