Busy and keeping an eye out

Monday was for being home!  I spent most of the day on the porch...cleaning and scraping the porch railing to make it look nice.  The paint was peeling, and that is a "No-no" for rental property...at least where we came from...so I took care of that...and it looks nice.  I made a yummy supper...with ground lamb meat...my first ever.  I admit...I struggled with the idea...for whatever reason...but it was good and lean.

Tuesday was Bible study and lunch with new friends.  I think my favorite quote of the day was, "I am not a theologian.  I am just an old lady who loves studying God's Word."  There is something sweet about an older Southern lady talking about God's love and control in our lives that is making an impact on the ladies who gather every Tuesday morning.  I am thankful to be able to attend.  The theme of God's sovereignty over all things is something that keeps coming up in my life right now.  What a blessing to walk into a group that welcomes you and includes you!  I am seeing ways to reach back and serve.  One way...with the cards that I have made.  I am excited to keep sharing as the ladies are excited to use them!

After Bible study, a group of us went to the Red Bud Deli for lunch.  It was a yummy place to go back with my girls!  I stopped for groceries before heading home.  Teddy had texted earlier to see if I had seen the news about the House Mountain fire.  I had not!  Because of where the house sits in the little valley, I could not see or even smell smoke before I left for Bible study.  However, I could see the smoke on my way home!  Wow!  So close...yet so far away...the fire is on the other side of the mountain from us.

The dogs and I enjoyed the porch.  The birds are getting braver about visiting the feeder when we are out.  I got the railing painted with two coats.  This beautiful weather made the paint dry fast!

Supper was later due to Ted's work schedule and it was simple...but good!

I am keeping track of the fire news!

Wednesday morning was spent scraping trim and removing nails.  I had a mess, but it is all done and ready for the guys this weekend!

We made our way over to meet the inspector at the new to us property...and I didn't expect to see this when I walked around his vehicle!  Eeek!  Poor bird!  I had to laugh inside as I walked up to meet the guy.  "Hope this isn't an indication of how the afternoon will go!"

Another update with pictures...the containment story keeps changing!

They are still reporting that there are no structures at risk.  I need to drive the road and see what it looks like in the daytime!  The dry (no humidity or rain) conditions are perfect for the spread of fire right now.  There is a breeze in the afternoons, too.  We are supposed to get some rain today and this weekend, which will help the firefighters.

 

Another offer...another inspection...but this time in Tennessee!

And we are the ones who made the offer and requested the inspection.  We have done our work and now we wait on God's will.  The inspection of the new living arrangements is on Wednesday!,

 

Saturday

I used the stud finder and found the best one in the house!  Ha ha

Getting a project done...

to make a laundry closet...

by framing up a wall for a door...which will also make a third bedroom!

Sloan and I got crafty with watercolors and then stamping to make cards.

A break to chat and snack...

It was a productive day for the guys and the girls.

Thankful for these times that God is giving us!

 

Thankful moments

Thursday, the birds found the feeder!  And it was another supper on the porch.

Wasps...stay away...or you will be un-alived!

It is Master's Weekend...so I am told.  Friday date night found us at The Country Club for my first experience as a member!

Yummy bread...quiet environment...attentive waitress...good meal...and shared dessert.

Warm chocolate lava cake!  I forgot to take a picture of our meal.  Whoops!

It was a lovely way to end a busy week!  And...we get to use all the amenities...soon...the pool will be open!!!

 

There are so many different things that satan uses to steal our joy.

In the background of all these life changes, I am doing my best to to spend time with the One who is the source of joy.  There is contentment in the still, small moments of life where I hear His voice whisper, "Peace!"

 

A night out with my girlie

It was a beautiful night to go downtown Knoxville.  Alisa invited me to join her on a celebratory dinner date!  She wanted to celebrate the sale of my first house.  What a thoughtful idea!

We went to Market Square for dinner.  It was yummy!

Then we walked around the square to explore...and found this cool candy store!

We walked to a neat coffee shop and sipped as we walked and talked.  We found a bench and watched people.  It was a gorgeous evening to be out and about.

The Tennessee sign!  I am thankful for these little excursions to learn about our new state.

We made note of a couple other places to visit on another time!  We will have to grab the other two girlies to join us.  Thank you, sweet girl of mine, for thinking to celebrate this achievement.
 

Supper on the porch

Tuesday was a busy day.  It was fun to re-connect with supper on the porch!  We had air-fryer potatoes with cheeseburger fixings on top.  I forgot to take the hamburger out to defrost.  Whoops!  I was focusing on not forgetting the treats I baked for Bible Study and make sure the dogs went out before I left.  Alisa left the fresh veggies, and so I made a dip with some of them.  Yum!

We shared supper and talked about the property we had looked at.  We shall see what transpires in the next few days...

 

Easter Weekend

We started our weekend with a supper date on the patio Friday night.  It was a great way to spend the evening.

We went for a drive on Saturday to look at a couple properties.  It was a beautiful day for exploring.

Alisa joined us on Saturday night and we went on another excursion to look at a property.  As we made our way back home, we passed a place Alisa knew about but we had never heard about..."Do you girls want ice cream?"  Yes, please!

We finished the prep for Sunday and I turned around and found this sight calming and welcoming.  God has given us a nice place to live.  I am looking forward to our family gathering around the table together for Easter dinner.

The rolls came out of the oven right before bed.  Ohhhh, they smelled so good!  We went to bed with "visions of hot, buttered rolls dancing in our heads"!  About 2:00am, I woke up to the sound of rain.  It rained all morning long.

The tulips held their heads up bravely in the chilly, rainy morning.

As we drove home from church, we could see blue sky!  The sun was coming!

A couple pictures...

Waiting for everyone to arrive...

And Mom fail...these were the only pictures I got while we were all together.

Around the table together...conversation and laughter...

with yummy food and lots of sweet tea!  I have been trying to just be present and enjoy our time...and I find myself not taking very many pictures (trying not to be annoying).

I enjoyed listening to Ted and Alisa "geek out" about different pieces of money and dates and facts about them.

Everyone left and all was quiet.  The planning takes a few hours...the day arrives and is over before we know it!  We all are so very thankful for this new privilege here in Tennessee!