Sunday, December 20, 2020

Sweet Stuff



The day was sort of a cloudy dreary day, but the mood inside this gal's farmhouse was just the opposite.  The grand-angels, their momma and her honey spent the afternoon in a cookie making marathon. 

Sunday, November 8, 2020

I Love America and My Freedom, How about You?



So how are you?  I mean really?  I saw something recently posted by a cousin on social media that had said “ It feels like Americans are in divorce court and just waiting to see who gets custody of us”. It hit the nail on the head.  Whatever side you were hoping to win may have you now feeling elated or feeling just the opposite with yesterday’s announcement.   For the most part, I see as a nation that we are weary from COVID, racial issues and a contentious presidential race.  Our emotions are upfront and center and for many, they are very vocal about where they stand.  I get it. There are so many factors out of our control but yet they affect us. I imagine there are many things in play that we may and may not know about and I for one feel a bit over-whelmed with so much emotion swirling all around. 

Either way, there were things I liked and didn’t like about each of the presidential candidates and their respective parties.   I’ve listened to conversations from some that worry about American becoming the next “socialized nation” and I have to admit that scares the you know what out of me and is there someplace else better than America to live in?  I ponder for a few minutes and think, no there isn’t anyplace else like the U.S.A.   I love my freedom and all that comes with this amazing  privilege that I think so many take for granted.  Or at least I have.  It comes down to the fact that there isn’t anywhere else I would rather live than in America.  I am going to put my trust in something bigger than who is our next president.  Tonight, as always, I will get down on my knees and spill my soul to our Creator and then ask for divine guidance for you, me and all of America.

As I write this, it is basically a snow globe outside my window and it beckons for comfort both physically and spiritually.  

Sharing a beautiful winter sunrise from my farmette

Today I will be do the things that help calm my soul, for one – it helps me when I write to you, next I will bundle up and take a long walk outside which is another place to talk to God.  Then later on I will be baking Oatmeal Cranberry cookies that have been dipped in chocolate. Recipe is here. I will save a few for my Mr. Right when he gets off work, but the majority will be taken to my fav law enforcement office with sincere thanks for all they do.  Giving helps me and it feeds my soul.

And as you navigate through your day, I wish you well, truly and sincerely.  My hope for you, me and the rest of America is to move forward as we work towards keeping our freedom and realizing how fortunate we are. There will always be differences and I hope we all realize we can’t change anyone but ourselves.  We can choose how to navigate our everyday life and it is up to us.  And my choice will be to follow our Creator’s words of wisdom as best I can.  I am human, I fail and then I get back up and try again to do better.  This quote says it perfectly to me…..

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  
Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you
2 Chronicles 20.17 

Wishing you and your family all the best.  As always, thank you for stopping by and sharing part of your day with me. As always, feel free to post a comment and by all means share the post if you so feel inclined.   All my best, Gayle


Sunday, October 18, 2020

You, Me and Respect

 


Greetings friends,

On this splendidly glorious rainy Sunday, it’s a day to cocoon, pull on a sweater and comfy jeans maybe read, nap, bake or enjoy some comfort food.  And I fully plan to do all of the above, except I have some thoughts and the words that want to come out regarding something that is bothering me.

A couple days ago I had a childhood friend that I keep in touch with send me a very long impassioned message about who was the best candidate (in her opinion) to run the country.  And I read the lengthy text, but what really bothered me was the last sentence in which she said, regardless who wins the election she hoped we could still be friends!  It took me by surprise, literally!

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

July/August Home and Harvest Article

Hi all, in case you missed the sell out version of the July/August 2020 edition of Home and Harvest Magazine, here is my article:

 

Greetings Friends. As I write the July/August issue in mid-June, the world is in a bit of chaos and I’ve chosen to turn down the noise of the media and take a breather. Instead of watching the news, I sit outside sipping coffee in the early morning soaking up nature’s quiet soothing sounds.

Sunday, August 9, 2020

Chapters 2 and 3, Life Stages

Week 2 and 3,  August 9, 2020



Greetings from the farmette.  From the last post on working on the chapters of “A Year for You” here’s the progress report. Chapter Two’s focus was finding a place in your home that is special, a place that invites cozy, comfort and security. 

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Week One, 5 Minutes to Focus on Slow


Loved the early morning sunlight on the wheat

I don’t know about you, but with staying home more, I have started reading all the books that I’ve bought in the last few years, maybe started and then got set aside due to life being a bit busy.  I’m a nut for inspirational books that talk about focusing on your goals, self-care and such.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Optimism - Sharing My May/June Article From Home and Harvest Magazine

Hi Friends - After a good friend commented that she was missing my blog posts.... It occurred to me that I should begin sharing the articles that I write for Home and Harvest Magazine, and thought I'd begin with the May/June edition. Having followers all over, it dawned on me that I should aquatint you to this wonderful local publication. 😀

Saturday, June 6, 2020

Living Color Blind





I don’t have to tell you how these last couple of months have been chaotic and fraught with the fear of the unknown.  We all feel it and are living through it to the best of our ability.  Our world as we know it isn’t the same and we wonder if it will ever return to the old normal. 

Thursday, May 21, 2020

A New View

Life is how you look at it



Greetings from the front porch.  There’s a certain kind of beauty and soul calming on a rainy day.  Yesterday having awoke at 5:20am, the rocking chair outside beckoned.  So with coffee in hand I decided to forgo the noise of the world on the tv news station and instead tune into the noise off my front porch. 

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Remembering the Good




Hi Friends,

It’s funny what a person will remember about someone after they leave this earth.  It’s been slightly over one week since my sis-in-law, Denise had of change of address from here on earth to heaven.
It seems almost like a lifetime since last Tuesday and then I realize it’s only been 9 days but I feel like my heart and soul has traveled hundreds of miles and saw and felt so much.

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Forever a Beautiful Soul - Denise



A beautiful set set on a sad day 

With a heavy heart I learned that my dear sister-in-law, Denise passed away on this bright, warm and sunny day.  And the thought that registered was that the day she passed away was just like her personality, bright, warm and sunny. She was one of those people who lived a vibrant life.  She had a heart bigger than Texas and as my youngest daughter said, it is hard to believe she is gone, as she was always here for us.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Permission to Pause

Daffodils brighten the day 


Hi friends,

I know I have been missing in action on the blog for a couple of months.

I thought to myself the other day, the words have been backed up and are ready to overflow. Much like in my mind’s eye like that over-head bucket in the local swimming pool where water keeps pouring into it until it reaches capacity and then spills over.  That’s me right now.

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Tips to Help Others in Their Time of Need

Yesterday I had the honor of bringing a dinner to a friend whose parents live down the road from me. She had reached out to let friends and family know the update on her ailing father, who had been placed on hospice care.  She was staying at her parent's home, so I sent her a text and said, what day is best for me to bring over a dinner?  I didn’t give the option of what can I do for you, rather I gave her the option of choosing what day was best to come over. Sometimes in that situation emotions are all over the place and a person doesn’t want to impose on anyone offering help.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

2020 - Living Intentionally





Happy New Year my friend!  2020 Adventures Await!

I remember the New Year’s Eve I celebrated when 1999 turned into 2000.  There was wide-spread fear about “Y2K” and how it would affect our life in the computer-age and the world. People were fearful. My eccentric dad bought copious amounts of “vasoline” .......don’t ask me why, but his supply today is still abundant! Lol  

Isn’t it amusing to think how sometimes we can be fearful of the future and the unknown?  Looking back from 1999 to 2019  was a decade of so many personal losses in my life and from some of those losses came amazing new gains where I was forced to show up for myself. And to chart new territories in waters that I had never been in before. And today, I feel like I have arrived in my safe harbor.