Welcome Spring

So long Winter... We need the beauty of Spring to lift our spirits and brighten our day! Springtime....You are Welcome here!

Favorite Vacation Spot

When one foot hits the sandy beach, 

I simply just exhale a long breath!

Do you have a favorite spot where you

allow your cares to float away?

Unfortunately in life, we don't always get

to head to the beach or the mountains.

 There are those pesky things called bills

that prevent us from traveling at times.

I read in a book somewhere that life

is made up of Have to's and Want to's

and we should choose to 

do some of each everyday.  

The key to that exhale of breath

that we often experience on vacation is

to keep life in perspective and have a 

little fun along with that pesky thing called work.

The next time you feel yourself tense and 

holding in your breath as you think of all the

work you need to do, take a deep breath and

exhale reminding yourself to take a break

and do something you want to do (even though

it may not be going to the beach, it could still be fun)!

Keep on Trying!

 

Thought for the Day

Life is Made up of Have to's 

& Want to's...

Choose to Complete Some

of Each Everyday!

Losing Weight and Loving It

Many things can contribute to adding a few pounds!

In my case, health problems, medications and 

less exercise was the culprit.

I have never dieted but from time to time made

a more conscious effort to eat more healthy

and exercise more.

A friend began losing weight and feeling great

so I became more interested in how she

was accomplishing this and wanted to try her system.

On February 28, 2012 I began eating more balanced

with keeping proteins and carbs in balance along

with drinking more fluids and water and

having snacks in between meals.

This system is called Diet Free for Life based

on the book and Food Lover's Weight Loss System

by Robert Ferguson, MS, CN.

I began seeing a huge difference in my weight.

In about 5 weeks I have lost 15 1/2 pounds

and several inches from my waist

and I've never ate so much in my life!

Eating balanced is really the key and it really 

does work!  I just wanted to share this with

others who may have picked up a few extra

pounds and would like to get the book

and see if it's right for you
and acceptable with your Doctor.

Best Wishes for Healthy Eating
& Happy Living!

A Season for Everything

"To every thing there is a season, 

and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, 

and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; 

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

 

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; 

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, 

and a time to gather stones together; 

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, 

and a time to cast away;

 

A time to rend, and a time to sew; 

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; 

a time of war, and a time of peace.

What profit has he that works in that wherein he labors?  

I have seen the travail, which God has given to 

the sons of men to be exercised in it.

 

He has made every thing beautiful in his time: 

also he has set the world in their heart, so that no man 

can find out the work that God makes 

from the beginning to the end."

Ecclesiastes 3

Long Winter Awaiting Spring

I hope this finds you all well

I am still here but its been a long Winter.

Illness has kept me from crafting

and showing my creations on my blog;

however, Spring is on its way and

I am confident that my health is

improving and I will be able to

share more real soon!

Looking forward to some Spring inspiration.

"For the which cause I also suffer these things: 

nevertheless I am not ashamed: 

for I know whom I have believed, 

and am persuaded that he is able to 

keep that which I have committed 

unto him against that day."  

2 Timothy 1:12

 

Spring Birds in Winter

I opened the door to an unusual sound.

Greeted by beautiful singing.

A Winter day full of surprises.

Bright, sunny and cheerful.

The birds in my tree didn't know

it wasn't Spring.

They sang with joy at the beautiful day.

Winter can fall in our lives too.

But we can sing like the birds

by seeing the beauty in each day

whether it's Winter or Spring!

Thank You

Thank you for brightening

my life by following
Mud Pie Reality!

I've enjoyed visiting your blogs

and being inspired by your

stories, life and creative crafts!

I'm looking forward to being

more creative in the New Year

and hope to share some encouragement

with you from the many blessings

God gives me daily!

Thanking God for the past year

with a helpful surgery, relief from

some of the pain, delieverance

through two difficult tests/complications.

He has guided each step and given me 

joy and strength along the way!

I'm so thankful to be alive today

to praise Him, enjoy my family

and share encouragement and 

creative inspiration with

all my blogging friends!

Thank You!  Happy New Year!

Old Fashioned Christmas

This year at Christmas I wanted

to make some special memories

with family celebrating with

old fashioned traditions

My parents simple Christmas tree

is adorned with vintage ornaments

and some are from their childhood.

I can remember making popcorn balls

as a kid and also stringing popcorn with a needle

and thread to make garland for our tree!

Making popcorn balls was top on my list

for our old fashioned Christmas this year!

Fox & Geese Board

As children, my parents played a

game called Fox & Geese where

the geese (small buttons) tried

to hem in the Fox (large buttons)

and keep them from having a move

(like check-mate in chess).

There are many different variations

of this game.  I can remember playing

this when I was young also.  It never

occurred to me that it was only 

cardboard and buttons.

The more fast paced life becomes and the

more tangible possessions people have, the 

more they seem to long for simpler times.

God, Family/Friends & Country--

Is there anything more important?

Wishing you the peace of simpler times

and precious memories with those you love!

Slow down and enjoy life!

This Christmas the Little Things

This Christmas I'm thankful for....

the little things.

This Christmas I'm thankful for....

clothes & shoes that fit.

This Christmas I'm thankful for...

food to eat.

This Christmas I'm thankful for...

my home, my family and my friends.

This Christmas I'm thankful for...

seeing donated clothes given to a small child

and the smile she wore in her new dress.

This Christmas I'm thankful for...

the little things that really are the big things!

This Christmas I'm thankful for...

Jesus, God's Son, coming as a baby 

to bring love and forgiveness

to all who seek Him.

This Christmas What are You Thankful for?

Runaway Christmas Train

 Does anyone else feel like they are on a runaway train picking up speed fast?  So often I hear ladies ask, "Where has the time went?  How did it get to be December already?" 

I don't have the answers to those questions, but am reminded to take a deep breath and remember life isn't about the hustle and bustle, but about the journey and the memories you make along the way.

Where I live there aren't any roses in bloom to stop and smell.  It's too cold, but there are beautiful stars in the Winter sky and bright moons to behold.  Crisp frozen grass that crunches underfoot in early morn.  Soft cheerful music playing in the stores in preparation for Christmas.  A remembrance of Thanksgiving beckoning to not be forgotten amid the hurried days of the season.

The Bible says to everything there is a season.  Time comes and goes quickly it seems.  Isn't that all the more reason to enjoy each minute instead of hurrying through it?

Enjoy the journey and the moments will be more precious!

 

Thought for the Day

Those who do not thank for little 

will not thank for much!

Be thankful.  It doesn't take long

for us to look around and see

someone who has it so much 

worse than we do.  

There is always

something to be thankful for!

Joy Comes in the Morning

Medical tests, emergency rooms,

complications, bed rest and lot's of prayers

have been my last few weeks.

If you're someone who goes through

this frequently, you know the first few thoughts

that go through your mind are "Come on...not again!"

There are times in life when there are no answers

but that's when the peace comes 

when you trust God in those dark moments 

when you are alone and only He can help you.


Psalm 30:5 "...weeping may endure for a night,
but joy comes in the morning."

Take a Break and Enjoy Life

The sun will keep on rising and setting
whether we fill our days with

worry or joy!

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, 

for tomorrow will worry about itself. 

Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Matthew 6:34

Who Do You Call?

When everything goes wrong...who do you call?  There seems to be times when if one thing happens, a hundred things go wrong.  When this occurs who do you call on?  Many are blessed to live close to family and have a good relationship with them, so when trouble hits, their number is already on speed dial.  

Nothing can take the place of good friends either.  We all rely on someone we can trust to help us in these crazy times when we need an extra hand.  What do you do when the one you call on can't really fix the situation.  It isn't a leaky faucet or broken water heater, it is a broken relationship or a devastating diagnosis at the Doctor.  It's when you find yourself thinking, "I can't believe this is happening." 

It is in these moments where no one can really change the outcome that we may be headed for that we realize we need more help than our family and friends can give.  We need strength, hope and peace.

Psalm 121 says,

  I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
         From whence comes my help?
  My help comes from the LORD,
         Who made heaven and earth.
        
  He will not allow your foot to be moved;
         He who keeps you will not slumber.
  Behold, He who keeps Israel
         Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
        
 The LORD is your keeper;
         The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
  The sun shall not strike you by day,
         Nor the moon by night.
        
 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
         He shall preserve your soul.
 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
         From this time forth, and even forevermore.

The Lord will give help in our times of need and walk with us through uncertain valleys.  He will be our friend and guide our steps giving us strength and peace.  

He's there when we need Him most!

Happy Father's Day

 

I'm sending a Happy Father's Day to my Dad!

The one gift I enjoy giving my Dad is peanut butter fudge.

I believe he enjoys it better than any gift I've ever given.

With my recent health problems the fudge & card above didn't

make it in the mail, but I'm sending my love 

& an IOU for fudge real soon!

Thank you for being a Godly Dad!

I love you so much!

Faith During Times of Trouble

^" Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have  peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which
we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces
perseverance;  and perseverance, character; and character, hope.  

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."  Romans 5:1-5

How can we falter when God pours out His love in our hearts during our times of trouble.  Have you ever went through a difficult time and then a small thing happened that made a bright spot in that hard time.  It may have been something that just simply caused you to smile.  God's love is amazing and He is always working in our lives and bringing things to us to give us hope and joy. 

Many of you know that I have been ill and recently had surgery.  This past week I was sent to the Emergency room with stroke like symptoms.  When headphones were placed on my head for my MRI the first song I heard was...God is not finished with you yet.  The second song said...Be still and let God work He has a plan.

I have not been a stranger to Dr.'s & tests over the past few years and I knew that God was with me and I really wasn't that upset in ER, but the simple assurance of those songs was a delight.  Even though I didn't have to have those things, God wanted to pour out His love on me and give me encouragement and hope!

When I came home and read my Bible the verses above is what God showed me.

Whatever your trouble is right now, look for God working and trust Him in faith and
allow Him to use your tribulations to produce perseverance and character and hope! 
 

You have to go through these things in life anyway,
why not let God help you through it?

Strength for Today

I'm excited to come back to Mud Pie Reality after having surgery 

and give a report that God will give enough strength for what comes your way!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Philipppians 4:13 

After days went to weeks and weeks went to months and

months went to years it was clear that pain was going to be a part of my life.

After countless Doctors, tests, hospitals, 

medicines and diagnosis the pain still remained.

Have you ever dreaded going to one more Doctor or having one more test?

Has there ever been a small voice in the back of your mind saying,

"who knows if this one is really going to be right?"

When you walk uncertain paths and you face unbelievable tasks you can be certain

that God will give you the strength to take each step if you ask Him.

I listened to His leading one more time and went to one more Doctor with one more test

and discovered not a diagnosis with medicine and continued pain, but 

a simple statement..."Here's whats wrong...let's fix it."

After back surgery and 6 weeks of recovery, symptoms are disappearing and healing

is taking place giving so much pain relief that I am so happy and thankful!

Wherever you find yourself and whatever path you are on 

if you have pain in your life physical or otherwise 

allow God to give you strength to handle each day 

and guidance to bring help in your time of need!

My Favorite Verse

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13

This verse has given me strength & comfort through many years!

What's your favorite verse? 

Into Every Life a Little Rain Must Come

Spring is such an exciting time with new growth and the promise 

of beautiful warm days ahead!  My first flower of Spring bloomed!  

I was so excited to see it's bright shiny face as I walked to my car.  

I didn't take time to grab the camera, but made a mental note 

to take a picture of it the next day!

The next day came and so did lots of rain, wind and frost!  

As I walked to my car the same little flower no longer held 

its shiny bright face up, but its face was bowed to the ground 

with the weight of the storm it had weathered.

As I stood there feeling sorry for this little fellow, I thought about how

the flower was still just as pretty, but it took a different perspective

to see it's beauty.  It took me bowing down on a knee to 

look and see the bright shiny face. 

 

Just like this little flower, a lot of rain has come in my life and

with God's help I've weathered many storms.  There are

times when the weight has my head bowed down also.

It's at these moments that my perspective changes and

on my knees I can see how God is truly 

working and see His hand in my life.  

He gives me the strength to

face the storm and lift my tired weak head to give

a bright shiny testimony of all He is capable of doing!

If you are in a storm, turn to Him and He will sustain you!

If you have just left the rain, allow your life to shine with

a testimony of His greatness!