Hodgepodge and Heavenly Skies

It's Wednesday and time for Hodgepodge once again...

...where Joyce asks the questions and we answer them on our blogs.

Here in the south, you never know from one day to the next what to expect, weather-wise.

We went from 3 degrees to 73 degrees in a matter of five days.

The snow was pretty while it lasted and they say we may get more in a couple of weeks.

I don't mind the winter months because y'all know how much I like snow.

But even when there is no snow on the ground, there is just something about those winter skies...

...they seem to be especially heavenly in January.

They've been pink in the mornings and pink in the evenings.

Humor me as I insert some recent sky shots in amongst the hodgepodge questions.

And speaking of hodgepodge, let's get started, shall we?

 

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1. ASAP typically stands for 'as soon as possible'. What else could it stand for in your life right now?

 

After pondering this question, I decided that the only way I could answer it honestly was to actually give two answers. The first is about the resolutions that I make every year and how I'm doing with them...thus my answer, ALMOST SNAIL-LIKE AND PROCRASTINATING. We have  also been in the process of some major home improvement projects for the past year or two ...you all surely know those things can go...or NOT...and we are finally set up to get new floors. They were to come last Wednesday to measure so we could schedule installation and well, that didn't happen (some computer glitch...of course) so they are scheduled to be here today. It has been over two weeks since went and picked out the flooring. Need I say more? So.......it is going...AS SLOWLY AS PREDICTED.

2. Are you the last person to speak up in a group or the first to have an idea? Why do you suppose that is? Is it a good thing or no?

It really depends on who I am in a group with and what is being discussed. I tend to hold back somewhat and don't want to dominate the group or intimidate others who are sharing. I'm thoughtful like that :) I have been in groups (SS class comes to mind) where one person wants to have the floor during every discussion and it can really be intimidating and bordering on rude. Just like anything else, there should be a happy medium. If no one else chooses to speak then I guess someone needs to...but it wouldn't be me more than likely.

3. What do you remember best about being 12? 

Man, it's been so long...let me think...   Back when I was twelve, there was an innocence that doesn't seem to be there in this age group today, generally speaking. When I was twelve, I was still basically a little girl playing with dolls. I had a couple of Barbies and my sister who is next to me in age would have been over fourteen and she played with me. I also had one of those dolls that had the soft body and a face like a newborn. Long after I actually played with her, I kept her wrapped up and placed her on my bed along with my collection of stuffed animals. There was no make-up either, just a short little chubby girl enjoying my place as the baby in a big family.

4. January 18th is National Winnie the Pooh Day. Which character do you relate to the most, and why? If you're stumped go here for inspiration. 

I had no idea so I went "there". I'm Kanga...and I do love to camp :)

More heavenly skies on my way home from work last week...

5. What's an app you use that helps simplify or make life easier for you in some way? 

I am still getting used to using apps since I have only had my smart phone just a short time. I never had a GPS so that is great, I've tried the flashlight out a few times and it's also quite helpful (and fun) to have Google at my fingertips...just to name a few. 

6. San Francisco (CA), San Diego (CA), San Juan (PR) San Antonio (TX) Sanibel (FL)...you have an all expenses paid long weekend to one of these destinations. Which one do you choose and why?

It would be a toss-up between Sanibel Island, Florida and San Juan, Puerto Rico I think. Although I have never been to either place, a tropical paradise always sounds quite nice.

7. Share with us a song that makes you feel nostalgic? For what? 

Oh my gosh, Joyce...sometimes you ask the hardest questions! There are so many...but I cannot hear the song, "Time in a Bottle" by Jim Croce without remembering my wedding day and my sister singing it. There.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Amen? ♥

By the Sea

Welcome...and Happy April, everyone!

Spring break is over for us and we enjoyed our long weekend at the sea shore.

This is the scene that greeted us when we arrived on Thursday afternoon.

Even though we had temps in the mid 70's, the water was still quite cold.

They were brave enough to get in...

...but these tough guys couldn't take the chilly waters for very long.

They stayed on dry land for the most part.

  

 I was up every morning before daybreak...my favorite time to take in the wonder of it all.

 

The clouds blocked much of the sunrise but I was still in awe...

...and I never tire of this magnificent sight.

The breaking of each wave creates a totally unique picture than the one before. 

  

I sat on the sand for probably an hour just watching the seagulls as they anticipated breakfast. 

For the longest time, it was just me and the birds.

And speaking of birds, these big guys were quite the entertainers.

 This is the easy way to get the fish special for lunch...

...you just wait patiently until one of the fisherman on the pier throw one to you...

...and down the hatch it goes in one gulp!

See those boats way out there?

The one on the left is the Dredge Savannah, a dredger vessel,
 currently at work pumping sand in to help restore the receding coastline.

source

Here she is up close.

Can you imagine what a monumental task something like this would be?

~

So in between rain storms, we had plenty of fun and got what we came for...
a little sun, sand, sea and Britt's Donuts.

A trip to Carolina Beach without eating one (or five...or six) of them just isn't right!
Visiting here too often is definitely hazardous to your health....oh, but they are SO GOOD!

The view from eight floors up as Dylan soaks up a few waning rays
and finally, Sunday morning's sunrise.

Why is it that the best day at the beach is the day you have to check out??
It's all good though...just being here, no matter the weather is a balm to the soul.

Enjoy your week, my friends :)

Linking with:
Mosaic Monday

Beyond the Sky

The skies here in North Carolina have just been stunning the past week weeks 
and it reminded me of this song the I had first heard a few years ago.
I hope you are as blessed by the words as I was.

(Scroll down after starting video)

BEYOND THE SKY

~Fernando Ortega

One morning
When time is done
Bright heaven
Will be our refuge
The city of God most high

I long for

That holy day
This longing
Sometimes it captures my heart

And carries me far away

 

Beyond the sky

Beyond all telling
Our Father himself
Will be our light
His arms will hold us
And with his hands
He'll wipe away the tears

That stain our eyes

When darkness

Falls over me
This promise
It's like a fire inside
Burning the dark away

Beyond the sky

Beyond all telling

Our Father himself
Will be our light
His arms will hold us
And with his hands
He'll wipe away the tears
That stain our eyes

Wishing you blessings as big as the sky!

Sharing at:

http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2013/10/welcome-friends.html
http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/2013/10/sharing-his-beauty-linky.html
http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2013/10/amaze-me-monday-27.html
http://sundayview.blogspot.com/2013/10/paperback-book-pumpkin-and-inspired.html

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/10/make-it-pretty-monday-week-70.html
http://whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-81-everything-pumpkin/
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/10/185th-inspire-me-tuesday.html

http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/2013/10/tuesdays-at-our-home-31.html
http://www.flusterbuster.com/2013/10/flusters-creative-muster-linky-party-41.html
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/10/wow-us-wednesdays-139.html
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/2013/10/dish-garden.html

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/10/clever-chicks-blog-hop-55-with-two.html
http://jannolson.blogspot.com/2013/10/share-your-cup-thursday-76.html
http://www.deeprootsathome.com/encourage-one-another-wednesday-link-up-107/
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2013/10/fall-glittered-acorns-and-simple-sweet.html

http://www.impartinggrace.com/2013/10/this-month-im-writing-each-day-for-31.html

http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2013/10/home-sweet-home-140.html
http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2013/10/dont-forget-to-stop-by-and-like-my.html

Sonrise, Sonset

The Rising Sun

by Sri Chinmoy

The rising sun

Blesses my mind

With joy.

The setting sun

Blesses my heart

With Peace.

Click on the video below for the beautiful worship song, 

"10,000 Reasons"

I pray your week is filled with glorious sunrises and sunsets!

sharing at:

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2013/09/pink-saturday-september-7.html
http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2013/09/welcome.html
http://www.deidrariggs.com/2013/09/07/sunday-67/
http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/2013/09/sharing-his-beauty.html

Pink Skies

I took this photo a few weeks ago standing in the driveway of our cabin in the mountains.

SUNSET

The fire in the sky is dying

The mountains are tall and dark

The spirit of the day is flying

Sunset leaves its mark

The colors up on high are lovely

The air is clear and cool

An ending approaches mildly

Day and night begin a duel

But the light must give way sometime

And who will win, I'll bet

Is dark, mysterious nighttime

As day gives way to sunset

~Mary O. Fumento, 1981

Have a fantastic weekend!

Sharing this for Pink Saturday @

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2013/07/pink-saturday-july-27.html

http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2013/07/blogaversary.html

http://www.impartinggrace.com/2013/07/grace-at-home-no-67.html

http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2013/07/new-dahlia-and-sweet-simple-fridays-73.html

http://mockingbirdhillcottage.com/2013/07/a-favorite-thing-46/

Chasing Sunsets

...so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting,
 people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.  
Isaiah 45:6

Have you ever chased a sunset? If you are anything like me and a little crazy about getting a great picture of the sun setting, you have probably done this. I moved to North Carolina from the foothills of Kentucky and had never seen so many tall pine and oak trees in my life. Now, don't get me wrong—I love a good tree as much as the next person—but when you are trying to get a good glimpse of the setting sun, those trees can really get in the way! But there was that one time when I was fortunate enough to find just the perfect frame...

On yet another excursion, I went out for a ride—in the direction of the setting sun—with about an hour before it would actually be setting. I drove...and I drove...and I drove. Each time I saw the potential for a good photo-op there was an obstacle in my way OR traffic OR there was a dip in the road and it went down below the horizon. I was getting frustrated and wasting gas so I headed for home, taking the same route back. I got almost all the way home and then I saw it—a reflection that was nearly blinding me in my rear-view mirror. It was what I had been driving all over the countryside for. A beautiful open area in the landscape with a perfect view of the sunset, basically right in my back yard, about 2 miles from my house. If only I had waited an hour, I would have seen it on my way out of town! :(

I pulled off into a parking lot...

...and watched as God finish His painting for me.

And then there are the those times when we don't even have to go looking for them. They are just there—right in front of us—given as a special surprise gift from the Father and beaming with His glory. The picture below is an example of just that. We were at our cabin in Fancy Gap, VA a few winters ago when I walked out on the deck...and there it was. I have never seen another one quite so exquisite since.

I was a little upset when I couldn't find the original file for this pic (although I'm still looking) so please excuse the quality of it as I pulled it from my Facebook page...I think you still get the idea, though :)

Then there was this simple little beauty that I just happened to capture from the golf cart as we were taking in evening cruise down the gravel road near the cabin one warm summer evening.

So, until next time, you might find me chasing sunsets. Then again, I just may wait for one to chase me! 

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.

Psalm 113:3


Sharing with:

http://sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com/2013/07/from-farm-blog-hop_19.html