Countdown to Thanksgiving with Maxine...

I always feel badly for those who find baking a turkey a stressful challenge. I've had a couple "dry" turkeys, but all in all even then the kids were soooo hungry they didn't take time to critique it. My philosophy is, " Be thankful you have a turkey to eat."

Turkey, turkey bird
White meat, dark meat and stuffing
Just love to eat it!

~~~^j^~~
Thanks be to God!

Give Thanks!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Countdown to Thanksgiving with Maxine...

Thanksgiving has never been that stressful for me...It's always the same menu. The family expects it. Easy. It's Turkey, Aunt Marjorie's stuffing, candied sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry salad and pumpkin pie! I'm full just thinking about it!

Thanksgiving will come
The family will all be there
And no leftovers!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Praise God!

We had a grand visit with Jimmy and Kelly this weekend. And so it is that I have so much for which to be grateful and give PRAISE. Please journey to Jennifer's Chocolate Heart and share in the "praise."

1. In glory and praise for the wonderful weather we experienced. The temperature was comfortable and the humidity LOW!

2. I praise him for family. Meeting Kelly's parents, Ross and Kathy, was such a pleasure. They are delightful people. (Imagine now a family in December with 3 Kelly[ie]s and 2 C[K]athys. Gatherings could be soooo much fun!!!

3. In praise and thanksgiving for the willingness of all to work together for the good of Jimmy and Kelly and their holy union in December.

4. I praise him for the beautiful liturgy at St. Brigid's yesterday morning.

5. Again, I praise and thank him for our safe and uneventful travel.

Wishing all a glorious Monday!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Loyal Friend Award

Much to my surprise and delight Sue at In Him I Live and Move and Have My Being offered me this gifts. She is a delight to visit as her blog offers insight and reflection. I will offer this award to those who have been loyal to me since the very beginning.


Here are the rules:

1. Copy the loyal picture above and post it on your blog.
2. Pass it on to who you think who is/are deserving.
3. Leave a message to them
4. Pass as many as you want.
5. Message back or leave a comment to the owner.

Right now I'd like to echo the words of Saint Paul.

I give thanks to you God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work to you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right that I should thing this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, you who are all partners with me in grace, confirmation of the Gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every ind of perception to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. (Phil 3-11)

I offer this first to my daughter-in-law Kelly at Musings as she was the one who gave me encouragement.

Then to Esther at Catholic Mom in Hawaii and Therese Aussie Coffee Shop, friends on the journey.

Lisa at Are We There Yet invites me into her home and makes me welcome in the "Garden of Colorado," the Eden I can only visit now through her gorgeous pictures.

Mike at This I Do who offers words of wisdom and some of the grandest photos anywhere!

Finally to Ann at Prayer, Poetry and Praise and SuzyQ at Sailing by Starlight who inject beauty into my world with their use of words and poetry.

Thank you again Sue and thank you to all who visit here! To everyone who visits here you are most welcome and I cherish all your words and wisdom.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God

Praise God!

Another lovely weekend here in Indiana. It was much warmer than it had been in past weeks but a grand weekend all the same. Now it's time to give credit where credit is due. I offer much praise and thanksgiving to the one who made it all happen. Glory be to God. Please journey to Jennifer's Chocolate Heart and share in the "praise."

1. Praise be to God for the wonderful time Ron and I had just doing something as mundane as grocery shopping.

2. Praise Him in the quiet of this Sunday afternoon.

3. Praise Him for his assistance in completing the final unit in my Providence Associate process.

4. Glory and praise for the affirmation of friends and family.

5. Finally, praise God! I have finished the baby afghan before Daniel's arrival. The baby shower is in three weeks.

Daniel's afghan

Now I am ready for the new week to begin. How about you?

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Praise God!

After a Stupendous Sunday, it is a wonderful time to take time to offer praise and thanksgiving for all the gifts we are given. Please journey to Jennifer's Chocolate Heart and share in the "praise."

And so I praise God for:

1. Cool breezes, sunshine and flowers.

2. Cleansing rain that has nourished the beautiful flowers.

3. Family outings, shopping with Laura, Kellie and Neil for Mariannes baby shower.

4. The harness for Duchess' seat in the car when we travel to Atlanta in two weeks. She seems to take to it well as long as she's not left in it in the car.

5. Chicken fried steak. What a tasty dish with fresh ripe tomatoes and mashed potatoes and gravy.

6. Mass and communion with parish family and the community shared after.

7. A baby afghan, nearly complete!

~~~^j^~~~
For these and all His gifts
I say, "Thanks be to God!"

Sensational Saturday~

Glorious, yes it is! Sensational! It's the 1st of August in Indiana and the sky is clear and the air cool! Sensational! Today is a day to glory in the goodness of God!

Today is the day I cultivate family! How? Well, shopping for Marianne's baby shower with Laura and Kellie, because I can.

I'll pay the bills with a smile, because I can!

I'll dust and clean with a song, because I can!

If you wish to share your Sensational Saturday, please do!!!! All are welcome! Enter have a seat and enjoy the conversation!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Praise God!

It's been awhile since I took tome to consider the praises I need to offer to God in my life. So today I reflect on that.

1) I praise Him for this glorious summer. The weather has been magnificent.

2) I praise Him in the talent He allows me to see in my grandchildren.

3) I praise His holy name in the midst of all those who witness to me in my life.

4) I praise Him in the people he allows me to meet each and every day.

5) I praise Him for his generosity to me and my family.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Wash Day

My friend Maggie has gifted me with this "little ditty." Please enjoy as I did!

~*~

Monday Wash Day

Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and
Vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility
through the week ahead.

Tuesday Ironing Day

Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles
of prejudice I have collected through the years
So that I may see the beauty in others.

Wednesday Mending Day

O God, help me mend my ways so I will not
Set a bad example for others.

Thursday Cleaning Day

Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults
I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

Friday Shopping Day

O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase
eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.

Saturday Cooking Day

Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly
Love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

Sunday The Lord's Day
O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please
come into my heart so I may spend the day and the
Rest of my life in your presence.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Praise God!

It's Monday again and another reason to Praise God. Wishing all who stop in today the very best for this day and the entire week.

Let us begin! Praise God for:

~1 Mother's Day

~2 Brisk winds and cloudy skies, that cause us to be grateful for the sunshine

~3 Family gatherings, laughter and cheer

~4 Opportunities to serve others

~5 Children's hugs.

~6 The opportunity share in the life of a small child.

If you have reason to praise God, join us at Jennifer's house, My Chocolate Heart to add to the joy, wonder and glory of God.

~~~~~

It was our intention to go to Ainsley and Lindsey's soccer games this weekend, but as luck would have it the fields were too muddy from the recent rains so we didn't get to see them play. We did get a fashion show. We got see Eric and Marianne's adventure in remodeling in preparation for the arrival of wee one. Will be a very nice place to rest and relax. God truly is GOOD!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Glory and Praise To Our God is a song that comes to mind every time I do this. The tune runs in the back of my mind as I process the word Praise and the act of praising God. So I will praise Him.

~1 For the Sacrament of Matrimony. The covenant between God and man in the cooperation of creation.

~2 For the love between a man and a woman and families that support, lift up and nurture.

~3 For the opportunity to serve.

~4 For this week of prayer as we prepare to celebrate The National Day of Prayer on May 7.

~5 For the gift of worship and the opportunity to do so.

~6 For his Providence, the hand that guides.



If you have reason to praise God, join us at Jennifer's house, My Chocolate Heart to add to the joy, wonder and glory of God.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks Be To GOD!!

Praise God!

Iris
April 26, 2009

For the Praise and Glory of God!

~1 Praise him for all thing bright and beautiful

~2 Praise him in the laughter of the children.

~3 Praise him in the dignity of the elderly.

~4 Praise him in thanksgiving for the opportunity to serve.

~5 Praise him for the ministers at his alter.

~6 Praise him in all things for he made all things.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

If you have reason to praise God, join us at Jennifer's house, My Chocolate Heart to add to the joy, wonder and glory of God.

Praise God!

All the things I have to praise the glory of God for today. And it's only 5:45 a.m. Imagine what the day can bring!

~~1. The beauty of the shades of green this spring day brings.

~~2. For Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal as they were out gathering to build their nest.

~~3. For Kellie as she begins her new adventure in the genre of the high school musical to be performed this summer, Oklahoma.

~~4. For the power of prayer in my life.

~~5. For friends who gather weekly to share the wonder of God's word in Bible study.

~~5. For the support of a wonderful husband and helpmate.

~~6. In PRAISE of this Glorious Day!

If you have reason to praise God, join us at Jennifer's house, My Chocolate Heart to add to the joy, wonder and glory of God.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks Be To GOD!!

Gratitude...

At times I am embarrassed at work when someone says thank you to me for whatever it is they are grateful. But I am seldom taken by surprise as I was just the other day. I had just weighed this dear lady, who now needs the use of a walker, and we were going down the hall to the patient room. I told her you're welcome and then asked her why? She said it was because I said "follow me" not "walk this way." One seldom thinks about the words we use and how they might be understood by others. It was a lesson for me in kindness. She was grateful for my choice of words which to her allowed her to feel less handicapped. Perhaps, now I will be more thoughtful in my use of language in the care of my charges each day.

Cinquain on Kindness
Kindness
True charity
Given in tenderness
Virtue

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Thanks be to God!

Jesus Is the Prayer

In the Season of Lent when we strive to offer more fruitful prayer, when we try to make our prayers more reverent and purposeful, I offer you this reflection by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.

In reality there is but one prayer, only one substantial prayer. Jesus Himself.

In your life Jesus comes as the Bread of Life to be eaten to be consumed by you. This is how He loves you. Then He comes as the hungry one, the Other, hoping to be fed with the bread of your life, with your heart by loving, your hands by serving.

Jesus has drawn us to be souls of prayer.

Jesus is our prayer, and He is also the answer to our prayer. He has chosen to be Himself in us the living song of love, praise, adoration, thanksgiving, intercession and reparation to the Father in the name of the whole creation (unpublished.).

Love: a Fruit Always In Season

Daily Meditation by Mother Terese

Edited by Dorothy S. Hunt

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Thanks be to God!

Bad Haiku Friday

Leftover Friday
Turkey, stuffing, sweet taters
Much more Thanksgiving!

All with the family
No day more cherished than this
For all are cherished!

~~^j^~~

Truly, Thanks be to God!

Journey of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful time to reflect on all the things we for which we have to be grateful . And we do it in the presence of family and friends. Actually, everyday is thanksgiving day if we are saying grace at meals and thanking God for who we are and what we have either alone in prayer or in the assembly of others as we publicly give Him Praise and Thanksgiving.

This year we are off to Charlotte, NC to share Thanksgiving with David, Kelly, the Boys and Maddie. The trip to Charlotte is a beautiful drive. And, as it has just occurred to me, the only other time we have been there was again at Thanksgiving. Like a child, I am so excited! Can hardly wait for the journey to begin.

And so it is that I will be away for a few days laughing, playing and EATING...God Bless All and may Thanks be duly given to Him our Creator!

May God be gracious to us and bless us;
May God's face shine upon us.
May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you!
The earth has yielded its harvest;
God, our God, blesses us.
May God bless us still,
that the ends of the earth may revere
our God.

Psalm 67: 1-2, 4, 6-8

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Thanks be to God!

The Simple Women's Daybook

Had to do it this week when all is in preparation for Thanksgiving Day. This is a wonderful time of the year and sharing a what makes it so powerful! After you visit here please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman and journey along the path of life we all share.

1. Outside my window...it's rainings

2. I'm thinking...it's good as we need the rain and it's not snow.

3. I'm thankful for...to have the opportunity to live where Thanksgiving has a special place in our lives and time is taken to spend time with family and friends to share the gratitude.

4. I'm wearing... robe and slippers. (different robe)

5. From the Kitchen...spaghetti and meat sauce (make in the crock pot).

6. I am creating...a sense of calm. I'm trying not get to excited about the trip to Charlotte to visit David, Kelly and the kids.

7. I am reading...Haven't started a new book yet...

8 . I'm hoping...that this week will be full of love, joy, safe travel for all, and true Thanksgiving to the God who made us all.

9. I am hearing...peace and quiet.

10. Around the house...Christmas gifts are wrapped for the journey and suitcases are out but not packed...yet.

11. Few plans for the rest of the week...Safe trip to and from Charlotte and Thanksgiving with the kids.

12. One of my favorite things is...baking and I made two loves of cranberry nut bread! Yummy!

13. Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Mount Rushmore
June, 2007

Wishing all a Grand Thanksgiving Week...

~~~^j^~~~
And Thanks be to God!!!

With Much Gratitude!

Laura at Catholic Teacher Musings kindly offered them this beautiful award. Though like all the others I'm not sure exactly what it says. It is still a delight to have gotten it.


I would like to offer this award to Bia, Danette, and Deborah.





Linda at ~~A Trucker's Wife~~ kindly gave me this award.
Those who know her, know how sensitive and generous she is.
If you've not met her please stop by and see her.

The rules for this award are:
1. Pick ten people and pass this award to them.
2. Then contact them and let them know that you have chosen them and their blog for the award.
3. Also link back to the person who gave you the award.

This task gets more difficult every time I do it.

Kimberly
Kathleen
Marie
Cy
Kaila
Tracy
Esther
Autumnrose
Dorothy
Easter

You all, each and everyone of you lift me up. You are joy to me. Thank you!!!!

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Thanks be to God!