It's frigid cold here on Cape Cod. But there's more than enough going on inside to keep me content ... and I'm happily sharing these 6 little sparks of joy with you today.
This was such a pleasant read. A visit with a friend. I would love to fling open the back door every morning (for just a few minutes) but my husband finds that preprosterous. Sigh. Going to the beach and sitting in the car with the heat fullblast? Now I know we could be best of friends! And congratulations, dear friend, on becoming a GreatMa! Unbelievable!!
first of all, congrats great grand ma. How cool is that!! I don't think you are old enough tho. what a wonderful list this is. I just made a list what is lifegiving to me and the beach was number one for me too. I don't get it often though. but can imagine it. It is my happy place.
I wondered if a new baby was the exciting news that wasn't yet yours to share! I'm SO happy for you (and a little bit jealous!). May this new life bring New Life to your family to fill some of the holes in your heart.
Don't you just love how Jesus brings healing to our gaping wounds ... and then re-fills our hearts to overflowing with more love for the next generation He brings along?! I'm so grateful!
Linda, may I have permission to use that photograph? A friend is collating my poems to publish after I die, abd and the poem is sure keyed to the picture.
And I'm quite happy that you have someone working to pull all your poetry together. What a friend, what a legacy. You'll never know how your work in this season has impacted people.
What a beautiful post. Please know you gave my heart and spirit a lift. When I lived by the Atlantic Ocean I was a ble to see and/or walk on the beach every day. Your beautiful text and pictures reminded me of that. Warm regards, Nancy Andres @ Colors 4 Health.
These beach photos are fabulous! I do like going to the beach in all seasons and it's always nice that I almost always have the winter beach to myself; though living nearly an hour away I don't get there nearly as much as I'd like to.
Yep, you're right, Joanne, winter beaches are usually solitary places with a special essence of their own. Not everyone appreciates their desolate windswept beauty so it makes me smile to read your words this evening.
Congratulations on becoming a great grandma!!! No! You do not seem old enough for that! What a beautiful gift from our Lord! What has been my focus is Volume Three. It's done, dear friend! It's done!!! ALL glory to Jesus for breaking through whatever was hindering and helping me push through behind Him! I always run everything I share publicly by my dear husband and son, so we are reading it aloud, they are giving me input and suggestions and once I get the green light from them, Lord willing, I will be sending the file to our dear friend for formatting. Once he is done, it will be uploaded to Amazon! Again ALL glory and gratitude to dear Jesus. What a relief. Now, I turn to working on Volume Four, by God's grace.I don't want to take a break this time if at all possible. I don't want to lose this momentum! It is so hard to get into this kind of groove, so I must keep pressing on, Lord help me. It is always so wonderful to visit with you and hear your voice. God's richest blessings be yours, dear friend.🙏❤🤗
Wow, Cheryl. What a hardwon victory. I know this has been a long haul but you have been faithful to what God has called you to do and He has been with you every step of the way. I can't wait to have a copy in my hands.
You know I'll be sharing your new baby here and will come alongside you in spreading the word. God is good.
READERS - Cheryl's devotionals are second to none. And her Biblical Minimalism is an inspirational, thought-provoking, and motivating read. I'm a big fan of her writing!
Little sparkles of joy here and there is such a delightful image right about now. Staying away from the news and getting outside whenever possible are life savers and hope givers.
I love your beach photos -- wish I had one close enough to walk or visit or sit in the car and look at. (Probably my speed in winter; I can't even shovel the walk without landing in the ER, this weekend's fun activity.) Lots of lovely ideas here. My uncle was a Stephen's Minister. I remember he really enjoyed it.
Oh no, friend, the ER? I hope you're healing well, Jeanie. Please be kind to yourself. And hopefully someone gallant and strong will offer to handle the shoveling in the future.
Linda, your life saving routines are such a blessing. How I know going to the beach as you do would nourish my weary soul, alas no beach in sight here! But I do drag myself outside whenever I can or take a drive to a lovely park. I learned something this winter, the barrenness of the farmland around me and the trees, gardens and so forth has actually brought a quiet freedom to my soul. Kind of like cleaning up the clutter does.
I also love that you open your window even on cold days as you make the beds. It makes my husband crazy, but I do too. My mother always did, and in fact in those days all the women hung their bed clothes out the windows to freshen them up-haven't gone that far...yet.
But one thing that is saving my deep mid-winter life is also my own wintering of sorts. That of having no agenda, seeking gentle music, quiet reading and best of all times of simple quiet. I am honestly shocked at how these simple practices have nourished my bone weariness.
Donna, wow, I'm resonating with your 'barrenness of the farmland' observation. Everything around here is usually gray in winter - roads, shingled houses, clouds, trees, water. It's a seasonal place that sometimes feels abandoned and quite desolate.
You've put magical words to finding a lovely quiet freedom, a clearing of clutter and noise and busyness, the silence and solitude that the wintering experience has become for me.
Thanks for reframing it all, this the season that nourishes our bone weariness and recharges us for the life that's coming right around the bend.
Love the ways you celebrate winter days, Linda--like throwing open the bedroom window for a bit and going to the beach anyway, even if it's for a quiet sit in the car. Those pretty tea cups remind me that one of my winter go-to's is herbal tea. I rotate through half a dozen flavors for variety! A candle or two and fairy lights help turn cloudy days into cozy, and when the sun shines, we open the Roman shades along the back of the house (facing south) to let the sun pour in. Instant cheer!
Congratulations, Great Grandma! 💕 Each one is so special! I recently reorganized my office closet and let go of a lot of stuff I haven't looked at or used for years. I was going to sort through the books on my bookshelf but I still didn't do it... Sigh... Your winter lake scenes are so beautiful! Love and blessings to you!
This was such a pleasant read. A visit with a friend. I would love to fling open the back door every morning (for just a few minutes) but my husband finds that preprosterous. Sigh. Going to the beach and sitting in the car with the heat fullblast? Now I know we could be best of friends! And congratulations, dear friend, on becoming a GreatMa! Unbelievable!!
I know, right? There's something about that unexpected blast of fresh, cold air that makes us feel alive or healthy or at least a bit more awake.
first of all, congrats great grand ma. How cool is that!! I don't think you are old enough tho. what a wonderful list this is. I just made a list what is lifegiving to me and the beach was number one for me too. I don't get it often though. but can imagine it. It is my happy place.
Oh I'd love to read your lifegiving list, Jean. Will you share it here?
I wondered if a new baby was the exciting news that wasn't yet yours to share! I'm SO happy for you (and a little bit jealous!). May this new life bring New Life to your family to fill some of the holes in your heart.
Don't you just love how Jesus brings healing to our gaping wounds ... and then re-fills our hearts to overflowing with more love for the next generation He brings along?! I'm so grateful!
Can you, friend, make out the face
(in that photo of the rocks)
of the piebald Seal Of Grace
come to care for Jesus' flocks
as they roam the winter beach,
leaving footprints in the sand.
That gentle Seal has come to teach
them to look well, and understand
that the cold salt ocean's wave
is but a frigid metaphor
of frozen hearts He died to save,
and of the Tomb become a door
to a place of warming sun
where lost sheep and God are one.
'frozen hearts He died to save'
Thank You, Jesus, for Your priceless death for us. Where would we be, who would we be without You in our hearts ...
Linda, may I have permission to use that photograph? A friend is collating my poems to publish after I die, abd and the poem is sure keyed to the picture.
Oh my, I would be honored.
And I'm quite happy that you have someone working to pull all your poetry together. What a friend, what a legacy. You'll never know how your work in this season has impacted people.
Linda, I'm truly honoured by the friends who carry my legacy when I can do it no longer.
Friends like you.
I always love these lists of yours! I keep seeing this about 'house hushing' and I love that--I'm going to make an attempt in the next few weeks.
I'm going to show you my latest house hushing project this weekend! I hope it'll encourage you ... it's so much easier than we think it'll be.
Book and book club!!! And sourdough with soup.
And congrats on the new great-grand—how sweet!
Oh yum. You're making me hungry.
What a beautiful post. Please know you gave my heart and spirit a lift. When I lived by the Atlantic Ocean I was a ble to see and/or walk on the beach every day. Your beautiful text and pictures reminded me of that. Warm regards, Nancy Andres @ Colors 4 Health.
And you're giving my heart and spirit a lift simply by being here, Nancy. What a pleasure!
Great grandma??? Congrats!!! That’s awesome.
I know, right??!!
I like that proverb. And the blast of fresh air will make you feel great! #TalkaboutitTuesday
Hey Lydia, I'm so glad you're here today. Welcome! Joanne does a super link-up, doesn't she ...
These beach photos are fabulous! I do like going to the beach in all seasons and it's always nice that I almost always have the winter beach to myself; though living nearly an hour away I don't get there nearly as much as I'd like to.
Yep, you're right, Joanne, winter beaches are usually solitary places with a special essence of their own. Not everyone appreciates their desolate windswept beauty so it makes me smile to read your words this evening.
Congratulations on becoming a great grandma!!! No! You do not seem old enough for that! What a beautiful gift from our Lord! What has been my focus is Volume Three. It's done, dear friend! It's done!!! ALL glory to Jesus for breaking through whatever was hindering and helping me push through behind Him! I always run everything I share publicly by my dear husband and son, so we are reading it aloud, they are giving me input and suggestions and once I get the green light from them, Lord willing, I will be sending the file to our dear friend for formatting. Once he is done, it will be uploaded to Amazon! Again ALL glory and gratitude to dear Jesus. What a relief. Now, I turn to working on Volume Four, by God's grace.I don't want to take a break this time if at all possible. I don't want to lose this momentum! It is so hard to get into this kind of groove, so I must keep pressing on, Lord help me. It is always so wonderful to visit with you and hear your voice. God's richest blessings be yours, dear friend.🙏❤🤗
VOLUME THREE! THANK YOU, JESUS!
Wow, Cheryl. What a hardwon victory. I know this has been a long haul but you have been faithful to what God has called you to do and He has been with you every step of the way. I can't wait to have a copy in my hands.
You know I'll be sharing your new baby here and will come alongside you in spreading the word. God is good.
READERS - Cheryl's devotionals are second to none. And her Biblical Minimalism is an inspirational, thought-provoking, and motivating read. I'm a big fan of her writing!
Homespun Devotions, Vol. 1
https://amzn.to/3WQJh5D
Homespun Devotions, Vol. 2
https://amzn.to/3WMQweN
Biblical Minimalism
https://amzn.to/41dPhbj
Dear friend! You are such a blessing to me. What an encourager you have been to me on this journey! I love and appreciate you more than I can say.
xo
What awesome sparks of joy Linda. Congrats on your soon to make an appearance great grand baby.
I so appreciate you sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.
Little sparkles of joy here and there is such a delightful image right about now. Staying away from the news and getting outside whenever possible are life savers and hope givers.
Thanks for dropping by this morning, friend.
I love your beach photos -- wish I had one close enough to walk or visit or sit in the car and look at. (Probably my speed in winter; I can't even shovel the walk without landing in the ER, this weekend's fun activity.) Lots of lovely ideas here. My uncle was a Stephen's Minister. I remember he really enjoyed it.
Oh no, friend, the ER? I hope you're healing well, Jeanie. Please be kind to yourself. And hopefully someone gallant and strong will offer to handle the shoveling in the future.
xo
Linda, your life saving routines are such a blessing. How I know going to the beach as you do would nourish my weary soul, alas no beach in sight here! But I do drag myself outside whenever I can or take a drive to a lovely park. I learned something this winter, the barrenness of the farmland around me and the trees, gardens and so forth has actually brought a quiet freedom to my soul. Kind of like cleaning up the clutter does.
I also love that you open your window even on cold days as you make the beds. It makes my husband crazy, but I do too. My mother always did, and in fact in those days all the women hung their bed clothes out the windows to freshen them up-haven't gone that far...yet.
But one thing that is saving my deep mid-winter life is also my own wintering of sorts. That of having no agenda, seeking gentle music, quiet reading and best of all times of simple quiet. I am honestly shocked at how these simple practices have nourished my bone weariness.
Donna, wow, I'm resonating with your 'barrenness of the farmland' observation. Everything around here is usually gray in winter - roads, shingled houses, clouds, trees, water. It's a seasonal place that sometimes feels abandoned and quite desolate.
You've put magical words to finding a lovely quiet freedom, a clearing of clutter and noise and busyness, the silence and solitude that the wintering experience has become for me.
Thanks for reframing it all, this the season that nourishes our bone weariness and recharges us for the life that's coming right around the bend.
Yes, Linda! You are too kind. I love visiting here, you allow time to think and reflect and all is welcoming.
* smiling with gratitude *
Love the ways you celebrate winter days, Linda--like throwing open the bedroom window for a bit and going to the beach anyway, even if it's for a quiet sit in the car. Those pretty tea cups remind me that one of my winter go-to's is herbal tea. I rotate through half a dozen flavors for variety! A candle or two and fairy lights help turn cloudy days into cozy, and when the sun shines, we open the Roman shades along the back of the house (facing south) to let the sun pour in. Instant cheer!
Fairy lights. Oh yes, yes. That's what I'm missing around here. I love those babies. Mmm ... you got me thinking, friend.
Congratulations, Great Grandma! 💕 Each one is so special! I recently reorganized my office closet and let go of a lot of stuff I haven't looked at or used for years. I was going to sort through the books on my bookshelf but I still didn't do it... Sigh... Your winter lake scenes are so beautiful! Love and blessings to you!
Oh I'd love to hear more about reorganizing your office closet! Do tell ...