Christmas 1964 and Now

 My dad and I 1964.  See the little jumper I am wearing?



This is Mother and I.  She made the sweet jumper for me, I so remember how she painstakingly made the applique by hand and I was so, so fascinated by the process.  My mother is very meticulous in everything she does.  She along with Daddy were very artistic.  See the icicles on the tree?  I decorate with icicles now on our tree too, I so love to achieve that old fashioned look, it reminds me of the 40s when our country had a healthy fear of God.

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A Dream

Yes, I'm still missing my dad this Christmas season, knowing he's not on this side any longer, no more chance of things being the way they were supposed to be.  I must say though, our youngest daughter Rebecca had a dream last week.

Rebecca tells me she hadn't even had Grandpa on her mind either much lately..But in this dream he walked past our kitchen sink window and through the back screened porch and stood at the glass door looking at her smiling sweetly.   She tells me he was radiant and looked wonderful, the dream was very vivid and clear, much more than real life.  Daddy  had somewhat of a light and mist surrounding him and wore a light grey sport coat with a light blue shirt underneath.

Light blue is a sign of Heaven, a sign of Eternity.  A nice jacket or coat is a sign that they are a new person.

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A book I am reading now is To Live Again by Catherine Marshall, the wife of the late Peter Marshall.  



 I recommend this book for anyone who has lost loved ones.  There is a chapter in the book entitled:  Is There Life After Death?  Fascinating.  If you are not familiar with the late Peter Marshall, once chaplain of the United States Senate or his wife, Catherine Marshall, you may enjoy reading of him.  I have a book of Peter Marshall's sermons and it is so excellent.....Just soooo excellent.   There is also a very good movie of his life entitled:   A Man Called Peter

Peter Marshall was a Christian pastor and passed away suddenly in 1949 leaving Catherine and their little boy. 

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Do you have special Christmas memories? 

One of mine is when I was around seven years of age....Every year, St. Paul's Catholic church (a very modern Catholic church by the way, very Christ centered at the time)   would have the children choose a new toy to bring for a poor child.   We would walk up the aisle of the church to The Little Drummer Boy music with our gifts.  At the altar was Father Connnally, now Father Connally was very special to me, he had the looks of a Bing Crosby crossed with Montgomery Clift.  He cared for me and my mom and we knew it.  My heart was broken when he was moved to another parish back then.   Think:  The Bells of St. Mary's old movie.  (worth seeing by the way).  

Every year my mother and I would go on a serious trek to find the most beautiful baby doll we could find.  It was an exciting thing, oh so exciting!   I remember the fragrance of the fresh packaging and the baby doll..It was a cross between sweet talcum and a delightful new (sounds strange) but what I thought was a neat, delicious intoxicating synthetic type smell.

It was great.  I would think of a little girl who did not have any toys and who would be holding this beautiful, beautiful baby doll soon.  The Holy Spirit was so very near to me in those times...  Be near me Lord Jesus I ask thee to stay...Close by me forever and love me I pray....Bless all the dear children in thy tender care and stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.....

I remember one of those Christmases, that Christmas I was seven, my mother once again had made me a beautifully simple double-knit  kelly-green jumper, it had a bib front with criss-cross strap back and the A-line skirt.  I wore a white turtleneck with it and white tights.  My dark hair touched down long almost to the waist of my skirt...  My mother would brush it very neatly and pull it back with a simple white hairband or brown tortoise shell color clip.   Very.  Neat.  Neat in the true sense. : )  I think I may have had a pretty Christmas tree pin on the front strap my mother particularly placed there too.   Soooooo my mother.  : )

After the service, the magic of bringing my beautiful doll and placing it around the altar with other gifts with Father Connally and seeing his smiling face, I had such an inner Peace and Joy.  The Holy Spirit was so evident in my heart and Jesus was so there, just so there.   God is with us.

Mother and I went to Daddy's gas station there on the bay.  My father owned a Gulf gas station on the water for boats, on one side facing the bay on a pier and the other side on land was for cars.   Mother and I sat in the gas station lobby, much like the one you may see in the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life" when Clarence rescues George. There was a line of wicker chairs along the wall for patrons and friends.   The sky was dark and grey and the bay was beautiful....It was Christmas time.  Daddy was happy, Mother was happy and we were at Peace that Sunday.  Mother would share with Daddy about the Christmas time service at St. Paul's.  I remember sitting in the wicker chair and enjoying a chocolate little cake, I think it might of been some kind of Hostess cake.  I loved the dark chocolate icing and cake but not so much the filling. : )



Now?   I still have joy in those things

The Forest Babies


I still love choosing pretty babies for little girls who may not have one...  Now I'm a big girl and a middle-aged mommy myself, I'm a little more settled now so I can choose more than one.  *big smile*   Our oldest daughter, Lea attends a church that has programs for families who are having a hard time...Thus, I have a nice time enjoying shopping for little children who don't have much.  You see, I've been there.  I remember wrapping my old toys for my children because we didn't have the money to buy new ones.  It was painful.

One thing we did as our little girls grew old enough to understand and God saw fit is we would also later go on trips to the store and buy toys for others later.  Such wonderful memories. 


Now.

Our daughter, Lea getting ready to take the little Forest-Babies on their voyage into the hands of a mommy and daddy for their little child for Christmas.  There is Coffee one of our rescue pups.  Marianna was showing a home one day and there was Coffee in a neighborhood garage, she had mange bless her heart.   Marianna brought her home, and she had and has the cutest expressions the way she wrinkles her little forehead.   So adorable.


Photo by Robert Stock


What is in the kitchen?

I'm being kind to myself this year.   I am keeping a Sarah Lee brand butter pound cake in the freezer, they are delicious and I have a bag of frozen berries if people want fruit on top.  When I was a little girl my mother also kept a Sarah Lee poundcake in the freezer.   Lea and I also purchased some quick refrigerated chocolate chip cookies to make if needed.  I also have a roll of refrigerated off brand orange rolls in the fridge to bake for deserts too for my sweet son inlaws and hubs.  They just love those orange rolls.   So tender and flakie.  I may just have one too minus the icing.  ; )

Italian pizza much like my Grandma Oddo used to make with a big salad is also on the agenda.  I buy the frozen bread dough.  One loaf per 9 x 13 pan.  We stuff it with olives and tomatoes, seasonings and drizzle olive oil over the top.   It's so good.  I may also stuff small chunks of Kerrygold brand Dublin cheese in it too.  I love-love-love Kerrygold cheese and butter.  It's from Ireland and the cows are out in the pasture, tails swishing as God wants them.  It's humane to God's creatures and that is extremely important to me.

For our new neighbor?   I bought a Panettone bread loaf for around $6.  I figured I did not have the mental energy to make anything this year so I picked that up, it's boxed pretty and tastes oh so good...I placed a bow on it.  Jem and I rode over and made our Welcome! known and I hope they enjoy their Pannetone bread with their coffee and such.  Yes indeedie.   I'm not sure they were thrilled, they didn't say all that hearty of a thank you but I think when they slice the tender moist, slightly sweet bread they will say Bellissima.   Oh such is life on unthankfulness, As my husband says, there is isn't much worse than a person being un-thankful...I bet that is how God feels too at times.  



Something funny!

Sometimes we would like to do what Snoopy does below.  *chuckle*




In the holiday seasons, it seems there are always those manipulative, nosy, nervy people who never learn it seems...  God knows all about it.  We can love at arms length and be wise.  God is Just.  He sees all and hears all too.  It's not easy sometimes but God knows.




I hope you enjoyed your visit here, I hope it's like coming over and having a cup of coffee.  Take care now, I'm enjoying thoughts from our recent nursing home visit.  Pics to come.  



I also hope everyone is doing fine and contemplating true Christmas.  Be still...Be Speechless as the Steven Curtis Chapman song says.......





God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith; the warmth of Christmas, which is love...the all of Christmas, which is Christ. 

-Wilda English



Have a sweet day, God's blessings to you all this Holy Season,    -Amelia in the Forest

The Theatre of my Heart. Keeping a Quiet Heart This Advent Season

The God who created, names, and numbers the stars in the heavens also numbers the hairs of my head....  He pays attention to very big things and to very small ones.  What matters to me matters to Him, and that changes my life.         -Elisabeth Elliot





A photo of my father and me from my dear mother's photo album...I say, Daddy and me.  I am missing these times long ago, oh my heart.  Many don't understand because of my father's shortcomings later in life, and therefore the grief process for me this Advent season is a difficult one, a very, very lonely one.  Death is a very permanent thing on this side of Earth.

And trust me, I've walked outside stepping down quietly off of our back screen porch hearing those airplanes or perhaps the sound of silence here in the forest and I say to the sky as a little girl would, up to my dad...Why did you do that to me?  Who knows how the Eternal on the other side works exactly, I do not pretend to know what our loved ones know or hear.  I know this, and that is that God hears. 

Many have canned answers but I do know I have seen unbelievable, many would say uncanny signs that my dad is with God, for he had time to repent in that far away hospital.  I still weep to remember seeing his poor face the last time, his teeth were worn to almost nothing and he had just a small glimmer of those once beautiful blue eyes as the light of his life on this green earth was going away.  This was the last time I was to see him, we had no idea he was dying in a hospital far away.  Previous entries tell the tale more so.

The only reason I was able to see him was an elderly distant cousin's wife found my daughter's number on the wall of his home as she felt strongly she should stop by his house to investigate what was going on since it was noticeable we were not at the far away hospital.  Unfortunately a preacher's wife turned my dad's heart against us, basically talking him into staying very far away from us after he had wanted to sell and come live near us, his family and support system.  She then took advantage, not only taking my dad's willing and deceived heart but  my  inheritance also. We don't feel he was in his complete right mind.  One day I will have to go through the process to warn others of what can happen.


I know this though and am still learning more, as always, I've had disappointments in life before...God allows pain and suffering and would like for us to use the pain and suffering as the talents in the Bible, it is up to us what we do with it all.  We can share and thus be full in an emotional way, for if we stuff the feelings...Our emotions will never be whole and we cannot be whole and healing to others.  We will be missing that compassion.  We must face the suffering symbol.


A Book

  A book I have started is 'A Crazy Holy Grace, The Healing Power of Pain and Memory' by Frederick Buechner.  I really enjoy most all of the books I've read by Frederick Buechner, he's like a long lost uncle I've never met.  He lost his father when he was a little boy by suicide, the story is a poignant one.  One of his memories he has is as a little boy hiding his father's car keys under his pillow as his father sat in his room.



Relating

I can relate.  One of my early memories is of my mom and dad having an argument, I do not know why.  I do remember I was very little and my bedroom was still a pale yellow from my nursery, I had a single bed though instead of the crib at this point...My little bear lamp my dad had jig-sawed and mother made a decoupage of that little vintage bear, the light glowed.  The large rectangular plug-in heater was purring the way those old electric heaters did and the lines of fibers were that bright red orange.  Daddy, with his handsome face came and sat on my bed and put that face in his hands and just cried, and cried. I remember the silhouette in the golden room, he with his curly hair like yesterday.  I was so very helpless, not knowing how to console my father.  I still find myself moved to tears when I remember this.




I haven't finished my new Frederick Buechner book yet, but so far, it seems to be one I will read more then once. 

May we be that Christ-bearer to others.  Just as I have some of my father's natural mannerisms, the way I kick my shoes off and plop backwards on the bed to nap, or the way I hold my fork up, prongs up as to give my fork poise next to my face...that is my dad.  ...And so many other things...

May we also have characteristics of Christ in His most beautiful, loving way.   They will know we are Christians by our love.  There is also a very strong Companionship of Brokenness.   May we be part of that Companionship of Brokenness.  May we be like a tiffany lamp, broken but put together by Christ's loving hands to shine our gentle Light to others.  Let's be wise yet vulnerable.  There is a sweet freedom in that.

...And yes, we may feel alone in our vulnerability at times as not everyone is going to be part of the Companionship of Brokenness, they may seem rudely preoccupied, some may even walk away as we are quietly shocked and taken aback ...But Christ, Christ is with us.  And that?  That is all that matters.


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There are so many things to be thankful for this Advent season.   



To be Quiet this Advent Season, ...and to Smile and Laugh When Needed

I have found to be quiet, even in decorating for Christmas, the Advent season, to just methodically decorate, precept upon precept, just quiet thoughts.  I'm carefully choosing music, perhaps that beautiful Bing Crosby voice.

Do you know Bing Crosby's wife lived in smalltown?  I know where the beautiful treed lot is among other very old homes still there.  I also had the pleasure of meeting their veterinarian and talking with him about Bing Crosby and all that good stuff. He tells me Bing would practice his golf swing in the front yard when visiting.  Yep, I rode on a hayride with Bing Crosby's vet!  He's an older gentleman and still gives tours dressed in historical costume.  I think that is so great.  Just last year, Marianna and I were driving to the grocery store and there he was giving a talk in his historical outfit to a group of people at a marker.

For Supper

Tonight I think I will make a very light pasta gravy, more like a tomato based soup broth with asparagus and spinach and such over pasta.   It's a very soothing supper.


Creating 

I'm creating a Collette pattern, Zinnia, skirt.  I'm slow-sewing, once again, just delighting in my project, precept upon precept.  Trying on, taking in, very carefully placing the zipper.  The fabric is a darling holly berry and leaf on cream background.  Very retro.  This skirt will be worn with a black top and red velvet belt.  I was inspired by Modcloth to create this skirt for Christmas.  












I'll close with a quote from the above book, Frederick Buechner is talking about a true friend who risked coming to him when  Buechner's daughter was close to death.  Here is what he says:


"It was a trading of lives, where he gave of himself and received from me of myself.  What a sense of peace we had.  We didn't talk about holy matters.  We didn't talk about religious things.  We didn't talk about anything much at all.  We smoked on our pipes in the woods and took walks. He was there a couple of days, but it was a blessed event, because he was willing to trade with his life.  A good and faithful servant trading with his talents." 

My dad smoked a pipe too.   Yes, along with his chapstick that myself and one of my daughter's always have he always had his pipe tucked away or in his mouth.  (A smile).





Sometimes?   We just need someone to listen,   just to sit and listen and be our friend.  I remember being my Grandpa Oddo's friend.  I would sit next to him quietly and we would watch television together.  We just quietly watched television together.  


I hope you are having a sweet Advent.  

May we allow Advent to make a mark on our heart this season.

Good evening, loves,     Amelia

Silent Night...May Your Week be a Peaceful One. 'Meet John Doe' (1941)

I have the above painting on a round refrigerator magnet up year round.  A very good reminder I think of sweet Baby Jesus and God's creatures...So sweet I think.  Sleep in heavenly peace... Sleep in heavenly peace.................

This time of year makes me think of unfortunately what follows for many.  I was talking to a young man cutting my fabric in U.S.O.town Walmart a couple of years ago and he shared that he was trampled the year before on black friday as they moved the crowd to another side of the store.  The young fella ended up with a fracture.  May I say that U.S.O. town is one of your better towns and the people are for the most part polite people there?  Why, it looks as if Judge Hardy lives there, seriously.  What has become of us?



And let's not forget the warning from the old movie, 'Meet John Doe' (1941)  One of our favorites.  I saw this movie for the first time when I brought our precious little baby, our youngest, Rebecca home from a birth center that first evening almost 24 years ago.

Whatever you do this Holy season, please don't be a Heelot   



Beautiful...The end scene.  (spoiler alert)



The original trailer:



This is a Frank Capra movie and it seems most all of Frank Capra movies are total greatness.  It's interesting to read Frank Capra's biography, he is actually from my Grandpa Oddo's hometown of Bisacquino, Sicily; he and my grandpa were around the same age.   The Oddo family is actually mentioned in one of the biographies I own.  You can read more about Frank Capra, it's really very interesting on Wikipedia.

Well, I hope all is well.  Here in the Forest I'm washing dog bedding and baking apples and such as well, composing and making our nightly suppers, trying to squeeze a whimsical Christmas-dog print maxi skirt together.  No time to be bored that is for sure.  I am missing my dad these days with the holiday season, it's difficult.  We mothers are the strong ones and the bearers of everyone's concerns but so many times we too are bearing a cross as well.  But I realize there are so many things to be thankful for so I must not complain but I would appreciate prayers.

If you like, I think your family too will love the "Meet John Doe" movie.  (1941).  How can we not enjoy a wonderful movie from 1941?  Gary Cooper,  Barbara Stanwyck, Walter Brennen?  Wow.   I so long for things to be more like that these days...I try to keep it like that in my home but the culture is so different, just so very different.

I'll close with our sweet little cat, Mo-Mo.  She is my i.n.f.p. buddy, such a sweet little angel, she exudes Peace.  She never claws or behaves badly, she's never greedy, just sweetly glad to be here.  Such a dear.



I look out the window and it's such an interesting fall day...It's overcast with patches of blue.  Just enough blue to make a Dutchman's britches....

(Edit 5:12pm.)  Just looked out the window here at and it looks like mother of pearl above the winter trees...an airplane is flying...I can hear it.  It sounds like the kind my dad used to fly...

Have a sweet Thanksgiving.  ...And have a Peaceful Holiday week.  (Holy day week).

Good evening, loves,    Amelia

A Man Told His Wife: "You Need to go Back to Work, We Could Use More Money".

Michelle, one of our married daughters showed me a video she enjoyed today...She tells me:

You'll like this one mom!



She was right, I did!

I hope you too enjoy this short video.  The message is so very, very needed in my book.  There are many of us who have chosen this simple path and allow me to say, it's a fulfilling one.   Yes, despite what society or present culture tries to say, despite what the pride of life tries to say, this is truth.

His yoke is easy and His burden is light.   Enjoy...




I may not garden or can but I know how to make a dollar stretch and making things out of what I already have has always been such a blessing to me, it's fun and a great outlet of creativity.  Spying nice items that are good quality but in our budget is a blessing too.  If you've read my blog for any amount of time you can see that I am careful on how I spend, we have had to be careful in our married life for my husband works on commission only.  It takes perseverance but yes Virginia it can be done.  If that meant going without a car or whatever it took...Yes, my children were more important.

As my husband shared once:

Our children are the only thing we can possibly take to Eternity with us.



Here is an excerpt from the little booklet our pediatrician, Dr. Louis Pottkotter wrote, Caring for Your Baby:
 
3.  "Some working mothers soon discover that when they add up the cost of weekly visits to the doctor with a sick child, plus the cost of medicine, plus the cost of daycare, they are actually LOSING more money than they make.  If this happens to YOU,  I suggest a serious reassessment of how important working is to you."

That always rang true to me.


I also knew my children needed me to care for them if at all possible.  There would be no career possibility to ever change that.  As Phyllis Schaffley once said, Some one has to rock the cradle!  As Napoleon said...Give us good mothers!     



 
 


  Recipe tip:   Do you know you can use cooked lentils for a healthy meat substitute?  I'm an ethical vegetarian, so I'm very used to cooking this way and I can see how a homemaker can save hugely by this as well.  Tonight for supper I am making my Grandma Oddo's pasta gravy.  Grandma Oddo was from Naples, Italy and she could cook!  I also made lentil patties, very similar to lentil balls, I just couldn't get them into a round sphere with no glutenfree breadcrumbs on hand today. lol.  I baked them in the oven to a perfect crisp and my family can place those over their pasta and ladle the gravy over all.  Bellissima! 

  Sewing machines?    I have found a good basic Brothers from Walmart works beautifully.  You can find them refurbished for around $50 on the Walmart site.  I ordered one for Marianna's birthday, our most recently married daughter.  It was like brand new, sealed and boxed.  Bravissimo!




I definitely taught our daughters the arts of sewing and cooking in our homeschool.

It's one of the nicest blessings ever to see our grown daughters using these gifts and budgeting lessons now in their lives at whatever stage they are in.  



If anyone has any questions on being a happy budget friendly homemaker please feel free to leave them here and we can have a friendly forum. : )

I love being an encouragement to others, we've been married for over 37 years, I'm almost 57 years of age and my husband, Jem (64) and I have brought up four daughters on one income. 

And I cannot close without pressing that God was and is our source in all things. Many of you know, it's been a very, very challenging year for me to put it lightly.  I cannot thank God enough.




All great change in America begins at the dinner table.

-Ronald Reagan



Good evening, loves, and don't forget, if you have any questions that maybe I could help with please let me know here.  Pretty much the only things I will not share are my Grandma Oddo's heirloom recipes. ; )  

*Big smile*     Amelia

Happy People Give Happiness. (I Try!)

We are so preciously loved by God that we cannot even comprehend it.  No created being can ever know how much and how sweetly and tenderly God loves them.   -Julian of Norwich

Nursing home visits can be an awesome joy.   A huge joy for me, a joy for my friends there.  There is a treasure of wonderful sweethearts there.  Look at this face....Our precious friend.

If you ever want to see an attitude of excellence?  It's our friend here.  This precious fella hears out of one ear, doesn't talk well because of it and has the use of only one arm.  He is wheelchair bound.  I can't tell you what it did to my heart when I stepped into his room and spied him making his bed with that one arm one day several years ago.  ...And to think many complain about chores.

He shouts in the most precious voice imaginable...

Heeeyyyyy!  How ARE ya'll doin'!

We were overjoyed to hear him say this complete sentence, his speech is so improving and that is such a hopeful blessing.

I do not know why our precious friend is in the nursing home, what happened to him.  I do see evidence of a tracheotomy and a scar for some reason to his head. Our friend is a middle-aged man, not what we would consider elderly.  The first time we met our friend he pulled out a worn white card with his name handwritten on it and we've all been best buds ever since.

His family has seen to it that he has a photo album of his life in his room for visitors to see.  It appears his brother is a minister and comes to visit.

Here's a few chosen shots from a little photo shoot of sorts:






Do you see his bib for lunch?  He loves to make sure his pals there around him also have a bib on and helps them with his one working arm.  Yes, this is our precious friend.  Best buddy ever.  An angel.

Do you want to stand out?  Then step down.  Be a servant.  If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you.  But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.  -Matthew 23:11



A Few of My Favorite Things:

A Book



A Book Suggestion:  Try Giving Yourself Away by David Dunn
This is a most uplifting book.  Timeless.



Soft Cotton Tops



Soft Fall Tops?  White Stag cotton tops from Walmart.com are great and the price is right.


*  I'm wearing one in 'teal' (top photo).  They're great with skirts or whatever. I enjoy black so I can throw colored scarves on if desired.  I purchase size 'L'.   White Stag Womens Essential Crewneck Shirt.

*  I live in these turtlenecks as the weather chills.  My signature black turtlenecks.  Once again, the price is right. Size 'L'.  : White Stag Womens Turtleneck.




   I don't think we have to spend an arm and a leg to look nice do you?   I sometimes see snob appeal and I don't want to enter into that.  ...So I like to share my bargains...Once in a blue moon I'll see a gal roll their eyes or give me an insecure blank stare on a good deal I may share.  Well..... That tells me far more about that person than me.  ;)  ...chuckle.


A Great Pair of Sunglasses

Sunglasses?   Dollar Tree comes to the rescue and I love this style, and as always..Say it with me!   The price is right! 

  

I take care of my sunglasses if I like them no matter what the cost and they last for several years if in a case.

Taking joy in life is a woman's best cosmetic.   -Rosalind Russell  (one of my favorite actresses)



 
One must have their favorite sunglasses to travel to the city.  Aha!  I see the run-away skeletons are still at their antics!  Yes, they are running through the huge lawn!   So hilarious if you ask me!  Oh my goodness!   This is the craziest, most bizarre yearly display ever!  It makes us literally crack up. : D 






If you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly those moments.    -Anne Morrow Lindbergh






Prayer is the deliberate and persevering action of the soul.  It is true and enduring, and full of grace.  Prayer fastens the soul to God and makes it one with God's will.    -Julian of Norwich


I hope and pray everyone is having a nice week so far, a week of hope.   -Amelia in the Forest

Autumn Days, a Skeletal Escape and Total Randomness Fun

A Morning here at the Forest Cathedral. 

Do you see Howdy?   A shy ginger man.





Sometimes Jem and I like to go for an outing, a day-date of sorts.


 
The Museum District is a Good Place for an Outing.


Let's eat food first... 


A simple lunch.  The real genuine, delightful hole in the wall original restaurant, the area is an eclectic mix of old but posh, strange but charming, both cottages and large estates.  This little place is known for it's tamales.  The original owner, Mr. Walter Berryhill sold the tamales in this area from a little street car, the old street cart is there on display.  


 Love this old tile where our little outside table is.


  Jem reads a text from the girls...Marianna tells us we are acting like old retired people.  We stuff ourselves. I had the most delicious, chubbiest spinach and corn tamales ever..




So now what do you want to do?  Let's just drive around and see....



These guys must be escapees from the Rice University lab.  Is this display not great?  The skeletons are seeking refuge here.








The skeletons will have a nice view.


We pass the lovely fountains and onto the other side...


The hospital where Marianna was born in the distance.






Sam Houston Statue.  I remember this museum area from when I was a little girl...Deep thoughts and contemplations here since I recently lost my dad as many of you know.



...My dad and his friends climbed this statue one night in his college days, the task given was to take a plaster mold of a part of the horse.  The story goes that the police were amused and actually stood and watched.  Oh the stories I have..

Yes, those young men were full of "honesty and goodness"...their task was not detoured. eh hem.



...Fascinating area 




Well I guess it's time to go home to the Forest?  



I do hope you enjoyed the sampling of randomness and fun. : )





So do you like simple outings too?










Back home....And to all a good night...

Mo-Mo and Howdy.  Sister, brother peacefully sleeping while their naughty mi-mi and po-po are away..

*a smile*            ~Amelia

P.S.   Thank you for prayers for our little Giuseppe, he is truly a little miracle.



May the Lord of Peace Himself give you Peace at all times and in every way.  The Lord be with all of you.     2 Thessalonions 3:16

A Really, Really Good Short and a Sick Little Dog. Do you Like Fake Church?

The Crumbling of the Church  (If a tacky ad starts, please skip after seconds, I'm so sorry.)

Good Morning, I was thinking of the above video.  I have posted the greatness before and thought I would post it again.  I'll let it speak for itself.  It really tells the tale in my opinion and is pretty much how I feel on things.  The reason why I bring this kind of thing up is because it's important to me. I can't stand fake religiosity whether it's liberal or conservative.  Both stink. 

I've seen some messed up actions and thinkin', and as a young biracial pastor once said at the old downtown Methodist;  I've seen some... jacked up stuff.

I remember it like it was yesterday...The adorable young preacher named Terrence asked:

"Who likes fake church?  Who likes jacked up church?  Raise your hand if you like fake church."  

He had everyone repeat after him as he said...."Say it with me... J-a-ck-ed. Up."  He then explained that in his day it means: Messed up.

Marianna and I were up in the balcony that Sunday and almost could not contain ourselves we were laughing so hard.  You know how it is?   Something can be so hilarious because it's so true!  

I hope those of us who claim Christ *are* the church at every angle.  : )  And if you do not claim Christ I hope we can still be friends and that I will exhibit Christ-likeness. : )

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I'm taking care of a sick little dog right now so please pray for me, pray for my husband and our little Guiseppe.

Guiseppe is our precious little elderly dog, almost completely blind, an angel, a little heartbeat at our feet.  He's especially close to Jem, the highlight of this little guy's day is laying next to Jem on the couch in the evenings, putting his head on Jem's lap.

As I type, he is resting on my lap, he's a sweet little angel.  

God, give us the wisdom to care for him at this time.

   
Photo by Robert Stock


Take care all, may we be that Christ.  Let us not grow weary.  It's tough out there I know.

Hope everyone is having a nice week so far.      ~Amelia



"Some people think they are all that and a bag of chips."
-Terrence

Show 'n Tell, Heartfelt Contemplations ...and a Most Special Song

Hello!



I hope everyone is doing well and lifting our great country up to God in prayer.  I'm sickened hearing the stories of innocent people who love and respect our country innocently attending a country concert and facing such a demonic attack.  I will touch more at the end of this entry. 


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A Bit of a Show 'n Tell

 
  As you know if you read here, designing and sewing is therapy; an art for me.  I also love the WWII era and anytime I can sew a vintage pattern it makes me happy especially if it turns out wearable!  : )

This is me above colored photo, wearing a top I have sewn from a genuine vintage pattern:  Jiffy 4438. I had found a size 14, 34 bust on ebay a while back and it works fine.  I normally would have needed a 16 but there is plenty of room on this pattern.  I have adjusted the neckline to a square neck, making my own facing.  I used navy cotton lawn cloth from amazon.  I made a matching A-line skirt and a little tie belt too.  And no, I didn't cut my hair but I do have it pulled back. : )  I tend to wear my hair back in one way or another, it just feels better that way and it's timeless and I like timeless.  Let the hair fall where it may otherwise!  *big smile*

The pattern is swell with a little tiny bit of a kimono sleeve, just a very slight kimono sleeve.  You can see the way the hem turns up a little?  It makes it a bit more flattering on the arm.  Plus I was able to squeeze the top into 1 yard since I'm on the shorter side!  Yabba dabba doo!  (Did you watch the Flintstones when you were a child?)   I remember when that program was an evening sticom! 




  Does anyone have a favorite color of lipstick?   My standby lipstick is Pacifica, color xox, not too dark and not too light, it's healthy and Pacifica doesn't test on animals.  Also it does not contain castor oil, castor oil tends to really dry my lips.  This color is a nice pink with no orange in it.  Another very economical makeup that does not test on animals is e.l.f, I like their waterproof mascara and it's around $3.  I use their foundation (sand shade in this pic) at times as well, it really covers.  You may find the e.l.f. brand at Walmart or online.  I order the Pacifica lipstick online from their site, or various online vendors. 

Where the above colored photo was taken:  Jem and I were at our one of our favorite Greek restaurants in downtown.  I love their spinach and goat cheese feta pita sandwich, plus the french fries are very much like the ones my mom used to make, delicious.  The proof is the remnants on the table!  Ha!

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-    There's a lot  going on in America right now.  I'm disappointed on players protesting during our anthem.  I disagree with it on a couple of accounts and I think it's wrong.  ...How our veterans must feel.  If it really is the main reason I am hearing....I would think many of these folks would do some research on Margaret Sanger and her evil agenda to exterminate certain races of people (there are many videos and transcripts of this woman). Her evil agenda is being carried out through her Planned Parenthood til this day. And trust me I am no proponent of any kind of prejudice at all, I despise it, and thus would stress to study up on Margaret Sanger and Planned Parenthood.  It seems the wrong thing is being protested.


-    And the commentators making cruel comments on people dying at the concert in Las Vegas because the attendees support President Trump and so that was okay that they died?   Shameful.  Shameful.  So those commentators call themselves compassionate and tolerant? 

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A Final Thought

There are things that grieve my spirit and maybe you will agree:  Just for some basics...People can smother their blogs with scriptures (nothing wrong with that if we walk the talk), churches can modernize to up the numbers.  On the modern emergent church?  God is God, and He never changes.  We mustn't forget God's truths.  Those who may understand God's truths, let's remember Love is not rude, it's polite, Love thinks of others and how they are made to feel.  Love is Kind.  Good manners is putting others first, to make guests comfortable and welcome even on our blogs and how we relate to others in reciprocation.  Love is speaking from a sweet and a kind heart.  If someone takes the time to encourage me, may I be the kind of person to encourage them too. It seems so fundamental doesn't it?

EDIT 10.5.  How do we have a kind and sweet heart?  I think it comes from spending time with God in a personal way and being keen to His Spirit.   I wonder sometimes how many are hurt by those who claim to be Christians who aren't spending time with God and are not keen to his Spirit?   It ought not be. I can say I know a very famous person and I may know who they are and much about them, but if I don't spend time with that famous person I do not know him.

I appreciate very much those who take the time to comment here from time to time.  It's a Gift.



Hoping you all will enjoy this most beautiful and heartwarming song by Louis Armstrong:







When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.

Proverbs 31:26





May we lift our country and world up in prayer.

Have a sweet week dear ones, we have Joy and Peace to give, let's give a sincere, toothy smile from a sweet and kind heart.     ~Amelia

All black and white  photos by Robert Stock.