A little bit of this and that

Getting ready to smoke some meat for our trip to TN.

We voted early in person!

The little flowers from Alisa's seeds.

A baby shower...with yummy food, great conversation, and fun treats!

Time in the mornings...

and enjoying the little gifts of kindness.

Season's colors are coming to an end...

How I make up for a failed supper...chocolate mousse!

 

Those people who live in the blue house!

I think our home looks lovely and inviting!  We have plants.  We have chairs.  We have the American flag.  We change things up for whatever is going on and I change the seasonal decor.

Ted changed our American flag to a different red, white, and blue flag Friday morning before he left for work at 7:30.  We are geared up for November elections, and voted early...in person...on Saturday afternoon with 900 plus other area citizens.

The wind caught it and the words caught the neighbor's attention evidently.  In less than 12 hours, we were the target of our HOA again.  We had a knock at our door last night.  "We have a rule that you cannot have political signs in our HOA."  Clearly...this is not a sign.  Nowhere in the HOA by-laws does it state this recited information.  In fact, the person did not even know what the by-laws state.  We knew.  And then the real words came out..."In spirit of the greater good and what is good for everyone."  Who decides what is good?  The HOA?  The fight for good and evil started a long time ago when satan decided he wanted to be like the Most High God.  And it continues today with people calling evil good and good evil.

The line has been drawn this election about what is good and what is evil.  We are not voting for a pastor of a church.  We are voting for policies that will keep America free from the evil that is presently working to destroy America from the inside.  We are not voting in a personality contest.  We are voting for performance of duty.  Why do good people feel they cannot share their choice?  Why do evil people feel they can share their choice?

It has been reported that 32 million Christians will not vote in this election.  32 million religious people who live freely in this country who have the right to vote.  32 million people who should know the difference between good and evil.  32 million people who have been called to be "lights in a dark world".  Paul stood for Christ and claimed his citizenship.  He knew the laws.  He spoke boldly.  The line was drawn a long time ago!  We all make a choice.  As citizens, we have the opportunity to make a choice and the freedom to share it.  If good people keep their mouths shut and allow ourselves to be silenced, evil will keep winning.  Thankfully, we know that God wins in the end...and every knee will bow.  For now...we will fight to have a voice for someone who is seeking to keep America free from the forces that are presently seeking to destroy her from within.

 

MMMM is for Michigan grown apples!

Shared bounty is a blessing!

I am thankful for a Mother who taught me how to cook, bake, and preserve food to take care of my family.

No sugar added...just the sweetness of the fruit and spices.

And enough apples for our Thanksgiving apple pie in TN!

Gram's Betty Crocker cookbook always on my counter ready to help me.

Fresh applesauce in the crockpot made our house smell wonderful!

 

I dug these out of the back of the pantry...

and I cried!  I didn't realize they were pushed all the way behind some other canned goods.  I was going through the pantry getting rid of old opened packages that were stale and it turned into a full on re-organization that ended in tears.  Mom's hard work of love that she always shared with us.  These were all my favorites!  I had saved the last jar...and then forgot about them...because I couldn't see them.  I thought I had used them all.  It was hard to pour it all out...and the tears poured out harder than they had in awhile.  I never thought cleaning out our pantry would cause such tears, but it did.  Loss is hard...and the unexpected reminders hurt the heart!
 

My Job Comes With Perks!

I get to sometimes have leisurely mornings with my coffee and Bible.

I have time to slow down and notice things around me.

On the spur of the moment I can take off and run errands for Ted and make deliveries to our contractor.

I can casually stop in and check on progress.

I can go with Ted to appointments and enjoy just being together.

I spend alot of time in the car listening to music as I go from one place to another.

I can make sure we are ready for inspections.

I am meeting many new people and finding out how the investment gig works.

I have time to think and be thankful...

as I watch the seasons change as life goes on each day...according to God's plan!  I see His hand in the little details...

such as leaving a visit with my sis a little later than I planned to stop at Home Depot and get on the freeway to meet our tenant.  When I merged onto the freeway on Tuesday, there was an accident that had just happened.  Four vehicles...no emergency teams there yet...another reminder that delays are not always a bad thing!  A great reminder to slow down...even in the busy of life...and watch out for others.
 

Giving a gift of time

I pulled out some things from our chair-fillers favorites to share with some little friends who spent the afternoon with me so their Mom could have a break.

The afternoon was filled with lots of giggles and a variety of activities.

What a fun afternoon we had!  And we topped it off with supper prepared by the girls for their parents.

In seeking to be a blessing, we received the blessing.
 

Out and About

Enjoying the beauty of the season!

The colors are vibrant this year!

All groomed and pretty for the holiday season!

Holding my hand during lap cuddles.