He is Risen

but the angel said, "Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, [fn] who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Mark 16:6




I serve a risen Savior
He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me
I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary,
I never will despair;
I know that He is leading,
Through all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing
Will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs
To Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him,
The Help of all who find,
None other is so loving,
So good and kind.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/503#ixzz2P7jR2Gju

April A-Z Clallenge

I am participating in this years A-Z April Challenge.  I thought that I would blog about words that describe me--some will be good some will be not so good.  So starting tomorrow I browse the alphabet for words All About Me.

One of the fun things that happens in Prescott, where my daughter lives, is the annual Easter Egg hunt.  Last Saturday's Easter festivities drew in excess of five-thousand people.

They had anticipated about two hundred-eighty children, up from about two-hundred last year, but ended up providing nearly seven hundred baskets for the kids.

Prescott has such a fine community spirit.  That is one of things that I love about small town living.  Someday, I may be able to move up there and become part of the community.  I would have to leave the big city crowds, crime, and hassle--will that be a problem, I think not.

Friday Favorite Things

These are the highlights of my week

My Friend's Wedding venue--He was  a friend of my son's and spent many a day at my house

Sweet Flower girl

The new man and wife

Wedding party

Cut the cake

Pit B-B-Q afterwards

Red skies that night

Coy pond at my dermatologist's office

Each week, Hilary lists four statements with a blank to fill in on your own blogs. If you want to join the fun and come up with four fill in’s of your own, please email them to her at feelingbeachie@gmail.com. If she uses them, she will add you as co-host to the hop!

This week’s statements:
1. My favorite advice to give is _think before you speak___
2. A few years ago I stopped _working for a living___
3. The weather around me __always__ tends to lend itself to _dictating my activities___.
4. 2013 is both _an anticipated year_ and _a year filled with challenges.

Pondering with a Purpose--Bill

Today's prompt is: Bill The first thing that I think of is all those people who want my money.  I need to take my car for a check-up, but have been putting it off because it will hurt to pay the bill.  
But last night a couple of friends took me out for my birthday, and they paid for my share of the bill, that was cool.
Then I have several friends whose names are Bill.  They are good guys.  And of course nature favors us with birds with bills.
So their are birds, men, and money requests.  My favorite bill is the birds.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

                                                

1. What are your plans for Easter? Are you cooking a big lunch or dinner?  Dyeing eggs? Attending a sun rise service?  Eating too much chocolate?

On Easter I am attending our regular church service then going on a picnic at a local park with my daughter's sweetie their family and all his relatives.

2.  What is something you feel too young to do?
I am way to young to let life just pass me by.  I had my 72nd birthday on Monday, and I rejoice that I am as young as I feel (maybe about 40)

3.  "Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud...it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs..."  

Of the characteristics mentioned in the biblical definition of love which do you find most difficult to live out and why?
Keeping no record of wrongs, it is so hard to forgive and FORGET!

4. What's a springtime flower you associate with your childhood?
Growing up in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming, I always loved to see the bluebells push their heads through the drifts of snow along our creek.

5.  Ever sung karaoke? If so, what's your go-to song? If not and you're given the opportunity, would you? 
I occasionally sing karaoke when I am out.  I usually will sing "These boots are made for walkin'" My daughter has a karaoke machine, so we often sing at her house.

6. What is something you keep in a basket?
I love to store things in baskets.  I have my mail in a basket, as well as the grandkids toys, potpourri, pencils and pens, and a bunch of other things.

7.  When was the last time you felt foolish?
Probably yesterday, when I tripped on my shoelaces--Lucky for me I didn't fall but I sure did a funny dance.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I am getting a haircut today.  The last one I had was last June and they butchered my hair.  It has taken all this time to grow out enough to get a decent cut.  Wish me luck.

Easter Eggs

One of my favorite things to do around Easter time is to dye eggs.  I love to see how many different colors that I can do, and textures that I can get using oils.  Onion skins, grape juice, turmeric, pomegranate juice, raspberries (all using vinegar as a mordant), and frozen spinach ( with baking soda for a mordant) all make great dyes.  Place rubber bands around the eggs to make stripes, or use melted wax to make designs--on eggs placed in cold color baths.  Colored sharpie pens can be used to make intricate patterns on the egg shells.

The quickest way to use natural dyes is to add color agent to water that the eggs are boiled in.  If a deeper color is desired, leave in colored water and refrigerate overnight.

If a fruit or vegetable has color when it can be used to color eggs.  Some results will be surprising.

Monday Quiz about Me

1. What is your favorite spring flower?
Here in Arizona, we have orange blossoms that are now spreading their perfume.  Back in Wyoming, I loved when when the bluebells pushed up through the snow on the bank of the creek on our ranch.

2. Do you suffer from Spring Allergies?

No.  I don't have seasonal allergies.  But some of my children are really miserable now.

3. Have you ever been 'blogged out' and needed to take a blogging break?

Once in a while I will take a short break, but I really enjoy writing and reading others thoughts.

4. Has spring sprung where you are or are you still hibernating?
We are definitely celebrating spring here in Phoenix, trees are blooming, and the temperature is in the 70's and 80's.

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!

5.  With March comes basketball madness as the college teams via for the crown.  Do you have a favorite team? Or do you not follow college sports?

I am not a huge sports fan, but I always like to see teams that represent the west win.  So as of now I am cheering for Oregon.

Sunday Meditation--Prayer

As we enter this holy week of Easter.  We need to humble ourselves and pray.  It seems that we are sinking in a world of hurt, but When the world pushes you to your knees, you are in a perfect position to pray.

James 5:16 The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Friday Favorite Things

These are a few of my favorite things this past week

Great Granddaughter receiving award for outstanding achievement for 3rd  grade (she is  3rd from  right)

Made yummy apple pie in an apple

Evening on the first day of spring

Sun setting on the first day of spring

Orange blossoms fill the air with their fragrance

Each week, Hilary lists four statements with a blank to fill in on your own blogs. If you want to join the fun and come up with four fill in’s of your own, please email them to her at feelingbeachie@gmail.com. If she uses them, she will add you as co-host to the hop!

This week’s statements:
1. My _teeth__ are my least favorite feature  They are sort of crooked.

2. I was very _shy___ as a child

3. The first room I clean in my house is_my bedroom__ because__I love having a clean sanctuary_

4. If I had the guts to __speak my mind more often__then I could _have the satisfaction of voicing my opinion, however I probably wouldn't have as many friends.___

Pondering with a Purpose--Watch

Today's prompt is: Watch I watch my watch as time creeps by Waiting anxiously for your return Back to me so that we can try And fix  that hurt, that burn.
Deep within my soul, I cry What lesson must I learn? Help me understand the why Assist me the truth discern.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. March 20th is the first day of spring...is she a lion or a lamb in your part of the world?
She is the gentlest of lambs.  Warm balmy weather (74 degrees today), a few high clouds, orange trees budding out.

2. What's the most dreaded task on your spring clean to-do list? Do you have a 'plan of attack'?
I especially hate to wash windows--it seems that I can never get all the corners perfectly clean, and will run inside and out trying to make all the streaks disappear

3. Peas...love 'em or hate 'em? What's a favorite dish you make using peas?
Love peas.  I like English pea salad

4. Do you feel under appreciated?
No--I pretty well get the appreciation that my effort deserves.

5. Have you been using Google Reader? If so, what are you switching to now that GR has announced retirement? If not, how do you read your favorite blogs?
I seldom open Google reader, I use blogspot.

6. Anne Bradstreet is credited with the following quote~

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."

Agree or Disagree? Why?
I completely agree.  You don't recognize the value of something unless you have a way to compare it.  

7. When did you last 'spring for something'? What was it?
I bought some funky albums last Saturday that I am going to use to make some unusual memory books.

8. Insert your own random thought here?

I made a great dessert today.  I hollowed out some Granny Smith apples, chopped the hollowed out part and made a pie filling with it, stuffed the apples and covered them with lattice pie crust tops.  It took longer to bake than I thought it would, but they were a good treat.

Monday Quiz About Me

                                                      
1. What is the most expensive car repair you ever paid for?
I spent $1200. on my truck for some wheel stuff, then a couple of months later my grandson wrecked it.

2. Who is the big bad wolf in your world?

Drugs and alcohol--my grandson drinks and so many of his friends see no problem with using and abusing them.  They think that it is cool to be blitzed.  Some have lost jobs, wrecked cars, and been in trouble with the law but it's all cool to them.

 

3. At what age is the best to have a first child?

22 or when school is finished and you have had some time to be an independent adult.

4. When was the last time you said something nice to someone?

Last night.  I always try and say good things before I go to bed.

St. Patrick

Saint Patrick, who lived during the fifth century, is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people. In the centuries following Patrick's death (believed to have been on March 17, 461), the mythology surrounding his life became ever more ingrained in the Irish culture: Perhaps the most well known legend is that he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of a native Irish clover, the shamrock.

^{Matthew 3:16} And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him,^[a] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; ¹⁷ and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son,^[b] with whom I am well pleased.”

Letters to My Wife

Letters to my Wife by Terry Dean is the poignant story of Keven Clark as be attempts to deal with the death of his wife through letters that he writes exclusively to her. He recalls their lives and his undying love in touching vignettes of their time together and then posts them on a blog, because he feels that out there somewhere she can connect with him.  

It also is a chronicle of their family and the struggle each has with her death.  Not only his family, but the world is touched with his love story.

This book is a glimpse of how someone deals with grief; it is not morbid, but instead touching and at times funny.  It is a story that will stay with you for a long time.

I received this book from Amazon in Kindle format.  It was free for Prime members, but would be worth every penny of the regular low cost.

Friday Favorite Things

These are a few of the highlights of my week

Salmon daisies

Gd can now ride her bike with no training wheels

Wonderful rain

Great granddaughter 4th birthday

She is cutting the first piece of cake

She is going to be a doctor when she grows up

Sun coming up--view on my way home from gym

Each week, Hilary lists four statements with a blank to fill in on your own blogs. If you want to join the fun and come up with four fill in’s of your own, please email them to her at feelingbeachie@gmail.com. If she uses them, she will add you as co-host to the hop!

This week’s statements:

1. My first car was a _1948 Nash Rambler____

2. My_imagination__ is so __active__

3. I would drop everything to __help one of my children___

4. I never tell people I once._sort of stole a car when I was a kid___

Pondering with a Purpose--Green

Today's prompt is: Green Today green has a totally different meaning than it did when I was a kid.  Back then, green was the first hint that spring was coming as delicate green shoots broke through the snow, tiny flowers appearing on green stalks.  The hills would put on a verdant shawl and all nature would begin to sing.
Now we see advertisements for green living.  "Going green" means to pursue knowledge and practices that can lead to more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles, which can help protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations.
But no matter what come Sunday, the rivers in many cities will flow green, and we will all celebrate the Irish among us.  

Mora na maidine dhuit.
Top of the morning to you.
More-uh nah mod-gin-uh g-wit.

Agus cuid eile an lae dhuit fein.
And the rest of the day to yourself.
Ah-gus quid ella on law g-wit feign

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you play games of luck/chance for money? Have you ever played bingo for money? Visited a casino?  Placed a bet on a horse? Bought a lottery ticket?
I am not much of  gambler--just too frugal with my money.  I have been to Las Vegas for conventions or vacations and the most that I have spent gambling is a couple of dollars.  For me, it just is not fun.  I don't buy lottery tickets.  However, I will buy raffle tickets to support my grandkids sports money making projects.

2.  Will you be preparing and/or dining on the traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage meal this St. Patrick's Day? Mashed-baked-hash browned-french fried...your favorite way to have potatoes?
I love Corned Beef and cabbage, but probably won't have any this year.  My favorite way to have potatoes--baked.

3. What's the last thing you felt 'green with envy' over? 
I am not an envious person.  I can't think of something that others have that I have coveted.

4.  What's at the end of your rainbow?
An evening sitting in my rocking chair with my cowboy honey on the porch of my log cabin in the mountains watching the sun set.  Oh, that is just a fantasy. In reality enjoying my family and doing my art.

5. March 12th marks the anniversary of the death of Anne Frank (June 12, 1929-March, 1945).  Anne's diary detailing her time spent hiding from the Nazi's during the war ranks as one of the best selling books of all time.  Besides your blog, do you keep any sort of diary or journal?  Was this a habit you developed as a child or is journaling something new for you?
I do make memory books that contain thoughts and pictures of special times in my life.  I have always chronicled my life with pictures.

6. What's an item in your home or closet that contains every color of the rainbow?
I have several tee shirts that my daughter tie dyed for me that are covered in rainbow hues.

7.  Write a limerick with you as the subject.  You can do it!!  Just remember this is a family friendly blog...don't make me get out my wooden spoon. 
I'm an old lady who writes
Stories long into the nights
They aren't so bad
They aren't real sad
They just detail life and its fights

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I had a fun weekend in Prescott.  It was great grands 4th birthday.  She was so excited and said when we sat down for her favorite meal--mac and cheese--that she got so say grace.  "Dear God.  Thank you for the food and make everyone happy today 'cause it' my BIRTHDAY! Amen.

Sunday Meditation--Giving

We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count.

Proverbs 28:27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses. (NIV)

Pondering with a Purpose--Flexible

Today's prompt is: Flexible I have learned the value of being flexible.  I was brought up to be independent--able to work out my own solutions and very early on I learned that although my plan was good it was not the only one.  I have found that my horizons have expanded as I tried other's ideas.  
Not only that, but I have found that I have a lot more good will around me when I consider others opinions. I won't compromise my principle just to keep peace but I will listen and that is my first step to being flexible.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

                                                
1. My real life friends came through with another question this week so thank you real life friends. When you've eaten in a restaurant do you complete their comment card? Do you take online surveys highlighted at the bottom of store receipts? 
I will sometimes fill out a comment card, but very seldom fill out surveys, as I think they are just advertising gimmicks 

2. The (US) ban on women in combat was lifted at the end of January. It will probably be next year before specifics are worked out, but its been reported over 200,000 front line positions will eventually open up to women.  Your thoughts? 
If woman are getting equal pay, they should be able to have equal jobs, but they must be equally qualified both physically and mentally.

3.  In looking back at all the blog posts you've written, what's your favorite post title? 
I can't say I have a favorite, I do love to reread the ones that I have written about my childhood.

4. What's worse-overly permissive parents or overly protective parents?  Did your own parents lean more to the permissive or the protective category?  If you're a parent where do you fall? 
I think that they are both bad.  I was brought up to be honest, trustworthy, respectful, and independent--able to take care of myself and aware of the needs of others.  I brought up my children the same way.

5.  Candlelight-moonlight-firelight-bright lights in the big city...which one's your favorite? 
Moonlight.  I love the outdoors.  Moonlight speaks of mystery and romance.

6. Dr. Seuss's birthday was celebrated on Saturday. What's a favorite book you remember (Seuss or otherwise) from your own childhood?  Did books play an important role in your growing up years? Explain. 
I have loved to read as long as I can remember.  Living isolated on a ranch in the mountains, books were a window to the world.  I grew up before Dr. Seuss, but I loved reading the books to my kids.  I liked Green Eggs and Ham.

7.  To quote Dr. Seuss...

"From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere." 

from One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Share something funny you've recently read, seen or heard.  

I am not much on comedy, but I was going through my scrapbook and came across a card that my then 10 year old son made for me for my birthday.  It said "I love you Mom and will do anything for you, if I'm not busy"

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
With our spring here, I am finally starting to feel better.  My doctor gave me a clean bill of health Monday.  I am planning a couple of hikes to see wild flowers, and a trip to Prescott for great-grands fourth birthday.

Monday Quiz about Me

                                                      

Here are the Questions:

1. Which are you better at: Reading, Writing or Math? 

I'm pretty good at all of these.  I love to read--usually four or five books a week, and I enjoy writing--I'm an addicted blogger.  I can do the math, but it probably is my least favorite.

2. Tell us a good 'come back' story. Where you were down but were able to reverse fortunes and come out on top.

A few years ago, I had a snow-boarding accident and had to have a hip replacement.  The doctor said I would not be able to hike again.  However with physical therapy and a consistent exercise program, I was able to complete several hikes in the Olympic Mountains this past summer.

3. Which would you rather do: dine or eat?

Eat--I'm a simple person.

4. What is one thing the someone close to you does that just annoys the heck out of you?

My daughter always checks her silverware closely, before she takes a bite, no matter if it is at home or in a fancy restaurant.

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!

5. It was in the 80's today here.  I am planting flowers tomorrow.  When do you do your spring planting? And what will you plant?

Sunday Meditation--Valuable

What we must decide is perhaps how we are valuable, rather than how valuable we are.

Romans 12:6-8 God has also given each of us different gifts to use.  If we can prophesy, we should do it according to the amount of faith we have.  If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach.  If we can encourage others, we should encourage them.  If we can give, we should be generous.  If we are leaders, we should do our best.  If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully.  (CEV)

Friday Favorite Things

These are a few of my favorite things this week:

Great Grandson (6) lost his first tooth with a little help. He tied string to door and that was the end of it.  Sorry the video won't play.

Lettuce wraps at PF Changs

Carmel Mango Chicken

Each week, Hilary lists four statements with a blank to fill in on your own blogs. If you want to join the fun and come up with four fill in’s of your own, please email them to her at feelingbeachie@gmail.com. If she uses them, she will add you as co-host to the hop!

This week’s statements:
1. Sometimes I _am so busy__ I am _surprised that evening has come__
2. When I wear _a dress__ I feel _special___
3. When in doubt, __stop, think, pray, then do something__
4. The easiest way to _fail_ is to _never try.