Did you know there is a song about a traditional Irish potato dish? It is a sweet, nostalgic ballad by Mary Black titled, Colcannon.Continue Reading
Shasta Daisies and Free Printable Gift Tags
It started as a need to fill a patch of space along a walkway to the front door. We had to remove some hinoki cypress bushes that were looking shabby and wanted to replace them with something inexpensive. Like free inexpensive. I spotted a Shasta Daisy we planted several years prior that was now getting pretty large.Continue Reading
Gosling Cuteness Overload
When a pair of fluffy little abandoned goslings come along, one can’t help but stop all activity and take in all their gosling cuteness. These two puffballs were found wandering between parking lot traffic at a local WAWA by our daughter. Of course she brought them home for us to see before taking them to a nearby wildlife refuge.
Inspirational Quotes, Verses and Poems for Mother’s Day
If you are a mom, about to become a mom, know a mom or have a mom, there is sure to be a quote or poem here that touches your heart or makes you smile.
The Will of God
The Will of God
The will of God will never take you
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
The will of God will never take you
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot not overrule for you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you,
Everything happens for a purpose. We may not see the wisdom of it all now,
but trust and believe in the Lord that everything is for the best.
Author unknown
God speaks to me in Springtime
God speaks to me in springtime
When the earth is wet with dew
In the meadows and the prairies
As the grass comes poking through.
I Look Not Back
~ Blessing be yours in this New Year ~ I heard this beautiful poem titled, I Look Not Back, recently while listening online to Alistair Begg, Senior pastor at Parkside Church, Cleveland, Ohio. So much encouragement and truth penned by Annie Johnson Flint.
Start Over
Crochet Gift Ideas

let the little children come
“JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN”
Words by C. Herbert Woolston, music by George F. Root
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red, brown, yellow
Black and white
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus loves the little children
Of the world.
Jesus died for all the children
All the children of the world
Red and yellow
Black and white
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus died for all the children
Of the world.
Jesus rose for all the children
All the children of the world
Red and yellow
Black and white
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus rose for all the children
Of the world.
source
Saturday morning, we watched grandchildren while our daughter ran in a race.
The moments were filled with impish playfulness with PopPop.
This little one is at the age of constant activity with every emotion written clearly in her expressions. Who can resist those soft cheeks! Not PopPop!
and the stare-down winner is….
Pup and toddler always ready for a treat!
each child with their own unique personality and special talents
sisters ~ brothers ~ sibling love
and look at our girl…
She ran with a friend in the Philadelphia 5K Rocky Balboa Run finishing 9 mins 7 sec miles; 28:22 finish.
Having seven children must be what keeps her is such good shape!
Welcome September
By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer’s best of weather
And autumn’s best of cheer.
I’ve been reluctant to cut the hydrangea flowers because I love the view from the kitchen table.
But I also want to enjoy these pretty, chartreuse-colored flowers in my home through the year.
So, I cut the huge blooms and stood them in a large pitcher filled with water where they will remain for about a week, until they are dried.
This post from last summer, shows how I dry hydrangea blooms.
Here they fill a bowl for a vibrant centerpiece
And, a few more ideas for using the dried blossoms to create a wreath can be found here.
Our grandchildren will all be heading back to school this coming week and my thoughts turn to the anticipation of autumn and all its beauty. I love the month of September!
Hope its a good month for you!
when brother is sick
baby Jet has been sick for a bit unable to shake a fever, croupy, bronchial virus illness that sent him to the hospital for a couple of days. He is home now with meds and should start to feel better soon.
Four of his siblings came to my house so Jets mom and dad could take care of him.
I should be running around, cleaning up and getting ready for our three up-state New York grandchildren coming down on Friday to spend the week. Instead, I am sharing some glimpses and moments of our time together…
Sick little brother
hospital stay
siblings at Mom-Moms
ready for play
trip to the playground
slip down the slide
twirling and dancing
places to hide
snooze with the pup
splash in the sink
swishing those bubbles
drawing with pink
buckled in car seats
noodles to eat
bedtime stories
Incredibly sweet
library visit
more books to read
pieces in puzzles
tummies to feed
climb in the playhouse
French fries to munch
peeking from high spots
all during lunch
toys scattered about
sink full of mess
washer still running
house in distress
tickles and smooches
diapers to change
fingers need wiping
smells that are strange
snuggles at bedtime
piggies and toes
bath time all finished
soon they will doze
sleeping so sweetly
my eyes behold
blessings from heaven
worth more than gold
copyright 2014 by Lorraine @With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart
Ocean View

The First Rose Of Summer
It excites me to see the very first rose buds appear each spring knowing they will soon bust forth into beautiful blossoms with sweet fragrance. This is a hybrid tea rose called Broadway with shades of pink, yellow and peach. It has been in our garden since 2012.
Growing alongside purple spiderwort.
Pink Knockout Roses are just beginning to bloom too.
The First Rose Of Summer
‘Tis the first rose of summer that opes to my view,
With its bright crimson bosom all bathed in the dew;
It bows to its green leaves with pride from its throne–
‘Tis the queen of the valley, and reigneth alone.
Oh! why, lovely stranger! thus early in bloom,
Art thou here to assure us that summer is come?
The primrose and harebell appear with the spring,
But tidings of summer the young roses bring.
Thou fair gift of nature (I welcome the boon),
Was ‘t the lark of the morning that ‘woke thee so soon?
Yet I weep, thou sweet floweret! for soon, from the sky,
The lark shall repose where thy leaves wither’d lie.
Oh! if beauty could save thee, thou ne’er wouldst decay,
But, alas! soon thou ‘lt perish and wither away;
And thy kindred may blossom, and blossom as fair–
Yet I ‘ll mourn, lonely rosebud! when thou art not there.
Robert Gilfillan (1798-1850 / Scotland)
Cardinal in Winter
I saw a cardinal on a branch outside our powder room window. I was able to get a few photos. I wanted to add a verse or poem for my Sunday post but couldn’t find something I liked. Our granddaughter, Keri Jill, told me she likes to write poetry and in a few minutes read to me the following poem.
Winter Cardinal
by Keri Jill – age 10
When a cardinal’s
nose hits winter breeze
nose hits winter breeze
it shivers and
shivers and starts to freeze.
shivers and starts to freeze.
But, God gives a
blanket like shimmering gold
blanket like shimmering gold
and even in
winter, he never gets cold.
winter, he never gets cold.
Pop-Pop went to watch her play in our church Salao soccer league Saturday morning then brought her to our home for a visit and sleepover. She requested mashed potatoes and green beans for supper. I threw in BBQ chicken for good measure. Making Valentine’s Day treats, jewelry making with Aunt Abbey and a movie were on the list of things to do.
Aunt Abbey working on a project with Keri
and
few more photos