Saturday Morning Musings....

Good Morning girls....happy Saturday...on Monday of this week when we went to the museum we took advantage of the drive there ....we drove the back way through the neighborhoods instead of taking the direct route...I love to look at houses...I always have ever since I was little...we used to have FREE FUN when we were growing up taking drives with our parents ...it is one of my favorite memories ....

One of the reasons I love looking at other peoples houses...gardens...porches even drive ways is the fresh perspective it allows me..the spaces are not mine...I have no emotional investment beyond the pure pleasure it gives me to appreciate someone Else's talent...AND...it always encourages me to really  LOOK at my surroundings ...

This lovely house made me yell "STOP"....to my sweetie as we were driving by...many things grabbed at my heart as we came up on this gem of a house...first it reminded me of the house in the movie "MR. BLANDINGS BUILDS HIS DREAM HOUSE" the next thing was how crisp and clean the house looks...balanced by the trees...the picket fence...even the planters outside the fence at either side of the gate...VERY WELCOMING....

This house wowed me with it's pip of a RED DOOR...I also like it because it has a "STORYBOOK" style....I immediately saw it with flower box's under the windows...a brick walk way...with a white picket fence....I also see a rose arbor over the gate leading to that great door...

I was fascinated with these seeds we found at the museum...they were so smooth...they looked and felt just like wood...I would have loved to grab them up and take them home...but your not allowed to take anything off the Museum grounds...(oh darn) ...I had some kind of craft in mind for them...

Since I LOVE Williamsburg architecture...this brick house wowed me with it's expansive brick...the way it sat on it's lot it seemed to go on forever...I thought it was reminiscent of  "Carters Grove Plantation" in Williamsburg...

This little guy was so adorable as he visited our back yard ...he found a pecan to nibble on...

This little Christmas Cottage is at the top of the stairs in our "Cabin in the Attic"...it lights up...I just thought it would fun to take a picture of the little family standing at the front window...looking out....anticipating Christmas....

This house made want to walk up to it and peek inside....It just looked so inviting...

A Basket my sweetie found at the Hermitage in the garden that's bottom had rotted out....(would have loved to have taken IT home as well)....the best I could do was take this picture...

Well girls it's time....I should get to taking on the day....

These Crows seemed like they were following us as we drove Monday...I thought they were so FALLeriffic I had to snap a pic of them in this tree...you know what they say...about time and distance..." As the Crow fly's"....I hope you all have a great day today....It's going to be quiet around here...but that's okay...I'll spend some time trying to create something...thank you for stopping by...blessings and big hugs till next time...Karena

They Used What.....?

Good day girls...I'm up bright and early this morning...it has been raining on and off in our neck of the woods ...so it feels fallish outside even if the temps aren't as cool as I like...today I want to share something  my sweetie sent me through email...I think it's something you all might appreciate...

Be reminded that "God Works in Mysterious Ways " Tampons (A TRUE STORY) Tampons to the rescue in Iraq !!  Don't worry, it's a good story, and worth reading.  It's even humorous in parts.  It's from the mother of a Marine in Iraq . My son told me how wonderful the care packages we had sent them from the ladies auxiliary were and wanted me to tell everyone thank you. He said that one guy we'll call Marine X, got a female care package and everyone was giving him a hard time.  My son said, 'Marine X got some really nice smelling lotion and everyone really likes it, so every time he goes to sleep they steal it from him.'  I told my son I was really sorry about the mistake, and if he wanted I would send Marine X another package.  He told me not to worry about Marine X because every time I send something to him, he shares it with Marine X. He said when my husband and I sent the last care package, Marine X came over to his cot picked up the box, started fishing through it, and said, 'What'd we get this time?' But my son said they had the most fun with Marine X's package.  He said he wasn't sure who it was supposed to go to, but the panties were size 20, and he said one of the guys got on top of the Humvee and jumped off with the panties over his head and yelled, 'Look at me, I'm an Airborne Ranger!!!!' One of the guys attached the panties to an antenna and it blew in the wind like a windsock.  He said it entertained them for quite awhile.  Then of course.......they had those tampons. When he brought this up, my imagination just went running, but he continued. My son said they had to go on a mission and Marine X wanted the Chap-Stick and lotion for the trip.  He grabbed a bunch of the items from his care package and got in the Humvee.  As luck would have it he grabbed the tampons too, and my son said everyone was teasing him about 'not forgetting his feminine hygiene products.' He said things went well for a while, then the convoy was ambushed and a Marine was shot.  He said the wound was pretty clean, but it was deep.  He said they were administering first aid but couldn't get the bleeding to slow down, and someone said, 'Hey!  Use Marine X's tampons!'  My son said they put the tampon in the wound.  At this point my son profoundly told Me, 'Mom, did you know that tampons expand?' ('Well....yeah!') They successfully slowed the bleeding until the guy got better medical attention.  When they went to check on him later, the surgeon told them,  'You guys saved his life.  If you hadn't stopped that bleeding he would have bled to death.'  My Son said, 'Mom, the tampons sent by the Marine Moms by mistake saved a Marine's life.' At this point I asked him, 'Well, what did you do with the rest of the tampons?' He said, 'Oh, we divided them up and we all have them in our flak jackets, and I kept two for our first aid kit.' I am absolutely amazed by the ingenuity of our Marines.  I can't believe that something that started out as a mistake then turned into a joke, ended up saving someone's life.  My sister said she doesn't believe in mistakes.  She believes God had a plan all along.  She believes that 'female care package' was sent to Marine X to save our Marine. Either way, our efforts have boosted the morale of many Marines, provided much needed items for our troops, AND saved the life of a Marine!  God bless every one of you for your efforts and hard work, and God bless our Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force and all our military service personnel. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND KEEP IT SAFE! Prayer: 'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.  Protect them as they protect us.  Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.' GOD BLESS YOU   Have a wonderful day girls...thanks for dropping by...blessings and hugs...till next time....Karena

Be reminded that "God Works in Mysterious Ways " Tampons (A TRUE STORY) Tampons to the rescue in Iraq !!  Don't worry, it's a good story, and worth reading.  It's even humorous in parts.  It's from the mother of a Marine in Iraq . My son told me how wonderful the care packages we had sent them from the ladies auxiliary were and wanted me to tell everyone thank you. He said that one guy we'll call Marine X, got a female care package and everyone was giving him a hard time.  My son said, 'Marine X got some really nice smelling lotion and everyone really likes it, so every time he goes to sleep they steal it from him.'  I told my son I was really sorry about the mistake, and if he wanted I would send Marine X another package.  He told me not to worry about Marine X because every time I send something to him, he shares it with Marine X. He said when my husband and I sent the last care package, Marine X came over to his cot picked up the box, started fishing through it, and said, 'What'd we get this time?' But my son said they had the most fun with Marine X's package.  He said he wasn't sure who it was supposed to go to, but the panties were size 20, and he said one of the guys got on top of the Humvee and jumped off with the panties over his head and yelled, 'Look at me, I'm an Airborne Ranger!!!!' One of the guys attached the panties to an antenna and it blew in the wind like a windsock.  He said it entertained them for quite awhile.  Then of course.......they had those tampons. When he brought this up, my imagination just went running, but he continued. My son said they had to go on a mission and Marine X wanted the Chap-Stick and lotion for the trip.  He grabbed a bunch of the items from his care package and got in the Humvee.  As luck would have it he grabbed the tampons too, and my son said everyone was teasing him about 'not forgetting his feminine hygiene products.' He said things went well for a while, then the convoy was ambushed and a Marine was shot.  He said the wound was pretty clean, but it was deep.  He said they were administering first aid but couldn't get the bleeding to slow down, and someone said, 'Hey!  Use Marine X's tampons!'  My son said they put the tampon in the wound.  At this point my son profoundly told Me, 'Mom, did you know that tampons expand?' ('Well....yeah!') They successfully slowed the bleeding until the guy got better medical attention.  When they went to check on him later, the surgeon told them,  'You guys saved his life.  If you hadn't stopped that bleeding he would have bled to death.'  My Son said, 'Mom, the tampons sent by the Marine Moms by mistake saved a Marine's life.' At this point I asked him, 'Well, what did you do with the rest of the tampons?' He said, 'Oh, we divided them up and we all have them in our flak jackets, and I kept two for our first aid kit.' I am absolutely amazed by the ingenuity of our Marines.  I can't believe that something that started out as a mistake then turned into a joke, ended up saving someone's life.  My sister said she doesn't believe in mistakes.  She believes God had a plan all along.  She believes that 'female care package' was sent to Marine X to save our Marine. Either way, our efforts have boosted the morale of many Marines, provided much needed items for our troops, AND saved the life of a Marine!  God bless every one of you for your efforts and hard work, and God bless our Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force and all our military service personnel. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND KEEP IT SAFE! Prayer: 'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.  Protect them as they protect us.  Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.' GOD BLESS YOU   Have a wonderful day girls...thanks for dropping by...blessings and hugs...till next time....Karena

Be reminded that "God Works in Mysterious Ways " Tampons (A TRUE STORY) Tampons to the rescue in Iraq !!  Don't worry, it's a good story, and worth reading.  It's even humorous in parts.  It's from the mother of a Marine in Iraq . My son told me how wonderful the care packages we had sent them from the ladies auxiliary were and wanted me to tell everyone thank you. He said that one guy we'll call Marine X, got a female care package and everyone was giving him a hard time.  My son said, 'Marine X got some really nice smelling lotion and everyone really likes it, so every time he goes to sleep they steal it from him.'  I told my son I was really sorry about the mistake, and if he wanted I would send Marine X another package.  He told me not to worry about Marine X because every time I send something to him, he shares it with Marine X. He said when my husband and I sent the last care package, Marine X came over to his cot picked up the box, started fishing through it, and said, 'What'd we get this time?' But my son said they had the most fun with Marine X's package.  He said he wasn't sure who it was supposed to go to, but the panties were size 20, and he said one of the guys got on top of the Humvee and jumped off with the panties over his head and yelled, 'Look at me, I'm an Airborne Ranger!!!!' One of the guys attached the panties to an antenna and it blew in the wind like a windsock.  He said it entertained them for quite awhile.  Then of course.......they had those tampons. When he brought this up, my imagination just went running, but he continued. My son said they had to go on a mission and Marine X wanted the Chap-Stick and lotion for the trip.  He grabbed a bunch of the items from his care package and got in the Humvee.  As luck would have it he grabbed the tampons too, and my son said everyone was teasing him about 'not forgetting his feminine hygiene products.' He said things went well for a while, then the convoy was ambushed and a Marine was shot.  He said the wound was pretty clean, but it was deep.  He said they were administering first aid but couldn't get the bleeding to slow down, and someone said, 'Hey!  Use Marine X's tampons!'  My son said they put the tampon in the wound.  At this point my son profoundly told Me, 'Mom, did you know that tampons expand?' ('Well....yeah!') They successfully slowed the bleeding until the guy got better medical attention.  When they went to check on him later, the surgeon told them,  'You guys saved his life.  If you hadn't stopped that bleeding he would have bled to death.'  My Son said, 'Mom, the tampons sent by the Marine Moms by mistake saved a Marine's life.' At this point I asked him, 'Well, what did you do with the rest of the tampons?' He said, 'Oh, we divided them up and we all have them in our flak jackets, and I kept two for our first aid kit.' I am absolutely amazed by the ingenuity of our Marines.  I can't believe that something that started out as a mistake then turned into a joke, ended up saving someone's life.  My sister said she doesn't believe in mistakes.  She believes God had a plan all along.  She believes that 'female care package' was sent to Marine X to save our Marine. Either way, our efforts have boosted the morale of many Marines, provided much needed items for our troops, AND saved the life of a Marine!  God bless every one of you for your efforts and hard work, and God bless our Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force and all our military service personnel. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND KEEP IT SAFE! Prayer: 'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.  Protect them as they protect us.  Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.' GOD BLESS YOU

Have a wonderful day girls...thanks for dropping by...blessings and hugs...till next time....Karena

Be reminded that "God Works in Mysterious Ways "
Tampons (A TRUE STORY)



Tampons to the rescue in Iraq !!  Don't worry, it's a good story, and worth reading.  It's even humorous in parts.  It's from the mother of a Marine in Iraq .
My son told me how wonderful the care packages we had sent them from the ladies auxiliary were and wanted me to tell everyone thank you.
He said that one guy we'll call Marine X, got a female care package and everyone was giving him a hard time.  My son said, 'Marine X got some really nice smelling lotion and everyone really likes it, so every time he goes to sleep they steal it from him.'  I told my son I was really sorry about the mistake, and if he wanted I would send Marine X another package.  He told me not to worry about Marine X because every time I send something to him, he shares it with Marine X.
He said when my husband and I sent the last care package, Marine X came over to his cot picked up the box, started fishing through it, and said, 'What'd we get this time?'
But my son said they had the most fun with Marine X's package.  He said he wasn't sure who it was supposed to go to, but the panties were size 20, and he said one of the guys got on top of the Humvee and jumped off with the panties over his head and yelled, 'Look at me, I'm an Airborne Ranger!!!!'
One of the guys attached the panties to an antenna and it blew in the wind like a windsock.  He said it entertained them for quite awhile.  Then of course.......they had those tampons. When he brought this up, my imagination just went running, but he continued.
My son said they had to go on a mission and Marine X wanted the Chap-Stick and lotion for the trip.  He grabbed a bunch of the items from his care package and got in the Humvee.  As luck would have it he grabbed the tampons too, and my son said everyone was teasing him about 'not forgetting his feminine hygiene products.'
He said things went well for a while, then the convoy was ambushed and a Marine was shot.  He said the wound was pretty clean, but it was deep.  He said they were administering first aid but couldn't get the bleeding to slow down, and someone said, 'Hey!  Use Marine X's tampons!'  My son said they put the tampon in the wound.  At this point my son profoundly told Me, 'Mom, did you know that tampons expand?' ('Well....yeah!')
They successfully slowed the bleeding until the guy got better medical attention.  When they went to check on him later, the surgeon told them,  'You guys saved his life.  If you hadn't stopped that bleeding he would have bled to death.'  My Son said, 'Mom, the tampons sent by the Marine Moms by mistake saved a Marine's life.'
At this point I asked him, 'Well, what did you do with the rest of the tampons?'
He said, 'Oh, we divided them up and we all have them in our flak jackets, and I kept two for our first aid kit.'
I am absolutely amazed by the ingenuity of our Marines.  I can't believe that something that started out as a mistake then turned into a joke, ended up saving someone's life.  My sister said she doesn't believe in mistakes.  She believes God had a plan all along.  She believes that 'female care package' was sent to Marine X to save our Marine.
Either way, our efforts have boosted the morale of many Marines, provided much needed items for our troops, AND saved the life of a Marine!  God bless every one of you for your efforts and hard work, and God bless our Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force and all our military service personnel.
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND KEEP IT SAFE!





Prayer: 'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.  Protect them as they protect us.  Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'


GOD BLESS YOU

  Have a wonderful day girls...thanks for dropping by...blessings and hugs...till next time....Karena

I Remember Momma....

Hello girls...how are you doing this Thursday Morning...I have solved a bit of a "MYSTERY"...for myself...As the months have passed since I started ...A Loblolly Life....I have noticed when I am creating a new post...I have something "niggling" at my heart... that I couldn't put my finger on....day after day I've been trying to pull it forward...FINALLY... yesterday as I was looking at Netflix  I came across the movie....."I REMEMBER MOMA" as I looked at the cover of the dvd ...a "knowing place" fell over my heart like a big ....hugh hugh......a light bulb moment...I KNEW.....the thing that's been off kilter for me was missing my MOM.... I needed to find a way to include her on Loblolly...somehow I need to have her with me....

Allow me to introduce you to my "Marmie"....I began calling her Marmie when I was six years old...I had just seen "LITTLE WOMEN" for the first time ...the original with Katheryn Hepburn as Jo...the way the girls called their momma ...Marmie was enchanting to me...somewhere along the way it became my affectionate ...personal...name for momma  ...only when it was her and I...like a special nick name just for her  (I would call her this in front of our immediate little family in those early years) anyway I was aware after I saw the DVD cover yesterday that the niggling feeling I've been having was my longing to share this new blogging experience with her  .... because....EVERY good ...exciting thing that's EVER come into my life has been shared with her...it was her way to give me the gift of her approval....everything important to me.... had her smile to make it twinkle...her hug to encourage ....her special laugh to keep me embracing the NEW things in my life...it just hasn't felt COMPLETE to me without her being a part of this wonderful blogging experience..............Marmie passed from cancer in 1997...

I had the best mom in the whole world...even at this stage of my life ...knocking on 55 ...It is STILL a relationship that feeds my soul...I have never felt like she was... GONE...she taught me how to cook....how to love luxuriously...how to be a friend...how to laugh at myself...(believe me I do a lot of that these days)...how to look forward to life...no matter what it may hold ...happy or sad...good or bad....she was loved by everyone that knew her....SO....the question remained how can I include her ...everyday...as I share my heart on Loblolly...then I realized I could put her picture on my sidebar....sort of a ....TRIBUTE...to my best friend...my confidant...my life cheerleader...I could put her picture on my sidebar permanently ...so when I finish my post every morning and hit PUBLISH...I will see her beautiful face...EVERY TIME....SO...beginning today that is where she will be...ALMOST FRONT AND CENTER....I am so thankful to my creator for helping me figure this out....the sweet attention to detail he brings about in my life is truly ....HEAVENLY...Marmie always said she was going to have a "cottage " in heaven...I picture her like that...with gardens of beautiful flowers....brick floors (she loved brick for flooring)...a stunning dwelling for her to spend eternity...for now I will smile every time I hit the publish button....knowing all is well ....I can see her beautiful face...her smile...knowing that she is celebrating this new part of my journey....I thank you so much for stopping by today girls...I know you could be doing so many other important things...I NEVER take your visits for granted....blessings and big hugs to you...till next time....Karena

The Hermitage Gardens......

Good Morning Ladies...I wanted to share the rest of my pictures of ...The Hermitage Gardens with you...such a beautiful place...so serene ...

This bird feeder was interesting...if you look closely the decoration was created with "Bicycle Tires"...they put one under the feeder...then unrolled one to let it spiral underneath....so clever

Mrs. Sloan the owner of Hermitage House had a passion for Mill Stones...she collected them from all over the country...then created spaces in her gardens with them...

This is one of the views across the water from The Hermitage...

A portrait of Mrs. Sloan....

I hope you enjoyed peeking at these Gardens with me....I have some chores to do this morning so I better get to it...I enjoyed spending this time with you....have a wonderful day...I wish you blessings and hugs till next time...Karena

We Didn't Know It Was Closed....Neither Did They....

Good Morning girls...yesterday my sweetie and I went to this museum very near our home..."The Hermitage" is an incredible place ...it sits on the water ...it was built by the Sloan family back in the late 1900's...I hadn't been since we moved back to Virginia...yesterday seemed like the perfect day to visit...

I had almost forgotten the amazing grounds...the detail of craftsmanship...built with impeccable care and ... CREATIVITY...as we approached the front entrance we realized the INSIDE tours were closed ...sadly we looked at each other...now what...my sweetie said we can still walk the Gardens...which is exactly what we did....

Have you ever experienced a "Devinne Appointment" you didn't even know you had....well yesterday as we meandered the outside of the house we "Bumped" into such a moment...Straight from the Heavens...

As we followed the brick path around this bend we came on some beautiful architecture at the back of the house...I started taking pictures....as I clicked away a couple came walking up on us...we smiled at them...they smiled at us...we said hello...so did they...then we each went our separate way...

We continued our outside tour of this wonderful place....the carving in the roof line...the combination of brick and shingles was breathtaking...always my FAVORITE LOOK for a house...big or small

This little "bump out" of a room was PRECIOUS...I loved it...

We kept walking ...taking everything in..enjoying the views...the water...the PEACE that surrounded us...it was so nice to be together...we came around a corner to find the couple we had said hello to earlier sitting on a bench...my hubby said hello again ...left my side to begin a closer conversation...I kept taking pictures ...then joined them ...simple enough ....just being friendly...but somewhere in that moment ....without a sound the Holy Spirit fell on All of us...before we knew it we were sharing that "HEAVENLY APPOINTMENT" I mentioned ....the Lord had a purpose in our meeting...sharing..and encouraging one another...I was blessed from head to toe...I was humbled by the prophetic insights they so graciously shared....I found myself opening a door to my heart to these two...strangers in the worlds eyes...family in God's kingdom...I was encouraged...affirmed...and reminded how PASSIONATE our heavenly father is about us....the Sweet Fragrance of that love was present yesterday....in an unexpected way...on a spontaneous day of fellowship...not one of us had planned....

I just want to remind you lovely ladies today....where ever you are in your journey...however your spending your time TODAY...

You are LUXURIOUSLY LOVED...watched over....cared about...and TREASURED...

The window of your soul is exactly that....our Heavenly Father ....SEE'S CLEARLY...your need...the secret longings of your soul...you are precious in his sight....I think your pretty swell as well.......I pray you all have a BRILLIANT day....till next time..blessings and hugs.....Karena

 P.S. If your reading this you sweet faces....bless you today too....(You know who you are)....

That Girl Can Cook....

Hi girls...I am later posting this morning ...my sweetie is home today so my schedule is "looser" then normal....we are going to go to a museum in a bit so my post will be short...recently my daughter and her sweetie asked us to come for dinner...a "Comfort Food Extravaganza" is what we were told....

I took some pictures since this was the first meal in their new home...she had everything laid out in the kitchen when we arrived...dessert was already in progress...

I had given A.M. one of Paula Deen's "Lady and Son's" cook books...so she decided to take some of recipes from it ...the fried chicken was Paula's as was the dessert...A.M. chose legs to fry....what's more comforting then a fried chicken leg...

Nothing unless you include mashed potatoes...southern style green beans...and gravy....yum...

This chicken SMELLED HEAVENLY COOKING...

BUT....It tasted even better...the promise of a COMFORT FOOD EXTRAVAGANZA was an understatement...let me tell you ...my baby girl can cook...her sweetie is no slouch either...he made the string beans southern style with bacon...vinegar ...and butter...DELICIOUS...

THIS...is dessert...it may look plain but let me tell you it was AMAZING...the name of this (I think) is Gooey cake also from Paula Deen's cookbook..let me just say ....YOU NEED TO TRY IT...I think if you type that into Google it will pop up...

We had a wonderful time...I hope you all have a great day...hugs and blessings from me to you....till next time...Karena