Tuesday, January 27, 2009

{ Good Afternoon }

Come on in and sit with me, I have hot coffee waiting. It's kinda nippy outside, I got up this morning and when I went to let the pugs out, I couldn't believe how cold it felt. Now bear with me, I know when I tell you it was 40 degrees you'll laugh until you sides hurt, especially knowing that so many of you are dealing with negative degree temps.

The sun was just starting to come up and it was absolutely beautiful, actually breathtaking, so I took that moment to look into the distance and say a little prayer for a good day, a day of productivity, a day of health and a day of joy protecting us from any negativity that may try to step in our path. It felt good!

After dropping the kids off at school, I came back home to dishes in the sink and a load of laundry waiting to be switched from washer to dryer. I really need to make more use of my clothesline, but I tend to use it more in the summer and not so much in the cooler months.

So here's what else I've been doing this morning......

No matter how cool it is outside, I can't help but open the kitchen window. I love the scent of fresh air and the sound of the chirping birds outside. There's nothing like the morning air is there?

After having some breakfast, I had to make a quick run to the library to return my books and of course, browse through the new releases section. Which means, I come home with more to put in my basket.

On the list this time:

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
In the Woods by Tana French
The Likeness by Tana French
The Saddlemaker's wife by Earlene Fowler
The Ghost Towns of the West

Back home, it was time to clean the fridge and reorganize in there. I'm very anal when it comes to this LOL No really, I am. I like all my stuff neat and tidy and items of the same category together. I just can't function when I open the fridge door and see the ham near the strawberry jelly or whatnot.

Weird huh?

Stepping back outside, I got some more lemons off the tree. I tell you it's overflowing with them and the branches are tipping down, some of them almost touching the ground.

To have seen this tree a couple of months ago, and to see it now, is just unbelievable. But it's taught me a valuable lesson, that no matter how bad something may look on the outside, there's beauty underneath just waiting to break through.


I tidied up the couch, the kids have made this their favorite spot in the house. That is where they snuggle under the blanket with their toys, watch tv, draw, rest. Even the pugs have started loving the blanket, it's not unusual to find one of them laying there taking a nap.

Washed, folded and put away all the kitchen towels

And now I am going to sit back, have a cup of tea and read a little of my devotionals.

Who knows what I'll be doing in an hour or two, probably puttering around the house again, cleaning or organizing, but for now, I am choosing to relax and surround myself with the love of God.

Oh and before I forget, starting February 1st, I'm going to start a 31 days of prayer for my husband. You are more than welcome to join me. Every day I'll list a prayer and you can just pray along with me.

You know that I feel that behind every wonderful blogging woman I have come to know, there is an amazing man, they are the ones working in the background. The ones providing for our families, fixing what is broken around the house, giving us a hug when we're down, listening to our bad days, putting up with the constant flashing of cameras in their eyes (admit it, you tote that camera around just as much as I do LOL).

So I think they need to be recognized and admired and acknowledged for the wonderful husbands they are and what better way to do that, than to devote a whole month of prayer to them. Will you join me?

35 comments:

Sarah said...

i love your thoughts on 31 days of praying for our husbands! and yes- i'm a camera toting wife too :) for sure joining with you- really enjoy your blogging- thank you!!!

Mari said...

Yes - I carry my camera around too and drive my family crazy at times. I'll join you too!

Cheri said...

Um yeah- I'd love 40 degrees. It was 1 degree at the bus stop this morning.
I love your idea about praying for our husbands. I'm definitely joining you!

Bonnie said...

ha ha ... my camera really should be attached to my body !! it almost is already !!

I loved the Memory Keeper's Daughter ... Have you read Water for Elephants ? You should ! You'd like it, I think.

I love the picture of your washed and folded kitchen towels. That General Store birdhouse is just so adorable !!

So tell me ... that jar of lemons in the fridge. What is it ? Yeah, i know ... a jar of lemons ! ha ... but what do you use it for ?

Lulu said...

sounds like your day is going well..
it was cold here this morning also..
hugs,

Tina Leigh said...

Cant think of a better way to honor my husband...thats a good idea.

Anonymous said...

I'll trade you our weather.. freezing rain, snow and still under storm warning and only in the teens out there.
I agree with you, our husbands should be more appreciated and prayed for.. I'll join you.

Anonymous said...

I love your idea of praying for our husbands for a month!! Your day sounded wonderful.

Carrie said...

Sandra, I love the idea of praying for our husbands. I have been blessed with an amazing friend, who then became my husband. He's given me the opportunity to stay home with our new little one and I am so very grateful.

I just wanted to say also, I absolutley love the picture of your kitchen window. There's just something about it....

Cris said...

It sounds like a wonderful day. Que ótima idéia de orar por nossos maridos, como vai funcionar? Thanks Sandra.

The Raggedy Girl said...

I love the hubby prayer plan and would love to do it. Now something I have never told a living soul. My fridge is labeled. I got out my label maker and labeled all the shelves and drawers and baskets and as a card carrying OCDer I want the eggs on the shelf labeled eggs and so on.
Smiles....Roberta Anne

Susanne said...

The prayer plan sounds good Sandra. Great idea.

The lemons in the jar look great! I like my fridge organized a certain way. I hate having to stick my head in there and find something that someone has just stuck in willy nilly. The kids just roll their eyes at me. LOL.

vwestermeyer said...

I so enjoy your blog!! I'll happily join you in praying for hubbies

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful morning shot of the sunrise...the desert is magnificent that way.

Yes, I'll join you! My hubby is looking for work that just isn't to be found and so needs my support...great idea for the next month.

It was also great to see the other bloggers admit that their camera is attached to their hand; my family complains that I give them red-eye and cause them to see large white spots hovering in space!!

Thanks for sharing how your days go. Um, don't let the lemons curdle the milk LOL!

Unknown said...

The sunrise shot is marvelous.. & I have my camers close by but lately haven't used it much..
I will join in praying for our men, it will be an honor to lift my Sweetman in daily prayer. I try to do that anyway but often get distracted. Great way to be kept accountable.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandra,
What a wonderful day you had. I too have to have order in my kitchen. Dave will tell you don't move the oatmeal boxes or things will go down hill quick.LOL
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

I had this sent to me and I thought you and all your readers would enjoy it also. Here is a link for you to share. http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/shortmovie.php
Enjoying all you have to offer.

Not Another Omnivore said...

Alas, I am hubby-less, but I do have a boyfriend I can't imagine not being in my life :)

Anonymous said...

I loved The Memory Keeper's Daughter too. Great idea for the prayer. I'd love to join you as well.

Anonymous said...

Oh by the way, I love the new look of your blog!

Mozi Esme said...

You make everything sound so simply abundant! I love the prayer idea. And the lemon tree reminds me of our 5 trees back in Mozambique. And there is no way I'm going to open the kitchen window here in Oregon. :)

Blessed Beyond said...

What a beautiful day! We woke up this morning to some wintery weather mix, and it was nice. I'd love to join in the monthly prayer for our husbands! That is one of the most awesome ideas, it is just too sweet and so loving! I was just talking with a friend of mine, about a blanket and the couch! It is trully a wonderful feeling! Hope you have a great week!
Hugs and Blessings,

Lara said...

It was so nice to go through your day with you. The sunrise shot is beautiful. And I'll surely join you in this prayer time though I usually pray every day for a specifici area of my husband's life.
Have a wonderful day, Sandra.

Sandra said...

I'll join you too! Especially now that hubby is having some problems at work and he's very disappointed with it all.
Bjs
Sandra

Christy said...

A whole month of prayers for your husband? Now THAT'S a Valentine's gift! I can't keep from telling you that you are so very inspiring.

Anonymous said...

When I read yesterday's statement about praying for your husband for each day in February, I got tears in my eyes. It challenged me to pray for my husband. I will take up the challenge, and I will challenge my friends to do the same as well. Thank you. Maria

Elenka said...

What a beautiful sunrise photo. Keep up the good work with your blog, am really enjoying it!

someone else said...

That's is an incredible sunrise photo! It's hard to believe skies like that are real, but aren't we glad they are!!

Christina said...

Sounds like a good day.

The sunset is just breathtaking and I can't believe the amount of lemons you take off your tree.

More library books. This is what I do drop off the books and can't help myself but take a look. Enjoy them!

Christina said...

PS 31 days of prayer for your husband sounds like a great idea.

Anonymous said...

You have an award at my blog.

Love and hugs

Sarah

Terri said...

It was cold here too but 40? - that's a heat wave going on!
I love seeing those lemons - what a blessing to just be able to pull them off the tree. I'll be praying for my husband too - he's always looking for better work in this economy.

All My Blessings said...

I'm glad you can open your door this morning and feel the nippyness of the outside. If I did that the hairs in my nose would stick together!!! LOL LOL Have a great day. Kae

heidi @ ggip said...

The Memory Keeper's Daughter was a lovely book. I enjoyed it although it made me cry.

Anonymous said...

Have I ever told you how much I enjoy reading your blog?! I love reading about your days,your recipes,knitting, and your lemon tree I wished I had!
Monica