A Daybook in February

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FOR TODAY ~ Friday!  the last day of the month!  Really?  Somehow this month got away from me (Yes! likely excuse.  Take it and run..!) and so, here we are.  Our Daybook for February.

Outside my window... VERY cold overnight and blistery this morning.  BUT - beautiful, beautiful sunshine.  Can't complain..
This is Winter... the way it should be.

I am thinking... it does smell like snow in the air - and I know they're calling for some..over the weekend and into Monday.

I am thankful... I say this all of the time (to my children!) - we have so much to be thankful for.  Warm home, comfortable beds, good food, clothes...our Salvation!

In the kitchen... are dishes yet to clean up from yesterday.  (sigh!) Yesterday, I cooked up two roaster chickens. Picked the meat and put away several bags of delicious cooked chicken for future meals.  One thing I did do yesterday, which was a HUGE HIT!!!, was to make a *new for us* dish. I made Chicken Gravy over Waffles for dinner.  No recipe.  Sorry!  That's not always how I fly..
Except:  I guess I could share the waffle recipe.  (very good!) - but I'm sure everyone has their hands on a good waffle recipe.  Perhaps?

I am wearing...**BTW: I greatly dislike this prompt**  I get caught wearing the usual; a black t-shirt and my favorite jean skirt all of the time.  (like me for my honesty!?)... but one thing I am wearing is a dab or two of Citrus Bliss Essential Oil (doTerra) behind my ears..

I am creating... still working on several bag orders.  I have at least two in the line-up... and more on my mind. ;)

I am going... to be taking some things to our local thrift store.. hopefully this afternoon!  It's a feel-good feeling to "pass a few things on".

I am wondering...what it's going to be like without my next-door-neighbor-friend...Amanda!  She and her family are moving this weekend.  I'm going to really, really miss my our times of chatting "over the wash line" or out on the front porch(s).  Sometimes it would be hers or sometimes mine..

I am hoping... for the best! for their family.  As they adjust to a "new home!", etc.

I am looking forward to... what the Lord has for our next *new* neighbors.  We already know who this will be..

I am (currently) reading... Unglued, by Lysa TerKeurst.  I have talked about this recently... in recent blog posts.

I am learning..  The more I'm aware the uglier it is.  Maybe I should say the more real it is.  Awareness is good.  But, the grace of God in the reality is even better.

Around the house... my "to-do" list is lengthy... and so...

I am pondering...some of the "biblical" and deep questions my son has been asking here of late.  Some of things he comes up with... ?!?!?  I don't want to laugh but you know what I mean... they are too much, sometimes.

A favorite quote for today... "God, of your goodness, give me Yourself, for you are enough for me.  And only in You do I have everything."  ~ Julian of Norwich

One of my favorite things...waking up, from a good night's sleep, to the quiet strains of music coming from my alarm clock.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Ha!  this is plan.  Get through the remainder of this day!

A peek into my day...

Let's talk about these geraniums, for a minute. Besides, the fact that I just wanted to add some pretty color to your day - as well as mine!!  I was just thinking about them this morning, as I was getting dressed for the day.

Both of these hanging plants are being "wintered-over" (over-wintered!)  in our upstairs bathroom and bedroom windows. And, they're thriving well...

They're hanging in there (pun, fully intended) - waiting.  They don't need a lot of fuss or attention.  They're just waiting.  I do this every winter!!

Why is it that we, as humans, get impatient and want to buck the season that God has us in?  - you could call this some more of my pondering(s)...

Well, friend!  Enjoy your day!  and your weekend...

I love hearing from you! via your comments or emails..
Oh - And - I do want to say a special "hello and welcome" to some of our newer friends who have recently decided to follow along here at Treasured Up and Pondered.  Thank you - all - for reading... you are a delight!

***

Following with Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Which way, Mom? Tell me again..

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Short and sweet thoughts today!

I have this certain little five year old girl - who simply loves to help set the table!  APPLAUD LOUDLY!
 Yes!  Having a chore chart around the house has paid off... or, is paying off.
But.
However..
She can't remember - always - how to place the silverware correctly.
So, I'll often hear her calling from the dining room as to how it should go..
(for the record, I do realize that the knife is turned the wrong way..)

Now.  This one is not original with me... but I pulled this little ditty "out of my hat", so to speak, and shared it with her in hopes that it might help her remember.

It didn't.

Here it is:
The Silver-ware Family was having a serious conversation..
Pretty soon it turned into a fight.
After awhile the Fork - left.
Because the Knife and Spoon were ALWAYS right.
***
Not that I'm implying the need for this sort of conversation...I certainly don't want to encourage this kind of behavior - especially at the table.  Heated conversations?  Walking away?  Being, the one, "always right"... ?

 But... what other kinds of ways or words are helpful to "remember" this art of setting the table, besides the fact the good habits don't die easy?  Her continuing to do this little job will soon be mastered - but in the meantime - let's have some fun with it.  Amen?

I need your help.  We need your help.

~ Taking God at His Word ~

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As I mentioned recently, I really do cling to this verse.   This verse 8 of Psalm 138..

Here it is in it's entirety...from the King James Version.

I appreciate the language used here..

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth forever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.  ~ Psalm 138:8

You can see that this is written on my memo board, by my kitchen sink.  I've been pondering this verse ... a lot, here of late, because I want it to be right there - in my face.  What is that really concerns me?

Oh a lot of things do and can.

I worry that...

I wonder this...

I hope for that.

I wish this would...

I can't believe...

Really??..

What if...

What will it be like when..

And, why?

How much longer...

Will he or she...

When will this ever change or end..

I'm sure this list is inexhaustible.  I'm sure I'm not alone.  

When I stop; give pause, and reflect ALL it is that 'concerns' me and when I take God at his Word ... and really settle my soul on the fact that only HE can perfect these things...do I only then have peace.  True peace.  These things are not for me to worry about it.  He's got it!  It's in His hands.  Am I to do something and help - yes!  I can.  He gives strength and grace to carry on... but the overall knowing that it only by God that anything will come to completion.  He is working.  He has a plan and is "chiseling" away to bring this to refinement..

I need this reminder, daily.  I really do.

...He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion...  ~ Philippians 1:6, ESV

1 Peter 5:7, NIV encourages, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you".

Corrie Ten Boom writes..
Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles. It empties today of its strength.

Wow!  some good words to ponder there.. amen?

***

Is there anything your wrestling with today?  What is it that concerns you..? 

How can I be praying for you, today?

Under Construction..

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"Blessed are those who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing." 

~ Camille Pissarro.

This quote got me to to thinking... imagine that?

God sees the beautiful.  When I can't and others won't.

Recently - I started a book study with few ladies from my daughter's Preschool.  We're walking through the book titled, Unglued, by Lysa TerKeurst.  Wow!  Another book that hits home for me.

We're only a couple of chapters in... but already light is being shed.  One of the obvious, running themes throughout the book is this idea of God chiseling us..

Ouch!

When a sculpture works on his masterpiece - there is a lot, let me say that again, A LOT of chiseling involved.  And that piece of stone, clay or marble doesn't cry out and argue with it's maker, nor does it complain and try to get away in the process.  No!  it stays there, in place, silent and yielding.

God says in his Word...Psalm 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God.

I like this analogy.  Just BE!  Be still...  Know!... He is God.
Easier said than done - as a whole of  humanity!  A people with feelings and emotions and a will..

When asked of Michelangelo, in particular, about his famous David sculpture, how he did it - he was reported to have said "it was easy" -  that he just chipped away everything that didn't look like David.

So it is with God.  God sees the beautiful.  Because He is!  and we are to be like Him.

We are his workmanship... an implication of an ongoing process.  He never leaves our side.
***
I cling to the verse found in Psalm 138:8 (KJV) that reads, "The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me; Thy mercy, Oh Lord, endureth forever.  Do not forsake (or abandon) the works of thine hands"

Yours truly,
Under Construction...

From this to this to this..

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All in a couple of days - relatively speaking - we go from this to this to this...

Beautiful sunrises..
Showing off beautiful ice sculptures...
Heavy snows..
The deep tinges of Blue, fields of blue..
Ice and wind.
Loss of limbs and downed trees...
The need for warmth of fire and hearth..
More shoveling..
to the
Thawing (you could hear it!) with warmer outdoor temps and plenty of sunshine..

Smile!

And, as for today?
Dense fog..
Heavy, heavy rain with thunder and lightening..
The obvious of flooding has begun.
Grey and Pink skies with an evening setting sun and more light fog...
Soon... all twill be Mud.

One word comes to mind.

Replenish!
Replenish the earth.. fill it! (Genesis 1:28)

The Old Snowflakes are everywhere and getting ugly, however... I know some NEW ones are on their way, sometime next week, so they say.  (sigh) Yes, even I am starting to sigh.  As much as I have thoroughly been enjoying this Winter season...

I'm getting ready for some... green grass...
Yes! is that what they call it?
Oh to feel it `tween the toes...

But that is the benefit of all of this snow and rain and storm.  Our earth is being replenished..  Nature takes care of itself - with the pruning of trees, etc.

God is in this!

He makes everything beautiful - in it's time!

***
Have yourself a wonderful and safe weekend!

The Ripple Effect

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Imagine yourself sitting in a group setting of any size and someone begins to share something really exciting that they've recently experienced.  Everyone is on the edge of their seat - soaking it up!

Have you ever thought about how that one person's testimony, shared, is so encouraging?  That when that person has finally found the courage to share about the LORD; what He's done for them or someone else, that we find ourselves getting excited for them and with them?  I know I do.  And often then, do we in turn use that same story of good news, of hope or encouragement, to tell someone else... and on and on it  goes.

I'm talking about encouragement...

Gossip can do the same thing - but with a rather adverse effect.
(I'm not going there, today!)

But when this good thing happens, it has that sort of ripple effect.

Picture with me the plunk, of a word or a thought that goes deep into the hearts of that body of people.
From there each one takes that moment and shares... and the ripple of encouragement (Good News!) spreads far and wide.  It gets bigger and bigger - that circle of sharing - and how many others lives are encouraged and blessed in that moment.

I know this is a picture of how the Gospel gets spread.  The good news - shared.
Sometimes it doesn't seem like anything we say or do makes or will make a difference.  But, friend!  It does.

Be faithful.

Sometimes it takes courage..
a LOT of courage.

{Keeping it Real} When love isn't perfect.

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There has to be some irony here, somewhere.

Hanging on to the all-things-lovely a bit more...making Valentine's Day last on into the weekend. 

I had it in me to bake cookies. Really?  Cut-outs?  On Saturday!  Oh, and I should have known better.
I like never do cut-outs.

But, here we are! We we're doing the heart thing... and the sprinkles of red & white...

And, I flip.

As in, I can't do this anymore.

It was too stressful.

I shew them off... as though they were stray cats or dogs around my feet.  And I said that, too!

I saw the look...of a broken heart or two.

And then I cried. And, I apologized.  I took a deep breath and counted my blessings and we tried again.

All it took was her granted forgiveness, and HIS, to soften this, this messy ole heart of mine.
I counted my blessings even more..

What do you do when love isn't perfect?  When loving isn't perfect?  

***

Can I still pass the cookies?  Anyone?

Friday's Finds :: If You Have A Friend Worth Loving

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Happy Valentine's Day

and welcome to Friday's Finds!

A couple of weeks ago I was cleaning out a closet. I came across this book ::Heart Throbs:: that once belonged in my Dad's library.  It was a love of his to read poetry, from time to time.  Not that he ever really quoted much of it but I can remember - I hear quite a few gems from this particular book.  I wish I could remember which one were his favorites, because I know there were several...

Now that my dad has passed... I want to continue this love and share (poetry) when I can! As you may have noticed... I do like to throw a lot of quotes and poems your way - here at Treasured Up and Pondered. ;)

Brewing myself a cup of tea... I couldn't wait to sit and take a few moments to thumb through its delicate and well-worn and very loved pages; in hopes of finding a poem that would suit for this dear Valentine's Day...

I think I found it!!

In fact, according to this book: Heart Throbs, copyright of 1905 ---

The following poem was discovered by Mr. George Morgan of the banking firm of Morgan, Drexel and Co., in a country newspaper.  He carried it in his pocket for five years, occasionally reading it to friends.  Inquiries for copies were so frequent that he finally had it printed for distribution.

To which I say, Thank you!!

***

If You Have A Friend Worth Loving

If you have a friend worth loving, 

Love him.  Yes, and let him know

That you love him, ere life's evening

Tinge his brow with sunset glow.

Why should good word ne'er be said

Of a friend - till he is dead?

If you hear a song that thrills you,

Sung by any child of song,

Praise it.  Do not let the singer

Wait deserved praises long.

Why should one who thrills your heart 

Lack the joy you may impart?

If you hear a prayer that moves you

By its humble, pleading tone,

Join it.  Do not let the seeker
Bow before its God alone.

Why should not your brother share

The strength of "two or three" in prayer?

If you the hot tears falling

From a brother's weeping eyes

Share them.  And by kindly sharing 

Own our kinship in the skies.

Why should anyone be glad

When a brother's heart is sad?

If a silvery laugh goes rippling

Through the sunshine on his face,

Share it.  `Tis the wise man's saying --

For both grief and joy a place.
There's health and goodness in the mirth

In which an honest laugh has birth.

If your work in made more easy

By a friendly, helping hand,

Say so.  Speak out brave and truly

Ere the darkness veil the land.

Should a brother workman dear

Falter for a word of cheer?

Scatter thus your seeds of kindness
All enriching as you go --

Leave them.  Trust the Harvest-Giver;

He will make each seed to grow.

So, until the happy end,

Your life shall never lack a friend. 

~ Anonymous

***
Wasn't that the most beautiful of poems?

To which I say... and, I'm not just saying this...I mean it!  Thank you!  Thanks, for being a dear friend and reader.  I appreciate you all so much!  You all make my days a little brighter, just by being here.

Have yourself a lovely day and a wonderful weekend!

Now...It's time to go love on my family! More than I already do..

Warmth

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May your heart and home 

be warm today...

Full of the LOVE of Jesus.

***

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable

in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.  ~ Psalm 19:14 ESV

Snow-Skating

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Introducing...snow-skating!

Here are my
two little
favorite...

Olympians!
***
Over the past couple of days - our snow here, was just "hard enough" that Aubrey had no problem at all - staying on top; able to run and slide and twirl and glide!!!!!!!!!!!
Caleb could too, but he's a little heavier and a foot would go through here and there.

However, they thought they were in heaven!
I grew up Ice Skating - on ponds, lakes and creeks, etc.  and have been wanting to get them out there...
But with all this snow - everywhere! - and still more to come later this week.  I thought I had better introduce them to (at least!) snow-skating.  With them using their boots on this ICY snow - they could better understand the "balancing act" that skating requires...
I just love that first photo there of catching Caleb in "the slide"...
And, Aubrey - well, she's a natural! ;)

Wow!!  Lots of fun!!

{Bags by Bevy} :: Coat of Colors

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  Happy Snowy Monday to you and yours!
We did it again and had a couple of inches fall over last evening and well, I must say...

 You ever notice how the "old snowflakes" start looking a little dingy?  Fresh "new snowflakes" sure are pretty, aren't they?  Even the air smells cleaner after they fall...

***

Today I want to share a little "fun" I had over the end of last week...

It's a bit of a story.  But, I like to share `em once in awhile of how or why a bag gets made... and for whom.

Hope you don't mind.

:: Coat of Colors::

Pocket Pouch

SOLD! to Mr. U.

***

As you know, my son is in Scouts.  Obviously, Daddy is quite involved (very grateful about that!) and often gets into conversations with the other men involved.  Well...

One evening my son and husband get home from a scout meeting and Scott says - "Mr. U and I were talking about you and what you do; the fact that you sew, etc."  Mr. U would like you to make a bag for his wife for her birthday (coming up, in March).  Great!!  My husband is out making sales for me... I love it!  By the way.  This isn't the first time my husband has made a sale for me! :)  He's good..

My husband.  He could probably sell Ice to an Eskimo!!  given a chance...

:)

Weeks went by.  I had forgotten about this man wanting a bag from me.  But..

I was reminded about it again, the other night, when I was told that this gentleman was coming over in a night or two to look at fabric.  

What?!?!?!?

What was he looking for, color wise, size wise, style...etc.?

I was told big, roomy bags, with lots of pockets.  Preferably earthy tones..

So, I pulled s few different fabrics out...thinking I was good to go.

Then this, I want to call him an "eccentric sort of feller"... wanted to see what I had available.

I showed what was available on my etsy..

He saw this "Nestled" Pocket Pouch! and declared the item SOLD and wanted a second one...(Instead of a single large bag!) But, for the second Pocket Pouch, he said he wanted lots of color!!

So -off we went, to my sewing room, in search of fabric and this brightly striped fabric is what he picked out..... 

Lots of color? Well, he got it!  So, essentially, while my husband and this Mr. U. were off at a Scout Meeting and back again to the house to finish out more of the conversation.  I sewed it up for him...

I think I made him a happy man.  Lord willing, his wife will be happy too! with his gift.

~~~
Come back tomorrow when I show you some pics of my little "Olympians"...
I introduced them to snow-skating.
Anybody ever do that?

Friday's Finds :: Icicles and Smiles

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I know we talked about this a lot this week... this weather and all it's glory.  Or not!  You all have your own "photos and imagery" out your front windows to enjoy... and, you all have your own thoughts about it.  Some of you are on the same page as I and love it - and others of you (generally speaking, I'm sure!) are so over this book. :)  You've reached  - The End.

But - bare with me, one more day - at least!  Please?

Welcome to Friday's Finds!

***

Yesterday, I had to run to town, about twenty minutes away, or so.

I want to tell you.  I felt like an absolute kid in a candy store.  A girl among diamonds!

I could hardly believe how absolutely beautiful my little afternoon drive was.  I couldn't stand it that I didn't have my camera with me.  I wish I could fully describe how I felt - while seeing all this beauty.

I  felt a bit like the Apostle John doing his best to describe what he saw in his vision of the Holy City..(read about in the book of Revelation)...except that the Apostle John described what he saw very well.  I can't!

What an awesome God we serve!

His Creation is so marvelous.

If this is so beautiful then how WAY, OVER-THE-TOP, BEAUTIFUL
Heaven must be!!  I can't wait...to see it for myself!

***

So, this morning while waiting for the bus.  Gasp! we actually started on time today - a regular day of school!

I grabbed my camera, and headed out the door with my son.  My hope was to capture some of this icy beauty, everywhere.  We did a little... but, it looked nothing like yesterday!

  All of this...this beauty... gave us something to talk about while waiting for the bus!  We realized...

our love for icicles are the same.  We smiled!!

Caleb found one this morning and begged to take a photo of it.   See his icicle hanging off the barn roof..?

See the mist rising off the barn!

And, just as he went over to grab it for a lick - I snapped a photo of him, reaching, and of course - the icicle  fell from his hand and was "lost" to pieces, in the crusty snow.  I assured him that that was probably okay... it most likely wasn't the cleanest icicle to lick anyway, coming off the barn roof..

And, soon his bus arrived!

 

All this to say,  even the "ugliest" bushes out there are beautiful.  I mean.  This ice that is formed around each of the intricacy that God has created...is amazing!  Every single branch and stem..

I know that there are many, many, many - even in our local area - who have struggled through this past storm (and perhaps even still are) to see the beauty in all of this.  Being without electricity, water or heat was certainly not easy.  And it most likely was a stretch to their faith.  If that was you - you were in our thoughts and prayers.. for sure!
***
Okay.  One more photo...

We're leaving here, this week, with another smile or two.  The girls and all of us (for that matter) are grateful to God for his healing touch and restoring us all back to health.  That was where our challenge came in.
Not fun, at all!

***

May you have a blessed weekend!!

Jewish Apple Cake

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I just thought I would pass on a recipe that spells nothing but down-home comfort.  This is a recipe I remember my Grammy making a lot. And since this is the month of her birthday... I thought I would celebrate her life by sharing this cake-memory- recipe, with you today.

Jewish Apple Cake

3-5 large apples, peeled and sliced

3 T. sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

-- Sprinkle on apples and set aside-- 

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1/4 cup orange juice **

2 1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup oil

4 eggs

3 tsp. baking powder

Mix by hand.  Put 1/2 batter in a 9"x 13" pan or tube pan (I used a spring-form bundt pan) followed by half the apples.  Repeat.  Bake at 350* - 375* approximately 50-55 minutes until done.  I baked mine even a little longer.  This cake is a hard one to test done, and not get too dark.  So, keep both an eye and a nose to this one. :)

I will always grease and sugar my baking pans.

** The orange juice this recipe calls for does not say concentrate.  However, I like to use 1/4 cup OJ Concentrate (not the ready made juice) to give it a much more pungent flavor.

***

My grandparents made a lot of things with apples. All the time!

It's no wonder for the fact that they owned and maintained a small (hobby!) orchard.

Oh, the memories I hold dear to my heart...of that orchard and all it's yummy goodness that came out of there.

When I made this cake, this past week.  My family couldn't get enough of it.

My kids thought it was "the best!" snack, ever..

***

This cake is served up nice with a dollop of freshly whipped cream, 

creamy vanilla yogurt 

or of course, Ice Cream!

Enjoy!

His Banner...over me!

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***
We awoke  to a different sort of look, this morning!

The banners are "Ice"!  and hung very nice.

Let's enjoy!

This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! ~ Psalm 118:24 (KJV)

His banner over me is Love... ~ Song of Solomon 2:4

Whiter Than Snow!

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Every single time I looked out the window, yesterday, I smiled.

I know some of you reading don't like all this white stuff..and some of you reading wish you had some more of it! Isn't that the way it goes?

This year, this season, has been especially wonderful for me.  I have enjoyed every single snow storm we've had so far.  (I think it's because if our Winter is cold, and there is snow, I'm in! - If it's a mild one, rainy and damp...forget it.)

Anyway...all that to say. We had about another 5"  of nice, wet & heavy snow fall yesterday...on top of what was already here.  At one point, I stepped outdoors for some fresh air and peace and quiet.  I love the hush that a snowfall brings.  I snapped a few photos from off the front porch, but most were taken through the window pane...from inside the warmth of home.

Enjoy!

***

More pics from throughout the course of the day...

The sun came through and "changed" the scenery up just a bit.  Scott worked from home yesterday and as he finished up work, work for the day, he and Caleb (who had another "Snow Day - home from school) bundled up to head outdoors and "take care of business".  I appreciate a Daddy showing his son - how to do it, number one, but then there is the "right way" of doing a job...in the first place.  Ahh, they came in ready for some hot Broccoli Cheese Soup and Sausage sandwiches..

All day long...
I was humming the hymn:   Whiter than Snow!

What could be more beautiful than that?  Our sins...washed clean, by the blood of the Lamb.  Whiter than snow.. the scriptures say.  (read, Psalm 51)

Thank you, Lord, for this fresh reminder of your grace and forgiveness - yet again!
***