When life gets heavy...

I make cinnamon rolls.  Just like Mom did!

I start with a cup of coffee.  Rice krispie treat...equals cereal, right?

Bible reading, music, and creating some cards to send with words of love and prayer for heavy hearts.

And the dough today is happy!

It already smells good and baking has not even begun!

Thankful for the time I have been given to be flexible to help at a moment's notice and share some love through the oven and mail.

Taste test...YUMMO!

 

"A well-ordered home speaks loudly about your life."

I read this quote the other day. I do not know who said it, but there is a lot of truth in those 9 words.  I've been thinking about it as I walk daily, caring for my husband and home.  The rooms are empty and quiet now.  There is a place for everything, and everything stays in place.  If I am completely honest, I sometimes miss the messy, loud days.  The funny antics and hilarious conversations that were once daily blogged about to help this mother handle the constant activity.  The thankfulness for children who learned and made our lives rich with love and laughter (and some tears) fills our hearts.  We did our parenting job well as we knew how, and now our chair-fillers are out of our home and building lives on the foundation we provided here around our table.  We had wonderful counselors (parents) to help us!  My Gram and Momma taught me how to order our home.  Ted and I worked together to order our home.   God's Word provided such wonderful instruction to order our home...even still.  Things may be on the counter, the entryway may be water-spotted, and the dog toys are strewn throughout the main floor, but our door is always open.  

A well-ordered home starts in the heart!  We learned many lessons through the years to bring us to the conclusion that the faith, hope, and love that brings true peace only come from our individual relationship with our Heavenly Father.  What is my life built on? It matters, and it speaks loudly in each room of your home...and echoes off the hearts of the people who reside or visit there!

 

The birds are singing this morning in Michigan!

Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely
And long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy—
I sing because I’m free—
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled.”
His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness,
I lose my doubt and fear.
Though by the path He leadeth,
But one step I may see:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted,
Whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing,
When hope within me dies

I draw the closer to Him;
From care He sets me free:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy—
I sing because I’m free—
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Singing with confidence in His care today

• Here on the Potter’s wheel, I 
• find myself once more. 
• My faults and frailties 
• bring me here just like before. 
• With strong and loving hands 
• the pressure is applied. 
• ‘Oft times I tremble as 
• He puts me through the fire.

• • I’ll trust the Potter’s hands. 
  • He knows what’s best for me! 
  • He has a perfect plan 
  • these human eyes can’t see. 
  • He’s the Potter, I’m the clay. 
  • He knows just how much I can take. 
  • When I face the fire again 
  • I’ll trust the Potter’s hands!

• His hands work deep inside 
• and He makes no mistakes,
• Though it seems I’ll crumble down 
• and I can hardly stand the pain. 
• But into His own design 
• He is molding me, I know, 
• And though my world spins all around 
• the Potter’s in control!
  
  He's the Potter, I'm the clay.
• • He knows just how much I can take.
  • • When I face the fire again...
    • • I'll trust the Potter's hand.

A weekend together

Our weekend together started early with lunch delivered and hanging out at work with Ted as he worked on an order.  His warehouse guy was off on a vacation day.  We both are not comfortable with his being the only one in the building when the machine is running.  So I kept him company and learned all about how things should run.  I watched Ted move easily from computer to machine to fork lift to phone...never missing a beat.  He knows what needs to be done and gets it done each day.  He works hard for the companies he has worked for through the years.  He has done the hard and challenging with integrity and purpose.

It was fun to see him in his element.

And it was fun to go on a date to a yummy BBQ place for supper.

We are now at the phase that we take pictures of unique furniture pieces...a cool table idea!  We have to go back because I forgot to take a picture of the chair angles.

We shared bites and everything was delicious!!!  "This is a do again place for sure!"

 

I had a sweet example for 55 years.

God has been using these last 7 almost 8 months to remind me to use each day what my dear Mother taught me.  She taught me to do many things in our home and at my work through the years.  Practical daily things to keep our home, loving ways to care for our children, serving examples to care for my husband, kind encouragement for those I meet, and creative touches to make all things special.  As Mom did all those things, she was teaching what she believed about God by her example.  She sang of God's goodness.  She quoted Scripture that guided her decisions and thought processes.  When I would call, her voice brought a peaceful calm to my heart and tears flowed.  I miss that now.  She knew and understood the needs of being a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, and grandmother.

 I cherish all the conversations we had as I worked with her or watched her just do.  Mom did not complain.  When things got hard, she asked for a helping hand.  In doing that, I learned to do so many things.  It was a joy to be helpful because that is what she demonstrated at home, church, and work with Dad and others.  It didn't matter if it was cooking and cleaning for company, playing for special music,  helping to butcher rabbits, or painting the church basement.  I heard her speak kindly and laugh through the tasks.  I am sure there were times she was tired and grumpy and did not want to participate, but I did not see or hear that.  There were moments that we were not privy to as children, as it should be!  Mom always expressed her genuine gratefulness and love.  

As life continues without her here on earth, I am impressed with the fact that I was given a wonderful gift in the way my Momma mothered us...as children and as grown-ups.  She could do that well because she and Dad were a team and on the same page.  They worked at life together.  Mom did her role well.   I know I did not see things to the extent I do now.  We were shielded from many of the difficult times that I understand were surely there.  But God was merciful toward our family as Dad and Mom followed His ways.

I understand now that not everyone was given these blessings from their Mother and Father.  I have the opportunity to share a compassionate care and love with others because my sweet Mother poured into me for 55 years.  To keep the knowledge, kindness, understanding, and love all to myself is selfish and wasteful of her sweet example.  "To whom much is given, much is required." Luke 12:48

 I want to be a good steward of what my Mother taught me with her life and with her tongue.

Share life with others...no matter how hard or messy life gets.  Mom did that through her ups and downs of her whole cancer treatment.

It is a way to show my gratefulness to God for the gift of my Mother.
 

Take some time!

 

A errand that includes the company of a friend and lunch!

I had to drive to pick up the window and screens that were completed.  I invited a friend to ride along with me, a perfect way to spend time together talking the 40 minutes each way.  My goal was to encourage her and provide a distraction from the weight of life.  It was a time of encouragement for me too.  When I share our faith and life experiences, God reminds me of all that He has done and will continue to do in our life as we trust and obey Him...His ways, not our ways.

Sharing a piece of chocolate cake sweetened the time.  "Oh, Kari, is this what you do when things are hard?"  Ummm, not always...but often...yes...I take time out to do something fun as I do my daily tasks.  When we share life...and burdens...the load is not so heavy!  God never meant for us to do life alone.  And a little treat now and then makes it fun!  So we shared life, burdens, and chocolate cake...on an ordinary day running errands.
 

Getting closer!!

We are getting closer to filling the empty property we have!  Today marked another step forward with collecting information and some money!

I also took a cracked window and screens to be fixed.  This gal was so kind to help me!  She stopped the project she was working on to get the information and measurements ready for me to take upstairs to pay the guys.

What an interesting place to visit!  All things window and glass fill the large building.  Today it was humming with activity.  It was a beautiful day to make the drive...THE SUN WAS SHINING!  Thank you, Lord, for sunny days and productivity!
 

A gift from the heart

I love handmade things!  A sweet little heart and card both handmade from my sis.  And a fun throw back to Strawberry Shortcake with an eye shadow pallet!  How fun to remember our little collection of those dolls that smelled so good!  Too bad we washed and cut their hair...would have been fun to pull out for our girls.  We ruined too many dolls...Barbie and otherwise.  What were we thinking?  cue the laughter...WE WEREN'T!
 

A Song I Remember Dad and Mom Singing

… If I ask for things that I should not ask for
If I pray for things selfishly
If I ask for myself and not for my neighbor
Take this veil from my eyes and let me see

… "Not my will, but Thine be done, " prayed Jesus
May this same prayer be mine every day
When this robe, robe of flesh that I wear makes me falter
Guide my steps, hold my hand all the way

… If I love all my friends and serve them only
If I serve all the rich and not the poor
What good would I have done for Christ, my Savior
Since my, since my enemies do the same?

… "Not my will, but Thine be done, " prayed Jesus
May this same prayer be mine every day
When this robe, this robe of flesh that I wear makes me falter
Guide my steps, hold my hand all the way

Phone picture texts

I was looking for some information in a text from my husband.  I had to scroll back a few weeks and I realized how many times we go back and forth through a day, week, and month!  I forgot how much we have had going on.  We are quite funny too.  Scroll back and enjoy your life from the perspective of picture texts.  Anyway, I found this picture in my messages and it brought a smile.  

My guy made a store run and I asked him to pick up a brush, as I had left mine in TN at Teddy's house accidentally.  He said, "No problem, text me if you need anything else."  But...when he walked down the aisle...he was greeted with this array of choices and froze.  PROBLEM.  He sent this picture, "Which one!?"  Oh no!  I quickly zoomed in to look at my choices.  NONE of what I was looking for...NOTHING like what I had and like to use...BUT I needed a brush!  

Thank goodness for technology!  What could have been very aggravating for my love was easily handled with a zoom button...and knowing the basic skills of how to count, colors, and left from right!  Poor guys are willing to help...but we sure don't make it easy with such a huge variety.  Who knew there were this many different brushes!?  "You women are complicated!"
 

Snow...cold...more snow...and a visit from the sun!

It is just plain cold!  The wind is blowing today and we just want to be inside where it is warm.  We got another dusting over night.

My sentiments as I sip coffee!

A couple pancakes with lemon curd for a warm, comfort food treat this morning.

My audience as I cleaned out the ash from the fireplace and I noticed they stayed put as I brought up the laundry to fold.  Happy Monday from the mitten state!

 

"Let's make this!"

Ted found a recipe to try.  A chicken/cheese crust for a version of pizza!

Bake the crust first...then add toppings.

It tasted pretty good!  We are going to do it again and add more toppings.  We did the basic pepperoni for out first try. 

 

Saturday Snapshots

This is what Saturday has always been for our family.  A slow start with coffee and conversation...and then getting busy with jobs that need to be done!

 

Friday's business

I met up with a potential tenant.

Interesting things to consider in this rental game all the time.

 

Happy Heart is Full Day

Always celebrate holidays and special days in little, simple ways!

My funny Valentines....16 years ago!!!!

The year we were Mr. and Mrs. Black for our Valentine activity at church.

Fun heart potato puffs from Aldi!

Surf and Turf for my love...

at Chez Tackeberrie!  The dogs thought I lost my mind and couldn't figure out who was coming over so they set up watch...Chica on the ottoman in the livingroom and Velle on the bench in the diningroom waiting to see who was company.

"It's Dad!" and he stumbled in after a long day juggling work situations, all the while battling the impending pneumonia symptoms.  He hasn't dealt with that in a very long time.  The meds were starting to kick in and after a shower...dinner was served to my love with my love for all that he does for us.  What could be better than a quiet, romantic dinner...at home?!
 

Handmade hearts all around...

make me happy...

and fill that need to be creative.

I was challenged by something I read the other day...

so I decided to put it into practice in small ways.  God always brings ideas to me when I ask Him to show me how to encourage someone today.  Our mail lady is such a cheery person as she delivers our packages and letters each day...rain, snow, or shine!  She takes a minute to chat and say "Hi!" to the dogs.  So...I took a heart garland and wrapped it around a box of hot chocolate with a happy note and stuck it in the mailbox for Valentine's day.  

I am working on noticing these little things and doing something about it...not just with people I know (that is easy!) but with people I may never see again.  It is a principle from God's Word...plant seeds.  In this dark world, the light of love and kindness is very needed.