Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Autumn Magic

My daughter loves to decorate for fall. When September rolls around, she is digging into the closet, looking for anything that speaks Autumn.

She brought home four pumpkins from the dollar bin at Target. And then she worked her magic.

I, of course, supply the china.




A touch of this, and a touch of that, and we have Autumn Magic.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

The Domino Effect


I'm a big fan of Davis Bunn. I think I have read every book he has written. So when the opportunity came around to read his latest novel, I grabbed it.

"The Domino Effect" was a different story. One that brought me into the 21st century.  I have never followed the stock market or really understood how it affects our economy. But Davis Bunn's take on the dangers of a run away market was truly eye opening.

Esther Larson is a risk analyst with a large banking institution.  She's good at her job. As she compiles her own private analysis, she realizes the banks may be skirting on illegal operations. Mirroring events of the 2008 financial crash, she feels compelled to stop the runaway dominoes.

Davis Bunn continues to be a master story teller. When I first picked up the novel, I felt a little uncertain that I would be able to follow the financial drama that was unfolding. However, the story was very compelling and I have to admit, I learned some things along the way. I enjoyed Esther's character, as she reflected how a real person would respond. She shares things in her life with two young girls as they are dealing with an emotional family situation. That's what makes a book good. Seeing and feeling life's challenges, and still maintaining balance.

Although this novel lends itself to a technical side, it made me think beyond my little world. That one day events such as these may, in fact, bring the worlds economy to the brink of disaster.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. 


 

Monday, September 26, 2016

The greatest freedom

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21

These very profound words hold such an impact. One Sunday, as our Pastor was preaching from this text, he began to cry. He said as he studied this passage, the realization of his mortality grabbed him. He wrestled with the fact that he really wanted to see his children grow up. He wanted to be here with his family. And yet, the scripture teaches that to die is gain.

Day by day, as we each walk the pathway we are to go, life just seems to keep going. Until we are stopped in our tracks with the loss of a loved one or friend. It's then that we start thinking of the "other side".

12 years ago, on a Sunday morning, during the middle of a raging hurricane, my BFF lost her battle with cancer and walked into the arms of Jesus. I have missed my sweet friend all these years, but on that Sunday, the Pastor's message brought a sense of peace to my heart. Diana was such a special friend. We were friends for almost 20 years. She always encouraged me, with unconditional love and always with a smile. It is selfish of me to want her to be here, when she has gained so much more. As she reached out her hand that Sunday morning, she left behind her tired body to walk with Jesus. I can almost picture her, in my minds eye, looking back at all of us and saying, "It's all right, I'm whole now."


Mark 8:35 states: “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's, will save it” (ESV).
Jesus Christ offers you the greatest freedom - in learning how to die, we learn how to live.

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Florida Cottage

The week Hurricane Hermine made her appearance, my daughter and I went to an Estate liquidation in Clearwater. The house was old and the family was getting it ready to sell. For some reason this house reminded me of cottages you see in movies. I can imagine many evenings sitting out on the patio, looking out over Tampa Bay, sipping cold lemonade and enjoying the magnificent Florida sunsets.

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

A day at the beach

We are fortunate in Florida to enjoy balmy weather almost year round.  Even as the days start too cool, the beach is always inviting.




Monday, September 12, 2016

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

Everyone seems to be calling for Fall as the month of September has made it's entrance. Our weather has been pleasant enough to sit on the back porch and sip my tea and enjoy a new to me literary series.

Have you met Flavia? She is the star of these books by Alan Bradley. They are a little bit of a mystery series, but oh so fun to read. I'm already on my third book in the series.

Just a little bit of a sweet, and my cup of decaf tea to wash it all down.

I'm starting to bring out my Fall china so this Johnson Brothers cup and saucer seemed quite appropriate for today. "Pomona" is the pattern.

Sit back and relax and enjoy the coming of the season.

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

The calm after the storm

Last week, we were bombarded with rain. The effects from Hermine as she passed by our area. Four days of rain - swelling lakes, ponds and streets with retained water. There just wasn't anywhere for the water to go.

But the calm after the storm is always good. Bringing everything back to normal.

Even with rough waters, Clearwater regained her dignity as Hermine swept on by.

Monday, September 5, 2016

Join me on the porch

I always love to take advantage of my porch. Sometimes in the summer it's too hot to sit outside, but with all the rain we've had, there are some afternoons that lend a touch of cool in the air. It's refreshing enough to enjoy lunch on the porch.





Sunday, September 4, 2016