Keepin' It Simple

Drying your harvest

2012-01-27T15:49:00.003-05:00

Heres' a link to a great sheet on preserving and drying your harvest. It even gives guidance if you don't have a dehydrator.

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09308.pdf

Is it life-giving?

2011-03-20T20:14:00.001-05:00

Be mindful of what you find life-giving.
What lightens your gait, enlightens your heart, brightens your soul?
These practices need to figure into your day.
Don’t just wait for the weekend, or for vacation or retreat time to savor life.
Choose life daily.
Infuse your day with some practices that you find delightful.
These alone will not take away the huge challenges of life,
though this lightening will change your perspective considerably
for the better…

Curtis G. Almquist, SSJE

Musings

2011-03-11T16:26:00.003-05:00

Sometimes it's hard to believe that God can change my heart and mind. Though that is exactly what is happening. First He got me to the doors of Al-Anon to help me get my focus off of others and back onto taking care of my needs (yes, I have needs and I didn't know them). Then I learned about me. Later, He showed me He is real, He is alive and He hears my plea's. He has confirmed this to many times over, even just my thoughts. Now, He is changing me to stay focused on Him. My natural tendancy is do pay too much attention to others: what they are doing, what they need (or what I think they need) , their reactions and emotions. All to my detriment. Yet He is asking me to stop this and change that focus to Him. How do you change a water wheel the other direction? With a lot of patience, trial, time and love. I have to love myself enough to WANT to do what He is asking, and believe that He has a plan and the outcome will be far greater than the wheel turning the other way.

The last post

2011-01-29T18:05:00.005-05:00

Hello all!

I have come to the decision to close my blog. At least for public viewing for now. I've been blogging for along time and have found the Spirit of God moving me to constantly look at my motives and the issue of Pride. One of the 7 deadly sins. It is VERY difficult and I constantly try to negotiate a middle ground with God. Guess how that goes?!

Within the past 2 weeks I have read several things on being busy in other peoples business. If I tend to my own shortcomings and my own spiritual life, I don't have any need to meddle or "be busy" with others business.

Ouch! Let me tell you, I don't like it either, but the urgency or prompting is strong and cannot be avoided.

May God grant you peace and may you always hunger for His presence in every moment and every decision you make. I wish you the grace of God to know yourself, find Him and fall in love with His mercy, and be His hands and feet during your time here.

Remember, we are not here for our own will and pleasure. We are here to serve Him.

Peace,

Dee

PS Funny in looking back. My first post was on Jan 25. A full circle.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2011-01-11T16:07:00.004-05:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I haven't been on in a while, just too busy. We are getting ready to completely remodel our bathroom...pray for us that it all goes as God's plan. We started the process about 2 mths ago and we have been shopping, talking, and meeting with our contractor along with Thanksgiving and Christmas. I will be glad when it's mid- Feb and the project is done.

So here are some updates of what we've been doing for the past month or so:

Here is my collection from the fall walks I did each morning. I like to pick up something, usually just one a day, that stands out to me. My favorite? There are several (grin, that's why I pick them up!) but the one standing up in the back reminds me of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was a perfect heart and red. The other fav, a ginormous leaf that was yellow, orange and brown. How cool is that!

My better half cutting down our Christmas tree. We choose a certain day to go. Lo and behold the Lord had plans that day for freezing rain! and wind when you are on top of the hills. Well, the fire and hot cocoa back at the tree farm cabin was all the more sweeter...literally.

Isn't he cute!

This was a few days after Christmas. Trust me when I say we had a blast! We hadn't been sledding since the kids were little and we lived in 29 Palms, CA. We had so much fun, even though there wasn't much snow. The first run (we rode together, hey if I'm going down so is he!) I screamed all the way down. The kids going down next to us just stopped and watched. Then when we got to the bottom, I was laughing so hard I couldn't get up!! Humility kicked in when I saw the older teen at the top shaking his head. C and I just looked at each other and laughed. What a glorious moment to praise God for a bit of snow, a neighbor's sled, and courage! Next time we both agree pillows are a must :-)

I will post pictures of the bathroom as it gets underway.

I hope you had a great Christmas. Don't let those who call it a Holiday get to you. God is much bigger than that and we know the truth in our hearts.

Peace,

Dee

A blustery day

2010-12-13T20:51:00.005-05:00

This is from my file of last year. I'm not real fond of goin' out to take a picture in 15 degrees!

I hear it is the same in most of the NE, but for our little town in OH ...folks it is just plain ol' COLD!!!!!!!! As I type it's 15 degrees and that is not counting the strong wind blowing. Hmm, I think I will pray for our heater before I go to bed. Pray for it to stay running and praise God in gratitude. Silly, yep! Stupid, nope. I've got heat!! and some folks don't.

Peace,

update: so I just checked weather.com: It's 13 degrees with winds up to 20 mph which makes the temp -4. MINUS FOUR!!! Yikes

Happy 235th Birthday Marines!

2010-11-10T14:36:00.004-05:00

Happy 235th Birthday Marines!

This day 20 years ago was my first date with C. :-) A lot has changed in 20 years, but the places we've been and the wonderful people I've met have been a blessing.

I love you C! Thanks for the adventure's during the last 20 years!

Simple dinners

2010-11-09T15:00:00.008-05:00

For several years my eating has been void of dairy, wheat, soy and sugar due to health reasons. And when I tell people that I get the strangest looks, usually with the comment "then what DO you eat?" I've posted some of that here before, but wanted to share a simple dinner.

Turkey stir-fry. Easy-peasy. Cut up turkey breast into bit size pieces and lightly cook, just until center is just a bit pink. Add a sprinkling of soy sauce (organic is best) and some garlic and already cooked rice. At the last second toss in some spinach (since that's what's in season right now, otherwise I like to green beans or peas.) Stir it all up with a dash of salt and pepper and add the finishing touch of fresh toasted walnuts! Viola! A tasty, filling and most important, nutritious meal.

I am a simple person. I like simple things, and most of all simple meals. I actually think complicated meals can create more problems (and stress) than necessary.

Something I read recently from a book Unplugged Kitchen (a favorite of High Desert Home). Viana La Place says in regards to simple cooking "It's like the difference between walking and driving. Driving may get you there faster. But walking opens up to the scent of a flower, observations of the veining in a green leaf, and the sheer joy of moving your body." She likens simple cooking to this way of life that many of us have lost touch with. We don't need all the fancy gadgets and electrical hoopla to make a good, nutritous meal.

I get rambunctious now and then, pulling out a recipe book to try some exotic recipe or plan for a fancy meal one night. Being that it's God's plan that actually happens, not Dee's, I run around at the last minute trying to cut corners or better yet trying to MAKE the meal happen. Frazzled, hurried, and hap-hazard the meal is served...at 7:00pm.

"Many of us suffer from mental stress and physical fatigue...a little pounding in the mortar might help you feel better...not in an agressive manor, but in a calming, rythmical way." Another gem from the book Unplugged. A calming rythmic way. How can creating a masterpiece with 16 ingredients, cook this, blend this, cook it some more, strain this, add this, and then bake for 2 hrs be calming and rythmic. It sure isn't to me.

Simple. Nice, but simple. That's me. Hmm, now if I can get my home in that state I'd be a happy girl.

Peace be with you!

Out and about

2010-11-06T16:50:00.003-05:00

Last Saturday we went to Amish country (Sugarcreek, Charm, Berlin) mainly to go to Keim Lumber. If you live near, or are any where in the area...it is worth the trip. I have never seen such a beautiful lumber store. Handmade doors, flooring amongst several other hardware norms.

We are preparing to renovate our bathroom and our contractor had us go to look for "inside" doors. While they are all beautiful, we have opted to use the door that we will lose when we combine 2 rooms. Our home is 87 yrs old and all the wood and doors are original. We are trying to keep it that way.

So, since we were there, I went ahead and got my chicken for the next many weeks, and made a stop at the bulk food store. The buggy in the picture is the norm there. Actually this day, there were also many "mini" open buggy's that ladies where driving with a donkey. Unusual, but still there were many.

Thought I'd share the picture. It's snowed here for the first time this morning. That time of year. Don't forget to turn your clock back!

Peace,

Dee

Seasons

2010-11-01T16:28:00.003-05:00

The cooler temperature and shorter days are the first signs of the changing seasons. Then there is also the desire of my body to slow down, stay inside (for the most part), and find a quiet peaceful routine to settle into for the winter. My body is also wanting more sleep.

I don't know much, but I do know, from my own experience, it sure seems like God knew what He was doing when He created the eb and flow of seasons and days. There is a reason we have the seasons. Our food is grown accordingly as well. It is so important to eat with the seasons and give into the needs of our body during changes. For me, that is the need for more rest and changing our meals to more warm and wholesome meals. And our days. Shorter days, longer nights. Morning, afternoon, evening. These all represent a time and a rythm. I am still working on a rythm for my home, but it's getting fine tuned as I go. Progress not perfection.

Fall creates a sense of crisp excitment for me. I never got to play in fall leaves growing up, so you know what I do three times a week when I go for my walk? Play in the leaves! Sometimes if C is with me I love to grab a handful and throw them at him...then run like crazy! It is a great time of year.

This is our tree. It's one of the last ones to change colors.

Our neighbor's tree, a true sign the season is changing.

My puppy! (I know, he's 4 he's not a puppy! But he will always be "puppy" to me.)

Me with Molly, my girl. Doing the final clean out of the herbs in the garden. She likes to come in and wonder around my garden while I work. Sometimes comes up close to see what I'm doing. I found out she likes the smell of Basil, but not the taste! Oh, you should have seen her face crinkle up when she tasted the Basil. "Ick!"

Molly, my garden helper, cuddler, hugger, and friend.

There are a few things changing that fits right into our seasonal changes. Here are a few:

*The garden is preped and ready for spring, sanz the carrots, spinach, kale and garlic.

*The clothes are changed out in our closets to reflect the changing needs of the season.

* The basket with all of our gloves, hats and scarves are out and by the door.

* The cars still need winterized.

* The patio furniture still needs covered.

*Our bathroom renovation is just opening up for serious consideration. We were waiting for winter since it's an inside job. But oh what a job it will be. More later on that.

*Menu's are changing to reflect the fall harvest: parsips, broccoli, potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squash, carrots, apples (ooh..I have a great recipe for apple crisp that uses honey rather than sugar!), pomegranetes, and nuts. Mmmm. I think Hot cocoa should be on there too.

Happy Fall ya'll~

Dee

Today's pickin's

2010-08-11T15:22:00.005-05:00

The herbs are fresh: some parsley, basil, oregano, and sage. The lone carrot was an oops.

Howdy! Here's a glimpse of today's pickin's. We are eating the harvest as quick as it comes in. I suppose that's good, though I have hopes to have enough to last a few months. But it is so yummy! The peas have been eatin before they even make it in the house...they are so sweet.

So, check out the purple beans. These are soo cool. They grow purple, but when cooked turn green and you never even know the difference. :-) Something fun for me, yet not funky for the husband! :-) Gotta love the folks at Territorial Seed for that one.

Going to try to freeze the basil. Last year I dried it and it lost so much flavor. I had to take out 2 sunflower plants. The carrots and onions were getting too much shade. And the tomatoes got a haircut and a discussion about living in your own "hula hoop" as I call living in your own space.

Every year I am amazed at what the garden teaches me. I have learned the corralation in the Bible between a garden and our soul. The weeds, well, can you guess. Those are those character defects that pop up and keep us from living God's will. The harvest that must be maintained, is just that...maintained, nurtured, watered, fed. The seed that God made is what grows. He makes it grow. There is nothing I can do, no dance, no amount of finger shaking, no "discussions" about who is in who's space that can make the tiny seed itself grow. Now, don't get me wrong, I know about watering, nurturing, tending, cutting back, etc. But the seed itself, He grows. He is the Master gardener. I am just the humble servent trying to tend to my own garden. Not yours. :-) So today, I live in my own hula hoop and try to keep the weeds out, while cutting back and nurturing so I will grow.

This is my typical Sunday morning breakfast, though this was extra special. Homegrown blueberries. YUM! They were tasty on top of my buckwheat waffle.

Check them out. My first blueberry harvest. In my hands it looked like a lot more. No matter, there gone now :-)

God's peace,

Dee

Grow garden, grow..

2010-08-04T16:03:00.003-05:00

I am late in posting pictures of my garden this year, and it's funny to me that people are saying "I haven't seen any pic's of your garden? What's up?" Well...I'm gardening, LOL. Really though, just busy. With adding in basket making in my week and MAJOR decluttering and looking at my habits that make the clutter...I have been busy. Here are a few recent one's:
We done some updates since last year. Recovered the ground and finally added cedar bark. It smells great when it rains, and helps with bugs. A few stepping stones are added too. (The gate I brought from my garden in GA. C made it for me :-)

On the right I have two kinds of green beans growing: Lazy Housewife (what can I say) and a purple kind that turns green when cooked. The garlic is already pulled. Next to the green beans is peas...which are dying quickly because of the heat.

On the right is two kinds of heirloom tomatoes, carrots, onions, herbs: sage, oregano, basil, then some lettuce - 2 kinds which are about done, and sunflowers. Huge sunflowers.. they will grow to 7 ft and the heads will get 12 inches across. Just looking at the picture and what they are today they have already grown another foot. I had planned on potatoes in the space on the left, but my organic red potato didn't sprout. Oh well. Next time. Gardening is suppose to be fun, not stressful! If it's stressful, why are you doing it?

Here are my first fruits, early last week. I was eating the parsley while I was picking. Parsley is soo good for you, especially as a tea.

Other than my Serenity space above, I have been recouping from 2 weeks of bumps in the road...or journey. Literally. Two weeks ago I was in an accident. Someone ran a stop sign right here at the end of my street. God in His awesome power, protected me from serious injury. I saw him cross the white line at the stop sign and I pressed on the brakes, then thought"he has the stop sign" so I kept going. Slam!! my L front tire smushed in!! If I wouldn't have braked, that would have been my door!!

So, then 1 week later, I was hurrying (is that a word? today it is!) down the stairs to get the phone. In socks. On wood stairs. Yikes. Bump, bump, bump, bump. That's for the last 4 stairs I hit going down. My right, um, bum, took the brunt. I have a black line that looks like the stair tried to cut my muscle in half. I haven't been able to drive since last Thurs, the pressure to sit back sends me through the roof. My right arm got the next bit. Though the raspberry is healed the underlying bruise is slow to heal. I am grateful, even in this event. Sometimes it takes dramatic things for me to get the point. A) slow down...what are you in a hurry for Dee? I have a quote I've added to my signature on my email "Nature doesn't hurry, yet all things are accomplished" from a tea bag tag years ago. Today, I am living by that. and B) I think God wants me to spend some time just being. No car, and unable to drive...for now.

All things have a season. This is my season to contemplate on the awesomeness and mercy of God....and exactly how powerless I am!

The Rules

2010-07-19T15:39:00.003-05:00

So the past week has presented a few interesting circumstances between my husband and me. First a bit of history here. When we met 20 yrs ago (gee has it been that long?) I had a poster I kept hanging behind my bedroom door. It looked like it was written in lipstick and rule # 6 and # 7 were the two that I lived by.

Rule #6 The woman is always right!
Rule # 7 Just in case, by some odd chance she may be wrong....see rule #6!

Most of the rules were around this idea. So now you get the background here.

A couple weeks ago, a priest we know emailed C a "funny" set of rules for GUYS! They are all numbered 1!!! The one that has been used often in our home lately goes something like this:

Me: Don't you remember? We agreed on this! You were standing here, we were doing the dishes. I explained it all. Don't you remember? Ugh!!

C: I don't know. How long ago was it? ( in a very serious tone).

Me: I don't know, a few weeks ago maybe.

C: Well, there you go. Rule #1. It has been longer than a week....I don't remember.

Me: AAAHHHH!!!!

Of course we both end up laughing, but you get the point. Rules.

Peace,
Dee

Re-Enactment Basket Weaver here!

2010-07-07T15:52:00.004-05:00

So Guess what!! The fort here in town has an anual festival called Fort Steuben Days and they call in folks to do re-enacting. There's even authentic Native American's that come in their full garb and educate people on the "camp" they have and what life would have been like in the 1780's.

I was asked to demonstrate basket weaving. That's part of the reason I have been busy with weaving. It was to got the skills out and dust them off so I didn't make a fool of myself in front of folks.

It turned out great! I only did Saturday, Sunday is the Lord's day and I try hard to not work (or volunteer) on Sunday. Just a personal thing of mine.

People stopped and watched and asked questions. GOOD questions, most of all "do you know how to do caning?" No. Sorry. And "are you going to teach classess?" YES!!! I have decided to start teaching and pass this gift on to others. Not until the Fall though, once the garden is done. I can only do so many things, and today...my plate is SOOO FUULL that I am once again in my life having to re-evaluate where I am and how I got here. Most of the time the answer has been my need to get involved and a Super woman cape that I thought I retired several years ago. Oh the pains of leaving that darn thing in retirment!! Pray for me.

So here are a couple of pictures Chris took of me. He was kind and brought me lunch. :-) I like lunch! And it was HOT out that day. None the less, it was a great day. There was a little girl that took a special interest in what I was doing. After watching for over 15 minutes, and the questions she asked told me she was really thinking, I told her I would teach her if her dad said it was ok. Who knows? Only God knows if there's an undiscovered basket weaver in her.

All the garb except shoes (I wore my western boots :-) and a hat...I don't do the little white bonnet thing!

One happy weaver. The baskets in the picture are some that I have done before. The one I am working on is a standard market basket, about 13 x 11 square. The handle was the special part. I wove a pattern around it. Sorry, I gave it away before I could get a picture.

Have a great day!

Peace,

Dee

What have I been up to?

2010-06-18T14:48:00.005-05:00

Several folks often ask "So what have you been doing?" Well I'll show you:

Basket making is never a neat and tidy job.

Just about finished.

Ta Da! One market basket with a twill weave base.

This is a cassarole basket. This basket was my teaching basket. The Lord used this to teach me "let the basket teach me, not me "making" the basket". I learned patience and humility. It's surprising what God will use to teach lessons.

Yummy food!

And a bit of this!

Hope you have a great day!

Vacation to AZ

2010-05-19T10:30:00.004-05:00

We haven't ever taken a vacation just because. In 20 yrs of the Marine Corps, our vacations were always to go visit family so the girls could see there biological mom. Well, not this time. We did make a stop to see my mom. It was brief but good. Then on to the Grand Canyon! Can you believe~ we took the train from Williams AZ to the Grand Canyon. What a spectacular sight to see. Pictures can't do it justice, but I will afford the effort to see if you are tantilized to go visit this creation from God.

The train ride up to the Grand Canyon.

We upgraded the car so we could stand on the back "porch" while we rode up. That was so neat!

The first glimpse at God's creation. I don't know all the statistics, but believe me when I say it's aloooonnnnggg ways down.
Thank you Lord for a railing. It kept my knees from being wobbly. At least at this look out point.
My Husbands creative eye at work.

Believe me, I am not standing anywhere near the edge. Chris just is good with a camera.

Now he on the other hand got so close I started to have anxieties!! I think the AZ sun baked him to long.

I found this little mound of red rock to be intriguing. Out in the middle of no where.

Our country's flag flying at the Grand Canyon.

The donkey trail down. No way! No how! Not a chance!

I hope you enjoyed our adventure. We really had an amazing time.

He graduated!!

2010-05-19T09:14:00.004-05:00

I am so proud of him. After 20 something years of wanting and trying to finish his college degree, it finally happened! May 8, 2010 Chris graduated from Franciscan University. Whoot whoot!! We had a busy weekend with a mass celebrated by a CARDINAL (never seen a Cardinal before so that was pretty cool!) then the graduation ceremony on Saturday. The largest class the unversity has ever had, with 700 students.

So now what you ask? Well, after much prayer the past few months we feel it's not time to move. The Lord still has us here in for a while. Chris is going from part time work to full time, with the same company, and working out of the house. He has the desire to chip away at a Master's so he is enrolled in a class in the fall. There are some things in the works with some of the professors on campus. Not teaching, that needs a Doctorate (which requires knowledge of 4 languages including Latin and Greek. Yikes! That doesn't excite either of us :) But some other possibilites. We will see how the Lord unfold's things.

I decorated the front door and our dinning table with cute "Graduate" decorations, and even little sprinkles with graduate hats. Cute!! We went party hopping Saturday and out to dinner to a very nice restaurant. Then Sunday we did BBQ beef ribs, his favorites. Two days later we left for AZ for a vacation/family visit. That's for another post.

Here are a few pictures from the amazing event of a graduation ceremony of a non-traditional student who has worked at this even while active duty, when he could, and followed the Lord to a place we never knew of, only to be rewarded abundantly for his efforts.

The Friday night get together, C with a good friend.

Tee hee, he doesn't know I'm taking his picture!

Now he does! I think someone is excited!

C "walking" across the stage. What a moment!

Moving the tassle from right....

to left. Graduated!!

The hood with the school colors and a well deserved diploma.

:) I love my graduate!

Family

2010-05-03T09:25:00.003-05:00

Our trip to NM was great! Chris' parents had their 50th wedding anniversary and ALL the family was there. Danielle even got leave to be there. Here are a few snapshots:

This was on our drive back to ABQ. The morning fog was so beautiful.
Here is most of the family.

They are so grown up! My heart remembers the little girls. They will always be my girls, even if in my heart.

Doesn't God make some amazing creations.

Fastest trip in the west!

2010-02-24T15:11:00.002-05:00

We are flying back to NM this Friday. Leave Friday, come back Monday. Why would we fly back to New Mexico for 2 1/2 days you ask? Well we are celebrating my In-laws 50th wedding anniversary this Saturday. And what's cool is the WHOLE family will be there! (There's a couple surprise's so I can't say who just in case someone is reading this that you know who shouldn't know you know what!) :-) I just love surprises!!

I'm nervous. I have missed the southwest so much and I have allowed the Lord to work on my heart and change my passionate desires to move back there. I am willing to live where He wants me, and right now He wants me in Ohio. That may change soon, but for now this is where we are. I have hope in the Lord that if that's where we will move to when Chris graduates in May, then so be it. If not, please Lord, keep my heart in Your loving hands. I want what you want.

On the lighter side, my husband as BIG plans to go skiing Sunday...God willing, with Kim, his oldest daughter. He hasn't skied in over 25 yrs, so pray for them. I feel like all will go well, but just in case I'm bringing my homepathic kit for bumps and bruises. :-) The Lord helps those who help themselves, right?

See you next week!

From Dust you came

2010-02-17T16:08:00.006-05:00

* From Dust you came and Dust you shall return *

This is what the priest says as he made the sign of the cross, using the ashes from Palm Sunday, across my forehead. Today is the first day of Lent. The day that marks 40 days to the Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. While I'm excited, the end of the journey is the most Glorious day...Easter. But today, it is somber. Our home is filled with a spirit of sacrifice and will be daily until Easter morning. Chris and I have each made personal choices as to what we want to give up for Lent, or do for Lent. While I don't feel it necessary to share my personal sacrifices, I will share one.

I have been inspired the past couple of days to "get my home in order". The Holy Spirit is working through others and recently I found a past magazine I used to get called "Keepers at Home". The article is titled "To Guide the House". I had randomly picked this out of my bookshelf when I felt I needed some inspiration, for what I don't know, but felt I needed inspiration. I ran across this magazine and opened up to this article.

The first sentence was: "How do you keep your home orderly?" Um, well at the moment my home was chaotic with paper clutter, piled in several places in the house. My bathroom, small as it is, had so many things on the counter (including clean towels to be hung) that you had to pass by carefully. Ok, enough confession. Anyways, she goes on to say "This seems to be the struggle of every housewife." Whew! I'm off the hook. Oh wait, fiddle sticks, there's more. "Let all things be done decently and in order" from 1 Cor. 14:40. Ok, I'm listening Lord. This is where I started to get renewed in my desire to manage our home. I pondered it. I don't do things decently, I do them rushed. Oh, Lord. You have so much work to do in me. "In order". Hmm, my husband can't find what he needs and always asks me, sometimes I can't find it either. Hmm, I have some work to do. I sat thinking: "How can I sit around complaining there is nothing in this house to do! The house is tidy (on the first floor) and it is cleaned weekly, but it is not in order, nor do I do things decently. There is not a peace in our home, a rythym of which I thrive on. How can I consider taking that part time job offer to fill my time when my husband and I don't even know where things are? I have work to do right here!"

So the article goes on: 1 Tim 5:14 and breaks it down and goes through it. I'm good with it all until she hits "Guide the house..." She writes "Do I hear groans?Is keeping order not part of the comand to guide the house? It includes teaching and training our children the blessings of diligence and self discipline in this area." Um, diligence? self discipline? Ok, now I'm feeling sheepish and see I have no excuse to sit around and say there is nothing to do and there is too much snow to go outside!

Though she talks of the Proverbs 31 woman, she admits, along with many women I know, while this woman is a role model, it sets an almost impossible standard. But doesn't God call us to holiness? Doesn't God set the bar high for us to give us something to work towards, to humbly admit our weakness and our dependance on a Power greater than ourselves? While I could never do all the things the Proverbs 31 woman does (nor do I think anywoman in her right mind could do it ALL) I do believe the Proverbs 31 woman gives me something to work towards.

That is to do things,not rushed, but peaceful...creating order...and doing it decently. Do the things that are needed for our family, for me, and for our home. It is in this process, I believe God will mold me and change me into the woman He knows I can be.

So, I will use this next 40 days to clean out, par down, and create a peaceful environment. I have already taken care of both my desks, which was an all day task. Death by papers!! I have one desk upstairs (which I'm on now) that has the computer and all my files within arms reach. This is my Home Management desk of which I do most of our budget (we split this by the way!), our records upkeep etc. The desk downstairs was my great-grandparents and it is used as my everyday desk. It is very small and I keep my planner open on top all the time (unless it's with me :-) That desk is somewhere for me to do the day to day things...like dreaming of my garden and making plans for it.

We don't sing the Alleluia in mass during Lent and each Crucifix in our home is covered with a purple cloth. A visual reminder of the our Lord's suffering and where my heart should be during this season.

Wow!This is a long post. But there is much to say about Lent and my journey as I set out.

I wish you Christ's peace,

Dee

(Note: This is posted on Thursday but was written on Wednesday.)

My sweet Valentine!

2010-02-15T16:51:00.001-05:00

It was so sweet.

I woke up to a great breakfast and a romantic setting in our living room. Check it out-

I helped a bit with the table cloth, but he did all the fixin's as we say in the south. It was so wonderful. No paper, no books, just us and a fire. :-)

My Valentine also wrote me a very sweet letter for my valentine card. I am not much for purchasing things, I like handmade. This was not only handmade, but handwritten. That's a keeper in my book!

For my morning prayers, I wished God a Happy Valentine's Day. He is the ultimate example of Love, for He loves you, and me, so much that He sent His Son to walk amongst us and die for us. For our sins. He deserves acknowlegement of the example He has given us.

Chris asked me to join him for World Marriage Day dinner at our church, which also happened to be Valentine's Day. It was great. Everyone in attendance got a blessing on their marriage. Then a lovely dinner and some witnesses about marriage...and how it's not all roses but it's worth it!

I hope your Valentine's day was grand.

Christ's Peace,

Dee

Dropping my "Followers" widget

2010-02-09T15:47:00.002-05:00

Ever since I posted the Followers widget in the sidebar it has bothered me. I've asked myself time and again, why? Why do I have that on there? For me, it borderlines pride and pride is not something I chose to contend with. So, I've removed it. I hope you understand, it's more for me, to keep me honest with myself and some of my personal blogging rules. Thanks!

We are having another snow storm...5-9 inches expected by tomorrow. Where are we going to put all this snow!!

Have a great day!

Dee

Here's a few more pictures

2010-02-06T13:19:00.003-05:00

Here's a few more pictures after the walk and driveway have been shoveled. My guy is the best!

Me, freezing!
Neighbors helping neighbors. God's love is truly awesome!

My Guy! I am so blessed.

My Guy finishing up our driveway.

Peace,

Dee

Snow? Boy do we have snow!!

2010-02-06T11:57:00.004-05:00

We have been having one big snow storm! Since yesterday about 3pm it has snowed more than 15 inches! That is the most the folks here have seen in over 20 years! Where does it all come from? I went out to help Chris shovel the rest of the driveway..for the second time and the snow comes almost to my knees. The piles on each side of the driveway where he has tossed the snow comes to my waist! Can you imagine making a snow angel in that!

So here is a few shots I wanted to share. The brown colored pictures were taken last night about 10pm, the rest I took this morning.

Our back porch, right outside the kitchen door.

The front yard, um er, what yard?

My garden. This was taken from the underneath porch, out from our basement door.

The front, um, front yard...somewhere out there. The road is out there too, it must be there somewhere!

Our trees in the back yard.

My husband has been blessed with strength and willingness to shovel the snow for us. I am so thankful. God is good to us, we still have heat and power.

The is from our second floor, out the window. I know, out the window! C took this one. We thought the chimnea looked funny.

And one of my garden, with the fence now down. The weight of the snow brought it down last night. :-( I know what I will be doing when this all melts.

Have a great day! I am, even amongst the snow and being housebound. We got out, shoveled some, posted here on my blog, going to make a hot lunch, and finish de-cluttering the basement.

I am blessed.

Peace,

Dee

What we've been up to

2010-02-04T10:02:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday it was so beautiful out, Chris and I decided to take a drive in the country. We headed north towards Bergholz then hooked a right on a back road and sometime later met up with the highway we needed. Let me just say, hills and windy roads made the beautiful drive interesting. My husband took his time meandering and I got to snap some great pictures so I thought I'd share. We didn't get out of the truck since it was REALLY cold out, so most of the pictures are landscape. I had fun trying to get a good shot, he had fun making u-turns and driving slow while I tried to take the picture.

A couple of the other pictures are random ones of the happenings in our home. God is so good to us. We have a warm home, happy dogs and a blessed marriage. I couldn't ask for more than to have a husband who is seeking the Truth in Christ. Thank you God for all you've given me.

It isn't as large in the picture as it was driving, but that is the moon last weekend. It was so beautiful. A reminder to me of how large the whole creation is.

Molly, our 9yo Boxer. She really likes the warmth of the fire. When she wants a fire going she just sits in front of it staring at it, wishing for a fire. My girl is getting older. Yesterday the vet said her tremors or shaking is possible senililty....aww, how sad. He said she sort of spaces out and forgets where she is and shakes. I didn't even know dogs can get that! Aside from that she is the healthiest 9yo Boxer he has seen in a long time!

This was just too cute not to post. Koda, our white Boxer, and Sasha, she is all of 5 lbs, sleeping together in the sunshine. To cute!

Icey water falls from the side of the hills near Bergholz.

I took this because of the old barn. There is something about old barns, hmm, antiques in general, that I just find adoring. If they could talk! oh, what stories we would hear. This home was set back off the road. Someday C and I would like to have a small place that would give us the space away from the road. I hope to add chickens and goats to our gang soon, but not until we move.

The river was ICE! Hopefully you can click on this and see the water up close. It was so fascinating.

The view as we drove out of our town. Once you get behind the hills, or valley as the locals say, this is pretty much what you see. It is beautiful with all the snow. It's wonderful in spring and summer too, heck, throw in fall...the fall colors are beautiful as well. Hmm. Not like the desert I used to live in many years ago.

This was just too funny. The car wash has icycles all over it! We've heard from the local's ( I use that affectionately since we have lived here just over 2 yrs and I am learning how to live in this climate.) that we should take our car to a car wash everytime it stops snowing. This will wash off the salt from the roads and will allow our cars to last longer. I just had to take a picture of getting a car wash, in the winter, with ice hanging off of the device that goes around and under your car. The blower blows the water off as we drive out, sssllloooowwwllllyy. And any remaining water is frozen before we get out of the driveway. I've also learned to keep a lighter in my purse (I don't even smoke!) to heat my key so I don't get locked out of my car because of the snow or ice. It sure makes for an entertaining day. Unless you are in a hurry of course, then God is teaching me something I'm sure, I just need to step back and give it to him.

Hmm, enough rambling. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Peace,

Dee

Questions about what I eat

2010-01-28T11:09:00.004-05:00

Coming to my home so I can cook you a meal? Most likely you will not find canned goods, prepared or frozen (except vegies) or packaged foods.

I have many people that when they hear of the way I cook say "why go to all that trouble?" Well, 1st my health, 2nd it's the way God made our food...not the way man says it should be for "convienence". Several years ago I found out I was intolerant to dairy and wheat (gluten), though I am not celiac, and made the necessary changes. A couple years later my health still wasn't up to par for me, so being an autodidact, I read and learned and finally the Lord opened up the door about sugar. Ha! the key to my health. I cut out sugar as well and my health got better.

I used to cook 2 meals, per meal. So, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners. That was short lived. I told my family that I loved them, but I just couldn't do this. So they could eat what I make or make their own. We did that for a while too. Then slowly the things I was making smelled yummy, and my family even ventured into tasting some new things. Today I only cook 1 of each, except breakfast. I don't like cold cereal (even though there are things I can eat). So I prefer to cook up some buckwheat or millet, sometimes it's butternut squash or acorn squash cooked up and made into a hot cereal.

People ALWAYS say, "good grief what DO you eat." Meat, sweet potatoes, beans, rice, oats, buckwheat, millet, vegies, green apples, and fuji apples, yogurt, sauerkraut, almond milk, lots of water, cranberry juice (concentrate only) goats cheese sometimes as a treat, homemade coconut macaroons, spiced walnut cookies, baked apples, should I keep going? Does it look like I starve!? No, I have just found a way to eat what God gave us before it is pre-packaged.

Since I often get questions, online and in person, about providing ideas I have decided to add meals and recipes if requested to the In the Kitchen link. I thought about starting another blog, but that's too much work. My life is based on Keep It Simple. Speaking of, my rambling ugh! Oh well.

So here is what I had for lunch Monday:

Organic ground buffalo meat, cooked up with some onion and peas. Lightly drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with a bit of salt and peppe. On the side is garbonzo beans, or as we call them "ju ju beans"...don't ask, sprinkled with a southern barbeque seasoning called Butt Rub (no sugar in this great little seasoning!) and my reverse osmosis water. Fancy, no. Took along time, um about 20 minutes. Maybe 15.

No sugar, no wheat, no dairy and not processed! The garbanzo beans are soaked overnight and cooked in my crock all day. I don't have to do a thing but sort, rinse, soak. Then in the morning rinse and put in my crockpot on low for the day. Before dinner, rinse, separate into 2 - 3containers and off to the freezer. Equivalant to 3 cans!

You can do this! Pick one meal you would like to try and cook with out processed or sugary foods. If you already cook this way, care to share?

Wishing you a warm day from freezing, windy Ohio!

Dee

A giggle with Koda

2010-01-28T10:18:00.003-05:00

One of the things I love about being home is that I get to enjoy fun things, especially having Boxers. They are known as the "clown" of the bunch, and yesterday Koda lived up to this.

He has an orange ball that we bought him for entertainment in the winter. I fill it with Cheerios and he rolls it around the house so a few will fall out and he gets the treat! Well, he has learned where I "keep" his ball, and any time the pantry is open (even just a bit) he helps himself to walking in and getting his orange ball, bringing it to me no matter where I am and dropping it at my feet. If I don't pay attention he picks it up and drops it again.

After he did his little stunt of opening the door yesterday, he brought me the ball and put it in my lap. I just had to laugh, so I gave in and he got his "entertainment". Only yesterday as he was batting it around (he would be a great soccer player!) his ball rolled over by Sasha, our little 5 lb, sleeping munchkin who if he is in "her space" she growls, barks and chases him off. It really is quite the site.

He was afraid to go get his ball. He groweld, and talked, and whimpered....from sitting next to me looking at her across the room. Mind you...she is sleeping. After 20 minutes of this, and I refused to help!, he got the courage to go around the house and sat in the living room a bit closer but still wouldn't go up to get his ball. He finally sat in the dining room about 4 ft from Sasha, still groweling and whimpering. He layed down then woofed at her, testing her to see if she would wake up. She did, only to go back to sleep. As he would inch closer he go the courage to reach out (unfortuantely I missed that shot) and he stood up ever so quietly to grab his ball then he ran like crazy around the house and came back through the dinning room to bring his ball to me. The whole thing, was so hilarious. I was so grateful to be home and get the great laugh!

Here are a couple of the pictures I did get:

Inch worm...

He got it!!

What a hoot! I just love my boxers!

Have a great day~
Dee

Rested and Rejuvinated

2010-01-25T09:49:00.005-05:00

Today I feel rested and rejuvinated. Sundays at our house are a day for rest and family time. Sometimes we have friends over for a big breakfast after mass, or coffee/tea and games in the afternoon, sometimes we even go for a bike ride at the Panhandle trail.

Yesterday we napped. It's what we usually do. So here's our typical Sunday: I get up at my usual time, about 5 am, and make tea and have my quiet time for reflection and Bible reading with the Lord. Chris gets up a bit later and I have a snack then we start getting around for mass. All 3 dogs are let out and if one of us has time they get fed, if not, well they won't starve in an hour.

After mass, when we walk in the door one of us yells "Sunday clothes" then we run upstairs to change into our clothes for most of the day...sweats and a fleece sweatshirt, for C a t-shirt, warm socks and house shoes (or for some of you folks, slippers), Then we go down and Chris makes us a big breakfast: pancakes or waffles, and bacon maybe an egg or two. After cleanup we either read, or lately Chris has a puzzle of the Last Supper he is working on, then a nap. Usually a 2 hour nap. Lazy? No! Restful. We are called to rest on Sunday, the Commandments weren't given to us for nostalgia!

I don't have these anymore but I think they are fun!

The rest of the day is reading or going for a walk. Then dinner or phone calls to family then dinner. By now it's after 7 and we start to talk about the week and what each of us has going on. Sort of an impromtu family meeting. We've always had family meetings on Sunday evening, but since the kids are gone, it's pretty simple. Simple is good.

Keep it Simple and Live in today...today is Monday!

Peace,

Dee

Simplicity

2010-01-20T10:39:00.003-05:00

As I re-read some of the posts at High Desert Home on simplicity, I am inspired to par down and re-think what I have and what may be adding a burden to my day or life. Even without being conciously aware of it.

As the Lord would have it, I have been allowing time for creativity and it feels good. I finished my curtains for the kitchen, then I found myself desiring to par down my basket weaving area (where I did some of my sewing). A sat down and cleaned out 2 binders and stacks of "stuff" that was doing nothing but causing me to feel a bit of angst everytime I looked at it. I want peace, and from what God is showing me, Serenity is to be had if I am willing to change me. That means I need to let go of somethings, accept some things and have the Courage to Change the Things I can.

After all was said and done, I've parred down to one binder of patterns, a few books and one small binder with future ideas that I have dreamed of for years. Like owning a tea/craft shop where folks can come and chat over tea, or bring in their projects to work on in the back craft room. Just a dream but things like that are in the small folder. It FEELS more serene over there now. I am blessed to have taken the time to listen to the Lord and ask "what's the next right thing for me? Clean out your creative area!" Yeah! So my goal this week is to pick out my next basket weaving pattern. Small steps, 2 % changes as a dear friend has told me.

Almost homemade, :-) I'm adding on to some curtains I bought.

The finished product! I wanted the off white band with fabric bows and buttons added.
This is the valance. I try to keep as much daylight coming in as possible. I like the natural daylight, it seems to give me more energy.

Today, I am seeking God's will for me and not getting caught up in what I need to do for someone else ~ to my detriment.

Peace,
Dee

Icey Waterfall

2010-01-18T11:20:00.004-05:00

Were we live is right along the Ohio River and to travel anywhere north or south we have to take the highway along the river. We are blessed to see the most amazing things like this:

Look closely, the color is from the minerals in the rocks. How cool is that! Each year I have seen this (All 3 years now) and as the season progresses the colors get richer. I hope to catch it about March, it's a dark amber color. It's fascinating to me how God can create such beauty, even in the cold. It gives me something to ponder on rather than the thought of how cold I am.

And this:

This one is farther up. It's so beautiful.

Peace of Christ,

Dee

Trip to Amish Country

2010-01-15T11:02:00.003-05:00

About every 6 weeks I take a trip up to Amish country to get our chicken, and shop and a couple different bulk food stores up there. It's usually a day trip, so yesterday Chris took the day off and went with me.

When ever we go driving I grab my camera, I never know what I will see along the way. This is what we saw yesterday:

This barn has one of the Barn Quilts on the side. I think they are so neat.

This is Tappan Lake, that is frozen!
Here is another of the lake, you can see the whole thing is frozen across to the other side. Little tiny feet prints were scattered here and there in the snow in top,

Aren't these icicles just amazing! I dont' understand why folks here BUY icicle lights to hang from their house, and then REAL icicles form over the top of them. I just have to laugh and shake my head, I don't get it buy hey, it's not mine to get, right?!

This one is special to me. For some reason I really enjoy seeing covered bridges. These bridges hold a special place in my heart. Last time I drove through, there was a lot of Amish men who were in the process of building this one. It's finished. I've never gotten the priveledge of seeing one be built then later see the final product. I hope they dated it like so many of the other beautiful one's I've seen. Isn't it grand! To think something so simple can be so beautiful and useful. Hmmm, maybe that's why it appeals to me. I like beautiful, useful and simple.

Which reminds me, I have to get off the computer and do a 28 thing fling (declutter my desk in layman's terms) and get to my creative project today.

Peace,

Dee

Treasures to me

2010-01-15T10:22:00.004-05:00

In my post on Jan 1, I spoke of looking for a new tea pot that was made in the USA. I hadn't been able to find one that I could use on the stove, so I started to resign to the fact that my small pot has worked for the past 6 mths, so what's wrong with heating tea in a pot. I don't need a tea pot, right? Chris said, wrong! He did some searching and found a woman that had this tea pot. It's a Pyrex Flameware Tea pot, meant for stove tops. {insert big grin here}. And this is what he got me for my birthday:

I have such a loving husband! He did a great job searching and picking this out. I love it! It's perfect for us. It makes 6 cups and the lid is glass with little tabs that when rotated, lock the lid on. The handle never gets hot and it boils water just as quick as my stainless steel pot. Did I ever tell you how much I enjoy having tea? Click on the link to see.

This treasure is so neat. I ran across this broom at High Desert Home (she has a great blog by the way). At first I thought "that's weird, but in a cool kind of way". As months passed I noticed every time I got my grocery store special out to sweep with, I would dream of have a cool colorful broom. It may make sweeping fun! And lately, I'm all about bringing more fun into my life. So I went to the site and saw the price, no way. I'm not paying that. Some more time passed and this was still on my heart, so I went back to their site. I read the whole story about the company and the people that make them. Yes, you can really see the pictures of the people that make them. HAND MADE! Not in a factory somewhere in you know where. These people grow the materials, harvest it, dye it with non-toxic dyes, weave or braid them and earn an honest buck for their work. I like that. I am always willing to pay a bit more when I know the person that made it is benefiting directly. Kind of like Fair Trade.

And you know what. It works great! I've tossed my grocery store special that had severly frayed bristles and now own this beautiful pink and lime green broom by Sweep Dreams. I encourage you to check it out. Maybe you need some color and fun in your day to day sweeping. (No I'm not getting any money for this, but I am getting a lot of joy when I see it and use it.) It doesn't even go in my pantry, it hangs on the outside so I can enjoy it. :-)

I believe God gave each of us gifts to use. These people have great gifts and I feel blessed to have a treasure they made.

Wow! There is a lot of links today. I hope you enjoy them.

Christ's peace,

Dee

On the back porch.

2010-01-11T17:05:00.003-05:00

Yesterday it cleared enough for the sun to come out. It was so beautiful after days of snow. Days!! And my husband, being the cool guy he is, built a fire in our chimnea on our back deck and pulled the glider over so we could sit on it together. We had a sleeping bag wrapped around us, but by the time I took the picture we were cleaning up. After being outside for an hour the sun was going away and the winds were kicking up. At 20 degrees with the wind, I'm good inside, thank you very much!

Maybe you could stop by and have tea on the back porch with us?

Peace,

Dee

Happy Birthday to Me!

2010-01-11T16:40:00.010-05:00

Me, about 2 yo.

Where did all the blonde go? Oh yeah, I still call it blonde even if the lady at the DMV laughs at me!

I just can't express the gratitude that I feel toward fellow bloggers of mine and my sister's. So many have posted birthday greetings for me, it just tickles my insides!

Yep! Last Thursday was my birthday. We didn't do a whole lot since we had a snow storm that day. The one thing I really wanted was to get a good burger at Ruby Tuesday's for lunch. That's it. Kinda simple, but I'm a simple kinda gal. We were able to go up to a Ruby Tuesday's about an hour north of here, and I had a bison burger. And my eyes were bigger than my tummy but boy was it good!! Avocado and the works (minus the bun...can't do buns anymore. I order it with then pick it off as I eat so I have something to hold on to while I eat my burger. I bet that is something you really wanted to know, huh?!)

God made me who I am, warts and all. The family life I had, the place I lived, the choices I've made have all formed me to be the person I am today. Do I regret some, yes, Do I celebrate some, Yes! All of it though has been guided by my Lord. I wouldn't be the person I am today if it weren't for Him. I am deeply grateful. Today I try to thank Him for all the years past, and look forward to getting to know Him better in the years to come, if that is His will. In the mean time, I am stirring up my creativity in today, This Day! Thank you God for my life!

And I would like to thank you for the birthday greetings, and poking me in the side to check my blog. I never dreamed. I wish I could give hugs back. Thank you for making my birthday grand!

God's peace be with you,

Dee

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T20:58:00.005-05:00

A celebration...let's have some tea!

So did you stay up until midnight? I was fast asleep, until Chris came back into bed from taking the little dog out just before midnight. I woke up to hear the car horns going off and fireworks. I don't get much into the midnight thing since I've come to a place of acceptance that staying up past 10pm is "Harmful to my health". I say it tongue in cheek, but with a bit of sincerity.

Yesterday I started really contemplating about New Year's resolutions and came to the point that I realized, I don't like to make resolutions. Resolutiotions to me are great for a day or two then (insert sound of bomb diving here). I found a blog that she spoke of this too. She changed resolutions to goals. I like that. Goals. So I am making goals for 2010, not resolutions.

My goals for 2010 for now are:

* Going the whole year without buying anything from China. Believe me when I say, I will spare you the soap box lecture, not speech, lecture on why I've decided to do this. I will save that for a whole post someday. I've already met my first struggle with this. This week I started looking for a teapot made in the USA. A stove top teapot. After spending my free time for 3 days and speaking to a woman in Atlanta GA that owns a retail business for US made teapots, mugs etc, there is nothing made in the US that is stainless steel or even close. I had to resort to antique sites that sold Corningware or Pyrex that used to be made here. There is one glass one, the glass is made in Germany then sent here to the US to be completed. Hence, my first stumbling block. Do I want to buy ONLY US made products or just completely avoid "made in China"? I've decided to do the latter, but with conditions. If I am going to buy from another country I want to know if it's handmade, like Fair Trade, or someone has a legit. business and is selling the product here in the US. If it's mass made, stamped "made it X". I won't be buying it in 2010. Now C, can do what he wants. God made each of us with our own passions and desires to be pursued in our own life. I STRONGLY feel this way about this. Okay, so I've rambled on and scratched the surface about something that has gotten under my skin. Wonder why? Go in one room of your home. Go around and pick up anything, or several things. Read the tag or the stamp. Where is it made! Enough said.

*Second goal: Each night to write 3 blessings God has given me in my journal. I contemplate my day and look back at my behaviors and actions through the day. Going over my character defects and assests give me ground for working to make tomorrow different, should I be given the gift of another day. I feel writing 3 blessings down will also open my mind more to look for the blessings in things. Hmm, God is teaching, I'm trying to show up to be a good student.

*Third goal: Walking daily and some kind of strength work 3x a week. Even if it's a few basics on my ball at home, something 3 x a week along with walking. I haven't set a goal for how many miles yet. I'm still praying for God's will in this area and haven't gotten an answer. For now, I put one foot in front of the other and get out the door, or head to the mall to walk.

*and Fourth and final, I think: To garden smarter this year. Starting seeds inside, knowing what I'm planting and how to harvest AND preserve it, to harvest when it's ready not when I'm ready, to practice preserving, to save seeds for next year, to learn more about heirloom seeds, to learn more about composting (especially through winter. Any ideas?)

Hmm, I think this will carry me through until Christmas. What about you? Do you have any goals? I enjoy hearing about others so I can encourage them and see how they are doing. Encouragement is so important. God tells us to encourage each other while it is still today. He is such an awesome God, He knows what we need. My spirits need lifted and I always enjoy when someone encourages me. I hope I can do that for you as well.

Peace,
Dee

Okay one more: to actually live my values. I never understood about values until a few months ago and upon making my list of things, it warms my heart and makes me feel confident to see my values on paper. Now, it brings me down to not live them. So, Fifth goal for 2010 is to live my values. :-)

Happy New year to you and may God shed His grace and blessings on you, One Day at A Time.

My Garden this past season

2009-12-31T20:08:00.001-05:00

My first square foot garden we built last year. This one has sage, onions, strawberries, and "what was I thinking mint".

My garden this year! Green beans, tomatoes, onions, herbs, squash, and 1 praying mantis!

A close up after the onions were pulled and the herbs trimmed back. I dry the herbs and prep them to use in the kitchen. Another post for that though.

A small bit of my first harvest. Patty Pan squash, green beans, and yummy carrots!

This is how I water my garden. Yep! Rain water. Water here is so expensive AND so polluted due to the fact we get our water from the Ohio River (joy! huh!?) I refused to shower, drink or use the tap water (since the state has issued a failed EPA test for the watere here for the past 7 years!) So we bought these from the County Ag office, cheap. C used his talents and built a stand for one so the pressure pushes the water out quicker, and excess runs from a small hose on the side down to the barrel below.

See? You would think I water with Miracle Gro when I use rain water. You should try it! Even if you catch it in 5 gal buckets, try watering your houseplants and see what happens. (PS Don't drink rain water unless you purify it first. Just my tip for the day)

My compost bin, brand new and just started to compost when the weather turned. I've stopped for now, I don't know about throwing scraps in the compost with 2 inches of snow on it.

So there's some of joy from this summer and fall. I never knew how much I LOVE to garden. I'm always out there. And if I'm stressed, anytime of the day or night...I'm in my garden piddlin' around. There is something soothing to the soul with mixing dirt and tending to the creation that God is growing. I'm just the gardener, He is the Creator. When I pull in the crop that is ready or just water and tend to it lovingly, it brings me so much joy.

Here's a funny image. Snow all over the garden and ground and I'm standing at our glass door in the kitchen looking out at the garden saying "come back...come back!" LOL. I know, soon enough. I actually need this resting time through the winter to learn more about composting and gardening. This is the time to pull in, rest and restore.

So, would making paper rings up to the first planting be wrong! :-)

Reviewing the past two seasons

2009-12-31T19:28:00.000-05:00

I have been out of the blogging world for sometime. Circumstances have been such that my mind and heart have not been in it. But as I regain ground and I look to myself and the things that bring me joy or things in the past that have brought me joy...blogging is one of them. I have just a few blogs I enjoy and read often, it's funny how I consider them friends even though we've never met.

In light of looking back through some of my pictures I have a handful of events over the past few months that I really would like to share. I hope you enjoy them and I will try to keep it brief (Me? brief? my husband would fall over laughing. But shhh, don't tell him I said I can be brief.)

Enjoy~

C's birthday! We had BBQ Beef ribs, and he was one happy camper!

Our windows before the replacements were put in. Wood frames, counter weights in the side soiled with soot from a past coal heating system (before we owned the house). They were beautiful, built in 1927, but leaked air like crazy. Last winter I watched my blinds move on the INSIDE of my house when the wind blew outside. Praise God for the money to buy new windows! My house is warm this winter thanks to Him and C's hard work.

Out with the old leaded glass windows.

C holding a counterweight before it was taken out.

There's the new. Oh I could just hug them!!!

Have you ever seen a house with NO windows?

Tad-da! Brand spankin' new, no leaking, warm, lovely windows! Can you tell I like them. I thank God a lot for them.

Me and my lap buddy (or so he thinks) during morning prayer time.

Fall colors on my drive to Amish country to get some meat.

This was cool. Exact replicas of the Nina and Pinta, the two of the 3 ships Columbus sailed on, docked in Steubenville. They sail around the country so people and kids can see what it was really like to be on the boat he came over on. There is a man and his family in Africa I think, that still knew the trade for how the ships were built. So these were done the exact way, pine tar to make them float and all. It was really neat to be on, but I could never sail on one. Sea sickness is not my cup of tea. You can search for their web site, they take volunteers to sail with them. Each ship has a captain to guide the volunteers (no experience required).

I hope you enjoyed the journey over the past few months.

Peace,

Dee

For Unto Us a Child Is Born...

2009-12-25T18:04:00.004-05:00

Merry Christmas to you!

We have had a great day. We each have been blessed with gifts from family. Danielle's bo' must have been really good this year, he got 2 stockings!! (She helped Santa out with one of them). Christmas was really nice and dinner was way cool as my sister would say. We chose to have steaks for Christmas dinner. Something different yet something C and I really enjoy. Especially a good grass fed, slow cooked or seared steak. I was online looking up the right way to cook grass fed beef. I've learned DON'T cook it fast. You will end up with some of the toughest meat that would fatigue anyone's jaw muscles, trust me on this and don't ask why!

So I ran across a website that sells grass fed beef and they are gracious enough to have a chef on staff that posts articles and recipes for cooking grass fed beef. I found an article about cooking them in cast irons the way the pioneers used to. They didn't have refrigerators (?) to keep their beef cold, or lovely ovens to cook in or fancy grills. It was hot coals and a good iron! So this guy walks you through step by step and here's how it goes (trust me when I say keep a fire extinguisher near by, but trust in the technique. You won't be disappointed):

* Heat your oven and your cast iron (from here on out called "iron") on Hi broil for 15-20 min. Now I didn't do a typo and I haven't lost my mind. Oh wait, I'll hold that until the end.

* Now with welder's gloves pull your iron out and put it on the burner, that is already on high, for 3 minutes. Right before you put on the steaks put some oil in it that is NOT flameable, like coconut oil or we used bacon grease. Warning: do not use olive oil per chef.

*Now put on your steaks for 30 seconds each side. TIME IT!

*Take the whole iron & steak and put it back in the oven and broil for 3 min, each side. Believe me, it is worth the work.

*Pull it out and put it on the plate. The most important part that people don't do: DON'T cut it for 3-5 minutes. Let it rest so the juice stays in it.

I have never had a tastier, juicier, fantastic steak ever! Even all my years in Okinawa, and some of the best steakhouses. Never! Now I will say, my oven is a mess and the kitchen was smokey so we had to open up the windows, but will I do it again? You bet! Soon? No way!

We even made Danielle's bo' nervous, Ha! I'd say we did a good job. I think God was patient while C and I experimented. :-)

We have much to celebrate on this Christmas day! Things like a good steak that God gave us, family arrived safely, good health, a roof over our head and shoes on our feet. And windows (see post above).

I wish you a Merry Christmas and God's peace, mercy and loving forgiveness to be with you.

~ Dee

2009-12-23T12:15:00.003-05:00

Howdy! Today is a nice day here. The sun is out and the snow is bright. It's only 28 degrees outside, but Koda and I went for a walk anyways. I believe it's good to get out in the fresh air. It does something for the mind and heart.

I've had time today to mess with my blog and get it updated. I'm going to try to go back in all my posts and get labels on them. Can't promise anything, but it's something I've always wanted to do. So it's under a bit of construction. Most of the changes are done. I hope you like them.

Danielle and her bo, Justin, drove in this morning from North Carolina. They drove all night...and now are sleeping. That makes me tired just thinking of it. Deliriously tired. Though I remember when C and I used to do that from 29 Palms to NM just for a 4 day weekend. Going home was that important, especially when you are active duty. All went well, they did see 1 drunk driver. The guy was driving down the middle of the highway and took out the left rear hub cap of a FED Ex truck! Thank God they drove really fast past him before he could swerve over to there lane.

Today I am focusing on, um, well..today. :-) Today is Wednesday and all my chores are done. The pie is baked, the cookies are done, the house is clean, the family is here (though sleeping) and I have nothing to do...scary! Feels kind of neet!

I do hope to hem the curtains in my dining room and living room that I bought some time ago and just haven't taken the time to shorten them. Maybe after lunch. I like days that I can meander through the day, with no rushing and no real agenda. It's peaceful, albeit difficult to just sit still, but still peaceful. Maybe I need this. It's Christmas, a great reason to sit back, relax and "take some tea".

Peace,

Dee

2009-11-30T16:43:00.010-05:00

We had a great time in Iowa! Hubby and I drove to Independance and Muscatine last week. I got to see my dad's grave. It was very humbling. I can't begin to describe the feeling of actually seeing your dad's name on a head stone. Later that day we drove to see where my grandmother's farm was (notice I said was) and my great-grandmother's house. You will see a picture of the original water well that I remember grandma used to send me out to get water when I wanted a bath. Ha! try filling up a claw foot tub with water you pump from a well and heat on the stove! I remember doing that once, only once!

We went to the courthouse and did some family research trying to find some info on my dad's biological dad. It is an incredible feeling seeing the actual marriage certificate of your great-grandparents and fascinating to learn what family has died of over the years. I learned my dad's dad was a blacksmith, fancy that! But he died of lung cancer. Hubby says it's part of the trade.

We spent Thanksgiving in Muscatine. That was great! I got to have my first Thanksgiving in YEARS with family. All our years in the military we weren't able to spend Holidays with family, so this was nice.

And you know, I prayed all the way there...14 hours worth, and while we were there for good weather. Wednesday it was drizzling and really cold - the day I was at the cemetary, then Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were sunny and great! I was praising God each day. Friday and Saturday I didn't even need a jacket!

One last note before I sign off. I found out my grandfather (my mom's dad) worked in the button factory in Muscatine. Now this is not JUST a button factory, they made 37% of the buttons made at the time. There is a few pictures of what I could get in the museum. The Pearl Button Museum was closed but praise God for glass windows. Then we ate lunch in the factory. It has been converted into a restaurant. How fun is that! I love buttons. Chris boought me a watch while we were stationed in NC, that is made from buttons from a Victorian dress. Each one is listed in the Big Button book. Something fun about me! :-)

Off to cook dinner and get to a meetin'. Enjoy the pictures.

Peace,

Dee

Our "Japanese" style dinner in the hotel. Two pillows and a cooler :-) With Taco salad served!

My great-grandmother's house...very renovated. Did they have vinyl and side porches in the early 1900's?

The original water well pump.

Thanksgiving..cousins, friends, family.

My Uncle and guess who?

My Aunt & Uncle.

The back side of the Pearl Button Factory.

Inside the restaurant, what used to be the factory. Plastic took over from the real pearl buttons, hence the factory closed down.
A glimpse in history of the clams racked in to make buttons.

One of the machines to make the buttons. I was told that each person had their own button cutter.

A bazillion pearl buttons in a glass case.

What you would see in the store.

I love covered bridges. This one is somewhere in Illinois.

To bad the driver of a truck didn't read this as he zipped through, almost hitting me!
An old barn on the drive home. I like old barnes too.

Geese flying over us as we drove.

God's glory in color.

And the rest of the pictures

2009-11-20T22:00:00.005-05:00

Here are the rest of our pictures from our off road trip. These one's are of our truck. Drake's daughter took these..isn't she a great photographer.

Both trucks before inching (is that a word? it is today!) down the trail.

Dee walking over to assess the trail with the others.
Oh my...THAT'S THE TRAIL?

Working our way through the hill side.

Howdy!!

Climbing rocks.

The stinky water puddle, um no, lake. It came up the top of the truck hood, and smelled like it had been there for 20 years. YUCK! Was is fun, yep, only because we didn't get stuck and have to get out in it!!

Straddling ruts.

We'll be comin' down the mountain when we come...(insert music jingle here LOL)

We had a good time, but I don't look forward to it again real soon. I'm thinking...ice skating sounds like fun. I hear Pittsburgh has an ice rink and it's an hour from here. Anyone up for ice skating??

Have a great weekend! We are getting ready for a road trip on Tuesday. God willing we will be back on Sunday. Our first "vacation" in years. No dogs, no kids. Kind of scary, kinda of exciting. Going to be paying respects, doing some ancestry research and some adventuring.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you Peace,

Dee

Off Road Crawling

2009-10-31T19:10:00.004-05:00

You will never guess what we did yesterday. Chris has 4 days off, Fall Break, and a friend just got a Land Rover and wanted to go try it off road. He used to go way back when, and we talked to him about when Chris would go with his dad, and I shared when I used to go...way back when. We have gone a few times in our 17 yrs of marriage but not that often. So we packed lunches, first aid kits, sand, wood, shovels and walkie talkies and off we went. I will let you see the pictures to decide if we had fun. I will just say, I WALKED down the first hill. After aquiring wabbly legs, I rode the rest of the time. It was a bit muddy since we had rain a few days before and I didn't want to end up looking like our truck!

Chris drove down first. No, he crawled slooowwlly down.

Our friend Drake and his daughter Madison. Crystal stayed home with their other girls, and she is 5 mths pregnant. Off roading is not condusive to pregnancy, she says "more power to ya!"

Drake working his way down. If you follow the road you will see our truck...wwaaaayy down there. Yep, that's the road I walked. So, Chris walk part way up to "visit" with to forestry guys cutting back some trees. They said "these were pretty nice vehicles to be out here. That they had seen a lot of things...oh look that woman is walking it. Never seen that before!" Ha! Now ya have!

All I can say is no we didn't drive it, but I had to take a picture. Click on it to read the sign.

We went through and then I hoped out to get this of Drake. I am hoping to get a copy of the picture Madison took of us. Let me just say, that water was so STINKY. And now it's all over our truck. YUCK!

Drake got airborne with one tire. He made it over just fine. Thank goodness for 4WD.

The last bits of fall colors here.

Chris and I by our beloved truck. This truck has been all over the states. We bought it 17 yrs ago and it even, by the grace of God and lots of Angels surrounding us, kept us out of a potential nasty accident in NM. We still can hardly believe we didn't hit anyone or anything. Only God can do that! And protects us while we traps around in God's country, how cool is that!

This is our friend Drake and his daughter Madison. She's a nature girl like me so it was neat to see her have a good time. During our lunch break she made a head piece out of various flowers and leaves. So creative!

How cool! With some wracked nerves here and there, and an occasional rock that tried to prevent us from going anywher (notice I said tried) we had a great time.

Peace,
Dee

In the moment

2009-10-07T19:12:00.003-05:00

Have you ever gone through the whole day only to find yourself looking back and wondering where it went? I do. The Lord is showing me a lot about staying in the moment and reminding me of who's in control. NOT ME that's for sure. My moments turn into hours and turn into days, all with thinking ahead or thinking of what needs to be done later...or sadly, what I want in a situation or event.

The more I am practicing the art of staying in the moment, and I do believe it is an art, the more I am seeing how much of my thoughts are "future" based. And how humbled I am that I know nothing, can do nothing, and do not know what's best for anyone or anything. That is God's area of expertise :-)

I pray for the grace to be more aware of my own motives and thinking that I may rest in His peace and freedom that I know is promised. I just have to let go.

Peace,

Dee

Tasha Tudor Day!

2009-08-27T19:48:00.005-05:00

While I have always held a place in my heart for the Victorian type home, my true desires lay in the simple life. Sometime back I ran across a woman by the name of Tasha Tudor. Her being is what I so enjoy. Simple, creative, not consumed by the world...yet feminine. NOT FRILLY. I am not a frilly person.

Anyways, I understand this would have been her birthday and people around the globe are acknowleging her birthday. I too wanted to join in, for she stands for so much I desire but don't know how to get there. Living out of the norm and loving it.

Peace,

Dee

Coming back home

2009-08-23T12:42:00.006-05:00

(Me with my friend Stacy)

For the past 3 months I have been blessed with the opportunity to work at the University my husband is attending. I worked full time. After 5 yrs of being a homemaker, this was a challenge. But not one to give up on. The Lord stretched me in ways I didn't know was in me, or I forgot. My job was temporary and I am now returning home. Home, where I feel the Lord has clearly defined....that is my place as a wife.

I won't get to much into it today, but I will be posting some quotes and thoughts on this soon. Yes sooner than the last post, no laughing! I have come to believe, firmly, that women are the heart of the home. If we are out trying to earn money and climb the corporate ladder, who is raising our kids, who is creating a loving warm environment for our husbands and friends, who is cooking nutritous meals and holding on to that dearly beloved money that God gives us to survive...rather then fast food chains so they can survive while our health plummits.

Think about this. As women we have the opportunity to live our vocation, accept the duties God has given us, and take care of people the best way we see fit all while living in His will for us. What a better job can you get than that!

Growing up, I didn't have this mindset. I still struggle periodically with the "have to support myself" syndrome. I don't believe this is healthy for kids, husbands or us as women. We are, by biologic nature, more feeling oriented, more caring, and more nuturining (sorry guys but true). What happens to our psycological being when we can't be home when our kids come home in tears from a horrible day. What happens when our husbands need their wife for support and companion to listen to them or provide a warm homecooked meal for them....and we are at work. Or at too many obligations we have set up for our selves.

I don't usually get opinionated, but I have been reading A LOT on marriage and the roles of men and women. The way God designed them, not the way society tells us we must live. If we remove the words of others, the looks, the "way" everyone else says we should live and look at the Truth, we will see. God has a plan, and it doesn't involve what Susy Q the neighbor says about it!

Peace,
Dee

Happy 4th of July Ya'll !

2009-07-04T20:48:00.003-05:00

We had an eventful day. After putting back together a Woosier cabinet we bought and I painted last night, we went to a BBQ at a friends. WOW the food! He cooked up all kinds of meat and there was homemade potato salad, pizza dip, chips, watermelon (it's not 4th of July w/o watermelon), then topped off with a water balloon fight that even the "Big" boys got involved in.

Had a great time. God has blessed us with fantastic friends and good food today.

Every day I try to write one thing in my journal that I am grateful to God for. Today, it was that we have friends with LOTS of kids. It made for a fun time (and lots of memories when Kim and Danielle were little). Hmm, miss them. They grow so fast, but I'm grateful for "borrowing" the neighbor kids. It seems to always bring the kid out in us.

Peace,
Dee

Yard Sale Woman!!!

2009-06-04T11:29:00.003-05:00

Ok, imagine a woman dressed in jeans, sneakers and a watchful eye. She's carrying a simple pack to hold her money, dollars and change of course, and hot tea (coffee for some) in one hand a map in the other. What is she looking for? YARD SALES!! All she needs is her bargain cape and she becomes... dunt da da da....Yard sale Woman!!!

Are you a yard salen' person? If so you will want to check this out http://www.127sale.com/ and http://www.127saleohio.com/ is the Ohio portion.
It's a yard sale that streches through 5 states. Yep you read right...5 states all along highway 127.

I'm hoping to get to hit a few, but we'll see. Traveling in all five states is a bit much, but 2 or so would be cool. I'm in, God willing, I'm in. If nothing else, just the weekend portion. Gott'a hit the sales!!! Dunt da da da...Yard Sale woman!!!

Yep, had fun writing this silly post.

Peace,
Dee

Bloomin' garden!

2009-06-03T20:49:00.004-05:00

It's amazing what a little rain water will do. We catch rain water in barrels next to the house and use that to water the garden. WARNING!!! Your plants will double in size overnight. They really like this stuff.

The broccoli is twice as big now (4 days later).

Mmm, strawberries, Romaine lettuce, ooh and onions and cabbage.

My gardening buddies! Molly likes to come in and sniff and watch while I water. Koda wants to eat what ever is hanging over...hence the new rule - No Koda in the garden!

Peace,

Dee

Botany Day at Racoon Creek

2009-05-15T20:22:00.000-05:00

I've always been interested in nature so when I found out the Racoon Creek Park in PA (only 20 min away) was holding Botany Day, and it was $5 per person I was in. Chris was interested too, and Danielle was home on leave so she joined us. It was a nice relaxing day...as you can tell with Danielle and I napping in the warm sun.

On the trail as we hiked with our guide.

Mmm, a sweet sunny break! Thank you Lord for the blanket in the truck and a picnic lunch.

My happy family on a picnic. It's been a long time since we have had a picinic together. We should do this more often.

"Huh?" Inspecting flowering plants, and learning how to distinguish between them.

Danielle with the book to look up the types of plants. The ladies next to her and considered Master gardeners, but came along for the joy of it. Neat!

Next, Eatible plants. We will be learning how to identify and actually cook some up to eat! That one is a two day workshop in August.

Peace,

Dee

And the garden is finished!

2009-05-14T19:52:00.002-05:00

Wa-La! We have a garden!

After 2 months of working on and off due to weather, we have a completed garden. The two "Square Foot" beds are 4 x 8, and there's a 3 ft walk all the way around. Chris and I decided to put 2 ft chicken wire on the floor next to the fence. That's to keep out George! Yes, we named that fat woodchuck that keeps coming in my yard. Now I need a name for the possum I saw last week!

I also built a compost bin - of which I'm still learning how to do that. A friend says I'm making it more difficult than it is, but I don't know. We are offically watering the garden with rain water. Two 55 gallon rain barrels are capturing so much of that awesome rain that God sends down, just so I can water my garden. It must be really good water, my plants are growing straight and strong! I will post a current picture of what's growing later on. For now...here's the process and finished garden. Welcome to my garden:

Here, we layed weed cloth down and got the frames with chicken wire in place.

My strong husband is inserting the posts for the inside of the frames, they are 12" deep when done.

Post hole digging. Let me tell you, as a woman...there are limits I respect. And I am Oh so grateful God made man!

My gate. This gate was built in Georgia when we lived there. C built it for me and I loved it so much we hauled it with us. Yes, he rolled his eyes, still does. But that's ok. I like my gate. :-)

I started with 1 4 x 4 garden last year. This year it has grown. I hope to Keep It Simple, yet have an abundance of food to freeze and can. If you are interested in Square Foot Gardening, check out his website or better yet, buy the book. It is fantastic!

Peace,

Dee

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T04:59:00.002-05:00

Today is the day we pause to remember and thank our mother. For giving us life, for putting up with us, for teaching us (good or bad). We must also give thanks and remembrance to one very special Mother. For without her "fiat" or yes, our Savior would not have come when He did. Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. We look to her as a shining example of what it is to be a daughter of God, woman, wife, and mother.

As a daughter of God, her faith was important to her, important enough that she studied and knew her "Bible", the old testament, so very well. She had confidence and faith in God. Her obedience to Him is so natural, and her faith so strong that when the angel Gabriel came, she didn't doubt, she was confused as to how it could happen. The Yes that Mary said, the "be it done to me according to His will", could only come from a surety of faith in God. Putting herself in His hands.

As a wife, her obedience to Joseph. HELLO! If your husband woke you in the middle of the night and said we are leaving now...and you were 8 mths pregnant, would you not look at him like he lost his mind! She was quiet, always keeping things in her heart. Meditating on the things that people spoke of. She didn't run to Sally her neighbor and "dump" if you will, all that has been happening, or all that Joseph is asking her to do. She pondered them, quietly in her heart. Should we not give our husbands the same respect, and come closer to achieving that Proverbs 31 woman of being a asset to our husbands?

And finally, but not least, as a Mother. I don't need to go on about her Son, Jesus. I want to write about her role as a Mother. Her angst and panic when Jesus was lost for 3 days. Then her total relief when she and Joseph found him. Her teaching Jesus, knowing...pondering in her heart all the things people had said through the years (at His birth, at the temple..both times), her teaching this little boy. Giving all she had- a mother's love, teaching when He was very little, and ultimately, giving her heart. Her Son had to do something for me and you. He HAD to. For all generations past, present, and future (that would be us back then!). Mary didn't jump in and say - No, Jesus, not now, don't do this now! No, she remained quiet. Maintaining the quiet, humble spirit that God had seen in her to choose her as the Mother of His Son. For even to the point of being on the Cross. She cried, she hurt - for all the things happening she still had human feelings, feelings of a Mother. Her Son was being beaten and NAILED to a wooden cross. As He hung there, the soldiers and people had enough respect for her that they didn't push her away. She was there at the foot of that Cross, the cross for you and me. With blood running down her Son, and His flesh torn. She was there. Supporting Him, Loving Him, and caring from a distance because all that pondering through the years had lead her to understand what had to be done. She accepted God's will for herself early on, and she was accepting God's will for us at the foot of the Cross.

Please pause just for a moment to thank her. She is so deserving of just a moment of your time.

God's peace,
Dee

Ruthless Spring cleaning

2009-04-28T11:14:00.007-05:00

Call it Spring fever, call it "tired of my home in dis-array" or call it what you will, but I had had it. I took a week and a half of (yes I DO work, I am a full time housewife!). I went to my husband and told him my plan: No walking, no daily mass, no anything until I got the chaos and clutter under control in our home. About this time he raised his eyebrow, and I responded "Ok I'll make sure we have food and there MAY be clean clothes in the basement, but not ironed :-)

He agreed. So off I went, full speed for days. From 8am to 5pm - the Mount Vernon method. I started on the right from my front door and went through EVERY space, drawer, cupboard and cabinet until it was emptied out, cleaned out and only a select few made it back in. Ah! the serenity of order and peace. Now I KNOW what is in each drawer and cabinet, I don't have to go on a wild goose chase with my husband to find something.

Well, 5 days into it I couldn't keep my eyes open past 8pm, so hubby and I agreed it's time to back down. I am glad. Most of it is done. I'm working upstairs and would like to finish that with the same vigor, but the Lord gave me this message: all good things are done in time. Not with rushing. So, I will do what I can in the frame of my normal daily routine.

Now the exciting part. In this decluttering mode, after a year of praying, we decided to sell our large side by side frig and get a smaller one. Mainly because our home, built in 1929, doesn't have the frig "space" for a larger, 2000, version. The day I went to go shopping and start price checking, I was talking to a friend who I buy eggs from. Fresh, farm raised eggs. Oooh, with bright orange yolks. Okay, enough drooling. Anyways, Roxanne and I were talking about my latest adventure about a frig and we came up with the idea to trade! She could use a bigger one, especially freezer space and I needed smaller and already have a deep freezer in the basement. Hence...I got a new frig, and so did she. :-)

Out with the old...

In with the new..

So, this week I am concentrating on finalizing clutter in the office and linen shelves while getting back to the joys of routines. Tomorrow, Laundry and House blessing day along with shred the mile high mountain of papers.

Decluttering and paring down your home always brings about peace. If you can't do like I've done, and I realize the Lord has blessed me with the time and ablity to do that, you CAN take it one day at a time. Start with a list of all the things bothering you. Break it down by room, then break it down to the top thing to accomplish that day, then the next. Don't get to far ahead, remember...If you ever want to see God laugh, make plans. When I am addressing my list in each room, I tend to mark A B C for Monday, then when Monday is done, A B C for Tuesday. That way if things come up, like Molly has an eye infection so off to the vet we go, it won't mess up a whole week's worth of plans.

My home is coming together, finally. After almost 2 years I am able to settle in. I think we are staying for a bit, at least until the Lord says otherwise.

May God's peace be upon you,
Dee

Graduation Day!!

2009-04-18T20:29:00.001-05:00

We made it to Family Day on Thursday and Graduation on Friday. Kim (Danielle's older sister) flew in late Thursday night. It was great to have both the girls together. Here are some pics, I took to many to post so I will post a few to share. Danielle and Kim drove back with us to Ohio and Kim flew out on Easter. We've had a busy week and as I write Danielle is packing to fly out tomorrow. Next destination: more training in N.C. for the next 3 mths.

I am so grateful a good friend of mine is picking her up at the airport and helping her get all her seabags, etc to the base. Thank you Kim!!

That's all for now. Oh, Sand Flies! in SC at Parris Island. If you ever want to know about them ...don't ask! and be grateful!!! These little buggers actually made it into the museum (as a cartoon) on base. The cartoon depicts them with "iron" teeth. I will just leave it at that!

Hope you enjoy the picture's of Pvt. B. Danielle Peterson:

This was the M.O.T. run (motivational run) at 7 am Thursday morning. Check out the grin!

Danielle's platoon and senior drill instructor, yikes!!

Pvt. B. Danielle Peterson

Her platoon got the trophy for Final PFT, Final Drill...big accomplishment. You go girl! (or should I say girls!)

So, this door has a rich tradition in the Corps. Only recruits can go in it. No one else, for any reason. There are doors on the side for everyone else. Danielle has graduated now and can't enter them. Here you have one retired Marine, after 20 yrs, and one brand spankin' new one..Love ya both!

Danielle's platoon doing a "Pass by" on the parade deck.

Sisters, a bond that can never be broken.

"The" handshake of congrats.

Once off base she wanted to stop at the first place we could so she could change. Hence the Burger King bag. NOT my choice! She got to make her first call and first french fries in 13 weeks. Keep in mind, no phone, no computer, no male contact, no stores, no off base for 13 weeks. Marine training...only the best for our country! (So I'm partial, give me a break!)

God's peace,

Dee

3 days until Danielle's Boot Camp Graduation

2009-04-07T09:24:00.003-05:00

I can hardly believe it. 3 days until Danielle's graduation from boot camp.

We will get to see her Thursday for family day, that will be the first time since January 12 when she left. She called last Sunday for the first time, and we were gone. (insert really sad face here). That's ok, the Lord allowed Chris to hear her voice and he said she seemed excited to see us on Thursday...so she made it through the Crucible!

We leave this afternoon, driving for 3 hrs then will finish the drive (9hrs) tomorrow. Our hope is we will be back in time for Easter service Saturday night. God willing we should be.

Please keep her in your prayers, and us as we travel.

God's peace,

Dee

Quote about Proverbs

2009-04-05T20:41:00.002-05:00

So a friend in Georgia years ago introduced me to reading a Proverbs a day, I still do this though not as regular as I used to. I have gotten back into it recently and this is a quote that came to mind:

"Proverbs is like a multi-vitamin, take one daily."
by me!

Cute huh?! Though I can't take the credit for it, the Lord gets the glory.

God's peace,
Dee

Basket Weaving Weekend

2009-03-30T13:56:00.001-05:00

It was fantastic! The Lord gave me the opportunity to go away for a couple days to a weekend for basket weavers. It was held in Mentor OH, right on the Lake up north. You can see more about it here. The newspaper came and did an article on us and a short video which is also available on the site.

Besides an amazing weekend that sparked the fire of weaving inside me that had died from the years of not being able to, the Lord blessed me in many ways.

Saturday's basket, the handle is the fun part!

Friday's basket, Cherokee on Cedar or as I called it "the little bugger." 120 spokes 16 hours to weave!

The class I took on Friday, weaving what I affectionately call now, the "little bugger". Or Cherokee in Cedar.

The room the hotel let's us use to finish our projects from the day. We were there until 11pm weaving.

*I learned more about my weaving and corrections to make so my baskets form better.

*I met women (and men) from all over the U.S., one as far away as Alaska.

*A gift from the Lord: On Saturday there was a raffle of several items. I purchased 12 tickets, hoping to win SOMETHING. There was 3 "piles" if you will, of pattern books,weaving supplies, handles, basket decorations (add-on's), etc. One was a lime green tote bag to carry all your supplies in. I really wanted the tote bag because I saw most of the long time weavers had a similar bag to carry their tools. I ended up putting 11 of my tickets between the 2 piles of supplies and books and the last ticket in the bowl for the tote. The hope of winning the tote filled me with excitement.

I left to go to another room that had a vendor, Royalwood, to make some purchases of long needed tools. My name was called so I went in to see what they needed. I won one of the stacks of supplies. Yeah!! I was so excited because I usually don't win raffles. As I walked back in to finish my purchase, I heard my name called again. My first thought was "oh no I grabbed the wrong stack", so I hurried back in only to have them tell me I won again!! I was SO excited. Now I had 2 piles of books, handles, and supplies. As I grabbed my second winnnings and turned to walk away, my heart was filled with so much excitement when I heard my name called again, for the third time!! I won the lime green tote to carry all my loot in. How cool is that!?

As one friend said, not only did the Lord bless me with the spark inside being ingnited, but also gave me some books and supplies as if to say "yes, this is what I want you to do, oh and here is a bag to carry it all in." I could never have afforded all this without saving for a time for it all.

God knows what we need and if we are willing to step out in faith, He will be there to bless our efforts. Know Him. Trust Him. He will always be faithful to you.

God's peace,

Dee

Giving from your living

2009-03-28T06:21:00.005-05:00

Good morning! My prayer time this morning was fruitful. A passage from Mark 12:44 caught my attention and the Spirit of God granted me some things to ponder about and I wanted to share them.

Mark 12:44

She not only gave of her want, she gave of her living.

I see the relation to this with the parable of the young man who cam to Jesus asking how he could have eternal life. Jesus told him to sell all he had and follow Him. Though in this parable - the young man was sad because he didn't know if he could do that.

The point of both is by giving from your living, you have faith and want not.

For others may not have anything, and giving of your living will help others while you have more then they probably do. Your faith in God providing will grow and you will walk in the way of Our Lord, never needing more than what God gives. If we share what He gives - we will be provided for and we are helping others be provided for.

Out of Love. It's a circle. We do this out of Love for our neighbor and ourself. One of the 2 greatest commandments. Ultimately doing this for our love and faith in God that He will take care of our needs (not our wants mind you).

So give of your living. Be inspired by a nameless woman in the Bible - that caught our Lord's attention - and be blessed by loving others as well as yourself. For God will be in your heart, mind and soul.

God's peace,

Dee

Houston, We have pictures!!!

2009-03-11T13:30:00.003-05:00

I am so excited. Yeah, I know...it took long enough! So here is a trial run of downloading my first picture from my new camera. And of who else? My baby girl, Molly! She was caught and was too tuckered out to get up when I came down the stairs.

New Camera!!

2009-02-07T12:18:00.005-05:00

This is my new Canon xs Rebel, I feel like a kid in a candy shop!

Yippee!! Yippee!!

I went to Circuit City's closeout sale and the camera I had my eye on a few weeks ago was on sale (praise God)...and it was the last one, the display model, so I got an extra savings. AND I AM LOVIN' IT!! God is so good.

Now if I could just figure out how to use the dern thing LOL. Oh the pictures it is producing. I can't even begin to describe.

As I get used to it I will be posting, just wait and see.

This camera means so much to me sometimes I just carry it with me, just because. The night I got it we went to dinner and it sat right in front of me...never with in reach of C (how do you make that little sound when you are being sneaky or ornry, well imagine that here.)

Now if I can just figure out a way to carry it with me all the time, and my purse, and my water, and whatever else needs to go with me for that moment. Because don't you know. The very moment I leave without my camera, there is something amazingly beautiful that I spot, and this beautiful fandangled gadit is at home!

Any suggestion from those who carry theirs?

Oh the place's I'll go, .

God's peace,
Dee

Ice Day!!

2009-01-28T16:31:00.003-05:00

Our front yard. It's a bit blurry...new camera :-)

Today is an Ice day here, sort of like a snow day...only snow then ice. It is a mess. In all my life of living in the north-east (all of 1 1/2 yrs :-) I have never seen anything like it.

Yesterday it snowed 3-4 inches, then turned into rain. Only to wake up this morning to the 4 inches of snow completely ICED over. From the top it looks like a glaze on top, a shiney glaze. I will post a picture later.

So events of today:

-Chris' classes are all canceled.

-went to daily mass (at the college) thinking no one would show and it was packed full!

-Roads are closed except to emergency vehicles (or the random wife who feels it's a real emergency to drive to Kroger to get Cold-Eze b/c her hubby is trying to stay healthy and ward off anything that's developing. And she really wants to start her new job next week healthy too!!)

-Trees are snapping like crazy and everything outside is covered with a sheathing of ice.

-It has already rained all day, then turned to ice rain (again) and a big snow dumping ontop of the mess we had.

-So, Chris is napping, I'm doing laundry and our budget and getting ready to make some tea.

Anyone else for tea? Tea always calms the nerves and let me tell you, almost every hour I am praising the Lord for electricity and a heater.

God's peace,
Dee

First letter

2009-01-22T17:11:00.002-05:00

We just got our first letter from Danielle today. It was short, but she says she is doing good. She has one D.I. who is "nice (ish) and one that is EVIL" according to her letter. Attention is already being drawn to her because she is trying to help the others in getting up and getting around. The first 36 hours they didn't sleep and she says she feels disoriented everytime she wakes up.

But all in all...she says "I'm doing what I can to become a Marine." She is doing good...Praise God!

Please keep her in your prayers.

God's peace,
Dee

Burrr

2009-01-17T07:38:00.002-05:00

Ummm....HELLO!!!

It's MINUS 4 degrees outside this morning!!!!

(eyeballs are poppin' out here, and frozen while popped out!)

Nobody ever said anything about MINUS temp's when we moved here!!!

2009-01-15T09:00:00.008-05:00

Most of you know each morning I get up early and treasure the quiet time with the Lord. I journal some, read the Bible some, and read something from Al-Anon. This morning's time was cut a bit short and I came back later to sit and reflect. This is what came out of that reflection time and I feel I should share it with you.

A reflection from Matthew 24:36-51 ~

I see how Jesus is teaching me to live as if He were coming at any moment.

He warns us that we are to be on watch for we know not when the thief is coming in the night.

He also speaks of those drinking, partying and marrying as if the Lord's coming is long off. And warns us of this behavior.

Jesus is showing compassion for us. He wants us to have the eternal salvation God is giving us through His son Jesus. And He loves us so much that He is warning us, telling us point blank how to live our day.

Through the way Our Lord is towards us - should we not heed His warning?

We are all sinners, of which I am the greatest, but as long as we are striving to live our day according to God's commands, according to the behaviors and ways Jesus lived - we will show a love and desire to do right, and I believe God will have mercy. He loves us enough, do we love Him enough?

It is not easy. It is hard each passing moment -

To stay out of others affairs - yet be there with compassion and love when they need it.

To reach out with love and forgiveness to those who have hurt us time and again in the past - and possibly may do it again.

To open our arms to those who have only taken from us and never filled us when we needed it.

To NOT be a director over others lives - but to allow God to be their director.

God gives us the grace to do this.

It is our will, our choice, to do God's will and love our brothers and sisters, or to do our will and be lost and far from Him.

The awesome part is - He is always there should we wonder. Waiting for our return. Like a loving parent to a child who has wondered away to do what he or she wants. That parent loves them enough to let go and let them discover themselves - but is there when they come back. God does this for us. How can we turn away and say "I want to live this way not that. The Lord is coming but not today" to a God who loves us enough to give us warnings and offers the teaching we need to live.

Do we love Him enough to show Him through our actions today? Right now - in the next person that crosses our path?

I must practice today - keeping the things I have learned this morning - close to my heart and review in my mind often. Lest the events of the day lead me away. In chaos and confusion I will be lost, until I settle down tonight. With my head hung low becuase I forgot. I do the best that I can, but I know i could put forth a teesy bit more effort - to show gratiutde to the God of my understanding.

God's peace be with you today,

Dee

New Dutch oven on the way!!

2009-01-14T18:17:00.004-05:00

I did it. I finally bought a nice, new piece of cookware. I have been shopping for years, never knowing what I really needed or wanted. We are evolving to the no telfon, no aluminum cookware and my eye has been on Le Creuset for some time, but couldn't bring myself to spend the big money.

I already have Lodge cast iron's, which are slowly getting seasoned (though don't try scrambled eggs. If you do add one extra egg to make up for what sticks!! LOL) and now I have found Lodge has enamel cookware just like Le Creuset! For a fraction of the cost! How awesome is that!

I was concerned about the lead content in the glass that is used in the enamel and this is what Lodge Logic says:

Are Lodge Enamel products tested for lead safety?

Lodge utilizes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Test Procedure 7.5.1.4a Leachability of Lead and cadmium for Glazed Ceramic Surfaces. The FDA Division of Compliance Programs uses ASTM-C738 as the Standard Method of Test for glazed ceramic. In addition to information provided by vendors, Lodge Manufacturing Company uses third party testing to ensure that products with the Lodge name comply with standards set forth by the United States Food & Drug Administration. All our domestic as well as imported cookware complies with the FDA Standards. We are also in compliance with California Proposal 65, the world’s most rigid standard for lead and cadmium content.

I'm convinced. So it's on the way. A nice, red (Island Spice) 6 qt dutch oven by Lodge Logic. Check it out...

Nice huh?!

I am still shopping for a new camera, though I started my photography class last night and found out I can get the close up pictures I want with a good Macro lens for my Minolta 35mm. That would save a bit of money. The tough part is that I've gotten spoiled. I like looking at my pictures BEFORE I get them printed. Silly I know, but we all have our quirks!

God's peace,

Dee

Tagged

2009-01-10T18:14:00.005-05:00

I had been tagged a couple weeks ago by my sister SusanD but Christmas and birthday took precedence over my time. Sorry Susan!

But alas, I am getting the opportunity to play the game and tag others so here goes:

7 Unusual things about me:

1. I love to be outdoors, especially at 5 am..alone with God.
2. I wear boots (Ropers) all the time, unless we've had snow..then I break out the fur lined Merrel's.
3. I enjoy making things and giving it to someone anonymously.
4. I am taking a photography class this semester.
5. I have raised 2 step-daughters for the past 17 years.
6. My soul is comforted by the hug of a horse or dog.
7. I dream of having a home with a bit of land for a few animals.

Ok so here's who I'm tagging - Susan , Rhee , Cyn , Ang , http://prairieportraits.blogspot.com/ , that's it for now...breakfast is ready. Priorities ya know!

So for the blogs I tagged, here's how you play the game:
1. Put a link in your posting to the person who tagged you.
2. List 7 unusual things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 other bloggers and let them know.

God's peace,
Dee

A New Chapter

2009-01-10T17:33:00.002-05:00

Last Wednesday was my birthday, Whoa! It was a mile marker as some are lovingly calling it. I'm calling it the start to the second half...the next chapter.

After finishing a 4th step inventory (many of you know I'm in Al-Anon) I have been given the grace to see into myself. The good, the bad, and the space in between. With my birthday, I am celebrating the good, while reviewing and remembering daily I am a good person. God created me to love and be loved. I am a daughter of the King of Kings, and He loves me! I have found my values. I have found the woman who has been lost for years, and along with that, the anxiety of how in the world to make changes using 2%, as my dear loving sponsor is teaching me.

The grace to see within myself the bad. The thinking that I am not worthy of taking care of myself or putting my needs and wants out there to tend to. The grace to see how I have been treating myself. All from the years of growing up with an alcoholic, my thinking has been skewed. Some of my belief's just evolved from circumstances, some from things I was told.

But as my dear sister has put it on This Day...this day I am a good person who loves to give of myself to others - I just have to learn to do it without losing myself. My focus this day is on me, learning about me, understanding what it is to take care of me, and how to have fun all over again. Today, I am letting others keep their problems, emotions, and schedule's for it is not mine to manage or fix. Today, I am celebrating the next half of my life. And there will be change, for I am created by God and I deserve to know I am worthy!!

Today, This day...I am loving me!

The more I read the Bible and learn, really understand, the person Jesus Christ, I am learning He lived in a state of loving and caring for others but with detachment. He took care of himself first (going off to pray, sleeping when he needed it) yet He gave of Himself to anyone that crossed His path and ASKED Him for help. That is the eye opener for me. They asked. He did not go out and search for people to help, or get in their business and tell them how they could better themselves. He healed, He taught, and He loved all with those who came to Him. What an example to live by.

I am grateful for God sending His son to teach me, and to tell me I am worthy just because I breathe!

May God grant you peace...This Day,
Dee

Without a camera!

2008-12-24T10:42:00.004-05:00

My handy, take with me everywhere, tiny digital camera gave out on me! It is stuck open and is going to cost more than a new one to fix, so I am saving for a new REALLY nice digital. This Spring I am taking a photography class at the local community college. I've always wanted to do that and hope that this will get me out of the house a bit.

As my life journey continues on I have learned:

* I love to be a housewife, but I need to do things that "fill" me too.

*Cleaning is important but not "all that". There are more things to life then a "routine" of daily cleaning, maintenance, and planning.

*When I focus on C or anyone else to much I lose myself. Currently I feel invisible so I am working to change that by doing things that make my heart sing: Photography class, drawing class and attending a Winter Weave basket weaving 3day workshop near Cleveland in February, volunteering at our church's thrift shop.

*Turning 40 in two weeks can bring two choices...1) Whoa! I am starting a new chapter in my life! with Oh my gosh! Where has the years gone...what am I going to do with the rest of my life? OR 2) Yikes I'm turning 40! How did THAT happen!

It is fitting that the Lord has brought me to this point in my life now. With the Incarnation of Christ and meditating on His coming, I have been standing back and looking at me, my life and where I am with Him in my journey.

My current meditations: Perfect Love casts out ALL fear. This leaves me to ask Him what is this Perfect Love? How can I get it to sink from the head to the heart? He is working on me, slowly, in a way only I will know. But for today, He asks me to be quite and come to spend time with Him so He can tell me how much He loves me. {smile}

I wish you a Merry Christmas and may God's peace be upon you~
Dee

It's about God

2008-11-05T11:08:00.003-05:00

This morning as I entered into that joyouse quiet time with the Lord, this came to me. My husband asked me to post it, though I don't usually get involved in any politcs this is focused on the Lord.

~God's peace...

Obama won the presidency. Many people may think, "Oh great! This country is going to hell in a handbasket" or how "this person can devastate our country."
But wait! This is perfect grounds for the Lord to work miracles and we can praise & glorify Him.
We must draw near. We must pray, fast and give of ourselves. Sacrifice. For the Lord must know we belong to Him, not to a person. God made Barack Obama. God can do anything. I have hope and believe in God, as my guide, as my protector, as my creator.
I see this as a beautiful opportunity to give praise & glory to God for miracles He can do. For we will know they are from Him - all the more to praise Him.
We needed this! For our faith's sake.

Acts of kindness

2008-11-05T10:53:00.003-05:00

Did you notice the little tail?

I love...

the soft spot in your heart. When in the early hours of the morning there is a chill in the house and Sasha is dancing by your feet, you carefully pick her up to hold her close so she can get warm. It moves me inside to see a man act so lovingly to one of God's little creatures.

I smile when...

you carefully hold our little 3 lb dog when she is having a seizure. With love and compassion for her you are right there..no matter what you are doing. :-)

It's official

2008-11-03T11:18:00.004-05:00

Danielle enlisted in the Marine Corps on Thursday October 30! We are so proud of her! She hopes to do the 4 years and see where she is after that. Boot camp starts January 12th.

I have struggled with this in many ways, which I won't go into here. In prayer over and over the Lord has told me "let her go, this is what she needs right now. I know her, I know what she needs and I am watching over her." This has given me a peace inside that I can't explain. The same message was given to me for several days.

Of course, Chris is excited. He was in his prime at the MEP's station in Cleveland. Visiting with the other's who are active duty Marine's. While we were there I got to witness something amazing! The Lord taking this opportunity to work through my husband and minister to someone else that was active duty. They had a very deep, touching converstation about the Lord. Who knows why? Only God. But I do know it was an experience for both parties involved, and I was blessed to be able to watch it.

He is so awesome, He never ceases to work through us if we are willing.

God's peace to you,
Dee

Season's first snowfall

2008-10-28T09:37:00.003-05:00

If you look really close, there's snowflakes justa' fallin'...

As I write this, the rain and drizzle this morning has turned into our first season's snowfall. Ah! Already! I'm excited, but surprised at the early arrival.

It is so beautiful, it makes the cold a bit more tolerable. Maybe that's part of God's plan, :-)

Announcement....

2008-10-24T06:20:00.006-05:00

We have an annoucement to make. Guess who is joing the Marine Corps?......

Our sweet loving little one...Danielle.

When she came home to share with us her decision we were a little surprised. Not totally shocked though.

Danielle has talked about this several years ago, when we moved back from Okinawa and she was going into high school. Now, after 3 semesters here at the private collage she (and her Dad) have been attending she is certain she is not ready for college and not college "material" if you will.

Her desire is to learn more about her self, push herself and develop self- discipline. Pretty smart for a 19yo (almost 20) who isn't sure what she wants to do with her life yet.

My hope and dream for her is to be successful at what ever she does. I love her and I will miss her terribly (empty nest thing is hitting hard right about now!), but I know the Lord loves her and will take care of her. More than I could ever try to.

I love when: I try to take her picture and she is so silly making faces. When she leaves, I get a big hug and a sigh. I hope she knows I love her too!!

Please pray for her. She signs the papers and the swearing in on Thursday Oct. 30th.

God's peace,

Dee

PS I just love eBlogger!! Argh. I don't know how the underline above keeps showing up and I have put spaces in several times and they just keep dissappearing when it posts. Sorry for the "one big"paragraph.

A trip to the Zoo!

2008-10-20T10:05:00.004-05:00

Last Sunday was a free day at the Pittsburgh zoo for something called RADICAL DAYS! It's an annual event that several museums and the zoo take part in and one day is free. I like free, do you?

So Chris and I packed some water bottles and a snack and headed to the zoo Sunday. How fun! Oh, how many people! I do believe all of PA and the eastern side of Ohio was there all on the same day. Did enjoy it though. It was a great outing, a good break for Chris from all his homework and work work. I like to treat ourselves to an outing to spend time away from all the home projects and homework. Especially if it's free!!

Here are a few pictures:

How magnificent are God's creatures. Something had their interest over there.
The zoo's new largest baby! Isn't she cute, and a personality that is very playful.
Tickle tickle!
One...
Two..
Three!!!

Have a great day!

May the peace of Christ be with you,

Dee

Being grateful

2008-10-09T20:28:00.003-05:00

Painting by Minerva Teichert

This evening I had the chance to entertain some friends that drove up from GA. As I was cooking in the kitchen I saw my husband and the couple on our back porch and found myself jealous. I thought "I want to be out there lounging too. I want to listen. I want to enjoy their company. But instead I'm stuck in here preparing dinner that I SHOULD have prepared most of it earlier." yatta yatta yatta! Complaining.

Then I got a question posed to me by the Lord. "Are you Martha or Mary right now?" Yeowch! I hung my head in shame.

I could see the whole story from the Bible in an instant. How Martha felt bitter towards Mary (not that I was bitter to my friend), how she grew impatient and angry because she wasn't getting the help she wanted. Maybe even some frustration because she was trying to have everything put together for a nice meal, and was doing it alone.

Once I recalled this and the part where the Lord says "Mary has choosen the better part," I realized my husband and family were enjoying the better part. Talking about the Lord in their life while I was inside preparing the food.

My heart instantly changed. How selfish I was. The Lord melted my heart and I got to change my perception to "I am so glad they are out there enjoying each other's company, and that I have the ability to prepare a healthy meal while they talk about the Lord." WOW!

That, ya'll, was only the Lord. My heart calmed down. The frustration and jealousy immediatly left. I was grateful. Grateful to serve.

Thank you Lord for teaching me. I am grateful to serve.

God's peace be with you,

Mrs. Peterson

Annual Family Pumpkin Patch visit

2008-10-04T20:10:00.003-05:00

We have had a standing tradition since the girls were little. Each fall we would go to a local pumpkin patch and gift shop. They would bounce in hay or take a maze. In Georgia we got to go on a haunted hay ride, what a hoot that was!

Here we are for this fall. We were blessed to have Danielle with us. Nothing makes a mom's (or stepmom in my case) heart sore like your daughter holding your hand in public. Even at 19. Yep that was a keeper moment.

Chris waiting for us and watching little one's play in the hay.

Danielle and me, a treasured time.

Isn't she silly.

Chris' pick for our family pumpkin.

We have had white pumpkins, green pumpkins (when we were stationed in Okinawa), little pumpkins and bumpy pumpkins...but never a tall one. We shall see what he creates this year.

God's peace be with you...and Happy Fall!

Dee

Family Reunion

2008-10-04T19:42:00.005-05:00

After 22 years, the kids of the Love family got together. And what a time we had! We all flew in and spent several days together in So. FL. My half-brother had a time share. How exciting!

I wasn't raised with the 4 of them (one is missing) but the 3 that made it shared memories and I got to share my life too. Very awkward for a bit but things settled right in.

When it was time to go, I actually had forgotten about the "saying goodbye" part. And I started crying. After my half-brother dropped my husband and I off at the airport, I just broke down in tears. He has cancer and was in the midst of finding a new drug that would work. Praise God, he is in remission now.

My family (p.s. We are the last of the Love family as far as we know.):

The first moments after we all flew in.

Remembering.

My neice Lauren and I. We are the only 2 in all my Dad's kids and their kids that look alike. Wild huh?! She has a twin sister that looks like the Love family, I take more of the Gasaway family (yep we have deep roots in Iowa ya'll).

God's peace,

Dee

Blessing...

2008-10-01T15:13:00.005-05:00

So, am I blessing me or my family?

Some people say taking a break to have a cup of tea or read for a short spell is selfish. "There is much to do", or you may hear "how do you have the time".

Each afternoon about 4:00 pm I take a break. The corner of my couch becomes my get-a-way. With a warm cup of my favorite tea, a small snack and an interesting book gives me a 30 minute get-a-way from my day.

I have often thought of this as self-ish, or there is one more thing I must do before I start dinner. How many times does that happen and we never take a break? Days...weeks...months..

As I sat down to snuggle in, I looked at the scene and thought "Am I blessing myself or my family by making myself take this time?" Both.

Sitting down for a bit, I am blessing myself since I get to refresh my body and mind. Taking tea, that part renew's my spirit. This is a great way to take care of my health or just to enjoy a sipping kind of tea. Reading a lovely book that interests me is a way to get my mind off the journey of the day. When my 30 minutes is up, I get up with a relaxed mind, body and spirit.

This is the part that blesses my family. Walking into the kitchen to make dinner with a calm mind and spirit creates the atmosphere of easing into the evening for my family. I am better prepared to go into the evening hours with the mindset that the day is winding down and I need to get my home and myself ready for tomorrow. My husband may come in and still be in the harried mode of "oh my gosh there is so much to do", but with my relaxed mindset, we are able to come together and enjoy a peaceful evening. Sometimes with a few giggles inbetween because we are in different modes.

I'm off. It's tea time!

God's peace,

Dee

A humble scene

2008-09-15T14:10:00.005-05:00

Welcome! It has been quite some time since I have posted. I am still feeling the call to develop my writing skills and to share in my experience as a wife and homemaker. It fasinates me that so many women I meet feel the same way I do, "I just don't understand what it is to be a 'Christian wife', and "the job of homekeeping is so overwhelming I never know whre to start so I don't." I too feel this way, often, and am here to share with you a warm hug. I believe that together we can support and encourage each other.

I had this opportunity last night. During a wind storm last night we had winds here that were about 70mph. The power went out about 5:30 ish, and didn't come back on until this morning at 10:30. While Chris was finishing his homework I noticed our fence had come apart from the wind, and was being pulled farther apart. We went out so Chris could repair the fence, THANK YOU Chris!!, and heard a huge snap. A tree down the street fell on our neighbors home.

Chris went down to see if he could help, and came back with one of the tenants who is a friend, and the 2 little dogs that lived in the home. She was in shock. Deanna had been in her bedroom upstairs when the tree went through the roof.

This was an opportunity the Lord gave us to serve, so we took the dogs for her while she contacted the owners and other friends to stay with them. I made some tea and Chris went down to ensure no one was still around or in the home. It was very humbling.

After a bit, she and the owners went to a friends to stay the night. I was ever so thankful for our home, for God's mercy and protection, and for a husband who cares. I was grateful for the security of our home during the wind storm though my fears and anxieties rose each time I heard trees cracking.

My loving husband came to the rescue. He got our hurricane lamp from the back porch and we got snacks and a warm blanket to sit on the front porch. It was such a comfort to be together and to pray together for our blessings.

My heart goes out to that family, but their pain and disaster has been a very humbling experience for both of us.

Never forget what you have and always be grateful, for the Lord gives and the Lord takes away.

God's peace,
Mrs. Dee

Being a pilgrim

2008-07-19T13:57:00.002-05:00

I read in the Bible recently how we are all pilgrims on earth. Making our way back to heaven to spend eternity in the promise made by God, through Jesus.

It has changed the way I look at my life and I see my self on a day to day journey, foot path if you will, of events that I have a choice in. Each choice will present the opportunity to allow God to speak to me about His will or I can hurry and do my will.

The Lord is not in the chaos!

As I go through the day and invite Him into each decision or event, I am making the choice to stay on that path, to be the pilgrim I am, and walk through my life with His guidance so I can come home some day.

You are a pilgrim too! God is calling you, can you hear Him? Remember, the Lord is not in the chaos!

God's peace,
Dee

Time off

2008-06-03T20:06:00.003-05:00

Some friends and blogging friends have asked what happened? Well, I'll tell you.

I found myself daily "lost" in the world of blogging. Reading others, posting, changing mine because I like what someone else did (which took a lot of time as I have no clue about changing things.) then as I connected my shoulder and back muscle cramps to being on the computer I started to reasses why?

Why DO I blog? Well, I'm in a program that promotes honesty, so, Pride. I wanted to have a blog that was as nice as so and so, or up date daily like so and so, or have a purpose like her.

Then it dawned on me. I am not doing anything in my free time, what little there is, besides sitting here in front of a computer. Joy!

So, I stopped. I went through withdrawls almost. "oh, I wonder what she has posted today about?" "Ooo, I bet she has some inspirational insights about the Simple Life today, she is such a wise woman." The temptations lasted about a week or two. Then I got lost in gardening. I LOVE GARDENING much more then sitting in front of a computer.

I also love reading books that bring me closer to God. I love watching Chrisian based movies. And more recently, I am realizing the importance of actually studying the Steps of Al-Anon, rather then just reading about them. (My Dad is my qualifier ya'll!)

I get sucked into everyone else's life...except mine. Don't get me wrong, I found great consolation in other's writings. And miss them very much. I got my home in shape with pretty things, I have looked at the world I live in with a different perception..all because of friends in the blogging world.

So, why post now? I miss writing for a purpose. And am thinking about posting again. I always get sidetracked though. I'm a sinner, like us all, and I tend to listen to the lies of the devil and think Oh..I can just read this ONE today. Ha, 30 minutes later.

I'm contemplating just writing on my blog those things that are important to me and my family and emailing those who choose to communicate that way. Not getting into everyone else's blogs. That is tough.

We are pilgrims on a journey. A journey back to Our Father. Chunks of time on the computer will not get me closer to my Father. So I'm still contemplating.

God's peace be with you~
Dee

Road trip

2008-03-08T21:22:00.003-05:00

Last Wednesday we took a road trip to see a doctor for me. It was a fruitful trip. God is good and provided an answer to a plea of prayer for continued healing for my health. I have had no symptoms of Fibro for a couple years, but the digestion problems just wouldn't let go. This doctor has made a remarkable change in my body by using Applied Kinesology. I have studied herbs and nutrition, but this takes the cake. All I can say is God is good.

While we were up there we drove on into Cleveland to a Dillard's outlet store (to much chaos for me though) and we saw the Great Lake FROZEN! So I grabbed my faithful camera and snapped a few shots to share.

This last one was the skyline into Cleveland. Neat to visit but sure glad I don't live here!

God's peace be with you~
Dee

Kitchen Blessings

2008-02-22T16:01:00.004-05:00

I have always been the kind of cook that can have 1 or 2 things going at the same time, but not 3. And that is within the same meal, like making dinner. Something gets put in the oven or covered to keep warm while I tend to the rest. I have learned and respect my limits.

I was in the midst of several baking projects and stood back in awe as I watched how the Lord was blessing me in my efforts. I had already made my Coconut macaroons, which were baking, and had homemade whole wheat bread rising for the second half, and was making dinner when I realized what was happening. Words can't even begin to discribe the feelings I had. It just confirmed for me that all things are possible with God, and that were there is true effort the Lord blesses. I am so grateful for His help.

If you look closely, the bread is rising under the green towel on the stove, the cookies are in the oven and I'm cutting the sweet potato for dinner. In front of me is my trusty homemade cookbook of all my favorite or collected recipes...held together with blue duct tape! No graceful way to hide that!

The first completed baked good: (No sugar) Coconut Macaroons! Made with a touch of honey, sliced almonds and lots of unsweetened coconut.

Homemade bread from scratch for C! He loves bread. This one was new for me. I used a recipe from the back of the King Arthur flour bag and it called for honey or molasses and powdered milk. C says it's very moist and tastey!
This was our supper. Seasoned roasted chicken breasts with cubed sweet potato's, steamed green beans with slivered almonds. Very tastey! I make all my seasonings, this one has cayanne, curry, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

All praise to Him, for all the food provided and the creation put it all together.

God's peace,

Dee

Sunday Brunch

2008-02-18T15:47:00.000-05:00

We had a wonderful couple over for breakfast. Mark & Krista w/ baby Kate. Chris enjoys making pancakes on Sunday's (or waffles) and makes all the fixin's to go with it. I was so excited to have them over to catch up and fill our tummies with warm homemade pancakes. We enjoyed a wonderful "catch up" chat time with them before off to church!

God's peace~

Dee

Home cooked Breakfast

2008-02-16T18:44:00.005-05:00

Many friends always gasp when they hear I don't eat dairy, wheat (flour) or sugar. The first question is always "what do you eat"? I have posted some other meal ideas, but here's another:

Breakfast this morning:

Scrambled eggs

Steamed Kale w/ olive oil and a sprinkle of salt (kale is good for calcium)

Hot butternut squash cereal w/ almond milk and toasted walnuts (very yummy!)

Bon Appetite!

Part of being a homemaker is studying nutrition for your family. Since my dietary needs are also part of my studying I have learned how to "Eat to Live" rather than "Live to Eat".

God's Peace be with you~

Dee

My Valentine

2008-02-14T18:27:00.005-05:00

He is my protector. He is my best friend. He holds me when I want to world to disappear. He loves me with all my developing wrinkles. He loves me inspite of my past. He is my love.

I baked him a homemade batch of chocolate chip cookies this morning (his favorite) and took some to his class at the college. (We are taking 1 class together so I see him.). You should have seen the look on his face. My husband was so moved by my loving gester. It was worth all the time I took to do it. That warm feeling I get in my tummy that says "I did it" I gave him something to show him how much I love him. In return while I was out grocery shopping My Valentine left me love notes all over the house:

C took an erasable marker and wrote on the glass and mirrors all around the house. To bad you can't see what this one says! {wink}

My Love note on my kitchen window.
Isn't he sweet!

And the best part was outside. He shuffled his feet around to make them. How cute!! I'm so in love.

Thank you Lord for my husband.

Happy Valentine's Day to you and God's peace.

Mrs. Dee Peterson

Snow Day

2008-02-13T18:13:00.000-05:00

It snowed all day yesterday and the college closed for the afternoon due to the of snow and ice. That meant I got a little snuggle time with C. :-) He has such a big heart. The back steps get slick and the dogs have a hard time, so after it snowed he was out sweeping off the snow to keep it from icing for the dogs. Isn't he sweet.

You can see our littlest dog was trying to attack a snow covered ball. It was funny to watch her growl and jump at it, then spit it out and stick out her tongue due to the ice on it.

She's the little princess here.

A stitch in time

2008-02-11T08:32:00.000-05:00

My sewing buddy (he's talking to C as he takes the pic!)

Carefully stitching while thinking of the patches in the quilt.

This past weekend I was able to get to some much needed repairs on a quilt that I have. My grandmother made this many years ago (before I was around) and used bits and pieces of fabric from her clothing and my dad's clothing. What a treasure. Ever since I inherited a box that had her linens in it I have had this on my bed to use on those cold nights. Needless to say, here in Ohio those nights are often. This morning it was all of 7 degrees here!! Thanks be to God for my quilt.

I also find it comforting when I'm sick, or just want to rest with a cup of tea. The stitching required was much needed as some of the fabric is starting to wear thin. Some patches aren't the most professional, but it is holding it together nicely and I can get many more years of use out of it again.

As I sit and repair this quilt, I can't help but look at how wasteful I've been with some clothing for the kids and us. If we don't like it or it's worn out, how many have I just donated to tossed when the fabric could be used to make a memory such as this wonderful quilt my grandmother sewed with love. It has allowed me some time to ponder those items we dearly love and don't want to toss. What better use for them than to cut pieces of fabric and start collecting them for a quilt!

~God's peace be with you today,

Dee

Just a waitin'

2008-02-11T08:19:00.000-05:00

My beloved husband loves when I make homemade rolls. So I tried something different and used the recipe for a bread loaf. He was so excited that he came down and sat in the kitchen watching it bake. He is so cute. It made me feel good that he was so excited for some homemade baked goods. It really doesn't take very long, and it is so much more nutritous than the store bought stuff. There is room for improvement though. I'm trying to get it more fluffy. I only use whole wheat, so I'm doing some research to see what I can do to make it more bread like.

Old Blue

2008-02-07T20:42:00.000-05:00

Last night the truck I had inherited just closed for auction on ebay. I've got mixed emotions about selling it, but sometimes we have to make a decision that will preserve our serenity. Selling this will do that for me.

I got what my reserve was, and get this, the bid came in with 4 SECONDS left. God is so amazing. If He wants it done it will happen, but I always am reminded that it is in HIS time not Dee's time. I had given up on selling it even as Chris kept hitting the refresh button as the bid was closing. It wasn't until the last 4 seconds that this guy's bid came in. I am so glad for him too, he really wants this truck and is so excited about getting it.

The new owner lives in NY and I'm sure it will be well taken care of. He is so excited.

It's a long story as to why I needed to sell it. I won't go into the nitty gritty here except that most of the memories I have with that truck are not uplifting. God has wanted me to let that truck go since I inherited it last year when dad died. I didn't listen, and once we moved to OH we had it hauled out here. What an eye opener. Sitting in this truck as an adult when all the memories are when I was a kid. God knows what's best. I am being obedient and trusting He is the guide for my life.

I am so excited to see someone get it that really wants it. It's a God thing that's for sure.

God's peace,

Dee

The blessing of herbs

2008-02-02T16:58:00.000-05:00

I have read in the Bible several times, the Lord gives us herbs for our needs. Today, I am Praising the Father for the herbs He has provided for me. I have come down with the "Steubenville crud" as many folks around here so lovingly state. Actually I think it's just a mild flu, no fever - again thanks be to God. So what happen's when the wife is down and out....

My loving husband steps up to help and plays nurse, all while exercising lots of patience as I tend to get short tempered when I'm sick. I love you C! Thank you for all your hard work today and nursing me back to health.

Part of this process is keeping all other family members from getting sick. That means my loving C has gotten his daily dose of Emergen-C, Echincea 2x/day and his multi vitamin. For me,oh the list.

Thursday I started with: extra Vit. C, GSE 2x, and my special "Kill a cold" drink (see below)

Friday: The same above, but I added Oscillo... yes it really does work. By the evening my headache and body aches where almost gone. I did add probiotics right before bed.

Today: GSE, Oscillo.., and my special drink. The headache and body aches are gone now, but the cough and runny nose just won't take a hike, so I am keeping up the the "special" drink.

Many of you have seen this on my blog before. Every winter I give this recipe out, and as a friends husband said "well this oughta' kill somethin', hopefully not me!" Ha! But he drank it and was better by the next day.

Here's my recipe:

A warm mug of water

1 FRESH garlic (don't use the powder stuff that won't do diddly) - known to kill viruses

A little less that an 1/8 tsp. Cayanne - known to increase blood flow and can help expell mucus

If desired honey to taste (roughly 1/2 - 1 tsp.).

Crush the garlic into the mug, add the sprinkle of Cayanne and a touch of honey then sip, DON'T CHEW the garlic! That's important, that will keep you from having strong garlic breath.

One of these a day, no more then 3 days in a row. Usually only one is needed, unless you have the flu.

And Voila:

A potent drink that has chased away many a cold in our house. Aside from a cough, I am doing much better, in only 2 days. God is amazing. Now if I'll just park it and enjoy the rest, rather then trying to jump in and help so much. Hmm..I hear the pillow on the couch calling me.

God's peace be with you~

Weekend events

2008-01-28T08:33:00.000-05:00

We had several events that I am grateful for and wanted to write about them. My husband is part of a men's group that meets every Saturday morning. This past Saturday the Spirit moved many men, and my husband was one of them. He came home with this awe about him, telling me how he has realized his role as husband and protector. I don't mean physical protector, I mean spritual protector. As we sat at the table over coffee & tea ;-) , he explained to me how his choices that allow "seeds" to be planted in his spiritual garden actually leaves gaping holes where evil can attack us, and me. While he explained this and how it is his job, the job that the Father gave him, to weed out all the seeds and to guard his garden, and in essence encourage me to guard mine. This spiritual act of protection, also protects me as his wife from evil coming into my life. I have learned that the enemy uses me as a woman because I am weak. I sometimes listen to the lies until it's already a weed in my garden. Then it takes the Spirit to reveal this to me, then me to own up to what I've done, and begin the work of weeding it out with the Father's help. Thanks be to God for His mercy and love.

Hence, if we lift each other up while keeping in mind our goal as husband and wife is to live and encourage the other so their soul gets to heaven, we can be watchful of our garden.

Our second event was attending a murder-mystery play. It was small, only 40-50 people, but how fun. Our group was discussing together all the possible conclusions. The audience was allowed to interview the "suspects", that was fun too. All in all, it ended up being the obvious, the deceased's fiance did it out of jealousy! Ha! It was good entertainment for $5.

Our Lord's Day was fabulous. We had made a decision several weeks ago that we would not get on the computer for the day. It seems to take away from the focus of a day of rest while focusing on the Father. So, though C had homework, we stayed with our commitement AND got to enjoy some time with Danielle. She came home for a couple hours to do laundry. The Lord is working in her as well, praise God. She is growing and changing, with out my "help". That's another post for another day. I will end with the slogan "Live and Let Live" as this keeps the focus on me and allows God to work in others' lives as He see's fit.

God's peace~

Dee

Birthday celebration

2008-01-22T08:28:00.000-05:00

Wow, look at that glow! C said he needed to get the extinguisher just in case, goofy guy!
The joy of "magic" candles that continuously re-light. Danielle and I had fun trying to catch them unlight to put them in water.

January 7th was my birthday and I chose to celebrate it quietly and humble, giving thanks to The Father for giving me life. Days past I wasn't grateful, yet as time has gone on and I've learned who God is and that I'm here for Him and His greater plan, I've come to a humbly appreciate my place in it all. He is so loving and is always holding us in His palm. He knows EVERYTHING we do. He even knows I have a neighbor that has experienced a youthful life somewhat similiar to mine and neither of us knew until we decided to get together over dinner. My Father is so awesome, He knows what I need and just when to give it. He loves you too, and is just waiting for you to come to Him in prayer and share with Him your hurts and ask Him for the things your heart desires. Now, that doesn't mean we will get it...if it is His will we will get what we desire, but in His time. I've learned to tailor my desires to "if this will bring Him glory." If it doesn't, I don't want it either.

Hmm, started on my birthday and the Holy Spirit took over. I'm grateful to be a servant of the King.

So, for birthday supper we ate grilled Turkey burgers, sliced sweet potatoes - grilled (yum), and steamed broccoli, seasoned. And for desert - since I don't eat dairy, wheat or sugar..in anything, I made this wonderful Brownie mix using ground pecans and carob powder. My family enjoyed it as well with me, and even seconds (that tell's me it wasn't that terrible ;-) And of course what's always in my hand, a warm cup of tea.

I wasn't so fond of all the glow on the "cake", but it was heartwarming looking at all the years that I have celebrated and being grateful for the Father loving me through them all and all the choices I've made.

God's peace be with you today~

Dee

The woodoworker

2008-01-21T08:33:00.000-05:00

Being inspired to have a room or small corner of our house devoted to prayer and our time with God has fostered the creative woodworker in my husband. He has such a gift for woodworking that each time I see him work I can't help but imagine the carpentry work of Saint Joseph. The creativity and the way God has given my husband the gift to understand all the math involved in creating something from scratch...with no plans. Check out his current project. He started it and finished it all in the same night. And now when I kneel to pray to the Father, I give thanks for something soft, yet sturdy.

~God's peace be with you

Dee

Static cling or dry air?

2008-01-21T08:21:00.000-05:00

We have been busy, no, I have been busy taking advantage of Chris' free time before classes started this past week. So I haven't been posting our events and how God is working in our lives.

The weather here in eastern Ohio is the coldest I've been in, and our dogs. So you be the judge: Is is static cling or dry air? or both?

She is so innocent it's precious. I was laughing hysterically when I walked around from the kitchen and saw Sasha just standing there. What a hoot! God had a great sense of humor when he created the dry air.

Hence, I bought a Vornado humidifier for our house. I know, a tad on the expensive side but from all the comments and reviews, this one is the most cost effective in the long run. Now, I thank God for helping us create humidifier's.

~God's peace be with you

Dee

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T13:00:00.000-05:00

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you today and through the coming year!

~Dee

What a hoot! Yes I was having a lot of fun.
Our first snowman together!

Ember Days

2007-12-21T09:51:00.000-05:00

Last year I learned about an old Christian tradition called Ember days. Here is a description of it from Farmers Alamanac:

"Ember Days
Definition: The Almanac traditionally marks the four periods formerly observed by the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches for prayer, fasting, and the ordination of clergy. These Ember Days are the Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays that follow in succession after (1) the First Sunday in Lent; (2) Whitsunday–Pentecost; (3) the Feast of the Holy Cross, September 14; and (4) the Feast of St. Lucia, December 13. The word ember is perhaps a corruption of the Latin quatuor tempora, "four times." Folklore has it that the weather on each of the three days foretells the weather for three successive months; that is, for September’s Ember Days, Wednesday forecasts weather for October, Friday for November, and Saturday for December."

And this explanation:

"These times are spent fasting and in penance and with the intentions of thanking God for the gifts He gives us in nature and beseeching Him for the discipline to use them in moderation.

The fasts, known as "Jejunia quatuor temporum," or "the fast of the four seasons," are rooted in Old Testament practices of fasting four times a year:

Zacharias 8:19: Thus saith the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Juda, joy, and gladness, and great solemnities: only love ye truth and peace.

Our Israelite ancestors once fasted weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but Christians changed the fast days to Wednesdays (the day on which Christ was betrayed) and Fridays (the day on which He was crucified). The weekly two day fasts were later amended in the Roman Church to keeping only Fridays as penitential days, but during Embertides, the older, two-day fasts are restored. Saturdays (the day He was entombed) were added to these Ember times of fasting and are seen as a sort of culmination of the Ember Days. Interestingly, the story of Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago's escape from King Nabuchodonosor's fiery furnace with the help of an angel is commemorated on each Saturday of Embertides except that of Whit Embertide, and part of their beautiful hymn of praise follows (Daniel 3:52-56. )

I've tested the folklore and last year and this year has rang true for where I live. Interesting huh?!

So today is the Friday Ember day which, as we know is a day for prayer, fasting and thanksgiving for The Father's gifts to us from nature, and folklore says today may determine February weather. We'll see....

I am grateful for the sun, the food that grows even in the winter, and for lettuce (I'm part bunny... ask any family member!).

God's peace to you ~

Baby it's cold outside!

2007-12-05T10:04:00.000-05:00

God is amazing. Yesterday we had a little snow, and this morning (after sunrise) a lot. We can see how white and beautiful it is outside, for as far as you can see.

It is so amazing that all those tiny individual flakes form one big snow pile. It reminds me of us, each of us. God created each of us, individually knitted in our mother's womb. And individually we would melt if we stood on our own, but together...WOW! Together we can move mountains and provide strength for each other. How much stronger are we when we band together with friends or family, whether in crisis or good times. The crisis seems to be eased and the good times seem to be better than if we stood alone, just like a single snow flake. God made us to band together and to bring Him glory. How I am grateful to be His daughter.

This was on the deck, yesterday morning. Goofy dogs! They like to play in this cold weather.
This morning...where did the walkway and driveway go?
Our truck covered in snow...it's still coming down and should be all day.

God's peace to you today~

The gift of a snow dusting

2007-11-23T08:09:00.000-05:00

Our porch at 6:30 this morning.

Chris captured this "kodak moment". Now you know what I look like when I'm outside every morning for my prayer time (minus my glasses, I took them off). I put my prayer blanket in the dryer to heat it up, light a candle (so my prayers go all the way to heaven) and inside my blanket is a warm cup of tea that rests on my chest/tummy, my journal and my Bible..and usually a flashlight b/c it's still dark out. My soul just rejoices when I'm outside to give God my first morning time. I love to be outside to start my day with Him.

This morning I went to the kitchen door to feel it and see if it was too cold to do my prayer time with the Lord outside. As I struggled to focus I saw white. Everywhere. In my excitement I went outside with my tea and started praising the Lord for such beauty. Yes it was cold, but the crisp white all on our porch, grill, roof tops and such was so white that it made me feel excited inside.

I grew so thankful and started telling the Lord about all that I was thankful for about the snow. It made me feel like the white and newness of a new season, how fitting for the day after Thanksgiving.

I decided to throw my "prayer blanket" in the dryer and sit outside anyways. Talk about distracting!!! I was telling God, how can I possibly pray or read my Bible with such beautiful snowflakes that were falling. Some landed on my prayer blanket, and some on my Bible pages or journal pages - which ever I had opened - and I was in awe at their beauty.

Each flake is so individual...like us. Some fell in two's, some single, some were so tiny that I could barely make out the middle of them. It was so exciting to see God's majesty working right in front of me. As I looked on the patio table I could see how they were piling up to make the snow. How awesome our Lord is!

And I'm thankful for a warm home to come inside to.

God's peace~

Being Thankful

2007-11-23T07:54:00.000-05:00

I hope you all found something to be thankful for yesterday. The Lord is good and even in the rough spots, I have many things to be thankful for.

Yesterday we had a FEAST!! And the best part was I decided to make it more about family and friends, rather than the "fancy" stuff I've grown up with. Every year my mom would set out her best china and linens, for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I had started that because that is all I have known. The Lord is teaching me other things are more important. The love shared between family and friends, or just some hungry college students looking for a warm meal LOL!

I started to just do plastic & paper thanksgiving stuff, and decided at the last minute, not acceptable to me. I don't do the whole china thing, we used our everyday dishes. But I did bring out the good silver (I don't have service for that many in my everyday one's) and combined it with some Thanksgiving paper cups. It was an ecletic grouping, but it was me. We had food EVERYWHERE! I had to clear off the top to my desk in the corner of the dinning room to fit everything. It worked well. The big hit seemed to be the spiced apple cider in the crock.

Our menu:
Organic Turkey (yep, I pd the bucks for it but for our health it's worth it.)
Mashed potatoes
Sweet potato cassarole with peaches and a brown sugar/pecan mixture
Dee's sweet potato cassarole (no sugar no peaches)
Cranberry sauce (brought by two of the young men that came)
Dee's cranberry sauce (sweetened with -not enough- honey LOL)
Green been cassarole
Green beans
Corn w/ butter
Rolls
Stuffing

and when it was all said and done:
Pecan pie
Pumpkin pie
Apple pie
and ice cream

I had some tea and a pumpkin pie version I tried. After 2 bites it was a goner, yuck. So out came my trusty and tastey Baked Spiced Walnut cookies.

All 5 left with a plate of leftovers and a pie. Except the turkey. I can use that for soups and stews.

I wish you all God's peace during this season.

It's snowing..it's snowing!!!

2007-11-16T08:58:00.000-05:00

I just took this picture, it is facing our neighbors property, but you can see the snowflakes against the wood better. (click on the pic to see them).

It's neat because this is my first time living in a place that it snows. I've been skiing before, for the day, but never lived in it. How exciting...it's snowing. It's 34 ish outside and the fall leaves are still on the ground...with snow.

Yesterday a student on the campus said it usually snows by the end of October so this is really late for cold weather, wait until January..

How is it where you are? Are you finally getting cold weather?

God's peace to you today...