Chug Chug Toot Toot, Off We Go!

This morning we are on our way out of town. We are taking my dear little mother on an excursion – a train ride through the Hood River Valley in the north central part of Oregon along the Columbia River.

The Mount Hood Railroad is a working railroad. On weekdays it hauls freight to and from the apple and pear orchards of the fertile Hood River Valley. But on weekends you will find a different scene. An excursion train carries people through the gorgeous countryside to enjoy the beauty that can only be found here.

The valley runs from Hood River, on the shores of the Columbia, to the base of Mount Hood. As we travel we will enjoy the splendors of the scenic Columbia Gorge while climbing through the spectacular Hood River Valley. Today we will travel through thousands of acres of pear and apple blossoms and listen to live music in the park while we eat our picnic lunch during the layover in Parkdale, at the base of the mountain.

This century old railroad dates from the early 1900s. The Excursion Train is comprised of enclosed coaches, a concession car offering light food and beverage, and the air-conditioned dome car. We will sit back and relax as we enjoy the great views and visit with my dear mother and my cousin and her husband.

And as we travel along the river, through forests, meadows and numerous fruit orchards, a live narration will explain local history and key points of interest.

Our excursion today is a gift from my sweetheart and I to my dear mother for her eighty-sixth birthday that we celebrated in February. Not long before her birthday I heard that she had always wanted to make this trip and I thought it was time to see her dream fulfilled. And what better time of year to enjoy the beauty of Spring? The photos I’ve included are from the website. But when I return I’m sure I will have more photos than I can possibly share with you. An open-air car is available for brave souls who like the breeze in their face and for photographers who want to capture the views without dealing with the reflection from windows in the passenger cars. The weather is supposed to be perfect – sunny and warm. So, today, dear friends – we are riding the rails!

Easter Revisited

I’m a bit behind schedule posting this week. I had hoped to share some of our Easter activities earlier in the week but I have been struggling to get my scanner to cooperate with me. My daughter left her camera here Easter evening – quite by accident. What’s a mom and grandma to do when a camera filled with wonderful pictures of the grandbabies doing all kinds of magical things just happens to be left with her for a few days? She ‘pirates’ the pictures, of course! Well, I have such sweet photos printed out but my scanner doesn’t seem to want to recognize something in my computer. So, until I can figure this out and share the cute pictures I’ll share those I took and tell you about our day.

Sunday morning my sweetheart and I headed out early to pick up my dear little mother. We drove south a few miles to a care center where I serve as chaplain to lead an Easter Sunday Morning Service for the residents there. We had such a good time singing together and rejoicing in the Resurrection of our Savior. My sweetheart shared a short devotional message. Before we left we spent time visiting and praying with those who were in attendance. It was the highlight of our day, for sure.

Once home again we quickly changed our clothes and checked the turkey that had been cooking on the Traeger grill during our absence. And we added a ham next to it. Soon our family began to arrive and it wasn’t long before our little house was filled with love and laughter and such fun. Each family brought food to make a wonderful meal to enjoy together. But it wasn’t long before my grandkids began to ask, ‘When can we go in the hot tub’? You see, I had told each family to bring suits and towels if they wanted to relax and enjoy time in our hot tub. No need to ask twice – the kids were ready! I took a few pictures of our four oldest grandchildren enjoying the water – and each other – but I didn’t realize I didn’t take any pictures after one more grandson joined them. The photos I ‘pirated’ are so cute. Mr. H., our youngest grandson (nineteen months old) met and fell in love with our little Joey, the puppy. It was love at first sight and Mr. H. followed Joey wherever he went. I will have to share those pictures later when my scanner decides to cooperate with me.

The afternoon was spent in relaxed conversation and the joy of a family together – my sweetheart, my dear mother, our son, daughter-in-law and their three boys, our daughter and her three children, my cousin and her husband and me. A lot of people in my small house. We seem to have a problem. Our grandchildren are growing but our house is not! Don’t you think someone could invent elastic walls that would stretch as the need arises? Or, could we build walls with slide-outs? The kind found in RV’s.

In addition to our Resurrection Day celebration we celebrated the life of my sweet father who has been with Jesus for a bit more than six years. This year his birthday was on Easter. He would have been eighty six. We remembered how he loved to have his birthday on Easter Sunday each time it happened that way. The last time was his seventy-fifth birthday and he shed many tears of gratitude to his Savior for giving him life. Most of all for the new spiritual life he had found in Christ so many years before. We reminisced and remembered and laughed as we talked about our memories of Dad. And, in honor of him, I made a banana cream pie – his favorite!

Sometime during the afternoon our daughter snuggled down in the recliner with my puppy and together they enjoyed a Sunday afternoon nap. (She doesn’t usually look in on my blog so maybe she won’t see this!)

I’ve been told our grandchildren are asking when they come back again. Not to see us – they want to play in the hot tub! Such is life when grandparents have a fun ‘toy’!

No matter how many people were crowded into our little house, the important thing was that we were all together. Together having fun, enjoying each other and just resting in the love we share.

Jesus Saves

Hear the heart of heaven beating,

"Jesus saves. Jesus saves."

And the hush of mercy breathing,

"Jesus saves. Jesus saves."

Hear the host of angels sing,

"Glory to the Newborn King."

And the sounding joy repeating,

"Jesus saves."

See the humblest hearts adore Him.

"Jesus saves. Jesus saves."

And the wisest bow before Him.

"Jesus saves. Jesus saves."

See the sky alive with praise,

Melting darkness in its place

There is life forevermore,

"Jesus saves.”

He will live our sorrow sharing,

"Jesus saves. Jesus saves."

He will die our burden bearing,

"Jesus saves. Jesus saves."

"It is done!" will shout the cross,

Christ has paid redemption's cost!

While the empty tomb's declaring,

"Jesus saves."

Freedom's calling, chains are falling,

Hope is dawning bright and true.

Day is breaking, night is quaking,

God is making all things new.

"Jesus saves."

Oh to grace, how great a debtor!

"Jesus saves. Jesus saves."

All the saints who shout together.

"I know that Jesus saves."

Rising up so vast and strong

Lifting up salvation's song,

The redeemed will sing forever,

"Jesus saves."

Happy Resurrection Day!!

Song: ‘Jesus Saves’

as recorded by Travis Cottrell

Artwork from art.com

Out and About

A couple of Fridays ago I shared that my dear little mother, my cousin, my dear friend and I were going out for the day. We drove a ways to the estate sale that was held by a dear friend of my mother. What a sale it was! Things to see, treasures to buy and, most of all, help and support to give to a family struggling with the loss of their loved one. Several treasures came home with me.

I bought several of the Bill Gaither and Friends Homecoming videos and DVD’s – for one dollar each. And there were a few CD’s I just couldn’t leave there. I have been enjoying them a lot.

This very special silver serving piece belonged to our friend’s mother. I loved it the moment I saw it – especially the roses on the handle.

I found some wonderful holiday tablecloths – I’ll show them soon. They need a little cleaning and pressing before they make their blog debut.

And my dear cousin found this piece for me. See the holly? We live on Holly Street so I love to find things with holly on them.

This handmade beauty will add to my collection of crocheted pieces and vintage linens. It is in the center of my table to help celebrate Spring.

After helping our friends and shopping at the estate sale we stopped for lunch nearby and enjoyed a bit of unrushed time to be together, talk about our morning and plan the next stop along the way. We had passed a new Goodwill in the neighborhood so there was no doubt that we would return to check it out. When we did I found a Beth Moore devotion book and a pretty pin.

The following day my dear mother and I, accompanied by my sweetheart, stopped at a local sale that is held twice a year in a big barn. This season’s sale featured Spring, Easter and lawn and garden furniture and decor. Of course I forgot my camera in the rush to get to the bargains. I bought this sweet little basket. See the little bunny peeking out?

We had such fun together! It was another of those not-to-be-forgotten days. It was so much fun that we have planned more special days together. And when they happen – you’ll be one of the first to hear all about them.

Please stop by again soon. You are always welcome here – the door is always open!

With a grateful heart,

~Adrienne~

With A Little Help From My Friends

I'd like to say a H-U-G-E thanks to Rhoda of Southern Hospitality for her help in finding my lost Windows Live Writer post. It was really very simple once she reminded me where to look. I'm not sure I would have found it in a million years - I was so frustrated that it was lost! Rhoda was the one who recommended WLW and, on her advice, I tried it and liked it. Now I know how to get back there again to draft my posts with all the bells and whistles it provides. Then I can post it to my blog.


By the way, if you haven't checked out Rhoda's blog, you should! She does the most incredible decorating for her clients and she has an email service so some of us outside of her area can benefit from her expertise. Her home is 'to die for' and I hope some day I'll be so fortunate to have the chance to head her direction, meet her and maybe sit and chat for awhile - after the tour of her home, of course.


Rhoda - thank you, thank you, thank you. You're the best. What would we do without a little help from our friends. That's what I love about this world of blog - friends far and near who truly care to be there to lend a helping hand!

Dog Tired

There is one tired little pooch at our house. He's had a big day - an outing to see his doctor! Time for his next shot and a checkup to see how big he's grown and how healthy he is. Joey is in great shape, he weighs five pounds now and he 'graduated' to a real collar. Because he was such a tiny little guy he could only wear a halter for these first weeks of his life to protect his little throat and windpipe. Tomorrow he will get his very first collar! I think he's excited about that. All is well except for the fact that he's one sleepy puppy! The vaccination can make a little guy a bit drowsy and that's exactly what happened. He has been in his little bed all afternoon and has only moved to change positions.

A few days ago our weather was perfect. Spring sunshine and warm temperatures. For the first time since Joey arrived I opened the front door to let the sun shine in through the storm door. He had never been able to sit and look out into the front yard before! It didn't take him long to realize there were things to see - and it was so warm there!Soon he was asleep in the sun.

I think he got a bit too warm because it wasn't long before he turned around to warm the other end!A bit later he moved again - this time to warm his tummy.And then I disturbed his peace!! Another move or two and it obvious this puppy was enjoying the sunshine!But it wasn't long and he followed me down the hall to my office where he quickly found his other bed beside my desk. He has such a hard life!
Note: I have a post filled with photos of recent new treasures and I've lost it. I tried Windows Live Writer, which I enjoyed, but now I can't get back to it - can't find it at all - to add a few more photos. If you know how I can find my post on WLW, please let me know. I really want to share my pretties with you!

Remembering

Six years ago today my dear father quietly slipped away from this earth and through Heaven’s gates into the presence of the Savior he loved deeply and served faithfully for many years. While we miss him more than words can say we would never ask him to come back, - if we could. Today my cousin, Mrs. C., and I will take my dear little mother away for the day to spend time together and do something special. Today we will remember and reminisce and thank the Lord for the life my dad lived and for the comfort it brings to know we will be with him again one of these days. Knowing that I’ll be with my dear ones again some day makes it easy to look forward to the day when I join them there. But even more than that - I will see my Savior. Face to face! I love the words to this song – it says it so well!

The other day I passed a place

You always liked to go.

And I picked up the phone

Because I thought you'd want to know;

But I forgot you weren't there,

I miss you all these days,

That I'm reminded of your smile

And the funny things you'd say.

I miss you most at Christmas –

You were like a little kid,

You always loved a good surprise

And now I must admit

That I long more for Heaven

Than I ever did before,

You give me one more reason

And each day I want it more.

Knowing we can spend a lifetime

Reminiscing on the past,

Knowing I will see your face again

Where tender moments last;

It makes me want to go there

Knowing I won't be alone,

Knowing you'll be there

Makes it easy to go home.

You left a group of fishermen

And somehow you left me too,

Though I have failed you many times,

I know you saw me through;

I've always longed to feel your arms

And look into your eyes,

And talk forever - me and you

Somewhere in Paradise.

Knowing we can spend a lifetime

Reminiscing on the past,

Knowing I will see your face again

Where tender moments last;

It makes me want to go there

Knowing I won't be alone,

Knowing you'll be there

Makes it easy to go home.

With a grateful heart,

~Adrienne~

Song: ‘Knowing You’ll Be There’