Living to Tell the Story

Friday's Fave Five #175

2012-01-27T00:00:00.001-07:00

It's Friday and that means time to look for those things in your week that were blessings, moments of inspiration and uplifting. If you're new join in with this great group of bloggers and share with us. Guidelines are available here if you've never read them.

1. Real homemade pie crust chicken pot pie. I have made chicken pot pie before but always used the cheater's method (pre-made pie crust graciously supplied by the freezer section of ye olde grocery store) or I've tried alternative toppings such as corn bread topping or biscuit topping. But while delicious and different, they are so not a Chicken Pot "Pie" to me. But Monday I grabbed the bull, or lard as it were, by the horns and made a real, live pie crust. And it turned out wonderful and flaky and not that hard at all. Maybe it was the recipe I used but it had me wondering, "What was I so afraid of?" Who knows I might just try a pie next, or a tart, empanadas or a quiche. Look out world, I've got pie crust confidence.

2. Celebrating my son's 20th! Happy Birthday J! You've become a young man who's made his mama darn proud! I'm very thankful you're my son!

3. Listening to my two oldest talk anatomy on the phone. Both have anatomy classes for their courses, T for her kinesiology degree and J for his Emergency Medical Technician degree. It's fun hearing all the big words for parts of the elbow, wrist, shoulder blades, etc., etc. being discussed. And the encouragement that goes on back and forth between them does my heart good.

4. Raspberry hot chocolate. Creamy, chocolately, raspberry. I don't think I need to say more.

5. Moments of silence. So welcome at times. No tv, no background noise. Just a silence where I can actually hear myself think. Nice once in awhile.

What have your favorites been this week? Please share with us. And then add the link to your FFF post onto the Mr. Linky. Then take a bit of time and visit the other participants if you can. And then have a great weekned!

Missing: the last week

2012-01-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

Holy Toledo! Is it really Thursday already? Where on earth did that week go? It has just flitted right by without me even noticing. Yikes.

So what have I done this week? I better think this through or else I'll wonder if I was alive and breathing.

-T and I served at the soup kitchen on Saturday. Always a pleasure doing that. Then I had movie night with my sis and niece. We watched "My Life in Ruins" with the actress of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". Love, love, loved My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Hate, hate, hated My Life in Ruins. When it was done we looked at each other and lamented we would never get back that hour and a half of our lives. We questioned several times if we should switch movies but we kept thinking something would happen. Was rated PG 13 on the back for violence. About the only violence was when they drove the tour bus off the road. Should have been rated PG 13 for all the sexual references.
-Sunday I missed church because I was coughing so much. But I managed to make Sticky Chicken for supper. Yum, yum!

-Monday was work where one little duffer tested my patience to the max. But I managed to make my first ever Chicken Pot Pie with home made crust. The chicken from Sunday was a Hutterite chicken so it was huge with plenty for this second meal. My crust turned out really good if I do say so myself. Flaky and delicious. The pie looked real ugly because I used way too big a dish and it all looked collapsed and the edges got waaaay too brown but it sure tasted good. Went to bible study where I had trouble focusing as I put all my effort into trying not to cough up a lung.

-Tuesday was the usual run around of work (where above mentioned little duffer kept up his antics now compounded by his partner in crime, the only girl in dayhome), violin lessons for T on one end of town and then racing to make youth group which is on the other end of town. Came home and coughed up the other lung.

-After an interesting day of Bonnie & Clyde wreaking havoc yet again in dayhome, Wednesday I did my Costco run. Two hours of shopping, unloading and putting away later, I realized I forgot the cat litter. And the coffee. Guess I'll be going back because neither cat nor I can live without our essentials. Got to bed at midnight because T. worked and had to be picked up at 11:30.

-So here we are at today. So far, so tired. Bonnie & Clyde are restraining themselves. So far. We'll see how the day pans out.

What an exciting life I lead. LOL. But it is life. The one I am given for this time. One filled with some trials, but lots of love. Some missteps, but God's grace to help me through them. Some challenges, some triumphs. A life like most of us lead. I'm so thankful for this life God has bestowed.

How has your week been going?

Friday's Fave Five #174

2012-01-20T00:00:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone! Welcome to Friday's Fave Five. It's been a frosty week around these parts but there is still lots to be thankful for. Please join us as we look for our blessings in our weeks, whether the week was hard or easy. It changes our attitude and outlook as we find those small blessings that carry us through. If you've never done a Fave Five post, there's some guidelines here. Then just join right on in!

1. Tomorrow's forecast. Around here they say if you don't like the weather, just wait a minute. And as overnight as this plunge into the deep freeze was for this last week, the forecast is going from -24*C (-11*F) to a balmy 5*C (41*F) by tomorrow morning.

2. Cars that started in the deep freeze. Everybody's cars here started with no problems all week long. WITHOUT being plugged in! Now that is a huge blessing! Nothing more frustrating than having to be to work or school and one's car won't start. Everyone got where they needed to be right on time!

3. Orange juice. The not from concentrate juice you find in bottles in the dairy coolers. It's been going down really good this week as I've been fighting different variations of a cold since before Christmas. I usually hardly ever get sick, but this year it's been a stinker to get rid of. Probably because up until this week the nasty germs haven't had a good freeze to kill them off. ;v)

photo courtest of Freefoto

4. My slow cooker. How I love this appliance. I think I've used it 3 times already this week. So easy to just throw the ingredients in and forget about it until supper time and then have a yummy home cooked dinner all ready to go.

5. Cozy slippers. Given to me for my birthday by my 17 year old. So wonderful this week when it's been so cold. Mine are a much nicer purplely burgundy color. But you get the idea of coziness!

What have been your favorites from your week? Don't forget to sign your URL from your post and not your home page onto the Mr. Linky so that others can find your FFF easily! Have a great weekend everyone!

Can we get a little balance here?

2012-01-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Mr. Weatherman:

Okay, when I said I would rather have snow than wind, Mr. Weatherman, I think you may have misunderstood me. In all my lamenting and complaining about the category 1 hurricane winds that you have sent in the last couple of months, I certainly didn't mean for you to do this. A little snow, a little coolness turning to cold gradually over time would have been nice. But this jump from record setting warm days in December and beginning of January to -27* C (-17*F), with a wind chill taking it to -37*C ( -35*F) , literally overnight has been a bit of shock, don't ya think? Sure I like the crunch of the snow under my boots. And I really don't mind shoveling or brushing the car off, but my patio doors with frost? On the INSIDE? Or the cars barely starting? Or icicles hanging from my nose and eyelashes? Not so much. Please see to this matter as soon as possible and find a wee bit of balance please?

Yours Sincerely,

Menu Plan Monday

2012-01-16T08:43:00.003-07:00

It has gone from record setting warm weather to feeling like we've been plunged into the arctic around here. Virtually overnight. No such thing as slowing easing into the cold. Nope. Just a shocking plunge. Today it is -22*C (-8*F). Brrr. So my mind is thinking a lot along the soup, casserole and comfort food lines for this weeks menu.

Monday: crockpot maple ham (didn't happen last week), scalloped potatoes, brocolli cauliflower mix

Tuesday: crockpot chicken stew, buns

Wednesday: Serbian Ground Beef, salad

Thursday: slowcooker beef and gravy, rice, peas

Friday: leftover buffet

Saturday: open

Sunday: 40 clove garlic chicken (family fave & my most searched post), herbed noodles, baby carrots

Hopefully this menu will warm us from the inside out!

Linking up with Organizing Junkie

Friday's Fave Five #173

2012-01-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 173rd edition of Friday's Fave Five. Please join in as week to week we look for the good things we have been blessed with in our lives. In the good and the hard weeks, we look for those things that have uplifted us, made us smile, gave us a blessing.

1. Heating Pad. Hubby surprised me with a Dr. Clark Far Infrared Heating Pad for Christmas because of my ongoing tight shoulder blade and neck muscles. And boy oh boy, I've been making good use of it. It was a really thoughtful gift, one I hadn't ask for, and was a complete surprise. But one that is most appreciated and this week has been a favorite!

2. A good massage. Along the same lines as #1. With my crazy tight muscles a good massage with my therapist who knows how to get right in there and break up those knots in invaluable. And bonus, she lets me sit in her massage chair for half an hour before my appointment even begins. So good.

3. Chocolate Mint Truffle Coffee Cream. The new limited edition flavor around my area. Yummy. I only let myself have a cup as a treat a couple times a week because I could so get addicted. But those two cups are really looked forward to!

4. A day without wind. It was so nice yesterday to have a day with wind blowing or howling. So thankful for that.

5. New Jammies. There is something about a new pair of jammies. Soft and comfortable. Not all stretched out and faded. Fitting just right.

What are you thankful for this week? Join in and share by linking your specific post onto the Mr. Linky.

Book Tour ~ Loved Lifted Me

2012-01-10T16:16:00.000-07:00

"Love Lifted Me" by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck

Publisher's Summary:
Jade never knew happily-ever-after would be this messy, loud . . . delicious.

Jade Benson embraces unexpected motherhood when her husband Max gains custody of his young son. As she and Max work out their newly formed family, an invitation to coach Texas high school football sends them on a journey.

Then a stranger reveals a painful secret, and Jade faces her hardest challenge yet. When she surrenders her heart to God and to her husband, Jade discovers the joy of love lifting her above her fears.

My Thoughts: This is the third installment in the Songbird series and while I haven't read the first one I really liked the second one (reviewed here). Max and Jade's story continues as Max returns from rehab. With much to make amends for, he and Jade start to try to rebuild their family which now includes Max's son whom Jade as been raising as her own while Max was at rehab. Their story was believable as they try to work out the difficulties of trust issues that come with addiction, and as they face secrets again trying to come into their lives and blow them apart, even while trying to know and follow where they feel is God leading them. It was easy to cheer for them and feel happy for their triumphs even while feeling your heart sink with their trials and mistakes. This was one of those stories that didn't mince on difficulties but at the same time left the reader feeling uplifted. Definite thumbs up in my opinion.

Thanks to Booksneeze for providing the book free of charge for my honest review. All opinions expressed are fully my own.

You can purchase "Love Lifted Me" here and here

Menu Plan Monday

2012-01-09T08:09:00.002-07:00

After falling off the menu planning wagon yet again last year, I'm trying to heave myself back on this January. All part of the "Purposefully" word of the year. I'm thinking when I'm constantly scrambling on what to cook it is not pursuing the Purposefully thing. So here's my first attempt of the year.

Monday: Sausages, eggs, potato pancakes,

Tuesday: Lentil Soup, biscuits

Wednesday: Chicken Stir Fry, rice

Thursday: Firecracker chicken, baked potato, bean mix

Friday: Hot dogs, fries, coleslaw

Saturday: Hungarian Goulash

Sunday: Crockpot maple ham, scalloped potatoes, gingered carrots

Linking on with Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday

Book Tour ~ Live Reflectively and Live Abundantly

2012-01-08T15:33:00.000-07:00

Live Reflectively and Live Abundantly are the two most recent titles from the Fresh Life Series, a 20 minute a day study created for women.

"Live Reflectively: Lesson from the Watershed Moments of Moses" by Lenya Heitzig

Publisher Summary:
an engaging Bible study on the life of Moses. He was saved from death on the Nile and raised as an Egyptian prince. He met his wife at a Midianite well, witnessed the birth of a nation as the Red Sea parted and watched water gush from a rock with one touch of his rod. He died overlooking the Jordan River. Through viewing the water moments of Moses’ life, readers will be encouraged to consider the moments in their own lives that shape who they are and who they are becoming.

"Live Abundantly: A study in the book of Ephesians" by Lenya Heitzig & Penny Rose

Publisher Summary:
challenges readers to dig deep into the book of Ephesians to find the spiritual treasure God has for them. The book of Ephesians is God’s “last will and testament” that bequeaths his spiritual treasures to His beloved children. Covering topics such as living in God’s will and receiving peace no matter the circumstances, it reveals the magnitude of every Christian’s inheritance—a gift “exceedingly abundantly above” what you could ever ask for.

About the Authors:
Lenya Heitzig is an award-winning author and popular Bible teacher. She and her husband founded Calvary Church of Albuquerque—one of the fastest-growing churches worldwide. She is the author of Holy Moments: Recognizing God’s Fingerprints on Your Life and also contributed to the best-selling New Women’s Devotional Bible. Heitzig serves as Executive Director of She Ministries of Albuquerque, overseeing weekly Bible studies and yearly retreats. She and her husband Skip live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Penny Rose is the award-winning author of numerous books. Penny thrives on teaching at conferences and retreats nationwide. She lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her husband, Kerry, a pastor at Calvary of Albuquerque.

My Thoughts:
The Fresh Life Bible Series is written in a format that allows an indepth study of certain topics, in this case the book of Ephesians and the life of Moses, that can be completed in about 20 minutes per day when done personally. I love the way it encourages digging deep into the scripture by leading the reader through a format with specific steps. It starts with prayer, looks into a scripture and asks specific questions concerning that scripture, has sidebars that define specific words within the scripture, then has exercises that help the reader personalize the scripture and apply it to their daily lives. It wraps up each day with quotes from various people on the scripture. I like the way it's easily laid out and yet makes you prayerfully think and apply the scripture. It's not intimidating and yet gets you digging into scripture on a daily basis. I also appreciated the fact that each day's study is designed to be done in 20 minutes or so. The authors prepare you in the beginning with "checklists" for personal study, group study, and for the one leading the study.

Thanks to The B&B Media Group for providing these two books free of charge for my honest review. All opinions stated in "my thoughts" are my own.

To purchase "Live Abundantly" go here
To purchase "Live Reflectively" go here

To see and purchase other studies in the Fresh Life series you can check them out here

Friday's Fave Five # 172

2012-01-06T00:00:00.001-07:00

Welcome everyone to the first Fave Five of the New Year. A new year of finding the blessings in our everyday, in our normal days as well as special days. I noticed in the last few weeks there have been some new comers and I welcome you as well as my friends who have been so faithful each week or month. If you need the guidelines just pop on over here before you start and then join right in!

1. New Year's at my sister's. We've gone there the last I don't know how many years, it's sort of become the tradition. This year we played a wild game of Balderdash. And I say that tongue in cheek because it took us 3 hours to finish one round. One of us who shall remain nameless took forever. But it was fun because it became the running joke of the night. Lots of teasing and laughs got us past midnight.

2. Easing back into work. After so many days off sometimes it's really hard to get back into the routine, both for me and for the dayhome kids. But it was a fairly easy transition with no tears or clinging which is always a blessing.

3. Vick's VapoRub. What would I have done this week without this stuff?!

4. Christmas decorations packed away. I love Christmas decorations. At the beginning of December, I love getting them out and putting them up. But by New Year's I'm ready to have my house back to normal. Everything is all packed and put away for another year. And it feels good.

5. Cozy throw blankets. With all the crazy winds blowing around here I am very grateful to have some cozy warm throw blankets to bury under in the evenings.

What are your favorites for the last week? Join us in celebrating blessings in our lives with a post of your own and then sign your post url into the Mr. Linky. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Pass the Sunscreen, Please

2012-01-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I never thought I'd see the day, but yesterday was it. What is the world coming to when, in the first week of January, my city in Alberta, Canada was warmer than Fort Lauderdale, Florida yesterday! A balmy 15*C (59*F). Maybe I need to break out the sunscreen and floppy hat. But the hat would probably be whipped off my head from the wind in two seconds and someone in Eastern Canada would find it.

It is seriously scary though. It is so tinder dry around these parts. And bringing that warmth is those crazy winds. 110km an hour in some areas. Flipping semi trailers and emergency vehicles on the highway. Knocking down a power pole, it sparked a huge grass fir again whipped into craziness by the wind, it covered 60 km in no time whatsoever and 3 families lost their homes and some animals and outbuildings.

In all seriousness, I think, no, I know I really would rather have snow. I know, call doctors in white coats now.

A New Year, A New Start

2012-01-02T09:37:00.000-07:00

Are you a resolution maker? I am so not. I have tried over the years and fail before the week is out. But I do feel like I need to somehow have some goals, something to shoot for, something that directs the way life will be approached in the next year. I have noticed several people talk about seeking God for a word for the year. Something about that has struck a chord with me. But I didn't want to panic and just pull any old word out of the year. I wanted to really wait on God for something I really felt was from Him. And I know I've got it.

When the word "Purposefully" came to me it immediately connected. And as I spent time thinking on it, dwelling on it a few days, I knew it was my word. I've really felt over the last couple of years a sort of drifting from day to day, week to week. A lack of purpose and direction to my days and about a lot of things in my life. So I know "Purposefully" is my word for the year. I'm going to use it to direct my days, my choices, my time. It feels right.

As I think on the meaning of the word: having a purpose, determined, resolute, full of meaning, significant...I can already think all sorts of ways it definitely can be applied to my life. I want my life more filled with meaning and significant. Who doesn't? All I have right now is a little word. No real direction other than that. Not much, but as I let God work some things out in my heart concerning the word and where He'll lead me with it in the next year I feel a new excitement for the year. One I haven't had in some time.

What about you? Are you a resolution kind of person? Do you make goals for your year?

Memory Lane 2011

2011-12-31T11:14:00.000-07:00

It was a bit of a stress filled, harder beginning for 2011. But as life is, it ebbs and flows in different waves and there is always many good memories to look back on too even through the tough stuff. And that's why I love to do this meme. You just look back over your year of blogging and find one thing that sticks out for you for each month.

January

January was presenting itself to be a really tough month with Hubby's Mom having a stroke. But this little guy was now into his second month with us and he was doing his darndest to lighten the mood around the house.

February

January and February brought snow so we saw these guys out a few times clearing the roads. A perfect opportunity to use the new camera.

March

Apparently I was in full on cooking mode this month because I cooked and shared quite a few recipes. Upside down pizza, firecracker chicken, my sloppy joes, and avocado chicken and shells all made it onto the blog that month. At the beginning of the month we took in the Titanic Exhibit in the big city. Sooo interesting and worth it.

April

There was more of the white stuff providing more fun camera time. And hubby's beloved Mom went to be with the Lord on the Easter Sunday. We still miss her greatly!

May

We celebrated my Dad's 80th with a suprise party in his condo party room. He had no clue until we literally dragged him into the room. We had to weave quite a convoluted tale of why I was there in dressier clothes to play pool.

June

Todd continued to amuse us with his antics. One less person to keep an eye on him as T, our youngest, went to a 3 week youth missions course.

July

July found us on the road for an 7 hour one way trip to deliver our oldest daughter her new to her car. We sure miss that girl and after 3 years still think 7 hours is much too long of a distance. We'll never get used to it.

August

August saw me fullfill a bucket list wish of parasailing when we took a family vacation to the Okanagon Valley in British Columbia. Yes, that is really me up there and it was one of the most thrilling yet peaceful things I have ever done. I'd do it again in a nano-second!

September

Apparently September saw not a whole lot happen in my real life, blogging life, or picture taking life. I talked a lot about the weather and books that month. Hmmm.

October

Fall arrived in beauty. I was blessed with boxes of fresh garden tomatoes so a lot of October found me making vats of spaghetti sauce and salsa to freeze.

November

November saw a real drop in blogging for me. Only 9 posts. I think I just got tired. November also saw the craziest wind storm we have ever had around here, whipping a grass fire to extremely scary porportions as it sped towards the west side of our city.

December

Christmas was wonderful in spite of the fact that the beginning of December I was pretty darn unmotivated. Surrounded by my family is where I'm most content!

So that about wraps up my year. It's fun looking back to see where it started and the journey through it. Happy New Year to everyone! I'm looking forward to getting back to some more blogging fun in 2012!

Friday's Fave Five #171

2011-12-30T09:22:00.001-07:00

Well good morning guys! So sorry, I have no excuse other than I just plain got mixed up on what day it actually was. That's what happens when I take a week off and there's a holiday thrown in there. Total shut down of day recognition. But you all have to forgive me, please, 'cause today's my birthday. You are not allowed to be mad at me on my birthday! :v)

This week was filled many blessings so it's going to be hard just picking five but here goes:

1. Seeing loved ones over the holidays. It just wouldn't be a holiday without the ones I love most thrown into the mix. I loved having my immediate family together as I mentioned in the 5 last week. With K now living in another province it makes it extra special to have her home safe and sound and with us for the holidays. J is in second year EMT and will be moving at some point to get his Paramedic degree and T is in 12th grade and will also be moving at some point for schooling too so I feel the empty nest thing coming on. Seeing them all together and enjoying each other and the holiday is a blessing indeed. And seeing my sis's family, my mom, and hubby's sister over the weekend was all a blessing. I know in this day and age it is a huge thing to be able to see most of one's family over a holiday so I am very grateful for that.

2. The week off. So nice to just relax and enjoy the holidays and my kids without also having the dayhome up and running. One of the best decisions I've ever made in my business life was to take the week after Christmas off as one of my holiday weeks.

3. The day trip to the big city my hubby gave me for my birthday! It's a favorite thing to do as a family. Took in a big mall, the kid's got to spend some Christmas money, got a couple of really, really good deals myself, had a nice birthday dinner at Chili's (which we don't have in our city), then came home. A wonderful, blessed family day.

4. Laughing till I cry. I just love when an opportunity arises for a good belly laugh and there were several over this holiday.

5. Watching people open their gifts. I love sitting back and watching others open their gifts on Christmas. I love to see their faces. It's as much fun as opening my own gifts. One of the belly laughs actually came from this as my sis opened a bag that was actually a "part II" of her gift and made no sense whatsoever without the first part. It was a riot watching the play of emotions over her face. First came trying to figure out what on earth the stuff was and then what she was supposed to do with it. Then the look was why on earth would I get her that and then it was now how do I say thank you for this thing? LOL. Cracked me right up. Of course once the first part was open it made sense.

I could go on and on and on but alas, I am a "rule" follower and stress if I have to stretch the limits. LOL. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and am looking forward to the new year and all the new blessings we share with each other each week!

Enjoying the Peace

2011-12-29T09:56:00.001-07:00

It's a peaceful, albiet windy, morning this Thursday morning. I can't believe I've haven't even opened my computer in almost a week. And, if I have to be honest with myself, I have enjoyed the break. We had a wonderful family Christmas and I've been enjoying having all my family together for the holidays. We've laughed together, ate way too much together, spent time just hanging out together, caught up on lots of episodes of Flashpoint together and just basically enjoyed life and relaxing over the past days.

Oh and we made a little day trip into the bigger city, a little birthday present to me from my hubby. So much fun. We went to a newly expanded mall, expanded with all sorts of designer stores. There was lots of teasing and laughing as we looked over items that were just crazily priced. I think I jokingly tried to get hubby to purchase a ridicuously priced purse, basically a box with handles in the designer's signature pattern, that was priced at $1000 something dollars. Seriously? Who buys this stuff? It wasn't even nice. Or cute. Or practical. But I guess when you're buying status, cute and practical are not on the list of desired elements of the purchase. Name is what it's all about. (And if you think that one was ridiculously priced, check out this one on their website. I am at a loss for words.) Oh, and the matching wallet to the one I saw was a steal of a deal at $365. Cloth and plastic. I cannot fathom that craziness. My son got me an oh so much nicer wallet, leather to boot, for a heck of a lot less than that! Like $340 less than that and I'll have it any day over the "designer" one. Yeesh. I guess you can have stores like that do well in an oil rich city. It would never fly in my city, that's for sure. But it was fun to go and touch and look at all that kind of stuff. And more fun, to me anyway, than laying down that kind of money for one item, was walking away with two great sweaters, boxing week priced, for under $30 which was under what one of those sweaters would have cost before the sale. Now that felt so much more satisfying. Yes, I'm the girl who gets a high off of a great deal rather than a brand. Lucky hubby! :v)

Friday's Fave Five #171

2011-12-23T00:00:00.002-07:00

One more day! Christmas is on our doorsteps so I know how busy everyone must be. So thank you for popping by and joining in on taking a moment to find the blessings in the busyness. So in no particular order:

1. Christmas cards finished. Albeit late, but they are done. I always have such good intentions of getting them out the first week of December but this year that just did not happen. But they did get done. That is the main thing.

2. Ladies study group Christmas party. Always a nice time to share an evening of laughs and fun and gifts. I love not only studying with this great group of women but getting to know them as friends and the Christmas party is a looked forward to tradition with us.

3. My mom ended up in emerg with a kidney stone. A blessing in disguise because it was dealt with by that night rather than her having to wait until the original appointment in the 3rd week of January. Now if you know my mom, you know she is a worrier and that long wait would have wreaked havoc on her sleep and mind. Now, though it was a horribly long day (she went in at 3:30 a.m. and didn't have surgery until 8 p.m.), it is over and done with and she is onto recovery and a nice Christmas!

4. Oldest daughter home for Christmas. Arrived safe and sound and ready for a rest before she starts university the first week of January. I'm so glad to have her home for two weeks.

5. Having all the family together for Christmas. What a blessing it is. I'll take every minute of it because I know that won't last forever.

On this last Friday before Christmas I want to take the opportunity to wish you and yours a Very Merry Christmas full of God's love, peace and joy! As you share blessings and gifts with your loved ones, may you remember the most precious gift of all, the Reason for the season, Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.

(image courtesy of Vector Open Stock)

Fall Into Reading 2011 Wrap Up

2011-12-21T08:37:00.001-07:00

Today is the wrap up for the Fall Into Reading Challenge. How on earth did that come up so fast? That means there is only 4 more days until Christmas! Now that's a reality check. Help Me!

So how did I do with the challenge I gave myself here?

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - done and loved it. Reads like a novel but is unbelievably true.

Sunrise on the Battery - done and found it a thought provoking and enjoyable read

Sacred Marriage - wasn't even able to crack it open

Possession - didn't get to it

The Bait of Satan - still working on with study group. Very challenging and very good. Promotes lots of discussion

Angel Sister - finished

The Wishing Trees - done. Sad story. Felt like I traveled to the places in the story along with the characters, though.

How to Bake a Perfect Life - Set aside. Couldn't get into the story after the description of the sexual exploit of a teenager.

The Orchard - Done. A sweet love story. Learned lots about the perfume and flavor industry.

Faithful - Still reading

The Secret Life of Bees - didn't get to it

So 5 completely done and 2 half finished. Out of eleven. Yikes. But in all fairness, I did add a few review books as they came along:

Softly & Tenderly - enjoyed. Looking forward to the next in the series awaiting on my coffee table

The Encounter - quick, easy, moving

Hope Underground - Amazing true story

So all together I read 8 and 2 halves. And I did read a portion of one book I set aside. Not bad considering how busy my life has been lately. I don't know if I could name a favorite this time around. A lot of the ones I finished were really good. But if pressed, I'd probably make it a toss up between "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" and "The Orchard". Least fave would have to be the one I set aside. And I set it aside because I was no longer interested in the story after the young teenager's sexual experience was described in way more detail than I wanted to know. Call me a prude. I just don't like that in my reading.

Most of the author's for me were new this time around. All except for Ann G. Gabhart whom I discovered in the last challenge. I can tend to get "stuck" with certain authors as once I discover I like them I want to read everything they've written. So if was fun this time to branch out so much and to branch out a bit from the Christian genre which is my usual reading fare.

I learned lots this time around within the stories whether they were fiction or not. "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" taught me stuff about scientific research, it's history, and ethics that I had no idea about. Sorta scary actually. "The Wishing Trees" took me to countries I'll never visit with beautiful descriptions of the lands and culture. "The Orchard", though fiction, taught me things I never knew about the perfume and flavor industry that I totally didn't even imagine. Very interesting.

If you're interested in reading any of my full reviews you can go here and scroll down to #32 - 39.

Thanks Katrina for organizing challenge and allowing us to share all our great reads! To read other's wrap ups (and probably get more ideas for great reads) you can join the wrap up party here!

Friday's Fave Five #170

2011-12-16T00:00:00.002-07:00

Welcome to Friday's Fave Five. A place to just reflect back upon our week and find blessings, big or small. What has made your week worthwhile, what has brought a smile, a little happy or helped you to carry through. I know for some of us, this season is just plain hard and the blessings are harder to find. But I encourage you to try to find them. If not five of them, then maybe even just one or two.

1. Performance that moves my emotions. This performance at this year's Royal Variety Performance is beautiful. I am not in any way an opera fan but I cannot stop watching this. I love the voices and I love the arrangement of the instruments. I'm driving my kids nuts 'cause it's one of those songs I have to play loud. I wish I could sing like that.

Boy, who knew Nicole S. could sing like that?

2. A good movie comes in handy when one is flaked out on the couch sick. And I really enjoyed "Miss Potter" when I wasn't feeling good last week. Several times I hummed and hawwed over it when at the video store, that is when we still had them. Finally I picked it up at the library and I'm glad I did. It's the story of Beatrix Potter who wrote the children's books about Peter Rabbit. It is not a fast moving or action picture by any means, but unfolds it's story, piece by piece. Perfect for the time I watched it.

3. Homemade cream of potato soup. With bacon. Everything's better with bacon. Yummy. Comfort food, nice and hot, at the end of a busy day.

4. Purchasing snow tires for my daughter's car. I feel a bit better about her driving home for Christmas and then back again to where she lives. She absolutely hates taking the bus especially at busy holiday times. And even then we drive an hour and half to go pick her up at the station. She is an adult so insisting she take a bus is no longer an option. So the plunge to get snow tires, while costly, is peace of mind.

5. My first Christmas card via snail mail arrived this week. Thank you, Laura. You made my day. I love getting cards but they are getting fewer and fewer every year with less people sending them. Makes me kinda sad and long for the days from childhood where every surface in my Mom's living room was covered with cards by Christmas time.

Join us and share your favorites from the week. Don't forget to sign onto to Mr. Linky linking directly to your post for the day and not your home page, please. Have a wonderful and, hopefully, restful last weekend before Christmas!

Moments in Time 12/11

2011-12-15T06:00:00.001-07:00

Well it finally happened...

the snow came. The white stuff fell. And it's cold, but not overly so. Just perfect to kick in the motivation to get the Christmas decorating going.

The mantle is done. The stockings are hung.

I love my nativity. Purchased at Costco a few years back. I try to switch it up a bit every year. This year I left the stable off. Kept my mirror up and didn't hang the big star. The palm-y looking plant on the right is a bamboo my hubby gave me for our anniversary in the summer. Seemed to fit so it stayed.

I thought the tree was so full. Looking at it in "real life" it does look full of stuff. But looking at the picture...not so much. So it's probably a good thing that Oldest Daughter will yet hang all her decorations (about 21 of them) when she gets home on Sunday.

Ye Olde Barricade. Not an option when one has a dayhome.

Not the coffee table decorations I dream off. Plain and minimal also not an option.

Not Christmas decorations. But ever present. There's always kids toys scattered around it seems.

As are dog toys. Those are all exactly where he left them. I really need to train him to put them away in their basket.

Guess he's too busy. Good thing he's cute!

2011-12-14T13:27:00.001-07:00

The other day I posed the question: "What books are you giving for Christmas?". Well, today Katrina at Callipider Days took the words right out of my mouth, or rather my drafted post, and asked the question for Fall Into Reading.

"Christmas is quickly approaching. What book- or reading-related gift would you love to receive for Christmas?"

A book always, always makes my list. This year these are on my list:

The Touch by Randall Wallace .

The Lake of Dreams by Kim Edwards

Mennonite Girls Can Cook by the girls that contribute to the blog by the same name.

It's also a well known understanding that a gift card to any book store in town rocks my world. One of my favorite things to do is to take that gift card and browse for hours deciding what I would like to spend it on.

So what books or book related items made your list this year?

Friday's Fave Five #169

2011-12-09T00:00:00.004-07:00

Welcome to Friday Fave Fives everybody. Only a few more until Christmas is upon us. The perfect opportunity to slow ourselves down in this very busy time and look for those God moments in our weeks, those moments that have brought a blessing, a smile, an uplifting of our hearts. Join in with us as we take this moment.

I'm fighting a touch of the flu today (Thursday) so I'll join you all in the morning (Friday) after a good night's sleep!

I'm back and feeling much better! Thanks everyone for your kind words! So I'm betting you'll know what the first one on my list is:

1. Feeling like a new person! A total 180 degree difference from yesterday. And from the last couple of weeks in fact. I, all of a sudden, feel motivated and raring to go on the Christmas stuff. I'm thinking my ol' body was telling me enough is enough and if I wasn't going to purposefully give it a break, it would make sure it took one itself. I don't think I've ever spent so much time on the couch. I have a whole new appreciation for the comforts of couch. The sick part wasn't so much fun but the total day of rest and sleep did me good. Christmas here I come!

2. Houston, we have a dress! We had a budget, I thought it would be tough because she's quite particular. But she laid her eyes on this beauty and knew it was the one. Not the style or color she was thinking she wanted but once it was on her, there was no giving it back. It's gorgeous, looks like a nighttime sky with stars sparkling all over with the clusters of shiny beading on the skirt! A smidge above the budget but she kicked in the rest and we don't even have to do alterations! And bonus, we got a great deal because the lady was selling out stock she had been building up to open a store which didn't happen. T is going to be one gorgeous Grade 12 grad in the spring!

3. Blockbuster rentals now at the library. Since all the dvd rental stores have shut down in my city, the library has taken up the slack and now they have lots of copies of the blockbuster releases as soon as they come out. For Free! Free is awesome! Free for 3 days! And then the fine per day is cheaper than what we would have paid to rent for a day at the rental stores. I loved the library!

4. Dinner date with hubby. Trying a new restaurant, a moment of unhurriedness together, having a chance to discuss Christmas gifts and plans. Always a favorite with me.

5. Kid's laughter. Gotta love the cuteness of preschooler's belly laughs. Totally lightens up the day no matter how stressed it is!

2011-12-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

Christmas is coming fast and I have just a few more things to get. At least there will be presents under the tree. Now whether they are wrapped or not , we'll just have to wait and see. Just kidding, they will get wrapped. I always like to try and throw some books into the mix. I love to read and love to pass that along to my kids, even though they are not little anymore.

So enquiring minds want to know, well at least my enquiring mind, what books are you giving this year for the 13 and up to adult crowd?`

Unmotivated...That Would Be Me

2011-12-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

Oh dear. I'm seriously lacking the ho-ho-ho motivation this year. As I type, the mantle is empty, the tree sits naked for 3 days now in the living room, the window is wreathless, the cards have been sitting on my cart for a week now and there is a distinct lack of snowmen sitting around the house.

Maybe it's the odd, nicer weather we've been having. We haven't really had a major snowfall yet this year and the temperatures have been pretty darn balmy for what we should be getting by now. These nicer days however, do make for nicer shopping. I mean who likes lugging packages and bags while trying to locate one's car as it's blizzarding around you. To say nothing of sweeping off your car and scraping ice off the windows. It has been seriously windy, but that doesn't stop us Southern Albertan's from getting out there. We just get a firmer grip on our stuff, put our heads down and charge ahead. But just a few more things and I can say I'm officially done with the gift shopping.

Maybe it's the busy October and November I had. It left me t.i.r.e.d. But November has waved goodbye 7 days ago. So I'm running out of excuses.

Time to buck up, put on the running shoes and get to it. Christmas is coming and will wait for no one to dawdle around. Maybe I'll watch Christmas with the Kranks tonight and remind myself what can happen if I leave it to the last minute.

Friday's Fave Five #168

2011-12-02T00:00:00.003-07:00

It's the first Friday of December (can't believe I just typed that, where oh, where did that year go?). Anyway, that means it time to look for blessings that happened over the last week. Are you ready to take a look no matter what you're week was like. I encourage you no matter how the week shaped up, whether good or bad or indifferent, to take a moment or two and look for those things that brought a smile, a lifting of your heart. If you are new, you can go for the guidelines here and then just join in.

It's been quite a week around here and I feel like my brain is really muddled but I know there are blessings that have snuck up on me if I just take the time to look. So here are the five that I've chosen to share for this week:

1. A day with no wind. The day before yesterday was a day with no wind. And for that I am very grateful. It has literally been windy since Monday before last. Howling windy. And Sunday Southern Alberta saw an extreme wind storm like I don't remember before. I mean we're used to wind. But this one was crazy. Anyway, we had a one day reprieve on Tuesday. A chance for my 7 day headache to subside and disappear before the howling all started again. And for that one day, I am very grateful!

2. Tea that relaxes. There is just something about a cup of nice, hot tea that relaxes and soothes the soul. Lemon/mango, organic peppermint and my favorite: lemon meringue have all done their job this week to bring the calm in a chaotic type of week.

3. A cozy fireplace burning (or at pretending to) even if it is electric. With the wind and snow blowing yesterday, I turned on that handy, dandy switch and got the electric fireplace blazing. Not actually, though it did give off a nice glow of fake flames and gave the cozy feeling.

4. Watching my crazy dog playing in the snow. He loves snow, my crazy doggy. He was out there throwing his tennis ball around and prancing around in the blowing snow. Watching him definitely brought some smiles.

5. Ladies Bible Study. This week's study was sooo good. Even though what we are studying is very challenging (we are taking on a book about offense) the conversation was lively, hearts were open and vulnerable to God's truth, we learned and we laughed so hard we couldn't breathe. So good for the heart and soul!

What have you're favorites been for the week? Share in post and sign in on the Linky, grab a cup of warm coffee or tea and have a nice visit with the others. I hope you all have a very relaxing weekend. With no wind! :v)

Book Review ~ The Encounter

2011-12-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

"The Encounter" by Stephen Arterburn

Publisher's Summary:
A wealthy businessman travels to Fairbanks, Alaska, to learn why his mother abandoned him when he was a child, and in the process learns that not everything is as it appears to be.

The Encounter, the unique new book from best-selling author and counselor Stephen Arterburn, is a moving parable involving Jonathan Rush, a wealthy and famous entrepreneur, who is tortured by bitterness toward his mother who abandoned him when he was four. He travels to Alaska to find her but instead meets an enigmatic old woman known only as Mercy. Mercy has the information he needs but is strangely reluctant to talk to him. Somehow Jonathan must find a way to persuade a frightened woman to unlock the secrets of his past.

The book includes an invitation to the readers to verify the facts of their own stories, to accept the reality of their existence, especially the most painful ones, and to live in forgiveness. The end result is a healthy new way to look at life with an ability to share hope with others for the future. Healing is possible but requires truth, acceptance, and forgiveness, including of oneself.

My Thoughts:
A very quick and easy read, "The Encounter" was nevertheless a very moving story of the deep pain within a man's life. Through Johnathon Rush's story the topics of rejection/abandonment, deep seated pain and rage and their consequences in a life, fear, healing, acceptance and restoration are touched upon as are learning the truth and not making assumptions. Written by the man who started Women of Faith, the story stems from two real incidents in his own life. It shows that confronting the pain and allowing forgiveness opens God's doors to healing and freedom. The story is very relatable in the sense that most of us will face deep pain brought on by rejection at some time in our lives. We may not face the same circumstance as the characters but the consequences of holding anger and bitterness deeply affect us all. There are questions in the back of the book to help the reader take a look at their own lives and start the steps towards allowing God to intervene.

Thanks to BookSneeze for providing the book for free for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

You can purchase "The Encounter" here and here.

Hang Onto Your Hats...Literally

2011-11-29T08:26:00.001-07:00

It is now day 9 of crazy winds here where I live. We are known for our chinook winds and we have very many days of wind of throughout the year. Strong winds. I mean, this is one of the "symbols" of our city, a tongue in cheek joke about our winds as this doesn't really move but local humor looks at it like this:

"When ball hangs at 22 degrees we consider it 'Calm'
When ball hangs at 45 degrees we consider it 'Fairly Calm'
When ball hangs at 90 degrees we consider it 'Little Windy'
When chain stretches we considers it 'Kind of Brisk'
When chain breaks we consider it 'Sure is Windy'"

That "wind gauge" is huge. The top of the ball is almost the my height. And on Sunday I would think if the ball really was a real wind gauge we would have been past the "Sure is Windy" point!

Some of us are well acquainted with headaches that come with these winds. I am now on a week long headache. Thank God it's controlled with IB. I feel sorry for those who get full blown migraines from the air pressure these winds bring. But Sunday reached new heights of what windy is, even for us wind hardy Southern Albertans. We experienced a wind storm the likes of which I don't think I ever remember happening. I don't even know where to begin to tell you what an insane day Sunday was in Southern Alberta. On the highways the wind flipped semi-trucks over like they were lego. In certain sections the wind gusts got up to 144 km/hr (89 km/hr). That is category 1 hurricane force! I live inland! In Calgary, they closed the downtown core because windows were breaking out of high rises and falling on the sidewalks below and pieces of buildings were coming off. I wouldn't have wanted to be the pilot trying to land this plane. Or one of the passengers now that I think about it:

There were several grass fires burning out of control in southern Alberta. In my city there was such a crazy grass fire that had started on the prairies, jumped the river and within minutes rushed toward the west side of our city that they had to evacuate neighborhoods. Highways were closed down due to no visibility from the smoke. It was intense to say the least.

I have to tell you, I'm ready for the snow that's predicted tomorrow if for nothing else but to say good bye to the wind!

Friday's Fave Five #167

2011-11-25T00:00:00.002-07:00

Hi Everyone! It's Friday's Fave Five time. As I post this we've had days of whopping chinook windy days. As a result I've got a major headache that's making my eyes ache as I read. So I'm gonna let you get started and join in as soon as some advil's can cut this thing. See you in a bit.

Book Review ~ Softly & Tenderly

2011-11-21T09:28:00.000-07:00

"Softly & Tenderly" by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck

Publisher's Summary:
Maybe out there in the country she could catch her breath, learn to breathe again.

Happily married and owner of two successful boutiques, Jade longs to begin a family with her husband, Max. But when she discovers that Max has an illegitimate son—who he wants her to help raise—Jade’s life is turned upside down.

She flees to her childhood home, a rambling Iowa farmhouse, with enough room to breathe. There—while her mother’s health grows fragile, and the tug of her first love grows stronger—Jade begins to question everything she thought she knew about family, love, and motherhood. In the wide-open landscape, Jade begins to see a future that doesn’t rest on the power of her past but in the goodness of God's tender mercies.

My Thoughts:
Softly and Tenderly is a multi-layered story that just drew me in right from the beginning. In the words of the main character, she married into a Southern soap opera. And the book is definitely filled with lots of drama. But believable drama. It's the story of a family's life of secrets. And what happens when one convinces themselves that keeping a secret is for the good but then the secrets start to rise to the surface. It's a story of loss and reconcilliation and of God providing in ways that we would never have imagined. It begged me to ask the question would I be willing to find the blessing in the way God chooses to provide rather than in the way I would imagine. I found it well written and was surprised to find after reading it that it's actually a second in a series. The book can stand well on it's own and I was never lost or confused. The characters are all so relatable in their reactions and emotions. The only thing that was a negative for me and it's just a small oversight in my opinion, was that the character who throughout the whole book who was refered to in the story as June all of a sudden started to be refered to as Mom in the later chapters. Which sort of threw me and I had to think who they were talking about. But I definitely enjoyed the story and would love to get ahold of the 1st in the series and look forward to the 3rd coming next year.

Thanks to BookSneeze for providing the book free for my honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

To purchase go here.

Friday's Fave Five #166

2011-11-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Friday's Fave Five. It's time to look back and reflect over the week and find things that have blessed us, whether big or small, and share 5 of them. If you're new, please read the guidelines here and then just join right in.

1. Long Weekend getaway. It was only a day trip but it was just what we needed. A beautiful drive there filled with sunshine. Stopping for our traditional snacks and coffee fill-up in a small town on the way. A fun family day at a big mall, shopping great sales. Dinner at a favorite restaurant. And then heading home.

2. A new cell phone screen protector. I knew I needed one. Mine still had the shipping seal on it because I didn't want to fork out the money they wanted where I bought my phone along with a fee for them to put it on. At the mall during our getaway there was a small kiosk with a lineup of people waiting their turn to get this stuff called Ghost Armor. For less than the price for just a screen protector at the place where I bought my phone, I got the Ghost Armor plus the installation was free. And this stuff is fantastic.

3. Watching my 16 yr. old's sense of humor come out. She had me and a couple of the dayhome kids in stitches. It was wonderful.

4. Having the yard clean up done. Before the snow falls. So glad that that chore is completely finished for once. I personally find leaves rotting in what should be pristine white snow not appealing. And having to clean the flower beds in the spring before I can even dig them up is not good times in my book. I don't know how but this year I was on top of it.

5. Having someone else do the dishes. A small but huge thing. So nice to have those dishes done after working all day and then cooking supper. Thank you to my two kids still at home for loading and unloading the dishwasher and to hubby, the official pot scrubber.

What have your favorites been from the week? Share in a post and then link that specific post in the Mr. Linky. Then go and have a wonderful weekend which maybe includes visiting the other participants and a nice cup of your favorite hot drink.

Book Tour ~ Hope Underground

2011-11-14T22:27:00.001-07:00

Hope Underground - The 34 Chilean Miners: A Story of Faith and Miracles
by Carlos Parra Diaz

Publisher's Summary:
For several suspenseful hours on October 13, 2010, the attention of the entire world lay centered on a solitary spot in the Chilean desert. It was there that 33 trapped miners emerged to fresh air and freedom and the eager embrace of jubilant family and friends, after having spent ten weeks entombed one-half mile underground. Their emergence brought an end to the greatest mine rescue of all time.
As told to writers Mario Veloso and Jeanette Windle, Hope Underground: The 34 Chilean Miners—A Story of Faith and Miracles (Imago Dei Books) records the personal journey and spiritual involvement of a local, unassuming minister with the miners and their families. In a series of circumstances that would change his life forever, Pastor Carlos Parra Diaz rose to prominence as he became the influential chaplain of Camp Hope—a makeshift tent community established not far from the site of the mine collapse.

Yet Hope Underground is clearly more than just Pastor Parra’s story. Rather, it is the story of all who came together at Camp Hope focused on asking God to do a mighty work on behalf of the miners and the overwhelming evidence of His response that followed. Told simply and from the heart, Pastor Parra describes not only his own involvement with the families at Camp Hope but also introduces the reader to those miners, family members and officials who extracted nuggets of hope from the situation and then used them to instill faith in others.

For most people, this spectacular rescue is already yesterday’s news. However, for the millions who prayed for a miracle, this event has become a spiritual heritage for the whole world, a stirring reminder that God listens to the pleas of His children. Readers are introduced to women like Maria Segovia, the “mayor” of Camp Hope, whose quiet strength and steadfast faith daily encouraged others. We meet the miner whose wife gave birth to their first child during the ten-week ordeal—a daughter they named Esperanza (which means Hope). And no reader will soon forget the youngest miner who boldly insisted there were 34 in the mine instead of 33 because, as he explained, “God never abandoned us.”

Though on its own, the story of his involvement would provide fascinating reading, what Pastor Parra gives us in Hope Underground is so much more. With humility and reverence, he leads us through the story of Camp Hope to a new realization that God remains a never failing presence to everyone willing to call upon His name.

My Thoughts:
Who does not remember the Chilean mining disaster from the year 2010? It was all over the news and who doesn't remember the joy and celebration of when those miner's ascended and came out of the Phoenix capsule, every one of them having their lives spared and everyone of them proclaiming the goodness of God? It was an amazing story. This is the story written from the unique perspective of the chaplain of "Camp Hope", one of 15 who ministered to the families and loved ones camped around the mine entrance for 10 weeks while the rescue operation was in progress. He shares the hopes and prayers of the those waiting in the desert, the efforts of the government and rescue team and how they never gave up and the joy of communications with the miners. As news came that all the miners were alive and the news of their faith that was holding them together 700 metres below the earth started to trickle upwards through notes being sent back and forth, the world waited with bated breath to see if the miners would actually make it out alive. And make it out they did, with testimonies of the "34th" miner, of a God who preserved them and who manifested Himself to them in their entrapment. Chaplain Carlos recounts an amazing story of how people stood together in faith and then watched God work a miracle through those who wouldn't give up. An excellent read and one that will help you view trials and hardship through a perspective of hope.

Thanks to B&B Media Group for a free copy for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

To purchase "Hope Underground" you can go here and here.

Friday's Fave Five #165

2011-11-11T00:00:00.007-07:00

How interesting, today is the 11th day of the 11 month of the 11th year of the 2000's. That will never happen again in history. Welcome once again to Friday's Fave Five. It's always a pleasure having everyone join in on this little meme started to help me be more aware of the blessings in my life.

1. Remembering all those who have given their lives or have fought for our freedoms. Today is Remembrance Day in Canada and I am very grateful for all the veterans and those currently serving. Thank you seems such a small thing to say in light of what you have fought for.

2. The wind is howling outside tonight, apparently blowing in some snow. And when the wind blows the simple pleasure of my warm, comfy throws makes me very happy. Nothing like curling up with one on the couch when it's blustery outside.

3. Hubby's company when I had to run some errands this week. So much nicer doing running around stuff with his company.

4. A great deal. My heart sings when I come across a big unexpected deal. I walked into a store on the weekend and right by the doors they were clearing out some summer items. As soon as I laid eyes on one of the things I knew it was the perfect Christmas gift for my sis and her hubby. I didn't set out to go Christmas shopping but when I find a great gift at a great price I'm in Christmas shopping mood!

5. Forgiving friends. Yikes, I was supposed to meet a friend at a local stores opening night of their Christmas extravaganza only I thought it was next week. Well it was this week. She waited and waited and finally had to leave. She did try to text but I was charging my phone and had it turned off. But she was very gracious and laughed it off and we have a another fun night set for next week.

What were your moments of happiness, or meaning, or smiles from the past week? Share with us in a post and link on up! Have a great long weekend. Hopefully we won't be digging out from too much snow.

2011-11-10T09:23:00.000-07:00

Now this guy has the right idea as they are predicting snow here tomorrow.

Moments in Time 11/11

2011-11-09T09:38:00.002-07:00

The weeks have been going by in a blur. I can't believe it's already moving on into the middle of November. The days tick by one by one and before I know it, it's the middle of the week and I haven't posted. It's not that nothing is going on and I have nothing to say. It's more like by the time I have a moment to post, I'm so tired I don't even want to sit down at the computer. But life is like that. There are seasons just like with the weather. And I'm in a season of busy. So please bear with me if my posting is sporadic and random. It's just the way it has to be right now.

And speaking of seasons:

Did I ever mention fall is my favorite?

There was time to get autographs and pose for a pic with the lead singer of Starfield

I've got tons of review books that I need to finish. Reviews to come. And that is not even my Fall Into Reading list!

Been busy organizing and making announcements at church for these special boxes. The kids and I have yet to get to the store to fill them. On my to do list this weekend.

My responsibilities with being the door prize co-ordinator for our Ladies Christmas Tea is taking up mega time. Lots of letters and follow up phone calls and picking up of the gifts. Lots of work but fun too.

And I bought my first Christmas present on the weekend. It's a Christmas ornament from Pier I. A "Li Bien" ornament to be specific. It's mouth blown glass. They hand paint each ornament on the INSIDE! They put a tiny brush inside a tiny hole and paint the image in reverse. Amazing. As a result no two are exactly alike. One of my fave gifts to give and this one was only $9.99 meeting my lady's study group max of ten dollars. And it comes in that beautiful lined velvet box which can be used again. Score.

So the season begins.

Whew. I think I need a cup of lemon meringue tea!

Friday's Fave Five #164

2011-11-04T00:00:00.002-06:00

After a gorgeous fall day today, we are preparing ourselves here in Southern Alberta for the first snowfall of the year coming, apparently tomorrow. So today's Fave Five is brought to you by a nice, cozy blanket and a steaming cup of lemon meringue tea.

1. Dinner out with friends makes my list this week. Saturday night we went for a spur of the moment chinese dinner. The conversation was good and inspiring, the company great, the food delicious. I always enjoy doing something with another couple.

2. Attending a powerful worship concert with Starfield. My daughter asked me to go with her and I'm so glad I did. Even though I was super tired and secretly was wishing I could stay home, I'm so glad I fought that urge and went with her. It was an absolutely powerful wonderful night of worship. I first saw these guys when they were just starting out and backing up "Jake". My girl was only in grade 2 or 3 when we went and now she's in grade 12 and again we went. We had a great time. It was amazing seeing all the youth at the front standing and singing and raising their hands in worship through most of the concert. If you have never attended a Starfield concert and can get to to one, GO!

The video is not from the concert here but you'll get the idea.

3. This rotten cold finally starting to disappear. I am so thankful this thing is finally hitting the road. It's been over 2 weeks. It feels good to be half decently feeling good again.

4. Lemon Meringue tea. One of my favorites anyway but it went down so good while that cold hung on. Lemony with a hint of vanilla and smooth tasting. It really does taste like lemon meringue. Sorry don't know who puts it out. I but it at a coffee shop and it's a loose tea with the big pieces of everything in it. But it's worth every penny. Yummy.

5. It's Friday and the "fall back" weekend of daylight savings time. I'm so glad it's the end of the week with a weekend free and open with no major commitments. I can clean the house at leisure, get some groceries, read, whatever. And the bonus of an extra hour of sleep come Sunday morning suits me just fine right about now!

What were your favorite things from your week? Please join us in looking for blessings in our days no matter how the week is going. You'll be surprised at how uplifting looking for and sharing your blessings is. No matter the size of them, if they made you happy, or encouraged you they are worth taking note of.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Book Tour ~" Sunrise on the Battery"

2011-10-29T09:14:00.002-06:00

by Beth Webb Hart

Publisher's Summary:
Beth Webb Hart explores what happens when we leave our inhibitions behind.

What would it look like if we really loved each other—if we had no inhibitions about sharing our faith and our very lives with a hurting world? How would we really spend our time and our money? And what impact would this have on our own families, especially our children? What impact would it have on our communities, our country and the world? These are the questions that first inspired Beth Webb Hart to write her newest novel, Sunrise on the Battery.

Hart always begins her writing with a question, and she was inspired with these questions after reading David Platt’s book Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. His book uncovered blind spots in her own life and helped her fully imagine just where her characters’ uninhibited faith might take them.

Mary Lynn Scoville has everything anyone could desire—a handsome husband, three beautiful daughters and a ticket into the social elite of Charleston, S.C. But after a miraculous answer to a prayer on her behalf, Mary Lynn decides to pray that her husband will discover the faith she loves. But when her prayers are answered, she finds her world turned upside down and is forced to deal with the idols she has created in her own life.

Jackson Scoville is a man on a mission. Growing up deprived of the finer things in life, he wants more for his children. His mission is to give his girls the best—a top-rate education, exposure and immersion in the fine arts and frequent opportunities to see the big wide world. “Not just education, baby—cultivation,” he is known to say. But when he discovers the truth of Scripture, his focus takes a quick turn—a turn his family may not like.

While writing about the lives of Mary Lynn, Jackson and their daughters, Hart shows her readers how God can change a life and inspire a family. She draws her readers into the story, especially with her intricate details of the social culture of Charleston. Her characters will shine a reflection on her readers’ own struggles and fears, and they will be inspired to examine their own lives and discover what really matters.

My Thoughts: Jackson and Mary Lynn Scoville are on their way up in Charleston society. They are accomplishing all they set out to do in their family goals and are one step away from the very top. But at what price? Every once in a while the desire for a family dedicated to God surfaces in Mary Lynn's heart and silences the social drive. When she finally asks for prayer at the church she attends occasionally, she is unprepared for the radical change that is about to come upon her family.

I loved this story. One can't help but be drawn to the characters, because as a mom, who doesn't want the best for their children and to give their children better than what they had? I may not go to the extent of wanting the social prestige that the couple in the book did or go to their extremes to get there but their desire is still relatable. Each character was portrayed so well and you could understand the feelings and reactions of each one, which I find a real accomplishment for a writer. Jackson's drive to better his and his family's lives by being a driven, self made man who pushes that drive onto his family, Mary Lynn's desire to have the very best that a place in society can give her girls but still desiring her family to be a family that loves God. The girls reactions to being pushed to always being better and feeling they never measure up. And then Mary Lynn's shock to a very radical change in her husband she didn't expect when he finally becomes a Christian and her whole world, that they have worked so hard for, is turned upside down. These were all aspects of the story and characters that no matter what station in life a person is can be related to. This was, in my opinion a great contemporary read and will make the reader question what such a radical change from what they put their reliance on in this world to a faith that "walks the walk" would do in their own life and family.

Thanks to the B&B Media Group and Thomas Nelson for presenting me with a free copy of this book for my review. All the opinions expressed are my own.

You can purchase "Sunrise on the Battery" here and here.

Friday's Fave Five #163

2011-10-28T00:00:00.001-06:00

Hi everyone, welcome to Friday's Fave Five. Take time to reflect over your week and find those things that lifted your heart, made you smile or made you keep on keeping on. If you need details, you can take a quick trip here and then come on back. I'm feeling crummy tonight (Thursday) so as you can see my list is missing. I'll try to join in some time on Friday and then get around to visiting everyone. Meanwhile, have fun making your posts and visiting around, maybe making a new blogging friend or two.

Whew, made it here! Thanks for everyone's well wishes. Nothing major just a silly cold that won't go away for two weeks now, but it's the kind that wipes you out and in the evening it seems my ears, throat and nose just close up. Aargh. Breathing and hearing are a good thing, so in the evening I've had to take some cold meds and it knocks. me. out. Anyway, there is blessings to look for and share, which I'm sure you'd so rather hear about.

1. Fall leaves to play in. I love the fall when all my trees drop their leaves and there is a mountain of leaves for the dayhome kids to run through, jump in and throw in the air. Their laughter and literally hours of play in it are one of my favorite things to watch. I really wanted to post a picture of their fun but privacy and all that.

2. Well written, uplifting novels. Especially on the heels of a story that left me feeling very sad and unsettled. I don't necessarily always like my reads to be tied up with a pretty bow at the end of the story but it is nice sometimes.

3. A Movie night with my sis. A cheesy old black and white move from 1947, a bag of chips and a glass of ice cold coke. It's fun to poke fun at the horrible sound, the dramatic acting and blood curdling screams of old films. Especially with the company of my sister.

4. Comfort foods of fall. Chili's, stews and soups are some of my favorite comfort foods. Last week with the chilly weather coming upon us, I made a big pot of delicious turkey soup (from the Thanksgiving turkey carcass). I can't wait to get to all sorts of crock pot recipes, too.

5. Homemade salsa. I made this recipe from the Mennonite Girls and I have decided that I have now become a homemade salsa snob. The store bought just doesn't compare. I am so going to be making homemade salsa every fall.

Well, have a great weekend everyone! I'm planning on lots of reading time with pots of hot, lemony tea, for sure!

October Moments in Time 2

2011-10-26T09:09:00.000-06:00

We've been busy as bees around here at the Living To Tell Household.

Fall is definitely setting in.

The buckeye is wearing her glorious fall dress.

And she's starting to shed it, leaf by leaf.

And there are a lot of leaves on her branches.

So that means lots of raking.

It is dark when I get up now.

Very dark.

Which means my duvet feels extra cozy.

And I don't want to get up.

But I have to.

Fall means cleaning out the flower beds and getting them ready to rest over the winter.

They look so empty after their bright, colorful filled heyday of spring and summer.

This is just the beginning of the bags of yard clean up.

There will be many more joining them in the next week or so as the 16 towering aspens start to shed their leaves.

The last of the homegrown tomatoes that I was blessed with have turned red.

And have been turned into more spaghetti sauce and salsa.

The t-shirts and shorts have been packed away.

And out have come the cozy sweaters, sweatshirts and jackets of cooler weather.

Evenings are time to cozy up with a soft fuzzy blanket, a good book and a hot drink.

What has been filling your fall days?

Friday's Fave Five #162

2011-10-21T00:00:00.002-06:00

Welcome to Friday's Fave Five. It's Friday so that makes it time to look back over our week and look for those things we are grateful for. It may be big or it may be small and you have to dig for it, but there are always things we can be thankful for. Please join us as we share our favorite five. If you need the guidelines they are here.

Here's is mine in no particular order:

1. Coming home to a clean kitchen courtesy of my 16 year old girl. On the night I had our bible study, I came home to find the kitchen beautifully spotless, including a washed floor thanks to my girl. What a blessing that was!

2. Smooth day with the dayhome during carpet installation day. It's interesting working at home, especially when it involves 6 pre-schoolers and a day of carpet installation. Though we were forced downstairs for the whole day, they were good as gold and the day went very smoothly, all things considered.

3. A second coat of paint finally on the my living room walls. With the furniture all out of the way I took the opportunity to get that second coat of paint on the walls that were waiting oh, for about a year.

4. Comfy duvets and duvet covers. With the nights get colder, some of which have dropped below freezing, that big comfy duvet and it's covers are always one of my favorite simple things in the fall.

5. Shared information. One of my favorite things about blogging is things that we learn from each other. Tips, recipes, and sometimes important information like this post by 4everMom. If you or your children have a smartphone, please take a moment to read her post and watch the short video clip. Some really important info and a really good tip at the end. I have a smart phone and I had no idea. Until now. An informed consumer is a smart and safe consumer.

What have been your faves this week? Please link up if you've shared in a post.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Moments in Time

2011-10-20T08:25:00.002-06:00

The days have been melting into each other around here for the last couple of weeks. Before I know it one day has ended and another begun. And I realize I haven't posted. Yet again. What is keeping me so darn busy? Just the to day stuff around here, I guess. So I thought maybe I should just start keeping record of that. Maybe I'm nuts but it sure would help me with knowing where my days are hiding.

Last Friday, new rug was installed in the living room and hallway. I Loooove it. We had been deliberating on the next major money purchase. Our rugs desperately needed replacing, our kitchen lino needs replacing, our van has a dent in the side from me running into the garage door a few winters ago that needs fixing. Just to mention a few. Unexpectedly a good deal came up on carpet I loved so that helped make that decision.

So out with the stained, worn, snagged, well trampled by many, many little feet, berber.

In with the new dirt hiding, lovely feeling carpet.

And then my 15 year old washer started slowly giving up the ghost. It never rains but it pours. It's been a faithful servant, working almost daily for that 15+ years. But now it's getting tired, not being able to spin out the water quite good enough on most cycles so I'm having to respin. I had to go looking last weekend. May I just say washer and dryer shopping is a major headache?! Yikes too many choices, too many features, way too expensive. It's exhausting. All demanding some research at home. If I'm laying down that kind of moolah, I want to make sure I get the right one.

My son who's studying to be a paramedic has practiced his first IV. The students practice on each other. Which makes me weak in the knees to think about. The rule is for as many practice jabs you make on the others you have to ~~suffer through~~ graciously allow others to make on you. Ouch.

My duties at church have just stepped up, oh about, 20 notches. This is my busy time there too. But being in charge of these boxes is always a joy!

What's kept you guys busy?

Friday's Fave Five #161

2011-10-14T00:00:00.001-06:00

Yikes, I can't believe it's Friday already. Where on earth did that week go? Between Thanksgiving here in Canada, being sick, still working and finding out our carpet is being installed this week and the work of clearing the room that goes with that, the days have just disappeared. But there is always time to take just a moment of look for special blessing from the week. Join in with us as we share 5 things we are thankful for from this past week.

1. Thanksgiving weekend. I love this holiday. It brings the family together to share a beautiful meal, fellowship and thankfulness for the blessings in our lives. The turkey turned out perfect, we shared lots of time and laughter with loved ones, the weather was a gorgeous sunny but crisp day, my oldest arrived here and went back to her city safe and sound. It couldn't have been better.

2. Home grown tomatoes that became homemade spaghetti sauce and homemade salsa. I was blessed with 2 huge boxes of tomatoes. I made a huge pot of spaghetti sauce that will make 3 yummy meals and enough salsa to fill 6 containers for the freezer. And I still have half a box left. The Youngest has requested more homemade spaghetti sauce and I think I will roast some of them like Kathy did.

3. Hot mint tea to soothe the throat, clear the nose and make me relax. So nice when I'm not feeling well.

4. Lots of turkey left overs. I see turkey soup, turkey pot pie and hot turkey sandwiches coming up.

5. Care and concern. Hubby asking each morning how I felt and how the cold was doing. A small thing but it made me feel his care and lifted me up.

What are your blessings from the past week? What uplifted you? Share in a post and sign on up on the Linky. If you need the guidelines they are here.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Now how did that happen?

2011-10-10T11:38:00.000-06:00

Sent this text the Sunday morning I was making Thanksgiving dinner:

"Did you at some point make yourself a peanut butter and honey sandwich or toast and dip the same knife into both? There is peanut butter in the honey so the whole container is contaminated for Auntie Liz and now I can't make Honey Buttered Carrots for Thanksgiving dinner and she won't be able to have tea."

(A little background: My sis is extremely allergic to peanuts and my kids have grown up knowing to not use a knife or spoon that has first gone into the peanut butter in another product. So it was a little shocking to find smudges of peanut butter in the honey).

The text was sent to my son.

He got it.

So did my daughter's violin instructor.

Oops.

Now how did that happen?

2011-10-10T11:36:00.000-06:00

Friday's Fave Five #160

2011-10-07T00:00:00.001-06:00

Hello everyone. Welcome to a very cold and wet Friday. A perfect day to curl up with a hot drink and a throw blanket and look for five blessings from the week. Whether it be an easy task or something very difficult, I encourage you to look for the good things of your days. It doesn't have to be big, it could be the simplest of things, yet it was what gave you a smile, gave you hope, or lifted you even if for just a moment.

I think because of the weather and it suddenly feeling like fall instead of Indian Summer, my favorites are all about those things that seem to make me feel cozy.

1. Winter quilts. Finally it's on my bed, my big puffy quilt, a simple thing yet it makes me smile when I get into bed. So comfy and so warm. The nice thing about the weather getting colder is that quilt coming out of hiding and onto the bed.

2. A surprise candle from hubby. Hubby came home bearing a gift of my favorite brand of candle. I love a nice Wood Wick candle and he brought me home a Triology scent. I'm usually not a berry scented candle fan especially at this time of year, but this is lovely. Not heavy at all and very fresh and lovely. Sweet gift from a sweet hubby.

3. Cozy throw blankets. Nothing nicer on the cooler evenings when the wind is blowing and the rain is falling than cozying up on the couch with a warm throw blanket.

4. Fall colors decorating the house. My favorite colors to decorate with are the rich browns, golds and rusts of fall time. I love pulling out the fall decorations as it brings those right into the house. And I finally felt like changing to fall decorations this week. A bit behind this year on that this year.

5. Thanksgiving plans. Yup it's Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend. Took me a bit by surprise this year, it seems so early, but I love making the plans for dinner and what we're going to do on the weekend. Hopefully the weather will co-operate with all my well made plans.

What have been your favorites from the last week? Please join us as we look for those blessings. Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

FIR '011 Question #2

2011-10-05T08:03:00.000-06:00

Katrina is posing a question each week to go along with the Fall Into Reading Challenge. This week's question is:

"How often do you reread books? What does it take to make you reread?"

I have favorite books that I definitely wish to reread but there are just so many new books and stories that I want to get to that unless I make an intentional point of re-reading it usually just stays a wish. (That's why I love these challenges, because I can make it intentional to get to those books I keep meaning to get to.) For a book to make me want to re-read it, it has to draw me emotionally, touch my heart in some profound way, or have lots of layers to it that I want to revisit. The characters and their stories have to draw me in and make me want to revisit them. A well-written fiction novel that teaches me something is always something I'm drawn to pick up more than once.

The bible is the only non-fiction book that is a continual re-read with me. There are a couple of fiction series I just love that that I've re-read a few times, I usually like to make those a summer project. And there are a few stand alone books that call my name regularly from my bookshelves that I get to every couple of years. The book that I have re-read the most is "Ribbon of Years" by Robin Lee Hatcher. I get something new from it everytime.

What about you guys? Do you re-read books or is new territory what you stick to? What makes you want to re-read a book?

FIR Book Review 1 ~ The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

2011-10-03T08:42:00.003-06:00

(from the cover): Doctors took her cells without asking. Those cells never died. They launched a medical revolution and a multi-million dollar industry. More than twenty years later her children found out. Their lives would never be the same.

A few words I would use to describe this book: Wow, shocking, unbelievable, informative, thought provoking, scary, moving, sensitive, stuff of science fiction but real life. This is the story of the first "immortal" human cells grown in culture in a lab. And they were taken from a black woman who was a poor tobacco farmer in the early '50's without her knowledge or consent. "HeLa" has since become the most widely used cell line in the world for research, numbering in the trillions and still exists today. It has brought scientific breakthroughs such as the polio vaccine, invitro fertilization and gene mapping. They have tried to clone them, inject with poisons, develop cures for cancer. They have shown scientists how viruses work and the effects of the atom bomb. And yet the family didn't know until twenty years after they took Henrietta's cells. The author tells such an incredible true story weaving between the scientific viewpoint to the human side to the family's struggles with the news and outcome. I could not put this book down. It is definitely not dry and textbook-y. Yet you learn so much. It brings up subjects of ethics, racism, human rights, consent, privacy, ownership, reimbursement all while bringing your emotions to the surface in what the family has gone through and the struggles of the daughter who never knew her mother as she trys to get answers and some recognition for her mom and her contribution to the world. As I was reading it, I kept thinking this would make a great movie, and have since found out that Oprah has picked it up for her OWN network. I highly recommend this read.

Friday's Fave Five#159

2011-09-30T00:00:00.000-06:00

Friday's Fave Day! Welcome to looking back over the week and finding things that have blessed your life, big or small. It's been a busy week for me but that doesn't mean there weren't blessings to be found. So here we go with my favorites from the week, in no particular order:

1. Hugs from little arms. What a pick me up to have a little day home person wrap their little preschool arms around my neck. That's what makes my job worthwhile.

2. Fall scented candles in a cute fall themed holder. My favorite scent is "Leaves" from Slatkin & Co. though why it's called Leaves I'm not sure as my whole family thinks it smells like apples. :v) So you know I had to look it up and here's what the Bath & Body Works website says: "Autumnal notes of golden nectar, juicy mandarin and red delicious apple are paired with toasted cinnamon stick, mulled cider spices and freshly harvested red berries." Whatever it is, it's awesome. And you can smell it even when it's not burning. An awesome candle.

3. A spur of the moment trip to my oldest daughter. A crazy long drive for one short weekend, but it was fun. The weather was gorgeous.

4. Peach-blueberry pie. Oh my goodness. I could have sat and eaten the whole thing by myself. But I was a good girl and shared.

5. I just can't not put this picture in my faves cause it makes me smile. Tell me what pet isn't cute as all get out when they squish themselves into something that looks too small and promptly go straight to sleep.

What have your favorite blessings been this week? What has uplifted you, made you smile, took you mind off your struggles if even for a moment? Share in a post and link on up so that we can come and visit you. If you don't have a blog feel free to answer in the comments. Guidelines are here if you've never read them.

2011-09-29T07:05:00.000-06:00

Welcome to fall in Southern Alberta.

Woke up this morning to -3*C.

That's 26*F.

brrr!

Tomorrow the daytime temp is predicted to be 29*C.

That would be 84*F.

Mr. Weatherman obviously can't seem to let summer go is trying to drag her into fall.

FIR '011 Question #1

2011-09-28T08:37:00.001-06:00

All through the Fall Into Reading Challenge, Katrina, our hostess, will be asking an optional weekly question about reading. Why is she doing this you ask? Well in her words:

"Why am I doing this? Well, for one thing, I love reading and talking about reading with others. And for another, I thought it would be a great way to keep Fall Into Reading participants connected throughout the course of the challenge. Finally, I posted reading questions during Fall Into Reading 2010 and everyone seemed to really enjoy them. So let’s do it again!"

Sounds good to me! So here is this first week's question:

How much do book reviews influence your decision to acquire and/or read a book?

I love reading book reviews. As far as their influence goes, it depends on who is reviewing the book. I don't put a lot of thought towards the reviews by newspapers, authors or other reviewers that are actually written on the book cover. I don't know why, I just never have. Maybe because they are all raving reviews that I figure are there to sell the book. I like the reviews of the average reader. If it comes from a source I trust such as favorite bloggers or someone I know personally, I'm more likely to listen to their opinion. I always keep in mind, though, that we all have our tastes in types of stories and styles of writing. For example, what my friend usually really loves is spiritual toned thrillers and mysteries, and what she would highly recommend and review well is usually something that is not on my radar as far as wanted reading goes and my daughter would probably not pick up any sort of historical romance no matter what raving review it got from anybody. Reviews are more a tool for me to find out in a little more detail what the story is about and if that book actually piques my interest. I like to read several reviews on any title to get a balance of thought and opinion.

So do reviews influence what you buy or read?

Book Tour ~ Sifted

2011-09-27T09:26:00.004-06:00

"Sifted" by Rick Lawrence

Publisher's Summary:
Worn down by the troubles in your life? Overwhelmed by piled-up problems? Worried about others who are hurting? In his book, Sifted: God’s Scandalous Response to Satan’s Outrageous Demand, Rick Lawrence offers fresh biblical perspective on pain, based on a single Scripture snapshot: Luke 22:31-32.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” These two simple verses from Luke’s account of the Last Supper launch a profound exploration of the meaning of trouble in a Christian’s life. Suffering is inevitable, and if we’re honest, the explanations commonly offered often just don’t hold up or help very much. But Jesus’ perfect metaphor of sifting provides fresh perspective on why we suffer and what the sifting process can reveal in our lives.

Peter was to be “sifted like wheat”—shaken hard, beaten, and finally separated from his false identity. Satan was the one causing it, but Jesus would allow it. Lawrence’s verse-by-verse exploration offers insight, comfort, challenge, and a call to greater intimacy with the God who allows our pain because He wants us to know who we really are and what we can become.

If we believe that Christians are still sifted today, why do we so often judge those who are experiencing hardships? They must have done something wrong. God must be punishing them. But suffering is inevitable, whether it comes in the form of life-shifting catastrophe or the drip-drip-dripping of daily troubles. Sifted will encourage those who are facing trouble now and those who will face it in the future. It will encourage us to see our pain as a means to greater knowledge and intimacy with Christ. Lawrence offers a rigorously honest, deeply challenging, yet powerfully comforting exploration of the trials that beat us down, the good God who allows our troubles, and the incredible beauty the process of sifting can reveal in us.

About the Author:

Rick Lawrence has been editor of GROUP Magazine, the world’s most widely read resource for Christian youth leaders, for 23 years and is the co-leader of The Simply Youth Ministry Conference. In his role as “Youth Ministry Champion” at Group Publishing, he leads the organization’s expeditionary efforts to challenge, encourage, and equip youth pastors. Lawrence has authored hundreds of magazine articles and is the author, co-author, or editor of 31 books, including JCQ’s: 150 Jesus-Centered Discussion Questions, Jesus-Centered Youth Ministry, and the adult/teenager small-group curricula Make Their Day and Ten Tough Things. He’s a consultant to national research organizations and a frequent conference and workshop speaker. Lawrence and his wife, Beverly Rose, live with their two daughters in Denver, CO.

My Thoughts:

This is the kind of book that is going to take a second look on my part when I can take my time and use it as a study, not when I'm trying to finish it quickly for a book review. It is definitely a subject worth studying and the author takes us through step by step, breaking down Luke 22: 31-32, section by section. I really liked that format as each thing Jesus said in those couple of sentences is looked at and explored in detail. I did find the book a bit of a tough go in the very beginning because I had to get used to the author's writing style, which goes from teaching to using story examples very frequently, sometimes with several examples for the point he is trying to make. Nothing wrong with that, it's just not my particular favorite. It's a tough subject and one I think we have to face our own resistance to and I think the author dealt with it well, exploring the sifting using scripture throughout and examples from his own life. While some of the thoughts and teaching in the first half are challenging, they are definitely worth exploring and the second half of the book is full of hope and encouragement.

Thanks to B&B Media group for providing a free copy for review and my honest opinions. All opinions expressed are my own.

You can purchase Sifted here and here

Friday's Fave Five #158

2011-09-23T00:00:00.002-06:00

Welcome to Friday's Fave Five everyone! It's a place to share our blessings from our week. Take a look back over the week, whether it was good or bad, and look for those moments that bought joy.

1. Inspirational Movies such as "Gifted Hands". I knew about Dr. Ben Carson after seeing him do several interviews years ago but hadn't realized they had done a movie about his life and work. An amazing man, with a deep faith in God, who just happens to be the world's best pediatric neurosurgeon. His story is absolutely inspiring as he was bullied as a child and thought himself as stupid as a youngster, always receiving failing grades. Cuba Gooding Jr. is one of my favorite actors and he played the doctor wonderfully which was just icing on the cake for this movie for me. It's a great show to watch with your preteens and teens. Now I, of course, want to read his book.

2. Gold Kiwi. From New Zealand. Gold flesh, not as fuzzy, super sweet and more of a delicate taste than regular kiwi, it is absolutely yummy. But at twice the price of the regular, it was a once in a blue moon treat.

3. Touring the showhomes. It's a tradition, every year my friend and I pick a night or two during the fall 2 week showhome tours, jump in one of our vehicles, grab a Starbucks and head off to look at some amazing homes. Everything from high end, upgraded everything, million dollar executive homes to regular family homes. It's a fun way to spend an evening doing something we both like, and it's free. I decided I really like medium brown maple kitchen cabinets, curved staircases, and I really hate the super upraised sinks (I'm talking a good 6 or more inches, I have visions of knocking my teeth out on the edge of them when I would sleepily bend over to wash my face in the morning) which seem to be all the rage this year. It's fun to look at the "in" colors, the new gadgets, the designs, and all the "newness" but at the end of the day, I am thankful for my home that I get to come home to.

4. The Sing Off started it's new season. Love this show! I've always loved accapella and harmony and this competition brings the most amazing talented singers. I cannot believe they don't use one instrument and it's all voices. It makes me wish I could sing. Even a little bit.

5. It's Friday. It's soon the weekend. Yup, I like that.

What are your favorites from the week? Look for the blessings and share them with us.

Fall Into Reading 2011

2011-09-22T08:59:00.001-06:00

It's here. Fall Into Reading 2011 is kicking off. Tomorrow is the official kickoff day over at Callapider Days but I've put mine up today because tomorrow is Friday Fave Five day. (Everyone is welcome to come back here for that and please join in for that too if you'd like!) So this fall I had a really tough time deciding. Too many books I want to read and not enough time in the day. I made sure to pick some for each category I seem to draw my books from: review books, browsing the library shelves books, "my shelves" from the library website books (where books that I want to read are listed), my overflowing book basket, recommendations from other bloggers and friends. I added one more that I thought I could comfortably do to challenge myself so we'll see what happens with that. In no particular reading order, ta daaaa, here's my list:

1. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.    From "my shelves" at my library's website.
" Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells-taken without her knowledge in 1951-became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more. Henrietta's cells have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she remains virtually unknown, and her family can't afford health insurance. This phenomenal New York Times bestseller tells a riveting story of the collision between ethics, race, and medicine; of scientific discovery and faith healing; and of a daughter consumed with questions about the mother she never knew.

2. Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Webb Hart. Review Book.
"At last, Mary Lynn and Jackson Scoville are living the life they’ve dreamed of. Two self-described “small town bumpkins” from Round O, South Carolina, they made a small fortune selling the little gems of lowcountry real estate Jackson inherited and now they are living in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, carefully working their way up the social ladder in hopes of meeting their ultimate goal: to give their three daughters the life they themselves never had. But the long-forgotten God of Mary Lynn’s childhood seems to be trying to get her attention in clear and unusual ways.   So clear and strange she can no longer deny it. When Mary Lynn prays for Jackson to open his mind and heart to God, her prayers are answered beyond her wildest imaginings. Now Jackson’s dramatic conversion (which includes street witnessing, giving away a lot of money, and inviting poor, desperate and marginalized people into their home) is threatening their social status as well as their family mission statement. Is she willing to go along with him? What would it be like to go “all out” for God? Jackson, a sharp and focused Type A man, is unafraid and willing to go all the way. Mary Lynn has her doubts.

3. Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. From the book basket. Heard lots of good things about this one.
"The title expresses a radical thought for today's marriages! Chapter by chapter, discover how marriage works to develop Christlike character - forgiveness, love, respect, perseverance - in each of you. This book will enrich your marriage in unexpected ways. A Focus on the Family recommendation."

4. Possession by Rene Gutteridge. From the book basket. "Police detective Vance Graegan quits the force in an attempt to save his marriage. During his family's cross-country relocation, the movers hold his belongings for ransom. He's determined not to let this stunt ruin his family's new beginning, but soon everything begins to unravel in the hands of Vance's past. Will a little boy's innocent faith bring the hope they desperately need?"

5. The Bait of Satan by John Bevere. Study Group book.
"Are you ensnared by bitterness, seized by anger, held captive by resentment because someone has offended you? Bevere shows you how to escape Satan's grip, avoid a victim mentality, practice forgiveness, experience reconciliation, and remain free in Christ."

6. Angel Sister by Ann H. Gabhart.   A library find.
"It is 1936 and Kate Merritt, the middle child of Victor and Nadine, works hard to keep her family together. Her father slowly slips into alcoholism and his business suffers during the Great Depression. As her mother tries to come to grips with their situation and her sisters seem to remain blissfully oblivious to it, it is Kate who must shoulder the emotional load. Who could imagine that a dirty, abandoned little girl named Lorena Birdsong would be just what the Merritts need? In this richly textured novel, award-winning author Ann H. Gabhart reveals the power of true love, the freedom of forgiveness, and the strength to persevere through troubled times."

7. The Wishing Trees by John Shors. A library find.
"Almost a year after the death of his wife, Kate, former high-tech executive Ian finds a letter that will change his life. It contains Kate’s final wish – a plea for him to take their ten-year-old daughter, Mattie, on a trip across Asia, through all the countries they had planned to visit to celebrate their fifteenth anniversary.Eager to honor the wife and mother they loved, Ian and Mattie embark on an epic journey that retraces the early days of Ian’s relationship with Kate. Along the way, Ian and Mattie leave paper “wishes” in ancient trees as symbols of their connection to Kate and their dreams for the future. Through incredible landscapes and inspiring people, Ian and Mattie are greeted with miracles large and small. And as they celebrate what Kate meant to them, they begin to find their way back to each other, discovering that healing is possible and that love endures – lessons that Kate hoped to show them all along."

8. How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal. A library find.

In a novel as warm and embracing as a family kitchen, Barbara O’Neal explores the poignant, sometimes complex relationships between mothers and daughters-and the healing magic of homemade bread. Professional baker Ramona Gallagher is a master of an art that has sustained her through the most turbulent times, including a baby at fifteen and an endless family feud. But now Ramona’s bakery threatens to crumble around her. Literally. She’s one water-heater disaster away from losing her grandmother’s rambling Victorian and everything she’s worked so hard to build. When Ramona’s soldier son-in-law is wounded in Afghanistan, her daughter, Sophia, races overseas to be at his side, leaving Ramona as the only suitable guardian for Sophia’s thirteen-year-old stepdaughter, Katie. Heartbroken, Katie feels that she’s being dumped again-this time on the doorstep of a woman out of practice with mothering. Ramona relies upon a special set of tools-patience, persistence, and the reliability of a good recipe-when rebellious Katie arrives. And as she relives her own history of difficult choices, Ramona shares her love of baking with the troubled girl. Slowly, Katie begins to find self-acceptance and a place to call home. And when a man from her past returns to offer a second chance at love, Ramona discovers that even the best recipe tastes better when you add time, care, and a few secret ingredients of your own.

9. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. From the book basket.

" Sue Monk Kidd's ravishing debut novel has stolen the hearts of reviewers and readers alike with its strong, assured voice. Set in South Carolina in 1964,The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily's fierce-hearted "stand-in mother," Rosaleen, insults three of the town's fiercest racists, Lily decides they should both escape to Tiburon, South Carolina--a town that holds the secret to her mother's past. There they are taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters who introduce Lily to a mesmerizing world of bees, honey, and the Black Madonna who presides over their household. This is a remarkable story about divine female power and the transforming power of love--a story that women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come."

10. The Orchard by Jeffrey Stepakoff. A library find.

"The passionate new novel by the author of FIREWORKS OVER TOCCOA. Grace Lyndon is a rising ingenue in the world of perfumes and flavors; a stiletto-wearing, work-a-holic in Atlanta, she develops aromas and tastes to enthrall the senses. Dylan Jackson is a widowed single father whose heart and hands have been calloused in the fields of his North Georgia apple farm. When Grace happens to taste an apple picked from Dylan’s trees, it changes both their lives forever. Determined to track down the apple’s origin, Grace sets off in the middle of the night where she finds not only a beautiful mountain orchard in the clouds, but the mysterious man who owns it. In Stepakoff’s heartbreaking eloquence, their sudden yet undeniable attraction is threatened—leaving readers with a momentous finale that proves Jeffrey Stepakoff is a master craftsman of the heart."

11. Faithful by Kim Cash Tate. A blog find from Barbara.
"Cydney Sanders thought she knew God's plan for her life. She'd marry, have kids, and then snap her body back into shape by doing Tae Bo. But she's celebrating her fortieth birthday as the maid of honor at her little sister's wedding...and still single. Now her life is suddenly complicated by the best man. He's the opposite of what she wants in a husband...and yet, he keeps defying her expectations. Starting with a lavendar rose--symbolizing enchantment--each rose he sends her reflects his growing love for her. Cydney's best friend Dana appears to have the perfect marriage--until she discovers her husband's affair and her world goes into a tailspin. Then there is Phyllis--who is out of hope and out of prayers after asking God for six long years to help her husband find faith. When she runs into an old friend who is the Christian man she longs for, she's faced with an overwhelming choice.

Life-long friends with life-altering struggles. Will they trust God's faithfulness...and find strength to be faithful to Him?"

There we have it. What are you reading this fall?

2011-09-20T08:17:00.001-06:00

Quick, which is your favorite style?

Some people are so creative.

The Brain, It's Always Running

2011-09-19T09:36:00.000-06:00

What is it about the weekends that seem to make them disappear so quickly? And what about the week makes it seem so long before the next weekend shows up? I've been thinking a lot lately about making my days count. A huge subject to tackle, at least in my life. Sometimes I think I just chug along, going from one thing to the next, without really being present. There is a lot going on right now, a lot on my plate again and I catch myself not being in the moment. I'm going through the motions but my mind is elsewhere. On that book I need to finish for a review, on those list of people that need phoning, on the fact that I keep forgetting to get in touch with my Dad until it's well past his bedtime. Etc., etc. And on and on it goes. It's no wonder the days drag on and I couldn't tell you what was going on.

So I gave myself a good talking to this weekend. It's September now and no more lazy, hazy days of summer excuses. I need to pull up my bootstraps and start to live my days a little more intentionally. More purposefully. Now that doesn't mean that I'm going to start filling up and scheduling my every waking moment with things to do. But it does mean that when I am in the midst of something, I'm going to make a point of focusing rather than multi tasking on the fly.

To do that I've bought myself a pretty little journal at a discount store and I'm leaving it open on the counter. If I think of something, I'm jotting it down right away, getting it out of my head, and then getting back on task, back into the moment. It's going to serve as a brain dump, if you will, so that I can get the clutter out of my head, and just be. Then when whatever is in the moment is done, and I have a minute I can go look and take that next moment to call my dad, to sit with my girl, to read that chapter without a bunch of other stuff swirling and colliding in my brain.

Hopefully this will help to get rid of the tyranny of the urgent and the undone and cause me to just abide in what God has given me for that moment. How do you guys live purposefully and in your moments?

Friday's Fave Five #157

2011-09-16T00:00:00.002-06:00

Hi everyone! It's time for Friday's Fave Five! Join in as we look back over the week and find some favorite uplifting things and then share them. Guidelines for posting are here.

1. Starbucks tradition with my youngest. Once a month my youngest and I have massage appointments to help with our individual back issues. We pass a Starbucks on the way home and we've started stopping after our appointment for a treat. It's a great one on one Mother/Daughter time.

2. And speaking of Starbucks, Pumpkin Spice latte is back. Yum.

3. Homemade chicken noodle soup. Because it was so darn cool this last week, a bowl of soup sounded good. I looove homemade chicken noodle soup. It's total comfort food to me and reminds me of my childhood and my mom. Perfect for a cold end of summer day.

4. Long Bike rides ending with an ice cream treat. Hubby and I took advantage of a nice morning and went for a long bike ride together. We love doing this. And he treated me to a Marble Slab treat. Usually I order a apple & spice ice cream with graham cracker stir in. Tastes like apple pie ala mode. I just love it so never change but this time I thought I'd live on the edge and I tried a Lemon Custard ice cream. Oh, my. So good. Dietetic? No. Delicious. Absolutely.

5. Making my list and checking it twice. No, not a Christmas list, but my reading list for this event coming next week. You might as well stamp "nerd" across my forehead but I find it so much fun searching out and choosing which books to set as my goals for this reading challenge. Digging through my book basket, browsing the library, checking the bookstore. So much fun. I think I've pretty much got it set. Just have to do my post, finish up the last of my summer reading this weekend and I'm ready to roll!

What have been your favorite uplifting moments from the last week. Share with us in a post and don't forget to sign up on Mr. Linky linking to your specific FFF post please. It makes it easier for those coming to visit you to go directly to your post. Have a great weekend everyone!

Book Tour ~ Cherished

2011-09-12T00:00:00.003-06:00

"Cherished" by Kim Cash Tate

Publisher's Summary:

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Kim Cash Tate explores Psalm 103:12 as she takes her readers down the path to God’s forgiveness and reconciliation in her newest novel, Cherished. Readers will discover that God can still use them in spite of their worst choices. And He doesn’t just forgive them, but they are truly cherished!

Tate’s story will show her readers how God can bring beauty from ashes. She has a unique way of weaving her characters’ lives together, leading back to one great point—God’s tremendous mercy and grace. In the words of one of her characters, “I wasn’t sure what to expect. I felt like it would take a while to work my way back into God’s good graces, but it was like…”—she flung wide her arms—“…He just embraced me.” We too can be embraced by the same great love when we learn that true forgiveness for ALL of our sins is right before us.

Growing up in Saint Louis, Kelli London dreamed of becoming a songwriter and glorifying God with her songs of praise. But after falling into sin, she walks away from her dreams. Heather Anderson’s life has spun out of control—first an affair with a married man and then a one-night stand with the drummer of a popular Christian band. Broken and alone, she discovers the only one who can save her. Brian Howard grew up as a science geek. But after making the worst mistake of his life after high school, he finds forgiveness in Christ and is being led down a completely different path. Now he must choose whether to continue pursuing his PhD in biochemistry or to become a full time Christian rapper.

My Thoughts:

While the book started off a touch slow for me it really started to draw me once the character of Kelli moves back to Saint Louis and all the characters start coming into play in the story. It really is a story that really points out how God cherishes us and wants to forgive us. It really brings home that no matter what we have done, what wrong choices we have made, God is ready and waiting to forgive and wants us to repent so that He can start healing our hearts and bring us into the life He wants for us. I really liked how the author did not just make a pat story where everything goes just fine for everyone once they've repented but that the characters did have some tough stuff to deal with even after they had repented and turned to God as did the characters who had to deal with the fall out of someone else's sins. It showed how each had to turn to God for grace to walk through it. Granted it did seem to all wrap up nicely by the end but in reality the novel would have to be a huge tome if that part of the story is dragged out.

The story also made me think of the church's reactions (read: my reactions) to others and forgiveness. It brought up some interesting aspects and made me really look into my own heart. Why do we find it hard sometimes to forgive people their sins even when we believe in God's forgiveness and we, ourselves, have been forgiven? When more than one person is involved in the sin, why do we sometimes receive one person back "into the fold" but still hold it above the other person's head? Why if we believe that" God throws our sins as far as the east is from the west" do we find it hard to forgive ourselves or others? And why do we make ourselves and others keep "paying" for it?

All in all, I thought it was a great story that made me think, and when a novel can entertain me and yet cause me to think and search my own heart, that makes it a very worthwhile read.

Thanks to the B&B Media Group for providing the book free for my review. All the opinions expressed are my own.

You can purchase Cherished here and here.

Friday's Fave Five #156

2011-09-09T00:00:00.002-06:00

Welcome everyone to Friday's Fave Five. Are you ready to look for your blessings from the last week? Then please share 5 good things from your week with us. I know not every week is the same and some weeks are just darn difficult. That is the beauty of this exercise. It makes us pause and look and sift through all the hard stuff and find those things that been good in our lives. I encourage you to give it a try whether your having a good week and it's easy or whether you're having a tough one and you have to go digging.

Personally I've had a really busy week, not bad but just really busy. So I haven't really paid attention and just let blessings go right by without really taking pause to notice them. I'm glad that this is forcing me to slow down and reflect.

1. Easy transitions. Last week I said goodbye to a beloved 3 year old in the dayhome as she goes to spend a wonderful year at home with her mom and new sibling. And a new little one has started this week. Sometimes these weeks can be very stressful, both on child, parent and on me, the child care giver. But this little fella has transitioned well, with only one little incident of clinging and crying that only lasted a few minutes. That is remarkable and I am so thankful. He's fitting in very nicely and his smile just lights up the room.

2. Easy returns. I love a store that makes returns easy. I had bought towels at the beginning of July and I think I even mentioned "new towels" as one of my faves back then. Well those lovely towels turned not so lovely when they wouldn't stop throwing fluff even after 4 or 5 washings. Drying off with them was not nice. They took them back no problem even though it's been 2 months and past their exchange policy and gave me a gift card in equal value. Which was just fine with me because I still needed towels so bought another brand that is much better, thank you very much.

3. Easy going family. Like I said, it's been a busy week and I'm so grateful for my family being easy going about it this week. They've pitched in when I've had to rush out the door in the evening and that really takes a load off, let me tell you.

4. Easy Sunday lunch. The Sunday School had a kick off fundraiser at church right after service. A hot dog lunch with all sorts of toppings and fixings was yummy. My whole family loves hot dogs and I didn't have to cook and we helped out the Sunday School. Win, win if you ask me!

5. Easy mornings. This has been the first week back to school and college and so far the mornings have gone fairly smoothly. My kids are not little anymore but that doesn't mean there is not going to be bumps and glitches with getting out the door in the mornings. Other than a small timing issue with the bathroom amongst three of us one day, it's gone not too bad. A fairly stress free morning is definitely a blessing around here!

What are your favorites from the week? Share them in a post and link on up. Please link to your specific post and not your home page. If you're not sure how to do that drop me an email and I'll try to help ya out. Otherwise, have a great weekend everyone!

2011-09-08T07:01:00.001-06:00

Yesterday morning:

6*C (43*F)

Brrr.

Yesterday afternoon:

34*C (93.2*F)

Okay, I'm melting now.

The same all week.
It hasn't been this hot all summer.
Or this cool.

Now tell me, how on earth does one dress for this in the morning.

And Speaking of Books

2011-09-05T00:00:00.001-06:00

This was a great summer of reading for me. So far, I've been able to finish nine books in total and hopefully will be adding one more before the official first day of summer. I've reviewed some of them on this site (here, here, here , here, and finally, here) for you, but I've gotten a touch behind so for the review of the following, you can scroll down to their respective numbers on my book blog located here under the 2011 reviews.

#25

#26

#27

#28

I really tried to read a variety of stuff this summer. Nothing too terribly heavy, as it is summer after all. But looking back over the list, I see that I have 5 out of the nine books that could fit into the historical fiction category. Oh well. They were at different time periods and about totally different subjects, so I guess I'll let myself off the hook for that. Kinda, sorta. :v)

Now my mind is already starting to play with this coming up in the fall.

There are just so many books I want to read. And I can't stay off my library's website and add more to my "For Later" shelves. Decisions, decisions. Not to mention the fact that my own book basket in my closet is totally overflowing. I can't seem to stay away from library's book sales, either, it seems. Or their shelves. Or the bookstore. Ahhh, it's an addiction, I tell ya. But a good one. Right? Hello? But I have a plan for the upcoming challenge for choosing my books. I'll share that when the Fall Into Reading post goes up. But I'm curious. How do you choose your books you want to read? Do you go to book sites? Or are you a shelf browser? Do you randomly buy books, trade books, borrow books or are you deliberate? If you have overflowing piles how do you choose which ones to read at the that time? Enquiring minds want to know.

Friday's Fave Five #155

2011-09-02T00:00:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! It's Friday. It's Five Fave time. Join in as we look back over the week and find blessings, obvious or hidden, and share our 5 favorites.

1. First corn of the season. Peaches and Cream. Tender. Flavorful. Dripping butter and salt. Been waiting all summer for that perfect bite.

2. Bacon and watermelon. I know. Your going "What??? She's really gone and fallen off her rocker now." But seriously, it's delicious. I discovered it accidentally snitching food off the counter as I cooked. My grandma used to eat watermelon with bread. But I never could get that. I wonder what she'd think of watermelon with bacon. It's really true, everything's better with bacon. Even watermelon, apparently.

3. Wings to go. There's a new takeout restaurant in town and they are all about wings. They have about 15 flavors of wet wings and 5 dry flavors. They are sooo good. I tried the Sweet Chili Heat and hubby, who likes things plain, just had, you guessed it, the plain ones. Next up to try will be the dill pickle. Yummy.

4. Tomatoes. Fresh from the fields. When we were in the Okanagon Valley we bought a case of tomatoes and we've been enjoying them daily. There are so full of flavor compared to store bought. I might take the last half dozen or so and make homemade spaghetti sauce as per my youngest's request.

I just realized this whole post has been about food. LOL. I guess it's been a week of good eats around here so I will continue the theme with:

5. Plumots. Aka pluots. Never heard of them before? Neither had I but boy I'm glad I bought them. They were so juicy and sweet. They had a very different spotted exterior and ruby red interior. Never seen anything like it. I found a good picture and write up on them here. Designer fruit? Who knew it could be so good.

What were your favorites this week? Big or small does not matter. Obvious or you had to really search for them? Whichever way it is a good exercise to look for good things in our week. If you've done a post please link on up so we can come and visit and enjoy your blessings with you.

Have a great weekend everyone!

First Day Insanity

2011-09-01T08:18:00.000-06:00

Well that was interesting. You'd think with all the years of having kids in school I'd be a little more prepared for the first day of school. And the funny thing, I don't even have to do anything anymore because my last is in grade 12, but somehow that didn't make for any less of a crazy, hectic morning. And I totally missed getting the first day of school picture . Now I'll have to cheat and do it when she gets home.

It always takes us awhile to get into some kind of workable routine where my family can get out the door all the while the dayhome kids are arriving. It's quite the craziness, as my family is trying to reach for shoes and coats while the dayhome parents are trying to get those items off their kids and hung up and invariable my family gets blocked in on the driveway and there's this big juggling act going on with kids and cars and parents. It's quite the circus in my tiny little entryway. And all the while I'm trying to smile and not stress that everyone gets where they need to get on time. Yikes.

But here's to a new year now underway.

Friday's Fave Five #154

2011-08-26T00:00:00.001-06:00

Hi Everyone! Thanks for excusing me my lack of a post last week. I didn't have my computer because I was on holidays and I was unplugging. I borrowed hubby's laptop but couldn't get to my buttons or anything. Oh well. It still looked like a great number of you carried it for me and played along. Thanks for that!

Like I said, last week we were on vacation. In the beautiful, sunny, wine country of Okanagon. So beautiful. I've got my heart thinking I'd love to retire there. Better start saving my shekels. But anyway, in that vein my faves are going to be about the vacation.

1. Family Time all wrapped up in a getaway. I'm so thankful to still go on a holiday with this great bunch of people who have my heart.

I'm under no illusions that this is a great blessing. The chance to get away as a whole family is something I greatly appreciate. I know many "kids" 21 and 19, and sometimes even 16, don't want to go with Mom and Dad on a holiday. My kids still want to be with us and for that, I am so thankful.

2. Guts. Yes, the guts to knock this little activity off my bucket list.

I've been wanting to do it for, about 28 years. And I finally did.

It was worth the wait. And I'd do it again in a minute. So smooth and peaceful and not scary at all.

3. Fruit in Abundance. One thing that makes the Okanagan valley so amazing is all the fruit orchards. Miles and miles of them. Fruit stands everywhere. And what we really enjoy doing together is picking our own fruit. This time we picked peaches. There is nothing like fruit that you picked yourself. Fun and yummy.

4. Mountains and being in the midst of them. Though the drive home was an 11 hour affair done in one stint, it took us through the amazing Canadian Rocky Mountains. There are breathtaking. They are big, and rocky and majestic. I just can't stop taking pictures of them. Even though I'm doing in a car that's whipping on down the highway.

5. Relax Time. Plenty of down time. Swimming in the motel pool. Reading in the pool chairs. Sitting on several of the many beaches in the Okanagan Valley. Reading on my towel. Swimming in the lakes. Reading in the car. Eating more cherries than any sane person would do at any time except on vacation in the orchards. Trying new restaurants. Taking walks. Exploring streams. Sitting in the hot springs. Sigh. One week was not near enough. But I'm so thankful for that one week!

Our family doesn't go on a big getaway every year but I'm so thankful this was one year that we did. What were your favorites from this last week? Share in a post and don't forget to link on up so we can visit. If you're new, please read the guidelines first and then jump right in and join us!

I Need More Vacation

2011-08-23T14:16:00.001-06:00

As you can tell, I stepped away from the computer for this last week. And instead of doing so much of this

I was doing a bit of this:

Just a tad of this:

Some of this:

A bunch of this:

And a whole lotta this:

but I was most thrilled with doing this:

Yes, that's really me up there. Let me show you:

Tis me on the left.
Anyway, now I just want to do this:

I need a vacation to recover from the vacation.

Friday's Fave Five #153

2011-08-19T00:00:00.002-06:00

Hi everyone! I don't have my regular computer but yes, you are at Friday's Fave Five. Please join in as we look over our weeks and look for our blessings and share five of them. I'm not able to stay on this computer so I won't be playing along this week but please don't let that deter you from posting, linking and visiting. I'll have my own computer back next week. And maybe I'll be able to pop by and visit you this weekend.

Book Tour ~ Tombstones and Banana Trees

2011-08-14T07:39:00.000-06:00

"Tombstones and Banana Trees - A True Story of Revolutionary Forgiveness" by Medad Birungi with Craig Borlase

Publisher's Summary:

“My story changed beyond all recognition. Everything that was made ugly by pain and anger was turned to beauty by one simple, revolutionary thing—forgiveness.” Medad Birungi was once a boy who begged to die by the side of the road, a teenager angry enough to kill, a man broken and searching, yet today he is a testimony to God’s transforming power. In his life story, Tombstones and Banana Trees: A True Story of Revolutionary Forgiveness, Birungi charts his outrageous journey through suffering, abuse, despair and revenge to unexpected forgiveness and healing.

Birungi grew up with a violent father in the war-torn country of Uganda in the 1960’s. His childhood was scarred by extreme poverty, cruel suffering and unbearable sorrow that few of us can even imagine. Yet from that trauma came the lessons that we can all appreciate: the impoverishment of life without Christ, the redemption of the cross and the revolutionary power of forgiveness. His story deals in nothing less than pure, God-given transformation. Tombstones and Banana Trees has the dual quality of being both uniquely individual yet universally relevant, holding together the grandest of themes and the most intimate of testimonies. Birungi’s life is so comprehensively renewed that any reader sharing in his journey will feel the impact. Trough his story of healing, Birungi calls readers to find healing for their own emotional scars.

My Thoughts:

To describe this book in one word, the word would be "Powerful". If we could all take to heart, the message of revolutionary forgiveness that the author is relating through his own personal story, it would change the world. I won't lie, the parts of his childhood that were filled with emotional and physical abuse are at times hard to read but the author continually weaves a theme through it that offers hope. He doesn't offer a "pat" solution saying it is easy and instantaneous, he shows how hard forgiveness is, and how it is a daily, moment by moment choice. But he also shows that if we continuously make that choice and move into revolutionary forgiveness, it can allow God to move in the most horrid and unimaginable of situations and bring beauty and change and celebration. I highly recommend this read.

I was given this book free David c. Cook for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

You can purchase Tombstones and Banana Trees here.

Photo Hunter ~ One

2011-08-13T17:07:00.001-06:00

Today's theme for PhotoHunter is "One"

One Lonely Little Flower

Friday's Fave Five #151

2011-08-12T00:00:00.004-06:00

Hi everyone. How was your week? Are you ready to look back over it, good or tough, and look for those blessings that might have brightened your days, that lifted you up or made you smile? Or just those things that got you through the day? Then just let's get right to it!

My five favorites in no particular order:

1. Giveaways. I love, love, love giveaways. Love to win them and I love to give away. And what do you know? Last week I had a little ol' giveaway to celebrate my 150 Friday's Fave Five post. With help from Random.Org here are the winners of the Starbuck's cards:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

12

11

Timestamp: 2011-08-12 04:07:30 UTC

Congrats Karen and Nikkipolani . Email me your snail mail addresses and I'll get those out to you. Enjoy a favorite drink on me to celebrate. I think I'll join you and give the Iced Peppermint White Chocolate mocha a try.

2. This gosh darn cute dog. I know I posted this during the week, but for those of you who don't come here except for FFF, I just have to show you my dog loving the Crazy Daisy. He cracked us right up.

If perchance you want to see all his antics, the whole post is here.

3. Colorful Salad. At my hubby's staff bbq they had an incredible salad that just burst with color and flavor. It had broccoli, red grapes, cherry tomatoes, orange cauliflower and purple cauliflower with a simple mayo, vinegar, sugar dressing. Yes you read that right. Orange and purple cauliflower. Apparently there was also lime green too but they didn't buy that one. The cauliflower tasted the same as white but boy, it was full of color and just made you want a big plate full.

4. Continuing decluttering. Even though my yard sale is over and done with, the mood to continue to declutter is continuing on. But I'm not going to save up for another yard sale. That in itself made clutter, just contained clutter. I'm loving the open spaces on the storage room shelves and the floor space giving me access to said shelves. Nope, stuff is either going straight out the door to the garbage can, or into the donation box. I sorta can't believe how many times I've got purging and decluttering on my FFF's this year but I think I've been bitten by the bug.

5. Quick replacement. One of my kiddos in my dayhome is leaving at the end of the month. When a space is empty that means I get less of a paycheck. I was very thankful that the empty spot is already filled and I don't have to worry about it. Even though I have been doing this for so many years the pressure of interviews and getting that spot filled so that my pay isn't cut is really stressful. I'm so thankful for the relatively easy process this time around.

What were your favorites this week? Do a post and join us on the Mr. Linky. Then grab a coffee and visit around. Half the fun is getting to know the wonderful participants of FFF.

Book Tour ~ Clutter Rehab

2011-08-10T08:43:00.000-06:00

"Clutter Rehab - 101 Tips and Tricks to Become an Organization Junkie and Love It" by Laura Wittmann

Publisher's Summary:
With 101 quick and easy projects for organizing your kitchen, bathroom, closet and more, "Clutter Rehab" takes the stress out of home organizing. As you painlessly tackle piles of toys, stacks of paper and over-spilling drawers, you'll discover how to make de-cluttering your home an addictive pleasure.

My Thoughts:

I was looking forward to getting this book from Laura Wittmann of I'm an Organizing Junkie, a blog that I read daily and that has motivated me in many areas. Laura has taken her passion for simplifying life by removing the stress that clutter and chaos bring and compacted it into this little, easy to read book. Chock full of great ideas in one tip per page format, it gives great ideas in simple to implement steps to get anyone well on their way to creating less clutter in their lives. Even though I've been reading Laura's blog for years some great tips still jumped out at me in her book such as Tip 54: Setting your own clutter standards, Tip 40: Purge clothing at the end of the season, not the beginning (a revolutionary idea to me and one that's going into practice at my house!), Tip 41: 11 tips for parting with your clothes, Tip 80: Think about your habits and Tip 9: Never leave a room empty-handed. I love this little book and I'll be keeping it within easy reach for a quick reference.

I received this book free from Ulyssess Press for my review. All opinions expressed are my honest thoughts.

You can purchase your own copy of Clutter Rehab at the following places:

I'm an Organizing Junkie
Amazon
Chapters Indigo
Ulyssess Press
Barnes & Noble

Crazy Meets the Daisy & the Dog

2011-08-09T09:19:00.001-06:00

I thought summer was all about lazy, hazy, crazy days. Days of soda and pretzels and beer. Well, I don't know about the lazy, hazy, soda, pretzels and beer part, but the crazy has visited. And this dog of ours made friends quite quickly.

He has decided he likes the crazy daisy.

In fact, he looooves the crazy daisy.

He can get some serious air catching that water.

Yes, crazy definitely has found the dog this summer.

Is there any other kind of dog to have except one that keeps you amused with crazy?

Friday Fave Five #150

2011-08-04T00:00:00.005-06:00

My goodness, friends. Can you believe it is the 150th edition of Friday's Fave Five? I can't wrap my mind around that! Thank you to all who have blessed me with your participation whether you've stuck with this little meme from the very beginning or whether you are just recently joining in. I've loved everyone of you participating.

So this week was a bit of a toughie for me. I have been tired, folks. All those late nights sitting up with my daughter are not quite as easy to get over as they were when I was a few years younger. I've really been dragging. but there is still favorites I can find! In no particular order:

1. Black Apricots. Found them at Costco and they were yummy! They mess with your brain because they are black and fuzzy on the outside, like an apricot, and then inside they are smooth and juicy, like a plum. And they taste like a bit of both.

2. Hot dogs. Yes, I know. They are not healthy in the least, and I probably do not want to know what goes into them, but once in a while they really hit the spot. Especially on those days when I too tired to cook. My favorite topping? Cheeze Whiz and salsa. And close behind is mustard, chopped onions and chopped tomatoes. What's your favorite toppings?

3. Iced Chai Tea Latte. When it's hot out, who wants a hot tea or coffee when you're outside. Did you know you can get any Starbucks hot coffee as an iced version? I tried the Chai Tea Latte iced. Yup, real cold and real good!

4. Another yummy pizza from our favorite pizza place. I've mentioned the various delicious pizzas we've tried before, some of them top competitors in International Pizza Challenges held each year in Las Vegas. Our goal is to eat our way through their menu. So every time we order, we select one we already know we like and then we try something new. This time the sure thing was the Creamy Philly Cheesesteak pizza (absolutely delicious) and the new try was Teriyaki Steak which had teriyaki sauce, sesame seeds, seasoned steak, pineapple, green pepper, onion and cheddar. I was a little bit leery but the guy on the phone suggested it when asked so I gave it a try. Oh my goodness, it was good.

5. Long Weekends. Love my long weekends. I wish I could have one each week! :v) It was a gorgeous day and hubby and I did one of our favorite activities together, just me and him. We went for a good long bike ride. Then in the afternoon, I made bbq ribs with that wonderful sauce I mentioned last FFF. All in all a very relaxing day.

What are your favorites or blessings from your last week? Help me celebrate 150 posts of FFF and join in this week. If you have joined in I'll enter your name to win one of 2 Five Dollar gifts cards to Starbucks so that you can have a favorite drink, maybe even an iced chai tea latte, on me.

Book Tour ~ The Daughter's Walk

2011-08-03T13:33:00.000-06:00

"The Daughter's Walk" by Jane Kirkpatrick

In 1896, Helga Estby and her daughter, Clara, embark on a journey that would change the course of their lives and alter their family dynamics forever. In order to save the family farm, Helga takes on a challenge by a team of sponsors to earn $10,000 by walking from Spokane, Washington to New York City within 7 months and with the condition they are to earn their own way, wearing the new "Reform Dresses". Being the mother of several children, the youngest younger than two, her Norwegian husband strongly disagrees with the venture, but Helga is determined, seeing it as a way out of foreclosure for her family. Forcing her 18 year old daughter, Clara, to quit her job and accompany her, she strikes out on an amazing journey that brings many hardships and dangers but also many joys. Receiving shocking news on several fronts, the two return home after having been gone a year, having accomplished the walk, but also failing to collect the money when the sponsors don't pay up, facing criticism from both family and a community that is scandalized by what they did. Criticism so harsh that it causes a rift within the family. Forbidden to speak of the journey, Helga's spirit is crushed and she retreats into her everyday life, while Clara leaves her family to make her own way starting a rift that would last 20 years.

Based on the true story of these two women's lives, Jane Kirkpatrick writes a story filled with historical fact and weaves fictional story into it to fill in the unknown pieces. I found the writing of the actual walk fascinating as was the suffragette movement, it's involvement in the women's walk and the reactions of the day to what many considered a shocking endeavor. It was also fascinating to me to be drawn into the relationship between mother and daughter, their reactions to one another, and their understanding of one another as the journey progressed. I was kept mesmerized throughout that part of the story. The story did start to slow down for me in the middle, however, during all the explanations of the fur industry of the time, not something I'm particularly interested in. However, the compelling emotional aspects of the characters and wondering if the rift would be healed kept me reading and I'm glad I did. A must read at the end is the Author's Notes and Acknowledgements. It fills in all the details of the historical facts and what parts were fiction. It made the story come to life. I'd recommend this story just for the study of what drives people, what makes us decide to do the things we do and for the fascinating true story of two women who went against the society norm in the hopes of bettering life for their family.

Thanks to Waterbrook Multnomah for providing a copy of this book for review.

You can purchase "The Daughter's Walk" here.

Back Tired But Filled to Overflowing

2011-08-02T19:27:00.000-06:00

Can someone please tell me how after having 10 days off from work I can be totally exhausted by noon the first day back? Oy! This day really kicked me in the backside. I could easily have had a nap at the same time as the babies in the dayhome. I guess it could have be one or a combination of several things not the least of which are:

my oldest was home for a week
I spend every minute I can with her that she lets me when she's here
which means I went to bed waaay too late every night for 10 days
my hubby is a morning person
he did not have 10 days off
he still had to go to work each day
translation: I was still being woken up pretty much the same time as usual 'though he tried really hard to stay as quiet as possible
my youngest was home after being gone for three weeks
I was enjoying her company too
my son went camping
in bear country
in a tent
I was trying really hard not to worry and to keep certain scenarios from entering my mind and making a home in my thoughts

But I wouldn't have traded those late nights for anything. One thing that is nice when my girl comes home is that she just wants to pretty much do nothing. Her life is so busy that when she is here she really wants peace and rest. I'm glad her home represents that for her. I don't make any plans and we just play it by ear. We spent a lot of time just chatting, reading side by side, soaking up the sun and watching a few episodes of favorite shows. The only times we "did" anything was we took in Pirates of Caribbean 4, which neither of us had seen, browsed the farmer's market and we went to the lake on Saturday afternoon. But that was pretty much of the same thing, vegging, reading, chatting, except in a different setting.

So today I'm wiped. I'm off to bed early. That is, as soon as I hear from her telling me she made it back safe and sound.

Friday's Fave Five #149

2011-07-29T00:00:00.001-06:00

Oh my goodness, I can't believe I haven't posted since last week's fave five. But I have been a busy little beaver this week. But that doesn't mean there wasn't blessings in all the busyness. Are you ready to look for yours from the last week?

1. Safe arrivals. Always a favorite when I have family on the roads. My oldest girl brought the youngest home from her 3 weeks away at a youth training summer "camp". And my son arrived at his camping spot safe and sound. When I see that car pull up or get that phone call say they've made it, there is always a huge sigh of relief and a prayer of thankfulness going to God for keeping them safe once again.

2. Oldest daughter home. It's the week out of the summer that she comes home. It's nice to be able to sleep in a bit and then just have casual days with no agenda just to be with her.

3. Stories of fun, adventure and drawing closer to God. I've loved listening to the interesting stories of what my youngest experienced in her 3 weeks away. She's grown so much in maturity and in drawing closer to the Lord. It's exciting to pick up on her excitement of her adventures.

4. The best bbq sauce evah! Oh my goodness. I can drink this stuff. It's absolutely perfect for pork or chicken. I'm stocking up to get me through the winter when they probably won't be stocking it so much. Yum, apple-y and cinnamon-y and butter-y. My mouth waters as I type about it. And I'm sorry to my American FFF's but I think it's a Canadian thing. Lucky us! Although I think you may be able to order it online.

5. Goodbye red, hello green. Dill pickle green to be exact. We are repainting younger girl's (16) room from red to green. I don't what possessed us to do red but we haven't really liked it at all. The green is lovely and worth the effort it's taking. Now when I look at her open door it makes me smile.

What are your favorite blessings, your favorite happenings, your favorite quotes, songs, thoughts, whatevers, from your week. Do a post and don't forget to sign up on Mr. Linky, linking to the specific post please. If you need a few guidelines they are here. And now I'm off for more visiting and relaxing. Have a great weekend!

Friday's Fave Five #148

2011-07-22T00:00:00.002-06:00

Welcome to Friday and Friday's Fave Five! Are you ready to look back and remember some good things from your week? It might be easy and it might be a tough exercise but it's always worth it in the end. So here we go:

1. Phone calls from my youngest girl away at youth outreach training. They are as a group helping out this week at a children's camp and having her phone to excitedly tell me the good things she was witnessing God doing in the hearts of kids was amazing. I was grinning ear to ear after talking with her. I can hardly wait for her to come home and share it all.

2. Knowing that I have one me work day before a week off and before my two girls will be home. I can hardly wait.

3. Aircraft filling the sky. It's air show weekend around here and I always get thrilled watching the aircraft coming in for the show. The loud and fast CF-18 fighter jets thundered in yesterday and always literally make the hair stand on my arms. It's so exciting watching them do pass by's right over top of my house. Hopefully there will be no repeat of last year where something went wrong with a fighter jet and the pilot had to bail and crash the jet very close to the ground on practice day. It was a miracle he wasn't seriously hurt or killed and no one else was hurt. I'm praying it's an accident free day. The Canandian Snowbirds should be arriving and practicing up a bit tomorrow and that will be awesome. They always bring tears watching them. Not sure why. But they do.

4. Clutter disappearing before my eyes. I've been getting the yard sale ready to go and it's been thrilling to see shelf space opening up. Hopefully the yard sale will go well. No matter what that stuff is not coming back into the house.

5. Bike rides. Love going for bike rides and we've been able to get a few nice rides down our favorite roads. Hopefully lots more of them coming up during the summer. No pics though as hubby was just not enjoying the constant stop/starting and waiting when I bought my friend, the camera, along. Sigh, I've got to figure out a way to sneak it along somehow.

Have you thought of your favorites from the week yet? If it's a tough one, maybe grab a coffee and join some others and read along. It just might inspire you. Don't forget to link up if you've done a post. If you're new and need some guidelines for posting please stop by here first and then just join right in! Have a great weekend everyone!

Book Review ~ Save Me

2011-07-16T10:33:00.000-06:00

"Save Me" by Lisa Scottoline

Rose McKenna is on her first shift as a volunteer lunchroom mom at her daughter Melly's new elementary school. After having just moved here because of bullying in Melly's other school, Rose is dismayed to see her daughter running to a washroom to avoid the teasing of another child. Making her way over she determines to talk to the girls about bullying but in the middle of their conversation an explosion occurs in the kitchen. When Rose comes to, chaos abounds as fire is tearing through the building. Now she must make a split second emergency decision. Take the girls she was talking to to safety or go look for her daughter who is hiding. An impossible choice in the middle of a nightmare. Making the decision, she acts upon it but it very quickly comes back to haunt her and her family as accusations and mob mentality take over the community. Acting against the advice of her husband, a lawyer, and her attorneys, Rose takes matters into her own hands putting herself in danger as she starts to uncover what really happened with the explosion.

An emotional, page turning story, I could not put this book down! My heart broke for Melly and the teasing she had to endure, and Rose's dilemma of when to step in, and then the consequences of her decision to confront the bullies, and her decisions in the midst of the emergency. I had to cheer her on in her one track mindedness to get to the bottom of things and her determination to stick to what she believed was the right thing to do even though others with more experience were advising her differently. There is twists and turns in the story as she pursues her decisions that the reader doesn't see coming which kept it edge of your seat. The chapters are short and quick paced throughout the book and it makes you not want to put it down so you can see what happens next. This story really makes you explore as a Mom, "What would I do if that happened to me?", "How would I react if I was the other parents, or school staff, or a member of this community". It also made me think about the role media plays in our lives and our "right to know at all cost" mentalities. Faith, if you're reading this, I think you'd like this one!

Friday's Fave Five #147

2011-07-15T00:00:00.001-06:00

It's Friday's Fave Five time! Take a moment and reflect on the past week and take notice of your blessings over the week. Sometimes they are obvious and sometimes we need to look a little deeper. May you feel uplifted when you look for yours. If you need the details to posting and linking you may go here. but make sure you come back! :v)

1. My unexpected day off in the middle of the week. So nice to have that when it was least expected. I did a little work, had a little fun, and a bit of relaxing.

2. Nestea Refridgereated Iced Tea. The kind you buy in the cooler. Real tea, real lemon, no preservatives. This is the first time I've ever bought iced tea like this and definitely really good. Very refreshing and I think I may have spoiled myself from going back to the powdered stuff.

3. New towels. It just feels really nice to have a new set.

4. Long walks with the dog. I really enjoy getting out and taking the pooch for a walk. He gets me out in the fresh air and moving. And he'll go forever, if I let him decide. Of course, after a long walk, he does like his naps too. This is in the hotel a couple weeks ago after a long walk around a lake. I think he thought he was in heaven with all those pillows. He makes me smile.

5. Free meal surprise. Saturday we celebrated my mom's birthday by taking her to our favorite restaurant because we knew they made the dish that she was wanting. The restaurant was busy, but we were having fun and we slightly noticed that it was taking a little longer than usual but we were busy in discussion. It was a real surprise to find out that they gave us a gift certificate that covered the cost of my meal because there was a mix up with it and that's what the delay was. Great meal, great company and now I get to go back and eat free. I love that restaurant!

What were your favorites? Please join us as we celebrate our five favorite blessings from the week!

2011-07-14T08:44:00.001-06:00

I think I need to find someone who will run for Prime Minister that will bring in a 4 day work week. I will back them, for sure, 'cause my unexpected day off yesterday was gold, pure gold, I tell ya. It was so productive and yet so refreshing, I can't believe it.

So I'll tell you what I did 'cause I know you all are just dying to know. :v)

I made the major decision of doing some big work in the morning. I know me and had I started out the day shopping or reading, nothing would get done! So until 1 p.m. I worked on getting all my yard sale stuff priced and sorted and ready to go. I've got boxes of stuff. Man, why do I hang onto to some of this stuff that I will never use. I need to have Laura come and give me a good talking to. As I went through all the things on my shelves in the storage room, I asked myself a couple of questions:

Have I used it in the past two years?
If not, what is the likely hood that I will use it in the next year?

If I didn't think I'd use it in the next year, into the box it went. I figure on the off chance I need it that bad, I'll go buy another one. I'll bet the item won't be on my shopping lists anytime soon.

Another thing I dealt with on a tough basis with myself was the emotional attachment I had to some things. Mostly things from my kid's childhood. When my kids were little, they always had fun when they went to Grandma's (my mom) and they got to dig in the "treasure box". This treasure box was a mish mash of stuff she had saved from my childhood. Toys, clothing, books. They loved going in there and getting to bring a "treasure" home. Funny thing, all my polyester goodies were almost right in style again when my oldest wore them home. Anyway, I always thought that would be fun for my grandkids one day. But it was getting on the ridiculous side, much beyond a "treasure box" size. So I tried to do what Laura suggests, and I gave myself boundaries and borders. I picked a small sized rubbermaid tote I knew I had room to store. And I didn't allow myself to have more than what could fit in there. I got tough. So as a result, I've even got baby clothes in my yard sale. What was I thinking hanging onto those? Seriously, it was cute when my kids wore it but it will be so out of date or old looking by the time grandkids come along that the parents probably won't want them anyway. And I know one of my girls is not the sentimental hanger on-er type anyway.

Another area that was tough for me was my books. I love my books. I love the look of lots of books. I would love to own a home that has a library room with walls that are floor to ceiling built in shelves and a fireplace. But seriously folks, the likely hood of that ever coming true is very miniscule. So I got tough with the books too. I took out every book, mostly old paperbacks, that I knew I would never read again, simply because the print was way too small. I asked myself if I seriously would ever spend the time to reread a story when there are so many books I haven't read yet that are on my ever expanding want to read list and hold for later list at the library. And into the box they all went. If they don't sell at the yard sale they will go to a used book store or senior center or women's shelter.

So by 1 p.m. I was tired of all that. I did a quick vacuum job upstairs just because I love a clean, vacuumed look and then I went shopping! Not for long because I'm trying to be a good girl and not spend willy-nilly. And I'm the type that tends to buy if I just wander. But I had a goal of blue towels to match the shower curtain. And I found them for a good price. Yipee!

A good cup of coffee and putting my feet up reading my book, which is a really good one, while my chicken was roasting in the oven ended the unexpected day off. I'd say it was a good one.

What to do?

2011-07-13T08:49:00.001-06:00

Wow, I'm experiencing an unexpected day off. I'm in shock. A Wednesday off, all to myself. What to do, what to do? My happy, lazy side wants to go for coffee, go for lunch, go shopping, go to the library, take a nap, read my book, watch a movie, take my dog and camera to the lake, do anything but work. But it's at war with the side that is whispering that the house needs cleaning, the yard sale stuff needs some more pricing, there is painting that needs doing, curtains that need hanging and I can write my name in the dust around here. So I'm taking a vote. What should I do, people? My day off agenda may ride on your say. (Probably not really, but doesn't it give you a sense of power ordering someone else's day? LOL.)

Book Review ~ The Seeker

2011-07-11T20:52:00.000-06:00

"The Seeker" by Ann H. Gabhart

Charlotte Vance is the daughter of a Kentucky Senator and has big plans for her life. Raised in privilege, she is used to having black slaves on their estate to do the family's bidding and do the work of the estate. After her mother passed away, Charlotte became her father's helper in planning the parties his job required and in essence became the lady of the house. So her heart was really with the estate and it's continuation and growth. Her plans were to marry her childhood friend who had the property next to theirs so that the estates could be combined, but those come abruptly to an end when several circumstances, including meeting a handsome artist who stole her heart, the unscrupulous machinations of her father's new wife, as well as a life changing decision on the part of her fiance, combine to derail all her well laid plans. In a desperate attempt to free her personal slave who was like a sister to her, Charlotte ran away to join the Shaker community. Thinking her involvement with the Shakers was a quick and temporary fix to her problems, those plans also got thrown into a tailspin when the Civil war hit and moved right through their community. Now Charlotte must stay with the Shakers much longer than planned and while there she starts to realize who really is in control of her life and whose plans are the best.

I really enjoyed this story. It is rich in character development and historical detail. I never knew anything about the Shakers before I read this and the author did a wonderful job in weaving details of their beliefs into the story while not making it sound like a text book lesson. I could totally relate to the main character and her being a planner and committed to making those plans work and then having to face the fact that we, actually are not in control. This was a great summer read and I'm going to look for the other titles by the same author.

Friday's Fave Five #146

2011-07-08T00:00:00.004-06:00

**An odd request: But in the off chance that you come back, may the author of Glenridge Cottage please contact me through my email. I cannot get access to your site to read or leave a comment and I'd hate for you to think we are ignoring your post.

Welcome to Friday and that means it Friday's Fave Five time! What have been your blessings this past week? Can you pick out five of your favorites and share them with us?

Updated with Mr. Linky. Sorry guys don't know what I did to make it hide but here ya go!

1. Visiting with my oldest definitely tops my list. We just don't get to see her enough with her living so far. But we definitely had a wonderful weekend as a family visiting with her. It went entirely too fast.

2. Safe travels. I'm very grateful for safe travels on the way there and back.

3. Going to the mall and coming away with not having spent more than $30. And ten of that was for sunscreen. Pat myself on the back for sure. ;v)

4. Air Conditioning. To some of you I might be a wimp but at about 30*C ( 80*F) I was so thankful we had air the last couple of days. I know, I know some of you are sitting waaaay above that, but for us that is getting smokin' hot. And the cool house was most welcome!

5. Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream dipped in toasted coconut dip. Oh my goodness. Yummmy! Our daughter took us to a tiny ice cream shop in her city. It's an old fashioned little place only open in the summer. You order your stuff through an outside window, just the way I remember Dairy Queen from my childhood. Oh and the choices one has. Unbelievable. And always a long line up. But oh so worth the wait. And all five of us had huge treats for under twenty bucks. We'll be visiting there again for sure.

What were your favorite blessings from the week? If you do a post, please sign up on Mr. Linky linking to your specific post (not your home page please). Then have some fun visiting around and commenting if you can. Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Little Road Trip to Kick Off Summer

2011-07-07T09:46:00.000-06:00

Hellooooo out there! Just thought I'd pop in and say yes, I am still alive. Just in case anyone was wondering or were interested.

We had a busy long weekend and I just have not been able to get back in the groove, blogging or otherwise.

We hit the road and drove 7 hours to go see my girl and to drop off her younger sister to her.

T. will be attending a youth outreach training program in her sister's city and so gets to live with her bigger sister, whom she misses very much. It's with a bit of trepidation that this Mom dropped her off, however, because it was this same training program that started the K. on her journey to moving to that city and so far away from us. But the visit was really nice and it's always nice to get away from the daily routine.

We relaxed and took advantage of gorgeous surroundings and a nice walk around their lake on what turned out to be a beautiful, hot summer day.

Saw some Canada geese who were still celebrating Canada Day.

And what's a trip to another city without visiting their mall. And of course, scoring a great deal on a cute purse!

Lots of visiting and eating and another 7 hour drive later, we are back here and struggling to get back to routine even though we were only gone a few days. Getting back to that said routine is really hard when the weather is so summery and (for us) hot. I just want to sit on the deck or in the shade with a book and an iced coffee all day long. But back to routine I must get. Yes, so here I go. Any moment now.

Friday's Fave Five #145

2011-07-01T00:00:00.001-06:00

Welcome everyone! It' Friday and time to reflect back on the week and look for our blessings. Mine was a very busy week. Getting a 16 year old ready to go away for 3 weeks leaves my head spinning with all the details. But the blessings are still there to look for and appreciate.

1. Sparkling clean windows. Hubby has been working hard give all the windows in this house a good scrub. One just doesn't realize how dirty one's windows are until they are squeaky clean and all of a sudden you notice all sorts of stuff right outside your front window.

2. Flower pots filling. Now that we've actually had a few warm days in a row, the flowers are starting to take off. The pots aren't looking quite so sparse as the the blooms are opening and filling in. I just didn't have time to take pictures this week, but maybe next week I can get to it.

3. Home grilled burgers. Yum. To me a home grilled burger is the best. Filled with all my favorite fixings, it speaks summer loud and clear.

4. All things Will & Kate. We're back to show after show about Will and Kate's romance as the couple start their tour of Canada. And of course, along with all the documentaries there will be the news coverage. I'm seriously wanting to go to Calgary when they make a stop there next week but the thought of fighting the crowds just is not appealing anymore to me. I'll probably have a better view watching it on tv. But I would love to have a real picture that I actually took myself. Either way, I'll just keep enjoying from my couch.

Photo: Frank Gunn/AP

5. The long weekend coming up. Tomorrow is Canada Day and that means a holiday for us. And a definite fave for me is that I took Monday off too so an extra long weekend for me. Yipee!

What have your favorites been this week? Share with us, sign on to Mr. Linky and then try to do a little visiting too. It's amazing how sharing our blessings, helps to build gratitude into our every day. Have a great weekend everyone!

2011-06-29T09:01:00.001-06:00

Somebody has made himself right at home.

In house

and in hearts.

Someone's gonna miss the furball when she goes away for 3 weeks.

Friday's Fave Five #144

2011-06-24T00:00:00.003-06:00

Hi and welcome to Friday's Fave Five. Time to look back over the past week and think on those things that have blessed our lives. Sometimes they are easy to find and other times we really have to unearth them, but they are there if we look. Sometimes we look for the huge things that scream "blessing" but most times it the simple things that daily bring us the joy. What have been your favorite five blessings of the week? If you need the guidelines for posting you can stop by here first and then just join right in.

1. Celebrating with my hubby 28 years of being husband and wife. Last Saturday was the day and we celebrated with a lovely meal at our favorite restaurant. I can't believe it has been 28 years already. I'm so grateful the Lord brought us together and has been the glue that holds us together. Through all of what life throws at us, the good and the bad, I'm so grateful to have my hubby by my side.

2. Celebrating Father's Day with those in my life who bear the name "Dad". Cooking for my own Dad and my hubby who happens to be my kid's Dad, was an honor. And fun too.

3. Tiramasu Espresso Cake (Sugarplum Desserts) for dessert on Father's Day. Oh my goodness. Tell me you are not drooling for a slice from these pics and this description:

Layers of coffee cake are infused with coffee soak while creamy marscapone mousse sits in the middle and coffee whipped cream completes the layering. Covered with more real whipped cream, decorated with toasted almonds &dark chocolate flakes. Each slice is topped with a coffee bean for that real “Pick Me Up”— Net Wt: 2.1 kg

4. Summer making it's entrance with some good hot days. Well what we consider hot around here anyway. I know some of my bloggy friends would laugh at me for calling high '70's *F hot, but it's all relative. For us, who were still having weather in the 40's and low '50's last week in the wee hours of the morning, it was smoking!

5. Sitting and reading under the umbrella at my patio table amongst my potted flowers in above said hot weather. I love sitting out there with a cold drink and my book. Now I know summer has arrived.

What are your favorites? If you do a post don't forget to link the specific post and not your general home page on the Mr. Linky.

Busy It Seems

2011-06-23T08:23:00.000-06:00

Again I find my week disappearing without my having posted much. I just don't know what on earth is filling up my days but filled they are. I suppose it could be that I've got a new 1 year old in the dayhome and that totally takes my time in the day when he is here. It could be that we are outside most of the day and therefore away from the computer. Or it just might be that trying to get my daughter ready to go away for three weeks has kept me busy, not to mention tearing my hair out. But I don't think it has to do with So You Think You Can Dance being on twice a week and now So You Think You Can Dance Canada starting the other day. (How will I ever keep the two shows and all the contestants straight is a feat I'm not sure my poor overloaded brain is up to but we'll see). And it certainly wouldn't be affected by Top Chef Canada having a Calgary chef that has made it to the top 4. No, no I don't think it's that. Whatever the case may be, my days are full as is my brain and it's hard to narrow anything down and then find the time to post. Oh well. Life is as life is.

But I did find a fun thing I wanted to share if you like memes and theme day posting. The Bz House That Love Built has compiled an extensive list of a ton, and I do mean a ton, of memes that run on a daily, weekly and monthly basis all over the blogging world. Take a peek over there. You might just find a new meme or two that you'd like to participate in. But don't you leave my Friday's Fave Five! LOL. Which reminds me, I better start working on that for tomorrow! See you then.

Spring Reading Thing 2011...Done

2011-06-21T00:00:00.006-06:00

It is done. Finished. Ended. Spring Reading Thing 2011 is over. With the first day of summer upon us, it is time to wrap up and see how we did on our spring reading goals this year.

This was a great spring read for me this year. Between some really great books and a wetter spring allowing lots of evening reading time, I actually accomplished my Spring Reading Thing List and even went beyond adding a couple of review books and a book on my library list. The biggest surprise was that I finished a total of 5, count them, 5, non-fiction books on my list plus added 1 for review for a total of 6 non-fictions and they were all read cover to cover. That is definitely one for the record books. That is, if anyone is keeping track of such things.

As a review, here is my Spring Reading Thing list.
The extra's were "To Be Perfectly Honest" by Phil Callaway, "The Bride's House" by Sandra Dallas, and "When Sparrows Fall" by Meg Moseley. Your can go here for reviews on all the books from my Spring Reading. Just scroll down to #6 - 19. (If you choose to comment on that site please mention the name(s) of the book you are commenting on within your comment.)

Did I have a favorite from my reads this spring? The one that stuck out the most to me was definitely "The Kitchen Boy - A Novel of the Last Tsar" by Robert Alexander. It was interesting and gripped me from beginning to end, was well researched to historical facts, had a believable fiction storyline, and had the surprise twist at the end that I love. It was the perfect historical fiction novel.

So did I learn anything new this time around from the Spring Reading Thing? Well I learned that branching out of my usual authors was quite fun. I found quite a few new ones this time around. And I also learned I am quite capable of finishing non-fiction from cover to cover and of finishing more than one a year. And as usual one of my favorite parts about this challenge was reading everyone else's lists and finding new titles to add to want to read list. Thanks again Katrina for hosting.

How did you do on your spring reading goals if you made them?

Boor Tour ~ When Sparrows Fall

2011-06-20T16:53:00.001-06:00

"When Sparrows Fall" by Meg Moseley

Miranda Hanford is a young widow, trying to raise her 6 small children quietly in the home her husband provided for them. But when her dominant, controlling pastor announces that he is moving to another state and that the whole church must move with him, Miranda knows she will not go. Already labeled a trouble maker and "pariah" by the pastor, Miranda wonders how she will make a stand without having the pastor use "secrets" that were revealed to him in counselling years back against her to make her move. As Miranda tries to seek God and what He would have her do, she has an accident that lands her in the hospital. Having just named her brother-in-law, whom she had only met once, as legal guardian over her children, he receives a call from her son asking for him to come until Miranda is well. No one is more surprised than Jack Hanford as he had no relationship with his brother at all. Leaving immediately to help the family, he is confronted by the extreme sheltering of the children and the controlling religious views that his brother had. As Miranda is recovering, she not only has to still try to figure out what to do with the move, but now she also has Jack challenging how she has raised her family to contend with.

This is the debut novel for this author and it is a good debut. The story of Miranda finding herself after years of being told what to do and having no choices really drew me in. My heart ached for her predicament of wanting to seek God's will and yet trying to reconcile it with the harshness and controlling factor of her husband's and church's beliefs and her feeling of having her hands tied because she was afraid of the consequences. It was easy to cheer her on as she tried to find freedom for her and her children, yet to stay within the parameters of what she felt was God's will. I really enjoyed the relationship that Jack built with the children as the story went on. Though I felt he overstepped his bounds on many an occasion in regards to his interference, given his frustration with the hard control of the pastor over his congregation, his suspicions with the motives behind the congregational move, and his desire to see the children with some freedom, that interference was understandable. I thought the story flowed along well and I finished it within a few days. The characters where well written and the conversations seemed real given their motivations and brokeness. A good story that makes you think about the lines between the freedom we have in Christ and blind and complete obedience to another person.

Thanks to Waterbrook Multnomah for providing a copy for review. All opinions are my own.