Striped Sweater Purse

Here is a picture of my most recent sweater purse, made from a felted wool sweater rescued from the thrift store. The lining is made from a corduroy skirt also from a thrift store. I made it for my oldest daughter for Christmas.

I felted the sweater in hot water in my front loading washer with a little Woolite and then put the sweater in the dryer. Once it was felted, I cut out a purse that fit the sweater. My dd wanted one that was fairly large, more like a tote. I took the felted sweater with me to the thrift store and shopped for an article of clothing that matched to make the lining. My dd had liked the idea of corduroy, so I used a corduroy skirt, which adds to the sturdiness of the purse. I think it turned out pretty cute.

Sweater Purse Lining

Crazy Scarf

Here is a picture of my daughter wearing the "crazy scarf" I made her using all sorts of yarns, sort of like the idea of a crazy quilt. I had seen a very expensive one sort of like this a.t a local department store and decided that I could make something like it for a lot less. My dear friend and crocheting mentor helped me figure out how to do it. It didn't turn out exactly like I wanted it to, but all in all, it is not too bad.

Treacherous but Beautiful Skiing

Ron and I decided to check out some of the x-country skiing down in Petosky, and after driving around for a while trying to find a place to ski, we finally settled on this location near the local college. Since we knew nothing really and had read that the trails were groomed, it was flat and went along the river, we thought it would be a good choice. It was really cold out, so I was hoping for an easy trail that we could go relatively fast on to get good exercise and stay warm - and hopefully, the scenery would be nice. Well.....it didn't quite turn out like I expected. Whoever wrote about the trail should have defined "groomed" and "flat", as those were terms used pretty lightly in the write-up. It turned out to be somewhat treacherous for me, although, of course, dh didn't have any problems. The trail was packed down, but hardly what I would call "groomed". I fell several times. There were times where we had to travel over bridges that were barely wider than our skiis. We couldn't really travel fast enough to keep very warm, and I was exhausted from falling and trying to get up. "Help - I've fallen and I can't get up!" was my chant! But on the plus side, it was truly beautiful. And I got some good photos, although I had left the better camera in the car : ( So if I ever go there again, I will know what to expect and be more prepared.

My dh took me out for coffee afterwards to reward me for such a trying time. : )

Our Romantic Getaway Up North

Ron and I went up to a condo across from Boyne Highlands last week for a much needed get-away. With the economy, troubles at Dow, and just general exhaustion, I was desperately needing a break to take time to pray, re-connect with my husband and just re-evalute my priorities and how I was living my life. Lots of things to deal with and my emotions were at rock bottom. The condo was absolutely beautiful, the snow was beautiful and we had a really good time. I was able to feel much more rested and focused. I don't know that we made any big decisions, but we dealt with some things that needed to be addressed and I felt much refreshed.

If you haven't taken the time lately to re-connect with your spouse, Now Is the Time!

Twitter Moms: The Influential Moms Network

The Pets

The pets don't get much press around here, but they are definitely "involved" in our family. So here they are!

Devotional: King of Glory Video by Third Day

"Snow in the City Forest"
January 2009


A powerful worship song from Third Day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ExnRvGk9ZA

I am trying to do the One Year Bible Reading and study located at this link

http://www.oneyearbibleblog.com/

as my daily Bible study this year. I also purchased The Bible Experience audio Bible and I am really enjoying listening to the Bible this year. I read along online or in my personal Bible. I haven't done it EVERY day, but I am trying to keep up. My prayer is that God will renew my enthusiasm and zeal for Him through this study this year.

Memory verse for this week:

I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11 NIV

I also found a really neat site for parallel Bible, and Bible in various languages, including the Latin Vulgate, Greek, Spanish, etc. It is an awesome resource. Find it here:

http://biblos.com/

Two Hearts

This is my very first attempt at downloading brushes and using them. Of course my dd helped me a lot. But I think it really turned out quite interesting - don't you? This is a photo that I took when Ron and I were in Montreal this summer. I was wandering around during the day while he was in conferences for work. These hearts are outside the Musee Beaux Arts. It was a wonderful day of wandering. I just took my time and soaked in all of the old architecture, history and beauty.

My First Photoshop Try - Outhouse Door Handle

This is a photo that I took while up north on a cross-country skiing date with my hubby. We stopped in an historic village and I took some cool pictures. This one is the door handle of an outhouse. My dd helped me to edit it in Photoshop. I got the idea from this blog: http://www.thelastdoordownthehall.blogspot.com/ It is simply a fabulous blog and you should take a look around if you get a chance.

Ways to Renew Your Spirit

1. Go to church
2. Listen to wonderful music that you don't hear often.
3. Watch a movie that you love.
4. Read a good book.
5. Go for a walk or hike.
6. Sit quietly in your favorite chair with your eyes closed.
7. Take an extra long bubble bath or shower by candle light.
8. Make a pot of soup for supper and let it simmer all day in the slow
cooker while you relax.
9. Take a nap
10. Go for a drive.
11. Turn off your phone.
12. Sit outside and listen to the birds.
13. Take your dog for a walk
14. Curl up on the couch with a magazine.
15. Build a fire or light a candle
16. Do the crossword puzzle.
17. Listen to the audio bible.
18. Drink a really good cup of coffee while looking at beautiful books.
19. Do something creative.
20. Play the piano.

Time Management vs Procrastination

Professor C. Northcote Parkinson says,

Work expands so as to fill the
time available for its completion.

My Weight Loss Journey

I have recently lost 45 lbs and am trying to maintain the loss. Ideally, I would love to lose at least another 10 lbs. We'll see what the new year brings.

I used the Isagenix plan. I still do 2 shakes a day and one healthy (&sometimes not so healthy) meal and do a nutritional cleanse once a week. I didn't lose over the holidays and maybe gained a little. It was all those fruitcake cookies my husband makes! Ha! But now I want to try to get back in line with the program. One thing I have learned now that I am over 50 is that if I ever want to eat anything extra I MUST exercise. We have been x-country skiing when the weather co-operates and I have been doing a Pilates class once a week and trying to walk at the mall a few times a week. Now that school has started back up for me (I homeschool), it is harder to find the time to work in the exercise. So I hope being a part of the Yo-Yo Sisterhood Diet Rehab Twitter group http://www.twittermoms.com/group/yoyosisterhooddietrehab will help me stay motivated.

As far as my weight loss goes, it is and has always been, a struggle for me. My biggest "downfall" really was multiple injuries that kept me from exercising and also depression. It took a major devastating event to get me on my journey to weight loss and to get me to start putting myself on the list (like Oprah said the other night - ha!) I had spent so much of my life caring for others and giving and giving that I never took care of myself.

So the devastating event (which I won't go into) helped me to decide to take care of myself. (That - at least - was a positive outcome.) I guess there is that turning point for each of us - and it is different for each of us. But once I started healing - I was able to start moving toward health. And it is still not easy. But I would encourage each of you to consider putting yourself back on your list. I have to daily recommit to eating healthy and I do fall off the plan sometimes. I just keep trying to pick myself up and get back with the program. So...I hope these comments help a little for any of you who are struggling to lose weight or keep the weight off.

Twitter Moms

Interesting Quotes from TOS

"Home schooling is a very old way of doing things. If you look at any of the bills in your wallet or the coins in your pocket, they all have a picture of a homeschooler on them." -William Lloyd

"Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success." - Louisa May Alcott

7 Days of Give-Aways by Learning at HIs Feet

Starting today, you can click on the button in my sidebar to see how you can win a daily give-away for the next 7 days.

Holiday Printable Countdown Freebies by Linda Vollrath

Today I finally joined a Yahoo Group for Altered Books. Why haven't I thought of that before?! The first message I read was by Lisa Vollrath of Ten Two Studios and she is having a Holiday Countdown Freebie give-away of downloadable freebies. Please visit her web site and support her. Thanks, Lisa!



Also, I hope to scan in pages from my many, many altered books and post on here. I just never take the time to scan them in. But - over Christmas vacation......whee - hopefully I'll finally get to it.

Maybe as a part of this group I'll figure out if I'm doing things right, wrong or like any one else is doing. I'm really looking forward to this.

Thanksgiving is Coming

This year I hope to spend more time being truly thankful. I read a good article in our paper today written by a local doctor. It was profound as he shared a little about patients that entered his practice and how each one made him realize an area he had to be thankful for. For example, a woman who couldn't walk made him realize how thankful he was that he could walk. There are so many things that we take for granted. Even with the economy as it is right now, if we stop and really think, we have much to be grateful for.

Once again, my MIL will be with us for Thanksgiving. We are so blessed to still have her with us. And my SIL will be coming for a visit with her 2 boys and her boyfriend. It will be good to be able to enjoy her company. We have a warm, comfortable home in which to host our guests. I tend to focus on our lack of space instead of the fact that we have such a nice comfortable - and may I mention - paid for - place to invite friends and family to visit. Well, there are many more things - our health, my DH good job, my children, and more. But for now, I'll just say Thank you - to God, my creator and savior.

"O terque quaterque beatum”
We are three or four times blessed.

Jess in Chinese Cultural Festival

Today Jess performed in the Chinese Cultural Festival at the Center for the Arts. The dance they did was called "Dun Huang Fantasia" and was beautiful. The festival featured a Chinese Orchestra, Tai Chi Fan, a fashion show where the clothing was replica from the Tang Dynasty period, (Jess modeled a green Kimono with an umbrella), displays and exhibits of Chinese brush painting, Chinese calligraphy, food, musical instruments and more. It was quite well done and entertaining.

Jess was exhausted when it was all over with. She had to be there from 9 until it was over. I was very proud of her. She looked absolutely beautiful. She also made the newspaper and had her picture in - in silhouette - much to her relief. She was embarrassed to be seen in the costume which was a little revealing.

Fall Fun and Halloween

Last night the kids went out again and we had our annual Halloween gathering with much trick-or-treating, food, and fun. Katy and Alex went along as chaperones and were given much candy, since they, too, were in costumes. We had chili, nachos, homemade chai and wassail, and of course, lots of candy. We even had chocolate covered potato chips supplied by B! Wow were those ever good and even a little sinful. Ron also provided us with Margaritas to spice up the evening. The most fun for me is watching the kids get dressed up and also to see all the little ghosts and goblins that stop by. It has been an annual tradition now for about 10 years. Then while the moms sat with their feet up sipping Margaritas, the dads and kids played Apples to Apples. Lots of fun! I'll post photos later when I get my adapter back.

Economic Downturn and Homesteader Outlook

We have talked as a family about going on a "money diet", as my best friend often calls it. Now that our stock value has plummeted, we are looking at it as a good time to tighten our belts and teach the kids more about living frugally. We have never been really extravagant, but have always had as much as we needed. An article I read had the following tips for keeping a homesteader's mindset, even if you are not a homesteader. Here are the comments"

Avoid the feeling of depravity and start thinking of it as creativity.

Before purchasing anything (clothing, food, household item, equipment, etc.), there are several questions that run through the mind of someone who considers themselves a homesteader. These questions help decide whether he or she should make the purchase. Here are just a few examples:

* "Can I make it myself for less than it costs to buy it?"
* "Do I have something already that works in place of this item just as well?"
* "How often will I use this new item?" (Hint: If it's not used regularly, don't purchase it.)
* "Can I do without this item?"
* "Do we actually need it or do we just want it?"

When choosing to do without or make do or make it myself, the homesteader looks at the whole event as a way to be creative. Creativity is central to this new mindset, not just a budget or skimping, but creatively finding new ways to do things, new ways to make things, and new ways to use, reuse and recycle things. It's a challenge and a game to someone with a homesteading mindset to see just how happily and simply we can live. http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08oct20c.cfm

More Bike Riding

We went for a long bike ride last night. I have been very discouraged with my weight loss efforts. I seem to be gaining even though I am not eating much. So I know exercise is an important key. The neat thing is that the weather has been fantastic this week for outdoor activity. We rode until it was almost dark. My dh stopped mowing the grass just to go with me. Today I am sort of sore, but that is a good sign that I actually had a good workout. So I'll do what FlyLady says and say to myself, "Go Me!" I don't really like to congratulate myself, but I have to learn to applaud my own efforts at trying to live a healthy life style, so that I can keep going. Otherwise, I will fall by the way side. And I've put WAY too much effort into this journey to turn back now.

Casting Down Imaginations

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ..." 2 Corinthians 10:5

So, I pose the question, What has the enemy stolen from me? What image is he trying to foist upon me, to steal the joy in finding God’s best and success for my life?

Let’s reclaim the joy. Challenge the lies in our minds. Declare war on the father of lies. Cast down those wrong images, and let’s raise up the vision God has for us.

New Quote

"You may dazzle the mind with a thousand brilliant discoveries of natural science; you may open new worlds of knowledge which were never dreamed of before; yet, if you have not developed in the soul of the pupil strong habits of virtue which will sustain him in the struggle of life, you have not educated him, but only put in his hand a powerful instrument of self-destruction. "
-- Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne

I found this used in one of my Yahoo groups. It really causes one to think.

Riding My Bike

I have been very lax in exercising this summer - mostly because we have been gone so much. I have walked a couple of times a week, but nothing really strenuous. I was doing pretty good until I got a horrible case of poison ivy and had to stay in for 3 wks. But today I rode my bike about 9 mi. round trip with my family. It felt good to be back into it. I get discouraged because it is so difficult to maintain my weight. But I am trying to stay positive.

My dd is home from college this weekend, so that is really nice. I plan to enjoy her as much as possible.

Sunny Saturday in May

Continuing the Moving in May challenge, we walked about an hour today. Not really fast, but walking, anyway. I guess every little bit helps to set the pace and move toward the habit of exercising. My dear husband was willing to walk with me, even though his back is really sore from doing lots of yard work this weekend in the glorious sunshine. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, although it was quite windy. But the weather does help the mood. Signs of God;s renewal of the earth are all around us - blooming tulips, crab apple trees, flox and more. We were able to walk part of the way with my neighbor whom I don't see often anymore, now that our girls are older and don't get together as much any more.

We were able to go over to Bay City and get the sail and the dodger which we had repaired over the winter. Going up to put the boat in the water this weekend. I'm praying for good weather and hopefully we will get a chance to go out for a sail once or twice. Looking forward to spending some quality time with my husband.

My daughter is still in Mexico and doing well there. The weather is quite hot but the group seems to be surviving ok. They are stuccoing some walls for the apartments while the guys are doing more heavy construction - or de-struction, as the case may be. They are making holes in concrete walls for places to put doors. She is really getting a chance to practice her Spanish more and more. I'm praying that she has a great, rewarding and satisfying experience and feels useful to the children's home there.

My son made a delicious carrot cake tonight from scratch. It was really excellent and I was so impressed that he actually did it all, including the icing from scratch. I HAD to have a piece, even though it is not on my eating plan. But it was the best cake I think I have ever had - certainly in recent memory. He was disappointed in how it looked, but it was truly wonderful. I had to ask him to take it home with him, so I wouldn't be tempted to eat more of it. He even placed it on a Lazy Susan tray I had, which made it much easier to manage for icing. Pretty innovative idea. I know I never would have thought of that.

My husband cooked steaks on the grill for us tonight from our new beef we just purchased. It was really, really good. I never want to have to go back to buying beef from the store. This is so much better. We had asparagus, broccoli and potatoes, along with salad to go with it. Great meat. I am so fortunate to have two men that are such good cooks!

Moving in May II

More Moving in May info:

Yesterday was absolutely beautiful, and although my knee is still pretty sore, Ron and I rode our bikes for 1.5 hours - slow and steady. Boy was I tired when we got home. My legs felt like walking on Jello. But it was good to get out and enjoy the good weather and the beautiful Spring scenery. And the good news is that today my knee doesn't hurt any more than it did yesterday. So we hope to go again today. We have another absolutely breathtaking day out there.

So, as Tigger says: TTFN!!

Moving in May

The challenge from Flylady this month is called "Moving in May". We are supposed to exercise at least 15 minutes each day. This has been somewhat frustrating for me, because I hurt my knee at my Pilates class early in the month and haven't been able to do anywhere near as much as I would like. I have tried walking a little and biked a little. Tonight Ron and I biked for at least 30 minutes. Not hard, but steady. I have exercised on average about every third day. But my knee is starting to feel much better, so hopefully, I will be able to do more and more as summer comes on. I would like to lose 10 lbs. more, and it is getting tougher and tougher to stick with it. I am going to try to post my minutes here for the rest of the month.

My exercise for the previous part of the month is as follows:
5-1 60 min. Pilates
5-1 60 min. Aqua Fitness
5-4 30 min. biking
5-7 30 min. Walking
5-9 30 min. Walking
5-10 30 min. Biking
5-10 10 min. No Excuses Work Out (NEWO)

The Power of the Mind

I have run across many things this week that have to do with the power
of the mind. Experiments where a placebo has almost as big an effect as
the medication.

As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth,
so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind.
To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again.
To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over
the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.

- Henry David Thoreau

Winter Photos

This is a neat slide show from webshots.

Failure or Success at Home?

"No success can compensate for failure in the home"
~David O. MacKay

This is an appropriate quote to start my first post for 2008. This is my one and only New Year's Resolution - to improve our home life. This year I will continue to focus on restoring our marriage and making our home a haven for my family. 2007 was very difficult in many,many ways, but we are on our way to a healthier marriage and family for 2008. The Lord is truly faithful and can resurrect new life from any failure, disappointment or crisis.

"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11. This will be my verse for this year. I have to keep reminding myself that my life has a purpose and I have a reason for being. It is a God-given gift - not something I have earned or deserve. But it is a gift to be used as a blessing.

Our First Snow

Today I woke up to a beautiful blanket of white snow. I've been really running around lately trying to get things done, so I hadn't watched the weather - so....the white blanket was a big, WONDERFUL surprise. It made everything look so clean and fresh. It made me think of the way we all need a fresh clean start and that God, in his grace and mercy, gives us that opportunity with each new day. And boy did I need a new start today. The last week has been really difficult - and last night in particular was. I couldn't sleep, so stayed up till 2 a.m., which I knew I would pay for this morning. I have been in the doldrums for several days, wondering if life is really worth much and is anything that I do worth much. And so - the early morning SNOW - gave me the assurance that we can start again with each new day. We don't have to wait until Jan. 1st or some other monumental occasion. Just start with today. I have sort of unwittingly been fasting today. And I feel refreshed and renewed. Thank You Lord for your gift of snow and grace and mercy!

21 This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. 22 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-36

The entrance

The entrance, originally uploaded by bitprocessor.

I love this photo - the black and white and the shimmering light off the cobblestones. Plus - a DOOR! Of course I am enamored with doors and entrances of all types. Great job!

Memories for Those Born in 1955

I was born in 1955, so I thought I would add a few memories here - an idea I got from one of the Yahoo Groups I am a member of:

One of my favorite toys was the hul-a-hoop.

The first Barbies came out in 1958 or 9 and I got my first one in 1959.

I remember being in 1st grade when JFK was assassinated. Everything stopped to watch the news.

When I learned to drive gas was 19 cents a gallon.

I remember phone party-lines where you could listen in on your neighbor's conversations!

The Monkees and Herman's Hermits were popular musicians when I was in Jr. High.

There were many corner stores that sold penny candy- things like wax lips, necco wafers, candy dos and more

Milk came in glass jugs

Disposable diapers were just about unheard of

Other popular toys- Tiny Tears, Chatty Cathy, Raggedy Ann, Radio Flyer wagons, metal skates with keys, tea sets, Easy Bake Ovens

In grade school we all learned the drill procedure in the event of an atomic bomb attack – duck under your desk and cover your head

Many places did not have an area code, and telephone numbers were often associated with names and letters .Stanley eight and so on

All phones were rotary dials will bells for ringers

Most children’s records were done on heavy vinyl and played at 78 rpm

No video recordings- cartoons waited till Saturday morning

No air popped popcorn- it was in a pot with oil or the new invention of Jiffy Pop.

View Masters were new toys and cool

Silly Putty was new and cool

Etch a Scetch was cool

There were pinball games but no video games

Microwaves were incredibly expensive and very few owned them. Same was true for air conditioners


Car seats were unheard of and most of us rode around in the back of the station wagon, free as a bird

Everyone played in the neighborhood- softball, kick-the-can and hide and seek were spontaneous events

real paper dolls

milk being delivered to door

Captain Kangaroo

black and white tvs, we got 3 channels

portable record players

stingray bikes

clackers

Cocoa cola came in glass bottles

drive in movies

Drive ins - they put the food tray on your car window

Completed "Things I Love" Art Page

Here are the instructions from Wrapped Emotions: http://wrappedemotions.blogspot.com/

With Thanksgiving being next week everyone begins to ask the traditional question..."For what are you thankful?" This week let's put a little twist on that thought.

What do you love today?

For this week's prompt you will need to set aside a small block of uninterrupted time. *gasp* You can do it. You need to do it. Allow whatever amount of time you think it will take to complete the project. Get any art supplies ready ahead of time. Open your art journal to a clean page, date it and begin listing the things you love today...or whatever day you do the project.

No typing on the computer and printing words. It should be done in your handwriting. Make it neat, make it sloppy, make it uniquely yours. Doodle the words, fine line print, bold line print, scribble. Write horizontally, diagonally, backwards, upside down. Give the page some color and pop...paint the page first...collage the page first...color the page with marker. Do not be limited by these suggestions. But WRITE the lists...no typing and printing. What is important is that you know what you love today.

One more twist...in a creative way include a wrapper from one of the things you love today (or the day you do this). Remember, if a week's project is not completed on an actual journal page, take the time to lovingly place each one into your art journal.

So...What do you love today?

Since it is hard to read what I wrote in gel pen, you can read the list here:
Things I love today are:
my husband, my children, my Lord, memories of butterfly kisses from my children, seeing my children succeed and enjoy life, my close friends. And for the more trivial - not necessarily "love" but like or enjoy extremely : watching the Hornblower movies on the pull-out couch with my family, long walks in the woods, long bike rides, good music - my son's music, my daughters' creations, getting compliments, being told that I am loved, hearing from my son, our property up North on Long Lake, being called "skinny", talking for hours with my good friend, drinking great coffee, looking at books, creating art, listening to my daughter play the piano, dreaming about the future, sunsets on Long Lake, autumn leaves crunching under my feet as I walk, one perfect, tiny crimson leaf lying amid thousands of dried up brown leaves, white birch bark among multiple dark tree trunks, shopping for cute clothes for myself for the first time in years, reading good books, altered anything! still!, going to the art fair and meeting the artists, hand-made, hand-embellished wool felted hats.........

The wrapper I chose is the cup wrapper from a couple of coffees enjoyed with friends - one from Starbucks and the other from Barnes and Noble. Barnes and Noble is a place I love to spend time because I can combine my love of looking at good books, drinking great coffee and spending time with friends or family. I simply scanned them in, along with the cover of a soap container (Mary Engelbright) given to me by my best friend.

The scanned Clinique wrapper represents my new interest in wearing make-up and trying to look my best. And the bicycle - well that is probably obvious.

I have recently lost over 40 pounds and hope to lose 20 more. All of this is part of my trying to re-frame my life. I am trying to re-discover the creative part of me. So finding this creative outlet with Wrapped Emotions seems to really fit. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Things I Love Today

This is the first post since a year ago - what have I been doing? Mostly trying to stay alive and re-frame my life into a new one. I had an earth-shattering experience last March that I won't go into here, but suffice it to say that my old world completely crumbled and I have been trying to find myself in this new world I call "life". It has been a long, difficult struggle and will probably continue to be so for some time. But the fact that I can at least write again suggests that I am starting to live in this new world instead of stand by and look at it.

Things I love today are:
my husband, my children, my Lord, memories of butterfly kisses from my children, seeing my children succeed and enjoy life, my close friends. And for the more trivial - not necessarily "love" but like or enjoy extremely : watching the Hornblower movies on the pull-out couch with my family, long walks in the woods, long bike rides, good music - my son's music, my daughters' creations, getting compliments, being told that I am loved, hearing from my son, our property up North on Long Lake, being called "skinny", talking for hours with my good friend, drinking great coffee, looking at books, creating art, listening to my daughter play the piano, dreaming about the future, sunsets on Long Lake, autumn leaves crunching under my feet as I walk, one perfect, tiny crimson leaf lying amid thousands of dried up brown leaves, white birch bark among multiple dark tree trunks, shopping for cute clothes for myself for the first time in years, reading good books, altered anything! still!, going to the art fair and meeting the artists, hand-made, hand-embellished wool felted hats........

That's it for tonight. I'll try to do art tomorrow.

Pumpkin Carving Extrordinaire

J and I went out to B's to carve pumpkins with her family and with the 2 Korean boys that she tutors in English. It was their first time to ever experience the American tradition of carving pumkins. I also picked up another youngster who is Chandler's age, and we stopped at the grocery store for goodies to share and pumpkins to carve. Actually, I was supposed to stop at a farmer's place on the way out there, but when the little guy caught sight of this very LARGE pumpkin, he just had to have it. And since his dad had given me $3 and it cost - you guessed it -$3 - I gladly took the opportunity to save myself a stop at the farmer's house. I just got one for Jess at the same time. The only problem was that my little charge couldn't CARRY his pumkin, so I had to carry TWO!

THE GIANT PUMPKIN!


















THE GANG CARVES PUMPKINS!

It was pretty funny watching them all get really grossed out by the pumpkin guts. They found out that it was a lot of work to clean those huge pumpkins out. And carving through the thick skins was more than a little difficult. They perservered, however.



Here is Harry pulling off the top to the sounds of "ooewe!!"











J & E were downstairs stenciling on theirs to make spiders and turkeys. Theirs turned out pretty neat.

DOORS

Doors are fascinating to me these days. Here is one off the internet - from France.... The next one is from Bay City. They seem to indicate portals which can take you wherever you want to go - seems that there must be something very interesting on the other side.

Jesus said in Luke 13:24, "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able."

And also, in Matthew 7: 13-14 -
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. "



Jesus had a lot to say about doors. Probably the most important thing he said with regard to doors is found in John 10:9, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."

As for me, I guess I am searching for which door I should choose. Not about my faith - that is firm and solid. However... while much of my life is pretty satisfying, there still seems to be a void - so... for today, the subject is DOORS.

THANKSGIVING 06

We had 13 in for Thanksgiving dinner, which included my mother-in-law and father-in-law, which is truly a blessing, since this time last year, we weren't sure how my mil would be doing, as her health has been in decline. We were very thankful to have her with us this year.






DOUG AND MAGGIE
AFTER DINNER CONVERSATION.......
Just what is it that makes jello not gel when it has fresh pineapple in it?? Let's check out the biology text....


Also, my son was home. This was a true blessing to me as well. I never get as much time with him as I would like, and it is always a joy to have him here.














RYAN WATCHING TV AFTER DINNER

He will be a Senior at school this next semester, and he will be out in the world before we know it. BTW, here is a link to the latest article about him at school.

MEET THE MUSICIAN:
http://www.hillsdale.edu/collegian06/default.asp?issue=110906§=arts&item=meet_the

Also, Ron's sister was here with her boyfriend and her two sons. We also hosted my friend and neighbor and her daughter. We had lots and lots of pies. It seems everyone this year wanted to make pies. We had 2 apple, 3 pumpkin, AND a pan of brownies - WOW!










JAN AND CRAIG










RON AND KIDS WALK OUT AT CITY FOREST















BOYS PLAYING FOOTBALL














And then there were the animals. Jan's dog, our dog, our cat and our 2 guinea pigs made for exciting times. I think all survived unscathed (although haven't checked the pigs cages lately : ).



RON, PHILIP AND FEZZIK



















JESS ON TOBOGGAN RUN AT CITY FOREST

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays, because it is truly a time to be with family and friends and appreciate all the blessings we have from our Heavenly Father. Even though we struggle often, there is always something to give thanks about. To have a healthy and safe holiday, with so many of us here to enjoy it, good food, good friends, family and a warm, comfortable home in which to enjoy it. Richness beyond what most in the world are able to have.

I am so thankful for our freedom to celebrate in peace here in this country and for the troops who are serving over seas. We just recently heard about a school (which we had supported being rebuilt about 2 years ago) had just been bombed by the Taliban in Afghanistan and most of the children and both teachers were killed. Just senseless! True proof that evil is rampant in our world and, as the Bible says, "Satan is prowling around seeking those whom he may devour." Our heart aches for the families of those innocent ones. I pray comfort for them during this difficult time.

PHOTOS BY KATY and ME!

Kate's Trio Qualifies for Nationals!

Katy's trio swam at the North Zone Regional Synchro competition in Chicago and they placed 3rd! So that means they qualified for nationals held in Seattle, Washington. Wow! That is awesome.

Mexico Mission Trip

We were able to go to Reynosa, Mexico, along with another family to help out in a children's home over Spring Break. It is the same place that Katy and Ryan had been (Ryan - 3 times) and so we felt it was a great opportunity for a family mission trip. We had never really been on a mission trip together, although Ryan couldn't go, since he was still away at school. I spent a lot of time fretting over what it would be like, since we didn't really have a good idea of what we would be doing. The men knew that they would be framing and drywalling, but we weren't sure what we ladies would be doing. I was also concerned that it would be too hot for me, since I have been having major hot flashes over the past few months (ain't 50 grand!) and that I wouldn't be able to hold up to hard work. Well, in the end, the Lord was gracious, providing wonderful weather and upholding me throughout the week. It was truly a great and rewarding experience. I am so glad that we were able to go.

FOUR

A list - A list - a good idea.

4 Jobs You Have Had

1. Homeschooling Mom - Current
2. Senior Research Chemist - The Dow Chemical Co.
3. Sales/Service Clerk for Sears - worked my way through school
4. Accounting Clerk - Texas Dept. of Health

4 Movies You Could Watch Over and Over

1. Pride and Prejudice - yes, the 5 hour version
2. Star Wars - the original
3. Finding Neverland
4. Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree - if you have to watch one over and over, this is it!

4 Places You Have Lived

1. McComb, MS
2. Austin, TX
3. Baton Rouge, LA
4. Newark, OH

4 TV Shows You Love to Watch

1. The Carol Duvall Show
2. DIY Scrapbooking
3. Decorating Cents
4. Andy of Maybury

4 Places You Have Been on Vacation

1. Hawaii
2. The Smoky Mountains
3. Destin, Florida
4. Cheboygan, MI

4 Websites You Visit Daily

1. None, really. Ideally, my email. But if I did --
2. Two Peas
3. My son's blog
4. My daughter's blog.

4 of Your Favorite Foods

1. Lobster (New England, only - and fresh!)
2. Stir Fry - my husband's recipe
3. Spaghetti - my son's specialty
4. Chinese - any kind - especially my Chinese teacher, Pat's

4 Places You'd Rather Be Right Now

1. In my dining room, scrapping or making altered art!
2. Visiting my Aunt Mary in Mississippi
3. At Barnes and Noble having coffee with a friend.
4. In Shanghai visiting my friend, Patty.

4 Bloggers You Are Tagging

None - no one reads my blog!

Christmas 2005

Christmas Morning and my three chicks are home safely in my nest. I don't think I will ever feel totally at ease when they are scattered about the world doing their own things. Even though I know intellectually that it is time for them to start spreading their wings and flying, I still feel most comfortable inside when they are under my roof.

Ryan is home for a few weeks from Hillsdale College where he is majoring in English. He has always had a passion for words - being a very verbal child right from the start. His real and most driving passion is his music. He has become quite an accomplished guitar player and song writer. I am constantly amazed at how good he sounds and how good the songs are that he writes. So he will be knocking around here until mid-January.

Kate is taking a break from gymnastics since she hurt her shoulder. She is wrestling with whether she wants to quit altogether at this point. She doesn't have that many more months left, and it seems like this might be a good time to just move on. I am not opposed to it, since I only have her home for one more year. She will be a senior next year. And she still has syncro.

Jess is just busy being 11 - preteen through and through. She thrives on her friendships, pets and activities - both gymnastics, synchronized swimming and piano.

We had a very nice Christmas this year. We started off with the proverbial "bang" with a visit from our friends from Shanghai. They moved away last Christmas and we got to spend a couple of fast and furious days with them here. We had a little welcome home gathering here that was a lot of fun. Everyone enjoyed being together and catching up. It was hard for me to grasp that they would be leaving again so soon. Patty and I got to go to coffee at our old haunt, Barnes and Noble, and talk about just "stuff". It was like they had never left. I really look forward to them returning in 2 more years!

Next, we had our Christmas here and we got up around 8 a.m. and opened gifts for a while. Then we all loaded up and went to church. In some ways I was sort of dreading having to go out and interrupt our family time, but in the end, it was really great. It was very worshipful being in church and seemed actually more like a real Christmas. Billy preached a great sermon on 9 non-returnable gifts using CRISTMAS as an acrostic. Then Ben showed a slide presentation of the orphans in Mexico opening the gifts that we sent them. That was really touching to see. Just singing the old carols and being with close friends worshipping was really uplifting.

Later on, after church, all of us pitched in together for a cooperative effort to make Christmas dinner. Ron had already spent much of Saturday cooking pumpkin pies, Christmas fruit cookies, Sweet Potato Pudding and Congealed Salad, as is becoming his tradition. So on Christmas Day all we needed to do was to cook the turkey, stuffing, beans, mashed potatoes and rolls. I acutally successfully stuffed my first turkey. It turned out quite delicious, which was a relief, since the one I cooked at Thanksgiving was less than desirable. All these years, either my mom and dad or Ron's mom had made the turkey. So I wasn't sure how it would turn out. But I was determined to try to succeed, since we all love turkey. In the end, all turned out great. It was one of our better Christmas dinners.

Ron's parents came over for the evening, and we all had a really nice time. Ron's p's gave him a really nice GPS system to use on the boat, although it is a hand held and can be used for other things as well. I think they really enjoyed the dinner, too.

Key gifts this year were: Ryan's banjo, Katy's coat and ski pants, Jess' Harry Potter movies, Ron's snow shovel (LOL) and my Altered Journal Book. There were lots of other great things, but we will limit the list to the above for now. The best gift of all was just being together as a family and celebrating the birth of Christ and our salvation in Him.

An Authentic Thanksgiving

Jessica as Mary Brewster in the children's 1st Thanksgiving skit.

Alex and Ethan out by the fire at Indian Camp.

Ron and Chandler - our two Indians.

Sue teaching our younger Pilgrims how to make butter from cream - it really works!

Our Thanksgiving table with a shell of salt and a shell with five kernels of corn.

And some of the pilgrims.



















We had a truly authentic Thanksgiving out at my friend Brenda's house. It was really awesome. We started out at the Indian Camp outside, which Stacey had set up with a teepee, cooking fire, bow and arrows, duck and squirrel cooking on a spit over the fire - after skinning the squirrel first. Everyone was to come either as a Pilgrim or an Indian. I spent lots of hours making our costumes and they turned out alright. Ron's Indian costume was only a 30 minute job - can you tell? He and Chandler were our only Indians though. It was a beautiful day - not too hot, not too cold. It was pretty nifty watching Stacey skin the squirrel. Some thought it was really disgusting and others thought it was pretty cool. Brenda commented that had she lived back then, she would have probably died of starvation! As for me, it was really no big deal, as my Dad gave me my 1st squirrel gun when I was only 10. (I still remember going hunting with him and being totally overwhelmed by the kick of that 410 shotgun. I never actually hit anything. But growing up in rural Mississippi, I experienced lots of hunting, fishing and eating "game". My Uncle Jack was a prolific hunter and fisherman, bringing home lots of dove, quail, deer, and lots of trout. Daddy never really got a lot of chances to go hunting. But he did pass his hunting and fishing bug on to my little brother, Michael.)
After our time out at the Indian camp, we went inside to an authentic Thanksgiving meal using authentic recipes - at least as close as we could come. We researched the recipes and each family prepared some of the dishes. Our menu was as follows:
Roast turkey (of course), venison stew, roast duck and squirrel.
Smoked oysters, pickled eel and baked mussels.
Stewed pumpkin, sweet potato pudding, hominy, boiled onions, and succotash.
Cornbread - but not like what we eat today. You boil the cornmeal first, then mix in whole
wheat flour, then dip out onto a cooking sheet like biscuits and then bake.
Regular yeast bread - homemade by Sue - ymmm.
Butter, made by shaking cream in a jar.
Surprisingly, most everything was pretty good. No one went hungry. I liked everything except the hominy. Nothing was really sweet. Back in those days, sweetener of any sort was scarce. Before we ate, we each took our 5 kernels of corn and shared what we were thankful for. In the end, the little pile of kernels represented our blessings.
After the meal, we sang some scripture songs, and then the TT's put on a play about the original Pilgrims and the signing of the Mayflower Compact. It was quite good. It was a little comical to see "Bogey", the pet dog, wandering in and out of the play. I guess they had pets back then! All in all, it was a really good time with good friends, good food and lots of laughter. It really causes you to stop and thank God for your blessings. My bowl of kernels runneth over.