"Y" Yikes

Yikes...

I forgot to give you the answers to the "W" meme, photo contest. No one won a book, unfortunately.

Hair

On my computer, and in every software I have, this picture is straight, but I can't get it straight here. So take my word for it when I say the above picture comes from this one.  :) BTW this is my second son and his girlfriend.

sunglasses lens

Daughter Deborah

rainbow...obviously

The whole picture. Actually saw a double rainbow that day, but couldn't get a good picture.  

Plant.

The magnolia tree I received for my birthday.

sand

Daughters playing in the sand. They made a mermaid's tail.

I hope you enjoyed these pictures.  Have a blessed week.

Ginger

A2Z take 2: "W"

"What is it?" Round 2

Just like last time, these are small portions of larger pictures that I've taken in the last year. Some are from around my home; others are from our recent vacation.

Rules: 

• One guess per reader. Please write the photo number beside your guess.
• You must get all five pictures right to win a book, a list will be sent for you to choose from.
• Leave an e-mail or I can't contact you. winner[at]something[dot]com
• Contest winner will be announced next Tuesday on this blog. If there is more than one person who correctly names all five photos, one of my children will draw your name from a hat.  :)

On to the pictures:

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3

Picture 4

Picture 5

These seem easy to me, but then I've seen the originals they came from. Good luck y'all.  :)

Blessings,

Ginger

A2Z take 2 "V"

Virginia

Not only is this my given name (sshhh, don't tell anyone), but it is also the state where I was born and raised. In one little section of my heart it will always be "home," though I doubt I will ever live there again.

Mabry Mill - off the Blue Ridge Pkwy

Warning short history lesson: Jamestown was founded in 1607 by the English. Virginia was the tenth state to ratify the Constitution June 25, 1788. It seceded with ten other states in 1861 to form the Confederate States of America.

Amazingly, I have found that in the south, people think I'm a northerner (ha, as if, no offense to all you northerners out there), but in the north, people think I'm a southerner. Does this mean I don't have a discernible accent?  LOL

Winter sunrise, courtesy of my M-I-L

Maybe I'm just not AS southern, as say Alabama or Mississippi. Maybe. But I still grew up eating grits, fried okra, and a host of other southern dishes, and, oh, can't forget the sweet tea. Have mercy.

So for all you folks that haven't ever been to VA, let's see if I can post some pictures. Enjoy.

Blessings,
Ginger

A2Z Take 2 "U"

Upset

Yep, that's me. Two beloved pets, cats, have gone missing in the last six months. Vanished. No sign of them. They're not unusual cats, a grey tabby and an orange tabby. They were both fixed, so no hope of breeding them. Nothing.

My two sons are not visibly upset, but I know they must be. 

Hobbes (orange tabby) hadn't been around long, but he was a cutie. We'd had him less than a year and he vanished late last year.

Duchess (grey tabby), on the other hand, had been with us for close to five years. She was a bit aloof, but loved getting attention first thing in the morning. She disappeared a couple of weeks ago. We put her out one night and never saw her again.

It's a pure mystery. We've looked around, but with no luck.

These are the third and fourth cats we've had since we moved in. Two were bought with the house - haha. One we found dead. The other also just stopped showing up.

Do coyotes eat cats?

Are certain cats more likely to stay is a certain area (i.e. not roam outside of our yard)?

We will be in the market for a new kitty here soon. I need a good mouser. Are certain breeds better mousers than others? 

Of course, I ask all these questions, but in the long run it doesn't matter. We will be adopting from a local shelter, so will take what's available.  :)

Blessings, 

Ginger

A2Z take 2 "T"

TEST

BEEEEEEEPPPPP! Computerized voice says, "This is a test of the...." Wait, no it's not. I don't have an emergency broadcast system...ummm, yes I do. It's called prayer. I don't wait for an emergency to use it though.  LOL 

Okay, so yesterday my eighteen year old son received a letter in the mail from the university he plans to attend  responding to his most recent ACT Test scores. (How many prepositional phrases can you put in a sentence without it becoming a run-on?)  It said, in essence, that his scholarship was upgraded to full-tuition plus money for fees.  YIPPEE!!! School paid for, for four years. I'm doing the HAPPY DANCE!

Life is full of Tests and not just for academics. Even God tests us. Proverbs 17:3(NLT), "Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart."

Sometimes circumstances test us. At those times, we sure do see how strong our faith is (or isn't).

There are times when people test us, or our patience. :)

I want to encourage you today. God will uphold you in your tests and trials, whatever they are today. He will bring you peace as you strive to serve Him. He never promised bad things wouldn't happen, but He did promise that He would never leave us or forsake us. 

When you are going through a Test that tries your faith, what verse has God given you to see you through?

I like Psalm 27:14 (NLT) "Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD."

Blessings,

Ginger

A2Z Take 2 Meme "S"

Singing

I love to sing. I love to write. I wish I could write songs, but usually the songs that spew forth from my heart would make no sense to others, and they certainly aren't beautiful. Some of them are down right horrible. BUT I know that God loves my singing because all of the songs that I make up are about Him--thanking Him, worshiping Him, honoring Him.

This is a picture from last year's ACFW conference. I was so blessed to be a part of this wonderful group. 

Today, take a few minutes and worship God in Song. Sing a new song from your heart to your heavenly Father. Bless him with your words today.

Ever singing,

Ginger

A2Z-take 2 "O"

My word for the day is Overwhelmed...

But that's just how I'm feeling this morning. Later today I will be fine. I haven't been posting regularly for several weeks, except for this Meme. There is just too much Other stuff going on.

• I'm taking a writing class - time consuming as I actually have to THINK.  LOL
• I have a full-time job - well, it's not out of my house and I don't get paid for it, but it has its own rewards - homeschooling six of my seven children, though one is only part-time
• I've joined a small-group of Other like-minded writers and we're sharing our work.
• Every evening, M-Thursday I'm Out of my house for various activities.
• I'm in mid-editing stage on a book, and it's frustrating me because I want it to be wonderful, but I also want it to be done.
• I'm trying to plan to go to the ACFW Conference in September. I have to register, but before I can do that I have to decide who I want to see and sometimes it's hard to make that decision. I also have to find the best airline rates I can because driving to Dallas from N. Alabama is not doable (well, I could, but I would be exhausted by the time I got back).
• It's Spring and I want to be outside.
• It's Spring and I want to be OUTSIDE - well, not today because it's raining, but you know what I mean.
• Oh, I also have a stack of books I promised to read and more coming, I think.
• I can't forget all the other things a mom/wife is expected to perform - laundry, dinner, blah...blah...blah.

Okay, so there's my whine for the day. When I look at it up close and personal like this, I know I can do it, just ONE step at a time.

Please forgive me and know that I am thankful that 1) I have a family to spend my time on and with, 2) that I have the ability to write a good story (if I do say so myself) and complete it, 3) that I have a blog where I can post my whines and winnings, 4) God loves me even when I Overwhelm myself, and 5) that you've bothered to read all the way through this post. :)

May God rain showers of blessings upon you today,

Ginger

A2Z-take 2 "N"

NEXT

Many of us celebrated Easter/Resurrection Sunday this past week. 

I wonder what the disciples did Next. We can suppose they mourned. Some went back to their homes and jobs. Mary Magdalene saw the angels at the tomb, and even Jesus, but did the disciples really believe her? All they really knew for sure in the few days after the crucifixion and resurrection was that he was gone.

What would you have done Next? 

We know the "rest of the story." We know He really did resurrect from the dead. He appeared to them for many days, encouraging and uplifting them, giving them final instructions. Then He was gone, again. I'm sure they were confused, but they obeyed and stayed and waited for His promise of a comforter to be fulfilled.

In most towns today, there is a "church" on every corner (or every other, if you live in the country). Sad to say, many of them no longer reverence God and His Word, but are social/religious institutions for the uplifting of man. People don't go to church to worship God, but to "make contacts," or "to be seen."

I've heard it said by a number of people that just because you stand in a garage doesn't make you a car. Neither does going to church make you a Christian, though many claim the moniker.

What is a Christian? Dictionary.com has this definition: a person who believes in Jesus Christ;  adherent of Christianity. a person who exemplifies in his or her life to the teachings of Christ (highlight mine)

What did Christ teach? He taught a lot, but most of it centered around loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and body AND loving your neighbor as yourself.  Many of us, myself included at times, have issues with this because we don't love ourselves, but that's a post for another day.

The Comforter is ready and waiting to show you the love of God. He loved you so much He sent His ONLY son to die for you. Then He sent His Holy Spirit to live with you, guide you, comfort you. If you know Him(and I mean really KNOW Him, not just know OF Him), awesome--now, LIVE for Him. If you don't know Him, He's waiting for YOU. 

The question is: What will YOU do next?

A2Z-take 2 "M"

The Masquerade Ball (a really long short story)

Marianna fought constantly with Mitchell, her twin brother, but she knew that if she needed him, he would be there. Tonight she needed him, but he was nowhere to be found, not that she could tell one masked face from another. He hadn't allowed her to see his costume before leaving home, so she had no idea how he was dressed.

Tears streamed down her face. Why couldn't life be simple? All she'd wanted to do when she came to the party was have a little fun with no one knowing that she was the person behind the mask. They wouldn't have accepted her, if they'd known. She knew that. It hurt, but...

Where was he? She needed to leave, NOW. Her gaze roamed the room, trying to find any sign of her brother-a glance of his jet black hair, a slight limp from stepping on their younger brother's legos, anything. Nothing.

Marianna glanced around once more then made her way to the door. She couldn't stay here, but she couldn't leave either. Outside, she sat in a chair hidden in the corner of the porch. She sniffled. Without the aid of tissues, she wiped her nose with her sleeve. It didn't matter anyway, she'd never again wear the costume her mother had painstakingly created for her.

Without her permission, her thoughts scurried back to what caused her search for Mitchell in the first place.

"Do you think she's here?" A female voice that sounded vaguely familiar asked the group that surrounded her.

"Nah, she wouldn't dare leave her house," a male voice answered.

"I saw Mitchell. He was looking mighty fine in his costume," a different girl interjected.

"He's so different when she's not around. Cool, ya know. I'm not sure why he puts up with her anyway. Who cares if she's his sister. Those scars would scare me away no matter who she was." Another male voice, different from the first.

Marianna had gasped. Thankfully the noise from the party drowned out the sound. Her seat behind the potted plants hid her from their view.

"Let's just go have fun and forget about scarface. She wouldn't dare show up and try to ruin our fun even if my mom did make me invite her." The first girl voice again. 

New tears formed as she huddled in the dark waiting, hoping Mitchell would look for her soon. The scars weren't her fault. She couldn't do anything about them. If she could, she would have. Didn't they know that? Why couldn't they see past what the fire had done to her? Why couldn't they see who she really was on the inside?

Maybe she could just walk home. It was only a mile or so. She looked down the street lined with lights for a couple of blocks, but then blackness enveloped the road. Her mom would faint dead away if she showed up without Mitchell.

She rocked back and forth in the chair making her mind go somewhere else, anywhere else. A hand touched her shoulder and she stifled a scream. An unknown boy in a costume stood above her.

"What's the matter Cinderella? Don't like the party?" Another voice she had heard before, but not one of the group from before.

She shook her head. 

"Can I sit with you for a while?"

She shrugged. It wasn't her brother. No one else cared enough to sit with the real her, but Cinderella was beautiful.

"Why are you crying?" His voice sent shivers down her spine. No one, in all her seventeen years, had been able to speak comfort to her soul so quickly. She wanted to answer, but then he would know.

"I'm not wanted here," she whispered, hoping that it wouldn't give her away.

The door opened again.The tell-tale black hair emerged, and relief whooshed through her. She sat still, frozen to her chair. If she moved, the guy beside her would know who she was, but if she didn't Mitchell wouldn't see her and take her home.

"Excuse me," she mumbled and walked slowly to where her brother stood looking around. 

"Can you take me home?" She spoke low enough that only he could hear her.

He looked at her closely. His fists clenched. "Why are you crying?"

"It doesn't matter, just take me home. I shouldn't have come. I told you, but you thought it would be okay. I trusted you, but you were wrong. I'm not wanted here and I just want to leave."

He looked over her shoulder to the guy who stood by where she was sitting. "Addison, what did you do?"

"Nothing, Mitchell, I promise. I just asked why she was crying. I don't even know who she is."

Mitchell growled and she placed her hand on his arm. "Take me home."

"No. There's a contest in a few minutes and I want to win it."

She turned away, fresh tears streaming down her scarred face. Walking back to the chair in the corner, she sat and rocked, closing her eyes tight to blot out everything around her. She'd been wrong. Mitchell couldn't be counted on when she needed him. He was just like everyone else in her world-unreliable.

A click confirmed that Mitchell had returned inside. She stood and started walking toward home. A short way down the street, a hand on her arm stopped her.

"Let me take you home." 

The streetlights illuminated Addison's blue eyes. Kindness radiated from them, but she shook her head anyway. "No. I know you don't want to because I'm sure by now you know who I am. It's okay. I'll just walk. No one will mess with 'scarface'." She cringed at the moniker, even though it came from her own lips.

"I do want to. Please. It will make me feel better to know you made it home safely."

She removed her concealing mask, expecting him to turn away just like everyone else-even her father, but he didn't. He reached up and ran a thumb over the scars on her cheek. They were ugly, but they weren't the worst. The worst were inside where no one could see. The pain of rejection from her father, from her best friend, even from strangers.

"I don't care about your scars, Marianna. They don't define who you are. They are only on the surface. It's what's in your heart that makes me care. I've watched you watching us through your window when I come over to play basketball with Mitchell. I heard you gasp when I broke my leg doing that stupid trick on the bike. I know you made the dinner your mom brought over. It's your heart that makes me want to be your friend."

Marianna shivered and sighed. New tears formed. Could he really want to be her friend? "Will you take me home, Addison?"

He smiled and offered her his arm. She accepted it and let him lead her toward friendship. 

A2Z-take 2 "L"

Laughter

When was the last time you laughed until your belly hurt or tears came to your eyes?

I don't laugh like that as much as I should, but one time I did comes to my mind often. It was at the 2011 ACFW Conference in St. Louis. 

I was sitting at the table with a few new friends (I really only knew one person in the flesh before walking in the front door) eating dinner during the Genesis and Carol Awards Banquet. We were talking about beef. Somehow the conversation turned to unappetizing parts of a bull (though some people do eat them, yuck) and I mentioned seeing on a "reality" tv show about a lady who took a certain part of the bull and made a purse. She was trying to sell it in a pawn shop. We got to laughing (though writing it out, it doesn't sound as amusing as it was at the time) and I couldn't stop. My table companions kept making funny comments and I laughed so hard I cried. 

It was a completely clean, yet kind of gross topic. To this day, all I have to do is ask a certain someone if she needs a new purse and I'm sure we both smile (at least I do).

I'm sure most, if not all, of you have heard the verse in Proverbs 17:22 about a cheerful heart being like good medicine. I have read that laughter strengthens the immune system among other benefits.

So, I'll ask again...when was the last time you laughed until your belly hurt or tears came to your eyes?

A2Z-take 2 "I"

Ingredients

Okay so I'm having a hard day. You know I love you guys, right?  LOL

When you make a cake, you gather your necessary ingredients: flour, eggs, sugar, water or milk, and maybe a flavoring like vanilla (or you open a box and add eggs and oil). You mix it together, put it in a preheated oven and when it comes out, you expect a tasty treat.

You can't add something like cayenne pepper to your cake and expect it to come out tasting like angel food cake. You know that doesn't work.

How is it then, that we (please notice I changed pronouns here to include myself) think that adding certain things to our lives - bad TV shows, books, friends, words, whatever - will not affect us in the long run? Why do we think we can add the cayenne pepper to the cake and still come out with angel food cake?

I am talking to myself as much as you. Last summer I was reading A LOT of books. I can easily read a novel or two smaller Love Inspired/Harlequin sized books in one day. Since I read so much, I rely on my library during those times. I had read through most of the "popular" Christian authors, searched for some less popular ones and didn't find many books. I was getting desperate, so I moved into the more secular branch of romance. 

Not long after, I started getting panic attacks. My chest would tighten and I found it hard to breathe. I prayed and asked God why this was happening. He told me it was because of the books I was choosing to read, which He had already warned me against, by the way. When I quit reading them, the panic attacks disappeared.

I am not saying that this is going to happen to you if you read non-Christian books. I'm explaining to you what happened to me when I added cayenne pepper to my cake mix. 

A verse comes to mind: Phil. 4:8, "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

What ingredients are you adding to the mix of your life? Are they honorable, pure, right, lovely, and admirable? Or are they cayenne pepper?

Blessings,

Ginger

A2Z-take 2 "H"

Horses

I could not pass up the opportunity to tell you about my horses, AGAIN.  LOL

Coco is the solid brown mare. Her 'official' coloring is black. She is my alpha horse. Many animals have a 'pecking' order and between our two, she is the dominant one.

Angel is the paint (color, not breed). Officially, she is a tobiano - black and white. She is my laid-back, sure-whatever-you-want mare.

They are half-sisters; Coco being six months younger.

For four weeks in February they were 'in training.' We took them to a professional trainer to work out some of their kinks. We got them back Saturday. They are much improved and a joy to ride, which we plan to do often.

Do you enjoy riding? Tell me about a memorable experience you've had.

A2Z-take 2 "G"

I couldn't resist using my own name today.  :-)

But...there are a few other things that start with ginger:

• gingerbread
• ginger ale
• gingersnap
• ginger root 

My kids think it's amusing that I don't like the taste of ginger. I don't eat gingerbread or gingersnaps, nor do I drink gingerale.

I remember when I was pregnant and nauseous all day long, my sweet m-i-l (mother-in-love) suggested candied ginger. Yuuuccckkkk! That stuff was SO incredibly disgusting to me.

I know that Chinese food includes ginger root and because there are so many bold flavors, I don't mind that hint of ginger.

What other things do you know that are laced with ginger?

A2Z-take 2 "F"

Friends

Not the show, the people-the people in your life that you can turn to, trust in, and rely on in good times and bad. Do you have one, two, more?

What about a best friend? That one person you think of when life gets you down, or whose name forms on your lips when you feel on top of the world.

I had a best friend a very long time ago. Her name was Tammy. She lived next door to me until I was around eight. We did everything together. This is us > (I'm on the left.)

We lost contact a year or so after she moved, but I've never forgotten her.

Since that time, I've struggled with the need for a "best friend." I've prayed about it, arguing and pleading with God for a female friend that I could talk stuff out with.

To my great disappointment, He has not seen fit to say yes to my requests. Instead, I have had to rely on God. I would like to say I go to Him first when things are bad or when something exciting has happened, but I don't. Sometimes I forget He's there for me whenever I need Him. No voice-mail messages, e-mails or call backs. He's always available to listen.

My problem lies in the fact that I like feedback-an audible voice that fusses if I'm sounding stupid, consoles if I'm down, or rejoices if something exciting has happened. God does speak to me, in my spirit and through His Word (even through others), but sometimes I get confused and fail to listen. 

I don't know where I'm going with this, but maybe it's just a reminder to you, that if you have a best friend (someone besides your spouse) say an extra prayer of thanks today and go the extra step and give her/him a call and express your thanks for all she/he has done for you.

And when your phone call is done, comment and tell me how much your best friend means to you.

Blessings,

Ginger

A2Z-take 2 "D"

Delicious Desserts

I believe I have sweets on the brain. Last week I did cakes, this weeks Desserts.

My favorite dessert is...wow, there are too many to choose. I love raspberry cordials, and peanut butter cups, but then again chocolate chip cookies are pretty high on the list too. My favorite cookies are the fudge striped ones made by the elves. (I don't know how to make the cute little TM sign, so resorted to description instead.)


I dislike most icings, though I make one here at home that tastes a lot like marshmallows. I found it in my Betty Crocker cookbook. It's called White Mountain Frosting. You can find it here, but don't let the picture fool you, it is white, not chocolate. I attempted to make the chocolate version once. It didn't turn out well, but I probably did something wrong. I'm not an expert in the kitchen.

Brownies are yummy too. We've successfully added peanut butter, caramel, chocolate chips, and of course nuts. Some of those things came in a package, but we do occasionally make them from scratch.

A local restaurant serves this huge cookie with ice cream on top. Soooo good.

My mouth is watering as I write this blog. I hope yours is too. Misery loves company.  :)

What is your favorite dessert?

Blessings,
Ginger

A2Z Meme - "C"

Let's Eat Cake

 Over the years I have been called upon by my children to make special Cakes for their birthdays.

Some were better than others. A few of the better ones I couldn't find pictures of. How depressing. Anyway, here are a few of my creations.

BTW, the last picture is not cake.  :)  My second son is not fond of cake, so every year he asks for Peanut Butter Pie. The recipe I use follows.  I don't know where it came from originally, but it's good and EASY.

 

Peanut Butter Pie

Prepared pie crust, baked according to directions, and cooled.

Filling:

¾ cup confectioners sugar
½ cup peanut butter
2 cups milk
vanilla instant pudding (large)
Cool Whip

Mix sugar and peanut butter until lightly colored and it looks like sand and small pebbles.  Sprinkle all but 2 tbsp. in the bottom of baked pie shell.

Mix pudding with milk and let begin to thicken.  Pour over crumbs in shell. Top with Cool Whip, then sprinkle with remaining crumbs.

Refrigerate overnight or a couple of hours.

Enjoy.  :)

A2Z - the letter B

Well, it seems my A post flopped, so I won't be doing a B story. Bummer. 

The BIG day!

The Big day for us comes January 28th. What is the Big day? My Beautiful horses are going to be taken to a trainer for the month of February.

They are about six years old, registered Tennessee Walking mares. I've blogged about them before. They have some issues that I'm just not experienced enough to work out of them. So, on the last Saturday in January I will load them onto the trailer (hopefully - I would appreciate your prayers) and escort them five minutes down the road where they will receive life lessons for being good horses.

I pray that when they return at the end of February, they, and I, will be Better. I will also be in training as I will be at the very least watching for some of the hours as the trainer works with them.

I'm so excited.

What is the Biggest day you remember in your life?