It's beginning to look like Christmas...

Good morning!

This morning I had a Christmas song going through my mind...it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere I go.... hmm... hmm-mm...

I wanted a cappuccino and this coffee cup went right along with my festive mood.    I have already changed my phone, my laptop and my computer at work to have Christmas themes.   It is time to break out and decorate my work cubicle and my home.   I've been trying to hold off until next week but I don't thing I'm going to be able to.  :0)

Here's wishing you all a beautiful day.  I'll leave you with a song.

God bless and keep you,
Sonia

Good medicine...

Hello,

I trust you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday.

This evening was the annual Christmas Lighting of the town square and the Thanksgiving parade for Paris.   I wasn't able to attend, due to being sick with a major head cold, but my hubby was able to get a few pics for me.

Courthouse

Here comes Audre

playing drums to
Angels We Have Heard on High

There goes Audre

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RECIPE

I meant to share this recipe earlier in the week, but got busy and didn't get it done.   It's one I made using up some cake mix I had left over (half of lemon mix and half of orange mix).

Citrus Jello Cake

A citrus cake mix, lemon or orange

A small box of jello, strawberry

1 can of cream whip

Mix cake and bake per directions on box.   When cake is cooled down, poke holes in it with skewer or chop stick.  Mix jello per directions and pour over cake.  Chill in refrigerator for several hours or overnight.  Serve with dream whip.  Yummy!

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I guess that's all I have for this evening... it's time to take more over the counter meds - got get this head cold kicked out.

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Laughter is a good medicine.   If you need a laugh, check this out.

God bless and keep you,
Sonia

I'm Thankful for...

The home I have
Having a husband who loves me more than I deserve
A son and daughter who bring joy in my heart
Naps on lazy afternoons
Knowing what freedom is
Sight, hearing, speech and mobility
Good health
Imagination and dreams
Values of truth and honesty
In times of stress I know God is there
Nights of peace and quiet
God's amazing grace

                     Sonia Parham 11/21/12

Give Thanks Through It All

Hello,

I started the week out mailing off my unemployment form, so that this week can be my waiting week.  There is the potential of more days off in December.

Those of you who know me, will know that though my days are without pay, I'm still enjoying them in the fullest, trusting God to take care of things.  :o)

Today, I had a spare button and a scrap piece of dark blue yarn and decided to make a ring.  After all, a girl needs some bling-bling.

The cool thing is, it will fit on most of my fingers, just depends on my mood.  :o)

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Check out this Giveaway!

Pretty Charm Pack {Giveaway}

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I will start cooking tomorrow (with the first item below) at some point in the day.  We have two days of Thanksgiving meals this week, Wednesday and Thursday.

Here's a list of what will be cooked at my house this year.

• A citrus cake with strawberry jello poured over it, then let to set and finished off with cream whip (something I'm trying out - I think it will be good and will stay home)
• Broccoli/Rice Casserole (for Parham side)
• Turkey (for Parham side)
• Banana Nut Bread (for Benton side)
• Crock Pot Dressing (for Benton side)

I can already imagine the yummy smells coming from the kitchen.  :o)

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In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

 ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Doors...

Hello,  earlier today I found out some more sad news, as far as work goes.  Another friend of mine is no longer employed with the company.   I don't know the details and I didn't ask.

I took this picture of the keys, yesterday, after culling out all the old keys that are no longer of any significance as work.  I believe the Lord led me to, because I knew it would be used in my blog.  I just didn't realize it would be used today and because of the circumstance of my friend.

As these keys open many different doors, we often times have more doors than we expected we would take or go through in our lives.

There's a saying... when one door closes another opens.

I believe God is in control of everything.   So, though the door has closed for my friend at Stark, I know there is a door to much better things for her.

In reference to doors, I searched my Bible this afternoon and these verses jumped out at me.

Psalm 84:9-12  Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.  I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.  For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.  O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusts in thee.


My friend stated earlier today "I will praise Him in this storm".  So remember to praise Him, don't let anyone on this earth bring you down.  :)

God bless and keep you,
Sonia

Thank You!

For all my fellow brothers and sisters who have served in the past and are serving now for our freedom.

God bless and keep you,
Sonia

Standing Strong...

Good morning!

I trust you had a good night's rest.   I did, though I should have went to bed sooner than 2:00 a.m.

This morning my scripture reading was in Ephesians.  Stay with me...  :)

Ephesians 4: 1-6 ~ I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

There are two things I get from this passage.

1. Unity - standing strong with one another in unity of the Spirit, regardless of our differences.  
2. Faith - though I have not seen Jesus Christ, did not see Him die on the cross, I believe He is alive and I believe He died for my sins.  Though I have not seen God and Father of all, I believe He created me and all I see. 

What if we all stood strong in the Spirit of the Lord, united praying and faithfully following His will in all we do?

I think we would be amazed at the result of such unity. I believe we would be awestruck at the  power, faithfulness and will of God.

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It's about an hour until the polls open for voting today.  Today is the last day to cast your vote, if you haven't done so already.   

Please pray about it, and vote according to your conviction.

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Have a great day!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Blessings...

Hello,  hope this finds you doing well.  :)

Today was another blessing day for me.   This morning my daughter was baptized.

My son, mom and dad, my youngest brother and his family and my mother-n-law all visited for her baptism.   We also enjoyed lunch with friends after church.  We were able to see and visit with two friends visiting from Mississippi too.  It truly was a joy and a blessing to me.  A verse comes to mind.

Psalm 37: 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

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What I've Been Up To

Remember those quilt blocks, I mentioned a few blogs back?

Well, here's what I've done with them.

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Flea Market Frugal Finds

Thought I'd share some frugal finds, I found this weekend.

6 felt wreaths - $0.25

jingle bell door candy cane  $3.00

ceramic Christmas tree $0.25

inspirational fiction  $1.00

candle holder w/candle + 2 peppermint candles  $0.75

ceramic fall leaves  $2.00

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Book Review

If you're looking for a daily inspirational book, check out this little book.

"Whispers of Encouragement, Daily Inspiration for Women"

It is packed with inspirational quotes and scriptures for each day of the year.

I would love to share it each day with you, but only received permission to share a review of it with you.

There are other "Whispers" books as well.  You can check them all out at
 http://www.barbourbooks.com/Catalog/ProductSearch.aspx?filter=Titles&search=Whispers&ExtendedSearch=False&SearchOnLoad=True

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That's all I have for this evening.    

Here's wishing you a wonderful week!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia