We Gathered Together

"Happy the home where prayer is heard and praise is everywhere, where parents love the sacred Word and its true wisdom share."  St. Agnes." "  When I call to remembrance the faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother,..and thy mother." II Timothy 1:5

This is the first Thanksgiving in 60 years my father-in-law has celebrated without his wife by his side. The first Thanksgiving any of their children ( my husband included) have not had their mother here to wish a "happy Thanksgiving".Yet, all of them love God and give thanks for all their blessings, knowing they will eventually be reunited in Heaven with their loved ones who love Him. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below, praise Him above ye heavenly host, praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.Amen." doxology

Blizzard ~ One Cool Cat

 Of course he paid no attention to me when I yelled at him to get off the table. He was supervising my letter-writing.Someone needed to chase my pen and rearrange the paper & cards as I wrote.And let's not forget, he also needed to make sure my coffee was just right by sticking his nose into my cup.

Blizzard is one cool cat, really! He is fearless. He chases my vacuum as I run it, he checks out the running bath water, and when any children come over, no matter how many and how loud they might be, he rushes into their arms for attention. He will fall asleep in anyone's lap and run to snuggle big dogs even if they have no intention of being friendly. He stalks and wrestles our son's Jack Russell terriers, then naps with them. I know Blizzard will enjoy our Thanksgiving company, most of the family celebrating in our home with us are cat lovers, and a few of them will be children.

I am recovering from smashing my thumb in my car door. It is hard to type with a smashed & bandaged right thumb , it is hard to craft,sew, hard to slice and peel vegetables & fruit. I have been enjoying Blizzard even more as I have had to accept that I am not able to be as busy working with my hands as I am accustomed. And Blizzard is pretty good at showing me how to relax, things will get done or not, but they will work out!


 

Tea-Time Tuesday ~ Paul Revere

 Liberty Blue china, made in England.The blue & white and the history represented make this china especially appealing to me.

 I have to admit, this cup for Tea-Time Tuesday is filled with strong  black coffee, my beverage of first choice. I am a Pacific Northwesterner & of primarily Scandinavian descent, thus, black coffee (no cream or sugar) is usually my first choice of hot drink.

 *Liberty Blue* Historical Colonial Scenes, Old North Church ~ Made in England. This particular pattern memorializes the midnight ride of Paul Revere.If you're interested in the history of this event and the site, click here*.

 The early history of our nation is fascinating to me, and to combine it with the Thanksgiving celebrations we observe in this month make it a natural for me to display the Liberty Blue tea / coffee cup.

Of course, anyone who loves strong black coffee or tea knows, it is best accompanied by a good sugar cookie.Fortunately, I made a dozen or more.* Now for another pot of coffee, I have a Thanksgiving menu and shopping list to work on.

I am linking with these ladies for Tea-Time Tuesday :

• Terri at Artful Affirmations *
• Martha at Martha's Favorites*
• Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage *

Thank-you Veterans

"The memory of the righteous is blessed." Proverbs 10:7

She Doesn't Need Her Walker Anymore !

My husband's mother passed away this morning. Here, she is pictured as a tiny girl with her twin sister and big brother.

My husband's mother was married to  my husband's father for 60 years. Together they raised 6 children who all love Jesus and know Him as Savior.Together they have 15 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.All their grandchildren proclaim Jesus as Savior, many of their young great-grandchildren do too.They are and were richly blessed in all that matters, the knowledge their loved ones love Him, and they will be re-united in Heaven.Today my husband's mother does not need her walker. As one of her great-grandson's said tonight "Great-grandma has a brand new body and now she's running around and playing with God's kids!"

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ ( by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:4-7

Tea time Tuesday ~ The Mask

 An autumn day, mild outside, with rain showers off and on.A nice day to sip tea and eat pumpkin bread*  on the porch.

 October, the month so many excitedly and enthusiastically celebrate all things scary. Perfect for sharing this teacup I found while shopping in a near-by small town with my oldest granddaughter. This teacup is Irish Belleek, and the design is named 'The Mask'. Can you spot the man / mask?

 I did not see the man when I bought this teacup , I saw the almost translucent china, the grapes, the vines.The price was very reasonable ( I don't spend a lot on teacups ).

 This is the saucer. The teacup and saucer are in perfect condition. I have to say though, when I got home and examined my new teacup I was startled to see the man / mask, and surprised I did not see it in the shop.I think he is kind of scary, and not really my "cup o' tea".When I looked the tea cup up on-line I was horrified to read the masked man represents things I find offensive, but here he is, on a teacup, in my home.

 If you wish to learn more about Belleek china, which this teacup is, check out this link.*

I enjoyed my pumpkin bread, my tea, and the autumn weather while sitting in a rocker on my front porch.The china teacup was beautifully translucent and so very light to hold, and if not for the man in the mask, I think it would be a beautiful teacup. What do you think? 

I am linking with these ladies for  Tea-Time Tuesday :please join them for a spot of tea and inspiration.

• Terri at Artful Affirmations *
• Martha's Favorites * 
• Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage *

I Need A Bigger Jewelry Box !

"Enjoy the blessings of the day...and the evils bear patiently, for this day only is ours; we are dead to yesterday, and not born to tomorrow." Jeremy Taylor

"Happiness is a by-product of an effort to make someone else happy." Gretta Palmer

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those he has." Epictetus

We were away this past weekend enjoying time with our sons and their families. Above is a photo of our youngest son leading his horses bearing two precious fair maidens.We had a wonderful time and I am constantly reminded of the blessings God has showered upon us.The true riches and treasures of my life are the loved ones who delight in spending time and sharing their lives with us.I think I need a bigger jewelry box!  "Rejoice always." I Thessalonians 5:16