On the Mountaintop

After secluding myself in the house this holiday, blogging, facebooking, watching Hallmark movies, crafting, having time for prayer and Bible study,etc. I escaped today. I asked my husband if he minded if I was gone for a while he said go ahead. Now mind you, I am not always this lazy. I needed the break as I have not had one for some time. And I did do laundry, hanging clothes on the line to save electricty.

Anyhow,I took off with library books to return, stopped at a couple of shops uptown and decided to take a drive up the mountain. This is not usually something I do by myself, especially the route I took. It was a beautiful day if somewhat cloudy. I do wish I had taken Lori's camera with me to share pictures.

I stopped at a country store I had never been to then followed the signs to Blowing Rock. The drive was enjoyable and going real well considering I don't always do well with heights. On good days I'm ok sometimes I feel panic. Then as the last sign to Blowing Rock said 19 miles the drive went through curve after hairpin curve with not much road room between me and the edge. Still doing fairly well. Then it continued on and on and my nervous panic slowly started working on me. I kept thinking, Lord you know I can do this, I'm going slow and eventually town will come. I start thinking of facing medical procedures that gave me the tremors God brought me through them, I know I can do this...No, Jane, enjoy this ride. By the way, what other choice did I have? NONE. Finally, houses began to come into view instead of trees and drop offs. Thank you Lord. Finally the outskirts of town and places I recognized. YES! I did it.

It was cold up there and snow was visible and some ice on ponds. Stopped at my favorite shop and bought a glass nativity ornament(see above). In spite of the cold and the economy the town was packed but I found easy parking places. Moved on to another favorite shop. For me, looking at the beautiful home decorations does wonders for my mind. Looking is free (smile). Hot drink completed my night out on the town.

Fortunately, I knew a different way home. A way more traveled and right past Julie's house. By then rain was falling and I was glad to be headed home in case it froze on the road. Going past Walmart did not escape me. I stopped in to pick up a few minor things needed at home. About the time I am headed to pay, Rick calls and asks me to bring home something to eat. "I already have something and I will be home in 40 minutes." "Forty minutes?" "Yes, I am in Walmart in Lenoir." "OK."

Now I am headed to feed the dogs and to bed.

Thanksgiving #2

I have to admit, especially last night, I was kinda bummed out about staying home for Thanksgiving. Even though I was trying to have a good attitude about it I had no plans to fix a Thanksgiving meal. Guess what I did today. Went to the store to get a few things including 2 strips of turkey white meat to cook. So here is my thanksgiving meal for two.





I am no good yet at placing these pictures. And also I was not the only one at the store getting turkey fixings. I also don't know how you other homemakers keep up with your children, your blog and taking pictures while you cook. :) And don't forget to notice my maple leaf cutouts on the pie crust. :)

Thanksgiving Day

This is how beautiful a day it is at our house today.







I must tell you that while you all are very busy cooking and traveling and visiting with family, I have no hustle and bustle. I slept in till 9 a.m. and had hot chocolate while reading my Bible and having prayer. So in that regards I am blessed. I don't have to be anywhere today but I can if I want to. My husband is doing some better but still had some chills last night. I am off to feed the dogs and rabbit. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Glad to be Home

Glad the work day is over because I was so tired from interrupted sleep. I was not much good at work today and besides we had our thanksgiving meal. Preparation and clean up always takes longer than lunch hour. I did get my apple dumplings made last night since they are not much trouble. Everyone at work is super nice and very good cooks.

Rick is improving. The doc was great today and took a lot of time with us. We were ready with our list of questions. I thought he might put him in the hospital, but doc
was glad hubby looked better today and sounded better. He said the medicine and prayer was working.

The song comes to mind, "God is faithful, God is faithful,......God is so faithful to me".

I wrote a song many years ago about how some folks are satisfied to go to church on Sunday but leave God there the rest of the week. The chorus says "I'm so glad that He's with me every day." The thought is still good today. Thanks for your prayers and keep it up.

Trying to be open to the change

Thanksgiving plans are suddenly on hold. Friday night when I came home from work my husband was chilled to the bone. And not wanting to eat. I kneeewwww that meant something was wrong. He usually gets hot easily. But he had his jeans, a shirt, his flannel outside jacket, extra heater on in the bedroom, heating pad on his back, the rice bed buddy warmed up in the microwave, blankets on and still not warm! I got him another blanket. Then I felt his head. Boy! was he hot. Took his temp and it was 104.7. Removed covers, gave 2 tylenol, temp went down to 103 something. He was only slightly queasy, no cold symptoms, but achy. Saturday morning, normal temp but still not feeling too good. Saturday afternoon temp back up to 103 and still aching, no appetite. Restless nights and interrupted sleep for both of us. Sunday morning temp down. I went to church to our Thanksgiving service and stayed for the dinner and brought plates back for him and Lori(who was sick with a head cold). I had talked about seeing what Dr. was on call for the weekend but hubby declined. 7a.m. Monday morning I called for a sick appt. Got one for 9:50. I went to work came back and got him. We waited about 45 min to see doc after the routine checks with the nurse. Doc ordered an xray and blood tests. He said he is really sick we better be praying for him and he didn't know how he was still up on his feet. Pneumonia. Well, he got a huge shot and prescription. So I took him home and went to the drugstore and to the library to get him some books. So we will be spending time at home this week instead of going to Ohio. I made several phone calls to everyone that was expecting us. Doc needs to see him again in the morning so I will go in to work late. Looks like I will be enjoying some blogging during my days off. Julie is supposed to record some Hallmark movies for me.

My company's big announcement was in the paper today. We will be making furniture for Ralph Lauren. At work we knew it but had to wait for it to be properly announced. We have already been busy with this new project for several weeks. In an area where many furniture factories have closed down, this is good news. I'm thankful for the job I have. Many in this area are without jobs. Hopefully, this will help out a few when we hire additional help. If any of you would like to see pictures of the beautiful furniture we make, go to http://ejvictor.com/

Personally, with all the economic upheaval in the country, the disregard for truth and Jesus Christ, my faith is not in any earthly organization. There are storms on every hand and we never know from one day to the next what we will face. As the old song goes, "Put your hand in the hand of the one who stilled the water." When you do, you will look at things differently.

Thankful for the Word of God

This is a link to No Place Like Home Show and Tell Friday.

Today I am showing two Bibles. The one on the left belonged to my dad. He passed away in 1994. The one on the right is a Chain Reference Bible I bought for my self about 37 years ago for around $18.

I am most thankful for the Word of God. It is what will keep us when all of our treasures are gone.




The centerpiece is one my daughter gave me this year and the coffee table came from the company where I work.

Now to use some of the ideas that were shared this week: I bought everything I needed for the Thanksgiving Blessing snacks. I thought this would be something I can make ahead to take to Ohio next week. Kmart had some fall cookie cutters. My plan is to make my sisters' sugar cookie recipe. For the apple dumplings I'm making for work I thought I might try using one of cookie cutters on the dough for a leaf or acorn shape on top. This morning I gathered pine cones from my yard and used them for the break table at work with the leaf cut outs glued at the end. My pine cones are long and not too fat so they don't look much like a turkey. I stacked some on top of each other and I think it makes a nice decoration for our dinner on Tuesday at work.

Thankful Thursday

To see more Thursday Thankfulness go to




I am thankful that this morning God answered a prayer before I could ask. After I was praying someone came to me and told me an answer to one of my requests. I knew the answer came before I had ask.

We have changed our plans and will be leaving for Ohio next week. All of our family is from there and I will be so glad to see them. What do you all think is the best thing to fix ahead of time so I can share in fixing the dinner. I am not sure if we will have room for a cooler. I will be glad to spend time with my mom. She has always had decorations for every season.

I am not sure when I can leave work on Wednesday because of inventory. I will be fixing homemade noodles Monday night for our pre Thanksgiving meal at work. Also, apple dumplings that someone is begging for. I have used this recipe for years and modified it to make a smaller portion rather than using a whole apple for each one.

Apple Dumplings

Pastry ( I use premade crusts from the dairy dept. and cut it in wedges.)
Apple slices

Boil this for 3 minutes:
2/3 C Sugar
1 1/2 C water
2 TBP butter or margarine
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Mix this in a small dish:
1/3 C sugar
1 tsp cinnomon

Place an apple slice or two on a wedge of pastry. Sprinkle with sugar/cinnamon mixture. Place a dab of butter top. Fold pastry around apple. Place in a square glass dish. Continue until the dish is full. Pour the hot liquid on top. Bake at
425 degrees for 1/2 hour or until pastry looks done.

Everyone's posts are so great. Thanks to all for your ideas and beautiful decorations. And thank you for taking the time to share.

Here is a picture I took I couldn't help sharing.

Thanks and Giving

Someone on the radio passed along today the thought that not only is this a time of thankfulness but a time of giving. We have a record that is still playable by Debbie Boone from many years ago. One song goes "Lord, You have given everything to me what can I do for you?"

See what others are sharing at

Thanksgiving

"Bless the Lord oh my soul and forget not all His benefits" Surely every good and perfect comes from the Father above.

My favorite memories of Thanksgiving are all the family together at my parents home. We never took vacations but Mom always made holidays special. She cooked the best turkey, roasted slow all night and juicy. I usually got to slice it and do the pre tasting on it. She rolled out homemade noodles and cooked them in the turkey broth which is something southerners in my area have missed out on. Dishes I remember:

1. My brother Ronnie and his wife Barb would bake pies.
2. My sister Jana made cut out, decorated sugar cookies.
3. My sister Sandy made broccoli casserole and pecan tarts.
4. My sister in law Mary made mixed vegetable casserole
5. Some of moms dishes over the years: mandarin fruit salad, lime jello/cottage cheese salad, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes with marshmallows browned on top, oyster dressing.

Mom is in her late 80's now and Dad passed away several years ago. I thank her for all the things she did for us.

For other thanksgiving posts go to No Place Like Home @





I would also like to link here: http://confessionsofasnowflake.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday

Ok my first picture on my blog site and my first day of sharing show and tell was not quite according to the rules. I needed to show something from home instead of my office picture. So here is one of my Thanksgiving decorations. I picked it up at a great gift shop in a small town where my daughter lives. I like things that are different and hope you enjoy it. In case you can't read the words the leaves spell out it is GIVE THANKS. To see other show and tell items go to

Tie Day

Yesterday one of our owners brought in ties that he was abandoning. They were laid on our break table which means "free for the taking". For fun, my boss had us each wear one today to surprise him.

Next time I will share something on show and tell from home which is where I would really rather be. But hey, some of the ties are probably antiques. :)
To view more show and tells go to There's No Place Like Home

Progress

I was able to delete one of my duplicate pictures of the prayer bench on my own today. Last night the same thing I did today did not work so I don't think it was me. Now to learn how to personalize my format.

Gadget Trouble

We had a good visit at the rest home tonight. We went room to room. Also, I still am meditating on the weekend messages. Rick spoke Sunday morning at a church in Glen Alpine. He talked about knowing the time of the Lord's visitation. Sunday nights' message was being prepared for spiritual battle.

I am trying to fix my blog. Julie has made available to me a picture of my prayer bench. I added it on a gadget space. I tried to delete it from there and it won't delete. I did place one somewhere else. Then I moved the other one. Now I have two. I would like to rearrange my blog but I've studied the templates and I don't like any of the others. I guess I'll hang it up for tonight. I'm sure there are other ways to make your own setup without the templates. I'll wait for directions from someone smarter than me in this area.

A Different Path

I just read an opinion by Call Thomas called "A Different Path"Cal Thomas believes that after 30 years of trying to transform culture through politics, evangelicals would be wise to try a different, God-glorifying direction.

It struck home with me. I know since we have the freedom to vote and help direct our country, we should. But what really changes people is not legislation or politicians. Heart changes from Jesus Christ is what is needed.

Pray for revival of men's hearts.

Nations Are A Drop In The Bucket

Someone passed a scripture reference to me today. Isaiah 40:15 "Look, the nations are like a drop in the bucket and are counted as small dust in the balance." the whole chapter is sooooo good. Verse 23 "he brings princes to nothing, he makes judges of the earth as vanity" Verse 24 "He blows on them and they wither, a whirlwind shall take them away as stubble"

Verse 26 "Lift up your eyes on high and behold the one that created these things" Then come the verses I have heard a lot. 28-31 "Haven't you heard, don't ya know, the the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth doesn't faint or get tired? He gives power to the faint, strength to the weak, renewed strenghth to fly and run and keep on walking."

Verse 1 "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people" What a blessing to belong to God, to know his comfort, his strength. Oh praise the Lord, Hallelujah!

Here is a good prayer list copied from someone else:
Whether you voted for Obama or not, you need to pray for him. Here are 10 ways I plan to intercede for him regularly:

1. Pray for Obama’s protection. We already know that some weird, neo-Nazi fanatics in Tennessee plotted to kill Sen. Obama during his campaign. Let’s pray that racist hatred is not allowed to spread. Let’s cancel every assassin’s bullet in the name of Jesus. May civility triumph over bigotry.

2. Cover his wife and daughters in prayer. It is not easy to live under constant media scrutiny. Pray for Obama’s wife, Michelle, and their two daughters, Malia and Natasha, as they face invasive cameras, nosy reporters, maniacal fans and dangerous enemies. Obama is not only a politician but also a husband and a father.

3. Pray that Obama will govern with God’s wisdom. God rewarded Solomon because he asked for wisdom instead of wealth, long life or vengeance on his enemies (see 1 Kings 3:11-12). Pray that Obama will order his priorities like that. Despite Solomon’s tragic character flaws, his legacy was wisdom. We can ask God to give our president the same grace.

4. Ask God to keep our president humble. Many great American leaders became corrupt after they moved to Washington. The fatal attraction of fame, wealth and power proved irresistible. The only thing that will guard a man or woman from this pitfall is humility. May God deliver President Obama from the curse of pride.

5. Pray for wise and righteous advisers to surround him. Godly leaders cannot do their job alone. Even the best leaders have failed because they trusted the wrong people. Pray that Obama will not select his counselors based on party, race, pedigree or political cronyism but on godly character and proven wisdom. Pray also that he will not allow secret traitors into his inner circle.

6. Ask for the spirit of reconciliation. Some segments of our deeply divided society want nothing to do with Obama now that he has won the presidency. Even some Christians will be tempted to harbor resentment and nurse political grudges throughout his term in office. Pray that God will grant forgiveness and healing so that leaders on all political levels can have constructive dialogue.

7. Pray that Obama will adopt pro-life convictions. Many politicians have changed their views on key issues while in office. In the 1800s some leaders who favored slavery later denounced it. In the 1950s some who opposed racial integration later became champions of it. Even though Obama won approval from many voters because he sanctions abortion, God could soften and change his heart.

8. Bind all evil forces assigned to manipulate our president. The specter of Islamic terrorism looms over the United States, and dark forces are ready to infiltrate. Our only hope lies in prayer to the God who is able to expose and outwit the schemes of the wicked. This is truly a time for spiritual warfare, and intercessors must not come off the wall in this hour! Pray that no foreign government, terrorist organization or demonic principality will use Obama as a tool. We must stand strong against the spirit of antichrist that promotes dictatorship, persecution of Christians and hostility toward Israel.

9. Pray that Obama’s door will remain open to the church. The loudest voices of secular culture—from Bill Maher in Hollywood to atheists in academia—would be happy if religion were removed from public life. Pray that Obama, who claims to have a personal faith in Jesus Christ, will unapologetically welcome Christian leaders into his company and seek their counsel. And pray that false religious leaders (who claim to know Christ but deny His power) will not have his ear.

10. Pray that our nation will enjoy God’s peace and blessing during the Obama administration. The apostle Paul instructed early believers to pray for all in authority “so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim. 2:2, NASB). God’s will is for America to experience peace and prosperity so that we can continue to export the gospel to the nations. This must happen whether a Democrat or a Republican is in the White House. As we cry out for God’s mercy on our wayward nation, pray that He will allow us to be a light to the world as we finance global missions, feed and heal the world’s poor and share Christ’s love at home and abroad.

J. Lee Grady is editor of Charisma.

Election Thoughts

Yes, I am dissappointed today in mankind. No, I am not dissappointed in God. Because of the history of my generation and the barriers that were broken through for the black people I would love to celebrate a black president but I cannot because of his values and ideas for this country. I have loved to worship in a racially mixed congregation and sing at a black/white wedding when it was not popular. And I was certainly not popular with my mother for worshipping with blacks even though she associated with blacks and did sewing for them (Bless her heart!)

But I have been admonished against having a pity party today. Yes I see a move to the socialist left which is bad, but it is a good time for me to see them for who they are and be more informed. It is a good time for me to face the storm with the help of God. It is a good time for me to bone up on history, the constitution, the Bill of Rights, contact senators, governors, representatives, etc. Also, it is time to increase my Bible study and prayer and witnessing while I have the opportunity. May God help me.

Some may say a Christian has no business being involved in politics. We certainly would not have the opportunities to worship today if the pilgrims and forefathers had huddled in their own group in a corner and ignored what was going on around them. They "stepped into the water and waded out a little deeper."

My prayers are for those who are in authority, but I am watching them and not expecting them to make everything all right in this country. The Bible says the heart is deceitful and desparately wicked. When the Spirit of God has not changed a heart it meets this description. And I believe we have a huge fight on our hands for "wickedness in high places."

Do you believe on the Son of God?

It is such a beautiful fall morning. I had to go out to the backyard and to my bench to breath in the fresh, crisp air. We have 1 tree with leaves that are very red. But I must hurry to get to work and be inside most of the day. Maybe I will try to use my breaks and lunch to go outside.

Reading in John chapter 9 this morning. The man who was blind and Christ gave sight was conversing with the Pharisees. They were questioning him and he gave them some good answers. He said how could a man be a sinner and heal his eyes. But they were offended at him. Thought they could not be taught anything by this insignificant man and they excommunicated him.

Jesus said to him, "Do you believe on the Son of God?" And the man said "I believe" and he worshipped Him.

How simple. When others cast you aside, know that your relationship is with Jesus. That is where the connection is.

This morning I thought of how many sinners are so vulnerable when they get saved. Instead of building on Christ they attach themselves to a group of people who are willing to make them one of "their" group. We must be careful to let people attach themselves to Christ, the vine.

As the saying is politically speaking these days: It's ok to look for a hand up when you are down, just don't look for a hand out. People need help and encouragement to get what they need from Jesus. But the main attachment should be the person themselves connecting with Jesus. Then if they are cast aside by a group of people, they are still attached to Him.