Summer Sundays in Texas
Happy Sunday…two weeks away from the official start of fall. Welcome to Summer Sundays in Texas!
This is a weekly lifestyle post, and next week, it will officially change to the name SUNDAY REFLECTIONS.
As always, it will be a time I reflect on the past week and week ahead on the blog…and there will be many reflections on the changes I am experiencing in a new place.
Tomorrow marks two weeks until movers arrive to pack the household goods.
So, let’s begin this day in a cozy spot with a morning beverage and experience the last Summer Sundays in Texas for 2024.
SUMMER SUNDAYS IN TEXAS: MOVE UPDATE
As I wrote on Friday, I am making progress with moving Items out that I do not want to move to another home.
Occasionally, I find a treasure I forgot about…such as the olive linen jacket I am wearing in the top picture.
Before their bankruptcy, I worked with Christopher & Banks on this blog and this jacket is a remnant from that….and I like it.
It is perfect for early fall.
Christopher & Banks was purchased and still has a few stores way north of me, and does sell clothing online.
For those looking for affordable clothing options, you might check it out.
This week the big task is my office…and it is a big task! Mr. B still has to do his office as well.
Last weekend, the grandchildren were able to spend a few hours with their cousins at our house.
I loved that they experienced one more picnic together in Gigi’s SA backyard.
These two families are super busy, so they have not seen each other very much this summer…I love it when I have them all together.
Of course, this fall we are expecting two more to be born in San Antonio…so we will be back!
Can’t wait for the sensational six to become the exciting eight!
Also, on this official Grandparents Day…Happy GD to all of you making a difference in the lives of grandchildren!
SUMMER SUNDAYS IN TEXAS: HORS D’OEUVRES
I shared last week that we attended dinner at one of the in laws homes.
Something she does that I really like is to always set an hors d’œuvre table before dinner…and inevitably it includes wonderful surprises.
It has never been the same.
This time the olives were amazing! She purchases the DIVINA MARKET TANGERINE & CHILI OLIVES…and, oh my goodness, they are delicious!
I believe I am going to start doing an hors d’œuvre table in my new location…I love the idea and will be ordering these olives.
She also always has new and different cheeses and crackers….many from Trader Joe’s, which I will no longer have locally.
I also looked up a similar recipe for the olives and may try it on my own…but these are so good, I am wondering why?
Does anyone here set an hors d’œuvre table before having guests for dinner? Any ideas you would like to share?
NOTE: Despite the fact I am eating out during this time with friends and family, I have used my Weight Watchers APP and I am now 7 pounds down! Woo Hoo!
SUMMER SUNDAYS IN TEXAS: ONE DAY AT A TIME
Last week, Kim commented, “You are tackling many important things with grace! Would love more tips on how to “focus on today” while still considering and planning for the immediate future…”
Living one day at a time comes from the Bible, and is one way that I have grown closer to the Lord and experience Him in powerful ways.
I do love to read different translations of the Bible, and occasionally enjoy reading The Message. It is my favorite translation of Matthew 6:34.
It reads,
Steep your life in God reality, God initiative and God provisions…. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.
God will help you deal with whatever things come up.
Many will recognize this passage as, “34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
I arise every morning and ask God what He has for me that day. Sometimes it goes with the calendar, and sometimes He brings on something different.
I trust Him to lay things on my heart…such as, setting up new electricity and internet accounts…I had kind of forgotten that and Mr. B relies on me to remind him.
Whenever I get anxious about the future, I mentally say STOP! And train my mind to focus on that day. I will also say, “Lord the future is yours and I trust you. Forgive me for worrying about it.”
Over years, learning to live ONE DAY AT A TIME, has been mental training and lots of prayer…but always worth it and a blessing.
Especially in the times we live in of great uncertainty, living one day at a time can be freeing.
God completely put together the needs, timing, and housing answers for this move for my entire family. None of us could have worked out what He did.
Kim, just begin with daily small prayers and ask God to help you learn to live One Day At A Time.
Kathie is a wonderful member of this blog community.
She walked by this country church sign and thought of me…which I love.
Fall is my favorite season and God assures me that He has beautiful changes ahead.
Thank you so much Kathie! I will cherish this.
Thanks so much for joining me today for Summer Sundays in Texas….I have a fun try on session for you tomorrow, so hope to see you then…until then…
STAY STRONG & KEEP SMILING!!
By Pamela Lutrell
For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way.
I loved Kim’s question and your uplifting answer❣️
Thank you, Carol. I am so glad that Kim asked the question.
Pam, thank you for the beautiful messages today. That church sign is wonderful! I like to set out a simple hors’doeuvres table before dinner — cheese, crackers, fruit. I can email you a picture of the table if you like. Have a blessed Sunday.
I love your message today, and though I know to do so, the reminder is most welcome. One day at a time, yes, yes! Not putting worries about tomorrow or next week in my cart before they’re here, or especially the biggest boogeyman, WHAT IF, which is always about future unknowns.
I would love a picture of your table, Marcia! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing, Connie! That WHAT IF monster can eat us alive if we choose to invite it in! It took me a long time to slam the door but now I do. Blessings!
Pam, what a wonderful message especially at this time of major change in your life.
Congratulations on the 7 pounds down even when eating out. For me eating out is the hardest.
Again thanks for the message I always read what you say every day even though I don’t comment.
I see you as so brave to make a move at this season of your life. You are facing your further with His grace that He imparts to you.
It’s hard to move when you are happy in the space you have created a home. But I know your next home will be just as gracious.
Thanks for the encouragment, Paula…eating out is still very difficult…but I am determined to keep at it.
Thank you Mary Ruth. It is so hard for me to leave this home that I love, but knowing my son’s family will be here and knowing how much this means to my daughter has also made it much easier to face.
Pam thank yiu for reminding us to live one day at a time! Wise words.
They come from God, and I have to ask Him for his grace to live this way every day…it is so freeing though and helps us to live with His Joy.
Love your message today, Pamela! We are also going to be moving and downsizing after the first of the year, so I’m avidly following along on your new adventure. When I start to feel overwhelmed, I remind myself that He has a plan for us and I need to “trust in the Lord with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding,” and “acknowledge Him with all my heart and He will direct [my] path.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) Thank you for always being such an inspiration to me!
The Message translation of Matthew 6:34 really lays out how to live in the present. Thanks for your thoughts on how you implement this! Very helpful.
You are so welcome, Kim. Thanks for asking!
You are an inspiration to me, Niki. Thank you for sharing Provers with us today…one of the verses I have in my heart.
Thank you Pam for your beautiful words. I needed to be reminded.
Glad you are here, Elisa!
The SHOULDS is one I battle with daily. But WHAT IFS are a close second. The chaos of moving is all around you but don’t let it bother you. In 2 weeks the movers will make it all go away. Then if you are like me, you will dust everything and wipe down every cabinet then vacuum the entire house. There is usually a lag time before your belongings arrive at your new home. We did the air mattress thing for a week! Good luck! One day at a time for sure!
I do make a charcuterie board for before dinner when we have guests. It’s actually fun to do.There are all sorts of interesting things that can be put on it.
I will be looking forward to seeing pics of how you decorate in your new home!
My pastor sometimes uses The Message bible to shine a different light on a familiar passage of scripture just as you did today. It is helpful to look at things in a different manner. My husband purchased many items from Christopher & Banks, & he was sorry to see them close their stores. Your littles will have many wonderful memories of your SA home to cherish in the years to come.
One of the ministers at my church gives us a challenge each week. He calls them Soul Training Exercises. The week’s is to see the good that is all around us. It reminded me of your motto to choose joy.
Continue to trust in the Lord to get through each day and in a few weeks the job will be behind you and your new adventure will begin. Bravo for losing 7 pounds. As we always used to say when I worked for WW, Weight Watchers Works. And that’s a one day at a time thing too. Good luck with tackling your office today. You will be glad to check that off your list. When I was moving my two favorite words became “Done” and “Gone”. Hope the fall weather comes to you soon. Its lovely her in the mountains. Happy Sunday.
My daughter has a guest bedroom waiting for us and I hired someone to get the empty house ready for my son’s family. Working out as many details as I think of them. Thanks Sydney!
Yes! Of course, that is a great idea. Thanks Deb.
I love doing Soul Training Exercises! Thanks for sharing, Becky!
So many blessings in your post today.
A found beautiful jacket – in your colors!
All the grands together smiling at their beloved Gigi!
Tangerine & Chili Olives! Hello, where are you been all my life?
Weight loss – yay!
Focusing on today.
The perfect church sign.
Thank you for finding time in this busy moment of your life to bring us these blessings!
We do have a touch of fall today and it has been amazing, Kathie! It only stays through Tuesday but what a blessing it is to have it this early! I agree with the words Done and Gone! My favorites as well!
Thank you, Deanna! I thought those exact words about the olives!!
Belatedly here to celebrate your seven-pound loss, which seems huge, considering the stress you’ve been under and the physical setback you had recently. I love your Sunday posts by any name, and always look forward to them. The church sign is a very timely reminder for someone like me who is resistant to change. Your family’s house-swapping story has been a source of inspiration to me lately, as I try to make wise decisions regarding my desire to move to a smaller town and buy a historic home. A house I felt sure was “the one” fell through, but you’ve reminded me that God is working things out in His time and in His way. I am trusting that there were unknown reasons it wasn’t the right house for me, and I appreciate your timely reminders and your example of faith so much.
A wise response to the house falling through. I feel certain that one way or another God will have a better plan. I never would have put together what we are experiencing on my own. God completely did this. Trust.