today's gifts

41. my dishwasher (the automatic kind and the Hubby kind!)
42. a pastor who preaches the truth
43. ceiling fans (especially in my kitchen and bedroom!)
44. a hot shower
45. sugar-free jello (a guilt-free treat!)
46. the aroma of bread baking
47. fresh strawberries
48. memories (especially the good ones!)
49. our used-book store (saves me so much money!)
50. my cell phone ( a few years ago, I wouldn't have said that, but it sure helps me keep in touch with my kids!)


I know I promised to tell you about the other town we visited, but I had to get my Tuesday 's "Today's  Gifts" post in. So, tomorrow, you will get the "rest of the story"! :-)

warm springs

Friday morning, my dear friend (the one who helps me paint and sew) of about 33 years and I  headed to Warm Springs, Ga. It is a small town of less than 500 residents that became popular in the early 1900's as a spa town. It is home to natural springs that flow constantly at a temperature of 90 degrees. President Franklin D. Roosevelt began to visit there, in the 1920's, after being diagnosed with polio in hopes that swimming in the springs would help his paralysis. He built a small home there which became know as "The Little White House" and he died there in 1945. Warm Springs is still home to the Roosevelt Institute for Rehabilitation which is renowned for its programs in physical and occupational rehab.

Downtown Warm Springs consists of one block

 of quaint shops and tasty places to eat.  

We ate lunch at "Georgia's Cafe"...

they had delicious chicken salad!

After lunch, we started browsing the shops...

down one side of the street...

 ...and then the other!

This shop had lots of pretty things...

 ...including furniture!

 This was probably the most novel thing we saw...

a nativity puzzle...

...with the scripture engraved on each piece.

It really was beautiful.

We both wanted one, but at $115

we decided to pass!

When we walked in this shop, I knew

 I smelled something sweet.

When we walked in this room,

 I saw what it was...

scented candles!

 Loved these angels!

 This was an old safe inside an old vault

where they put...not their valuable merchandise, 

but their clearance items! ha! ha!

These reminded me of all you bird lovers

 (like Debbie) out there!

 

 These are engraved stone plaques...

thought the name was catchy!

This little guy was just too cute...

 had to take his picture!  

This shop had all these beautiful quilts!

Back out on the street, we noticed the lamp posts...

...the hotel sign...

...and the blooming planters!

 

Then we were off to our final destination...

more history and fun next time! :-)

you don't say...

Friday morning, I left town with one of my dear friends

for a short girl's get-away.

We visited two towns with lots of history

(which I will tell you about later)

and some interesting shops

that were fun to explore!

The merchandise seemed to have a lot to say.

Here's a sampling:

 Really love this one!

Which one is your favorite?

More pictures and a history lesson next time! :-)

a hippie?

I was listening to Christian radio on the way home from work today. They were talking about how easy it is for us to judge others by their appearance. A listener called in with this story:


    "A few years back, I owned my own day care center. The dad of one of the children had long hair and a beard. At dinner one night, I was telling my husband about him and said..."He looks like a hippie." My four year old son quickly said, "No, Mommy, he looks like Jesus."

"Love is the only mirror we must use to judge others."

Bodie Thoene, A Daughter of Zion

P.S. My sweet daughter has entered the world of blogging! If you would like to drop by and welcome her to "blogland", you can find her at "The Christopher Clan."

nutella goodness!

 One evening while we were on our beach trip,

 our older son and his new bride made us a special treat.

They said they didn't have a name, so we decided to name

them "Almost Heaven"...since they almost were

...like the house!

Not only were they yummy but super easy to make.

Here are the directions:

refrigerated crescent rolls

Nutella Hazelnut Spread

granulated sugar and cinnamon

 (mixed in same proportions as you would use

 for cinnamon toast)

Separate rolls into triangles, spread with the Nutella.

 Roll up and roll in cinnamon sugar mix. 

Bake as directed on can.

With a cup of coffee... my goodness! :-)

today's gifts

31. thunder resounding with the promise of rain
32. baby kisses
33. home cooked meals...that someone else cooks! :-)
34. birds in our birdbaths
35. a comfortable and safe place to live
36. healthy teeth (I had a dental cleaning today!)
37. a day's work done
38. co-workers who take care of things while I am away
39. a hubby who doesn't mind buying groceries
40. flowers that bloom over and over (like my impatiens!)

beach trip...the rest of the story!

As I said, this was a new rental for us. We have been renting

 the same house on the island for 13 years. 

This one was much bigger...very spacious and comfortable.

It has a big kitchen and the  large bar was

perfect for serving all of us!

There were two tables for eating...

 ...and playing games.

 We actually had two canopies, but on Sun,

 only 5 of us were there. So one was enough.

Great to be able to retreat from the sun!

Look how blue the sky is!

We played on the beach and in the water...

There was lots of "togetherness"! :-)

   The kids had to play golf...

 ...and the parents joined in!

 The shrimp were scarce this year, 

but they did catch some crabs...

 ...that had to be cleaned...

 ...and boiled.

Fresh crab and our low country boil...

made for a fine dinner our last night!

We chose to take our picture in the historic district

 this year. Love the green and the Spanish moss!

We added three to the family

 this year...our two new grands

and our sweet new daughter-in-law!

 Everybody pulling out... headed for home.

 One last wave!

Already looking forward to next year!