a very special day...one year ago

Saturday, June 8, 2024                     59 degrees, sunny                                                                             

     The Day...it is beautiful. It is perfect... specially ordered.

Later...

    She got married and it was absolutely, wonderfully good.

Some photos of what we were doing last year on this very day.

the journal continues...

     On the front porch overlooking the ridge sipping my first cup of hot coffee. Words. At the present the words are scampering, not able to be spoken or even recorded here in this journal as I would prefer. They are just felt. Many things hidden in the heart, digging, delving deep, to settle a bit. Too much to take in all at one time. Much like a garden dream, the mature garden I hope to have one day, a touch of beautiful senses every single place you set your eyes...

I look up and I pray to my Lord, with tears. S0 very thankful. SO full of the riches of His marvelous grace, enduring mercy, and steadfast faithfulness.

It was under a tall, stately oak tree she married that June day of 2024, just liked she had planned. It was a worship service where hymns of praise were sung and prayers were lifted up before the giving of the vows.

And then we celebrated with a wedding feast... her style... with family, friends, food and dancing.

And all too soon, it was time for the new Mr. And Mrs... to leave together, wedded.

“You have been the last dream of my soul.”

 - Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

In my Journal...

I can not get one beautiful picture off my swirling mind- the beaming brightness of my daughter's face as she walked down the aisle with her father- flowers in her hair- and all.

a June bride

 There have been wonderful declarations, quotes, and comments about the month of June written by others . And I truly give my own hearty affirmation to the beautiful month of June as it is still my most favorite month of the year.

June bursts serenely forth, it sheds its array of glories, and declares special wonder without any hesitation whatsoever.

But despite all the other things that June represents, it continues to hold favor for me as the month of brides, weddings, and marriage. Being a June bride still holds merit to me because on this third day of June forty-seven years ago I was wed.

Wedding photographs of the late 70's would not even register on a scale with the photography used today for weddings. We chose the best photographer in town and I believe this photo was considered "special effect".

(though that white line is the plastic over the photo)

My husband asked me what I wanted to do for our anniversary. He was thinking about dinner in a restaurant. From where we live, we would have to drive anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour to dine at a good restaurant. As I was wanting lamb... we both love lamb... and not many restaurants serve a good lamb meal; I answered, "I'll cook." I am able to prepare a simple, but delicious lamb meal, and truthfully it has been a joy to give this day intentional focus on my blessed marriage as I go about preparing for our evening together. Therefore, we will pack a box of food, a small overnight bag and drive to the cottage where I will prepare a special anniversary meal and we will stay at the cottage for the night. A "Getaway"...across the street.

❤️

a weekend holiday

Vacation. A word which usually denotes getting away to spend some time doing something that is different from the ordinary. A time to travel and see things or just to leave home for a rest and to recharge. Maybe even visit those you do not see often during the year.

But like so many other things in life, the meaning of a vacation switches gears and you might find yourself not going away to do something you would plan and want to do, or you might not have the time or finances to invest in going to a place where you would really like to go.

We have chosen to not go on a true vacation for the past two years. There are several reasons why and all make perfect sense and we are fine with it.  Though the main reason has to do with my husband's job and the always being available world we now find ourselves living in. We love being home and we love all the things that keep us close to home.

Yet...there comes a day you gaze over at each other across the table and your minds are thinking the same thing. "Let's take a weekend holiday!" No traveling too far away from home. A nice hotel with good food and excellent service. No other destination or need required. Just a small bag and each other.

(This post was to be posted on August 10.It seems rather ambitious posting two on one day!)🙄

love has everything to do with it

                                        "I don't want sunbursts or marble halls. I just want you."

                          ~L.M. Montgomery 

        We might not yet be that advanced in years, but it certainly is true.

                          

And speaking of love, my hens need a rooster.

...and they lived happily ever after...

February bits and pieces

The last Saturday in February has arrived, grandchildren showing up at the back door bundled up  against the cold temperatures at 8:30 just as we were beginning to prepare breakfast. Of course, I had been up for some time and was sufficiently supplied with needed mugs of coffee for the day. Witt and Claire had a Foster Care meeting scheduled until after lunch and had asked us to keep B and G. 

What I am remembering about toddlers is their insatiable ability to go from one thing to thing to another in a very short amount of time, so unlike me at this stage of my life. Before long G was ready to go outside, which worked great since dear husband was going outside for a walk anyway and we had wisely retrieved the stroller from the trunk of Claire's car that morning. Then I had a moment to put on soup for lunch and get Sunday's lunch started. After lunch G. was put down for his nap and  that allowed game time for Breanna, Charlotte and me.

The next few photos were on my camera roll and since I partly keep this blog as a scrapbook of my days and years, I wanted to record a few other February bits and pieces on this post. Every Wednesday afternoon at 3:00, the back door opens briskly and four teenagers converge into my kitchen for Bible Study. I have always manage to have a snack waiting on the counter for them, and I love hearing their anticipated laughter and lively conversation. This week of Valentines Day included special treats (not shown, chocolate-covered strawberries and chocolate chip cookies).

Reminiscent of previous  Valentine dinners with my husband here at the house, I am fond of  the marvelous traditions we've shaped making for a quiet evening with my love.

amendments

Another wedding anniversary has come, so there we have it, another amendment to our records. Life is a continual series of amendments, but adding a new year onto the years of your married life, well, there just is not anything quite like it.

The possibilities of what we could do...well, while there are definite limitations, the greatest factor is the state of the home fires so to speak. And currently our extended home fires are having some major health issues, not my husband or me, but one of our children. We do not want to make such final plans of going away that can not be changed on a dime if needed.

But there is an US, so while waiting to hear if and how we may be needed in the days ahead we make simple let's go here and here plans. Being together is what counts when all is measured and secured, and amendments are only a shifting part of life.

Four decades...

"I only know what I know, the passing of years will show.

You've kept my love so young, so new

And time after time, you'll hear me say

that I'm so blessed to be loving you."

a story of a marriage

"...we have learned to live with each other, accepting each other's edges and corners."

Madeleine L'Engle

Two-Part Invention

For thirty-five years my husband and I have lived with each other.

The edges and corners have not become less sharp necessarily, just accepted with warm appeal all around.

If you have never read this book, Two-Part Invention by Madeleine L'Engle, you should take the time and do so, perhaps this summer. This book is one of the best books on marriage that I have ever read. It is beautifully written; an open, heartfelt, and sincere book about the beginnings of a marriage that spanned forty years, "unto death do us part". While I might not agree with the entirety of the author's Biblical doctrines, I wholeheartedly believe in the principles that governed her life in how she viewed a committed marriage relationship, and the manner in which she lived her life and defined family.  Two-Part Invention is the fourth book in a series she entitled the Crosswicks Journal, all of which are autobiographical and written with her heart and soul completely entwined.

In celebration of thirty-five years together, my husband and I took an overnighter to one of our favorite getaways. We had six windows in our hotel room, two of which were in the bathroom! We dressed up and dined in the fancy dining room that evening while a music trio played the "soft love songs of the past".

Somehow I have always known my edges and corners were sharper than his from the very beginning...but he would never admit it or say that was true. My husband, my love, he is a wonderful man.

Very Special Nightwear

What a woman wears to bed is important. But then maybe it takes a certain age in a woman's life to understand how important, or maybe I am only generalizing considering others' points of view. Yet I can attest to those women friends who give testimony, husbands are pleased when a wife wears special things, and the femininity factor for the woman is priceless. You feel so lovely.

That is why you will find me at the Verena annual sale in July. I have reached the point in my life that these are the only nightgowns and robes I wear, and fortunately I have been able to accumulate quite a selection by going to these sales.

The laces are designed and made by the company. They are not scratchy, but so very soft next to your body.

And since a special friend, who holds lots of love in my heart, has a birthday this week, I chose one for her and wrapped it in tissue paper and tied it with lace. She can be even lovelier.

Just as a reference, the gowns, robes or pajamas are made in cotton, satin or chiffon, and range in different levels of oolala.

Saying it with a Song

Nothing seems to beat those impromtu date nights with my wonderful husband. A little bit of gussying up and out the door with anticipation of spending uninterrupted time with him. We dined at a fabulous new restaurant downtown in our state's capital.

Traveling home always finds us turning on the radio to a popular evening show, the only time we listen to it is when we are on a date night, it adds history. But it also becomes one of the most favorite parts of our date night, music to listen to and sing along with as we course down the highway amid the headlights and shadows.

This song is one of those songs that puts a smile on your lips every time you hear it. My husband and I totally agreed of how true the message is ...love only grows bigger, brighter and better.

Since Youtube is my source of every rhyme, reason, or whim of our culture, there could be no other way to actually share it with you, other than possibly taping us singing it together! Spiral Staircase does it so much better!!!! Yet we certainly have quite a bit of fun our way too.

gathering of hearts

I envisioned little wool hearts

here, there, and everywhere.

So I picked up my small crochet hook and fingering weight red wool and made myself some.

But the most treasured hearts of all, are already mine.

Candlelight Hot Pot

My husband called this evening to inform me he was detained in a business meeting and would be arriving home later. I put Charlotte in the bathtub, fed the girls something quick, but nutritional, and planned a special meal for just the two of us to be eaten by candlelight.

There happens to be a restaurant, a favorite of ours to dine out, that has on the menu a delicious soup called Hot Pot. A soup I honestly believe my husband dreams about in between visits to this restaurant.

I set out to make my own version of hot pot for him tonight. Some key ingredients were not available and I did not make a trip out to the market, but I thought I could still get a very tasty and perhaps pleasing dish with the ingredients that were on the pantry shelves and in the refrigerator:

Shrimp, asparagus, tomatoes, garlic, chicken broth, coconut milk, cremini mushrooms, and some very hot thai sauce.
He was not disappointed to say the least.

Frank sang his classics for us while the candle's glow created a soothing mood, something very needed in my hard working husband's life. How fulfilling it is to be able to offer that to him.

And we discussed the upcoming wedding, and our plans for the rehearsal dinner we will be hosting in May,

as we nibbled chocolate and sipped our coffee.

a weekend getaway

Our bags are packed

And we are ready to go...

Traveling with my husband here for the weekend. There are plans to hike some mountain paths. We shall see shades of changing foliage and enjoy our time together.

Of course, there will also be some knitting while riding in the car; an easy take along project, and music, and loads of conversation.

Have a good weekend!

Romance

Even the starts and stops of the heavy, late afternoon traffic as we headed out on the highway this evening was able to stifle any ceremony of us being together......on a date. I wore a fuchsia linen dress, and dangling earrings with pink stones hung from my ears. The earrings that I had informed the girls in the past that I "never wear" because, frankly, they hurt my ears. Of course, that was the first thing Charlotte commented on when she saw me walk out the door. But I wore them anyway. I was in a dangly earring sort of mood. A black shawl was carried on my arm because one can always expect cold air conditioned restaurants in the south on summer evenings.

Before pulling out of our driveway, I asked him if he minded if I knitted on the way, which amounted to an hours drive before reaching our destination. He looked at me, smiled and said, "Go get your knitting". He drove, I knitted, we talked, the romance of another hour with my husband.

As we sat side by side in the dimly lit restaurant, the minutes were absorbed into thin air and we succumbed to being just us, a couple. This is the way I have always heard it should be.

"For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of,
Long before I knew someone warm like you
Could make my dreams come true."

A little cottage by the sea

It was a made to order holiday with halcyon moments spent this past weekend by the seaside.The first evening we dined on lobster bisque by the still sound and returned to sit on the open porch in vibrant blue rockers as we watched the shadows of the darkening sky fall at the closing of an exceptional day. (The pedicure of red polish was compliments of Rose the night before departure.)


A river runs through it, and we adore visiting this town, eating by the water, and strolling amongst the little shops. I was fortunate to find lavender and brown soy taper candles which will do nicely on my dining table this fall.

Since food is never far from our minds, as we walked along the wharf we read the various restaurant's posted menus until we found what savories suited our culinary desires for lunch. I chose crab cake served along with Hoppin' John. Perfectly cooked and a very good choice I might add. Just ask my husband, he helped me eat it after finishing his scallops and shrimp. I kept the waiter busy refilling my glass with iced tea.


I love this little cottage by the sea because when you rise with dawn's early light the most stunningly breathtaking sunrises greet you from the porch.




My heart, soul, mind, and spirit merges stout with the gift of yet another day. His Word, a cup of delicious coffee, by the silvery sea, my dear husband nearby....who could ask for anything more?

down by the sea

"They dined on mince and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon."


Tomorrow morning my husband and I will stow our suitcase in the car and head to the sea ......just the two of us. We will eat by the water and dance on the sand. It will be so delightful.

A Rose by any other name......

Rose who is twelve.

She makes me smile way down deep.

My blessing of her is indescribable.

A Rainy Interlude

A deluge of rain slowed the traffic for a slight moment on the busy highway as we traveled this afternoon to take my girls for a weekend visit with grandma, granddaddy and visiting aunt. My husband and I were able to journey on for an evening with several stops as we headed back home. First, we dined where the lights were low, the food was satisfying and our seats were situated in a corner allowing our knees to touch. Then a stop to buy a new fragrance at Crabtree and Evelyn, Wisteria.


On the highway once again, I stared at a van carrying a mattress and box spring on top of its roof, tightly wrapped in plastic....thank goodness.....because it was raining once again.

shop with love

Due to a rolling along type of day, I was unable to manage my time to get to the market. Since we are expecting a family of six tomorrow evening for dinner, my husband kindly offered to take me to the grocery store tonight.
How I love this man. Does this count as a date?

A Perfect Evening

"Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me....."

My handsome husband dined with me tonight in our state's capital. We drove about an hour so our appetites were just where they needed to be upon arrival at this downtown restaurant.My entree of choice was rockfish and risotto. The mood was perfect as we enjoyed our time out together.

one of my favorite things

Several years ago a friend introduced me to a company that makes the most beautiful feminine nightwear. Verena Designs is appropriately named after the designer of these exquisite elegant gowns and robes. All the lace work is created by her and she selects only the best materials to truly create these works of art that you sleep in and appreciate their loveliness and comfort. I feel so pretty when I wear them, which I do every night. You can find them at verenadesigns. Check out their sight and if you would like I can tell you about their annual sale which enables me to have several of her creations hanging in my closet from which to choose nightly.