Today was such a beautiful day in Southern California. Our temperature was 69 degrees which just happens to be my favorite temperature in the world!

I was able to leave work 3 hours early today so I decided to stop by Disneyland and take a stroll around the park. I headed over to the Mark Twain, Disney's riverboat, to take a picture or two for Pat over at Mille Fiori Favoriti
Just as I walked up to the entrance the boat was coming around the river bend so I decided to hop on for a ride. There were ducks everywhere and they were all in very happy moods. Flapping their wings about and throwing water up all around them. Out of nowhere swooped this large black duck who dove under the water. When he finally surfaced he had this fish in his mouth that was 3 times as big as his head. It was amusing to watch him as he struggled to keep hold it. The next thing I knew he took this giant gulp and the poor fish was down his throat. It reminded me of a cartoon I once saw where a little bird ate everything in sight. Once he had swallowed it, he seemed so delighted with his catch of the day. He swam about and I kept expecting him to jump straight out of the water and do a flip. He didn't of course but that's okay too.

After disembarking from the river boat I decided to head for Pooh's Corner to indulge in the yummy sweet that's pictured above. I keep thinking to myself that one day I'm going to make a whole batch of these delightful little treats. I had to take a picture of it for all of you to see. It's a pretzel dipped in caramel, rolled in cashews, and dipped in dark chocolate, then drizzled with milk chocolate. They are the best! And very impressive to look at, don't you think?

Well, I have to run for now. My husband, who receives most of his meals from a 2 x 2 aluminum window would like his dinner now. We're going to the Colonel.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me to depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.

Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,

Charitie de Cheney Lees Smith Bancroft
1841-1923

The spiritual life needs opposition to bring out its best development. It flourishes most luxuriantly in adverse circumstances. The very temptations that make our life one unceasing warfare train us to become true soldiers of Christ. The hardness of our experiences, which seem to us to be more than we can possibly endure, make the very school of life for us in which we learn our best lessons and grow into whatever beauty and Christ likeness of character we attain.
From the book: "Today, Lord I Will."

Today is Friday and I'm so thankful that this work week is over. I have some weeks that are so heartbreaking and other's that remind me of "why I do what I do." This week was mixed with a little bit of both... the heartbreak and the blessing.

Today I'm just going to putter in my yard. I bought a Hydrangea on my way home yesterday and I will plant it this morning. I may even go to my favorite nursery and pick up some more flowers. I feel like my garden is completely green and lacking in color. I desperately need some pink and purple and possibly some Daisy's. Later in the afternoon I'll set the Tea Table in the backyard and sip some tea with one of my favorite magazines while my fluffy companions romp around in the grass.

I hope you all have a wonderful Friday.

It is only Wednesday and already it has been a hard week. Yesterday one of my sweet friends told me that she had miscarried and today while I was at work I received a call from another dear friend (8 weeks pregnant)who had gone into the Dr.'s office for an ultrasound and was told that there was no heart beat.

I can't imagine the heart break these two ladies are suffering right now as they try to carry on thier everyday activities of caring for husbands and children. How does one deal with the broken hopes and dreams of knowing that a precious little life is no longer there?

I think it is only through the love and support of family and friends but, most of all through a deep trust and faith in a wonderful Savior, Jesus.

He is the only one who can bind up the broken hearted.

Pray for them, won't you?