How Sweet The Sound

The Rose Beyond the Wall

A rose once grew where all could see,
Sheltered beside a garden wall.

And, as the days passed swiftly by,
It spread its branches, straight and tall...

One day, a beam of light shone through,
A crevice that had opened wide~

The rose bent gently toward it's warmth,
Then passed beyond to the other side...

Now, you who deeply feel its loss,
Be comforted ~the rose blooms there~

Its beauty even greater now,
Nurtured by God's own loving care.

                                Author Unknown

********************************
Be sure to come back tomorrow for What's My Question Wednesday.
*************************
And, for everyone that has been asking.  This is a Peace rose, and it is from our garden.

Thank You

Faith at Grandma Faith presented me with this wonderful award.  This award really means a lot to me because I feel it is so important to take the time to leave a comment when you visit a blog.  My comments are usually what you would describe as short and succinct, but I always try to at least say hello.  I would like to take time to chat a bit longer, but I work full-time - and it is hard to get around and say hi to everyone that I would like.

I met Faith through Pink Saturday, and she is just a sweetheart.  Please take the time to visit her blog, and to get to know her.  She is a person with a good heart, and a love for life that she openly shares with her readers.

BJ at Sweet Nothings gave me the Loveable Blog award.  She had no way of knowing it, but that little girl actually favors me when I was that age.  I had long brown hair, and I (of course) liked to wear pink.

BJ is one of the first people that visited me when I re-opened my blog, and she is my designated Queen of Blogging.  She is a lady that always, always thinks of others first.  She goes out of her way to meet and introduce new bloggers.  She was my inspiration for The Rooster Parade, and she still asks to make sure I finally got all of the feathers out of our house.

My thanks to Faith and BJ for thinking of me, and for presenting me these awards.  It is because of people like you that I love blogging.  Your kindness and warm spirits inspire me.

I sincerely want to share these awards.  Both awards remind me of Pink Saturday - one because it is pink, and the other because of those of you who are Super Commenters to everyone that participates on Pink Saturday.  You know who you are, and I want you to take these awards that I am giving with an open heart.  You take the time from your days to leave the participants a comment, and I know that each person really appreciates your kindness.

Shall We Gather

Click to listen.

Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?

• Refrain:
  Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
  The beautiful, the beautiful river;
  Gather with the saints at the river
  That flows by the throne of God.

On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will talk and worship ever,
All the happy golden day.

Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown.

At the smiling of the river,
Mirror of the Savior’s face,
Saints, whom death will never sever,
Lift their songs of saving grace.

Soon we’ll reach the silver river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.

Pink Saturday - September 27 and Autumn Recipes and Tablescapes

A very special Pink Saturday announcement !!!

A wonderful new business by our very own Rosie of Rosie's Whimsy and her wonderful daughter, Tara (aka Lola's mommy).

Baby Vagabond is a blog & Etsy shop, maintained by MumMum & Lolasmom, in honor of a brand new baby named Lola! Baby Vagabond has a "whimsical style for budding bohemians" and is committed to supporting grassroots business, ecofriendly practices, and attachment (grand)parenting. On this Pink Saturday, we're kicking off our commitment to "Go Pink for October" to raise awareness about breast cancer and the lives that it affects. We'll be including something pink in every post, every day of October - as well as hosting a giveaway and sale in our Etsy shop! Please stop by for more details!

Just Look At This Adorable Pink-y Apron Pinafore

Best of luck in your new venture.

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

A reminder that today is the last day to bid on this beautiful doll featured by Joyce of Brookside Cottage.  She requested that I help spread the word that she is hosting a silent auction to benefit the Nielson family.  The auction is for an absolutely exquisite "Angel of Hope" doll.  Please take the time to visit the auction site.  I know everyone has this wonderful family in their prayers.

For some reason there doesn't seem to be much bidding activity on this sweet doll, and I can't understand why.  It seems this would make a wonderful holiday gift for any sweet young lady, and it would benefit the Nielson family.

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

My pink contribution for this Pink Saturday is a piece from my small collection of Irish Dresden figurines.  This is a very sleepy Wendy and her little doll.  Wendy is so sleepy that she is rubbing her eye and dragging her little dolly.  I think it is time for Wendy to get to bed.  Wendy measures four inches high, and I think she is adorable in her pink ruffled pajamas.

 

This week we have ninety-nine participants in Pink Saturday.  Wow!!!  It seems that so many of us have fun with the color pink.  I hope you are all enjoying this as much as I am.

Please take the time to visit the other participants, and leave them a comment to let them know you stopped by to enjoy their pink.  Pink Saturday is about having fun, and giving us a chance to meet others in the blogging community.  That is why it is important that we get out and visit each other.  I realize there are a lot of participants, and it is time-consuming to visit.  But, you don't have to visit every one all at once - just as you have time over the next few days.  I promise you it is worth the effort because you will not only see lots of pink, you will meet incredibly nice people.  Everyone likes to receive comments on their contributions.

I had a question about the order that people appear on this list, and I want to explain.  I have a database that is sorted by the order in which people started participating in Pink Saturday.  The list had become a bit out-of-order as people do and don't participate each week, but I have put it in order once again.  I think this is the most fair way to list the participants.

I want to thank those of you that takes the time to leave me a comment.  I love reading what you all have to say.

Here are our Pink Saturday participants:

• Jeanne at Backyard Neighbor
• Donna at Donna's - In The Attic
• Cami at From The Heart
• Deborah at Pictures, Pots and Pens
• Diane at A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words
• Heidi at Foxgloves, Fabric and Folly
• Joanna at Sweet Finds
• Melissa at MCC - Melissa's blog requires a password, but she definitely wants you to visit.  Just enter: username: mcc    password: lulubelle
• Mya at Creative Musings With Mya
• Stephanie Angelic Accents
• BJ at Sweet Nothings
• Connie at Living Beautifully
• Fitty at Fitty's Pinky Rose Cottage
• Gabriela at Gabriela Delworth's Blog
• Judy at Vintage To Chic
• Karen at A Scrapbook of Inspiration
• Marina at Only Cute Things
• Shirl at Shirl's Rose Cottage
• Teresa at PlumWater Cottage
• Vanessa at Vanilla Lavender
• Jan at Jan & Tom's Place
• Kari & Kijsa at Ask Kari & Kijsa
• Nancy at My Crafty Little Page
• Dana at The Stone Rabbit
• Rhonda at Scooterblu's Whimsy
• Maryjane at The Beehive Cottage
• Cathi at The Way I See It
• Ann at Anne Fannie's Green Acres
• Betty at She's Sew Pretty
• Debbie at Ribbonwood Cottage
• Ellen at The Happy Wonderer
• M at Tales From An O.C. Cottage
• Margie at Josie's Niece
• Nikki at The Scarlett Rose Garden
• Rhea at Miss Rhea's Sweet N Shabby Roses
• Heidi at Life in Pink
• Kady at Life On Bonnie Lane
• Karin at Creative Chaos
• Lorena at Rose Chic Friends
• Amy at My Artful Heart
• Cori at Gingerbread Crumbs & Company
• Glennis at Dove's Today
• Helen at Nanna's Place
• Silvia at Abuela Beauty
• Theresa at Take A Sentimental Journey
• Wendy at Pink Slippers
• Lara at Lara's Welt
• Patti at Paintin-Patti
• Susan at Sweetpea Sue's Cottage
• Bev at Thru Pink Curtains
• Katie at Rose Breeze Boutique
• Bobbie Jo at Its Good To Be Queen
• Melissa at Melissa's Cozy Teacup
• Melony at Melony's Whimsy Daisy
• Patricia at The Unfinished Flower
• Satsuki at Abnormality Frugality
• Virginia at Love Is All There Is
• Becky at One Shabby Old House
• Bernideen at Bernideen's Tea Time Blog
• Dawn at C & G Designs
• Donna at An Enchanted Cottage
• Donna at Party Wishes
• Lynne Laura at A Romantic Nest
• Jessica at The Cozy Kettle
• Kimberly at Seashells and Silver
• Ramona at Whatever
• Sally at Smiling Sally
• Stephanie at The Queen of Dreamsz Crochet and Sewing
• Beverly at Sew On.....And Sew Fourth
• Debra at Pink Wishes and Shabby Dreams
• Jennifer at Jennifer's Petal Palace
• Katherinellen at Welcome To Kat's Korner
• Kathy at Kat Collects
• Cait at Finding My Balance
• Charlotte at At Home In Scottsdale
• Faith at Grandma Faith's Fabulous Life
• Laurie at Charming Designs
• Leena at Leena's Photoblog
• Linnea at Neabear's Sewing and Craft Mess
• Marina at MilePebbles
• Susan at Between Naps On The Porch
• Ann at Protector of Vintage
• Jennifer at Fancy That
• Jennifer at Rosey Little Things
• Mary at Sweetie's World
• Nerissa at Kate, Vee and Me
• Stephanie at Lulu's Cottage
• Susan at One Knit One Purl
• Debbie at Cottage Boutique Pillows
• Jeanie at The Marmalade Gypsy
• Jenny at The Red Bulletin Board
• Kim at Shabby, Pink and Pretty
• Tara and Rosie at Baby Vagabond
• CC at Lace 'n' Ribbon Roses
• Pat at Mille Fiori Favoriti
• Stacey at A Lamb In The Field
• Angie at The American Homemaker
• Robyn There Is Always Thyme For ....
• Liz at Bowerdirdz Blog

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

Today our very own Heidi at Foxgloves, Fabric and Folly is hosting Autumn Recipes & Tablescapes.
Thanks Heidi!

Unfortunately, I haven't had time to prepare a tablescape to share, but I do have an extremely easy and tasty recipe.  My mother started making this when I was about four years old, and it is still a hit with our family.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Brown two pounds of extra lean ground beef.  Add one small, finely chopped onion, one tablespoon of chili powder, and two 15-ounce cans of chili (with or without beans depending on your preference).  I also add one teaspoon of cayenne pepper.  Pour into a 13x9 baking dish.

Prepare two 6-ounce boxes of cornbread mix according to package direction plus an additional 1/3 cup of milk.  Pour cornbread mixture over chili mixture, covering to edges of pan.

Bake until cornbread is golden brown.  I serve mine with grated cheddar cheese and sour cream.

This is so easy, and everyone loves it.  And, it easily adapts to your own chili or cornbread recipe if you prefer.

A reminder that today is the last day to bid on this beautiful doll featured by Joyce of Brookside Cottage.  She requested that I help spread the word that she is hosting a silent auction to benefit the Nielson family.  The auction is for an absolutely exquisite "Angel of Hope" doll.  Please take the time to visit the auction site.  I know everyone has this wonderful family in their prayers.

For some reason there doesn't seem to be much bidding activity on this sweet doll, and I can't understand why.  It seems this would make a wonderful holiday gift for any sweet young lady, and it would benefit the Nielson family.

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

The Bible Tells Me So

Today is Hopeful Friday hosted by The House In The Roses

The Bible Tells Me So (click to listen)

(How does he know)
Oh, how do I know
(How does he know)
Oh, how do I know
(This is how he knows)

Have faith, hope and charity
That's the way to live successfully
How do I know, the Bible tells me so
(The Bible tells him)

Do good to your enemies
And the Blessed Lord you'll surely please
How do I know, the Bible tells me so
(The Bible tells him)

Don't worry 'bout tomorrow
Just be real good today
The Lord is right beside you
He'll guide you all the way

Have faith, hope and charity
That's the way to live successfully
How do I know, the bible tells me so
(The Bible tells him)

So, have faith, hope and charity
That's the way to live successfully
How do I know, the bible tells me so
(That's how he knows it)

Do good to your enemies
And the Blessed Lord you'll surely please
How do I know, the Bible tells me so
(That's how he knows it)

Don't worry 'bout tomorrow
Just be real good today
The Lord is right beside you
He'll guide you all the way

Oh, the Bible says have faith, hope and charity
That's the way to live successfully
How do I know, (oh, how does he know)
How do I know, (oh, how does he know)
The Bible tells me so

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

Just a reminder that Pink Saturday is tomorrow.  Please e-mail today by 5 p.m. EST to let me know if you are going to participate.  We are having so much fun.  Our numbers are growing, and we already have eighty-eight participants for tomorrow.

Help yourself to the Pink Saturday button to put on your blogs.  It is at the top of my blog in the right sidebar.

Wondering what Pink Saturday is?  Please refer to the feature in my right sidebar near the top of my blog.

Tag - You're It

Jessica at The Cozy Kettle has tagged me with a Seven Things tag.  So, here goes:

Seven Things I Plan To Do Before I Die

1. Travel through the New England states
2. Catch up on my scrapbooking
3. Get current on my genealogy documentation
4. Retire
5. Enjoy my family
6. Clean the top of my desk  ;-)
7. Catalog everything in my home

Seven Things I Can Do

1. My job
2. Decorate
3. Cook
4. Edit
5. Problem solve and analyze
6. Love my family
7. Be a good friend

Seven Things I Cannot Do

1. Sew
2. Stand on the edge and look down
3. Ride a roller coaster
4. Watch scary movies
5. Take liquid medicine
6. Drive stick
7. Tolerate lying

Seven Things that Attract Me to My Mister

1. He loves me
2. He loves our family
3. There is no where he would rather be than at home with his family
4. He is honest
5. He has a cute butt
6. His sense of humor
7. The way he stands by me no matter what

Seven Things I Say Most Often

1. I love you
2. Get over it
3. Drive carefully
4. Don't forget to say a prayer
5. Is there something you didn't understand
6. Patience is a virtue
7. Try again


Seven Celebrity Admiration's

1. Meryl Streep
2. Robert Redford
3. Paul Newman
4. Annette Benning
5. Morgan Freeman
6. Diane Keaton
7. Harrison Ford

Seven Favorite Foods

1. Cuban food
2. Mangoes
3. Blackberries
4. Salmon
5. Scallops
6. Oysters
7. Rum Raisin ice cream

Seven People I Think Should Do This

1. Jeanne at Backyard Neighbor
2. Dawn at Dawn's Daybreak
3. Deborah at Pictures, Pots and Pens
4. Christina at Christina's Blog
5. BJ at Sweet Nothings
6. Theresa at Take A Sentimental Journey
7. Heidi at Foxgloves, Fabric and Folly

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

Just a reminder that Pink Saturday is only two days away.  Please e-mail me by 5 p.m. EST Friday (that's tomorrow) to let me know if you are going to participate.  Our numbers are growing, and I need your e-mail to help me manage.

Wondering what Pink Saturday is?  Please refer to the feature button in my right sidebar near the top of my blog.  And, please display the Pink Saturday button on your blog.

What's My Question Wednesday

My question for today is ...

Has anyone actually heard from Shelia at Note Songs since the storm?

I know we have seen a couple of new posts on her blog recently, but I strongly suspect they were prescheduled.  A lot of us are really concerned.  If anyone has actually heard anything from Shelia, please let us know.

We all are praying, and really concerned.
We love you, Shelia.

Sweet Gabriela

I received an e-mail yesterday from our very own lovely Gabriela, and she had created for me the most beautiful new Pink Saturday button.  I wanted to share it with all of you.  Gabriela is so incredibly talented with her digital designs.  And, she has the most wonderful blog where she shares her creativity and her love for all things Marie Antoinette.

Presenting my exquisite new Pink Saturday button.



I love it!  Many thanks to Gabriela for this beautiful gift.

********************************
Be sure to come back tomorrow for What's My Question Wednesday.

20 Little Things

Today I set up our little autumn display in our front yard.  The neighborhood children love our scarecrow.  Closer to Halloween we put out two ghosts, and add several jack-o-lanterns on the front porch.

 

Twenty Little Things To Treasure in Autumn.

Melissa at The Inspired Room has asked us to share things we savor during autumn.  Autumn is my husband's favorite season of the year, and it is a close runner-up to my favorite season of spring.

1. The crisp coolness of the air when I walk outside.
2. Sipping my steaming hot coffee while sitting in the sunroom with a throw pulled across my lap.
3. Building our first fire of the season in the fireplace.
4. Yummy bowls of chili accompanied with melt-in-your-mouth cornbread.
5. Our annual drive up to the mountains to see the breathtaking show of the changing leaves.
6. Pulling the covers over my head in my warm, comfy bed.
7. Making a large pot of Brunswick stew, and making extra to freeze for other meals of comfort.
8. Savoring every rose from our garden before the first frost.
9. Playing family games.
10. Hot cinnamon cake and hot spiced apple cider.
11. Evenings lit by soft candlelight.
12. Family get-togethers filled with reminiscing and laughter.
13. Fresh crisp apples, and baking apple pies.
14. Planning our Thanksgiving menu and table settings.
15. Pumpkin, sweet potato and pecan pies.
16. Watching football games.
17. Gathering pinecones and acorns to use to decorate the table.
18. Pumpkins, gourds and brightly-colored mums.
19. Cute little ones trick-or-treating at our door.
20. And, the comfort of knowing my home and family are blessed with God's love.

 

Have Faith In God

Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely.
He sees and knows all the way you have trod;
Never alone are the least of His children;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Have faith in God when your prayers are unanswered,
Your earnest plea He will never forget;
Wait on the lord, trust His word and be patient,
Have faith in God. He'll answer yet.

Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow,
His heart is touched with your grief and despair;
Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him,
And leave them there, oh, leave them there.

Have faith in God though all else fall about you;
Have faith in God, He provides for His own:
He cannot fail though all kingdoms shall perish.
He rules. He reigns upon His throne.

Refrain:

Have faith in God, He's on His throne,
Have faith in God, He watches over His own;
He cannot fail, He must prevail,
Have faith in God, Have faith in God.