Quietness

Be still, and know that I am God...

Old Testament Psalm Chapter 46 Verse 10

Can You See It?

Earlier in the summer one of my brothers was at our house. He pulled out his fabulous camera and started snapping pictures. Oh he captured some neat poses. I especially like this one. One of our sons loves "paint ball". For those of you who may have never heard of "paint ball", it is an activity with teams and games that uses a gun (actually called a marker) powered with compressed air to shoot a somewhat soft ball, slightly larger than a marble, which is filled with biodegradable paint. The paint is mostly vegetable oil. Wooohw! did you get all that?

I am very proud that he uses his paint in a responsible manner, and does not deface property that belongs to others and only uses it in designated paint ball areas. He has saved his money and across the years that he's been doing this (about 6 now) he has done a lot of research to find the best marker and supplies that he can for a price he can afford. He works and saves to support this hobby among other things.

Well, back to the photo, see the post over by the tree? That is a paint ball practice target. If you look closely, you can see a slight yellow mist where the balls are hitting the post and bursting apart. I think that is so cool, and just wanted to show you. I thought you might like to see this perspective today too.

Oh well, yes, it did make the grass yellow for a few days, but it washed away, and to have a teenage son...if that's what it takes, then I'll take yellow grass any day.

One of these times I'll show you some of the things our other son loves.

I have some target points that I'm aiming for today too. I hope I can hit them as effectively as he hits his! Uumm, no, I'm not planning to use a paint marker though!

Have an awesome day.

Love, Rachel

I'm Thankful!

I'm thankful for...

...life

...my family

...friends

...freedom

...safety

...running water

...a roof over my head

...warm weather

...laughter

...beautiful color

...my eyesight

...sounds of music

...the ability to think

What are you thankful for today?

Love, Rachel

Know What I Mean?

How's Your Spell Checker?

Eye halve a spelling chequer. It came with my pea sea. It plainly marques four my revue, miss steaks eye kin knot sea. Eye strike a key and type a word and weight four it two say weather eye am wrong oar write. It shows me strait a weigh. As soon as a mist ache is maid, it nose bee fore two long and eye can put the error rite. Its rare lea ever wrong. Eye have run this poem threw it and I am shore your pleased tow no its letter perfect awl the weigh. My chequer tolled me sew.

~source unknown~

Have a perfectly funny day!

Love, Rachel

Autumn Days!

Happy Fall Y'all! It's time for hot "chocolatey" mornings and toasted "marshmallowey" evenings!

Happy happy day!

Love, Rachel

Don't Quit

Let us not become weary in doing good; for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

New Testament Galatians Chapter 6 Verse 9 NIV

Don't Quit
Author Unknown

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road your trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit

Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and its turns,

As everyone of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When they might have won, had they stuck it out.

Don't give up though the pace seems slow,

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the struggler has given up

When he might have captured the victors cup;

And he learned too late when the night came down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far;

So stick to the fight when your hardest hit,

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit!

Have a wonderful restful day.

Love, Rachel

OK Let's Try This Again

I started to tell you, three days ago...then blogger wouldn't agree, so I'll try again. Yes, the old house is fine! Well fine that is except for being in an extreme state of disrepair. And it needs someone like me to love it and put candles on the tables and yummy food in the oven and a happy family in the rooms...oh, except that someone would need money to fix it too! I'm sure in the hundred years or so that it has stood along this street and watched life pass by, if it could talk it would tell us so many interesting stories.
Next door to the house is this beautiful old Gothic style church which has been restored to amazing beauty. It serves a congregation, but primarily is used for wedding ceremonies and vow renewal. Many times on Friday night and Saturday there is interesting activity here. But Tuesday, the buzz went to a new level. Hence the drama that befell our tiny downtown.

Have you ever heard of Bret Michaels? Well, me neither. In the 1980's he was the lead singer for the group Poison. Was I living under a rock? About 1 PM Tuesday, 3 huge buses pulled up and they closed off the street. One of the buses was pink and one was baby blue along with this black one seen here. Can you believe I didn't get a picture of the pink one? Well, me neither. Oh but I just remembered that my teenage son did. "Atta boy", says momma. On the back of each bus was a massive decal which said, "Tour of Love". Ever heard of it? Well me neither. Am I living under a rock?
Our local paper describes the Tour of Love series as a "less than wholesome" reality dating show in which Bret Michaels is searching to find love, yes, the love of a wife. It has been reported that the final episode of Season 3, to be seen on VH1, was filmed here. Have you ever seen it? Well, me neither.

hhhmmm, final episode, search for love, wedding chapel?...I hope they acted respectful and reverent in the church during the wedding!

The street was a blurr of activity. Mr. Romantic Porch and I were busy, but the kids strolled on down to take it in. When we could break away, we went down to "observe".

Well, of course, we had to check on the house and all...*cough*

Little princess said it was the biggest party ever. Our two princes said Mr. Michaels wasn't their roll model. Never~the~less, I cheered with my son when he scored an autograph from both Mr. Michaels himself and his ever protective body guard. Anyone wanna buy it! (I'm joking, son)
As the evening shadows beckoned, the crowd melted away. Mr. RP and I strolled down the street, back to our "rock". So now you know what I know! You can always say you found out here first. But, sssshhhhhhhhh, let's don't tell the whole world or anything. It's just our little secret between you and me. OK? Oh, and if the shows producer calls, I've crawled back under a rock!

Love, Rachel

A Great Day!

Do you know anyone by the name of Pallie Sue?

I do!

Happy Birthday to my sweet sister Pallie Sue!

I'm glad you're my sister!

Love, Rachel

It is starting to feel chilly in the morning and evening.
The quilts and throws and candles are one of our ways to enjoy a crisp late summer early fall evening. What do you do to make your home more cozy for a chilly evening?



We had some excitement on our street last night. It was only 2 1/2 blocks away, so off we went to join the crowd armed with our cell phone cameras. We'd been watching the "production" set up for 2 days. At least now I realize that is what those people in the big white van were doing the day before. They set orange cones and taped no parking signs to the tree and sign posts in front of the old deserted house that I adore. When I figure out how to transfer a cell phone photo into blogger, then I'll show you. You can say you found out here first!

Oh and in more chatty news here at a romantic porch...we had our "first official date" on September 17, way back when! I remember my excitement of that evening. All these years later, the thought still brings me joy!

So that about wraps up the local news report and trip down memory's lane.

Have a happy day!
Love, Rachel

Here at "A Romantic Porch" we're always busy. There's never a dull moment. Even the ponies are hard at work. Don't they look like they are devising a plan and taking orders from momma?
Forward...march...lets get this done. Come on ponies, help me check off the "To Do List"!

Aren't these ponies cute?

This has nothing to do with anything other than my curiosity. Do you cook with garlic? I usually don't, though a few days ago I bought a huge (in my opinion) bulb (?) of garlic. It was called elephant garlic and was advertised to be sweet. Sweet? Sweet garlic, I thought. It looked more like an onion, but indeed it had separate cloves. And I needed it for my project...well yes, project, salsa. So I'm still curious. Do very many people cook with garlic? Do you?

Have a wonderful day today and I hope you accomplish all you have planned to do.
Love, Rachel

Yesterday I was sitting in this cozy nook on the porch enjoying the elements of nature. The sky was overcast and an extremely brisk wind was whipping the branches on the trees. Rain pelted the grass and flowers. Leaves were scattering across the lawn and two hummingbirds were having an air war as they both attempted to raid the feeder, yet defend their territory at the same time. Fall is in the air. I see it. I smell the scents. Summer is passing. Did I live every moment to its' fullest potential? I tried, oh yes I tried.

You know how sometimes quietness and reflection bring sadness and looking toward the future brings hope. Other times it is opposite. Reflection of the past brings joy and looking toward the future brings fear and pain. Twisted emotions, I'd say. But there I sat sheltered and cozy, safe from the storm, and little princess giggled and twirled with glee as the wind blew through her clothes and hair. She was oblivious to all that brought the wind, the rain, the STORM. She was caught up in the moment and the exhilaration. She was living the moment to its' fullest potential. I took it all in; the wind, the rain, the storm, the air wars, the joy, the exhilaration. Twisted emotions, I'd say. But I absorbed them. I allowed myself to learn.

Today is a new day! I will try again.

Have an intentionally happy Monday.

Love, Rachel

Today my thoughts and prayers go out to those struggling from the ravages of Hurricane Ike, including one of my nieces and her family.

You have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.

Old Testament Psalm Chapter 70 verse 5

Love, Rachel

What Should I Do?

I have a recipe for homemade rolls that I simply love. My family loves them too. They wish I'd make them MORE often.

But what should I do? I don't have a recipe that I like for homemade loaves. Is there a difference between the recipe for rolls or loaves? They don't work the same for me it seems. I don't have a bread machine so that culinary option is out!

Then I thought, Ah Ha! You all would know. I'll ask my readers. I am sure you will be able to tell me a great loaf recipe. So send 'em on over and I'll get busy baking.

Love, Rachel

Thank you so much to all of my readers, my perfect friends, who take time to leave a comment, drop me an email or buzz my phone. It means so much to me. Each person has their reason for having a blog, but I know from experience that comments and dialogue make it fun. Some people can spend a lot of time with their blog. Others, not so much. I thank you from the bottom of my "pink" beating heart that you have come along and shared this journey with me.

I've been doing this blog for 9 months now. Nine months! I can't believe I just said that. That's long enough to have birthed a child. Though there is no new child, the knowledge and new experiences that I have gained have certainly birthed a new sense of wonder of the amazing place we call cyberspace. I've learned. I've developed more opinions. I've felt creative ideas forming in the shadowed edges of my mind.

I've felt my brain grow! Oh yikes, I better go see if I can still fit my head through the door!

In the mean time, live intentionally today. AND have a happy day!

Love, Rachel

We Will Never Forget

September 11, 2001

I'd just dropped our sons off at school.

My cell phone buzzed. My sister Esther, ~ "Have you heard?"

"NO!"

I called Philip!

"Have you heard?"

"NO!"

Immediately we were glued to the news.

Time seemed to stand still. Our hearts were broken.

I will always remember.

I will continue to live this moment with intention.

I will look toward the future.

Do you remember?

Love, Rachel

There is a beautiful old home near us sitting empty and in extreme disrepair. I've walked past it many times. I chanced walking right up on the porch and snapping a photo of the beautiful dining room door. No one was home to let me in...it's empty you know.
This photo of the door shows the old screen closed. In my mind I can see the warm glow of candles and the twinkle of cozy lights coming from deep inside this home in desperate need of love. And yes it has a romantic porch.

Is there a home near you that needs some love?

Happy Birthday to my sweet sister in law Dianne! Yes, I really do have another sister in law birthday today. I'm glad!

Love, Rachel

Aren't these baskets of flowers so beautiful hanging on the light poles of our tiny downtown? I waited through such long cold dark months of ice and snow for the first appearance of spring. So I'm still enjoying summer. I know the clock is ticking, ticking, ticking along toward autumn. I don't deny that. I see the flowers fading from the intensity of the hot sun and the leaves on the trees look weary. It seems as though they are anxiously awaiting the surge of energy that a boost of color brings. But I'm enjoying today. It's still summer.
Tree ripened fruit is more abundant as the summer wears on. Fresh peaches and nectarines make such a yummy cobbler. With peach juice dripping from my elbows and my mouth full of fresh fruit, I'm asking just one question, "What is your favorite fruit?" Oops, I mean, I swallowed my peaches first, THEN I asked the question. Yeah, that's how I did it...all polite and everything! I really did! It's a rule at our house. No talking with food in your mouth. Anyway, what is your favorite fruit? Yes, I'm serious, I'd like to know.

Happy birthday to my sweet sister in law, Joy!

Have fun making a cobbler or freezing peaches or doing whatever it is you will do on this nice "summer" day.

Love, Rachel

How Can I Choose Just One?

Our home is 104 years old. Standard window treatments do not fit our windows. My sister Donnie made these sheer panels behind the valence on our living room windows. Didn't she do a beautiful job?
This beveled window in the foyer spreads rainbows all over the room when the sun shines through it. I've always mixed white and off white in my decor. I like the way it makes things look not so "matchy~matchy"! So on this window I have an off white lace panel and a very long white piece of fabric draped around the window frame.

Ooo, I like the candlelight.

The bay window in the dining room gives a soft touch to the world beyond.

I love these little white lights in the kitchen window. They look so cheery from the inside or outside. I keep them on all the time.



Windows, I love windows. How can I choose a favorite one? They bring light and breezes, happy sounds of children playing or crickets chirping. Most of the windows in our home have the original glass in them. The view is slightly wavy and if you look closely you see bubbles in the glass. It's a unique characteristic that I enjoy.



If you'd like to see more favorite windows of other blog friends, please visit The House in the Roses for a complete list.



Have a marvelous Monday!

Love, Rachel

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Old Testament

Proverbs Chapter 16 verse 24

Happy Birthday Donnie! I'm glad you're my sister.

Love, Rachel

Invaded by What? (Updated)

This little "bugger" was about 6 inches long. Any ideas?
I'm off to investigate. I'll be back later to see what you think!
Will today be a busy one for you?

Love, Rachel

UPDATE:

Well well well, we are all agreeing that this bug is a Preying Mantis. We've had a lot of them this year, but they have all been little like this one. This one was huge and so sO SO worthy of his own special blog posting!

Then there is the comment from Mr. RP (romantic porch, ya know) who compared the big bug to the Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning. Mr. RP called it a Manning Preytis! Get it? Oh you'd have to be a Colts fan to understand. But I laughed anyway when I read the comment. I just plain and simply thought it was funny. Thanks for making me laugh Philip.

And to everyone else, thank you for playing my guessing game!

Bye for now, y'all.

Love, Rachel

Autumn Leaves

I'm opening the door just a smidgen to autumn.

Each fall season, the first thing I do is hang a wreath on the front door. I usually do this the first of September. I guess it is just my way of acknowledging that change is on the way. In October we will carve a pumpkin and enjoy the beauty of the season during that month. However little princess and I did start singing Christmas music yesterday. There's never a dull moment here at "A Romantic Porch".

Make today be a wonderful day! Hug your kids...if they'll let you. Kiss your spouse. Change is always certain, but love can remain and grow.

For more ideas of "Autumn Inspiration" please visit Melissa at The Inspired Room.

Love, Rachel

September's Romantic Porch

Since the late 1800's and early 1900's our family has loved porches. When Oklahoma was still called Indian Territory, my great grandfather built a wrap around porch with a house. I mean a house with a wrap around porch! The house was called the "old family home place". I never saw the house but I've seen pictures of the family gathered there as they made the house a home and endured the onslaught of drought, blizzards and sand storms, rattlesnakes and the great depression of the 1930's. With that in mind, the "Romantic Porch" I want to feature for the month of September is none other than the one on which my brother and sister in law, Ray and Dianne, share their love. You see this porch has weathered the onslaught of hurricanes, tornadoes, fires and debilitating illness. In 2002, my sister in law Dianne was suddenly stricken with a brain aneurysm and her life hung in the balance for several days with her future and physical condition uncertain. After several weeks, by God's grace and mercy, a lot of prayers, and the skill of a few very good physicians, with Ray as her support, she made a faltering and weak approach up the front porch steps to this adorable cottage they call home. Now 6 years later she is healthy and whole. She is one of the sweetest and funniest ladies you will ever meet.
Just in the last few days, Ray who is one of those gifted people who can do just about anything, has scurried to make final repairs to their home, since a summer tornado recently ripped through. On Monday, hurricane Gustav was bearing down on them with a vengeance, but I insisted (I think that's what I did) that I must have pictures on Monday morning...see the haze of darkness in the sky... I couldn't chance not having a photo before the storm came.

I'm so proud for them to have this adorable house with a darling wrap around porch. I'm proud that I come from a long line of porch lovers!

Now I have a question for you my dear and faithful blog readers. What color should they paint the porch rail and spindles, front steps and porch swing? They survived Gustav without sustaining damage, so the progress will continue, and I'll show you some "after" photos, since today's photos are of the "before". How 'bout that?


Have a wonderful Wednesday.
Love, Rachel

Happy Birthday to you!

Today is HIS birthday, yes, Mr. Romantic Porch! If you knew him, you'd want to spend the day with him too! Come on over. We love company. We'll have some lemon cake and homemade ice cream later. I'm glad we have another birthday to celebrate together. He's the one who makes the sizzle and sparkle happen here at the porch. I just light the candles!

So Philip, we're squinting into the sunshine, but I like that better than looking sadly into the shadows. Yep, facing the sun, pursuing another year, all from the open door of "a romantic porch".

You're the best!
1437
I love you always,
Rachel

Happy Labor Day!

As you reflect on the summer that has passed and look toward autumn that lies ahead, may you be filled with joy and hope.

Be safe and have a wonderful holiday.

Love, Rachel