Hello Friends,

With all the cold and winter weather, I have been dreaming of warm days spent sitting on the porch.  A glass of iced tea, lemonade or simply water, and the music of nature, sounds wonderful.  Ah but it is a couple of months, yet, before I can sit outside without freezing.  I can hardly wait.

Today, it has been cold and gray.  I have filled the bird feeders a few times and will do it once more before turning in for the night.  I've enjoyed watching the little birds flittering around trying to get everything they need to keep their energy up through this cold spell.  Such sweet little things.  Each one with a personality and routine.  Funny how the same species can be so different in their actions and habits.  I have thought about keeping a journal to compare each one.  I suppose we are all like the little birds in many ways.  All have our little quirks but all of us are God's children.  

Friends, I have not been a very good blog neighbor.  So much has happened in your lives and I have not noticed.  I love visiting your blogs but sometimes I am so preoccupied that I barely even skim over them.  My apologies to each of you. 

Grace & Peace,

Pam  

 

Good evening, Friends!  

I hope you are doing well.  It's been a couple of weeks since I last posted.  I wish I had lots of things to tell you but I have simply been enjoying my days and piddlin' with this and that.  

My long term subbing assignment came to an end on February 1st.  I've subbed a few days since but mostly I have been doing what I love most.  Taking care of my home and Mister.  Never do I tire of that.

Our Grandblessings spent the weekend with us and it was a lot of fun and noisy!  We don't get to see them as often as we used to so when we do, we just let them go crazy.  Would trade those giggles and hugs for no amount of money.  That's the good stuff!

I have been tending a rye flour sourdough starter for a few days.  Yesterday, I made Crumpets with some of the discard.  While they were a little denser than I like, the flavor is amazing.  Toasted with a pat of real butter is really yummy!  I don't know that I will make them again but I wanted to see if using the discard was an option to throwing it out.  I so hate wasting food.  There are more recipes I will try as well.

Well, friends, our weather has turned cold again.  We enjoyed spring temps for the weekend which allowed us to take the Grands to a world renowned park here in our area.  We had a lot of fun but today a strong cold front came through.  Tomorrow, and Thursday, we are under a  winter weather advisory.  Predictions are for freezing rain and sleet.  That, as always, makes me worry about my trees.  We have very large trees and I love them for the shade they provide in the hot summer.  I would be heart broken if we lost some of them.  Oh goodness, it seems all I talk about is my trees.  Apologies but I simply love nature!

I saw this and I giggled just a bit but only God can make a tree.

Sweet dreams, my friends.  May God bless you and keep you

Grace & Peace,
Pam

Quiet weekend

 

Good evening, friends.

We had a quiet weekend here...almost boring!  We ended up getting between 8" - 10" of snow.  I know to some that is an insignificant amount but here it is a lot.  We only get snow like that every few years.  Fortunately, we didn't get the normal ice storm before the snow began falling.  I am very happy about that.  In the past, we have lost trees and had some that were badly damaged but survived.  Our pecan trees are my constant concern.  I have prayed for those trees on many occasion, be it snow, ice, or tornado.  We don't use the pecans much but they are a source of food for my beloved bird and squirrel friends.  They provide shade during the brutal summer months and have been a safe place for my grandbabies to play under.  I didn't mean to get off on the "life of trees" rabbit trail but growing up in East Texas, trees have been an important part of my life and always will be. 

I should get things ready for work since I need to be in bed so early tonight.  Sweet dreams, friends.

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Good morning, friends.  

Sitting by the window, I am amazed at the beauty of the black and white world outside.  I have spent many winters with the curtains closed, only opening them for just a brief second to see if the snow has ended.  Of course, I have had the passing thought of how beautiful, and clean, the new snow looked.  Then I would retreat inward and fall into the darkness once again.  

Even as a child, I had no use for winter.  While my siblings built snowmen and had snowball fights, I would watch out the window, very briefly, and then retreat to my bedroom and read a book.  Maybe that has something to do with the time we lived in Michigan where I had to walk to school in the snow.  School did not close for inclement weather.  Folks there were used to snow and it was just another day to them.  Being from Texas, I was not used to it and absolutely despised that nine months that we lived there.  We never had snow days in Texas.  We rarely had enough snow for that.  When we did, I simply could not understand why anyone would want to, intentionally, go outside.  The very idea was insane.

As I sit here, looking out the window, I still don't want to go outside but watching the snow devils twirl and swirl across the field, makes me smile.  Noticing how the snow has piled up, in drifts, on the south side of the house, while the wind blows from the north side, amuses me.  Seeing the patterns the blowing snow has left, in it's wake, intrigues my artistic side.  Watching my tiny bird friends eating from the many feeders makes my soul happy.  I am reminded of the old hymn.

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven 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.

The Scriptures tell us, 'There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.' (Ecc 3:1) and 'He has made everything beautiful in it's time' (Ecc 3: 11).  As I sit at the window, I will reflect on how God has blessed me through the darkness and winters of my life, and enjoy the beauty of the moment.

Grace & Peace,

Pam
 

Be Still

Good Evening, Friends...

It has begun to snow and it is very cold.  In years past, I would dread the snow and ice.  Winter, in general, was the season I detested.  I suffered from S.A.D. for the better part of my life.  The dark, dreary, cold left me lifeless and feeling as if there really was no end to the sadness that invaded my very soul.  Quite literally, I would become sick.

This morning, I realized, I haven't sunk into that darkness this winter.  Many things have attributed to that.  The weather has been remarkably mild with lots of sunshine.  I have been incredibly busy with my substitute teaching assignments and haven't had time to notice the season.  Working towards having a quiet spirit, and trying to live slow and intentionally, has helped immensely.  

This morning, as I was preparing for my Bible reading, God placed Psalm 46:10 on my heart.  "Be still, and know that I am God.".  I have kept that verse with me throughout the day.  I realized, that is exactly what I have been doing.  Learning to have a quiet spirit and slow living, has been all about being still and waiting on God.

I can't say whether I will be able to get through the rest of the winter without falling back into that seasonal darkness.  Only God knows what next winter will bring, but for now...this night...I will 'Be Still' and continue trusting God for my mental wellbeing.  It is the only way I can make it to the next moment.

Goodnight, dear friends.  Sleep well and rest comfortably in the Father's arms.

Pam