quail and the hawk

this quail family used to frequently stop by for a meal

 

We have always had lots of birds in our neighborhood and that included quail.  In fact, once in a while we would pull out of the driveway and stop before reaching the end of the block - to let a parade of quail cross the street, taking their own sweet time to safely arrive on the other side.  Lately we've been wondering where all the quail went.  the hawk!  Now it's not that uncommon for him to swoop down and prey upon our birds.  But this, sadly, is more than we would have predicted.  Yesterday he was perched high in our neighbor's tree and was making quail calls.  Seriously!  Did you know hawks mimic quail?  That was a first for us. In fact, I would not have believed it if I had not heard him.  Sneaky creature, no wonder they have disappeared.

 

saturday at home

 temperatures in the 70's and it's only February!  a day spent outdoors since there is lots of yard work to be done!  must have picked 200 grapefruit and there's still more.  so sweet this year!

hidden in the picture are doves - we've been listening to mating calls all day. they mate for life.

always have to have flowers in the house.  these tulips will soon lose their bloom for the year but how I have enjoyed them.

 



picture reflects a little of our home - candles, candy:  always have it out, even if I no longer eat it!  bible open and glasses on the couch  where the Dutchman has been in the early morning.  flowers.  single rose in a bottle given to me by a young woman I chatted with in line at walgreens the other day.  puts a smile on my face.

the call came yesterday afternoon:

"Hello...Elizabeth?"
"yesssssssssssssss"
"Hi Elizabeth!  This is Amanda!"
slowly & grumpily responding:  "yes Amanda" ....as I settle in my mind this is definitely another telemarketing call.  hang up?  or give enough time to say, once again, take my name off the list!!!?  grrrrr!!!
fortunately I waited long enough to hear:  "I'm calling you back to work next week...."
"OH!  That Amanda!!  Hi Amanda!!!  I thought you were a telemarketing call!  Yay! I'm so glad it's you!"
So it is.......next week back to work for the tax season.  A few things to ponder and settle:

1. Since September I have had the freedom of spending 2 hours at the gym.  5 days a week.  morning or afternoon.  a luxury.  not only a good workout but the steam room as my reward!  Now it will require a discipline to get myself there outside of work hours.  Especially since I have activities 3 nights a week.  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday nights cannot be changed.  Neither can a commitment of going to the gym. Message to myself:  make it work beth!!
2. O  the 5:00 a.m. mornings begin again!!  the older I get, the more I struggle with that early a.m. call!  Message to myself: you can do it beth!
3. A sedentary job.  that means get up from that computer and move throughout the day.  walk on breaks.  volunteer for jobs that require movement.  Message to myself:  nothing can prevent me from continuing on this journey of weight loss and good health!
4. Reminder to me:  You do well on a schedule.  Plan your day!  Plan your meals/snacks.  Plan your GB3 time.  Write it out.  Then live it!  And do it with joy!

"Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 
1 Corinthians 5:16-18


Carole King & James Taylor YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND Live at the Troubad...

 

 You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am

 I'll come running to see you again.

 Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there, yeah, yeah,

 you've got a friend.

 

 If the sky above you should turn dark and full of clouds

 and that old north wind should begin to blow,

 keep your head together and call my name out loud.

 Soon I will be knocking upon your door.

 You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am

 I'll come running to see you again.

 Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there.

 

 Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend? People can be so cold.

 They'll hurt you and desert you. Well, they'll take your soul if you let them,

 oh yeah, but don't you let them.

 

 You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am

 I'll come running to see you again.

 Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call, Lord, I'll be there, yeah, yeah,

 you've got a friend. You've got a friend.

 Ain't it good to know you've got a friend. Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.

 Oh, yeah, yeah, you've got a friend.

to my love this valentine's day and always

annie's song - sung at our wedding almost 33 years ago.  As true of us today.  xxoo

"You fill up my senses
Like a night in a forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean
You fill up my senses
Come fill me again

Come let me love you
Let me give my life to you
Let me drown in your laughter
Let me die in your arms
Let me lay down beside you
Let me always be with you
Come let me love you
Come love me again

You fill up my senses
Like a night in a forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean
You fill up my senses
Come fill me again"

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how quickly the week has gone - and today it's a tearful goodbye



jayme has long drive home - shannon gets a truck!



two of God's best

 

these days with jayme flew by.  so tough to say goodbye.  not so easy to live 12 hours apart. but the joy when she or any of the others come visit is exquisite.  we created more good memories. cherish them in my heart.

"the Lord bless you and keep you.  the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace"  Numbers 6:24-26


  

 

 

 



jayme teaches me to make a tie blanket



cut out the corners.  then cut strips.



after cutting, tie each strip

finished!  took us about an hour.  I love it!

and of course-a pic of ally!
Jayme is really missing her!
 

there is something about a daughter that can compare to no other relationship.  it has been such joy having jayme here for a week.  she drives home tomorrow.  God speed dearest daughter of mine!  xxoo

Jayme arrived today and all is well with the world

 

 

 

A week with my daughter is a bit of heaven on earth!  LOVE having her come visit!  She lives too far away and my times with her are some of the best.  She is one of the nicest people I know!  xxoo to you my daughter!



jay and cindi @ the superbowl!

Sharing my nephew Jay's photos just seemed like a good thing to do.  He and his wife, Cindi, were there.....live and in person..........at the Superbowl.  You'll see a photo of him down on the field...yes, he has a lot of "klout". Actually, it's his job.  And he is at every Superbowl.  Besides that, he is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. Has a wonderful family too!   Great memories of a summer he spent with us in Florida as a teenager.  Jayme's memories include a canoe trip on the river and  alligators!    My heart did skip a beat that hot Florida summer afternoon back in the 1980's when they got home and told the story!

lovely Cindi

Jay in the tie

fun is homemade pizza and movie night with the tuesday night bible study ladies

vivian makes her Italian grandmother's pizza dough and sauce

we all gathered around Vivian for a pizza making lesson. margie & lynn worked on salad.  Juanita, deedee, barb & anita added  cheese, olives, mushrooms, sausage, pepperoni, peppers.....the works! beth acted as a photographer.  it was delicious!!!  no!  I could not eat the pizza, but they loved it!  and I was completely content with the out-of-this-world salad.  then movie time ...  a good chick flick...pass the Kleenex please!  and topped off with dessert. before we parted....a time of prayer.  for we are not only His beloved daughters, we are also His needy daughters.  oh this group does love one another and enjoy life at our get-togethers!

missing beautiful ally today!

"on the night you were born
the moon smiled with such wonder
that the stars peeked in to see you
and the night wind whispered
'life will never be the same'
Because there had never been anyone like you
ever in the world"
by Nancy Tillman "On the Night You Were Born"
 

Prayer Causes Things to Happen by John Piper

Had to share this short video....it will drive you to your knees!

abandoned blog coming back to life

je vous aime, ma soeur

It has been so long since I have done any posting and certainly a long time since I have posted with any consistency.  Maybe it's time to bring this abandoned blog back to life once again.  I will start with the fabulous day yesterday, Sunday, January 1st, 2014.  After church, hurried home,  and sister picked me up for a magical afternoon. We went to the William Saroyan Theater for Les Miserables.  Magnificent performance.  And yes, I cried at the end.
 


central Cal youth symphony orchestra played in lobby prior to show time



moi and sofia