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Christmas in the South

I spent Christmas at daughter #2 south of New Orleans.  Came home one month ago tomorrow (eve of New Year's eve).  She collects angels and brings them all out at Christmas time.

 My friends call me a tornado magnet after a killer tornado flew over us, killing 4 in a town nearby...and I was in one in N. Iowa in June.

My daughter is a super hostess and loves to entertain.  My time was much more fun than I'd have by myself.  She's a great cook; I tasted sea creatures cooked creatively, rich desserts, good coffee. 

 
It was harvest time of sugar cane; I visited one of their 'above-ground' cemetaries and bayous, saw brackish water...all these new to me.

I was able to visit her church with her , sew a wardrobe for her dog Ruby:

 

I'll share more another time.  Stay warm..."and Mama in her kerchief and me in my cap......ready for a long winter's nap."

 

 

 

Slower than...._________(fill in the blank)

Happy New Year!  (only 1 month late)
You would think I've just been too busy to post...NOT!  Been painting woodwork, watching 'Doc Martin' series over and over, reading, reading, reading.  I love retirement:

 

Apparently my memory is 'retiring' too, as I enjoy whatever I watch or read as much each time I give it my attention.  My kids have mentioned it lately (as I recall).

 

I don't plan on 'retiring' this blog...so stay tuned.  I'm working on another entry.

 

Colors are about peak right now.

It has been a pretty Fall and the weather has been grand.
I planted a large garden for me, last spring.  I think there were about 30 tomato plants that I started in the house under grow lights.  Because we spread cardboard and wood chips, I didn't have to weed.  But, I'm not good at fertilizing so my harvest is always low.
Today we put the containers to 'bed' under a layer of heavy clear plastic.  I will rake leaves over the strawberry bed soon, and the berry bushes.  The hoses are drained...'moma in her kerchief and I in my cap...."  a long winter's nap.
I purchased a ticket to New Orleans for over Christmas when I visit one of my daughters. 
Tomorrow is the day I'm to present my slides and talk to my church seniors, sharing my trip to Romania and my missionary daughter there.  I took 25 pair or so of mittens I made to give to homeless there (their winter is about the same as Iowa).  So, now I'm making more most days to hand out to the homeless here in Raleigh.
I'm making more crib quilts and took 3 to Bucharest and gave them to the director of the Crisis Pregnancy Center for mothers who keep and raise their babies.
Photo below:

I'll save some for next time.    colleen in raleigh

Across the pond....

I'm baaack!  Left 9/16, back 10/9.  What a lot of stories to tell.  That comes later, after I have my thoughts together about the trip.
I'm catching up with DVR programs and the news:
EBOLA, the dreaded disease has hit America.  I wouldn't ever apply for the job of caring for or cleaning up the elusive germs...

but, I'm glad there are people willing to risk doing that.

We have no idea how this plague will explode or where, but this we do know:

 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Heb. 4:15,16

A missionary speaker in my church this morning said,
"There are many more deaths from malaria in Uganda than from AIDS or ebola.
We watch the television reports and media, making us anxious.  I need to draw near to Him on the throne, as revealed in the above verse.
Watch for another post soon...

Good intentions

I apologize for neglecting to make new posts for so long.  I have a good reason.

I'm planning for a trip to Romania, leaving in 4 days!  Will go over with my missionary daughter to Bucharest, serve with her 2 weeks, possibly longer,  then come back ALONE (yikes!), on the way to Minneapolis, From there to visit N. Iowa sister, then back to Mpls., and home to Raleigh nine days later.
I'm very thankful my back pain has lessened SO MUCH.  A year ago I wouldn't have been physically been able to do this.  This is the time God has chosen for me to go and He provides. 
Daughter #1, Bambi, has been serving there several years; I'll be helping her in various work she does as my energy allows.
below is her recent photo with me (I'm on the left):

Looking at my garden that's waiting for me to clean up, is sad.  I will try to get it done today or tomorrow when there's a strong person available to help me.  But this was a good season of plant/harvest.  I've frozen peaches, strawberries from another's garden, lots of tomatoes from mine.
                                                             BEFORE

                                                                 AFTER (today)

                                                          SOME CANNING

That's it for today.  I'll leave some words for the next time...lots to do today!
A verse that's been on my mind recently:
"I thought on my ways and turned my feet unto your testimonies."  Ps 119:59