Category Archives: Photography

Tuesdays with Moisi ~

At least once a month my sisters, nieces and grand-nephew Jack go over to my mom and dad’s for a Tuesday evening meal. My mom has always been a cook for the masses. She enjoys cooking and enjoys finding new things to impress us with. She did not disappoint this past Tuesday. Usually I’m in Seattle when these meals take place but now that I am in Southern California on a more full-time basis I got in on this one. I’m sharing my Tuesday photo log with you that begins in Whittier at my sister’s house then continues in Brea at my parent’s apartment (an hour and a half drive from my condo). It’s fun to squeeze all of us into that one bedroom apartment. Oh by the way that clever title is because my dad’s name is Moisi and many of his “American” friends called him Morrie over the years…

Jack showing me his expertise on his scooter.

Hiding in the bushes…

Couldn’t resist getting a shot of the beautiful blooms on these trees in Whittier on my way to Moisi & Nadia’s

Here’s dear old Moisi (Morrie)

The feast begins with yummy scones and …

chicken salad heart shaped bites

Green salad with nectarines and pine nuts, sister Vera is holding the bowl

The three lovely nieces, Michelle, Melissa, and Debbee

My Mom the happy, exhausted cook…

I didn’t get photos of the asparagus with orange slices, the piroshki with a mushroom white sauce, and the fruit salad and banana bread dessert. I also omitted the photo of my sister Kathy and Lana because Lana would not have been pleased with her facial expression…

Here’s a shot of the 3 missing in the photo log just in a different time and different place…

Photobucket is holding all the photos from this post hostage as of July 2017

 

Celtic Prayer

Lord of my heart, give me vision to inspire me, that, working or resting, I may always think of you.

Lord of my heart, give me light to guide me, that, at home or abroad, I may always walk with you.

Lord of my heart, give me wisdom to direct me, that, thinking or acting, I may always discern right from wrong.

Lord of my heart, give me courage to strengthen me, that, amongst friends or enemies, I may always proclaim your justice.

Lord of my heart, give me trust to console me, that, hungry or well-fed, I may always rely on your mercy.

Lord of my heart, save me from empty praise, that I may always boast of you.

Lord of my heart, save me from worldly wealth, that I may always look to the riches of heaven.

Lord of my heart, save me from military prowess, that I may always seek your protection.

Lord of my heart, save me from vain knowledge, that I may always study your word.

Lord of my heart, Save me from unnatural pleasures, that I may always find joy in your wonderful creation.

Lord of my heart, whatever may befall me, rule over my thoughts and feelings, my words and action.

 If you’ve read through this today may I suggest you go back now and pray it and if you can, pray it out loud. Blessings!

Blessed Quietness ~ Ferguson ~ Hymn

 BLESSÈD QUIETNESS

Manie Payne Ferguson   (1850 – 1932)

Born: 1850, Car­low, Ire­land.

In 1886, Ma­nie and her hus­band The­o­dore Poll­ock Fer­gu­son found­ed a miss­ion in Los An­ge­les, Cal­i­for­nia. This event­u­al­ly ex­pand­ed in­to what was known as the “Pen­i­el” miss­ions along the West Coast of Amer­i­ca, and in Af­ri­ca, Asia, South Amer­i­ca, and else­where. The main fo­cus of the miss­ions, es­pe­ci­al­ly in lat­er years, was min­is­try to sin­gle women.

 BLESSÈD QUIETNESS

Joys are flowing like a river,
Since the Comforter has come;
He abides with us forever,
Makes the trusting heart His home.

Refrain

Blessèd quietness, holy quietness,
What assurance in my soul!
On the stormy sea, He speaks peace to me,
How the billows cease to roll!

Bringing life and health and gladness,
All around this heav’nly Guest,
Banished unbelief and sadness,
Changed our weariness to rest.

Refrain

Like the rain that falls from Heaven,
Like the sunlight from the sky,
So the Holy Ghost is given,
Coming on us from on high.

Refrain

See, a fruitful field is growing,
Blessèd fruit of righteousness;
And the streams of life are flowing
In the lonely wilderness.

Refrain

What a wonderful salvation,
Where we always see His face!
What a perfect habitation,
What a quiet resting place!

Refrain

I have never sung this hymn but the words are so powerful I wanted to share them. I loved the story of the hymnwriter starting missions and especially caring for single women…

Ht: Cyberhymnal

Letters to an American Lady ~ C.S. Lewis ~ Quote

This quote comes from Letters to an American Lady ~by C.S. Lewis

Another thing that annoys me is when people say “Why did you give that man money? He’ll probably go and drink it.” My reply is “But if I’d kept [it] I should probably have drunk it.

This really convicted me because I’ve used this excuse not to be generous with beggars, homeless, needy people. What am I wasting my money on (the money I’m guarding and protecting from people like them)? Teach me Lord and let me be generous with your money. Forgive me for my arrogance and selfishness. Let me trust that you will lead me to give where and when and to whom you want. Let me respond to your leading.

http://images.scotsman.com/2006/05/02/begging.jpg

 

 

On Things Above ~ C.S. Lewis ~ Longing for Heaven

Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV)

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

This quote by C.S. Lewis comes from Mere Christianity

Most of us find it very difficult to want “Heaven” at all – except in so far as “Heaven” means meeting again our friends who have died. One reason for this difficulty is that we have not been trained: our whole education tends to fix our minds on this world. Another reason is that when the real want for Heaven is present in us, we do not recognise it. Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise.”

Before and After ~ Daughter’s Room

I decided to bless my daughter by cleaning her room. She is 21, working, going to school and was just in her best friends wedding. Things have gotten away from her (now that’s an understatement). So I put my praise music on and got busy!  Enjoy the before and after photos.

Katie was so thrilled when she came home from school and saw her room. We went out to dinner because mom was too pooped to cook after this transformation. Katie picked up the tab. Katie’s babushka (grandmother) wanted me to let Katie know that she was proud of her for taking me out to dinner. And yes, I got permission to post the pictures from “the daughter”.

As of July 2017 Photobucket has blacked out all my photos and is holding them hostage on their site.

Meeting God in Quiet Places ~ F. LaGard Smith

Wherever we are, God is always close. But as Jesus himself demonstrated, there is something about quiet times and quiet places that helps us to get closer to God. That special solitude provides a time of rest and renewal from a secular world that is busily ignoring God. It is a time of remembering who we are and why we are.

In the Cotswolds, I experience daily the words of that great hymn written by I. B. Sergei:

My God and I go through the fields together.
We walk and talk, as good friends should and do.
We clasp our hands, our voices ring with laughter.
My God and I walk through the meadow’s hue.

He tells me of the years that went before me,
When heavenly plans were made for me to be.
When all was but a dream of dim conception,
To come to life, earth’s verdant glory see.

For those who walk hand in hand with Jesus, every day is a holiday – a holy day before God. Some of us are specially blessed to have a life more conducive to the peace and quiet of holy days before God. But as someone who finds himself thrust back each year into the harsh reality of big-city madness, I know that the greater challenge is to find God in the midst of a metropolis. To see his hand in the inner city and among the urban sprawl; to find time for him in an already-overbooked schedule; to find a quiet place amid a constant bedlam of noise.

If we don’t take the time to remember, we’re in danger of forgetting his blessings. Therefore, take a few moments every day, if possible, or perhaps plan ahead to spend an afternoon walking in prayer with him. Whenever you feel your hand slipping from his, take some extra time to remember all that he has meant to you. And why not write down some of his special blessings throughout the year?”

This is the village of Buckland in the Cotswolds. I was so excited to stumble upon it with “Dear” and Katie in 2004 after reading this devotional by F. LaGard Smith. The book is “Dedicated to the people of Buckland, who have opened their hearts and homes to make me feel a part of the village.” We strolled around Buckland and it made me want to re-read the book. This book was one of those “treasures” that I happened upon in my thrift store shopping. I found it at the Senior thrift shop on Whidbey Island in the little village of Langley, Washington. If you ever visit Washington take a ferry to Whidbey Island and enjoy the many quaint towns and beautiful scenery this Island affords. Whidbey Island is one of those places on earth that you can feel closer to the Lord just by being there. May you walk hand in hand with Jesus  wherever you are today, in the hustle and bustle, or in a serene and quiet place.

Meeting God In Quiet Places copyright 1992 by F. LaGard Smith, Published by harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon, 97402

Bothell’s Blake Lewis in Final Two!

Update May 24, 2007: Even though Blake did not win the title I think he deserves an award for being a genuine, unique, and unselfish entertainer! Way to shine Blake! You make Bothell, Kenmore and Seattle proud.

So our hometown boy has made it to the Final Two on American Idol. Bothell and Kenmore couldn’t be happier. I think Jordan has an amazing voice and personality but I’m rooting for Blake to win. I think he’s fresh and now, if you know what I mean.

 

 

Here’s one of my daughter’s favorite pins, Bothell For A Day Or A Lifetime.  The sign at the city entrance used to say, “Welcome to Bothell For a Day or a Lifetime”

As you stroll down Main Street Bothell…

 

…You’ll get to Main Street Hair Designers…

 

…Who are ready to give you a “Blake” Haircut! This made Katie laugh out loud and she called me immediately to tell me that this hair salon had this sign in their window!

We’re going to enjoy the fun while it lasts! Please bear with us.

As of July 2017 Photobucket has blacked out all my photos and is holding them hostage on their site.

Happy Mother’s Day

As of July 2017 Photobucket has blacked out all my photos and is holding them hostage on their site.

Mother

Happy days to you, Best of Mothers, Joy as dear as you give to others, And as much through life that is sweet and true, As my life owes to your love and YOU.

This was the sentiment on a Mother’s Day card from Rex (“Dears” father) to Nettie, Rex’s mother. On the back of the framed card are notes from Nettie about the history around this card.

 

We were staying with grandpa at Wayne City. Came home in March ’41. Rex was inducted in the Army April 9, 1941, was sent to Fort Custer Mich. for training. On mother’s day I went up to spend with Rex. On Dec. 4th he got to come home for 5 months. On May 18, 1942 he was called back to service, on June 20th he sailed for over sea service. On July 19 he landed in Australia, then to New Guinea. He has been gone over a year now. This mother’s day, May 9, 1943 I received a beautiful potted plant, a hydrangea with 12 blossoms on it. I hope and pray before another Mother’s Day Rex will be back with us safe and sound.

Rex made it back safe and sound. We have so many wonderful memories of both Rex and Nettie.  Rex and his mother Nettie died in 1985, Nettie in September and Rex in October.

 Happy Mother’s Day to my own dear mom.

Here she is with the first four of us. Mom, Kathy, me, Fred, and Vera. Fred and Vera have the cool shades on. I was the baby of the family for eight years then my mother and father had four more!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms I love…my sisters, my sisters in law, my friends, my nieces, my cousins, and my blogger friends. Enjoy the love of the Lord today in a special way. “Dear” had these sent to Washington to surprise me for Mother’s Day. What a dear he is…

Josh and Laura treated me to a Saturday afternoon trip to downtown Seattle and then to West Seattle for dinner at Salty’s.

Josh and Laura at Pike Place Market

This street performer was amazing!

Mother and Son

The view from Salty’s looking East to Downtown Seattle

Thanks Laura and Josh for a lovely afternoon and evening!

I’ll be spending Mother’s Day with Dan and Katie. God is good.

Here is a photo of our Mom’s Group at Sunrise. We meet on Tuesdays. I join them when I am in Seattle. It keeps me young to be around these Moms who want to stay close to Jesus and raise their kids in a way that pleases God. Happy Mother’s Day, Ladies!

Deena, Shawna, Sara and Terri. Bridget is missing in this photo, but I nabbed this photo of her with Finn from her blog…

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

American Idol ~ Blake Lewis Day in Bothell

As of July 2017 Photobucket has blacked out all my photos and is holding them hostage on their site.

 UPDATE: BLAKE MADE IT TO THE FINAL TWO. CONGRATULATIONS BLAKE!!  More about Blake and Bothell here.

I can be an American Idol fan, especially when one of the 3 finalists graduated in the same high school class as my middle son. (Try not to judge me too harshly)  So today in our hometown in Washington we celebrated Blake Lewis Day. Fleeting fame but fun nevertheless. Bothell is now on the map. Here are some photos of the fun and festivities…

 

This is the high school that all three of my kids graduated from. Dan and Blake graduated in 1999. They are proudly displaying…Blake Lewis in Final Three!!!

 

The celebration parade took place on Main Street in downtown Bothell and the concert took place at Bothell landing along the Sammamish River.

 

Here I am with thousands of my closest friends waiting for Blake to arrive.

 

Even the river had police presence. This is a Sheriff boat.

 

The Seattle Seahawks mascot was there along with Matt Hasselbeck (Seahawk quarterback) to give Blake a personal jersey.

 

That’s Blake waving to us on the bridge. He’s wearing the stripped vest and holding the microphone.

 

This bridge was my vantage point.

 

The main crowd on Bothell Landing.

 

The overflow crowd on the other side of the river.

 

A beautiful sunny day in Bothell, Washington. We hope Blake makes it to the final two!