Tuesday, September 30, 2014

What are you looking at????

I'm pretty sure that if this cow could speak.....it would ask "What are you looking at?"

As we were driving to the Farm last week, Sam and I saw this big black thing out in the lake.....what could it be?   As we got closer, we could clearly see that it was a cow.   I guess it needed a cool bath and it appeared to be enjoying the taste of those lily pads as well....    lol....    Such a cute photo!

                                            ********

I must admit......Yesterday was a stressful day.....For ME!   Some might contribute a stressful Monday to just that......A typical stressful Monday.  

This is not really how I see it.....   It's just that some days are going to be more stressful than others!!  Thank goodness, that we live in a Country where we are free to have the "Word of God" right before us.  Never, ever, should we take it for granted!!

Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God's word is alive and powerful...

I am extremely thankful for HIS word......  As I endure days like yesterday, I can HOLD God's word in my hands.....I can allow HIS words to fill me with comfort and peace.   

I have found that as I meditate on God's word.....as I read HIS promises and HIS faithfulness....  My problems get smaller and God's love for me is so much greater!!

Hugs,
Shug ~


Sunday, September 28, 2014

To Frame or Not to Frame!

I know.....I know.......There is a Christmas Painting posted on my header.

Not just any Christmas painting......This is our (Thomas Kinkade)  Limited Addition...."Holiday Gathering" painting, that Sam and I purchased about 17 years ago.   A signed painting, by the artist himself! 




For several years now, I have had it packed away in a very safe area.   As the years have passed, the frame has become a thing of the past......for me!  The frame just simple does not blend with my decor of today.

I know that I could have it RE-FRAMED......but I simply would prefer NO FRAME!


See!!   There's just something about the frame that is out of style to me.

Since our home is going to be shown in the "Christmas Tour of Homes".......I would love to be able to have it hanging somewhere in the house....

Question is.......What to do about the frame??




I thought about taking it out of the frame and just hanging the canvas, however......Thomas Kinkade did not paint the sides of this painting.    If I try to do it myself, I risk losing value ($$$$) in this beautiful painting.   

So.....my fellow blog friends......I'm asking you, what you would do?

Use it as it is?  Don't use it at all and put it back in storage?
Take it out of the frame and display the canvas as is?  OR....
re-frame the thing?


Your thoughts will certainly be appreciated!!!

Hugs,
Shug ~






My Soul Longeth........

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, oh God."

                                             Psalm 42:1


Thursday, September 25, 2014

He Will Fight Your Battle for You....

"The steadfast love of the Lord never cease; His mercies never come to an end;   They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
                                                 Lamentations 3:22-23


Today is a perfect day to reach out and receive God's new Blessings!  They are new every morning!!  God is so very faithful.....even when we are not!!  

God's Grace is as fresh as the new day......His unmerited favor is waiting for us!   Perhaps one of you are experiencing a day of sorrow, a day of heaviness.  I would encourage you to reach out and speak God's name.....Share with Him about His promises.   Wait on God....seek Him....For He is prepared to fight your battle for you!!

God's Mercy and Compassion fail Not!!!

Hugs Friends....
Shug ~


Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Extraordinary Delights......

Happy Fall Wednesday y'all.   It feels so nice outside............





Happy People, have the pleasure of enjoying the little things in life.
For example....seeing the above pumpkin and not looking at it as if it needed to be thrown in the trash pile.    Instead....do you see the little star that shapes it's stem?  This put a smile on my face!

Mylee's eyes sparkled when she saw this special pumpkin....She called it a pumpkin with babies....and we spent time (together).....counting the amazing number of babies that this pumpkin did have.  Two hundred and eleven, I do believe!!

Our world is full of hustle and bustle......however, we can simplify our own life, if we will just take the time to see the small invitations that God places before us.  Invitations to enlarge our heart through the extraordinary delights of HIS wonderful Blessings!!

Happy Fall Day.......
Shug

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Think Happy Thoughts!

"Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, with my righteous right hand."

                                                              Isaiah 41:10


Gosh......I really don't like listening to the news anymore!  Do I stand alone on this?  I honestly believe that the media is dedicated  to reporting as much destruction as they possibly can......after all, it's a "Headline Story" that they are all seeking....


To make matters worse....almost every restaurant has, not just one TV...... but several!  This means that a nice dinner can turn into an evening of "Bad News."

When I go to the Doctor......it's bad enough to have to sit and wait 45 minutes to an hour, past my appointment time, but then to have to endure this amount of time listening to CNN news......WOW!  I think it raises my BP, which can be stressful in itself.   No wonder my BP is elevated when the nurse takes it.

Honestly....our world is so full of evil, and with all the media about Terrorist and ISIS..... it brings cause for FEAR!!  

Even the NFL is full of wrong doings!!  Abuse, assaults, and a whole lot of disbelief.  All of these things, CHANGES the whole game!

In this world that we live in......I am so thankful for the Word of God!  I am thankful for Isaiah 41:10.   God says:  FEAR NOT I AM WITH YOU!   


Make this a day of Goodness!!

Hugs

Shug ~

Sunday, September 21, 2014

And Now You Know!

It has been a lazy day for me.....I still have a tiny, little headache, but it is MUCH better than it has been this past week!!

            *******

We just got home from "Home Groups."  Something our church does a couple times a year.  Different people open their homes and we gather and have a small meal and a series of lessons on different topics.  Tonight, I cooked some good fajita chicken on the grill...

Shanda and Tom attend the same Home Group that we do, so she brought the tortillas and the other fixings for the Fajitas!!  Yum!!  It all tasted so yummy!!


              *****

Sam's dad is having back surgery tomorrow...  He is 85 years old! At this age, he would definitely NOT be having the surgery, if he could avoid it.  He has a ruptured disk and has some other issues that need fixing as well.  I feel so bad for him....he has been in Soooooo Much Pain and it has made him absolutely miserable, almost non-functional. Praying ALL goes well.

              ******

It's HOMECOMING week at our local school!!  I've got MUMS to make!!
Tyler's longtime girlfriend (Kelsey) is one of the three Senior girls that have been elected for the Court.   One of them will be crowned HOMECOMING QUEEN this coming Friday night!!

Keeping my fingers crossed that it will be KELSEY!! 

I actually already have her Mum made.   Just have to do a few other things on it and it will be finished.  Now, to start on Tori's!!

Such fun!!   

And now you know whats been going on in my life! How about yours??

Shug ~

***Wow...I went back and re-read this post after I had mistakenly pressed the post button!  For all of you who read this, before I had the opportunity to go back and correct......I'm sorry!  LOTS of errors.  do you ever do this??








Friday, September 19, 2014

HARD TO BELIEVE......THAT THIS ??

So hard to believe that this.......  




Can make you feel like this:




Yep.....Sinus Infection!!

I was at the Dr. this morning at 8:15 and I'm now on an antibiotic!   Hopefully tomorrow I'll have some relief!!

Hugs,
shug ~

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Fences


There is so much to see when riding the "Back Roads" through East Texas!  



I took these pictures last weekend on our way to the Farm!   As we travel the old blacktop roads, there is always so much to see.......you just have to be willing to travel a little slow!!

The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you."
                                                     Psalm 32:8   NLT



Today, I am linking with "Good Fences Party"



Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Have I lost my Mind??

Oh my goodness......have I lost my ever loving mind?  Just this week, I finally got myself in the mood to do some Fall Decorating!



I made this material garland on Monday for this mantel.  So, so easy to do and I think it may have cost me about $5.00.






I also made a wreath for the front door!!  At one time, I so enjoyed  making my own wreaths, but haven't done so in a while.   It just gets to me when I see the cost that can go into making one of these things.



Isn't it something how stores mark things 40% off and the price of a bundle of flowers is still way more than it should be?

I dug around until I found some flowers that where marked way down and the ribbon was actually a very good buy.


I made the wreath yesterday and I am pleased with how it turned out......


I have several boxes of Fall items that I need to get out, but now.....I'm not sure if I will ever get to it.

YOU SEE........  As of this very week, I have now committed myself to "The Christmas Tour of Homes."

Oh my.....what have I done????

What I have done is to let others persuade me into being a part of this event.   Don't get me wrong......I want to help when it comes to Community events, and the money goes to a very good cause.....BUT, it is a lot of hard work and the date is set for early in December.   

All of this means that I need to skip my usual Fall decorating (Love to decorate BIG for Fall) and I need to already be decorating for the Tour of Homes!!!

Don't you all want to lend a hand to your blog friend?  Come on down and help me make this an easy task!!!!

I'm not much for fancy decorating......I like the natural look and I love, love, love.....Country decorating!!   

It might just be a quick "Pumpkin Stay" around this place.  

Hugs sweet friends...
Shug ~

Monday, September 15, 2014

Discipline....Switches....and Santa Clause

Adrian Peterson.....   
Minnesota Vikings.....

? ? ? ?    Big news right now!


I can not believe that I'm even attempting to address this!!  This is a topic that COULD get me in trouble with those who have their own opinion on discipline.

Who of us can really pass judgement when in fact none of us have actually seen the whelps or bruises that were reported on Mr. Peterson's child... In NO WAY would I attempt to say that this is a right or wrong case......    Age does have it's own roll to play in this.



Even if the peaches were not clinging to this tree.....I can assure you that I would know that this was a peach tree.  Why?  Because I am all too familiar with the limbs.

Oh wow.....when I was growing up, a switch off of the "old peach tree".....would most certainly make me....walk a straight line!

My grandmother knew how to use one and I can tell you that ALL of us KIDS.......Knew she meant business, when she went to get one off of the tree.

I know that there are some extreme cases and believe me, I have hurt in my heart for kids who have had to endure any kind of abusive punishment.   But, for the most part.......kids are not disciplined ENOUGH.

"He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him."
                                                         Proverbs 13:24

Correction shows us that we are not above reproach and that we are accountable for our actions.

I am a believer that children should NEVER receive lacerations from physical discipline, nor should they suffer from any kind of abusive punishment.  However, we do need to teach them that their own disobedience requires correction!!!  By doing so.....we are teaching our kids how to respect not only their parents, but others who have authority.  RESPECT.......  Kids are not born with it.....Respect MUST be taught!!!

I can't believe that Santa Clause has not been indicted for cruel and unusual behavior!   REALLY...!!    After all, if you're naughty, then it's a bag of switches you get.    I know a lot about this....I once received a "Bag of Switches!"   lol....my dad thought it was extremely funny, and it was!  Turned out to be a WONDERFUL Christmas!  I received lots of packages that year!

Funny thing, the laws of today would have landed my parents, my grandmother, aunts and uncles all in the "PEN" because, they DID use a "Peach limb" on all of us kids!!!  Turns out....we all are fine and our wisdom is great.  We all were taught from the Book of Love and it was called discipline!

Whew....hope I still have friends!

Hugs Y'all......
Shug ~

The Beauty of Nature.....

American Beautyberry.

Scientific Name:  Callicarpa Americana, Callicarpa Japonica
When:  Late Summer, Fall
Where:  East Texas Woods



I have not been out with my camera in quite some time now.  Yesterday was a gorgeous day.....the perfect kind of afternoon to explore the farm.  


How many of us can say that we are "Fond" of Goatweeds?

Not I.......

Goatweed must be a favorite of Bumblebees......I saw many of the dark scary bees, enjoying the sweetness of one weed after another.


Wish I could have snapped more photos like this, but Goatweeds are not very nice to me.....the pollen is overwhelming!


We were a good distance away from these beautiful creatures, which accounts for why my picture is not very clear..    I love watching white tail deer, as they jump fences and gallop across the fields.


God is the creator of all things!

"I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works"

              Psalm 145:5

Life is so good!

shug ~

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Feel, Think, and then Speak...

I've often heard folks say that they have a "Sweet Tooth."   Well....I have one up on them!  I have a whole mouth full of sweet "TOOTHS"

I mean.....honestly......I LOVE Sweets!  When it comes to food, there are a lot of food items that I do not like....Liver being one of them, along with ONIONS!


However, when it comes to SWEETS......   There is nothing that I won't eat.   I love sweets...I love Sugar!!  {Maybe, this is the reason my grandkids call me Sugar}

Have you ever heard that old saying: ??  "Keep your words soft and sweet.  You never know when you're going to have to eat them."

This is something I learned a long time ago!   We should always THINK before we say something.

This past Thursday night, Sam and I went to watch our grandson (Carson) play his first football game of the season.  BTW....he is totally awesome!!  {Words spoken by a grandmother}

 Can I tell you....people need to be very cautious when they speak out at games or in public places....

It was during the game just before Carson's game, when a player on the field made a big error.   One of the parents in the stands made a critical comment in regards to that player AND his abilities to play ball.    Needless to say, the comment was loud enough for the young man's family to hear.   

His family was very kind and never uttered a word to the guy who had just criticized their son.   Instead.....they shouted out words of encouragement toward their son, who was still out on the field.

You know.....it's just so much easier to just keep our mouths shut, if all we have to say is going to hurt others.  All it does, is reflect a NEGATIVE  attitude on the part of the one criticizing..... 

The words we speak....reflect who we are!!

We should always FEEL --  THINK -- and then SPEAK!!

Feel the hurt that others might feel when we lash out......Think about how we would feel if someone deliberately took a jab at us.....Speak the words that we would appreciate others speaking to us. 

Much like the love of the sweetest taste that we enjoy savoring in our mouth.......we should also enjoy SPEAKING SWEET words of kindness!!!!

hugs y'all.....  
Shug ~

Friday, September 12, 2014

A Love Affair!!




Do you remember "The Wizard of Oz?"

Oh my.....I can't begin to tell you how many times my sister, brothers and I, watched this show!!  The first time that we saw it in color......was like being in magic land.

Can you imagine how Dorothy must have felt as she was spinning so fast in the middle of the tornado?   Spinning so swiftly, not knowing the minute she might fall.

Our lives are much like the spinning tornado......Each day, so full of busyness!  Phones ringing, texting, Dr's appointments, obligations, 
meetings, taking care of family......and the list goes on!!  It's as if we long for a sweet LOVE AFFAIR with chaos and haste!!!
  

Our focus is all about.....how much more we can squeeze into a day!  Until......we find ourselves in a wretched state of mind.  Before we know it, exhaustion sets in and we can quickly become overwhelmed.   


The first thing that I do when I set myself up for the fall is......Cry!
Cry, because I realize that I have once again overloaded my day.  
But.....did you know that a simple name spoken.....the name of JESUS, calms my weary soul?

Oh Lord....forgive me for the many times that I have turned the knob to the spinning cycle in my life!!  Thank you for always being there to catch me in the middle of my storms.. 

Call on the name of JESUS!!


My Steps of Faith....
Shug ~





Thursday, September 11, 2014

God Pours out His Unfailing Love.....

       

   MY BLOG LIST IS SHAKING........DO ANY OF YOU KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS??????

YOU CAN EMAIL ME @ sapco5@earthlink.net
OR LEAVE A COMMENT....

THANKS FOR THE HELP!!




 Each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me.
                       Psalm  42:8  


My soul is often refreshed when I realize just how Majestic God truly is.  There are many times when a day is just a day, until my heart opens wide and I am able to see all of the remarkable things that God places before me.   

Standing in front of my kitchen window.....I am able to capture the fluttering wings of a teeny tiny hummingbird, as it seeks the sweetest nectar around.    This is a reminder to me that I should be like the hummingbird.....I should be persistent in my search for the sweetness of life.     

Last week, I needed to go to the grocery store for a simple {one item} trip.   Have you ever had one of those days when you just didn't feel like putting on make-up?  I have them often!!  This was one of those days.......I planned to run in and run out {of the store} without Anyone seeing me!!  I guess the checker and the sack boy aren't anyone!!!!  lol.

Just so happens that I ran into a friend that I haven't seen in YEARS!  As I was going down the isle.....I spotted this friend.  Oh "Geez" was my thought.   I grabbed a cake box and pretended to be reading every word on the back of the box.   I'm sure it was a pretty sight, especially since I had no reading glasses with me.   Squint, squint!!

Her buggy never moved, so there I was.....stuck having to expose my "NO MAKE-UP Face" to someone I had not seen since before I had any wrinkles.    Can I tell you.....I received a wonderful Blessing that day. What a joy it was to visit with this friend.   It made me feel great for her to tell me that I had not changed one bit....her comment was:  "You're just as beautiful now."    {Hmmmm}

Because of pride......I almost robbed myself of the Blessing that God had in store for me that day.     

Can I tell you......God pours His unfailing Love upon me everyday!
I am Blessed!!





This old Rock Fence surrounds our High School Football stadium...I can't tell you how many times I have walked this thing over the past 50 years!!!

I'm joining Tex today.....     http://run-a-roundranch.blogspot.com 




Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Walk in the Rain.....

I have a friend that is really struggling right now.   It is very difficult for her to understand the.... "relentless attacks for which the devil is using, to rock her world."   

So often.....we look at struggles as a direct hit coming from Satan!   We are so wrapped up in our heartache of what is going on, and we fail to grasp the entire scenario, of the scene, that is surrounding the situation.

What we must ask is, "Is this a real attack that is underlined by the attempts of Satan to destroy me or my family?"

OR......

"Is God trying to show me something here?  Is God trying get my attention?"  

Better yet.....why not ask that one question that we so often put to the side.  Have I made some really bad choices and now I must reap what I have sown?  This is where we must really be HONEST with ourselves!    When we are in a situation like this, we sometimes fail to see the clear picture of what is really going on.

When we are faced with difficulty in our lives, we need to seek greater measures of spending time with the Lord.    We need to pray that HE will light our path and help us to understand with a clear vision, those things that are at hand.


Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.   

Ephesians 6:13-17

In my friends case.....I am almost positive that her vision is not clear.   Sometimes we allow our love and our emotions to blind us from the truth, and as a result, we throw darts at those that we feel are responsible.   


I can't heal the situation and I can't stop the downpour of emotions,  but I can......... be a friend....I can Pray and I can Walk with her in rain.

Blessing to you all....
shug 

Maybe Tomorrow......

Well Friends........this is the third day in row that I have opened my laptop, logged onto my blog......and then Nothing!

In other words, my thoughts...my words....my creative juices, they all seem to have dried up.   My Brain feels Drained!!

I need a new Atmosphere!    Some cooler air....a mountain top or two....a fresh stream or river....a completely different view.   These are the things that I need the Doctor to order!!  A prescription for a nice cool get-away!!!



is what I need.....

Maybe Tomorrow!!

Shug








Saturday, September 6, 2014

Don't Come to Texas!!

Planning a vacation or a short get-away any time soon?  Let me for-warn you.....

Don't come to Texas!!   At least not right now!

                                              IT IS HOT!!


Borrowed photo.

The ice-cream trucks melt.

Borrowed photo...


Even the squirrels are looking for a place to cool off.. 


Hugs, 
Shug ~

Friday, September 5, 2014

We are home this evening....skipping the Football game!  We definitely should be using our season tickets that I purchased a few weeks ago.  The truth is....it's TOO HOT outside and I just did not feel like a big challenge in trying to keep my clothes dry and my hair from dripping sweat everywhere.


I'm rooting for the Bears.....from right here in the cool comfort of AIR CONDITIONING!!    72 degrees!!

***

My sweetheart is not feeling well.......Sam has really struggled all Summer long as the results of the removal of his tonsils, Uvula, and the nasal repair surgery.
My heart really hurts for him!!

The Doctor's warned that it could take SEVERAL months, {even up to a year} for his body to recuperate.......but this is not what we were expecting.  After all, it has already been 3 months.

***



You know......God has answered so many prayers this week, and I need to give HIM the Praise and Glory that HE deserves.   It makes me feel so good in knowing that my simple prayers are important to God.    When I say simple, I mean that these are small prayers that are of concern to only me....but God knows how important they are and HE is faithful to love me.  

Thank you Lord!!

Hugs to you all...
Shug

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Secret Admirer...

~~ Secret #1........I stare at you when you're not looking!!! ~~

Do any of you have Secret Admirer's ??

I had no idea that I had one that has been watching me for weeks now.   Kinda makes me nervous!!

You're probably asking......."How did you find out about this secret admirer?"



Quite a funny event......as to how I found out, but let me try to explain.

Let me begin by saying that my mom always loved the outdoors....She had so many plants and flowers and we always joked with her about how she was the "Water Woman."

There was just something about the running water flowing out of a water hose that she dearly loved.    Believe me.....every one of her plants/flowers always had plenty to drink.

Well......it appears that I too have the same love that my mom had.
I love to go outside and hand water my plants.    I love to tug on a water hose and drag the thing from flower bed.... to tree....to flower bed....to the many pot plants that I have.  I just have to make sure that each individual plant gets enough water and a little TLC.

 I get up each morning and go out to our front lawn to do my routine watering.   For several weeks now{in the middle of my watering} I hear someone whistle at me.   I have looked and stared and glanced in every direction.....trying to figure out who it is.

Last week, a black SUV passed by and I immediately heard the whistle.   SO....I turned around and gave them a BIG wave.   I had no clue as to who they were, and after glancing again at the vehicle..... it was quite evident this person was nit the one whistling.

How do I know?   Because their window was rolled up! 
{I bet they thought I was some kind of friendly lady, the way I was waving like a flag in a wind storm}

I'm guessing you all are really wanting to know who it is that keeps whistling at me....Right?

I must tell you that {he} is one handsome dude......

I finally figured out that the neighbors across the street {who I do not know}.......have a Parrot!!!  They keep this Parrot out in the Garage and I guess he sees me watering each morning.

My secret admirer is a Parrot.......!!!!


He whistles at me every morning..

How cute is that?

Fun, fun...

shug









Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Hodge- Podge Talk

Good Wednesday morning.......

I have a nice size pot of pinto beans cooking on the stove and I'm thinking I'll choose Meatloaf for the meat of the day....Sounds GOOD, doesn't it?   This gives us a protein, a complex carb......and now to choose a veggie.   What would you serve?

In my mind, I think of beans as a vegetable, but they are actually complex carbs.  

                                                *******



This is what I call a shovel......


 With a shovel like the one above.....it sure wouldn't take long to move this big pile!!



I always know that Fall is just around the corner when I see the huge loads of "SAWDUST" being delivered!!

Yes, this is a huge pile of sawdust and it is used to package trees!   Some of the trees are dug "bareroot" and then they are placed in tall bags and then filled with damp sawdust.  

This keeps the trees alive!!   You probably have seen many of the packaged trees at Lowe's, Home Depot, Walmart, or other Garden centers.   Most likely, a good many of these trees come from Texas Pecan Nursery..

And there you have it......The answer is  "Sawdust."

                                                     *******

I am soooo ready for a Fall trip!!  Up North, SOMEWHERE, would make my heart sing!!



God is So Good!!

Blessings, 
Shug ~

Sunday Thinking

  Happy St. Patricks Day!   🍀 Tomorrow, I will be filling my hummingbird feeders.  The little beauties should be arriving any day now.  I a...