Tuesday 4 - June 17

 

Reading

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.   I don't think she realized someone would carry it on for her but it is a way to keep her alive for a bit longer and that is a good thing.

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Books are very popular with most people as it leads to other worlds, other times, etc. and we seem to love the variety.  

Books can change your life, your beliefs, your attitude.  They can lift up or tear down.

We have talked about books before but could be do it again?

!. What book has changed your perspective on life the most, and why?   

Most definitely, the Bible. It is God speaking to me, giving me wisdom, encouragement, warnings, and how to live my life for Him. The Bible is His love story to me, start to finish.

2. If you could live inside the world of any book, which would you choose and what role would you play? 

I'd have to pick Mitford, NC - the town of Father Tim created by Jan Karon. It's fictional, of course, but its inhabitants feel so real. It's a place where people know each other and are there when or if you need them. I think I'd probably attend First Baptist Church where Bill Sprouse is pastor. Sorry, Father Tim, I did the Episcopal route when I was younger. The role I played would be me - perhaps helping Hope at Happy Endings Book Store.  For sure, I'd be getting a piece of the OMC (Orange Marmalade Cake).

3. What’s a book you initially disliked but grew to appreciate over time?

I'm not very patient with books I don't like. If I don't like it, I put it aside.  

4. If you could rewrite the ending of any book, which would it be and how would you change it?

I've always wanted to change the ending of Gone with the Wind. I want Rhett to give Scarlet another chance. I'm not surprised he spoke the expletive and moved on, but he'd hung in for so long. Scarlet may have gone back to her old ways and pursued Ashley with Melanie being gone. But there is always hope. Maybe they could have had another baby.

Friday Fave Five

 

It's been a frustrating and hectic week and I'm glad to finally be able to sit down and count the blessings despite the frustrations. It's during those times when you have to dig deep to see the blessings but if you look long enough, you can find them! Thank you, Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for giving us this spot.

1.  Bank issues straightened out: On Memorial Day, I received an email from my bank that a couple charges had come through on my debit card that looked suspicious. They were declined and I was notified. Indeed, they weren't from me. Consequently, the bank blocked my card so Tuesday morning I was in the bank to get a new debit card. Thankfully, my bank is vigilant and caught things early. 

2.  New phone: Then the next day, I discovered the text app on my smart phone had quit working. This was not good since I use that app a lot. A year or so ago, my phone had fallen to the floor resulting in a couple cracks. Things still worked fine - that is until the cracks began to spread. The helpful man at the phone store verified that was the issue. I had also noticed it becoming very slow. So, yesterday, UPS delivered my new phone. My sweet daughter in love helped me set it up and I now have a lovely, speedy phone. It's also very similar to my previous phone so I don't have as much of a learning curve. I'm so glad for this quick fix. We live in an age that when our technology breaks down, we're lost!

3.  Some clear direction: I have been dealing with a personal issue for some time. Sometimes, you can be our own worst enemy, you know? I've been praying about some clarity regarding some matters, and I finally felt a breakthrough and some clear direction. I feel like a weight has come off my shoulders. God is good!

4.  An upcoming audiology appointment:  I've been dealing with a progressive hearing loss for a while which has really interfered with life. I finally have been able to get an audiology appointment as a first step to see what the problem is. I'm really hoping I doesn't involve hearing aids but if so, so be it. I'd really like to hear well again.

5.  A new book coming: Those of you who have visited my blog probably know that I am in love with the Mitford series by Jan Karon. She is such a gifted writer and her characters come alive and jump off the pages. She wrote 14 novels about Mitford and then announced years ago that she "has said all she was going to say about Mitford." In other words, no more news of Father Tim and the gang. However, at the seasonal Mitford Spring tea in Hudson, NC a week or two ago, she announced that she was writing the 15th Mitford novel. My guess is that it will probably be available sometime next year. I'm over the moon!

I hope you all have a great weekend! It's getting quite warm in some places here in the U.S. Here in Tennessee, we're having mild temps and I'm really enjoying them!

Friday Fave Five

 

How many of you have NOT seen snow around your home this year? I suspect very few. My area of East Tennesse was hit Monday with (at last count) almost 10 inches of snow. That's unusual for us! Along with snow, we've had below freezing temps with minus zero wind chills during the night. Needless to say, I've not gone anywhere this week. 

Even inclement weather couldn't stop the blessings that have come my way this week. . Let me tell you about a few. Thank you, Susanne at Living to Tell the Story

1. Peaceful stillness: There is just something about snow fall and the quietness and stillness that it brings. After the worse of the snow fall Monday evening, I stood outside and breathed in the peace and quiet as well as the crisp, fresh air. Granted, it's caused a lot of disruption with icy roads and multiple businesses and schools closed. But, to me, who hasn't needed anything or to go anywhere, it's given me time to slow down, read, knit and pray.

2. No power outages: There have been some who've lost power for a few hours, but I count my blessings that my power has not been disrupted. In a home that depends on electricity for cooking and heating, I'm very thankful.

3. Knit project done and another one started: The fingerless gloves, after a false start and having to change yarn, is now complete. They aren't masterpieces and they are a bit big but they're warm and that's what counts. 

4. Candles: To me, a candle adds such cheer to a rainy, cloudy, snowy day. I've kept one going beside me all week. This week, it's been my wisteria-scented candle from the Mitford Museum Gift Shop. It's named "Cynthia" after Father Tim's wife in the Mitford series by Jan Karon. 

5. Blessings in disguise: Even inclement weather has a silver lining. My younger son has been very sick with a cold. This is the guy who will report for work even with his arm half hanging off! Because of the snow and icy roads, his work shut down, giving him time to rest at home. The special services at our church this week have also been called off. That's disappointing but that has kept him from having to play for praise and worship. You have to see the blessings in everything, I suppose.

Next week, we will be back to seasonal temps so there should be a thaw beginning on Monday. Tuesday, I'll venture out and get the car going and by then I'll need to go to the grocery store. Prayers and thoughts for you who are dealing with these winter storms. As far as Tennessee, we're ready for spring!

Friday Fave Fives

 

It's Friday and time to list the blessings that have come to us this week. It's been a quiet week as I've been down with some flu-like symptoms, so I've done very little. It's during this time that I look around me - those things I sometimes take for granted. When you are feeling poorly, it's such a blessing to realize that you are surrounded by God and His blessings, in whatever form they take. Thanks to Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for hosting this!

1. A warm home: With forecasted temps going down into the teens for this upcoming week, I am so thankful for a warm home. Such a simple need but I'm reading of several places in my area that are opening their doors for the homeless. I can't imagine having no home and having to weather the cold we have been having!

2. Full cupboards and fridge: Another provision we sometimes take for granted. Because I had shopped (maybe even over shopped), I have plenty of what I need during this ultra-cold snap. 

3. Books: Someone included this in their blessings a few weeks back and it reminded me of how much I love to read and how precious books are to me. I can travel anywhere I want simply by opening a book. I can learn to knit, bake a cake or temporarily live in a small town full of lovely but quirky people. My favorite is the printed page that I can hold in my hand. I've learned to adjust to my Kindle though and that's kinda neat because I can adjust the font size. I listen to many of my Mitford books through Audible which is a wonderful way to fall asleep.

4. Feeling better: I'm very thankful that what I've felt this week has been mild compared to some. I'm hearing that ERs are full of those suffering with COVID, RSV and flu. I've just been congested along with some unpleasant GI issues. I won't go into detail. It's given me a week of enforced staying at home and resting. And that's been a blessing unto itself.

5. Safety from severe weather: I'm seeing photos and hearing tales of being snowed in, of flooding and tornadoes. I imagine some of you, my faithful readers, have seen some of that. Our area is under a high wind alert with possible wind speeds in the 80s and 90s in higher elevations. We might get snow next week. I've lived through severe tropical weather when I lived in Florida so I know how stressful and anxiety-building it can be. 

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BONUS: I began writing out scripture a few months back through Love Worth Finding, a ministry begun by the late Adrian Rogers. For me, scripture sticks to me better when I'm writing it out. I don't do it every month but when I do, I find it such a blessing. If you're interested, you can click here.

Stay warm and safe, my friends. 

Or if you're a Lord of the Rings fan. . .

What's going on around here. . .

It's been a few days since I got on here so I thought I'd jot a note or two here to sort of recap what's going on. 

1.    Yesterday was my great granddaughter Arabella's birthday. She turned one! Her sister Ava turned three last week. Such cuties and I'd say that even if I wasn't their Great Grandmother.

Last weekend, their parent's had one big birthday party for both of them. I sure wish I could have been there.

2.    Wildfires! Here in east Tennessee, we are in a severe drought. Low humidity coupled with high winds are causing outbreaks every day. Thankfully, they've been able to be contained. The TN Division of Forestry even has a map you can visit to see where the fires are in your area and at what percentage they are contained. Right now, there are two going - one in my county but not near me and the other farther east. Today, it's raining lightly and predicted to continue for most of the day. I'm very thankful. We also have high winds as well with predicted gusts up to 37 mph in the higher elevations, so tensions are high. My sincere admiration for the forestry crews and other fire fighters who have been so busy keeping us safe. And as I understand it - our area is not unique. North Carolina, West Virgina among other places are also facing the same problems. 

3.     I've not done this before, but I decorated for Christmas before Thanksgiving. I usually do this the weekend after Thanksgiving, but his has been a challenging year and I just decided I needed a pick me up. I'll probably do a blog post later in the week - and show off the results but for now. . .

My Mitford Village (the winter pieces) complete with the Mitford snowmen.

I have the entire Mitford village collection, but some are from the spring collection, so I alternate between the two for seasonal displays. 

4.    My social calendar is getting full for this week and next. This week is Thanksgiving. Next week, I'm having lunch with my friend, Barbara. We get together usually every month but we're about 2 weeks overdue. My small group at church is having their Christmas luncheon next Wednesday which is also my birthday. Then the next day, my daughter in law Stephanie and I are celebrating our birthdays together with lunch.

5.     I just read the best book! It's called Adventures in Yarn Farming - Four Seasons on a New England Fiber Farm. My daughter gave it to me because it has knitting patterns in it. The best bit for me though is reading what all is entailed to get from sheep to a skein of yarn. Everything from lambing, shearing, choosing the strain of sheep that produce certain kinds of wool, feeding them, protecting them, and then how their wool is prepared to be spun and eventually dyed. I recently told a friend that one of my favorite things to watch on Face Book are the sheep shearing videos. I've always been curious as to how my yarn came to be. I'm very grateful for those like Barbara Parry who wrote the book. Such a lot more work than I ever realized.

I'm looking forward to spending Thanksgiving Day with my son and daughter in law. I've so much to be Thankful for this year and God's faithfulness in all of it. 

I wish you all a very special, wonderful Thanksgiving!

Close ups of the Mitford Village

 Yesterday, I posted a photo of my Mitford Village buildings that were created by Hallmark years ago. The buildings are prominently featured in this delightful book series by Jan Karon. One of my dear commenters expressed a wish to see the buildings close up. 

So  - here they are. . .

Left to right: Front row - The Rectory (Father Tim's home), Cynthia's yellow house.

Second row - Fernbank and Lord's Chapel

Unfortunately, you can't see all of Fernbank. This is a photo I took some time ago. If anyone wants to see a particular building better, then let me know and I'll take more photos.

Left to right: Sweet Stuff Bakery, The Local (their grocery store), Main Street Grill (where everyone hangs out to eat) and Happy Endings Book Store.

I have the entire collection as far as I know. There were two collections - winter and summer. As you can see it's winter for some but summer for others.

I found all of these on E Bay. Fernbank and Lord's Chapel are easy to find. I see them there quite frequently. The others? Well, you just have to get lucky.

Tuesday 4 - Reading is Fundamental

 Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4. Let's talk about books and reading. If you are not a reader, consider substituting movies and TV programs. If you'd like to join us, hop on over to Tuesday 4 hosted by Ann at Cottage by the Sea

1. What book brought out your emotions and why?

When I talk about reading, I have a one-track mind. I fell in love with the Mitford series by Jan Karon years ago and I constantly have one of the books going, either by the printed page or audio. They have made me cry, laugh out loud and give me all the feels. 

2. How has reading changed your life both for good or for bad? What do you get out of it? 

Reading allows me escape when I need to. It lets me travel through time and space and places I'll never go. It has allowed me to get to know people I otherwise would never meet. It has educated me and inspired me. I can't think of anything bad about it except perhaps eating ramen for a few days so that I could buy a certain book!

3. What character(s) do you love and which do you hate and why?

Going back to the Mitford series, I adore Father Tim, the main character of the book. These characters are written so well that they become real to you. Father Tim is a gentle soul, a priest of an Episcopal church who, when it comes to his relationship with God, he puts boots to his faith. The Mitford character to hate is Edith Mallory. She is very easy to hate. However, as the series goes along, you may just change your opinion.

4. What book or books do you think everyone should read once in their lifetime?

Right off the bat, I'd say the Bible. It is the best handbook for life there is. And if you're just wanting a good read, it contains all the elements: adventure and travel, romance - some good, some bad, and battles and treachery.  You meet colorful characters, villains and heroes. And you meet Jesus - which makes it all worthwhile.  I would also suggest some classics - Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice. And for pure fun, try Dr. Suess. But you have to read them out loud for them to be effective!

Traveling to Mitford

 Have you ever fallen in love with a book or a book series or an author? I fell in love with the Mitford series by Jan Karon when I first began reading it about three years ago and I'm still in love. You can read more about it on its very own page.

Last year, Jan Karon, along with many talented people, created the Mitford Museum in what was Jan's elementary school. Located in Hudson, a small town in western N.C., it is the quintessential, charming small town The school has been renamed The Hub and is a center for arts and learning and so much more! The museum is comprised of two large rooms - one being Jan's old classroom. It's Grand Opening was October 1-3, 2021, and it was a grand affair. I wished I could attended! The museum also boasts a lovely gift shop called Happy Endings - named from the bookstore of Mitford.

I finally had the privilege of touring it last week, accompanied by a dear friend and her husband who agreed to drive the three-hour trip. There was so much to see - everything from childhood memorabilia of Jan's to her mother's and grandmother's special things. One whole room was dedicated to Mitford and we got to see in person, things we'd only read about in the books. If you weren't sure what color Cynthia's wedding suit was the day she married Fr. Tim, there it was! 

Here are a few photos of that day. It was lovely.

My friend, Barbara began with lunch at the Vintage Cafe and Bakery.

Very down home, very friendly people and excellent food!

Jan's grandmother's milking stool and butter churn.

 Jan remembers churning butter on the front porch.

Jan's doll. Our volunteer guide told us that Jan

never played with the doll because it was 

so treasured.

Jan's typewriter she used for the first few books.

A typed manuscript of the first page of her third novel,

These High Green Hills.

You can see her corrections here and there.

Cynthia's wedding suit she wore when she

married Fr. Tim

Fr. Tim's vestments he wore as an Episcopal priest

Fr. Tim's lighted globe that Cynthia gave him

for a Christmas gift. He had always wanted one.

In Shepherds Abiding, Fr. Tim restored a nativity set

for Cynthia as a Christmas gift. 

I hope you enjoyed my trip to this wonderful place. If you'd like more information about the museum or Jan Karon herself, I've included links below.

The Mitford Museum

The Hub Station

Jan Karon's Mitford

Mitford Museum Gift Shop