Give Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

He that eateth, eateth to the Lord; for he giveth God thanks. –Romans 14:6

Here’s hoping each and every one of you have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Whether you’re cooking, feasting, serving dinner to the unfortunate, watching football, the Macy’s parade, Charlie Brown, enjoying family and friends, or just taking a nap,

be sure to make some beautiful memories, fondly remember the special days of the past year.

I’m sincerely grateful for YOU!

Do you have any crazy traditions?

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Welcome New Follower!

 Linda @ sand and sea

Blessings,

Kathy

Grateful/Hopeful

I was asked this question today.

“If the Bible were written today, would your story be in it?”

Wow

I’ve been forgiven of much. I’ve chosen to believe in and follow Christ and sincerely want to be a blessing to all those in my life.

I want to use my gifts and talents to honor and serve Him. I want to be the first person to offer help to those in need, to comfort those who grieve, to feed the hungry, to care for the misunderstood, to give generously, to love unconditionally, to honor my parents, to sacrifice for others, to be a great parent, to share the love of God always, gratefully.

I’m so grateful for Christ’s sacrifice and that we have HOPE thru Him. I’m not sure how life feels without HOPE but it must be miserable. With an offer of grace, forgiveness, and HOPE available, I’m not sure why everyone wouldn’t accept it. The joy of knowing we have HOPE makes me so grateful!

I’m sincerely grateful for each one of you!

So, whether or not my story would be included in the Bible is unknown, but one thing is for sure, that I will honor God every day of my life. 

Beloved, love one another. Find someone to bless today.

Have HOPE.

God loves you so much ♥

Blessings Y’all,

Kathy

I WON the Shorely Chic Giveaway!

Look what I won!

Shorely Chic hosted a divine Coastal Candle Giveaway from Sally Lee by the Sea

  “The winner (ME!)  will receive an assortment of handmade soy candles including:

Jelly Jar Candles, Travel Tin Candles, Glass Jar Candles, Wax Tarts, "Simplify" electric melter, Cottage Crumbles & more…”

Thank you!

I’m so excited (since I’ve never won anything in my life!) and anxious to see all the wonderful gifts! Don’t you know they will be wonderful?

Visit  Shorely Chic and  Sally Lee by the Sea  for beautiful gifts of the sea and for all your seaside decorating!

Everyone needs a little beachy in their home~ 

Blessings Y’all,

Kathy

Thank you All Service Members!

Thank you to All Service Members for your service!

“Let some veterans show you the scars that they have received in battle, and you will realize how much suffering, heartache and blood our freedoms have cost.” Billy Graham

What are you willing to die for?

 

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eleven eleven eleven at eleven eleven

Something G R E A T happened to us today…

OUR FIFTH WHEEL IS FINALLY FINISHED AND READY FOR THE ROAD!

can I get an “A M E N ?”

We’ve been in this hotel room LONG ENOUGH~

See ya, Mississippi!

Hello, Missouri, then Ohio, then Florida, then Kentucky then ???

Did anything out of the ordinary happen to you today?

Blessings Y’all,

Kathy

Two Giveaways

Two wonderful giveaways!

 

Visit this beautiful blog, A Gathering Place offering a vintage train case giveaway!

Rebecca will personalize it for the lucky winner with her gorgeous handpainting!

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The Forgotten Way Blog Giveaway

Forgotten Way Farms Annual Christmas Giveaway
One “Homesteader” drying rack a (value of $149) and one “Plunger Washer” a (value of $25) to one reader.

This giveaway will end on Monday the 14th at midnight.

Good Luck! I hope one of you wins! 

Blessings Y’all,

Kathy

Heaven Awaits

With a heavy heart I share these two stories.

I want the world to know just how wonderful these two men were, even though I never met them personally. How do I know this? The women in their lives have touched many of us via their precious stories. From these stories we draw strength and courage to face life’s challenges and for that, I’m grateful.

We all know death is a part of life, but it certainly hurts when it comes. Two of my dear Bloggyland friends lost loved ones this week.  My heart aches for them both so I offer these tributes and encouraging words.

Dave Bricker, husband of Sandra of Thistle Cove Farm passed away Saturday, Nov. 5 

~this was Sandra’s post yesterday~

Rest In Peace

“TAZEWELL, VA. — Forrest David Bricker, age 66, of The Cove in Tazewell, VA., died Saturday, November 5, 2011 at his home on Thistle Cove Farm. Born May 7, 1945 at Ravenna Arsenal, Ohio, he was a son of the late Forrest Davis Bricker and Mary Crockett Bowen Bricker. He was a graduate of Beaver High School and graduated with honors from West Virginia University. Dave was a U.S. Army Veteran, honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. He was a retired stock broker, and currently served as President of Sibley Coal & Coke Company, Manager of Sibley Communications & Energy, and was Director of Logistics for Sibley Communications, all of Bluefield, W.VA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Catherine Wirtz Bricker.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Bennett; one sister, Carol Bricker Pharr of Earlysville, VA.; many family members including, nieces, a nephew, cousins, an uncle, in-laws and friends.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell, VA.
Graveside services and interment will be at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 with Pastor Jerome Hancock of the Southside Church of the Nazarene and Pastor George Ferguson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, Dave's request was that you take someone special out to dinner.
Blessings ~ me, for having twenty-two beautiful years with Dave ~”

Sheryl’s father, passed away Monday, Nov. 7

~this was Sheryl’s post today on her blog Ain’t For City Gals~

DAD LOVE

“I was going to title this final DAD LOVE...

but I know it is not.

It is with sadness I tell you my dad passed away yesterday...Monday....Nov. 7th.

My sisters, my mom and myself did it all the way to the end.

We didn't even call Hospice ...though we did text our nurse a couple of times.

The funeral will be Friday...Veteran's Day.

I mean ..really dad...could you have planned it any better?

In lieu of flowers it is asked that a kind deed be done in his name.

My dad's last words to me were "Please don't cry"

I didn't promise him...

love you dad...”

Sheryl mentioned in one of her posts that the song that kept playing in her head was by Juice Newton, “The Sweetest Thing.”

“…You're my sunshine, you're my rain
The sweetest thing I've ever known is loving you.”

These two wonderful women have inspired me by their strength and courage during difficult times. They both have hearts of gold.

It’s amazing to me how those who sincerely love, continue to GIVE, even in death. That’s evident in the requests these men made~

Dave and family requested in lieu of flowers, that you take someone special out to dinner. ♥

Shery’s dad and family requested in lieu of flowers a kind deed be done in his name. ♥

I just wanted to express my heartfelt sympathy and remind them that our loving, heavenly Father wants to comfort and love us in our darkest hours.

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God loves you and understands what you're going through. When Jesus stood by the tomb of His friend Lazarus, He knew that shortly He would bring Lazarus back to life—but the Bible still says that ‘Jesus wept’ (John 11:35). This is the shortest verse in the Bible, but it reveals a great truth about Christ's compassion for those who grieve. The Bible says, ‘Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail’ (Lamentations 3:22).

 

Blessings to All,

Kathy

Treasure Hunt

What’s a girl to do?

Our home is in the RV hospital for some warranty work in McComb, MS

 ( Bus Supply - see Darrell, the service manager He was Super friendly – efficient – accommodating - professional! )

What a perfect time for a TREASURE HUNT!

Well, look what I found in  Magnolia, Mississippi!

La Mariposa Restaurant

Best Fried Green Tomatoes adorned with Crawfish/Mushroom Sauce

We met some delightful ladies from the area. 

Robert met a lady, Kathy, who knew folks from his hometown, West Plains, MO

 

Who knew? Small world, huh!

The beautiful, historic homes made me miss my porch~

  

And check out this GROOVY vintage motorhome ♥ 

I couldn’t find a name or number on it anywhere. 

 

I would love to “glamp” it up! I’m diggin’ the round windows! 

What did you find on your last treasure hunt?

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Welcome New Follower! 

 Linda @ Beachside Cottage

 

 

Blessings Y’all!

Kathy

A mother like mine ♥

I wish everyone had a mother like mine.

She is everything a daughter needs in a mom.

 

   

She celebrates your accomplishments, dries your tears, advises your concerns, calms your fears, makes you laugh,

    

teaches you to cook and sew, sings silly songs, shares her favorite apron, loves always, and always points you in the direction that leads you straight to God. 

Happy 77th Birfday, Mom!

Love you!

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Welcome New Follower!

Hobo Joe @ Hobo Road

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Blessings Y’all!

Kathy

ShRiMp FeStIvAl

Some people go “Coocoo for Cocoa Puffs” but Robert and I,along with 300,000 others were crazy over shrimp this weekend!

We attended The 40th Annual Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Now, I kid you not, I might have been the ♫♪ HAPPIEST GIRL in the Whole USA ♫♪ Saturday for these reasons:

♥the whole day with my handsome hubby

♥my feet in sugar, white sand

♥amazing music

♥shopping until I nearly dropped

♥coconut shrimp, crab cakes and Original Cajun Pistols (Stuffed Crawfish Beignets)

There were hundreds of artists including those creating amazing driftwood carvings, bottle trees (it’s believed they ward off evil spirits~ I think I’ll just pray~)  colorful metal yard art, beautiful paintings, and so much more. Robert even found a Hillbilly Hammock made from a tire!

There were HUGE skillets of paella, jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, fried green tomatoes and every fried seafood you can even imagine! My favorite was the Original Cajun Pistols from Rockin’ Rogers.

The peace sign (above) was crafted from colored bottle caps- they also had a Jimi Hendrix, Jesus, and various others. Quite innovative!

Here’s my favorite purchase- a metal VW Bug! Isn’t it cute!

reminds me of the one I had as a teen~

The vendor is looking for a “camper” that I can put behind it!

Oh my goodness…what a delightful day!

"Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior:

Ask yourself what you want people to do for you,

then grab the initiative and do it for them.

Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get.”

Matthew 7:12 The Message

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Welcome new Followers ♥

Mary @ Apron of Grace

Kelle Arvay @ Little Vintage Trailer 

nwlambear @ Casa de nwlambear

Larry @ Mountainborn

 

Blessings Y’all!

Kathy

White Pumpkins, Glamping, Sodie Pop

I’ve fallen in love with white pumpkins.

I found these Ric Rac Pumpkins on Designer Eddie Ross' website. These are actually painted since he couldn’t find white pumpkins in his “neck of the woods.” I love them! Kelly Hicks’ centerpiece has an elegant yet country feel with use of the cat tails. How adorable!

We took one last bike ride thru BOk Plaza before leaving Tulsa. This park is one of many beautiful parks there. BOk is a wonderful place to bike, walk, rollerblade, play volleyball or just sit and meditate. My friend, Brenda of Cozy Little House is moving there so this postcard is mostly for her.

Now, off to the Gulf Coast!

As many of you know we like to stay off the interstates as much as possible when we travel. 

 

While that’s incredibly enjoyable, it’s also frustrating!

Flying past my window are some of the most interesting things along the way and the opportunity to snap a picture is fleeting. I’m forever calling out to Robert, “Hey, did you see that?” Well of course he didn’t, he was a little busy keeping the rig on the road.

So, as best as I can, I take pictures thru the windshield or out the window. 

Ewwwww  See what we get for taking an interstate!

Driving thru tiny towns in Oklahoma and Arkansas along our way to the Talimena Scenic Byway, we passed lots of cute little shops and interesting old places. Wouldn’t it have been fun to just pull over and visit with some of the locals meandering about? Or venture into an old corner General Store complete with creaking, wooden floors, and listen to the old men telling stories ‘round a checkers game? How ‘bout an ice-cold sodie pop out of the metal cooler?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, sometimes that’s possible but most of the time it’s not. Bummer! It’s crazy to even ask to turn around or pull over when your rig is over 50’ long! So, you’ll just have to imagine the pictures of the Rusty Chain Art store, the ads painted on the sides of old, brick grocery store, and Nellie’s Diner offering their famous Fried Chicken Dinner for $4.95. (I bet it was “finger-lickin’ good~) 

Perhaps we should trade our rig for one of these…

Evidently, these little vintage trailers are super popular! If you think they’re cute on the outside, you must check out the interiors.

 

Crazy beautiful, huh!

I’m rather addicted to the idea that I’ll have one of these some day…maybe just for a private get-away with “the girls.”

Of course, mine will have a beach theme~

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"God rises up out of the sea like a treasure in the waves, and when language recedes

His brightness remains on the shores of our own being." Thomas Merton"

There is a wideness in God's mercy, like the wideness of the sea." F.W Faber

Quotes courtesy of Kerrie

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I’m so grateful for each of you ♥

“… I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.” Psalms 9:1

Blessings,

Kathy