Southern Sunday Fav, A Hymn and A Wreath
Join Chari at Happy to Design for Sunday favorites and Charlotte and Ginger at Blogger Spirit for Spiritual Sunday and Red Writing for Twelve Weeks of Christmas. Enjoy your Sunday!
First, the favorite past post from May 26, 2009:
Sunday Favorite
They are growing so fast!

Not much room for mom now.

Ready for their closeup.

Looking out.

They are a singing trio.

3 peas in a pod.

Their eyes are open.

They keep mom on her toes.

Daddy too.

Here is dad keeping watch from a nearby tree.
Spiritual Sunday
Seeing those pictures again, made me think of the old hymn, His Eye is On the Sparrow. This beautiful hymn has an interesting story. Here is the story from CyberHymnal.
Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” was the outcome of that experience.
Civilla Martin
And the words to that beautiful Hymn:
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain
What a beautiful story and a wonderful hymn!
Twelve Weeks of Christmas
Wreaths!
Also today, I’m joining Red Writing for the first time for the Twelve Weeks of Christmas. This week, she is celebrating wreaths. When I saw this, one of my first thoughts was about the great pinecone wreaths that my sister, Tammy makes.
I think that this is the perfect excuse to take a nice walk in the woods (or your backyard) to gather some pinecones! Here are instructions for making this kind of wreath from Martha Stewart.
Happy Sunday!
Today’s Lagniappe: Banana Split Pie
Step 1:
2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
1 stick melted butter
Mix and pat into 9″ x 13″ pan
Step 2:
1 stick melted butter
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
Mix well and spread on crumb crust
Step 3:
1 small instant vanilla pudding (mixed by pkg. directions)
Spread on top of Step 2.
Top with sliced bananas, 1 can crushed pineapple, drained, then spread 1 8
oz. Cool Whip on top. You can drizzle with chocolate syrup, sprinkle with
coconut and chopped maraschino cherries, nuts.
Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” was the outcome of that experience.
Civilla Martin
Tags: Southern Seasons
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:34 am
I enjoyed your post today, pretty pink wreath too.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:47 am
Beautiful post and great wreath idea!! Love your blog–I am following now.
Thanks for linking up to TWOC!
Keelie
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:53 pm
We have also had birds build nests all around our home…doves and sparrows…I love watching them…they are like my babies, and when I see that they have flown away, I am sad that they didn’t stay and live here with me!
This is one of my very favorite hymns, and has brought me much comfort over the years. I have an cd by a wonderful singer by the name of Lisa Daggs, who travels with the Gaithers…this song is the one that I constantly am hitting “replay”, over and over…I can’t get enough of it.
Thanks for sharing your birds, the lyrics and the yummy recipe with us today.
Have a wonderful and blessed Sunday!
Mary
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Hi Christi…
My friend, so very happy to see you join in with the fun of Sunday Favorites again this week! What a sweet post! I loved seeing your photos of your little robin family! I have never had the pleasure of being able to watch this process…the growth of these sweet little birds…it really is amazing!!!
Ohhh…His Eye is on the Sparrow is another one of my favorite hymns! I had never read about how the song was birthed…thank you for sharing that story with us!!! You know…the very first line of that song…”why should I be discouraged”…says it all! I’m not always successful but for the most part I really do try to keep focused on all the blessings that the Lord has blessed me with…I should never become discouraged…not in light of this!!! Thank you for sharing this beautiful hymn and the sweet story about why it was written!
Also…I love that beautiful pine cone wreath! I have just begun my Christmas decorations! I’ve been trying to be patient and wait until Thanksgiving is over! Hehe! I will have to go and check out the “12 weeks of Christmas” event…sounds like fun!!!
Well my friend, have a super Sunday!
Warmest wishes,
Chari
PS…thank you so much for your warm and generous compliments on my dining room…I sure did appreciate that!!!
November 22nd, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Love all three of your blogs! The birds, hymn and wreath are such a precious “group” of beautiful things!
I have a similar wreath and love it. The satin bow is a gorgeous touch – may have to add that to mine!
Blessings,
Jayne at mysongwithin
November 22nd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
AWWW Were the birds on your porch?
I love the wreath!
November 22nd, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Love the little bird pictures and the way it lead into the song. His Eye Is On the Sparrow has been a favorite of mine since the first time I heard it many years ago. I’m glad to know the story behind it. Thank you for sharing.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week.
Charlotte
November 22nd, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Love this hymn. I was catching up some of your entries and read the one with Cindy’s Poppy Seed bread recipe. My mother-in-law makes this and we all love it. You have many great recipes I am trying. Thanks for sharing.
November 22nd, 2009 at 6:08 pm
The birds are adorable. My post was about a bird today. What’s that about great minds? 😉
November 22nd, 2009 at 7:14 pm
I love watching birds. The words to this song are pretty.
God Bless,
Ginger
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:06 am
Such a nice post.
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:51 pm
I love your pinecone wreath. I have one like it that my cousin made for me. So pretty!
November 24th, 2009 at 10:36 am
that wreath is gorgeous – TFS 😀