White Out!

It's all white today.  Icy rain fell over night and covered the trees and ground making for a beautiful site.  Then a light dusty of snow covered that ice.  Although lovely, makes for a treacherous drive.  Many schools are delayed a bit.  As I was picking out the clothes for the day, I heard the cough.  Felt the little one and knew - whoops - we won't be going to school today.  The thermometer read 101 degrees.  It was inevitable - My Man was sick all weekend and J and I hoped to come out unscathed, but it was not to be.  He and I both seemed to have fallen ill to this junk that is going around.  The good thing is that you don't feel that bad, but the fever comes, the cough comes, the tightness in the chest and BAM, you got it.  If I feel up to it and can bundle up enough, I'd like to get out and shoot a few of the White Out.  But, first I'll make some Chicken N Dumplins'.  That will cure what ails ya for sure.  

Paisley Party

Captured this amazing photo of Brad Paisley picking his little heart out at his concert last night.  They all did a great job.  The music was terrific.  The Graphic Animations were beautiful.  Altogether terrific show.  Go see Brad when he is in your neck of the woods.  

Dream Home Sweepstakes!

I have been faithfully entering the HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes for 5 years and counting.  I am not typically one to enter contests, but there is something about this one.  I am so in to homes and decor that this contest is my thing.  I secretly see myself winning each year and make plans in my head as to how I will move all my things to my new home.  What I will keep and take with me and what I will give away.  These dream homes come loaded with practically everything one needs to keep a home, so really all that you need to bring with you are personal effects, such as pictures and memorabilia and clothes.  Oh yes, your wardrobe.  These closets are fit for a king and are empty awaiting your garb.  This years dream home is set in Sonoma California; a most beautiful place.  The grounds around the home are perfectly manicured, landscaped to the hilt.  They include a vegetable garden and an herb garden and flowers galore.  It is prime growing country.  There is plenty of room for entertaining inside and outside this home.  I know our family would have a blast living there, at least for a while.  

As much as I would love to win this home, I must admit, it would be quite an ordeal to uproot our lives and just take off to Sonoma.  We would have to consider jobs, schools, friends and family. I heard that most people who win these homes, sell them, because they don't want to change locations and the taxes on their winnings, make it almost impossible to keep.    As I was pondering these things this week, I believe God brought to my mind another Dream Home.  My Dream Home in heaven or as some call it, my Mansion.  First I wondered, am I as apt to think about my mansion each day, as I have been that dream home in Sonoma?  Am I as motivated to register for my home in glory as I have been to register to win this home on earth.  I have been known to put a sticky note on my laptop as a reminder to enter my name in the dream home drawing.  Do I put that much effort in my preparation for the dream home that is already mine?  You see when I gave my life to Christ and He became my Lord, I won the real, Dream Home Sweepstakes.  Immediately, I had my Mansion next door to Jesus.  There was no hoping to win, keeping my fingers crossed, competing with other entries.  Nor will there be any disappointment, when that day comes.  No one else will take my dream home away from me. Or win it instead of me.   He has already signed the property deed and He put my name on it.  And the great news....there are plenty of Dream Homes to be had. No one has to be disappointed.  No one has to lose. John 14:2 says "In my Father's house, there are many mansions..."  Many mansions.  A gift to those who ask Jesus to be Lord of their life and follow Him.  Fully equipped with everything one would need to keep a home.  Beyond breathtaking, perfectly manicured gardens. Trees with twelve types of fruit on them each month.  Rivers that flow clear as crystal.   I could go on and on.  Read it for yourself in Revelation chapters 21 and 22.   It's truly amazing and truly a Dream Home beyond anything we could ever build or even think of, on earth.  Our minds can not fully grasp what He has in store for us in the New Jerusalem.  But let me tell you, I'm registered, my name is in the Book of Life, on that deed and I am ready to go in the blink of an eye.  And I don't even need to pack.  Glory!

Build My Mansion by Dottie Rambo

Just build my mansion  next door to Jesus

And tell the angels   I'm coming home

It doesn't matter   who lives around me

Just so my mansion  sits near God's throne

I have no castles no earthly kingdom

but my cabin will do 'til I get home

My mansions yonder  on the hills of glory

Oh I know my mansion  sits near God's throne

Slow Fade

It's a beautiful day here today.  Finally no wind and lots of sunshine.   I've been memorizing lyrics to the song Slow Fade to sing in church this Sunday.  It's about not numbing out your mind to the things of this world and slowing fading away from what is right and important.  I've heard it said that "What parents allow in moderation, children will accept in excess."  Pretty scary really.  We must remember to put the brakes on the things of this world and focus on what is good, noble, true, trustworthy and pure.  Only God Himself is all of those things.  When we set our eyes on Him, He will give us the desires of our heart.  It is only then that the desires of our heart will be inline with what He desires for us.  He knows the plans He has for us.  Plans to prosper and not harm us.   From obedience comes blessing!  Press on Dear Ones!  Finish the race you have started.  You are not alone.  He is right there cheering you on!!!

New Year's Resolution Redo

As you can see I've been decorating and redoing.  I promised myself when we bought this house that the first project I would tackle personally would be getting that purple sponge painting out of the guest room.  So....I decided to utilize all my antiques and create a beautiful Grandmother room.  I think any lady would love to spend the night  here.  It's like a regular Bed and Breakfast now.  So different from the rest of the house, which is deep red and rustic upstairs and black and shiney downstairs.  But it's fun.  Enjoy!