A Day to Remember

My sister has a blog called Wendalyn Loves to Write. Today I am taking my idea from her.

My great grandfather died at the battle of Vimy Ridge, so I never knew him. But he wrote faithfully to his family which has given me access to some parts of his character. The poem I want to share gives me the best part of all as it reveals his faith. Actually I am going to share two poems. The first is written by a soldier who is wondering 'is there a God who cares?' My great grandfather answers that question for him, in a second poem.

Is there a God Who Cares?

At the battle front where cannons roar,
Midst the screaming shells as they upward soar
Ere they reach the trench where our loved ones are,
Is there a God who cares?

The toll they gather as they burst and bite,
In dug-out and trench in the fading light,
Hearts sicken and groan at the awful sight,
Is there a God who cares?

On the virgin soil where man meets man,
With flashing steel till the red blood ran
And crimsoned the ground where both did stand,
Is there a God who cares?

The wearying pain as the eyes grow dim,
The loss of life, the loss of limb,
Is a world of anguish nothing to Him?
Is there a God who cares?

Are breaking hearts, the mother's tears,
The childrens' wails, the widows' fears,
The empty chair; the love of years,
Is there a God who cares?

by Corp. W. Wright

My great grandfather Pt. Frank Tamblyn answers:
Ah yes; God cares, He loves us every one,
To bless and save us He gave His only Son,
But man forgets God's will must be done,

There is a God who cares.
He sees the sparrows fall; He counts them one by one,
Knows every pain, and hears the dying groan,
Delights in Mercy through His beloved Son,
There is a God who cares.

In this mad strife, it's ours to trust and pray,
That right prevails and wrong be put away,
"Vengeance is mine" saith God, "I will repay",
There is a God who cares.

So now dear loved ones while I'm far away
In the clang of battle just watch and pray,
For peace to reign in God's own way,
For there is a God who cares.

Today I thank all those who have been willing to fight for our freedom and remember the sacrifices they and their families made.
Thank you.
Rhondi xo

Surrounded by Beauty

I am so thankful to live in a part of the country where we experience the change of seasons. I sound like a broken record this time of year because I am constantly commenting on the beautiful colors of the foliage.


Every year it seems more spectacular than the year before. So here is just a glimpse of the beauty surrounding our home.



The Japanese maples turn red.


This maple turns such an amazing shade of gold .

This final picture is from our front porch, looking across the street to the neighbor's house.Well that's a view of our front yard in autumn. It is a constant source of delight and wonder to me every fall.

I apologize if I haven't stopped by to see you in awhile. I have only been home 2 days in the past 2 weeks! I want to visit each and every one of you and see what you've been up to lately. If I haven't made it there yet, I hope to visit soon.

Rhondi xo

Happy at Home

I am enjoying a Saturday at home. Dusting treasures in the kitchen

Drinking tea.

Trying out a new background for my blog.

I have only been home 2 days in the past 2 weeks.

It feels good to be home, to look out the windows of my studio and see all the trees in the woods changing color, to hear the sound of football game on the TV in the next room.

Today I am happy at home. I plan to enjoy this weekend. Hope you enjoy your weekend too.

Rhondi xo

Thankful Thursday

The other day I found this sweet little poem. The author is unknown.

Be Thankful
Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,

for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,

because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,

because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary,

because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

If you click on the daisy on my side bar it will take you to a list of others who are posting for thankful Thursday.

Rhondi xo

The Colors of Fall

Today is a blustery fall day. The leaves are fluttering down from the trees and dancing down the street. It is damp and overcast, just the kind of day to curl up with a book and a cup of tea when you have some free time.
Every year I forget how beautiful the colors are. Here in North Carolina the maple trees are every color of red imaginable. The dogwoods go from orange to red to burgundy. Some of the trees look like God took out his paintbrush and painted every leaf individually. I am sure my husband gets tired of me commenting on every other tree, making sure he doesn't miss any of the beauty!
I brought some dogwood branches and nandina berries inside to brighten the mantle in our TV room. They won't last long but I just had to bring some of that color inside!

Mini pumpkins look nice nestled in among the branches and tucked in beside a green teapot.

Nandina berries hang over the mantle ledge.

Some little birds perched on some books, cosy up next to a pumpkin teapot.

My funny ceramic cat wants to get into the picture too!

I tried two different vignettes. This first one had a pitcher with the nandina berries in it, but I decided I liked the pumpkin teapot better because it had more color.

I thought I needed a change in my banner too to be more in keeping with the season, so I am venturing away from my favorite red and blues just for the month of November.

Hope you have a wonderful day. Make sure you VOTE!

Rhondi xo

An Important Day

This is an important day for our country and an important day for my husband and me. It is the first presidential election we have been able to vote for since we became US citizens. I didn't realize how much I valued the right to vote until we moved here from Canada and we were unable to. It is such a privilege.

We were happy today to be able to cast a ballot today for our choice for president. I was going to wear this jacket for the occasion, but it was too chilly because we were there when the doors opened!

But I was proud to put this sticker on and will wear it when I go out later today.

We have watched the campaign over the last year with great interest and much sadness as the media has supported everything Obama has said and done and been critical of everything McCain has said and done. The coverage has been so biased and the people have not been able to get a true picture of either candidate.

I know people are tired of the present government and want change. We all do, but I am really concerned about Obama's lack of experience and all the unanswered questions about him. He is a gifted speaker and has a charismatic personality but what about his character?

This campaign reminds me so much of Trudeamania, which took over the election in Canada many years ago. Pierre Trudeau was elected as Prime Minister and he plunged the country into socialism and changed the country forever.

Well I'll get off my soapbox now. No matter what happens I will be praying that the next president will use wisdom and put the true interests of the American people first.

Make sure you vote.

Rhondi xo

Taking Care of Business

I am home again after spending a great week away having fun with our grandkids. It always takes me a couple of days to "take care of business" when I get back. There is laundry to be done, phone calls to return, groceries to be bought, errands to run and blogging friends to visit!
But the first order of business today was to select a winner for my 200th post giveaway.

So all the comments went into a big bowl. I closed my eyes, stirred them all up and picked this one. Congratulations Heidi!

Thank you for all your wonderful comments. I was blown away by how many of you responded and overwhelmed by your thoughtful and generous comments. I have printed them all out and I am going to make a little book to put them in. I'll show it to you when it's done :)

In addition to all your generous comments, I had some awards waiting for me.

Cielo from The House in the Roses gave me this one.

Connie awarded this one to me.Karen from A Scrapbook of Inspiration gave me this BFF award.

Thank you to all of my blogging friends. I am giving these awards to all of you.

It's going to take me a few days to repsond to all your comments, but I plan to visit each of you soon. It's good to be home!

Rhondi xo