Wednesday, July 30, 2014

I remember that! {summer edition}

Here are a few photos that will bring back memories for some of you and the rest of you will shake your head in disbelief that anyone would wear/use/like any of these. 

We’ll start off with some fashion.



These were obviously not purchased at Nordstrom (the elastic tie is your only cue) but we all wore them.  They had fake velvet straps and they smelled like wet straw. 

You could wear them with…


a pair of cut-off jeans like these with the comfy drop-pleat band. 


If your jeans were feeling tight, you might try these:


They may have been safe but they weren’t effective.  We ate them like candy because that's what they were called, hoping for some sort of miracle!  The name just sounds so wrong now.


But of course we still went to McDonalds for twoallbeefpattiesspecialsaucelettucecheesepicklesonionsonasesameseedbun
where I remember seats like this:

 

On the tables you would find these:


Yes, ashtrays.  Because people smoked in every restaurant everywhere.  It was awful.



What is this, you ask?  Well, if you didn’t finish your coke and wanted to take it with you in your car (though I don't think there were any tops for the cups), the glove box had these convenient indents to secure your drink.  Maybe they were designed as a place to set your pop while you were watching a movie at the drive-in?  I certainly can't remember thinking "I'll just set my pop on this indent while I make this sharp turn."
(By the way, did you say 'pop' or 'soda' or 'coke'?  We say pop here in the NW.)


For outdoor fun with your friends you might play a game of Jarts on your lawn, being very careful not to impale your friends with the sharp metal tips.



You would get all hot and sweaty so you would need something cold to drink.


You peeled back the metal pull-tab, dropped it inside the can and inhaled 10 oz of 1 calorie goodness.  With some M&Ms.




Maybe you tuned in your FM radio, adjusting the antennae so you could listen to ‘A Horse With No Name’ or ‘Stuck in the Middle With You.’ 



Or even better, you popped a cassette into your player and listened to Neil Diamond sing ‘I Am I Said’ and ‘Holly Holy’ and ‘Sweet Caroline’.


After a hot summer evening you might end up in a bubble bath with some of these stuck to the bottom of your tub.  (Ours were turquoise and light blue.)  You washed your hair with Lemon-Up shampoo, added Tame creme rinse, then it was time to swab your face with Clearasil, brush your teeth with Pearl Drops and head to your room.  You watered your spider plant, plugged in your lava lamp and perhaps you read a little Jonathan Livingston Seagull before you nodded off to sleep.

Those were the days, my friend!



Monday, July 28, 2014

Summer Snaps


When you’re married to a great photographer, your backyard flowers look like something in Sunset or a botanical garden brochure. 

I feel like asking, Are you sure those were taken in our yard?








Remember, I told you I love hot colors!  But a little white is nice, yes?







Check out the pollen on those legs!


And then this happened…


His friend came and landed on Jeff’s hat but of course we don't have a photo of that.


St. Francis with a camera!

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Birthday blessings


Another year has passed and I can honestly say I’m thankful to be 58!  It still sounds weird and impossible because 58-year-olds are very elderly but nevertheless, how could I be anything but grateful?  It’s silly to wish I weren’t 58.  Instead, I have MUCH to be thankful for these 58 years…


I am married to the only man I’ve ever loved – the love of my life.  My daughter said to me just today, “Mom, you got really lucky marrying Dad, didn’t you? Well, not lucky but you know…”  I told her I absolutely did. 

Blessed.

Three beautiful daughters. 

My firstborn – my peanut…


My middle sunshine and her husband…

 

And my baby, who surprised me yesterday by showing up on our doorstep with a bouquet of flowers (and two dogs, of course)…



Blessed.

And the sweetest most adorable grandbaby in the whole world…




Blessed.
Blessed in friendships.
Blessed in meaningful, stretching and God-dependent work.
Blessed with help through hard things. 
Blessed with strength in every weakness.
Blessed to be loved and forgiven by my faithful God.

I want to be like the one in Isaiah 58 to whom it is promised:

The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.  

Is 58:11


Lord, help me to fulfill my part of this promise and to be a light, a giver, one who meets the needs of others as You do.  I don’t have a fountain of youth but I have a fountain of living water!  And I need it!

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

On my nightstand




Because I’ve been rereading Jan Karon’s Mitford series (did I tell you that you really MUST read it if you haven’t yet?), I’m not getting a lot of other books read.  I don’t normally like to share books I haven’t read yet because what if they’re awful??  But these are in the queue and come highly recommended so I thought I’d share them.  I’ll give you a quick ‘Amazon’ description in case they might be something you too want to check out at your library…


In the Land of Blue Burqas by Kate McCord
Riveting and fast paced, In the Land of Blue Burqas depicts sharing the love and truth of Christ with women living in Afghanistan which has been called "the world's most dangerous country in which to be born a woman." These stories are honest and true. The harsh reality of their lives is not sugar-coated and that adds to the impact of the book. Through storytelling the author shows how people who don't know Christ come to see Him, His truth and His beauty. The stories provide insight into how a Jesus-follower brought Jesus' teachings of the Kingdom of God to Afghanistan. They reveal the splendor of Christ, the desire of human hearts, and that precious instance where the two meet.



The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it’s been more useful in communicating mistrust and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings. Now eighteen and emancipated from the system with nowhere to go, Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But an unexpected encounter with a mysterious stranger has her questioning what’s been missing in her life. And when she’s forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness.



Ruth and Billy Graham: The Legacy of a Couple by Nüesch Hanspeter
No one has preached the gospel to more people than evangelist Billy Graham. But behind this exceptional man is an equally exceptional woman who made his global ministry possible. Through her love, support, prayers, and personal ministry, Ruth helped shape the ten core values that have been foundational to the Grahams' ministry. In light of these core values, personal friend of the Grahams and director for Campus Crusade for Christ International in Switzerland Hanspeter Nüesch describes both the life and ministry of Billy and Ruth. This deeply personal book illuminates the legacy the Grahams leave to couples doing ministry today and into the future, sharing stories and anecdotes from their life and times.


The Nesting Place: It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful by Myquillyn Smith
The Nester is all about embracing reality—especially when it comes to decorating a home bursting with boys, pets, and all the unpredictable messes of life.  In The Nesting Place, Myquillyn shares the secrets of decorating for real people—and it has nothing to do with creating a flawless look to wow your guests. It has everything to do with embracing the natural imperfection and chaos of daily living.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Popsicle weather and stuff


  • It’s warm and humid around these parts (90° and rising today) which means I’m trying out some new homemade popsicle recipes.  Yesterday I made chocolate raspberry pops with fat free/sugar free chocolate pudding and fresh raspberry puree.  Doesn’t that sound good?  Not so much.  But I’m not giving up… Pinterest, I hope you come through for me!
  • I wanted to post a darling photo of my girls when they were little, sitting beside the pool in Palm Springs sans swimming suits after a day at the beach.  They would always come home and take a dip in the pool that way to rinse off all the sand in their hair, ears and everywhere else!  But I know better than to invite trouble on the internet (or the protests of three 20-something young women who would prefer that their mother not completely embarrass them).  You’ll have to trust me - it’s adorable.
  • Someone, again (3rd time??) got access to our credit card number. My clue?  Two charges on our recent statement for online dating services.  I always think this only happens to other people but since I’ve now had my SS# used to file a fraudulent tax return, I know it can happen to any of us.  I sure wish there was a way to trace how it happens.  Moral of this story:  Check your monthly statements!!

  • I am babysitting a fish.  I know a fish doesn’t require as much attention as a dog but it is making me neurotic.  Every time I walk past the fishbowl I check to see if it’s still moving.  Nothing worse than having your fish die at your aunt and uncle’s house while you’re on vacation.  Why is it a fancy blue one and not just a regular goldfish which could easily be replaced without anyone noticing?  My brother did tell me that Maddy asked him this morning on the way over to our house, “What’s his name again?” so I guess she’s not too attached.  Day 1 and Zoomer is still in motion.
  • Color matters to you too, right?  All of the dahlias that I purchased at Costco this spring have turned out to be completely different colors than was advertised on the packages they came in and they don't look good together. I know they would take them back (they take anything back) but still.  The same thing happened with tulips I bought there last fall!  The degree to which I feel disappointed is ridiculous.
         
  • I made raspberry jam over the weekend with berries I didn’t pick myself.

  • If reading this blog is your entertainment today, you’ve suffered a major letdown.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Strengthen me!




Feeling weak in faith?  Tired?  Out of hope?

Thank You Lord for being our strength today!

(This verse is on a 3x5 card in front of me today!)


Thursday, July 3, 2014

Links I Liked



16 things to look for that could make a fortune
@320sycamore
Maybe you should be selling that attic stash?

Making Half A Recipe
@bethandielowsaltrecipes
A super handy sheet that’s going up on my fridge!


Read What Else Hobby Lobby Forces on Employees
@madworldnews
Everyone is familiar with the current Supreme Court case involving the craft store giant, but there are many things about Hobby Lobby that are not being covered by the mainstream media.


Calling Everyone to the Dinner Table
@jesusculture.com
It is as if I can see a picture of a family dinner where the family sits down to eat but some of the chairs remain empty. The Father is delighted about His sons and daughters who are at the table with Him but there is still a yearning in His heart to see those who are no longer there to come back to their seat. The meal will not be complete without them.


Faith is More Than A Feeling
@lifeway.com
The engine of our lives shouldn't be our feelings; it should be our faith. The driving force, then, in all these situations isn't what you feel; it's what you believe.


What People Eat Around the World
@amusingplanet
Fascinating.


Keep the Old
@motherhoodandmuffintops
I loved Joni's post on the value (and fun) of having old friends.  And friends who are old.

So Mod
@whatever
Hot pink floors! Turquoise walls!  Yellow drapes!  A man in an apron!

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

The slob


Happy Independence Day Week!  Do you have your flag up yet?  I remember as a kid always wishing we had a flag on the front of our house and now, only forty years later, we do!

There is also a large magnolia tree in our front yard.  Magnolias are one of the few evergreens with leaves and my husband likes it because it’s big and leafy all year round.  What he pretends not to notice is that these trees drop leaves like a shedding dog.  All. The. Time.  365 days a year.


Our front lawn is always a mess.  I hate messy.  I’ll choose dirty over messy any day. My people have put up with my nagging about messes all their lives.  Who needs a tree that makes a mess?

I do not like this tree.

But then this happens…


  


These blossoms are bigger than dinner plates!

And then, within 24 hours…



they turn brown and crispy…


and they’re done.

Falling to the grass below, joining the hundreds of heavy brown pods and huge leaves scattered all over the lawn. 

If someone would like to accidentally drive their car into our tree, I’m sure your insurance would cover the damage to the car and we could find a replacement for this untidy monster.  Do a girl a favor.  Please?

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