Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Home Sweet Home


As I slid between "my" white cotton sheets Sunday night, and let the comforter fall around me - it was instantly I began giving thanks.

  Our Sunday road travel was shadowed by His protection,  more than my eye could see,
 all the tight hugs we received, small talk & big talk, family time, fun game-time, laughter, gifts, first-time seeing babies,
 the abundant & flavor-filled food, friends and relaxation.
  The list continues.....

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
 and cometh down from the Father of lights,
 with whom is no variableness,
 neither shadow of turning.Jas 1:17


sharing with you & remembering for myself


when we arrived on Saturday, the 21st we witnessed
~a special uniting of two hearts~
our very first time to sit on bales of wheat straw at a wedding

The grooms cake request was filled to his liking....
Red Velvet Armadillo Cake
(remind you of the movie "Steel Magnolias")
wedding location wasn't far from where the movie was filmed

our oldest showed his hospitality by allowing us to relax at his place
(of course MOM has added a few touches in the decor)
Be sure to enjoy the view out the windows,
 while the guys hunted, I lounged in the pj's drinking my coffee.

the leaves were still trying to hang on
~this was the front view ~
 the squirrels were busy eating the acorns
but, Monday morning I opened the blinds
 to find this one of a kind view
these oreos apparently love the acorns, too

on Sunday we worshipped where we joined hands & hearts
 24 years ago & our boys were baptized.
 The sanctuary was already being prepared for the
Hanging of the Green.
  This is one Christmas Tradition, I dearly miss.

the guys took a break from duck hunting
and gave Mom a carwash for her birthday :-)
don't these three look like they could produce
their own duck-hunting video???
Dad's holding the treasures.
The last night we were there,
we met friends (we had not seen in six years) in a nearby town.
 A wonderful meal was shared,
 enjoyed the Christmas lights together
and the children as well as the adults were awed with  the fireworks.


HOME SWEET HOME!

I've been praying the Lord would help me make our location
feel like "home".

I received text messages this past week,
 while away from friends here.
Giving me affirmation the
Lord is working.

  A long-time friend shared something with me one time -

"it takes alot of shared experiences, to develop relationships & friendships"


Okay, long post today, I enjoyed reminiscing!
We arrived back on Sunday,
I was in the courthouse early Monday for Jury duty,
I was "free to go",
but not freed from the duties of housework.
I want to get this duty out of the way
so I can have fun
"decorating for Christmas".

I'll be visiting with you this week and will take another short break from posting,
until everything is in order here.

Thank you all for your sweet & many comments.
The birthday & anniversary wishes were so kind.

22 comments:

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

BEAUTIFUL SCENERY. I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT A PLACE FEELING LIKE HOME. WHILE I LOVE MY HOME AND GARDEN IN MANY WAYS THIS WILL NWEVER FEEL LIKE HOME,SINCE I LEFT ALL OF MY BEST FRIENDS BEHIND. I AM LIIKE YOU I HAVE TO GET BUSY CLEANING-LATER

Amari said...

Thanks for putting a big smile on my face. It looks like you had a beautiful time. Your photos are so nice and the music is perfect!

Anonymous said...

What a great post! As I was scrolling along slowly, I giggled when I saw the Oreos! Sounds like a wonderful time and I wish you a great week.

scarborough2 said...

One of the best yet! I can still feel the hugs ~ I didn't say FREE TO GO! Until next time ~ LOVE!

Elizabeth Dianne said...

Oh Karen, I have been missing you! Thanksgiving came early for us and we had out of state company and then a a Thanksgiving day trip with friends. I am so behind on keeping up with all my blogging friends.

But I love you dearly and hope your birthday and anniversary were awesome. From all your gorgeous pics, it looks like they were.

Loving you dear friend,
Dianne

Debbiedoos said...

Hi Karen, there is no place like home. I love where I live now, but prior to that I always had a discontent feeling. Your photos are fabulous ( are you a photograper?) Happy Birthday and Anniversary!

Julie Harward said...

Sounds like a great time...beautiful photos here and I loved that the cows got some blog time too! ;D

Anonymous said...

This is a beautiful post with wonderful photos. Yes, home but home can be anywhere we feel at peace and loved. Moved so many times in my life I don't even know where home is anymore except the cozy comfy walls that surround me.

Julianna said...

So glad you had a fun trip! Your photos were beautiful!

Kathleen said...

Your photos are wonderful. Such beautiful scenery. Oh to have all those trees outside my door. I can dream.. That little church looks perfect, so intimate. Glad you had a good holiday. Kathleen.

Vanessa said...

Hi Karen! What a wonderful post! Just such great pics of your time away and good insights into coming "home" even when it doesn't always feel that way. I completely understand that feeling having moved around a lot and I pray God will help me, and you, to always remember where my true "home" is! :-)
Vanessa

Richella Parham said...

What a beautiful week you had! Thanks for sharing the photos of all those places--your pictures are always so gorgeous. You have much to be thankful for, don't you?

A blessed Advent season to you!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

This is just wonderful...a true blessing in every sense of the word...what a wonderful Thanksgiving time!
Were you in Natchitoches Louisiana? That is one of my favorite places...we went last January for my birthday, it had been years since we were there...we went every Christmas season before kids, and took them back once. I want to take them back again one day...it is one of my "happy places"

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post and photos!!!
Big kisses, Zondra Art

Melissa Miller said...

Everything is gorgeous! Love the cake and movie. *Smiles*

MTJ said...

Hi Karen,

Thank you for sharing such beautiful pictures of your visit with family. They all share a sense of connectedness as I viewed each one and listened as you spoke from your heart.

Growing up in Chicago, I never saw an armadillo (in the wild) until I moved to Texas. Texas is what that picture reminds me of.

I'm glad to know you enjoyed the holiday time with family and friends, and that your travels brought you safely home.

Blessings and peace.

MTJ

Lori said...

Did you go to the Natchitoches lights? Duck pictures are precious.

Janis Van Keuren said...

Hi Karen,
Your post was lovely. I could feel the love and relaxation that sets in when one is around family. I miss mine as well. I have finally allowed God to help me make this home.
Beautiful photos, too. The wedding photo has that glow about it. And I love the cows!

Blessings as you settle back in. And Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary!

Janis

Jana Endris said...

What a wonderful post! I even shared it with my hunny...the church picture is beautiful and you captured the fireworks perfectly! Enjoyed visiting with you...I've been thinking of more questions to ask!

The Church Cook said...

Beautiful photos and post, Karen. LOVE the cake!:)

Debbie said...

Welcome home! I had seen that you were gone. I, too, was on a break. I probably need another one just to catch up on what I've missed while "breaking" with my girls.

It sounds like you had a simply wonderful time. I love the picture of that church and all of the pictures, actually. My favorite was the one of your three hunters.

Hoping to get caught up too! Maybe I can slow down for a pair of minutes somewhere around April Fool's Day.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

What a lovely time away. I think my favorite photo is the one of the three guys with the prize in the middle. :)