The Old Log....

Odd isn't it.....for someone to take a picture of an old piece of wood?

Who would consider an old log or piece of a tree limb to be a thing of

beauty?

I ran across this scene in a place called "Pickles Gap" Arkansas, and the

very moment that my eyes fell upon it, I knew without a doubt that

I needed a picture to capture all of it's beauty.

I love it when I come across the simple things that make me aware of

God's awesome creations....

There is a story in the life of this old piece of wood just like their is a story

in our own life...

Was it once a thriving tree limb whose beauty could be seen all around?

I can see it's twisting and turning as the newness of life

re-positions it, as the new leaves burst forth during the months of Spring....

I can imagine it with colors of crimson beauty during this season that we call Fall.

I see this old piece of a tree as a part of God's creation....

I feel that there is indeed a connection between one's ability to

see and enjoy beauty, through his or her own nearness to God....

Sweet Blessings....

shug ~

Do You See The Whole Picture?

Oh.....What a Glorious Day...

As I walked outside this morning, there was such a refreshing feeling that came all over me....The temperature dropped considerably overnight and just to feel the coolness was simply amazing.

Texas is still so very dry!  I am asking each of you to be in prayer for our state.  Wild fires seem to be raging everywhere and many folks have been evacuated from their homes. 

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How many time have you heard...... that the grass is always greener on the other side?

I suppose it's just a part of life, how people are constantly admiring how green the grass is for others....

But, do we really take the time to see the big picture, the whole picture of what looks to be so green?  Or....do we see only those things that we long for? 

I'm sure that we have all done this at least once along this pathway of life.  We see the good times, the joy, and yes sometimes the material happiness that those around us have.
None the less, we tend to see only those things that WE desire , not realizing that underneath the green grass, there may be many issues that we are unaware of, like problems that are not visible to our eyes...

It is true, sometimes, there seems to be those folks that make life look easy...people who seem to have everything good in life.  People whose happiness shines through like the sun on a cool brisk day.

On the other hand, these same people may be experiencing trials that bring about hidden pains. ...things like health issues, sadness of an unsaved loved ones, heartaches over situations that are beyond their control...

It's all about ...... A T T I T U D E....  and the way that we see life....is your glass half empty, or is it half FULL?

We need to wake up each day....Full of gratitude!  We should  be thankful for what is ours and thankful for the peace that can be ours, only when we take the time to recognize the Blessings that God has given each of us...

We are Blessed!

Hope you day brings you joy and goodness....

shug ~

Holiday Celebrations....

Happy Labor Day Y'all.....  The temperature where I'm at is 62 degrees...YAY!

I learned something new this weekend....I did not realize  that people celebrate Labor Day with Fireworks.

(Borrowed Picture)

Seems that a good many of the towns/cities that we traveled through, were having some kind of weekend celebration with fireworks planned as part of the festivities....

There was one town that we dove through, in Arkansas, that was having a HUGE garage sale...The highway was lined up with people selling all kinds of stuff and junk.....We would loved to have stopped, but as we were driving through, the rain started pouring down.  HEAVY RAIN DROPS!

Another city was having a Blue Grass festival along with fireworks over the lake....and the town of Clinton was having a celebration of old wagon races....

I guess I never realized that there was so much to do on Labor Day Weekend. 

We usually stay home on Holiday weekends, and I guess this is perhaps, the reason that I have never had the knowledge of knowing that there are Labor Day celebrations with fireworks.

I hope you all are enjoying a wonderful day with your family and friends....and don't forget the FIREWORKS!



Warm Hugs and Sweet Blessings!

Shug ~

Get Into My Book...

Simply speaking.....This is a great day that the Lord has made!

Don't you just get all excited when you wake up on a Sunday morning, knowing that you have the freedom to worship God? The good thing is that we can worship the Lord ANYTIME, but...how good it is to go to the House of the Lord!

I love the anticipation that I feel when it's time for church.....It is Awesome!

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Just this past week, I read a church sign that said:

                                         

Get out of Facebook and get into
My Book......God

Sure, this may have just been a sign, but the words speak directly to many facebook users, including ME.

I love Facebook!......(some people do and some don't.)  I love having the connection with friends that I haven't talked to in years.  I find FB to be a lifesaver when it comes to communicating about events that are coming up......dates, times and so forth. 

The most exciting thing about FB is being able to pray with people who have needs, or to Praise God and share it with everyone on my friend page..

Facebook can become an addiction or in some cases an idol....
(Something that takes precedence over God.)

Needless to say.....I want to make sure that reading the word of God, knowing Him and spending time with Him, is FIRST in my own life!


Hope this Sunday is a Blessed one for each of you....

shug ~

Good morning again.....If you will look on the lake side of this beautiful hotel, on the 8th floor, sitting out on the balcony, you will find me right there as I write this post.....

Nothing but Gorgeous.....

So Peaceful and Quite....

Isn't this a wonderful birthday gift?  I think I mentioned earlier, than Sam was taking me to Branson for a late birthday gift...

The show "Noah" is almost coming to an end, and this is one that I really wanted to see....and guess what?   We now have late evening tickets!!!

This entire trip is centered around rest and relaxation, shopping for antiques, and the show "Noah."

Speaking of antiques.....I made a few purchases yesterday that will go great in my "RED" kitchen....

NOW, I'm on the lookout for some "old" moonshine jugs!

Sam and I are having a BLAST....Wish you all were here with us..

Hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend....Be safe and have fun!!

Shug ~

Gotta Hit the Road

It's a Good, Sweet morning y'all.......I woke up this morning right here in Hot Springs, Arkansas....

Sam and I left yesterday morning, around 10:45, heading to Branson, Mo. 
Our first stop was only about 15 miles from home....We had to grab something for our tummy's....I guess you could call it brunch!!

Second stop....35 miles from home....Potty break!  

Third stop.....about 50 miles from home.....Verizon Store.
We discovered that we had left the car charger for our phones at home.....
GOT TO HAVE ONE OF THESE WHEN YOU TRAVEL.....


4th....  a potty break @ a rest stop in Arkansas...(Now, this is a pretty good 
           stretch to wait for a potty break!  From Texas to Arkansas? Wow
5th......De Gray State Park office
6th..... De Gray State Park to check on some boat house rentals for next 
           Summer.        
7th.....Office Depot, to look for a cable to my computer.  I didn't forget to pack
          the cable, it broke and I had to pick up another one.  (They didn't have
           one)


Arrived in Hot Springs at 6:00.  We only got lost one time and had to turn around.  This was because we missed a street to the hotel.  (One turn around!  Wow, this is good)

This is just a small example of what it is like to travel with us....No worries, No appointments, No deadlines!  I love it this way....we are in control of the time on this trip and it feels awesome....

No pictures yet, but I plan to have a lot for you to see,  later....

Today, there will probably be a lot of stops as well....got me some Antiquing to do!  (and I am smiling about this)

It's time to hit the road....Holler at y'all tomorrow!!
Have a good Friday!

Shug ~

I'ts The Key that Fits....

I just love this little quote......"Smile.....It's the key that fits the love of

everybody's HEART!

Smiling is such a splendid gift that we can freely give to others.  It is also an indicator of being happy ourselves.......

I believe that a simple smile goes a long way.....A smile that we give to someone else may trickle it's way throughout the day, reaching hundreds of people......

I experienced such a smile, a few weeks ago, while vacationing in Florida....  Almost every day, I would see this lady and her husband sitting quietly out at the pool....she had the most beautiful smile.

Her smile was a radiant picture of joy that lasted all day long. 

(Thank you Lisa for spreading your smile)

Take time to SMILE at someone today.....Spread some JOY!

As always......Hugs and Sweet Blessings....

shug ~