This Day!

Thought Provoking Thursday - Groundhog Day 2012

2012-02-02T07:13:00.000-06:00

So as tradition goes, a bunch of people stand around a hole and wait for a rodent (actually a member of the squirrel family) to come out. They then throw a big party and all is forgotten for another year.

The Groundhog Day tradition stems back many centuries but it wasn't until February 02 1887 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania that the tradition matured and official records were kept.

On this day, with some prodding, Puxatawny Pete or Puxatawny Phil, (depends on which is alive), climbs out of his hole and predicts whether winter is over or not.

Groundhog day rules:

If the rodent sees his shadow: 6 more weeks of winter.
If the rodent doesn't see his shadow: spring is at hand.

Groundhog day is based on Candlemas Day, an ancient tradition of early Christians in Europe and the groundhog replaced the badger of German tradition.

Just for the record, in 1887 the varmint saw his shadow and 6 more weeks of winter were forecast. But don't be despaired, the squirrel has an accuracy record of under 40%.

But for me, my focus will be on the One who created the rodent. He is the one who decides how much longer or shorter winter will last. We are to look not to the stars, but to the One who created the stars. What about you? Do you take stock in the rodent's forecast?

Happy Thursday. May God so shine in you today, This Day, that others see Him.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Joshua 1:8 (NKJV) ⁸This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Hearty HodgePodge

2012-02-01T06:23:00.003-06:00

1. It's that most wonderful time of the year...tax season! Do you complete your own returns or farm that job out to the professionals? I do not complete my own returns. I hire a professional. It's the only way to go for me. :)

2. This next question comes from Kansas Bob...he posed it in his response to something I asked in an earlier Wednesday post and I asked him if I could add it to the Hodgepodge some day. Today's the day....

Which do you think has changed you more-love or pain? My initial gut, knee jerk response was pain. I've had my share of it. Who hasn't? There are specific painful incidents in my life that I can say changed me. But really, it's the love that healed my pain that made the true change. God's love has endless healing power.

3. Tangerine Tango has been named color of the year for 2012. Your thoughts? Would I find this color anywhere in your house? How about in your closet? If not, will you be adding this color to your life in some way in 2012? If you're not sure what tangerine tango looks like click here. In my home? Probably not. In my closet? Probably yes. A blouse or scarf or accessory will show up in my wardrobe.

4. Are you a collector? What do you collect and does it get admired, used, and/or dusted regularly? We have collected a few things but not any one type of thing. They are admired by us, but most of it is just sentimental.

5. February is National Heart Month...besides a green salad what is one tasty heart healthy dish you like to prepare? I honestly didn't know how to answer this question. So I googled "heart healthy recipes." The Mayo Clinic website had a whole list of recipes under this category. I was surprised by the items on the list.

6. When was the last time you had car trouble? The last time I got in my truck after the hubs drove it but didn't fill the gas tank. There was some serious trouble....let me just tell you!

7. Have you been more demanding on yourself lately or less? Is that a good trend? I can honestly say I am much more demanding on myself. The vow I made with the grand-boy about watching less TV is definitely working for me. If you missed that post, you can read about it here. Almost every single minute of every single day of every single week is scheduled with something. Work. Exercise. Cook. Eat. Edit. Study. Homework. Photography. Blog.

8. Insert your own random thought here. My word has changed. Ever since I picked my word for 2012, it just hasn't felt right. I had an unsettled feeling about it. Couldn't find words to go with the theme. Yet, there has been another word that keeps popping up. It's at every turn. I see it all the time. Hear it mentioned over and over. I can relate it to so many things in my life right now. So I'm changing my word for 2012 to: (drum roll, please) Focus.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Psalm 86:5 (NKJV) ⁵For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.

Vacation 2011 - Part 4 Biketoberfest

2012-01-30T06:00:00.002-06:00

Ha! I bet y'all thought I forgot about vacation pictures. Nope. It has just taken me a while to get back to them. Vacation posts were interrupted by Thanksgiving, a week-long conference, my annual Cookie Exchange, Christmas, New Years, and two online workshops for my photog business. Whew! Are you tired yet? Cause I'm about exhausted. lol.

Biketoberfest. Daytona Beach, Florida. This was the main event for my husband. We spent several days at this event. He likes to look at all the motorcycles. See the different customizing. Get ideas to add parts to his or figure out how to do something a little different. For me? These types of events are photo opportunities. I love watching people. I am always amazed at the attire people wear in public. What's even crazier to me is the things people do to get attention.

Here are some of my favorite shots:

Traffic: from street level and from above.

It was crowded. Difficult to walk from one end of the strip to another. Can you imagine driving in this? Me either. But as time passed, I got more brave by walking out into the middle of the street to get the photo. Lots of people. Stop and go traffic. Plus there were hundreds of motorcycles parked in lots on the side streets adding to the traffic; and all added to the traffic on the sidewalk.

Then there were the people on bikes and spectators wearing masks, hats, birds, whatever.

Ha! You thought I was joking about the bird! Check out this guy in the above picture. See the camera attached to his hat. We noticed a lot of people were video recording the event.

We had a great time. We did not go to any of the places where live music was playing and alcohol was being served. There was enough craziness. No need for all that.

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting. Hope you have a fabulous week.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Ephesians 6:13 (NKJV) ¹³Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Creating Belle

2012-01-27T07:03:00.001-06:00

Rather an odd title, yes? My recent photo assignment was to step out of the box. Create the look from start to finish. Select the outfits and props. Show the model. Find a NEW location that fit the session. Then, voila! The finished product.

A couple weekends ago, my niece and I went to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D. It was so much fun. We love Belle. She is smart, and pretty, and adventurous, and fearless, and LOVES to read! This got my little brain working in overtime. Not gonna lie. The cogs were turning. I began looking for inspiration. A way to create a Belle look for a 12 year old. Something that would be true to the movie but a good style for my niece. Here's how it went:

The inspiration:

The location: The university's library. Lots of books and huge windows for lots of natural light.

The model:

Voila! Belle!:

This was such a fun adventure for both of us. It really got my creative juices flowing. So much so that I'm going to do another shoot. My daughter is the victim this time. She even agreed. :) It has to do with an upcoming holiday. That's all the teaser you get for now.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting. Have a fabulous weekend.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)⁷For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Are You Ready for Some HodgePodge?

2012-01-25T06:00:00.002-06:00

1. The NFL playoffs were held this past weekend and this year's Superbowl lineup will feature The New York Giants versus The New England Patriots. How do you define 'patriot'? A person who loves and defends their country. AKA: My husband.

2. What's something in your life right now that feels like a 'giant'? Getting this photography business going and learning Photoshop. Learning at least enough of Photoshop to make editing a little faster.

3. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think back to being 18? How painfully thin I was. Some of that metabolism would be really nice right about now.

4. Coconut-mashed potatoes-vanilla ice cream-mayonnaise...which white food would be the hardest to give up? Mayonnaise. I love Hellman's.

5. Describe an incident or a day you remember as the coldest you've ever experienced? I remember walking home from high school in Northern Iowa in the dead of winter. It was so cold the snow crunched beneath my feet when I walked. It was a squeaky kind of crunch. Cold. Very, very cold.

6. You're hosting a brunch...what's your favorite dish to prepare and serve? An egg and sausage casserole.

7. How do you combat negative thinking? Praise God.

8. Insert your own random thought here. One class down. Two to go. Name finalized. Buying domain. Logo, branding, and colors next. Thought I had my colors picked out, but nope. It was just practice. Oi!

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

A Sneak Peak

2012-01-20T06:00:00.002-06:00

I am diligently working on my new business endeavor. Nearly every spare second of each and every day is spent on developing my photography business. I think I've finally settled on a name. Now, on to the next step.

Here are a couple photos I took of a group of friends. These sweet gals were so much fun to work with. We had a great time. The problem with photographing multiple people is synchronizing their eyes. There is definitely a trick to doing it. I did manage to get several good shots where each of them had open eyes. ahahaha.

I'm also learning some new post processing techniques. Though I prefer pictures that are not so tweaked that they look fake. There are definitely some enhancements that clearly draw your attention towards the subject rather than detract from it.

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting. Have a wonderful weekend. I'll be back soon for another update.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Matthew 7:12 (NKJV)Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

New Year HodgePodge

2012-01-04T09:49:00.001-06:00

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2011? Thankful it's over. ahaha. Not really. I enjoy every single day. 2011 was adventurous, full, and blessed.

2. Do you like shrimp? What's your favorite way to have it prepared? I do like shrimp, but I don't eat it often. There are three ways I like it prepared: 1) Shrimp cocktail with a good horseradish sauce; 2) throw some Cajun seasoning on them, toss them in a skillet till they turn pink, devour; and, 3) grilled.

3. Is your house de-Christmased? If so when did you tackle that job? If not, when will the decorations come down? Yes, the decorations are down. The grand-boy and I packed everything away New Year's day.

4. Do you like to watch scary movies? Scary movies, yes. Bloody, gory movies that claim to be scary but are just bloody, gory, no. The hubs on the other hand, is the king of cut-your-arm-off-and-beat-yourself-with-it movies.

5. ice skating~sledding~skiing~snowboarding~of the four listed which wintertime activity do you most enjoy? Skiing. Accelerating down the mountain with the wind rushing past is .....well.....exhilarating. You're surprised, yes?

6. Did you have a childhood hideout? Describe it. I can't say I had a specific hideout. There was a place not far from my home where I used to spend hours playing in and along a creek.

7. What's a place or space that motivates you? Not really sure on this one, Joyce.

8. Insert your own random thought here. God is doing some marvelous things, every single day. Are you watching? Are you listening? I am so excited to be on this journey. You can look to the sky to see His handiwork. Check it out! This was taken near Birmingham, Alabama on December 22, 2011. You can read about it here.

Photo: alabamawx.com

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Titus 2:11-12 (NKJV)¹¹ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

Throne Trip Tuesdays - My Word!

2012-01-03T05:22:00.002-06:00

Lots of people make resolutions for the new year. Healthier eating. More exercise. Less of this. More of that. Stop doing this. Start doing that. Blah, blah, blah. How many of us actually stick with any of those? Really? I mean past the one month mark. By March those good intentions are long gone. Some of us are guilt ridden because we didn't stick with it.

Now don't get me wrong. I think purposing to make changes for the better is fabulous. Deems commendation. I do it. I was at the gym today. It's something that is part of my routine. I just changed my routine for a few weeks by not going. lol. One year I quit smoking. It wasn't a new year's resolution. I kicked the habit in July. Fourteen years ago this year. I'm a firm believer in making changes for the better any ole' time. Why wait?

One thing I've seen in the blog world the last couple years is a single word. Posts that are developed around the central theme of that one word. There have been many words I thought I would use for this year. Some of the options were: cherish, simplicity, joy, create, and grace. But one word kept repeating. Showing up. I tossed it around quite a bit. The word? Treasure.

I'm going to see how God reveals Himself as I dig for Treasure; how I can bless others with that Treasure; and how I can incorporate that Treasure in my daily life. Do you have a word for 2012?

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Matthew 6:19-20 (NKJV) ¹⁹ “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Contemplating 2011; Pondering 2012

2012-01-02T06:44:00.000-06:00

The grand-boy and I were enjoying our traditional beans. They were a tiny bit on the spicy side. That's how we roll. I had on my heart to do some lighthearted reflecting on 2011. Some goal setting for 2012 would also be in order. He was entirely agreeable. Nice. From a list of 20 questions, we each picked three. Both of us had to answer all of the questions. Mine are the odd numbered questions. The grand-boy chose the even numbered questions. Here's how it went.

Question #1: What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
The grand-boy: I went from being 9 to turning 10. Yep. The best thing that happened to me was turning 10.
Me: Really? Out of everything that happened this past year, turning 10 was the best thing?
The grand-boy: Yeah! Double digits!
Me: You are so a ten year old boy. We both laugh.

I can't even compete with that kind of answer. But for me it was when the hubs traded in that white bike (it's a long sordid tale) for his shiny new black one.

Question #2: What were the best books you read this year?
Me: Outside of reading the Bible everything I read was either work or photography related. I vaguely remember reading a book earlier in the year, but can't recall it's name or what it was about. Guess it wasn't that great.
The grand-boy: War Horse. I'm reading it now, and I really like it. But there was a book at the book fair I wanted and didn't get. Pearl Harbor. I'm going to read that one next.

Question #3: What was your biggest single time waster in your life this past year?
The grand-boy: TV
Me: TV

Question #4: What was an unexpected joy this past year?
Me: Our vacation time together. (Which, by the way, I have not forgotten about. I still have pictures to post from that excursion.)
The grand-boy: My step-dad getting to come home for Christmas. (Background: The SD is working at a construction site out of state.)

Question #5: What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?
The grand-boy: That you could use math to figure out how many miles you had gone on the number of gallons in your car. I knew how to do it. I just didn't know you could use it for that.
Me: Did you know you can use that same math skill to figure out how long it will take you to get some where?
The grand-boy: Really? No I didn't. I'm going to try that.
We both laugh.

Me: That God gives each of us gifts and talents. It's up to us to study and learn how to hone those gifts and talents so we can use them to be a gift to others.

Questions #6: What was an unexpected obstacle?
Me: The learning curve on Photoshop. (He gave me a very puzzled look, so I explained.) It has always been easy for me to learn new software. But Photoshop? There is so much it can do. It is overwhelming at times. I haven't been able to understand it as quickly as I thought I would.
The grand-boy: Being able to read a map and get us to where we were supposed to be. We took a wrong turn and I couldn't figure out how to get us back on the right road.

That was our looking back. We also decided to look ahead to 2012 with the same questions. I promise this is shorter.

For question #1 the grand-boy decided that the best thing that could happen to him in 2012 is that he would turn 13. Since that is not even possible he would settle for not getting out at dodge ball. Again, we both laugh. I have a debt I want to pay off.

We both agreed on less TV and more reading.

If we could have one thing that would bring us unexpected joy, what would it be?
The grand-boy: A new house with a new bedroom. (This is such a sad thing. It's a whole post and prayer request in itself.)
Me: Tickets to Europe.

That's our reflection on 2011 and some goals for 2012. What about you? Did you have something that brought you unexpected joy? What are you looking forward to in 2012? Just give me a shout-out.

I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who stop by my little spot. Your comments, encouragement, and friendship blesses me more than you know. May 2012 be prosperous, healthful, and adventurous for you.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)¹² So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

A Lens Giveaway

2012-01-01T20:17:00.000-06:00

You read that right. Crave Photography is giving away a lens. Isn't that a fabulous way to start out 2012?

Go check it out....CRAVE photography’s AWESOME giveaway! Win a Nikon 85mm 1.4 lens OR a Canon 85 mm 1.2 lens. YOU CHOOSE. Or you might win one of the other prizes being given away. Go here for details: 25,000 FANS { GIVEAWAY } OVER $3,000 in prizes Crave Photography.

I'm sharing this valuable information cause I'm that kind of girl. Don't wait. Get signed up to win!

Peace and Joy,
Susan

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Photo Challenge Day 22

2011-12-22T08:25:00.002-06:00

Today's prompt of holiday greetings has had me stumped from the beginning. At first I thought I would photograph the Christmas cards received from family and friends. It amazes me how few are sent out these days. Of course, I'm just as guilty. I get busy. Busier than I expect. There are too many demands on my time. Something has to be let go. It is usually the signing and mailing of Christmas cards. Who of you can relate?

I thought I would make a short video clip stating greetings to each of you in almost real life. Sadly, I have not figured out the video part of my camera.

Then I ran across this video. Are you familiar with this song? I had heard the song, but not seen the video.

This is my holiday greeting to you. May you find the wonder in how a Baby changed everything.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Matthew 18:20 (NKJV) For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

The Christmas Song HodgePodge

2011-12-21T06:52:00.000-06:00

1. Are you cooking Christmas dinner? How many will be round your table this year? What are we having?

We plan for seven but cook for eight (or ten). I love cooking Christmas dinner. We do something a little out of the norm. Your surprised, yes? After all the turkey and ham leftovers from Thanksgiving, who wants to do all that again? Definitely not me. I'm so over turkey right now. A few years ago we started a new tradition for Christmas dinner. Surf and turf. Steak. Standing rib roast. T-bones. Whichever sounds good. And shrimp. Or talipia. Or this year we're having Mahi Mahi sent overnight from Florida. We found a fabulous fresh seafood market while we were on vacation back in October and made the arrangements. I couldn't be more excited. Plus some extra special side dishes and a dessert that is divine. I'll post the menu another day.

2. What is one must-have Christmas cookie in your house?

Snickerdoodles. Of which I have made none. They are on my "gotta do" list for this week.

3. Santa likes a glass of milk with his cookies. Do you? What kind of milk is on tap at your house-skim? almond? soy? full fat (Gasp!)

I am a milk snob. I admit it. I drank whole milk for years. Switched to 2% a while back. I finally switched to skim milk a few years ago, but am super picky about the brand. Some brands taste like barely-flavored water. Yuck! But this brand actually tastes like milk.

4. Time magazine recently named their 'Person of the Year' for 2011. This is the person the editors believe had the greatest impact, for better or worse, in the past year. This year they chose 'The Protester'. Your thoughts? Who would you name Person of the Year for 2011?

Nathan Lorick is my choice for Person of the Year. He is making a stand to keep a nativity scene displayed in his town in Malakoff, Texas. Hear about his journey to speak out for the community's right to freedom of expression here. You can read about how God worked through this young man and his small community to bring glory to His name. What started out to be a small gathering of 150 people turned in to a huge crowd of over 5,000.

5. December 21st is National Flashlight Day... when was the last time you needed a flashlight and did you know right where to find one?

We have several flashlights positioned around the house and in both vehicles. I even have one on my Harley.

6. candy canes...yum or yuck?

Yummm. But I usually break them into small pieces that I can just grab and go. I like a hands-free type of candy.

7. What Christmas carol lyric means the most to you?

"No crib for a bed." This verse speaks volumes about Christ's sojourn through this world. From humble beginnings to a borrowed tomb.

8. Insert your own random thought here. Today's photo challenge prompt is Tiny Tots with their Eyes All Aglow. I don't have any tots at home any more. The grand-boy, who is now 10, would cringe at the thought of being called a tiny tot. And it's just not appropriate to take pictures of random children to post on the internet. So I leave you with this video:

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Psalm 91:1-2 (NKJV)¹ He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. ² I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

Winter Wonderland - Day 20

2011-12-20T05:00:00.006-06:00

It's difficult to get new or recent pictures of a winter wonderland when the temperature hovers at the 50 degree mark. The warmth is a tad on the unseasonal side, but I don't mind. Not one bit. For those of you who have followed me through the climate changes know that I am not a fan of the cold. I enjoy a beautiful snowfall like the rest, but I'm happiest when it is 70 degrees or warmer.

Back to winter and a wonderland of which I have none. Here are a couple pictures I snapped while in Las Vegas a couple weeks ago. These were taken at the Bellagio. They have such a beautiful atrium. It is fully decorated with animation. There is also a train whose tracks run through the display equipped with a camcorder. You can watch a monitor from an engineer's point of view. Pretty kewl.

This polar bear and these penguins are adorable. Of course, in reality they are on opposite poles. But, hey....this is Vegas afterall.

In keeping with the winter wonderland theme for today, here is what it looks like when it snows in my neck of the woods. This is from last winter but still 2011.

Thank you so much for playing along in the 25 Daily Christmas Photo Challenge. Today is day 20. Only five more days until the challenge is over and Christmas is here.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Luke 1:76-78 (NKJV) ⁷⁶ “ And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, ⁷⁷ To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, ⁷⁸ Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;

Toyland

2011-12-19T05:00:00.001-06:00

You don't have to venture far to find toys. Whether you are six or 60. Almost every merchant seems to have a variety of "gifts" to fulfill your want list. Electronics. Tools. Games. Kitchen gadgets. Appliances. Motorcycles. Yes. You read that right. Even motorcycles. The ultimate toy for some. Like me. Here's one with a big red bow.

There were only a couple of motorcycle with bows on them positioned near the Christmas tree at the dealership. It was difficult to get a good shot. You may not be able to tell from the photo, but that is a backrest. It's for the comfort of the passenger. The passenger can lean against it for a more relaxing ride.

Only six more photo prompts. Six days till Christmas. I am not stressing over any of it this year. I'm pretty happy about that too. What about you? Are you stressing over what you still need to accomplish or are you enjoying the special moments each day brings?

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting. If you are participating in the photo challenge, be sure to link up.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) ¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Christmas Cheer!

2011-12-18T08:34:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is the gatherings. Whether it is getting together with family or friends, there is nothing better than time spent with people we love and care about. Today's prompt is a reflection of that joy. Food. Beverages. Warmth. Sharing.

This cup is cheer is nothing more than a soft drink in an elegant glass. Isn't that what makes it special? Yes. Partaking in the ordinary in extraordinary ways instills in the recipient that they are indeed precious.

Here's to today, This Day! May we each instill in others how precious they are to us and to God.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Luke 1:68 (NKJV) “ Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people,

Mistletoe

2011-12-17T05:32:00.001-06:00

I thought today's prompt would be so much easier to find than the hippopotamus. I was wrong. So, so wrong. What is it with mistletoe? Are people afraid to put it up? We were at a lovely dinner party last night. The place had beautiful decorations. Not one piece of mistletoe.

The hubs and I are going to the city today where I'm hoping to get a few shots for the remainder of the photo challenge. But to fulfill today's theme, you can read all about mistletoe here. When I searched for a mistletoe song, I found this. It's new. It's modern. It's kinda cute. It just might be a new favorite. Enjoy!

Have a fabulous weekend.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Matthew 1:20-21 (NKJV) ²⁰ But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. ²¹ And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

A Hippopotamus for Christmas?

2011-12-16T05:00:00.001-06:00

Isn't that what every child wants? A hippopotamus? Ummmm. No. I can't remember ever having that item high on my list. A friend of mine wanted a pot bellied pig. I think she finally got over that. She went with reptiles instead. They are easier to manage. I guess.

I searched high and low for a hippopotamus. I found a few elephants. But not one single hippopotamus. So, I'm using a photo which I took back in 2010 when we took the grand-boy to the zoo. It's a hippopotamus and I took the photo. Just not this week.

To make up for that, I found this funny clip of the song that started it all.

Thank you stopping by and visiting.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Luke 1:30-33 (NKJV) ³⁰ Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. ³² He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. ³³ And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

I Heard the Bells

2011-12-15T05:00:00.003-06:00

It's Christmas Time in the City! Most of the hotels in Las Vegas do it up big for Christmas. But not a single one of them ever beats the Bellagio. Huge trees. Animated scenes. Florals. Archways. Water spouts. It is amazing. They do not disappoint.

Here is my best effort to capture the silver bells hanging from the ceiling of the atrium.

The colors, fragrance, and sheer magnitude are breathtaking. Have you heard the bells? Check out this video of Casting Crowns rendition.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. For those playing along in the 25 Daily Christmas Photo Challenge, tomorrow is hippopotamus day. Have you found one yet? Can't wait to see your pictures for that prompt.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Luke 1:26-28 (NKJV) ²⁶ Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

Deck the Halls HodgePodge

2011-12-14T05:00:00.002-06:00

1. Do you put Christmas decorations in every room of your house? If not every room, what rooms do you decorate? I generally put a little something in each room. Not this year though. This year I'm cutting back because of time constraints. Most of my favorites are out and about just not everything.

2. If you could visit one of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) which one would you choose and why? Denmark. I have friends there. IRL and on-line friends. Friends from a photography workshop. I would love to meet these incredible ladies.

3. What does the word faith mean to you? The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

4. You can go back to your childhood for one day...what day and age would you choose? This is a tough one, Joyce. I'll have to give it a little more thought.

5. When did you last have 'punch'? If it's not too much trouble share your favorite punch recipe. I haven't had punch in.....ummmm....I honestly don't remember the last time.

6. Do you fill stockings at your house? Are stockings opened before or after the bigger gifts? We absolutely fill stockings. They are the last item to be opened. There a lump of coal that gets passed around too. It's more of a novelty or joke really. The kids (all over the age of 21) laugh about it when they are the one who ends up with it.

7. What takes your breath away? Besides the hubs? The joy and privilege of living every single day.

8. Insert your own random thought here. Today's photo challenge is Deck the Halls. My mind immediately goes to the next line in this song, "with boughs of holly." There are many holly bushes and trees around campus. One right outside my building, so I snapped this picture before I left work for the day.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own. Also, if you are here for the 25 Daily Christmas Photo Challenge, please link up below. If you'd like to join in, there is still time. You can read about the challenge here.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Matthew 2:4-6 (NKJV) ⁴ And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵ So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ⁶ ‘ But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

On Dasher, On Dancer....

2011-12-13T05:33:00.001-06:00

....On Prancer and Vixen, On Comet, On Cupid, On Donner and Blixen. These eight reindeer have a huge responsibility to make sure that Santa and his bundle of toys makes it around the world in a single night. It should come as no surprise that sometimes they need a little break for the standard. The norm. Something with a little more zip and flash than the orthodox sleigh.

Enter the chopper trike. What reindeer would pass up the opportunity to zip around the north pole sporting one of these?

This exhibit was in the Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas. Pretty snazzy rig if you ask me. But then I'm rather partial to motorcycles. lol.

Thank you for playing along. Please be sure to visit the other participants to see their photos in this 25 Daily Christmas Photo Challenge. Want to play along? You can still join in. Go to the daily challenge post for the prompt list and start today, This Day! with #13 Reindeer.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Luke 2:10 (NKJV) Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

A Candy Cane, or Five and Something Sticky

2011-12-12T17:55:00.001-06:00

I missed candy cane day because of a week long conference. I took a couple pictures with my cell phone, but they were just not what I had in mind. So I decided to wait for today's prompt. I think this does nicely for days 6 and 12.

Who of us can eat a candy cane without getting sticky? Certainly not me. The hubs would say, "I would expect no less." I'm a mess maker. I admit it. Do I care? Nope! I clean up after myself. But I am not fanatical about it like the hubs. Guess that's what 24 years of military service will do for you. Thank you, Armed Forces for training my husband.

Anyway, The candy cane has a very special meaning. Here is a poem that explains it:

Christmas Candy Cane Poem about Jesus

Look at the Candy Cane
What do you see?
Stripes that are red
Like the blood shed for me
White is for my Savior
Who’s sinless and pure!
“J” is for Jesus My Lord, that’s for sure!
Turn it around
And a staff you will see
Jesus my shepherd
Was born for Me!

I am thankful for the message of Jesus in something so simple as the candy cane.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Be sure to link your blog post.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Galatians 4:4-5 (NKJV) ⁴ But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Ribbons and Bows

2011-12-11T19:12:00.000-06:00

Ribbons and bows remind me of days long ago when my daughter was younger. When she had less say in her wardrobe. She wore dresses. I braided her hair, French braid. Then put pretty bows in it. *sigh* She has lovely hair. Hair that she is finally able to manage. It is very, very curly. Lots of curly hair. She rarely wears it down. It's just easier for her to put it up in a pony tail and go. I understand.

But I was not able to get a photo of my daughter's lovely hair with a bow in it. She is working today. Besides the fact that she would think me loony if I thought she would even entertain the idea of me putting a bow in her hair and taking a picture. The whole notion makes me chuckle.

So instead of a picture of my lovely daughter with a bow in her hair, here is a photo of a present wrapped with a curly ribbon.

It is the only wrapped gift under my tree. I've gotten lazy in my older years or maybe it's better time management to put the gift in a bag. Yeah. That one. Better time management. There seems to be so many demands on my time during this holiday season. Are you feeling the crunch too? Are you behind or right on schedule?

Hope your week is filled enjoying every moment of this special and sacred time of year.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Luke 2:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

No Crib for a Bed

2011-12-11T13:07:00.000-06:00

That was normalcy for Jesus. He had no place to call His own. Not here. Not on Earth. He was born in a stable. Among the lowliest of creatures. From His birth to His death, He could honestly say to each of us: "I know how you feel. I did without. I endured hardship. I experienced pain. I felt loneliness. I cried out in anguish. I shared friendship and felt their betrayal." He came down from His throne in Heaven to teach us, and, ultimately, give His life for us. For me. For You.

This is one of three nativities we have in our home. It is my favorite. It is powerful in the simplicity of the manger scene and its message. Family. Forgiveness. Love. Hope.

May you find these and so much more that only comes from God through His Son, Jesus.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Isaiah 7:14 (NKJV) Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

O Tannenbaum

2011-12-03T04:50:00.003-06:00

O Christmas Tree

They are so lovely, yes?

Here is my tree with Chummly posed in front of it. It took several attempts before he would sit still while I moved around behind the camera.

I kept telling the hubs it was crooked, but he said it was me and the way my tripod was set up. Really? So, a couple days later, he says to me, "you know, I think that tree is crooked." "You know, honey, I think you're right. Can you fix it?" "Oh, sure. I'll just slip a magazine under that one leg." Voila. Straight tree. ahahaha

Thank you so much for joining in and sharing.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Luke 2:14 (NKJV) “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

Makin' A List

2011-12-02T03:29:00.001-06:00

Checkin' it twice. Gonna find out who's naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town.

Are you ready? For Christmas? I don't want to alarm any one, but it is only 24 days away. Who of us could get everything accomplished without making a list? Santa definitely has the right idea. I for one can barely make it through a single day without a list. What about you?

I have a list for everything. At work, I make "to do" lists. Things I need to complete today, before month's end, this quarter, this fiscal year. I have a list for the grocery store. I started using my smart phone for that. I downloaded the color note app and use it extensively. I add items needed at the grocery store as I think of them. Plus, I always have my phone with me. No longer is my list at home on the counter when I run by the store. I love that.

There is a list for the Christmas dinner menu. A list of gifts to buy. A list of clothes to pack. A list of books to read. A list of photography equipment I want to purchase. A list of places to go on vacation. A list of pictures to take. I have several of them on Pinterest. Have you gotten hooked on Pinterest? I could spend hours there.

My most recent list is the one we are working on together. A list to take 25 Daily Christmas Photos.

It's a photo of the list. I printed it out so I can have it with me at all times. I need this prompt to remind me of the pictures items I want to capture. It's literally a scavenger hunt. When you see something on the list, click that shutter, make a post about it with your photo, and come back here to link up. Easy peasy.I would love for you to join in and play along.

I'd like to welcome Skoots1Mom at my hands HIS GLORY and Janet who is On the Road. So glad you are joining in on the fun.

I'm off to get more completed from my packing list. Thank you for stopping by to visit and for playing along. Have a fabulous day. Happy hunting.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Hebrews 1:1-2 (NKJV) ¹ God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ² has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

25 Days x 7 Players =

2011-12-01T17:48:00.002-06:00

175 photos of Christmas. That's a lot of Christmas love. Wouldn't you agree? Let's meet the players.

Kat at Heart2Heart

Lori from Mountain Woman at Heart

Joyce From This Side of the Pond

Patti of Osage Bluff Quilter

Mary at Life in a Small Town

Amanda at Mandy's Marvelous Journey

If you don't know these lovely woman, please stop by their blogs to say "hi." Some of them already have a photo posted today.

Here is my Day 1 - Something Red entry. Not quite what you expected? It's red! This is my new luggage. I bought myself an early Christmas gift. I'm traveling tomorrow. To Las Vegas. Where I will be for a week. I'll be in a working conference during normal business hours. Even over the weekend.*sigh* Oh don't feel too bad for me. I'm going to have time to play. Here's today's photo:

To stay with the Christmas theme, I am also posting a photo of the centerpiece on my dining room table. The hubs and I gathered the materials last year at Hobby Lobby for this beauty. I'll get a better photo of it another time. Right now I'm using part of the dining room table as my desk. Hey....gotta work some where!

Posting daily pictures will definitely be a challenge for me since I will be at the conference and have limited internet access. My ability to upload photos will be restricted. You might have to catch them on Facebook until I can get them loaded here. But I'll do my best.

Want to join in the fun? There is still plenty of time. You can read about the challenge and view the list here. The linky is up and will be available through next week to link back to your posts and photos.

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

John 1:1-2 (NKJV)¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God.

Season's Greetings HodgePodge

2011-11-30T07:51:00.000-06:00

1. Do you send Christmas cards? If so about how many will you send this year? How do you display the cards you receive? Or don't you? (gasp!) There was a time when I would mail over 50 Christmas cards every year. Mailing out Christmas cards and the number of people on that list is directly proportionate to the cost of postage and the time available to sit down and write a note in each one.

2. When do kids become adults? When they stop believing in Santa. I'm so glad not to be an adult.

3. Does your 'beauty regimen' change with the seasons? My skin requires more moisture during the cold, dry winter months.

4. What's something you like to eat that might cause another person to turn up their nose? Brussels Sprouts. I can hear you saying.....ewwwww!

5. Gloves or mittens? I wear gloves for driving and every day stuff. Mittens if I'm going out to play in the snow and build a snow man.

6. What's the longest queue you've ever been in? Was it worth it? Queue=line but doesn't queue sound nicer? A line at the amusement park to ride the Batman roller coaster. It was so worth the wait. So much so that I got off and immediately got back in line to ride it again. You're surprised, yes?

7. Besides Christmas, what is one thing you are looking forward to in the month of December? A trip to Vegas. In two days.

8. Insert your own random thought here. I'm hosting a photo challenge for the month of December. You can read all about it here if you are interested in playing along.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Psalm 119:18 (NKJV) Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.

25 December Daily Photo Ideas

2011-11-29T06:00:00.002-06:00

That's right. I said December. It's only a couple days away, you know. YIKES!!! If you are like me, your calendar is full of baking, gatherings, festivities, dinner parties, progressive parties, exchanges, and sharing.

I do not want to miss the photo opportunities of special times and people. So, this is my quest. Through the month of December, I will shoot a lot with my 50mm lens to help with low light situations. I will also grab my 70-300mm lens for stealth close ups and details from a distance.

I will shoot a lot on some days, only a picture or two on others. I want to enjoy the month and make sure I'm in at least a few photos. Must remember to set up the tripod.

Want to join me in my quest for 25 photos? I may not get every single one of them listed. But I'm definitely going to give it a try. Here's the list:

Something Red
A list
The Christmas tree
Presents wrapped under the tree
Something warm and tasty
A candy cane, or five
A wreath with a red bow
Stamped and addressed Christmas cards
Santa Claus
Away in a manger
Ribbons and bows
Something sticky
Reindeer
A decked hall
Silver bells
A hippopotamus
Under the mistletoe
A cup of cheer
Toys in every store
A winter wonderland
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Holiday greetings
A shining star
Children, sleeping
The number "25"

I may or may not get a linky up for those who would like to participate. If any of you can help me with that I would be most appreciative. Happy capturing.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

1 Chronicles 16:8 (NKJV) Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!

Vacation 2011 - Part 3 Tampa, Florida

2011-11-28T06:00:00.003-06:00

On the fourth day of vacation, we finally made it to Tampa. Normal people could have made it in a single day. Not us. We made a side trip here, a detour there; but, we made it nonetheless.

The main reason we are in the Tampa area is that both the hubs and I have family here. The aunt and family I helped move to Tampa from Charlotte back in April are here. The hub's sister lives here too. So in between visiting with them, we did a little sightseeing, found a delightful restaurant, and looked at real estate. It was more of a drive-by look, but a look. Here are a few of the photos from our Tampa visit.

This fella was "fishing" near a pier in Dunedin.

We didn't see him catch anything. Not even sure what he was trying to catch.

This is me and the hubs on the same pier. I set up my tripod, composed the hubs in the pic, pushed the button, jumped in the photo, and voila! Group shot! lol

Walking off the pier, I turned around for one last look and saw this:

Then we went into Dunedin. Such a quaint little town. Lovely shops. We decided it was time for a bite to eat and chose this restaurant. Cafe Alfresco. Delicious food. Exceptional service. We liked it so much, we ate lunch there. Then took the hub's sister there for dinner. We were delighted with both meals.

The next day, we were at Clearwater Beach enjoying family, sun, warm breeze, sand between the toes, and food. These are my two favorite pics from the day.

Riding on a jet ski sounded like fun, but didn't really have the time for that. I definitely had time for sitting on one of these enjoying the warmth of the sun on my face.

Three days in Tampa flew by. It was sad to leave but we had reservations and much more to see and do lay ahead.

Like this beautiful state park. This is Blue Spring. A fabulous winter resort of the manatee. They migrate up the St. Johns River to Blue Spring because the water at the spring stays a constant year round temperature of 72 degrees farenheit. We walked along the board walk taking a couple photos here and there. We didn't see any manatee, but we did see this handsome fella.

We also took the opportunity for another photo shoot of us. I love having a tripod.

The Thursby family acquired this property in the mid-19th century and built the large home you see below. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection acquired the park in 1972 to kick-start its Manatee Protection Program.

It was a leisure day of enjoying the park, the wildlife, and each other. Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting. Stay tuned. Next week.....Biketoberfest. Have a fabulous week.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Colossians 3:16 (NKJV) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

In The Spirit of Thanksgiving HodgePodge

2011-11-23T06:00:00.001-06:00

1. Let's start with something controversial...dressing or stuffing? What's it called at your house and what's included in your recipe...cornbread? oysters? sausage? chestnuts? I call it dressing, because I don't stuff it in the turkey. I'm a sage sausage and bread kind of dressing maker. It's delicious. The hubs is not a fan of cornbread and neither of us favor oysters.

2. Who do you sometimes compare yourself to? Wow, Joyce. That's a loaded question. I wrote about that very topic at great length last month. You can read all about it here at Comparison is the Thief of Joy.

3. When were you last inside an airport? In April of 2011. I flew from St. Louis, Missouri to Charlotte, North Carolina. Drove from Charlotte to Tampa, Florida. Then flew from Tampa back to St. Louis. It was a crazy week of traveling. I'll be in airports next Friday. Vegas, baby! The Pistol Annies (Miranda Lambert's new group), NFR (National Finals Rodeo), Delmonico (Emeril's restaurant), Mesa Grill (Bobby Flay's place), Spa at Caesar's Palace.....can't wait.

4. What is one side dish that absolutely must be included in a turkey dinner? Mashed potatoes and corn. I'm pretty sure there would be a revolt if these two items were not included on the menu.

5. What Christmas song do you dread hearing? The Barking Jingle Bells. It was kinda cute the first time I heard it, but I'm so over it.

6. If someone approaches you and asks for money do you give it to them? Do you drop money 'in a tin cup' that belongs to a person on the street? Do you have a specific charity you support during the holiday season and/or year round? I do not like being approached by strangers asking for money. To me, it's just an opportunity for them to take advantage of you and your kindness. I do drop cash in the red pail for the bell ringers. Otherwise, I prefer to give to the charity of my choice.

7. Share a favorite Thanksgiving memory. If you live in a country that doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving share a favorite memory associated with food. The last Thanksgiving meal we shared at my grandparents home, when all my aunts, uncles, and cousins were there.

8. Insert your own random thought here. I saw this on my sweet friend Gigi's blog, Afterthoughts, and immediately loved it. The message applies to anyone, regardless of denomination.

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting. Blessings to you and your family as you celebrate Thanksgiving.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Shabby Apple Winner!

2011-11-22T07:53:00.000-06:00

This morning I found this subject line in my inbox:

You won the Shabby Apple giveaway on The Blog Guidebook!

Followed by:

Congrats, Susan! You won the Shabby Apple Giveaway on The Blog Guidebook. We will be sending your info along to Shabby Apple, and they should be contacting you directly. Please let us know if you have any problems at all. And thanks for being a loyal follower of the Guidebook! Enjoy your dress. :)

~Lyndsay

www.blogguidebook.com

www.lyndsayjohnson.com

So, I went to the Blog Guidebook blog and saw this:

And, which dress did I win? I'm so glad you asked. I won this dress:

Isn't it gorgeous? And so flattering. Perfect!

If you are not familiar with Shabby Apple, hop on over to their site and take a look around. They carry beautiful dresses, swim wear, active wear.....you will not be disappointed. One of my favorite lines is Tinseltown. Be sure to have a look.

Thank you, Lyndsay, Sarah, and Shabby Apple.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Colossians 3:15 (NKJV) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Vacation 2011 Part 2

2011-11-21T06:00:00.002-06:00

After our exciting day at Ruby Falls, we decided to call it a day, find a place to stay for the night, and get some grub. There were several hotels along the interstate, so we found one to our liking and checked in near Dalton, Georgia. Let me just add, I love being in the south.

I found a flyer in the "attractions" brochure holder at the hotel. For those of you who travel any, you know the display I'm talking about. They are usually positioned near the front desk in the lobby so travelers can have easy access to information on local attractions. I always look at these stands. Just to see what's in the area. My eyes scanned the hundred or so brochures and fell on one for Stone Mountain. Hmmmm, this looks interesting, and it's close. Not too far out of the way. Let's google it to see exactly where it is and if it's worth the side trip.

Holy cow! I'm sure glad we went to Stone Mountain. It was amazing. So much fun. Great food. Family atmosphere. We ended up spending most of our day here. This place is truly a treasure.

I love the above picture. I had such fun getting it taken. What you can't see is the fence I had to climb over to get to this guy. Nor can you see the people laughing as they pass behind the hubs while he is trying to get the shot. I did not care one bit.

Needless to say, we did not make it very far down the road on our second day, but we sure had a lot of fun. It was a leisurely day with great food, laughs, a ride in a gondola to the top of the mountain, just enjoying the day.

Aren't those some of the best times, though? Unexpected joys from unplanned adventures. I love those. Have a fabulous week and thank you so much for stopping by.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 95:1-2 (NKJV) ¹ Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. ² Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

What is a Daguerreotype?

2011-11-18T07:51:00.000-06:00

It's one of those words you look at and go...."Huh?" That's what I did when I saw today's Google image. Today happens to be Louis Daguerre's 224th Birthday. Happy Birthday Louis!!! But, ummmm, who are you? Why are we celebrating your birthday? A click on the Google image and voila!

Today’s Doodle on Google‘s homepage is a tribute to Louis Daguerre, the French physicist who invented daguerreotype, the first commercially successful form of photography.

Louis Daguerre was born on Nov. 18, 1787 in Cormeilles-en-Parisis, France. Today’s Doodle celebrates his 224th birthday.

He began his career as a designer and painter, but his breakthrough came in 1839, when he announced his invention of the daguerreotype, a photographic process which produced a single positive image, which could not easily be replicated. It experienced a few decades of commercial success and influenced later photographic processes.

Daguerreotypes were usually portraits, and Google’s Doodle is reminiscent of a classic family portrait from the era.

Basically, the "father" of photography as a business. Can I say that I'm just a little embarrassed that I did not know this information? Thank you, Internet, for providing so much knowledge at our fingertips.

Have a fabulous day and weekend.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

John 17:17 (NKJV) Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

My Photography Journey

2011-11-17T06:00:00.007-06:00

Last week I started a new online photography class. My teacher/mentor is Christina Greve of Divas and Dreams. She lives on the other side of the world. In Denmark. Kinda crazy when you think about it.Taking a class from someone who is seven hours ahead of me. When I get off work to start my lesson, Christina, and about half the class, is getting in bed or already asleep. Technology and the internet has clearly made the world smaller......or largely expanded my world. Whichever way you look at it. I believe this course will provide me with the skills and confidence I need to take my photography to the next level. I'm pretty excited.

My first assignment was to make an inspiration board. Can I just tell you that I was a little apprehensive about the task? Why? I had never made one before. Really. The closest I've ever gotten to a vision board is pinterest. Can I see a show of hands.....who is hooked on Pinterest? I thought so.

So, I started tearing out pictures from magazines. Photographs of women, children, families, food, flowers, birds, animals. Pictures that tugged at my heart. Activities that I enjoy. Looks I want to duplicate. Lighting and poses that invite you into the photograph. Here is what I ended up with:

A board that is representative of my developing style. Glamorous. Vintage. Inviting. Joyful. Which is exactly what I want my photographs to evoke from the viewer.

Journey with me. Hopefully, you (and I) will be able to see a progression from ordinary to extraordinary. That is my goal. I want to close the creative gap between where my work is today and where I want it to be.

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 119:18 (NKJV) Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.

Happy Belated Birthday HodgePodge

2011-11-16T06:00:00.002-06:00

1. What song reminds you of a specific time in your life and what is it about that song that makes you remember? Hands of Time. I first heard this song on the movie Collateral starring Tom Cruise. I watched it during a time when I was struggling with some personal issues. The song is a reminder to live for today, This Day!

2. What's something you've given up on? I've given up on losing 15 pounds. I'll be happy with five. So my clothes won't be so snug. Just sayn.

3. What's something you'll never give up on? My faith in God.

4. If you had to cook something from scratch in the next hour what would it be? Since you said cook and not bake, I went with a meal I can put together quickly and easily with items I generally keep on hand. Some people call this a burrito, or soft shell taco, or fajita. Whatever you call it, it's super easy, delicious, and nutritious. Start by putting 1/3 cup brown Basmati rice in a small sauce pan with 2/3 cup chicken stock. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer while you prepare the rest of the meal. Then use whatever cooked meat is in the fridge, saute some onions with shredded carrots, drain and rinse a can of black beans...throw them in, toss in the cooked meat, season with salt, pepper, and taco/fajita seasoning, add some frozen corn, and some green chilies. I would have started some brown basmati rice before the first step. The rice would be done by now and I would add that to the meat dish. Serve with warmed tortillas, grated cheese, green peppers, jalapenos, avocados (if I have any), cilantro, whatever is on hand.

5. Have you started Christmas shopping? Decorating? Listening to Christmas music? I have some shopping done. The decorations and music start this weekend. So excited!

6. What do you know about your parent's wedding? Not a stinking thing. Not even kidding. My parents divorced when I was six. My dad got custody of three children age 3-8. He doesn't talk about my mom much. My mom chose not to have a relationship with us. It's a sore spot.

7. I can't believe I used to smoke. I know. Disgusting habit. Can't even believe I smoked for so many years. Oh, the money and time wasted. Thank you, Lord for helping me kick that habit! Thirteen years ago.

8. Insert your own random thought here. Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK!!! How did that happen? I'm not even ready. Are you? What's on your menu? Do you have a "special" dish that is traditional to your family? I make my grandmother's orange salad. It's cooked vanilla pudding, orange jello, tapioca, and mandarin oranges. It's delicious and conjures up some precious memories for me.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Psalm 119:143 (NKJV) Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, Yet Your commandments are my delights.

Vacation 2011 Part 1

2011-11-14T06:00:00.003-06:00

Part ONE!? Kinda scary, yes? I'll try to make it painless for you and not post so many pictures that it takes hours to load them. ahaha. It won't be that bad, honest.

So let's start the journey. We left our house early the morning of Thursday, October 6 and headed south. We had planned to visit specific places along the way, but changed destinations as we found points of interest. Our first stop was a detour and the result of seeing it advertised on a billboard. Which of you could resist stopping at the Lodge Factory Outlet Store? Anyone? I didn't think so. Neither would we. I purchased a much longed for 7.5 quart enameled dutch oven...in red. I've used it twice since we've been back from vacation. We drove by the actual factory and saw this crazy guy. A man....made of iron. How fun is that?

After our purchase at the Lodge Factory Store, we headed back down the road to our next destination. I snagged this picture as we were driving towards Ruby Falls inside Lookout Mountain, near Chattanooga,Tennessee.

The cave was nice with good history and a beautiful waterfall inside the cave. Here's a picture of the waterfall from the front....

and one from underneath. Yep, I got a little wet getting this one.

I totally forgot we changed time zones and missed the sun set on our first day. Boo. Here's what I was able to catch. When I turned around the lights of the city of Chattanooga were spread out before me.

I hope you enjoyed the first part of our vacation. Part 2 to come soon. Thank you for stopping by and visiting.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

1 Peter 2:15-16 (NKJV) ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— ¹⁶ as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.

The Art of the HodgePodge

2011-11-09T05:30:00.002-06:00

1. Of all the tools and gadgets you own which do you most enjoy using? There are just so many "gadgets" to choose from. iPad, laptop, smartphone, DSLR, KitchenAid.....how do you choose? I'd have to pick my camera. I can be creative with it and it allows me to show the beauty of God's creation. Whether that beauty is in the heart of His people, His creation (flowers, landscape, creatures), or through the gifts He has given to man. The ability to create beauty in food, architecture, or art.

2. When (if ever) is impatience a virtue? Not sure I can think of an instance for this one.

3. What temperature do you keep your thermostat set to in winter? Do you have another way to heat your house besides a furnace of some type? My thermostat is set at 68 in the winter (75 in the summer). Which, at the moment, is very comfortable. Our furnace is our only heat source. Well, besides me. My hubby says I'm his little heater. He can barely lie next to me a couple minutes when.....poof....flame on. ahahaha. Those of you who are going thru the change know exactly what I'm talking about.

4. Do/did you have a close relationship with any of your grandparents? Yes, I was very close to my grandmother. I miss her every day.

5. When did you last have a family portrait taken? Ha! Just a couple weeks ago while we were on vacation. I set my camera on the tripod, set the timer, focused on the hubs, jumped in the picture, and voila. Instant family portrait. :)

6. What does the word patriotism mean to you? Loyalty. Self-worth. My husband.

7. Do you like to play cards and if so, what's your favorite card game? I love playing cards. My favorite is Pitch. With the grand-boy, it's go fish.

8. Insert your own random thought here. I'm taking an on-line workshop with a fabulously skilled photographer. I'm hoping to hone my photography skills and become bold, confident and creative through the process. I'm a little nervous and excited at the same time. There are extraordinary women from around the world with amazing talents taking this course with me. I'm excited to learn with them and from them. My first assignment is to make an inspiration board. Have you made one before?

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)¹⁵ And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Saving Time

2011-11-07T07:20:00.001-06:00

How does that work exactly? Saving time? We spring forward. Then we fall back. OR We spring ahead. Then we fall behind. Some of us spring back and fall forward. On our face. That's where I feel today. The time change always messes with my schedule. Yesterday at 5 o'clock it felt like it was 7 and I should be winding down for the day. This morning, I was awake at my normal time but that is actually an hour earlier. Good grief! Who thought this time change was a good idea? Here's what I found out:

How and When Did Daylight Saving Time Start?

Ben Franklin—of "early to bed and early to rise" fame—was apparently the first person to suggest the concept of daylight savings, according to computer scientist David Prerau, author of the book Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time.

While serving as U.S. ambassador to France in Paris, Franklin wrote of being awakened at 6 a.m. and realizing, to his surprise, that the sun would rise far earlier than he usually did. Imagine the resources that might be saved if he and others rose before noon and burned less midnight oil, Franklin, tongue half in cheek, wrote to a newspaper.

"Franklin seriously realized it would be beneficial to make better use of daylight but he didn't really know how to implement it," Prerau said.

It wasn't until World War I that daylight savings were realized on a grand scale. Germany was the first state to adopt the time changes, to reduce artificial lighting and thereby save coal for the war effort. Friends and foes soon followed suit.

In the U.S. a federal law standardized the yearly start and end of daylight saving time in 1918—for the states that chose to observe it.

During World War II the U.S. made daylight saving time mandatory for the whole country, as a way to save wartime resources. Between February 9, 1942, and September 30, 1945, the government took it a step further. During this period daylight saving time was observed year-round, essentially making it the new standard time, if only for a few years.

Since the end of World War II, though, daylight saving time has always been optional for U.S. states. But its beginning and end have shifted—and occasionally disappeared.

During the 1973-74 Arab oil embargo, the U.S. once again extended daylight saving time through the winter, resulting in a one percent decrease in the country's electrical load, according to federal studies cited by Prerau.

Thirty years later the Energy Policy Act of 2005 was enacted, mandating a controversial monthlong extension of daylight saving time, starting in 2007. (taken from the national geographic website)

Personally, I'm with Arizona who does not change their clocks. Let's just live with the time we have and enjoy today, This Day!

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting. Have a fabulous day and week.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV)¹ Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Not a Quitter!

2011-11-03T12:22:00.000-05:00

Holy Cow! It's November!!! It's been almost a month since my last post. WOW! How did that happen? Oh yeah. I was on vacation. From October 6 until October 23. Sweet. Wonderful. VACATION! Through Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. And back again. I have hundreds of photos I'm preparing to post. It will be like a family slide show. Remember those? The carousels of slides from family vacations? No? Then you are young. Very, very young.

Anywhoo. I ran across this clip today. This is so where I am at in my photography. I know I have good stuff. It's just not the kind of stuff I'm capable of making. At least not yet. This clips has inspired me. Motivated me. Encouraged me. I hope it does the same for you.

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 45:1 (NKJV)¹ My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Comparison is the Thief of Joy!

2011-10-06T07:08:00.002-05:00

I read these words the other day on Pinterest. They struck a nerve. I do it all the time. Compare myself. I compare myself to other photographers. Their pictures. Their websites. Their studios. Their skill.

I compare myself to other cooks. I compare myself to other runners. I compare myself to musicians (of which I am not). I compare myself to artists (of which I am not). I compare myself to crafters (of which I am not that either).

I even compare myself to you. Yep. You! If I read your blog I compare our writing styles, our families, our husbands, our children. It's craziness. I know. God has so richly blessed me with a wonderful husband, family, home, job, friends, and so much more.

Maybe if. What if. Why don't I? How do they? If only. Why can't I? I have a tendency to focus on my flaws. Not the talents or the gifts that God has so richly blessed me with. Am I the only one who does this?

No one would ever guess that I do this. Not you. Not my family. Not my IRL friends.

It's grueling. It's self-defeating. It wastes time. Precious, precious time.

I am exhausted from wasting so much precious time. I want focus on the positive and not on the negative. I want to share the talents and gifts that God has blessed me with. Share them in a way that is as unique as me. Show others their beauty through the lens. Show them that there is joy in the every day small moments. Today, This Day! I want to Choose Joy! Wise words from a wise woman. Sara Frankl. Sara could have easily allowed her confinement and disease to steal her joy. Yet, she made a choice every single day to not let comparison steal joy from her.

How can I do less? How can I choose to ignore Sara's words? By no longer allowing the thief comparison to steal my joy. Sara has gone home to be with the Lord. She continues to teach me. Thank you, Sara for Choosing Joy!

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Isaiah 26:4 (NKJV) ⁴ Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.

Fall HodgePodge #46

2011-09-28T07:28:00.001-05:00

1. It is officially fall here in North America...I realize not everyone who participates in the Hodgepodge lives in North America but if you do, what's your favorite memory of Summer 2011? If you're not in North America, what's your favorite memory of the season just ending on your side of the world? My annual motorcycle trip with my pal, Jessica. Here we are on the Natchez Trace.

2. Your favorite nut? You know I mean the edible kind, right? I love nuts. Cashews. Roasted Soy Lightly Salted. But my all time favorite, since I was a child is: Almonds. Around Christmas time, our family always had a nut bowl. You know. The kind you had to crack open. I always picked out the almonds and ate them first. I still love them today. I buy them buy the bag @ Sam's.

3. What activity puts your sense of balance to the test? Walking on a fallen log across moving water. Doesn't it make you dizzy?

4. How would you describe your sense of humor? Blonde. I don't really know how to answer this question. I have a good sense of humor. I enjoy hearing people laugh. It's good for the heart and soul.

5. September 28th is National Ask a Stupid Question Day...what's your stupid question? If Wile E Coyote had all that $$$$ to buy inventions from Acme, why didn't he just buy himself dinner?

6. Roller skates~hula hoop~jump rope...which activity would you most enjoy? Yes, you have to choose. Definitely roller skates. I just can't get that hula hoop to loop like I could when I was a child. I've tried. Ugh. It's annoying. Jumping rope? Naw.

7. What's your most sentimental possession? A plant stand that my grandfather made for my grandmother when they were first married. It is one possession she carted with her every time she moved. It must have meant a lot to her. Cards from my hubby. Treasures my daughter made when she was in grade school.

8. Insert your own random thought here. Being on vacation is definitely a two-edged sword. I love to spend the time relaxing with my hubby. I love traveling. I love new experiences. We spend too much $$$. It takes days, even weeks to recover at work from being absent. Ugh....the mounds of paperwork.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

I Heart Faces: People's Choice

2011-09-26T18:53:00.003-05:00

This week's I Heart Faces' theme is "Best Face Photo from Summer 2011." I have a couple of favorites, but kept going back to this particular shot of the grand-boy.

As you can tell, he is full of personality and character. I'm not sure what I love most about this shot...the memories, the lighting, his expression or those adorable freckles. Not that he will like me calling his freckles "adorable." ahaha. Whatever the case, I love it! For more "Best Face Photos from Summer 2011," go to:

This photo was entered into the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com
Thank you for stopping by and visiting.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Monday Musings - Six Days in Jail

2011-09-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

An 80 year old woman was arrested for shoplifting.

When she went before the judge he asked her, "What did you steal?" she replied, "A can of peaches."

The judge asked her why she had stolen them and she replied that she was hungry.

The judge then asked her how many peaches were in the can. She replied, "Six."

The judge then said, "I will give you 6 days in jail."

Before the judge could actually pronounce the punishment the woman's husband spoke up and asked the judge if he could say something.

He said, "What is it?"

The husband said "She also stole a can of peas."

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Have a fabulous week.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Romans 15:7 (NIV) Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Happy Fall Y'all

2011-09-23T05:14:00.002-05:00

Today, according to the calendar, is the first day of autumn. The autumnal equinox. Equal day and night.

What fall means to me:

falling leaves

Hay rides

Pumpkin pie

harvest

Scarecrow

FAMILY

apple cider

Blessings

autumn

Give Thanks

Sadly, it also means that winter, cold, snow, and ice are just around the corned. Ugh! Not a fan. So I'll just enjoy the milder temps, family gatherings, and the daily blessings of today...This Day! What does fall mean to you? Thank you for stopping by and visiting.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV) ³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Never Judge a Book....

2011-09-22T06:00:00.002-05:00

Never judge a book by it's cover because the story inside could be the one that changes your life. You need to take time to look inside and give it a chance.

Hmmm, first I need a book to study

All the books I want seem to be checked out already lol

...mine too

...we need to move to a city that has a BIGGER library!!! with better quality and more interesting "books".....

For sure....always end up with paper cuts too...they hurt the worse

yes they do~!!!or some of the pages are missin!!! that happens frequently to me!!!

don't u love it when u get the books and find out the pages are also torn and wore out and just can't read them anymore...let's build a new inventory for the library lol

Or you find out you're sharing that "book" with someone else...

ya that's happened too...the COMMUNITY book...lol

I have found some good "books" with good storyline, then there comes a twist and ruins the ending...or has a series...to be continued

Gotta love them " sequels " ...not!!!

This exchange was on a friend's FB wall. I love the parallel. Thought it was funny. Had to share.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Fall Head Over Heals HodgePodge

2011-09-21T06:27:00.000-05:00

1. Do you like chili? Red or white? Beans or no beans? Spice or no spice? Toppings? Why, yes. Yes, I do like chili. Red chili. With some beans (I like more beef than beans, thank you). Not too spicy. I want to taste the goodness.

2. Red~Orange~Gold...your favorite fall color? I'm a Red kinda girl.You're surprised, yes?

3. Who did you idolize when you were growing up? Cowboys. There are a few different versions of "The Cowboy Code" but here are the main points:

I believe that to have a friend, a man must be one.

That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world.

That God put the firewood there, but that every man must gather and light it himself.

In being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right.

That a man should make the most of what equipment he has.

That "this government, of the people, by the people, and for the people," shall live always.

That men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number.

That sooner or later...somewhere...somehow...we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken.

That all things change, but the truth, and the truth alone lives on forever.

I believe in my Creator, my country, my fellow man.

4. When was the last time you did something 'arts and craftsy'? Share please. I'm finishing up my latest 'artsy craftsy project. You'll have to wait tho. It's for a gift. She reads here sometimes. I don't want to spoil it.

5. What's a place that makes you really nervous? The dentist office.

6. Horse back riding...yay or nay (neigh?) Oh yes. I've owned horses. Sometimes, I miss it. Most days, I don't. They are a lot of work.

7. What is your favorite cliche? If you're not gonna use your head, you might as well be feet on both ends.

8. Insert your own random thought here. To go along with the "cowboy" theme.....head 'em up, and move 'em out. This is too funny

Do you have your fall gotta do list yet? For some ideas, be sure to check out my new fall gottado list here!

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Joel 2:23 (NIV) ²³ Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.

I'm Falling for HodgePodge Week 44

2011-09-14T05:07:00.002-05:00

1. What do you do at the first sign of a cold? Will you get a flu shot this year? At the first sign of a cold, I take Zicam. It definitely helps. I will get a flu shot too.

2. What advice can you give about how to conquer fear? Face it. Head on. ".....all things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23

3. Share two good things about your life right now. I'm breathing. lol. Yes, really. And, I am loved.

4. A hot fall fashion trend in 2011 is a return to sixties style...tunics with pants, shift dresses, pencil skirts, cinched waists, bold prints, high necklines and short lengths to name a few. How does this fashion trend fit with your wardrobe and personal sense of style? I like to wear what works for me. If there is something trendy that fits into my current wardrobe, I might add it.

5. Were you involved in scouting as a kid? How about as an adult? I was a Campfire Girl. Does anyone know about this group?

6. Apple, pear, plum, pumpkin...your favorite fall flavor? Apple!

7. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher? Honest, modest, compassionate, creative, committed, prepared, caring, respectful, fair, conscientious, interested, dedicated, patriotic, and godly.

8. Insert your own random thought here. I'm headed to a photog workshop today that I'm super excited about attending. The instructor is Brett Jarnagin of Flashfire. His work is amazing. Check it out! The best part? I won the seat at this workshop. This is going to set my photog style apart. Well, at least that is my hope. We'll see how my fall sessions look. :)

What do you have planned for fall? Be sure to check out my new fall gottado list here!

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

1 Peter 3:8 (NKJV)Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

Fall Gottado

2011-09-13T10:44:00.002-05:00

Can you believe it???? Summer is almost over. Technically. According to the calendar. Next Friday, the 23rd is the first day of Autumn. Are you ready for it? Am I ready for it? Not really. I love summer. Love, Love, LOVE summer.

To help me transition to cooler temperatures, I'm starting something new. A fall gottado list. My summer gottado list really helps me. I list food I want to can and freeze. Places I want to see. Events I want to attend. How'd I do on it? I'll save that for another post.

Here's my first ever fall gotta do list:

Apple picking

Make leaf art

Go on a hay-ride

Have a photoshoot in a leaf pile

Enjoy a bonfire with s'mores

Make caramel apples

CORN MAZE!!!

Go to a pumpkin patch

Go on 2 dates

Make fall cookies (I already have two new recipes to try)

Take a nature walk (bring the camera!!!)

Trick-or-treat (help at the church event)

Bake pies (what are your favorites? maybe I'll try something new)

Decorate (carve/paint) a pumpkin

Drink Fancy Coffee Drinks (Yep, Capitolized)

Picnic

I've never been big on decorating my house for fall or Halloween. I'm more the jump-right-into-Christmas kinda gal. But decorating a pumpkin sounds rather appealing to me for some reason.

Do you have a favorite fall tradition? Perhaps you make an outstanding pie or cookie and would share your recipe or technique. Do you have a corn maze in your neck of the woods?

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting. Have a wonder day.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Genesis 1:14 (NKJV) Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years;

Days I'll Always Remember

2011-09-11T06:00:00.019-05:00

There have been several historical days throughout my life that I will always remember.

November 22, 1963. It was a Friday. I was eight years old and in third grade. I remember the look on my teacher's face as she entered the class room to tell us that President Kennedy had been shot. I was crushed. My little heart broke. I sobbed. I still remember it.....like it was yesterday. My teacher picking me up to quiet and comfort me. I also remember watching the funeral on TV.

I rejoiced and beamed with pride the day we landed on the moon. It was not just a few men who went into space. It was an entire nation who joined Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin as they stepped off Apollo 11 after the eagle had landed. Neil Armstrong spoke these famous words: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

The 1972 summer Olympic games was my first encounter with terrorism. You can read about what became known as the Munich Massacre here.

23 October 83....I'll remember them all. Terrorists struck the marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon with two truck bombs. There were 241 marines, sailors, and soldiers killed. Please read this article which ran in the New York Times.

But to me, the biggest tragedy of all was the day America was attacked by al-Qaeda. Hijackers intentionally crashed these two airplanes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Within two hours, both towers collapsed. Hijackers crashed a third plane into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. A fourth jet, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania before it could reach its intended target in Washington, D.C. after the passengers attempted to take control. Nearly 3,000 died in the attacks.

The day was Tuesday. I was already at work. My phone rang. A friend called to ask if I'd heard that a plane had flown into the WTC. I thought he was joking. Making up a story. So, while he was on the phone, I looked up news on the internet. It was real. I watched the footage. I couldn't believe it. It was horrific. Indescribable. I sobbed.

It is ten years later. I still cannot watch footage of that day without crying, For the heroes who died trying to save others. For the people who went to work on an ordinary day never to return home. For the families left behind.

If you ask someone where they were on that day, their response would not be "I don't really know" or "I'm not sure." People know exactly where they were and what they were doing. What about you? Where were you? What were you doing? How did you and your family handle this tragedy?

This song by Alan Jackson put to a photo essay says it all:

God bless America.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Isaiah 46:4 (NKJV)⁴ Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.

The Sweet Spot

2011-09-07T06:00:00.002-05:00

There are two "sweet" spots in my house. These are places where the natural lighting is consistently good. Here are a couple examples of that sweet spot showcasing a couple of sweeties!

This fella just cracks me up. He usually does not like to sit in front of the camera, but this day he really hammed it up for me. He is so animated.

This guy is just a little too serious....don't you think?

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting. Have a fabulous week.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

John 14:23 (NKJV) Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

Oh the Horror! It's Downright Embarrasing!

2011-08-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

I didn't think it was possible. No matter how hard I tried, I just kept packing it on. I've gained 50 pounds in six months! This is what it looks like!

Can you believe it? No? Me either. That's about the cutest 50 pounds I've ever seen. ahahaha I'm hoping the weight gain and growth will start to slow down. Otherwise, I'm going to have an 80 to 100 pound dog on my hands. Very, very soon.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Have a fabulous weekend.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Philippians 1:21 (NKJV) ²¹ For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Lordy, Lordy, The HodgePodge is 40!!!!

2011-08-17T05:33:00.001-05:00

1. Using what's in your frig right now what sort of meal would you be able to make for guests who are knocking at the front door this very minute? Let's see. I have a family pack of 12 pre-made hamburger patties. I can just throw them on the grill along with corn on the cob and beans. Instant party!

2. What is something about yourself that you hope will change but that probably never will? I procrastinate about things.....sometimes.

3. What's something about yourself that you hope will never change? My sense of adventure.

4. Do you usually send serious or funny greeting cards? Why? That totally depends on the person and the occasion.

5. Bird watching, shell gathering, or star gazing- your choice for whiling away the hours? I'm so a bird nerd. Thank you, Grandma.

6. Do you double or triple check things? If so, what? Turning off the stove, locking the door, locating my phone.

7. What's your favorite place for people watching? The zoo! ahahaha.

8. Insert your own random thought here. Summer is almost over....huge sigh! I can't believe how fast it went by. School either started or will start in the next day or two. I did not make it to a water park again this summer. I did finally make it pool side. Last week. My summer gotta do list is slowly being whittled away. There will be a fall list that will take me into the holiday season. What about you? Do you make lists? How are you doing on yours?

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV) ¹ Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

What I Learned from a Cow!

2011-08-16T06:58:00.000-05:00

Everything I need to know I learnt from a cow

1. Wake up in a happy mooo-d.

2. Don't cry over spilled milk.

3. When chewing your cud, remember: There's no fat, no
calories, no cholesterol, and no taste!

4. The grass is green on the other side of the fence.

5. Turn the udder cheek and mooo-ve on.

6. Seize every opportunity and milk it for all its worth!

7. It's better to be seen and not herd.

8. Honor thy fodder and thy mother and all your udder relatives.

9. Never take any bull from anybody.

10. Always let them know who's the bossy.

11. Stepping on cowpies brings good luck.

12. Black and white is always an appropriate fashion statement.

13. Don't forget to cow-nt your blessings every day.

Perhaps you learned something from a cow today too. lol. Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Romans 14:8 (NKJV) ⁸ For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

It's Been a Martha Stewart, Betty Crocker, Rachel Ray Kind of Day!

2011-08-15T06:00:00.001-05:00

I knew today was going to be busy. That's probably why I couldn't sleep past 5:30. I actually woke up a little after five. I lifted my head to look at the clock. Made a sound similar to: "UGH!" and plopped my head back down on my pillow. I tossed. I turned. Ugh! There was no point in fighting it any longer. I tossed back the covers and my feet hit the floor. I've been on the run ever since.

After the usual daily routine, I headed out the door to the local farmer's market. Which, by the way, is overflowing with the most delicious produce right now. Green and red bell peppers, zucchini, peaches, potatoes, apples, corn, melons, jalapenos, onions, herbs, and so much more.

My list had many items on it and would require several stops to fulfill. Why? I'm so glad you asked. lol. This weekend's agenda includes zucchini relish, herb vinegars, sun dills, stir fry, pickled jalapenos, and pesto.

The relish, vinegars, and pickles are all on my summer gotta do list. I'm slowly whittling away at it. Last weekend I knocked another item off my gotta do list. I made salsa. TWENTY TWO pints of salsa. WOW! That's a lot of salsa.

There is so much work and time involved in canning. But the payoff is totally worth it. Besides the flavor, I know exactly what is in my food. No additives. No preservatives. It's wonderful. Plus....I love to share. :)

How are you doing on your summer gotta do list? Thanks for stopping by and visiting.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Basic Information Before Leaving Earth (aka BIBLE)

2011-08-02T08:20:00.001-05:00

A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!"
His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means?
The son replied, "I do know!"
"Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?"
"That's easy, Daddy..." the young boy replied excitedly," It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'
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There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country.
"Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk.
"Only the Ten Commandments." answered the lady.
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"Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the world. There are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good morning, Lord," and there are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good Lord, it's morning!"
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A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter.
Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses."
When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket, I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation."

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There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets."
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While driving in Pennsylvania , a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign... "Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust."
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A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question, "Boys and girls, what do we know about God?"
A hand shot up in the air. "He is an artist!" said the kindergarten boy.
"Really? How do you know?" the teacher asked.
"You know - Our Father, who does art in Heaven... "
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A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump.
"Reverend," said the young man, "I'm so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip."
The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business."
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People want the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the center of attention.
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Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about.
The daughter answered, "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt."
Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about.
He said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."
========

The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. Therefore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play."Here's a copy of the service," he said impatiently. "But, you'll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances."
During the service, the minister paused and said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up."
At that moment, the substitute organist played "The Star Spangled Banner." And that is how the substitute became the regular organist!

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Have a blessed week.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

James 1:22 (NKJV) ²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

My "A-ha" Moment

2011-08-01T06:59:00.000-05:00

I don't know WHY I didn't figure this out sooner!!!! It's the shampoo I use in the shower! When I wash my hair, the shampoo runs down my whole body and (duh!) printed very clearly on the shampoo label is this warning, FOR EXTRA VOLUME AND BODY!

NO wonder I have been gaining weight!!!

Well! I have gotten rid of that shampoo and I am going to start using Dawn dish soap instead.. Their label reads, DISSOLVES FAT THAT IS OTHERWISE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. Problem Solved!!!

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. May you find humor in even the smallest events in your life. Have a fabulous week.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Psalm 119:114 (NKJV) ¹¹⁴ You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.

Friday Funny - Ice Cream Truck

2011-07-29T05:30:00.002-05:00

Spotted in the Midwest at 1:00 PM yesterday afternoon

"OKLAHOMA CITY -- A website has ranked Oklahoma City as one of the five hottest cities in the nation this summer.

Thedailybeast.com compiled a list using data from the National Weather Service. Oklahoma City ranked number two, while Tulsa came in at number four.

The ranking is not surprising considering Oklahoma City has reached 100 degrees or above 33 days this summer. The record was set back in 1980 with 50 days of 100-degree or above temperatures.
The top five hottest cities in the country this summer are:

Lubbock, Texas
Oklahoma City
Raleigh, NC
Tulsa
Austin, Texas"

Are you in one of these cities? How are you staying cool this summer?

Thanks for stopping by and visiting. Have a fabulous weekend.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 31:1 (NKJV) ¹ In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness.

Don't Stop! Don't Ever Give Up!!!

2011-07-28T08:11:00.001-05:00

Let me preface this post with this statement: I am not a runner. I have never been a runner. Even in high school I was not a runner. I was on the basketball team. If you were on the basketball team, you were required to be in track too. UGH!!! It was grueling. But today, This Day! I am a runner. Ok....maybe I'm not a track star. But I finally achieved a goal I have been working towards for a full year.

Last summer, I started the Couch to 5K running program. Running in the heat and humidity is brutal. Wouldn't you agree? Then the weather turned colder. If you don't know....I'm not a fan of cold weather. Running in the cold was not very motivating to me.

Enter Miss K. She and I ran/walked a couple times a week as the weather permitted last winter. Then in January, we began working with a personal trainer. She really inspired me to keep up with the workouts. Miss K dropped weight. A lot of weight. Forty pounds. Anywhoo, after each workout, we would spend at least 20 minutes on the treadmill. For me....it was the longest 20 minutes ever. Every time! Ugh.

But I kept at it. We both kept at it. The goal? Run 20 minutes with out stopping. This was so hard for me. I could not seem to get enough air to make it five minutes let alone 20. No matter what I did in my running routine. Then....it happened. The first time it happened was Monday. I ran for 18 minutes straight. Without stopping. But I was determined to make it the whole 20 minutes. So yesterday, I pushed it. And guess what! I ran for 28 minutes straight. TWENTY EIGHT MINUTES!!! Without stopping. It was a turtle pace but not a walk. Y-A-Y!!!!

Some goals are harder to reach than others. There is no doubt about that. But you can achieve your goals. Even if you do it at a turtle pace. What goal has been just out of reach for you?

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Philippians 3:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philosophical HodgePodge

2011-07-27T06:47:00.000-05:00

1. July is National Ice Cream month...your favorite flavor? Soft served, hand dipped, or frozen yogurt...which do you prefer? And technically yogurt is not ice cream but its hot outside so I'll let that slide for today. Old Fashion Peppermint. But at this time of year, Mint Chocolate Chip is a good alternative.

2. When you travel do you tend to pack too much or too little? My philosophy on packing used to be: throw in everything you think you might need then start taking out just enough to get the suitcase closed. My new philosophy is: pack just enough to get by to save plenty of room to buy things while traveling. This new philosophy worked fabulously while I was on my bike trip.

I was able to buy five new shirts, a killer black dress that was on super sale, a skinny belt, and a souvenir bottle from the Jack Daniel's Distillery.

It's a souvenir people!! I don't drink whiskey!!!

3. What's your favorite cleaning product? My hubby! ahaha! No really. He's a super anal clean freak. If he's in the kitchen while I'm doing food prep, cooking, or baking.....he's cleaning up after me as I step away to get an ingredient. Tho this can be annoying at times, I love him for it. He saves me so much time and work. Plus, (yes, there's more) he keeps the house clean. Oh I help with dusting and vacuuming...but he does the majority of the cleaning. And....NO! You may not borrow him. I've been asked that question several times. I won't loan him out. I'm afraid someone will break him.

4. Which is the greater tragedy-an innocent person imprisoned or a guilty person set free? Explain. The person who is guilty and set free. This person will commit another crime.

5. What's the longest trip you've taken by car? Which is farther.....Iowa to Florida or Illinois to Arizona? Hmmm. Let's "google" that. The answer is......Iowa to Florida: 1,743 miles. Illinois to Arizona: 1,606. The Iowa trip probably took longer too. There were two adults and five children traveling together. I was 12. Longest trip ever!!!

6. tennis-golf-canoeing-biking...pick one. Exactly what are you asking here, Joyce? What I want to try? What I like doing best? What I'm not interested in trying? I choose biking. It's something I'm able to do and I enjoy it.

7. What sound drives you crazy? Someone who crunches food with their mouth open. Ugh. Please eat quietly.

8. Insert your own random thought here. I need to evaluate my schedule. My days are flying by yet I don't feel like I'm getting anything accomplished. Anybody else encountering this?

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) ¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Forty Pounds at Five Months!!!

2011-07-25T12:21:00.000-05:00

You read that right. Chummly now weighs 40 pounds. Probably a little more than that actually. That was his weight on July 8.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

This Day!

Thought Provoking Thursday - Groundhog Day 2012

Joshua 1:8 (NKJV) 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Hearty HodgePodge

Psalm 86:5 (NKJV) 5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.

Vacation 2011 - Part 4 Biketoberfest

Ephesians 6:13 (NKJV) 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Creating Belle

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Are You Ready for Some HodgePodge?

Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

A Sneak Peak

Matthew 7:12 (NKJV) Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

New Year HodgePodge

Titus 2:11-12 (NKJV) 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

Throne Trip Tuesdays - My Word!

Matthew 6:19-20 (NKJV) 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Contemplating 2011; Pondering 2012

Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

A Lens Giveaway

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Photo Challenge Day 22

Matthew 18:20 (NKJV) For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

The Christmas Song HodgePodge

Psalm 91:1-2 (NKJV)1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

Winter Wonderland - Day 20

Toyland

Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Christmas Cheer!

Luke 1:68 (NKJV) “ Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people,

Mistletoe

A Hippopotamus for Christmas?

I Heard the Bells

Deck the Halls HodgePodge

On Dasher, On Dancer....

Luke 2:10 (NKJV) Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

A Candy Cane, or Five and Something Sticky

Christmas Candy Cane Poem about Jesus

Galatians 4:4-5 (NKJV) 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Ribbons and Bows

Luke 2:14 (NKJV) 14 “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

No Crib for a Bed

Isaiah 7:14 (NKJV) Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

O Tannenbaum

Luke 2:14 (NKJV) “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

Makin' A List

Hebrews 1:1-2 (NKJV) 1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

25 Days x 7 Players =

John 1:1-2 (NKJV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

Season's Greetings HodgePodge

Psalm 119:18 (NKJV) Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.

25 December Daily Photo Ideas

1 Chronicles 16:8 (NKJV) Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!

Vacation 2011 - Part 3 Tampa, Florida

Colossians 3:16 (NKJV) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

In The Spirit of Thanksgiving HodgePodge

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Shabby Apple Winner!

You won the Shabby Apple giveaway on The Blog Guidebook!

Colossians 3:15 (NKJV) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Vacation 2011 Part 2

Psalm 95:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

What is a Daguerreotype?

John 17:17 (NKJV) Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

My Photography Journey

Psalm 119:18 (NKJV) Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.

Related articles

Happy Belated Birthday HodgePodge

Psalm 119:143 (NKJV) Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, Yet Your commandments are my delights.

Vacation 2011 Part 1

1 Peter 2:15-16 (NKJV) 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.

The Art of the HodgePodge

Saving Time

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Not a Quitter!

Psalm 45:1 (NKJV) 1 My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Comparison is the Thief of Joy!

Isaiah 26:4 (NKJV) 4 Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.

Fall HodgePodge #46

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV) 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Joshua 1:8 (NKJV) ⁸This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Psalm 86:5 (NKJV) ⁵For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.

Ephesians 6:13 (NKJV) ¹³Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)⁷For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Matthew 7:12 (NKJV)Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Titus 2:11-12 (NKJV)¹¹ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

Matthew 6:19-20 (NKJV) ¹⁹ “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)¹² So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Psalm 91:1-2 (NKJV)¹ He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. ² I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) ¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Galatians 4:4-5 (NKJV) ⁴ But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Luke 2:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

Hebrews 1:1-2 (NKJV) ¹ God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ² has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

John 1:1-2 (NKJV)¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God.

Psalm 95:1-2 (NKJV) ¹ Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. ² Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

1 Peter 2:15-16 (NKJV) ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— ¹⁶ as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV)¹ Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Psalm 45:1 (NKJV)¹ My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Isaiah 26:4 (NKJV) ⁴ Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV) ³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Joel 2:23 (NIV) ²³ Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.

1 Peter 3:8 (NKJV)Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

Isaiah 46:4 (NKJV)⁴ Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Philippians 1:21 (NKJV) ²¹ For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV) ¹ Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Romans 14:8 (NKJV) ⁸ For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

James 1:22 (NKJV) ²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Psalm 119:114 (NKJV) ¹¹⁴ You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.

Psalm 31:1 (NKJV) ¹ In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness.

Philippians 3:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) ¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.