BLOOM in 2016, Tuesday, December 29, 2015

I  laughed as I was eating my Christmas Supper as if I were a 5 year old:
Betty Crocker Cornbread Stuffing
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (cause Charcoal loves it)
Apple Sauce
Strawberry Jell-O Snack Pack

I prayed as if it were the best meal ever:
Bless this food to nourish my body so that I may use my health to Thy service.

I was thankful.

As I ate each bite, I continued my prayer that I wished all hands who prepared it would be blessed.

I  thought of each person who had a part in the meal and it would be impossible to count how many, but I did try.

What I realized is that I am sure most everyone who had a part in my meal had a dream...it took foresight to build a company...to create fast food,  to develop the machines to gather, sort and package...people to box, ship, load, unload...stockers, cashiers, baggers, invoicers, shippers, stores, warehouses, factories, stoves, pots, pans, electricity, water, soil, seed, roads, railroads, cooks, microwaves, homes...on and on...

At the heart of all of this is an individual...a soul with hopes and dreams. Some have gained millions while others struggle to put food on the table and a roof over their heads...some work to make money to support their hobbies...some dream bigger and better ideas while others have broken dreams and have given up and now just try to survive. So many people have no idea that they can dream...they see no other road perhaps than the ones they have been taught to follow...

In living, I think it is normal to have mountains and valleys...struggles seem to be a constant sometimes. We can't control factors in life, but what we can control is our attitude.

With this knowledge, I have chosen my word for 2016 as BLOOM.

I want to learn to be content. I want to grow, no matter where I am in life. I want to chase dreams, but I do not want to overlook the miracles that are in the here and now.  I want to follow paths that might not be traveled by many but that can hold great adventure. I  want to be kind...to forgive...to encourage...to look for the good...to be hopeful...to promote peace, to be joyful and to love.

I want to BLOOM where I am planted!

As I BLOOM, I realize I will need to be given nourishment. I can't make it on my own, as much as I wish that I could.  I will have to trust others (oh me, that is going to be tough) and I will have to look for encouragement and support and a soft kick in the pants from time to time.

I  have mailed 55 ornaments to some people as an invitation to come along on this journey with me this year.. ..I hope to get more painted soon...

Let's BLOOM together in a POSITIVE environment and show a beauty like many have never seen before.

Let's put the "fruits of the Spirit" into our lives in ALL we do--Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness  and self-control.

It is going to be a good year! If all else fails, maybe I will just be a bloomin' idiot, but hey--I will be the best one I can be! Lol

Most of us have everything we need. Let's not forget those around us who need what we have to offer. We might need to change our focus a bit to SEE where we are needed, but never doubt that YOU are needed...so let's get ourselves situated and start looking for ways to serve...to be a beautiful creation!

We are going to BLOOM! I  wish blessings to you....~charlotte♡

Footprints on my heart, Monday, December 28, 2015

I  do not dare complain about the rain because I lived through a drought one summer that saw farmers lose their income for the year and possibly longer, since many had to sell their cattle...

I  won't lie and say that I am seeing all the JOY in this event,  but it has made me grateful for warmth, for a dry place to lodge and for the knowledge that the ground water will help us through the possibly long dry summer.

I am grateful for safety during the storms and am keeping A prayerful heart for those who suffered great tragedies during the past few storms.

I went to the POSTIE and discovered MORE rain, but this was the rain of FRIENDSHIP!

The first discovery was to make a mental note to contact one of the husbands to take away the DUCT TAPE from his wife!! But, never fear, I got it opened!!! I  won't name names, but it certainly made me giggle AND made me think I might need to find my box opener....

CHOCOLATE, oh, and an ornament, LOL,  came from my friend, Lydia in Kansas...Lydia was one of the first people that I really met on Facebook. Her work is immaculate! This meaningful ornament will remain special, and a part of me will giggle at her son's thoughts about it!♡

This awesome package came from Gloria in Idaho-ho-ho! It spent some extra time in Memphis and I wonder if it saw Elvis!!  A beautiful hand made card (WOW), some beautiful ornaments to paint and a loverly magnet that now is on my freezer to think of her when I open the door daily...and now, for some reason, I would like a watermelon!♡

Crystal in Ohio, sent me these awesome treats that will join the other goodies I have painted by her. I love these. There are some artists that you know their work instantly, and Crystal is one of those! I love her whimsical creations. She also has one of the most giving hearts I have ever seen!

This handsome fella came from Janice in Missouri?? Oooooooooo...JAN!! ROFL He had to spend an extra night at the Postie because he was too big, but he was so worth the trip back to town! He is beautiful!! I am so blessed to have several of Jan's painted goodies.

I am floored at the generosity of people. It is just another reminder that Life often gives us better than we deserve.

Thanks for your part in leaving footprints on my heart and giving me wonderful memories of this Christmas. Because of each of you, I will try harder to be a better person and a better friend.

Thank you to all who have sent me cards...left posts and messages wishing me a Merry Christmas...they do not go unnoticed...I finally mailed some cards on Saturday, even though they had been ready for weeks...I had to find the MAGIC...  (and, well, stamps)

Once again, Thank you!  May you feel the love you gave returned to you in even greater ways! Funny how God makes that happen! I send Blessings to YOU...~~charlotte♡

Merry Christmas, Friday, December 25, 2015

Joy to the world!
The Lord is come!

Now what?

Let Heaven and Nature Sing!

We NEED a Savior, Thursday, December 24, 2015

Wow!  What a stormy day. This sure puts into clear perspective what is important...

My heart goes out to the man/woman killed Southwest of here in Tennessee and others lost in the storms in other areas...somehow, I pray their families will be comforted and that someone will be sent to stand in the gap.

Another family is preparing a funeral for a 15 year old killed in YET another senseless murder...ALL lives matter!

I  have a college friend who has had knee replacement and I hope she got good drugs! I'm keeping her in my prayers...

Many people are having their first Christmas without someone they love...I pray peace and comfort for them...

People have lost their homes in today's storms...it is incredible to watch neighbors pull together to help each other.

A post office was destroyed...how are YOU going to react if your mail doesn't get where it belongs? Based on what I have seen, most of you will start to bash the postal workers---shame on you! Mistakes happen and I am still searching for that perfect human--oh yeah, I have encountered those who think they are. They are wrong.

Homeless people are searching for a dry, safe place to rest...

My heart is saddened by the young Mother who took the life of another young mother and injured others...the death is horrible, but when I hear that she was TIRED and looking for a place to rest, my heart breaks more. If you have never done without-I mean REALLY done without a basic human need, then, you, my friend, are blessed.

In a country as great as America is, and yet flawed because her citizens are imperfect, I shake my head at how blinded we are to the needs of others and at the realization that mental illness is a reality! We live in a country, that we simply tell people to MOVE out of our way, instead of offering HELP...trying to get help for someone is almost impossible, while those who sit collecting benefits grows daily when they could be earning a living...I wonder where we went so wrong and when...

Broken families...
Broken hearts...
Lonely people...
Hopeless People...
Sick and dying souls...
Drug addiction...
Mental illness...
Bullies...
Tired workers...
Homeless people...
Financial struggles...
People who are afraid...
Workers who get no holidays....
Military Personnel and families...
People filled with hate...
Angry People...
Unforgiving people...
People always pointing fingers...
Entitled People...
Mean Words spoken....

IF ever we needed a Savior, it is now.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus...
Save us from our sins...

Let me learn how to love, to Give hope, to promote peace and to be JOYFUL during the good and the bad...teach me to have a heart like Christ! Let these lessons of being prepared extend beyond this season of Advent...amen...~~charlotte♡

Be Still and KNOW, Wednesday, December 23, 2015

I wonder how many people are sitting on their back porch at 2am playing fetch with their dog?

The tiniest drops of mist have been steadily falling...for some reason, the scripture of having faith as tiny as a mustard seed came to my mind.

Then my mind skips to seeing the outline of an owl taking flight the other night--it was awesome!  That could have been jolted by hearing a screech owl in the distance and being thankful it was not in my yard!

The next thought was remembering all the cantatas that I have sung in during years past--I always had the solo of the Virgin Mary and remember joking with the ladies about well, I will stop before someone is offended, but we laughed---lots!

Our local news has done several segments on the McDonalds in Spring Hill that had the Nativity painted on the windows, as a 40 year tradition, and I think how sad that it is so rare to get so much attention...I live about 60 minutes from the location.

I  shared with a friend that for years, our local Captain D's puts "Wise men still seek Him". That is one of my favorite songs from all of the cantatas of my past.

How wise am I? What am I seeking? Why am I afraid of things? Why can't I trust? Is my faith even as big as a mustard seed? Am I a false prophet? Is my life a sham? Am I capable of loving?

Doubt...we all face it. That is what I love about exploring my faith...I know that I do not have to worry about how others perceive me, because GOD is the judge. He is big enough to allow me to ask questions.

It is in these quiet moments, sitting on my back porch, that I am able to sit and listen for that still, small voice...all part of my season of Advent, as I continue to prepare my heart for the coming of Christ...

Glory to God in the highest! And on earth, Peace, good will toward man!...

Are you wise? ...~~charlotte♡

Good friends. Tuesday, December 21, 2015

Isn't it funny how some people that you have never met can become your friends!

I  thought I would share some gifts that my "unseen" friends have sent me.

This came from my friend, Anne, in North Carolina. Her husband is a Navy guy! They are funny to watch, but I have no doubt that she loves her guy, but she also likes to pick on him! I got to know her story through my fb page. I was excited when she added GINGER to.her family after losing her fur baby in a fire at her mothers house...strange that one can shed tears of both joy and sorrow with each other!

This friend, as most of my friends, is filled with mischief--we LOVE to pick on Cindy! Of course, the picking goes both ways because WHO likes SPAM!!

I  have already lost sleep staying up to watch Joanne Fink videos...but what an awesome inspiration! I am so happy with this gift. Thank you from the bottom of my pea-picking heart! Yes, I have a pattern already stuck in my head!

Oh yeah, Charcoal ate his treat VERY promptly! He was hilarious!

This came from a friend in Florida who was transplanted from Illinois (I think)...Nancy knows a little bit about everything --just enough to get her in trouble! She is creative in so many areas--ceramics, clay, paint, gardening and on and on and she loves all animals-both two-legged and four-legged! Nancy will say anything to anyone, pretending not to care, but we all know better. She cares! She has thrown her own brand of loving on me too many times!

Nancy lost her sweet dog this year and she was the best momma to her. While she has a hole in her heart, she still loves her other girl! She has a whole brood of children/grands...She has been blessed and so am I!

This came from another Transplanted Floridian
...oh dear, in which state did she live...we will just say New England...lol

Nancy sent several goodies to other friends, and I don't want to brag, but I think I got more chocolate than others did, so clearly, I am her favorite!  And my ornament is cuter, but no need for me to rub it in. Lol

Nancy has a heavy heart with her mother living in Tennessee and being unable to be with her during her long battle with cancer, but she is faithful in communicating with her...please pray for both of them...it is so tough...

Nancy is a tough Italian girl who enjoys cooking and paints beautifully! She inspires me with her pictures from the things she has painted over the years, and like all of my artist friends, she keeps learning new techniques.Thank you, Nancy, for thinking of me!

This came from my friend, Christene, who lives in Germany. She laughs when Charcoal chews something, so how appropriate that Charcoal would grab her box and chew it--I still am missing one of my pieces of Chocolate...I know he didn't chew it, but I don't know WHERE he hid it...sigh

She painted me the cutest candle wrap that is on that box of candy. I have it sitting on my table wrapped around a candle...oh, how cute it is!!

They plan to move to the states when Lin retires...I think in about 7 years...Her oldest son is already here and I know they miss him, but they are so proud of both of their handsome sons...what a jewel she is!

Miss Linda...your gift has caused me problems! Charcoal cannot eat his treats fast enough and he keeps biting my fingers trying to gobble them!! He sits longing for more as he stares at the package!

Miss Linda lives in New York, and methinks she LOVES my Charcoal! She works with veterans and does her best to be a positive influence! She is a mess...and keeps trying to claim my prince--she will not win!

She sent some yummy bean soup mix and I can't wait to get a ham hock and cook it--you know who, will like it, too!

This reminded me of my first Christmas as an employed worker. I was living in Russelville, Arkansas, and I made 12 bean soup mix for all of my family and friends---I had beans everywhere in my small duplex! But I was so proud of myself for carrying on my mother's family tradition of giving handmade gifts!

As you can see, I am a blessed girl. I am thankful that these sweet ladies thought of me during this tough time of the year...thank you!

I  hope you each have thoughtful friends like I do...always think of others! I send blessings to YOU...~~charlotte♡

Not Leaving on a Jet Plane, Tuesday, December 8, 2015

One of my favorite activities is to sit on the back porch and watch the planes.

I live about one hour north of the Nashville Airport and it is probably less than 30 miles, as the crow flies.

The back of the house faces south and depending on how the wind blows, I can hear the planes slowing down and can start to see the lights and the shape of the planes.  Tonight, the sky was clear and I could watch some planes climbing toward the sky and others coming closer to the earth.  It was another reminder of just how great it is to be alive.  Technology and the foresight of mankind are fascinating.  Our world is so much smaller than it once was.

As I watch the planes, I wonder about the people who anxiously await possible reunions, happy occasions, sad occasions, job transplants, business trips, maybe a soldier coming home for the holidays…my mind just wanders.

As a small child, Daddy would take us to the airport to watch the planes.  As we know with everything, it was a different world back then.  People DRESSED to fly…now, trying not to have a hairy armpit or leg of a stranger crammed into your own personal face is the goal!  Ugh…

The funny thing about Daddy is that he would not fly, but he sure was fascinated by the process.  Because he didn’t fly, I have to say that I was able to drive across so much of our beautiful country, stopping to see some amazing landmarks and meeting and watching some fascinating people.  I still fondly recall in my mind’s eye, the site of seeing a cowboy in Montana, wearing spurs!!  Also, it was there in that little diner, that was as far from a 4 star restaurant as one can get,  that I had the biggest cinnamon roll EVER (with a pat of butter on top) and the best I have ever tasted. So many great memories are crammed in my heart.

I have been blessed to fly to some fun places and am grateful for my many opportunities, but I have to admit, that other places no longer call to me.  I am perfectly content to stay where I am, and try my best to find ways NOT to have to leave…I would still like to see New England in the Fall and Prince Edward Island, but other than that, I am content.

I wonder how many are content at this time of year.  I see posts about how busy some people are, and as they list WHAT they have to do, I see no JOY in the season…I see anger and resentment and then those “We are keeping Christ in Christmas” posts, by the same people LIKING and SHARING every snowman that is on the internet, often followed by some advertisement for the NRA or Republican party….hmmmmmmmmm….I REALLY do wonder what people mean when they say they are keeping Christ in Christmas…(nope, I am neither Republican nor Democratic…I HATE that I have to tell people on FB that about me and I hate that I KNOW that about people)

I don’t understand…It’s not like we haven’t known about December 25^th our whole life!!  SIGH…

What I DO KNOW is if you don’t have Christ in EVERY DAY of your life, He sure isn’t going to be present at Christmas…AND if He IS in your life every day, then those who see you will KNOW and don’t have to be TOLD that you are Keeping Him there…I think THAT is the problem…is seems that post was created for people who Having Christ in their lives is SUCH a rare occasion, that you have to TELL people…MAYBE??? I don't understand...and really, there are PEOPLE who celebrate Christ everyday...he was NOT born on December 25th, you know! 

I just pray for that person and try my best to not “feed the monster”…

I get frustrated seeing how much people are spending on gifts.  A precious lady from South America shared in a painting group how she had recycled some things to make oven mittens and towels and had painted them to give as gifts.  Her gifts were made from the heart and were being given with a PRIDE for helping recycle.  THAT lady gets it!  She understands the meaning of Christmas and the importance of helping to save our glorious earth from our wastefulness and greed.  

Well, my FRIEND sure KNOWS about being Naughty...it is sometimes TOUGH for me to remain NICE!  ROFL

I have another friend who GETS it!  I am sharing pictures throughout this post of the gifts that a friend from THE CAPE sent me.  These gifts HOPPED on a plane and traveled to my small town in Middle Tennessee. I cried when I opened the package.  While I was expecting absolutely nothing, I was shown a kindness that can’t be expressed in a simple THANK YOU.

YUMMY for my tummy!

I told Lynn that I wanted to be like HER when I grow up.  Now, let me assure you, I will NEVER grow up and I see little hope of being that generous!  I’m trying, but I am not there yet.

A Cynthia Erekson Pattern painted by Lynn Barbadora...This is painted on heavy Canvas...LOVE!!

To have someone to take their time in this busy world to paint something, to me, is priceless…

Charcoal tried to eat this...I think he knew it was NOT true!!

To take the time to wrap it and ship it, is remarkable…

I think Charcoal is ready to eat them...He has licked the packaging...He said he did NOT know what Naughty was, but he was SURE it would taste good!

To love someone enough to THINK of such an unselfish gift, is KEEPING CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS…

It doesn’t happen one day a year…

It doesn’t come from a store…

It comes from the HEART…

Again, I come to you with words of how blessed I am!  I send the gift to you of being able to recognized the MANY blessings that pass through your life every single day…take a breath…it is a GIFT….~charlotte