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!
It sounded like fun to me so I thought I would try it this week and see how many of these I could find. If you like to take pictures and have a little fun with your blog, maybe you'd like to join in the fun.
So here we go:
Anni listed ten things to find and photograph to meet the October Challenge. They can be from indoor or outdoor, as long as they are YOUR photos and not from the internet [unless it's a blog archive image]. Now, get out your spying glass and camera ready; search for each. And again, as the last game, the last one [the 10th] will be the mystery item of your choice. [take a photo of something...preferably a close up with a bit of detail for a hint. A hint only!! Then, at the end of the game, you can reveal what your #10 is. Not until then to give everyone playing a chance to guess via your comment form before the last day of the hunt**.]
Here is your challenge: Note: these in brackets are just hints...you don't need to follow them precisely. Use your own judgement, and will. The more unusual, the better and more fun.
1 - A sign [sign of anything, any material] This is, guess where? Yes, on my back porch. One of my son's famous signs that he made for me:
2 - Think "Outside the Box" on this...something seasonal.
Well, what could be more "seasonal" than roasting marshmallows on a campfire? This little bear is having a good time, with the owls and squirrel and another big bear joining in the fun. Is that a little "outside the box?"
3 - A yellow leaf
Here in Florida we don't get all the beautiful Autumn leaves that you all do in the northern parts of the country. But I found this yellowish grape-vine leaf.
4 - Anything of miniature [trinket, jewelry, knick-knack...anything]:
These miniature old fashioned high button shoes and a couple of miniature tea cups and saucers are in my curio cabinet. There is also a miniature Rickshaw and Coolie just behind them...not every day you see that...
5 - Pumpkin or gourd
In my front yard:
6 - Something that is dated* [document, newspaper, screenshot, etc. *show date!]:
I've shown this recently on another post, but it is fitting for this season as well...this very old Halloween postcard sent to me from my Grandma when I was a little girl, as you can see by the date: October 27, 1957, wow, exactly 63 years ago! And she told me in the note that the card was almost 46 years old then, so that would make it 109 years old now!! I've been a good girl and have kept it all these years just like she told me to!
7 - Anything that is lighted [bulb, headlight, lantern, etc.]:
How about this ceramic jack o lantern? He's grinning from ear to ear and so pleased to be here!
8 - Decorated door [entryway...doesn't have to be of the season]:
Well, might as well keep it in the season...this is my front door right now:
And this is my foyer: (and a partial selfie of me)
Won't you please sign my guestbook?
9 - A printed author's name [book cover, magazine article, TV credit, etc.]:
Well, here is a magazine article, "Miracle after Miracle", written by yours truly way back in 1995. This is the story of our middle son's brain tumor saga...and here is a link to the whole story that can be found on one of the pages of my blog: God's Perfect Timing The magazine article was in a religious magazine called "Alliance Life". I do hope you will take the time to read the whole story so that you know how God worked in miraculous ways in our son's life at that time. Sadly, some 22 years later our son was called home to heaven after a four year battle with cancer, which was totally unrelated to this particular illness that he had 22 years prior. But God never left his side, and we thank the Lord for the miracles that spared our son's life for that additional 22 years, and also enabled him to get married and have a wonderful son, our only grandson, who is now 21 years old.
10- Mystery item. ANYTHING...macro, close-up that will be 'unknown' to us all. We guess what it is!!
The clue (hint) for this picture could possibly be related to the title of my blog!
The answer to the mystery item will be found in a future post sometime on or before October 31st. So stay tuned!
Now I hope you will also "Get Huntin'!!!", and be sure to link up with Hootin' Anni. (See the link above).
Hello! It's Saturday and I've been wandering around a little...how about you?
Yes, that moose is walking on Still Waters Pond, with the dove of peace flying overhead. So can you beat that? Have you seen or done anything more interesting than that today? LOL. (Yes, it is a moose on a windchime, hanging from our porch...just a little trick photography to make life more interesting).
To start the day off I used my best homemaking skills to bake some wonderful cinnamon rolls in an iron skillet in the oven. Yes, I really worked very hard to pop open that can of poppin' fresh rolls and fit them just so in the skillet.
They did turn out quite well, and I used my new potholders that were birthday gifts from my very thoughtful daughter in love last month. I thought I should take a picture of them before they get stained and dirty when I really start baking again! LOL.
Cinnamon rolls deserve to be treated like something special, so I ate mine on the porch overlooking Still Waters Pond. Actually, this was my "after breakfast" roll. I had already eaten one with my scrambled eggs and sausage and tea earlier, but thought they deserved a little better attention so out to the porch we went. My Dollar Tree "Grateful" plate has been getting a workout during these autumn days...and I am very grateful to have these lovely days to enjoy.
So, on Saturday mornings we like to take a little ride somewhere and do something different. We kind of got off to a late start this morning, what with me doing all that "baking" and enjoying an extra cinnamon roll on the porch. LOL.
"You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Psalm 16:11 NKJV
Therefore, since we didn't want to take too long of a trip, we decided to go visit our church's Thrift Store and see what interesting things we could find there. Plus, we like to visit with the shopkeeper, a sweet man who is a member of our church and who also has a ministry in his home to former prisoners who have been released and need a place to stay until they can get back on their feet. He's a tremendous person with a big heart, and we enjoy visiting with him. So while he and hubby chatted, I browsed.
(This photo is copied from the internet, so it isn't as clear as I'd like, but it is better than nothing. Next time I go there I will take some better pictures of this cute little old vintage house that sits next to the church and houses our Thrift Store. I love the sign out front that has II Chronicles 7:14 quoted...
"If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land."
Such an appropriate verse for our country these days...
Anyway, I found some beautiful vintage dishes today that I just couldn't resist. I know I don't need any more dishes, but I love vintage plates and have decided I am going to use these kinds of plates for our everyday use rather than the old "made in China" plates that I've been using. I'm tired of using anything that is "made in China"...and besides these are much prettier. I only found these two dinner plates, but I have some others that are similar that I am going to mix and match with these.
Also got the lovely bowl and a couple of dessert plates. Too bad they didn't have any teacups and saucers to match, but I found some in my cupboard that are close enough.
Even though it was a bit too warm this afternoon to consider eating on the porch, it was fun to dress up the table and pretend I was having a party for two long enough to take these pictures.
Maybe later this week it is supposed to cool down some and then we can actually have dinner on the porch.
"Be very careful, then, how you live~~not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity."
Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV
Aren't they beautiful? (The teapot and sugar bowl are something I already had).
All this loveliness for a donation to our church Thrift Store, which supports several worthy ministries in our church and community. I'd say it was money well spent. Want to come and have lunch on the porch with me some day when it is cooler? I wish you could!
It would be so lovely to have you here!
"You shall say, 'Have a long life, peace be to you,
and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have.'"
Howdy Friends! It's Friday...and I didn't have any new photos to share with you, so that is why I'm a little late to the party! I stepped outside and realized it was a very pretty day...not too hot, not too cold, but just right! And I also noticed that there seems to be a break in the lily pads on Still Waters Pond, so I decided today would be a good day to take out the kayak!
"A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature.
It is earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature."
Henry David Thoreau
I haven't been out since last spring because it was just too hot and the lily pads were so thick I couldn't paddle through. But now they are dying back for the winter and sadly there are no more lilies blooming either, but it sure made for easier travel.
What is interesting, however, is there appears to be a new "island" floating in the middle of the pond. I've been noticing this dark stretch of what looks like dead lily pads forming a kind of floating island, and I wanted to check it out.
Most recently I watched a pair of Sand Hill Cranes walking around on this little island, so I knew it must have some substance to it.
(These pictures of the cranes were taken a few days ago from watching them from our porch...they weren't out there this morning, or I assure you they would have flown away at the sight of me!)
Here you can see both of them as they were squawking back and forth at each other. I posted a video of them making noise on my Facebook page this week.
So anyway as I passed by this little floating island I realized it was made up of dirt and dead lily pads and new little plants popping up on it. We shall see what becomes of it as the days go by. It's interesting to see how these things develop and come and go.
There wasn't much activity on the pond this morning in the way of wildlife, but it was very peaceful and calming to paddle around and enjoy the freedom of exploring new "lands" and "seas" once again!
As I came around one of the bigger islands I approached this old dock that once spanned the waters to the smaller island from the shore.
As you can see, this dock has seen better days. I don't believe any sane human has tried to cross it in many years...
Could be a few "insane" humans may have tried, but I assure you it wasn't me! I was not too sure about even passing under this dock safely...
Coming up to this reminded me of the old song we learned in elementary school:
The Erie Canal Song
"Low bridge, everybody down
Low bridge, yeah we're coming to a town
And you'll always know your neighbor
And you'll always know your pal
If ya ever navigated on the Erie Canal"
So I ducked and paddled under the "low bridge" and navigated on through the Still Waters Pond, not quite the same as "The Erie Canal"...but it was fun remembering that old song, wasn't it?
"First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others."
Thomas A Kempis
Oh yes, "peace"... something we are all in need of these days, right?
On around the island you can see the remnants of what was that same dock, which led from the smaller island to the bigger island. Long gone now. But's that's okay with me...keeps people from intruding on our little private pond.
"You are my hiding place;
You will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance."
Psalm 32:7
As I came around the island I did see this lovely dragonfly perched on some grasses, waiting for me to take it's picture.
Thank you, Dragon Fly! Now you may fly away...and he did.
Meanwhile, I've been noticing the red holly berries in the tree tops on the island...funny I never noticed there was a holly tree on the island last year...I don't believe the holly trees had nearly as many berries last year as they do this year. The old timers will tell you that an abundance of berries and acorns (which we also have) is a sure sign of a hard winter...yes, even here in Florida. We need lots of food for the many birds who will be traveling through to even warmer climes south as they escape the bitter cold winter up north. Sorry folks, but that's what the old timers say...I should know...I'm getting to be an old timer myself. LOL.
Just passing around by the island and then looking back at the shore on the "mainland" here below:
The yellow wildflowers are starting to really bloom along the shores of the pond now too. So beautiful to see in the autumn...
Oh, looky there! There is someone sitting on that porch waiting for me. Can you see his nice legs? That's about all you can see. Yes, that's my hubby, watching for me to come around the bend and into shore so he can come down and pull me in. Getting off of this kayak is the hardest part of all (next to getting into the kayak) There is no graceful way to do it, trust me!
Oh wait! As I am paddling and struggling to get up to the shore, this young fella is right smack dab in my face. So I figured I might as well take his picture before I knock him out of my way. I mean, would you want him right where he could jump right in your face or wherever else he might jump? I don't think so...especially when one is already unbalanced, sitting in water with no other way of escape. So I just nicely bent over his branch and he jumped the other direction, thankfully!!
Okay, here's a sweet little purple aster looking flower along the shore. Had to get some kind of flower picture to show you.
And then back on shore, standing in my Secret Memorial Garden, looking back out at Still Waters Pond. Actually, I took this picture before I decided to take the kayak out. As I stood there, I knew I just had to get out there and enjoy this morning. I hope you enjoyed it with me. Wasn't it pleasant? Could you almost feel the gentle breeze and feel the warmth of the morning sun as we paddled about? I hope so...because it was very delightful, and even better because I shared it with you.
"This is the meeting place where God has set His bounds.
Here is enough, at last, for eye and thought,
restful and satisfying and illimitable.
Here rest is sweet, and the picture of it goes with us on our homeward way,
more lasting in memory than the sunset on the meadows or the lingering light across the silent stream."
Hey blogging friends, many of you here know our friend MaryJane at Visits With Mary She is also one of our beloved Facebook friends. Well, I was missing seeing her there so sent her a message, and she says she is in the hospital with Covid, and to please pray for her. Those of you who know Mary know that she also deals with COPD and must wear oxygen most of the time, so she is definitely in a precarious position. She didn't say just how sick she was, and the fact that she was able to answer me on Facebook is encouraging, but with this illness we just don't know from one day to the next. So please keep Mary in your thoughts and prayers if you will.
The day started out with a golden glow in the trees as we took our morning walk.
The light was golden all around
I think you can see it better here...
And in the happy faces of these golden wild coreopsis that are growing all through the woods right now, everywhere we looked.
Even this huge spider web took on a golden glow in the early morning sun
The woods are full of God's glory
Not to be outdone, this lovely bright orange Gulf Fritillarybutterfly spent some time sipping the nectar of the Penta flowers on my front porch this morning. I just happened to look out the window and saw him there, and he stayed around for quite awhile, having quite a lovely time...and so did I, watching him.
These pictures were taken through the window, so they probably aren't as clear as they could be, but they are still so pretty. I was enchanted.
Hello, lovely lady with your gorgeous autumn dress!
As if that wasn't wonderful enough, this evening we had a nice little rain shower while the sun was still shining...so immediately I once again ran to the front window to see if there might be a rainbow...and sure enough there it was! I stood outside in the rain and took these pictures...
Yes, it was a double rainbow!
We had one last night too! Amazing!
It seems like God is displaying all His beautiful colors for us during this Autumn season, when things are actually in the process of dying out before the winter begins. Makes me wonder about life a bit...as we enter the "autumn" of our lives, which many of us here in "Blogland" seem to be getting closer and closer to that if not already there, I wonder if we are also displaying all of our "beautiful colors" and the golden glow of God's glory shining through us. That should be our goal in life...the closer we get to our "winter days" on this earth, the more we should glow with the beauty of Christ living in us. There should be a radiance that others can see without us having to even speak it out loud.
"The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness."
Proverbs 16:31
Some thoughtful advice to women is found in I Peter 3:3-4
3. "Do not let your adornment be merely outward...arranging the hair, wearing gold,
or putting on fine apparel,
4. Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God...."
In other words, may we be more concerned with developing and displaying the true inner beauty that resides within the heart of a woman who puts her trust in God rather than with the outward appearance of having fine clothes, jewelry or having things...not saying those things are bad in themselves, but only that our greater desire ought to be the better things of a gentle and quiet spirit...something for me to ponder when I look in the mirror...
Psalm 34:4-5 says:
4. " I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
5. They looked to Him and were radiant,
and their faces were not ashamed."
I hope you have enjoyed this beautiful golden October day.
