A Peek from My Porch

June 17, 2015July 9, 2015 RefreshHer4 Comments

Currently what I’m loving about summertime…

I finally have a little garden! My sweet husband made me these raised beds. I love the way they look all neat and contained. I’m growing different kinds of tomatoes, peppers, squash and several herbs. They’re doing really well so far.

I know I’ve said this before, but we LOVE eating our on our back porch. We eat every meal we can out there. We soak up the beauty of the countryside, the quiet, and the slowed pace. But the other thing about this picture that I’m loving are the summer meals, like blt’s with fresh tomatoes, corn on the cob and cantaloupe. It’s simplicity and deliciousness at its finest!

Lastly, I love day trips on our day off to places like Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. We stroll through the park, take in a show or two, ride the train (woohoo! we’re showing our age!), and watch people terrify themselves on the rides we don’t go on anymore!

All because it’s SUMMERTIME!

What do you love about summer?

With love from my summery porch,
Denise

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What a Load!

June 16, 2015June 18, 2015 RefreshHer10 Comments

Seated beside the window of an airplane gives full view of the progress of take off. As you sit and watch the crew load ALL that luggage onto the aircraft, then see the long line of people filing on to get their seat, have you ever wondered,

“How in the world will this plane ever get off the ground? This is a heavy load!”?

But then that engine revs up, the plane picks up speed as it heads down the run way, and then you feel it…it is lifting up off the concrete. Very soon the nose tips upward and you’re soaring into the clouds. How could you have doubted?

That load was lifted as easily as a paper airplane in a school classroom!

Do you have a load of your own that seems so heavy that you cannot let go of it, or that seems it could never be lifted into your heavenly Father’s hands? You saw those cares filing into your heart one at a time. You know how weighty each need is. You feel responsible to see each burden to be cared for, thought through and tended to, but you realize you do not have the power for this kind of work.

It’s at that moment that you must “rev up the engine” of prayer. Pour out your heart before God in earnest. Ask Him to lift all this that you are unable to carry, and then watch as He lifts, not just the burdens, but you as well. Then you will ask,

Why did I doubt Him?

He is able to lift it all, my friend.
Psalm 10:17 O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, you will incline Your ear.

Don’t carry the load you were never intended to carry!

Lovingly,
Denise

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Freshen Up Friday

June 12, 2015June 11, 2015 RefreshHer1 Comment

My go-to breakfast is Vanilla Greek Yogurt with fresh fruit, topped with granola. I like the Greek yogurt better than the other stuff, but often find that it isn’t sweet enough for me. Do you ever find that true?

So, the other day, rather than drizzling in my usual teaspoon or so of honey, I tried something new and added a spoonful of my homemade freezer jam. Wowza! That made it delicious! It gave it a natural strawberry flavor and just enough sweetness to make me slide my spoon over the whole bowl so I wouldn’t miss a drop!

Freshen up your yogurt and your breakfast by adding a little jam into your yogurt and go wild with all the flavors out there – blueberry, peach, blackberry… Who says yogurt is only for breakfast? This makes me think about enjoying it as a great snack, too!

Any other Greek Yogurt lovers out there? How do you enjoy yours?

Stay refreshed,

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Calling Their Name

June 11, 2015June 10, 2015 RefreshHer6 Comments

Click on the video below for today’s post.

He knows your name and calls you today, too!

Lovingly,

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A Peek From My Porch

June 10, 2015July 9, 2015 RefreshHer5 Comments

Tuesday night was Ladies Game Night at my house. When we went to our annual Ladies’ retreat in April, we had so much fun playing games at the coffee shop, that I decided then and there that we needed to get together and have a night of fun like that every now and then!

I invited all the ladies from church and ended up with a dozen here in my living room. There were many that were kept from coming due to the stormy weather, busy schedules or husbands working. I plan to do this again sometime this summer to include many that wanted to be here but couldn’t.

I used the Game theme for my table decorations, as you can see from the top picture.

We started with Taboo and Telestrations. This was a new game to most of us, and was a lot of fun!!! The picture below is a shot of us playing it.

We also played Jenga. It got very quiet in the house when the tower got shaky! It was so quiet, in fact, my husband, who was upstairs, thought we were having a time of devotions then! We dared not breathe, lest the blocks tumble!

We had lots of good snacks to share! I mean, snacks and board games just go together, right? I made the Almond Toffee Popcorn I posted about here, but substituted honey-roasted peanuts for the Almonds. I liked it even better!

My daughter Alli shared a challenge from God’s Word from what the Lord has been teaching her in recent days. She shared from Proverbs 15 about those that have a merry heart have a continual feast! The choice to have a merry heart is thinking what we know to be true about our God and dwelling on Him! Good truths!

It’s so great to get together with other women to fellowship, laugh, have fun, and talk about the Scriptures! When was the last time you got together with friends to just have fun? Maybe you need to be the one to instigate that time!

With love from my country porch,