When the Bucket List Needs a Makeover....

Life happens. Things Change. Curve balls come. When I was younger in the earlier part of marriage and motherhood, I would get quite upset when change happened. I am kind of a stickler for routines and flows. I know. LOL!  I have learned a lot with age! 😆😆

Something happens as you get older and you realize life is a lot more joyful if you just grab your seat and go with it. It may get bumpy, wild, hard, fun, crazy, wonderful and tearful all in one go. One thing for sure is that things CHANGE. 

I had my made my beautiful, curated Spring Bucket List and shared it with you all when spring kicked off. Well, some things changed for me physically and besides letting this rain on my Spring Bucket List Parade I have decided it just simply needs a makeover. 

I think sometimes we have a hard time saying, "that isn't going to work" and start over. Sometimes it just has to be done. It usually works out for the better most of the time. 

I know that most people (including all my family and most friends) think Memorial Day is the kick off to Summer starting, but I am one of those purist 😅 that really clings from ONE SEASON TO THE NEXT and because I go by dates not holidays or weather I still have plenty of time to get some things on my Bucket List done before Summer hits and before my surgery!

I have until June 21st 3:24 a.m. (central time in USA) 😆 My surgery is June 22nd. SIGH!!!!!!!!!!!! 😞

Here is my previous bucket list....

As you can tell I have done TWO! LOL! Well, life happened right after I made this list. Some of it seems pretty simple but with my current situation physically most is a no go, or it needs to be made with some accommodations. 

Here is my more simplistic and modified NEW ONE filled with things I feel I could pull off and if not.... OH well! It will be alright! Life will continue and I will be just fine. 😆

A lot of these may seem super simplistic compared to my other one but it is what I feel I can do and it brings me a little joy thinking of some of the ways I can make all these things happen. I can combine a few of these things so that will be neat and fun!!! Like I can drive to a new to me state park and have a picnic. Boom. :)

Have you done things on your spring bucket list? Are you planning for summer already? Do you even do bucket lists? Not everyone does and some may think it is silly, but I do like having a plan to really do some fun simple things here and there. It makes life more shall I say JOYFUL!

Until Next Time, 

Chrissy T

Wednesday Hodgepodge Time

 Joining this week's Hodgepodge....From This Side of the Pond!!!

Welcome and I hope you are having a lovely week so far! Please go check out this beautiful blog above!

1. Do you like your name? Are you named after someone (grandparent, etc)? If you have children how did you choose their names?

I have never really thought about it. I must like it then. I don't dislike it. My full name (not last) is Christina Lynn. I go by Chrissy 99 percent of the time and all of my life. I am rarely ever called Christina except the doctor's office because I use my "legal" name. 

Lynn is my mother's name. I am not sure how Christina came about. My grandmother suggested it to my mom, I believe. 

Our oldest son's name is Nathaniel Ethan. Nathaniel is after my husband's grandfather, and Ethan is from a soap opera I watched. I NO LONGER WATCH THOSE! I was sick and bedridden for my entire pregnancy with 24/7 morning sickness and had IV therapy to help. So, one day I was watching this silly soap opera, and I heard the name and I liked it. 

Our daughter's name is Hannah June Grace. I chose this name after lots of prayer, and this is what came to my mind what Hannah Grace, but I wanted to add my grandmothers name (June) so that is how I came up with her name.

Our youngest son's name has a whole different story. His name is Kyle Bryce. We actually had a totally different name all throughout the pregnancy and even called him that up until the night before I gave birth. I had a scheduled cesarean. We originally named him Nicholas Cade. My mom even had a pillow made and I felt so bad BUT it didn't feel right. We were praying the night before and when we kept praying his name it didn't feel right. Literally, I cannot explain it and wish I could, but I felt Kyle Bryce and that is what we named him. And yes... people were upset. LOL!

2. A piece of red velvet cake, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a slice of blueberry pie? You can only have one...which will you choose? If you could pick any red, white, or blue dessert other than those listed here, what would you choose?

Red Velvet Cake. I like cake. But I like all that is suggest. But I had a choice Blueberry Cobbler. 

3. What's a job you'd like to try for just one day?

A detective! LOL! OR a Travel Guide. I can't choose one! Sorry!

4. Any patriotic decor in your home currently or coming up this summer?

I used to go ALL OUT from Memorial Day to Mid-July! I do not any longer due to time, storage and a few other personal reasons. I do hang a wreath closer to July that is usually patriotic. We put out our large Yard Flag around Flag Day and Fourth. I do always do a patriotic tablescape when we cook out for the fourth. But I do not in general decorate anymore inside for the summer in a patriotic way. 

5. It's the end of May, so let's exercise our brains. Sum up your month with an acrostic using the word MAY. We can do it!!

Many hard weeks this past month. That is all I can say. 

Amazed how we are basically halfway done with the year 2026. Insane.

Yearning for better days ahead with my health but trying to focus on the small little things that bring me joy.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I simply do not have one truly, but I will share a verse I read that I enjoyed today.

"In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence and his children will have a refuge." Proverbs 14:16

Blessings Friends!

Chrissy T

Oh, the WONDER of a Sunset & a Walking Path

Hello everyone. I hope you all had a lovely weekend. I had a slow and quiet weekend. I did get out Sunday evening for a stroll. I needed it to just take a slow walk. I enjoyed the little path that I went to up the road from me. 

The walking path was filled all along it. Bushes and bushes. They will probably be ripe next week. 

I remember one time my husband and I went and picked a bunch of berries close to my mother in law's home, and she made berry dumplings with them. IT WAS DELISH! I am not sure of the recipe because a lot of things she did was from her on concoctions. Carolyn was a wonderful cook. She made the best fried okra I have ever tasted. I also never had rice pudding until she made it one evening and it was superb. I love it to this day. But really, I have never tasted it like the way she made it. 

As I was leaving I noticed this beautiful sunset. It was like a watercolor painting. So, I did what any sunset chasing crazy lady would do.... I rolled my windows down and drove towards the sunset to capture all I could.

I pulled over in a safe parking lot and took these next pictures. I just thought it was magnificent. There are no filters on any of these pictures. This is just a basic photo off an old cellphone. :) 

I sat there until it totally almost went down. I just love how beautiful sunsets are!!! It is like the earth sighs and gets ready for sleep (well part of the earth anyways) and it just makes you feel like it is tucking in to say goodnight. 

Slowly and slowly, it sets! It was such a lovely evening. Psalm 19:1 " “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.”

I have not caught many sunrises in my life, but I always catch sunsets. I love them. Some of my most memorable ones are on a vacation to Petit Jean Mountain in Arkansas. Oh, I will have to find that picture and share it. It was marvelous. 

The second one was St. Mark's Nature Preserve in Floridia this past September. It was breathtaking. 

The third one was on Dania Beach, Floridia. 

I am sure there are more, but these are the most memorable. 

Are you a sunrise, sunset or beautiful sky chaser? In other words, do the skies and all the glory of them stop you in your tracks?

Until Next Time.... go watch a sunrise or sunset!

Chrissy T

Just Few Fun and Cute Sayings....

Hello all. I hope you all had a good Thursday! We are heading into the weekend. A longer one for some as Memorial Day approaches. 

Here are some cute little sayings off PINTEREST that I have saved recently. I just wanted to share them! Please note... I did not create these images. 

Absolutely living this right now! Making lemonade... baby!!!!   

🍋🍋🍋🍋

This was saved off Pinterest, and I cannot take any credit for this adorable image!!! 

Oh, this word.... Snerdle!!!! Isn't delightful?!

Haha! I am not sure I would go around telling people I am "pootling" BUT it is such a cute thought! I actually try to be very intentional that if I feel myself rushing to pause and intentionally slow my pace, action or whatever I am doing. So, I guess I am "pootling!" 😏😆

I hope you all have a lovely weekend. 

With Love, 

Chrissy T

Little Surprises

Hello! I hope everyone is doing well. YOU ALL..... I was blessed beyond measure with little surprises today. After sharing my vulnerability with you all yesterday about loneliness the Lord truly showed up for me today. I woke up to SEVERAL not just a FEW but SEVERAL texts and calls. It was so crazy. People checking in and asking if I wanted to have a chat on the phone, people texting me that they are thankful for me and it was insanely amazing. 

I do not have any readers on my blog that I know personally other than my mom. I also do not have any other social media platform so most everyone I know would not know what I am going through. Back to this blog, I keep this space my little "private pocket of space" from personal friends, family (except my mom) and our church family. I like having my own space to write and record memories. As a pastor's wife I already live in a glass house, so I prefer to keep this part of my life private. I say all this to say...... I knew that me sharing the post yesterday about how I was feeling and then waking up and experiencing blessing after blessing of love and care HAD TO BE THE LORD. I am VERY THANKFUL that HE SEES US. I had not shared that with anyone how I felt at all except you all and the Lord. 

One of the texts I received was from a Nigerian couple that has relocated to our church working at a college as professors close by our town. They are the sweetest family I have ever met. I love them dearly. They were telling me they wanted to surprise me for lunch from Chick Fil A today. I was shocked because I knew this was a sacrifice for them. They showed up in the rain to deliver it to me. I was so beyond THANKFUL. I told them they didn't have to, but they replied that they were so excited to do this for me and really wanted me to accept their blessing. Well, I did. It was delish!

It was a day I needed to rest and be okay with RESTING. I have left our home for a little bit on Monday and Tuesday because I was going stir crazy. I was feeling low energy from it today though. So, a nice lunch was well received. I plated it up and listened to some slow soft piano music and with the rain drizzling made it the perfect lunch. 

Then, after I was finishing up lunch, I heard my ring doorbell and I wasn't going to answer because I figured it was amazon delivery 😏 but I decided to look to see who it was on my door camera and I seen a man standing at my door with flowers. I thought for sure they were at the wrong home BUT THEY WERE NOT. A pastor's wife that I haven't spoken to in a year or even seen in a year had sent me flowers because she felt led to. TALKING ABOUT SURPRISED! 

ARE THEY NOT BEAUTIFUL!?! Not only did she send me my favorite flower white roses and hydrangeas (she had no idea my favorite anything) she kept being drawn to the blue and white bouquet and chose that to be sent to me, WHICH IS THE MAIN COLOR SCHEME of our home AND MY FAVORITE COLOR COMBOS!!!

I am so thankful for the verse she sent on the card and for the Lord putting on her heart to do such a thing. It totally blew my mind!!! Duet 31:8

THEN.... YES... another thing.... 😆

I got a random text from someone in our church and she said.... "Hey, would you like to have a chat? I just felt led to ask." So, I called her and we laughed, talked, cried and shared our hearts. OH, MY SOUL!!! I AM THANKFUL FOR A GOOD CHAT!

My sister never chats much because she has a lot on her plate with work and young kiddos but randomly, she texted me and we shared our desire to do fairy doors on our trees. LOL! Yes... I know weird but hey!!! 😏

The image that I am sharing is an idea off Pinterest. The kits are from Amazon, and they glow in the dark. EEK!! 

My mom sent me this idea today as well. She knows I love blue and white plates!!! She thought the idea was different but neat. I love it. 

I am thankful for the way the Lord reminded me today that He does see me, He heard my heart and prayer yesterday and showed me that I am not alone. 

I will leave you with this sweet quote my sister and I shared with each other and loved it. 

I want to share one more shot of the beautiful flowers. The larkspur is so beautiful! I want to plant some now. They attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Oh, I am thankful for flowers. 

Until Next Time, 

Chrissy T

A Slow Evening Stroll & I am not Alone~ Thankfulness

 

Hello everyone. This was my last picture I took today. It isn't perfect quality, but it was perfect to see in person on my slow walk this evening. The temperature was nice and light breeze! I ended my day with a SLOW STROLL. Thankful I can walk. Thankful for the beauty of the moon. Thankful for the breeze.

We put out our flag for Memorial Day coming up. A lot of homes do the same that surround our home. I love the image I captured as it was blowing in the wind!! Thankful for those that gave up, sacrificed and fought for a country they believed in. 

Thankful for the salad bar at Whole Foods. I had to go to Whole Foods for a return for Amazon. This was the only place that would take my return because I didn't have the original package. It was a little drive, but it was a nice treat because I do not get to go to Whole Foods often. I will be honest as I sat and ate the salad looking out the patio and seeing the beauty of nature there was a sense of loneliness that came over. I think it is because I have been pretty isolated lately. It was strange feeling. I am thankful for these feelings because they remind me that I am not really lonely truly. It just a tough season. :) 

I am extremely THANKFUL that the Lord showed me that I am not alone at all. I was surprised by a homecooked meal, bread and fresh mini muffins and a sweet conversation from a young new Christian lady in our church that wanted to bless our family. 

I received a text from a friend that I hadn't heard from in a long time. I am thankful. 

How thankful I am that God showed me that I am not alone. He sees. Others see. 

With Love, 

Chrissy

Grumpy to Grateful

Hello everyone! I will just say that I have been a grump lately! LOL! All my health issues, personal issues I do not share, and life in general has led me down the "Ms. Grumpy" path or "Mrs. Grump" my husband would say. I know it isn't becoming.  JUDGE FREE ZONE here. :)

Today, I had to really FORCE myself to see the silver lining in our current situations. So, after some time in prayer, reading some verses, and trying to force myself to stop sulking... I just said enough is enough. Let's fine some fun today and be joyful no matter the circumstance. 

Shall we say... I had to give myself a good ole kick in the rump and practice being grateful no matter...

What really helped me?! Well, I get a typed pen pal letter monthly that comes with a beautifully themed postcard, sticker and a positive letter. This right here lit my day!!!

I love pen paling and I love handwritten or special letters. This month's theme hit me right in the heart. I needed it!!! Oh, how I would love to have more real-life pen pals where we share recipes, positive encouragement and uplifting messages. :)  I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THIS TIMELY LETTER!

I NEEDED NATURE and when I say NEEDED, I mean it. I took a slow little jaunt around our local nature trail. I just truly walked slow, breathed deep, and listened to the birds. 

Letting the sun hit my face, feeling the breeze of the light wind, and hearing the birds in the glory did my soul good. I am very THANKFUL for this little local path that is easy and accessible for those that can't walk long and hard trails. This gave me just what I needed. It put a pep in my step. 

I am grateful for donuts. MY FUN thing for the day was to treat myself to a donut after my walk. I actually stopped by the donut shop on the way and saved it for my treat after my walk. 

I always use my Merlin Bird Sound App on my walks and hikes. I was recording and the app picked up the bird of the day (which is rare for me to actually catch on recordings) and it was so neat to catch this birds sound. I didn't see it, however. Today, I did record the LOUD Black Crow, Wood Thrush, and Carolina Wren.

I am so grateful for birds. I love birds!!! I am grateful to have been able to be outdoors. 

I ended my evening with some diamond painting!! 

 

Yes, that is some greek yogurt and fruit. My dessert. :) I thought I would balance out the donut with steamed zucchini for dinner and this for dessert. LOL!

I am thankful to my mom for introducing me to diamond painting. 

This has me thinking.... While I am in my "taking it slow" era due to health that I want to be intentional to find things I am grateful for because my situation could always be worse. I also want to do something a little joyful or fun each day I can. 

You may see me post more on this during this week!

Until next time, 

Chrissy T