One single dandelion.....

Today I'm linking to Jeremiah 29:11. Be sure and pay a visit and join the fun.

I was looking out my window yesterday and noticed one single dandelion popped up in the yard next door. Its brilliant yellow a deep contrast to the crisp green grass. What made it even more amazing is he had just mowed earlier that day and the grass was neat and trim. But there, standing alone, was that one small dandelion.

It got me to thinking about the life of a dandelion. They have a short lifespan and can turn from the pretty yellow to the white "blowing" ones overnight. They regenerate themselves by changing to the white and letting their seeds be redistributed. They have a very deep taproot that is hard to remove and lawn fanatics lament about the invasive dandelions and invest small fortunes to keep their yards free.

So to sum up what I found out about the dandelion. It is not very well received. While some plot and plan to do away with it, it's seeds still live on and it grows stronger and more powerful with time.

Is that not like our Lord? Though Jesus had earthly friends, He basically walked alone. While some despised Him and plotted against Him, they were not able to completely destroy him. Though they pierced His side and crucified Him. He arose. Isaiah 11:1 says And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

God has planted the seeds with the crucifixion of His beloved Son. Evil cannot destroy it. Hatred can not wipe it out. It is like the dandelion that continues to see rebirth over and over again. The love of God is a deep root that replenishes each of us with the seeds of His love, mercy and grace.

What a wonderful thought......

I was just watching the news and seeing all the destruction in Greenback, TN from the tornado last night. They have determined it was an F3. There is a lot of devastation, but a lot of wonderful stories from the survivors of miracles that befell them last night.

But this one scene showed a church that had been hit real bad. He show some of the congregation looking at the destruction and one elderly lady took one look around and said "God is still God."

How blessed to have that type of attitude in the face of destruction. God is still God. I'm going to have to do a plaque or something with that on it. I love it. It is going to be my new mantra.

A Beth Moore Moment....

If you love Beth Moore, you will love this one. It is one of my favorite stories she tells.

Things that remind me of my grandmothers......

I strive to be a good grandmother. I want my grandchildren to look back on the years with a fondness and deep abiding love. I want them to know and enjoy the simple things in life. I want to be one of their "Remember when" moments when they grow older. I loved both of my grandmothers so much and miss them dearly. There are times when certain things just make me remember them with such clarity that it is like they have never left. One passed away 38 years ago and one 23 years ago. But certain items just take me back to those special days and times that I shared with them. Here are some of the things that make me think of one or both of them......

Dove Soap

Cashmere Bouquet bath powder in the plastic tub with a puff

Scotch Lad Ice Cream

Peppermint sticks

Pennies

Chocolate fudge
Crochet Doilies
Quilts
Bibles

Hershey's Chocolate Syrup Cake

Pound Cake

Fried Chicken

Ice Tea

Handkerchiefs

Aprons

Rook Card Game

Rummy

Rugs

Gomer Pyle

Swivel Rockers

Bolsters (1 long pillow)

Chiffarobes

Picture Chests

Mantel Clocks

African Violets

Each one of those items evokes many memories of love, laughter and good times. I hope I can leave a legacy of love for my grandchildren like my precious grandmothers left for me.

A family affair....

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Yesterday was my oldest grandchild's birthday party. We had a fabulous time. At one point in the evening, I was just watching and listening and I thought about how blessed I am that both of my children married into good families who share the same values we do. My family gets along so well with the in-law families that we tend to mesh into one huge family. In twelve years of marriage for both my children, there has never been any bickering, arguing over who gets what holiday, no "one-upmanship" with the grandchildren. We all work together to insure each side gets to honor their family traditions. I'm very blessed. I tried to get that elusive photo of all five grandchildren. It didn't happen. With it being so beautiful outside, I couldn't get them all to land in one place at one time so I just went around happily snapping photos and took what I could get.

Garret, Shelby, Caleb

Caleb and Colby

 Garret & Shelby

My twins, Diana and Chris with Alexis (my children do NOT look at all like twins, do they?)

Shelby and Alexis

Alexis

Garret and Caleb

My son his boys

Shelby and her Aunt Jamie, my daughter-in-law. Looks like an intense conversation.

Chris and Colby

Caleb...picture a big ball, three young boys running and a HUGE mud hole....'nuf said?



Welcome, Spring. We've missed you.

Happy first day of spring! It's going to be a glorious day. Sunday School and church this morning. Then this evening we are going to our grandson's birthday party; which means I'll get to spend some good time with all the family. I'm going to try to remember to get pictures of all five grandchildren, but sometimes that is easier said than done.

Yesterday was a beautiful day. I brought out the capri pants and wore one of my new pair of flip flops. We went shopping at Turkey Creek in Knoxville. We did a lot of outdoor walking from shop to shop instead of driving to each new location. It was awesome. I got my little Welcome Spring sign at Target
for $2.99. I love it. I always try to have something new for each season or holiday on my front door. Friday, hubby and I were out driving around and on the way home, we stopped by the lake. It looks like they are starting to let the lake level rise to summer pool. Believe it or not, we saw 3 women in bathing suits walking down to the swimming area with their towels....I do believe that is called "rushing it a little." The swimming area doesn't even have water in it yet. There were a lot of picnic-ers out on Friday.


This is the view from my Sunday school teachers back yard. Isn't it beautiful. Nothing says spring like trees starting to show their true colors. I hope you have a beautiful first day of Spring.

One perfect day....

I lost both of my grandfather's at a young age. Grandpa Garretson passed away when I was barely 2 1/2 and Papaw Eden when I was around 5. I don't remember Grandpa Garretson at all, but I do remember a few rare and cherished memories of Papaw Eden. As we get older, we can remember little snippets of time...a touch, a smell, a taste of the past. For some reason, one day stands out in my mind and lives on in my memory.

It was summertime. The windows were all open to let in what little bit of air was stirring. Mommy and Mamaw were in the kitchen cooking. I'm not sure what they were making, but from most of my memories growing up, there was probably chicken being cut up to fry in the old iron skillet, green beans fresh from a garden that has been strung earlier that day and a fresh pitcher of ice tea (sweet, of course). I'm sure Mom had a cake already made, probably chocolate or spice, and peaches cut up in the fridge.

I remember vividly that Daddy and Papaw were in the living room watching wrestling on the old black and white TV. One thing I do remember about Papaw is he loved watching wrestling. I remember going in the living room and them being excited about the match. I remember climbing on Papaw's lap for a few minutes, then jumping down to run back outside. Our tan and white beagle, Lady, would be lazing in the shade of the old oak tree or stretched out in the sun on the front porch.

I remember racing and playing in the yard with Rachel and Jack (Andy wasn't born yet). I remember us hollering in through the screen in the bedroom window. I don't know what we were hollering about, but I remember us doing that. I remember Daddy's smile when I ran back in the house. I remember running through the living room, into the kitchen and back out the back door. I remember Mom yelling out the window to "quit letting the screen door slam". I remember the table holding salt & pepper and a plastic butter dish. I remember a fly swatter laying on top the Fridge for all those nasty flies that we let in by running in and out the doors.

But most of all, I remember love. I remember laughter. And I remember Papaw. Even though I did not get to have him for long, what time I had with him was precious. It's perfect days like that day that makes for the fondest memories.

Take a walk down your memory lane and see what images you can recall. As you do, listen to the song by Wynonna Judd. It was so much like my life growing up that I can't listen to it without it bringing tears to my eyes and memories to my heart.