my journey through 50

Sunday's Song

2012-01-08T13:11:00.001-08:00

This is my desire
To honour You
Lord, with all my heart
I worship You
All I have within me

I give You praise
All that I adore
Is in You

Lord, I give You my heart
I give You my song
I live for you alone
Every breath that I take
Every moment I'm awake
Lord, have Your ways in me

Sunday's Song

2012-01-01T11:36:00.000-08:00

Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You'll lead me

And I will follow You all of my days

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T18:56:00.000-08:00

Barb, go here for a special message just for you.

Christmas reads

2011-11-14T07:25:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading A Cedar Cove Christmas and before that I read 1225 Christmas Tree Lane. I enjoyed both, they are lite feel good books. Plus, I like reading "seasonal" books this time of year. I have one more Debbie Macomber Christmas book and a couple Christmas devotionals to read before the end of the year. It's a good way to relax during this very busy time of year.

A month of Thanksgiving

2011-11-01T15:35:00.000-07:00

Psalm 107:1

Thank you Lord for the beautiful weather we enjoyed today.

Vintage Friday

2011-10-14T18:38:00.000-07:00

I found this vintage coloring book at an antique store last weekend. It is in very good condition with only one page colored on. The cover is still very bright and while the inside has yellowed it has only one page that is colored one. It was published in Chicago in 1954. I am hoping it won't be too expensive to make copies of the inside pages. I had the cover copied and reduced at Archivers. I hope to use the pages in a scrapbook about my school years.

Back to School

2011-09-07T08:01:00.000-07:00

Brittany goes back to school today. Remember back to school shopping? We rarely went to the mall, instead we did most of our shopping at Turn Style or Zayre. Which fashions do you think Brittany would like?

My Three Sons

2011-08-29T16:45:00.000-07:00

Most mornings I wake up pretty early, between 5 and 6am. I like to go in the family room and stitch for a couple hours before doing anything else. Recently I discovered My Three Sons was on at 7:30am, so now I stop stitching and go upstairs to watch T.V. This was one of my favorite shows, I never missed it. I still try to watch every morning.

Get ready for school

2011-08-24T13:20:00.000-07:00

Ever since I can remember I have loved the first day of school. The last week in August was spent buying clothes and supplies in anticipation of the big day. Who doesn't love a new box of crayons and sharp yellow pencils. I would save the box from my new school shoes bought from Kenney's and fill it with glue, scissors and colored erasers, Crayola 64 pack pushed against the corner to keep things neat.

Next stop Zayre's and JCPenney's. Three new dresses, white socks and undershirts, maybe a new slip if it was on sale. I had my ears pierced in second grade so that year I got a new pair of earrings also. I was one of two girls in my class with pierced ears.

I took the bus in elementary school, same stop all five years. I walked two blocks, often meeting my friends at the first corner then we'd walk the rest of the way together. I always sat with Kari, lunch boxes resting on our laps. Always excited for the first day.

Another old building

2011-07-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

I took these pictures in Oak Forest. This barn is thought to be the oldest structure in town. I really like the truck and I love the weeds growing out of it.

Vintage Father's Day

2011-06-19T14:37:00.000-07:00

I found this card recently at an antique store. I just couldn't resist, the colors are so vibrant and the text is very corny. Still it's " there with the goods".

2011-06-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

Just a little birthday humor.

Happy Birthday

2011-06-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

I started this blog three years ago today on my 49th birthday. I didn't know where it would take me or if I would even continue beyond my 50th birthday. Today I start my fourth year as a part of this community. I have learned so many things and I've "met" women from all over the world. Happy birthday dear blog.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-07T19:07:00.001-07:00

National Day of Prayer

2011-05-05T06:28:00.000-07:00

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 14

Il Divo - Amazing Grace

2011-04-27T07:09:00.000-07:00

Vintage Friday

2011-04-22T14:47:00.000-07:00

Another vintage Easter card to enjoy.

Vintage Friday

2011-04-01T20:22:00.000-07:00

I received these potholders from Barb earlier this week. I love them! They are a great addition to my collection.

2011-03-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

A vintage Easter card to enjoy.

2011-03-30T07:47:00.001-07:00

A Memory

2011-03-26T06:23:00.000-07:00

For as long as I can remember my mother hosted a Christmas Eve party. It was a big affair that required a lot of preparation. She would work for weeks on the menu, decorations, grab bag gifts, the bar set-up and so on. It seemed everyone we knew was invited, aunts and uncles, cousins, family friends and anyone else who wanted to stop by. ( Uncle Bob's brother is in the picture above) These parties lasted well into the night .( I can remember wanting people to leave because we were afraid Santa would not come because we were not bed) Mom would serve a huge buffet which always included herring. Bobby would try and try to get us to taste it, I know I never did. Sometimes Mrs. Mundinger would play the piano and we would sing Christmas songs. When we weren't singing the stereo was playing Christmas records until it was time to track Santa on the radio. As we got older the parties were scaled down quite a bit. Eventually it was only our family which was a lot. People would stop by during the day to reminisce about the "old days". We all have such fond memories of these parties.

Vintage Friday

2011-03-25T14:03:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I found this book at an antique store and knew I had to have it. I have actually been reading it and enjoying the advice. It was published by The Dartnell Corporation in 1958.

Thankful Thursday

2011-03-24T07:20:00.000-07:00

I'm thankful for...

1. Christian radio every morning.

2. Roberta...today is her birthday.

3. Bryce has a new job.

4. A freezer full of food.

5. E-mail.

Vintage Friday

2011-03-11T09:55:00.000-08:00

I found these pages while going through a bag of embroidery someone gave me. I don't know how old they are, however, I also found newspaper clippings from 1961 in the same bag. I really like Nora and Tilly, ( I've always liked paper dolls ). The colors on both pages are very bright.

1959 First EVER Barbie Commercial

2011-03-09T07:52:00.002-08:00

Happy Birthday Barbie

2011-03-09T07:47:00.000-08:00

I have always loved Barbie. I had this Barbie with several different hair colors. I also had a few bobbed hair Barbies . I played with my Barbies all the time. That's all I wanted for my birthday and Christmas. If my grandma was taking the bus to the "shopping center" I would ask if I could go with because I knew she would buy me a new outfit from the dime store. I would try to pick one with a lot of accessories, things like records or books.

2011-02-14T07:19:00.000-08:00

My Valentines

Thankful Thursday

2011-02-03T15:24:00.000-08:00

1. I'm thankful the snow has moved on.

2. I'm thankful Bryce was able to get back to school.

3. I'm very thankful I didn't have to go anywhere today.

4.I'm thankful Jim was able to go to work.

5. I'm so thankful for the sunshine all day.

2011-02-01T09:56:00.000-08:00

A man and his (littlest) boy.

Vintage Friday

2011-01-28T09:36:00.000-08:00

I found this old aspirin tin inside a box of quilting things. The quilter kept her needles inside.

1000 Blessings

2011-01-27T11:19:00.000-08:00

Some blessings need a little story. This is one of them.

When I was little my grandma made a lot of clothes for us. She loved to sew and it gave her something to do. For many years she would make us flannel nightgowns for Christmas. They were always the same pattern, simple, only embellishment was lace around the yolk. They were always pastel. I remember a mint green nightgown with cream lace . No buttons, just snaps in the back. I loved this nightgown.

11. Handmade nightgowns.

12. Very special memories of the sound of Little's sewing machine.

13. A love of sewing.

1000 Blessings

2011-01-24T16:42:00.000-08:00

I got this idea from a program I listened to on Moody radio.

1. My grandma lived with us.

2. I was able to go to college.

3. All my children were born healthy.

4. I have a warm place to sleep tonight.

5. I come from a large family.

6 .I am surrounded by books.

7. I have always had the best friends.

8. My husband has a job he likes.

9. I am healthy.

10. I am an American.

Grace

2011-01-05T14:54:00.000-08:00

All over blogville women are picking one word for 2011. I was torn between grace and blessing, and after thinking about both I choose grace. I have received grace from our Heavenly Father and I want to extend grace to those around me.

2011-01-01T09:18:00.001-08:00

The Twelve Days of Christmas

2010-12-20T08:40:00.001-08:00

On the sixth day of Christmas...

( my favorite so far)

The Twelve Days of Christmas

2010-12-20T08:39:00.000-08:00

On the fifth day of Christmas...

The Twelve Days of Christmas

2010-12-20T08:38:00.000-08:00

On the fourth day of Christmas...

The Twelve Days of Christmas

2010-12-20T08:37:00.000-08:00

On the third day of Christmas...

(already on my vintage tree)

The Twelve Days of Christmas

2010-12-20T08:36:00.000-08:00

On the second day of Christmas...

The Twelve Days of Christmas

2010-12-20T08:34:00.000-08:00

On the first day of Christmas...

Denver and the Mile High Orchestra Jingle Bells

2010-12-17T06:53:00.002-08:00

My New Favorite

2010-12-01T10:59:00.000-08:00

This is my new favorite Christmas CD. I like every song , however, I think my favorite is Toy Packaging. Not a traditional Christmas song but a lot of fun.

2010-11-25T07:08:00.000-08:00

“They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.”
Psalm 145:7 (NIV)

2010-11-24T08:48:00.000-08:00

A Memory

2010-11-18T05:55:00.000-08:00

Last night Kylie wanted to show me what she wanted for Christmas. An Easy Bake Oven of course, just like every little girl for decades. It reminded me of my Easy Bake Oven, a Christmas present over 40 years ago. Every time we went to the store after that I wanted mixes for my oven. I remember sitting at the kitchen table with my stepfather waiting for the cakes to be finished, then waiting for them to cool so we could frost it. I was always afraid of the heat from the light bulb so Bobby would have to do most of the work but I didn't care, I was baking! To this day baking is one of my favorite things to do.

Happy Veteran's Day

2010-11-11T06:31:00.000-08:00

Micah Benjamin

2010-10-31T14:56:00.000-07:00

Our first grandson, Micah Benjamin, born today at 12:05.

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
       And what does the LORD require of you?
       To act justly and to love mercy
       and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

Some People You Should Know: Advocates For The Blind « CBS Chicago – News, Sports, Weather, Traffic, and the Best of Chicago

2010-10-16T06:20:00.000-07:00

Some People You Should Know: Advocates For The Blind « CBS Chicago – News, Sports, Weather, Traffic, and the Best of Chicago
Joe and Kim are friends of ours. Kim is part of "The Birthday Babes" and we have gone to a lot of seminars together. The Kusters have also been at several of the parties we had during the summer.

A Memory

2010-09-29T18:58:00.000-07:00

I don't remember very much about living in this house except the front porch. I didn't play on the porch as much as under it. I would crawl in from the side and stay there for hours. The dirt was almost like sand and it was very cool in there. I would make mud pies and play with my dolls.

I also remember that Kenny always wore his guns and someone boots, this time he must be wearing Mom's.

Fall Activities

2010-09-27T17:54:00.000-07:00

Today Jim and I went apple picking at County Line Orchard in Indiana. We like to go every year to get our apples and a few pumpkins. Going to the orchard is one of my favorite fall activities. It was a very nice day, not to chilly and the sun was beautiful. We spent most of the afternoon walking around and enjoying the crisp fall air. We plan to go again next month.

Vintage Friday

2010-09-17T16:13:00.000-07:00

Jim and I traveled Illinois Route 66 on Thursday. We covered 93 miles in 7 hours. We found this two cell jail in Gardner. It was in service during the early 1900's. It was mostly used for vagrants.

A memory

2010-09-02T06:47:00.000-07:00

I can still remember this day. My mom had a Hawaiian themed party in our dining room . She had removed all the furniture and put a tablecloth on the floor. Cheyrl and I were wrapped up in fabric (mumus) and we had plastic lais around our necks. Steven and Chuck were there along with Uncle Dick. I know there were a other family members there but I can't remember who. We sat on the floor and ate our party food. It was very exciting.

Vintage Friday

2010-08-07T09:14:00.000-07:00

I have seen so many cute vintage glasses on line. I hadn't thought about collecting them until now. I found these at an antique store Friday. I love the white flowers. I think these will go so good in my kitchen. They make me happy

For the past year I have been collecting the Star Glow plates and saucers. I hadn't found any cups until now. I found these at the thrift store for $.25 each. I wasn't sure if they were part of the set so I only bought four. There was also a coffee pot. I would like to go back and get any other cups and the coffee pot. I love this set, it reminds me of Christmas.

Halloween pin cushion cupcake swap

2010-08-02T20:37:00.000-07:00

I joined a Halloween cupcake swap at Mary Jane's Farm. I did a couple swaps last year and it was fun. I wasn't sure what the swap was really about, but then I found some pictures of another cupcake swap from earlier this year and I knew I wanted to join. I need to look at my "stash" and see what embellishments I have for fall. I am really excited to start.

Worship

2010-07-26T07:02:00.000-07:00

Last night we had a great time of worship with Mercy Me and a few thousand friends at the Ignite Chicago concert. Mercy Me is one of my favorite bands. It was my first time seeing them in person and I was not disappointed.

Vintage Friday

2010-07-09T12:46:00.000-07:00

I bought this Fingerhut suitcase at the thrift store yesterday. It looked to be in great condition. I have been looking for one for a long time. I didn't open it all the way until I brought it home. The inside while in perfect condition held a big surprise.

Oh joy! another case, also in great condition. This one even had the original inventory tag.

I opened the second case and found this!

When I opened the oval case inside were these two bags along with three keys for the luggage and the ads for the cases. I think this is one of my best finds in a long time.

Working on my girl fort

2010-07-03T18:31:00.000-07:00

For years Barb has been after me to turn the family room closet into a sewing area. I am finally doing it. Today I painted the space a very pale pink. I've never had a pink room before. This is going to be a total girl fort. I have to find my ceiling light fixture this week. I am also looking for a vintage desk to use as a work space. The carpet is still the original from 24 years ago. It also needs to be replaced. This is about as far as I've gotten in the planning. Any ideas?

Vintage Friday

2010-06-11T14:43:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Jim and I went to Michigan "junkin'". He had asked me how I wanted to celebrate my birthday and that's what I wanted to do. I had so much fun. It is just like a treasure hunt. I didn't have anything special in mind, I just wanted to see what I could find. Here are a few of my treasures.

Birthday Tea

2010-06-04T14:12:00.000-07:00

Thursday I celebrated my birthday with three of my good girlfriends at The Pick Wick Society. We had tea, finger sandwiches, scones and several very yummy pastries served to us in "Jo's Room". After tea we went shopping for yarn and fabric at local shops. There was a car show going on in town also so we walked through that. I had a lot of fun, thank you girlfriends for sharing this day with me.

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T05:26:00.000-07:00

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

2010-05-30T09:32:00.001-07:00

2010-05-29T17:00:00.000-07:00

Where there's a will, there's av way!

Vintage Friday

2010-05-28T07:59:00.000-07:00

Charlene gave me a set of these depression glass ice cream dishes for Mother's Day this year. They are so me. I think I feel a new collection coming on!

I bought a set of three trays at a garage sale last week. Kylie told me we could serve one another "deluxe peanut butter and jelly sandwiches" on these tray. We just might do that.

Thankful Thursday

2010-05-20T13:13:00.000-07:00

1. Jim has a good job.

2. Abbie is better.

3.Bryce is finished with school for this semester.

4.Spring weather.

5. Friends.

2010-05-12T18:19:00.000-07:00

We're so proud of our graduate!

Sweet Tea

2010-05-01T17:32:00.001-07:00

Britt as soon as I heard this I thought about you!

Vintage Friday

2010-04-23T15:11:00.000-07:00

Today's Vintage Friday is me! I am turning into my grandma. Earlier today I had a doctor's appointment and was diagnosed with bursitis (tendinitis) in my knee. A while ago I was told I had rheumatism (rheumatoid arthritis) in my hand. I can remember Little complaining about both of these. "Oh, my rheumatism is really acting up!" she'd say. Or, "oh my bursitis is bad today." It's bad enough when you turn into your mother, but your grandma too!

Moody Cook Out

2010-04-18T17:07:00.000-07:00

This weekend Bryce invited a group of guys from his floor over for a cook out. Fifteen guys showed up for the all day party. The first group showed up at 11:30 and the last guy left at 9:00p. The ate, played football, ate, watched a movie, ate, built a fire, ate again, made smores, and finally finished eating. They kept telling us how happy they were to be away from the city ( and I think college food). It was our pleasure to host these young men for the day.

Bella, where are you going?

2010-04-12T15:19:00.000-07:00

Resurrection Sunday

2010-04-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

Easter Prayer

LORD, Thank You for the gift of HOPE You gave us on Easter morning. Because of You we know That no problem is too difficult And even death does not have power over us.

Thank You for the gift of JOY You gave us when You were resurrected. Because of you we know That no matter how challenging life may be, In the end we will rejoice again.

Thank you for the gift of LOVE You gave us when You laid down Your life. Because of You we know That there is no sin too great to separate us and we are incredibly valuable to You.

Thank You for the gift of LIFE, You gave us when You left the tomb. Because of Easter we know this world is just the beginning and we will spend forever in heaven with You.

We celebrate You, JESUS, With hearts full of praise and gratitude For who You are and all You've done for us! Amen.

Spring

2010-03-28T15:27:00.000-07:00

For behold, the winter is past;
   the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
   the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove
   is heard in our land.
The fig tree ripens its figs,
   and the vines are in blossom;
   they give forth fragrance.

Song of Solomon 2:11-13a

Vintage Friday

2010-03-19T07:05:00.000-07:00

These three Easter postcards are from my small but growing collections of Easter cards. The cream colored one with the egg is the first one I purchased.

She's here!!!

2010-03-03T17:30:00.000-08:00

Lilie Ann Kruis

7lbs. 12oz. 21"

American Girl Cafe

2010-02-22T18:49:00.000-08:00

Saturday I joined Amanda and Kylie at the American Girl Cafe for tea. We were there to celebrate Kylie's birthday. It was everything I thought it would be. I only wish I had my own American Girl doll to bring with.

When I was little I often had tea parties with my grandma. We didn't go anywhere fancy or have store bought treats. We would give ourselves names and maybe put on a necklace and lipstick. Sometimes we had real tea and sometimes we just pretended our cups were full. I could sit all afternoon with my grandma and my dolls and pretend we were fancy ladies having tea together.

2010-02-22T08:09:00.000-08:00

This is my new camera. It takes instant pictures the size of a business card. I like getting these small photos instantly. I think Brittany must like it too. She takes it with her everywhere.

2010-02-22T08:05:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-13T07:30:00.000-08:00

I made this wreath a very long time ago. It is still my favorite Valentine decoration.

2010-02-11T15:25:00.000-08:00

Here is a Valentine I made from the tutorial at Two Crazy Crafters. I made mine into a simple decoration for the family room.

Bella, Bella and more Bella

2010-02-10T12:55:00.000-08:00

I am NOT obsessed with this dog!

Vintage Valentines

2010-02-04T17:24:00.000-08:00

When I was younger, my father and stepmother always gave us cards on holidays including Valentines Day. Inside the card we would find $2.00. Usually the cards came in the mail, however, sometimes we would get them on our Sunday visit. They would also have Fannie May chocolate hearts and all kinds of other goodies for us. My stepmother went all out for holidays. We really enjoyed it and I have tried to carry on the tradition. I don't do nearly as much as she did but I still feel encouraged to make the day special.

Vintage Valentines

2010-02-01T07:50:00.000-08:00

I have a small collection of vintage valentines that I will be sharing over the next couple days. This was the first card I purchased.

I can't remember where I found this, but I loved the gray with the pink and red.

Getting around in January

2010-01-25T11:38:00.000-08:00

Get boots on, find scarf and wrap around neck, gloves. Warm up car, clean front and back windows. "No, Bella you cannot come with". Bring dog back in house. Back out slowly, it might be icy. Hurry open the window, turn off heat....HOT FLASH!!! Okay back to normal. Seven minute prep time, for a five minute trip. Ah, winter.

Cousins

2010-01-16T15:17:00.000-08:00

My friend Delphine is an only child married to an only child. This means her children have no aunts and uncles and no cousins. This seems so strange to me. Growing up we were always with our cousins, from both sides of the family. We spent holidays together and most weekends someone was having a sleepover.

On my mother's side there were girls close to my age. Shelia was 2yrs older and Tami was 2yrs younger. We would play school, office, Barbie's, and jump rope . In my dad's family all the cousins that lived close were boys. We still saw them a lot and had fun when we were together. We played outside on the swing set or played tag. Sometimes we would pretend we were in Atlantis, the furniture was islands and the carpet was the ocean. I can still remember jumping from the sofa to a chair looking for other survivors. Of course my aunt would not be home or we would not have been playing in the living room.

Often my parents would go out with my aunt and uncle and we would all stay home together. We would pop popcorn (in a pan with oil) and watch T.V. until we feel asleep. On nights like this our cousins usually spent the night at our house. For years Shelia and Robby went to church with us. Aunt Diane and Uncle Billy and their fours kids came over later Sunday afternoon and ate dinner with us.

I have very good memories of time spent with my cousins.

New Friends

2010-01-01T15:20:00.000-08:00

   I don't make New Year's resolutions simply because I know I cannot keep them. Instead I make New Year's goals. For many years one of my goals has been to make a new friend. Not a casual friendship but one that will last. In 2009, I was able to work on two new friendships. I have known both Dawn and Charlene for a while. Dawn and I went to grade school together and I met Charlene while I worked at a cross-stitch shop Also, she is the mother of one of Bryce's friends from high school.
   Dawn and I go to the same church and we would say hi whenever our paths would cross but that's as far as it went. Then another lady in my Bible Study asked her to join and she started coming on Tuesdays. I had always liked her but I did not realize how much we had in common. We even met a few times along with Charlene to knit together. Again we discovered we had a lot of the same interests. A few months ago Dawn gave me a small gift in an envelope she made herself. Inside were two vintage hankies she found while thrifting. It was a perfect gift, she understood me! I felt like we had wasted so many years.
    I liked Charlene as soon as I met her. First, she was as obsessed with stitching as I was. And she is not a phony. She is who she is. She is smart, kind, caring and not prissy.   We have a lot of fun together and she gets my humor. She is a very good knitter and loves yarn even more than I do. We also have a lot in common and talk on the phone for hours even though she lives only a few miles away.
    I don't know who God will bring into my life this year but I am looking forward to making new friends. God has blessed me with wonderful friends all my life. Some are here for only a season and some will be my friend forever. I thank Him for all these women and the good times we have shared.

2009-12-31T12:42:00.001-08:00

Amanda this is for you!

2009-12-15T07:25:00.001-08:00

A must read for quilters

2009-12-14T14:05:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading this book and I enjoyed it so much. I probably would not have read a book about slaves during the Civil War but it is part of a series, The Elm Creek Quilts, that I have been reading for a few years. Even though this book is fiction it touched my soul. Quilting is the original bond, but it goes much farther than that. This is a story about one woman's quest for freedom and a desire to care for her family. Her quilts are more than coverings, they are history written in fabric. This book is fiction but it tells a story of so many women, women who are part of our heritage. Just another reason I love quilting so much.

Wednesday's Wonderful Woman

2009-12-09T18:22:00.000-08:00

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called^[c] the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

When God called Mary she listened. Do I listen when He speaks to me?

James 1:26-27

2009-12-02T16:12:00.000-08:00

²⁶If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. ²⁷Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Yesterday at Bible Study we filled 55 pillow cases with items for boys at a school in Joliet. Most of these boys are either homeless or in foster care and have very little. We were very lucky to be working with a local organization... My Joyful Heart. They asked us if we could sign cards for the boys and by the time the ladies were finished each boy will receive a pillow case full of things including a hat, gloves, scarf, toothbrushes, soap, socks, and lots of candy. We were able to get the names of all the boys so each pillow case was personalized with their name and a Christmas message. Many hands made light work and we were finished in about an hour. Kim for My Joyful Heart was there to pick up the bags.

Vintage Friday

2009-11-27T07:23:00.000-08:00

This year I'm adding vintage light reflectors to my vintage tree. I found these on Ebay last week and they are perfect for my tree. I'm also adding these vintage icicles.

2009-11-26T05:51:00.001-08:00

Vintage Friday

2009-10-16T12:41:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures of old doorways I saw on a recent trip. I love the look of old doors with their peeling paint and rusted hinges. I like to think about all the people who have passed through these doors and what their lives must have been like. Each of these doors has a unique history and hundreds of stories.

The Scoop

2009-10-16T12:15:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading this book this morning. It was my first novel by Fern Michaels. I usually don't read novels but I enjoyed this one. It was light reading and I didn't need to think about it. It was just for fun. Of course, now I have to read the rest of the series as soon as it comes out.

Making Laundry Detergent

2009-09-23T15:08:00.001-07:00

This afternoon I made a batch of laundry detergent. I have been wanting to do this for a long time. I actually bought the ingredients weeks ago, but forgot about them until today. It was very simple and the kitchen smelled great. I am going to wash a load of towels to try it out.

Breathe

2009-09-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence
Living in me

This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word
Spoken to me

And I ... I'm desparate for you
And I ... I'm lost without you

This is air I breath
This is air I breathe
Your holy presence
Living in me

This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word
Spoken to me

And I ... I'm desparate for you
And I ... I'm lost without you (eh hey, yeah)
And I ... I'm desparate for you
And I ... I'm lost without you

And I ... I'm desparate for you
And I ... I'm lost without you
I'm lost without you
I'm lost without you
I'm lost without you (father)
I'm lost..without you

This is the air I breathe

This is the air I breathe

Pumpkins

2009-08-27T17:45:00.000-07:00

This is one of the biggest pumpkins I've ever seen. It is already too heavy for me to lift. I was able to turn it a couple weeks ago, but I can't do anything with it now.

Our little pumpkin patch has exploded! I had no idea the leaves were so big! Someone told us the vines will follow the sun. Well the sun must be in the trees because our vines have started to climb the tree and there is actually several pumpkins growing in the tree. I am going to keep them there until they start to get heavy. I think it's so funny.

2009-08-26T16:23:00.000-07:00

Today's mail brought a nice surprise, a package from Linda at Peace Creek Collections. She had a giveaway a few weeks ago and I was one of the lucky winners. It is a very pretty kleenex holder. Red is my favorite color and I love red dots! Thank you Linda.

Vintage Friday

2009-08-14T12:54:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of vintage jewelry, mostly earrings. I have been gathering it for over a year now. I use it in crafts, scrapbooking and sometimes I wear it. I get most of it from antique stores, occasionally from a thrift store. Recently people have been giving it to me as gifts. I love this kind of present. A girl cannot have too much vintage jewelry.

Julie & Julia

2009-08-08T17:07:00.000-07:00

Brittany and I just got home from seeing Julie & Julia. We both enjoyed it, and now I want to read Julia Childs book. I think I might want to try a few of her recipes too. Has anyone made anything from her first book?

Vintage Friday

2009-08-07T17:00:00.001-07:00

How's your glove life?

Does two make a collection? I hope so because that's all I have for now. I love these vintage gloves. They are so feminine. Both pairs were given to me by Jen.