"Pining" Away...

Well, the snow is back once again...

Anybody recognize these tracks???

 I'm ever so thankful that my sons

took a walk the other day

when we were "snowless"

and collected this tote full

of pine cones.

 

Some of you may remember this post

where I shared how to make my 

favorite "firestarters..."

using shavings, wax, and egg cartons...

 

 Well, ladies,

Today is a perfect "inside" day...

A day to get many little projects completed...

So, today I am making my second

favorite "firestarters"

out of pinecones and melted wax...

They are oh so simple to make...

 

 

I just melt used candles

in this old crockpot...

 

Then dip one end of the pinecone

into the hot wax...

 And let it "cool" on

some waxed paper...

If your candles were scented...

The fragrance they give off

is oh so sweet! 

That's it!

They make wonderfully

 inexpensive "firestarters"

Lately, I've noticed...

That there are several verses

in the scriptures...

Where a reference is made to

"pining away..."

Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary

defines "pining" as

 

"Languishing; wasting away..."

In the scriptures,

the writer was often referring

to his life being

wasted on account of his sin...

And so today,

As I spend this "inside" day

accomplishing many little projects

that need doing...

It is my prayer that I will not

spend my life "pining away..."

But, instead,

focus completely 

on the One

who gave me Life...

  Be gracious to me, O LORD,

for I am pining away;

Heal me, O LORD,

for my bones are dismayed.

Psalm 6:2

Somethin' To Crow About!

Have you ever heard that old saying???

If you don't like the weather in Maine...
Just wait 5 minutes.

Well, these words rang true yesterday...

We went from snowy subzero temps...
To foggy 50 degrees...
What a strange winter!

Yesterday, my sons spent the day
Doing some clearing on a neighbor's land.
He's had a lot of blow-downs that
he has been concerned about...

So he hired them to remove those trees
as well as some others that might
fall toward his house.

What a blessing for us...
He told the boys to keep
whatever wood was good
to use for firewood...

The boys have already brought home
several cords of hardwood all seasoned.

 At lunchtime yesterday
They stopped in for a quick sandwich
before returning to work...

I had to laugh...
As always, our rooster came
right up to Josh...
Just waiting to be picked up!

Now, ladies,
I need to explain to you
about this rooster.

I truly believe that the Lord
gave us this rooster
as a special blessing and reminder
just for me.

As a blessing...

Because the last rooster we had
used to chase me around the yard
Whenever I was out in the garden...
I think he had a thing for my pink clogs!

And, as a reminder...

Because, you see, sweet ladies,
 our rooster has some
very unique behaviors.

No one ever taught him
that roosters are only supposed
to crow at daybreak...

So, he crows,
At anytime of the day...
For no apparent reason whatsoever...
Other than the fact
that he loves attention...

 Now, let's face it ladies,
How many roosters do you know
that love to be picked up and cuddled?

He is actual quite put out
that we haven't given him a bedroom
inside the house!

So, he is my reminder...
Whenever I hear him crow...

That the Lord is instructing me
to be careful with my tongue.. 

"Whoso keepeth his mouth

and his tongue keepeth

his soul from troubles..." 

 Proverbs 21:23

To not go about "crowing"

all day long...

Just to get attention or feel important.

.

"Even a fool,

when he holdeth his peace, 

is counted wise: 

and he that shutteth his lips

is esteemed a man of understanding..." 

Proverbs 17:28

I just love the way our Lord
instructs me each and every day!

"Set a watch, O LORD,

before my mouth; 

keep the door of my lips..."

Psalm 141:3

Sometime soon,

I'll share with you

Why the Lord gave us...

Larry, the Cat!

"Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace unto the hearers..."

Ephesians 4:29

Just a reminder, sweet ladies!
Don't miss the lovely give-away at
Sweet Home Stitchery...
ends January 31st!

White As Snow...

 White...

Seems to be the predominant color

around here as of late...

Yesterday,

We found this in the hen house...

We haven't had a white egg

in months...

In fact,

We were just thinking about "replacing"

our white egg layers

with some new chicks this spring.

More white...

My husband has been working

on a new island for our kitchen...

We found this beautiful old dresser

at Larry's swap shop...

A five dollar bargain.

My sweetie took the top off

And replaced it with butcher block...

He also "finished" it with a lovely

white paint which matches

our kitchen appliances.

I love the beautifully curved feet

and the intricate drawer pulls

and especially...

The additional 8 drawers

of cabinet space!

And, of course,

Winter finally came to our 

little peninsula.

I just love the way that

newly fallen snow

makes the whole world

seem clean and fresh...

 

Perhaps that is why

so many people love

the start of the New Year.

It's like a clean slate...

A chance to begin again...

To start "fresh" and "new"...

But, all too soon,

Many of us realize that

this is not a task

we can accomplish by

"sitting down on the job..."

And, often times,

We must take "steps"

In order to move forward...

What a blessing and comfort 

it is to know

that we don't have to 

"clean up our act"

before coming to Jesus...

I am so eternally thankful

that He cleanses us

and makes us

"white as snow..."

"Come now, and let us reason together, 

says the LORD: 

though your sins be as scarlet, 

they shall be as white as snow..."

Isaiah 1:18

"Oh, Be Careful Little Mouths What You Say..."

When our sons were young

We taught them many songs...

One of their favorites

I'm sure many of you know...

"Oh, Be Careful Little Ears What You Hear..."

What fun we would have

Going through all the verses...

The point of this little ditty

Is to teach children that our Lord

Is always with us...

And,

If we truly love Him 

And want to serve and please Him,

Then we will take care of this "temple"

Which He has entrusted to us...

And use it only for good.

For the Lord is always watching

and listening...

As are those around us.

This point was driven home to me...

Once again this week...

When I received a small package in the mail...

A beautiful little hair clip.

And no, it was not a belated 

Christmas present.

You see, several week's earlier...

During a dinner conversation...

I happened to mention that I had 

Stumbled across pretty hair clips for sale

On a friend's blog.

Because I have long hair,

I usually wear it up

or pulled back away from my face...

And finding barrettes or clips 

that will hold it is sometimes a challenge.

A brief remark about how pretty they were...

That was all...

Later, I was to discover...

That my son, Joshua, 

Had decided to purchase one of these 

clips for me...

Simply because he knew that I wanted one...

Simply because he knew that I had been 

going through so much with my parents...

Simply because he loves me.

As the story unfolded...

I found out that Joshua

Had enlisted the help of a friend

In choosing a clip and ordering it...

Not an easy task...

For a young man with no sisters!

And, after all the hugs and the tears,

During my "quiet" time...

I thought about the times when, perhaps,

the Lord had "spoken" a few words

to me in passing...

Was I as quick to "hear" those words?

Was I as eager to "go the extra mile"...

Just to please Him?

Just because I love Him?

Perhaps there is much more to learn

From the little songs we teach our children...

“Let the little children come to Me,

and do not forbid them;

for of such is the kingdom of God. 

Assuredly, I say to you,

whoever does not receive the kingdom of God

as a little child will by no means enter it.” 

And He took them up in His arms,

laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Mark 10: 14-16

Finding New Friends...

I came across this blog,

Our Crazy Farm

while visiting another friend...

I wanted to share it with you...

I was touched by the heading...

"An attempt to bring glory to God

for what He has chosen to do with our lives.

A legacy to leave to my children

in the telling of it."

Isn't that just so precious!

Terri is having a give-away

to celebrate her birthday...

I invite you to stop by

for a visit...

I know you will be blessed!

For Birthday give-away...just click picture!

God Bless Us...Everyone!

From our humble home to yours...

A Very Blessed New Year!

"Except the LORD build the house,

they labour in vain that build it..."

Psalm 127:1