Fresh on Friday ~ Taking it All In

Encouraging you today to, 

take it all in!

Yesterday I had a Doctor appointment and in my travels home  I passed by this

awesome little church.  I actually chose the lot my house was built on knowing that

I could see it out my dining room window.  Well, now a hundred years or so later

the trees have all grown so much between the church and my house,

 I can now only see the steeple. 

 So I stopped to capture a photo......it makes me happy to look at this old church.

  Fresh flowers just have an affect on a room

I really love them!

I placed these so I can enjoy them as I write.

It got me thinking that I should spend more time taking in the 

things that increase my happy...

for example,  :-) some of my rooster collection.

My photos were taken with my phone...

substandard quality! 

Cherries scream childhood vacations, my Dad always stopped at a roadside

stand and purchased a very large bag to enjoy in our travels.

 I love my fake cherries, I have two bowls of them.  

I have glass cherries in a black bowl on display. 

These below are plastic but look very real, in a pretty crystal bowl.

So real, Khloe continues to occasionally pick one up and try and

bite into it...If you look close you can see her little teeth marks.

Makes them much more valuable to me!

I love over sized objects as well..

 All things water, I can sit and be content for a long time

just taking it in.  This was from our river trip last week.

And of course there are these two cuties.

Thankful we get to see them so often, nothing beats Grand Parenting.

I still  just stare in wonder as I look into their little faces

that are forever full of expressions.

 

I recently made these little collages with an app on my phone.

Fun to change photos up from time to time.

I encourage you to take some time and take in the things you love.

Really sit and let them do their magic on your happy!

It did this old heart good.

It's what echos in my heart today.

Are We In the Habit of Finding Fault?

I think for the most part,  most of us mean well.

Many of us are demanding, selfish and or impatient with others.

I trust we have all said something we wish we could take back,

if pride allows us.

Just how long can you go without finding fault ?

Are you content with your life, or aware of your own faults,

 so much so you can skim over the faults of others?

Faults you may or may not know,

 could stem from something

in that persons life.

Blessed are the merciful, 

for they will be shown mercy.

- Matthew 5:7

I suggest we pause to wonder,

 what might our relationships look like if when someone hurt us, 

rather than finding fault and whining about it we chose to

pray for them?

I forever need to remind myself of how important this scripture is;

Matthew 7:1-5

“Judge not, that you be not judged.² For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.³ Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?⁵ You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Instead of "letting something go" 

(who can say that now and not hear that Frozen song?)

we become all self absorbed, what about me?

This life is not about self, if it were perhaps God would have stopped with Adam. 

We were not intended to do this alone, we are in this together. 

I recently experienced this test, I failed miserably!

 I went immediately to me, my feelings.

I admit it's natural instinct to do so if you are hurt by somone.

There is no denying pain, but there is nothing good to come out of

us thinking its our job to rebuke them for extended periods of time.

We naturally want to make them aware of how badly they have hurt us,

and I believe we should.

 I'm suggesting  we keep in mind, they likely already know it.

So we don't need to drag them through the mud, stomp on them with gritted teeth,

a simple clear "you hurt me" will do.

Please know, 

I'm not saying we don't make someone aware of the hurt they have caused.

I'm suggesting we don't get too self serving in the rebuking!

 A person may be trying to do better, and you may be forgetful of that over 

a missed step on their part. 

 How many steps have you missed lately?

We often feel the need to tell anyone who will listen

about our hurt feelings. It's often out of a need to vent!

People have there own stuff to worry about, they don't need my/your stuff too!

Something to consider?

I know that as a Christian, I should give it to God.

I can steam, whine, be angry and hurt all I want, 

and I did.....

None of which will yield anything positive.

It's not up to me to be the judge and jury and put the rope around the offenders neck..

God will deal with them in his way, according to His plan.

God wants us to focus on the work we need to do within ourselves.

Hurting people, hurt people!

 A reminder I have had  to keep telling myself more times 

than I care to count. But I believe it!

Wouldn't it be great if we could praise someone when our nature tells us to find fault?

To accept the stuff we can't change (though God can) rather than feel the 

need to critique and find fault with everyone around us....

It's a non productive habit finding fault.

It's what we do with it when we catch ourselves doing so 

that matters.

How simple it could become if we just paused long enough to

 reminded ourselves of that big old log in our own eye, huh?

How could it not stop us in our tracks?

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another;

be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

- 1 Peter 3:8

Praying for those that have hurt us, it has to be more productive.

Give it to God or continue to whine to all who listen ? 

(Even if they don't want to...)

I prefer the audience of One. 

Thankful for the reminder this morning, God.

It's what echos from my heart today.

Hodgepodge Wednesday ~

1. Since you weren't Hodgepodging last Wednesday, how did you pass the time?

I manage to stay pretty busy :-)  I likely wrote about something else.

2. What's the first word that comes to mind when I say marriage?

Husband.

3. Summer officially arrives in the Northern hemisphere this week. Does it feel like summer where you live? Describe your idea of the perfect summer day.
Summer is pretty much 10 months out of the year here in San Diego. San Diego's average temp is 70.5  A perfect summer day would be sitting on the beach, lunch in the cooler, watching waves and the dolphins jumping in the back drop!


4. "Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability."(Sam Keen) Is laziness ever respectable? Do you have a lazy summer planned or something semi-ambitious?
A good lazy day is in the backyard, music on, cold drink, lost thoughts, everything slowed to a minimum. Talking about the possibilities of our tomorrows, travel plans, or home projects...very little effort or movement involved.. (much like the beach day)




5. Past or present, who's your favorite television dad? Why is he a favorite? Is he anything like your dad?
 Maybe Andy Griffith...He is much like my Dad, who was a man of few words, who expected us to behave, learn the value of a dollar and a hard days work..He loved his family above all else, never complained about how he felt, never wanted much for himself. I chose Andy too because, I loved the scene on every episode of him walking with Opie down to the fishing pond.... I flashed to memories of my Dad with a fishing pole in hand with one or us "kids" or one of the grand kids. ~ SMILE

 
6. June 18 is International Picnic Day...share a favorite picnic memory.

My husband and I had tickets to an outdoor concert in San Juan Capistrano at the Mission.  We took the train which is always fun... The Mariachi Divas, an all female Mariachi group under the stars and twinkle lights :-)  The hubstir packed a surprise picnic basket and we had a picnic while enjoying the music! It was awesome!!

7. The travel site Trip Advisor lists the top five islands in the world for 2014 as-Ambergris Caye in Belize Cayes, Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Marco Island Florida, and Lewis and Harris in The Outer Hebrides (Scotland).  Have you been to any of these? Of the ones listed (and if price were not a factor) which would you most like to book for a holiday?
Only been out of the country once, to Cancun...., I'm a lover of Montana (truth)....I suppose it would be Belize or Scotland  total opposites as far as climate...both really beautiful... Our plan is Italy...one day!



8. Insert your own random thought here.
   Looking forward to heading to the river soon to spend time with our great friends George and Lynn. We try and get out there twice a year.  I get the best sleep when I'm there and the food it pure comfort food....Lynn can cook!

A Monday Minute ~ My Person and Father's Day

First things first the writing get away was way beyond how great I ever imagined it would be!

Lori and I met at a Women's Retreat several years ago and bonded over a dozen couple dozen 

snicker doodles...

Since then it just sort of evolved that she was Snicker I became Doodle.

She's my person.....

if you watch Grey's Anatomy you get it.

We get each other.

Our mutual friend Dawn dropped this off at my house shortly before we departed.

We arrived about 9 P.M. in Palm Desert,

it was 80 degrees.

 Immediately we were amused by the one eared rabbit...What?

I should mention we are easily amused.....

The main reason for the get away, to spend some time writing....

look at this fabulous location.

Snicker's post later in the morning..

I was content in the dining room over looking the pool :-)

We left the house the first morning for a trip to Trader Joe's

our favorite food stop! Beyond that we didn't leave the house for three days....

 Our fridge....top shelf items, this was not a health and fitness getaway.

She gave her name at Starbucks as , Snicker....

leaving town I gave mine as Doodle.

Without skipping a beat the sweet young girl taking my order said, 

"oh I love that name"......

I left it at that :-)

 Snicker created this beautiful visual from my writings...touched my heart ....

Snicker/Lori is my greatest encourager.

She tells me what I need to hear which is not always what I want to hear.

It's why I love her ....well, one of the reasons.

 It was a very special time away...accomplished much, 

laughed more, recognized...again what a gift this friendship is.

There was talk of doing this again in the spring :-)

~

Home to celebrate Father's Day with my hubsitr...

My oldest son and daughter in law took us to lunch after a great church service.

Sweet little Ellery Grace...

 Khloe was so excited to give Pa the bird house she painted for him....

Love this, there was much to say about all the painting..

Namaw and Ellery

Son Mike and Pa

 Our mariachi group, Khloe wasn't in the mood...

After lunch back to our house to hang at the "pool'....

what a great day!!

Loving life...I've said many times these last five days...

If it died today I would die a happy girl!

A good life, surrounded by great friends and a family that loves us!

It's what echos from my heart....

"A Father's Love"

It's Fathers Day..... 

I showed up bright and early to the hospital.

 It was Father's Day 2008 and I wanted him to have something he loved for breakfast.

 I stopped to buy him his favorite McDonald's breakfast burrito.

I entered his room, breakfast and Father's Day card in hand.

As I came in they were moving him out, to the Critical Care Unit.

~

He never did come home to us.

I miss him every day.

~ 

Below is the card I couldn't wait to give him, I felt it was the best I had ever found for him.

He never got to open it, so I keep it in my Bible in the book of Psalms.

The book that held so many verses that brought me comfort for 20 days that June,

and since.....

~

"A Father's Love"

Children hardly know or guess

the love their fathers can't express-

With thought he seldom says aloud, 

his heart is warm, his feelings proud...

They do not fully understand

his wisdom and his guiding hand,

They do not know each helpful word

holds love unspoken, hope unheard...

Yet as the busy years roll past,

they come to understand at last

The worries and the fears he knew,

the problem times

he's pulled them through--

They finally learn the full extent

of what a father's love has meant

and realize how great it's been

to have a father just like him.

He was a remarkable man and I can't wait to unite with him again.

My Dad echos from my heart, today and everyday....

WRITE ~

For those who don't know me well,

and those that do, just nod.. :-)

I do not have the gift of singing, (I know your nodding)

but I do sing!

I don't have the crafty gene,

but I love to attempt it!

I'm very far from a math whiz, 

(though Dad drew many pies)

I have friends and a calculator :-)

I'm not a home decorator, 

but I chose what I loved, and I love eclectic! 

I'm not the best chef,

but I love to cook and often it works!

I love photography,

but know very little about my camera

and what we are capable of together  :-)

What I do well, 

clean a house, laundry, and love.

And I love to do all three.

I used to love helping an Aunt or friend clean their houses...

I love the before and after of the process.

I think I've mentioned, the laundry gene came from Mom,

my best form of therapy is folding clothes.

A side note, I do not like putting them away.....

When I love I think I love well....

but we can always improve on how we love.

It is the greatest commandment so it must be important.

~
I also love to write

All that information so I can share that I am going on a two day writing trip 

with my equally crazy and far more talented friend Lori. 

We have rented a house for two days in Palm Desert,

of course it has a pool...fun!

Lori a.k.a. Snicker ~

I have a project I have been working on since late 2008...

my buddy Lori has been editing it for me :-)

she is good at most everything!!!

She writes some really awesome stuff herself...

We are hopeful to get some good writing done and have some fun,

we do that well together.

I'm for sure not a trained writer, I just love to write.

I love that I can start typing and often the

words just begin coming off the tips of my fingers.

Sometimes it works! 

I try and write from my heart...

hence the title of my blog :-)

Intending for what is in my heart to echo out through 

these finger tips ....

Jack of all trades master of none,

but I continue to do what I love,

writing is one such thing..

Love that quote...it has meaning for me...

So bright and early tomorrow we leave on another Snicker Doodle adventure.

Our friendship was sealed the first day we met, 

a dozen or so Snicker Doodle cookies played a BIG part in that.

She is Snicker to my Doodle...fun!!

Time away with a sweet friend, it's what echos from my heart today.

A Sunrise Speaks ~

Love the paintings you can find in the outdoors!

I love a beautiful Sunset,

so calming.

However I prefer the sunrise,

it speaks new,

start again,

fresh.

                                       The old must pass before the new can come.

If we desire something new to begin in us, we have to be willing to 

let go of the old.

The Bible refers to this;

Matthew 9:17

^" Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

~

In allowing the old to go and the new to come, we are humbled,

 we acknowledge what 

isn't working for us as we allow the new to begin.

The sunrise has spoken..........

The often breaking of ones will, it's what echos from my heart today.

 

 

A Monday Minute ~ Nearly Perfect Weekends

A beautiful weekend here in San Diego, 

surprise, not!

Truly a beautiful 77 degrees, gentle breeze blue skies.

My backyard full of color = happy me!!

Fresh salad, strawberries with Balsamic Vinegar and pepper...try it!

 Beautiful Salmon ~

We spent two days outdoors, had a great meal with friends Saturday,

spent time in the "pool",

Great Sunday Service and 

had a great Sunday dinner for two at home.

The icing on the cake Jr. won at Pocono!!!

What would have made it perfect
....perhaps a three day weekend ?

The Pool :-)

He's just not a fan of selfies :-)  A nearly perfect weekend, it's what echos from my heart today!