days of thanks ~ 11/30/2010

My sweet cyber-friend Conny has faithfully hosted 30 Days of Thanks again this year.  And I thought I would be able to participate whole-heartedly with her.  However, it seems life (and surely some Self) has gotten in the way of this good thing.  Somewhat like Michelle, several of my reasons have arms and legs which need clean clothes and stomachs which need filling.  And for a week my hubby lovingly declared an internet fast.  And so it goes.  Life is busy and distracting.  And stressful even.
I am thankful my God knows.  He knows my few strengths and my abundant weaknesses.  He knows my heart’s desires ~ He longs to have them match up with His.  He knows how best to mold me into who He wants me to be.  If I will but let Him.  And so I want to be thankful for difficult days as well as the beautiful.  And I know (if I stop to consider) that others have a greater cross to bear ~ and that each of those trials is designed to draw me closer to the One Who gives me Life.
Lest you think I am in dire straits, let me say that I am just tired and prone to whine when I ought to worship.  My “gratitude quotient” isn’t what it ought to be.  Reading Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy has been good ~ Now to pursue the 30-day devotional that should prompt more fruit from this new awareness of my need to give thanks to God in all things.  (And would have combined nicely with November’s 30 Days of Thanks, but I wasn’t through the book yet…)

Count it all joy!

My Days of Thanks just aren’t finished yet.  Feel free to poke me if you don’t see me blogging about God-directed gratitude in the weeks to come.  =)

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Hebrews 13:15

daybook November 29, 2010

 

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

James 1:2-3

 

FOR TODAY  

Monday, November 29, 2010

Outside my window...

it looks like it might snow or rain… overcast with the wind blowing, showers in the forecast

 

I am thinking...

about the errands I need to run today, the final weeks of schoolwork before Christmas, and all the extra activity that comes with the season  :o

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:12-13

 

I am thankful …

… that that we were able to have a safe, quick trip to Wisconsin to spend Thanksgiving with Tim’s mom and family

… that we were kept safe in our attempt to travel on Wednesday AND for the delightful holiday we had at home Wednesday afternoon and evening instead

… for yet another day of Thanksgiving feasting and festing with my extended family yesterday 

… for 18 years with my very own Mr. Right ~ Oh, happy day!

 

 

I am praying for...

... the Rettigs and the church in Prague 

… the sale of my mother-in-law’s home

… my mom who is recovering from finger surgery (joint replacement)  and a related infection

…  Amber’s dad

… Diane and family

… Chloe’s  family ~ that God will comfort them and draw them nearer to Himself (that they will avail themselves of His gracious love)

… Grant S., who is doing well on his meds now ~ praying for stability

… my niece Marissa, her dad and his sister as they mourn the death of Marissa’s grandpa

… Missionary Tim B., recently diagnosed with early Parkinson’s

… our oldest girls ~ violin recital this week!

 

From the learning rooms...

3+ weeks until Christmas break!  It must be time for me to grade those compositions?  I’m thankful the big kids were able to get caught up and enjoy a Thanksgiving holiday… Now, if they want to open more presents at Christmas…

 

From the kitchen...

lottsa leftovers!  and several in the dessert category  :o

Pepper steak is cooking in the crockpot for tonight’s supper.

Turkey enchiladas (or Julie’s taquitos) tomorrow?

 

I am creating...

memories  =) 

Just check out this impromptu photo shoot from yesterday…

            

    

                      

                         

 

I am going...

to get pictures for a photo Christmas card.  I am.  Just wish we’d gotten something useable yesterday!

 

I am reading...

Ezekiel  ~ I decided I needed a break, and since “count it all joy” was on my mind, I’m reading James

Choosing Gratitude ~ wowsa, I need to blog about this AND start the 30-day devo section in the appendix.  And you all need to put this on your essential reading list!

The Stockman Grass Farmer  :-)   I love being married to a grazier!

 

I am hoping...

Kohl’s will accept the items I need to return  :-\  And hoping we find a better option to purchase elsewhere.  (Secrets, ya know, and my kids like to read here.  Not that we would buy anything for any of them there…)

 

I am hearing...

Dvorak’s piano quintets via Rhapsody

 

Around the house...

hmm, laundry room is too quiet ~ need to keep that moving!

 

One of my favorite things...

enjoying games and movies with my kiddos (when their schoolwork and my housework is all done!  Yeah, the joy starts there.) 

 

 

Pondering these words...

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

  No dull boys or girls here now!

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:

local errands today; Tim’s niece & family will hopefully stop for a visit on their way home today; Wednesday is a church night; buying club delivery and violin recital on Thursday; Friday’s list includes piano lessons, groceries, and an overnight bday party for the Cowgirl; Saturday we’ll need to get her home again, and I have Kohl’s Cash to spend with my older girls before Dec 6… maybe?  And looking forward to our “field trip” on December 8!  more about that next week  ;-)

 

Here is a picture for thought...

 

   

  Tim is working on the last side!

 

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

James 1:12

 

~ Find more Daybooks at Peggy's ~

choosing gratitude #12

 

 

 

 The grateful heart that springs forth in joy is not acquired in a moment; it is the fruit of a thousand choices. 

It is a godly habit and pattern that over time becomes a new muscle in our spiritual make-up.

 

 

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:57

 

 

Nancy Leigh DeMoss ~ Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy

These quotes are from the corresponding calendar ~  November 2010.

daybook November 22, 2010

 

 

FOR TODAY  

Monday, November 22, 2010

Outside my window...

It is quite dark ~ and below freezing temps out there.  Last I was outside this afternoon, the wind was vicious!   It is also wet and muddy.  It was nice to see Christmas decor when I was in town ~ the tree is in the middle of the main street awaiting the tree-lighting ceremony Friday night.

 

I am thinking...

my crazy life is not consistent with the idea of “The Simple Woman’s Daybook”

 

I am thankful …

… that Tim is willing to spend Thanksgiving away from home, even though the siding project is not finished ~ He did finish with side #3 on Saturday!

… for good news on Amber’s new little one (Matthew)

… for God’s abundant Goodness, Grace, and Mercy ~ I should stop to be amazed more often

 

I am praying for...

... the Rettigs and the church in Prague 

… the sale of my mother-in-law’s home

… my mom who is recovering from finger surgery (joint replacement)  ~ and my dad as they are traveling home this week (and I’m wondering if the TSA folks will show them any or all due respect)

…  Amber’s dad

… Diane and family

… Chloe’s  family ~ that God will comfort them and draw them nearer to Himself (that they will avail themselves of His gracious love)

… Grant S., who is going through a rough patch again health-wise

… Tim’s nephew Matthew (and his sweet wife Jessica) as they finish their survey trip in Vanuatu and return to the US

 

From the learning rooms...

trying to check it all off before Wednesday!

 

From the kitchen...

busy times!  Today I made a very small batch of salsa, of all the things to do before Thanksgiving Day  :o   Sweet potatoes are cooked, dressed up with coconut and pecans, and resting in the freezer.  I made a quick batch of cranberry sauce ~ so easy and so much better than out of a can!  (see recipe on the back of a bag of fresh cranberries ~ sugar, water, and cranberries.  Easy-peasy.)  I cooked some bacon and boiled some eggs for ‘scalloped egg casserole’ for breakfast one of these days.  Tomorrow I need to make/put apple pies in the freezer for next Sunday, coat another batch of Coconut Almond Bon Bons (almond joy), bake bread and buns, stir up honey butter, package a few more gifts for Sunday…  Turkey soup is on the menu for supper Tuesday since I cooked my biggest turkey last week  :-)  And sometime I’ll make a pumpkin pie to take with us for Thursday.  And I should shop Amazon for a new hand mixer since the old one is choosing early retirement.  Combining honey and butter by hand will be an interesting workout tomorrow!

 

I am creating...

yummy gifts for my extended family (Sunday’s Thanksgiving/Christmas gathering)

 

I am going...

to bed soon!

 

I am reading...

Ezekiel 

Choosing Gratitude

The Stockman Grass Farmer  :-)

 

I am hoping...

for clear roads and weather for travel!

 

I am hearing...

nothing beyond the hum of the computer ~ even the violinist has gone to bed!

 

Around the house...

Well, I started my day by cleaning our bathroom after I T-Tapped.  (I am impressed even if you aren’t).  I did several loads of laundry and even removed it from our bed before Tim headed that way  ;-)  The busy beavers have been creating lots of school papers for me to check ~ I dealt with the easy objective ones today, soon I’ll have to face the compositions.

 

One of my favorite things...

buying lots of flannel on Black Friday

 

 

Pondering these words...

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

 

Our pastor quoted Dickens on Sunday ~ something to the effect that Americans ought to have 364 days of Thanksgiving and 1 day for complaining.

 

"You say, 'If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.' You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled."
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:

choosing gratitude ~ and knowing to Whom I should be grateful

 

Here is a picture for thought...

 

~ Find more Daybooks at Peggy's ~

days of thanks ~ 11/21/2010

 

Psalm 30

¹I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.

²O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

³O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

⁴Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

⁵For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

⁶And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.

⁷LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.

⁸I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.

⁹What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

¹⁰Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.

¹¹Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

¹²To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

days of thanks ~ 11/17-18/2010

Edit ~ I wrote most of this on Wednesday, but here it is Thursday ~ so it’s a 2 for 1 special!

 

 

I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid.  I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD;                and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Psalm 32:5-7

 

On Wednesday, August 11, 2010, we awoke to see something like the above picture out of our bedroom window (photo was taken hours later after waters had begun to recede).  The creek is supposed to be running between the trees at the center ~ instead it was covering most of the pasture.  And of course, the heifers were caught on the wrong side of the creek  ~ They were stranded in the northwest corner on a little patch of high ground behind the trees.  By 11am they had made the plunge to swim the beyond-swollen creek and join the steers.  When Tim went out to count noses, they were all there ~ but very weary, especially the calves.

 

  

The rain had also washed out some of our driveway… and the edge of the roadway… on it’s way to meet the mighty creek.

                  

The waters had washed over the road for a good stretch, taking gravel (and pasture fencing) with it.  You may remember hearing about these floods on the national news.  Story County was a disaster.  Our creek travels mostly west another few miles before it empties into the Skunk River (lovely name?!) ~ It was the mighty Skunk that flooded much of Ames (home to Iowa State University where college students had begun to arrive for the fall semester), including Highway 30 and Interstate 35 south and east of the city.  And if you saw the news, you might have seen people being rescued from a Super Wal-Mart in the bucket of a huge front-end loader, among other memorable pictures.  Friends in a trailer park left their home when the water was up to their waists outside ~ Fortunately their trailer was high enough to stay above the water, but their vehicles were ruined.

Three of our children were camping Tuesday night in southern Iowa with a Sunday school teacher.  Amber (the beloved teacher and a can-do sort of woman) waited until she knew there was a route open before delivering all the kids safely home again.   She was also able to make it to her own home where her hubby was busy with several sump pumps trying to keep the water out of their house (Cambridge is a low-lying river town… They are currently adding a storm sewer after this year’s repeat disaster.)  When Tim tried to get into Cambridge for church Wednesday night, the road Amber had traveled was closed.

 

Wow, what does that long story have to do with Days of Thanks??

Well, since I didn’t get the photos developed until October, I missed posting them in timely fashion in August.  AND whenever I remember what a flood it was, I am so thankful for God’s watch care and provision for us and many others.  Considering that our sump pump is still in a box (not the pit), we were overjoyed to have absolutely no flood-related water seeping or pouring into our own basement.  The creek flooded similarly in 2008, which is why Tim opted to not build the house with a walk-out basement ~ we raised the elevation of the house and built with a four-foot solid wall in our daylight basement.  The kids who went camping did move indoors to sleep, but the storm seemed to pass right by the farm they were staying at.  Tim’s nephew and his wife were traveling to our house that same Wednesday, fortunately coming from Wisconsin not Missouri. 

The county road crew has just finished repairing the roadway, so I have been reminded of the 2010 Flood.    And I am reminded how good our God is to us.

 

~ You can join in the praise to God and link up at Conny’s Hutch Haus ~

giveaway at The Modest Mom

Kim Brenneman has been one of my favorite bloggers for y.e.a.r.s. ~ Long before I got the notion to join the bloggin' world myself.  And she's even from Iowa  =)

As a homeschooling mom of many, she has leaned a LOT about managing her household ~ and doing it well for God's glory (and everyone's sanity).

Vision Forum recently published Kim's book Large Family Logistics, which looks like a beautiful hard cover gem to be shared and passed down for generations, if the Lord should tarry.

I was delighted to see that a copy of Kim's book will be given away at The Modest Mom.  While you're there, check out their blog and website ~ especially if you know a young mom looking for beautiful skirts, maternity and otherwise  =)

The “G” List Challenge

 

This is from Sylvia at the Christian HomeKeeper Network ~ It is a great application of learning from the Proverbs 31 Woman.

 

     Get Up – at a reasonable hour

     Get Dressed – in modest clothes that are presentable if you had unexpected company or that would allow you to leave the house.

     Get With God – have a structured time alone with God to pray and worship and devote your day.

     Get Moving – stop procrastinating! Get the things done you need to get done.

Make Good Changes – choose one area of your life that you know needs change, and then through prayer and hard work, change it!

more help for baking bread

I forgot to include a link to Heavenly Homemakers - Laura's blog - for those of you who might like to SEE someone baking bread and mixing by hand, complete with video tutorial.

SO, here you go:  Laura C's "How to Make Whole Wheat Bread Tutorial"


Enjoy!

days of thanks ~ 11/16/2010

 

 

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Psalm 30:11-12

 

Today I will praise the Lord for

• the gift of time and sunshine yesterday for Tim to work at home on the siding project
• today’s gift of work in the fields that will reflect positively in a future paycheck (even though MY will is that he be home to work again this afternoon)
• the enthusiasm inspired in my older girls by the sweet, encouraging, and very talented  Mrs. M. as she instructs both of them in violin/viola, at least for this month
• the hidden stash of birthday cash that will treat me to an overdue haircut later today
• the good harvest of butternut squash, several of which will make their way through the cooking process today  =)
• the ability of the basement’s in-floor heat to adequately warm the upstairs, at least for now.  (It is currently 72 F in the living room while it is ~40 F outside on this cloudy day)

 

Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous;

and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psalm 97:12

 

Please join in our month of Thanksgiving to God

and link up with Conny at the Hutch Haus  :-)

choosing gratitude #11

 

 

 Few things are more becoming in a child of 

    God than a grateful spirit.  By the same token, there

       is probably nothing that makes a person

    more unattractive than the absence of

            a grateful spirit.

 

 

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

and into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Psalm 100:4

 

Nancy Leigh DeMoss ~ Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy

These quotes are from the corresponding calendar ~  October 2010.

daybook November 15, 2010

 

FOR TODAY  

Monday, November 15, 2010

Outside my window...

After a beautiful sunny day, it’s now quite dark ~ and probably close to freezing temps out there

 

I am thinking...

November is half-gone already!

 

I am thankful …

… that Tim could be home to work on siding on this beautiful day

… for our friends John & Tara who visited us this weekend

 

I am praying for...

... the Rettigs and the church in Prague 

… the sale of my mother-in-law’s home

… my mom who is recovering from finger surgery (joint replacement)

… Amber’s new little one (Matthew) ~ as well as her dad

…Diane and family

…Chloe and her family ~ last report was that little Chloe was transferred to home hospice  :-( 

 

From the learning rooms...

• still tutoring in long division
• respiratory system
• Ancient Egypt … need to move on to Greece
• “classification” composition
• personal testimonies in speech class

 

From the kitchen...

Tonight ~ cheddar baked chicken – original recipe from AllRecipes.com  :-) 

Tomorrow ~ Sunday’s leftover beef roast, homegrown butternut squash 

More menu options:  broccoli-cheese soup, potato soup, beef stew, calzones, taco rice casserole.

I have two turkeys in the freezer now ~ One of them needs to go in the oven ASAP!

 

I am creating...

a late night last night working on lesson plans for the long-term (as in-- next May!)

 

I am going...

somewhere every day  :o

• to the chiropractor today (done)
• to get a haircut tomorrow (yay!)
• Wednesday is church
• Thursday is violin/viola lesson
• Friday is piano lessons for the youngers and groceries

 

I am reading...

Ezekiel 

As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

Ezekiel 1:28

 

I am hoping...

that Tim can finish with siding and other outside work in time for us to spend Thanksgiving with his mom

 

I am hearing...

a violin being tuned; hiccups

 

Around the house...

Load #4 of laundry is still in the dryer; previous loads are on my bed ~ Guess what I’m doing next?

 

One of my favorite things...

time alone with my hubby, even when it’s shopping at Lowe’s  ;-)

 

Pondering these words...

Orders are due Wednesday, November 24th (buying club)

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:

‘nuf said

 

Here is a picture for thought...

 

I need to make pies for our Thanksgiving dinner with Iowa family ~ soon

 

~ Find more Daybooks at Peggy's ~

days of thanks November 15, 2010

 

As soon as I write the date, I know who I’m thankful for today!

 

Happy 57th Anniversary to my mom & dad!

 

 

~ Join in and link up at Conny’s blog ~

shutterfly

I’m so excited for this year’s Christmas card find!  Shutterfly will reward bloggers with 50 free holiday cards ~

‘Tis the season for celebrating Christmas!

• Oh yes, oh yes!  Praise the Lord! ~ I think I found our Christ-centered card on page five!
  
• But this one makes me laugh ~ It would be so appropriate for this amazing and crazy year we’ve had with building a house.
  
• If we can come up with the right photos, I like this “vintage” design.
  
• Here’s another pretty card that I like ~ and the little girl in the sample is so cute!

I should start with choosing photos, but the fact is – We need a family photo session!

• So, depending on how many and what pictures… I might choose this fun retro card for us.
  
• … or this… “His name shall be called…” since I’m in a mood for some brown and I especially like when they include scripture  :-)

Note to self:   I will give more serious thought to putting together a photo calendar with the help of Shutterfly ~ especially since I just thought of someone away from home who might enjoy one...

Shutterfly has hundreds of photo cards to chose from. They'll even stamp and mail them for you! Plus, they have great money-saving options like free shipping (on orders over $30).  And they will give you 50 free 4x6 prints just for signing up as a member.

I’m in!

 
* Bloggers are eligible to receive 50 holiday cards. Free cards are for 5×7 folded or flat stationery cards. Offer ends December 31, 2010. Taxes, shipping and handling will apply.… Sign up: http://bit.ly/sfly2010

week in review

 

Okay, I am returning from Lurkdom (instead of the true I-net Fast)

I’m feeling a bit speechless (hard to imagine, I know) ~ Mostly I just need a nap!

But since I just uploaded the camera card,  here’s a peek at our week  =)

 

I told you I would persevere with making beautiful big hamburger buns (Then I shaped the burgers -instead of Miss Artist-  so the burgers were sorta small for these… Whatever!)

 

             

Tim has appreciated using the Genie lift as he works on siding.  Note the sunshine  we enjoyed last weekend  =)    (The sunny weekdays were spent in the fields repairing tile ~ so much fair weather work still to do!)

I should have more pictures to show you, but it’s rainy and c.o.l.d. here this weekend.   He’s at the top of or above the windows.  And the rain/cold has kept him indoors yesterday and today.  That means good things are happening on the inside of our house!  =)

 

   

One morning I decided it was time for a smoothie (before the cold weather set in) ~ Yum.  ( My window over the kitchen sink faces southeast ~ made this photo shoot a little interesting.)

 

When what to my wondering eyes should appear??

  

…but a big buck, a little buck, and a nice little doe deer.

We sprang into action via the cell phone… called my hubby, who called my niece’s hubby, who jumped in his Tahoe and came right on over.  He put on his camo gear and tried to patiently wait for Mr. Big Buck to draw near enough for a shot with his bow…

Unfortunately, another local was observing the same group of deer and trying to get some great shots – with his camera.  All was well until he moved down the fence row and spooked all the deer into the neighbor’s field to the east.  :-(

(The same big buck busted out this local’s wife’s windshield the night before, so I guess he had a right to be part of the chase, eh?  He also has a Seriously Long Lens on his camera ~ He said he sells his photos to hunting magazines…)

So, our mighty hunter named Chris made his way carefully into a new location to the north to await the deer’s return to the creek and tree cover.  Unfortunately, the second photo above is when they came back by the house on their way across the road to the west.  And so it goes ~ this one got away… for now.

 

More baking/cooking   =)  This time I used sweet roll dough for Chicken Packets (instead of buying bad-for-health-and-the-budget Pillsbury crescent roll dough – Yay for me!)

I also thought Tim would enjoy some Trail Mix Monster Cookies  =)

 

Wednesday I got a phone call from a friend we haven’t seen for a couple years ~ Could they visit our B&B Friday night?  Of course ~ and with great pleasure!  (and why I am so tired after our late night visiting together)  But this was just the kick I needed to both vacuum and mop our floors in the same day.  After I got through the kitchen, the Cattleman volunteered to take over.   Ahhh…

And this series is too fun ~ I have to show you all the photos I took!

    

                                           

We are thinking paint might make our swabbing a bit smoother…

Notice the viola case on the couch… Miss Music Box and Miss Artist both had a lovely lesson on Thursday.  Stefanie, you will be so proud ~ And Mrs. M says they both must have had wonderful previous instruction :-) 

(Well, yes, as a matter of fact, they have.)

Today, Miss Music Box and the Cattleman are at Antiques Iowa ~ hopefully selling lots of Miss MB’s bread and other goodies…  Miss Artist decorated this jar of Peanut Butter Bon Bons for me, and then took the photos too!

            

These are the Coconut Almond Bon Bons (aka, Almond Joy) that have been hiding in the fridge for a few weeks ~ still looking oh-so-yummy…

 

 

The butterhorns turned out fantabulous today!

But last I heard from Miss MB, they were not selling very fast.  Oh well, we’ll not suffer much as we enjoy them tomorrow with Sunday Dinner.  Wanna come?