tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22452099493116576652024-03-04T23:47:56.679-07:00Words Of Thanksgivingjennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-3944729152681022212010-08-21T13:11:00.003-06:002010-08-21T13:17:50.640-06:00On The Move<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My husband wants our family blog kept private, and I had been removing the more personal information or pictures from the posts on that blog and copying them here for public reading. I just don't have time to do that anymore, so if you are interested in viewing that blog, just email me and I will send you an invitation. :) stewcrew9@gmail.com</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jenny</span></div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-50965346692805624722010-06-26T13:07:00.000-06:002010-08-21T13:10:12.973-06:00Trip Pictures #2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 24px; ">Last post I left off as the kids were joining the parade...and here they are as they passed us on the rout. The girls had fun holding all the little kittens and such that were brought as props for the float.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 24px; ">Here is Marilyn watching the parade with her youngest son, Marshall.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487096636668111490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjG2MGNy7s_e20RJSyqJJFO1uYnQWd-6VGyuq7uF4lk2z_jT5ETjBkuQDD_EYxqxtrs887aOLXQRj3jlBXhaf0Q-EXSTA-077buYazoGjQwBAlBdKwS1Aj8CzDZ2TZt3vlYJejjkBp6dC/s640/IMG_0994.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " />Marilyn is one very special girl! We worked together nearly 20 years ago at our local <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">IGA </span>grocery store - actually, our families knew each other from before that. After Marilyn and Dan married and finished Bible School, they moved away to pastor a church in northern BC. Dan's sister, Leanne put them in contact with us again for singing...thanks, Leanne! It was such a blessing to be there!<br /><br /><br />After the parade, the kids got set up in the park. It didn't work for them to be in the shade and it was a hot day...but they drank lots of water and it didn't bother them.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487096642553568562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjEkeXn-zaSuqJA24qjSfndEehMD40LAkbJPGvij5NhrL88N_V3jNLa_0zfIuxr2LDoH2oU0rl0aslgH7t6OHeCn4551J-PyYhesaRJou3PqACit5maZjXGaby0xd47OSqN_kM4YCogJ4/s640/IMG_1003.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /><br /><br /><br />This is standing back in the park area - the kids are singing just to the left of the picnic shelter. Out of site to the right is a kids park and concession stand. To the left is a tent with a BBQ going on. People milled about - some stayed the whole concert, others came and went. Many of the songs had a strong gospel message...who knows what seeds where planted?<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487096648570508882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwua7apMvFZiVXXjofoJyuSTO6n9f3oxhyZpjLeLI_sjfXk24M3zSQ85cbmoql2FKXPhaSB6W34K5z6EYEPKyXE28H0GXLbhPnTndQ7Q5Zhq0LHDo8lhM9prtrNGEuXxSPxzAT2J-5dKUF/s640/IMG_1007.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /><br /><br /><br />After the concert we headed back to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Froese</span> farm. We had a bite of lunch, Steve and I laid down with the little ones for a nap, the older children headed over to the house to visit. They helped feed ducks, water trees and visited. I walked up after a while and enjoyed getting to know Irene a little.<div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487096659514350482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKa14YTUlrYMNsNHg-jqG2BniOmu3_2X6I2dXEZcUFFJGtqWNJQf6GQzme69aXqm1YMg4T6sR2DYYbflDHg2oDWrhy388r9ZS076Oq9nro-HXhc0qh39kiw89Qfbq4FcmhPjkA8Ew_l8pL/s640/IMG_1044.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /></div><br />We headed over to Dan and Marilyn's for supper. Marilyn made a delicious, gluten free dish of Salsa Cinnamon Chicken - it was a surprising mix of flavors, but very good!<br />We had such a GOOD, hear-to-heart visit...just like we had been close all these years! How does that happen? I wonder if it just because we have the same Saviour?<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487098344774869282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_hbu9ebaX3q4TnncpOa4dSq-xrelGnkrpxzLd16X8v7Z6uzGLEPi4O0qmeU3toLlDU89znGsiA_L1uZ8p7jjgkUQJ8MBVb9d_Pnbc4bZhY8O13XCz1t78q-T5R1l2n7YffodnJloe2eE/s640/IMG_1052.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /><br /><br />For the evening, we were invited by this lovely couple...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487098352633347042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfB3-iZamVA_1Tqs2qZsaWIdIwzN7YO_U5hqKl5yzRQ55cmNpVMrt8hOQ3DfprmvDYwdDsiY9fskzqxX0wHZIUNO8dkLPCXmJnm2Nd3eRVXpvN9zzLBvi93qG47CcS95eBzMrYKB9Glpj/s640/IMG_1070.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /><br /><br />...to jam with some family they had visiting. We enjoyed this and met some more wonderful people. It was a lovely evening, even though it did get rather late (especially for us folks on Alberta time). It was a special memory.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487098363755714706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcAVV5IAWxhBZeqRRVub7QjmSvCye-6AHg3Q0h2oZIyGSHP4g86ihl1I0b3fXU8ukJTKOpPxw0LzBgW1IuP_F7bPaOneabkDLc24pVC3xT-I3fS8yxf-ZO4mP7-yKz9v2jZiiy_OkUB4m/s640/IMG_1054.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /><br /><br />This is the view from their deck...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487098368954032610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUFaQMqb_sYoariwb6cpEeR0fa5LOKdAAxfLr3I6Cd_OLDKurHvTAN9wuwsypP4bBa4ly7L8dxlF4JwRa7F__SqKboGxpfW09rmhQh1DFB9AZwTHTzwMNF7C2xoJNV25L_TvdY_rc3dNn/s640/IMG_1077.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /><br />Then it was back to the cabin for night. We made a corporate walk to the outhouse as Emily is scared of bears. ;) On the way, Jeremy spotted this toad and Emily just had to carry it back to show Daddy (who was already in bed).<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487099485872862418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyojWaRUHGvymWPK0aowGaDCFfARCxazOYxfGbfkN4hyphenhyphenHgXj_M7ztP3Hqon8WdkM3hJoG9V1Tml30OMacx-H2mn8a2M3lCjMwegGH2VZnwzsp4hu0ZgKpxAPnmpTl_6R72FsdQ1WFAgDdF/s640/IMG_1080.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " />There was lots of laughing, teasing and family <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">camaraderie</span> as we got ready for bed and settled down for the night.<br /><br />More to come in a later post.... </span></div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-63524103244327135782010-06-24T12:59:00.004-06:002010-08-21T13:06:45.888-06:00Trip Pictures #1<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 24px; font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">We pulled into home Thursday afternoon around 4:30 - all safe and no vehicle trouble (other then a rock in the windshield). I thank the Lord for keeping us all those miles!<br /><br />We all agreed that although it is always nice to be home, we left a piece of our hearts at our land. It was a BEAUTIFUL! I'll will tell more about that later - I am going through my pictures and I will post some, starting at the beginning of our trip. I have hundreds of pictures and am thankful I took them - they become the "diary" of our trip.<br /><br />Steven will often remind us, "Never despise small beginnings." In a way, that could be the theme for our trip - it applied in so many ways.</span></span><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486564851934142834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnjXAdwrd19mmE9NT2Y46B7Z4xvkiQcDyWm6csYo_wlYfoRhhNPirJDz3_9tIdeejcMCRWkRE2XN0hmQGXD58mYhsqZ9K1CDUK-nSTBqM8itNluYBfGfYCv9GlWKMDgW7-jdPVzzO8XED/s640/IMG_0797.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><br />We started off last Friday morning and headed north-west: into the Canadian Rockies. As we headed towards Jasper, we stopped one place along the way - Bridal Veil Falls and Panther Falls.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">This is Bridal Veil - the creek that feeds this tumbles from another 1100+ feet up the mountain.</span></span><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486564859195307570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFobQSMxMgmmcL89wCWZuCcI_XzNwRvhtYqitR09xs0hCbcV6nHO60IEinw7GSfAm71AO7UZdbSS9UQhv3Sf7To51QRWUYjE7ME0xxazqhm3VJSxg5EQHzxeuwja5KbsNp4voWNXN3ACW/s640/IMG_0800.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><br />We walked back to view Panther Falls - you can walk right up to the precipice and look over a sheer cliff with the falls shooting out from the rock beside you (I didn't try it, nor did we take the little ones!). The stream (torrent) that feeds the falls is amazing. We walked along it as it whirled and roared through its rock channel. Both these streams come right off the snow pack/ice at the top of the mountain.</span></span><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486564879584708018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YVtm-NaaXwKKc5O_XqaoCBn3J6THh1q1dafUcvQn8hWqXILzS44IKlBvIW2px4FwOcCyaz_nxOvlBkO-AJ1eNXV9LWMwTV4PUzlBT5fkvjV_Wo6BfWw25wJCOPp31uNWp_YB1h6u22gu/s640/IMG_0829.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">At the top of the pass, we stopped to view the ice fields. The glaciers are huge! It was odd to be so warm standing in parking lot (note Emily's bare feet) while looking up at these sheets of ice!</span></span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486564887446975186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjne7A7axzxcowS6yezR_okOuJG1HHW4eoHxsih0WXTqb1wQScCdE4pNg-8l1ZKyI1nmTTVpvXHZijrvZuMaIjSOhO0MjhAM35LqYUcLHKNIVrOx4Mu-flZJoT4NuYvyQvgEJ09YGFHSbX/s640/IMG_0868.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">This pictures shows our new trailer. It worked well for us as it was easy to pull (I even got used to it and I have never pulled a trailer before) and it held all our STUFF so the van was less crowded.</span></span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486566202031634322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBuiTihzgpja0hjSO8lWK7-2jKrvcsVhnten5GaHmkTuS7w7qDNI2T_jTZPkYXVU2ftT_ICsiEHEB0n738Q2dUn99ekW9Zw3DcMO3HtmQFgR-mQCyBKzT3Arwc58BndgM2y-a5wVw6l7Y/s640/IMG_0871.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">As we drove north-west, the mountains opened up into a beautiful, green, fertile valley, surrounded by rolling, wooded mountains with the taller, snowy peaks beyond. Leanne warned me that I would want to move here - and she was right! It was an amazingly pristine and beautiful place.</span></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486566217424173682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6klCynWihHQv_9iHkRx9D2FiV3PZygyAmzbVtxATYgzzRblEKHSzLiOtOOwYoHTRrOIjQrFkFEul-IYyp4RST5UMHe7fTiPJcrvEhOZzLoOMXUdXnxsO4Pbw7jkFlaI0mudf7k-nR6dWJ/s640/IMG_0910.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">We were very glad to drive into McBride - after ten hours on the road!</span></span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486566233622083778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHIeTzd2yPFRvaD2PosgGeIYnT4uUkzqwTJLi_3GZw9sAsEFXJyP9kZ8LOowu-aStFr4raRGwV_M4zGEm0ojQATv0m5qYtmO4ZVv5xa-KZYnZhRvaTELS1HewHm0wyuVHK32W8n3ZC1oQ/s640/IMG_0916.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">We followed Dan's (the pastor) directions to the church and met Dan and Marilyn again - after 17 years!!! I loved seeing Marilyn and getting to visit after all that time - and getting to meet her two boys! More on that later, though.</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">Dan showed us the way to our host's home - Bud and Irene Froese. Again, I am amazed how God has people everywhere - and these folks were definitely His people! They were so hospitable to us! They showed us the way to the cabin they were allowing us to use - just down the hill from their house and an easy (and gloriously beautiful) walk. They had supper for us which they had so sweetly made gluten free. The chili was even made with venison - so we felt right at home. :)</span></span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486566243488006898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuyDZX9EcNjRVe1_p5pUk2WZQ2hDQZU7EOnLr9RhTxfR7b77wGjQ7KMw9xyPbEGS6ZgPfY93j3Vp1OSzOkUMrcgSkFSSxbesdAJUWUn6gZRG1rJgjvw-5_ih1CjKonNNTuJfyAPb2LJiB/s640/IMG_0922.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><br /></span></span><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">A stream ran below the cabin with a couple logs across for a bridge. This water came right off the mountain and it is so pure, they can use it for drinking right from the creek! This is the way we walked to go up to both the big house...</span></span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486566255208435266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthfHuN6T7nunU8Oq3WhyVm5OSFUSbrVIKJ5DnQTOr3nkkjf31cFbDl81-ZVot37NR0O5jTx2aV7-gihxlwNcC3Mk0aYDxHXpZpqkUuQQDtMep1TFdUNysDnI2_-EzOqmktZs9p4A8IhY-/s640/IMG_0920.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">...and the little house. :)</span></span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486568310580088962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Z_BY4edV3Mq2xNp2Ob63XLxFABDX7n5GgoxvqtVbn4DysZ2N9S9zsOfzj2eMzGRYkp4cR37SsseO2tH6BA-P_ugPHVaganEHa4toGUXgKXsIrfnTxuRbTirDktUV5hQd1GFTNy02c-vC/s640/IMG_0943.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">This is looking toward the Froese's home from near the cabin. The Froese still had two of their five children at home: Roberta and Wayne.</span></span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486568290507482066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenKrjUwWOFd4iw5svF5Xs5kI5h-rfDZ7vVKUiikpfPChkYqw1Ybl0bIvw2gKrrnVbqAuPHWaq0qQGyLSJB3PnisqODcf6fq1nug5pyhZH4F_oBFJyzXBer4xJwi6eR3_s4xxlw_j43blY/s640/IMG_0934.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">The view from the Froese's garden. It was clear that these were hardworking people - they farm about 1000 acres, raise buffalo, have a large garden (actually several), ducks, horses, etc. They even hatched duck eggs and had the little guys residing in their bathtub until they were big enough to move out to the pond.</span></span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486568299772786306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyfJ8hbK7iAM858mMktDEBwJ7K7MUcbJPrvarhlwfEZZMgBGGx8r6SJAMrAIUm4Ggkapk9KhX7aQO5UIlHeM-bm64zutbkm0D5mTi5luTNqr4vvbSh92dfq0xCXRUBYalswq52Oyym3nB/s640/IMG_0942.JPG" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-right-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); border-left-color: rgb(170, 204, 227); text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; " /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">I have some more pictures of the Froese farm, but onto what we did Saturday morning. The town had a parade and the church had a farm-themed float. They had the kids jump on and join in - they had fun being a part of the float which actually won first place. :)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">William sat on a little toy John Deere tractor on the float with Graeme behind him to keep him from falling off the trailer.</span></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">Well, that is as far as I have gotten in my pictures. I will post again - of the kids singing and our time visiting with new and old friends. :)</span></span></p></span>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-59824850385280596302010-06-08T18:32:00.001-06:002010-06-12T18:35:02.142-06:00Impromptu HolidaySince Steven had to work over the May long weekend, he said he would take off the first nice day he could. The next Wednesday was the day we chose. Steven took the boys and Emily out to work up our garden area at his parent's farm. They spent some time shooting gophers and hiking around.<br />In the evening, he wanted to go fishing. Emily offered to stay home with the two youngest as they really needed to get to bed early. She said she had done lots of fun things lately and she wanted me to have a chance to get out. :) What a sweetheart!<br /><br />We drove down to the Red Deer River. It was kind of muddy from all the rain, but still "fishable". This is one of our favorite areas to fish, hunt, canoe or just enjoy. It has such a wonderful ruggedness and is full of contrasts.<br />On our walk to the fishing hole, I trialed behind the others to enjoy SEEING life - many people look without seeing and they miss so much.<br />This fat bumble bee was clumsily working around the bright purple pea vetch.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfxSp0fjgAlsEInLqBxBkWb1E1al03SjsTHuYSeFXPre5l97FhHOnSV_UH-a0CELeEqudqJH5nYV-i0W5dIQUbk4YCcGXlmWPjhyphenhypheno_xbqs4y0KRy1G2DptkyH73xpJnYibN3jDd_O577z/s1600/IMG_0419.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480426818735955666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfxSp0fjgAlsEInLqBxBkWb1E1al03SjsTHuYSeFXPre5l97FhHOnSV_UH-a0CELeEqudqJH5nYV-i0W5dIQUbk4YCcGXlmWPjhyphenhypheno_xbqs4y0KRy1G2DptkyH73xpJnYibN3jDd_O577z/s640/IMG_0419.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a>There is almost no soil here - at least I don't think this clay can be called soil. It is slimy and slick when wet and bakes hard and almost white when dry. On it's smoothness, every print or track can be seen...even the paths from worms.<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480423348528700498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Q9PaLLuTe3H7NzVUAOsKXAjbCQXbYWoOOrlE-NjitZaIOMqP-qyw7PMxQTTG9Ft-zBiuRYGz_XswFwXGMQuOejGChi_Svl9oClWGn0SHJ3bciFRDY-hPF4JRTA28qMgMJWED9zfgxuhe/s640/IMG_0514.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></div><div>There is a starkness and harshness to the shadows.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480426804771219042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhebBOqNvXOKp-65tAF75Lqnvs_ycjMY4-9VWxTBXUYcJpRVskjkTh6UikzlWHZetYrQYwwk6MsoH3ZgyxDlYOmi4DfpAIfR-VVuN8QFmNgAafdA9wUEwIqxi3v5EAdM6oj8Mr0LHIKUL/s640/IMG_0422.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " />Hardy plants still find a foothold and push up through the crust.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480423337234094738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigc7oJZr0vhhTyBfCXXODmdc2jNgD_1CACIEYf9kdTZd7WUk2D1lKcsj9RteV8vV5uVJ_coIDUYZJnQ2fMLYXfUGmycteHvKXrF1WTlF-c7xc7FxNXHfDonFQQoflVroOxJlgwHr9mTgX1/s640/IMG_0515.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " />Every touch of softness, beauty and color stands out against the hard lines of the rock and mud.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ooqehuz2p7UO88imq1jlSZz8Q-SOon_i80uuwblKEgX5WIp6Xcw5aRVIToWMUYqXF-IIIOPGYGQuYW-pPyfmSoOjO4sqM8nWa-RrejBbpIjQiCtQYZZFni23iR3tFDaPRv6kHBgYTOTg/s1600/IMG_0425.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480426797844807890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ooqehuz2p7UO88imq1jlSZz8Q-SOon_i80uuwblKEgX5WIp6Xcw5aRVIToWMUYqXF-IIIOPGYGQuYW-pPyfmSoOjO4sqM8nWa-RrejBbpIjQiCtQYZZFni23iR3tFDaPRv6kHBgYTOTg/s640/IMG_0425.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a>And flowing through the middle of this dessert-like landscape is the river. Its banks are thick with willow and huge cottonwoods that are rich with wildlife - an outdoor playground.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rwIqNFa6tuzS8Uj1f8MupoN_IjFBCz1yRTla6NRX_C_asS7qc5SUrTINDJ6PF4RY2nfAGC27-WVRMjNDnjGI_O2iqvvXve7eigKn_O7GnIRNc6wdUNiFHxgKYt1NQom4-Xye7yK0uN4J/s1600/IMG_0437.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480426785959282194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rwIqNFa6tuzS8Uj1f8MupoN_IjFBCz1yRTla6NRX_C_asS7qc5SUrTINDJ6PF4RY2nfAGC27-WVRMjNDnjGI_O2iqvvXve7eigKn_O7GnIRNc6wdUNiFHxgKYt1NQom4-Xye7yK0uN4J/s640/IMG_0437.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div>Climbing the bank.<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480425550117925186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CGwfjg32AVXtiOLv6LIlMoFwdWJSuy_bqXvs830r3kEfsqeQYAsfuPboPjynsgFP1DCQDh6nnMwl9clczdWMEwcxdRx4nH7lgtdc-d3G7iNpJUUHK5Ei1q5TyY_iNatkNEPAydSKQOCl/s640/IMG_0477.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480425537375069506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippDZivXterYeYS-AtExF2GFhCz3_sduahfHxYXLCEbIPSz7GOpJMAzoWnknpT2I0vIDkgcK_b4NOUhhH2PWWre2Qg8fd0vIC0PqJaZtfp09Pl5ltXrrulN4X2Vy5nZdQkYihv1uwHiGha/s640/IMG_0452.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></div><div>Flowers from my girlies.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480425530418556130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8-arV3vGA4kxqtycE-j2_4_cNsPHJQGhvwi54Iba8cQAlxTS1HK4kQFzt5PidDXWvfYNqF_YVemUVhHvtCPrHUk_YHJSrRFzdtJ1dna0f058Qu9vcAR1at845WP5g6ivtx1lRCTeoQQD/s640/IMG_0449.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Some of the wildlife we saw up close...</div><div>A duck and her bobbing brood.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkR5al4qDZDJ8xouncXWpp322amEWrsLoGASg0OzCgttOm9LWNUNaT0byLhf3cc-BeCA0zy1DyMXxZq48nYnElK09Af2qoYO_DOkfGf4Nb4tmO1MTia6kqnKRFaHcg_F2MriYEAJ87y5e/s1600/IMG_0464.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480425542164677858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkR5al4qDZDJ8xouncXWpp322amEWrsLoGASg0OzCgttOm9LWNUNaT0byLhf3cc-BeCA0zy1DyMXxZq48nYnElK09Af2qoYO_DOkfGf4Nb4tmO1MTia6kqnKRFaHcg_F2MriYEAJ87y5e/s640/IMG_0464.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div>Many, many bunnies where hopping around.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480421674774414834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p1E0taVvS8mTRHZoANRGm63e67MgudFp0I5emmvRYQYkufELbhhK8KPL0Nj6NTJ9PdgI1ZZva4kkBf6_-bGvVVemnNDr9rD8njTMLNOyHylYs3IWnDDs3ZUXBQ2yjYdVwnsXrjnkUoiZ/s640/IMG_0553.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></div><div>A great, fat beaver waddled on the bank for a while, and then slipped into the water to swim past us.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480423318804438930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4y-Ek40VJNQW7pQEvKRj-GgmjnHccIVedAKPNPxCpBLXMNQ6srwvmAh0F3inekZpjqDtyeVFiX2E9pNtNrOpEvxea8qGzqBcRd7CSVQe2Vp9PXQwpu_otyrejU1VphHmOnS_XUKrY9m_X/s640/IMG_0495.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></div><div>And a ring-necked pheasant! That was a trophy to see!</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480421670079862722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZy2WTZpjCY-TUEaylunWoPCShQbRUXydpnQbZFlTEFz6Kk7bjzzpwbfg49Q_BQhl2mhXRp3AzLYei2L_-qDTQONvNygeJK7uXOtLdcjq69vdBUwDSDKv7u7pna2hZslsgQF-STvGGdCo1/s640/IMG_0562.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></div><div>And some "Amy-inspired" photos...<br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-F40P9ec0cTxkbKZjLeIU8odO9wr3UHvDosDC0JNcBjByaHzpncZUUzPYSdEeg5jhA53-4QtGfoF7N2VE8r0gb4izRZZUmFnjryvV4WDi0NVYl5VKHDCxyGRFqLqwEHRFvI3xpgnqUcMi/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480423378646447794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-F40P9ec0cTxkbKZjLeIU8odO9wr3UHvDosDC0JNcBjByaHzpncZUUzPYSdEeg5jhA53-4QtGfoF7N2VE8r0gb4izRZZUmFnjryvV4WDi0NVYl5VKHDCxyGRFqLqwEHRFvI3xpgnqUcMi/s640/IMG_0526.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBm74J28GVWopv6kTcK5gFqGN8Bhmh2HXaKJ2i9xmX2xWXg28rWKkRcuSJKUMfxdxAJr5yL6qfrPmfL0-jNNZEnal4NHibFmizpBKQuQIhyifx0PEsVHXLYPabM1u02_gC5OLcUmg8mPAJ/s1600/IMG_0534.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480421704257026194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBm74J28GVWopv6kTcK5gFqGN8Bhmh2HXaKJ2i9xmX2xWXg28rWKkRcuSJKUMfxdxAJr5yL6qfrPmfL0-jNNZEnal4NHibFmizpBKQuQIhyifx0PEsVHXLYPabM1u02_gC5OLcUmg8mPAJ/s640/IMG_0534.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mbgFIKaKQmj30lvUflpP7cVaxovlgcl_IngxIBz_JN3D7GwG8zsn2imOJZArJ7oANXr_crEoYQS38IgYyt0eHSI5e_Px8MHSnd53eU7mK9yXhcfCRooqBM279dxlIExquoiM2OMAywjo/s1600/IMG_0529.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480421689820109858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mbgFIKaKQmj30lvUflpP7cVaxovlgcl_IngxIBz_JN3D7GwG8zsn2imOJZArJ7oANXr_crEoYQS38IgYyt0eHSI5e_Px8MHSnd53eU7mK9yXhcfCRooqBM279dxlIExquoiM2OMAywjo/s640/IMG_0529.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br />And a few minutes at the campground park to finish up a lovely evening.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZj30SG5uhRWQhihFi22hmHOsdLVdJeXexb0sYFxU8JaUsy6Qqmhj5pUgqlJ9nq0du6uKcp013et9Bi3-ijpx_1bzkkwL0p3B7sc9ECV7JZ4ARO_69xI6cltPBUGzS3-MdOLEUuVWl5eOi/s1600/IMG_0546.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480421684112696498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZj30SG5uhRWQhihFi22hmHOsdLVdJeXexb0sYFxU8JaUsy6Qqmhj5pUgqlJ9nq0du6uKcp013et9Bi3-ijpx_1bzkkwL0p3B7sc9ECV7JZ4ARO_69xI6cltPBUGzS3-MdOLEUuVWl5eOi/s640/IMG_0546.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /><div>I am looking forward to some warmer weather again so we can do more things outside. It israining again today and is quite cool. We started the spring with dire predictions from the farmers because of how dry it was...now there is more then enough water, we just need some HEAT!</div><div>It'll come. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Jenny</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-80865191664821849132010-06-07T18:30:00.000-06:002010-06-12T18:34:26.431-06:00God Surprises Us...AgainDo you ever get surprised by God?<br />I do.<br />Often.<br /><br />I won't go into all the details of the situation, but we were going to buy half a beef from a local farmer. Our friend works for this farm and we were going to split one beef and the second beef was for the farmer. We were going to do all the butchering and cutting.<br />I began to feel like we were being taken advantage of - we were buying this meat, plus doing all the work - and we had not even been told a firm price!<br />I complained.<br />I didn't even pray about it.<br />God surprised me - in mercy.<br />We found out yesterday that the farmer GAVE us the meat in exchange for the butchering.<br />I nearly choked on my complaints!<br /><div align="center">Steven preparing the garage Friday morning for a day of butchering.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480241302263978626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3xDi0Hn8675BJD6q8HY-ScXUz8JJfJKrEx8mDwiwOpKueNlUyXQov7pfFMl-I3MXoLd83O-yBUbuXZNGZsgmLYwbpXHYahPup8I-bpPmThDKS_5_jXK1Vg-cw-r8NjYHzEKJTm7MKNtl/s640/IMG_0631.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " />It took us most of the day. The steer had been a big one - 1600 lb live weight. Half of that would have been the hide, offal and bones - so we cut up about 800lbs of beef! Graeme and Mitch butchering (one of our friend's four boys - they all came and helped at different times during the day, which was a wonderful help!).<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480241311087743890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRFNFUkTSSkljg-lw1QN67xhBgGudggtuz76omkZ1LLZiQkeOTkrk57Q5o508Sht1Q8R2LshZ1pA43oCBx3jdOy-RnkbDcdNmwjhzP82oZX7bv8rEZC0bMYeWda_u0yTtlh_AwnlsPLzd/s640/IMG_0645a.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /><br />Kind of blurry picture, but this is Graeme trimming roasts.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480241324077041058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQK1w8zWhoKThLZHwfu3JkNES0Ji986DWxCCKKLYx4Je3zbrLmWs7rE8v-jQz8xzUfySylcL84PXt6BVwoojeds6_K0awby3DMe1-h80ZMXEA-uauE68YkORA6lLEdTEp-V0T1tuQ3q2q/s640/IMG_0659.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /><br /><div align="center">The second beef was butchered out at Steve's parents' shop on Saturday. They have a meat saw and there were more people to help. Emily was really the only one from our family that helped as there were so many others.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">We were able to get our garden planted on Saturday morning. It is also out at Steve's parents' place. I really enjoyed planting. Now that all the children are helping, it goes so fast and isn't half the chore it used to be. I forgot my camera at home, so I didn't get pictures, but later in the day, we went out to pick up the older kids who we had left there.</div><div align="center">Emily was helping with the butchering. Steven, Clara and the boys were gopher/blackbird hunting.</div><div align="center">The little ones were playing on the swing set...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>William hasn't figured out how to slow himself down on the slide - every time he goes down he lands with a resounding "THUNK" on his bottom. It doesn't deter him as he laughs and runs around for another slide. I snapped a picture of him on the way down - anticipating the "THUNK".<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0-drFqDMmC6yTsC7JrTwdaWU6PNKn7xUFRBf3fcEy4SRP7-S6EH7D9hd8CzuF1Fj5j_YD_SORxINGdU_KaaWQ9vl61Fc4pSOiBhHmOLoI7GS6Nu2WP5_pDcSpyAWC1iX80nJmzYMIJlm/s1600/IMG_0691.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480241591774208738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0-drFqDMmC6yTsC7JrTwdaWU6PNKn7xUFRBf3fcEy4SRP7-S6EH7D9hd8CzuF1Fj5j_YD_SORxINGdU_KaaWQ9vl61Fc4pSOiBhHmOLoI7GS6Nu2WP5_pDcSpyAWC1iX80nJmzYMIJlm/s640/IMG_0691.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a>We finished up a busy weekend with a quiet wiener roast with Grandpa and Grandma. Then Steven took me out for a few minutes of hunting. I got to try the .17 and I killed several gophers!<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>What a fun date...sitting side-by-side in the middle of a field - sharing a gun - blasting gophers - keeping a sharp look out over our shoulder for the bull... red-necked romance at it's best! ♥</div><div>At least I thing so. ;)</div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Jenny</span></div></div></div></div></div></div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-7773921676015748442010-06-06T18:29:00.000-06:002010-06-12T18:30:25.882-06:00The Early Bird<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLCycDoMXyOIBfnvtd57UrMN9IQf1YnOanG4-9wVDq7ubynfphOnroZb3x2YjVEMUn0Ou4FC6O73ioXSXVhU9uIJYIuQSzaP3lSXfk5j31DL3sNJq1KLgaUaUXqwYzzAS1jsUvamB3pXh/s1600/IMG_0627.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480234223286236546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLCycDoMXyOIBfnvtd57UrMN9IQf1YnOanG4-9wVDq7ubynfphOnroZb3x2YjVEMUn0Ou4FC6O73ioXSXVhU9uIJYIuQSzaP3lSXfk5j31DL3sNJq1KLgaUaUXqwYzzAS1jsUvamB3pXh/s640/IMG_0627.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a>Taken through a dusty window early Friday morning. Our sunrise is now at 5:17 am...<br />that means, no sunrise pictures for a while! As much as I love mornings, that is just too early! Well, now that I think of it, maybe I will have to get up early at least once to catch a summer sunrise...but I'll wait until we actually get some summer weather to try it out!jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-33643813946840381952010-06-01T18:27:00.000-06:002010-06-12T18:29:31.459-06:00Tidbits<div style="text-align: center; ">My Dad sent me this picture of my Mom's hand from last weekend.</div><div style="text-align: center; ">The cast had gone on that morning (it is even a pretty one :).</div><div style="text-align: center; ">Her fingers were still swollen and dark but she didn't seem to be in much pain anymore.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478022613709823970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VL-c0oyg-LworWiTSfdckDqmbjvP06Zg_aIidEkWW7LjfIiTduoelt2qtR3tFTmDP_wy2ewr0x0CHdJwRrgcDBiODlqOBztF-caGfC-xE4jUkNLcxZ-8_61zpwyf3wYWr0wU0nXFIqoJ/s640/mail.jpg" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">I was up to see her last night after supper. She was sitting in her recliner and I sat in the next one. There isn't much to do while there - she doesn't visit or even look at me much. She did respond a little (eye contact) when I first came and when I got up to leave, but mostly sat with her head down. I hold her hand and touch her face. That seems to bring a response.</div><div style="text-align: center; ">I took other pictures of her, but somehow I can't share them.</div><div style="text-align: center; ">She is so changed. So unlike herself.</div><div style="text-align: center; ">I want to protect her - or what there is left of her.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478021848802842274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfpZnGUUPAcDtXg3593wC2ixbBlCY1HMo0NVOphL0KwiQlS9A2ZfpaOu4Cm2fxA3rbirdoCE1b7dwQawYFJhX4lEjbD1aaTqB2UZM3ULdu0SmjX7N_AUfbUoTO8Ej1GxJjEPr73MynZMd/s640/IMG_0586.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /><br /></div><div>~~~~</div><br /><div style="text-align: center; ">This morning dawned sunny and cool. It has been cloudy, rainy, snowy and cold for about a week and I was craving some sunshine!!!</div><div style="text-align: center; ">Steve had to install a kitchen in Calgary today, so he was leaving early - I was making breakfast at 6:30 and I couldn't resist slipping out fro a few minutes to catch some morning sun...</div><div style="text-align: center; ">It was just rising above the tall fence in the back.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478021860998728850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPU5P8CgZlzCgsgdfx5t1rgGPSsMX10UaO-hsEQ2KtxU5Op7X94NRdduKVWhD1EpPJ0rdxI7GrPcKj67JRKJLYks_N7dH-CM1zCYBWJiFtT-z2IW0pgSSzHdPBEFrOtzkPy7oI2JpTjjbU/s640/IMG_0589.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478021876106730466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigefhLsHpJjQWfiUl91onqkzfcrpAQbfaO25OUuWOMJE6qvpy9ZKNcQPW7l7w3F1zAz0xtFggOAvlAXCjuMk9FD8nePiWLSpy_3CCkU1gLpncOPPihB8paRXeltVXaFm9qOSTvujyzhQpi/s640/IMG_0597.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">How is this for a "natural heart" Amy? :o)</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478021862459063122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MAPDJssl6U2dSsBK86PEY2CT0w_M46VHYqHRAq2j8WqurBRIVV7-IL7qkDqco90dOkTog0VhwwqpYn8WdAO2pa1b7toSOUchN940Z1sMQv1cZauuDfNXg4GlmJP46VxsgDz03hv0rb3J/s640/IMG_0593.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /><div style="text-align: center; ">Hopefully that is the last frost of the season!</div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; ">I loved this next picture - the light was so beautiful!</div><div style="text-align: center; ">My lovely orange tulips are almost done for the year.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478021879850608290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKfJ414gOSE4E3o2P8_YkQDoqmoRGWlItQcbq4CuC5j1K117CFTAIWGPE9gYkd1tdzV8so9vSXJ5MnSFs1kiQ8s97BUOLM3mE2-3EgvwF0D3rXVFaKh1Ggy730mdQUEAmIlXle_41EeLf/s640/IMG_0598.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOKBxylxrBjfDivHtfcNy2dHg_uW2Xsw8VCpKwHMfE5jmJDBNQFNWEEtwqPbqOD-f0IwO2xr5qRZfqeCAcIgvKChGsBJlAEkMxKgPzcOCQZfTUflc1k85hmPHtzaX-I5-TvGtDgiL28W3/s1600/IMG_0613.JPG"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">The little girls had been playing with the kittens (did I mention that Emily's cat had kittens??? Does anyone want one???)</div><div style="text-align: center; ">They had tucked this one (named "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); ">Felina</span>") into their play bed on the couch...</div><div style="text-align: center; ">and she fell asleep that way! It WAS rather cute.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478023056838792386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZZW3-aNaCrksTpjhmKAX6BXN2T4EAMpS_0YOwYYh9W4AHDmav5NLU159LusSl9w3Z-t-P4l724eeNFTLIJTsxUF3kKNDACdb33cWZnstpmKMvK-2vFGP6KYpcblOnS36uHFb1ObzBK0N/s640/IMG_0603.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /><div style="text-align: center; ">Last little tidbit for today...</div><div style="text-align: center; ">Jeremy ("The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bird Man</span>") caught a baby robin in the yard today.</div><div style="text-align: center; ">It was amazing to see the parents swoop around in concern.</div><div style="text-align: center; ">He showed the baby to the little ones and then safely deposited it in the apple tree.</div><div style="text-align: center; ">Hopefully it has escaped the neighborhood cats!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7NsxN_BsEnIpqSEoGHGyfQdpm-WZ8p6biNgYWXTa-hGuCnQY1sBsfURHsZWAJy3H2OXw90Kz5tMz_NdJeG4bZfztNAp-l1jM6A0IXAkL9DPDWPIKzzIlGeBEQ7y6_2WsLE00jppYJhW_/s1600/IMG_0609.JPG"></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7NsxN_BsEnIpqSEoGHGyfQdpm-WZ8p6biNgYWXTa-hGuCnQY1sBsfURHsZWAJy3H2OXw90Kz5tMz_NdJeG4bZfztNAp-l1jM6A0IXAkL9DPDWPIKzzIlGeBEQ7y6_2WsLE00jppYJhW_/s1600/IMG_0609.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478023068187073282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7NsxN_BsEnIpqSEoGHGyfQdpm-WZ8p6biNgYWXTa-hGuCnQY1sBsfURHsZWAJy3H2OXw90Kz5tMz_NdJeG4bZfztNAp-l1jM6A0IXAkL9DPDWPIKzzIlGeBEQ7y6_2WsLE00jppYJhW_/s640/IMG_0609.JPG" style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a>That was some tidbits from our week. :)</div><div>So, till next time...<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Jenny</span></span><br /></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-14661914999780637892010-05-29T18:27:00.000-06:002010-06-12T18:27:42.958-06:00It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like...Spring<div align="center">Springtime in Alberta...</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476691000585344914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjAQ3-fkFr4_h9_fX6eOFkvmF6UCuE7OYKIV77wl6qg0P0MmbUQiO8w8mF3nIPvNzxTWZMKrWUPVZYRdE0uC9rjXPDclyPIxJG5l_kra3ZCPDkgARU8IJctf55JQ0GX87nRghdNO0DP4F/s640/IMG_0573.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /><br /><div align="center">This is not unusual, even for May. Thankfully, it is just a nice, cool shower and not a snow storm!</div><div align="center">It is supposed to warm up to a balmy 6C this afternoon, so the snow will turn to rain again shortly. :)</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476690987667968434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuGdsn-nrt0AmgPGAa3Kn-pmf9GkWmpiwpI8uif0a28U_kWj5hRp8CQmuXs_iNILEkVoguT2Ixd5ubHRC9hpt__C_2iuN28hMazFNdi_byA7-3xXTDAO3zbqgkV0vftmxLMUPUsKZtpHk/s640/IMG_0577.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /><br /><div align="center">Since it has been so cool and wet, it is perfect weather to spend some extra time in the kitchen! My rice bread turned out magnificently yesterday...maybe it was the low <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">barometric</span>pressure??? Emily also did a mountain of baking for the freezer - cookies and 3 kinds of muffins.</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79SlM0SIdIq9Nru0VScevaZmRwg7r6t7dVRt1WSd-7-SiJjKd5K4RBztuar7e2XUYv12iLFiGeCrWtVsJe5zx6t1syBjxLbtHui8E7azt2pZ4py_xpVGi1KgeSaVolv5kh98aNprH2tsW/s1600/IMG_0572.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476691013722589634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79SlM0SIdIq9Nru0VScevaZmRwg7r6t7dVRt1WSd-7-SiJjKd5K4RBztuar7e2XUYv12iLFiGeCrWtVsJe5zx6t1syBjxLbtHui8E7azt2pZ4py_xpVGi1KgeSaVolv5kh98aNprH2tsW/s640/IMG_0572.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476691007896364178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIF41E13gdBvyLWk4995uPceB9nIjrp25wOc2hhU_rfE2_uB8FKhxvp6zY4A9rhlydruDnBUGlbxm1xsLnuf_yYjYcd4uelqmcs5TZ5uUSMViJSUIQ1FUAkdXoxBSvGW2E2hDE2Di-1TK/s640/IMG_0568.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " />I am actually thankful for the cool weather...</div><div align="center">then I can stay inside - free of the guilty call of outside work - and get caught up on some of the inside jobs.</div><div align="center">A cup of tea would be nice as well.</div><div align="center">:)</div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-34223710016657614712010-05-27T18:25:00.001-06:002010-08-05T16:12:42.303-06:00This Is Ridiculous!I have mentioned Manly's new bike - it doesn't have petals so he just pushes along with his feet. It is supposed to teach them their balance by coasting...and it really does work! When he first got it, he just stood up and walked with it. Now he sits on the seat and really coasts. He will pick up his feet and go down the little incline on our sidewalk. :) Every time he does it, I am sure that he is going to wipe out, but somehow he manages to hold on and steer.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475975380679121474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0n8lHq9D9obwp3B5MKEEfhVGWci-psHOqJYHRbOWT4Q6xN11pLS4UxTQ2EfTSunOHGK7kO_jPJ2Vq-9n5yn_CmYHlMcxqGL8geA2PrVLBzlqnyPfPpc6orbbLhH8t3n4GLnrmkcsJ9fi/s640/IMG_0377.JPG" /><br />Well, the other evening, Steve and I were enjoying some time outside after supper. Steve was looking at the bike when he suddenly burst out laughing. He showed me the sticker on the bike...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475975385952006386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodjo0SWYHZQQy3775FOXfsHxxxcCxQbEEO7zTQE7NURyPyqaUAqOyC1iwdsB7ONkHZl2fJ0KQ51A4PRhnAOtOd4o2L4PE5roBab1WzI7CiY0kkbjYD5THQ6ksgNLYW5tCXmBtiSG1bYe-/s640/IMG_0378.JPG" /><br />Yep! Since we always try to follow every letter of every sub law that was ever made by every level of government or industry (NOT! GAG!), we dutifully got out the instruction manual and let Manly peruse it at his leisure. :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyza5McSksKNRbY6FVpXOdcpnP1y46JE7cMkSGGnGZdZd4SnbVAjeS0Presy1pkpP3TVp69p_6ByPPjCHtDdCt05ep86vfsrQSf4whQMD2_aLVxh1ZYpYMvjHV2z4zD3SLsEqbDSmboR_3/s1600/IMG_0380.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475975392169615378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyza5McSksKNRbY6FVpXOdcpnP1y46JE7cMkSGGnGZdZd4SnbVAjeS0Presy1pkpP3TVp69p_6ByPPjCHtDdCt05ep86vfsrQSf4whQMD2_aLVxh1ZYpYMvjHV2z4zD3SLsEqbDSmboR_3/s640/IMG_0380.JPG" /></a> <div></div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-49523571152366357872010-05-26T18:24:00.000-06:002010-06-12T18:25:24.555-06:00Little Things<div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"The little things in life are really the big things in life."</span></em></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">As far back as I can remember, I have been enamored with little things -</div><div align="center">the tiny, perfect details in nature -</div><div align="center">the things that busy, hurried people miss seeing.</div><div align="center">Have you ever laid on your tummy in the grass and just looked at the perfect form of each blade with its tidy crease down the middle?</div><div align="center">Have you ever marveled at the tiny, curly petals on a dandelion?</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">When studied closely, the commonest things in my life reveal to me the greatest <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">intricacy</span> of God's design.</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpocUY3CKvNGuMgm6Yekg4vWHygh8HG0h4e01p0P7ZXOO8lM52dzaRAmM0OLZcpMeOpoiLQyVwkf89sEDdjYC_Ca-z1bXHMghqKMxHAkY2p2_jL_wntst3SFAGNfQPElM3fXrPPYx3msC/s1600/tulips.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475613664761590530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjya4TdUuSlm-qV_zyYQmPRrIIEpT4WPNX85GujWdFthv1nu6OPYGL4a6BTfuO9E9IAFn-YMOJal8Qj36IiQmVrVmAfwVMxVWEnx_ufUQD3aBgVOC-SEl84tAiREOWa3vXoP1xiI92zf2q/s640/IMG_0224.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /><br /></a></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpocUY3CKvNGuMgm6Yekg4vWHygh8HG0h4e01p0P7ZXOO8lM52dzaRAmM0OLZcpMeOpoiLQyVwkf89sEDdjYC_Ca-z1bXHMghqKMxHAkY2p2_jL_wntst3SFAGNfQPElM3fXrPPYx3msC/s1600/tulips.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475613686698860626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpocUY3CKvNGuMgm6Yekg4vWHygh8HG0h4e01p0P7ZXOO8lM52dzaRAmM0OLZcpMeOpoiLQyVwkf89sEDdjYC_Ca-z1bXHMghqKMxHAkY2p2_jL_wntst3SFAGNfQPElM3fXrPPYx3msC/s640/tulips.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /><br /></a></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpocUY3CKvNGuMgm6Yekg4vWHygh8HG0h4e01p0P7ZXOO8lM52dzaRAmM0OLZcpMeOpoiLQyVwkf89sEDdjYC_Ca-z1bXHMghqKMxHAkY2p2_jL_wntst3SFAGNfQPElM3fXrPPYx3msC/s1600/tulips.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475189420407591650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj719i52YiMhKzyg32bvNdBDp_0dE6eZbHGmoxT5-MWrXPSz87vlDNyKQmLPoHgoQLk37WsI3o2NcKUTZHzgAZTIWM0b9ZDBrn4ye20RiyAG9zIRj-hIciAd-F-JJedGRKiClXN1eHXuOpN/s640/IMG_0220.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475613656052490706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2oGQ3iqEYyoqV1KV-dsSQzaaqZbZVmSdFSgXz25cZS-43rA26HxZPSgK4Hh_NouvUynZUA7qTZLNwCzCxM2yR93jQiseXYnIRHdC9eMEqMEHrSoPaEXay69nPqcYCbyXm2l7JhcVt8mF/s640/IMG_0190.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475613647085093010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj558gPridpkWUL-EtQ92CE8YLpyk6lECau5ahV2SJ3dh6fKBB8yTBLo96_ZpzIY8_qepy4mP4jQYBAQAY6CMWYGf5kYPNd0YaJ9hwZlK3X8EcehtrpHcKvA1Ieqmc0cDjCgvK2Xo_A7HYM/s640/flower+center.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5QYrWXlK3IIOAYLl7LFgCP03w0fDSZJKFPmynTR5dcaxJiRMlKHWMt40V5CfIyHvW_yxs-13XH6qquW4ClSdC_hYZNSf1yPuWwXHYarV4MT5WOe6JR11ax3i6Yi65Qmz902uG4vQpB1y/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG"></a></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5QYrWXlK3IIOAYLl7LFgCP03w0fDSZJKFPmynTR5dcaxJiRMlKHWMt40V5CfIyHvW_yxs-13XH6qquW4ClSdC_hYZNSf1yPuWwXHYarV4MT5WOe6JR11ax3i6Yi65Qmz902uG4vQpB1y/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475613681301739314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5QYrWXlK3IIOAYLl7LFgCP03w0fDSZJKFPmynTR5dcaxJiRMlKHWMt40V5CfIyHvW_yxs-13XH6qquW4ClSdC_hYZNSf1yPuWwXHYarV4MT5WOe6JR11ax3i6Yi65Qmz902uG4vQpB1y/s640/IMG_0231.JPG" style="text-align: -webkit-center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div><br /></div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-21096960500094919342010-05-20T18:14:00.000-06:002010-06-12T18:20:21.543-06:00Since The Rain... Things Look So Much Better<div><div>Does anyone else remember that song, "Since The Rain"? Back in my radio days, I liked it and if I remember correctly, Ian Tyson sang it. Anyway, once in a while I think of it on a fresh, sweet morning after a rain. We had a good heavy thunder shower yesterday evening so...<br />This morning was one of those mornings - full of sweet smells and sparkling beauty.<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473368795213743586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThsgumn4D5_fccIBbLA8hLd6HsVXkTAGWKSddsy7xtfAO8xrb42A_IrmzMViT0fbmLTKqADM7ejIBnR-Pp9eZLX2yN0e5wz2poqMro3AdBfwBaySUKu9WN-WfgGMtva7P2NGCzFGinHPY/s640/IMG_0138.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473368817887962514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrJbb4mBG_owrtCEYLANOq_tn5j5E9NqvNST2qONde5digeSMLqUPBdf5pbT1zAgHNweYrXvEoPdVBtDxNVweC9DIhFoe8e9WntE7uXJqT7iyd_f_oM5QLorExjDLejzB4KkodwR0ACt8/s640/IMG_0150.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473368824387308450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPa10Rg6-ly0jzOREzdtBANO8OpEM26wwKYx-3C2lNgZj78CKn-Of8XdA9iEAYByuLqLK8zPszjwQ7jbKPF0hm1t47RPAcEeT-KyiCILk2_EErl9UwryvlXqw9NBkWvMQAqUf8Su2xUd8S/s640/IMG_0152.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " />This next picture is what I call a "Tulip Kiss". Doesn't it look like it is puckering up?? ;)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7_pyZ3BWkAdJmr-jyF2eQk6X_dov8PBMuk69pVQErQEx1sNXSFZyZSOeNN3ky5eXwA2_lOGiUbqkB4GNGhqis49_KrYl0TVh7ldXLOf2jC3P6jOihHLQLf6ZJq-01_gASnFPtSeAqJmv/s1600/IMG_0158.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473368835394441154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7_pyZ3BWkAdJmr-jyF2eQk6X_dov8PBMuk69pVQErQEx1sNXSFZyZSOeNN3ky5eXwA2_lOGiUbqkB4GNGhqis49_KrYl0TVh7ldXLOf2jC3P6jOihHLQLf6ZJq-01_gASnFPtSeAqJmv/s640/IMG_0158.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a>I never used to be a morning person - in fact I was a confirmed night hawk. I have defected to the morning crowd over the past ten years.<br />Last night after Bible study, I saw so many people out walking and biking and I was tempted to join them. However, there were still some jobs to be done in the kitchen and I didn't want to get to bed late. I have to be in bed dozing by 11:00PM for me to be worth anything in the morning. I comforted myself that the morning would be mine. I had a whole hour of quiet morning sweetness of my very own.<br /><br />It was worth waiting for...there weren't even any mosquitoes out!</p><p><br />My transportation for the morning was my new bike. :) It took me (or rather I took it) on a lovely 5 mile <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pedal</span>, mostly out of town. You can see my handy basket that makes carrying my camera easy. :D I am so thankful for this lovely gift from my husband!</p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LxnY_YIsGJT5UJsLdW1tW6qaAGEb4JGcb0YXzZYeUJCTVX630elEskYh1dOamoq0ceK1CikAbHWLWZxxMTC-8HhUIW2lmtDBbliapX7NiYnVi2pk1299VxGmgHwzfRGsVzngPjgp7J9A/s1600/IMG_0139.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473368808307167266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LxnY_YIsGJT5UJsLdW1tW6qaAGEb4JGcb0YXzZYeUJCTVX630elEskYh1dOamoq0ceK1CikAbHWLWZxxMTC-8HhUIW2lmtDBbliapX7NiYnVi2pk1299VxGmgHwzfRGsVzngPjgp7J9A/s640/IMG_0139.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /></div></div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-32362176986588860792010-03-16T15:08:00.000-06:002010-03-16T15:10:04.144-06:00Priorities<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffff66;">"Always do the important before the urgent."</span></div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffff66;"></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-36jyD7fKc_IIFP0pt7osBatovp3RKnwGmcUrj121CB6V5cumM7kcQsVurC8fRiC0iCRTbUdTttYu9cGk_naQTmbi0AFcQC0XPVqCyjgFgtP8TeJRnMS5T3sQSnPnsUlGUrvMNCOOVj8B/s1600-h/IMG_8845.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446856880175609154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-36jyD7fKc_IIFP0pt7osBatovp3RKnwGmcUrj121CB6V5cumM7kcQsVurC8fRiC0iCRTbUdTttYu9cGk_naQTmbi0AFcQC0XPVqCyjgFgtP8TeJRnMS5T3sQSnPnsUlGUrvMNCOOVj8B/s640/IMG_8845.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">This is my new motto.</span></div><span style="color:#ccccff;"><br /></span><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">A few weeks ago I was feeling so discouraged with what I was not able to accomplish in my days.</span></div><span style="color:#ccccff;"><br /></span><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">I was feeling so dissatisfied with how many important things were being left in order to accomplish the urgent.</span></div><span style="color:#ccccff;"><br /></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">What do I classify as urgent?</span></div><span style="color:#ccccff;"><br /></span><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">Laundry</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">Dishes</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">Baking Bread (what will we have for lunch without it?)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">The Phone Ringing</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">Cleaning</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">People's Expectations</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">My Own Unrealistic Expectations</span></div><span style="color:#ccccff;"><br /></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">What do I think of as important?</span></div><span style="color:#ccccff;"><br /></span><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">Teaching little girls to read.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">Reading stories to children.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">Phoning a friend to encourage her.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">Painting a picture.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">Listening to my teens.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">Sitting on my Hubby's lap.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">Watching a sunrise.</span></div><span style="color:#ccccff;"><br /></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">I know that sometimes the urgent thing is the most important thing for a moment... but not for every moment.</span></div><span style="color:#ccccff;"><br /></span><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">So I am asking myself throughout my days,</span></div><span style="color:#ccccff;"><br /></span><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">"What is the most important thing for me to do right now?"</span></div><span style="color:#ccccff;"><br /></span><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;">In spite of what is urgent.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccccff;"><br /></span></div><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span><span style="color:#ccccff;"></span>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-60904482986440027642010-03-08T17:45:00.000-07:002010-03-08T17:46:38.710-07:00Spring Fever<p align="center">We have all had a case of spring fever this last week.</p><p align="center">The four walls of our little house seem to be marching in on us and we all have this itchy, got-to-go-somewhere feeling.</p><p align="center">We have all dealt with it differently.</p><p align="center">The way that I usually deal with it is to do something creative.</p><p align="center">Sometimes that is using my camera.</p><p align="center">Sometimes that is sewing.</p><p align="center">Yesterday that was painting.</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">I just got a new set of watercolour pencils.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75iGmFzH8YUde50bus53MswpPYbdPYTRtiCHae5hMtT5j2Hv12NLPP8KAYdv_lHHoPJQ_1rBexvPho6G4RISg1Ft3XBLoJCtEhxk7Ru3fKJpFTosICqlROxTU_X1lmeV-VHY7KzM-U8Tx/s1600-h/IMG_8820.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446400144084216050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75iGmFzH8YUde50bus53MswpPYbdPYTRtiCHae5hMtT5j2Hv12NLPP8KAYdv_lHHoPJQ_1rBexvPho6G4RISg1Ft3XBLoJCtEhxk7Ru3fKJpFTosICqlROxTU_X1lmeV-VHY7KzM-U8Tx/s640/IMG_8820.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; " /></a></p><p align="center">And a new book of paper. <span style="font-family:Wingdings;">J</span></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">This meadowlark was my first project with the pencils.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55hqyLLpQYcQB_YC3opVArfwHiNmHQpkmhTS_kBJRa1e4P6daca40iEBqoBGs4PAoZaOP7iwfYsACWrecysjWzVHWLiRKYJjySBRHZLwEr_ll422b-yLUuqDX9d3W6nypkoR4WQX9eYNu/s1600-h/IMG_8822.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446402959171867298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55hqyLLpQYcQB_YC3opVArfwHiNmHQpkmhTS_kBJRa1e4P6daca40iEBqoBGs4PAoZaOP7iwfYsACWrecysjWzVHWLiRKYJjySBRHZLwEr_ll422b-yLUuqDX9d3W6nypkoR4WQX9eYNu/s640/IMG_8822.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; " /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">I have enjoyed watercolours and acrylics in the past,</p><p align="center">But the pencils were something new.</p><p align="center">I thoroughly enjoyed them!</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">Here are some of past projects:</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">This is a copy of a painting I did of my Granddad and his horse.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFhobG7iwExf1ANKVv7meEwdkwa75vZRIrwLi5d9sHfN_JesXsq4bC528VTV_jGMkh8Fi0yhkK8P0kwf4A_w2oZphTOPSPBuqF6cQgqUEyCFaDrYYdtnRw-KpzE7aeOm7KZPX56jhAHTu/s1600-h/IMG_8827.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446400167823598898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFhobG7iwExf1ANKVv7meEwdkwa75vZRIrwLi5d9sHfN_JesXsq4bC528VTV_jGMkh8Fi0yhkK8P0kwf4A_w2oZphTOPSPBuqF6cQgqUEyCFaDrYYdtnRw-KpzE7aeOm7KZPX56jhAHTu/s640/IMG_8827.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; " /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">This is in our living room: lighthouses.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvImDB-0XLB-EERZVZdaepbfPoFYrV6j2ZucfwKJ8NRxJ1Ggs2ODQDBJzoThPppFTO_asP75z6J9SlcXnyICVlB42aQoK10BeW3vO8FT4DYTsoO77kdjLx2Sy3BA1ZSkqWRQ1YlLnRu8x5/s1600-h/IMG_8824.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446400151972942354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvImDB-0XLB-EERZVZdaepbfPoFYrV6j2ZucfwKJ8NRxJ1Ggs2ODQDBJzoThPppFTO_asP75z6J9SlcXnyICVlB42aQoK10BeW3vO8FT4DYTsoO77kdjLx2Sy3BA1ZSkqWRQ1YlLnRu8x5/s640/IMG_8824.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; " /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">Doodling around doing pictures of Steven and the children.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ2z0P9ixzOW2ENS1o_IG-Ko2VAAB4VXe23dwHjzO2G4krs0rQY9nUYTOnMxxfFxf8irvg6hoElnopZ-340bOoYcgZN_n-3uCkxeNbDVifpvnF7yZ3KEVA4vTPSqnvc_FFK3CNff3LHb0/s1600-h/IMG_8830.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446401569810656338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ2z0P9ixzOW2ENS1o_IG-Ko2VAAB4VXe23dwHjzO2G4krs0rQY9nUYTOnMxxfFxf8irvg6hoElnopZ-340bOoYcgZN_n-3uCkxeNbDVifpvnF7yZ3KEVA4vTPSqnvc_FFK3CNff3LHb0/s640/IMG_8830.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaL6lfAkTNbNaw7RvnPAgvwCWq0PWE4aI7q7ifXXQIyckok0zFN1VB5BdLyzWuKAoEumoWMdESDFX8cOKvv3uclhucasZwXmCkJnUZqIdjn_9JD2eeCSGDk2LvhEaZDcFrsVXJK4QEMK6a/s1600-h/IMG_8829.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446400174704152306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaL6lfAkTNbNaw7RvnPAgvwCWq0PWE4aI7q7ifXXQIyckok0zFN1VB5BdLyzWuKAoEumoWMdESDFX8cOKvv3uclhucasZwXmCkJnUZqIdjn_9JD2eeCSGDk2LvhEaZDcFrsVXJK4QEMK6a/s640/IMG_8829.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; " /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">So, I have my new pencils and paper sitting on my dresser. When I feel the spring fever coming on, all I have to do is pick them up and create.</p><p align="center">It seems to work as an instant cure for me.</p><span style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:130%;"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;">J</span></p></span></span>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-90223883619508348342010-03-05T05:08:00.002-07:002010-03-08T17:47:54.814-07:00More Morning Pictures<div align="center">I thought I would share some of the pictures from my morning walks over the last week. There has been a mix of clear and misty mornings but all mild.</div><div align="center">I probably have said all this before, but my morning walk is a very special time to me. It is some time by myself, time to organize my thoughts and ideas for the day, and time to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise.</div><div align="center">Last night, a heavy, freezing mist rolled in. It had cleared off by the time I went out in the morning, but it left these little ice bits all over the trees. As the day warmed up, they were all tinkling down.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAETS503SnTV1Qc2wjYocnGamcl6eTfTG2R-8VswDzycpO2XEB_dmloU2bLcrsHC-slBoGbnG2xhjttRxNOfBbFa6OpF6P8UMYOdgKnhWIWbi1BmuZBwVGh1OSgIBmfERjSXmVmj5iLFYk/s1600-h/IMG_8692.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444556042220116434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAETS503SnTV1Qc2wjYocnGamcl6eTfTG2R-8VswDzycpO2XEB_dmloU2bLcrsHC-slBoGbnG2xhjttRxNOfBbFa6OpF6P8UMYOdgKnhWIWbi1BmuZBwVGh1OSgIBmfERjSXmVmj5iLFYk/s640/IMG_8692.JPG" style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">This morning's sunrise was so lovely! </div><div align="center">I just got to the top of the hill as the sun peeked above the horizon.</div><div align="center">It was worshipful to stand there with my face to the rising sun...alone in the fields.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LOy8QYCs79MXlQfZd1vY45aa3X51gcRgF_YYpVnOaOTOeHM6P92UJ8gSlMRc1-dw6lS0NOPqvJIiT0Um6-zY6LZ4ruzfcMUSc3zTB1X4Kyo9_6SiAs200p1o6loIrT8VyITOQ65Sqp8N/s1600-h/IMG_8686.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444555327153119298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LOy8QYCs79MXlQfZd1vY45aa3X51gcRgF_YYpVnOaOTOeHM6P92UJ8gSlMRc1-dw6lS0NOPqvJIiT0Um6-zY6LZ4ruzfcMUSc3zTB1X4Kyo9_6SiAs200p1o6loIrT8VyITOQ65Sqp8N/s640/IMG_8686.JPG" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_E2ZgMzRJF1tDmI9YUHj9dZys8ssXOD1jLyS2mfcuzdDJffRH_r989lI6IuG2LOjNtX8hqb08zA5CUQBb7prdumvkhxato0TztDiA4YdBvZ5wGrSJCufuJfbhz4nnKahgigaHKde283PA/s1600-h/IMG_8687.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444555343194213266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_E2ZgMzRJF1tDmI9YUHj9dZys8ssXOD1jLyS2mfcuzdDJffRH_r989lI6IuG2LOjNtX8hqb08zA5CUQBb7prdumvkhxato0TztDiA4YdBvZ5wGrSJCufuJfbhz4nnKahgigaHKde283PA/s640/IMG_8687.JPG" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwYDsTxcZXS2Eo7Dqf7Zu2mhWGk7rzfxTH_dpy8eWZRAVKdG5mBIz_l1B809FUWPMJkxA-CZ5J2VZMzjhbd_5RXE4-6keipvDSTwOa6ByF2rb03BbZ_4huDJ3-h2uOMl_CWRJAfgr9g5q/s1600-h/IMG_8689.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444555344102461538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwYDsTxcZXS2Eo7Dqf7Zu2mhWGk7rzfxTH_dpy8eWZRAVKdG5mBIz_l1B809FUWPMJkxA-CZ5J2VZMzjhbd_5RXE4-6keipvDSTwOa6ByF2rb03BbZ_4huDJ3-h2uOMl_CWRJAfgr9g5q/s640/IMG_8689.JPG" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /></div><div align="center">I really get my heart pumping by the time I have power-walked to the top of this long, gradual hill. It doesn't look steep, but it is 1/2 mile long.</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxVqxBmArDJsaWajkjPeZpWtZX-t9HPAFVwuXrAEJQlamLFOY4dOyW6Zmtibpvs5HQgBW4hTuQDI1eg7p4ZKqdsMXCFhY0f2OHOBJzK1d7Sy7TisuxZ3efQ1-VtdVu9nwzI-HWtFUhzFz/s1600-h/IMG_8684.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444555318881036786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxVqxBmArDJsaWajkjPeZpWtZX-t9HPAFVwuXrAEJQlamLFOY4dOyW6Zmtibpvs5HQgBW4hTuQDI1eg7p4ZKqdsMXCFhY0f2OHOBJzK1d7Sy7TisuxZ3efQ1-VtdVu9nwzI-HWtFUhzFz/s640/IMG_8684.JPG" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /><br />Big sky.</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ulAaJrI5eC6QPcquHS0ZN7IsvjCFhh0Aei7uVNptMHAtC1Q6qIQM5d6HjmislhmNQm842xKH85bmq1YWjL_3aOKa_Pn5T46jpKPb5omwxygtz7Wr2Trnn4EzBS-sWASCIycZ1rXp-NLb/s1600-h/IMG_8682.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444555311397938450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ulAaJrI5eC6QPcquHS0ZN7IsvjCFhh0Aei7uVNptMHAtC1Q6qIQM5d6HjmislhmNQm842xKH85bmq1YWjL_3aOKa_Pn5T46jpKPb5omwxygtz7Wr2Trnn4EzBS-sWASCIycZ1rXp-NLb/s640/IMG_8682.JPG" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /><br />This little field sparrow landed right beside me on the road - and then let me pull my camera out and snap a few pictures of it. :)</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrD931sSmvelg-zgz-7MRjsjg5pwDUWS6oFQktbZpALCLKUwV3-UrQuVGtUz_iMefjMMoaFf0SXaNRquZtdEQmHanPmKFI_qBy211Z78Jmsu_H1KqXqN0m07_E-qpx8eTQH7eW51x8-YZh/s1600-h/IMG_8674.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444553363335769794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrD931sSmvelg-zgz-7MRjsjg5pwDUWS6oFQktbZpALCLKUwV3-UrQuVGtUz_iMefjMMoaFf0SXaNRquZtdEQmHanPmKFI_qBy211Z78Jmsu_H1KqXqN0m07_E-qpx8eTQH7eW51x8-YZh/s640/IMG_8674.JPG" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /><br />One of the misty, but almost clear mornings.</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmGONk1fDJyiu78uQu5v1_G3hH_7lmOuK1d7SeGWnG1CFQ8n4nYa40TUxILCdkSudjudmon0NXGFT9EcbQ72oStjSwvj8SYRKOeN4CNC4WdcvYh82FKUXwOB-A3BULPtPl6K4bDTpCPSJ/s1600-h/IMG_8630.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444553347509289330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmGONk1fDJyiu78uQu5v1_G3hH_7lmOuK1d7SeGWnG1CFQ8n4nYa40TUxILCdkSudjudmon0NXGFT9EcbQ72oStjSwvj8SYRKOeN4CNC4WdcvYh82FKUXwOB-A3BULPtPl6K4bDTpCPSJ/s640/IMG_8630.JPG" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /></div><div align="center">A hardy Manitoba Maple that seeded itself on the road allowance.</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1cInpdSk22x2e5Oc8hu0lDuz1xNAqxZ_YfxQQaACef8ANPa5zpzz_WiW6Yg3WoRDP16XcAMZGc3YV52o9zM4Gxo1gHo1BES6NZGEHr1KkCCdPVN5HudOlUorf3EFzLRJQfCinro3GPNK/s1600-h/IMG_8628.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444553346116337618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1cInpdSk22x2e5Oc8hu0lDuz1xNAqxZ_YfxQQaACef8ANPa5zpzz_WiW6Yg3WoRDP16XcAMZGc3YV52o9zM4Gxo1gHo1BES6NZGEHr1KkCCdPVN5HudOlUorf3EFzLRJQfCinro3GPNK/s640/IMG_8628.JPG" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /><br />A very foggy morning - walking to my Dad's house.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcygyW7g4r02Ze8qsTDosUqqWo10p0HUGeNk8VQYc_11-tXFAzH4WsdTo8Pxh6-mQJIPYSZ-IioTt-erWbmff8q6ULE6nPM9oOIYt-wEJrK3UnN3wkoe4YsuhHfHQunpL3MRp4LxVcHqe/s1600-h/IMG_8637.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444553334485214690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcygyW7g4r02Ze8qsTDosUqqWo10p0HUGeNk8VQYc_11-tXFAzH4WsdTo8Pxh6-mQJIPYSZ-IioTt-erWbmff8q6ULE6nPM9oOIYt-wEJrK3UnN3wkoe4YsuhHfHQunpL3MRp4LxVcHqe/s640/IMG_8637.JPG" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsW9D1Ku0R9KkKM452ErGo_hTsJpzVH4GtJSc5IOoDV7z7AGDTFOk3vVeQ97WFOCn6HwP2Lg0zZTvA4d72Qx_yZVYgPnG0-o7ts8xxsO7OlB1URMg1CSjrr7K4CdDBpg78NSC-4Maj-4W/s1600-h/IMG_8634.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444553328073040402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsW9D1Ku0R9KkKM452ErGo_hTsJpzVH4GtJSc5IOoDV7z7AGDTFOk3vVeQ97WFOCn6HwP2Lg0zZTvA4d72Qx_yZVYgPnG0-o7ts8xxsO7OlB1URMg1CSjrr7K4CdDBpg78NSC-4Maj-4W/s640/IMG_8634.JPG" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br />I am so thankful for a safe, little town to walk in.</div><div align="center">When I go out, I have my camera bag over my shoulder (because I know the morning that I leave it at home, I will see something exceptionally beautiful), my ipod in my pocket and a cell phone in the other (makes me feel safer).</div><div align="center">I usually get up an hour before the rest of the family which gives me time to get a few miles in before breakfast.</div><div align="center">:)</div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-57285953767218466502010-03-04T23:06:00.001-07:002010-03-04T23:06:56.597-07:00The Living DeadDear Mom,<br /><br />This afternoon, I stopped by to visit you in your care home. I walked the mile from our house on this foggy, mild winter day. You would have liked this day.<br /><br />As I walked into your ward and down the hall to your room, I heard a man yelling from one of the rooms, "HELP! WILL SOMEBODY HELP ME?" He was confused and scared and senile. I thought about how he once would have been a strong, young man who had a family and worked hard to provide for them. I know that if I were to go into his room, there would be pictures of him back when he was living, living instead of living, dead.<br /><br />As I came to your room, the door was shut so I knew you would still be in bed from your nap. I pushed the door open and an alarm went off - to help the nurses keep track of you when you wander. I reached up and turned off the alarm and slipped in and shut the door behind me. The air in your room was heavy. I stifled a gag. You must need to be cleaned up, and the nurses will be in soon to get you up and wash you. I don't call them. The process would take up all my time to visit you.<br /><br />I walk over to your bed. It is placed against the wall - more in bedroom fashion then hospital fashion. You are covered with a brightly colored flannel quilt and you clutch a Winnie the Pooh teddy bear in your arms. Your body is so thin and wasted and hardly makes a bump under the sheet. I sit on the bed and take your hand. You look at me - through me - with tiny, sunken eyes in a flat, expressionless face. My eyes fill with tears. Is this really my Mother? The living, gracious, graceful woman that raised me? You are but a living dead now Mother. Your face and eyes cannot relate any emotions or love. Your hands either are held with the fingers unnaturally strait or clutching. Those hands did so much - created so much. Now they just stroke, clutch, stroke at a child's teddy bear.<br /><br />I watch you for some time - your head moves <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">compulsively</span> back and forth, back and forth on the pillow. Every once in a while (is it every four times?) you stop and kind of grimace - at first I thought you were smiling at me - but no, it was more like barring your teeth - an empty, hallow movement - nothing more.<br /><br />I sit there by you. On the edge of the bed. Like a mother by a sick child, but without any hope this side of heaven. The tears stream down my face and I grieve.<br /><br />I look around the room at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">bulletin</span> boards - covered with pictures of the living - your daughters, your son, your grandchildren, your sisters. We have all gone on living while you have gone on dying.<br /><br />Oh, Lord, is it wrong to pray that the process of dying would be shortened for you? for Dad? for us all? Is it wrong to hope that you die, soon? I don't know. I just sit on the edge of your bed and groan - I know the Spirit will <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">interpret</span> my groans before the throne of God and I will trust it to Him.<br /><br />When I leave you, I stroke your cheek and tell you that I love you and pray aloud that the Lord would be with you. You look up at me - is there a moment of recognition? I can't tell - and then you are back to the empty stare and your head moves back and forth, back and forth again on the pillow.<br /><br />I walk home - tears streaming down my face - back to the land of the living.<br /><br />Jennyjennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-26300221247234906842010-01-18T09:26:00.000-07:002010-01-18T09:28:01.612-07:00Watching A Prairie SunriseSaturday I got up in order to have more than an hour of walking time. I have been wanting to see what the new section of walking path North of town was like. I hadn't been out there yet since the beginning of the path is just over a mile from our house.<br />The path didn't go as far as I thought, but it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">afforded</span> a nice view from the top of a little hill and gave me a lovely view of the sunrise...which always rewards my efforts to get out of my warm bed!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AAzN5FTCU6UOezyp7aVfjdX3gnPMmGz7JL12dvBpKf9hZo96j-JOE5zUT5Afmp6VtEZznjFvdGlbTlc90OAraY4fKhsvHH48WzUNNkUPKnHdsOxv7Wx3ijsKZ7hVxdxvPVfclgb2SzF1/s1600-h/IMG_8014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427938917544255714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AAzN5FTCU6UOezyp7aVfjdX3gnPMmGz7JL12dvBpKf9hZo96j-JOE5zUT5Afmp6VtEZznjFvdGlbTlc90OAraY4fKhsvHH48WzUNNkUPKnHdsOxv7Wx3ijsKZ7hVxdxvPVfclgb2SzF1/s640/IMG_8014.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygOmO17inzUZfycol140rZHNpxClg84Ncjs_A7FuoHNkNTA3f-r2Qcpiz6HCCUTPOvqqjF37GW3KtKknSqQJsmtmeakDvbRxfpMDgWC8P60nToJNv5Uukqurz8jREM2bDiFtOH2MfY7kL/s1600-h/IMG_8015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427938912407041490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygOmO17inzUZfycol140rZHNpxClg84Ncjs_A7FuoHNkNTA3f-r2Qcpiz6HCCUTPOvqqjF37GW3KtKknSqQJsmtmeakDvbRxfpMDgWC8P60nToJNv5Uukqurz8jREM2bDiFtOH2MfY7kL/s640/IMG_8015.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAC6snVY8CTgAcHACf6Qqeszo-dMgkS2raBBLl86vU-plJWml5jor7hLSsLhF4sRB0OX-RGN1RGrw0Pt02D0qZmX_QY0yDrUWeEhKlZHytWa7hdFilKPB5svYF77heCquaKQXSMTuyt3L/s1600-h/IMG_8016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427938904361882066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAC6snVY8CTgAcHACf6Qqeszo-dMgkS2raBBLl86vU-plJWml5jor7hLSsLhF4sRB0OX-RGN1RGrw0Pt02D0qZmX_QY0yDrUWeEhKlZHytWa7hdFilKPB5svYF77heCquaKQXSMTuyt3L/s640/IMG_8016.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsc_BzbWPg1YBq19RoQ4MHVndlP4H0t9Fef-CSi94LhCMhCOAMHZ9JpatngLK4bmrCENHzm9Ag6hZEWDNJ_49Ia2e_NHIzaW75hSJTKx4ddfVjSnPEeSPMaJwLJNnbolnn5tidKAD5ZGKV/s1600-h/IMG_8020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427938894612538722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsc_BzbWPg1YBq19RoQ4MHVndlP4H0t9Fef-CSi94LhCMhCOAMHZ9JpatngLK4bmrCENHzm9Ag6hZEWDNJ_49Ia2e_NHIzaW75hSJTKx4ddfVjSnPEeSPMaJwLJNnbolnn5tidKAD5ZGKV/s640/IMG_8020.JPG" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; " /></a>I look back at the houses, and think what everyone else is missing!</div></div></div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-58855891774145952072010-01-07T22:04:00.004-07:002010-01-08T08:17:31.469-07:00My Resolution On Resolutions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0W62Ge1M0oTop83V1nuDaihnP1Q6TJb8WZrlUwSOhmsDzj4D1Xg6NtExH_CStVYvGOlKzKW7Q2LSw7KHHmUUYeca39MWEltIacjU6km3HfUAjXI6q2YwezcBoD1YQOu2fgirvLyACP8/s1600-h/Rock+and+Fortress.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424231224777754914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0W62Ge1M0oTop83V1nuDaihnP1Q6TJb8WZrlUwSOhmsDzj4D1Xg6NtExH_CStVYvGOlKzKW7Q2LSw7KHHmUUYeca39MWEltIacjU6km3HfUAjXI6q2YwezcBoD1YQOu2fgirvLyACP8/s640/Rock+and+Fortress.jpg" /></a><br /><div><i><b>(Disclaimer: this is in no way an attack on anyone who makes New Year's resolutions! It is just my own experience with who I am and what works for me.)</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>After many years of making New Year's resolutions, I have resolved to stop.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Am I against evaluating my life and making changes? No! Not in least! But I am finished with yearly resolving. I have resolved changes in every area of my life at some point, but my resolutions have started and ended as resolutions.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Too often, I have left issues that I knew needed changed in my life until the New Year whereupon, I have made great and small resolves about the problem and then promptly continued as I was.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Oh, I have sometimes managed to carry some new pursuit into February or even March, but it never really became a part of my life.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Why the lack of success with resolutions?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>1. I am not a very self-disciplined person (and I do not think I am alone). If left to myself, I would consume prodigious amounts of chocolate (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lindt</span> Dark Chocolate, please); would never exercise; would spend most of my life with books and Internet; would be grumpy, short-tempered and intemperate; would hardly ever speak to other human beings; would in short be totally sensual: driven by my senses.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>2. Jan. 1 is not a magic date. When I wait to January 1 to act on an issue that first came to my attention months before, the impetus of action is destroyed. By waiting for a better date to start, I declare my resolve <b>not</b> to be resolved. If I make a note in May that I need to lose weight, but spend the next eight months steeped in my old habits, January 1 will not suddenly endow me with self-control and constancy.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>3. Resolving Unrealistically. When I sit down with only the resolution to resolve, I am predisposed to be unrealistic. I will come up with a list (at least 10 goals, no doubt) of the most impervious resolutions imaginable. I am always an optimist with a blank piece of paper.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So what to do about it? Am I going to just be content with my present state with never a hint at change? <b>NO!</b> (that was a yell from my family :)) This is what I have substituted New Year's resolutions with:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A daily openness to what God's Spirit has to say to me through his word, through my conscience and through my husband. I know when the Lord pricks my spirit because of my temper with the children, my time on the computer, my priority with hobbies or my self control with eating has crossed the line. Do I listen to the promptings every time? No. But one thing I resolve at any time of year, is to be obedient to these little promptings.</div><br /><div></div><div>When I see a need in my life, I try to evaluate <b>right away</b> what changes need to be made. The action I take is then stimulated from the impetus of the need. It is fresh. It is in the "day" I heard of it. I will be able to respond with more wisdom and resolve because the need is fresh (even if it is August 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> and not January 1st). So, while the beginning of a new year is a great time to reflect and resolve, so is the beginning of every new day, hour and minute.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Ultimately, I have started to view my life as one driving a car, steering a ship or walking according to a compass. I need to be constantly correcting my course, always checking my compass to stay on track. Never would a woodsman check his compass once a day, let alone once a year! He would be checking every few minutes in thick timber, and in open country, he would check, set a landmark for a guide and check again when he get to that spot. The same works in my life. I find I must be checking daily, sometimes hourly my "compass" to stay on track. This keeps me motivated, realistic and resolved. <div><br /></div><div>Jenny</div><div>:)<br /><div></div></div><div></div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-17738135520643240922010-01-01T22:59:00.002-07:002010-01-01T23:05:15.208-07:00The Beauty of Simplicity<div style="text-align: center;"><i>I reprinted this from my private blog, as I thought it was of general interest.</i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sQAhyphenhyphenx0UHpawO1I0HCaJl22vp0U1pBcnW9gX0gOUeNIZS4mSJGHAYIX-ukkr8cjc4m62_W5-0nJG23rBq32l-ULSjJ27GxPV2_RCzreXPsU4LidUW5amm0Uq_mHWuSEgxyMXXq_RULhQ/s640/feather.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421561233917112930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></span>I love simplicity, though I don't adhere to it naturally. I am a recovering perfectionist and simplicity didn't fit in with my overdone, magnifying-glass approach to life. It was my dear husband who led me into simplicity.<div>He has always had a "travel light through life" philosophy, and it is has served us well. I have learned to love the sweetness of simplicity - there is no part of life that his not enhanced by the beauty of simplicity.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Phil Callaway's book, Making Life Rich Without Any Money, he writes:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>"Late in life, an anonymous friar in a Nebraska monastery wrote the following words. I can't help grinning as I read them.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>If I had my life to live over again, I'd try to make more mistakes next time.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I would relax, I would limber up, I would be sillier than I have been on this trip.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I know of very few things I would take seriously.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I would take more trips. I would be </b><b>crazier</b><b>.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers, and watch more sunsets.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I would do more walking and looking.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I would eat more ice cream and less beans.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I would have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>You see, </b><b>I'm</b><b> one of those people who lives life...sensibly hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I'd have more of them.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>In fact, I'd try to have nothing else, just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead each day. I've been one of those people who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat, aspirin, and a parachute.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>If I had it to do all over again, I would go places, do things, and travel lighter than I have.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>If I had my live to live over, I would start barefooted earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I would play hooky more.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I wouldn't make such good grades, except by accident.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I would ride on more merry-go-rounds.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I'd pick more daisies."</b></div><div><br /></div><div>He goes on to write some great things about what simplicity has meant to him... but you'll have to buy the book if you want to keep reading (it is very entertaining).</div><div><br /></div><div>I am in the throes of my seasonal "simplify life" campaign. I am going through the whole house de-cluttering and throwing out anything that I can possibly feel free to. It feels good!</div><div>This time, I have a special reason to be very thorough. We are not moving (at least not to my knowledge), but we are getting new flooring (YEA, YEA, YEA!!!). It is going to be as much work as moving, though. I will gladly do the work as it will be WONDERFUL when it is finished! So, I am trying to get rid of as much stuff as I can to make the job simpler. I will post some before after pics once we get to that stage.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wish all of my dear readers:</div><div>-a blessed New Year</div><div>-a deeper understanding and relationship with the Lord Jesus</div><div>-simplicity... which will free you up to enjoy the little things in life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jenny</div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-73546637697013084642009-12-10T11:04:00.008-07:002009-12-20T20:52:36.504-07:00Assignment #18 - Tradition<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSTETqGmRMnXciUxP_WxJL6HxCbJtw01EQwfK-qaeEmF_Aga4saC9pA8X5S9HZGtXhxGjUNj-1d95D_IlZvc7kvEBLzfI2VZ6RO0KqxeKp72ahBuPZpM_igvXJH2mKVTJkdzV3nYy9d8/s1600-h/IMG_7210.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417531300300749970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSTETqGmRMnXciUxP_WxJL6HxCbJtw01EQwfK-qaeEmF_Aga4saC9pA8X5S9HZGtXhxGjUNj-1d95D_IlZvc7kvEBLzfI2VZ6RO0KqxeKp72ahBuPZpM_igvXJH2mKVTJkdzV3nYy9d8/s640/IMG_7210.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Just out of curiosity, I asked my older children what traditional things we do around Christmas that they really enjoy. Here is what they said:</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>-Skating party on the 26<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> will all the cousins (Steve's folks have 27 grandchildren!) .</div><br /><div>-New Years sledding party.</div><br /><div>-Just staying home as a family.</div><br /><div>-Turkey stuffing!!!</div><br /><div>-Reading God's word together.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>-Receiving gifts.</div><br /><div>-Cold lunch after Christmas with all the leftovers.</div><br /><div>-Watching old movies like Mary Poppins, Cheaper By The Dozen, Kidnapped and 20 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.</div><br /><div>I smile as they say all these things because none of them started out to be traditions. They are not old traditions, but they are what the kids think of that makes this time of year special for them. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>***<br /></div><br /><div>I think back to my childhood and my Norwegian family. Foods like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gjetost</span> (pronounced yea-toast - a brown goats cheese aka: ambrosia!), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lutefisk</span> (fermented whitefish that smells awful but has no flavor), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lefse</span> (potato <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">flatbread</span> to wrap your ambrosia <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gjetost</span> in), meatballs, smoked herring, milk rice, and strong coffee. </div><br /><div></div><div>Most of these things are gone now. I am allergic to wheat and dairy (even goat's cheese :-/). I will still make milk rice for our Christmas morning breakfast (made with coconut milk instead of cow milk). I will also make <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">lefse</span> for New Year: it works out OK gluten free. I will be drinking tea instead of the black, thick coffee. Even so, my childhood memories are still precious because it was not the actual traditions that were REALLY meaningful, but what they represented: family, togetherness, security, and LOVE.</div><div></div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-18965080823765053912009-12-10T09:22:00.006-07:002009-12-10T10:27:07.063-07:00Assignment #17 - HandmadeBeing a Mother is one of the most rewarding yet <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">challenging</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">positions</span> to hold. Everyday is physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally taxing. Everyday also has it's little rewards of preciousness: baby smiles, loving words, pictures to hang on the fridge, wet kisses and hair-messing hugs.<br /><br />Occasionally, in the midst of homemaking, I get this creative urge to make something beautiful that I can enjoy right away. Let's face it, baking, doing dishes, cleaning house, and grocery shopping just doesn't <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">fulfill</span> a creative desire (OK, it sometimes does, but the clean house or the cookies or the full pantry doesn't last very long).<br /><br />When this urge hits me, I generally want to do a project that will not take too long to finish. Sometimes I pick up my paintbrush - I enjoy watercolors, sometimes I pull out <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">scrap booking</span>, sometimes I blog :), and sometimes I sew.<br /><br />Last week I got the "creative bug" and started making a tea cozy that would fit my largest tea pot. I looked up different <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">patterns</span> and ended up using the instructions on a website called "The Rusty Bobbin". I couldn't get a link to work *grrrr* so just Goggle "rusty bobbin sews tea cozy" and you'll find it.<br /><br />I also purposed to use only what fabric and notions I had on hand (to save money and to have a fun challenge). Applique is one of my favorite sewing methods because the projects are small and I can work on them while sitting with the family.<br /><br />So, Ta <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Da</span>....<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413644356126594002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqz0bWEeyFUyOrFn0S4IqljUOjTgp8iumUx99kY447KUxm_zVAIveT7XliX20hMpS1_1fLCxKfYsv27gX17Wn_f5BdEY5qmairgd2T63VA3QAaP7PSt22OhU5rgycjLzcUusNjSZxmU8/s640/IMG_7026.JPG" />I love RED, so there is red accents - if I had brown fabric, I probably would have chosen that instead of black, but I am happy with the black.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413644372361556642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGES29GcxaEWAv3ZzT4YJZVz2ZCfcAILJg2JSnRrf6lEEci8gJe42q5GaK6y_sTOh7d4RJYUXsAGPwBxtcGqPom6YNb-sxcdbEXtbZCtC0PGdXzESBBx9arhUKdL_8I2Wu-GMWsefyKc/s640/IMG_7022.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413644362238954754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaCFE-pajSh2Llh48h0Rz5s0kbnUd9HNEHYRAPFETYbaJCLfcHBBZd5zBCl5L1NElVKEXlQxoLYkIeZO8oDyi7q7JYS2w2SgSJ6AlDIbH0EzAorQ8DxKHADkLfOjNf0qmcP7cCSZkNbw/s640/IMG_7023.JPG" /><br />The main change I made from the directions, was to put a casing around the bottom and run a bit of elastic in it so that the cozy would "hug" my tea pot better.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413644381003257938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hMDr5b8mOdcDW7zPVz6g6YEZmK0nmzHSMG3PpJwYgXi4Yk6fxttbFzwSL7pJ_ZCiT2Xq8wdaoQE95hMpZC8D1h6hWaqz2eOykUgoU_bpP5rmG_gy6f6BYBoBWwV6TdnnjugwoASImkQ/s640/IMG_7028.JPG" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwV5RW0mnP6rVHJovhg5nkpIXykDoxnoph6SHgfWgW8m0IeGvUNPcEcISCzYgND_Nf6CnHEqcnK921FH2rmzXGyti7lIrDhTOrgycm4EWmehNpDorAHZ3ffMbs1jmzHhwV6sGzXHhtPk/s1600-h/IMG_7029.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413644386770833506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwV5RW0mnP6rVHJovhg5nkpIXykDoxnoph6SHgfWgW8m0IeGvUNPcEcISCzYgND_Nf6CnHEqcnK921FH2rmzXGyti7lIrDhTOrgycm4EWmehNpDorAHZ3ffMbs1jmzHhwV6sGzXHhtPk/s640/IMG_7029.JPG" /></a>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-30394287921823454762009-11-24T10:16:00.010-07:002009-11-27T10:07:03.257-07:00Assignment #16 - Gratitude<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407720439028638994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cxoXk8Vz5mCJh7fFaIxQdTQvcWu_a-c6XMdj-ufnr-mCm8eXYWmJvIeo4qHjkEooBHli9DIhurx26hYn3Jh68XAnkISxPB8Ct76XzoamDuqiqg3s6oP8EFTFmqvVhYs0p_O8JLlFPbY/s640/IMG_6492.JPG" /> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">What am I thankful for??? So many, many things... and more importantly, so many people! I am going to list 10 people (or people groups) who I am so thankful are in my life.</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">1. <b>My Dear, Dear Savior</b>: how could I ever begin to tell about this wonderful person? I guess if you know him too, a description is unnecessary. Yet I know nothing warms my heart like hearing another believer share what Jesus means to them... so I'll share a wee bit here. This Lord of mine took me in and remade me when I had nothing to give him in return but my pitiful life. He has set me free from hurtful habits, lies of the Devil, and my sin and guilt. He has placed my feet on the rock of his truth and given me the hope of salvation. By the strength of his spirit, I am able to be a wife, mother and teacher. He meets me in my humble home each day and guides me through each moment of the day. He greets my waking thought with his own thoughts. Without him... well, I don't like to think about that!</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408090092037256018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizo3HrMNvwpv-7wzdyGPzJTT3aLz73L97JnREabL9CDy0WNUW4r93Q_fpoKReOwGMxB3TKjm7MxD-ceOF0OmSSSkmVaDK7cPeoweHF8HvvXTNLSK8mdXv7tx8nOzjzCZdp80DK0DTNYyE/s640/IMG_6046+5x7.JPG" /> <p></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">2. <b>My Dear, Dear Husband</b>: I am so thankful for Debi Pearl's book, Created To Be His Help Meet. The description in there of a Mr. Visionary helped me understand this man of mine! At times I wondered if I had married a crazy man! Now that I understand him better, I can listen to his plans: like moving to the Yukon to homestead, with some gravity (as opposed to running around gathering up a grubstake for a family of 9). Steven is such an amazing man: he is creative and artistic and is such a man of leadership and ambition ("lazy" just is not in his vocabulary!). No one has loved me with such a perfect, Christ-like love as this man has. Where would I be without him????... I don't like to think of that, either!</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><p></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408090098852787842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpMndwI9tBYtSFHbWt4neIeyj_TUUniL5_w5FqPvlKt7VFpoAG7wGSkfB-cR4t9t_BQ85X-q-orzECHG38dD2K6cRTAV8b3v8VXg5ByWOpJAJzKEnBbZyftEWLvTyIZoTb6eR_PZY5vc/s640/IMG_5826.JPG" />3. <b>My Kids</b>: I think I have some of the most forgiving kids in the world! They just keep loving this Momma of theirs and I am so humbled. Steven often comments that we are raising our best friends. :) While right now, I have to be teacher, guide, Momma, and bedroom inspector - I can see that someday, I will be free to enjoy a close friendship with these amazing people. I am getting glimpses of it with Millie now, and I LOVE it!</p><p><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408090106602815026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKuN4DbMB1MMDoz2TJ9QOElEMvfM6EqiWbWAO4-vNKPEuBci3lkPillKFlFqh2Md_NlXcO9gBMPJKy__3BCkiavSSEODIP12jIFp5z6wsOxOK2ZWHwCLqqDVUn2EW_6mK5QfQgtsb7FE/s640/IMG_0576.3.jpg" /> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">4.<b> My Dad</b>: I have watched my Dad go through the grief of losing my Mom to dementia at an unusually young age (she was just over 50 when she really lost the ability to function normally). Through this, I have gotten to know my Dad in a way I probably never would have. He comes over to our house often to visit (and have supper). :) We enjoy his company, and who wouldn't? - he is well read, has traveled the world with his work, taught high school, farmed, held positions of administration, runs his own business as a land agent, is a history buff, is gifted with analyzing people and situations, is soft spoken and pleasant.... and an expert Grandpa. Dad reads my blog, and while he may not comment on it, he comments to me later. :) And best of all - he likes my cooking!</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408140188295592514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGFp75BPiyyfgs7GxaHYsW6CHsV0w__mJV1tQsFH_SBiUETx5eF6zXxLtKQsB74Zl8nnWTPPe9wkSRk1_Z4R3nAFThKALYRWnsCNLP3_-XHSDujCd0JPl9oQVJM9_jx8ASW9HtE5_nbQ/s640/grandpa&grandma.jpg" /> 5. <b>My Parents-In-Law</b>: You know how you just can't out-give some people? Well, these are two of those people. They are always giving - to strangers, friends, fellow-believers and family. They raised 5 children and have 27 grandchildren (the oldest is 18). Dad has run a dairy farm and a construction business. He has a reputation as being upright and honest in all his dealings. He is the "lay-pastor" in our home fellowship and is often sought out for his council and wisdom. Mom is truly a "mother-heart" that has room in her time, home and arms for all who need her. She is a great cook - nothing beats Mom's roast beef or chicken. She has run a floral arranging business in the past and she did our wedding flowers.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408090120075275650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZQQiXWsdsbtRRj-5cIOlote-Ul9-HXLkk-2gR_jTCl3W2iwLvv7PXTan0BgdWk0P-05TyxNGY8M0k9RPFiYZtvmnFkpOthMke60eGUdYkWzUnJvyV0cvRhGiDzuxMpTqRlw2LiM0-BQ/s640/IMG_3280.JPG" />6. <b>My </b><b>sil</b><b>, Melodie</b>: Mel is six years older than me and my husband's only sister. Right from when we met, we have been friends. She is so giving and sensitive to other's needs and hurts. Over the last month, as I have been struggling with this miscarriage and hormone changes, she has sent me several notes and gifts to encourage me. Her oldest kids are 5 years older than our oldest, so I have appreciated someone who I can talk to, ask questions of, and get ideas from. She has been so content in their little 1920's farm house - always showing hospitality and generosity. She is due to welcome their 10th baby in February.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408093740432773570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9irjT471i7aG8I_bEXGtlRmY0MwC3gtGgasO5YS8prAUKCu4qNr-7LEKiaXDJH_IcK0_0SYCXQOHAKb6ABr70BLHfoNNVDOvP5JHvxAhuwiuup8HrIUpOMsmpExIVuhdSnWOI6jOkS6A/s640/IMG_2172.JPG" />7. <b>My </b><b>sil</b><b>, Laurie</b>: Laurie and I knew each other as kids, growing up in western Alberta. Then our family moved east to the prairies and I lost touch with her. It was such a surprise when she turned up at Prairie Bible Institute in our town - and caught the notice of Steve's older brother, Kevin. She is now my sister-in-law and the mother of 7! Laurie has been a true friend, especially the last few years since they moved into town. She has visited my Mom with me (she lost her mom 3 years ago and understands). She has made our family many meals when I have been ill or just had a baby. She is always honest and just herself... she couldn't be deceitful if her life depended on it! She always thinks the best of people is quick to praise any good she sees. I am always amazed at her example of "plodding". Laurie doesn't do spectacular, unusual things in her homeschooling, housekeeping or projects - but she plods... and by her faithfulness she accomplishes HUGE things.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408093730927655570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98OjlCfQxrc7to1yRXb341EpK3VvzcK8entjkmW9Kp2837dXo50emcmiVP0Kp8VAVUkCSIyAkkIGuCL-rXGWBUD8jeyowLMBl1KIxK2OYtxCMlS18EPjKT50R-3hvYxfUnham1RxLD9g/s640/IMG_2219emilie.JPG" />8. <b>My new </b><b>sil</b><b>, Emilie</b>: I am still getting to know Emilie (married to Steve's youngest brother, Justin) - but the things that I appreciate about her already is her cheerfulness, creativity and servant attitude. In their few months of marriage, she has delivered 2 or 3 meals to my door to help when I was sick as well as taking the littlies to the park and other helpful things.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408093747917544322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUDStCM30Nf9-tc5Sr7p4hDCG8UUnOGBqF7Wz_aWoUeYgI27OPybJXmuYdGkFv6RCeKAomF-_pMWh7fl54qAJtev43_Xj4ehcRw1YvwHvGmy0BoevPphZ4Cynx2NAL2xxAdvjYlpww-0/s640/IMG_0290.JPG" /> 9. <b>My community</b>: My "little town on the prairie" has a pop. of 3500 and is in the middle of nowhere (it isn't "on the way" to anywhere). I have lived here for over 23 years. When I go "uptown" I am constantly greeted by name - people know my kids - they stop and ask how we are doing. It is a great community to raise a family in and we are thankful to be here.<br /><br /><br /><br />10. <b>My e-friends</b>: I used to think that nothing could be more shallow than having friends that you only know through the computer. When I started a blog, it was to keep in touch with family and friends that we didn't see often... but it hasn't turned out that way. Many are just too busy to be bothered with checking in on our family or read what I have written - hey, I understand. Instead I have made many new friends (and met up with some old friends). Altogether, I have been encouraged and enriched by meeting other godly woman who want to honor the Lord in their homes and relationships. I have learned to love many of you and I think of and pray for you often - you are precious women! My husband was VERY sceptical of me contacting people this way - but he has been won over! He even asks about your families and activities. :)<br /><br />Well that was longer than I though it would be... but I am just overflowing with thankfulness!<br /><br /><br />Oh not! I forgot someone! Steven's dear Aunt Ardith! This woman is one of the most gracious, composed, generous, thoughtful, compassionate and kind people I know. I was actually going to post something about her on my other blog, "At The Rose Cottage", so I will keep this concise and just say that the Lord has used "A.A." in our lives for a tremendous blessing!jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-45707171942054873362009-11-17T09:17:00.010-07:002009-11-18T22:40:31.947-07:00Assignment #15 - Abundance<div align="center"><em>"My Lap-full of Abundance"</em></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvZXpOlVjX40pNEWV0w5BaauOZ7OH2gayoozOQZVSaEi5_F5V_FWiRQNkuv5gildrUGnSF2_-xZY4NJUi57BklNUpwOs_mNno6ljyWoiCXC6j5Cv7YXXyllizGf4BRQ7b8OF48rVto0o/s1600/IMG_6488.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405632389977462850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvZXpOlVjX40pNEWV0w5BaauOZ7OH2gayoozOQZVSaEi5_F5V_FWiRQNkuv5gildrUGnSF2_-xZY4NJUi57BklNUpwOs_mNno6ljyWoiCXC6j5Cv7YXXyllizGf4BRQ7b8OF48rVto0o/s640/IMG_6488.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Abundance in not something we acquire. </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">It is something we tune into.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Wayne Dyer</span></em></div><br /><br /><p></p><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Abundance is realizing what you already posses that no money could buy: </span></strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>joy, love, peace and freedom.</strong><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><p align="left">Early in our marriage, my husband included in his prayers this verse, Proverbs 30:8 "Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me." Truly the Lord has honored that in his life. We always have "enough". At times I do feel discontent, but always the issue comes down to my attitude, not the situation. </p><p align="left">Deceivingly, our society has led us to define our abundance by comparison. Then the extremely rich, unnaturally beautiful, and uniquely successful are paraded in front of us on every TV, magazine and media - truly "vanity and lies". Even the most stout at heart can fall victim to comparison. </p><div align="left">Here I am: a 34 year old, home school mom, single income family, self-employed husband, mother of seven - if I compare to our world's standard for success, I would be a total and complete failure! Yet, every little while I think of what a friend once told me. I was at my 10 year high school reunion. Each of my classmates were taking turns standing up and explaining what they were doing in life. Many of my friends were VERY successful. My closest friend had just be given a brand new Mustang convertible for being the top sales person in her company. Another has a Doctorate in Physics. Several were studying for Master's degrees in their chosen fields. Then there was me... I was six months pregnant with my fifth child, a stay-at-home mom, we had enough but were not wealthy. I was intimidated when I stood up and gave my little spiel and then sat down, slightly embarrassed at the simplicity of my life. It was quiet for a few seconds and then one of my classmates said (the one with the Doctorate in Physics), "Don't feel bad, you are living the life we all wish we could have." (!!!) </div><br /><div align="left">Oh, when WILL I learn? Success does NOT equal abundance.<br /></div><div align="left">Abundance is truly not something to be acquired, but instead it is an attitude, an understanding, a condition of the heart. </div><div align="left"></div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-86674169137738180412009-11-11T23:04:00.013-07:002009-11-16T15:32:08.214-07:00Assignment #14 - Texture - Sense of Touch...<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxD7Se4R_-UiujE_MlIyhG4ww3SZzR_rdai6zWW7PkUMc9ZarHs2DAFhbdiQv9iTPWN1lgQk4ycA4zJXqIuPJBwmaxaC-8qhsTQyECpTspuh0fJ0MKNe1cNUG-_AphqVVBBAkxBHnCTi0/s1600-h/wedding+hand.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 156px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 203px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403809380162463890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxD7Se4R_-UiujE_MlIyhG4ww3SZzR_rdai6zWW7PkUMc9ZarHs2DAFhbdiQv9iTPWN1lgQk4ycA4zJXqIuPJBwmaxaC-8qhsTQyECpTspuh0fJ0MKNe1cNUG-_AphqVVBBAkxBHnCTi0/s400/wedding+hand.jpg" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; text-decoration: underline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></b></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The most beautiful things in live cannot be </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>touched, or even seen.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">They must be felt within the heart."</span></strong></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Helen Keller</span></div><br /><br /><br /></div><div>There is one sense of touch that has been <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">consistent</span> in my life over the last 16 years:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">My hand, warmly held by my husband's hand.</span></div><br />So many of my experiences since married has been accompanied by the clasp of his hand.<br /><br />Reflecting on the first time that he held my hand, I remembered the Christmas that his folks had my family over for dinner. Steven and I had been dating for over a year but we had been very careful of our physical contact. That night, we went for a walk in the moonlight... and the extreme cold! We were standing down behind the barn, leaning on the heavy white wooden gate looking over the moonlit pasture when he asked me if he might hold my hand. :D<br /><br />Then there was the first time we held hands as husband and wife.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403808337074634850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWGET1e9nm7b2bSqrqyTjJ1E9ttQe66Lhlp7JdKr3z2ffGjh6l_0FD-6FxRS33t_e_rVYJ9XeCAC5IytvRghW2mDt807Be0wEku6OapeTIHg0RJg3OJFWCxtdLAraJ3SmlZ9a3H4U_Xs/s640/wedding.jpg" />Over the years, most of my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">memorable</span> moments have been experienced with my hand in his. He held it through:<br /><br />~the births of our seven babies<br /><br />~visiting my mother in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">nursing</span> homes<br /><br />~the funerals of family and friends<br /><br />~waiting for our little Sunny to come out of surgery<br /><br />~quiet walks and strolls, over cups of tea<br /><br />~sitting next to each other while driving - except if I am driving he insists I use both hands :)<br /><br />~lying next to each other at night, visiting about the day, discussing our hopes and dreams<br /><br />~and then there are those little clasps and squeezes as we pass in our day.<br /><br /><p>So much of my life is defined by that touch of his.</p><p></p></div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-22667636517781328232009-11-03T17:31:00.022-07:002009-11-07T20:42:38.516-07:00Assignment # 13 - "Just an Ordinary Day..."<div><div style="text-align: center;">"Just an ordinary day"... Is there really such a thing??? As I contemplated doing this post, I realized that I do have ordinary days, but probably not this week. :) But that is OK, I'll record a day anyway. After all, unusual is somewhat ordinary around here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">I didn't want this post to get too long - but it has. I also wanted more pictures (and more interesting ones!) but I kept forgetting to take them. I also don't show our children's full faces on a public blog, so that was somewhat limiting.</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">I hope you don't find this boring!</div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>So, this is my Tuesday, October 3, 2009</div><br /><div>6:30 AM - My alarm rings and I roll out of bed. My alarm does not have a snooze button (I destroyed it on purpose) so I have learned to get up with the first ring. Hubby turns over and mumbles a "Good Morning, Babe." He usually sleeps for 15-30 minutes longer. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401441479317703746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQoB3zZDlGcLCFDHVHnBczshhnuq0yfq-DGJlLV8SrIIHjJtb7CBTOMxspar3vbZ3xsh_fI0Trqm3pUW8xDLhfw9qXFQHmRSJWX-VKGmmmducbkhG-KFD5Beg6texa5r_yhpho2TFTDM/s640/IMG_5634.JPG" />I get changed into my exercise clothes and turn the computer on in the office. I go through the T-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tapp</span> workout and then check my e-mail while I drink (I always drink 16-24 oz of water before breakfast). I then got dressed for the day.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401441487998952306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6DmdMIe1oCAaTmqon_WxbZKjBupZdkeEASNlyjlVcgLvdC0K0Brv-eNEW4xSVnQ-PMyopE5kw8In_vZo1hS4oNbDrm37vbl9pKIkDcuBbxAijxIdnQCfTi9weFSMdtBbp1bwxB8zi_s/s640/IMG_5636.JPG" />7:10 - Time to start breakfast. This morning as I walk in the kitchen, I see that some jobs from last night didn't get finished - the dishes were not put away and some of them are not washed properly, the water filter was not filled and some food was left out. I check the duty chart to see who the "culprits" are, and then mention to Steve what was not done. He called the kids (they are to get up at 7:00) and gave some warnings with duties.<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><div>7:50 - Breakfast is late this morning because of the duties left from last night. Oh well, it will be better tomorrow. The family has their usual breakfast - rice porridge, toast and eggs, and orange juice. </div><div>I had a fruit smoothie made with coconut milk, banana & blueberries, as well as a piece of toast and an egg. Usually I just have the smoothie and egg - but I had a craving for bread this morning. :P</div><br /><div>8:30 - Steve leaves for work (also 1/2 hour later then usual, but he is self employed, so there is no big pressure there). The children all start their morning chores. Mine are to mix bread if we need it, comb little girl's hair and throw laundry in. We don't need bread this morning so I spend extra time with laundry. I also make our bed and tidy up our bedroom during this time. It is so tempting just to crawl back into bed - but I manage to fight off the urge. :)</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401441498348214338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQK_srEbpAX8H2DwYzb6bVeFLXPypLbjO0iQrJ-4T2pwxKDDgryQpxs5YqFIwjZZi1LgGVbHOGWKEoEDeiiRuMDfi1dM-KNPC0Hot-deRAw0nuN5iypcRm8ELVQJOzkXjMQBP-VmLtgk/s640/IMG_5623.JPG" />Millie has to baby sit this morning for a ladies bible study at a church close by (she does this every Tuesday morning). Her stomach is upset: it is from something she ate (food allergy) and not from the flu so she decides to go anyways. She leaves at 9:00 and will be gone until 12:00.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wafe</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kinners</span> are helping Steve at the shop this week, so they did their chores at home, practiced their music lessons and then headed for the shop. They left at 9:30.<br /><br />So it was just me and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">littlies</span> left at home. I had a short rest and then we did their phonics lesson.<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401566004019775666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqBTmJWA1HjVdhGJ0VEf5t8wXUkG6EajZ2_FqrmHeJsAoI4mgU68hInruWbU77MFk0qlQOgeTmpDhFlQOgMbhUi8hlWW5yhUM2m22jBAt4wcAErBHX9qRcOgOwoRHm8_FT0mi-51g-XY/s640/IMG_5736.JPG" />I decide to catch up on laundry which was in a sad state. First I make myself a cup of tea, read for half and hour on the computer (really just procrastinating) and then I folded 5 loads of laundry and the girls helped me put it away. </div><div>The girls then play a memory card game while I start lunch. Millie comes home and tells me about her morning babysitting while we get lunch ready.</div><br />We call the boys at 12:15 (Steve is usually able to come home for lunches and I just give his cell a ring when it is ready). By 12:30, they still are not home, so I call them again. Steve had had some machinery going so did not heard the first call. They hurry home and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Kinners</span> eats fast so he can be ready in time for swimming lessons at 1:00.<br /><br />12:50 I leave the house with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Kinners</span> and Sunny and head for the pool (only 6 blocks away).<br /><br />They make it to their classes on time and I go and sit in the observer's seating with the other Moms. A girl I know, Cristine, comes over to visit. She lives up the street from us and Steve did quite a bit of finishing work in their heritage Eaton's home a few years ago.<br /><br />(Usually, I either go for a walk or have a nap right after lunch. Having swimming lessons really disrupts our day, but it is only for a short time and it is worthwhile.)<br /><br />Visiting made the hour pass quickly and soon the kids were heading for the change rooms. I told them that they had to get changed quickly today as I had an appointment after. They were very quick and we were in the van by 2:10. That gave me just enough time to drop them off at home and head up for my Dr.'s appointment at 2:15 (I got their at 2:18 and didn't have to wait at all!).<br /><br />The appointment went good. The doctor thought it was kind of silly to want progesterone cream, but he agreed to give me a prescription for it (YEA!) - as long as I did not use it until after Friday's blood work to check my thyroid. He was alarmed that I was still bleeding and booked me an emergency ultra-sound to check if any placenta is still retained. That is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. He is really a great doctor and I am so thankful that he is a believer.<br /><br />3:00 - After the appointment, I stopped off at Steve's shop to tell him about what the Dr. said. We visited for a few minutes and discussed how to work things with the kids tomorrow if I run into the city to have the ultra-sound. I also like stopping by to see how his projects are progressing. The octagon shaped island that he is building right now has a heavy, octagon pillar in the middle of it from the counter to the ceiling. Steve has hand carved roses up the pillar and the boys are fine-sanding the carving.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401446192364954706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioToAl-sSn04nIFqbscKIsfi0k8s7H8hvMrgAmU3xsxT0OgPTaTovsBZ-3aw1irdrK_Y76jRubGrDzXLbESscljGL7T6jwTXVDTxD8QTzstz-ZDWxzj3k0ZBjPBlQnEixCHic6L1DCeqY/s640/IMG_5694.JPG" />The holes cut at the bottom of the pillar are for electrical outlet boxes.</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401446209457893826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kvr74vTo1hAvG8wAQSjG-KiFo5GdJBHyAJKTjGC7BGCJl1OxXUibzJf70mRe9Hy9Pi3X90RNuYXNz5V1YWg9Ao2fCzhdg-gF4tdlJCrhYby3E-FGHcBLysNt8PUU-LXGJEVMozuG-LI/s640/IMG_5696.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401446212607361778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08EBXRDw3M35pj5OWwtmq7JbJ3C604GNQkmJ3CjZRBEMCQs0nEoywxASNhXALZEjc4Q22lOifHKqTN4yxb65TJ7D87Bqui1ctm12fwvRpsq4255vhz_vv1vDh1MeZkVc66HPhlShg4nE/s640/IMG_5700.JPG" />Next Steve will be staining and lacquering.<br /><br />3:30 - Home again. The little ones are just getting up from naps and I get them a snack. I then phone the music teacher to switch tomorrow's lesson time to accommodate my appointment.<br /><br />4:00 - I plan on having baked spaghetti tonight, so I get the hamburger browning and gather ingredients for the sauce. I put on a John <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Mcdermmot</span> CD while I work and put my casserole together to the notes of "Scotland the Brave", and "Danny Boy". I then cut up a green salad.<br /><br /></div><div>The boys came home around 4:30.<br /><br />5:20 - I called Steve for supper (we usually eat at 5:30). I then get out the laptop to work on this post while I wait for him.<br /><br />6:00 - Steve is not home yet, so we are going to go ahead and eat. If he is late, it is usually because one of his brothers, his dad, a fellow contractor or a customer had stopped by for a visit after work. It is nice for him when this happens as he has usually worked by himself most the day.<br /><br />Steve got home at 6:30 - we were mostly done supper. I stayed at the table to visit with him while he ate.<br /><br />7:00 - After supper, he asked me to do some computer work for him. The older children did their chores and the little ones played while Steve and I worked in the office. I purchased most of our hunting licences online, discovered that they did not issue us enough <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">pre</span>-numbered tags. I looked up where the Fish and Wildlife office is in Red Deer so I can pick up some more tags after getting my ultra-sound. The office turned out to be about 4 blocks away from the medical office so that will make it easy for me.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401441511408920962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdFMOxP6Ciz8lMFBmFpBt0YW54YCOkEua5L-Bn9g7GpaIUpVh7Y34TFgHdEVCNhD3bXwqY8bdL0oNpqQh-sPzx6ZC9JhjCje5zBc5xuPQxzDbCR90MQsvPhWMOX6Js35X3Ea98ps_6bw/s640/IMG_5666.JPG" />I will also get groceries for the next 2 weeks while I am in the city tomorrow. I also need some clothes... and I would REALLY like to get to the fabric store... but there will only be a few hours to work with.<br /><br />I got our monthly bulk produce list today and I put my order together and emailed it - I ordered 35# of butternut squash, 1 box of tangerines (for making juice in the mornings), 1 box of bananas and 1 box of grapefruit (a box is generally 40#). I still have enough apples from last month's order. I will share lemons, lettuce, cucumbers and broccoli with my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">SILs</span>.<br /><br />Steve was working on an estimate for a kitchen while I did the computer work. When he was done, I scanned his drawings sent off several emails for him.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401441499978939122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3aO_qU3rVEnymuAlvdkya8TVk7S-Eh2eFJakafAS8OfFWiKMEWNhQwFrW4pcahWm3piSqc0O8gl4U64TUBwLi8ZyLyJF3v5Ygc4C964BbmiYbzwXYYDoHBQrDfQAsxlguyoTk5R9P10/s640/IMG_5665.JPG" />9:00 - Oh dear, it has gotten late. Usually I read stories to the little ones at 8:00 and they are in bed at 8:30! Tonight I read one short story, prayed with the four youngest and got them to bed quickly.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401447869828854818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNhbvhXn4-XTb2kIKd7kW-IswF9-sL6lA0hahTdZoyuSnV2FdgzAhyphenhyphenkIM-ESIUyuHHjFj1KESwUAKq-VQxQqSBeo81FPQKgRFyjfqpOIbRwkTr1KTx27CqDdFsRvI3bQSIefMJU8zrYc/s640/IMG_5704.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401446517660822658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgwqNTfyvQ-3xqwJwnP5MH0jTrxWT6PMQXhraKnYMuKyjmdKLTysHuT2pX4OfamYhoRtnPXXCEIC3s5s2Oao_lWFMOcb2N2xxiIzoL5gdilCIK7YL1UMKcCQZqVivhy3lerp_u0zl3w4/s640/IMG_5709.JPG" />Then we had devotions with the older children and they were off to bed at 10:00 - again a bit later than usual (the theme of today!).<br /><br />It is now 10:15 - I am going to work on this post for a few more minutes, read some on friend's blogs, have a shower and then snuggle in bed. I recently switched to having my personal bible reading once I am in bed (instead of in the morning as I usually hit the ground running in the morning and to sit down, interrupted just doesn't happen!) and I try to have the lights out by 11:00.<br /><br />That was my "ordinary day". I am always so thankful when everyone is safe at home after a busy day - I have so much to be thankful for!<br />Jenny<br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div></div></div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245209949311657665.post-6571779858203140082009-11-02T17:11:00.010-07:002009-11-02T20:22:17.857-07:00Assignment #12: Harvest<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Harvest <i>-noun</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><i>Also, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">har</span>-vest-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ing</span>. The gathering of crops</i>.</div><div style="text-align: left;">2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><i>The season when ripened crops are gathered.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">3. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><i>A crop or yield of one growing season.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><i>a supply of anything gathered at maturity and stored.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><i>the result or consequence of any act, process or event</i>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">Sooner or later, every one sits down to a banquet of consequences.</span></span></b></div><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 16px; COLOR: rgb(51,51,51)font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13;" class="Apple-style-span"></span><p align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Robert Louis Stevenson</span></p><p>The earth yields a bounty: </p><p> from the field...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399665526814146034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgdvPZzbM95di-3qDbCDxw9aBvGfTvWcIQXOw8WAMEykyb4fg9NI-7qu9bNqBIXoMm84amrztOEKMJ8qVFD8Tqzv56KXbn9wGRepFbiqCs42ZPDFac3w3WXUtmcdgpRezBY2_qSjcdLg/s640/IMG_4599.JPG" /><br /></p><p>... from the forest...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399668287978303666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwpenw9ECbqH29V8lbtw2ohcP0P10aw2FFUznY2cPk4XG6BT-ureyKWuAZIc9LxXePb3b2oEmbncDyCpRxy-CW-MSeW5CsXdzG8xqsOGo9zXtXPOfDFjgd1E6nXR2HhE-ACU3sm-wy6A/s640/HPIM51331.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399668002964488946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirALYKaT07fvPhS673i0zJNvdskZ347fTDpgXBws5Wj0ciTAit0RpsYqr-TniGsgQz7Mgt8O9WTAq7UJ1ZgP5g6mFJDKhMMCBY7f4v_MYSb5cnm3SnutNK7txaV9cNZxgPC-3o3b37-CI/s640/HPIM51571.JPG" /> </p><br /><div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">...from the black earth.</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399671931109092562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxUSdOVm1PpAg104C6c5jD5xR9wywpOwJxjtl0ajKHxoV02Aa4xy2ig4e7JATVt3pmGsRgcaZ4fljKtLYowxhZSSpksEAUF7NtY6zOHLrd6xgX-MoEN_FI9GNF8mKrx0Kz7o8Lsyy0uI/s640/IMG_4743.JPG" /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQSTGRtnd_5S70d-YzMnGIpKOLv-6XbV2aBD6pnNpZQOhY354lRiqjTkhzyvKfQVb0q_HhAd3VZN-8gpNflfdX67XMPwqQRJeczVDbVaoYeLnLFi2hom2MdskJzyH3mwbCu5nfEYBYvU/s1600-h/2008+parade+006.5.jpg"></a></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399665552007964226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINxG3g7nM2dWPrxyOvMx71PlJBahjMiXro5SRdbQ_OhWrfbhhoI9wD_DudSdjVkPPRWYzui2XpZknrrEqVaS1BGP5BDAivX_5c0MuJT-m0FergalR2kuOYm8PYo0gZrhms9R4c5rKHMw/s640/IMG_4682.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399665535453148802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrThtgYZmYByP5xI2yVb0L5FRMi6VGITU0EnJGMYgn0qzcdE_40CVUpKsf7AjMiRYQn7-nw76ghvAQIaINsmLWYkImpq4oBHLJcMC8z4iZcHnf7grbxxuzMKBNFvNtTlTbXIJZBkZVMA/s640/IMG_4683.JPG" /></div><br /><div><br />With some harvest, we fill our larder...</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399665554200910114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07sWNKtUQHoyM-TWTOf-aZ6CUbERmlgFoCkETcI2M4aNCYonXOFIWdB3sft_gHzZPPJSco_BQCCMhSpjwaN-0PrRkqtYEzJJkjbSwBtLyYqmq7a3sFanm8_VDhdOwOC3XnpO8-LAQS1I/s640/IMG_4725.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399667984675867538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwIxUMa61aBie4vpB8yZ9emzch3GGG-8JBm1A1_pV-3KFyREQ_GyAYh2QBHZ4ql7B1qOKqk_ePtnoESfjRKtPpd0CANF4x-HbJMgsEAC0u-1aL4z_kl8prxFvZ91JHaoVIcsGsrJqolE/s640/IMG_4794.JPG" /><br /></div><br /><div>With some harvest, we fill our hearts.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399667995113374866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQSTGRtnd_5S70d-YzMnGIpKOLv-6XbV2aBD6pnNpZQOhY354lRiqjTkhzyvKfQVb0q_HhAd3VZN-8gpNflfdX67XMPwqQRJeczVDbVaoYeLnLFi2hom2MdskJzyH3mwbCu5nfEYBYvU/s640/2008+parade+006.5.jpg" /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"> While the earth <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">remaineth</span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">seedtime</span></span> and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Gen 8:22</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"></div></div>jennstarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13623511793461013804noreply@blogger.com2