Mother's Day Week

Happy Mothers' Day to me and my baby girl.  We got to celebrate with my son-in-law's family last week.  They are precious Christians and love my child almost as much as I do. Speaking of my son-in-law, he is quite photogenic.  My daughter's life as a mother is much easier because of him - - but we can elaborate more on that on Father's Day.

Although Benjamin is not smiling in this picture, he is smiling in many others.  The important thing is he is NOT crying and he had reason to because he was hungry at this point and had just endured being dressed up.  You can barely see it - - but he is wearing a tie.

My Amanda has done a fantastic job of being a mother.  She has been conscientious of all types of safety for the child - - - from sleep position to proper nutrition.  Of course she has given him lots of love.  We say it a lot - - and not just because he is ours but because we have been around lots of children - - - but he is one of the sweetest babies we have known.  The security he feels with them is a huge part of that.

The bonus of Mother's Day is Amanda and Benjamin spent the week with us while Joshua was out of state at a conference.  We got lots of cuddles and hugs!  (And their presence here is the reason I have not commented on your blogs - - but have read them.)

In addition to the gift of family, let me show you what I received for Mother's Day - - - - a gift I requested.

I love doing yardwork.  The best part is you can see results and no one is going behind you messing and/or cluttering the area.  We have a LOT of wooded area.  My husband can do some of the mowing but his allergies go crazy with weed-eating.  He is sick for over a week after that.  Also - - - at this point - - - I am the only one who has not been affected by poison ivy yet.  I pray it stays that way.  I am smart to wear disposable "rubber gloves", a mask, long pants and boots.

Long story short - - I can't use a gas-powered machine plus I hate the noise and smell.  This Ryobi Hybrid works with a battery or electric cord.  I prefer the battery - - - even if it only goes for about 20 minutes at a time.  That is long enough for my arms to hold it  anyway!  Recharging doesn't take much longer than that.  This machine has been a perfect tool for me.  Plus, the battery is interchangeable with their other tools - - if we owned them.  My son-in-law has some though.

 - - - till next time - - - hopefully later today with pics from a different event at our house.

. . . a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.  Proverbs 31:30b

Weather

This is the current - -  and extremely accurate  - - forecast/map.  Even though we have had LOTS of rain today (2 inches thus far), it doesn't bother me because Saturday is my day for chores inside the house.  That means I have not been lured outside by any beautiful weather!

 

However this cat is not happy.  She has gone in and out various doors hoping that a different exit will produce sunshine.

 Kit Kat forgot about the gorgeous day yesterday.  As you can see, Benjamin is ecstatic about it - - - - but more likely he is super happy that he got to see his mom in the middle of the day.

 He also got to meet Pop Pop downtown for lunch.  We were waiting outside of Gardener's Market when "The Boy" got his first glimpse of Pop Pop approaching!

And here he is on Thursday on the playground at Mom's school before she came to her car.  Grammy was happy to be able to hold on him, snap a picture with her phone, and also keep the bouncy-rocking toy moving to produce this smile.

The rain and sunshine have also given us a profusion of color - - from flowers "planted on purpose" to wildflowers.   I love buttercups!  Does anyone else?  Did you used to pick them when you were a kid?  And hold them under your chin to see if they reflected yellow - - which meant you liked butter?   Or did we only do that in NY?

 Yellow is a happy color - - as long as not much pollen is associated with it!!!

But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.  Proverbs 4:18

Baby Brother

I had planned on posting these pictures back in January when my brother, Kevin, came to our house on his way back home to NY - - - but they were on a flashdrive and I had misplaced it.
We went to visit Mayfield Dairy in Athens.

This is Maggie the traveling cow.  You will see her in various places throughout the year when there are festivals or grocery store promotions.

 

We were in the souvenir store waiting for our tour to begin.  A word of advice to you is check the times of the tours before arriving - - unless you want to wait.  However, while waiting, you can purchase some delicious ice cream in the snack bar.

 Kevin and I both decided to get our photo made with a likeness of Scottie Mayfield.  He is the president of Mayfield Dairy. 

Visiting the dairy was interesting to us because growing up, our grandfather had a dairy farm where we lived for almost two years.  Also,  Kevin has done newspaper/magazine reporting about farming so he is quite knowledgeable about milk production, etc.  Doesn't Kev have a beautiful smile?

We had a good time that day and also the day we visited my daughter's family.  You may recognize this Whitewater from previous posts.  It is the Ocoee area.  In the spring - autumn, rafters can be seen "putting in"  over at the middle right of the photo. 

 

Everytime we visit Copperhill, if we are near this sign, we take a picture.  Kev and I had a wonderful time talking to various shop owners - - - many who were not from the area.  Some were even from the NY vicinity so it was fun visiting with them.  The reason they moved and settled here was when visiting previously, they fell in love with the hospitality of the locals as well as the climate and scenery.

Afterwards we had a delicious meal with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandson.  As you can see we were blessed with a beautiful winter day.

. . . . his teeth whiter than milk.  Genesis 49:12b

It's All About the Green

Benjamin is growing very fast and this apron will fit before we can wonder how time has disappeared!

He received it at this fun & informative event held at CSCC yesterday. 

Their college has zero energy cost and wants the community to know ways they can contribute to Earth's "sustainability".

We all had a fun day together.  Most of the smiles we captured were of "The Boy"!

You have to see the entire shirt because it is a true statement.

Benjamin's dad (our sweet son-in-law) set up this booth for his work.  His department "manages the quality of stormwater runoff from the stormwater drainage system . . . to protect its citizens from this type of water pollution".  He has great people skills and does well educating others.

The booth in the picture below had many honey products - - and a display (between glass) of a live bee hive. As you can see, Benjamin was more interested in looking at the poster rather than being the face of it.  (The pictures where his face is in the right position are shadowed by where I was standing.)  This shot is more fun anyway.  It shows his inquisitive nature.

I got pictures of all of us except our two daughters.

 

This location was above the vendor displays.  Bill and I had just finished a snack lunch.  It was the quiet time in between the rain water barrel classes.

 

The weather was perfect - - a beautiful sunny day without being too warm.  It is one of the very few wonderful days we get between winter and hot, hot summer.

As you can see, the trees are getting their leaves.

This week azaleas and dogwoods are in bloom.

 

 If you haven't ever attended this event, consider it for next year.  In addition to the free items distributed by the vendors, you can learn some tips on being better stewards of the resources God has provided for us.
. . . . . . God said to them, ". . . . .  have dominion over . . . . every living thing that moves on the earth."Genesis 1:28

Seasons

Was it only last week when it was a bit cool?

Benjamin was fascinated watching the wind blow through the grass.
(If he looks tired, it is because it was only minutes away from nap-time.)

This week we are in short sleeves and even shorts since it is in the low 80s today and tomorrow!  This morning, I was cleaning the garage area.  Benjamin was happy in the Exersaucer standing and watching me, the cat, the trees - - - whatever caught his attention.

 

This is the time of year for consignment sales for children.  They are held in the spring and autumn.  Both of the sales we go to are managed by friends from church.  This one is open this entire week.

 

Grammy needed to build up her stock of toys and as you can see, I was successful.  I found Fisher Price, Little Tykes, V-Tech, and Leap Frog items.  I don't know who enjoys this stuff more - - - Benjamin or Grammy and Pop Pop!

 We have been quite busy around the house this past weekend and week - - but I plan to go back and get your blogs read - - and hopefully will post a bit more - - even if it's only a little bit.  I enjoy doing those things so need to find time for them!

. . . . a word spoken in due season, how good it is!  Proverb 15:23b

SWEET!

These coconut cakes were on display at our locally-owned grocery store.  I was there late Friday afternoon.  One of the bakery workers was nearby so I asked, "Will you be able to sell that many cakes?"  She replied that they had refilled the display twice just that day!  That's a lot of sweetness!!!

Even sweeter is what our Lord Jesus did for us in His life, death, and resurrection.  His love for us lives on in the lives of His precious servants.  Two of these persons were precious to me and I want to tell you about them.

Both were librarians and "bloomed where they were planted".  Both left this earth within the last few months.  (The bookshelf pictures were not theirs but some I 'pinned' on my Pinterest page.)

Florence was 105 when she died.  She moved to our city at age 94 to be close to her family.  She worked in our church library until she was 97 when she determined it was time to retire.  Until the day she died, she had a teachable spirit regarding her spiritual life - - - always asking how the Lord could use her and what He wanted her to learn.  Florence was a precious friend who touched more lives around the world than we have space to print.

Sandy was a recent acquaintance who also served in her church library with a passion.  We met when she visited our staff for some suggestions for their ministry.  Her church now has a nice library location with many books because of the hours she worked - - - before her cancer came back.  The last words she spoke were not to her family - - but to her successor as she was giving the new library director directions on how to process the books.

Wooden ladder bookshelf.  Wouldn't this be fun for a fireman or construction worker in their workplace or home?

When you choose to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world, it is truly an honor and privilege - - whether it is at a church or a secular job or in your home.  Do others see the difference Easter has made in your life - - in your actions, attitude, and love - -- without them knowing you attend church?

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.    Matthew 5:16

Green Games!

The rocking horse is solid wood.  The cat is real.  She wanted to be the center of attention so knew where to stand.  The horse only cost $10.  (Ten dollars!)  The cat has cost us more than that in the last 13 years!

 

I bought the horse and these other toys at the Bows to Toes Consignment Sale.  There are only two days left to shop.  These toys are in EXCELLENT shape.

In these days of conserving resources, recycling, etc. - - - shopping consignment is one great option to employ.

 

Of course, these were purchased for Benjamin.  In this picture he is chewing on an ice cube to help those gums feel better while cutting teeth.  The bottom two have broken through.

 

As one of his sleepers says - - 

 

If you think you need to see one or two more pictures of him, his mom has them posted HERE.

 

Hast thou given the horse strength?  Job 39:19a