Enjoying The Little Things...

Do you ever get so caught up in life you forget to enjoy the little things? I think we all have at one time or another. This is a busy time of year for people, graduations, weddings, vacations, but anymore it seems like life is just busy. This week has been our down time just resting, breathing freely and really enjoying what God has given us.

I totally enjoy watching the birds, one of God’s simple creations, but yet so beautiful. We could learn a lot from them if we would only watch. The Lord has truly blessed us this year, we have 3 groups of birds nesting in our yard.

On our front porch we have a house wren that has taken up residence in one of the birdhouses. This is the 3rd or 4th year that they have nested here. Have you ever listened to a wren, they make beautiful music. Actually that probably was not music, they were probably yelling at me, I was sitting on the porch close to their house. An interesting fact about the house wren, the male picks out several nesting possibilities, leaves a few twigs in each. The female then visits each one and chooses which she prefers, and then she finishes the nest building. As you can see she must like the better side of life, quite fashionable, a nice mosaic home on the porch.

We have a willow tree in our front yard that has one large limb that is dying. I think it was hit by lightning a year or two ago. In the rotten limb a family of woodpeckers has taken up residence. We believe they are the Downy Woodpecker. We noticed the perfect hole in the tree; it looked as if someone had used a drill on it, then in a day or so we noticed the woodpeckers coming and going. I love to sit and watch them.

In the backyard in an old house on the fence we have a family of Eastern Bluebirds that have taken up residence. I guess they are not too picky about their residence. This is the Missouri State Bird, so I think that is pretty special.

It is fun to watch them. I have noticed with the wrens they are not out of their houses for long periods of time, however they will both leave at the same time. The woodpeckers are a little different, it seems there is always one of them in the nest. And the bluebirds both leave at the same time, however they do not venture very far. One of them will sit on the electrical line and keep watch. 


It is quite interesting if we will just take the time and sit and watch what God has given us. What a Blessing!


"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…” James 1:17

until next time...nel

Hodgepodge Red, White and Blue

Glad to be back in the land of Hodgepodge this week.  We spent 10 days in Arkansas, I had to get a grandkid fix.  We had a wonderful time.

1. What can the average citizen do to honor a military veteran and/or those currently serving?
I think be respectful to those that are gone and let the ones serving know how much you appreciate them. 

2. Besides a flag what is something you own that is red, white and blue?
I have a t-shirt that has a flag on it. I have a flag pin and earrings.

3. Does love really conquer all?
I think it depends on what kind of love you are talking about.  If you are talking about a couple's love for each other, I think you also need trust and honesty.  The only love that I know that conquer's all or can conquer all is Jesus' love for everyone.

4. Strawberry shortcake or blueberry pie?
Definitely strawberry shortcake, just had an individual one tonight. mmmm good!

5. Do you share personal stuff with your hairdresser?
Yeppers, I have known her almost forever.  At one time she was married to one of my cousins.

6. Does money lead to selfishness?
I think it can.  People tend to get greedy, the more they have the more they want...human nature.

7. What piece of furniture in your home most needs replacing or refinishing?
Here at Willard I would say the couch, I hate it.  It is very uncomfortable and is ugly!  We keep it covered.  In Arkansas there are a few pieces that needs replacing.  Our bed in a queen size but it is in a waterbed frame, so it is a real pain to change the sheets.  My recliner has seen better days and the couch is getting pretty weak.

8. Insert your own random here.
Would you believe my grandbaby graduated from Kindergarten last week.  It seems like yesterday she was in Children's.  I thank God everyday for watching over her.  Here are a few pictures.  She sure is growing, so is her bubba but he was at his mom's most of the week.  He only was able to stay one night with us, but we were thankful for that.

I have a few more pictures I will share on another post.

until next time.... nel

Wednesday Hodgepodge Vacation Style

It is time for Wednesday Hodgepodge, if you would like to join in just click on the button above and grab the questions to answer on your blog.  It's a lot of fun!

1. What is a pet peeve you have when vacationing? 
People that are in a hurry and think they need to be first at everything and will not stand in line. 


2. Would you describe yourself as a light packer or do you need everything in your closet plus the kitchen sink?
Well you know you never know what you might need. Need I say more! lol 


3. What's the best lesson a child ever taught you? 
To try and see life through their eyes. They see the good in everything. 


4. Share one piece of advice you'd give a recent graduate as they attempt to enter the job market? 
Don’t expect to start out at the top of the ladder, you have to start at the bottom and work your way up, and don’t expect to get the perfect job the first time around. 


5. What's your favorite lemon something? 
I am not much on lemon, I would say fresh lemonade like my momma used to make. 


6. Flat sandal, wedge, heel...your favorite footwear? 
Flat slip on sandal or flip flops. 


7. What do you like best about a beach holiday? If you're not a beach lover (GASP!!) what do you dislike the least? 
Listening to the water and watching the sunset. I also love looking for shells while walking barefoot in the sand at the edge of the water.  Can we go now?


8. Insert your own random thought here. 
I have a follow-up appointment on Thursday of this week. It seems to be healing nicely and the pacemaker seems to be working fine. I have to say taking the bandage off each day hurts worse than the surgery. I have a few places where the tape pulled skin. Ouch!


Well that's it hope you have a great Mother's Day ladies!


until next time... nel

BOOK REVIEW: God Gave Us Love

God Gave Us Love is a cute board book by Lisa Tawn Bergren. This book addresses the issue of love from a kid’s point of view. It discusses the fact that God loves everyone and everything and wants us to do the same. The storyline is supposedly about Little Cub and Grandpa Bear’s fishing trip, which in interrupted by the otter’s escapades.

The illustrations throughout this little book are outstanding. They are colorful and kid friendly. Laura J. Bryant did a wonderful job.

This was a cute book with a cute theme. I read it to my 5-year old granddaughter. She enjoyed the pictures but felt it was too wordy. She was disappointed there was not more of a story line. The board book is great for little hands however I felt the story was geared toward 6 – 7 year olds, as my granddaughter commented there were too many words on each page.

I received this book free from WaterBrook Press a division of WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their Blogging For Books Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

until next time... nel

Random Thoughts...

Taking a few minutes this wonderful Saturday afternoon to pop in and say hi!  Things are quiet around the Fastenau household this week.  That is ok cause sometimes quiet is really nice.  I do need to get busy however and work on the church bulletin.  I also have some book reviews I need to get caught up on.

Yesterday was the first day I had been out of the house since my surgery, I wish I could say it was a fun outing, but it was just monthly shopping.  We do all of our main shopping at the beginning of the month then just pick up essentials throughout the month.  We had several stops to make but it sure was good to get home.  I took a 2 hour nap when we got home, and I never do that.  I can tell I was up and walking a lot yesterday, the shoulder is a little on the sore side.  So I am lounging around today, still sitting here in my robe. 

Hubby has diligently been working on his photo project.  He has scanned over 8,300 pictures that were his older sister's.  He is now separating them and getting them ready to share with others.  I have to say he is a lot like me, we may procrastinate but when we start a project we are usually there till it is finished.

I have a follow up appointment next week then the following week we are off to Arkansas.  Eden Jade graduates from Kindergarten on Thursday.  Hard to believe that little thing with all those tubes that was med flighted to Children's Hospital is that old.  To look at her you could never tell she had a rough start.  The best is yet to come...

We have several short trips on the back burner this summer, hopefully they will take wing!  Praying everything works out so we can enjoy them.

I have a prayer request.  My daughter Janice is scheduled for surgery on May 11th.  She has 4 wisdom teeth and 4 molars that need to be pulled.  There are a couple of issues that are critical.  First of all the amount that the insurance will not cover needs to be paid upfront, praying they will get the financing they need.  Secondly the surgeon will need our prayers and Janice of course.  Her roots are exceptionally long and one of them is very close to a nerve.  Damage to this nerve could cause permanent numbness in her face, tongue and lips.  There is also a chance of fracturing her jawbone during the surgery or afterwards.  She will have to be real careful for a month and not get hit in the face or it could do damage also.  Please also pray that she will recover from a cold and laryngitis that has been hanging on so they will be able to do the surgery as scheduled.  So yes, this is one of those things this momma is going to have to give to the Lord and let Him take care of it, cause He is the only one that can.  Appreciate your prayers.

On a different note in my sidebar I have added the blog, Peace to Jerusalem.  Joanie Standridge is writing this blog.  She is a member of Aglow International and at this moment is in Israel.  She is the same age as my daughter, they graduated together.  Joanie is one of my cousin's granddaughters.  Check out her blog and her adventures, I know she would appreciate it.  Leaver her a comment and let her know you were there.  I am so glad I happened to run into her on Facebook.  Click here to read her blog.

Life is good - But the best is yet to come...

until next time...nel

BOOK REVIEW: Miracles Are For Real

Miracles do still happen!

Miracles Are For Real (What Happens When Heaven Touches Earth) by James L. Garlow and Keith Wall explores that thought. 

There are true believers, people who have witnessed miracles in their own lives and they know without as doubt that blessing came from God, and there are skeptics who dissect everything.  They believe there is a scientific reason for everything.  This book explores both sides of the coin and gives stories and examples to back up their thoughts.  It also discusses miracles from the Bible and looks at them closely. 

I have mixed feelings about this book, but I always do when it comes to scientific explanations, that always tends to turn me away.  It was basically a good book; it took me a while to read it, there is a lot of information in it.  I enjoyed the different accounts of people and their divine intervention.  I would recommend it to other people.

For more information about this book or to read an excerpt go here.  

I received this book free from Bethany House a division of Baker Publishing Group as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

until next time... nel

Hodgepodging #76...

1. My daughter2 is graduating from university this month and plans to teach elementary school. What are three qualities you most want to see evidenced in a teacher?

I think – a) They love what they are doing,  b) it is not just a job, they want to make a difference in the lives of children, and c) they love kids.

2. You can tell a lot about a person by_____________________.

 The way they approach life and the company they keep.  Their eyes tell a lot also.

3. What song makes you think spring?

Sunshine on My Shoulders, or Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head.  Both of them make me think of spring.

4. May 1st is Mother Goose Day...share your favorite nursery rhyme.

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe,
She had so many children, she didn't know what to do;
She gave them some broth without any bread,
She whipped them all soundly, and put them to bed.

I can remember thinking I was glad my mom didn’t have that many kids, I didn’t want to be whipped and put to bed.  Lolol

5. What makes someone unforgettable?

The legacy they leave behind.

6. Should music and/or art be part of a well rounded education?

Yes I think so.

7. What social situations make you flustered or nervous?

I don’t like to go anywhere where there is an open bar or a lot of drinking, so I guess some weddings and parties.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Dismissed from the hospital at around 6:45, stopped and ate supper, (I was starving) and got home by 8:00.  I feel great!  Everything went really good, new pacemaker is working great, no complications at all. Praise God!  Have to take it real easy for about 5 days, and then be careful for a couple weeks.  Have to go back in to be checked May 10^th.  I am a little sore but not bad, and a little tired, hitting the bed here in a little while.  Thanks for all the prayers!  God is Good!

Nothing like Friends...

That is kinda how it is with friends in the blogging world.  You may never get to see them but you know they are there.  Always with their kind comments or notes.  When I started blogging back in 2008, I never dreamed how enjoyable it would be and how many great people I would become acquainted with.  I appreciate each and every one of you!  

Please remember me today around 12:30 p.m., that is when I am scheduled for surgery.  It is time to replace the pacemaker, I thank God that it has lasted for 10 years.  I am praying and believing there will be no complications.  I may be out of the loop for a couple days but I will be back!  Thanks for your prayers!

until next time... nel