Our silly Boxers

Molly, our oldest boxer, using Koda as a chin rest. They were watching Dad as he was getting ready to leave for class. My two snuggle bugs! Thought the pic was cute and wanted to share.

God's peace to you~

A weekend getaway

This bush is one of those amazing creations by our Father. The intensity of red was almost blinding. In the center of the bush it was still green. Amazing!
C and me by the pond.
Right around the corner from where we were standing were this hydrangia's. C took this beautiful picture.
Weeeee! (All while I'm thinking OH MY GOODNESS! Is he CRAZY!)
The hills as we left. So beautiful what God can create. I'm always in awe.

Last weekend my husband and I went to a convention, the chose Antiochian Village for the site. It was so beautiful with all the fall colors, VERY cold since the wind was blowing most of the weekend. Late Saturday I ditched a workshop and rescued C from spanish studies (LOL) and we went for a walk around the grounds. How beautiful, the garden area, the pond with the swans. Then hubby decides to get his blood pumping and takes off running as fast as he can up this hill to a football field. As he disappears from my sight (I'm not that crazy to go to!) I knew he would be coming back down so I got the camera ready. Thinking he would be standing there and it would be a cool picture, no. He runs and JUMPS off the hill and comes running down as fast as his feet would go. I stood in amazement. I never knew a man's feet could go THAT quickly to prevent him from tumbling. So here is a few pic's from the weekend. I am recovering today from serious food poisoning, joy! Rice, red raspberry tea, and GSE to kill the bugger! Oh, hubby keeps touting "water! you need water!" So tea time all day today!



God's peace,

Dee

Finally Fall

Just across the river from us going into West Virginia.
We are driving in WV and I loved the red in these trees.
This is the view from my kitchen.

I have been so excited for fall and it has finally arrived this week, and I fear will be gone by the end of the weekend the way the leaves are falling. I've taken a couple of pics to share. I have one more I hope to get tomorrow. Enjoy!

Sisters

I didn't grow up with siblings but have always wanted brothers and sisters. I do have half brothers and sisters and one of them sent me this lovely card and daily calendar about sisters. Kelley is her name, and I wish her God's peace. She is so loving and sweet, and thoughtful. I love you Kelley. Thanks for loving me too!

Grain free bread

People always ask "what do you EAT!?" when they find out I don't eat dairy, wheat or sugar and right now it's all grains in general. Protein, vegies (lots and lots...hubby calls me a bunny rabbit) some beans and some potatoes, lots of nuts. So, I have to get creative. A friend back in GA eats very similar so we shared recipes and she gave me her "bread" recipe made from almond flour. It's just ground almonds, and oh so tasty!

The bottom pic is my "waffle" made with ground almonds and as usual, cinnamon with a touch of Earth Balance butter, yum! You have never seen a girl so delighted over a waffle before.

See, I do eat. A lot!

God's peace~

Basketry Artist?

One of my talents is weaving baskets. One that I have often put on the back burner because there is always something else that needs done. For the past couple weeks, the Lord has put weaving back on my heart...and everytime I turn around there is something literally in front of me to keep the ball rolling so I can start weaving. If nothing else, just for me.

Since hubby is very busy with school and work and my step-daughter is moved out and living on campus, I don't have much for me. I enjoy doing things with friends, but new location and I'm not one to rush out and make new friends quickly. Sooo, I love the idea of weaving and selling them at winter craft shows. This is so exciting because I've had great ideas about weaving in unusual things like turquoise pieces. I tried to make it a business years ago and got caught up in the paperwork and never really got to weave. This time, weaving first...one basket at a time. The rest will happen if the Lord wills it. I'm just finding something to give me a creative outlet and consume my time since I stink at housekeeping! (being honest here) To much time on my hands causes much upheaval.

Selling at craft shows is not new to me. When we lived overseas I sewed small quilts, dolls, bunnies and misc. craft things and sold them at various craft shows at all the bases on the island. That was so much fun, though hubby came in from work one day and asked if he could paste a picture of him in front of my sewing machine so I wouldn't forget him! Ouch! Needless to say I've had to learn balance.

God's peace~
Dee

God's calling

I haven't ever posted a link to something like this, but I sat here and tears just flowed. I wonder how many of you can relate to this. I can.

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ee73e63418003b47d7d5&page=1&viewtype=&category=tf

God's peace~

Time Out!

So I don't normally post deep things about me, but lately I have felt the desire. I'm not one to put myself out there so everyone knows "me".

As I journaled the other day I was exploring the thought: What I like, who I am, and what my values are. Every so many months it's good to evaluate this to keep me from being "all over the place", LOL!

Here's what I came up with.

What I like:
~early mornings outside with God
~Hugs
~critters
~having knowlegde of herbs and wisdom to help health
~making tasty meals - not in haste (except tonight ;-)
~having tea w/ a friend
~comfort
~stars at night
~sunrise in the morning
~roughin' it - as long as I can boil water to wash my hair!
~camping
~country dancing
~painting/drawing/colors
~basket weaving
~junkin' (flea markets, etc)
~using & growing herbs
~Antique shopping
~Sunday drivews in the country
~hometown, small, restaurants w/homemade food
~old, paid for vehicles
~organizing
~being
~an active member of Al-Anon
~grateful for Serenity when I Live and Let Live
~country at heart
~long skirts,boots, and a crisp white shirt & my hair tied back w/ a pc. of leather
~4x4 ing in the desert

Who I am
~a good woman
~a child of God
~a person that believes strongly in the motto "tread lightly" whether in recycle or clean up after yourself better than before you came (a Girl Scout thing.)
~an aspiring gardner
~someone who does not tolerate lying
~a daughter of an alcoholic
~a true believer
~a camelion- I can get along with every walk of life person
~a canary...ugh!!
~an avid - support the farmer's and local sml town store's first - before the big chains - even if I have to spend a bit more.
~a jeans & boots girl at heart - even though I'm trying to convert to skirts most of the time.

What I value:
~an honest relationship
~being treated like a person instead of the "stuff" on the bottom of your shoe
~true love - God's love
~To Thine Ownself Be True
~The principles & steps, Traditions of Al-Anon
~the fact that the Bible tells us that God gave us herbs for man's use
~quality time
~quiet space
~uncluttered living space
~time to write & journal & discover who I am :-)


Tag! If you are reading this consider yourself tagged, and if you don't have a blog...BJ, you can still post in the comments. Hugs!

God's peace to you on your journey today!

Sunday Hike

This is the bottom of a tree stump, Cool huh! God is so creative.
Ah, the road ahead, we don't know what's down there but with God there is nothing to fear.
A creek filled with tiny fish.

My man!
Me, feeling odd that hubby was taking my pic. I'm always the picture taker.
Isn't this just amazing! The color was so neat.
We saw several little hairy critters like this.

Praise God! My health is good and I'm on a mission!

I have dreamed of hiking with my husband since we got married, though since we've moved so much and I was sick for several years the opportunity was never good. SO...last Sunday we went for our first hike. I am so excited I could bounce right out of my seat as I type.

We drove to Raccoon Creek State Park and I spoke to a ranger for a good starting point. They have 17 trails ranging from .3 miles to 20 miles. Whoa! guess what my 1st goal is! My ultimate goal is to hike, even just a few miles, the Applacian Trail. Then see some of the country my hubby grew up hiking in southern Colorado.

So now I'm looking into good hiking boots and a day backpack I can start carrying empty. This way I can build up stamina. Also I'm looking for snacks etc that don't have to be cooked. Anyone have ideas or suggestions? No dairy, wheat, soy or sugar. Yep it's a challenge, but God gives us challenges to continue to grow and seek His wisdom and guidance.

Isn't this exciting. You should have heard the bugs and the birds. Oh and the chipmonks! The gravel under my feet. The wind in the pine trees. I was thanking God for every step, even the one's where my behind burned from walking up hills. I was still walking, and outside.

I am so grateful Lord, for having my active life back. I cherish my health and my life, thank you!

We have another wonderful addition

Tina, Danielle, and Mia, full of giggles!

I'm a bit behind in my post's, but that happens when you are still settling after a move. My kitchen is almost done though!

Last Sunday Danielle and Tina (Danielle's friend) came home for Sunday supper and brought a new guest. Her name is Mia. The girls are so great. We love to have them. Chris and I are already planning a big Thanksgiving for several, not all :-} , students. I think I'm learning what one of the reason's God has put me here. I know Chris is going to college, and so is Danielle, but I can provide a loving home with good homemade food for some of the students. It seems that this is a ministry I can do, and I enjoy it. (I also enjoy that they clean the kitchen after, lol)





Thanksgiving plans are already in the works. I'm on the hunt for a fairly large hormone free turkey since we are expecting more then a handful of students who aren't going home. Some have offered to bring a dish, there's a kitchen in the dorms, and I plan on taking advantage of that so I'm not cooking all day.





You know, I had an epiphany last Sunday after supper. When I was young I've always wanted a lot of kids so I could have big holiday suppers. You know, the kind where people are everywhere and it's crazy...but only for the day. Well, I've wanted that even when I got married and years later when we found out I couldn't have children I felt my dream was shattered. I am grateful to have raised 2 step-daughters, but no big family in the line up for me. Here in Ohio, I have been blessed with the opportunity to have my big "family" holidays. We can open our home to students whose families are too far away. What a blessing from God. He is so good to me, and I sit humbly at His feet...in service and in gratitude.





God's peace~