Thankful Thursday

Taking a moment to stop and reflect on some of the things I have to be thankful for today

1. Blooming flowers in my garden, roses that are beginning to leaf out and a friend who sends me coupons for discounts at the local nursery
2. Answered prayer, a friend was hospitalized two weeks ago, she was ill enough to spend three days in the ICU.  Yesterday she was back at Care Group, still weak but fully recovered.
3. A new baby in our family, a Great Nephew, mama and baby doing well, Grandma delighted (my sister)
4. Tea Parties with granddaughters
5. Weekend excursion with friends and the chance it gave us to get to know each other better. 
6. The opportunity to see an old friend when we went to DC 
7. Sleepover with three of my four grandchildren this week, lots of chances for snuggles
8. Pretty Apple blossoms, the freezing temperatures nipped them a bit but I got some photos before the temperatures dropped
9. Chickadee's checking out a bird house that I can watch from inside my family room
10. The Lord's daily provision for us, he has been so faithful in our lives

Thankfulness to God is a recognition that God in his goodness and faithfulness has provided for us and cared for us, both physically and spiritually. It is a recognition that we are totally dependent upon Him; that all we are and have comes from God.   Jerry Bridges

Road Trip

This is a photo of the Jefferson Memorial taken last weekend, with the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom. This is one of my favorite events and we try to catch the blooms at their peak each year. This year was a challenge because of the weather, normally you can expect the trees to be blooming anytime from mid March during a mild winter to the first part of April. There is a sight online that has a Cherry Blossom watch and estimate for peak time but most of the time it's just a guesstimate. We picked a weekend that sounded good, made our reservations and hoped for the best, we figured even if the blossoms weren't in full bloom, there was much to see in DC

It turned out the weather couldn't have been better and the blossoms were still near their peak. One thing I did notice was that most of the blossoms were not as pink as I had remembered, don't know if that was weather related (cold winter) or if it was because the blossoms were almost done.

There are Cherry Blossoms throughout the Mall area but the biggest concentration is along the Tidal Basin where the Jefferson Memorial is, that's where these photos were taken.

Playing with the tint a bit to make them look a little pinker

Many of the branches hung over the side of the rails

The nice weather we had in DC didn't last long, we woke up back home to temps in the 30's this morning. (Thankfully I haven't put all my winter clothes away or planted any of my summer veggies yet) 

Monday's Memories

This week I thought I would share a photo of my parents as a young married couple in honor of their 60th wedding anniversary, which they will be celebrating this week. This photo was taken at my aunt's wedding, my mom and dad had been married for five years with two children and a third on the way. There would eventually be five children in all.

No big celebration is planned for this anniversary, just a quiet dinner out together. They had planned an out of town jaunt but (wisely) decided to stay closer to home. They are still pretty independent and for fun they sing with a group that entertains folks in nursing homes. My dad was a patient in one of the homes that they visit after a illness left him pretty debilitated. He gets a kick out of going back to the therapy unit and showing them how well he is doing. 

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

Thankful Thursday

Taking a moment to reflect and record the things I am thankful for today

1. The beautiful Bradford Pears that have been blooming for the last week, I have been so blessed by the sight of these all over town.
2. God's grace in my life. I have been walking down memory lane the last couple of weeks cleaning out closets. While sorting through photos and papers I have been reminded of God's many mercies in our lives.
3. Cardinals at the feeder
4. A husband who is handy enough to do many of our car repairs himself
5. Continued health, we have a friend who took ill suddenly, it was a fresh reminder that each day is a gift and that we really don't know what tomorrow may bring
6. The opportunity to be at home
7. Sons that call just because
8. Spring vegetables making there appearance at the grocery store. We have been enjoying asparagus, arugula and baby spinach
9. Sweet smelling hyacinths, Spring is surely here
10. Promises that give me hope

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24

March Moments

March will be remembered this year for the weather, for the cold temperatures that don't seem to want to let go and the sleet and snow. I'm sure we have had snow in March before, but it's been more years than I can remember. We kept busy with cooking new recipes and clearing out clutter

When the temperatures were mild we were outside looking for signs of spring, or  just sitting in the sunshine soaking up the warm temperatures. The trees are beginning to bloom, and the stores are beginning to sell flowers so I think spring may finally be here...we made it!

Linking up with Cheryl in Gathering the Moments