Coming attractions?

In case any one is stopping by Buhlaland today - I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day taking at least a little time to remember those who have served our country. We are doing work around our place today - DH working on that automatic gate opener. He got the solar panel installed over the weekend. I am not sure which overwhelming task I will accomplish today - weeding garden, ironing, cleaning house or going to Costco. One thing I hope to do is cook something good - so check back later and it might be Tres Leches Cake and some baby back ribs - pretty sure I'll do a squash casserole since my dear friends the Harpers brought us a big bag of summer squash from their garden. Woo Hoo for friends who share! Hope the sun is shining on your personal solar panels today - bless y'all - it is Memorial Day on Buhlaland and we are grateful for a change in our daily work and blessed to be able to enjoy our freedom.

China - and no not the country

Per instructions from Shannon I'm doing a short blog about "nice" china - the white floral with gold rim is from my mom - I remember my dad bringing this home but I didn't recall the date until I found a delivery note from his purchase in 1951. He had been on TDY (temporary duty) with the United States Air Force in England -those were the days before internet and cheap long distance so we got a few letters and I don't remember if he was able to call home or not. The family picture is marked in my mom's writing 1955 but I think it was a little earlier. Shannon - it is definitely NOT washed in a dishwasher - and it is worth the extra trouble. I remember my mom lovingly hand washing and drying these dishes for special occasions. (before we go all "I remember Mama" on this thing - in my childhood NOBODY had dishwashers - or if they did - they called them "children"!)

Enough of this china foolery - since I first read Shannon's request for china pictures - my real life has been on hold and it isn't holding well right now. Thank you for the trip down a memory lane - I also have two sets of every day dishes (not paper plates - although we do have those) and a beautiful set of dishes seen elsewhere in my blog ,came with DH when we combined households. It is cold, crowded in dish cabinets and good in Buhlaland.

Changes afoot

I'm in a "maybe this thing is too boring" mode right now and messing around with fonts, colors and template. Please be patient - if anything is just too offensive please let me know - but I don't want to go "cutesey holiday decor" and yet -- well we will see what happens. I've taken off a link/notice about the salutes to fallen soldiers - not because I care any less but upon further research online - there are dozens of salutes to the brave souls who have given their all for our freedom. I have put ON and taken off a couple of things like polls (what kind of christmas tree are you - now really - that isn't me). May put up the poll offered by google - just for silliness sake - although part of this blog discipline is to focus me more on God and less on me - I'm finding that being playful isn't out of line with the nature of ourLord and Creator.

Memorial Day is NOT just about picnics

Memorial Day is about memories of loved ones who answered the call to serve their country. The black and white picture is my father , Robert L. Porter, receiving commendation service bars in 1963 at his retirement ceremony at Walker A.F.B. in Nex Mexico. He served in the United States Air Force for over 23 years and was proud to be part of the defenses of America.

Growing up in the military made us very aware of the value of freedom and the price. Strange how in church yesterday there are so few people who stand up to be honored when the pastor asks who served in active duty military. My husband, Skip, served his country during the Vietnam era and knows the cost as do so many of our generation. Our neighbors son, Zack, is going into the reserves this fall. Our dear friend, Joe, is serving now on a compassionate mission in Central America. Thom Porter, a cousin, is a military chaplain. We have so many loved ones who have answered the call and a few who made the ultimate sacrifice. My Dad's brother died in WWII in the Pacific. The generation of our parents was the one who seemed to truly "get it" about loving others more than self.

We sang "America The Beautiful" yesterday - I love the lyric "O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife. Who more than self the country loved And mercy more than life! " Loving something more than yourself is the hallmark of those who serve - whether military or in any role of putting others above oneself. My Dad - Bob Porter - served his God, his country and his family. Thanks Daddy. For all those still serving - Thank YOU for understanding that the cost must be paid - sooner or later there is a price to pay for freedom. God Bless America, our President and all those who serve.