Shelter!

One of the most important necessities of life is shelter. This necessity is often taken for granted. We have already had quite a few cold, rainy days this fall that have made me pause and thank God for my nice warm home.

On a recent dreary day I noticed a little fellow that did not seem to be as fortunate as myself.


I wonder why he is choosing to sit in the rain?


And just when I thought he was strange, I noticed that he wasn't alone.
Are there any reptile specialists out there that have an explanation for this?


From the warmth of my own place of shelter, I noticed something else. The Camellia was almost ready to bloom!


After a couple of days of rain, the sun came out again...and so did the blooms!

I am so thankful that God has provided me shelter from the weather! I am also thankful that He chose to surround it with the beauty of His creation. Is there something that you are thankful for today?

My Thankfulness Continues!

Wow! What a busy week! When you have teenagers life is never dull. This week I have been extremely busy with the girls. Catie is working hard to turn in all of her college applications and most of them require a separate scholarship application. Carson has been busy getting ready to record several of her original songs (part of her Christmas present). It feels as though time is passing by at breakneck speed. My simple country life is not quite as simple as I would like for it to be. However, as I was cleaning this morning to prepare for the live tree that John and Carson have gone to pick up, I just took a moment to stop and thank God for blessing me with these precious girls who bring such life into our home. I would be lost without them.

With all of that said, I need to make a confession. As I stroll through all of your blogs, I am very jealous of the beautiful Christmas decorations that I see. I have only managed to hang a couple of wreaths and put up the tree in the sunroom. Everything else is still in boxes. I must get busy!



I have always enjoyed putting a wreath on the courtyard wall...but this year the wreath blends in with the creeping fig that has started growing rapidly. Thank goodness the wreath has lights so that I can see it!



This morning was very cold and we actually had a little sleet. I was very thankful for one of my blogging friends who so graciously hosted a giveaway that I won. Denise at Den's Daily Life sent me the most wonderful things. I spent the morning drinking some of the hot chocolate that she sent while curled up under this beautiful red throw that was also part of the prize.



She also sent me this great Christmas stationary...



...the Snoopy mug, candles and Christmas pretties that will soon become part of an arrangement of greenery!

There were even some gift tags, gift bags, tea, cocoa, and coffee. What more could I want??? It was my first time to receive a gift from one of my blogging friends. When the mail lady delivered the package, I felt like Santa had been. Thank you, Denise, from the bottom of my heart. Every time I wrap up in my soft, Christmas throw, I will think of your kindness! I thank God for all of my blogging friends! May He fill your houses with love and happiness this Christmas season!

Thanksgiving in the Country

Wow, what a weekend! I think I am going to need this whole week to get my house back in order. Does anyone else feel that way after Thanksgiving? Joking aside, I think this is one of my favorite holidays because it is centered around family and thankfulness. For Thanksgiving we have combination of relatives from mine and John's family. Many times we also have a few friends in the mix. Usually me or my mom cooks the turkey and dressing and everyone else brings a dish or two of their own. Would you believe that even though it is not coordinated, we have never had two people bring the same dish? This year my aunt brought the turkey and my mom made the dressing. (I didn't know what to do with myself.) I just love the casual atmosphere of our gathering. There is nothing like country living!

Thanksgiving in the country always includes...



...lots of family in the kitchen.



...plenty of food!



...a mandolin?



...a banjo?



...lots of beautiful music!



...cowgirl boots.



...and some very happy listeners.



And after the crowd leaves and the men head out to the deer stands, I spend a little time getting started on my Christmas decorating.

I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with as much love, food, and entertainment as mine. Now, lets all get ready for Christmas!

Days of Thankfulness!

I just wanted to take a moment to explain to everyone why I have dropped the ball, so to speak, on my days of thankfulness. It seems that over the weekend I was so busy enjoying the people that I am thankful for so much that I didn't have time to blog at all. My youngest daughter celebrated her 13th birthday with a bonfire party Saturday and My mom celebrated her birthday with a dinner at my house last night. All of that combined with getting the house ready for about twenty guests tomorrow has my head all a spin. I did want to take a moment to say how thankful I am for all of my new blogging friends. I feel so blessed to have friends from all over the world with whom I have so much in common. Many of you have come to feel like family to me. I have even received my first gift (a giveaway prize) from a fellow blogger (thanks Den). I would share pictures of my goodies, but my camera card is full. I have to run out tonight to get another. I'll post soon about how I used all of my Christmas goodies from Denise. In the mean time, hop on over to her blog and check it out. You will be glad that you did.

I would like to wish all of my wonderful blogging friends a very happy, and blessed Thanksgiving! In His Love, Carla

Thank God for Beautiful Music

Today, as I was thinking of all of the things that I am thankful for, music came to my mind. I am thankful for the blessing of music in my home. John and I both have a love for music, although our tastes sometimes differs. This love has been instilled into both of our girls, who have their own musical preferences. Thankfully, we all accept each other's opinions and tastes and enjoy many different melodies in our home.



Although Carson takes lessons in bluegrass, she prefers country.



Catie prefers to play the piano and enjoys more alternative styles of music.



Even though she enjoys the alternative style, she does manage to play a few classical tunes for her mom.



John loves all kinds of music, but the tunes he loves the best are the ones that Catie and Carson play for him.

I can't imagine a single day without some kind of music drifting through the air in our home. Do you enjoy playing music in your home, or do you prefer quietness?

Thank God For My Mom and Dad

During this week of thankfulness I must stop to thank God for my wonderful parents. Growing up we did not have a lot of money, however, we had enough love to last throughout eternity. My mom and dad have always been my biggest supporters in all that I have done. My mom always looks for the best in others and never says an unkind word about anyone. My dad is the quiet type who is always the first to lend a hand when someone is in need. I am fortunate to live close enough to spend a lot of time with them. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with such great examples.



They are still a cute couple, don't you think?

Thankful for The Creator and His Creation

As the next few days pass by and I take the time to think about all of the things that I am thankful for, I can't let another moment pass without thanking my God, my Lord and Savior, the Creator of all things. Without him there would be no reason to be thankful. His creation alone should produce a heart full of thankfulness. I am especially grateful for His precious son who died for my sins.



I try not to let a single day pass without taking in the beauty of His creation.



I see Him in the beautiful fall colors...



...and in the reflection of the still waters...



...and in the beauty of the skies...



...especially the beauty of the skies.

For the beauty of the earth
For the beauty of the skies
For the love, which from our birth
Over and around us lies
Over and around us lies
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our joyful hymn of praise!

Thankfulness

As Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, I find myself becoming increasingly busy readying my house for the friends and family that will be coming over to celebrate. I have created a master list with many chores that need to be completed in order for my house to be ready to host this much anticipated event.

It would be very easy to get all caught up in the many preparations and forget about why we celebrate this blessed day in the first place, so I've decided to make sure that doesn't happen. Between now and next Thursday I am going to post something that I am thankful for each day. It is my hope that this will serve as a reminder to me to slow down and remember to be thankful during this season.

Today I want to thank the Lord for giving me such a wonderful husband and two precious daughters to cherish in this life. I don't know what I would do without them. They give me so much joy each day. I am blessed!



Who are you thankful for today?