A Book Of Dreams

For quite awhile my sweetheart and I have talked and dreamed about going to Alaska.  It’s something we really want to do but it hasn’t happened yet.  It’s on our list – near the top!  So, while we think and dream and plan, we love to read all we can about the beauty of our state to the north.  And when there’s a chance to see photos – especially those of someone we know – it’s an inspiration to keep planning to make our dream come true.
I have a friend – a dear blog friend – who has been to Alaska and brought it back through her photography.  Donna began to share Alaska photos shortly after I discovered her blog (Cottage Days and Journeys) - and I must say that I was mesmerized!  I was enchanted and as I studied each photo she shared I commented and told her of our dream.  She encouraged us to go – even suggested that we should join them on their last trip!  Since that wasn’t possible, I was content to see Alaska through her eyes.  Donna continued to encourage me and inspire me – and then one day last fall she announced a give-away.  She was giving away two photo books she had ‘published’.  All I had to do was comment often through the months of November and December – and hope and pray that my name would be drawn.  The first place winner would have her choice of books – one was a variety of photos from around Alaska and the other was all about the brown bears of Alaska.  I would have been happy with either book, but my heart really longed for the one with a variety of photos from all around Alaska.  The day came for the drawing and then – Donna sent me an email telling me that my name had been the first drawn.  Oh – oh – oh!  I could hardly believe it.  Soon the book was on its way to my home and when it arrived there was a sweet, little note tucked inside.  On one of Donna’s handmade notecards.When I removed the tissue paper – there it was.  I’m sure I must have squealed with delight!I knew exactly where this beautiful book belonged.  It is at home on my vintage trunk/coffee table – for everyone who comes by to see.  And it has been seen.  And admired.The first page sets the scene for the rest of the book. Then – pages and pages of gorgeous photos.  My photos of the pages can’t possibly do it justice.  There is wildlife and breathtaking scenery. . .And some of the brown bears of Alaska.Flora and Tundra and exquisite carvings. . .And the most fascinating rustic towns and photos of ice and snow so real you can almost feel the chill.At the end, a graphic and a few words that wrap it all up. . .And a sweet note and autograph.I love beautiful coffee table books.  I’ve gathered a few – some by famous photographers.  But this one is the best.  It’s a treasure – a gift from the heart of a dear friend.  Given with love and a note that encourages us to enjoy the photos.  With hopes that we will see them in person someday.  Soon.  I placed two special pieces of my Willow Tree collection beside my new book.  One piece (Wisdom) was given to me by my dear, little mother – and one (Spirited Child) was from my daughter.  A mother, reading, and a daughter, listening.  And I smile every time I walk by.Donna also made two desktop calendars to give away.  You can see one of them here.

Musings On A January Day

I know it’s been a few days since I wrote a blog post.  There has been a lot going on around here.  First of all I want to thank you for your sweet words to me when I shared about Miss Savannah.  I miss her a lot but I’m beginning to adjust to days without her.  This morning was the first morning I haven’t walked down the hall and expected her to meet me and ask for a bowl of milk.  We have such sweet memories of her and your kindness helped the hurt.

My sweetheart and I celebrated our forty-first wedding anniversary last week.  We wanted to do something special but we knew time away would be limited.  The weather was cold and foggy, snow had fallen all around us and roads to places we love were, at times, not the best.  We got up on our anniversary morning, had breakfast at home together and – on the spur-of-the moment – we decided to drive to the beach.  If you’ve been reading my blog for very long, you know how much we love the Oregon Coast.  That was the perfect decision.  It was a cold, gray day where we live in the valley.  About five miles from the beach – suddenly, the sun!  Shining bright – warming the car as it came through the window.  We laughed and talked about what we would have missed if we had stayed near home.  It didn't take us long to find our favorite place to have lunch.Mo’s is a well-known Oregon Coast restaurant  with six locations – famous for their chowder.  And that’s exactly what I ordered.  A bowl of clam chowder and, my favorite, their cabbage salad.  Shredded cabbage topped with bay shrimp and blessed with their house creamy garlic dressing.  My sweetheart and I sat at a window table (the third window from the left).  Our view was perfect – the water on the bay rippled with each wave that washed up on the ocean beach nearby.  The old, wooden pier outside our window is a wonderful viewpoint. (In the photo of the pier above, I used my round lens hood.  It was a trial to see how it would shield the sun and what effects it would give.)  After lingering over lunch we wandered out onto the pier for awhile.We weren’t alone – we had company!  Mr. Joey was with us.
And he was watching the other fellow who joined us!When we turned to walk back, in the opposite direction we could see our next destination.From the beach below we had a good view of the pier where we had been just minutes before.Sun, fresh air, the sound of the waves – just what we needed!Clouds began to drift in from off-shore.  We kept walking and loving every minute we were together in this special place.
Seagulls and gentle waves – all a part of the coast.
The beach beside the bay is covered with driftwood and logs that have washed ashore from stormy winter seas.

There’s more to share but I’ll do that another day.  Our day away together was great!  We stayed for several more hours – we didn’t want the day to end.  We wished we didn't have to leave so soon but we knew we had to return home after dinner.  We shopped a bit and walked on another nearby beach to watch the setting sun.  Then dinner and a nice trip home – relaxed and refreshed and ready for commitments and responsibilities waiting for us the next day.

The last days have been busy and filled with activity. I have things to share with you.  I won a very special give-away from a dear blog friend.  I can’t wait to show it to you.  Over the weekend I had a fun day away with some of my ‘Sisters’ from Sisters On The Fly.  I have photos for you to see and tales to tell.  I’ll be back soon. I can’t wait to tell you all about it.
(I don't know what Blogger is up to today - sometimes the font is exactly as I want it, and at times it becomes so small you can hardly read it.  Then, as it is today, it's huge. And it's adding spaces and wrapping text in ways I didn't choose!)

Birthday Wishes

Wishing a very happy birthday to my dear daughter-in-law, Mrs. K.  What a special gift from God to our son – and to our family.  Thank you, dear one, for the joy you bring and the beauty you’ve added to our lives.  We love you much!

This photo was ‘borrowed’ from my son.  Oh, by the way, the cute lady in pink is our youngest granddaughter, Miss B.

Sweet Savannah

Miss Savannah
November 1999 – January 11, 2013

 

Yesterday we said goodbye to our sweet Savannah.  Our hearts are sad and our house seems a little empty without her.  She was the sweetest kitty and a little pal. It seemed she was the happiest when we were busy at home.  She loved the Christmas tree – even before it was completely set up.  I think she thought we were doing it up just for her!

She never wandered far but she loved to be just outside the door.  When she chose to go out, she seemed to think that the backyard was her private domain.  On chilly days we often looked out the window to find her curled up asleep on the hot tub.  She knew where to find a warm spot for a long winter’s nap.This last Christmas Day she decided to adopt Mr. Joey’s dog bed that I had temporarily moved under the piano bench.  For some reason he didn’t seem to mind.  I think he understood that she needed it more than he did right then.  She was content to lay there and watch the festivities.There is so much I could tell you about her.  She was just a few months old when I saw her sleeping in the sun in the window of a nearby Humane Society kitty shelter.  She saw me and came quickly to check me out.  And it was love at first sight – for both of us.  From that day on, she added a lot to our lives.  She was always here to greet us when we came home.  If she thought we had been gone too long, she told us exactly what she thought.  She greeted me early every morning in the hall and quickly began to demand her morning milk.  She often watched through the window to protect us from birds and squirrels and other dangerous creatures.  She was always looking for that scampy, little dog that we had the nerve to bring home – the energetic, little guy who turned her world upside down.  But we think she really didn’t want us to know that she thought he was OK.

 

Miss Savannah, you are missed.  Thank you for giving us so much love!

Whiter Than Snow

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to live in my soul;
Break down every idol, cast out every foe—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

 

Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies,
And help me to make a complete sacrifice;
I give up myself, and whatever I know—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

 

Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait;
Come now and within me a new heart create;
To those who have sought Thee Thou never said’st “No”—
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

 

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

 


Song: 'Whiter Than Snow'
Words written by: James Nicholson, 1872
Music written by: William Fischer, 1911

My Word For The New Year

My word for Two Thousand Thirteen is 'Delight'! 

Delight - a noun that means 'a high degree of pleasure, or satisfaction of mind; joy; that which gives great pleasure; that which affords delight'.

Delight - a verb that means 'to affect with great pleasure; to please highly; to give or afford high satisfaction or joy; as, a beautiful landscape delights the eye; harmony delights the ear; the good conduct of children delights their parents'.

My focus this year will be to:

Delight in the Lord - at all times -
Delight in Who He is
Delight in His Word
Delight in His will

 

Remember that God Delights in me!

 

Find Delight in things around me

Be Delighted - even in small things
that may seem insignificant
 

Be Delightful - not hard to please
Delightful to be around

Be a Delighter -
one who gives Delight (great pleasure) to others
someone who makes a difference
 

 

'Delight is a more premanent pleasure than joy; it's not dependent on sudden excitement.' - unknown

Have a Delightful year!  A year filled with Delight!

Reflections

 As this year comes to a close and a new one begins, I always reflect on the past few months.  There have been highs and lows - times on the mountaintop and times in the valley.  There have been smiles and laughter - tears and sadness.  Praise - and prayer.  Much prayer.  My word for this last year was Hope.  Little did I know when the year began how appropriate 'hope' would be for what came our way.  In the words of the old hymn, we found 'strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow'.  As we look forward to a new year that will begin in just a few, short hours, not only do we continue to hope - we continue to give thanks and offer prayer for the unknown that is ahead.

 

Our year brought new life. . .

And new beginnings. . .



 

Travels to see family far away. . .

And quiet moments at home.

Time with our daughter's family (and my dear, little mother). . .

And our son's family, too.

Work. . .

And play.

 

On the last day of the year I always remember the words of a song I used to sing a lot.  I think it sums it up pretty well - we've come this far by faith.

We've come this far by faith

Leaning on the Lord

Trusting in His Holy Word

He's never failed us yet

Oh, we won't turn back

We've come this far by faith

 

I wish you a very Happy New Year, dear friends.  We've come this far by faith - so, let's go forward by faith!