Happy 4th of July!!!

Happy 4th of July !!!

On one of my trips to the states I saw these mints in these wonderful bright red, white and blue flag packets at a Wendy's restaurant. I carefully saved a few and my daughter and her friend decided to also save some for me and by the time we left the restaurant we had a nice bundle of mints.

I carried these little flag packets back with me to Asia and saved them until today and now we are enjoying them this 4th of July. 

I am proud to be an American and these little flag packets remind me of my country today.

Baking lesson...

I did some baking today with some young ladies and it was a lot of fun. They speak only a little English and I speak no Thai so it was an interesting time. But it was worth it as the cookies turned out really nice. We packaged them in ziplock bags and froze them until Sunday when we will share them after the service.

Foto Friday ~ Clouds

The first picture was taken while we  were driving so is not the greatest but I really liked the formation of these clouds over the rice fields. If only that tree wasn't blurred across it:)

It began to rain soon after this picture was taken.

This is taken from a roof top restaurant in Chiang Mai. I liked the way the mountain is circled in the clouds.

You can enjoy more Foto-Friday posts at Rebecca's Blog.

Over the fence....

It has been growing over the fence  for quite some time now....a strange looking long branch of sorts....

I left it there and didn't think much of it and then it bloomed and I thought how nice....but I forgot to take a picture....bummer....

Then the wonder of all delights....I saw it was a dragon fruit.

I have eaten them quite often but did not know what kind of plant they came from....

I waited patiently for it to ripen and today......

I went and picked it and......

It was delicious.

We send a special thank you to our nice neighbors that shared the dragon fruit with us from over the fence.

And what did you see?

• Elephants are just about everywhere you look in Chinag Mai and some are cuter than others...

• Yummy fried rice with shrimp and even served in "star style"

                

• Trees in the street...why not???

                                

Foto Friday ~ Hands

The Thai culture is very interesting to see. I took these pictures at a Wat (Budhist Temple) in Chiang Mai. While visiting the temple I prayed that the Lord Jesus Christ would draw the Thai people to Himself and open their eyes to the TRUTH.

Adorned in her tribal dress and posing so pretty.

Cultural Thai "long finger "dance performance at the temple. 

Long finger dance performer.

A Thai lady, handstitching a design on fabric.

Thanks for visiting my blog...be sure to check out more posts for Foto Friday at Rebecca's Blog.

Reason to bake...

Sometimes when it is so hot I really have to make an effort to do any baking...

Today I had a good reason...

Our neighbors across the street brought us over a delicious bowl of dessert consisting of bananas & coconut milk the other day. We really appreciated their kindness and the wonderful treat. I decided to make something to return to them in the bowl, so this morning I made some apple/cinnamon muffins.

 I hope they like them.

 I saved out a couple for us to try and I enjoyed one for my lunch today. 

All for comfort...

I am all for comfort when it comes to shoes and now living in a tropical climate I even prefer no shoes when possible. These sandals have seen many miles and by far have to be my favorite shoe. Certainly not so pretty but yes, my favorite.

An old poem

I came across this poem and thought it sure expressed how I have felt at different times.

On the Stair

(Thomas Mitchell, early 1940’s)

A hair bow on the stair?

Someone must have lost it there.

Little ones hurrying up to bed,

Lisping lips as prayers were said;

Sleepy eyes and lights turned low,

A goodnight kiss… that was long ago.

Schoolbooks on the stair?

Someone must have put them there.

Carefree days and childhood dreams

Soon are past and gone it seems.

Growing taller, and rightly so,

A soft goodnight… that was long ago.

An evening wrap upon the stair?

Someone surely dropped it there.

Dancing feet and laughing lips;

Testing life in tiny sips.

Guide them, God, make them know

What life is… that was long ago.

Silence now, upon the stair,

Though I fancy they are there.

The echo of footsteps reaches my ears,

Sweet, low laughter, unshed tears.

Tempered softly by the fire’s glow

Are my memories of long ago.

Tribal Christian School

I just had to share a few more pictures that I took today after I taught the English lesson to two classes.

It was fun trying to capture the morning activities. I left home at 7:30am and road in the van that picks up several kids before school. Then I hung out until noon and watched some of the classes and read books to a few children until someone was able to give me a ride home during the lunch break. It was a special day!