Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for....

• cuddling up to sleep on my husband's shoulder
• packages.... cause there are like 3 sitting next to me that need opened.  OK.. I think 4... One from HSN (Proj. Life photo overlays!), One from Ebay... a new small coach purse.  One from drugstore and/or beauty.com... make up I was out of and a few other things.  And I think the last one is from scrapbooksteals.com... they had silhouette store gift cards, $5 for a $10 card.
• seeing Lauryn all dressed up for her Queen thing and getting that great pic of her and Daddy.
• this quote from Max Lucado today: "Would that I could make everything new—but I can’t. But God can. “He restores my soul,” wrote the shepherd (Psalm 23:3). He doesn’t camouflage the old, he restores the new. The Master Builder will pull out the original plan and restore it. The vigor, the energy, the hope. He will restore the soul." The word God has laid on my heart this year is "restore" so this really spoke to me. God doesn't "camouflage the old, he restores the new" AND he uses the original plan to do that.   Love that thought!
• getting more crocheting done - picture above is the progress I've made on my "kerchief" Now on to finishing and edging.  Let's hope I can figure it out.
• Reading.  Still loving my Amish books.  OK and enjoying crocheting books lately too.
• I of course can't go a week without mentioning the library.  Love the library.  Have you heard?
• Of course with the library comes the ability to manage my account online.  LOVE that.  Can look up books available, place holds online, etc.  LOVE
• Getting a new PINK dust cover for my silhouette.  Sending my teal one to a friend.  How could I not get the pink one?
• New Heidi Swapp scrapping stuff.  Loving the planner.
• a dishwasher... why?  Because I don't have one right now and the minute you don't have a dishwasher?  Well you suddenly get really thankful for how helpful a working dishwasher is.
• scrapbooking.....yes once again I am remembering why I like it!
• the smell of chicken cooking in the pressure cooker.  Chicken and Noodles for dinner tonight.
• Yarn that actually pulls out of the skein smoothly... or is there such a thing?  Cause Monogirl does not have the patience to keep stopping and untangling knots. 
• hair towels. Yes. You know those ones that you twist around your hair and then they have a fastener to hold them place. Both of mine were in the wash today so after my shower I wrapped a regular bath towel around my head... Felt like a Vegas showgirl and thought perhaps I might tip over backwards from the weight of the towel
• playing with Miss Sophie
• My husband coming home safe from work
• the new power recline thing on the sofa... Monogirl is no longer a turtle stuck on its shell when its time to get up.
• diet Pepsi
• time at home.  I love being home. 
• Tanner and his love for baby carrots
• Saturday pancakes which this week were Saturday French Toast with cinnamon and vanilla.  Darrel makes good french toast.
• creativity
• going to church with my husband
• princess tervis glasses
• crochet and scrapbooking blogs and web sites
• a paint sprayer to hopefully get the living room and dinning room ceiling done and progress back on the road! We've been in the ditch since Christmas. 
• being done with 1099's and W2's at work
• Kindles
• Kids Hope
• heated seats
• friendly and kind people
• that it is new phone time even if making a choice is giving Monogirl stress.  Is it a bad thing I am already scoping out pretty pink cases and I don't even know which phone I'm going to end up with? Would you expect anything less from Monogirl?  I didn't think so.
• dinner with my husband...

And on that note I think I will go have dinner with my husband.  How has your week been?  Hope you've remembered to be thankful too. 

Blessings!

Hello Today

So I missed blogging yesterday.  I had the choice to sit on the couch and be crabby and tired or blog and be crabby and tired and guess which one I picked.  I told Darrel I was sorry I was crabby at him but um.... I was crabby.  How many times can one use the word crabby in a sentence?  I think that is my best count to date.  :)  Since we missed our visit yesterday.... how about a little Wednesday randomness?  Are you up for it?  Good.

This is my new favorite picture.  Last Friday night we went to a High School Basketball game.  It may have been the first High School Basketball game we've been to since we were IN High School and trust me.... no one wants to talk about how long ago that was.  Did we go to watch Basketball?  Um no.  We went because our niece Lauryn was nominated for Winter Homecoming Queen and we wanted to be there to see her and support her.  Sadly... the school didn't pick her as queen... but we sure do as evidenced by the picture!  Lauryn and my Dad... how sweet is that?  Darrel was posing her and her escort for some pics after the ceremony and was going to get one of her and Daddy and while they were getting ready to take the pic this moment happened and my husband was smart enough and of course good enough to snap the perfect shot.  This one MUST be in a frame immediately and it's definitely going in my Jan. planner... but more on that in a minute.  Here is a shot of Lauryn and her escort, her boyfriend Dakota. 

A beautiful couple am I right?  We were sitting in the bleachers, which is an activity I do NOT miss... waiting for her to be announced and I saw her all decked out and standing in line at the side and all I could think was wow... how did she get to be a senior in High School and what happened to that little girl that used to sit on my living room floor and play and eat banana pudding?  Can't believe she is so grown up.

After the game we resumed date night and headed home for popcorn and movies.  2 good movies... what were they again?  Captain Phillips and  All Is Lost.  Captain Phillips was very good.

Under the category what appliance could possibly break down next the answer would be... what is the dishwasher.  GRRR.  OK but I can't say we didn't see it coming.  First it started sounding a little odd..... Next the dishes were a little less clean.... then Darrel thought perhaps it wasn't spraying like its supposed to and then... last batch?  Still completely dirty and the dishwasher... she is dead.  The motor and pump seem to be the problem and the cost of repair on this 12 year old machine seems to indicate that Monogirl will be shopping for a New Dishwasher. 

Sunday was quite the busy day for Monogirl.  We had church, which Monogirl barely made it to due to a 4:30 AM wake up call with a gall bladder attack.  After church we headed to the big city for lunch and a quick stop at Michael's for the all important Heidi Swapp planner Monogirl wanted and for a gift card for our nephew.  Then we headed straight to my brother's house for our nephew's party and then back to church for the annual business and budget meeting.  That is way too much running for Monogirl right there and she is still trying to recover from getting over tired on Sunday and also on Friday. 

















And here we have the newly 13 yrs old nephew.  Isn't he cute?  And yes.. now my brother has 3 teenagers in his house.  That is probably fun huh? 

Monday headed to the eye DR for the all important ordering of the new reading glasses.  I went by myself... which was not a good choice since Monogirl has trouble with decision making sometimes and she was wishing she could have her husband's opinion.  Finally managed to pick out some frames and then headed home to obsess for the next few hours that she probably picked the wrong ones.  Monogirl is nothing if not predictable and thorough in her obsessing. 

THIS was the treasure I got at Michael's on Sunday.  The Heidi Swapp Hello Today Planner.  LOVE it.  It's sort of Project Life like but on a much smaller scale.  Perhaps Monogirl can actually keep up?  Have I caught up for January?  Um NO... Have I at least started and made sure to write down something for the last few days?  Yes!  I even punched out a pink snowflake and added some rub ons.  That counts as scrapping right?  It should because it has totally put me in the scrapping mood! Loving this planner and all the ideas it is sparking. It hasn't hurt either that I also brought home several of the other Hello Today products.

It's phone upgrade time.  Thank goodness... Because Darrel is sorely in need of a new phone since his has how shall we say.. .um issues.  My phone is also having issues on occasion and the occasion always seems to be in those moments when you need to quickly look up something or text something NOW.  How does it know how to pick the most inconvenient times?  Is there an App for that?  Ha!  We have narrowed down our choices to the iphone 5S.... the Galaxy S4... or perhaps the HTC One.  All have good ratings.  Until now we have been Android people.  Never had an iphone... have always sort of wanted an iphone... so you'd think we'd just go that way right?  But then there is the Galaxy which has a bigger screen and better battery life and well it's an Android which I know pretty well.. .so again with the decisions and how is Monogirl supposed to make up her mind?  Perhaps we should do rock paper scissors or ask the magic 8 ball?

And now it's Wednesday night... and Monogirl is going to bid you goodbye for now and find her book and perhaps a chocolate chip cookie.. Later she might work on that planner... Anyone else doing the planner?  I'd love to see pics of your project.  Until tomorrow.... blessings!

Thankful Thursday

Well lately apparently I am thankful for crocheting.  When I was a little girl, my Mom got into crochet.  We had a red and gold living room.... you know.. back in the 70's....and if my memory is correct one of the first things she made was a red, gold, and white ripple afghan.  Doesn't every crocheter make a ripple afghan at some point?  I think its like required reading.  I also remember a blue sweater she made, a beautiful yellow shawl that I just loved and secretly... OK maybe not so secretly..wanted to steal, and a cape.  Many capes actually.  I think she made me one and I also remember one for Grandma and Mamaw and remember both of them liking them and wearing them.  Were capes a 70's thing too?  I wonder what ever happened to mine?  Maybe it's in the same place as my old scrapbook full of movie and TV star and Tiger Beat and Teen Beat pictures.  I have no clue what ever happened to that either.

Even when I was young I was always completely interested in anything anyone was creating or making. That is why I also learned crewel, embroidery and needlepoint from Mamaw and cross stitch from Darrel's Mom and sister.  If someone is creating I'm all " I want to play too!"   So when Mom was crocheting... I was intrigued to say the least.  She taught me some of the basics and I could make a chain that would span across the globe.  I also got into making "fabric" with single and double crochets and then turning that into choker necklaces (which I sold some at school for like a $1...), or sometimes cases for stuff like my transistor radio.  Yes I probably still have that too.  It's what we had in the olden days instead of an ipod... I think it only tuned into AM stations and mine was probably always stuck on WLS in Chicago. 

Where were we?  Crocheting... Monogirl gets distracted easily.  It's like ADD for Monogirl's... See... there I go again.  Mom taught me some crochet basics and she also had a "How to" book that I learned some from.  Then when I joined Darrel's family, well his Mom and his twin sister were big crochet and needle workers.  Darrel's Mom makes beautiful doilies and tablecloths and wonderful things like that.  She taught me how to work with the tiny steel crochet hooks and thread and after that I was totally into creating doilies and other fun stuff like clothespin angels.  I especially liked working from antique patterns. Very fun.

Well then in 2001 scrapbooking entered the picture and life was never again the same for Monogirl.  Her crocheting and reading kind of took a back seat and I think she forgot how much she liked crocheting.  Until this past fall and a walk to the library.  Remember the day I found the one skein book and the saga of the expired library card?  Well that book reignited my crocheting fire and here we are working on another project from a new One Skein book.  Is that not the most beautiful "kerchief" in the picture in the book?  LOVE it and I hunted down the same soft pretty bronze yarn. The edging part of the pattern is making me wonder if I can figure it out... but hoping when I get that far it will just make sense and flow... either that or that Monogirl can just make it work. 

My first One Skein project was the scarf I showed you recently.  Wore it for the first time yesterday!

Love it.  It's soft and comfy.  I made it extra long like I like, and because the pattern used a fine gauge sock yarn and hook... It has a very nice texture and weight to it. 

After the kerchief I have plans for a small wrap/throw to go into the new living room... and the yarn and pattern sitting here waiting for me.... and then after that comes Tunisian crochet! Hope you will continue to journey thru crochet land with me!

Oh... and make no mistake.  I am totally not over being a scrapbooker either.  Monogirl is somehow going to figure out how to do all things creative.  It's in her blood.

Thankful today too for

• stacks of library books
• crochet patterns on my Kindle Fire
• Free crochet patterns on the Internet
• sinking into the soft feather bed on a cold night
• cuddling
• Saturday pancakes
• our end table coming in this week!
• naps!
• friends at church
• our first meal in the newly remodeled dinning room
• ugg boots in these below zero temps... still feeling like Chicago round here..
• getting the work Newsletter done early this week! 
• chocolate.  Self explanatory I am thinking. 
• Miss Sophie's foot healing
• That Darrel Doolittle was able to soak said foot as the vet said it needed
• That um Miss Sophie does not hate us for soaking said foot....
• Date Night
• Kids Hope
• discovering that they now make PINK dust covers for my Cameo. 
• getting a paint sprayer so that hopefully the bead board painting will go quicker and the ceiling can be installed so the new lights can be installed because Monogirl is not patient.... remember?
• heated seats
• Sophie head butting me to be petted
• Mexican food
• fresh highlights in my hair
• that HSN restocked these project life photo overlays!  So cool! Of course I ordered it.
• PINK stuff
• marriage
• those new soft grip crochet hooks.  Loving them!
• so enjoying the new living room
• Hot Showers on cold days
• bath & body moonlight path shower gel
• sitting together on the new couch and holding hands... yes... we do that. 
• bare feet nestled in ugg boots fur... LOVE
• Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls
• Wifi
• You Version Bible App.  So handy in church! 

And now... I bid you goodnight as Monogirl heads for bed.  Tomorrow?  Date Night!  Yay.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend. 

Blessings

Ten On Tuesday

1) I suppose it should have been a no brainer... but apparently one cannot crochet when Miss Sophie is nearby.  The exact minute I picked up my yarn and barely finished "kerchief" I had her attention and yes... very little crocheting happened after that.  Was I mad?  Is that a serious question cause look at her all cute and cuddly... how could I be mad at that.  She makes me smile.

2) So who has heard of Sweaty Bands?  They carry these at my hair dresser and I find myself noticing the display every time I am there and then of course consider a purchase.  However... headbands tend to give me a headache... so I haven't caved yet.  I am told these are fabulous for work outs because they don't slip and they promise to hold every little wispy, tickling my face, hair back out of the way... that alone could be worth the price of admission cause Monogirl does not have patience for hairs tickling her. I am noticing one can shop by color on their web site which of course means all the pink ones... so they get my vote right there...

3) A few weeks ago, right after we got the furniture I think, we were perusing ebay looking for an antique end table.   Somehow rather than a vintage end table I came across this vintage sugar scoop.  Well wouldn't you know my 26 year old Tupperware sugar scoop just snapped in two recently... and wouldn't you also know I keep the sugar in my Mamaw's vintage metal canisters which this would look oh so cute in.... so did we have any choice but to bid?  I didn't think so... and actually Darrel was the one who told me to bid on it so yes... we are now the proud owners of a vintage Hoosier cabinet sugar scoop.  Who knew a sugar scoop could make a girl so happy?


4) Have you read this blog entry by Cathy Zielske?  Loved the thoughts she shared about the impending closing of Archivers.  Made me sad.  Hard to see so many of the stores and magazines leaving us.  Do I think scrapbooking will ever truly die?  Nope.  I've been scrapbooking in one form or another since I was a kid.  I used to have a whole book full of all my favorite teen stars and TV shows cut out of Teen Beat and the TV guide.  My Mom made a scrapbook when she was a teen.  One can always scrapbook cause all we really need is a piece of paper, a pen and some glue... right?  Although all the cool stuff you can get now of course makes it way more fun. 

5) I don't think I shared this at Christmas time?  If I did... please move on to number 6 and ignore me.  Anyway... on Christmas Eve we opened gifts with my family and this year my siblings, nieces, nephews and parents opted to do one of those gift exchanges where everyone brings a gift, you draw a number, #1 picks a gift out of the pile and opens it.... #2 can take that gift or open a new one and so on.  Well after a bit of wrangling... this is what Darrel and I ended up with.  I think I got the movie card and plain M&M's and he got the restaurant card and peanut M&M's.  Dinner and a movie... yes..  we are a perfect match. 

6)  Did I mention we ordered a 3rd end table for the living room?  Well OK... technically the other two are called "chair side tables"  So we have two chair side tables and now one end table.  The store didn't have it in stock so we've been waiting for it to come in and yay!  Got the call today.  Looks like we are headed back to the furniture football fields again one day soon here for pick up!  Can't wait!

7) Have you seen the new Heidi Swapp Hello Today Memory Planner thingy?  I need one of those... NOW.  I blame my BFF.... she just had to point it out to me.  The problem?  Michaels is a good 30 min away... one way and it's not looking good that I will get to go on date night this week.  Now how is Monogirl supposed to start a calendar planner project... with the days just clicking by and not yet have her planner in hand? It would be so much easier to be normal and stop giving myself stress... you'd think wouldn't ya?

8) My BFF also pointed out to me that Project Life is coming out with a new organizing tote.  Project Life?  Organizing?  Well you just know I'm going to need one of those too.... of course now that I want one I hear they aren't available till at least May?

9) The battle with my new Selphy has continued.  We could NOT get it to work with the Wifi like it says it does... we cannot figure out what the heck the problem is.... UNTIL we discover this little writing on the box that informs us that the Wifi part... well it only works with Windows 7 or better.  Now let me tell you.... I read the requirements online before I put it on my Christmas list.  Darrel read them in the store on the box.  When we couldn't get it to work... he read them.  I read them...again. Still didn't see it.  HOW did we miss that like 19 times.  My choices at this point... use a cord.... or upgrade to Windows 7.  I am thinking Monogirl should just use the cord.  NOT that big of a deal.  Darrel is currently still on the upgrade idea.  I wonder if he knows one way to upgrade is to get a new laptop that has Windows 7 on it.... ha!

10) So I should be heading to bed  because tomorrow is Kids Hope day.  However its going to be 9 degrees and feel like zero degrees when its time to go to school in the morning.  I am thinking sometimes when its that cold they have done a 2 hour delay before but on the other hand they've already missed lots of school lately with snow days.... This all leaves Monogirl uncertain if she will or will not be mentoring in the morning... Guessing we will just have to wait and see. 

And yes... I still need to get that review up.  Maybe tomorrow?  One can hope.  Until then....Blessings!

All Crochet... All the time.

Or is it all books... all the time.  Or perhaps all scrapping... all the time?  I am thinking it's a toss up and depends on what day it is here at Monogirl's house. 

Yes... I actually finished a crochet project.  Someone alert the media because this is definitely a newsworthy event.  I found the pattern for this scarf in my first one skein wonder book which I checked out from the library.  Of course as soon as I got the book home and spotted like 101 projects I needed to make well then I of course had to quickly buy my own copy. My finished creation here pretty much looks like the photo in the book, especially since I hunted down the exact yarn that was used in the example.  And what wonderful yarn it is.... I highly recommend it.  It has a wonderful, soft, nice expensive socks kind of texture.  LOVE.  Loving my scarf and loving a finished project!  I just might have to wear it to church tomorrow.... assuming we can make it out of the driveway that is.... cause yes.. more snow is coming. 

And since I've been all in a crocheting kind of mood, yes, I caved and bought the cool set of crochet hooks.  Who knew crochet hooks could be cute, colorful and comfy.  I started a new project using one of them and they are pretty great.  The set seems expensive, but if you price it out with buying a hook at a time?  Well its actually a pretty good deal to get the set if you are an avid crocheter. 

I checked out a few more crocheting books from the library, mostly because of wondering about this whole "Tunisian crochet" thing, but when I was getting those I also spotted this one. Hooked Throws.  It has some great small afghans and wraps in it.  It has a beautiful "vintage lace" looking wrap that I am going to make in green to go in the new living room.  Yarn just arrived today.  Love the Internet for searching for the same yarn as shown in a pattern.  Plan to start that one as soon as I finish my latest project which is a "kerchief" from this book... .which I am going to review for Netgalley. 

In other fun this week my pottery barn pillows and throw arrived and yes... they are awesome.  LOVE how thick and soft the throw is and the pillows?  A feather filled, soft, thick chenille pillow?  In the perfect colors for my living room? Um yes please. No wonder they call them "grand" chenille.  I completely concur. 

Yes.. I am behind on blogging this week.  I have not been feeling so great.  I am on the tail end of strep throat and a sinus infection.  CFS has been rearing its ugly head as well.  Last week in Sunday School it was freezing in our room yet Monogirl was hot... Monogirl is also 47.  The ladies and I were discussing the possibility that menopause symptoms are beginning to rear their ugly head as well.... We came to the conclusion that um CFS, Depression and perhaps Menopause means that any day Monogirl is actually able to leave the house and function, well then we should count that as a day Monogirl is doing really well.  Can I get a second on that one? 

Finished another Amish Novella Collection as well as a book called The Outcast for Netgalley.  Loved An Amish Love.  Especially the last story... and OK... the first.  But the last one was about an empty nest couple finding a rekindled, new and exciting love and relationship with one another and I really liked that!  The Outcast?  It was awesome!  I need to get a review posted but let me just say it was great.  There were several things going on that kept me reading because I just had to know what was going to happen?  Who was the baby's father?  What was Ida Mae's back story?  How was it all going to work out and um was there anyone that didn't have some kind of secret? 

This morning as I was trying to text my husband I sat here pressing all around on the back of my phone trying to find the power button.  It then occurs to me that it was my phone in my hand... NOT my Kindle fire and therefore there was no power button on the back.  I am thinking this is a sign Monogirl has too many electronic devices.  Either that, or she has lost it completely.... which is quite possible.  Especially since quite often when she is reading a regular print book she keeps having this urge to press on a word to get the definition... only to discover that real books don't offer that option like the Kindle does.  I'm OK. Really.

In Kids Hope this week my friend and I played played basketball. Yes, again.  She asked me if I wanted to play Horse... so of course... we played Horse.  This is an event that has likely never occurred in my lifetime.  I am thinking that calls for a scrapbook or project life page don't you?  I have discovered that I am nearly incapable of making a shot from the free throw line... but there is a line just in front of that that I call the "short people's free throw line" that works pretty well for me. I have no idea what that line is actually for.  Did I make a basket?  Yes.  Several.... jump shot and all.  Did I even win a game?  Yes.  Be very impressed.  Did I also discover that basketball should apparently be offered as a daily work out kind of thing because of the soreness that came to Monogirl later?  A big yes on that one.  I also decided that it is likely called "Horse" because one smells like a horse for the rest of the day after playing....

Miss Sophie has an infected foot.  The vet gave her a shot of antibiotics and told Darrel he didn't know if it was possible, but it would be helpful if we were also able to soak her foot in Epsom salts for 10 min. or so each night.  Right.  Not only get a cats foot wet... but soak it?  Like keep it in the water?  Yes. Well leave it to Darrel Doolittle to be the one and only person on the planet to manage to have already soaked Miss Sophie's foot not once... but twice for at least 10 minutes each.  She fought it at first, but quickly discovered that Darrel was going to win that battle and settled for holding still...... soaking her foot..... and yelling at us about it the entire time. 

And that catches us up a bit for the past week.  Tune in over the next day or two... hope to get that review posted.  Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

Yes another favorite Christmas photo.  Uncle Darrel captured this moment of elation over yes... a movie.  Our nieces Lauryn and Lindsay were celebrating the movie Pitch Perfect (in Lindsay's hand).  Apparently if it elicits such a reaction I am thinking Darrel and I need to add it to the date night movie lineup sometimes soon.  Or do you have to be a teenager to appreciate it because I am thinking for us... .that ship has sailed.  ha!

Are you also checking out Lauryn's hat?  That was a gift from cousin Cole and we were thinking she is nothing if not fashionable.  She also requested "something camo" for Christmas so I think it was Grandma and Grandpa that got her this blanket...

 

The hat... the blanket... just completes the picture doesn't it?  I am thinking perhaps she is not your typical 18 year old.. .which I am also thinking is a good thing.  Thankful for both of these girls.  Life is definitely not boring with the two of them. 

Also pretty thankful for some random stuff like oh say...

• my upgraded Kindle Fire HDX.  It is lots like an ipad but also has all the Kindle bells and whistles.  What a good idea...
• my husband telling me that he can make us one of these giant green "K's" rather than shelling out yes... that does say $139.  Really?  For a plywood distressed green K?  Thankful that we have a few skills of our own and perhaps can come up with something similar to grace our new living room. 
• my rekindled love for crocheting.  Yes.  Crocheting actually happened at Monogirl's house yesterday and there are plans for some more!   I signed up for this class on Craftsy to learn about Tunisian crochet.  I mean did you see that cool multi garment thing we are supposed to learn how to make? Of course now I am in need of some Tunisian crochet hooks.... did a little Internet browsing for those and came across this set and this cool set of regular crochet hooks but with an soft grip on them.  Trying to decide if I want to part with some of my Christmas $$ for a set of those.... perhaps I should try one first.  What a concept.
• this cool app on Amazon.... it makes a little tabbed notebook on my Kindle Fire!  Tabs.. a notebook... sign me up for that!
• Getting the Christmas decorations put away
• that work has started on the living room/dinning room ceiling
• vacation time.  It was wonderful. 
• new furniture!  Love love love it.  It makes Monogirl happy happy happy
• the selphy Darrel got me for Christmas....although we are having issues getting it to work via Wifi like its supposed to which is giving Monogirl stress. 
• that phone upgrade time is soon
• Valentines day is coming.  I *heart* Valentines day... but you knew that.
• Library books.  It seems I am not capable of having any less than 2 books checked out at all times.  Last night I put no less than 3... OK maybe 4... books about Tunisian crochet on hold! ha.
• my job
• God working in my life.  He amazes me.
• This devotion that Pastor Mark shared in staff meeting yesterday.  Especially this part: Instead of choosing our own self-improvement goals, a better approach might be to ask ourselves: “What does the Lord desire of me?” Through the prophet Micah, God has revealed that He wants us to do what is right, to be merciful, and to walk humbly with Him (Mic. 6:8). All of these things relate to soul-improvement rather than self-improvement.  REALLY speaking to me.  Have I been more caught up in Deanna's goals than every stopping to ask Lord... what do you desire of me? 
• cooking!  Monogirl made spaghetti for dinner.  YUM
• left over Christmas cookies.  Yes.  Still.
• Date Night!
• Reading. 
• shelter and warmth with all this below zero coldness that has been around
• snow days!  Had 1 this week.
• Schwan chocolate chip cookies. 
• getting back to church this week after being on vacation
• a blessed Christmas
• my husband
• ugg boots on these cold snowy days
• Miss Sophie
• the new end table we ordered this week
• Having access to the library online

God is good. I pray you have been blessed with a great week as well!  Stay tuned for more crochecting news!  I have a project almost completed that I want to share and yes... someday... some way... somehow.... scrapbooking will happen again.  REALLY wanting to work on that December book.  I have a "me" day coming up a week from Saturday...perhaps that will be the perfect time? 

For now.. Blessings!

Ten On Tuesday

1) This is one of my favorite Christmas pics from this year.  Miss Sophie helping Darrel open his gifts.  She apparently thinks she should always be the center of attention.  Please take note of our beautiful fire in the um... fireplace.  Can you guess what Darrel's gift there is?  Yes it was a level.  I am nothing in not consistent in my commitment to not worry about disguising gifts... my main goal?  Get the thing covered. 

2) Spotted this cool... very cool... crochet project on Craft Passion's facebook today.  Is that a pretty little straw looking tote or what?  It says it is crocheted with jute twine of all things... and it uses the star stitch.  Since I just learned and liked the star stitch I am thinking I must try this immediately. 

3) Did you hear me celebrating on Friday cause yes... the furniture has arrived.  New furniture... a whole room... actually in our house.  It arrived... the little ol' owner guy was the one who delivered it and helped Darrel carry it into the house.  We got it in place... and um plugged in... remember the 3 recliners are power!  We declared it good and yes I believe then we did a happy dance because we were so stinkin' excited.  We also decided we needed a 3rd end table to go in the corner there... and it is currently on order.  Somebody pinch me.... cause I am thinking if this is my house I must be dreaming. 

4) Enjoyed Novel Crossing's Newsletter today with books to get excited about in 2014 because yes... there are 2 on that list I am for sure and for certain... as the Amish would say... excited about.  Cannot wait for Francine River's new novel Bridge to Haven... or for book 4 in the Amish Vines and Orchards series, Seasons of Tomorrow.  And yes.... I have already pre-ordered both of those for my Kindle. 

5) This is a pic of all the fun stuff my husband crammed into my stocking... or 2.  There was lots of pink stuff as you can see like a nail file thingy, journal, cupcake spatula, phone stand, eyeglass holders, and a tea bag thingy.  He also even thought to put in a few pieces of Fiesta Ware.... how smart is he?

6) So how is the weather in your neck of the woods?  Here in Southern IN it is feeling more like the North Pole... or at least Chicago.  We had ice... snow.... and then below zero temps.  This means Monogirl did not venture out to work yesterday.... and when she did today?  She wasn't so sure that was the best plan either.  It's one thing driving on straight, flat roads when they are snow packed and icy.... but here in the country?  Country roads... lots of hills and curves...snow and ice?  Not such a good combination.  Throw in 20 some below wind chill?  And OK... even Chicago Monogirl is thinking its best to stay in and enjoy the new furniture.  But... make it to work today I did.... Impressed you should be... and yes.. I am doing my Yoda imitation.

7) So we celebrated New Year's eve together by making Darrel's Mom's recipe for homemade cinnamon rolls.  YUM.  Yes... we made them all from scratch and actually by we maybe I should say Darrel because he made the dough... with yeast and everything.... and then we did the rolling out, adding the cinnamon and sugar, and cutting together.  Very fun and very yummy.  The next day we enjoyed one or two for breakfast and noticed that a few of the center ones were still a bit doughy.  I say... I bet if we put it in the microwave a bit longer, it would cook and be OK.  Well fast forward a few minutes later and I am pointing and trying to find words to tell my husband I see smoke pouring out of the microwave.  Yes.  Apparently we set a cinnamon roll on fire.... quite on fire... and my microwave and the Fiesta Ware may never be the same.  We had smoke people.  LOTS of billowing smoke... We had to put a fan in the kitchen to clear the house of smoke.  All from a cooked too long cinnamon roll.  Who knew?

8) Saturday I think it was I was cleaning off and organizing my scrap table... you know in case I ever get the urge to actually go in there and make that December album I keep talking about.... and I find this little thin wrapped package.  Darrel had wrapped my gifts in that room and apparently neglected to stuff that particular one in my stocking.  Here is what I found when I got to open it.... a pink emery board nail file that says "He loves Me".... Merry Christmas to me!

9) Darrel and I have always been android Smartphone users.  We always liked them.... however this last phone (motorola Droid Razr Maxx)  has had an issue or two that we haven't been pleased with.  Update time is finally on the horizon... in February and believe it or not we are considering joining the masses and going to the dark side and getting iPhones.  Have never had an iPhone. Have barely used an iPhone... but am thinking it's a good decision.  What about you?  Any iPhone users out there?  Are we making a good choice?  Hoping we can upgrade to the 5S... but we will see what their upgrade offer is. 

10) I have fallen in love with this throw from Pottery Barn... Yes.  Pottery Barn is expensive.  No.  I normally don't buy tons of stuff from Pottery Barn.  Do I think their stuff is cool?  Absolutely... So Monogirl was thinking.... and fortunately her husband agreed that for the new living room it would be OK to splurge on 1 throw... and a matching pillow or two to mix in with the one's we picked up last week.  And yes... Monogirl is way excited about that.  I picked a cardinal red throw... and 2 throw pillows in the blue and the baguette. 

Hope your New Year is going well so far.  I have been mulling over goals and plans for this year. I am not generally a make your resolutions on Jan. 1st kind of girl.  I am more a mull over your goal plans during the month of January and figure them out.... and then work on that the rest of the year... Perhaps I will share a bit more about that on my next post.  Until then.... blessings!

Review of "An Amish Miracle"

Yes... it's a cold dreary looking kind of Saturday.  A big Ol' snowstorm may be moving in here in Southern IN so what better time to think of a great book to read and curl up on the couch with along with your favorite hot drink.... such as a Hot Chocolate with double chocolate from Starbucks and heated blanket... pink of course. If you'd like a recommendation from me.... An Amish Miracle would be a great one.  But... before I get ahead of myself... let's get the technical stuff out of the way shall we? 

Book review for  An Amish Miracle,  by Beth Wiseman, Ruth Reid & Marry Ellis, Publisher, Thomas Nelson, Dec 3, 2013, 380 pages.

A Summary of the book from the publisher reads:

Always Beautiful by Beth Wiseman
Becky Byler is eighteen and overweight. She is overwhelmed by the embarrassment she feels when comparing herself to other girls her age. Having lost all hope, she considers taking her own life. As she stands before rushing water, unable to swim, Becky begs God for a miracle. In just several months, Becky sees her prayers answered as food and temptation lose their hold over her. She’s finally pleased with how she looks, but does she like the person she has become? And has the man she has dreamed of been right beside her all along, loving her exactly as she is?

Always His Providence by Ruth Reid
Widow Rosa Hostetler has one month to pay her delinquent taxes before the county auctions her farm. She’s prepared to sell whatever is necessary to pay the lien, but she isn’t willing to request money from the community’s widow fund. She’s embarrassed and refuses to admit she needs help. Rosa depends on income from selling eggs, but when that income is threatened, only a miracle can help Rosa accept the kindness of a neighbor.

Always in My Heart by Mary Ellis
Hope Bowman believes God is punishing her for giving up her firstborn son when she was a teenager. She’s hidden this secret from her husband, who is thankful for their daughters but longs for a son. Hope prays desperately, but the son God sends her isn’t a new baby but the fifteen-year-old boy she gave up years ago.

Includes Reading Group Guide and Old-Order Amish Recipes


So let's start again by saying I loved this book and I was surprised by that.  Why?  Well usually a "Novella" is the last thing I will pick up.  I much prefer a big ol' thick book I can dive into and not come up for air until weeding through all 500+ pages.  :)  So pick a Novella?  Me?  Nope.  BUT... these Amish Novella collections are different. 

There are 3 stories written by 3 different authors, but all of the stories are intertwined.  I believe the first in this book was Always in My Heart by Mary Ellis.  In this one we are introduced to the community, the family, their story etc. and Hope Bowman and her family were the focus.  Hope is struggling about a baby she gave up for adoption when she was a teenager. Hope's good friend in this story is Rosa (who is the focus of the 2nd Novella) and one of their friends, another girl from the community is Becky (who is the focus of the 3rd Novella).  As you progress through each book you really feel as if you are just reading one 380 pages book, rather than the 3 separate stories.  Loved that and loved that although Hope's story was finished in book 1, she also made an appearance in the subsequent books as did all the characters. 

Hope's story and struggle about adoption and accepting God's forgiveness for herself touched me deeply. It reached me on a personal level because of my own infertility issues.  Rosa's story is about her life as a new widow and the financial problems she is left in.  Her story also touched me on a personal level as my heart hurt for her as she mourned her husband.  Becky's story.... wow.. Well Becky's story was the most personal for me because Becky struggles with her weight and lack of self confidence and self love and esteem because of it... well I probably could have written Becky's story myself... although it surely would not have been as good.  This story portrayed well how weight issues can affect you from the hurt from other people's comment and opinions, how it can affect your view of yourself, how you can always feel watched, and judged and how very little you can feel truly understood.  Loved Becky's story. 

All three books were good on their own, but I truly loved how one continued into the next and would highly recommend you grab this collection and read the three for yourself!  They also exposed me to a few new authors like Beth Wiseman, Kelly Long, Barbra Cameron and Ruth Reid.  Mary Ellis has been a long time favorite.  I headed over to goodreads right quick to see how many more books each of these ladies had authored so I could get those added to my already lengthy "to be read" list. 

I also quickly discovered there are a few other Amish Novella series books such as An Amish Christmas, An Amish Love, An Amish Gathering, An Amish Kitchen, and An Amish Wedding. Also coming in 2014 is An Amish Garden.    I just finished An Amish Christmas yesterday and loved it as well.  If you read that one make sure you get the edition that has the bonus 4th story.  I mean who'd want to miss the 4th story?!  I also took time today to reserve several of the others AND found myself pre-ordering An Amish Garden for my Kindle!  Yes... I have been bitten by the Amish Novella collections bug!  Watch out.. you could be next. 

I was provided with a copy of this book for a fair & honest review courtesy of Thomas Nelson via Netgalley 

Thankful Thursday

Shelter. Thankful for shelter because OMGoodness.... have you felt how cold it is outside and it is fixin' to get colder here in Southern IN... colder as in we might still think we live in Chicago.  On the other hand... it's been on the weather reports and the news, and they are all oh my the high on Wednesday isn't going to get out of the single digits and it could stay below zero for 24-36 hours.....and here Darrel and I sit going um so?  I mean the day Darrel proposed to me in December of 1985 in  Chicago?  26 degrees below zero.  Actual temp.. .not windchill.  So... now that we are country people... are we all scared of it being below zero for 36 hours all up in here?  Nope. 

This would be a picture of out with the old.... so we can be in with the new.  It's currently 12:24 AM and what is my husband doing?  (That's him in the upper right corner) Hauling old tables and other misc. furniture out of the house to make room for the new furniture that arrives tomorrow.  Monogirl is SOOOO excited about that.  We also just ordered new lighting for the living room and dinning room... here is a peek at the living room one..

 

How cool is that?  I was wondering when does it occur that you advance to that age where you get all happy about things like furniture and lights?  I mean I remember being a kid and my Mom crying because we got mud on the new carpet.  Totally did not get it then.  Now?  I'm all ...you aren't going to drive the dolly over the new rug right?  Perhaps age helps you see that it can all be a matter of perspective. 

As for the lights?  Cool antiqued bronze looking, industrial looking with Edison Bulbs? Sign me up for those.  Love them and the dinning room fixture (which we didn't originally plan on replacing) is similar, but with more bulbs and it's a pendant. SO cool.  I cannot wait for it to arrive and be put in place! 

We are still being quite lazy and doing lots of sleeping in and enjoying our vacation time.  3 more days to go!  Thankful for that among other things like....

• date night tomorrow will be enjoying movies and dinner on a new sofa! 
• Christmas.  We were very blessed this year
• new furniture and the great furniture store
• upgrading my Kindle Fire! 
• Reading.  Really liking this book right now!
• reaching my 2013 reading goal.  I read 75 books and surpassed my goal of 60. Goal for 2014?  100!
• setting new goals for 2014 and feeling hopeful about making some changes and reaching them.
• this time off with my husband.  We could spend 24/7 with each other and that would be totally fine by me. 
• Christmas cookies
• Miss Sophie and Tanner
• a New Year
• Charlies Caramel corn (a gift) and Chex Mix Darrel made from  Christmas
• Plaster that keeps falling down from the old not yet repaired ceiling... .it's great motivation to vacuum the new rug often! ha.
• crocheting - been enjoying that again
• Seeing Catching Fire on Monday night.  It was SO good.  Love that Darrel and I both read the books and now getting to see the movies together.
• the box of fresh bagels we got from Azura last weekend
• A vet who can help the dog to STOP the scratching
• Italian Beef Combos at Cleavers.
• cuddling up on my husband's shoulder to fall asleep.  
• new pillows and lamps
• Christmas Cards from friends and family
• that we are getting closer to phone upgrade time!
• that we did not catch the kitchen on fire yesterday while warming up a cinnamon roll in the microwave.  Apparently they are flammable.... and my fiesta ware may never be the same. 
• making cinnamon rolls together for New Year's Eve
• Spending New Year's Eve together.  There were year's in the past when Darrel worked shift work that we couldn't be together.
•  that some of the Christmas decorations are put away.  It's mainly the tree left to deal with at this point. 
• getting to take Darrel to work with me
• I am thinking I am thankful for shelter again since I just read a weather report that suggests possible blizzard conditions on Sunday. Perhaps we are back in Chicago.

And lots of other stuff... but my book is calling me and a fresh glass of diet Pepsi.  Hope you are having a Happy New Year and will check in with me again.  Hope to be back on the weekend. Blessings!