celebrating Sunday...

What do you get when you mix: a quiet breakfast on the patio with my husband, wonderful worship, fantastic message, a great lunch/brunch with my husband, a nice leisurely nap, fellowship & dinner with friends, and a beautiful almost full moon... I would say that is another close to perfect Sunday... just the way we like them in the north country... oh, by the way, this is God's country!!! *Ü* It also is why I write this with a grateFUL HEART, carin

simple saturday...

it is a simple Saturday... it has been a pretty laid back day... the kind of Saturday I love, but don't always tend to take. I was up early & went to Cadillac to pick up a few groceries... I was at Meijers by 8:00 -- yes, that is a.m.! I like going to the store early for a few reasons... first, it really doesn't matter what I look like, because anyone I know would not be grocery shopping at that time of day; secondly, there aren't very many people in the store; and thirdly, the workers in the store are so friendly... probably because they haven't had enough people tick them off yet. I was back home & groceries put away by 9:15!

I did a little pruning/dead-heading in the flower beds, not my favorite but it needs to be done. Luke only works 'til noon on Saturday so we ate lunch, he mowed lawn & then it was time for a nap!!! Yes, a nap, I know people say naps are for little kids & old people... you can put me in what ever category you want to, but I love my naps on Saturday & usually on Sunday afternoons.

I have not posted in a couple days & I have felt a little lazy in the paper craft department... after supper I tried to put a card together... I think it turned out ok... it looks almost a little Asian inspired to me... what do you think... I know the picture isn't the best, but the metallic piece in the middle really gives off a glare. Anyway, it fits on this simple Saturday.

Busy day tomorrow at church... looking forward to see what God might have for me & what I can do for Him.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

God & Organization...

I am trying to get some things accomplished today... I like to keep my home in fairly good order, but it seems like when I am home everyday (remember, I don't have a job) I tend to let stuff go... thinking oh, I will get to it tomorrow. Like I have said in past posts I like to have things pretty organized... and yes, some of my so called friends find that to be amusing, just because they aren't oranized at all... well, I came across a verse today that proves God likes organization:


God made everything with a place and purpose; Prov. 16:4a (The Message)


Maybe I am taking that verse a little far when it comes to my OCD with organization. What do you think? Is there things that make you a little obsessive compulsive??? Sharing can be the first step to recovery! *Ü*


Seriously, I am thinking today is a good day to share some things I am so grateFUL for today: I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; for my wonderful, supportive, loving husband; for being raised in a Christian home with loving parents; for my home; for my church & church family; for the sunny day; for the flowers that are blooming; and yes, even for being jobless. I could go on & on but I won't... what are you grateful for today?


with an abundantly grateFUL HEART, carin

quick little diddy...

I was checking out the SCS newsletter for the week ... came across a box on there which led me to another box on http://stampingwithsheryl.typepad.com/ ... she had the "no adhesive box"... I can remember doing that one years ago (oh, I sound so old!)... anyway I took her box directions and made it to work to be a sweet treat home for the new Hershey's Bliss (have you tried those... they are too good!). I wanted to have a box with a window so the yummy treats could peek out... I put a scrap piece of acetate I have in my collection... never know when you might use it!



Here is my own lil' treat box... never know who might receive it???? *Ü*
with a grateFUL HEART, carin

choices, church, Chicago...

Wednesday already!!! I was having trouble remembering what day it is again today... for some reason I want to think it is Thursday, but then I got so excited to remember it is Wednesday & I get to go to church tonight!!!! We have a great Wednesday evening service... the last few weeks it has been packed to capacity +... good worship, great message... what more could you want???

I was reading this morning & came across this verse that I wanted to share...
"Congenial conversation—what a pleasure! The right word at the right time—beautiful!" Prov. 15:23 (The Message)

Wouldn't it be great if we could always follow that in our daily conversations... we can... it is a choice (so they tell me)... I keep reminding myself that some things just don't need to be spoken... the difficulty is knowing when to speak it & when to shut it!!! Why rehash things that make you angry, hurt or agrivated... why do we do that to ourselves? We can change it one choice at a time!

Exciting news... at least for me... our ladies ministry at church is taking a trip to Chicago in November... yes, I know it is still a ways off, but I am so excited... I have never been to Chicago, just through it very quickly. Do you have any suggestions of "have to see" places? Can't wait!

Plenty to do today, so make a choice to live today with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Happy Anniversary... (day late-dollar short)

Ok, I know it may be a day late (our anniversary was yesterday-11th), but I was so busy yesterday... the day came & went & I never did get this posted... I have been receiving a little grief from a couple people about not posting since Thursday... anyway, with that all out of the way I will get to a post for my loving hubby on this our 18th anniversary... (I am going to get mushy now so if you don't want to see that you better skip this part!)

In so many ways it seems like we have been together forever... I don't remember my life without you, but there is still that moment everyday that seems like it is all new... I still "twitterpate" when I see you come in the driveway or just come in to a room and I pray that feeling never ends. God gave me more than I could imagine when He brought you into my life and I thank Him for you everyday! I couldn't have done any better than you... or is that you were the best I could do? (wink) I love you with all my heart, my sweet, sweet Luke.

Ok, now anyone that had to turn away from all that lovey stuff can read on... let me explain about this picture ... my cousin from CA that stayed with us for a couple days wanted a picture of us with our cats... the cats were all on the bed so she said let's just take it there, so no we don't normally take pics of ourselves on the bed! *Ü* Aren't the kitties cute? and I guess we don't look too bad either. Thanks for sharing this moment in the life & times of me...

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

another tidbit...

I was peeking at some of my favorite blogs once again this morning... I came across a gorgeous card on http://www.amazingpapergrace.com/ with this quote:

Though we travel the world over
to find the beautiful,
we must carry it with us
or we find it not.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Isn't that another great quote... it is deep, but it is what I wish all women could realize especially the young ladies in the world.

I have company coming today... so no time for stamping only cleaning, but for the company I do have a grateFUL HEART, carin