Anniversary, 35 Years

     Happy 35th Anniversary to my precious husband.
     Last July, Pat and I and our younger three children drove south to visit our son, James, and his wife in South Carolina.  We left my parents house in Virginia while it was still dark because a hurricane was due to make landfall and travel up the eastern coast.  We hoped to drive south of the hurricane.  That worked as planned.
     We reached that wonderful tourist trap, South of the Border, in time for a much needed rest stop.  We wandered around their gift shop and then decided to head across the street to the Waffle House for breakfast.  You KNOW you are in the South when you see a Waffle House or a church on every corner.
     We piled back out of the car with visions of buttery syrup covered waffles in mind.  The five of us walked in.  It was July.  It was hot.  We all had on shorts.
     We were greeted by three Waffle House waitresses leaning over the counter.  These Southern ladies had eyes for only one person in the crowd.
    “OOOWWEE, Sir.  You have some mighty fine legs.  Mighty fine.”  Pat laughed.  The other two ladies giggled appreciatively and continued to goggle at the legs on display.
     I thought, “Hello, did you notice the three kids and the WIFE that came in with those mighty fine legs?”
     But wait there’s more.  The waitress leaned even further over the counter still peering at those mighty fine legs, “Why, those legs should be in a magazine.”
     Pat made a leg at his admirers and laughingly wondered what kind of magazine it would be.  Then we were escorted to a table and those mighty fine legs were tucked under it.  Our waffles were sweeter for teasing Pat.
     A marriage is made of a million little shared moments.  Those small everyday things.  The kiss in the morning. The look across a room.  The tender touch.  Singing side by side in church.  There are moments full of beauty and laughter, shared dinners, campfires, and stars.  There are giggles over waffles and syrup and mighty fine legs.  Of course there is also, sunburn, Pepto Bismal, bee stings, and trying to get everyone out of the house on time.
     Last week, Pat left me standing on line with a grocery cart to retrieve something that we had forgotten in the depths of a big box store.  It was crowded.  I saw Pat looking for me and I noticed the way his face changed when he found me.  He smiled like he hadn’t seen me in days instead of minutes.  Those are the treasured moments that make up a marriage.
    The relationship a married couple have with each other is the same as the relationship God desires with each of us.

     But now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.  I have called you by name; you are mine.  When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you.  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown!  When you walk through the fires of oppression, you will not be burned up: the flames will not consume you.  For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.  ...  you are precious to me.  You are honored, and I love you. ~ Isaiah 43: 1-4

   So, to my dear husband, you are precious to me, and I love you, all the way down to your “mighty fine legs!”

Copper Sea Shells for Fall

     I hate to put our sea shells away at the end of summer.  In fact, there are some sea shells that I like to leave out year round.  They remind me of special times.  They remind me that even though there was frost in the Hudson Valley last night, eventually, I'll be warm again.  They also remind me that we plan on moving south next year!
     So, I painted my sea shells copper.  They look great!  Copper is showing up in accessories everywhere.  I love copper because it pairs so well with other metals, especially oil rubbed bronze.

     These are small sea shells that we picked up on the beach this summer.  I have them in a bowl in our guest bath.

     I used Rustoleum Hammered Copper spray paint that I had left over from my Vintage Typewriter Table up-cycle.  I just took the shells outside and gave them a quick spray.  On the larger shells, I decided to just paint the inside.  I rimmed them with Frog Tape so that the spray paint wouldn't get on the outside.  (Sorry I was so excited about how the other shells looked that I didn't take a picture of this, but it's easy enough.)
     The extra large shell at top was a planter that I have had for years.  The inside looked a little pitted, but the paint made it look like new.  Now it's a copper eye-catcher.  I use it in our bathroom to hold an extra roll of toilet paper and a hand towel.

     I love how the copper shells gleam in the bowl in contrast to the natural shells.
     Have you added any copper accessories to your house?

Day 18: Wedding Supper

     Pat and I attended the summer wedding of a friend's daughter a few years ago.  It was lovely.  The bride was radiant and the groom, handsome and sweet.
     Pat and I arrived at the reception a little late.  It was completely my fault.  I had thought that the wedding and reception, which were being held at the same place, would be in a chilly, over air-conditioned room.  I had worn a dress with long sleeves.  The wedding was held outside in a huge tent. The temperature hovered at 95 degrees.  Pat had simply shrugged off his jacket and tie.  Between the wedding and the reception, I, already melting, had insisted we run to a nearby mall so that I could buy a more comfortable dress.  That was the fastest dress decision I have ever made!
     There we were, late and I was looking decidedly rumpled.  We found our place cards and seated ourselves at Table #9.  There were about 100 guests.  We did not know anyone, with the exception of the parents of the bride and their five lovely adult children.
     After the grand introduction and entrances were made and the happy couple had danced their first dance, our friends found us.  They laughed at my dress dilemma, then invited us to sit with them at Table #1 with their family.
   So we enjoyed the wedding in a place of honor with the family.  We laughed with the bride's brothers and listened to Grandma tell family stories.  It was a wonderful day.
     I was reminded of God's grace and how in Luke where Jesus tells the parable of sitting yourself at the lowest place at a banquet so that the host will invite you to sit at a better place, a place of honor.

When Jesus noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable:  “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.  But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.  For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  ~Luke 14:7-11

     Pat and I had done nothing to deserve the "better" seat, all we did was accept it.  A gift freely given.
     Soon we will be going to the wedding feast of the Lamb of God.  There the highest place will be lying low at our Redeemer's feet.  Jesus will sweetly lift us up and seat us.
     This post is Day 18 in the 31 Day Series: Welcome to My Mess.  You can read the other posts here.

Day 9: My Bicycle Basket

You make known to me the path of life; 
 you will fill me with joy in your presence, 
 with eternal pleasures at your right hand.  ~Psalm 16:11

     Last June Pat and I took a bike ride on the newly opened Rail Trail over by us.   We bought our bikes the summer before last, so they are fairly new.  I have a cute little basket on the front of mine.   We put our water bottles in the basket and set off.  When we got on the trail, people admired my basket.  Baskets are handy things to have after all.  I envisioned a romantic bicycle ride through beautiful scenery, chatting with my husband.  I hoped he would be able to keep up with me.  Pat might be stronger than me, but I do a lot of running around up and down stairs every day.  Did I mention that God has a sense of humor and pride does come before the fall.
     Much more  quickly than I anticipated, like right away, my legs began to ache.  I begged Pat to stop and rest.  He looked at me funny but waited for me to catch up.  I panted, "I think my gears might be a little rusty or something.  I feel like I’m pedaling in water."  Pat glanced over.  There was nothing obviously wrong with my bike so when I caught my breath, we began again.  Pat helpfully suggested that I try shifting gears.  I shifted in every direction.  Nothing helped.  One painfully long mile later, I was grouching, surely we were going up a subtle but steep incline.  My legs were quivering.  To make matters worse, Pat looked great!  He was practically riding in circles around me.  It was humiliating.  After three miles, Pat had compassion on me and we turned around.  I was sure the return trip would be better because now I would be going down hill.  Except that it was just as hard to pedal.  I practically crawled back to the car with my bike.  We had gone a total of six miles.
     A few weeks later I got up enough courage to go back to the trail again.  I took all of the kids, olders and youngers.  Pat was working on something at home.  Before we left, Pat helpfully oiled the gears on my bike.   At the Rail Trail, I started off hopefully but once again got into trouble pretty quickly.  My son Brian, graciously offered to put my bike into a gear that made sense.  I think I had shifted it so much the trip before that it was in hundreth gear.   I got back on my bike and while it was easier to ride, I still felt like I was going up hill even though it really is a relatively level surface.  Another very painful six miles.  When we arrived home, I complained to my beloved and long-suffering husband.  “I just don’t get it.   My bike didn’t feel like this last year.  It is just so hard to ride.  I can’t possibly be that out of shape.”
    To humor me, Pat did some investigating.  Pat had me lift the back of the bike.  He spun the wheel.  It rolled merrily along.  Not like me.  Then we tried the front wheel.  He gave it a spin.  After a rotation it slowed then stopped.  He spun it again with more force.  Again the tire went around once then stopped.  We both leaned in and spotted the difficulty.  My beautiful basket was pressing on the brake line.  I had been riding with the front brake dragging on the wheel for twelve miles.
     “Well that’s gotta be tough.” was Pat’s understatement.
     Jesus says in Matt. 11:28-30

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

     Jesus understands that sometimes we feel like we are pedaling up hill both ways.  He understands how hard life can be sometimes.  He understands difficulties and disappointments.  He understands that life does not always go as we thought it should.  He understands all of this and more.
     Jesus offers us an invitation.  It’s not an invitation that denies the reality of our situation, or tells us that it is not as hard as it really is.  What Jesus says is, “Come.”
Come to Jesus, enter into His embrace and He will ride with us on this journey of life where there is fullness of joy and rest for the weary.

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.  ~Isaiah 40:31

     Those that wait upon the Lord will even ride their bikes without the brakes on.  We just need to ask Him to join us on the bicycle ride of life.
     Did I mention that I rode TWELVE MILES with the brake on?!!!

Day 4: The Ball

     Yesterday I shared the first part of this story in Embracing the Cinderella in Me, the third day of my 31 Day Series:  Welcome to My Mess.  You can go ahead and read it.  I'll wait.
     The story continues:
     I was so excited about the Beauty Pageant.  I spent the afternoon busily planning my outfits.  I decided to wear what I thought was a beautiful white dress I had gotten for my First Communion at age seven.  Five years later, I am embarrassed to say, it still fit.  The dress had just become fashionably shorter.  Looking back, it certainly did not fit the ball gown idea.  For the swim suit competition, I went with my favorite bathing suit.  As for the talent portion, I had that nailed.  I had just completed my dance recital.  I planned to tap dance.  I even had a pink fringe flapper style costume to wear.  I am sure that whatever you can imagine does not begin to touch the reality of that costume.  The crowning glory of my preparations was added by my mother.  She tied my pin straight hair up in knotted rags to make spit curls.  No really, SPIT curls.  That night, I barely slept.  I just hoped I wouldn't be awful.  I had knots on my head and knots in my stomach.
     The day of the pageant was beautiful and sunny.  I nervously dabbed my mother's Heaven Scent perfume behind my ears and walked down the block to Anne's house.
     Anne had decorated the patio with crepe paper streamers.  Her mother had given her permission to cut some roses.  The roses were nestled in water but tied together with a ribbon for the lucky winner.  Her backyard looked wonderful.  I surveyed it with a tremulous sigh.
     Anne and I were surprised when we heard that there were to be only four competitors.    Cathy and Suzie told us that all of the other girls in the neighborhood were busy.  Anne and I remained clueless.  The three judges took their places in lawn chairs.  Thanks to Anne, they even had a side table to put their lemonade on and a large plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.  Finally the big moment had arrived.
     The first competition was the swim suit competition.  We had all worn our bathing suits under our clothes, so we were ready.  Cathy and Suzie were in it to win it.  They had thought to bring fancy sandals.  Anne quickly grabbed a pair from her closet.  I had foolishly not considered my feet.  I reluctantly slipped into the rubbery elegance of my flip flops.  Each of us strolled down the wooden ramp, spun and walked as gracefully as we could.  The other girls shoes musically click, click, clicked. Mine feet squashed flip, flip, flip.
     Next came the talent competition.  Cathy and Suzie sang.  I did not get to hear Cathy, but I heard Suzie.  Suzie wasn't as good a singer as she thought she was.  Anne on the other hand, played the violin.  I was pretty impressed.  Violins can be screechy, but Anne managed to play something recognizable.  Then it was my turn.  I didn't have music, but I flew through my recital routine.  My tap shoes rang out on the flagstone.  There may even have been a few sparks.  I made a few false steps but I was hopeful that in all of the noise, they wouldn't be noticed.
     The judges nodded appreciatively at each act, made notes, drank their lemonade and crunched on the cookies.  They whispered back and forth a few times.

My brother's and I.  That is THE dress I wore for the Pageant.

     Finally, we were ready for the ball gowns.  Cathy and Suzie had long dresses from a wedding they had attended.  They looked beautiful.  Anne had on a pretty easter dress.  I wore my old white dress.  My hair was crazy looking from all of the tap dancing.  Once again, we walked down the wooden runway.  This time each of us answered a question.  Time has completely erased the question from my mind, but I am sure that our responses involved world peace and getting along with others.
     We, girls, had done all that we could.  Cathy and Suzie smiled smugly at each other.  It was now up to the judges.
     A mess was about to ensue.  Only one of us could see what would happen next..  Join me tomorrow, as I share the conclusion of Embracing the Cinderella in Me.
    Updated:  Here is the conclusion:  Midnight

New Every Morning

21 Graces: Week 4

     I've always admired those faithful people who are counting a thousand blessings.  I thought about attempting it from time to time.  But,  recording 1,000 blessings seemed a little overwhelming.  I'm good at accepting blessings, but to write them down was another story.  That's why when I saw the idea behind 21 Graces, I was excited to jump in.  Everyday I note three things which blessed me.  That's it, just three things.  At the end of the week there are 21 Graces.  So simple.  God always blesses me with far more than three each day.
     Friend, you are welcome to join in on the fun.  Visit Jordy Liz Blogs to link up or to find out more.

1. Root Beer Floats
2. County Fairs
3. Getting an unexpected check in the mail.
4. Talking to my adult son on the phone.
5. Baby robins.
6. Red converse sneakers.
7. My entry closet remodel!   Soon to be posted.
   
8. Purging the basement of lost, broken, and forgotten items.
9. Finding a brand new Kitchen Aid Mixer on Craigslist for $100.00!  The twist tie wasn't even off of the cord and the beaters were still wrapped in the packing paper.  So excited!
10. Receiving a letter from my Compassion Child, Jimi in Indonesia.
11. First day of college for my daughter!  
12. The wonder of a fresh coat of paint.
13. Getting to see baby turtles newly hatched from their eggs.  So perfect.
14. A dentist who actually listens to me!
15. Getting some projects completed around the house.
16. Finding the perfect material for the seats of my dining room chairs.
17. A dinner prepared with love for our family.
18. My son telling me, "You are usually helpful, Mom."
19. My husband tucking the blankets around me when he gets up for his early morning walk.
20. That first amazing sip of coffee in the morning.
21. Chicken eggs warm from the nest.

     Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art, drink deeply from good books -  especially the Bible, build a shelter against a rainy day, give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day.  ~John Wooden

Dutchess County Fair!

      We had fun at the Dutchess County Fair.

      It was wonderful just to stand here and smell the aroma of the combined foods.  Delicious!

      Rides, flowers, and a newborn calf named George.

      More rides, minions, and a talking robot.

     Who knew?  Redemption can be found everywhere!
     We had a great day!

Walkway Over The Hudson

Source

     We went again to the Walkway Over the Hudson.  It is so beautiful and peaceful to walk across this piece of history.

     Before it became the Walkway Over the Hudson, this 1.28 mile structure was the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge.  When trains began rumbling over the bridge in 1888, it was the longest bridge in the world.  The bridge was a main transportation hub that was crossed by 3,500 freight cars each day!  In 1974 the railroad bridge was crippled by a fire.

     Today the Walkway Over the Hudson is the narrowest State Park, as well as, the world's longest elevated pedestrian bridge.  It soars 212 feet above the Hudson River.

     Here you can see the Mid-Hudson Bridge which carries cars and trucks across the river.  It is a close neighbor just a little south of the Walkway.

     My handsome walking companions.  We walked from the Poughkeepsie side of the bridge to Highland and back.

     Pat pointing toward Highland.

     I love that you can see the shadow of the Railway girders reflected in the Hudson River in this picture.

     We were fortunate to see a freight train heading north on the Highland side of the river.

     Looking north.

     A photo opportunity waiting for me and the boys!

Going Camping With God

      One of the things I liked best about our church's VBS this summer, was that it reminded me so much of camping.  There were fireflies, s’mores, campfires, foot washing, children’s laughter, and tents.
     There were tents in the sanctuary, the lobby, and a classroom.  The tents were cozy and secure, a fun place to listen to a story in the glow of a flashlight.      
        Let’s pull out those sanctified imaginations of ours and imagine camping inside a tent, zipped up for the night, with a small lantern for light.  Now imagine what the tent would look like from the outside.  Picture the glow, as the lamp illuminates it from within.
     Did you know that God has a Tent?  In the Book of Exodus, when Moses had led the people out of Egypt into the desert, God instructed them to build a place of worship.  It was a very large tent, called the Tabernacle or the Tent of Meeting.  God described in detail how the Israelites should build and furnish the Tent of Meeting.   Pure gold lamps set on a lampstand made by the most skilled artisans  were to burn oil within the Tent from evening until morning.  The glow of the Tent illuminated the dark and reminded the Israelites throughout the night of the presence of God.
     God still uses tents.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us.  ~John 1:14

     The “Word,” of course, is Jesus.  The Greek word for “lived among us”, comes from a Greek word that means tent or tabernacle from the root, skay – nay) which means tent or tabernacled.  So this passage literally reads, "And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us."
     Jesus tabernacled among us. He brought us into the tent.
     Matthew 5:14-16 tells us that Jesus in us is the light.

 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

     Fueled by the Holy Spirit, we are to let Jesus’ light shine through us into the darkness as we are called to serve Him in this world.
     In Revelations, we see one last mention of the Tent.

For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.  They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;  the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat;  ~ Revelation 7:15-16 

     God will shelter them. The same word that was used in John.  God will spread His tabernacle, His tent over them.      
     God has enclosed us in his tabernacle.  He shelters us in His tent.  He is the God who created us, redeems us, sustains us, and loves us.
     Don’t you just love tents?

21 Graces - Week 3

     I've always admired those faithful people who are counting a thousand blessings.  I thought about attempting it from time to time.  But,  recording 1,000 blessings seemed a little overwhelming.  I'm good at accepting blessings, but to write them down was another story.  That's why when I saw the idea behind 21 Graces, I was excited to jump in.  Everyday I note three things which blessed me.  That's it, just three things.  At the end of the week there are 21 Graces.  So simple.  God always blesses me with far more than three each day.

     Friend, you are welcome to join in on the fun.  Visit Jordy Liz Blogs to link up or to find out more.

1. A wonderful family reunion.  It was so fun to catch up with everyone.  To admire the babies and exclaim over accomplishments.  A beautiful day.
2. Finally, getting the slide show together for the church VBS.  Love those adorable children.
3. Hearing that one of our laser etched pictures on granite, that I painted is such a favorite with a family friend that he has used the picture he took of it as a screen saver for years!
4. Starting to get my classroom ready for the new school year which begins on September 3.
5. Working on our entry closet makeover.  It's starting to come together.
6. Early morning quiet time.
7. My 18 year old daughter uttered the words, "You were RIGHT, Mom."  And the heavens opened and the angels sang!
8. New slippers.
9. Pat picking up the chicken feed so I wouldn't have to.
10. Going for a walk at the Walkway over the Hudson.
11. The smell of sheets hung outside to dry.
12. Fresh tomatoes.
13. I drank water out of my 11 year old son's glass by mistake.  "Mom!  You just took my glass!"  Oooops.  Well, I hope you didn't spit in it.    "No,  If there was any spit, it was ON it and not IN it.  That one little letter makes all of the difference!"  Yes, it does.
14. A perfect summer day.
15. Walking on the Walkway Over the Hudson.  So peaceful.
16. Not running out of gas.
17. Knowing that my classroom is ready for the first day of school.
18. Time to dream.
19. A good book and time to read it.
20. A compliment from a friend.
21. Watching Around the World in 80 Days, starring Jackie Chan, with my family.

     Look here for Week 1.
     Look here for Week 2.
     How has God blessed you this week?

Renaissance Faire

      Are you a damsel in distress?  Have you met your knight in shining armor?  Do you long to meet the Merry Men of Sherwood Forest?  Go to the Renaissance Faire, where fantasy rules!

      Our family went to the Renaissance Faire at Sterling Forest on opening day.  We saw sword fights and brawls.

      Guests are encouraged to join in the fun by coming in costume.  My girl, Patty, enthusiastically went as the princess that she is.   Patty finally met her knight in shining armor.

     The young lady on the fence held a yellow ring in the air for the knight to catch on his javelin, while running at full speed on his horse.  The boys really enjoyed the jousting and sword fights.

      My favorite village people.

      A flower girl enjoying a quiet moment by the Queen's Lake.

      My very own knight listening to a minstrel.

      The Queen presenting Robin Hood with a prize at the archery contest.

     This seemed like a good spot for Pat to take a picture of me.  I wonder why.

     We had a wonderful day at the Renaissance Faire.  We plan to visit again next year.
(I am not receiving compensation for this post.  The opinions expressed are, as always, my own.  We enjoyed our day, and I wanted to share it with you.)

Turn to the Son

If I were a flower,

I would be a sunflower.

To always follow the sun,

Turn my back to darkness,

Stand proud, tall and straight

Even with my head full of seeds.

                   ~Pam Stewart