Sunday, July 31, 2011

Steinhatchee, A Florida Fishing Village

This weekend we went to Steinhatchee, Fl to do our annual scalloping trip. My parents have a place there and we always go through out the year for fishing, but during scallop season, my sister and I try to bring our entire families for a weekend. This year there were so many that My husband and I rented this little cottage, it is called "Jena Cottage"
Living room, it is an old cracker style cottage and it was completely lined with wood through out.
Tiny but efficient kitchen.
Master bedroom
Kids bedroom
This is my husbands boat and my little boy sitting on it while my husband parks the truck and trailer.
Happy Boy!
My brother-in-law and my niece Sophia.
Most of my sisters children, one is missing.
My dad on his boat, getting ready for the herd of kids!
My sisters other boy or should I say man LOL...
Finally on the boat and leaving out.
Dad's boat loaded and leaving...
Heading out into the ocean...


Bye, catch lots of scallops!
Justin turned 16 so we had a little cake for him...
A happy ending to the trip was cake and ice cream. Happy Birthday Justin! I hope ya'll had a weekend  as nice as mine...



Until We Meet Again,
Amy Jo

Friday, July 29, 2011

Cottage Collection

I love cottages! I love the word and the pictures it creates in my mind, and I hope one day to have a true cottage! But until then I am content in collecting cottage things.... I have had these cottage pictures for quite sometime. The big one was in my office and the little ones were stuffed in a closet. I got them out a couple of days ago and decided to relocate them to the living room.
This one I picked up for $10.00 years ago,  it is the picture that started it all.  I never get tired of looking at it!
These little glass cottages I have found at thrift stores for a few dollars each...
I got this one at auction it is very old and has a handle.
This is the current book I am reading, so far it is a wonderful story, by Legh Richmond, M.A. You can get this book at http://www.tripress.com/ if anyone is interested. It is a christian book that was first published in 1970. A cottage story about spreading the gospel....




Until We Meet Again,<br><br><br><b>Join us every Friday...</b>
Amy Jo

Thursday, July 28, 2011

A Wise Woman Builds Her House--By Debi Pearl


A wise woman doesn't take anything for granted. She is thankful to be loved and seeks to make herself more lovely.

 A wise woman doesn't allow herself to be a liability, but strives to be an asset to the marriage bond. She looks for ways to make, save, and use money wisely. Her husband knows he is a richer man because she is his wife.

A wise woman seeks to be a part of her husband's life. His interest becomes her interest. She looks for ways to help him in every endeavor in which he is involved. When he needs a helping hand, it is her hand that is there first.

A wise woman knows that his peace of mind (and sometimes, wise understanding) is something she can give or take away by her observations and conversation concerning circumstances or people. She limits her conversation to the positive.

A wise woman sets a joyful mood in the household. She uses laughter, music and happy times to stir the children to a positive, joyful frame of mind. She knows this light-heartedness helps take stress off her husband.

 A wise woman gauges her husband's needs. She seeks to fulfill his desires before even he is aware of them. She never leaves him daydreaming outside the home. She supplies his every desire.

A wise woman understands that her husband's need to be honored is not based on his performance, but on his position. She learns quickly to defer with enthusiasm to his ideas or plans. She looks for ways to reverence him. She knows this is  God's will for her life.

A wise woman is not pitiful, puny, or whiny. She seeks to be confident, capable and thankful.

A wise woman does not dream of what "could have been". She sees clearly that she is not God's gift to men; thus she is blessed in her present circumstances. She learns to be content. A wise woman never expects anyone to serve her; therefore she is never disappointed. She is ready to help--- a giver. By her example, her children learn to serve cheerfully and energetically.

A wise woman doesn't attempt to instruct her husband through feigned questions. Her questions are sincere inquiries concerning his will. A wise woman is always learning. She is open to change. She is ready to hear. She wants to know. She doesn't cloud her mind with the foolish folly of entertainment. She uses her time wisely.



Until We Meet Again,
Amy Jo

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Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Divided, The Movie



The above movie DIVIDED is offered free for a short time. It is about the youth ministry, it is controversial, but I found it edifying and thought provoking. I hope you will check it out....

Until We Meet Again,
Amy Jo

Happy Birthday, Mom!

The sweetest sounds to mortals given are heard in Mother, Home and Heaven.---William Goldsmith Brown

Until We Meet Again,
Amy Jo

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Uninspired Any Suggestions?


I am feeling very uninspired.... You know the old saying that ignorance is bliss, well that is how I feel about dinner these days, and lunch, and breakfast!! Now that I know all these health reasons not to eat this and that and the other, I just feel discouraged. My husband likes very plain fair. That is OK most of the time, but with my diet restrictions, it is becoming more and more of a chore to cater to everyone in the house. Does anyone have suggestions? How do most of you cook great meals that are healthy and not BORING?
 Until We Meet Again,
Amy Jo

Monday, July 25, 2011

An Antique Jaunt

Saturday my husbands cousin and I went out antiquing... which is probably one of my very most favorite things to do.
There was a lot of neat things to look at....
I love vintage hats and clothing, but ultimately I rarely buy these things....
One thing that is hard for me to resist is dishes, especially platters....
This one was $6.00 how could I pass it up?
My favorite flowers and colors!
I also found these adorable pot holders, I have been looking for some new ones as mine are getting really old looking.

After getting home we had one of Florida's famous thunderstorms, as you can see the raindrops were huge....It cooled everything off nicely and put a nice end to the day.


Until We Meet Again,
Amy Jo


Sunday, July 24, 2011

Religious Consumers

Religious consumers want to have  spirtuality for the same reason that they want to drive a stylish and expensive auto. Costly obedience is as foreign to them in matters spiritual as self denial is in matter material.---David Wells


Friday, July 22, 2011

Miss Sniff

This is the cutest children's book I found at the antique mall.... I know I have no little girls (my girl is 18) but I could not resist getting it because I just loved the illustrations.
I don't no why we as a society have lost the innocence we once had. The beauty of children.... now like miniature adults.
I guess I am always searching for that beauty and innocence, that Mayberry type of life.....
Isn't Miss Sniff sweet?
And Aunt Cordelia she is a very proper woman indeed....
What is the secret the old man has?
Ms. Sniff has three little darlings!




Until We Meet Again,
Amy Jo

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Biblical Love

Biblical love is not emotions or feelings, but attitudes and actions that seek the best interests of the other person, regardless of how we feel about him.----Jerry Bridges


Until We Meet Again,
Amy Jo

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Gluten-Free

Do any of you eat gluten-free? I have never tried it, until now..... 

 I went to my doctor yesterday for what I thought would be just the reading of follow up labs after a very horrible illness that started with eating left over shellfish. It all started last November when I took my daughter to Red Lobster and I had fish and shrimp. I brought home left overs and ate them the next night. Within minutes I had broke out all over my back with horrible bumps that itched and looked like ant bites. Off to the hospital we went... they gave me steroids and bennadryl. They told me to follow up with my primary care doctor on Monday. So I did. They put me on a sulfa drug as precaution, and that is when it got ugly. To make a long story short, I was in and out of the hospital over the next month, not able to keep potassium in my body, which would result in my legs drawing up and heart going hay wire. It was frightening!  The hospital told me that 90% of people who are given sulfa drugs have some kind of bad reaction. I did some research online and found whole websites dedicated to trying to let people know about the effects of these drugs. Some of the story's were from relatives as the person who had been given the drug had died due to it. I learned a very hard lesson, don't always trust everything you are told by your doctor.  I switched to my curtain doctor he is an MD as well as an ND.  So he tries to use natural medicine to help you become healthy and well.

With the reading of my labs over the last few months it is obvious that things aren't all that they should be. He believes that I have a wheat sensitivity. So he wanted me to go on a gluten-free diet. He told me it will not be easy. He gave me the basics and said do some research online.  Wow! I started researching online and there are a ton of websites to help get a person started on the journey.... but oh the things you can no longer have...... He did say that within 3 weeks he thinks I will feel like a new person. So I am going to give it my all. Oh yeah, and he said the weight will just fall off and I could even have the opposite problem, that of trying to keep weight on. Now I don't know about you ladies, but I think that sounds to good to be true! LOL! I am attaching a link to a site I found that really does a wonderful job of explaining the gluten-free diet. It may help some of you as well.

 My problems are no energy because my thyroid is really low. He did suggest going on a low dose medication, but I want to try natural first. Also my body is super low in vitamin D. He had me laying in the sun over the last few months to try to up that but it only got lower. He said when your having problems it is like a puzzle, little by little we research, try new things and see the results... If one thing does not work we go to the next.  With my body not processing the fat soluble vitamins, the thyroid being off and a few other little problems, he came to the conclusion that all of my healthy wheat grinding and baking, may not be to healthy for me :(...so on to a new journey........





Until We Meet Again,
Amy Jo

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Ma and the Auto By E.A. Guest---turn of the century

Before we take an auto ride Pa said to Ma, " My dear, now just remember I don't need suggestions from the rear. If you will just sit still back there and hold in check your fright. I'll take you where you want to go and get you back all right.
Remember that my hearing's good and also I'm not blind, and I can drive this car without suggestions from behind."

Ma promises that she'll keep still, then off we gayly start, but soon she notices ahead a peddler and his cart. "You'd better toot your horn," says she, " to let him know we're near; He might turn out!" and Pa replies: " Just shriek at him, my dear." And then he adds "Some day, some guy will make a lot of dough by putting horns on tonneau seats for women folks to blow!"

A little farther on Ma cries: " He signaled for a turn! and Pa says: "Did he? in a tone that's hot enough to burn. "Oh, there's a boy on roller skates!" cries Ma. "Now do go slow. I'm sure he doesn't see our car." and Pa says " I dunno, I think I don't need glasses yet, but really it may be that I am blind and cannot see what's right in front of me."

If Pa should speed the car a bit some rigs to hurry past Ma whispers "Do be careful now. You're driving much to fast." And all the time she's pointing out the dangers of the street. And keeps him posted on the roads where trolley cars he'll meet.

Last night when we got safely home, Pa sighed and said: "My dear, I'm sure we've all enjoyed the drive you gave us from the rear!"



Until We Meet Again,
Amy Jo

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Suggestion of the Wrong----Lucy Wheelock, 1905


I recall a Bible study lesson I read long ago. The lesson was written on the text: "That no man put a stumbling block or occasion to fall in his brother's way."

A picture was made to show a naughty boy who had stretched a string across the path of his innocent brother. The innocent brother was approaching with a basket of eggs. The naughty boy was hidden in the bushes where he could see and enjoy the disaster.

The text was cited and the warning given that one should not injure a confiding brother. But one could be sure the picture would be more vivid than the warning. The trick might be suggested for the first time to boys studying this lesson.

Many comic pictures in Bible study supplements, and even books, are bad from the standpoint of suggestion. The tricks of Buster Brown and Elmer and even others of their kind are not desirable tricks to learn. Every time children see these pictures they are gaining suggestions to go and do likewise.

Enjoyment of the misfortunes of others is a bad trait. The scriptures tell us that we are not to rejoice in other's calamities. Yet this is what is taught by pictures of grandpa falling over the pail of water on the stairs, or the apple woman lamenting the loss of her fruit when frolicsome boys upset her cart.

Do, when dealing with children, is better than don't. Do suggests the good. Don't suggests the evil. The problem with young children is if you do not give them what they are to do and only give them what they are not to do, they will think on what they can't do!

I do believe as the Proverbs give example, that it is fine to compare and use parables as our Lord did in " This is what you Do;" and "This is what you don't Do." Such as the great scriptures of the Sheep and the Goats. A lesson on fish was recently given to a company of teachers in which the use of the fin was spoken of. To show its value as a  propelling power, the effect of cutting it off was noted. A wise woman immediately entered a protest, saying from her experience, some child would almost sure to try the experiment if it were suggested to him.

I doubt if a boy was ever deterred from throwing a stone at a bird or robbing a nest by tales of bad boys who did such things. Is it not better to so interest a boy in bird life, in the building of the nests and the many curious traits of birds, in the tender care of the mother bird for her young and the wonderful way God has provided these feathery creatures with the means for their own protection in the change of feathers at different seasons, that the life of the happy songster becomes sacred to him? Let the children repeat:
"I am only a little sparrow,
A bird of low degree;
My life is of little value,
But the dear Lord cares for me."

Then the words of our Lord to show the value of this life, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father knowing."

Our grandmothers used to say:
"Cross Patch, lift the latch,
Sit in the corner and spin.
Pleasant face, dressed in lace,
Let the visitor in."

Cross Patch must sit in the corner by herself, because she is not good company. Pleasant Face is gowned appropriately and finely and may entertain the visitors because she is agreeable company.  Froebel's mother says, "Ah, brave Knights, it will make you sad, to know that my child is cross and bad. It grieves me much to say, he cannot ride today." The knight replies, " Only good children with us may go. And away and away they ride so slow."

I believe that the vivid impression of such a little drama as this, which shows the excellence of the good, may remain as a lasting desire for the good in a child's memory. To love the good, to hate evil, this is the very spring of Christ and goodness. It is the goal of our home training.  You must believe in God and His love for your children and instill in them their real desire for goodness, if you would have them be good.

You must teach them that they are created in the image of God  and that they are to follow Him, not their own selves and wills.

How can you help your children to love goodness? Is this your daily quest? A greater mistake cannot be made by parents than to enforce in children that a boy is naturally inclined to go wrong. No mistake is so likely to make a boy go where he is expected to go if he is trained properly.

The fact is that anything is natural to a boy. He can be bent crooked or kept straight like a growing bough. The chief reason why goodness does not appear to him more tempting than sin is that goodness is seldom made so interesting, picturesque, or heroic as sin.

In the picture of the shepherd and the sheep in the Fourth Gospel, the shepherd goes before the sheep and the sheep hear his voice and follow him. That is the only way to be a shepherd of boys as a parent. They are hard cattle to drive, but easy to lead. There is nothing they like better than a consistent, single minded, straight going leader, and when they hear his voice they follow him! How important for fathers to be that example for young men to follow.

It is more important for mothers to be that which daughters can imitate so their actions will cause no shame for future generations of being known for "doing good."



This vintage article really made me think, if they were worried about cartoon images giving children wrong ideas, how much more should we worry about the very life like T.V.?

Until We Meet Again,
Amy Jo

Friday, July 15, 2011

Rock Springs


Rock Springs is beautiful! If you are ever in Orlando this is something very low key you may want to do.

This is Kelly Park and it is three hundred and some acres that was donated to the state in the 1920's.

Over the summer I try to do as much as I can with my son who is the little blond in the blue tube.  This is my good friend Julie and her two children, we have been friends since high school.

Levi and Rachel, just getting back from the 30 minute tube ride down spring...

Levi snorkeling and feeding bread to the fish :)


It was such a beautiful day, although in the upper 90's it did not feel like it with the breeze and 75 degree water nearby!


Until We Meet Again,
Amy Jo