Fun Foto Challenge: Opposite Colors

This was fun. I had to go to archives to find some color combinations with my garden this past summer but of course, red and green is still all over my house. Come join in on Cee’s Fun with opposite colors – red/green, yellow/purple & blue orange.

for Red and Green we are using my indoor wreath that I made last year…

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Then we jump into last summer flowers remembering the glorious warmth of the season. First is Yellow and Purple….

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Then there is Blue and Orange

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As you are still remember the joys of Christmas, or the beauty of nature or the fun adventure you had, try to remember the smiles you also created while having fun. Share those smiles because a smile can turn into kindness and kindness shares that love language with others.

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Share Your World

Interesting idea of sharing the successes and failures for the past year hosted by Sparksfromacombustiblemind. With a blog name like that how can you not come play. So with a New Year themed set of question, I am game as I had a pretty remarkable year. So here we go:

What was the single best thing that happened in your life this past year? That is easy. This past year I became a published author. After retiring in 2018 I was extremely bored and almost depressed. Its hard having a high energy job to do nothing. So I picked up a hobby I started in 2016, finished it and submitted it. If you love animals and are a believer in heaven, you might be interested in seeing what heaven is like froma dogs perspective with Our Home of Love.

The most challenging? That is also easy. During the last quarter of 2018, I had both feet operated on so 2019, I had to learn how to walk again. When one foot got done in September and I seemed to do so well, I decided to go ahead and do the other one in December. What I didn’t realize is why I did so well with the first one is I had the other not operated on foot to lean on – now I didn’t have that and it was difficult for several months.

One thing you learned in 2019? A lesson I have to relearn and relearn and relearn…Patience.

Given all your experiences, insights, and lessons learned in 2019, what’s the best advice you could give yourself for 2020? Take one day at a time and don’t sweat the small stuff that doesn’t get done – its all small stuff. Don’t borrow tomorrows troubles on today.

What’s the best meal/food you ate in 2019? Sorry, I live in the mid-west now and after living in Atlanta for 20 years, the food here is..boring to bad. Sorry, I guess I am just spoiled.

What are three activities you plan to use in the coming year to relieve stress? Since I was not able to walk much this past spring, I plan to walk on the nature trails of a historical park near me. Also walking along the parks at the river is nice as well. Not sure what others will come my way, maybe a trip to Atlanta to go eat – that would be a fabulous activity.

Gratitude Question:

What brought you the most joy and are you going to do more of that? My friends celebrating with me my new found joy of writing. The support and love they share makes it twice as fun and yes book two is almost complete and the start of ideas for book 3 and swimming in my mind.

Lastly – Any resolutions you’d care to share?I am not big on resolutions as they usually don’t last but I am going to give an idea I saw a good honest effort – Put my cell phone down more and pick up my bible instead. Also I am going to make a sincere effort to ensure I spread as much kindness as I possible can.

To join in on Share Your World 12/30/19 fun:

Suggestions for Responding by Melanie B Cee:

Create a Share Your World post. Then post the link to your blog in my comments or leave your answers in the comments on my blog.
To make it easy for others to check out your post, title your blog post “Share Your World” and link it to this post.
If you’d like, remember to follow my blog to get your weekly reminders.
Ping-backs* are activated, but how efficiently varies. Right now it’s been reported that on my blog at least, they are NOT working very well. Some folks can’t comment either. I will answer all responses I can. Thanks for your patience!

And in all things that we do, we make ripples in the lives of people everywhere we touch and interact with. So make your ripples kind so that kindness flows from you in a wave outward to circle the world.

The Deeper Gifts

As we look to end another year, we are reminded that this is the last two days of the month, the last two day of the year and the last two days of the decade. Pretty monumental. I have been busy and not on here much this month so its time to fire it back up again. I give you a poem on my thoughts for tonight with blowing flurries after unseasonable warm Christmas in the upper 40s.

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THE DEEPER GIFTS

There is a frightful howl that the wind makes

As it zooms through trees with no leaf brakes

When darkness permeates the early evening sky

Reminding us of this season, one, I’d rather pass by

Each season has it gifts that reflect the makers plan

This one requiring deep rest across the land you scan

But as you look across the beauty of each season that you see

You will find a beauty for each one created for you and me

From the cold death of winter with a purity of white snow

That turns to bloom in spring where it all wakes up to grow

The warm caress across your face of a warm summer breeze

It sometimes backfires on you and reluctantly make you sneeze

But then there is fall where the flowers all turn to fruit

Giving food for your table to prepare anyway you suit

As I sit quietly in thought tonight by a fire and the warmth it gives

I am reminded of each season’s beauty, the many gifts our maker gives

So as we close on this year, being a bit more profound than others

We must remember His best gift ever, in that we are all sisters and brothers.

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As you reflect on the beauty of this year gone by, remember the little things that were really quite profound and be thankful for the beauty of your year or if it was a bad year, be thankful for the grace in that you are still here.

If you can make a promise to your self for the coming year, remember the enormous value of kindness and try to always be kind.

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The Fun Side of Christmas

We all enjoy the fun side of Christmas with memories that make us smile, gifts that can be ridiculously funny and the unforgettable time with family, whether it be good or bad.

I am sharing with you today the last of my ornaments to share for the year and one that I just received from my daughter that made me cry. Its a tradition in our family that if you find an ornament that absolutely fits another member of the family, its purchased as a memory gift, they are not allowed to be over 5-7 dollars although with the cost of things that usually get bypassed but definitely no $20 ornament.

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One fun summer my daughter and I went to a craft fair that had a glass blower and he was making what he called sun catchers. We both looked at each other and said Christmas ornaments. These were not to be given as gifts as we bought some for our own trees and I thought I would share them with you as they are quite interesting.

Now that the noise of Christmas is done, its time to reflect on the meaning of why we celebrate this day. No other birth of any child has ever effected the entire world such as this birth. But it was just the beginning of why HE came. He loved us that much. So as you head into a new year, remember his love for you and try to share some of that love with others and always be kind.

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Light of the World

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

May you all have a joyous and blessed Christmas and may the light of Jesus shine upon you.

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and remember to be Kind.

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Cuteness of a Pin Cushion

Here in the USA over the last couple of years, figurines for hedgehogs, especially with Christmas decorations, have really taken hold. I find that interesting as the cute little creature is not native to our country. There are 17 different species of hedgehogs which is fascinating in itself to me. They are native in Europe, Asia, Africa and New Zealand. You can find replicas of them here in plant stores and multiple places that carry decorations. I bought a new Tree decoration this year and created a hedge hog family with the ones I had gotten over the last couple of years. I made a fun post of this family including a short short story that you can read about if interested, its here.

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I have become fascinated with them over the last couple of years because of the fabulous photographers that capture this creature and it cuteness and its apparent ability to smile. I wrote a special post on smiling animals here. Animals do smile, their entire face lights up when they are happy and treated kindly. But I have really been taken by the cuteness of a hedgehogs smile. How can you not smile at this cuteness?

I have recently added the National Geographic Photo of the Day page to my Facebook account and again I am amazed by the fabulous photographers across this world and the amazing pictures they take. Today and yesterday two pictures of hedgehogs were posted and I downloaded them both to share with you. One was of cuteness and one was mom and babies. I was amazed at how the babies look…like little pin cushions.

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It is amazing to me how God can create so many fascinating creatures, some none of us have ever seen other than in pictures. We don’t even know all that is on the bottom of our deepest oceans, our most intriguing earthly frontier. Some of it that has been captured on film is quite scary looking.

But I will settle for the cuteness and the beauty that photographers across the world are capturing and sharing with all of us. Thank you.

And remember as you share in the beauty of God’s creation, to show it the respect that it so much deserves. And with all creatures, beast and man alike, remember the value of kindness and share it when possible.

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Cee Fun Foto Challenge: One(ish) Color

Cee fun challenges always make you think and today’s of Basically One Color I though would be easy but…there is a lot of color right now in my home and around there is a lot of color showing even with all the snow. But I did manage to single out some mostly white and mostly silver pictures of my decoration…that are all over the house.

AWhite — This little lady is over 30 years old and still a beauty

IMG_20191217_123445 — The silver deer and balls are beautiful but leave glitter everywhere.

IMG_20191217_125150 — The white church and parsonage in the snow

May your Christmas be beautiful and bright with lots of love and family around. Remember those who may need an extra share of kindness this season and share it fully.

Kind fire

Hope, A Misunderstood Word

Man, I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow. I sure hope I can find a close parking space at the mall. Or how about – I hope I can lose this weight after Christmas or I hope this growth isn’t cancer. Many thoughts toward the word called hope. The dictionary beaks it down like this:

1 – to cherish a desire with anticipation : to want something to happen or be true

2 – trust

3 – to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment

One word in that group stood out for me – Cherish

1 – to hold dear : feel or show affection for

2 – to keep or cultivate with care and affection

3 – to entertain or harbor in the mind deeply and resolutely

When we think of hope from a Christian perspective it takes on a whole different meaning. I think what tends to happened with any language or word of power in any language is that we get complacent of its meaning and its power.

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In Sarah Young’s devotional book Jesus Calling, she reminds us that many Christian’s today misunderstand the word hope believing it to denote wishful thinking. And I agree with her statement of ‘Nothing could be further from the truth.’

Christians believe that once we accept the Son as our savior, we replace the fears of hell with the longings of heaven. We then have the hope of heaven that strengthens us and encourages us, filling us with a yearning for God, our creator, our protector, our savior.

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“The phrase hope of heaven highlights the benefits you can enjoy while remaining here on earth. This hope keeps you spiritually alive during dark times of adversity; it brightens your path and heightens your awareness of God.”

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Hope, while it is not tangible to physically hold onto with your hands, it can be felt in your heart. What a powerful gift from God to bring us love, joy and peace…hope.

Now that the Christmas season is upon us, spread that power of hope around and let your kindness be full. Let the love of Christ shine brightly in all that you do.

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The Use of Pacifiers, #SoCS

What a controversial topic for a quiet Saturday morning that almost has as many opinions as there are types of pacifiers. My babies were thumb babies, those were more convenient but the disadvantage is when it’s time for them to be gone, you can’t throw it out the window while driving down the highway. My daughter bought one for her youngest nephew, her younger brother’s last child, which we both thought was hilarious. As far as I know, it was never used but I found this picture on line and thought I would share and no this is not my grandson but he is a cutie.

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But the passe I am referring to today is a total different type of pacifier and one I will miss when it gets to warm to use….the fireplace.

IMG_20191213_204620 — The passe at my house

These two can be running with the ball, yanking on the rope or just barking loud at each other as they race through the house. BUT when I turn on the gas fireplace, the world comes to a complete stop. So last night they were driving me crazy as I was trying to get some writing done, so I turned on the fireplace and five minutes later…

So we all settled down for a quiet evening and enjoyed the soft Christmas lights and a warm fireplace. Do you have things in your home to settle the loud noises of life? If so share away, I love seeing how we all learn ways to quiet the loudness of life.

I post this in with others who enjoy Linda G Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday and today’s theme is loud. I know my house really gets loud sometimes, so every effort at calm and quiet is well appreciated.

While this season can be loud with parties and family, remember this is also season of joy, love and peace. So share you peace with others and know that some are hurting in may ways. Even those who put on a brave face can still be hurting. So be kind through the season and carry it with you through the next year.

Kindness Christmas

Black & White of Black & White

A play on words with Cee’s fun challenge of Pets, Living and Stuffed in black and white, since both of my dogs are black and white.

First off, it is very black & white clear that the mailman is something to be dreaded…

Mimi on left and Daisy Mae on right…well the mailman does bring bills…’nuff said. And in keeping with the Christmas season we have the cat that sings Jingle Bells in meow tones and the dog that lets you know Santa is coming to town.

And since we are closing in on my favorite time of year, I wish you all a blessed and wonderful Merry Christmas. Remember to share your love and joy with others this season by being kind. It is not always a merry season for some.

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And if you are an animal lover and want to know how Dogs view heaven, catch the creative book Our Home of Love. It may be a fun Christmas present.

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