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!
Happy Friday everyone! It's been such a beautiful week here in north central Florida...we've had nice cooler mornings, starting out in the low 60's, and only getting up into the mid 80's for most of the week, with lower humidity. It's been delightful, even though we still need rain so badly! As I look ahead on my weather app on my phone, it appears that next week we might start seeing a change in the weather patterns, with some rain predicted each day, (Oops! That just changed! No rain in sight until at least next Thursday or Friday! Bah Humbug!) and the temperatures starting to rise back up a little bit to more normal levels, low 70's to high 80's. But if it brings us rain anytime, I will be thankful!
I've recently noticed a plant growing in my butterfly garden area that suddenly had quite a growth spurt, which totally surprised me. But the biggest surprise was all of a sudden I saw this flower blooming on it! What? A flower? I had no idea that plant was going to get a flower on it when I purchased a very small, scrawny stick of a plant early this past late spring at the farmer's market. It looked interesting and different, so I bought it without really knowing what I was getting! (Probably not a good idea, but in this case, it turned out okay!)
So I had to use the Google Lens app on my iPhone to find out what it is, and here's the scoop via Wikipedia: It is called Roselle "Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a species of flowering plant in the genus Hibiscus that is native to Africa, most likely West Africa. In the 16th and early 17th centuries it was spread to Asia and the West Indies, where it has since become naturalized in many places.[1] The stems are used for the production of bast fibre and the dried cranberry-tasting calyces are commonly steeped to make a popular infusion known by many names, including carcade."
Here's a picture from a distance, taken from my porch this morning, so you can see what a strange looking plant it is:
I had no idea when I bought this plant that is could be used for tea, medicinal purposes, and even some jams and sauces. I'm wondering if anyone else knows anything about this plant, or if you know how to use it? I'm not much into using natural things like this for tea or other things, so I don't know if I will try it or not...we'll see...but I can still just enjoy the beauty of the flowers while they last.
Here's another flower that finally decided to bloom! I bought this Rose of Sharon bush this past summer also, and I've been waiting patiently for someone to come dig a hole for me so I can plant it in the ground. It has become so rootbound in the pot that I have to water it constantly to keep it alive...and I really was afraid I was going to lose it, when all of a sudden it decided to bloom!
Hooray! Now maybe this weekend I can actually talk one of my strong sons into getting it planted in the ground for me! I wanted this particular plant because I had one before in the original Memorial Garden for our son Matthew that we created back at our previous home. When we moved here to this house 6 years ago I brought the Rose of Sharon plant with us, along with that beautiful Don Juan Rose bush that blooms every so often. The Rose of Sharon did fine for a few years, but finally died. So when I saw this plant at the farmer's market I decided to get it and try again.
The other day we were taking a little ride in the evening, and we saw this young deer on the side of the road, eating his supper I guess!
Upon closer look, we realized there were actually two deer!
I love seeing them, don't you? As long as they aren't eating my flowers, they are just fine! (Yes, they do that!
Now here's a bit of an oddity! I pulled this apple out of the bag of Gala Apples that I bought recently from Walmart. I don't think I've ever seen an apple with such a line of division of color on it before, have you?
It was literally divided in half by the brighter, bolder red color on one half, and the more yellowed mixed with red color on the other half!
What a phenomenon!
It tasted the same all the way through, however! Makes me think this apple was a product of some genetic engineering...what do you think? Yeah, I guess I probably don't really want to know the answer to that! I wish I could grow our own apples, but that just doesn't happen here in Florida. I tried once, but the apples never got beyond the little green apple stage and the trees eventually died. I'm glad we are going to go to the mountains of North Georgia next month and get some fresh apples straight from the orchard...
Okay, here's another odd sighting this week...yes, that big red spot is hives..actually on my upper thigh. It is about the size of a 50 cent piece.
Here's the strange story...I had to be placed on some antibiotics this week for an infection, which I won't name. I had forgotten that this particular antibiotic had caused this strange itchy spot to appear in times past. (several times, actually, before I realized what it was! I thought it was a bug bite at first). It's been a few years since I've been prescribed this medication, and probably because I had mentioned to the doctor before when this happened, but apparently it didn't make it into my records and there's a new doctor and he wasn't even looking at my files when he asked about what antibiotics I could take, and frankly I had forgotten about this one. But the next morning when this spot started itching on my thigh and I looked at it I remembered it right away...and called the doctor's office and told them. Of course they said not to take anymore doses, which I knew that much already. They prescribed something else, but it was also another variety of antibiotic that I cannot take, so I had to call them back and tell them that so they could prescribe something else! They finally got it right, and I am doing fine now, but think what could've happened if I ignored the symptoms? I also told the doctor's office that they need to start paying better attention to my records!! This was on Tuesday, and the spot is still slightly visible on my thigh, but thankfully it stopped itching when I put some cream on it and took an antihistamine. What's weird is that there were no other spots, but I did feel some itchiness in other parts of my body. I am thankful that I am feeling better now, and that nothing really bad happened.
I guess you could say I'm cleaning out my photo files on my phone today! Here's something else I found that I took pictures of recently, but haven't shared yet. Have you ever made your own "Maple Syrup"? No, I don't mean the kind that you get from Maple tree sap. That's the REAL maple syrup, and there's quite a process to making it. First, you have to have the right kind of sugar maple trees, which are primarily up in the northern part of the country. Then you have to know when to "tap" them to gather the sap, usually in the spring. Next you have to boil the sap down to get the syrup, and I believe the formula is that it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of Maple Syrup. Those of you who have done this may correct me if I am wrong.
Pure Maple Syrup is the very best, but it is also rather expensive. When we lived up in New England we used to get some from friends who had their own Maple Syrup business. However, throughout the majority of my life, I have mostly used Log Cabin Maple Syrup, which is not the real deal, but at least it doesn't contain High Fructose Corn syrup, so I prefer that one above most other commercial brands.
But there have been times when I couldn't really afford to even buy that, or I would run out of it, and then I would make my own "Maple Syrup". Here is the recipe that I've used for many years:
It's pretty simple, and tastes good too. Our kids never knew the difference!
I found this little bottle of Maple Flavoring in my cupboard the other day, and it was almost completely empty. However, there was at least 1/4 teaspoon left, (which probably had become mostly just the alcohol with a little flavor left, it was so old!) Rather than waste that last drop, I decided to make a batch of syrup since hubby was hankering for some French Toast.
I've had this glass syrup pitcher for years. I think it came with Log Cabin Syrup in it one time for an anniversary or something, but I can't find any information on that to prove it, so maybe it was from a different syrup company. If anyone else knows for sure, please let me know. It has an old sailing ship embossed in the glass. I've always used this pitcher to hold and serve my homemade syrup!
I used Italian bread from the Walmart bakery to make our French Toast. They have been selling these loaves of bread for just $1.00 for this past year, but only recently increased the price to $1.47 or something like that. Either way, it's still a great deal, and makes great French Toast!
Oh, here it is with the syrup poured over it.
Yum...however, I really can't eat this very often. Too much "sugar" for me, but hubby sure loves it.
Well, I've been working on this post all day, in between running errands, fixing lunch, taking a nap, and all the other stuff we do every day. It's time to get it finished so I can move on to something else!
I went outside for a minute, and this is what happened:
The kitties came running over to me, and after I petted them both they started loving on each other too. They are so sweet...they always make me smile.
Today was a beautiful Sunday! We started out at 68 degrees, but it did end up in the high 80's, but still, when it starts getting into the 60's in the morning, we feel like it must be Fall!! The skies were blue and it was a beautiful day to worship and to celebrate!
We started our day at church, and if you'd like to hear the choir singing "Oh, How I love Jesus!", you can click on this video below, and then stay around for a great message from Luke 17:11-19, "Maintaining an Attitude of Gratitude".
Here's the lyrics to the song if you'd like to sing along.
"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!"
That was a great way to start the day! Then following church we headed to "Hog Wild Country Cafe'" for lunch with family, and yes, quite a few of our church friends. No, it was not meant to be a birthday party for me, I called it my "non-birthday party celebration". We just all went out to eat and had a great time. Here's some pictures so you can see how much fun we were having:
We had a great crowd of folks, and you can see for yourself how interesting the 'atmosphere' is inside this restaurant:
There's Rose and me, with some of our friends at the next table:
Some more of our friends:
Here's some familiar faces: Our sons Benton &Scott, and Benton's wife Rose...
And there's John with some of our church friends:
That's our Pastor and wife at the end, and other friends on the left.
Hubby is deep in conversation while we were waiting for our food...
Sometimes I wonder if these silent guests are really listening in on our conversations! LOL.
They kind of both have an "all-knowing" look about them, don't you think? LOL.
Son Scott left his signature straw wrapper people for the waitress to enjoy...and she did! She was carrying them with her up to the kitchen as we were leaving and showing them to everyone and remarking about how cute they were. This is something he has done ever since I can remember. I wonder how many straw wrapper people still exist somewhere in someone's collection of interesting things found on restaurant tables...LOL.
After leaving the restaurant we headed home, and Benton and Rose stopped by their house to pick up the pups and the apple pie and ice cream and headed to our house for a little "party".
Sugar and Spice are always glad they can be a part of the family gatherings.
Having an apple pie for my birthday (which isn't until Wednesday, but this is when the kids could be here together), is a tradition started by my mother. She baked a homemade apple pie for me (at my request, actually) for many birthdays. When she passed away my sister Doris took up the tradition, sometimes baking a homemade pie, and most times bringing one from Costco or someplace, but it was always good.
My sister lives over an hour away and it doesn't look like we are going to be able to get together this time for my birthday, so thankfully my sweet dil Rose stepped up to the plate, and she and Mrs. Smith collaborated on a delicious Dutch Apple Pie. We actually waited to bake it when we got home so it was really fresh and hot when we were ready to eat it!
Here I am enjoying listening to the family singing Happy Birthday to me...
And then I blew out the candles...all 74 of them! LOL. One was sinking into the pie so we had to hurry.
After having our pie and vanilla ice cream we gathered around the table and Scott managed a timed photo on my cell phone. He's really good at setting up the phone and timer and jumping into the photo just in the nick of time!
I was enjoying my piece of pie on this sweet little plate that I picked up at the Dollar Tree this week!
I added it to my collection from the past couple of years...and now I have two of each design so there's enough for us to use for desserts through the fall days...
I am always so thankful and grateful to God when we can gather as a family and also with friends and celebrate LIFE!! Life is just too short to ignore these special times and milestones. I am extremely thankful and grateful for every day that God gives me to live and enjoy life.
I rejoice like Hannah in the Old Testament, when she had prayed that God would give her a son after many years of barrenness, and He answered her prayer and gave her Samuel...it's a beautiful story that you can read more about in 1 Samuel 1-2. Here is her prayer after Samuel was born:
1 Samuel 2:1-2 NKJV
Hannah’s Prayer
2 And Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
My horn is exalted in the Lord.
I smile at my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation.
2 “No one is holy like the Lord,
For there is none besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.
I do rejoice in the Lord, because He has blessed me with a beautiful family and good friends. And although God called our son Matthew home at a much too early of an age (41), He brought our son Benton a wonderful wife named Rose, and she has been such a blessing to me and to our family.
And just as the kids were leaving to go back to their homes, an Amazon delivery truck drove up in front of our house, and stopped, and came out bringing me a big box. I said I hadn't ordered anything and wasn't expecting anything, and the delivery man said, "well, maybe it's a surprise gift!" I said, "Well, I guess it could be since my birthday is coming, but I have no clue who it could be from!". So we came inside and opened the package and it was a wonderful gift from one of our very dear and precious blogging friends! I will not name names, but she knows who she is, and she also knows how overwhelmed I was when this came! This dear friend has been going through some really difficult times in her own life, and I honestly do not know how she found the time to even think of me and send me such a sweet and wonderful gift. I am truly humbled and blessed and thankful. Here it is:
She knows that I love churches, and this one looks a lot like our own little church! It is so sweet, and it lights up! It's decorated for Christmas, but not so much so that we can't go ahead and enjoy it right now, which I intend to do right up and through Christmas, and who knows? It may just stay out all year long!
I love the details...see the little bike?
And I love that it has a Sunday School, and a little box of Children's Bibles. It is really perfect in every way. I've already told my friend how much I love it and how much I love her, but I wanted you all to see this too. Sometimes people just really amaze me, you know what I mean???
I will close with this portion of Psalm 103:1-5
103
"1 Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s."
And with that I will say Amen and Good Night to one and all! May the Lord bless you and keep you always.
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