Sunday Morning Sunshine: Winter is Past

 Winter is Past

For, lo, the winter is past,

The rain is over and gone;

The flowers appear on the earth,

The time of the singing of birds is come,

And the voice of the turtle is heard in the land. 

How's your spring? 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Winter Time in the Country

Stay Warm!

Sunday Morning Sunshine: A Burst of Poetry

January brings the snow,
Makes our feet and fingers glow...
--Mother Goose

Winter: slippy, drippy, nippy.
--Mother Goose

Lighter than thistledown
Blown by a fairy,
Fine flakes of snow fall through
Space gray and airy. 
Whiter than lily that
Blows sweet in summer,
This first snow of winter,
This gentle newcomer.
--Ivy O. Eastwick

The fenceposts wear marshmallow hats
On a snowy day;
Bushes in their nightgowns
Are kneeling down to pray--
And all the trees have silver skirts
And want to dance away.
--Dorothy Aldis

Whose woods these are I think I know,
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it odd
To stop without a farmhouse near,
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of east wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
And miles to go before I sleep.
--Robert Frost.

Happy Winter!

Sunday Morning Peace: Winter

Cold

Snow

Frozen

Peace

Berries

Sunshine

Winter.

Stay warm!

Serious Wednesdays: Keeping Winter Healthy

Keeping Winter Healthy

Viruses, influenza, colds, pneumonia are just part of the diseases and health issues we face every winter. Keeping healthy is not just an idea, but a necessary part of life--especially if you want to live a long and fruitful one. Here are a few ideas I've learned and integrated into my routines, but feel free to plan your own:

*  Learn that you don't have to "clean your plate."  Yes, most of us were taught that as a child, but that's not necessarily true. What helps me to eat less is:

1. I try to place smaller portions on my plate. Most times, it's not going to be the last time I have the opportunity to enjoy an item I really like. 
2. An old Japanese saying is: eat until you're pleasantly sated but not too full. Not only does my stomach thank me (because I'm not depressed with an overly full feeling), but your health will too.

I'm also trying to enjoy salads, more veggies and plenty of fruit throughout the week. Good thing I appreciate all of these! :)

* Exercise. Yeah, I feel like groaning too, but I'm doing my best to keep at it. One thing I had to realize was that I had to exercise the way I could do it. If I couldn't run a 5K, I could at least climb the steps several times a day. If I couldn't join a gym, I could use what I have on hand. For me, we're fortunate to have a few pieces of work out items. I use them as I can. 

* Relax. Stress is hard on my body. I'm trying to keep a more patient, more of an uplook, less worry and negative look. Hard? Yes. And I don't always succeed on this one very well. But health issues have encouraged to take this more seriously and I'm working at it. Prayer, Bible study, letting go of issues I can't change, focusing on pleasant things, counting my blessings: all these are helping. 

* Vitamins and oils.  I've done my research on vitamins, oils and other things that I feel I need for a healthy body. 

1. I've researched and chosen, to the best of my knowledge, the best vitamins for me that I can afford to buy.
2. I've researched and chosen a specific company that is the best in its field, with third party testing, the purest oils on the market today. 

Both of these items give me confidence that I'm using the best in the field today.

*  Cut out and back.  This, too, is a hard one, but one for me that's necessary. I've chosen a food plan that works for me and am willing to adjust it as necessary. Also, I've tried to cut back, not only on my portions, but also on what I eat and how often. 

One of the first things I learned (and also listened to others with experience in this) was too not deny myself a few treats or a reward now and then. So as much as I love ice cream, I mostly limit my intake of that, to two times a week, mostly on the weekends. Things like this help me feel more confident in what I'm doing, and hopefully, I'll make better strides in health and overall feeling.

Take the above for what it's worth. Figure out your own plan and go for it. If you stumble (as I do), well, don't give up. Rise and keep going. 

You'll feel better physically. You'll be more confident. And your body will thank you! 

Here's to better health! 

Sunday Sunshine: The Beauty of Winter

Beauty can be found in the worse, coldest, 

and oddest places...

Awesome Pine Branches Covered with Ice

A man and his dog

Striking aurora borealis

A warm light in the midst of the cold...

Sunshine on a distant hill after the storm

An historical, and simple wintry moment in time.

May you stay warm and at peace

even when it's cold outside!

Sunday Sunshine: The Wildness of Winter

The Wildness of Winter

Marvel!

Rambling Friday: This Wild, Wild Winter...or Not!

It's truly debatable whether the state I live in lives up to its reputation as a moody state. 




Ya'll love snow?
Then come on down, over, up to my state.

Ya'll all want 75 degree weather at Christmas? Sure, come visit.












You love rainy days? Or is it a whole summer without a drop of rain? Make up your mind.

Love storms, including lightning, high winds and tornadoes? You got it, right here!





You never know what this mixed-up state might send our way...but anyway it is, you gotta love it for the suspense and surprises! 

Enjoy the day!

Sunday Morning Peace: Prayerful Spring

A Prayer in Spring

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day; 
And give us not to think so far away 
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here 
All simply in the springing of the year. 

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night; 
And make us happy in the happy bees, 
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees. 

And make us happy in the darting bird 
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill, 
And off a blossom in mid air stands still. 

For this is love and nothing else is love, 
The which it is reserved for God above 
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfil. 

--Robert Frost

Spring Blessings!

Monday Morning Gratitudes

When trials pour in--sigh--I know God knows.
A vehicle that can go thru the snow
A strong hubby
Answers even if they aren't exactly what I wanted
A fall and pain, but it could have been MUCH worse


Blessings!

Monday Morning Blessings

The beauty of new-fallen snow
safety on the ice-covered roads
problems solved before we can ask
fun times at dinner
the feel of clean sheets
good food

Blessings

Monday Morning Gratitudes

That even through the cold winter days, I have things for which to be thankful. Not everyone does.
The joy and laughter coming from a child playing in the snow. Not much better than that.
Hear the laughter from a teasing grandchild
Sharing quiet times with loved ones
Making memories
Special gifts from those I love
Wonderful times together
hearing from an old friend.

Blessings

Sunday Morning Peace: Privileges

Even in the dead of winter,

in the middle of some of the coldest weather

we've had in years--

our hearts can rejoice at the privileges that are ours.

The privilege of freedom, to love the man in my life, to encourage others worse off, to read the Bible or whatever else I wish, to choose to do what I want, to reflect on the good life I have.

Privileges.

Blessings.

Happy winter days to you.

Sunday Morning Peace: Winter Blues or Snuggie-ness?

Yes, it's winter.

It's cold, snowy, wintry weather.

BUT...

Introducing the first contest of the Year!
January, 2018

CONTEST QUESTION TIME

Name one thing that is good about 
this winter in January, 2018

Oh, yeah, you want to know what you get?

This:

or this:

Already read these?
Then you can pick one of my other books
or wait till my next book is out (Toby's Troubles, an Appleton, WV Romantic Mystery)

How's that for a Beautiful, wintry contest?

(I will choose a winner by January 31st!)

Blessings!

Sunday Morning Peace

It Might be Winter. . .

. . . but you can have sunshine in your heart!

Here's a few thoughts that can help cheer 

the winter blues away . . .

* Pass around a few hugs! 

It will bring a few smiles to others' faces

and maybe, your's too!

* Write a review for an author:

Pure gold for them!

* Pray for someone different today.

Yes, we all have our personal lists of friends and family.

This month, make it a point to add someone else. 

Will do them good and possibly you too!

* Try something new and fun this month.

Pick up a hobby or begin an exercise routine.

Take a short trip to relax even if it's the city park.

Have fun!

* Give away something.

Yeah, an extra thank you or an extra nice tip to a clerk, waiter, or server.

Choose something you never use, don't even need, and give it to someone 

as a little pick-you-up gift

or to Goodwill.

Give someone a few minutes of your time with a phone card, 

a thinking-of-you card, or a smile.

You never know what it will mean to the other person!

You'll be blest.

I guarantee it!

Blessings

Monday Morning Gratitudes

Today, I'm thankful for:

Our sweet nieces:

• Tammy
• Cyndi
• Marie
• Sherri
• Chrissie
• Stevie
• Ashley
• Tara
• Tiffanie

thankful for a hubby who loves me enough

the feeling I get when I see the first snowflakes falling

winter white

the knowledge that there is some good in the cold weather

As sure as there is cold, there is warm weather following

a beautiful, memorable funeral 

the assurance we can see our passing loved ones again.

Blessings!

My Sweet Friend's Twelve Things I Love About Winter: from Jamin Baldwin!

I'm tickled pink (or red, purple, whatever!) to have my friend here today. First time on my blog! Read on to find out about HER twelve items!

12 Things I love about Winter

By, Jamin Baldwin

12. Hot cocoa of course!  I like Dark chocolate cocoa and
I always add an extra spoonful of "extra rich" coffee creamer.

It makes it "extra" creamy...

11. The smell of wood smoke in the air and
the cozy crackling sound coming from my 100 year

old pot bellied stove.

10. Wrapping presents. I love buying people gifts and making them look all pretty.

9. Christmas music! Is there anything more wonderful than decorating the house
while Bing Crosby sings "White Christmas"?

8. The first big snow. And with it the prospect of jolly, lopsided snowmen and a good snowball fight.

7.Making memories and carrying on traditions.

Every year my sister and I would make Christmas cookies and hard tack candy
with my Mamal Lou. We would also help decorate her tree.

Even though she's been gone for three years now
we still make cookies and candy and decorate her tree in her favorite color. Purple.

6.Homemade chocolate pudding.

Ever since I can remember we have had a tradition.
the first BIG snow means my mommy makes us
homemade Chocolate pudding and serves it hot!

5.Snow Crème! (anyone else noticing the abundance of sweets?
No wonder I gain so much weight in the winter!)
A little clean snow, sugar, canned milk and vanilla

-- yummy goodness...

4. Crafting. Cuddling on the couch crocheting or quilting a new blanket.
It s moment I love to take and reflect on what a wonderful year it has been
and all the things that the good Lord has brought us through.

3. Babies! January and February is when we expect our kids! (Baby goats)
Walking out to the barn three and four times a day, hoping to find a sweet, new arrival.

2.My birthday. Every year my wonderful hubby takes me on a two day
birthday/valentines day trip to a cabin. He is the best.

1. When its OVER! When you wake up to sunshine and birds singing. the trees are trying thaw
and bud. Your heart breathes a sigh of relief and you think to yourself

"I made it..."

Aren't those heart-warming Twelves?
What warms YOUR heart this time of the year?

Sunday Morning Peace

O Holy Night!

Blessings!

Monday Morning Gratitudes

This morning I'm thankful for:

• Snow. Yes, I growl about driving in it. But overall, it's a beautiful created object from our God, and right now, I'm thankful for that beauty.
• Cold. Yep, another growling point. Yet I also realize that it does decreased the insect population and the germ abundance. So, thank you, God, for the cold.
• Pleasant holidays during the winter. It might be cold outside, baby, but who doesn't like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Valentines? What fun and meaningful days to cheer us!

More? That's enough for today. 

I'm thankful.

Blessings!

Sunday Morning Peace

The Glory of God!

Blessings!