Add to the beauty: A prayer

I jotted this prayer down over twenty years ago.  It was found in an Elisabeth Elliot book.

Now it is my time.  It's for me.

Lord, You know better than I know myself that I am getting older and will someday be old. 

Keep me from... the fatal habit of thinking I must say something in every subject and on every occasion.

 

Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs.

 

Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy. 

With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all, but You know, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end. 

Keep my mind from the recital of endless details-give me wings to come to the point. 

Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others' pains, but help me to endure the with patience. 

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I will be mistaken. 

Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a saint-some of them are so hard to live with-but a sour old woman is one of the crowning works of the devil. 

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And give me the grace to tell them so.

(anon)

Encourage one another,

Donna Elsie

Add to the Beauty: Poetry, Picture

Bed in Summer

by Robert Louis Stevenson

In winter I get up at night

And dress by yellow candle-light.

In summer, quite the other way,

I have to go to bed by day.

I have to go to bed and see

The birds still hopping on the tree,

Or hear the grown-up people's feet

Still going past me in the street.

And does it not seem hard to you,

When all the sky is clear and blue,

And I should like so much to play,

To have to go to bed by day?

I know this precious poem by heart and it floats thru my mind this time of year as the sun sets later and later.  I learned Stevenson's poems with my first baby in the early 80's.  We didn't have black out shades then.  We had the off white pull down shades; the shades that tap tap tapped in the breeze and had a crochet ring pull.  

Sleepy sweaty babes in a glowing bedroom.

Not so very bad, really.

I encourage you to learn this...and share it with the little ones in your life.

Or just enjoy it yourself.  I enjoy it regularly.  *wink

Donna Elsie

Add to the beauty: Poetry

 'An Unexpected Guest' by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.

An Unexpected Guest

Click the link to hear a lovely poem.  I tried to get it on this page, but alas, my blogging skillz are rusty.

I think this is a rather unexpected poem and i just loved it.  Moved me to tears.

I was waiting for the last line....

Encourage one another,

Donna Elsie

Met Gala: Miz Boo: Searching for Beauty

Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty

Met Gala 2023

Like it.  Love those shoes.

Hello, pretty, nice, lovely looking couple.

You look elegant tonight.

One of my favorite black and white gowns.  

This one is so lovely.

My favorite!!!  The fabric is the classic Chanel tweed.  It's a perfect play on Chanel and something different and beautiful.

LOVE LOVE

LOVE

This nutty dress is my favorite of all the avantgard pieces.

This Dr Seuss-ish number made me smile.

Mindy, I hope someone got a picture of you not snarling because you look absolutely gorgeous in this pretty dress!!!

Very pretty.

I bet she had this in her closet.  

Effortless chic.

Her face is so pretty.  She is one of the most beautiful women there tonight.

I should figure out who she is.

(Update: This is Radhika Jones, the editor in chief of Vanity Fair)

Here is that Chanel tweed again.  This look is very good, I think.

Unique and fitting the theme without being INSANE.

Pretty

The black makes it a Lagerfeld look.  The pink is very pretty.

I wonder if there is a Lagerfeld pink.  Cause if there is...this is it.

Unique, but elegant and pretty.

Roger Federer and Mirka Federer.  

Perfect in every way.

Who knew it would take the Met Gala to bring me out of blogging hibernation???

Janet and I were chatting about the dresses and as I was compiling my faves I figured I'd share them with you too!  

Happy May!  

Hope you enjoyed the fashion show.  

The Vogue website has a few hundred wild and crazy outfits.  Feel free to check those out if you wish.

But you know me....

if you can't say something nice....

I'm just here to Add to the Beauty.

*wink

Encourage one another,

Donna 

 

Beautiful Graceful Catherine

Lovely, lovely Catherine.  

I collected a dozen dresses from the oscars last night but i'm so disgusted by that farce that I would rather highlight someone who is serving others and looking amazing while doing it.  

Also.  I think you would like the movie Coda.  It was only on Apple TV which I know very few people have, but it is a story of a hearing girl in a deaf family.  

March is almost over and the robins have returned to Wisconsin.  Fresh seeds in the feeder for the birdies.

Love and prayers.

Donna

 

Oh boy.

“We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other.”

~John Adams

I just read a few of John Adams' quotes.  My education on this man practically nil.  I think I have missed out.  

In homeschooling we call these gaps.

Off to learn.

Encourage one another,

Donna

You were made for greatness

“The world offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.”

~Pope Benedict 

Oh to only have a tiny pinch of that strength.

Such an encouraging quote.

More and more I see how we are not meant for this world.  We are meant for another.

God bless those around us who are suffering great loss and fear and tragedy.

Lord hear our prayer.

Encourage one another,

Donna

Dashing into the New Year....2022

 

I wanted to share my Christmas card with you.  Since I, again, do not have a whole family photo, I had to find an old picture and do something creative. 

The fact that none of what has been happening in our world is a surprise to God gives me the greatest hope.  His promises are true.  He can not lie.  

The world and the devil are full of lies.  

Many times we can not find the truth any where we look and

those who speak the truth are persecuted.

But we must remember...

We really do have ALL the hope.  

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Mathew 1:23

Encourage one another,

Donna 

A most beautiful listen

Have you ever listened to the Bible on tape or phone or youTube?  I have not, but decided to find a source.

I tried an app and found it hard to work and thought maybe I'd like to listen to a woman's voice for some reason.  As I searched youtube I happened upon this gentleman.  I started listening and LOVE it.  What a glorious voice and beautiful reading.

His name is Sir David Suchet.  He is an actor.  I think he is Poirot.  I know he is born again.

But anyway, along with this reading of St. John Mr Suchet has read the whole Bible for audio.  Isn't that wonderful?  I think so!

You can find it all on youtube.

Encourage one another,

Donna

I have always heard that if someone has never read the Bible and is seeking, have them start with St. John

 

Dear Baby Jesus

 

Christmas is for reflecting.

Looking back at your own life and remembering special, warm, happy times.

Remembering.

It's for remembering the story of Jesus' birth.

What that means to you and your faith.

The story of baby Jesus and Mary and Joseph is important to me

because it is where my faith begins. And when I get overwhelmed with this crazy world,

and theology and stuff I think about that little baby in the manger and I think about Mary and the Angel and I ask myself,

is it true?

And my heart calms and I know all will be well.

Because in my heart I know it is true.

Merry Christmas dear ones.

Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin Family Christmas Show 1967

I've yet to watch this one all the way through, but I'll be doing that now....

Dean and Frank.  How we loved them.  As I watched the sing Marshmallow world, which is the cutest snazziest song,  I hadn't remembered  Dean being so silly.  And to be honest, I didn't remember the song at all.  Cindy made a Christmas CD many years ago (when we burned CD's) and she put Marshmallow World on it.  I liked it right away ;o).  AND....I've noticed the radio stations are starting to play it again! 

Enjoy another oldie on me.

Hoho,

Donna Elsie

 

 

Andy Williams Christmas Special 1966

I've loved to watch tv my whole life.  This is too fun to find the old Christmas specials on YouTube.

Corny with lots and lots of great caroling!!

Ho ho

Donna Elsie

Mesmerizing

And now for something completely different. 

Thanksgiving in windy Omaha.

River loves to swing!

Melinda has become the family photographer with the best pictures!!!

This is Dotti enjoying a super visit to the park.

Hello Silas!  You are growing so fast and are so smart!

River turned two!  

How adorable is this picture???  

Happy, happy Dotti!

Lorelei and Zeke are just a few  weeks apart in age.  Classic....girls mature earlier.  

River can drink out of a glass now.  Melinda put a little makeup on her....it's cute to see Melinda have a chance to play 'girl auntie'.  

Don't blow away Katie!

My baby with her first nephew ;o)

Emma was a nanny for many boys.....

she is totally enjoying her little girl.

A quick portrait with James and Emma!  

A Thanksgiving miracle!!!  No one thought it possible....but we moved quickly and I'm delighted to have this wonderful grandchildren line-up!!!

I'm so thankful that the girls all get along so well.

Katie cut her bangs for a halloween costume and now has Farrah Faucett hair!!!

My very favorite kind of picture.

Pretty.

This picture is too funny for words.

Sweeney Todd???

You should see Malachi climb!!  Oh so high....I can not watch.

Mr Serious with his dad.

Emma is expecting in May!!!

 

It's stress hosting twenty-some people!! 

Matthew making us laugh by digging out a high school shirt!

"It fits"

Also making us laugh by reinforcing the benches for the many bottoms.

I loved getting to see everyone. Patrick did not come because he does not want to get covid.  

I hope he gets over that fear.  

Now we are back to the very quiet....quiet life.  

It's either one or the other extreme.

I'm gradually Christmas shopping and decorating.  I'm ready for it this year...in my heart.  Seems everyone is really ready.... super early.....

Happy Christmas time.

Lots of love,

Donna

This and that.

When I spot something I like on the internet or on Instagram I save it to my phone....and if you're lucky,

I send it to you.  It's probably annoying but you know what, I really like to share things so deal with it.

haha

 

Here is the sweetest Corrie Ten Boom.  If you have not read her book, The Hiding Place, read it soon.

This puddy cat totally cracks me up.  

I like this advice from young Allie Beth Stuckey

River Jean turned two on Friday.

She brings so much fun and joy wherever she goes.

Thinking of things to be thankful for...

starting now.....

Encourage one another,

Donna Elsie