Old and Worn Hymnals

Last month on one of my daytrips, we stopped at an antique store in the town of Sparta.

There was a shelf full of books that were 50% off. Well that is just a magnet. I was there in a second.

Lots of old books!

 But what would I do with so many? I know, I'm sure you could think of lots of things and I could too, but I have to be practical too.

And then I saw them!

 Old worn and torn hymn books.

 

 The ideas for these started flooding and then I remembered I had the rest of the store to check out too! While holding on to the books, I was wondering about the other hands that had held these books while singing to their Saviour.

 

The Sweetest Name. I don't know this song but I love the title!

The cost of one of these hymnals was 15 cents. I can't make out the year of the books due to how worn out they are.

 

We don't sing the old hymns much anymore. Some of the artists are incorporating them into newer versions and we sang one this morning. I'm glad I grew up with these old and glorious songs

 

One of my favourite hymns is Fairest Lord Jesus. Here are the words:

 

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,

O Thou of God and man the Son,

Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,

Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,

Robed in the blooming garb of spring;

Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,

Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight,

And all the twinkling starry host;

Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer

Than all the angels heaven can boast.

All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly,

Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee;

None can be nearer, fairer or dearer,

Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!

Son of God and Son of Man!

Glory and honor, praise, adoration,

Now and forever more be Thine.

You can hear the song below. It's embellished a bit but it's a beautiful song.

 

Happy Sunday!

Blessings, Diane

 

Fairest Lord Jesus

 

Homemade Pumpernickel

I thought I would share a recipe for pumpernickel.

I'm not sure where my Mom got this recipe from, but the Dutch do love their pumpernickel.

1 1/2 cups Red River Cereal (or 12 Grain Cereal)

1 cup bran

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup ground flax (optional)

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup molasses

2 cups water ( I use filtered water)

Mix together

Grease and flour a 9x5 loaf pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes.

Serve warm or cold with your favourite topping. I like it with peanut butter or cheese.

Great for a snack or light lunch.

Enjoy!

 

Blessings, Diane

 

 

 



Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is Mom's birthday. She is 78 years old.

 My father had his birthday three days ago on October 17 and he turned 84.

They have some health issues but overall they are doing well. They still go to church every Sunday together and that blesses me. That is really the only place that Dad goes except to my sister's when she is cooking dinner for a special occasion.

Their anniversary is on Oct 29 and they will be married for 53 years.

 Needless to say October is a busy month in our family and these aren't the only special days! 

 I thought I would share some early photographs of Mom in honour of her today.

This is my Mom and my uncle, her twin brother.

This is Mom and me. We are approximately the same age. Striking resemblance don't you think?

 

.

This is Mom with three of her brothers in school.

This is all of Mom's brothers and sisters plus an extra. There were 9 siblings.

Mom was born in Holland. This photograph was taken during WW2. You can see the wooden shoes they're all wearing.

Here she is as a very young lady. Not sure how old she is here. (20, 21?)

Mom trained as a nurse in Holland. I love the picture of her.

Here is Mom with her best friend who was also my Godmother. She passed away quite awhile ago from breast cancer leaving behind a husband and four young boys.

I think she is beautiful!

This is my grandmother. Mom's mother. She passed away four days after giving birth to twins and Mom was four years old.

 

Sometimes when a young girl grows up without a mother she can struggle in that role of "mother". All I can say is that I am very grateful that I grew up with a mother who loved me, sacrificed, worked hard always, loved her husband, and her Heavenly Father.

Mom was a mom and all that that embodies.

You would never have known that she grew up without a mother. I have learned so much from her.

 I find myself doing a lot of the same things for my son that she did for me, and I do them simply because I am his Mom.

I live three hours away from my parents and every time I get home Mom wants me to call to let her know I got home safe. I'm glad that I have a Mom that I can call to tell her so.

August 1961

This is Mom and I a few years ago. I love this picture and I love my mother.

Happy Birthday Mom!

 

Blessings, Diane

 

 

 

 

 

Daytripping in Sparta

One of my favourite things to do is "daytripping".

There are always little places tucked away within a reasonable driving distance that we can plan a day trip around. And there is surely always a Tea Room around to rev up our engines to keep shopping!

 I had a day like that a few days ago.

 I had a day off work on Wednesday and I asked my sister if she would like to meet up in a small town called Sparta near London Ontario.

 I have been there before and love the peaceful tranquility of the whole area.

We met up at a place called  Winter Wheat.

The Store

One of the props inside the store.

My sister Renita

Renita and Tammy in front of a small cabin. Would love one of these in my back yard!

Renita and I

The song, "The Wind Beneath My Wings", was playing.

Love this for a front porch!

There were lots of beautiful gardens,

with beautiful flowers...

some quirky

and fun-loving characters

old wood doors,

and the keeper of the gardens!

There were old windows for sale in this cute sunroom.

A man can't have too many tools!

After our stop here, we drove up the road into the town of Sparta, and did some more shopping.

After all that shopping we were well ready for lunch

at the Green Frog Tearoom. These pictures were taken two years ago when my husband and I were here. I took pictures when I was just here but my batteries must have died.

The food was good now and two years ago. This is my wonderful husband Doug who is always willing to go with me on some of my day trips as long as he gets a good meal out of the deal!
There are tables outside and an area where you can go for a walk. So peaceful and tranquil here as well.

If you live near the area or will be visiting, this is a beautiful place to visit. You won't be sorry!
Thanks for sharing my daytrip.
Blessings, Diane