Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Recent happenings...

First: for those who don't know, I volunteer at a local Ten Thousand Villages store (follow the link if you don't know about this wonderful organization)…  last weekend all the volunteers got spoiled with a free dinner & a special discount to be used for our holiday shopping.


The tables are set… we each got a free Entrée & Fountain Drink from the Chipotle that is across the courtyard from the store...


Our tables were set up in the courtyard just outside the windows of the store...


We each got a little appreciation gift to take home… what fun!!


Second: Back home… I switched over the Ducky bathroom to a variety that reflects Halloween… Aren't they cute?  This is by no means a full sampling of our duckies!!  We'll have lots of little ghosts & goblins come by tonight, we'll distribute LOTS of candy…. it's especially fun when the neighbor kids come by!


Third: I'm back to doing my Jewelry again, I completed this one and another today… go check out my Art Blog and see my latest work.

I'm also still busy coming up with new recipes and working on Bible Studies and keeping the local squirrels in line ;)  If you're interested in these things go check out some of my other blogs…

Until next time!!


Monday, October 29, 2012

Reflections...

I'm having a very blessed day!!

I think sometimes our lives get so busy that we miss appreciating the blessings that we have…  I know I've been way too busy lately, and that at times I've been even a bit overwhelmed.  Today has been at a more relaxed pace, and its a much appreciated "breather" which gave me time to reflect.

Thank You Lord for the blessing of Family...
Today I got to have lunch with my son Tim, we had such a sweet time visiting, I always enjoy his company!!  I am looking forward to getting to spend more time with Tim and his wife Marta around the holidays.  :)
My husband Jeff has been very sweet & understanding about some health problems that I'm battling, that makes the battle bearable, and makes me realize what a dear man I'm married to!!
I've just recently been to visit extended family in California, and I'm never sure when I'll get to see family since we're spread far & wide, but its nice to have the chance to see some of the more distant relations!

Thank You Lord for the blessing of Friends…
Today I stopped by to visit a friend and bring her gifts for her new baby, friends are such a blessing!
Tomorrow I plan to spend time with another precious friend, and spend some time in prayer with her, that should also be a time of blessing!

Thank You Lord for a warm comfortable Home & nice Neighbors…
As the days cool, and Winter is fast approaching, I really appreciate having a warm home to live in.
I appreciate having a spacious kitchen for all of my cooking & food experiments. I have a lamb roast for tonight's dinner, and the makings for a pumpkin apple pie… I can't wait to get things cooking and fill this home with wonderful scents that will greet Jeff when he gets home.
I appreciate a warming fireplace (kitty appreciates it too).
I appreciate the nice friendly neighbors that I have, we watch out for each other - what a blessing!!

Thank You Lord for Health…
This one is tougher for me to say, but even though I'm struggling with my health I'm still able to do just about anything I'd like - that's a real blessing!

Thank You Lord for the Beauty of Your Creation…
I love looking out my windows at what remains of Autumn, and look forward to seeing the first snow make the world look bright & clean again - but I'm in no hurry, I'm appreciating the "now"…
I love the single Day Lily bloom that opened a few days ago, way out of season, her sunny yellow color just cheered me up on a hectic day!
I love the birds who visit my feeders, I love the bunnies & the deer despite the fact that they eat my plants, and I even love the squirrels who have been troublesome this year but are amazingly entertaining.

Thank You Lord for Music…
The church choir is already preparing for our Christmas Concerts, such fun!
As I was out & about today the music playing on my local Jazz station was energizing, and later the music on my local Classical station was soothing.

Thank You Lord for Time…
Time to spend working on Bible Studies.
Time to pursue new hobbies like metalworking.
Time to do experiments in the kitchen.
Time to spend with the wonderful people you've put in my life.

There's so much more… I am a very blessed person!!

Thank You Lord!!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Larkin's Baby Brother...

My friend Jen just had her 2nd child 2 weeks ago, and we've been just "missing" each-other… we finally connected today & I got to meet / hold / take pictures of little Charlie…  Pictures are a little fuzzy because I only had my iPhone with me (not my camera) and because kids don't always stay still :)


Charlie chillin' on his pillow...


Now he's rarin' to go...


Ok, that's enough effort… time to take a break….


Big sister Larkin enjoying her lunch…


All this excitement just wears a guy out!!

Praise God for yet another beautiful healthy baby - Congrats Tim & Jen!!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Family Reunion - Mom's side...

This is a family reunion that happened last Saturday… so much fun to see most everyone gather together to celebrate!!


Evan, Lydia, Jessica...


Cake to celebrate many Big-0 Birthdays… 1-30, 1-40, 2-50, 1-60, 1-70, 1-80


DJ...


Jackie, Dustin, Brendan...


Debbie, Jennifer, Randy...


Ryan, Denise, Evan...


Flowers from Denise's garden...


Hank & Jackie...


Jack...


Mom & Denise...



Brooke...


Hank, Pat, Diane, Debbie, Jennifer, Randy...



Jeff & Lou...


Denise, Carol, Jackie...


Zoe...


Brooke & Tula...


Patrick...


A cute Father-Daughter moment… :)


Sheri & Hank...


Pat, Yvonne, Mom...


Jeff… that's my goofy hubby!!


Selina & Mike...


Selina, Mike, Tim, Marta… (Dustin in the back)...


Zoe, Selina, Jacob & Tia...


Lou, Mike, Tim, Marta...




Shelly & Dana...


Robert & Nathaniel (Nat-Nat)


Jennifer & Randy...


Denise...


Zoe & Tia with Jacob...



Nat-Nat with cheeks stuffed with Tangerines :)






9 out of 10 cousins getting organized...


Rick thought Mike was the youngest...


All lined up from oldest to youngest...


4 out of 5 sisters...


Tim, me, Marta, Robert, Amber...


Rick trying to figure out his camera...


Mom wearing the necklace I made her...


Brook, Tasiana & Jasmine dancing their hearts out...



Evan dancing with Nat-Nat...



David dancing with Mom… aw!!




Amber & Nat-Nat...




That's all of the family that made it, around 10 or so missing depending on how you count us… Phew!!!