Well, I am certainly late to the porch...but so glad I made it. If just to see that snapshot of you, your sister and your dad! What a keeper...and, yes, with matching sneakers!! I'm sure he would, indeed, be proud of so many things. Especially for the exciting month of August. I pray you have a wonderful time. Soak it all again and be sure to get a photo of yourself in that beautiful blue dress!! (Is your sister attending? Will she wear blue??):)
Jennifer, hi! You're never late around here. And yes, my sister will be going to the wedding, she won't be wearing blue, but she will be having lots of fun! 5 days til then. I better start packing.
It's supposed to be 99 today where I live. Not unusual for this time of year, but I still don't like it. :-) Definitely tracking with you about finding gratitude in the midst of whatever might be working against it. I love the pic of you, your dad and your sister. I have a very similar one of me, my younger sister and my mom. Hugs to you both as you remember your dad.
So much works against us being thankful! The world, the flesh, and the devil. How blessed to have the Holy Spirit inside us who guides us into all truth and prompts us to cultivate a thankful heart for all that's good and lovely, excellent and praiseworthy.
Yeah, we're all getting older. We're sitting around talking with our 46 year old daughter tonight. And I can't even believe she's headed toward a half a century of life.
Love all of your posts, Linda. And the beautiful pix!
Summer is my favorite season. Great food and more social gatherings. Joke that I do 90% of my living in summer! Love the pix of you cute girls with your sweet dad. Adorable!
Donna, wow! I'm so glad you're here! And you just might be the only one who reads Grace & Space who knew us all when that pic was taken all those decades ago.
A couple of my cherished summer traditions don’t cost a dime. I love opening up the house before sunrise, allowing in the coolness and peacefulness of dawn. I also love racing my ten year old granddaughter in our community pool. She can out swim me, I confess.
Cultivating gratitude takes intentional effort, Linda! Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures! Sending you a big hug for your daddy's going home anniversary.
Jerralea, hi! I'm so glad you're here this weekend! And you're right, back in the day family members often wore matching clothes, by chance or by choice. You don't see that much anymore. Which may be good (or not so much!)
I'm with you on the cherries. It's been a good crop this year, hasn't it.
Again, thanks for being here. It means so much. Have a good one, friend.
I love how you honour your dad by going out for ice-cream! My siblings honour my late father every year through food, too. We partake in a Boston Creme donut from Tim Horton's together on his February birthday. We'll also chat about the other family members who are no longer with us. Lovely pictures of your spaces!
Yes, we're with you guys, often chatting about those who aren't with us, inviting them into our conversations, observations, celebrations. It's become as natural as breathing. My heart hurts for those who are unable or unwilling to speak the names of those who've gone before. That can be an additional grief added on to what's already there.
Absolutely loved the photos as always, Linda-they are simply delightful. Not to mention your thoughts on summertime. "It’s the little daily pleasures and tasks that give summertime life some kind of normalcy, parameters. These are the building blocks of gratitude."
I couldn't agree more, but not just for summertime, in every season. I find when I'm feeling emotional triggered (which seems to be happening a lot lately) grounding myself in the little daily pleasures, not only cultivates gratitude, but reminds me I am safe, I am held by these little precious moments of each day, they steady me.
And while I'm not big on ice cream, I'm equally as boring in my favorite flavor of vanilla. But then with vanilla you can make it anything you want it to be....
Thank you for reminding us of the power of grounding ourselves in those little pleasures when we're feeling triggered, anxious, uncertain. You're so right, Donna, these observations turned to deep breaths of gratitude help us feel steadier, safer, calmer.
Your words will encourage those who read them. May God bless you with a quieting sense of His calming presence this evening, friend.
I love the photos you shared and just your general way of encouraging. My favorite flavor always includes something with chocolate. Maybe chocolate peanut butter or Rocky Road or raspberry truffle. I love the photo of you and your sister. It’s so sweet. My dad passed almost 20 years ago now. It’s surprising to me really that so much time has already passed. Blessings on your day of remembrance.
I'm sorry about your Dad, Jamie. Yes, I hear what you're saying about how quick time has passed. It was a good day of remembrance. Stories and laughter and fond (mostly) memories. No tears.
Few things in life compare to puttering outside with the kids. My great nephew helped me with the watering cans last time he was here and it was too much fun.
And yes, that's my wedding gear. I'm ready to roll. Let's do this!
Ahhh, Linda—your photos and words refreshed my spirit. Wherever did you capture the image of the little turtle?🐢
She was strolling outside the front door like she owned the place! How sweet of her to pose for pictures.
It certainly was! I'm looking forward to hearing about the wedding. :)
Actually this post was from a year ago - and the wedding is here -
https://lindastoll.substack.com/p/porch-146-12-wedding-day-snapshots
Wow—I don’t know how I ended up there l, but I enjoyed it.🥰
Well, I am certainly late to the porch...but so glad I made it. If just to see that snapshot of you, your sister and your dad! What a keeper...and, yes, with matching sneakers!! I'm sure he would, indeed, be proud of so many things. Especially for the exciting month of August. I pray you have a wonderful time. Soak it all again and be sure to get a photo of yourself in that beautiful blue dress!! (Is your sister attending? Will she wear blue??):)
Jennifer, hi! You're never late around here. And yes, my sister will be going to the wedding, she won't be wearing blue, but she will be having lots of fun! 5 days til then. I better start packing.
I so loved joining you on the porch today. Such lovely snapshots. Your blue dress and accessories are so pretty.
Thanks' so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friend's this month. I'm so happy your here.
So glad you're here tonight, Paula ...
It's supposed to be 99 today where I live. Not unusual for this time of year, but I still don't like it. :-) Definitely tracking with you about finding gratitude in the midst of whatever might be working against it. I love the pic of you, your dad and your sister. I have a very similar one of me, my younger sister and my mom. Hugs to you both as you remember your dad.
So much works against us being thankful! The world, the flesh, and the devil. How blessed to have the Holy Spirit inside us who guides us into all truth and prompts us to cultivate a thankful heart for all that's good and lovely, excellent and praiseworthy.
Stay cool, girl. It sure is beastly these days.
A snapshot of the summertime,
a Great Dane running free.
I am his, and he is mine,
and he'll return to me,
but Lo!, a lizard does he spy,
and thus begins the chase,
and I'm so glad that Barb did buy
a fully fenced-in place,
for he would gallop very far
upon this gallant quest,
and I would have to use a car
to return him to the nest,
for direction-sense our boy does lack,
and could not find his way on back.
That'd be an interesting adventure to watch from the sidelines ...
Sneakers? I was looking at the glasses!! :) Oh, I can remember when... Guess I'm telling my age aren't I?
Yeah, we're all getting older. We're sitting around talking with our 46 year old daughter tonight. And I can't even believe she's headed toward a half a century of life.
This is too crazy.
Love all of your posts, Linda. And the beautiful pix!
Summer is my favorite season. Great food and more social gatherings. Joke that I do 90% of my living in summer! Love the pix of you cute girls with your sweet dad. Adorable!
Donna, wow! I'm so glad you're here! And you just might be the only one who reads Grace & Space who knew us all when that pic was taken all those decades ago.
Blessed to know you then and now! xo...
I agree that cultivating gratitude for daily pleasures is important!
I don't really have a favourite ice cream flavour, but I enjoy the seasonal flavours (like lavender) by a local ice cream company.
I wonder if they make some kind of tea flavored ice cream?
Your summer food photos look delicious!
I guess it's the easiest time of the year to eat healthy!
A couple of my cherished summer traditions don’t cost a dime. I love opening up the house before sunrise, allowing in the coolness and peacefulness of dawn. I also love racing my ten year old granddaughter in our community pool. She can out swim me, I confess.
'I love opening up the house before sunrise, allowing in the coolness and peacefulness of dawn.'
You've painted a lovely early morning picture for us, Karen ... happy Saturday to you.
Cultivating gratitude takes intentional effort, Linda! Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures! Sending you a big hug for your daddy's going home anniversary.
Hugging you back, girl. Thank you.
Loved your summertime photos! And hey! What's wrong with your family wearing matching clothes? I think you all looked cute!
I love celebrating with food. Isn't it awesome God made so many differnt kinds? I've lately been enjoying cherries! So crunchy and yummy when chilled.
Jerralea, hi! I'm so glad you're here this weekend! And you're right, back in the day family members often wore matching clothes, by chance or by choice. You don't see that much anymore. Which may be good (or not so much!)
I'm with you on the cherries. It's been a good crop this year, hasn't it.
Again, thanks for being here. It means so much. Have a good one, friend.
I love how you honour your dad by going out for ice-cream! My siblings honour my late father every year through food, too. We partake in a Boston Creme donut from Tim Horton's together on his February birthday. We'll also chat about the other family members who are no longer with us. Lovely pictures of your spaces!
Yes, we're with you guys, often chatting about those who aren't with us, inviting them into our conversations, observations, celebrations. It's become as natural as breathing. My heart hurts for those who are unable or unwilling to speak the names of those who've gone before. That can be an additional grief added on to what's already there.
Absolutely loved the photos as always, Linda-they are simply delightful. Not to mention your thoughts on summertime. "It’s the little daily pleasures and tasks that give summertime life some kind of normalcy, parameters. These are the building blocks of gratitude."
I couldn't agree more, but not just for summertime, in every season. I find when I'm feeling emotional triggered (which seems to be happening a lot lately) grounding myself in the little daily pleasures, not only cultivates gratitude, but reminds me I am safe, I am held by these little precious moments of each day, they steady me.
And while I'm not big on ice cream, I'm equally as boring in my favorite flavor of vanilla. But then with vanilla you can make it anything you want it to be....
Thank you for reminding us of the power of grounding ourselves in those little pleasures when we're feeling triggered, anxious, uncertain. You're so right, Donna, these observations turned to deep breaths of gratitude help us feel steadier, safer, calmer.
Your words will encourage those who read them. May God bless you with a quieting sense of His calming presence this evening, friend.
I love the photos you shared and just your general way of encouraging. My favorite flavor always includes something with chocolate. Maybe chocolate peanut butter or Rocky Road or raspberry truffle. I love the photo of you and your sister. It’s so sweet. My dad passed almost 20 years ago now. It’s surprising to me really that so much time has already passed. Blessings on your day of remembrance.
I'm sorry about your Dad, Jamie. Yes, I hear what you're saying about how quick time has passed. It was a good day of remembrance. Stories and laughter and fond (mostly) memories. No tears.
P.S. Chocolate peanut butter. Absolutely.
What is wrong with me that I am LOVING the heat!?!? It feels so good to walk out the door into a blanket of warm air—no winter coat required!
Picked the first snap peas today right into the waiting tummy of a grandson!
Is the dress, shoes, purse combo for the wedding? Stunning!
Few things in life compare to puttering outside with the kids. My great nephew helped me with the watering cans last time he was here and it was too much fun.
And yes, that's my wedding gear. I'm ready to roll. Let's do this!