whatever...

This may be s-t-e-t-c-h-i-n-g it 

for white wednesday but I'm going to anyway.

I want to share a bit of what's been on my heart this week.

Whatever is…

true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy

think about such things.

We're all women here, right?

We know how emotions

can rule

our hearts and our minds.

When I get in that dark place

and

the thoughts are swirling

and 

just getting darker and darker;

this is what I come back to:

What do I know  to be true?

I can always come back to the

promises of God

and HIS character.

God is good.

HE loves me.

And HE's got this(whatever this  is).

And almost  all  of what

I am dwelling on

is NOT truth

but 

rather my emotions.

This week, this became

my meditation once again.

linking to:

White Wednesday @ Faded  Charm
Show off Your Cottage @ The House in the Roses 
Creative Blogger's Party & Hop @ Homemaker on a Dime
Make it Pretty @ The Dedicated House
Tuesday Cowgirl Up @ The Farmhouse Porch 
Your Cozy Home @ Cozy Home Scenes
Knick of Time Tuesday @ Knick of Time
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
*****************************************
Cottage Garden Party@ Fishtail Cottage
Under $100 @ Beyond the Picket Fence
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage
Air Your Laundry Friday @ Freckled Laundry
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Fabulous Creative Friday @ Jennifer Rizzo
Farmhouse Friday @ Laurie Anna's Vintage Home
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
PRIMP Your Stuff @ (PRIMP)
Thriftin' on a Thursday @ Savvy City Farmer
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Potpourri @ 2805

white wednesday fun...

goodbye picnik

you've been a swell friend

we have spent a lot of time together

you've taught me a lot about  art and photography 

and bringing the two together

you have brought me many hours of pleasure

I  am going to miss you

or

 am I?

Just when it looked like I was going to have 

to break down and learn (and pay for) photoshop

I  heard

about picmonkey (I do not know where they come up with these names)

It's run by some of the old picnikers ...

so it is very similar.

The transition has been painless

and

I think I might even like it better.

and for the girl who does not like  change that is saying a lot.

I took a few hours on Sunday 

to have a photo shoot of my Easter roses

and then played on picmonkey.

So check it out...it's loads of fun. 
I just finished with my taxes...tonight is Mrs. G's first baby shower...my girl and I had fun shopping this morning...I can't show you yet but let's just say that it might  involve pink  polka dots.  


linking to:
White Wednesday @ Faded  Charm
Show off Your Cottage @ The House in the Roses 
Tuesday Cowgirl Up @ The Farmhouse Porch 
Cozy Home Scenes
Knick of Time Tuesday @ Knick of Time
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Farmhouse Friday @ Laurie Anna's Vintage Home
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
PRIMP Your Stuff @ (PRIMP)
Thriftin' on a Thursday @ Savvy City Farmer
Air Your Laundry Friday @ Freckled Laundry
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Potpourri @ 2805
Under $100 Linky Party @ Beyond the Picket Fence

gifts...

My Mr. brought these home for me Thursday night

just because

"there are days worth remembering"...

ahh...they melted my heart right away...

And this picture.

I love this picture.

It is full of gifts.

my oldest girl

(happy birthday, dear one)

with her oh, so awaited- so wanted-so prayed for-little one.

my gift-her gift

I am so enjoying the gifts

Every good and perfect gift 
is from above, 
coming down from the Father
James 1:17

on giving thanks...sunday edition

 ‎As long as thanks is possible... 

then joy is always possible.

Ann Voskamp ~ One Thousand Gifts

I've been wanting to do a post on this for quite awhile now. 

 My words are inadequate so I'll let this review do the talking.

This book cut straight to the heart of loss 

and asks the questions you are afraid to ask.

 It goes straight to the issues.  

Just like you, 

Ann Voskamp hungers to live her one life well. 

Forget the bucket lists 

that have us escaping our everyday lives 

for exotic experiences.

'How,' Ann wondered, 'do we find joy in the midst of 

deadlines, debt, drama, and daily duties? 

What does the Christ-life really look like 

when your days are gritty, long--and sometimes even dark?

 How is God even here?'

In One Thousand Gifts, 

Ann invites you to embrace everyday blessings

 and embark on the transformative spiritual discipline 

of chronicling God's gifts. 

It's only in this expressing of gratitude 

for the life we already have, 

we discover the life we've always wanted...

a life we can take, 

give thanks for,

 and break for others. 

We come to feel and know the impossible 

right down in our bones: 

we are wildly loved--by God.

Let Ann's beautiful, heart-aching stories 

of the everyday 

give you a way of seeing 

that opens your eyes to ordinary amazing grace, 

a way of being

present to God that makes you deeply happy, 

and a way of living that is finally fully alive. 

Come live the best dare of all!

I love this book.  


After my Bible, it is probably the 2nd most 


influential book I have read in my adult whole life.






Truly, it is life-changing.




I have an extra copy that I bought just for you. 



It will change  your life, too.




Or maybe, you already have it 


and would like a copy to give away.




Either way, leave me a comment on this post to win.


Put it on  your blog for a second chance.


You know how it goes.

Giveaway will end next Sunday, Nov. 27

Join me in giving thanks...


this week I will be sharing a few of my favorite quotes...

Autumn,  

the year's last loveliest smile. 

William Cullen Bryant

Autumn roses.


I can't help it.

I love my roses.

This particular variety smells heavenly.

I've been walking around with the jar offering whiffs
to all who are near...

pure heaven, I tell you.


***

Where are the white pumpkins, you ask?

So do I.

Apparently, we have had too much rain.

 They're still in the field.

I'll try again this weekend .


***

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while we're waiting
tell me,
which edit do you like best?