Mortonclan: January 2011

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

An unusual collection of thoughts, old, wonderful pictures and random musings before I go to bed...

Ah. good evening, mon cheris!

I do hope you're well this lovely evening!

I'm doing splendidly...lots of thinking. Tonight we watched "Luther" and then afterwords listened to Max McLean's "Here I Stand" (in which he reads Martin Luther's words) and I was so inspired and encouraged! I was also stuck at how he seemed, many times, to end prayers or speeches with "God help me."

May I have that same attitude, and heart's cry-to be ever calling out to God for His help, and mercy, no matter what my circumstance...

Hence, I thought I would post some quotes...what a blessing our spiritual forefathers are to us!!

"I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen."

"Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God--
Naught else is worth believing.

Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.

I'll trust in God's unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!"
-Martin Luther

Thank You, Lord...

Oh, and in honor of the fact that we've been organizing our boxes of pictures, (January is organization, honey!) I thought I would post a few ancient shots for the general amusement and enjoyment of all...And:

Oh-My-Goodness.

That is Mikey III and Joseph Jr.! They're so-little!!

And this one is 'specially for you, dearest Jo-Dee-LOL! :D We still have that pot, and that dress now adorns the painting garb pile...
(I love you so! I cried when our car drove off to Alabama this afternoon without me in it too...miss you lots!)

Michael Jr.!! And look, there's Andrew! Haha...I've got me some cute brothers. (Tom, the army boots with the shorts is a~la class, honey...)

(The reason we're all standing in front of the tree is because it was supposed to be the oldest tree in...Georgia? Or the oldest specimen of that type of tree? Anyway, it was super cool, and HUGE. 'Twas bigger in real life.)

Edwin, Samuel and John! Check out the baby cheeks!!

Oh, oh, this one's good...Campbell, you were just a baby!

Marty hasn't changed a bit.

LOL, just kiddin', darlin. :D

And I love this picture of Paul and Edwin. So, so precious...

The three Smith girls!! Kress, 'member when you used to loose your shoes at the door? :D Rach, I see you with that blue scarf-and there's Bethy, sneaking in some calories from that bowl of...Chocolate Chews, probably.

(Gracious-I so remember that candle. Strange the things you recognize after 50 years... ;) )

Summer delight!! We can get so much fun from water, black plastic and an entire bottle of dish soap...

Daddy had taken us on so many incredible vacations...and so many times it was to some amazing historical site-here's a few of us at the grave of one of our ancestors, I believe.

And do y'all remember that really cool place we stayed at in Tennessee, with that cabin (where the sweet landlady looked just like Aunt Pat) and there were a million flights of stairs to that awesome river!? Ah...bliss...and the Rhododendron was in full bloom everywhere...

And here's me, posing elegantly with some. It looks as if I felt very charming and picturesque here.
(The "I feel like a painting" look, along with my non existent bun and yellow T shirt is so great! :D)

Edwin and John, in the old red giant!

Our whole family at Tallulah Gorge... (Look, Mama dear's great with Paul! (and I can hardly get over John's cheeks...and Wesley's hat is so, so precious! Oh, that was such a neat, sweet season in life...)

I just love old pictures.

Oh, and one last look at The Shoe.

*sniff*

The beautiful, black, bowed shoe that is the closest to pump-ish perfection ever contrived....

And a stunning hat, for lusciousness! And because Spring is getting closer, and the straw hats of the world are soon to appear once more out of their dark winter quarters, to shade the eyes and delight the hearts of their wearers...(Her earring are perfect, too. And the gloves. Oh mercy.)

Oh, and for all you who like letters and handwriting, check out these!

Charming.

Well, I love you all. Hope you sleep well.

Hugs,

Addie~O

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Of Sanders and Skates

A week or two ago, Cleve, Marth, Andrew and I packed up in an hour or so, and sailed off to Alabama to visit the two Sanders families, delivering some trees and plants while we were at it, and to join the Ford family and others at their delightful skating party...we had a completely incredible time with all, and even got to stay an extra day! (sadly, the car would not start, but, happily spent we a whole day relaxing and catching up with the girls, Darth and the whole family!! :)

So! Below, us is, gathered 'round that there islando, very late at night, and enjoying each other's company and savoring....

...Abbi's incredible, 100 % healthy chocolate/peanut butter shakes-she's so sweet!! Afterwards, we played nertz and speed uno, laughed, talked, sang, joked and ate cookies 'till around 4:30, and then we all hopped upstairs "to bed" and talked 'till 5:00...it was just so wonderful to be together.

The afore mentioned delicacies

Dorothy!! It was so, so good to be with her, and to get a tour of her little house next door! It was such a blast staying up late together...

"Gracie Pacy, pout not 'ore thy shakes-thine is yet coming-lo, it is yet in the makes."
~Unknown Author

(I'm sorry I could not find the name of the poet that wrote this witty line. I suppose he/she feared the publicity that they would undoubtedly receive if their name was made known. I suppose genius has it's downsides...)

Here we are the next morning, looking fresh and rested. ;D (Grace and I look like 90 year old cave dwellers, LOL...)

Sisters, cozy afghans, pajamas, fluffy couches and late mornings just go together...

Andrew is the tickle monster...

On the way to go skating, Uncle Tim took Cleve's offered accessories for a picture.....love the New Look!

Abbi, you take a great car picture, ma' dear!

(and you TAKE a great car picture, too-that one you posted of me en route was subtly flattering, and gave the viewer a fine view of my jaw bone...)The most delicious spot to stop. Nears culinary perfection.

Marth, Grace and Bekage-"Will smile for doughnut."

And here's all us kids, 'cept Cleve, who is behind the camera. Dear boy.

"Five Girls Prepare to Enter Rink" or maybe "Before the Stumbles" would be more fitting. (for me and Marth, anyway) :) Love these girls so!

Cleveland ready to go...love your hat...

And, then, because of the way Battery and I work together, he died, as usual, right before I went to taking tons of pictures! Alas. :) He is sadly abused.

Anyway, we got to visit with lots of precious folks-the Fords were the most incredible hosts and hostesses, and just made us all feel so welcome-they had piles of tasty food, bottled water, homemade cookies (we just loved all the 'people' gingerbread!) and encouraging conversations for all...it was so good seeing and visiting with people that we don't get to see that often.

Arriving back at the Sanders, we discovered the woeful fact about our mode of transportation. So, another day of luscious visit! :) We slept in, munched on peanut butter and cheese, watched a movie, and gave each other back rubs while we discussed improvements on New Year's logistics. (It's so fun critiquing things! :)

Aunt Wendi helped us get the car in a shop over there, and then that night, Uncle Tim drove us to Columbus, where we met Daddy dear, who drove us back to Calathora!

Thanks Sanders, and Noah&Dorothy Sanders, for everything!

We love y'all!

Adeline, for all

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Good morning!!

I just wanted to pop on here and say hello, and that I hope you are having a beautiful Wednesday!!

I am. I'm just bursting with happiness! The Lord is so, so good, all the time. Today, the Lord has refreshed the hearts of His children...Daddy gathered us all together this morning, and we prayed for a little while-that is always such a blessing.

"Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Your majesty And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate. Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts, And I will tell of Your greatness. They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and merciful; Slow to anger and great in loving kindness. The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works." -Psalm 145, 3-9

Mums, Marth and I are here at the house, organizing, drinking coffee and talking, and Par-par and the boys are all at Mamaw's working on the house. I was just at the sink finishing up the breakfast dishes and was thinking about the people I am blessed to fellowship with every week-the people I am blessed to see every few weeks or months that are out of state, and of my family- how grateful I am for all of them! They are wonderful...

Oh, and the picture is, because I found it on google and loved it. And one of Michael's ewes had 2 adorable lambies yesterday, so I thought it was fitting. :) Ah, I just adore this couple's look and their flock...they make me smile!

I love you all!!

Joyfully,

Adeline

Saturday, January 15, 2011

New Year's Weekend-part 2

Here we are at Saturday-a beautiful day-perfect weather, with a bright blue sky covered with clouds that nearly take your breath away, with the morning sun making all the edges golden...

Visiting, eating, telling stories, napping, playing in the yard, the piano, cards and more ice cream were the chief activities of the day...I loved every minute of it, just being with Christ's body.