Honey, I'm cold...

I just read Cindy's latest post at the Yapping Cat, and then with me having a cat on me every time I sit down here at the computer, I thought I'd share this with you. Anne at Fiona and Twig sent me to this website as we are both cat lovers and have fur-kids that must have been separated at birth.

It's been pretty cold around here and this is the result.

Click here to laugh your socks off,

but only if you are an animal lover!

And no, that's NOT me!

calling all kitties...

Debra

Enjoying the moment...

That's what I'm doing today...

enjoying the moment.

God has been speaking to me alot about patience.

About living each day to the fullest.

That no longer means seeing how much

I can cram into 24 hours.

So today I'm savoring "winter".

When I was younger I was always in a hurry.

A hurry to "be done" with whatever I was going through.

Just wait till the kids get older.

Just wait till I get a bigger house.

Just wait till we can afford this or that.

Just wait till I have the time.

I love the change of seasons,

but I don't want to forget which one I'm in.

Spring will be here before we know it.

Then summer, and we will all be

sweating and fussing about the heat!

So today I'm enjoying "winter".

And being home, and sitting here

with a large gray cat

asleep in my lap.

Listening to the birds outside my window,

and watching her ears twitch

every now and again as her little

brain recognizes a familiar sound.

(I'm still enjoying my "New Year's tree".)

Different seasons reflect different moods,

and times in our life.

Don't miss out on what is right in front of you

because you may be in search of what's next.

Enjoy the moment.

Today I found this wonderful German die-cut calendar,

while I was searching for Valentines.

I had to stop and share this with all of you.

Have a wonderful winter day!

love,

Debra

Friends just warm the heart!

This is what all us chicks up north look like!

(image Coldwater Creek)

I knew when I started blogging that it would be fun and rewarding, but I really didn't realize how so many new connections would be made and friendships formed. How God just "hooks you up" with some of the most wonderful, thoughtful people. Since I've started the Bible Study blog, new and deep friendships have been made and some from the beginning have taken on a new dimension.

Brenda from Lady Bug Dreams is one such sweet friend.

Look at this little cutie,

 who was the first thing I saw when I looked inside!

Flavored hot cocoa mixes, yummy!

And such beautiful packaging and card!

Some people just have a "gift" for giving. Because they listen. They listen to you and know instinctively how to bless you. So many of you have blessed me in that way. Not just by a "tangible" gift , but by giving from your heart.

Brenda knew my love for white churches.

 Even yesterday's post showed a beautiful example.

She happened upon this one and thought of me.

And Oh, I just love it. It is in wonderful condition,

still being in it's original box

with the little illuminating bulb!

My other churches have been packed away,

but this one will stay out in my studio

to remind me of sweet and precious friends.

stay warm you all!

love,

 Debra

For every thing there is a season

I buy my calendars for the New Year, usually in the fall. I love picking them out, and then waiting for the day I take the old one down and put up the new one. I have said before how much I love the change of seasons. They give me something new to look forward to. I love them all. To me they have not only physical beauty in their differences, but also it is a time mentally and spiritually to think of "change".

Spring is about new life and revival

Summer is about enjoying the growth

Fall is for bringing in the harvest

Winter is for quiet, rest and contemplation

This is my calendar in the kitchen by Marjolein Bastin. I so enjoy her endearing artwork of animals and nature. Each month I look forward to see what she has painted from her own home in The Netherlands.

As I put it up recently I paid special attention

 to the quote for January.

"In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy."

William Blake 

It reminded me of the verses from Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven
A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up. 
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away.

A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; A time to be silent, and a time to speak. 
A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace.

God provides the seasons. Each one is new and different. I need to learn and be mindful that each season is there for a purpose, a time to learn and grow, to experience life and His Presence. I want to be fully in the moment whatever He sends my way. To embrace the days He has for me.

I used to "grade" myself on productivity. Did I get accomplished what I needed to for the day? Did I waste my time? Lately I have had a shift in thinking. Live the day for what it is... meet it fully and learn from it.

To live my life for what it is, each and every day.

These pictures of the snow were taken

Sunday afternoon out my windows...

I love to feed the birds and squirrels, and an occasional possum, rabbit, and raccoon. Look at the tracks. There are all varieties.

These two evergreen trees in the back yard of our neighbor's are home to dozens of varieties of birds. Seeing them active on a day like this is wonderful.

This is a view out my front door. I have mentioned that we live right on the edge of the city and across the street is a wildlife and nature area with a large lake. The preserve is several miles wide and probably over one mile deep. Deer are protected and flourish there. They visit frequently to dine on my hydrangeas.

So this is what we saw Friday as we sat in the kitchen. Looking out the front door here also, I used my zoom lens to get a better picture of our little friends.

At one point we counted nine deer at one time.

So, I'm enjoying the Season. Winter can be a lonely and depressing time for some, but not for me. I always look forward to those days inside. For me it is a time to "regroup", to contemplate life, and to be thankful.

Enjoy whatever "season" you are in.

Blessings,

Debra

Daily Bread

Looks good doesn't it? A loaf of hot,

 delicious, nutritious bread.

There's a little change coming in my Bible Study Blog.

A day in the life...

(see on my side bar)

For the New Year I have made a commitment to post every day on the Bible Study. It probably won't be as lengthy as it has been, but I know God will have something "fresh" for us each day.

Hope you come by for a visit everyday.

Grab your coffee or tea and start the day

with me in God's Word.

If you haven't joined as a follower, I'd love for you to. I think by doing so it will be easier to keep up with each new post. Just think of it as God having a

"Give-away"!

Starts Monday!

love,

Debra

Cinderella had her slippers...

I have a pair of tennis shoes which I do believe contain "supernatural" powers. I can be dreading and putting off a project or job around the house, but all I need to do is put on my tennies and "something" happens. I can then accomplish amazing feats of stamina and fortitude! Yes, Cinderella had her slippers, but my Nike's are the next best thing.

I'm not one to keep my Christmas decor up long after Christmas. I like to have everything down and put away by the January 1. So for the last few days I have been cleaning and organizing (?) a little, trying to get things to some state of near normalcy.
We have a great L-shaped storage room that is literally filled from bottom to top with boxes of "Christmas", "Fall", and shelves of floral arrangements, boxes of faux flowers, wreaths... you name it. My husband won't go in there. He's afraid for his life.

What lurks behind the creaking door????

(Que organ music and maniacal laughter)

OK, so here is just the tip of the proverbial "iceberg" of Christmas tubs and boxes. Imagine 10 X this and you'll have the picture. I try to do some cleaning while I'm putting away, so then that causes the "domino effect". You know you start one thing, then to be able to do that, something else must be done first....

And of course, here is what Anne has been waiting to see! I've thought how much fun it would be to have a blog party called "What you didn't see" and then show all the "stuff" that we have to shoot around or crop out of photos. Like my honkin' gas grill on the deck or the dish drainer I just cannot live without. (Now I'm telling all my dirty little secrets) So here's my favorite little vacuum. I have one just like it for upstairs too, so I don't have to drag it up and down the stairs. And just as a side note. I've had all kinds of vacuums, but this little Hoover cutie that I paid  $70 for has been the best one!

And thought I'd show you what my helpers do when I'm not looking. My little white feather tree came downstairs to wait to be packed up, but in the meantime the girls had managed to pull off the little crystal prism ornaments and were having a great time with them. Vintage cat toys!

Just wanted to share some of my exciting life in the "Keepin' it Real" segment.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Debra

White Wednesday,The Gift of Time

24 hours in a day

7 days in a week

52 weeks in a year

we are all given the same amount

my desire is to see my time well spent

an hour with a friend

a tradition with a sister

a morning with a mother

an afternoon with a daughter

an evening with my beloved

hours become days

days turn into weeks

weeks become months

and months flow into a year

My prayer is for joy,

for peace,

for love,

for commitment,

for favor.

Thank you God, for one more year.

A year spent well and wisely with You.

May God's blessing for the New Year

fall gently like snow.

Debra