Palm Sunday thanksgiving...

Judging by the pile of shoes on my bedroom floor that have yet to make it into my suitcase,

I have difficulties narrowing down my choice of footwear for five days away.

Sometimes I'm that way with the way I use my time.

Just like I want to pack all of my favorite shoes in order to keep my options open in spite of limited luggage space,

I prefer to not have to say no to some things even when my time is limited.

This week I'm saying no to some things, so I can make room for some other things.

Tonight I'm doing a quick gratitude post so I can finish packing.

This week I won't be online often or blogging so I can spend five days at the International House of Prayer with some of the ladies from our church.

I think spending Holy Week in prayer and the Word is going to be wonderful,

and I think spending it will some of the ladies from our church will be fantastic.

(And that photo above has absolutely nothing to do with this post except it's pretty.)

******************

Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.

 I continue to count my thanks

piling up gratitude day by day

in my little green journal.

(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)

#5925-#5950

3-23-15-

-all of the good stuff in Thessalonians as I'm reading through the Bible

-listening to my son-in-law's podcast on my run

-encouragement from other photographers

3-24-15-

-the young mama from our church who was in a coma is now sitting up and talking

-getting the wedding invitations for youngest daughter's wedding into the mail

-texts from my girls about the misadventures of our grandkids

-the way God cares for us

-no damage to either car when a lady and I backed into each other in the Costco parking lot

3-25-15-

-an email from my missionary brother

-birthday dinner for my oldest daughter

-she loved her bracelet we bought her for her birthday

-the two youngest granddaughters sleeping over

3-26-15-

-our girl's actual birthday

-visiting a sweet young mama in the hospital

-a wonderful time of worship and prayer 

3-27-15-

-a great date day with the hubs

-watching a movie we both liked

-a relaxing evening at home

3-28-15-

-another successful Code Orange Egg Drop

-watching our Truelife Espanol pastors' baby girl

-oldest granddaughter coming over to help babysit

-talking and praying with a friend

3-29-15-

-wonderful worship and message

-praying with people at the altar

-lunch with a new to the area family

-my friend's just born premature grandbaby doing great!

gratefully yours,

My Father's hands...

One of my first hazy memories is of my Daddy holding my little brother and me,

one of us in each of his hands.

As a little girl, I was convinced that Daddy was the handsomest and strongest man in the world.

When I was a bit older, Daddy got sick with ulcers and was in bed and on a special diet for a while.

My illusions of him being strong and invincible were challenged.

When I was nine, and Daddy left Mama and us kids for another woman and her kids, 

all of my faith and trust in him was shattered.

Through the years and decades, how often have I longed for someone strong enough to hold me up in his hands?

The little girl in me never stopped longing for a father she could count on.

As a young mama, I remember being in the kitchen, mopping the floor.

It was the Saturday before Father's Day.

The longings for a father I could count on bubbled up from my heart,

and spilled out in tears from my eyes.

Then I heard His voice speak to my heart,

the voice of the Father who always was, always has been, always will be,

faithful, true and strong.

He reminded me of how He had always been there when my Daddy wasn't,

and He reminded me that He always will be.

There's nothing like knowing you're in good hands,

loving hands, strong hands, that have always been there for you and always will be.

still following,

Also happily linking up with the lovely Lisha Epperson 

and Cheryl McCain Photography.

Friday Faves...Orange Sour Cream Pound Cake

It's my oldest daughter's birthday!

We had her birthday dinner last night.

For her birthday cake I made an Orange Sour Cream Pound Cake

with Orange Sour Cream Frosting.

It was delicious!

Orange Sour Cream Pound Cake

1 cup butter

3 cups sugar

6 eggs

3 cups flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup sour cream

 (I used light sour cream because it was what I had on hand)

zest of two medium oranges

Using mixer, cream room temperature butter and sugar together til fluffy.

Add room temperature eggs one at a time, beating after each one.

Add vanilla and orange zest.

Sift together dry ingredients.

Alternate adding dry ingredients and sour cream.

Beat on low until blended.

Grease and flour 9x13 pan

or 10 inch tube pan.

Bake in preheated 325 degree oven for approx 1 hour and 20-30 minutes 

until cake tester or toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Orange Sour Cream Frosting

Cream together:

1/4 cup room temperature butter

1/2 cup sour cream

zest of one orange

1 teaspoon vanilla

Add 2 3/4 cup powdered sugar and beat until frosting is smooth and fluffy.

Frost when cake is completely cool.

It's almost Friday, friends!

Have a HAPPY, HAPPY Friday

and 

a safe and BLESSED weekend!

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com

             

By the sea...

As we drive west and get nearer the sea,

I never fail to remember Daddy telling us kids,

the seven of us packed like sardines into the back of the station wagon,

"First one to see the ocean gets a nickel!".

Now, decades later, my heart still quickens at the first glimpse of the sea.

By the sea, I never fail to find refuge,

to be soothed and somehow knit back together.

It seems that walking there on the sandy shore, 

the Creator's words, "Let there be!" are still reverberating 

as I look at His massive, majestic masterpiece.

By the sea, I am reminded that God is well able to handle everything in my one small, messy life.

I am comforted.

I am relieved.

I am at peace.

By the sea...

My husband drew the winner of my giveaway for Shauna Niequist's devotional, Savor.
And the winner is OKLAHOMA RED!
Congratulations!  You're going to love this book!

still following,

  

Also joining THOUGHT PROVOKING THURSDAYS 

at 3-D Lessons for Life

Little ironstone treasures...

In yesterday's photography post I showed you an antique enamelware chamber-stick

 that I got last week at an antique store on the coast.

I also bought this little ironstone soap dish.

I bought these little ironstone butter pats as well.

Everything in the booth I bought my treasures in was inexpensive to begin with

 and then it was also an extra 20% off! 

I love it when things like that happen! 

Today is your last chance to enter my giveaway

for a copy of Shauna Niequist's new devotional book, Savor.

Winner will be chosen tomorrow, (Wednesday, March 25th).

Click here to enter!

still following,

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com