Black and White 10 on 10

 It's been quite awhile since I participated in the 10 on 10 project, but today, I'm motivated to take a stab at it. Simply stated, it's 10 pictures from your day on the 10th of the month, emphasizing taking joy in the simple things. What's more simple than black and white photography!!?

This morning brought news of a quake in my homeland. Checked in with the family, and all are ok. 

Face timing with Numero Uno put a smile back on my face. He was showing me his loose tooth. By the end of the day, it was gone!

I love the stuff that is available in grocery stores. Many years ago, my kids got a spoon in a box of Trix Cereal that actually turned colors when it got cold. I kept it and it's created quite a bit of strife at times among the short people because there's only one and all of them want it!! Well, voila!! Look what I found today!

This is all that was left in the box of granola bars.

Texting keeps things fun!

Lunch. A study in opposites? Perhaps. But a perfect combination in my book!

Went to visit Mimi. This is her door hanger.

Can I just say that I LOVE the signs along Main St. in our little town!!? If you can get past the spelling, it's absolutely hilarious!

Numbers 2 and 5 with a special friend playing with the pool toys

Ending the day by face timing the rest of the crew.

It was a good day!




This is the day which the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Ps 118:24

Rebekah Gough

My Other Projects

Career Goals 10 on 10

I never claimed to be a Rhodes Scholar, but it wasn't until just recently that I realized I had accomplished my career goals. The fact that this realization took so many years to acknowledge is something I just choose to ignore. 

All I ever wanted in life was to be a wife to an amazing man, and mom to some amazing "Bigs", and then at the perfect time, to add a bunch of amazing "Littles" to the mix. Time spent with these short people is followed by everything except for spending time with Dude. That would be my more handsome half. He is "Dude". I am "Leelah", "Weewah", "Wee-aht", or "YA!", depending on which little is trying to get my attention.

Life would be perfect if ALL the "Bigs" and "Littles" lived in my town, but that is not the case. I do have a few here, though, so I enjoy regular time spent with the locals. That is what compromised most of my day. 

I have the most phenomenal career EVER!

Little #6 was born 3 weeks ago. He fits in quite nicely as my lock screen. Proves I got the 10th started very early. Or ended the 9th very late. Whatever........

Another new family member returned with me from South Carolina just a week ago. This is Jack. 

Meet little #2, Prince "My shoes ARE on the right feet", and little #5, Prince peel a lot. Everything that can be peeled, must be peeled. Crayons, sandwiches.....

On the way home from a quick shopping stop, we enjoyed the flower baskets along Main St. It's officially summer!!

"Bob" is learning all about cars.....

....and getting a little love."Bob" was kidnapped earlier in the year. A full accounting of his adventures since February will be documented at another time, but I assure you, he's had a wonderful time, and no ransom will be demanded for his return.

Today, the boys learned a little about the finer points of tossing water balloons. 

The day ended with a nice picnic on the porch. 

And a rousing tune on the garden chimes.

And now it's time for a little finish work on the latest decor project.

One of the questions I often ask the littles is "are you having a good day?" In fact, some claim I ask it TOO often! But this was a good day.

For everything created by God is good, 

and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; 

for it is sanctified by means of the Word of God and prayer.

1 Tim. 4:3-5

Around Town 10 on 10

When you hear someone say they're from the south, you usually think of gracious plantation homes, gentle accents, magnolias and beautiful southern women. Well..... I'm from the south. But MY south includes deserts, tie dye, beaches and granola folk. I'm a homegrown product of Southern California. We've moved all over the country since leaving the land of fruits, flakes and nuts, but I never imagined in a million years that I would end up in the mid-west. And yet, that is where I find myself. I live in the exact geographical center of the state of Ohio. And we've set a personal record by living here longer than any other place in our married life. 

This little town is known as the "City of Respect" and holds its place in history as the birthplace of the tomato. I kid you not. Evidently a city father propagated the very first domesticated tomato. We even have an annual Tomato Festival with a queen and everything. So, next time you bite into one, you'll know where those little red beauties got their start. The township sits on the National Road which was originally intended to run between Cumberland Maryland and the Ohio river. I'll admit, I lived here quite a long time before realizing the historical gem that ran just a few streets from my door.

So, here's a peek at my little piece of America's heartland. Enjoy.

The towns history is captured in a beautiful mural on the National Road. We just call it "Main St."

Yep. Our little Main Street is famous.

The mural sits right across the street from the old hardware store. Every mid-western town needs at least one vintage neon sign.

We also have a tank that sits proudly in front of the VFW. 

There are lots of working farms and this one right across the street reminds me so much of the farms in Lancaster Pa. Yep. We lived there too.

We have some beautiful architecture and this is much smaller than it appears. It's known as the Tower Building.

And we have our fair share of irony. Why is that you ask? Because you can't get any further to the rear of the property than this little garage. All the parking is actually in front of it.

This is a community of contrasts. On one road, we host the beautiful Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral, but just a few streets away......

.....there is an abandoned Quonset hut. These were used by the military all over the Pacific theater in World War 2 to house personnel and supplies. I even got in on the fun when the military sold them as surplus and my school district in California picked up a few to use as additional classroom space. They were hot and stinky. I'd love to know how this one landed in the middle of a farm field in Ohio only to be forgotten. 

I'm always amazed at what I find in this little town. This is a Lustron Home from the early 50's. Built from steel. All steel. Top to bottom, inside and out including the shingles. Contrary to popular belief, it's steel construction actually makes it extra safe in lightening, but hanging pictures is a challenge. It's been several years since I spoke to one of the residents, but as far as I know, it still belongs to the original owners.

I'm many years and a long ways away from SoCal, but for now this is home. 
And more interesting than I ever realized!




For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 Cor. 5:1




Linking up to: Rebekah Gough

Beach Time!!

This month, the 10th finds me with some pretty special people
headed for the east coast. 

So thankful for this family time!

We're all pretty excited!

Even Bob and Mike are excited!

We had some great travelers.

This little guy battled a stomach bug on the way down. 
But he was still a great sport.

Lunch stop

That's us. On a PGA golf course. Yes, folks, I said ON a PGA course. With a flat tire, and keeping a watchful eye out for alligators in the pond right next to the road!! Minor mishap, quickly remedied that just added to the fun of the trip!

Passing the time while we wait on a solution to our tire issue.
(We'll meet little #6 in May!)





We made it and couldn't even wait to change clothes!!

No better place to be a boy.

I love being with little people.




Then God said, 
"Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, 
and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens. 
God created the great sea monsters 
and every living creature that moves, 
with which the waters swarmed 
after their kind, 
and every winged bird after its kind"; 
and God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:20-21

Blue 10 on 10

The 10th of every month brings with it the creative challenge of sharing 10 photos of beautiful things from the day. Today, it's 10 on 10 in the 10th month of the year and the possibilities are endless!! It's quiet around my house right now, so I have the chance to use a little imagination, and I'm struck with the richness of the color all around us. 

Today's 10 on 10 is brought to you by the color BLUE!!

Bits and pieces of this beautiful hue from around the house.

Happy Friday!

There's a mistake here. Do you see it? But it's family history made in the Philippines, so we keep it around.

 It took me half the day, but I finally decided what my 10 on 10 would be!

These make me wish I could develop a taste for tea!

A gift from a special friend.

California in a bowl, right there!! Little bits of beach from Catalina Island.

This came a long way across the ocean before it came to rest in our house.

I love storing things in old jars.

The very best colors are the ones God put in nature.

This holds special memories of my dad.

The Lord also spoke to Moses, saying, 

Speak to the sons of Israel,

And tell them that they shall make for themselves

Tassels on the corners of their garments

Throughout their generations,

And that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue.

It shall be a tassel for you to look at

And remember all the 

commandments of the Lord...

Numbers 15:37-39

Linking up to: A Bit of Sunshine