Like a Flowing Stream

There is a little stream that runs down the side of the road next to the old homeplace my grandmother grew up in. It flows down from the top of a small hill that is located across the road from where their front porch was. At the top of the hill was where they had built a springhouse--or milkhouse, as my grandma called it--and since they didn't have electricity, was where they kept their milk and other things that needed to be kept cold. Sadly the springhouse is no longer there, but, just as it did those many, many years ago, the icy, cold stream still flows down over the rocks, and down into the ditch beside the road.

It has been many years since I have been there, but for the times that I was, I would stand and listen to it's peaceful, soothing sounds, in the quiet of the day.  No distractions and noise--just peacefulness.

As I thought about this for a while, I realized that this was like God's peace to the Christian. We may have difficult "rocks" and hard places in our lives, but God's peace can wash over us, just like the streams of water rushing over the rocks beside the road; refreshing us daily if we put our trust in Him. We can have peace in knowing that our lives are in His hands...that whatever life has in store for us, He is there to see us through.

For thus says the Lord:

"Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,

And the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream..."

Isaiah 66:12

My Daybook ~ May 31

For Today... Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Looking out my window... it is sunny and beautiful, 82 degrees. A few days last week we reached into the 90's. I think we have quickly moved right into summertime, after a long time of chilly, rainy weather, and we skipped right over spring. 

I am thinking... I hope I don't see a bear in my yard anytime soon. Our neighbor from down the street told us yesterday that he looked out his front window that morning to see a black bear leaning over his bird feeder--at 11:30 a.m! So, last night we started bringing our bird feeders inside over night, just in case. I was a little nervous when I had to take our dog out in the middle of the night last night. I turned the porch light on, which I don't normally do, so I could see all around, but the way he was sniffing the ground it made me wonder if he smelled bear tracks. I was happy when we were safely back inside!

One of my favorite things... having a little vegetable garden outside my kitchen door.

I am wearing... a yellow t-shirt and dark, denim capris

I watched... last night we watched two movies, and although we didn't really plan it, both had "military" themes--which was kind of neat since it was Memorial Day. The first movie was based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, The Lucky One, and the second was an older movie called, Father Goose, which starred one of my favorite actors, Cary Grant.

I am hoping... for lots and lots of tomatoes from our garden this year, even if I end up having to can some :)

In my kitchen... squash fried in cornmeal, buttered potatoes, and lima beans. My mother-in-law got the recipe for the squash from a friend in Tennessee, and it is one of our favorites!

Southern-Style Squash

 Boil in water: 3-4 yellow squash, diced, and 1/2 medium onion, diced

Cook until tender. Drain water off in colander.
Add 2 beaten eggs and 3 or 4 cups of cornmeal to the squash. (I used self-rising cornmeal.) Stir together. It should be somewhat thick. I also add a little garlic powder to taste. 

In a skillet, put enough cooking oil to cover the bottom. Add the squash mixture to the skillet and fry over medium heat, turning every few minutes. It will fry a nice, brown color, but you will still see some yellow squash. Cooking time will be about 30 minutes or so.

In my garden... the peonies in my yard bloomed toward the end of last week, and, just like that, are now all finished for the year. Our pepper plant is doing good, and our tomato plants are growing like weeds! We should have done it sooner, but we went and bought some tomato cages for them over the weekend, and propped them up.  They are getting really tall, and have lots of blooms on them. 

Shared Quote...

A moment from my day... one of the many yellow finches that have been fluttering around the thistle seed feeder today. This one decided to perch in the tree for a while...

Closing notes... thanks for stopping by! Thank you to Peggy at The Simple Woman for hosting this each month. If you would like to join in, be sure to visit her for all the details and prompts. 

Friday's Fave Five

1. Watching yellow finches come and go at the thistle seed feeder. They are so bright and cheerful. I have counted about eight at one time - all trying to get on the same feeder. (I think we need another one!) I've heard some people say they've had up to 40 finches at one time! That, I think, would be amazing ♥ This little guy kept landing on our hanging chime. He would hang onto the pendulum as a breeze twirled him around. He didn't seem to mind a bit. I think maybe he liked it :)

2. Exercising ~ my daughter and I started exercising together this week. I'm hoping that by doing it together we can motivate each other to stick with it! Boy, oh boy, am I sore! :)

3. One of my favorite things to do is watch these playful, little critters scampering around in our front yard. I think they are getting a little spoiled with the snacks we leave for them! ♥

4. Sunshine ~ it's been so rainy the last few weeks that I was sooo happy to see the sun shining yesterday!

5. The Parent Trap ~ It's been a chilly, rainy week, so going outside in the evenings hasn't really been an option. So one night this past week, we decided to watch this cute movie...

And, that is five of my favorite things from this past week...what are yours? 

My Daybook ~ May 2

 

For Today...

Monday, May 2, 2016

Looking out my window...

it's a beautiful, sunny day, 81 degrees, with a brisk breeze blowing. Birds are fluttering about the feeders in the front yard, singing and chirping in some nearby trees. A squirrel (one of four) sits in the tree, nibbling ears of corn my husband puts out for them...and are waiting patiently for me to throw out some peanuts for them as I do each morning :)

I am thinking...

that it is nice to do my daybook once again, after almost a year.

I am thankful...

for the opportunity to go on a family vacation this year, the first we've had in a very long time.

One of my favorite things...

sunny days, after a long stretch of rainy ones.

I am wearing...

jean capris and a purple t-shirt, barefeet

I am reading, watching, listening to...

Last night we spent the evening watching movies, "It Could Happen to You" and "Pride & Prejudice," as the rumble of thunder was heard in the distance. No storms for us, but more rain.

I am hoping...

our little garden of pepper and tomato plants does well this summer.

I am learning...

how to mend holes in jeans, which does come in handy! Yesterday I mended a pair of my daughter's jean shorts which had gotten some holes in them, with the directions I found on Pinterest. Although I ended up breaking two sewing machine needles in the process, they turned out great--and definitely much cheaper than buying new.

In my kitchen...

today, being it's a Monday, we are having something simple for supper--sandwiches and chips

In my garden...

geraniums and lantana, hanging baskets of calibrachoa and verbena



A favorite quote for today...

"So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Is. 41:10

A moment from my day...

Waiting for peanuts...



Closing notes...

Thank you for visiting me today! If you would like to join in the weekly daybook, please visit The Simple Woman for details. Have a great week!