Oh...Well.... Hello... Chilly Freeze Breeze!

Hello everyone. We have had some lovely warm days. Matter of fact we had days of 80's this weekend. Things are in bloom and birds are just as chirpy as ever BUT.................

DO NOT LET THESE BLOOMS & BEAUTIFUL SUNNY SKIES FOOL YOU.....

IT IS COLD! IT IS WINDY AND WE HAVE A HARD FREEZE ON THE WAY TONIGHT!!!

This happens every single year. Things will bloom and people will begin to plant things and then we have a freeze mid-March every single year. It causes damage and issues for landscaping and is brutal on our trees in our area. Last year our Azalea bushes and Crepe Myrtles were severely damaged by an ice storm that NOBODY expected. It was 88 one day and the next it was 18 and ice. 

Today's high is 40 but feels like 19 due to our wind. So, while it says 40 the weather man says it is feeling 19 degrees and we will drop into the low 20's. Now, I know some of you that are still in the throes of cold are probably saying that is nothing BUT here in the deep south where yesterday was 81 and today feels like this... it a big shock. :) 

Oh, well it is still beautiful!!! I will take it either way. I love cold!! So, I am good! :) I just hope we do not lose our Azaleas completely and my rose bushes that have bloomed. 

If you like birds and identifying birds I want to share a FREE app (not sponsored) just something I thought I would share, it is called Merlin Bird ID. I love this app. I downloaded it last year and then my mom and I went camping and had so much fun identifying bird sounds and looking for the bird with our binoculars. 

Here is a link to the website and you can find out more about their ID app as well. It is TOTALLY FREE and so EASY & ENJOYABLE! My mom loves sitting on the porch listening and identifying birds. Just thought I would share a fun tool I like to use!!!! OHHH... you can also download FREE BOOKMARKS!! Check this pdf here.

In other NEWS.. LOL! I am not sure what to do about my Tiny Home trip. It is supposed to be freezing, rain and sleet. It is a 5-hour drive. Which normally is no big deal for me BUT it is in the foothills of the Appalachia Mountains and in an area, roads are not serviced well. I just do not know!!! Sigh. I am still tossing it back and forth if I should go or not. Truly, I will lose MONEY if I cancel but I also want to be safe and feel comfortable driving. It has all became a mess with this tiny home. If I do go, I will leave tomorrow. If not, well I will eat some money, sigh about it for a bit, and then move on. HAHA!

With Love, 

Chrissy T

A Scripture and a Snapshot~ #6

 

"The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land." 

~ Song of Solomon 2:12 ESV

I am linking with Kym at A Fresh Cup of Coffee for A Scripture and a Snapshot. Please check our hostess post and others here. 

Have a beautiful Sunday!

With Love,

Chrissy T

Encouragement Vitamins

🌷🌸 I hope you all are having a good day. It has been a difficult week and day for me today. I will just leave it at that... but I love to pop on and give encouragement because it gives me a little boost too. Some quotes are like ENCOURAGEMENT VITAMINS!!  I have a quote board on Pinterest that I weekly pop on and save quotes that minister, encourage, inspire and make me think. I like to share the ones I have recently saved. 

*Please make note all images and quotes have been found on Pinterest and are not my own**

As you may can see there is a theme! Watching my reactions and checking my responses are important and as of late I am becoming more aware and keener to keep an eye on them.

Just keep blooming! It is what I am telling myself, lately. We share a lot on our blogs and while life can always be made to look fantastic or appear all is well with everyone we all do have "issues" and these two areas I am working on lately. 

1. My reaction and responses

2. Keep trying to bloom when I feel like nothing is going to grow 

I need to keep my mind on things that are honest, good report, lovely and worth my energy to think on. 

I want to always notice the tiniest of things because those are miracles too. There is a song I love called, "A million little miracles" and I want to be grateful for the small and large things. May we see miracles and blessings in the small things. We are so incredible blessed. From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same. Some cannot even see a sunrise or sunset so enjoy those things. :) It is always about perspective. 

Here is the song for anyone interested...

🎤🎤"I've got miracles on miracles. Count your miracles, 1, 2, 3, 4... I can't even can't them all! You held me steady so I would not give up, you open doors that would remain shut..." 🎤🎤 You saved my life... you set me free.... you kept my mind.... you healed my body.... you wake me up...." Everyday there is a new miracle... I got breath in my lungs.... I've got clothes on my back.... 🎤🎤

Enough said! I have found the above to be true every single time!

As I wrap up this post this last quote ministered to me in so many ways because it is true. I would have not written some of the parts of my life story in the last four years, but I know that the best thing I can do is keep showing up and trusting God. He is the author. 

Which quote inspired you? Will you share with me below?!

The rest of my day I will probably start a puzzle, read blogs, and read a book or two. I am just not in the mood to really be physical or busy today. I need to BE STILL!

👇 Don't forget to share your thoughts about one of the quotes I have shared today!!!👇

With Love, 

Chrissy T

Hey! Hey! It's Friday!! Plans Change!!

Hello friends. As most of you know, I was supposed to be at a goat farm, in a Tiny Home, sipping on coffee by a creek along with hiking and attending a ladies' conference. BUT.....

I am now sitting in an Airbnb apartment with my husband in a whole different state. Actually, I am back in Louisiana for a funeral. Our Assistant Pastor's Wife father passed away. She is also my mentor and friend. We felt we needed to support her during this tough time. So, I had to forgo the conference. I could not get a refund for the Tiny Home sadly BUT they were so gracious and offered me to come next week. Not exactly what I wanted because it is in the middle of the week and it supposed to be pretty cold. 

Nonetheless, I will make the best of it and use it as my solo prayer retreat which I had planned for in June but I will just go ahead and do it next week. The Tiny Home is paid for already.

Without further ado... I thought I would share how I ended my week. I got all of my To-do's marked off this week but one, which I will do over the weekend once I get back. It is just an overnighter trip. 

On Wednesday I water all my inside plants! I love the way water looks on leaves!! It is the small things in life that make me smile. :) 

I also love to use old vintage plates for the base of plants to catch water and to make it a little prettier. Well to me it is. 

Do you like indoor plants?? What is your favorite??

I am taking my second ministry course for this year. I just finished one and this one is about to wrap up. They are two-hour live classes, and a small group break out discussion. Today was on the importance of Sabbath. It was so good. I have really enjoyed my cohorts and live teachings. 

My DO ONE THING MONTLY GOAL for the physical category was to attend an aquacise class once a week in March. I started last week. I enjoy it. I am the youngest in the class, but I love it. They all love on me and help me learn things. I AM TELLING YOU these classes are NO JOKE!!! It is easier on my joints, but it is a WORKOUT!!!

Thanks for your visit! I hope you have a great weekend ahead!!

With Love,

Chrissy T

A Little Late but.... Hodgepodge Wednesday on a Thursday

 

Hello! I am a little late, but I already had posts planned so I am joining in today!!!

                     Please check out our host and others at From This Side of the Pond here. 

 1. Are you a naturally trusting person? Is trust built on logic or 'gut instinct'? Does everyone deserve a second chance? Elaborate. 

This is a tough question. I am naturally trusting. I love people deep!!! I am very loyal. I try to do be open an authentic and often realize others are not, and do not love as deep as I do nor are loyal. As someone in ministry (Pastor's Wife here) I have been let down and hurt many times. So, I am more guarded and truly can say nobody and nothing surprises what a person may do. In the last 4 years I have been deeply wounded from people I considered lifelong friends, so I have learned a lot. 

NOW... I say this above BUT..... I do a have this little GUT intuition and it will instantly let me know if a situation isn't truthful or if something is off. Since I am so naturally trusting if I feel that gut first thing I instantly know that I need to take caution. 

I do and will give second chances most of the time, and even third. I am also a very forgiving person, but I will have healthy boundaries and be cautious. 

2. 'Beware the Ides of March'...March 15th on the ancient Roman calendar, these words were made famous by William Shakespeare in his play Julius Caesar.  Caesar was assassinated on March 15th 44 B.C. Have you read any Shakespeare? If so, do you have a favorite? Have you ever been to Rome? 

I do not like Shakespeare. Yes, I have read and studied several works of his. I have never been to Rome. I would go visit Rome, but it is not at the top of my bucket list.

3. Do you like a Caesar salad? If given the choice between a garden/house salad or Caesar which do you order? Anchovies or no? What's your favorite salad dressing? 

 I will eat Caesar Salad if I am offered it and there is not another option and DEFINTLY that is a NEGATIVE on the anchovies. 😬 

I would take a GARDEN SALAD ANY DAY, PLEASE AND THANK YOU. Ranch and I do like Creamy Italian. 

4. Where do you typically work (or blog if that's easier) at home? Do you have a dedicated home office space? Are you happy with that space? 

When I am blogging, I am usually sitting on a corner spot on the couch, at my dining room table or my bed. I do not have an office.  I will do any computer work in my dining room area. Blogging is a form of relaxation for me. I love to be comfortable and enjoy reading other blogs and being creative in writing mine. When it comes to bookkeeping, bills or church work I am at the dining room table. I love my dining room.  Today I had to work!!! 👇

5. Snow drops, daffodils, lenten roses, crocus, hyacinth, or early tulips... what's your favorite early Spring flower?

 I love Tulips, but I also love daffodils. Daffodils remind me of the childhood excitement our daughter we get when she saw them blooming. She always wanted to pull over and take a picture as a budding photographer. 

My mom and I went to a beautiful Tulip garden in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 2024. It was so beautiful. So many different types and colors. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

 I am thankful for this precious life I have. It hasn't been easy, peachy nor always wonderful, but when I look around, I am so beyond incredibly blessed. I am thankful for the Lord saving me, blessing me and helping me along the dark paths I have navigated. 

 I had a great time answering these! Please go check out the others from the link above!

With Love,

Chrissy T

Spend the Day with Me ~ Tackling the To Do List

 Hello everyone. I thought it would be fun to take you along to hold myself accountable. I have a lot on my to do list and I want to stick to it. What a better way to do so but to take my friends along. So here we go. 

First things first are my Bible and journal time. I roll out the blinds, make a cup of coffee and get in the Word. After I read, study and journal I head to pray. Usually, I will step outside a minute to pray and get fresh air. I love to hear the birds singing first thing, it is the Lord's beautiful symphony. 

Next, I got dressed and had breakfast. I wanted to share my top I got from thrifting at Goodwill this past weekend for $4! It is so nice and good transition piece for spring. 

I paired it with a comfy knee length black skirt. After this I made me some breakfast. I am on a cheese toast kick sooo that is what it was today!

I usually at this point will check my blog comments and then read few from my blog reading list. I do have a rule that my Bible and Prayer time needs to be done before I check my blog or read others. 

I did my morning chores such as get laundry going and I also did my Weekly Blessing today. Before that I got my diffuser going!!! Oh.. this smells like a beach and spa in one. :) 

LAUNDRY TIME!! 

I stripped our bed after I folded this load and washed everything. My comforter is huge and a pain. It cannot be dry cleaned and really too big for appliances, but I did wash it and then had to put it on my dining room table to dry! HA! You do what you have to do!!!

All the laundry is done mainly! House is fresh and blessed. Now, it is errand time!

Yep, really my least favorite thing to do is errands but they must be done. Today I needed to make some returns to the UPS, drop off some mail at the post office, pick up some groceries for the week, return some books to the library and drop off my husband's suits to the cleaners. 

After all that I grabbed some lunch and headed home. IT IS RELAX time. I will use this time to rest for a bit, read some blogs, and read a book. Sometimes, like today because I got up at 4:50 a.m. I will nap!

Oh, look it is my friend, Pamela's Blog I am reading now. :) I love making my visits throughout the day to my blog reading list. She is such a sweet encourager!!! I do love visiting her. 

 Time to light my candles for the evening, turn on my little candles and get dinner going. Tonight is Red Beans and Rice and cornbread.

Oh.... yes! I set the evening with some calming jazz or uplifting music while I cook. I love this little video and it so happy and spring like. 

 After I made dinner, we clean up the kitchen and we do a little bit of end of the day things. I needed to water my plants and my husband walked the dog. We got ourselves ready for bed after that. I always go outside before bed to pray and look at the sky. Usually! Tonight was no different and the stars were beautiful. Our Bradford Pear is just so pretty! Even at night. 

I got a lot done off my list that I needed to do. I love when I have a good productive day. I am ending this day writing this post to share tomorrow and about to read a bit. Then it is time for SLEEP I HOPE!!! I am not a good sleeper. I sure try!!

Thanks for joining me today!!! 

With Love,

Chrissy T