Instead of thinking about ourselves, let's think of a way to give back. THIS is where blessings flow!!!

A sweet friend gifted me this adorable, handmade Cardinal...can we say cherish?

Fresh Find: Love this fun felt garland!

This morning as I was walking into worship, a leaf caught my eye. It blew right up to my foot. It would have been easy for it just to blow on in the wind we had this morning, but it sat there. I picked it up.

I loved its color. There must be a lesson here, I thought!

Fall leaf colors are so beautiful. During the growing season, chlorophyll is continually being produced and broken down and leaves appear green. As night length increases in the autumn, chlorophyll production slows down and then stops and eventually all the chlorophyll is destroyed. The carotenoids and anthocyanins that are present in the leaf are then unmasked and show their colors.

Reading Luke 12:1-12 from the Message...

By this time the crowd, unwieldy and stepping on each other’s toes, numbered into the thousands. But Jesus’ primary concern was his disciples. He said to them, “Watch yourselves carefully, so you don’t get contaminated with Pharisee yeast, Pharisee phoniness. You can’t keep your true self hidden forever; before long you’ll be exposed. You can’t hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can’t whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day’s coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town. “I’m speaking to you as dear friends. Don’t be bluffed into silence or insincerity by the threats of religious bullies. True, they can kill you, but then what can they do? There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands. “What’s the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one. And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries. “Stand up for me among the people you meet and the Son of Man will stand up for you before all God’s angels. But if you pretend you don’t know me, do you think I’ll defend you before God’s angels? “If you bad-mouth the Son of Man out of misunderstanding or ignorance, that can be overlooked. But if you’re knowingly attacking God himself, taking aim at the Holy Spirit, that won’t be overlooked. “When they drag you into their meeting places, or into police courts and before judges, don’t worry about defending yourselves—what you’ll say or how you’ll say it. The right words will be there. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes.

My prayer is that my true self is as beautiful as fall leaves. #Godiscreating #notfinishedyet #sinnerredeemed #lifeofgrace

Fresh Find: Fun-shaped mirrors!

This morning, our friend Chris Hanoch @ Don's Photography Studio worked some Christmas magic with our grand-girls and our family. The girls had four changes. That in itself was huge. My idea, of course!

We had Japanese kimonos, aqua gowns, cranberry tops & jean leggings, and red Christmas dresses.

The house is sure quiet this evening! Routine is good, but the girls are great!

Fresh Find: Pretty Murano rings.

Today was a day for giving and getting thankfulness. 

We started out the day delivering and giving thanks for Meals on Wheels.

After lunch, all of the girls were thankful for getting a relaxing pedicure, and some got manicures, too!

Fresh Find: I think the Echo is great!

It was such a joy to have all of our family here for Thanksgiving. It was the first time that I have ever prepared a Thanksgiving meal in my 62 years of living. I had much of it prepped or prepared in advance. Then our daughter helped me get it all together and ready for serving. Could not have done it without her.

I think everyone enjoyed the traditional meal. I even made the giblet gravy from scratch. I AM a great gravy maker. I learned the tricks from my grandmother, Lucy Etter.

I'm pretty sure we were the only family to have an ice sculpture on our table today. Our adorable daughter-in-law and our middle grand-girl made a blue fish one. It certainly made it special. Especially loved that they thought of it!

We celebrated Christmas giving today, as well. We played the Chinese Christmas game, had big brown bags filled with goodies instead of stockings, and had a Let's Make a Deal1, 2 or 3 bag game for the girls.

Baby Bo's first Christmas and she knew exactly what to do.

And, a cousin stopped by to play.

It was as much fun to watch the bigs as the littles!

Now, all of the girls are asleep in the fort made from the tables we used for lunch covered with a huge canvas tarp. Tomorrow, they will deliver Meals on Wheels. Fun memories!!!

Fresh Find: Seriously, how cute is this Batman car seat! Kids would love it!

The day before Thanksgiving and all through the house, the girls were baking, playing and not near as quiet as a mouse!

What beautiful blessings!

Fresh Find: Cute girls boots.

This is a Thanksgiving picture of my grandmother's family from about 1952. It was taken at my great-grandmother's home in Amarillo. Pictured from head of table, L to R are: my dad, John Phillip Dayton, Verna Jo Hopkins (one sister), Grandma Hopkins (as we called her), next is maybe her sister, Ila Fae LaFont (another sister), ZT Hopkins, a brother, Ila Fae's husband, my mother, Lorena Dayton, and my brother John Hugh Dayton.

A brother, Robert had passed away a few years earlier and a sister, Carrie is not pictured.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the few times that I spent with my grandmother's family.

Fresh Find: Love this veiled woman sculpture.

When I think about my life, I sometimes think about all of the TV shows and movies that I have never seen. The music that I have never experienced or the video games that I have never played. I know, weird, huh? Don't hold it against me that I choose to spend my time in other ways. I don't mind you watching TV if you don't mind me enjoying what I determine to spend my time doing.

I did watch quite a bit of TV when I was in high school. I had a cute little 12-inch black and white TV that I watched Alfred Hitchcock, Twilight Zone, and Outer Limits on after my parents went to sleep. Since my sleeping pattern has always been on the weird side and sleep escaped me most nights, this became my habit.

Watching TV isn't my first choice for entertainment. Neither are movies. I prefer to read. I prefer to create. I prefer Facebook. I do enjoy the Hallmark Channel at Christmastime.

I do listen to music, but I am very selective about what I hear. Be careful little ears what you hear! I'm cautious about what I see. Be careful little eyes what you see. 

For the Father up above is looking down in love so, be careful little one in the Son!

What was it about the seventies and double-knit! Why do I feel like I had my grandmother's dress on? LOL, I'm sure this was an amazing outfit. My hair parted down the middle was the trend, too. What I love in this picture are my freckles and my beautiful un-wrinkled and scarless skin!

Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story. — Psalm 107:2  For a scar, by its very definition, implies healing. So, when we are there, share!

This sure has been a disconnected post. I know, weird, huh?

Fresh Find: Fun repurposed baseballs beanie!

This evening I stopped in at the Brew to view Carrie Huang's amazing art. I have watched this young woman's style develop through God's gift and Sally Gubser's instruction. They are both very talented, mostly gifted!

As I turned off of Highway 70, I decided to drag Broadway. It was about 6:20 and totally dark. Fun to see the lights. Enjoy it with me!

Every person has a void in their lives. Maybe it is from a childhood event that was traumatic or maybe it is one created as an adult. We fill this void with many things. Some legal, often though, illegal. 

If we are a person of faith, we can fill this void by constantly staying in the Word and walking hand in hand with Jesus. The deal is, so many aren't at a place where their faith is this constant. The voids remain.

The void screams feed me constantly, like the devil wanting our soul. We fill it with alcohol, drugs, exercising, food, shopping, crafting, Pinteresting, Facebooking, gambling, hoarding...you get the idea. 

Today I was thinking about what is the one thing that we can fill the void with that is good for everyone. Life is not a one-size-fits-all, but I did think of something that goes hand-in-hand with emotions, and if we filled our void with it, we just might be better a better people.

Dancing.

When was the last time we cranked up the music and danced? Have we danced for Jesus? Have we danced and felt free? I want to have a freestyle dance day each week for rehabilitation of the void in the hearts of so many.

Dance with a paint brush, dance with a pen, dance in the theatre, dance in the band. Sing in the choir, sculpt with your hands, create anything, or do a tap-tap-tap!

The arts are our healing tool and we, as a society, have it on the top ladder rung where no one can reach them. Pray about this with me.

Let's look beyond the first window into what is good for our future!

Fresh Find: Fun paint pen!