https://youtu.be/FGIlwurwjtk

 I Stand All Amazed

I stand all amazed
At the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace
That so fully He proffers me,
I tremble to know
That for me He was crucified
That for me, a sinner
He suffered, He bled and died.

 Oh it is wonderful,

That He should care for me enough to die for me
Oh it is wonderful
Wonderful to me.

 I marvel that He would descend from His throne divine,

To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine.
That He should extend His great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem and to justify.

 Oh it is wonderful,

That He should care for me enough to die for me
Oh it is wonderful
Wonderful to me.

 I think of His hands,

Pierced and bleeding to pay the debt,
Such mercy, such love and devotion cannot forget.
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.

 Oh it is wonderful

That He should care enough for me to die for me
Oh it is wonderful
Oh He is wonderful
Wonderful to me.

 Text and Music:  Charles H. Gabriel, 1856-1932

 

Have a very blessed Easter,

XOXO

Hugs and Love,

Barb

My Month in a Nutshell . . .

 

Hello, and welcome Spring!  This morning we woke up to about an inch of snow...of course.  But, I know that warm weather is right around the corner, and that makes me very happy.  

We've had a lot going on the last month or so, and it seems my posts get further and further apart as time goes by.  It's not that I don't have things to share, but time just seems to slip away so quickly! 

Let's see...where to begin.  I guess I'll start from the beginning and work my way up!

Our month started off with the furnace acting up, and that's never good when it's 20 degrees outside.  Of course we called the repair man and he came right out.  After looking at it for a little while, making several trips to his truck, talking on the phone, and looking very concerned, he told us that it would cost 1,680.00 to fix it.   I'm sure the look on my husband's face was very special ;0)  He told my husband what was wrong, and how difficult it was to fix, then he went back out to his truck.  In the meantime, my husband got right online and looked up the parts.  He figured it would cost us around 250.00 to fix the furnace, and he could do all the work himself.  The repairman wasn't very happy when he told him what he had found, so he went back out to his truck and talked on the phone for about 20 minutes.  When he came back in he told us that he knew it was expensive, but they needed to make money too (how rude...)!  We paid him for his service call and he left.  We ordered the parts and soon realized that only one needed to be replaced...the one that  cost us 11.00.  The furnace works just fine.😝

But it gets worse...the next week, we all of a sudden had no water!  We soon realize that the pump in our well has gone out.  And I guess after 40 years it needed a rest.  At least it wasn't on Thanksgiving Day...(that actually happened to me, with a whole houseful of guests...not good.)  So again, we call someone to come and look at it, and indeed, we needed a new pump.  We have a hand pump on our well, so we at least had water, something good in all of the chaos.  After the pump was all installed, we had water...for about 30 minutes.  All of the sediment from the well, came into the house and plugged up the filter system, so again, no water.  It was all taken care of the next day...and by the way, we loved the people who fixed our pump and filter system!  A few days later, our septic system alarm went off!!  My poor husband!  He put on his coat and out the door he went...it's not fun to look in the septic tank...stinky.  I looked out the window and he was on his stomach looking in the hole.  Last year the pump on it had to be replaced, so he knows what he is doing...right?!  Well, he moved the pump a little and a fountain of water came shooting out of the septic tank...I didn't know Bob could move so fast!!  He didn't even get a drop on him...whew!  But, it was fixed,  no idea what was going on with it, but our fingers are crossed!

Anyway...it's been a long month.

Remember that crocheted blanket I was making?  I got all the blocks done and put it together...I like it, and I was able to use up some of my yarn stash!  It will be a nice cozy little blanket for the downstairs family room, plus it was really fun to make.  I got the pattern from, The Inspired Wren.  I didn't use every pattern she had for the blocks, but I did use most of them...it was a fun blanket to make.

March is my big birthday month...6 of my 10 grandchildren have birthdays in March, 3 of them right in row.  These are my three oldest, handsome grandsons.

This is Christian, he turned 22 years old, so hard to believe!  He took each candle off the cake and blew them out separately...Covid has really changed the way we do things!   He has grown up to be the most handsome man.  He looks very much like my dad...makes my heart happy.  I feel so grateful that he still allows us to dote over him on his birthday, love him tons...💓

This is Brody, he turned 17...17!  I don't even know where the time went!!  Again, we felt grateful and blessed to celebrate with him, we love him to the moon and back.  He loves cheesecake, so that's what he got for his birthday cake...he's so adorable, get a load of those dimples... ;0)

And almost the last one...our sweet, Caleb.  We weren't able to be with them the evening of his birthday so we went to lunch with him to his favorite bar-b-que place, then took him for ice-cream.   Caleb turned 13!  He's growing up so fast, but what a cutie, and he is as nice, kind and polite as he is cute! He is very loved...and he has dimples as well!

We always have a migration of swans that stop by our neck of the woods in March.  This year we didn't have as much snow as normal so they had a harder time finding ponds to land in.  These are truly just a few of the thousands that were here earlier in the month.  I love the way that they hang-out with the geese...true friends!

 And lastly, I got new glasses!  I have needed them for a while but didn't want to venture out...so here I am with my new glasses and a haircut!!

I have more to share...so until next time...

Be safe XOXO

Hugs and Love,

Barb

My Daybook . . .

 

For Today ... March 1, 2021.

Looking out my window... It's a beautiful day, the sun is shining, the sky is blue.  It's cold outside, but it's suppose to be almost 50 degrees by Friday, so it's all good!

I am thinking... March is the big birthday month in our family, we have birthdays on the 1st, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, and 30th.  All of them grand kids!  But this boy has a birthday today...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NATHAN!!

I am thankful... For the little things in life.  If this pandemic has taught me anything, it's to be thankful for all the little pleasures life has to offer.  Life is too short to stress out over things that don't matter in the long run.  Be thankful for what you have and especially for the people in your life.  Be kind and patient, and remember, we are all doing the best we can.

 One of my favorite things... Sun, shining on the snow!  I just love how it looks,  like there are little diamonds tossed across the snow.

I am wearing... Jeans and a floral shirt...I'm trying to, "think spring".

 I am creating…I have always wanted to make a crocheted blanket using blocks.  I found this cute pattern, on the, Inspired Wren website.  It's been fun to use up some of the stash of yarn I have collected over the years.  I thought I would try putting a fabric back on it from my fabric stash! 😁  I'll post a picture of it when I'm done. 

I am watching... I watched a show on Roku called, The Village.  There were a few risque spots in it and a little language that I didn't like but all in all it was a really good show...I even cried at the end!  I do love the way the British do drama!

This epic drama charts the turbulent times experienced by one English village throughout the 20th century. Births, deaths, political events and rebellions are among the events that occur during the time. One man, Bert Middleton, lives across the entire 100-year period, and his story from boyhood to old age forms the crux of the program's story, as told through flashbacks as Bert reminisces while being interviewed in the present day by a director making a documentary about the elderly man and his village. Among the events Bert recounts is being smitten at the age of 12 by beautiful Martha Lane, whose family had just arrived in the village, an event that would change his world forever.

 I am reading...I have been reading a book called, House on an Irish Hillside...it's so beautifully written, with lots of Irish folklore, I almost feel like I'm in Ireland!

''From the moment I crossed the mountain I fell in love. With the place, which was more beautiful than any place I''d ever seen. With the people I met there. And with a way of looking at life that was deeper, richer and wiser than any I'd known before. When I left I dreamt of clouds on the mountain. I kept going back.''

We all lead very busy lives and sometimes it''s hard to find the time to be the people we want to be.
Twelve years ago Felicity Hayes-McCoy left the hectic pace of the city and returned to Ireland to make a new life in a remarkable house on the stunning Dingle peninsula.
Beautifully written, this is a life-affirming tale of rediscovering lost values and being reminded of the things that really matter.

I am listening to... Alan Jackson, one of my all time favorite country singers.  I love this song...It's called, The Older I Get.

https://youtu.be/kElHR66Y3es

In the kitchen... On Sunday I made ham and beans.  Now, you can't have ham and beans without cornbread, right?  so I made this fabulous corn bread...so delicious!

CORNBREAD

1/2 Cup butter at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1  1/2 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cup milk

Cream butter, sugar and eggs.  Mix in cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt and milk.  Bake in a greased 8x8 inch pan at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes.  

Just Sayin’…

 A moment from my day... Watching my Amaryllis bloom...so pretty!

Be safe...XOXO

Hugs and Love,

Barb

This, That and the Other...

Last week we had such a beautiful sunset...of course that's not unusual, we often have gorgeous sunsets!  but this one was pretty enough that both of my daughter's sent me photos of the sunset from their yard.

This is the photo I took...

 

This is the photo one of my daughters took, she lives about 30 miles away from me.

 

This was another daughter's photo, she lives about 3 miles from me.

 

I love how each of these sunsets are so much alike, yet so difference in so many ways.  Just like each one of us.  Our differences are what make each of us unique, I love that.

 It was our sweet, Diana's birthday on January 23rd, but because of her sister's death, we decided to celebrate it last Sunday.  So many of you have asked me how she is doing, prayed for her and remembered her in your daily thoughts, thank you.  She is hanging in there, she's a strong woman and a woman of great faith, she will get through this trial, just like all the other very difficult trials she has had to endure in her short life.  Diana is a school teacher, and a very good one at that!  She was telling me about some of the cute cards she got from her 3rd grade students while she was away...they were the cutest letters!  You could tell that her students missed her and love her very much...she is very loved by all of us!

 

 My daughter, Amber, sent me these cute pictures of Averi the other day.  She was fixing her hair so they could go to, Bath and Body Works, one of Averi's favorite places!  I thought it was very cute, and Averi really liked it as well.  She loves getting all fancied up, and she loves lotion and anything that smells good :0)

Another daughter, Jessica, sent me this cute picture of her family.  They love to have fun, and I love that they document it.  Children grow up so quickly, all I have to do is blink and they have grown a foot!

Just a thought to leave you with.  We are all just trying to get by in this strange time we are living in...be kind, don't judge, forgive and forget, think of others first, love more, hug more and keep putting one foot in front of the other...we got this!!

Have a wonderful week...be safe...XOXO

Hugs and Love,

Barb

Welcome February. . .

 

First of all, thank you so much, to all of you who kept my family, especially my daughter-in-law, in your prayers.  Christina's funeral was really beautiful.  Diana gave a beautiful life sketch.  She related some tender and fun moments that she remembered when they were growing up.  She loved being with her sister and her family and she told us about some fun memories from the last time they were together, it was beautiful.  Diana is very sad, but her faith is strong, she knows that this was not Christina's home, and that, Christina's husband and children, and all of  those who love her so much will see her again.  We are taught that there is no death, only change.  How grateful we are for the peace and comfort the Gospel brings.

February is here!  I really do love February, because it is a month full of love!  I found a few fun ideas that I thought would be fun to make and display in my home. You might like them too!

Both of these cute heart ideas would be so fun in  big bowl on your table or entryway.  They would even make cute garland!  Both are easy sewing projects.

 

And speaking of garland, aren't these ideas cute?!  I'm definitely going to make one of these to hang somewhere in my house!  I think garland is so festive.

 

 

source

. 

Source

 

Both of these recipes look so delicious!  I love all things cherry in February, cherries and Valentine's Day just go together.  But, Valentine's Day wouldn't be Valentine's Day without chocolate! The chocolate cake looks so rich and delicious...I just might have to make it this year.

 

I've been  thinking about February and all of the change that comes with it.  February really seems like a transition month to me.  The days are getting longer,  things start to thaw out, the sun shines a little brighter and the trees start to change and get ready to bud...I just love it.  We usually have a February thaw, and then it will snow like crazy, but that's okay, we know it's temporary.

I especially loved February a child, because I loved Valentine's Day.  I can remember going to the store and picking out the box of Valentine's that I wanted to give to the kids in my classroom.  My mother would set up the card table in the living room and me and my siblings would take turns putting the names on just the right card for the children in our class room.  Of course, there was that certain card, that went to that, certain someone in the class ;0)  At school we would decorate a large envelope with hearts and crepe paper with our name on it, and on Valentine's Day, the teacher would thumb tack them to the bottom of the chalk board.  We would all file past the decorated envelopes and put the Valentine's inside.  I remember I could hardly wait to open the cards to see if I got a special card from that special someone.  Good memories.

 My youngest brother was born on Valentine's Day, and I remember coming home from school and finding out that my mother had given birth to a boy, we were all so excited!  He was always our special little Valentine.  He passed away in 2014.  I always think of him on Valentine's Day and have very fond memories of celebrating his birthday with him.  

My daughter told me that this year she was going to decorate her home for Valentine's Day.  I remember doing more when my kids were little, but I don't do much now.  Do you decorate your home for Valentine's day? 

I hope this month really is filled with love, we could sure use it!

Be safe XOXO

Hugs and Love,

Barb

 

My Daybook . . .

 

For Today January 24, 2021

 I'm Listening to... Paul Cardall.  He is always a calm in the storm.  

I love his soft, peaceful music, it always gives me comfort.  This week my family, especially my sweet daughter-in-law, need to find some peace and comfort.  Her sister, who was her best friend, was killed in a climbing accident.  She was only 38 years old.  She left behind a husband and 3 children.  I have known this sweet girl since she was a small child and I can tell you, she was, sweet, kind, funny, generous, loving and simply amazing...she will be very missed by all who knew her, and even some who didn't.  Her funeral will be this Wednesday, and it will be very hard on Diana, my daughter-in-law, and her family.

Looking out my window...It's a grey, cold day.  Not much snow in my neck of the woods, just drab and cold right now.

I am thinking... I'm thinking that I need to get on my blog more often.  Once you get out of the habit of blogging at least once a week, it's hard to get back into it. 

 I am thankful... I'm so thankful for a warm house and good friends...who also have warm houses ;0)

 One of my favorite things... Truly, one of my favorite things is reading the blogs posts from all my friends.  I may not always comment, but I usually read them.  Your posts give me such wonderful inspiration!

I am wearing... I'm wearing jeans and a blue sweatshirt, like I said, it's cold outside!  I am barefoot, but I will most likely put on some fuzzy socks really soon!

 I am creating… I'm trying to create some healthy eating habits...the pandemic has been hard on me.  Sooo... one of my lunches last week!

I am watching... My go-to show when there is noting else on is always, Call the Midwife.  I've seen all of them more than once, but it is a very calming show for me, I just love it.

 I am reading...The scriptures.  I would love to find another good book to read, but until them I will read the best book!

I am hoping… To order some seeds for the garden really soon.  I've heard that there may be a shortage, or at least a delay in getting them to us, so I want to do it ASAP.

I am learning... I'm always learning.  It seems like everyday I learn something new...not that I always remember what I've learned! 

In the kitchen... Today for supper - Chicken Cordon Bleu, a baked potato and green beans.

Just Sayin’… 

A moment from my day... This is my grandson's cute dog, Mac.  He is a Bassador, a cross between a Basset Hound and a Labrador.  He is seriously the cutest dog, and will only be a medium size dog!  He loves my husband and I, and is always very happy to see us, but I managed to get a couple photos of him standing still!  Check out those cute feet :0)

Until next time . . . be safe!

Hugs and Love,

Barb XOXO