December 2010 ~ & the New Year 2011

The gerbera and geranium are both oh-so-happy in the warm basement.  And it’s so fun to have a daisy bloom without the bug nibbles  ;-)

Some of the more wintry-looking decor…   (Thank you, Mrs. Henry!)
   

The Cowgirl, the Cattleman, and the Popper all had a great time at a friend’s bday party where they got to make these “glass fusion” projects!
              
               

More baking…
  
          

The Computer Geek was in charge of recording Treasures of the Snow…

The cookie frosting party…
                    
          
     
                   
   

A feast for Christmas morning…

then on to the stockings and gifts…
   
   
            
               
    
             (fashion ear-buds)
and now the formatting goes haywire…
            

    

   

The Popper wrote, “To Dear and Loving Daddy”

Miss Artist celebrated her sixteenth birthday a bit after the fact…
        
Miss Music Box made the cute card and included 16 Willy Wonka chocolates with their gift…
        


The cold frosty snap before the meltdown…
  
  
  

Shopping (online so far) for a DSLR camera for Miss Artist prompted me to find my old film-using Fujica…
 
It’s for sale, by the way…
and so is this heavy-duty exhaust fan, just in case you have a lot of air to move somewhere…
While I’m at it,  here’s the leftover vanity top that needs a new home too ~
       

Yeah, Craigslist is on my To Do List.

Tim brought home the wood-splitter…
  

The cattle have enjoyed grazing the hayfield again since most of the snow melted.

(I even joined my family this past Sunday for a hike into the pasture, but I didn’t take the camera ~ silly me.)
Thursday (12/30) Lee joined us for some grilled rib-eyes (!) ~ the guys worked on this project where the Computer Geek got a powerful lesson in touching hot wires.  And then we started a game of Settlers of Catan at 9:30pm which ended 2 hours later.

Friday night ~ New Year’s Eve ~ Lee came back for more Christmas goodies and another round of Settlers, Mexican Train, and ??  what else did we play after we put them in the box?

New Year’s Day 2011…
  
sleeping in, reading more new books, listening to new CDs, and tackling the MESS in the basement would-be-family-room!  (no pictures~ you’d think it still a mess if I showed you the AFTER)
And one last thing, especially for my mom…

Look what I did today!

  

PS>>>   In lieu of Daybook…
This week’s menu possibilities:  tacos, baked chicken, and pizza.  Cleaning out the leftovers and finding motivation to go grocery shopping… soon (shoulda done it today).
This week’s agenda:  It’s a new year!  We will have SCHOOL and housework routines!  Piano tuner coming tomorrow, violin and piano lessons.  I must travel afar for a supply of ground beef and wheat berries  (40 miles is beyond my comfort zone!)
Prayer requests:  Angela L. had thyroid surgery today.  Julie’s new baby needs to come home from NICU.  Praise for Matt & Jess’s stuff surviving a dump into the ditch on Saturday ~ as well as safety for the people involved in the black ice accident!  Jason D. heads off to boot camp next week ~ He will need stamina as an older young man, and his wife needs to sell their house.  Sweet Grant ~ praying for more good reports with the doc and minimal side effects from his meds.  Bible Night #2 is coming up on January 26 for the Rettigs and the Prague church.
Goals for 2011:  Tim has decreed that we as a family will read through the entire Bible this year.  I was a bit intimidated since I haven’t done this since …?  But I enjoyed reading 3 days worth yesterday, and I am hopeful I can accomplish one day at a time from now on  =)   We made a lot of headway through the STUFF in the basement on Saturday.  I vacuumed the whole house and mopped the upstairs this weekend.  I am looking forward to cleaning out the would-be office/sewing room and making it functional!  The plaid fabric Miss Artist is hugging above is destined to become a skirt  =)  Tim has the siding close to done ~ a bit of trim work to finish.  He bought plywood to finish the inside of my “china hutch” ~ which will make a home for lots of boxes still in the basement catch-all mess.   You don’t need the entire to-do list, do you?
I think that I will be blogging less.  I have to find a way to blog without consuming so much time!  ha ha

ahem... post #293, which is worth less than 2 cents

Just thought I would set the record (or lack thereof) straight...  When Blogger told me I had 300 posts, it was counting the unpublished drafts.  Most of which I just deleted.  Sooo, really I had only published 292 posts before this one. 

I don't think I will be able to meet the 300-post quota before the New Year either.  Ya know, 200 posts/year is almost 4/week.  And I have done almost that many. 

So, like... whatever.  (That is what Miss Autry would call verbal clutter ~ no value whatsoever.)

Just didn't want you to think I was trying to buffalo any of you.  Really.  I could have stopped to do the math before I boasted (?) of 300 posts, but I didn't.  Until today.  Do you know that I must have other things to do?  Like finish cleaning off this desk in front of me...  or play Settlers of Catan?

I will blame the lack of profundity here on my head cold.  Are you okay with that?

It's foggy outside as well.  We will enjoy an evening at home since 7 out of 8 of us all have the same head cold.  (or should I say, head code ~ say it aloud)

Ciao for now.   8-)

and the winner is…

I wish I could say ALL of you sweet ladies who entered.  And I think that you will be a winner if you stop to thank God for His many goodnesses in your life.  And if you find the Revive Our Hearts website to be yet another blessing and help in your life.

But as for this book, I only bought ONE to give away today.  So… after putting so many names in a bowl, the Popper assisted me by drawing just one…
        
And the paper says….
 

Amber S.

Amber S. said...

I have heard good things about this Bible study, and I enjoyed going over to the website and doing some "browsing." I did settle in and followed your recommendation to review the "First Things First" transcripts. What a blessing... I'm not done yet, but it is bookmarked, and I will be anxious to get to "O" (-:
Thanks for the great giveaway... what a blessing whether you win or not!

God bless you all!  Thank you for joining in!

If you didn’t win, and would like to look at buying the book  ~ You can find it at the Revive Our Hearts website.  Or for a discount price, look at the previous post with a link to Library and Educational Services.

for the love of books

 

My older daughters made their own book order this year before Christmas.  When Tim got  a chance to preview this one, he decided it was a great choice for him to read aloud to us.   Tim also says it is not the “perfect graduation gift” ~ because that would be too late!  Our boys are 14 and 10 ~ now is the time!

Thoughts for Young Men by J.C. Ryle

(currently $3.60 at Vision Forum’s year-end sale ~ Yes, LESS than FOUR DOLLARS!)

** highly recommended **

 

They gave me this book for Christmas…

Large Family Logistics: The Art and Science of Managing the Large Family

…since I didn’t win it in the giveaway last month… and it is on sale too!  (55% off!)  Read the linked post for more info ~ Kim’s blog is great, but a book in the hand is twice as nice  :-)  Thank you!

While the girls were at it, they bought some books for themselves…

Joyfully at Home by Jasmine Baucham

 

Feminine by Design by Scott Brown

 

While I do not agree on everything with Doug Phillips, Vision Forum, etc., they do sell a lot of worthy books  :-D

And lest you think that’s the only place we buy books, remember my swagbucks get me Amazon gift cards!

Miss Artist has a great affection for Amy Carmichael, so we gave her this devotional book…

Edges of His Ways

 

Miss Music Box had this on her wish list (Miss A granted that wish)…

 

Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot

 

Uncle Lee also generously provided some thoughtful gifts:  books on cattle, herb gardens, artisan bread, grammar, thermodynamics (!)

             

I’m not sure why that photo won’t stay rotated!

 

And more happy readers…

         

 

And it’s not even New Year’s Day yet… when we have the tradition of LOTS of new books!  Wanna see?  Don’t tell!  I don’t remember all that’s hidden away, but here’s a few…

from  YWAM Publishing

                  

 

Library and Educational Services

             

(for me, for you ~ Remember to sign up for the giveaway TODAY!)

Also where we purchased the Sam Campbell books for the Cowgirl’s Christmas.

 

Timberdoodle

 

I think I need to buy another bookshelf this afternoon!

post #300 ~ It’s a giveaway!

 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

James 1:17

 

What should it be?

 

House siding, light fixtures, T-Tapp, or butterhorns?

 

No, but I might throw in some chocolates  :-)

 

               

 

One of my favorite things this year has to be this book:

 

 Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy

 

And I have another copy to give to one of you!

 

To enter this giveaway, please …

• Leave a comment with one thing you are thankful to God for ~ either a Top Ten item, or one of those ‘little things.’

For additional entries, please …

1. Click on the book to go to the Revive Our Hearts website… Listen to a podcast, read a transcript, or find one of her 30-day Challenges AND leave another comment here sharing something from what you heard or read  :-)  ((Sounds like homework, yes?  Okay, this will count for TWO entries))  P.S. ~ I highly recommend her series from January 2007 on “Priorities” ~ Set a timer for 10-15 min, and bookmark it to finish later!  (It’s called “First Things First”)
2. Blog about this giveaway and link to this post.  Leave another comment with a link to your post.
3. Leave another comment telling me which chocolate goody you are most eager to sample from our kitchen.

 

Hmmm, I guess we need a deadline for entries:

11:59:59pm (CST) on Monday, December 27, 2010

(or 12:00am on Tuesday, Dec. 28)

(I believe that’s 8am Tuesday in Pretoria and maybe 5:30pm Tuesday in Adelaide)

 

Lord willing, I will post a winner next Tuesday, and ship the package before 1/1/2011!

 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

I hope you’re becoming more alert to the many reasons you have to be grateful. I remember hearing a friend tell how, while brushing his teeth and meditating on one of the verses in today’s reading (Ephesians 5:20), he was struck by the word “everything.” He was reminded of the importance of thanking God for even those “little things” that we often overlook. It made him pause and be thankful for, well … his toothbrush. And his toothpaste. And, while he was at it, he thanked God for his teeth, for probably the first time in his life…

~ Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Growing in Gratitude

 

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Ephesians 5:19-20

daybook ~ December 20 (post#299!)

 

 

FOR TODAY  

Monday, December 20, 2010

Outside my window...

it’s looking like more snow (?)  The cattle are still able to find fodder in the hayfield – that is a good reason to have minimal snow cover so far  :-)

 
I am thinking...

it’s almost CHRISTMAS!

Don’t forget about Treasures of the Snow ~ You can listen online here at 8pm US central time.  The audio drama version is SO good!  Part 6 is tonight, and tomorrow will be the last for this year!  Put it on your calendar for next December if you missed it this month.  You do have a calendar for 2011, don’t you?  =)

I am thankful …
… for answers to prayer
… for Tim taking the kids to their Sunday school program practice AND finishing our Christmas shopping on Saturday without me :-)
… for the lovely Christmas program last night ~ The Story of Jesus
 (Well done, Amber, Mrs. J, Jay, & kids!  Gotta love the microphone queen…and the donkey and lamb hoods)

   
… for my early Christmas present ♥

  

 
I am praying for...
... the Rettigs and the church in Prague  ~ Did you see in my sidebar that they are having another Bible Night in January?!  They have rented a 300-seat hall in the nearby city of Pribram.  This particular city is interesting because the population is descended from both the former Communist leaders and those who suffered and died in the uranium mines.
…Masha and her family in Belarus ~ that God will God will grant them safety in the midst of political unrest as well as eternal life.  (Masha has been attending the Bible studies in Prague since the campaign in September)
… the sale of my mother-in-law’s home
…  Amber’s dad
… Diane and family
… Grant S., who is doing well on his meds now ~ praying for stability
… Jeremy & Stacy
… Sarah’s grandma who is having knee surgery today, and her grandpa who is recovering from heart surgery – and Sarah & Jim and Josefine as they minister to them this Christmas

 
From the learning rooms...
the Youngers are on Christmas break!  The Bigs have a five-paragraph essay to write, among other things.

 From the kitchen... 
Julie’s taquitos are on the menu!  which means I need to thaw and cook a turkey!
and chili, broccoli cheese soup, leftover beef roast… 
I made dough for date pinwheels, Hawaiian tea cookies, and ‘candy canes’ ~ which all need to be baked this week (at least a pan or two of the frozen slice/bake dough – the rest can wait.)  The kids want to make the ‘candy canes’ tonight while we listen to Treasures of the Snow.  (The ‘candy canes’ are a sugar cookie dough that you color half – and supposed to flavor with peppermint – then make snakes of white and red/pink to twist together before baking… Make sense?  It’s a kid-friendly tradition here!)
          
The Cowgirl, the Popper, and the Cattleman made the cut-out cookies on Saturday, but they still need frosting.  English toffee and pecan sandies are done.  Another big batch of peanut butter bon bons are smelling really good in the fridge ~ they need a coating of chocolate.
 
I am creating...
a resolve to mop our floor more often  ;-) 
(ya, I’m in need of New Year’s Resolutions)
 
I am going...
crazy.  Ha ha ~  maybe I’ll just switch the laundry. I’d like to go back to sleep!  Must be all the sugar in the air.

 
I am reading...

Growing in Gratitude ~ today’s passage:

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Romans 11:33-36

 

I am hoping...
the big kids will quickly complete the necessary school work this week!

I am hearing... 
“All That I Need” by the Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team via Rhapsody, the washer and dryer, the kids chattering over their breakfast

Around the house...
I vac-ed and mopped the floor yesterday …after a Corelle plate shattered all over it; laundry is working ~ too bad it can’t iron or put itself away; Christmas stockings are stuffed; other gifts still need wrapping.
After Pastor mentioned nativity scene figures yesterday, we finally made a spot to display ours.

…both of them.  A friend gave us this Avon set many years ago.

 
One of my favorite things...

finished woodwork
    

Pondering these words...

“The reflex action of thanksgiving…  My love flamed up from the dying embers, and my spirit soared.  I discovered that ingratitude impoverishes – but that a heavy heart lifts on wings of praise.” 

~ Robertson McQuilken, quoted by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

 
A few plans for the rest of the week:

Today ~ helping my aunt with a Christmas gift project, other local errands
Wednesday ~ groceries and chiropractor
Friday ~ Christmas Eve!
Saturday ~ Christmas Day!
   
Here is a picture for thought...
Can you guess what story these boys were part of in last night’s Christmas program?

          

             

 

Merry Christmas!

 

~ Find more Daybooks at Peggy's ~

P.S.  Next post is #300 ~ And it will be my first Giveaway!  :-)