No Place Like Home #3

This Monday the 7th of December for No Place Like Home hosted by Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage, I’m sharing some of our Christmas decorations. Thank you Sandi!

Our front door and the entry to our home.

We have a variety of nativity sets in different areas in our home.

This mini wooden set was the first one we bought at Disneyland in the early 80’s. I bought it so our little ones could play with it with no fear of breakage.

This one is for our grands, Addy and JJ to play with.

Can you see the white metal nativity up at the top above the door on the entry window ledge?

All the decorations that are going up at our place are up now. I’ll share the tree and ornaments next week.

Today we are in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and we’ll be driving back to Colville in Washington State. I won’t be able to come around to visit blogs until tomorrow.

Himself ~ Hymn

Himself

Once it was the blessing,
Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling,
Now it is His Word;
Once His gift I wanted,
Now, the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing,
Now Himself alone.

Refrain

All in all forever,
Jesus will I sing;
Everything in Jesus,
And Jesus everything.

Once ’twas painful trying,
Now ’tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation,
Now the uttermost;
Once ’twas ceaseless holding,
Now He holds me fast;
Once ’twas constant drifting,
Now my anchor’s cast.

Refrain

Once ’twas busy planning,
Now ’tis trustful prayer;
Once ’twas anxious caring,
Now He has the care;
Once ’twas what I wanted,
Now what Jesus says;
Once ’twas constant asking,
Now ’tis ceaseless praise.

Refrain

Once it was my working,
His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him,
Now He uses me;
Once the pow’r I wanted,
Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored,
Now for Him alone.

Refrain

Once I hoped in Jesus,
Now I know He’s mine;
Once my lamps were dying,
Now they brightly shine;
Once for death I waited,
Now His coming hail;
And my hopes are anchored
Safe within the veil.

Refrain

Words: Albert B. Simpson, 1904.

46th Anniversary Weekend

Forty Six years ago on December 6, 1974 we were married on a Friday night in Southern California.

img079After our wedding we went to my parents home and got ready to leave on our honeymoon. Our family and closest friends were there, too, and we opened gifts before we changed into our get away clothes and left for our honeymoon. Did any of you do that after your wedding or did you take off and go straight to your honeymoon from the wedding site? We were pretty beat when we finally arrived to our first destination, the Pierpont Inn in Ventura, California.

img080The Pierpont Inn, Ventura, California. Little did we know that 10 years later we would move to Ventura.

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img084From the Pierpont we continued north along the coast of California.

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img092This little log cabin somewhere in Central California was a nice little spot to stop. I can’t find it online anymore but it was called Butterfly Trees Lodge.

img093This was Dear’s car, a 1971 Datsun 510.

img094We went as far north as San Francisco and then headed back home along the 101 highway to our apartment in West Los Angeles. We stopped in Solvang on our way home.

We have had our ups and downs, broke years and rich years, fun years and tough years, apartment years and house years, traveling years and stay at home years, lots of kid sports years (baseball and soccer), college expense years, wedding years, and grand baby years. We’ve had sanctifying spiritual growth that for some years plateaued and other years flourished. We are in a flourishing stage right now that we are thankful for in our retirement years. God has sustained and protected our marriage through thick and thin and we are grateful. He has tried us, kept us and blessed us. Thank you, Lord. May we love you more and each other more in our 47th year!

Back to 2020 and how we plan to celebrate our anniversary. Because of current COVID closures in Washington state we are heading to Idaho to the Coeur d’Alene Resort on Sunday for an overnight and dinner at Beverly’s. We are looking forward to sitting down and eating in a nice restaurant. This will only be about a 2 hour drive for us.

On our way home on Monday we will do some shopping in Spokane.

We haven’t changed much…right?

Truth from A to Z ~ L is for…

Welcome back to Truth from A to Z on this first Thursday in December. We are on the letter L. There are lots of choices for this letter of the alphabet. Add your verse/verses in the comments and I will add them to this post. If you post on your own blog leave your blog address in the comments and I’ll add a link here to your blog!

L is for Light:

John 8:12 

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 3:18-21

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. 

From Vera: Love, Lord and Life

“Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O Lord, according to your justice give me life.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119:149‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Patsystitch: Light, Lamp

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:15-16

From Happyone: L is for Laughter

Then was our mouth filled with LAUGHTER, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, the Lord as done great things for them.
Psalm 126:2 KJV

Bethany at Raindrops & Rainbows has a post up on her blog. Click over and visit. Her word is Life.

From Maristella: She chose Life, too.

L is for LIFE:
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20

Sing along with Angie: Light

“This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.” 

I’ll wait and see what verse or verses you share before I add more verses about the Light!

Time to add more verses on Light here:

John 1:5-9

The light shines in darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 

John 11: 9

“If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.

John 12: 35-36

So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”

John 12: 46

I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

Romans 13:12

The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Ephesians 5:8 

…for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. 

Thank you everyone who contributed to this post!

 

Hugs Allowed Hodgepodge

It’s time for Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you Jo From This Side of the Pond for the questions!

1. Here we are entering the last month of the year 2020. 2020!! Every year The Oxford English Dictionary publishing team chooses a word that captures the general mood of the year we’re leaving behind, or the one word that will leave a lasting impact on the world at large. This year they needed sixteen words in order to cover the whole enchilada.

While two of the other major dictionaries selected pandemic as their word of the year, Oxford came up with a long list including-bushfire, impeachment, acquittal, coronavirus, COVID-19, lockdown, social distancing, reopening, Black Lives Matter, Cancel Culture, BIPOC, mail-in, belarusian, moonshot, net zero (read more about each word here)

Of the words listed which ONE would you say should be in the number 1 spot? Which word/phrase on this list would you be happy to never hear again?

I’ll have to go with COVID-19 in the #1 spot. 

Which word/phrase on this list would you be happy to never hear again?

There are several of these words/phrases I’d like to obliterate and have little tolerance for but since I can only choose one I’ll go with lockdown because mask wasn’t on the list.

2. What one word from your own list of words describing this year sums up/best reflects your 2020? Tell us why.

Hugs. The best part of this year was when hugs were allowed again in our family. The hardest thing was the few months with no hugging. 

3. Do you like peppermint? Peppermint mocha, a candy cane, peppermint bark, peppermint tea, York Peppermint Pattie, peppermint ice cream…of the peppermint treats listed, which one is your favorite? Will you bake anything featuring peppermint this holiday season?

Peppermint has it’s place. I do enjoy a York Peppermint Pattie in the form of Junior Mints. 

4. Besides Christmas, what do you associate the color red with?

Roses, stop signs, red light, the red carpet, Dorothy’s ruby slippers…

And in the world of soccer the dreaded red card that penalizes a player with ejection from the field and future games depending on how bad the violation was. 

How about the color green?

Grass, Spring, vegetables, Go!, legal immigrants (green card), Irish…

5. Is your tree up?

Yes because we stumbled upon a good deal on a fake tree that was a floor model so it went right up when we brought it home. It is not fully decorated yet.

Real or artificial?

This is the first year we have gone with artificial.

Is your house decorated?

It is on the way to being decorated fully.

Is your shopping done? Started? Wrapped?

Pretty much done because this is a stockings only year. Every other year we simplify Christmas gifts and try to plan a family trip instead. We have our family trip booked for Arizona in January already. Nothing is wrapped. 

On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being Scrooge-like and 10 being Buddy the Elf, how’s your Christmas spirit?

I’m going to go with a Tiny Tim 10 instead of Buddy the Elf. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Sunday December 6th will be our Forty Sixth Wedding Anniversary. 

Usually we would go out for a nice meal or even plan an overnight somewhere…sigh. We will still celebrate and choose joy and thank our God for sustaining and blessing our marriage.

Fun Finale and Farewells

On Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, before Katie and Andrew hit the road for the west side of the mountains, we all had Dear’s Swedish pancakes for breakfast.

Jaymison was still waking up…

He’s my little guy…I love him so…

Laura got a photo of all the guys with their beards, for the record. Andrew plans to have his gone by Christmas.

Goodbyes to Andrew with the spooky eyes and Katie.

Addy loves her aunties and uncles!

Time for the super heroes!

Outside to expend some energy before lunch and our goodbyes to Josh and Laura.

Our daughter-in-laws. We are so thankful for the two of them and what great spouses they are to our sons. Our sons are two blessed men to have them as their helpmates.

Now that November is over we have been busy pulling out Christmas bins and getting our country bungalow looking a lot like Christmas. How about you? Have you started or finished your Christmas decorations?

I’m adding this post to Rose Chintz Cottage: No Place Like Home weekly event until December 21st.

Next week I’ll share some of our Christmas decorating.

So Much to be Thankful For…

On Thanksgiving day we were thankful before and after we enjoyed a traditional meal with turkey and all the trimmings.

On Friday Josh and Laura flew in.  We had lunch at our home when Josh and Laura arrived as we said our goodbyes to Katie and Andrew who drove to Idaho for an overnight at Andrew’s dad’s home. After lunch Steve and Lana continued on to Idaho for the rest of their holiday. Friday evening we enjoyed leftovers at Dan and Jamie’s.

Me and my little buddy.

Jaymison Joshua with his beloved uncle Joshua!

This is JJ’s expression when we say dessert!

On Saturday the girls did some shopping on Main Street in Colville to support our local small businesses. We all found something to buy. Katie and Andrew returned from Idaho on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday night we had a special meal and birthday cake to celebrate Laura who adds so much love and care to our family. Her birthday is later this week but since we were all together we took advantage of being able to celebrate in person. Auntie Lolo is loved so much!

This little guy enjoyed the singing of Happy Birthday.

The rest of the evening was fun and games!

Saturday was a full day. On Sunday we would be saying our goodbyes to our “Coast Kids”.

Behold, He Cometh ~ Hymn

Behold, He Cometh

Awake, ye that slumber,
Awake from your sleep,
With lamps trimmed and burning,
A watch you must keep,
You know not how quickly,
The cry you may hear,
Go forth to meet the Bridegroom,
For lo, He is near.

Refrain

Behold, He cometh,
The blessèd Bridegroom cometh,
Then go ye forth to meet Him,
A glad and grateful throng.
Behold, He cometh,
The blessèd Bridegroom cometh,
Then go ye forth to meet Him,
With a happy, happy song.

Awake, ye that slumber,
His welcome prepare.
Awake and be ready,
His banquet to share.
The hour is approaching,
No time for repose,
The open door of mercy,
Forever may close.

Refrain

Awake, ye that slumber,
No longer despise
The warning that bids you
Be watchful and wise.
The Bridegroom may tarry,
But true to His word,
Your blessèd call to meet Him
Will surely be heard.

Refrain

Words: Fanny Crosby

T-Day 2020

The Lord Bless You and Keep You…

Our travelers arrived to the northeast corner of Washington state before 2PM and we headed over to Dan and Jamie’s at three arriving to the wonderful aromas of Thanksgiving.

Photo fail is becoming more common with me. No photos of the delicious turkey or the whole group.

A delicious cauliflower salad and purple potatoes the Jamie picked out of her garden on Thanksgiving day.

Making whipped cream with Granny.

 The Lord bless you and keep you;
 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:42-26

Keep it Corny Hodgepodge

For the Wednesday Hodgepodge I’m going to try to keep it corny and light today just for the fun of it. Thank you to Jo From This Side of the Pond for her faithfulness in coming up with the questions. I’m thankful for you dear Jo!

1. It’s Thanksgiving week in the US of A so let’s talk turkey. And by turkey I mean the elephant in the room because it’s still 2020 and our blogs are a record of sorts of the times in which we live.

Do you live in a state (or if you’re outside the US, a country) that’s instituted restrictions on the size of gatherings in your own home? What do we think about this? (keep it classy folks)
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Yes, we live in a very blue state and the guv likes to spread his wings on his hope to reach the White House some day.
Just 11 days before the Thanksgiving holiday, indoor social gatherings outside of someone’s household are prohibited.
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We are having a small gathering with just our family members (not just our household) and maybe three other young healthy folks who have no family in this area.
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The fun notice we received yesterday via social media is that our Steven’s Country Sheriffs office made an announcement that they will no way no how answer calls from anyone wanting to report neighbors who are having a gathering.

2. Let’s move in a cheerier direction. Will there be corn on your holiday dinner menu? How so? Cornbread-corn pudding-corn chips and dip-cornbread dressing/stuffing-corn chowder-or regular canned, frozen or fresh corn in a bowl…which of the ‘corns’ listed is your favorite?

As cute as all these corny postcards are we do not traditionally add any corn dishes to our Thanksgiving meals. I do remember a corn casserole that our friend Jan brought a time or two to our Thanksgiving gatherings on the West side of the mountains which was delicious!

3. What is there a cornucopia of in your home, job, or life currently? “An abundant supply of good things of a specified kind.”

Because of the age of our dear grandchildren we have an abundant supply of love and hugs and fun with them. And we have had a abundant supply of loved ones who have visited and stayed overnight or a week or two at our country bungalow in the midst of…you know what, with no ill effects! Thank you, Lord!

4. Have you ever quit something (such as a habit, a food, a time-sucker, a relationship) cold turkey? Is there something you need to quit cold turkey?

Yes and Yes. That’s all your getting…LOL!

5. Share a favorite verse, quote, saying, or song lyric relating to gratitude. 

Psalm 103: 1-5

 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Keeping with the corny theme. 🙂

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who live in the USA!