~Once in a lifetime...

jealousy would be wrong...

 but just to think my duck hunting guys get to see this

 ~ I am a little envious ~

the above picture was the first view my eyes rested upon

when we arrived at the duck blind last Friday morning

every second the view was changing

because of the fog on the river

The boys had been wanting me to go for quite some time.

I agreed, but almost backed out.

45 degrees & 4:30 a.m. - not my favs

We were in Louisiana at our son's home for Thanksgiving.

I heard the oldest & youngest along with their dad

getting suited up in the living room.

Putting on their layers of clothing while dad broke

the news "mom just don't think she can do it".

In a split second,

I had a change of mind ~ just like I'm prone to do.

But, I must say when I loaded in the boat, with help,

 at the launch on the Red River,

I wished my toes & my nerves had still been resting

under the warm covers back at the house.

IT WAS SOOOO FOGGY!!!

I covered my stocking cap head with a blanket

and never peeked until we pulled into the duck blind.

~Words I could hear through the layers wrapping my head~

Dad, I can't see the tree line.

you are on the other side of the buoy where the rocks are

turn the light off I can't see anything with it on

what was that?

there should be another marker - I don't see it.

oh my, there's the port - almost turned in

I had a wonderful prayer time on the 15 minute boat ride.

Mom looked for beauty all around

~when the ducks don't fly

I posted the pictures in order of the morning events.

Fog would thin and then thicken.

The ducks could not see where to fly into.

So needless to say - no ducks, just decoys.

The sun had a really hard time burning through.

A breeze started blowing and blew the fog out.

Or at least that's what the guys said.

I enjoyed every minute ~ even savored my morning coffee.

Just don't think I'm cut out for riding the river.

The oldest son had prepared me for his change in appearance

before we arrived last week.

He had started growing his duck hunting beard back in September.

The shaving date is set for February!

 Oh, my!

The youngest tried to grow one for the week. :))

~the duck hunting make-up is lacking alot

I didn't even give it a try.

Such beautiful pictures painted

 just for our eyes to behold and enjoy.

So glad I did not miss it!

Dad enjoying his time off and time spent with his boys.

  The ride home!



Joining the others for Outdoor Wednesday

12 days + 25 years

12 days....since my last post

oh my!

 How time passes when you are having fun.

We have traveled to Louisiana during those 12 days

to visit family and enjoyed our week stay.

We returned home on Sunday with lots of

 memories, (blogging posts - can't wait to share)  pictures,

 and suitcases to unpack.

Yesterday, our first day back, we took time

 to remember the events of a special day

 that took place 25 years ago.

Our Wedding Day

November 28, 1986

Oh how the hands of the clock have moved quickly.

But, I must say alot of water has run under the bridge, too!

We've learned to love with a much deeper love

and communicate in different ways.

We shared a fun evening together.

(pizza & Wal-mart) = your morning laugh!

I have plans to prepare a nice dinner tonight...

just could not put it all together yesterday.

We are planning to celebrate our 25th

with a memorable get-away

after the first of the year.

It is such a busy time for us,
 this time of year.

Dinner Menu

Petite Dinner Rolls
Wild Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms and Toasted Pecans

Cornish Hens with Lemons and Rosemary

Green Bean Bundles
Iced Lemon Tea

Chocolate Mint Brownies topped with cream

I am not promising pictures - due to food prep overload. :)

The dishes are Lynmore Golden Rose.

My grandmother gave me

 two demitasse cups with the saucers

approximately 30 years ago.

  I have collected for approximately 20 years

and now have a large collection of this pattern.

~~~

Hope you are having fun

 preparing for Christmas.

We are getting our decorations

 down from the attic tonight and

I'll be sharing my home with you.

~~~

I have missed visiting with all of you.

Hoping to play catch-up soon.

:-)

Karen

Wishing you....

All a Happy Thanksgiving.



mundane=monumental

We need deliberately to call to mind the joys of our journey.

 Perhaps we should try to write down the blessings of one day.

We might begin; we could never end;

 there are not pens or paper enough in all the world.

George A. Buttrick

-the heart & soul longs to be filled

A grateful heart is one that finds

the countless blessings of God

in the seemingly mundane everyday life.

-anoymous

~~~

mundane:concerned with the

 practical details of everyday life

~~~

Our Lord & Creator specializes in the details-

little things - joy givers - ones that bring smiles

He's offering to fill with the mundane.

~~~

201. boys of fall wearing pink fuzzy wristbands & socks for a cause
202. new great grandmothers holding bundles of joy

203. leaves of beauty coming to rest in chairs of rest

Redefining mundane with His definition.

204. guitar strumming by the fireside

205. hands joined in Sunday morning worship

206. hot cider warming the hands through the cup

the journey is not one of joy

when naming & numbering stops

allowing Him to fill us
erasing the bitterness

easing the heartache

and letting the mundane

become the monumental

Opening the eyes to gratitude
and filling the heart with His joy!

~food, fun & football

hAViNg FUN

 with the youngest son today

I took requests for the evening meal

and he suggested

Jambalaya

Zatarain's New Orleans Style

Jambalaya Mix Original

and added sausage & pre-cooked chicken

GEAUX LSU!!!

~november's beginnings

learning a different pace of life

~~~

enjoying the sweetness of slowing

not hurrying through life,

taking the back roads

adds a whole different meaning

to living life to it's fullest

and the most wonderful surprises can be waiting

around the bend of the road

take the extra moments to turn the engine off

and explore up close

those surprises you are given

beauty can be found

trials, heartaches are beauty being developed

requiring our attention to be turned toward

the Source of our strength, the Lord.

He makes all things beautiful in His time.

"Lord, please show me every day

as You're teaching me Your way,

that You do just what You say

in Your time."

words: Diane Ball 1941

~may your November beginnings

be slow and focused upon

having thankful hearts.

Karen