California Highway 1...

More pictures of my recent trip. The Central Coast of California is just beautiful. I hope I get to go back some day.

Good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 24.

Proverbs 10:13-14

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.

14 The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

Make you think doesn't it. Sometimes I do feel like beating foolish people with a rod. Mostly the fool is me.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

Unclutter my life...Debt reduction.

I think I can now confide my debt as of today (Icringe each time I see the number):

FEB 2012
$0,000.00 had to take this to zeros. I can't publish it.

This is going to be gone by December 2012. I pay $500.00 per month to the debt and pay extra towards it each month too. This month I was able to put $1000 towards it. I also plan on putting all of my tax refund towards it too. That's only going to be about $1000. Every little bit helps and soon this burden will be gone. Thanks to David Ramsey and his book for getting this under control and following his recommendations and also thanks to Be More With Less Blog too, which is where I found his book mentioned.

I have only charged gasoline to my card and this has made my life more manageable. I will state that I am amazed at how much I have been bombarded by advertising via email and other sources to buy things. I am also surprised at how difficult it has been to NOT purchase anything. ugh. I thought (convinced myself) that I was better about not being influenced by advertising. I am wrong.

What I have been doing is waiting 24 hours before purchasing anything. Or paying by check. and for most purchases have discovered that I do not need the item.

Good day and good luck paying down your own debt.

I am very sad today...

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 23.

Proverbs 10:11-12

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

12 Hatred stirs up conflict,
but love covers over all wrongs.

Do you recognize when you are stirring things up? I am convinced that we don't, and don't care either. We certainly recognize the behavior in others though, don't we?

I am currently experiencing someone else stirring up conflict in my life. I have told them to stop, and for that person, this is not the right answer. My question is why did you ask? When you ask a question you should be prepared for an answer that you don't want and you shouldn't be hateful toward that person when you don't like their response. Otherwise, why bother asking in the first place?

I totally didn't see verse 12. Does love really cover up all wrongs? I can only hope as I am certainly wrong a lot.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 22.

Proverbs 10:10

10 Whoever winks maliciously causes grief,
and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

What exactly does this mean???? I read several interpretations at BibleGateway and the verse seems to be saying that if you are deceitful in speech and/or action trouble will follow. Although, the interpretations fail to provide exactly whom will have trouble...the person believing the deceit or the person creating the deceit. Personally, most likely a free for all on where the grief lands.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verse.
Grace to you, good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 21.

Proverbs 10:8-9

8 The wise in heart accept commands,
but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.

Grace to you, good day.

Proverbs in a Year... Feb 20.

Proverbs 10:6-7

6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.[a]

7 The name of the righteous is used in blessings,[b]
but the name of the wicked will rot.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 19.

Proverbs 10:5

5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

Are you listening??? do you care???

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verse.
Grace to you, good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 18.

Proverb 10:3-4

3 The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry,
but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

4 Lazy hands make for poverty,
but diligent hands bring wealth.

Oh how I wish DD would pay attention to verse 4.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 17.

Today begins chapter 10 and the main title here is that this begins the proverbs of Solomon. Most likely written by him.

Proverbs 10:1-2

1 The proverbs of Solomon:

A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

2 Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,
but righteousness delivers from death.

So true. I can think of a couple people who have brought grief to their mother. Question: How long to material items last? compared to intangible things like kindness? I know for myself, I long remember kindness and generosity more than any material item.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 16.

Proverbs 9:13-18

13 Folly is an unruly woman;
she is simple and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15 calling out to those who pass by,
who go straight on their way,
16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.

This is the closing to Chapter 9 of Proverbs. I hope it makes you think about your choices that you make. It certainly does for me.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, Good day, and make good choices.

Proverbs in a Year... Feb 15.

Proverbs 9:11-12

11 For through wisdom[b] your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

I hope your days are many.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

A Picture says a thousand words...

The way to my heart is if you can cook. 'Cause I BURN everything!!!

Check out this food:
Filet Mignon
mixed salad - I made the salad and I think its pretty (I also didn't burn it---Yeah me). I love the presentation of food.
baked shrimp with Louisiana spices
baked potato
wine - Mantra old vine zinfandel - and it was yummy. This is the wine my cousin makes and once you drink this wine its really difficult to drink anything else. You can purchase it online at Mantra.com. You will not regret it.

desert ended up being a shot of amaretto that we sipped during the evening, since we were too full to make the chocolate mousse recipe I posted yesterday.

It was all delish. Hope you had a nice time on Valentine's Day. I had my dinner personally cooked for me. I truly enjoy a man that can cook (for me).

Good day.

Easy Chocolate Mousse receipe...

I love stuff like this. I may not even be able to burn it. Yeah me!

Thank you Yahoo.com for the link.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Quick knit... Saints dishcloth.

Here's my quick knit.
Strangely enough I am actually gifting this. Usually I keep the things I knit that I intend to gift. I hope I don't hyperventilate while gifting.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 14.

I so too was making a last minute Valentines gift today before posting. ssshh. That's what I get for thinking I still had a week.

Proverbs 9:9-10

9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Ok, so here's my question: I fear the Lord, why do I still feel and act stupid??? Where's my wisdom or did someone stand in line twice and get my portion? sheesh.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

Valentine's Day....oops I thought I had a week.

This post had me giggling. Its an interview with a former greeting card writer for Hallmark.

I like the one about "special" people.

And for those of you ,like me, who thought you had another week, well...you don't. Better get out and purchase that special card for that special someone in your life.

Thank you Yahoo.com for the link.

Good day and I think you are all special (I'm so glad I don't live near you and vise-versa, I'm sure). oh, and puleeze, don't be kissin' my forehead!!!

Monterrey Aquarium...

I have been talked into posting a little bit more about my trip to the Central Coast of California. I think pictures speak for themselves, so here are the pictures I took at the Monterrey Aquarium. This aquarium was absolutely amazing!! Go if you get the chance.

The leaf seahorse is pretty coolio!

Good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 13.

Proverbs 9:7-8

7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.

The two above verses are interesting. It gives insight on how to recognize each person and where they may be at in their lives. It also says to me to keep those who are wise close to you and to leave alone those who are foolish. Are you wise? or are you the Fool, The Mocker?

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 12.

(Sunday's post) and BibleGateway.com titles this as "Invitations of Wisdom and Folly."

Proverbs 9:1-6

1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has set up[a] its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls
from the highest point of the city,
4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
5 “Come, eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;
walk in the way of insight.”

We have an invitation to join Wisdom at her table. Will you go? or are you having too much fun being foolish? Remember wisdom is enduring and folly is fleeting.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 11.

and since I do not post on weekends, here's half of it (Saturday's post):

Proverbs 8:33-36

33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the LORD.
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”

Sends chills down your spine doesn't it??? and on that note Chapter 8 ends and wisdom is done speaking to us. Thank goodness. Now I can finish dancing down that road of folly. Wish me luck. ugh.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 10.

Do you ever find yourself wondering why you don't pay attention to wisdom's great instruction and what you know she is saying to you?

Currently, I find myself in such a position. I know that the head slap is soon to be upon myself for being foolish and having happily danced down the road following folly. I won't go into details as my own foolish behavior is for me to own.

Proverbs 8:27-32

27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29 when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30 Then I was constantly[e] at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.

32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.

Make good choices and pay attention to wisdom's instruction. She's been here from the beginning of time. You only have to listen and heed her words. Good luck with that as its much easier said that done.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

Health from Yahoo...i like this post.

11 Foods that can improve your mood. Is an interesting article from Yahoo. I liked it and felt that it was informative.

Thank you Yahoo.com for the link.
Good day.

I like this post....

Please go to Be More With Less and check out her Feb 7 post. Very moving.

Remember to be joyful.

Good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 9.

Wisdom is still speaking just to you, in the following verses. Are you listening?? Do you hear??? Do you care??? or do you turn away like most?

Proverbs 8:14-26

14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.
15 By me kings reign
and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,
and nobles—all who rule on earth.[b]
17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.

22 “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works,[c][d]
before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
when there were no springs overflowing with water;
25 before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was given birth,
26 before he made the world or its fields
or any of the dust of the earth.

I especially like verse 18, where wisdom promises that if you seek her, your wealth and prosperity will be enduring. I think enduring is much better thank fleeting don't you???

In my opinion, I believe that today's society wants everything quickly and people do not want to work for anything. Instant gratification is where we go wrong.

Seek wisdom, she is there before you.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 8.

These next verses are Wisdom speaking to you. Please listen...

Proverbs 8:12-13

12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

Proverbs in a Year... Feb 7.

BibleGateway titles this chapter as "wisdoms call." Do you hear it? Do you foolishly turn away preferring your own wickedness. Believing yourself to be wiser?

Proverbs 8:1-11

1 Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O people, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a]
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Remember, choose wisdom and knowledge over silver, gold or rubies. Your life will be much better.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 6.

Today ends Chapter 7. Make good choices, specifically, stay away from being and adulterer.

Proverbs 7:24-27

24 Now then, my sons, listen to me;
pay attention to what I say.
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways
or stray into her paths.
26 Many are the victims she has brought down;
her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is a highway to the grave,
leading down to the chambers of death.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

Proverbs in Year...Feb 5.

I believe the following verses speak for themselves. Read them well. They sent chills down my spine. Be careful in your admiration of others that you end it with just admiration. Make good choices.

Proverbs 7:6-23

6 At the window of my house
I looked down through the lattice.
7 I saw among the simple,
I noticed among the young men,
a youth who had no sense.
8 He was going down the street near her corner,
walking along in the direction of her house
9 at twilight, as the day was fading,
as the dark of night set in.

10 Then out came a woman to meet him,
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11 (She is unruly and defiant,
her feet never stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the squares,
at every corner she lurks.)
13 She took hold of him and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:

14 “Today I fulfilled my vows,
and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.
15 So I came out to meet you;
I looked for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed
with colored linens from Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
let’s enjoy ourselves with love!
19 My husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey.
20 He took his purse filled with money
and will not be home till full moon.”

21 With persuasive words she led him astray;
she seduced him with her smooth talk.
22 All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer[a] stepping into a noose[b]
23 till an arrow pierces his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
little knowing it will cost him his life.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 4.

Chapter 7 is a warning against the adulterous woman. I suppose this is one of those cases that what you want looks better than it really is, i.e., "be careful what you ask for, you just might get it."

Proverbs 7:1-5

1 My son, keep my words
and store up my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and to insight, “You are my relative.”
5 They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses
Grace to you, good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 3.

Proverbs 6:27-35

27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap
without his clothes being burned?
28 Can a man walk on hot coals
without his feet being scorched?
29 So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife;
no one who touches her will go unpunished.

30 People do not despise a thief if he steals
to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.
31 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold,
though it costs him all the wealth of his house.
32 But a man who commits adultery has no sense;
whoever does so destroys himself.
33 Blows and disgrace are his lot,
and his shame will never be wiped away.

34 For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury,
and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
35 He will not accept any compensation;
he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.

...and on that note, chapter 6 ends. Its very clear that this type of situation is one of the most difficult to forgive. It destroys. I would go so far as to say it destroys everyone involved. Including the innocent---the wronged spouse and children if there are any. It is better to be a thief than and adulterer. Interesting concept, yes??? Think about it.

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

California Dreaming...Central Coast of California.

Hello,
I've been away enjoying the Central Coast of California and it was wonderful. I just love the ocean. It surprises me that I don't live anywhere near it but then I'm a mountain person and not just any mountains. It has to be the Rocky Mountains.

Here are some fabuloso pictures of the Central California Coast, enjoy!
All pictures copyrighted by me. thank you.

Good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 2.

Per BibleGateway.com the following verses warn against adultery. In a nutshell, adultery is married people sleeping with someone who is not their wife or husband.

Proverbs 6:20-26

20 My son, keep your father’s command
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
21 Bind them always on your heart;
fasten them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will guide you;
when you sleep, they will watch over you;
when you awake, they will speak to you.
23 For this command is a lamp,
this teaching is a light,
and correction and instruction
are the way to life,
24 keeping you from your neighbor’s wife,
from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.

25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty
or let her captivate you with her eyes.

26 For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread,
but another man’s wife preys on your very life.

Verses 25 and 26 really capture my attention. In my opinion these verses state that fooling around with someone who is married is worse than fooling around with a prostitute. Interesting perspective, isn't it?

Thank you BibleGateway.com for the link and verses.
Grace to you, good day.

Proverbs in a Year...Feb 1.

Proverbs 6:16-19

16 There are six things the LORD hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

I felt these were very interesting items for Our Lord Your God to specifically focus on, don't you? What exactly does haughty mean? Merriam-Webster defines it as: blatantly and disdainfully proud. I think this is a good choice to not like. I always feel uncomfortable around people who act this way and I suppose the way I can tell this is by their eyes.

Next: No one likes a lying tongue or a murderer---those issues speak for themselves.
Deceit, evil, and conflict in the community are next. All good choices to be detestable. We should all be so wise and choose avoidance and dislike of the above too.

Thank you BibleGateway for the link and verses and Merriam-Webster for the definition.
Grace to you, Good day.