Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday

It's Outdoor Wednesday time! I really do love looking at everyone's pictures of all things outdoors. Thank you to Susan, over at, http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2009/04/429-outdoor-wednesday-16.html for hosting this. Please be sure to check out everyone's posts. I am posting some photos from last year. This one is at James H. "Sloppy" Floyd State Park in Summerville, Georgia. The lake at this park is absolutely beautiful. We sometimes go there to fish and picnic.
The lake is so calming and relaxing. I usually bring a book to enjoy!


This is also a photo from last year at Jekyll Island, Georgia. I think I hear the ocean calling me!!


The boys having fun!


I hope you enjoyed my pictures of places that are special to me.
Enjoy your Wednesday!
Kim





Monday, April 27, 2009

Menu Monday

We had the best weekend! On Saturday, Clint had a piano event at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The event was held at Cadek Hall on the UTC campus. He had to play some pieces to be graded by a judge. We could not go in the room;however, we could stand right outside and hear him play. This year he moved up a level and so the judging was a bit harder. He did a great job, although I think he is glad it is over!

On Saturday night, we enjoyed a wonderful get together with Mike's side of the family. It was great to see relatives that we don't get to see often. We visited , ate delicious finger foods, and watched a couple of old home movies. How fun!!
Planning is in gear for a swim party reunion this summer!

This week began with an amazing worship service! I feel so refreshed and energized to live for God. Our little church has had its share of struggles the last few years and has actually not had much formal leadership. Well, yesterday we installed new elders. The service for this was such an important one for the new elders and the congregation alike. I pray for these men and their families as they take on this big responsibility. I also want to strengthen my resolve in the Sunday school class that I teach. We had a wonderful dinner after service, then had open discussion with the new elders. Now, to get to the work of spreading the gospel!

On tap for the menu this week:
Monday
Grilled chicken
Corn on the cob
Baked beans
Salad
Tea/Water

Tuesday
Sub sandwich buffet
Chips
Fruit
Tea/Water

Wednesday
Mexican Fiesta Night
Tacos
Chips/Salsa
Salad
Tea/Water

Thursday
Breakfast Bar Night
Egg Casserole
Bacon
Sausage
Chocolate Chip Muffins
Tea/Water

Friday
Eating out to celebrate end of testing week

Saturday
Spaghetti
Salad
Garlic Bread
Tea/Water

Enjoy your Monday!
Kim

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Sunday's Thoughts

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles." II Timothy 1:7-11

AN UNHISTORIC SPOT

Ah passionate is rest when to the earth I yield in full length contact of sweet pain! Here just within the bars in the chill grass, And the great shadow of a fruitless tree, I at once sleep and am awake in joy. And when I sit half-conscious on the slope, And lean upon one grass-wrought hand and gaze, The lone thrush gurgles nectar in his throat, On some green spire, adjusting his furled wings, The local cricket quavers to the wind, And every one that passes look at me.

Robert Frost

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday

It's Outdoor Wednesday time! I love looking at everyone's pictures of all things outdoors. Thank you to Susan, over at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2009/04/422-outdoor-wednesday-15.html, for hosting this. Be sure to check out all the wonderful posts for Outdoor Wednesday!
Last Saturday, we headed to Atlanta for the Georgia Tech T-game. After we left the game, we headed to Red Top Mountain, one of the Georgia State Parks. The park is located in Cartersville, Georgia on Lake Allatoona. Below is a picture as you enter the park.
This park has tent camping, cottages, and a lodge. Our family walked the trail behind the lodge. On our way back, we saw this squirrel having his "picnic".


Red Top Mountain was an important mining area for iron. They have a reconstructed 1860s homestead where the rangers host educational programs. Below is the Casting Shed.


This is a view of the lake from the trail that we hiked. There are areas along the trail for fishing. There are also benches along the trail that would be perfect for relaxing and reading a good book by the lake.


This is such a beautiful park. Our family had a wonderful time with our picnic and hike. We felt very refreshed and ready to start our week after visiting this park.
Enjoy your Wednesday!
Kim





Sunday, April 19, 2009

Sunday's Thoughts

"Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!
Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!
Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all you stars of light!
Praise Him, you heavens of heavens,
And you waters above the heavens!"
Psalm 148:1-4 NKJ

I started early, took my dog,
And visited the sea-
The mermaids in the basement
Came out to look at me,

And frigates in the upper floor
Extended hempen hands-
Presuming me to be a mouse
Aground, upon the sands,

But no man moved me till the tide
Went past my simple shoe-
And past my apron and my belt,
And past my bodice too,

And made as he would eat me up
And wholly as a dew
Upon a dandelion's sleeve-
And then I started too.

And he-he followed close behind;
I felt his silver heel
Upon my ankle-then my shoes
Would overflow with pearl.

Until we met the solid town,
No one he seemed to know-
And bowing with a mighty look
At me, the sea withdrew.
Emily Dickinson

Have a blessed Sunday!
Kim

Friday, April 17, 2009

Wow! What a week this has been! Monday morning we awoke to a tree down in the backyard. We had experienced very high winds Sunday night. Several people had trees down, a few schools were closed due to power outages, and some roads were closed because of fallen trees blocking the road. Also, my mom was admitted to the hospital early Monday morning due to a mild stroke. She is now home and doing much better. The whole week just had a "different" twist to it. However, on Friday, my oldest son, who does dual-enrollment classes, received an academic honor. Clint is a high school senior. He takes a couple of classes at a local college for high school and college credit. The college had awards day today and Clint won the Calculus II award from the Mathematics Department. We were so proud of him for his hard work and perseverance.
Below, the president of the college gives an opening ceremony speech.
This is Clint receiving his award.

After the ceremony, we celebrated at Olive Garden.






The week is ending on a much calmer note than it began. The weather today was absolutely beautiful! Throughout everything that this week brought into our lives, we learned more fully to place our trust in God and to know that He is in control.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!
Kim





Sunday, April 12, 2009

Happy Birthday Clint!

Today was a wonderful, fun-filled day. We had an uplifting worship service, then headed home to celebrate Easter and my oldest son's 18th birthday with our family.

Clint, I am so very proud of you. I love you with all my heart and I am so excited to see what God has planned for you. I am so thankful for you!

This is a picture of my in-laws who celebrated the day with us!
Clint with his Georgia Tech cake.

Easter table!!!







Wishing everyone a blessed Easter!
Kim



Sunday's Thoughts

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always
even to the end of the age" Amen. Matthew 28:19-20 NKJ

The Flowers

All the names I know from nurse: Gardener's garters, Shepherd's purse, Bachelor's buttons, Lady's smock, And the Lady Hollyhock.

Fairy places, fairy things, Fairy woods where the wild bee wings, Tiny trees for tiny dames-These must all be fairy names!

Tiny woods below whose boughs Shady fairies weave a house; Tiny tree-tops, rose or thyme, Where the braver fairies climb!

Fair are grown-up people's trees, But the fairest woods are these; Where if I were not so tall, I should live for good and all.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday


It is time for Outdoor Wednesday! Be sure to check out all the Outdoor Wednesday posts at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2009/04/48-outdoor-wednesday-13.html . Today I am sharing a random selection of pictures from events of last year. This picture was taken when we went to the Creation Museum last Easter. The museum is in Kentucky, very close to Ohio. This bridge is actually in Cincinnati. We drove over there to see the ballparks and I thought this bridge was interesting. This is a Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta, Georgia. The boys and myself went to see A Midsummer's Night Dream. It was fantastic! I would love to go back and see some of the other plays they perform. Just a wonderful experience!This is Honey, one of the stray cats that I have been feeding. We live in a fairly wooded area, and from time to time get some strays. Honey has been with me for about a year now. She is getting more friendly with our family now. At first she only wanted the food ( she was soooo skinny!!). Now she seems to want our companionship also. I enjoy her!



Some of our blooms last year!



This is our indoor cat, Tiger. We rescued him from the Animal Shelter about two years ago. He had been well taken care of, so I am not sure how he ended up at the shelter, but we just love him so much! He is an older cat. He had been de-clawed, so we keep him inside most of the time. If we are sitting outside, we will take him out to roam around for a bit. At night when we do our family read alouds, Tiger jumps on the bed and listens just like one of the boys. I get a kick out of that!!




I hope you enjoyed my Outdoor Wednesday pictures. Don't forget to visit the other posts!

Have a marvelous Wednesday!

Kim





Tuesday, April 7, 2009

What a wonderful weekend! Last Friday night, our family met up with my cousin and her family and my brother and his family for dinner. We ate at Red Robin in Chattanooga and had a wonderful time together. In the picture above is my cousin and the back of her hubby ( sorry Jeff!). You can visit her over at Be As You Are.
This is my brother and his wife. We really enjoyed our time visiting.

This picture is blurred, but I liked the way everyone looked in deep conversation . The night was so much fun! We are planning on getting together again in May. I just think you have to be intentional about staying in touch with family and friends. It seems there is so much out there to crowd out these very important relationships. Some of those things are even very good endeavors, but when it all comes down to it, family is special! I want my boys to know their extended family members. I grew up going to family get togethers all the time and I absolutely loved it! The bond created and the memories made are priceless. Sure, we disagree at times, and even just get on each other's nerves at times;however, when we need that extra dose of love and care, family (immediate and extended) is that thread that keeps us together.
What made the weekend extra special was the fact that we got to eat with family members on Friday night and then on Saturday night also!! Mike's mother called and we ended up eating with her and Mike's sister and her family. What a wonderful weekend!
Have a fantastic Tuesday!
Kim



Sunday, April 5, 2009

Sunday's Thoughts


"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things." Philippians 4:7-8

A PRAYER IN SPRING

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today; And give us not to think so far away As the uncertain harvest; keep us here All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white, Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night; And make us happy in the happy bees, The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird That suddenly above the bees is heard, The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill, And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love, The which it is reserved for God above To sanctify to what far ends He will, But which it only needs that we fulfill.

Robert Frost

Read at the Dedication of John F. Kennedy Park, May 29, 1987

The Best-Loved Poems of JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS

Have a blessed Sunday!

Kim

Thursday, April 2, 2009

We went on a field trip with our homeschool group to the Gordon-Lee House in Chickamauga, Georgia. This house was taken during the battle at Chickamauga to be used as the Union hospital. After the battle, several Union soldiers who could not be moved were left to be taken prisoners. The Confederate army had to wait for these soldiers to get well enough to move on. After they moved on, the house was taken back by the owners.
This is the smoke house.

This cabin was where the owners originally lived while the house was being built. As people were smaller during that time, the roof and the ceiling inside are much lower. I believe our guide told us that women were on average around 4'9" with men not much taller than that.

































They have restored the house using all period pieces. We did not get to see the kitchen, as they are doing repairs. I want to return at Christmas for the celebrations. They use the fireplace during that time and have tours with hot cider and cookies.
We had a great day with the sun shining. Our guide was very interesting with little side stories that made the house just come alive!
Have a wonderful Thursday!
Kim








Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday

It's time for Outdoor Wednesday hosted by Susan at, http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2009/03/41-outdoor-wednesday-12.html Be sure to check out all the wonderful posts. The picture below did not come out very clear, but I did like the hosta in the background so I decided to post it. I have hosta around my dogwood tree and in front of some bushes leading to the front door.



These azaleas are just beautiful. They are at the college where my oldest son does dual enrollment. There is a nice row that lines the walking track.

I love Spring with all the wonderful blooms! Enjoy your outdoor time!
Kim