Till The Sock Appears....

I thought I'd write a little post while we're waiting to hear the next sock adventure.  Hope no one minds!

I wanted to share a TV program that is new to me.  It features this lovely lady who lives in a log cabin - not a fancy new one - in Minnesota with her family.

Her name is Amy Thielen.  She was raised in  Minnesota and then moved to New York where she was a well known chef.  She moved back to her roots and and pursues heartland cooking with a passion.  She's an avid gardener and uses recipes she was raised on.  Today she featured how to back a blueberry pie which she learned from her Grandmother.  It reminded me so much of when I was a child and my mother would give me the scraps of pie dough to "create" my own cinnamon/sugar cookies!

I'm going to set my DVR to record her program to watch at my convenience.  If you watch it, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Here's the link:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/heartland-table/index.html

Now....waiting for the next sock adventure!

Time To Travel On

"I feel like travelin' on, oh I feel like travelin' on;

my heavenly home is bright and fair and I feel like travlin' on"

William Hunter

My time with the sock has come to an end.  Soon I will be driving to the post office and off it will go to another sister.  Who will it be?  I can't say, so if you haven't had your turn, make sure to check your mail....it could be you!
As Terry has requested, I added our Scarf Sister Scarf in my last picture.  I feel the love of each sister that has held this scarf in her hands, my what a trip it's had!  I secretly clipped a piece of fringe off of it because I always wanted to have just a little bit to hold on to.  Little did I know it would come back to me! 
My Sisters, I wish I could express how much each and every one of you mean to me.  Who do I turn to in my time of need?  My time of joy?  Just because I need to hear a caring voice?  My Sisters in the Lord.  Your families are now mine, and I pray for you and your needs, knowing also that in turn you are holding me and my loved ones close to your heart. 
Life is unpredictable my sisters.  We are not promised tomorrow.  If you think you can make it to a reunion, give it your best to come -- you won't regret it.  If you can't, know you are there in the hearts of those attending. 

For this picture, I put on my fascinator as well as the scarf and socks.  I'll cherish that moment at the reunion at my little cottage when we all made our fascinators, materials lovingly furnished by Julie.  We also practiced our royal wave, with Julie's direction.  That's what I'm trying to do here, but Hal said I look like I'm taking an oath! 
Lots of memories, lots of love.  God surely is the creator of our group, His love and handiwork is all over it.  I am blessed to be a Sister of the Traveling Scarf!
We may never all be together in one place here on this earth, but I know that one glorious day...we shall meet!  I love you all!

John 14:2-3
In my Fathers house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am.

Traveling Sock and Aching Knees

 My feet have taken me to the most wonderful, sad,  happy, interesting, hot, cold, boring, exciting places imaginable.  Sometimes, especially as I've aged...they have hurt and gotten very weary, but they kept going, not wanting to miss a thing! In 2011,  I was blessed beyond imagination to take the trip of my life time.  Amy and I went on a two week Mediterranean cruise.  We flew into Rome a few days before the cruise and did some sight seeing in that ancient and wonderful city.  Once aboard the cruise our stops were Greece where we visited Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes and Athens.  In Italy we visited the Amalfi coast, the island of Capri, Naples, Sorrento, the Island of Sicily and Toarmina, We also went to Ephesus in Turkey.

 Standing in front of the ruins in Athens.  What history!

 Amy and I in front of the ancient ruins of Ephesus.  This was one of the most spiritually meaningful stops of all.

 Here I am standing with a guard in Athens, Greece.  Don't look at him and don't touch him!  I like his shoes with the little pom-poms on them, LOL! My legs are all bandaged and bruised...I really didn't care, I just wanted to experience it all!

 Santorini!  Oh what joy!  It is as beautiful as the mind can imagine!  I look like I rolled out of bed, but I actually have my swim suit on underneath that schemata.  We spent the day at the beach, eating stuffed grape leaves and salad and sipping on fruit smoothies.

 These are the famous Spanish steps of Rome.  I actually walked down each one - very slowly.  This was before I had either of my knees replaced and I winced in pain with each step!  This is only half way down.

Amy is throwing a coin in the Trevi fountain.  I wonder what she was wishing for.  I was wishing to come back again!  We saw and tasted and enjoyed much more then I can post here.  I am beyond thankful that the Lord gave me the desire of my heart.  It was something I never, ever thought I would be blessed to participate in.
Amy and I never failed to recognize why our trip was possible or to give thanks to God who provided for it. He alone kept us safe in a foreign land.  He alone touched our hearts and caused tears to flow when remembering He created it all, and the foundations of civilization were laid by Him.
Whether I'm driving to my local market, or on the other side of the world, I am nothing with out my Savior.  He provides safety, peace, joy, comfort, security, and the very breath that fills my lungs.  It's all about Him.

Acts 17:28
For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your poets have said.  For we are also his offspring.

Our Neighbor to the North and South

"If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you..."
Motto of the State of Michigan

Michigan!

This is the shape of our state, minus the Upper Peninsula.  I couldn't figure out how to do both and take a picture.  Also, having the shape of the state covered in Canadian Maple leafs is probably a first, but I think very fitting since they are our neighbor.  Did you know that Canada is South of us?

 This marker in Riverside Park in Windsor Ontario Canada states that Detroit is north of them.  Just a sliver north, but we are north, none the less!

Above is the Ambassador bridge which links us from Detroit to Windsor, and below is the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, MI which links us to Sarnia.  

We love our Canadian neighbors and their beautiful land. We also humbly thank them for Tim Horton's coffee, possibly one of their greatest contributions, second only to our beloved Canadian Scarf Sisters!

I leave you as always with the word of God, upon which we live, breathe and have our being!

Romans 13:10 

Love works no ill to his neighbor:  therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Abundantly Abiding

It was time to take the sock out for a ride in my Merry Old Oldsmobile!  It probably won't again get the opportunity to ride in such a classic car, ;) We put it drive and pointed it in the direction of the grocery store.  

 It was so nice to see flowers and plants out side of the grocery store.  It beats seeing salt and snow shovels
any day of the week!

 I've been to this store too many times to count, yet this time I felt the Lord speak to me about abundance.
There is any thing you could possibly want from Sushi to Tzatziki Sauce.  I walked past the bakery section and there was Justin Biebers face staring up at me on a birthday cake. There are so many frozen meals, meals in a bag, meals at the deli.  You'd never have to actually cook if you didn't want to.

I'm thankful to live in a place where my biggest problem is that there is too much to choose from. Such abundance!  We are spoiled and sometimes our behavior shows it. Lord keep us humble.

My favorite source of abundance comes from my little patch of garden in my own back yard.  If you want to appreciate good food, just plant one or two things for starters.  You'll be hooked.  We plant just enough to be able to handle and if its a good year we may have extra to can.

I was so blessed to have Donna stay with us - even if the time was very short.  She's getting that fresh broccoli she bought at the farm market ready for dinner!  Abundance of cooking talent and love!  I miss that girl!
There is an abundance of food in the cupboard, in the store and in the field.  It's hard to imagine there are hungry people out there....but there are.  What a blessing to support charities who feed the hungry.  Not only food, but Jesus.  We must feed the hungry body as well as the soul with our abundance.
I want to once again thank Margie for bringing to our attention our little sweetie Sherly. Our own little Scarf Muffin!  We are blessed abundantly!

Luke 6:38
Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down and shaken together, and running over shall men give into your lap.  For with the same measure that you measure it shall be measured to you again.

Bless These Socks!

Today is my first official post of the traveling sock! 

Come on in to my house, we'll laugh and talk and Praise God for his constant love!

First I have to share about my sock package from Terry.  How blessed I am to know this special, special lady.  If you're lucky enough to be after her on the mailing list of one of our adventures, your in for a treat!

First of all, the envelope was a hoot!  No doubt who it came from even before opening it.  How many envelopes have Maple Leaf's, Canada Day and Eh? written on them?  It was jam packed with love!  She sent me TWO pairs of socks, one to share, one to keep.  They are adorned with the Canadian Maple leaf.  Also a small sock which is a change purse, complete with a Looney!  I love it!  Any country that calls it's currency a "Looney" has to be loved.  There's a bag of Werthers candy, which reminds me of her sweetness and Dad Golden sending a dish of candy to the last two reunions held in MI.  Also, scripture mints which Felisol sent her, too special to eat!  A beautiful magnet and last but not least a fan!  She said that Bernie fellow picked it out.  That's awfully special to me.  Bernie...I'm YOUR fan!

Well, my bed is made, socks ready to put on and a day ready to start. 

This is where my day begins.  In my living room with my Bible.  I'm reading the Bible in Chronological order on a daily schedule, although I find myself reading ahead!

I put my traveling sock shod feet up on the couch, rest my back against some comfy pillows and  open to today's scripture and start my day in His presence. 
In closing, I will leave you with the opening of my reading this morning in Psalm 139.
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.
 As I continue on my week with this adventure, I pray that the words on my tongue, and written on this page, always be pleasing to the Lord
I love you all!

~It is well with my soul

The Next Sister Has The Socks!

What a wonderful surprise was waiting for me today when I got the mail!
Can you guess where it came from if you hadn't already known?  I LOVE this envelope, but not as much as I love the sender.  Miss Terry, you are a very special prize!  On the address side, sweet Terry wrote, "God Bless America".  Amen, and God bless Canada!

I don't know if I'll start my adventure tomorrow or Monday, but stay tuned....you never know where these feet may travel! Eh?

Ry Cooder - Jesus On The Mainline

Call Him up and tell Him what you want!!!

Life's Instructions

This verse in Micah 6:8 has been on my heart for a while now.  Every time a situation in life comes up that begs direction - this verse comes to mind.
His word covers it all.

~It is well with my soul

Our Sweet Scarf Baby

Our precious Scarf Baby Rowan has received her perfect healing and is now in the arms of Jesus.  Please continue to remember Katie, Ryan and her brother Jacob as well and the entire family, Mrs. Mac her husband and children.  Their faith in God remains strong and they know that one day they will be reunited with beautiful, perfect Rowan who has touched the lives of so many.

Hello Scarfies!

Hello!
Just dropping by to touch base with every one.  It's been a while since I've posted on this blog, and I feel a bit guilty about that.  I'm thankful for those who have been faithful to drop by here and leave even a word or two.  I will try to do better! I think that maybe Face Book has been our replacement meeting place.  That's fine, but let's try not to forget where we all met, and to remember that not everyone is on FB.
When drinking my morning coffee, I glanced out the window and noticed how beautiful the green leaves of my neighbors maple tree looked against the bright blue sky.  God gave us such beauty to fill our senses available to us without leaving our couch.  He cares for us in every area of our lives.  How much He cares for us is beyond what we even know or our minds can comprehend!
I don't plan to leave the house today, it will be a day of a bit of yard work, probably not a lot because of my knees, but even a tiny bit feels so good.  I pray you enjoy this day that the Lord has blessed you with.  If your burdened, know that you are loved.  God knows your needs and if you feel like sharing, either individually or as a group, we are hear to pray for you.
Sending you all a big Scarf Sister hug!!!

Arlene - We Miss You

It's been four years since our precious sister, Arlene went home to be with the Lord.  I miss her and think of her often, and know she touched many of our lives.
Her daughter, Amber wrote a loving tribute to her Mom today on her blog.  Please go over and read it and enjoy the beautiful pictures. 
The love of God and his grace lives on in Amber and her children.  We can leave no greater legacy.

Click below on Amber's blog:

Fultz Family Homeschool Blog

thank you

My dear sisters, I want to take just a moment to thank you for your love, prayers and well wishes..they have helped to sustain me.  I came home from the hospital yesterday.  I am in a great deal of pain, which I know will lessen with each day.  I am reliant on the help of Hal, Sara and Amy and they have been wonderful. I look forward to the day when I can do the simple things in life with our assistance..like brushing my teeth!
My body is trying to rid itself of all the drugs they had me on in the hospital,  lots of morphine and many others,  and I'm feeling the effects of it.  This too shall pass.
Thank you for the beautiful flowers that Trish brought up to my hospital room.  I will try to take a picture in the next day or two.  It was like having a ray of sunshine on my side table!
I send each of you a great big hug!

~It is well with my soul