Snow in Montgomery, Alabama

One of my grandsons sent me this picture of his sister from their new home in Alabama. This is the first time they have seen snow in about 10 years.

God, the artist

I organized some of my pictures yesterday and was inspired to show you some more of them. In 2005, we drove to the pacific northwest. It was a long way...I think over 5000 miles! But so worth it.

Mt. Hood Oregon from Lost Lake
I love travel, I think, because God made this beautiful world we live in and I think it brings him pleasure when we enjoy his work.

You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power.For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.Revelation 4:11

I think I enjoy photography for the same reason..I hope it pleases God when I appreciate his work enough to take the time to record it. And then, there's scrap booking...for me, it's meditation, gratefulness,thanksgiving, healing and when the photos involve people, prayer for them.

The Columbia River near Portland, Oregon
One of the many waterfalls on the Columbia River, a bluebell and Mt. Hood from a lavender farm. Isn't it wonderful that God loves little things as well as very big things? Makes me think maybe He loves me just as much as He loves big, important people.
The Pacific Ocean at Crescent City, California. This little town was almost destroyed in a Tsunami in 1964.
Ruby Beach in Washington.. one part of the Olympic National Park. The Redwoods in Northern California.










On the way home, we stopped at Arches National Park and Lake Tahoe. Who knew Mark Twain was alive and well there?
Thanks for sharing my thanksgiving time this morning!

Grandsons and Grandfathers

I have to admit, I am a little jealous because Basil is such a popular grandfather. All the boys think he can do anything and knows everything. He finds the most fascinating "Guy Stuff" to show them and they love it. Last night, Z and C were here and he found all kinds of magnets to play with. He went into the garage and found a tiny magnetic dog and showed Z how to make him spin. He also showed him how a compass works and they played with pieces of old speakers, magnetic balls and paper clips. I have to admit at times like this, his pack rat habit really pays off and he really does know where everything is.

Z caught a cold from his little brother. He can blow his nose all by himself and throws the tissue in the garbage. (If you catch a cold from a baby...you won't be very sick, right?) Before I had kids, I really thought that. Turns out viruses don't know if you are a baby or a grown up!

C knew right away what to do with the magnet. Looks like he may be a ENT specialist when he grows up...he already knows how to do a tonsillectomy. He also helped feed the cat. I'm pretty sure all my grandchildren know how cat food tastes and they like it. Their favorite flavor is the "Digestive Care" by Iams. Yes, Kitty has a sensitive stomach. I know you don't want to hear about that so I will refrain. I didn't get any pictures of C with Kitty last night. I was too busy trying to make sure the "sweet cat" didn't take a hunk out of him like he loves to do to me. He is definitely Basil's cat and never attacks him, but goes after me almost daily. We have had several cats during our marriage. The sweet ones like me best. The mean ones like him. I could say more about that, but I think I will leave the subject there. I couldn't find any pictures of Kitty. I know have have some, but they are lost in the vast ocean of "My Pictures". I did find this scrapbook page...he looks sweet, doesn't he?

Scrap Booking

Now that the holidays are over, I have been enjoying getting back to some scrap booking. I was getting low on projects in November and even resorted to going back to my photo boxes and finding some of my Mother's photos from the early years when we lived in Ft. Worth and Jenny spent at lot of time with her. I made a 12x12 post bound album for Jenny with those old photos. I was also grateful while working with these photos for my parents and my little sister, and all the things they did for me. I had forgotten how much they helped me by babysitting Jenny. They also helped us financially during the early years of our marriage and Mama made a lot of clothes for Jenny and me. That is my favorite part of scrap booking...remembering to be grateful for the people I love and who love me. This is a favorite photo that I found: Basil has just said something that made my mother laugh and is looking smug and Jenny is looking up a her Aunt Ruthie to see what she is going to say about the situation.






















I finished that project and am ready to work on all the photos and memories we made during the last few months and the holidays. I started with these great photos of my oldest granddaughter, who just moved to Alabama. These photos were taken last fall in their front yard in Florida. I don't get many photos of the "Coleman Kids" and we don't get to see them often, so I am really happy to have these. I only have two granddaughters but they are both so sweet, feminine and pretty that I don't feel deprived at all. I have some more of these photos, too, that include her handsome brothers and will be working on them in the next few days.

Happy Birthday, Granddaughter

Watch out

Alabama,

she's here!
Happy 14th. We hope you are having a wonderful day. We love

you and miss you!

We bless you with happiness and peace of mind. These gifts from God come only to those who love, trust, and obey the Lord. God always blesses those who follow His directions and who stay on His path.

God Bless You in the New Year

A few weeks ago, Basil brought home a little book from church that Christian Church of San Angleo was giving to their members. It is called "Bless Your Children Every Day" by Mary Ruth Swope. I loved it so much, I bought a copy for each of my daughters for Christmas. I would like to give a blessing to you for the new year that I paraphrased from this book:

I bless you with godly wisdom and discernment. May you always have a reverent fear of the Lord and a respect for His Word.

Keep on growing in spiritual knowledge and insight so you can always see clearly the difference between right and wrong.

May you be wise in heart and always be doing those good, kind things that show you are a child of God.

I bless you with a spirit of success. You will not be overcome by a spirit of failure, but you will be blessed with a spirit of achievement. You will not be prideful because of this, but you will glorify God.

You will be like a tree planted by the river of waters. Your leaves will never fail, and you will bear fruit as long as you live.