Appetizer

Invent a new flower; give it a name and describe it. It’s a huliope. It’s like a tulip, in all ways… but lasts longer than a few days or a week. It lasts all Spring!

Soup

Name someone whom you think has a wonderful voice. Eva Cassidy
Salad

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how clean do you keep your car? 8. I wish I could say 10, but we’ve been so busy lately it’s not. (on the inside…) probably a 7-8 on the outside. With the weather now, raining some days and such it just doesn’t do any good to wash it every day!!!

Main Course

How do you feel about poetry? I think it’s poetic. I used to write poetry. I don’t now.

my first poem, titled “A Tear” written at a young age

A tear is a very peculiar thing;
It touches your funny bone, then it stings;
You squint your eyes and there you’ll find;
A sad wet face left behind.

Dessert

What was the last person/place/thing you took a picture of? The kids.

I got this devo in an email (thanks Betty) this morning and I wanted to share it with you today for faith lift fridays. For more faith lift fridays, or to share something that has lifted your faith… visit Sheryl!

I’ve only met a few women in my life who don’t like to shop: a true anomaly. It’s difficult to imagine a female without the compelling urge to step into a beautiful, richly decorated boutique. I can hardly stand to pass by the mall without going in to take a peak at the newest spring accessories, shoes, purses and clothing. I wake in the middle of the night dreaming about the latest designer bag, and trying to figure out ways to purchase it, without my husband finding out about my trespasses.

In truth, shopping is my addiction. It’s my way to relax and unwind, at the same time to get an adrenaline rush from the latest great sale or outrageous discount. Shopping is a form of recreational competition, as women love to share about their deals. It’s a luncheon club of clandestine members who elect their president of the moment based on the amount of money she saved on her most recent and fashionable purchase.

Therein lies the oxymoron. To spend is certainly not to save, is it? And yet, the irrefutable logic of women has always been the opposite.

“But Honey, I bought this bag for only (a very important word to use) twenty five dollars on sale. The original price was one hundred and twenty five!” The smaller the purchase number in comparison to the much larger original price is a very important selling point when presenting the shopping extravaganza to the husband. That is, if you feel you must disclose.

Another essential and key word every professional shopper knows to use is: need.

That word worked incredibly well with my father. As a sophisticated five-year-old consumer, I came to appreciate his quick and timely response to it. It has continued to have optimum impact on the noteworthy men in my life.

“But, Honey, I really need a new cream bag to complete my spring wardrobe.” Of course, the husband doesn’t know and doesn’t need to know that I already have three other perfectly suitable cream color purses tucked away on the shelf in my overly crowded closet.

Retail Therapy. I’ll just bet RT has its own chapter in the Psychology books, written with calculating accuracy by a woman who knows exactly what she’s talking about from first hand experience. I could be the author.

I’ve come to this very uncomfortable place in my life where I’m quite certain the Holy Spirit is attempting to get my attention about my spending habits. I know this, because of the niggling deep in my soul each and every time I hit the stores. A still, small voice whispers to my uneasy heart…what is it you’re really searching for?

I know it’s not another purse, or pair of shoes. I know it’s not another blouse, or frilly dress And don’t misunderstand me, I love all those things, I really do. I like to dress beautifully and wear the most up-to-date fashions. But I also have learned that those things, those possessions, fill me with happiness only for the moment. Then the moment is gone, and I’m left with the same emptiness that I went into the store with in the first place.

Last year I felt God speaking to my heart to refrain from purchasing anything that I didn’t truly need for one year. He impressed that on my spirit in April, shortly after the death of my father. I inherited a small amount of money from Dad’s estate that I used to pay off all my charge cards and was virtually, and for the first time in many years, debt free. It was a phenomenally liberating feeling.

But, by the first of March, I was back to my old habits- spending the money I had, and using credit cards to purchase what I lacked in cash. A year later, rather than being free of unnecessary debt and reaping the rewards of obedience to the gentle request of God, I was right back where I started–my credit cards to their limits once again, and a closet overflowing with items I neither needed nor wanted.

Why did the Lord ask me to refrain for a specific period of time, from making unnecessary purchases? Now that I’ve blown it, I’m beginning to understand His divine form of logic. Had I been obedient, I would know the freedom of owing money to no one. I would not be in captivity to interest rates and monthly payments. Those twelve months of steering clear of the stores would have allowed me valuable time to spend in other more worthy causes. I would have set an important precedent for my daughter and shown my husband that he could trust me to be a woman with self control, not given over to detrimental temptations. I would have learned to overcome a strong persuasion in my life, and I would have gained a spiritual maturity that only comes from obedience to the promptings of God.

But I am comforted by this verse in Corinthians. The temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. (I know I’m not the only woman with this addiction.) And God is faithful. (He still loves me, even though I’ve blown it.) He will keep the temptations from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. (He knows my weaknesses, and if I seek His face in that moment of temptation, He will do a work in my heart.) He will show you a way out so that you will not give into it. (If I request His help, God will enable me in that crucial instant to select a better path for my feet.)

Realizing you have a problem is the first step toward resolve. So, today, I give the Lord my heart, my desires, my supposed needs and yearnings and I trust Him to direct my steps and order my ways according to His good plan and purpose for my life.

All the credit cards are tucked neatly away in the drawer, and as I slowly pay them off yet again, I do so with newfound maturity knowing that Paul’s words found in Philippians are as true today as they were thousands of years ago.

“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

- Philippians 3:8

©2008, Tamra Nashman

Do you just love clocks? My mother has a beautiful grandfather clock that Amanda has always loved. I think this grandfather clock is especially beautiful! Have you ever owned or do you own an interesting or unique clock? My sister in law collects old clocks and displays them in her main living area. If I had this grandfather clocks, I would place it in the dining room. I think I would most enjoy hearing the chimes of the clock. I got used to those sounds living in my parent’s home. I think finding a quality clock is important, I read here about how beautiful clocks are timeless and add elegance to our homes that are lacking with all the new technology.  Cell phones, mp3 players, flat screen televisions… technology is taking over and our homes are beginning to look like we belong on the Jetsons. I think everyone has their personal tastes regarding clocks… my favorite one right now it a huge round clock in our den. Oversized clocks seem to be really in style right now and I love them!  I hope someday to buy a beautiful grandfather clock and will display it proudly in my home.  I think they are really beautiful and I love the sounds they make.

Good morning! It’s a rainy Thursday morning here and it has been a crazy busy week. We’ve had revival at our church every night until pretty late. Last night was the final night. It was really good though! The speaker was Renee Moore.

My blog continues to be changed … Nan took pity on me and made up the header you see now. Thanks Nan. She changes her look about as often as I would like to change mine! and that’s a lot! Right now she has an adorable Holly Hobby lunchbox theme that is so cute. I actually had that lunchbox in grade school. Really.

I made the chicken stuffed with feta and bacon last night… you should really try it. Matt gave it two thumbs up and wants me to make it again. soon. He mentioned that when we I try making new recipes, some fall flat! I agreed but added that you can’t find new things to make without having some duds. This conversation took place before he tried this new recipe. He actually said it was his new favorite.

I know you want to know who won the candles … so I’m going to end the suspense here and now

I used random.org - integer generator.

The three winners are:

#4 - Jodi

#19 - Kim

#27 - Jenny

Congratulations ladies. As I said in my earlier post… I need you to email me your mailing addresses, and then also let me know any scents you don’t like or really like and I’ll purchase them and get them mailed out to you!

Happy Thursday!

Do you spend a lot of time gardening? My dad has a garden every year and I can usually find him out in his garden every night just before dark. He waters and picks vegetables. He really loves his garden. I love it because I benefit from the fruits (or vegetables in this case) of his harvest. I haven’t had a ton of luck with a vegetable garden. We grew awesome broccoli one year and just haven’t done it again. I do like to work on the flower gardens around our home. I have unfortunately neglected them for a few years because I didn’t want to be “outside” much. I feel a renewal and interest in beautifying the yard once again and for that I am thankful. It amazes me what people can get done when they work together. For instance, when Matt and I work outside together we get so much done. Last Spring my sister in law (terri) came over and helped with a flower bed. It was so nice to have a helper and I really appreciated it.

Fiskars is sponsoring Project Orange Thumb. Over 500 applications were received from across the US. Passionate and creative videos, songs, posters, and artwork flooded our office - making the decision extremely difficult. In response, we have awarded 13 community garden grants this year. Get inspired to create your own community garden with some ideas from our recipients. There is so much creativity and self expression in gardening!