April Blessings ~ Counting It All Joy! (Week Three)

COUNTING IT ALL JOY!

April showers bring May flowers!

Each bloom a new birth

Waiting to spread her beauty

Ready to weave their rich color

Through the fabric of life

Hand woven through

The promise 

Of new beginnings

 Waiting to spread their aroma of life

Each strand of color

Richly hand picked

To tell a love story

Each their own

A story of life 

Rich in beauty

For all to behold

Uniquely made

One by one

A perfect bud 

Awaiting to share its rare beauty

A glance at the rich single blossom  

Brings an enchanted peace to the eye of the beholder

As it shares its rich rare beauty

Of color

Into the fabric of life

 Each single blossom

Brings sweet fragrant

New beginnings

Of life

~BETH~

April 15~ Oh tired eyes....so tired! Good morning sleepy head (Beth)! People and fur babies are moving around. Not going to sleep. It's okay I heard sleep was overrated and when I'm dead and gone I will have plenty of time to catch up. Humor is what's going to carry me today I hope. So far not so good. But guess what the day has just started so plenty of opportunities to turn things around. Thank you Lord for the air I breathe and keeping me alert for all the blessings to be thankful for today. 

1. Coffee and prayers 

2. My family and friends even when I'm grumpy sleepy Beth. 

3. For my bowl of grits for breakfast. 

4. Little cat naps of shut eye to rest my tired burning eyes. 

5. A walk around Sorosis Park even in the drizzle under grey skies before heading back home. 

6. Safe drive home from the The Dalles back to Fairview. Rainy drive. 

7. Getting my oil changed and the car vacuumed and washed. Looks so nice. 

8. A phone call from my beautiful daughter Racheal Perry. I love you! 

9. An early dinner. Thankful for the groceries in my refrigerator and cupboards. 

10. For anti acid tabs. 

11. For my electric fireplace that is warming me on this dark dreary rainy grey day. 

Thank you Lord for this day and the blessings you have blessed me with even when I find it hard when I'm grumpy tired and cold on this grey day. You always bless me everyday with your rich goodness of love, grace and mercy even when I'm a bit out of sorts. Thank you! Blessings

April 16~ Good morning! Slow quiet start. Just the way I like it; even with house guest. Time for me to have some coffee and get dressed. Oh No! Coffee pot broken! This is not good! Hurry up and get in car and go buy that coffee pot for morning java. I'm sure there are hidden blessings to be thankful for because the Lord woke you up this morning. 

1. No talking before coffee.....struggle! Checker so sweet in check put line and so understood my dilemma and pain. 

2. The guy flirting with me at self check out gave me a smile. Which gave us both an early morning smile. 

3. A new coffee pot, and matches my kitchen. Woohoo! 

4. Finally coffee....as I prepare to put dinner in crock pot. 

5. Getting the garbage out and the cans. So thankful we have garbage pick up every week whether I need it or not. 

6. The canned green tomatoes from Katherine Fischer Huston that I used in my dinner today. 

7. The walk to mailbox and a quick chat with the man tearing down the house. 

8. Laundry once again washed and dried and put away. (That little goblin that is piling up dirt laundry needs to be found and punished with laundry duty.) 

9. Made it to evening appointment. Which was good. 

10. Home to have dinner with Sally Mazza, and Sherilynn Ganther. Thank you for cooking the rice for me Sally. 

11. Played three different games after dinner so fun and relaxing. 

Started off rough with the coffee pot dilemma but was quickly ratified, after a quick trip to Wal-Mart. So the rocky start turned around and the Lord provided provisions and gave me much to be thankful for as always. Thank you Lord for bringing smiles and provisions throughout my day without fail you give me more and more each and everyday. Blessings

April 17~ Restless night! Time to rise and shine to another day. Good morning! It seems the grey skies are still with us and I'm still looking for the fireball in the sky. Morning coffee and salutations to Sherilynn Ganther,and Sally Mazza. So nice to wake to a house full of friends and morning cups of coffee to share. As the day gets rolling to a slow roll its time to find those gifts and treasures to be thankful for. As you see I already have a number of them that I have to be thankful for. 

1. Nice surprise on my phone this morning as my youngest daughter Racheal Perry and I goofy around and play on a post her sister Webber Heather had posted.I think it is going to be one heck of a fun party! You won't want to miss it. 

2. Another surprise awaits in my email. WOW! Who Knew making a decision to step out of my box would cause such a flood. This should be interesting as well as fun!Let the good times roll! 

3. Stretching out on couch and propping my foot as I start to catch up on one of my programs. 

4.Sandwich for lunch. 

5. A little walk to mailbox and adding more flowers to my collection in my camera. My camera is blooming in photos of radiance and fragrant beauty. 

6. After lunch we head to the park for a afternoon walk. Where we find beautiful hand painted rocks. Sally found three and I found four. I was so excited as I never find any. 

7. Then we head over to three more parks and walk around. The treasures there are found in my camera with many new flowering blooms. 

8. Sheri giving me a beautiful flower. 

9. Swinging on the swing at Columbia Park. 

10. Being out in the fresh air and just walking around having fun. 

11. Having dinner with Sally and Sheri at Home Buffet this evening. Always nice not having to cook. 

12. Having Sheri drive today so I didn't have too. Thank you! Truly a blessing. 

13. Taking a nice hot shower to relax my body. 

14. Night moisture cream for my face and body. Got to love the Mary Kay products. Love their lotions and potions of beauty. 

Thank you Lord For giving me another day and waking me for all the wonderful gifts you bless me with daily. Blessings

April 18~ Another short night and very restless. Seems like sleep is eluding me once again. Up early to create beauty of smiles this morning. Good morning! Good morning! You got this Beth! Thank you Sherilynn Ganther for putting on coffee. Wish I could stay and just kick back and enjoy coffee with you and Sally Mazza. Got to run! See you soon! Must create that smile of beauty. I know there are other gifts in this day to be thankful for and found. 

1. Waking up and breathing is huge! Another day to celebrate and rejoice in. 

2. Morning coffee and prayers 

3. Congestion on the road today with lots of road construction. Thankful I made it out to my hair appointment in a timely fashion and safely. 

4. A phone call from my daughter Racheal Perry. Hearing her voice makes my heart full;especially when I hear I love you. 

5. Breaking down some more of the tree limb out front.They are still to green to break by hand.I need to get a saw to finish up. Thankful for what I did get done. 

6.Some quiet time to think. Grateful for my memories and those that have come into my life,even those that are no longer around or apart of my life. Each have given me a gift of a golden thread in my journey. Thank you! 

7. The beautiful sunshine popping out through the clouds. 

8. Afternoon walk in two of my favorite parks. finding the blooming treasures of beauty to add to my camera garden. 

9. Birds singing 

10. Watching the fisherman at the lake. 

11. The little girl on the play ground yelling watch me mommy! Then playing on the over sized musical instrument on the playground and hearing it ring out across the play ground as her voice did. 

12. The geese in flight then landing on the water. Hearing their voices and the flapping of their wings and the swoosh of the water as we watched them in all their glory and beauty. 

13. Not having to cook. Thank you Sally for making dinner tonight. It was very yummy! 

14. Then finally getting my photos downloaded to my computer to share. 

Thank you Lord for these mentions and so much more that you have blessed me with today. Each day is a gift and you pack it full with many blessings to be thankful for. Just being able to walk in this beautiful land and take it all in. To have my sight and to see and my ears to hear all the beauty that surrounds me daily. Thank you Lord! Blessings

April 19~ Good morning! Sun is shining and we have adventures awaiting us today. Morning coffee with Sherilynn Ganther and Sally Mazza. Gather my travel bag as we head towards the beach. With the sun shining leading our way; I already have so much to be thankful for. 

1. A call from Tricia Towne. So nice to hear from you. 

2. That I didn't have to drive. Thank you so much Sheri. 

3. Going to the Astoria Column. And that I made it to the top. All 164 steps up. Almost gave up.....but I did it! 

4. The amazing views there and all day long. 

5. Seeing the joy on the faces of my friends. Sheri the joy she had sharing her happy places. And Sally the excitement and joy of being here and seeing, hearing, feeling the sights and sounds of the historical places and beauty we saw today. 

6. Going to Fort Stevens and seeing the ruins. Amazing place. 

7. Seeing Fort Clatsop and the history. 

8. Seeing the Peter Iredale that is a ship wreck in Fort Stevens on the beach. Getting some great photos. 

9. Then a trip to Seaside to catch the sunset. 

10. A cup of coffee at the Shilo Inn in Seaside in the restaurant. A warm comfortable window view to watch the sunset. Thank you Sheri! 

11. The laughter and joy of the day. 

12. The treasures caught inside my camera. 

13. The the picnic at Fort Clatsop. Perfect! The ladies thought of everything. 

14. A change of shoes so I could play in the surf. 

15. Two beach jackets to keep me warm. 

16. The great walks and many resting spots. 

17. Spending the day with two amazing ladies that I have the honor to call friends. 

Thank you Lord for this day and sunshine to play in as we explored the many places we traveled too. Once again my cup runs over with multiple blessings thank you. Blessings

April 20~ Good morning Friday! It's time to dance right into the weekend. Time for morning coffee and weather. Mustn't forget my prayers a full day and weekend ahead of me. Lots to be thankful for. 

1. Phone call from my daughter Racheal Perry. I so love hearing her voice and "I love you. " 

2. Getting my packing finished for my trek to Central Oregon and Klamath Falls. 

3. The yellow fire ball in the sky that is warming the day with its bright rays. 

4. A stop at Little Zig Zag Falls to stretch and possibly take a short walk. 

5. Snow that is pretty to look at. 

6. The majestic beauty of Mt. Hood. 

7. Little stretches that help my body feel better. 

8. Seeing the wild horses. 

9. Phone call from mom and my sister. 

10. Meeting a new friend today at Katherine Fischer Huston. So nice to meet you Jodie. 

11. Getting amazing camera and photo tips this evening. 

12. Sitting with all the ladies Sally Mazza, Sherilynn Ganther, Katherine, and Jodie sharing and chatting away. 

13. For the hospitality of Mae Vasey Huston, Stan, and Katherine thank you ever so much. 

Lord once again you pull out all the stops to bless me in my journey today. Your mercies are new everyday. Thank you for one more day to give you honor and praise for all you do for me. Blessings

April 21~ Good morning! Rising to a beautiful morning and sunrise at the vacation home with great friends Sally Mazza, Sherilynn Ganther, Jodie Kemp-Willard, Cameron; thank you Katherine Fischer Huston, Mae Vasey Huston, Stan for hosting us all this weekend. So much to be thankful for already on this Saturday. 

1. Sitting out on the patio listening to the cattle moo and the train passing by. So many wonderful country sounds and views to take in this morning. 

2. A surprise text and phone call that started my morning with unexpected smiles. It will be fun to see where this goes. 

3. French toast and bacon for breakfast. Yummy! 

4. Beautiful sunshine warming this day. 

5. Many photo ops throughout the day. 

6. Camera lessons from Jodie thank you. 

7. Stopping at Sister's, Oregon and sitting on the bench in the sun. 

8. The sights and sounds at Camp Sherman. 

9. Technique lessons on taking great photos. 

10. The picnic at Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery 

11. The beautiful evening sun set. 

12. A perfect day spent with friends in nature. 

Thank you Lord for this day filled to the brim with blessings and treasured opportunities that create many memories of joy to hold. Thank you! Blessings

April Blessings ~ Counting It All Joy! (Week Two)

COUNTING IT ALL JOY!

April showers bring May flowers!

Each bloom a new birth

Waiting to spread her beauty

Ready to weave their rich color

Through the fabric of life

Hand woven through

The promise 

Of new beginnings

 Waiting to spread their aroma of life

Each strand of color

Richly hand picked

To tell a love story

Each their own

A story of life 

Rich in beauty

For all to behold

Uniquely made

One by one

A perfect bud 

Awaiting to share its rare beauty

A glance at the rich single blossom  

Brings an enchanted peace to the eye of the beholder

As it shares its rich rare beauty

Of color

Into the fabric of life

 Each single blossom

Brings sweet fragrant

New beginnings

Of life

~BETH~

April 8~ Good morning! It's travel day. Appears the Lord is blessing us with clear blue skies and sunshine. Thank you Jesus! Time for coffee, prayers, finishing packing and load the car to head to Central Oregon. Excited to see what blessings and treasures await me on my journey today to be thankful for. 

1. Morning coffee with Sherilynn Ganther,and Sally Mazza. 

2. The fireball in the sky and the beautiful blue sky, for the drive. 

3. Then a stop at Collier State Park and Logging Museum. 

4. Seeing the Williamson River and Spring Creek area at the Collier Logging Museum beautiful! 

5. Safe travels to Katherine Fischer Huston in Central Oregon. 

6. Beautiful dinner served when we arrived. Thank you Katherine, Mae Vasey Huston, Stan. 

7. Views on top of canyons at the Palisades. 

8. A drive the Cove and to Round Butte. 

9. A drive to Prineville Reservoir; absolutely amazing through the canyon. The Crooked River Forest and stops at Stillwater campsite. Also a stop at Castle Rock on the Crooked River just amazing beauty of God's creation. 

10. The wild deer feeding. 

11. Seeing the horses along the Crooked River. 

12. Laughter laughing so hard our sides hurt and tears coming down. 

13. Root beer milkshake 

14. God's peace and hand upon our journey today. 

Thank you Lord for this day amazing day stocked full of many gifts and treasures to be thankful for. Your blessings never ending. So grateful for all the many blessings listed and not listed. Thank you! Blessings

April 9~ Good morning from vacation home. Quiet morning, coffee, prayers. Slowly everyone starts moving. Good morning Sherilynn Ganther, Sally Mazza, Katherine Fischer Huston, Stan. Sun starts poking through giving way to beautiful mountain views. Breakfast with the ladies; then the day of adventures that await us can begun. As the day began there was already much to be thankful for, and I'm sure there will be many more as the day progresses. 

1. The still quiet of the morning as the day begins. 

2. Coffee next to the fireplace with amazing views to take in. 

3. A pancake breakfast with the ladies. 

4. A drive to Smith Rock. 

5. Finding even more trails that I want to do. 

6. The walk around the top of the Rim at Smith Rock to take in the view of Monkey face. 

7. The warmth of the day as the sun beat down and shined brightly, bringing hope of more to come. 

8. Dutch Brothers coffee. Thank you Katherine. 

9. La Pine State Park and the many sites found. 

10. Seeing the many turns and bends in the Deschutes River. 

11. Lunch in the car. 

12. Safe travels home before it was dark. 

13. Hot shower to wash the travel dust off. 

14. Money to pay my bills. 

15. Having a beautiful home to come home too. 

Thank you Lord for the many blessings of the day, spoken and unspoken. Thank you for another day filled with adventures that awaited me. Thank you for the many provisions provided to meet each and every need. Thank you waking me to the many gifts given. Blessings

April 10~ Early morning rise after a restless night. Good morning! So tired....so wish I could stay in bed and sleep. But must rise and shine to go create beauty today. First things first prayers and coffee. I'm sure there will be many graces and gifts to be thankful for today. 

1. Listening to the pidder padder of the rain dancing on my roof top. 

2. Windshield wipers 

3. Memories that carry me through the day with smiles, giggling at phone calls that made me blush. You are missed. Prayers of blessings where ever you are. 

4. Watching the sun push its way through the grey skies of rain. 

5. Having a house full of company. Love having you here Sally Mazza and Sherilynn Ganther. 

6. Having Swedish meatballs at IKEA. Great idea Sheri. 

7. Got my exercise walking Ikea today. Lots of ideas for design and decor. 

8. Groceries bought 

9. Seeing my granddaughter Sara Harris graduation photo. So beautiful and so proud of her. May 31st another grandchild embarks into a new chapter of her life. Congratulations Sara! 

10. Getting light bulb changed over bar counter. Always good to have some light. 

Another day to thank you Lord for waking me to the blessings and opportunities that await me. Blessings

April 11~ Ummm.....I hear bells! That's weird! Well....Good morning! So much for my idea of sleeping in. Though the bells sure do sound pretty. Wonder where they are coming from. Good morning Sherilynn Ganther and Sally Mazza. We can be the "Golden Girls". Today has started and with that a gift of waking up to a household of friends. Looking forward to the many other gifts and blessings of the day to be thankful for. 

1. Coffee with the ladies. 

2. Some light house keeping. (Darn housekeeper never shows up! Then I'm left to do this job. I think I need to fire her.) 

3. Preparation for my luncheon with the ladies. Having food in my cupboards. 

4. Lunch with Geo Sutter, Sheri, and Sally. Love having you ladies over. Thank you Geo for salad and dessert. 

5. That I didn't have to drive today. Thank you Sheri. 

6. Finding Sara's graduation gift today. So excited! 

7. Finding a pretty Spring sweater for $9. 

8. Preparing for a dinner gathering. Love having guest over. 

9. Dinner with Mary McCormick Loomis, Sheri, and Sally. Glad to have an extra bag if salad and the dessert left from lunch. Thank you Geo! 

10. A dishwasher. It got a workout today. Two loads of dishes washed and put away. 

11. Got two loads of laundry washed, folded and put away. Its been a full day. 

12. Loved hosting today at my home and having friends over for both lunch and dinner. 

13. A beautiful day filled with many gifts and graces thank you Lord! 

Thank you Jesus for another day filled with friends, love and your amazing grace. Blessings

April 12~ Awwww.....slept in a bit this morning. Sweetness! Good morning! Yet another day were old man Winter has a grip on Spring and is holding that yellow ball of fire hostage. Seems he is refusing to let go and give in to Spring. Rain showers and grey skies. So today I will just stay inside and find my many blessings to count and be thankful for. 

1. Sleeping past 8 is always a welcomed gift. 

2. Morning coffee with the ladies Sally Mazza andSherilynn Ganther. Fun having house guest. 

3. Watching old Spaghetti Westerns on TV. 

4. Sally made a yummy breakfast casserole for a mid morning breakfast with orange juice. 

5. A walk up to the mailbox and back between rain showers.

 6. Finding beautiful blooms in the neighborhood to enjoy as I walked to mailbox and back. 

7. Playing Tri-Ominos with Sheri and Sally this afternoon. Glad we weren't keeping score. 

8. The yummy beef stroganoff and broccoli with cheese for dinner. Thank you Sally! 

9. Phone call from Denise. Great catching up with her. Look forward to the future meeting up with you. 

10. Thank you Sheri for cleaning up kitchen. 

11. The quiet and the R&R of the day. 

Thank you Lord for this day of simple pleasures with friends and the R&R. Blessings

April 13~ Good morning Friday the 13th! I'm ready to rock this day. Always have a great time on Friday the 13th! Only great things happen! BOO! Don't look so scared. It's only a day and a number....it will be okay. See my day is starting off wonderful already. I got to sleep in past 8 once again. I have woke up to a house full of friends and morning coffee. Prespective, prespective, prespective! Good morning Sherilynn Ganther and Sally Mazza! I'm sure this day is going to be filled with many wonderful things to be thankful for. 

1. Banana cream pie for breakfast with my coffee. 

2. Getting my banking done. Car and mortgage payment payed! 

3. Loved my leftovers for lunch today. Beef stroganoff best especially for lunch. Thank you Sally. 

4. Seeing my refrigerator so full of yummy home meals and goodies. It's amazing what happens when cooking is done. 

5. Safe travels to my sister's. 

6. Seeing blue skies and the sun peeking out and shining smiles of brilliant light upon the afternoon and early evening sky. 

7. Dinner with the family. Thank you Christine Good, Rosie,Jennifer Merritt-Estep. 

8. Rocky road ice cream 

9. Seeing my niece Corie Coggins, and my great nephew's Daniel and Gary. 

10. Good seeing the rest of the family as well Brandy Estep, Dave, and Gary Pilcher. 

11. Playing Farkle with my family. 

12. The laughter and love that fills this home and my heart. 

13. Coconut chips! Who knew!?! Yummy! I would say that was the biggest surprise of the day. 

Thank you Lord for this day and the many blessings found scattered throughout the day. The gift of waking up to Friday the 13th as we run into the weekend. I so enjoy all you have given me and all the provisions and protection, thank you Lord! Blessings

April 14~ Good morning! Waking at sister's in the recliner to kitty's pouncing on my lap wanting love. Little people, family, friends, lot's of fur babies to bring good morning smiles and the song of love to my heart. Being surrounded by those you love brings huge joys of happiness and much to be thankful for. Just the opening of the day and my heart is already full. Today's thankfuls will be bountiful. 

1. Morning coffee with family and friends. 

2. Christine Good egg scramble for breakfast. Not bad. And if you know me I'm not a huge egg fan. 

3. Morning walk with Chris,Jennifer Merritt-Estep, Sherilynn Ganther, Sally Mazza through the neighborhood in The Dalles. 

4. Adding flowers to my photo collection. My flower garden in photos is growing in leaps and bounds. 

5. A beautiful drive through the The Dalles and another stop at St. Peter's Church. Loved going up to the balcony and looking at the pipe organ. Just beautiful! 

6. Having lunch at "Big Jim's". Yummy hamburger and fries. 

7. Wonderful dinner with family. Thank you Chris and Jen. 

8. An evening out with my sister Chris, Jen, Sally, and Sheri. So much fun. Meeting up with Lori Wageman and Gary. 

9. Playing several games of pool. Lost a few and won the final game. So excited! 

10. Getting to dance or should I say moving my body. 

11. Eating rocky road ice cream after dancing this evening. 

Thank you Lord for filling my day with many beautiful gifts and blessings sprinkled through the day. Blessings