In Season and Out of Season

Plaid is apparently “in” this year.  And since I’m so fashion savvy (sarcasm), I was happy to find three plaid skirts recently at my afore-mentioned bag sale.  Here are two of them with a jacket I also found at a thrift store last week.  I obviously have no intention of wearing them together.

According to Wikipedia, the word plaid is commonly used to describe what is actually tartan.  Both terms originally had separate meanings. Plaid is derived from the Scottish Gaelic plaide, meaning "blanket" and was used to describe the rectangle, blanket-like garment sometimes made up of tartan that preceded the modern kilt.  Later plaid was used to describe the blankets themselves.

Tartan come from a French word referring to woven cloth as opposed to knitted cloth.  Today these terms refer to the colored patterns created by the weaving of various colors to create this popular cloth and clothing.

All this to say, I'll be sporting my plaid this season.  I also am aware of God's Word (Paul's to Timothy originally) saying, "Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season;  correct, rebuke, and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction."  (I Timothy 4:2).

Spiritual preparation - knowledge of and obedience to God's Word - is ALWAYS "fashionable" for His children!

Sunday Surprise

We decided to spend our 30 minute walk exploring the Indiana Purdue University Campus in nearby Fort Wayne. Our immediate destination was this bridge that was constructed recently over the St. Joseph River.

We discovered a path that followed the river. We were pleasantly surprised to find signs identiifying the trees along the path. These were a few that caught my eye.

The tree above is a sassafras tree!   The sign noted its beautiful autumn coloring as well as the fact that root beer is made from the roots of this tree.

This was the largest of the trees - a red oak.

I felt like Wanda when I discovered this hole on the other side of the tree!
We had an enjoyable and educational experience.  It's always good to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.

If You Are What You Eat...

...then I'm a Baby Ruth.

As I posted in my health blog,  "It wasn't a good evening."

But it DID serve a purpose.  I was reminded of a verse in Proverbs 23:7 that says (in some versions)

"As a man thinks in his heart, so is he."

I want to forget about how many of these small bars I ate last night and move on.

I DON'T want to forget to fill my heart - my mind - with GOOD stuff!

God says in His Word, "You ARE what you think!"

Saying Grace

“You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.” — G. K. Chesterton

Buckle Up!

I found these four belts in thrift stores while in Illinois visiting our son this week. They represent a total investment of $.70. I was especially happy to find the pink belts because I've been looking for a way to incorporate the color in my wardrobe. Color, length (obviously), width, and material are a few factors to consider when buying a belt.

The Bible speaks about belts, too! Ephesians 6:14 tells us to be prepared for life and its challenges by (among other things) having the belt of truth buckled around our waists. Our survival in the world requires a firm understanding of God's absolute truth delivered in His Word. Truth exposes the lies of the devil and breaks the power of the deceptions they create. Equipped with a knowledge of God's truth, we can recognize the lies, resist the devil and do God's will.

Soldiers in Paul's day wore belts to secure their clothing and hold weapons.The belt of truth for us today has its functions, too. Truth sets us apart from the world and separates us for special purposes. It helps us stay "on task" for God and to avoid falling for sin's deceptions. It gives us direction and guidance for daily living. It provides spiritual intelligence and helps us be discerning and wise in our choices. The belt of truth helps us be battle ready -- to move quickly and confidently without tripping on lies or losing our spiritual weapons such as praise, prayer and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.

More important than which belt I wear with my dresses, skirts

or slacks on any given day

is that I remember to put on the belt of truth - first thing, every day!

How'd You Do It?

Rebecca,  I'm so impressed with your healthy living venture and I'm wondering if you can point me to just HOW you accomplished this weight loss...did you follow a specific diet or what?

This question was posed to me recently in a comment on my Power, Love and Self-Control blog.  Here is my "long" answer.  At the age of 60, I am no newcomer to diets.  I have tried many.  Almost all of them have been successful in proportion to my diligence.  Therefore, it is no surprise that when my diligence diminishes, I have gained weight.

My  30+ pound weight loss in the past 5 months has happened as I have made fresh vegetables and fruit the mainstays of my diet.  Each day I have tried to have 3-4 ounce of lean protein (usually chicken breast; sometimes lean beef or turkey sausage).  I've tried to include fish at least once a week--and often twice.  I have eaten very little bread, pasta or desserts. I have also been quite consistent in walking 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

Early on I vocalized my commitment to lose weight and asked for prayer in the small, home fellowship group my husband and I meet with every other week.  I believe this has also played a large part in my weight loss.  I journal daily, pray daily, and write my goal weight every day at the beginning of my journal entry for that day.

Summing it up, I've synthesized what I know nutritionally, tried to be honest about my portion sizes, prayed, and exercised.  That has been MY part.  God's part has been the larger part.  I am aware that His power is at work in me; His grace is available to me; He has given me the spirit of love and of power and of self-control.

Siblings and Cemeteries

It may seem like a strange way to spend an hour, but after a lovely dinner together, my siblings (and their spouses) and our mother and father went to the cemetery to see their grave stone.  We children had not been there before.

It was good to be together here.  My parents have made most of the arrangements for their deaths, funerals, and burial.  It is a blessing to be a part of this family and watch them as the prepare for their Heavenly Home.

Jesus died for us "so that, whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead), we may live together with him.  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."  I Thessalonians 5:10-11

What Do These Stones Mean?

Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder...to serve as a sign among you.  In the future, when your children ask you, "What do these stones mean?" tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord....  (Joshua 4:6-7)

Part of a renaissance includes the resurgence of artistic vigor.  One of the ways it shows itself in MY case is on the canvas of our yard and garden.  Young friends of ours were wanting to get rid of these rocks and stones.  We were more than happy to take them off their hands! 

Using the small wheel barrel that was being trashed by someone disenchanted with the rust inside, I plan to transport the largest rocks for decoration in a flower bed, the medium-sized rocks to add to a rock border, and the smaller ones to fill in various spots around the yard.

"What do these stones mean?"  God has given me dreams to dream, strength to work, and supplies with which to bring my dreams to fruition.  I MUST be sure to tell my children!

Pardon my Renaissance

Renaissance is a word that has been playing its tune in my mind for several days now.  I found the following description in a google thesaurus:

  The act of reviving or condition of being revived:  reactivation, rebirth, renascence, renewal, resurgence, resurrection, resuscitation, revitalization, revival, revivification...A revival of intellectual or artistic achievement and vigor.

I think I'm in the middle of a renaissance!  And for me, it is not so much the "act of reviving" as the "condition of being revived".  This morning as I walked, the following verse came to my mind.  As soon as I got home, I looked up the reference - Job 42:12:  "The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first."

I have a WHOLE lot to experience yet!  I don't want to miss the Lord's blessing in the latter part of my life.  

The Cake Says It All

 

We had a delightful time at a surprise birthday party last night. Happy birthday, Donna! The cake says it all!

Miraculous Monday!

FULLY ALIVE  (a Gaither song)

Fully alive in Your Spirit,
Lord, make me fully alive.
Fully aware of Your presence, Lord,
Totally, fully alive.

Don't let me miss all the glory around me,
Waiting for heaven someday to come.
Open my eyes to miraculous Monday*
And make my feet march to eternity's drum.
Don't let me wait for some far off forever
To say what I feel to the ones I hold dear.
Risking the pain and the joy of loving
Keep me awake and alive while I'm here. 

Fully alive in Your Spirit,
Lord, make me fully alive.
Fully aware of Your presence, Lord,
Totally, fully alive.

*I googled to find all the words to this song. The refrain was what I knew for sure.  Imagine my delight when I found "Monday" was in the song!  Isn't that "Miraculous"?

Let Us Worship

 

Oh come, let us worship and bow down;

let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

For he is our God, 

and we are the people of his pasture,

and the sheep of his hand.

Psalm 95:6-7

Thift Store Shopping - A True Green Experience

 In answer to a recent comment on one of my posts, I responded:

True. "Fit" has brought new enthusiasm to my life. But "Thrifting" is helping me find clothes at affordable prices. I'm not a shopper by nature. I stay out of malls because of prices. Style magazines show purses at $499-$3,999! What is a person supposed to do?

In the past I too tended to have my eyes primarily on household items. But I am finding necessity to be the mother of invention and am enjoying the journey!

When you find a clean, well-organized thrift store, you are embarking on a "true green experience"!  For those of us who are part of a one-income family (and even for those with extra money to spend),  thrifting is one of many options to help us live responsibly and wisely.

 I'll try not to go overboard on this "thrifting" topic.  Please forgive my tangent!

Thrifty Fashion at Sixty

Garage sale long-sleeved black shirt
Thrifted black denim vest
Thrifted belt
Thrifted paisley skirt
Thrifted black sandals
All items were in my closet. I'd never worn them together before. All totaled: No more than than $5.00. When I added the vest, it all came together!

(Don't worry about clothes...) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:28 & 33)

WHAT I VALUE in CLOTHING

from Thrifty Style at Sixty

• Versatility
• Good fit
• Classic
• Simple
• Easily maintained
• Modest
• Appropriate
• Attractive
• Affordable
• COMFORT

Vintage J.C. Higgins 3-Piece Luggage

I couldn't resist this 3 piece set of vintage J.C. Higgins luggage at a garage sale this afternoon! According to some information I've discovered on the internet, this is a "a rare find. Hard bodied vintage luggage was made only from 1940-1961 by J.C. Higgins and sold at Sears."

And there they sat! In amazing vintage condition with original tray (although the tray is cracked) with metal hinges on the back and two working front latches. All three are in wonderful condition: very few and minimal scratches, discolorations, and scuffs on the outside. The middle case has a small nick in it (shown in smaller photograph) and a bit of a stain in its interior. Overall, they're clean and in excellent vintage condition with beautiful coffee colored exterior, gold toned hardware, deep brown tray and the HUGEST mirror I've ever seen in any traincase. Two of the original I.D. tags came with the suitcases, but no keys.

My trouble is, I already have too many vintage suitcases! I use them to hold art supplies and out of season clothes. I use them for several other storage purposes as well as every time I travel! (I've gotten some very nice compliments on them, too.)

If you're interested in owning this set, contact me on Facebook or leave a comment here with a way I can reach you.

Did I mention, I really like VINTAGE?
Do YOU have a favorite vintage piece?

Granddaughters Modeling their "Sister" Clothes

The girls were quite willing to model their new outfits. They quickly filled up their purses with dolls and other treasures! For pictures of the boys and our family holiday meeting, see The Gates' Post.

Happy Holiday!

Enjoy YOURS!
We're off to meet two of our married children and their families for a few hours. We'll eat at Pizza Hut and find a park to enjoy a melon and some cookies after playtime. Our hours together will be few and precious, but we are thankful for the holiday to enjoy each others company and catch up on each others lives.

This Could Be the Start of Something Big!

I had so much fun helping my sister sew the curtain yesterday morning that I got to work crafting two small skirts and matching drawstring purses for our two granddaughters. I had cut up a dress I could no longer wear and was going to use the pieces for rags. I realized I had enough to try my hand at making something from the skirt pieces. Since we plan to see our children & grandchildren tomorrow, I finished this project to take along.

Then I sewed four cushion covers out of some valances I found free in a box by the side of the road. The fabric was washable with that "rubbery" kind of backing. I though them perfect for outdoor use. I made them to fit pillows I already have and will use them to decorate our yard and garden on Tuesday when I host my Red Hats Club for desserts after our regular dinner meal.

I had GREAT fun. I'd forgotten about my sewing machine even though it sits opened on an old sewing machine base at the top of our stairway and I pass it every time I go into our bedroom!

Busy Hands are Happy Hands

I purchased this carved hand at my favorite thrift store this week. After a good cleaning, my husband applied a semi-gloss finish to it. The shape is delicate and beautiful to me. When I look at it, it reminds me of Proverbs 31's description of the wife of noble character. "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her HAND she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her FINGERS. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her HANDS to the needy."

Early this morning my sister came to use my sewing machine to stitch up a curtain for her daughter's dorm room closet. It was fun to work together. The hand sat on the top of the coffee table near the ironing board. My busy hands WERE happy hands!

Appreciate, Drool, and Rejoice

I can't keep up with the gifted and creative cooks in my circle of blogging friends. But I CAN appreciate their talents, drool over the results, and rejoice in the blessings of God to all of us.

Here is part of the meal we will be eating today. To read more about it, visit my Power, Love and Self-Control blog.

And let us all be truly grateful for what God has generously supplied for us.

Galatians 6:4 "...then (s)he can take pride in (her)self, without comparing (her)self to somebody else..."

Not in Trying but in Trusting....Not in Running but in Resting...Not in Wondering but in Praying...

Assisted Living

A blogger friend passed on this link featuring an article about the Hanselman sextuplet's first day at school: ohio.com/lifestyle/family/54841697.html

The whole article was worth reading, but the following line stood out to me: "For the first year of their lives, their tiny clothes were washed, dried and neatly folded by nine grandmotherly types--all residents of Haven Homes, an assisted-living facility in Stow."

This coming Sunday, my husband's sermon will come from Galatians 5:1-15. Verse 13 says, "...do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Now THAT'S "assisted living! God bless those "nine grandmotherly types." May their tribe increase!

September

"By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer’s best of weather
And autumn’s best of cheer."
- Helen Hunt Jackson, September, 1830-1885

Nothing Seen....Nothing Possessed

J. C. Ryle (1816 - 1900) was the first Bishop of Liverpool. He was one of the most authoritative churchmen of his time and his writings have been in constant demand throughout the last hundred years. His popularity was due to his clear and simple style, his longevity due to his being a profound thinker and compassionate pastor.

Regarding the outward and visible work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian, he wrote: “The true grace of God is a thing that will always make itself manifest in the conduct, behaviour, tastes, ways, choices and habits of him who has it. It is not a dormant thing … To tell a man he is ‘born of God,’ or regenerated, while he is living in carelessness or sin, is a dangerous delusion … Where there is the grace of the Spirit there will always be more or less fruit of the Spirit … where there is nothing seen, there is nothing possessed."

Galatians 5:22-24: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...and those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.