Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine balloon...

Valentine gifts from my son and my hubby...

Valentine cupcakes my daughter and I made...

Valentine Peeps...

My valentine for 21 years...

Hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day. ;)

Solitude

There are just some pictures that I look at and feel as if I can walk right into the picture. This one looks so inviting to me. I like the company of those I love. Sometimes, though, I just want to be alone. I've never been a social butterfly. Have always enjoyed solitude. I can envision myself walking down this little country road alone, with an occasional bird hovering in the sky above me and the whisp of a faint breeze gently touching my face. Inevitably, I'd end up conversing with God. The child of God is never really alone.

I'm sure most of my rambling to God would be words of praise as I am always so awe-struck by His creation. Truly, the heavens DO declare His glory. His handiwork is magnificent, mind-bending even. You won't find an evolution apologist on this blog. The proof of the existence of the Almighty is visible to every human eye. Our conversation would soon turn to my pleading with the LORD to protect and provide for my family. I'd then ask Him to calm my fears and ease the anxiety-ridden thoughts that occupy my mind so often these days.

Quiet times are vital to restoring our spirits and renewing our minds. The constant hustle and bustle is too much for me at times.

I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. We are, for the most part, more lonely when we go abroad among men than when we stay in our chambers. -Henry David Thoreau

We live in a very tense society. We are pulled apart...and we all need to learn how to pull ourselves together. I think that at least part of the answer lies in solitude. -Helen Hayes

Solitude shows us what should be; society shows us what we are. -Robert Cecil

Loneliness can be conquered only by those who can bear solitude. -Paul Tillich

The Bible says that Jesus longed for solitude at times.

Luke 5:15-16 (KJV) ~But so much the more went there a fame abroad of Him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed of Him of their infirmities. And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness and prayed.

Matthew 14:13 (NIV) ~When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.

Mark 1:35 (NIV) ~Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place where He prayed.

Luke 4:42 (KJV) ~And when it was still day, He departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought Him and came unto Him, and stayed Him that He should not depart from them.

If Jesus needed this alone time, how much more should we need and desire it?

Candles

I don't know many ladies who don't like candles. I could peruse a Yankee candle store for an hour, much to the dismay of my daughter. LOL. She gets into it sometimes, though. Isn't it fun to smell all the different scents? I love it. I almost always have a candle burning in my house. My husband doesn't understand it, being the country boy he is. Why not save the candles until the electricity goes out? Haha. Yes, that's makes sense, I'll admit. But there's a warm feeling a lighted candle exudes. ;)

Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. - Chinese Proverb

When was the last time you spent a quiet moment just doing nothing - just sitting and looking at the sea, or watching the wind blowing the tree limbs, or waves rippling on a pond, a flickering candle, or children playing in the park? -Richard Marston

You don't have to blow out my candle to make yours grow brighter. -Unknown

Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning. -William Arthur Ward

For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. -Psalm 18:28

Warmly,

Lorrie

Valentine Cake

My daughter's school had a 2-hour delay this morning due to a snow dusting we got overnight. Haha. You've gotta love it. She was pleased. ;)

After she left, I got out a heart cake mold I bought a few weeks ago from my daughter-in-law, who sells Avon. Decided to make me a cake using the mold. I wasn't sure how to ice it though. I ended up icing only the hearts. It's our dessert after dinner tonight. :o)

Happy Thursday!

"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies." - Aristotle

I Peter 4:8 - Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Valentines

I fondly remember giving and receiving valentines as a youngster. I wish I had saved my valentines as I would love to look through those 70's and 80's classics - Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, Holly Hobbie and, of course, the Disney valentines. I recall making a special pouch or box each year to put the valentines in. We would cut hearts out of pink, red and white construction paper and strategically glue them where we thought they looked best. :)

I saved both of my childrens' valentines and placed them in their memory boxes each year. They're both now too old for valentine-giving (though one would hope that they remember their mother on Valentine's Day *smile*), but I still love to stop on those aisles in the stores each February to browse through the new cards.

I love the Suzy's Zoo characters and think they have some of the cuter valentines. Pictured are a few that I've purchased just because...:o)

Wholesome Television Shows

I'm not much of a television watcher. When I do watch TV, it's usually the news channels or shows such as "Untold Stories of the ER", "Forensic Files", "48 Hours" etc. Most of what's on TV these days, however, exhibit America's moral decline and how utterly spiritually destitute she is. It makes me sad, really. I have a 13-year-old daughter and, between the peer pressure (which I believe is much worse than when I was a teen and I'm just shy of 40), the raunchy music and television shows, and rampant secularism that's invaded our society, I feel she has it so very hard.

I miss wholesome television shows. My favorites are The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie. I still enjoy watching these fantastic family-oriented shows. They've been replaced by so-called "reality" shows and programs that promote an anti-Christian agenda and glorify ungodly behavior.

Christian parents must be vigilant. I am convinced that Satan is using this medium to his advantage.