Outdoor Wednesday - Dahlia Hill

The day I took these photos, it was super windy,had just rained and a big storm was brewing, so I didn't get very many taken. But I like the way they turned out. If you look closely, you can see the raindrops on each of the flowers. The temperature will soon be dropping below freezing, so this is likely the last of the summer dahlias.

One of the nice things about having children is they stretch you to become interested in their interests. All three of my children are interested in photography, hence I have started learning more about it myself.

In Other Words

"The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously."

-- Hubert H. Humphrey

Just because you might be able to say something outloud doesn't necessarily give you the "right" to be heard. The idea of "rights" is interesting. We don't have a lot of "rights" except those guaranteed by our constitution - and even then those are at risk of being taken away.

But I think the point of this quote is the idea that just because you speak doesn't mean others must take you seriously. We do have an innate desire to be heard and valued. But we need to give up this idea of "rights". And the how of what we say can be just as imnportant as the what we say, for that will often dictate whether people listen to us or not. Communication at its best is difficult and at its worst can be a disaster.

Thrift Store Thursday

These are a few selections from my recent thrift store shopping. I have started a new tea cup collection since our recent tea party. I don't know if I will keep them or give them for gifts, but I am collecting them as I find them. Also there is the pastry stand that I made out of glass plates and glasses. I glued them together to make a display for our baked goodies at our recent tea party. Most were found at Good Will and Salvation Army. Altogether, there is less than $10 in all of the items on the table. The tea cups would make wonderful teacher gifts filled with chocolate truffles from Heather and Holly!

There is also a little mini-soup tureen out of red transfer ware that I have actually had for a long time, but I thought it would add some nice color. I got it originally at a garage sale.

This is my first time putting something out there from my thrift store shopping, but that is one of my favorite pastimes. I love to go treasure hunting - especially when I have one hour to kill while waiting for one of my kids to have a music lesson or something similar. I will look forward to posting more "finds" on here.

Two Teacups for Pink Saturday

I happened upon a church rummage sale while my dd was at her piano lesson. I was so excited to find these two teacups and saucers there, along with some other goodies. I am happy to share them with you for Pink Saturday.

It is hard to decide which is my favorite but the finish on the one below is absolutely sublime.

Stop on over at How Sweet the Sound to find more links for Pink Saturday.

Outdoor Wednesday-Dow Gardens

Outdoor Wednesday
These are photos that we took while on a walk in Dow Gardens in June.

What's My Question Wednesday

Today's question on "What's My Question Wednesday" is about superstition - Are you superstitious? You can see more answers over at How Sweet the Sound.

I am not really superstitious, although I do have my "moments" - like step on a crack and break your mother's back which goes back to my childhood and I do have a "thought" if I see a black cat cross in front of me. Ha! But mostly I just trust in the Lord and know that He is in control even when things seem out of control, which, in my life, can be pretty often. I guess as Halloween is approaching, many of us think about our superstitions. The funniest thing to me is how superstitious lots of hockey players are - like when they won't touch the conference trophy because it may jinx them out of winning the big trophy - the Stanley cup.

Up the Mast

This summer both Ron and I got to go up the mast. Ron went up to the very top to put up the wind instrument that had to be repaired. Ryan cranked him up with the mainsail wench and I tailed the sheet. Then when we got ready to take off the Genoa, I had to go up and tap in a pin that can tear the sail as we take it off. We've gotta get that fixed before next year's sailing. But we got both trips up documented with the camera this year.

Friday Fill-In #143

1. One week ago I was paddling around Long Lake on our new canoe.

2. I loved visiting Mamaw's and running all through the woods when I was young.

3. Mama told me to learn to say NO.

4. Building a dream cottage and a future for you and me.

5. Take your time and create something.

6. This season of your life will pass! So enjoy it!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the co-op picnic and Redwings on tv, tomorrow my plans include going to the Antique Festival, having coffee at Barnes and Noble with Kate and thrift shop shopping and Sunday, I want to take my m.i.l. to Traverse Bay Pie Company for her birthday!

Canoeing on Long Lake

This past week, Ron finally got his 25th anniversary present - a Wenona Canoe. We paddled around Long Lake. The lake was beautiful and the canoe allowed us to get near shore and catch sight of some of the animals. We saw a mink who was trying desperately to escape us, but Ron was paddling furiously while I tried to photograph him. We also got pictures of some of the ducks and geese. It was such a beautiful evening - perfect temperature, perfect water, perfect company! We are going to love having a canoe.

Theme Thursday - Script Writing

http://themethursday.wordpress.com/
We are in Detroit and heading to the Detroit Institute of Art tomorrow. But I will tackle this theme when I get home.

The Tea Party

I promised to blog about our summer rose garden tea party. It was something Kate and I had wanted to do for a while and it finally came together this summer. We took a picture from my rose garden and made our invitations.

We used different tea cups for each guest. Some were mine and some were loaned to me by a good friend. We wanted to have the party outside, but unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate, as it rained all day. But we had a grand time inside anyway.

We had quite a selection of tea and also had lemonade. Katy made mini cheesecakes and cucumber sandwiches. I made apricot tarts from my friends recipe that she had figured out from her English grandmother's recipe. We also had chocolates, lemon scones, lemon curd and fresh strawberries.

Each guest got to take home a special teacup that was filled with goodies such as specialty teas and chocolate truffles and wrapped in tulle and a long stemmed tea rose. We also had a drawing for door prizes.

I used my fine china - Moonspun by Lenox and my silver tea service that I inherited from my parents.

All in all, we had a really good time, except that it was all too short. The party came to an end much too soon. So we will definitely have to have another one.

Friday Fill In #141 & Bean Soup Recipe

And...here we go!

1. That's a great place to be - up North.

2. Hey, Sunrise; I'm over here!

3. The possibilities include: felted purses, fabric purses, altered books.

4. Bean Soup is one of my favorite cool day recipes.

5. How will you know when you become yourself?

6. Lots of wind and a stormy sky - make for exciting sailing.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to fajitas and Jess finishing driver's training, tomorrow my plans include going for a long bike ride and visiting the farmers market and Sunday, I want to enjoy the worship service!

Tricia's Bean Soup Recipe

1 chopped onion
several minced garlic cloves - 3 or 4
1 T olive oil
1 32 oz jar of Bush's mixed beans
1 can of Swanson's chicken broth
1 can of pinto beans
1 can of northern beans
1 can of diced tomatoes
Oregano - to taste - I use about 2 tsp
Basil - same as oregano
1 or 2 Bay leaves

1 lb. of smoked sausage - added last

Directions:

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil in a Dutch Oven.
Add next 8 ingredients.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for at least an hour.
Slice sausage into one inch pieces and add to simmering soup.
Simmer 10 minutes.

Serve with grated cheddar cheese and crackers.

Note: can also add ingredients to a crock pot and simmer all day. Yum.

Gotta Love Those Mistakes

I'm gonna keep a running list of some of my favorite type-o's or grammar mistakes:

".....so I bought a cartoon of medium eggs."

" Please lunch the pop-up-flash player...."

And in my daughter's driver's training book by our lovely government:
" Most states, have also enacted legislation..." Yes - a comma between the subject and the predicate!

I'm sure there will be more to come!

Friday Fill in #139

FRIDAY FILL IN #139: Here are the fill-ins.....

1. He was a _____.

2. ___________ is what I look forward to most this time of year.

3. My best friend ___________.

4. ___________ to be honest with you.

5. Appearances can be ___________.

6. The last person I gave a hug to was ___________.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!


1. He was a jerk.

2. Cool days and crisp nights are what I look forward to most this time of year.

3. My best friend is not spending enough time with ME : (.

4. It is not always easy to be honest with you.

5. Appearances can be hilarious.

6. The last person I gave a hug to was my daughter,Katy,as she left to go back to CMU.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to my birthday dinner with Ron & my in-laws, tomorrow my plans include going for a LONG bike ride and Sunday, I want to finish some of the apartment projects for Kate's apartment so we can clear out the garage!

Friday Fill In

And...here we go!

1. It's time for a tea party.

2. Barnes & Noble; it's not a bad place for a mocha.

3. I must be crazy!

4. Jesus is the best thing I have ever known.

5. My house is simply messy.

6. The last time I laughed really loudly was ??.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to grilled vegetables, tomorrow my plans include painting furniture and Sunday, I want to go to dinner with my nephew Philip.

Planning a Tea Party - the Tea Drinking Kind

Kate and I have decided to host a summer tea party. The theme we decided on is "Roses". One of my ideas is to give tea cups filled with goodies as party favors. Kate wants to invite a couple of ladies from work, and I have a few good friends I want to invite. The main thing now is to settle on a date.

As for menu items, I am thinking that we will have Karen Sharp's grandmother's recipe of Apricot Tarts and one of Kate's wonderful cheese cakes. Karen graciously loaned me her collection of English tea cups and her grandmother's recipe. I am sooo excited to make them. I had one she made and they are DELICIOUS!

More to come later.

Friday Fill In

This is a new thing for me and I am hoping it will be a fun challenge to keep me blogging.


Friday Fill in #94:

1. Follow the Lord.
2. A favorite magazine is something I always take with me on vacation.
3. To achieve your goals, you must make a plan.
4. I am enjoying helping my dd get things ready for her new apartment working on "shabby chic" style, is something I'd like you to know about me.
5. I have a stack of felted sweaters to turn into fun things.
6. Panacea floats.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a dinner date with my hubby, tomorrow my plans include going to the Antique Festival with my daughter and Sunday, I want to go to church, then relax.

I've Been Tagged

Rules:

1. Respond and rework; answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention & add one more question of your own.
2. Tag eight other people.

What is your current obsession? Home decorating & felting old sweaters

What are you wearing today? Denim shorts, blue t-shirt

What’s for dinner? hot dogs, smores, cook-out

What’s the last thing you bought? a mattress for my daughter

What are you listening to right now? the quiet!

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? Mexico to see my daughter

Which language do you want to learn? Spanish, or Russian or Chinese better

What do you love most about where you currently live? It's mine.

What is your favorite colour? Blue

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe? My Chico jeans

Describe your personal style? casual chic

If you had $300 now, what would you spend it on? I-touch

What are you going to do after this? Make a pillow cover w/ a felted sweater

Your favorite smell? coffee first thing in the morning or honeysuckle

Do you collect anything? yes - blue and white china

What makes you follow a blog? Content, creativity, authentic-ness, lots of photos

What's your favorite drink? Mocha

What’s one thing you dream of doing? Going to Europe for a vacation

What is your biggest regret? gaining weight

What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day? Crafting

Do you have a tattoo? NO!

What are your favorite books? right now - Mitford series, Miss Julia series and Jane Austen - too many to choose.

Are you left handed, right handed, ambidextrous, or a little of both? Right handed

What is your favorite fruit? cherries

Blackberry or iPhone? I-Phone

What/Who inspired you to start your blog? Don't remember :)


Okay so I guess I need to tag 8 people now ...

Agnus Dei - Worthy is the Lamb

Agnus Dei by Michael W. Smith

This is a powerful video of worship in progress. Last Sunday at Sunrise one of our elders talked about genuine worship. When we think about just how big and how infinite God is, we are foolish to think that only one way of worship (our own personal favorite) is all that God accepts as true. He is so high and wide and deep that true heart worship can take an infinite number of forms. One thing that he said that I really liked was that we as individuals can offer our worship to him in a unique way - no one else in the universe can offer God that specific unique worship other than each one of us.

Seeking God

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your
heart.
-- Jeremiah 29:13

This verse was just like God speaking directly to my heart today. I have felt so distant from God lately - and yes, I have been seeking Him. But today - I feel the confidence that I will be closer to him. Healing has been taking place in my life over the last 2 years and lately, I have reconnected with some old friends from long, long ago and it has accelerated the healing, in some strange and inexplicable way.

Today my heart is happy!