Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Hallowe'en


Hope everyone has a fun & safe Halloween this year  . . . especially those of you trading treats for tricks!

FYI:
Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts of America, was born on October 31, 1860 in Savannah Georgia.  "Daisy," as she was affectionately called by family and friends, was the second of six children. 

She brought girls of all backgrounds into the out-of-doors, helping them develop self reliance and resourcefulness.  She encouraged girls to prepare not only for homemaking, but also for roles in the arts, sciences, and business.  Girl Scouts welcomed girls with disabilities at a time when they were excluded from other activities and organizations. 

From the original 18 girls, Girl Scouts has grown to 3.7 million members.  Although married, Juliette never bore any children.  She died of breast cancer in 1927. 

When I vacationed with my sister and friend in Savannah, we got to tour her lovely 1818 Italianate architecture home.  The carriage house in back was the first headquarters of Girl Scouts.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Pink Ribbon Day

Pink for a Purpose!

October is national breast cancer awareness month, please do your part to support the cause.  Since the program began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women over 50.  Breast cancer deaths have declined.  That progress is encouraging, however, early detection is key.  This includes yearly mammogram screenings and clinical breast exams, not to mention monthly self-examinations.  It just might save your life!  Put away all excuses: unpleasant, embarrassing, happens to others, ...  Come on, be proactive and assertive, don't live in ignorance or denial.    

My mother-in-law, my sister-in-law, my husband's aunt & cousin are all breast cancer survivors.  Would love for there to be a cure before my sweet granddaughters become women.  Pleased that Octobber proceeds from our Bunko group went to help combat breast cancer.  Every little bit helps!   

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Thursday Thirteen


13 Reasons Why I Love October!

1. Chrysanthemums. Enamored with filling my front porch with 'mums!

2. Autumn decor. Cherish putting out all my fall items for the season!

3. Pumpkins. Admire the bright orange pumpkins filling up my steps!

4. Starbucks drinks. Crazy about pumpkin spice latte, caramel apple cider, hot chocolate...

5. Fall bazaars. Shopping the craft shows/booths get me into the holiday mood!

6. Caramel apples. One of my favorite treats (good thing I only eat them in the fall).

7. Leaves. Fond of falling/turning leaves: red/burgundy, orange, yellow/gold, brown, ...

8. Butternut squash. Baked with real butter and seasoned with salt, mmmm....

9. Fall t.v. line-up. Wild about watching the new season of my favorite shows.

10. Candles. Nothing like setting a fall mood than lighting candles in the evening!

11. Comfort foods: Love soup, pot roast, mashed potatoes, hot apple pie, mac&cheese, ...

12. Reading. When the weather changes, it's perfect for reading a good book.

13. Halloween. Smitten with giving out candy to little kids in cute costumes!

What are your reasons for liking October?

Sunday, October 18, 2009

God's Promises for Tough Times

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

"The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him." Nahum 1:7

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy paths acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5,6

"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." Psalm 23:1

"Humble yourselves therefore unto the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:6,7

"Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord, to the mighty One of Israel." Isaiah 30:29

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

"Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." IS 26:3

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness." Isaiah 41:10

"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee," Isaiah 43:2

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6,7

"In God I have put my trust: I will not be afraid what men can do unto me." Psalm 56:11

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." Psalm 27:14

Friday, October 16, 2009

Friday Fill-ins


1. _______ is my favorite month.
2. _______ scare me.
3. Leaves are falling all around, it's _______.
4. My favorite horror movie is _______ because _______.
5. _______ = good memories.
6. It was a dark and stormy night _______.
7. As for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _______, tomorrow my plans include _______, and Sunday I want to _______.

1. May is my favorite month (I'm actually a "spring" kind of gal).

2. Mice scare me (to death!).

3. Leaves are falling all around, it's time to break out the hot apple cidar!

4. My favorite horror movie is The Ghost of Mr. Chicken because it's funny vs creepy.

5. Disney World trips = good memories (enjoyed 3 different trips with the boys).

6. It was a dark and stormy night as I hunkered down with a good book to read.

7. As for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a date with Dale, tomorrow my plans include shopping/pumpkin-carving/poker night, and Sunday I want to "eat out"after morning church service.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Like a Pumpkin

Being a Christian is like a pumpkin.

First, God picks you from the pumpkin patch
and brings you in from the field.


He then washes all the "dirt" off the outside
that we received from being around all the other pumpkins.


He carefully removes all those
seeds of doubt, hate, greed, and fear.


Then He carves you a new smiling face
and puts His light inside you
to shine for all the world to see.



The Bible says He selects us out of the world. We are in the world, but no longer of the world.
All the outside influences of our former life must be cleaned up. Old things are passed away and all things are become new. After Jesus is invited inside, you begin to experience the changing
power of God's love in your life. This pumpkin now reflects the light from inside out.
So too, when Jesus, who is called the Son of Light, lives inside of us, He shines through our life for all to see. We can let His light reflect through us to reveal His presence. "Let your light so shine before men that they may be able to see your good works and glorify your Father, who is in heaven."

So you see, we Christians are really like this pumpkin! We will never be the same with Jesus inside of us. We can say like this jack-o-lantern, "Thy presence, my light!"

Monday, October 12, 2009

Columbus Day


In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue
He sailed & sailed & sailed & sailed
To find this land for me and you!

Do you remember this old grade school song?

Today we celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in America. The voyage took place in October 1492. Italian-Americans observe today as a celebration of their heritage.

Columbus was a navigator, colonizer, and explorer. His aspirations led to his awareness of the American continents. His exploring was funded by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Portugal after being rejected by Spain. They were willing to equip three ships to search for a western route to the Orient. They agreed to make Columbus "Great Admiral of the Ocean," appoint him governor of land discovered, and give him 1/10th of all revenues from the lands.

Although he wasn't the first to reach the Americas, he did initiate widespread contact between Europeans and the natives. He severely underestimated the circumference of the Earth. When he landed, he assumed he stepped on East-Asian soil. He referred to the natives as Indios.

Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy to a middle-class family. My husband's grandfather was born in 1892 and raised in San Fior, Treviso, Italy near Venice. His name: Ettore' Giovanni, means Hector John. He immigrated to Canada first before entering the U.S. He was married at age 23 in a Catholic church in Fernie, B.C. He founded a town in British Columbia: Natal, which means birth in Italian. He traveled to Great Falls, Montana by caboose. Eventually, he made his way to Puyallup, WA in 1925. He loved to sing opera in his "Caruso" voice. He raised grapes and was an excellent pruner and grafter of fruit trees, a skill he learned from the "Old Country." He built a home on a 5-acre farm in Edgewood that was custom fitted to their stature.

With the surname "Perozzo," our family is proud of its Italian inheritance!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Think Before Speaking

THINK

T is for TRUE

H is for HELPFUL

I is for INSPIRATIONAL

N is for NECESSARY

K is for KIND

T- is it true? Before you say anything ask yourself if it's really true. Proverbs 16:13 "Kings take pleasure in honest lips;they value a man who speaks the truth." Is this absolute truth? Anything beyond this is evil. Don't exaggerate. Don't embellish. That is going beyond the truth.

H- is it helpful? If you've established that what you're about to say is true, now ask yourself if it's helpful. Consider Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Before you say anything ask if what you're wanting to say going to help this person. Be careful not to stop at truth. People say things that damage and hurt others and then throw out the silly statement, "well, it's true" as if that makes it okay. The Bible does not give us permission to say anything just because it's true. It's not good enough just to make true statements. It must be helpful and build others up.

I- is it inspirational? Does it bring people to God? Does it bring glory to God? 1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

N- is it necessary? Why are you talking? Proverbs 10:19 "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." The more you talk, the more chance you have to sin. So, ask yourself these questions. Do I have to say this? Is this really necessary? Why am I about to say what I'm about to say?

K- is it kind? Colossians 4:6 "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Proverbs 12:25 "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." Everything that comes out of our mouth should be kind, giving and full of grace.

Let's THINK before we speak about anyone, including our family members and celebrities. The Bible doesn't make exceptions and neither should we. Let's go out and love!