Love ya, blue...

Love ya, blue used to be the Houston saying for our previous football team, the Houston Oilers. They have since moved to Tennessee and are now the Titans.

That has absolutely nothing to do with this post...it's just what popped into my head when I was trying to think of something catchy for a title. All of this to say that I wanted to share with you all out there in blogland that I have fallen in love with a set of blue dishes... in fact, head over heals in love.

Here they are: Johnson Brothers Old Britain Castles ~ Blue

This is the dinner plate, it measures 10 inches in diameter and features Blarney Castle. I just love the rim with all its scrolls and petite flowers.

The salad plates are 8 inches in diameter and feature Chatsworth Castle.

The cup and saucer feature Ludlow Castle on one side and Nottingham Castle on the other.

The soup bowl measures 9 inches in diameter and features Windsor Castle.

And for those of you who adore pink, the pattern is also available in that color as well!

Hm... it's very pretty too!

Oh, man...decisions, decisions...

Today I'm linking with Smiling Sally's Blue Monday. Be sure to stop by for a visit for all things blue!

Enjoy your Monday!

A Little Cuckoo!

I'm linking with Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday. Please visit her and the other participants for amazing treasures!

I started collecting souviener spoons by accident. I found about 10 while thrifting and loved their intricate details. The ones that caught my eye were places that my son or I had visited, others were places that I would love to visit...wishful thinking!

After seeing my "new" collection, my mother gave me a spoon from her collection. It is the cutest spoon, a cuckoo clock! The weights and pendulum are moveable, I just love it! She and my father purchased it on a trip through Bavaria about 25 years ago. The neatest thing is that this spoon matches the actual cuckoo they purchased/gave to me all those years ago. They both are such treasures!

Thanks Mom!

Enjoy your Friday!

In my own little corner...

I'm joining Susan and her Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch. Please stop by for a visit to view her creations and those of the other participants. You'll be greatly inspired!

Do you remember the song, "In My Own Little Corner"? It's from the 1965 Rodgers and Hammerstein television version of Cinderella with Lesley Ann Warren. I always thought she was so beautiful and I just loved this song especially when she sang with her angelic voice.

In our bedroom, I have a lovely little corner that is just for me. It's a quiet place to sit and reflect or just read a good book. During the day, it can be bright and friendly.

At dusk it is cozy and tranquil.

In my own little corner, in my own little room, I can be whatever I want to be...

Thanks for visiting. Enjoy your Thursday!

Coffe Cup - Avon - wedding gift

Candle holders - Avon - antique shoppe

Anniversary Clock - maternal grandfather's collection

What is your inspiration?

I'm linking with Susan at A Southern Day Dreamer for her Outdoor Wednesday. It's such a great place to visit, especially if you love the outdoors!

If you're visiting today, the outdoors is something you enjoy. I get inspiration from places I visit. It really doesn't matter where I go or what I find, if I love it, I put in in my file for future use.

My husband and I have a favorite restaurant that we visit whenever we get a chance. Not only is the food fabulous, the outdoor seating area is warm and inviting. They have incorporated brick and plants to make their patio, something that I'd LOVE to have at my home.

Someday...

I like the colors of the brick, the easy care flooring, and the black wrought iron seating. The only thing I'd add at this point is comfy cushions for the chairs.

Great arches and mortar between the bricks.

LOVE this pot with all it's variety.

The water feature with lighting is so calming. See the slatted roof?

Not sure about these guys...but I love the tranquil sounds.

The plants look like they're loving their home!

Love the brickwork...what a grand entry or exit!

What inspires you?

Enjoy your Wednesday!

The Deepest Blue!

 I'm linking with Smiling Sally's Blue Monday. Be sure to stop by for all things blue!

Today, I'd like to share with you a very special blue entry.

Isn't that just the deepest blue?

Enjoy your Monday!

Give me a hand...

I'm linking with Ginger and Charlotte's Spiritual Sundays. It's such a refreshing place to visit. If you don't have time to visit all participants today, it's a great place to visit any day of the week!

To continue the series on prayer....more specifically recentered prayer, I'd like to share a simple way to pray. I found it online at this site:   http://dalesdesigns.net/5prayer.htm

5 Finger Prayer

 

 

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."



2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.



3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.



4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.



5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

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I'd like to end my post with a few things: First of all, I hope that by visiting Ginger and Charlotte's site as well as all the others who contribute, that someone out there in blogland will be spoken too, helped, inspired, made to feel better, or become more interested in learning about God. Secondly, my posts are recaps of our Sunday's message, simply restated and with, perhaps a little of my two cents. Please understand that I am not a minister, only a simple sinner, one that wants to share the good news of Jesus and to hopefully help someone along the way.

My church, Gloria Dei Lutheran, is Missouri Synod and located in Nassau Bay, Texas ~ near Houston. If you're ever in the area and want to visit, please know that you'd be welcomed with open   arms. If you are unable to travel and would like to listen to messages on line, those are available as well. There are even videos you might like to view too. The website is http://www.gdlc.org/.

Enjoy your Sunday...and the rest of your week!

Recentered Prayer...

I'm linking with Ginger and Charlotte's Spiritual Sundays. It's such a refreshing place to visit. If you don't have time to visit all participants today, it's a great place to visit any day of the week!

Today's message at our church was entitled, Recentered Prayer...Lord, Teach Us to Pray.  Based on several verses, Luke 11:1, Matthew 6:7-13 to name a few, the Bible assures us Jesus listens. One of my favorites, Matthew 6:8 states, "Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." I'm afraid that I'm guilty of trying to tell God want I need from Him and then tell Him my timeline! How ridiculous is that? Like I'm in charge of anything, really? Being a Type A personality, I need to just slow down and listen!

I'm a worrier too. I tend to worry about things way before I should and then I just worry more...It's a terrible cycle. It's something that I work on constantly. Matthew 14:27 states, "Take courage! It is I, don't be afraid!" If I would only slow down and listen!

During life's ups and downs, my prayer time is not consistant. When things are good, I send prayers in thanksgiving but when things are not good I tend to pray more. John 16:33 states, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." If I would only slow down and listen!

Jesus taught us how to pray with the Lord's Prayer. It's a type of formula {for us Type A people}! It's written in Matthew 6:9-13.  It's a God~centered prayer not a self~centered prayer. God invites us to take our eyes off ourselves and our circumstances and recenter on Him. He's already our Heavenly Father who is with us and already helping us!

Prayer is a way to recenter every situation, every question, every need on God. God in the middle. God as the source. God as God. In prayer we don't need to direct God. We need to involve God. We need to receive from God. We need to receive God.

What is going on in your life?What are you facing? What are you hoping for?What are you afraid of? Now recenter all that on God. Introduce God into that equation.

Visit Psalm 121:1-2, "I lift up my eyes to the hills ~ where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth."

And finally, there's Psalm 46:1-2,7,10, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way. The Lord Almighty is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress. Be still, and know that I am God."

I need to slow down and listen!

Today I'd like to end my post with a few things: First of all, I hope that by visiting Ginger and Charlotte's site as well as all the others who contribute, that someone out there in blogland will be spoken too, helped, inspired, made to feel better, or become more interested in learning about God. Secondly, my posts are recaps of our Sunday's message, simply restated and with, perhaps a little of my two cents. Please understand that I am not a minister, only a simple sinner, one that wants to share the good news of Jesus and to hopefully help someone along the way.


My church, Gloria Dei Lutheran,  is Missouri Synod and located in Nassau Bay, Texas  ~ near Houston.If you're ever in the area and want to visit, please know that you'd be welcomed with open arms! If you are unable to travel and would like to listen to messages on line, those are available as well. There are even videos you might like to view too. The website is http://www.gdlc.org/.

Enjoy your Sunday...and the rest of your week!