tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71772092984099548522011-04-21T11:59:17.115-07:00Where the blessings of God and family are cherished and goodwill to all a way of life...Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.comBlogger231100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-49825188792024018532009-01-16T08:31:00.000-08:002009-01-16T14:45:10.481-08:00Well, I didn't share this with you all in the past, but I'm the type that changes a lot and has a lot of different aspects to my personality. My Auntie persona is just a small part of who I am and it was my dear nieces that inspired me to enter this creative, sharing place called blogland. Lately I've been thinking my adventure as Auntie Bar Bar has run it's course and I feel it's time to move on... So please find me now at my new blog called <a href="http://fortheloveofgod2.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#000099;">"For the Love of God"</span></a> where I will be continuing on for a while there sharing the serendipity of the adventures and thoughts and blessings that are unique to me--a spiritual child of God... Lest people misunderstand my title, I want to say that God doesn't require that I do anything to earn His love--as it was, and is, and will always be a gift offered to everyone who is humble enough to have a repentant heart... This title expresses my goal in life--to do everything with the end result being for myself and others to feel and see, and acknowledge God's love for what it is... We have so many blessings and it is ALL from God!!!! So it is born out of thankfulness that I want to start on this new journey... Thank you for the kind comments you have left me in the past couple of months--with love, "Auntie Bar Bar"...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-4982518879202401853?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-30180553618436186792009-01-14T17:41:00.000-08:002009-01-15T06:58:17.815-08:00<a href="http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/Standard%20Bible%20Story%20Readers,%20Book%20One/images/scan0003.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 337px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 374px" alt="" src="http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/Standard%20Bible%20Story%20Readers,%20Book%20One/images/scan0003.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/Standard%20Bible%20Story%20Readers,%20Book%20One/images/scan0003.jpg"></a> <div><a href="http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/Standard%20Bible%20Story%20Readers,%20Book%20One/images/scan0003.jpg"></a> <a href="http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/Standard%20Bible%20Story%20Readers,%20Book%20One/images/scan0003.jpg"></a> <div> </div> <div align="center"><strong></strong></div> <div> </div> <p align="center"> </p> <div> </div> <div align="center"><strong></strong></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"><strong></strong></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"><strong></strong></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"><strong></strong></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"><strong></strong></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"><strong></strong></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"><strong></strong></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"><strong></strong></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"><strong></strong></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"><strong></strong></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"><strong></strong></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"><strong></strong></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">For Today...</span></strong></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"><strong></strong></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"> <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Dear Lord,</span></strong></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">I bring you my shortcomings...</span></strong> which I acknowledge are real, yet seem so irrelevant in light of the fact that it's all about you and what you have done.</div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">I bring you my worship and praise...</span></strong> for being in control and having all authority in heaven and earth! And not expecting us to pay allegiance to anyone who works against Your Will...</div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">I bring you my prayer...</span></strong> that everyone will be on the same page, as you have taught us, that what's important is character and not the color of one's skin.</div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">You spoke to me...</span></strong> in your word today as our study of James 2:1-13 when I read:</div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="center">1 Samuel 16:7--Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. </div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="center">And Matthew 23:27-We can look as clean as "whitewashed tombs", but be wormy and gross on the inside...</div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"><a href="http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/Standard%20Bible%20Story%20Readers,%20Book%20One/images/scan0003.jpg"><em>Picture</em></a> by Lilly A Faris</div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div> </div> <div align="left"><em>If you would like to participate in this weekly exercise on Wednesdays called "Simple Devotion", </em><a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/2008/11/simple-devotionnovember-19th.html"><em>click here </em></a><em>to find out how...</em></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="center"></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-3018055361843618679?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-27849540257832834842009-01-13T14:07:00.000-08:002009-01-13T14:32:35.016-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SW0WBTtcWmI/AAAAAAAAAKU/HEYnShieeHM/s1600-h/DSC03343.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290909348956756578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SW0WBTtcWmI/AAAAAAAAAKU/HEYnShieeHM/s400/DSC03343.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div>When I was going through pictures yesterday, I came across this one that we took from the picture that they take of everyone at the top of the Tower of Terror right before it drops--and then I took another picture of it to show you. So it's a picture of a picture of a picture, but you get the picture... Click on it if you want a bigger look... You can tell who the repeat riders are, and who the first time riders are--that's us in the front row. I'm the one with her eyes closed second from the left, Bill's next to me and our cousins from Idaho are the three next to us. I love all the expressions... </div> <div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-2784954025783283484?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-12785051653858621262009-01-12T09:29:00.000-08:002009-01-12T17:59:03.190-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWuHiE2UBUI/AAAAAAAAAJM/B9r061qytgk/s1600-h/photo05-3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290471206763627842" style="WIDTH: 146px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWuHiE2UBUI/AAAAAAAAAJM/B9r061qytgk/s200/photo05-3.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is my sister, Shell when she was around 5 years old. It was her birthday yesterday, and I thought I would do a blog in her honor. Of course, since I've known her all my life, she's been a great influence in my life. She's been a special person--second only to my dear Mom--who has helped shape the wholesomeness I so dearly cherish for the stability and sweetness required for a happy home. I credit her with teaching me how to sew--and coming to the rescue to assist me when I had to use the seam ripper, and that was quite often!--decopage, batik, and many other crafty skills that I am still mediocre at since I haven't had her around to keep me going on them... She's always been the most crafty one; I'm just the imitator... <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWuyW6ROGlI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/D0cHBhRxI2w/s1600-h/DSC03337.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290518293945129554" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWuyW6ROGlI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/D0cHBhRxI2w/s200/DSC03337.JPG" border="0" /></a> She was a caring sister from the start... As I got older, I looked around and saw that many other people didn't have this special something that we possessed. I hold onto it now and nurture it, and try to pass it on to other family members, since it is our special brand of wholesomeness. I'm sure it's just unique to me because it is ours, and it's imperfect and yet beautiful at the same time. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWuwcBYHJ2I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/RZHSTBTDwME/s1600-h/photo03.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290516182729172834" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 158px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWuwcBYHJ2I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/RZHSTBTDwME/s200/photo03.jpg" border="0" /></a> Ours was a family that was resourceful and frugal so we seemed to have just enough, and even though we took an additional 2-5 foster kids at a time over the years, we had lots of family fun and traveled all over the country in our VW bus camping along the way. Mom sure was the master ring leader/organizer; us girls were the support team... When I think back at all the good memories we've had together with our family and beyond, I feel truly blessed. We got to hike the High Sierras together with our family and the Methodist youth group when we were teenagers. Those were some of the most awesome years of our lives... <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWuuZXA1BpI/AAAAAAAAAJk/G0-nlucR_D0/s1600-h/DSC03326.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290513937974232722" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWuuZXA1BpI/AAAAAAAAAJk/G0-nlucR_D0/s200/DSC03326.JPG" border="0" /></a> We also got a chance to go to Scotland about 6 years ago for the world-wide McGregor family reunion; another highlight in our lives together. Here we are all dressed up in our fancy clothes because we are attending a dinner at the Stirling Castle. What a great thing to go with our Mom, the honorable Dorothy McGregor, who recently found out her DNA to be connected to famous Scottish folk hero, Rob Roy! <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWurjNiDTzI/AAAAAAAAAJc/0GqrteL97Ks/s1600-h/barb_mom_shell_mcgregor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290510808693034802" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWurjNiDTzI/AAAAAAAAAJc/0GqrteL97Ks/s200/barb_mom_shell_mcgregor.jpg" border="0" /></a> We have fun together since it is in our genes to get fervent "gatherers" for whom the bumbersticker "Caution, we stop stops for garage sales" was made. When we were kids Mom would wake us up at 6:00 am on Sunday to go to the San Jose flea market so we could be back for the 10:00 church service. Now that was power shopping!!! I think that's how we kept in such good shape through our teen years... <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWu_SWEBMGI/AAAAAAAAAKE/3vA754Alquk/s1600-h/pictures+2007-10-15+146.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290532509157765218" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWu_SWEBMGI/AAAAAAAAAKE/3vA754Alquk/s200/pictures+2007-10-15+146.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our Mom's given us the gift of a discerning eye, and over the years we've all found some marvelous and lovely treasures, but most of all the habit of "hunting for teasure" gives me the fond memories of our times together... I thank God for my sister, Shell; it's fun to be so similar and enjoy a lot of the same things even though God has given us such different lives. But most of all, I thank God that she and her dear family had a major influence in my "returning to the fold" 13 years ago and has forever changed my life for eternity. For that, I will always be thankful...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-1278505165385862126?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-60811519604194422142009-01-10T09:51:00.000-08:002009-01-10T20:13:21.337-08:00Last week we met some of Bill's relatives for lunch at Downtown Disney; they were spending a few days doing Disneyland and California Adventure. We hadn't be there for awhile even though we live just ten miles away. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWjmtohYVII/AAAAAAAAAI8/7XcRVd3DrJo/s1600-h/1-05-09+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289728401994028274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 204px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 166px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWjj9JcmFPI/AAAAAAAAAIs/be8ehnPHJkI/s200/1-05-09+011.JPG" border="0" /></a>Going into the Grand Californian Hotel is always a kick for me, especially around Christmas when they have their huge fireplace roaring and people are sitting around enjoying the ambiance of the lovely Christmas tree surrounded with beautiful (fake) presents. <div><div> <div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWjjE8x5cuI/AAAAAAAAAIk/vSKj-K3GDzc/s1600-h/1-05-09+005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289727436521042658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWjjE8x5cuI/AAAAAAAAAIk/vSKj-K3GDzc/s200/1-05-09+005.JPG" border="0" /></a>I love the fantasy of imagining I'm at the Awahnee Hotel in Yosemite when I'm there since it's not practical drop everything and drive over there! I have to admit, the Ahwanee Hotel used to be more of a magical place to me when I was a kid, but now that I'm older, it's kinda lost some of its grandiosity... Strange how places get smaller when we get bigger. <div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWjir-EwgBI/AAAAAAAAAIc/USsoSyOqGiY/s1600-h/1-05-09+014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289727007371853842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWjir-EwgBI/AAAAAAAAAIc/USsoSyOqGiY/s200/1-05-09+014.JPG" border="0" /></a>I still enjoy the beauty here and it's a great place for people-watching. The vacation atmosphere is full of joy and lots of kids and families together on vacation... It was good to see our relatives one last time before they had to fly back to snowy Oregon and Washington. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWjmtohYVII/AAAAAAAAAI8/7XcRVd3DrJo/s1600-h/1-05-09+008.JPG"></a> <div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWjmtohYVII/AAAAAAAAAI8/7XcRVd3DrJo/s1600-h/1-05-09+008.JPG"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWjmtohYVII/AAAAAAAAAI8/7XcRVd3DrJo/s1600-h/1-05-09+008.JPG"></a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-6081151960419442214?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-38676675448698755002009-01-07T20:19:00.000-08:002009-01-14T18:22:58.907-08:00<a href="http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/StandardBibleStoryReadersBook5/images/scan0018.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 244px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 640px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/StandardBibleStoryReadersBook5/images/scan0018.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div align="left"></div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"><strong><a href="http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/StandardBibleStoryReadersBook5/images/scan0018.jpg"></a>For Today... </strong></div> <div align="center"><strong>Dear Lord,</strong></div> <div align="left"> <em><strong>I bring you my shortcomings</strong></em>...for reading or hearing your Word and not making it more of a priority to remember to do it.</div> <div align="left"> <em><strong>I bring you my worship and praise</strong></em>...Lord, thank you for being worthy to serve and to glorify. If we only knew how awesome you really are, we would not cease to praise you...</div> <div align="left"> <em><strong>I bring you my prayer</strong></em>...that I would get my priorities straight this year; that I would spend more time practicing what you have been teaching me and less time trying to get organized and trying to maintain all kinds of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">frivolous</span> stuff...</div> <div align="left"> <em><strong>You spoke to me</strong></em>...as I did my Bible study to start a journal with thoughts on one side and a list of things I've learned on the other so I can remember and review it from time to time. No more being the person who looks in the mirror and then goes away and forgets...</div> <div align="left"> <em>If you would like to participate in this weekly exercise called "Simple Devotion", </em><a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/2008/11/simple-devotionnovember-19th.html"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">click here</span> </em></a><em>to find out how...</em></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-3867667544869875500?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-2996865240959651072009-01-05T17:48:00.000-08:002009-01-06T08:21:41.715-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWLObJwanlI/AAAAAAAAAIU/5on3V64zJMs/s1600-h/oceanside+dec+27,+2008+149.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288015878357163602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWLObJwanlI/AAAAAAAAAIU/5on3V64zJMs/s200/oceanside+dec+27,+2008+149.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div> <div> <ol><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SWLIeq8Y5EI/AAAAAAAAAH8/rVWg9Lt1In8/s1600-h/oceanside+dec+27,+2008+149.JPG"></a></ol> <ol></ol> <ol></ol> <ol></ol> <ol></ol> <ol></ol> <ol></ol> <ol></ol> <ol> <li>I grew up in the SF Bay Area in the 60's.</li> <li>I love coffee, but can only drink one cup a day.</li> <li>My 2 cats are some of my best friends.</li> <li>I love the outdoors and enjoying all of God's creations.</li> <li>My joy comes from helping people.</li> <li>I'm a "foodie" and I'm in search of the perfect dish.</li> <li>I'm a folk art jewelry fanatic; love to pile them all on at once.</li> <li>I see people as works of art.</li> <li>My goal is to love with all my heart, but some situations require tough love...</li> <li>My husband of 26 years is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">quadriplegic</span>; he is my hero.</li></ol></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-299686524095965107?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-89024825430538879942009-01-05T11:21:00.000-08:002009-01-05T11:26:23.863-08:00Hello, It's a new year and I need to get caught up with things I've been neglecting....you know, housework!!! Time for the <strong>10 minute tidy!!!!</strong> Nickel Creek is great for that--ready, set, GO!!! See you later...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-8902482543053887994?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-18682405644534625112008-12-31T22:34:00.000-08:002008-12-31T22:48:06.867-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxmyfi0oCI/AAAAAAAAAHA/75wP5KB7lSQ/s1600-h/2008-12-24+009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286213080273166370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxmyfi0oCI/AAAAAAAAAHA/75wP5KB7lSQ/s200/2008-12-24+009.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><span style="font-size:0;"></span> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;">I wish everyone a safe, cheerful, and prosperous new year!! Happy 2009!</span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-1868240564453462511?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-13565793858423259022008-12-31T20:54:00.000-08:002009-01-03T16:12:11.314-08:00<div align="left"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxQCEpNwJI/AAAAAAAAAGI/bYzkiKZraW0/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-23+099.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286188059162689682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 141px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 119px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxQCEpNwJI/AAAAAAAAAGI/bYzkiKZraW0/s200/pictures+2008-12-23+099.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxM3ebnM_I/AAAAAAAAAFw/Ovzj7zq3VRM/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-23+107.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286184578571514866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 326px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxM3ebnM_I/AAAAAAAAAFw/Ovzj7zq3VRM/s200/pictures+2008-12-23+107.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxNWSxIbAI/AAAAAAAAAF4/OmuAck01mpY/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-23+097.JPG"></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286187471496052978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 165px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 117px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxPf3akgPI/AAAAAAAAAGA/GNa_ZZ4MLns/s200/pictures+2008-12-23+060.JPG" border="0" /> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="justify">For Christmas Bill's family had a reunion in Oceanside. One day we went to some beautiful <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">tide </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pools</span>. The grays and the yellow-greens and the pale blue greens were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">enchan</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxWNbkaF7I/AAAAAAAAAGg/nixIhHuDP10/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-23+085.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286194851364870066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxWNbkaF7I/AAAAAAAAAGg/nixIhHuDP10/s200/pictures+2008-12-23+085.JPG" border="0" /></a>ting. This is the only day I took pictures other than people pictures... While I shot pictures of all who were there, it was sweet little Lily that was the most captivating to photograph in her gray/blue <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxYYrziPiI/AAAAAAAAAGo/SP8iPW9qe7Y/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-23+096.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286197243725102626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxYYrziPiI/AAAAAAAAAGo/SP8iPW9qe7Y/s200/pictures+2008-12-23+096.JPG" border="0" /></a>sweater... <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxVuGL5hgI/AAAAAAAAAGY/HQumeh2H0OA/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-23+084.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286194313048983042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxVuGL5hgI/AAAAAAAAAGY/HQumeh2H0OA/s200/pictures+2008-12-23+084.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxNWSxIbAI/AAAAAAAAAF4/OmuAck01mpY/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-23+097.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286185108016491522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 195px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxNWSxIbAI/AAAAAAAAAF4/OmuAck01mpY/s200/pictures+2008-12-23+097.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxVPZ36HWI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/3v6_11w_yZg/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-23+083.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286193785757900130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxVPZ36HWI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/3v6_11w_yZg/s200/pictures+2008-12-23+083.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxNWSxIbAI/AAAAAAAAAF4/OmuAck01mpY/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-23+097.JPG"></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxNWSxIbAI/AAAAAAAAAF4/OmuAck01mpY/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-23+097.JPG"></a> </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVxNWSxIbAI/AAAAAAAAAF4/OmuAck01mpY/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-23+097.JPG"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-1356579385842325902?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-253767431704139642008-12-31T19:36:00.000-08:002009-01-11T15:09:58.619-08:00Yesterday I found myself with a lot of leftovers from the family reunion and decided to make some soup; now that it isn't too hot outside, it sounded like a good idea and I didn't want to waste the bounty that was so generously giv<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVw7YELJF5I/AAAAAAAAAFQ/43NQY3sClLc/s1600-h/12-30-08+011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286165347249493906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVw7YELJF5I/AAAAAAAAAFQ/43NQY3sClLc/s200/12-30-08+011.JPG" border="0" /></a>en to us. So I went to work on a vegetable and turkey soup and viola!!! We have soup... <div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVw9ggrx71I/AAAAAAAAAFg/vT7xN3mkPjI/s1600-h/12-30-08+005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286167691364790098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVw9ggrx71I/AAAAAAAAAFg/vT7xN3mkPjI/s200/12-30-08+005.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Next, we had leftover yams from Christmas dinner that I had cooked on the grill with the intention of using the leftovers for "Yamwiches!!" A yamwich is made with a cooked yam, some chicken, a T of mayo, and some seasoning all wrapped in a steamed collard green leaf!!! Super healthy and super good... Take a look; I photoed it for you!!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVw-G7Aol7I/AAAAAAAAAFo/A4BcVNy2POY/s1600-h/12-30-08+006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286168351266609074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVw-G7Aol7I/AAAAAAAAAFo/A4BcVNy2POY/s200/12-30-08+006.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVw8ylsapTI/AAAAAAAAAFY/60q6p5E6YC8/s1600-h/12-30-08+004.JPG"></a><div> </div><div></div><div> </div><div></div><div> </div><div></div><div> </div><div></div><div> </div><div></div><div> </div><div></div><div> </div><div></div><div> </div><div></div><div> </div><div></div><div> </div><div></div><div> </div><div></div><div> </div><div></div><div> </div><div></div><div> </div><div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-25376743170413964?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-40856935047734378292008-12-29T20:44:00.000-08:002008-12-29T21:39:01.812-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVmwRCtxGbI/AAAAAAAAAEs/i4Et6v94rro/s1600-h/DSCF01642.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285449444529084850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVmwRCtxGbI/AAAAAAAAAEs/i4Et6v94rro/s200/DSCF01642.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div>I was just blog surfing and stumbled over these lovely places--so cute--that make me want to get out all my pink and aqua scraps and make crazy quilt squares! Check out this <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PogluifxB4I/SVLwCv-bYNI/AAAAAAAABec/oD9cPZhL8k0/s1600-h/kitschen.JPG"><span style="color:#ff99ff;">blogspot</span> </a>picture and this other one also has a <a href="http://lilyandagathe2.blogspot.com/2008/11/crazy-patchwork-fabric.html"><span style="color:#99ffff;">pretty <span style="font-size:0;"></span></span></a> crazy patch demo to look at while you're at it. </div><div></div><div>I wish I could post one of the pictures, but I haven't figured out how to do that yet! (Please enjoy Buttons dreaming in the sun out in the courtyard with a pink and aqua wall hanging instead...)</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-4085693504773437829?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-60095788824668073412008-12-29T19:21:00.000-08:002008-12-29T20:41:37.004-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVmYD0a8AHI/AAAAAAAAAEk/f2VD8ju-iJE/s1600-h/DSC03225.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285422829074645106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SVmYD0a8AHI/AAAAAAAAAEk/f2VD8ju-iJE/s200/DSC03225.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div>I just got my new little cast iron cobbler pots today in the mail, so I wanted to try them out. Here's my first creation using the cobbler crust ingredients that came with the pots. From now on, though, I'll be making "crunches" because I like the added oatmeal, brown sugar and butter on top. </div> <div></div> <div>What I really bought them for is to make homemade pot pies; ain't nothin' like the smell of pot pies cookin' on a cold day... If anyone has a good one to share, please send it my way. I'm just trying to avoid that canned soup texture and taste and all those funny, unhealthy ingredients most have from the store. </div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-6009578882466807341?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-18854184107512626782008-12-19T20:20:00.000-08:002008-12-19T21:21:26.634-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUyANN3v-FI/AAAAAAAAAEc/AxuS5AJ6l9U/s1600-h/My+Quilts+and+Creations+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281737427548895314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUyANN3v-FI/AAAAAAAAAEc/AxuS5AJ6l9U/s200/My+Quilts+and+Creations+001.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p>I was really touched by this song particularly for those who have adopted a child and didn't have to... <u>h</u><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVFmHHxXCVg">ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVFmHHxXCVg</a></p><p>and this one is one of my favorites too: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6Zfx5qra_g&amp;feature=channel">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6Zfx5qra_g&amp;feature=channel</a></p><p>I like to listen to this when I'm not sure what's going on with my health...</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-1885418410751262678?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-28693673395613560902008-12-19T13:42:00.000-08:002008-12-19T14:09:44.180-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUwaBrV2_pI/AAAAAAAAAEU/FeK6zz64FHk/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-18+100.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281625079115349650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUwaBrV2_pI/AAAAAAAAAEU/FeK6zz64FHk/s200/pictures+2008-12-18+100.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUwZXQPsp4I/AAAAAAAAAEM/zHhPnYIlOxs/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-18+137.jpg"></a> <div>I just loved this website for entertaining since the recipes are meant to serve to large groups -- they have to make large quantities for the people staying at their bed and breakfast--the Yelton Manor in South Haven, MI . The serve up some tasty stufff there--umm umm!! Check it out!!! <a href="http://www.yeltonmanor.com/tour/newtour2.php?thistour=16">http://www.yeltonmanor.com/tour/newtour2.php?thistour=16</a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-2869367339561356090?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-62918754844359687932008-12-18T20:47:00.000-08:002008-12-18T21:38:27.483-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUspPmvjnvI/AAAAAAAAAD0/cwTMcsE_5n8/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-18+035.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281360336096829170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUspPmvjnvI/AAAAAAAAAD0/cwTMcsE_5n8/s200/pictures+2008-12-18+035.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div> <div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUsopsJhpKI/AAAAAAAAADs/Hf7EUUbXbQI/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-18+081.jpg"></a></div> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUsoPQQzMrI/AAAAAAAAADk/L6h2eO2Kxgc/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-18+077.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281359230550618802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 154px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUsoPQQzMrI/AAAAAAAAADk/L6h2eO2Kxgc/s200/pictures+2008-12-18+077.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div> <div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUsopsJhpKI/AAAAAAAAADs/Hf7EUUbXbQI/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-18+081.jpg"></a></div> <div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUsopsJhpKI/AAAAAAAAADs/Hf7EUUbXbQI/s1600-h/pictures+2008-12-18+081.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281359684712899746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUsopsJhpKI/AAAAAAAAADs/Hf7EUUbXbQI/s200/pictures+2008-12-18+081.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>I promised myself I would get around to giving you a peek at the changes I made to the kitchen a few weeks ago to make it more "Christmasy". It has become a family tradition to change out the dishes and decor when the season changes. It's not anything grand or fancy; I like to keep things uncomplicated and simple. I like to walk into my kitchen in the morning and smile. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>P.S.--- I'm a little behind since I am just learning how to get the pictures from the camera to the blog page. Did I mention that I'm a low-tech person who hasn't gotten around to learning these things until tonite... I have to have a derned good reason to go through all the boring technology, but now that I see what I can to with it, it's worth it! </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>P.S.S.--- You can click on the pictures to get a closer look...</div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-6291875484435968793?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-59700164597294376692008-12-14T13:45:00.000-08:002008-12-31T20:10:42.078-08:00<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279833539714968338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUW8oW_naxI/AAAAAAAAADU/vJgZnXDjeTY/s200/pictures+2007-01-21+060.jpg" border="0" /> I got inspired by Awesome Amber to write one of these lists kinda like that "WinnDixie" movie. You think you know somebody... <p><strong>50 Things About "Auntie <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUW9FThqL7I/AAAAAAAAADc/IU77pudUPJQ/s1600-h/DSCF0007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279834037000220594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 173px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUW9FThqL7I/AAAAAAAAADc/IU77pudUPJQ/s200/DSCF0007.JPG" border="0" /></a>BarBar" </strong></p><p></p><ol><li>I'm a lefty.</li><li>I'm 1/64 Iroquois Indian and proud to be even a tiny part Native American.</li><li>I'm also a proud member of the McGregor clan and a DNA descendant of Rob Roy McGregor the famous Scottish folk hero.</li><li>I love my cats, but won't take on more than 2 at a time!</li><li>My secret alter ego is "The Tropical Cowgirl."</li><li>I've never been to Hawaii, but I want to go there sometime before I die!</li><li>I love traditional Hawaiian music and dancing.</li><li>I love hammer dulcimer music in the morning; it's so happy sounding.</li><li>Ditto for mandolin music, and someday I hope to be able to play them both proficiently.</li><li>I used to dislike country music, but since 911 I discovered many excellent songwriters in that genre that convey what a lot of Americans have been feeling since then...</li><li>I love to beautify things; I feel that is part of my job in life. Someones gotta do it!!!</li><li>I love God with all my heart, my soul, and my strength.</li><li>I love people and secretly wish they could all experience God's unfathomable love like I and many others do...</li><li>My heart goes out to those who struggle with issues and still refuse God's help and love.</li><li>I'm soooo thankful for all the blessings God had given me through the people in my life.</li><li>Even though God's plan for us didn't include having any kids, my original family is still very important to me.</li><li>I adore my husband of 26 years; he is a strong, steady soul despite being an incomplete quadriplegic, and will always be my hero.</li><li>I love chocolate, but my rule is not to buy it.</li><li>I love pesto and I have a big, honkin' basil bush growing in my backyard and 6 baggies frozen in the freezer.</li><li>I love, love, love, red!!!</li><li>I love talking and writing; I guess communicating and sharing stuff in general.</li><li>I was an "A" student and graduated a year early from high school. </li><li>I love the beach; the smell of the sea air, the sound of the waves and seagulls, the beauty of it all, sand, water, sun...</li><li>I love the mountains; the fresh air, the trees, water, sounds of birds and water and wind, and being outdoors in nature in general.</li><li>I love to draw, paint, and sketch.</li><li>I enjoy quilting and thinking about all the beautiful things you can do with it.</li><li>I adore my sister, Shell, who inspires me almost daily and I'm grateful for all the joys that her family brings to my life.</li><li>I love soup and crusty, rustic sourdough bread when it's cold outside.</li><li>I enjoy the look and sound of warm fire in the evenings in the fall and wintertime.</li><li>I love movement, which is a weird thing for me to say while sitting in one place all afternoon blogging my heart out!!!</li><li>I studied Chinese medicine and macrobiotic cooking back in the 90's and sometimes I use it to re-balance myself.</li><li>I love games like Scrabble and Upwards--I'm the word person; Bill's the numbers person.</li><li>My best friend owns a big international craft stamp company, and I am in awe of her talents and her servants heart.</li><li>I'm a collector of beautiful stuff and of supplies to create beautiful stuff. And I love the word "stuff".</li><li>I'm a "clothes horse".</li><li>I'm an INFP; look that one up in your Funkenwagnel!</li><li>I sing in an awesome choir, with a lot of very talented singers and musicians.</li><li>I lost my achin' gallbladder a year ago &amp; God's given me a new lease on life!! Yahooooo!!!</li><li>One of my favorites songs is, "When I Get Where I'm Goin'" by Brad Paisley.</li><li>Ever since I had an NDE, I know God loves us completely, more then we'll ever know.</li><li>I have the same dream: that people would not be judged by the color of their skin, but on the content of their character...</li><li>I wish I could play a wood or clay flute.</li><li>I love to cruise good yard sales, thrift stores, and flea markets for beautiful items.</li><li>I'm completely in awe of God and can't wait for Jesus to come back in all His Glory!!!!</li><li>I love dance and I envy other cultures that have their own special dances...</li><li>I used to be a sprinter in school and used to run everywhere when I wasn't on my bike.</li><li>Ice cream is my favorite "junk" food; another food I won't buy or I'll eat it all.</li><li>I used to wear hiking boots all the time--I lived in Washington state 17 years.</li><li>I have an awesome Mom who amazes me with her love and unique ways. Her wholesomeness has helped me to become the person that I am today...</li><li>I'm thankful to be part of three great families: mine, Bill's and God's; I love them all "no matter what"...because they are a special gift given to me to help me grow in love.</li></ol>Whew, enough already about me....PS My dear Daddy was pretty awesome too, but I want to devote a whole blog entry to him later.... <p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-5970016459729437669?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-36420236209979631122008-12-13T08:08:00.000-08:002008-12-13T08:54:20.879-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUPmq2_OmYI/AAAAAAAAACQ/IPnbUJbI0iA/s1600-h/pictures+2008-06-03+096.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279316812197960066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/SUPmq2_OmYI/AAAAAAAAACQ/IPnbUJbI0iA/s200/pictures+2008-06-03+096.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>Words are a special gift from God. People that share them in a productive, creative way are such a blessing. It is truly a gift. </div> <div></div><div>A couple years ago I saw a class in the continuing ed booklet for a free journaling class. I was intrigued, so I signed up and what a nice surprise. Ten to fifteen complete strangers, mostly women, writing about a certain subject each from their own unique perspective. The most beautiful thing of all to me was I had no idea those kind of thoughts and experiences would come from a particular person. If I saw that person on the street, I would have no access to the depth and beauty of what that person wrote in that small circle of women. It really gave me new respect for the comman person's experience. I learned that people have gone through a lot in their lives, especially the older folk, and I just loved to hear about the way things were compared to how they are now.</div> <div></div><div>I feel so blessed to have the blogosphere space to "blog my heart out" and to be able to read what's on your heart too (or to see your latest creative masterpiece!) Being able to speak about what's on your heart and about the things that are important--whether sacred or frivolous--is the key to unlocking the mystery of another person so as to know and love that person too. If we only knew the inner workings of our fellow man, we would be more connected and compassionate... </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>P.S Sweet Pea the cat says, "Have a purrrrrlovely day!"</div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-3642023620997963112?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-44922663939633149712008-12-08T13:47:00.000-08:002008-12-08T15:32:28.727-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/ST2t9dwwW4I/AAAAAAAAABo/KOwKDYhsbKI/s1600-h/DSC02522.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277565609820838786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/ST2t9dwwW4I/AAAAAAAAABo/KOwKDYhsbKI/s200/DSC02522.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div>I just love the blog world; so many adventures to be had going in and out, around and about from link to link. Sometimes I can't find my way back if I forget to write down where I was. I've been telling everyone I know about this great, creative place where people freely share their hearts and inspirational talents. (And, oh by the way, I got so inspired, I started one too!) So if you have come here as a starting place, linger awhile and read and enjoy!! I have to admit though, after travelling around the blogosphere a bit myself, there is so much more to be than this humble, little simple blogspot... So make sure you click around all the links that tickle your fancy until you take in all the creative bounty you can stand--blessings abound!!!! I have to tell you about what happened while I was cruising blogspots about an hour ago; I had one of those "God thing" coincidences!!! I stumbled across another blogspot <a href="http://chandlerpartyof7.blogspot.com/">http://chandlerpartyof7.blogspot.com/</a>that was written on December 3rd that used the same picture that I posted with my blog later that same day (It was done by a different artist). The other thing that is unbelievable is that when I stumbled across it today, December 8th, I was serendipidously adventuring though the blogosphere. I wasn't looking for anything in particular; I just kept clicking on anything that looked interesting, so I was all over the place, wherever my whimsy took me. The picture I'm talking about is the one called "The Good Shepherd". This makes me pause and think how He has strange and wonderful ways to speak to (me) us and it confirms in my soul how much He cares and wants (me) us to know it...Wow!!! How awesome is our God?!!! I love you, Lord, thank you.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-4492266393963314971?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-30488826130711592932008-12-04T18:11:00.000-08:002008-12-08T15:41:00.049-08:00FOR TODAY December 4, 2008... <a href="http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/Standard%20Bible%20Story%20Readers,%20Book%20One/images/scan0026.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 211px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 287px" alt="" src="http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/Standard%20Bible%20Story%20Readers,%20Book%20One/images/scan0026.jpg" border="0" /></a> Outside my window...It's dark, but there are white <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">icicle</span> lights with round red bulbs lined around the top on my next door neighbor's house. I am thinking...I'm going to have to finish this later because I have to leave in 10 minutes to go to a Bible Study. I am thankful for...thoughtful and creative blogspots; I'm still totally gobsmacked by them and the beautiful people that create them--thank you!!! From the learning rooms...To trust the Holy Spirit to guide my life and to be still and listen to Him... From the kitchen...Brown rice and veggies for my finiky stomach--oh the joys of getting older--just can't eat what I used to... I am wearing...White long sleeve V-neck tee with black Travelers pants, a red quilted vest and brown Uggs. I am creating...An appliqued quilt square for a quilt my Bible Study putting together to a raffle off to help Dalit women of India next spring. I am going...To my Bible study in just a few moments. I am reading...Galations 5:16-26 in Max Lucado's study of Galations. I am hoping...I will get there on time! I am hearing...My laptop making it's funny little hums and clicks and my hubby milling around in the next room, and my cat's claws ticking down the hall across the Pergo floor. Around the house...Not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse. Lots to be done, as usual... One of (a few) my favorite things...Love, God's love and the tradition and beauty of Christmas. Also retro Christmas carols... A few plans for the rest of the week: Finish this blog piece, rethink meal plans to help lower cholesterol, work on Christmas cards and gifts that need sending out. Sing in 3 services this weekend with our wonderful choir and go to a <u>Third Day</u>/<u>By the Tree</u> benefit concert!! Here is picture thought I am sharing... See above photo by Lillie A Faris, I don't know how to get it down here--waaaaa!!! Please go to: <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/</a> if you would like to do one of these daybooks--it's fun!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-3048882613071159293?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-57442149040579839732008-12-03T14:28:00.000-08:002008-12-06T09:24:18.638-08:00<div align="center"> <a href="http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/StandardBibleStoryReadersBook5/images/scan0034.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 182px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/StandardBibleStoryReadersBook5/images/scan0034.jpg" border="0" /></a> For Today... </div><div align="left">Dear Lord,</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><em><span style="color:#ff6666;">I bring you my shortcomings...</span></em>my inability to express and live out your love to those who mock you, and for holding a grudge, not knowing what to do (or not being obedient to do it...) </div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="color:#33ffff;">I bring you my worship and praise...</span></em>That even when I was the person who used to mock and shun you, you still loved me and welcomed me back into your loving arms after 25 years of thinking I could white-knuckle it on my own...and that you allowed me make the choice of how I wanted to live my life and what kind of legacy I wanted to leave the world...</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#66ff99;"><em>I bring you my prayer</em>...</span>that you would use me to be a humble light in the world to spread your message to true love for humanity especially to those who are struggling with accepting and understanding how you love us more that we could even imagine or comprehend... </div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="color:#ffff00;">You spoke to me...</span></em> as I read other women's blogs today and saw the evidence of how you have touched so many lives already and have blessed us with a wholesomeness and creativity that is so beautiful and wonderful that it fills my heart with joy! </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Thank you, Lord...</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#ff99ff;">http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/</span></a></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/StandardBibleStoryReadersBook5/images/scan0034.jpg">Photo</a> by Lillie A Faris</div><div align="left"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-5744214904057983973?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-64930602517647894212008-11-30T18:05:00.000-08:002008-12-08T15:35:00.432-08:00Tomorrow is the first day of December.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/STNHxZsNIyI/AAAAAAAAABc/yWp7O6NxIAw/s1600-h/DSCF0076.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274638502616441634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/STNHxZsNIyI/AAAAAAAAABc/yWp7O6NxIAw/s200/DSCF0076.JPG" border="0" /></a> All the yellow, orange, and brown of Autumn gets put away, and out comes the red, white, and green of the Christmas season. The weather is finally getting cool enough to make a fire in the fireplace and to bake heartwarming meals in the oven. Now that the days are getting shorter, I am enjoying the little white lights that line the ceilings of the kitchen, dining room, bedroom and bath. The neighbors are also starting to decorate with pretty lights and Christmas displays; it's a joy seeing how it cheers up the streets in the darkness. Inside, it is not uncommon to find Buttons and Sweet Pea snuggling together to keep warm on the bed in the guest room or curled up in the sun in a south-facing window. It's marvelous how they have the ability to relax and nap so serenely. The Christmas season is upon us; I will make each day a celebration of my Saviour's birth.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-6493060251764789421?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7177209298409954852.post-73808964559791108842008-11-29T17:53:00.000-08:002008-11-30T17:45:55.467-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/STNBe3MUj8I/AAAAAAAAABU/rVLKrb2NTb4/s1600-h/pictures+2007-06-04+015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274631587048492994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 102px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 122px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8PJDjGukN4/STNBe3MUj8I/AAAAAAAAABU/rVLKrb2NTb4/s200/pictures+2007-06-04+015.jpg" border="0" /></a> What a great day to start a blogsite. The day after Thanksgiving many of us are recovering from an overabundance of blessings. God is so good to provide every good thing, and I dedicate this blogsite to Him and give thanks for all the blessings and abundance He has given me in my life. I thank Him for giving me life, both physical and spiritual. I thank God for sending His only Son to die for us on the cross to save us from our sins so we could be reconciled with Him and have eternal life with Him in heaven and an abundant life here on earth. I thank Jesus for His love for us that He would give up His life for us. I thank God for my husband, my parents, my family, friends and church. I thank Him for our country, the freedoms we have to pursue happiness and wholesome living. I thank God for simple, humble things like a sweet kiss from my Honey, a baby's laugh, a bird song, a sun ray or a butterfly. And I'm thankful for quiet moments and the soft purr and warmth of my "kittens". I thank Him for home and hearth in our comfortable little nest I call a "Sea Cottage"--a girl can dream, can't she? I thank You, Lord for each new day that You give me to serve You and love others with Your awesome love. To God be all the glory, honor and praise for ever and ever, amen.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7177209298409954852-7380896455979110884?l=wholesomelivingjournal.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00303785343261309403noreply@blogger.com1