Rest in Peace

 ~ view from my window ~

"Weep not for me though I am gone,
Into that gentle night.
Grieve if you will, but not for long,
Upon my soul's sweet flight.
I am at peace, my soul's at rest,

There is no need for tears.
For with your love I was so blessed
For all those many years.
There is no pain, I suffer not,
The fear now all is gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts,
In your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath,
Remember not the strife,
Please do not dwell upon my death,
But celebrate my life."

~ Constance Jenkins ~

Leslie, a dear friend, lost Ron on Saturday. They were mountain hiking, a favorite pastime, when he was felled by a heart attack. Leslie and I have been friends ever since I came to southwest Virginia and my heart grieves for her. Please, remember Leslie and Ron's family in your prayers as they go about these next days, the Friday funeral and life yet to be lived.

Blessings ~ good memories ~ love ~ a life well lived ~ 

Sandra

Life's Ugly Side

~ apple blossoms ~

The apple tree is in full bloom and bees are busy with pollination; the morning is beautiful but only after a rough start.

Photos are going to get a bit graphic so, if you're squeamish, better close out the page now.

 ~ Dogs doing as nature intended ~

Early this morning, as usual, dogs and I were in the sunroom, listening to Alistair Begg while I was working on some pillow case embroidery, when Sam, quite suddenly, goes on alert. He starts baying and barking and I jump to the door to see what's going on. I thought I saw the squirrel so opened the door and all three dogs barreled outside. The squirrel runs along the other side of the fence line and always away from the dogs but, too late, I see a raccoon, running alongside the fence. The 'coon climbed the fence post and the dogs got into place.

~ Sadie, too close for my comfort ~

We live in a very rural area and guns are a fact of life. Unfortunately, guns couldn't be used because the dogs were too excited to be called off and, truthfully, I wanted Sadie and Sam to understand their role. Abbie is a veteran ground hog killer and she and Shadow were a good working team. Abbie would tease while Shaddie would go in for the kill bite to the back of the neck. Never were either one of them injured, much, and they both learned valuable lessons about team work.

~ team work ~

Please understand; I do not enjoy killing nor watching something being killed...but...I also do not enjoy having to put down one of my animals because of rabies. There's a neighbor, up the valley, who had to have rabies shots when he was a lad. This was back when said shots were injected into the stomach and were Very Painful. Now, said injections are into the buttocks but no less painful, so I'm told.

Generally, nocturnal animals are just that; they sleep during the day and travel at night. Raccoons are nocturnal and it's, fairly, unusual to see them during the day. Unless they are sick and I never, ever take chances; not with my animals' lives nor with my own.

Sam took the lead but it was Abbie who taught Sam and Sadie how to attack. Sadie is a Rhodesian Ridgeback and used for lion hunting, guarding home and farm in South Africa. Sam is part Basset Hound and has hunting genes coursing through his blood as well. All three dogs are encouraged to protect "theirs" and that includes farm, livestock and humans. If it takes the life of a raccoon to help them learn, so be it especially when the raccoon is acting outside his normal.

  ~ end is close ~

Like I said, I hate killing, both doing and watching, but I've always figured someone who wouldn't protect their home and family isn't worth their salt. I'm not proud of killing the raccoon but did what I had to do in order to finish the job. I couldn't use a gun because I didn't want to shoot one of the dogs so I used a walking stick. Not pretty but needful. The health department is coming to get the body and it will be tested for rabies. That's what all this was about; killing the 'coon so it could be tested for rabies. The rabies test must be done of brain tissue and that means the death of the 'coon regardless.

Now, before you judge me, please consider a ground hog hole could cause the life of one of my horses or sheep. Should an animal step into a hole and break their leg, that means the animal has to be put down. Frankly, there's no consideration a ground hog is going to give their life and not one of my animals. As to the 'coon; he should have been doing what he does...at night. A nocturnal animal, wandering around during the day, almost always means something isn't quite right. I'm not chancing rabies, either myself or my dogs, and if that means the 'coons life...so be it. I try to be a good steward of what God has entrusted me and, last I looked, He's not entrusted me with 'coons or ground hogs. With the first breath, we're all terminal; it's just a matter of when and not if but I am sorry for the 'coon.

I need to go; I think I hear the health department truck.

Blessings ~ Sam ~ Abbie ~ Sadie ~

Rest in Peace,
Sandra

Sabbath Keeping

 ~ evening falls ~

"For I know that my Redeemer lives,

And He shall stand at last on the earth:

And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,

That in my flesh I shall see God,

Whom I shall see for myself,

And my eyes shall behold, and not another.

How my heart yearns within me!

~ Job 19:25-27 ~

"Christianity begins where religion ends...with the resurrection." ~ Herbert Booth Smith ~

"Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, 

not in books alone, 

but in every leaf in springtime." 

~ Martin Luther ~

"The cross is the victory, the resurrection is the triumph...The resurrection is the public display of the victory, the triumph of the crucified one." ~ Eric Sauer ~

"Easter says you can put truth in a grave but it won't stay there." ~ Clarence W. Hall ~

"Be thou comforted, little dog, 

Thou too in Resurrection shall have a little golden tail." 

~ Martin Luther ~

 "Every parting gives a foretaste of death, every reunion a hint of the resurrection."
~ Arthur Sfchopenhauer ~

If one does away with the fact of the Resurrection, 

one also does away with the Cross, 

for both stand and fall together, and one would

 then have to find a new center for the whole message of the gospel." 

~ Hans Urs von Balthasar ~

"Jesus took my place on the cross to give me a place in heaven." ~ every person ~

"...death was not Jesus' penalty; it was His destiny. It was not His lot in life; it was His mission. It was not His unavoidable fate; it was His purpose statement for coming to earth that first Christmas: 'Born to die.'" ~ Bill Crowder ~

"Men point to the sad incidents of human life on earth, and they ask, "Where is the love of God?" God points to that Cross as the unreserved manifestation of love so inconceivably infinite as to answer every challenge and silence all doubt for ever. And that Cross is not merely the public proof of what God has accomplished; it is the earnest of all that He has promised." ~ Sir Robert Anderson ~

"Our old history begins with the cross; 

our new history begins with the resurrection."

~ Watchman Nee ~

"The biggest fact about Joseph's tomb was that it wasn't a tomb at all - it was a room for a transient. Jesus just stopped there...on His way back to glory." ~ Herbert Booth Smith ~

"I am the resurrection and the life. 

He who believes in Me, 

though he may die, he shall live. 

And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  

Do you believe this?" 

~ Jesus Christ, John 11:25, 26 ~

Prayer Keeping ~ Leslie ~ Becky ~ Rick ~Misha ~ J ~ Linda ~ Ryan ~ Roy ~ Tonya ~ Dave ~ me ~
 
to God be the Glory,
Sandra

Good Friday

 ~ Thistle Cove Farm flowers in bloom  ~

It's a rainy, warm Good Friday and I always think how fickle are crowds. It doesn't take much, does it, for a crowd to turn from jovial, joyful to murderous, mean. I also don't understand Good Friday? What's good about it? Oh, I understand Christ and the cross and how "God sent His only begotten son so that whoever believes on Him might have everlasting life" but I don't understand the name "Good" Friday. Good Sunday and Resurrection, yes, but "good" Friday...?

~ the sheep of "my" pasture ~

Thanks be to God for His ways which are not our ways neither are His thoughts our thoughts. I see a lot more clearly, in one sense, since I've become a shepherd. My flock is small but I count them daily, several times a day to make sure each is upright, doing well, happy, content. I cast my cares upon Him for He careth for me and He wants me to be well, happy and content in Him.

~ Sam P. Spade ~

Sam is ever watchful and is the first to raise alarm should something or someone be "not right" at the farm. He is ever alert and mindful of his duties and reminds me I should be the same. Having animals makes me a better Christian which is frightening for should I not have animals I'd be a far worse Christian. Being a sinner comes naturally; being a Saint is only through God's power.

This Resurrection Sabbath please take the day off; please, if at all possible, make the choice to observe the Sabbath by doing not much of anything. Do attend church services and, no, you don't need new finery. Do break bread with loved ones, do rest a spell on the porch, do spend time in reflection and calm, quiet activities. Perhaps, for a change, don't turn on the television or radio; don't listen to canned music, even religious music. Listen to the voice of God whispering through the trees, in the sounds of His creation. Let His peace wash over you, embrace you, prepare you.

Blessed Resurrection to you and yours; go in peace.

Blessings ~ His creation ~ today ~ Sabbath ~  Christ ~ the cross ~ the Resurrection~ ~

Soli Deo Gloria,
Sandra

Pink Moon, Green Shawl

~ April's pink moon, through the branches ~

April's full moon is called the Pink Moon and it was beautiful. This photo isn't the best one I've ever taken but I love it anyway. Perhaps because it reminds me of the still quiet of early morning, a bit before sunrise...? The dogs and I were wandering in the yard and enjoying the presence of God. Birds were in full song, dogs were snuffling, horses were softly snorting...peaceful and serene and what a wonderful way to begin the day! 

The Farmer's Almanac says the April moon is called the Pink Moon because of the wild ground flox that grows this time of year. It's one of the earliest blooms and simply gorgeous! Other names are grass moon, fish moon and egg moon; the latter is, I'm guessing, because chickens begin laying well after not laying so well throughout the winter.

~ olive green shawl ~

Just off the knitting needles is my olive green shawl made in Lion Brand Organic Cotton. The color looks, both in the photo and in person, like a mustard but Lion Brand calls it "olive". Recently, while I was away, my hands wanted knitting. I'd taken embroidery to finish some pillow cases for a friend as well as another project, although I can't remember just now what, but my hands said, "knitting"; knitting and only knitting will do. So, I found a Joann's Fabric and bought some organic cotton yarn and made up my own pattern.

~ design element or design flaw? ~

The pattern is a simple one, instructions to follow, but I've got either a design element or design flaw on my hands. I'm not sure which. I think if I can't find one more skein of Lion Brand Yarn Art 480, color 174, lot 38342 Olive, it will be a design element. I wanted the fringe to go to the tip ends of the shawl but I ran out of yarn even though I used three 103 yard skeins... I still ran out of yarn. 

drats.

It's more of a shawlette than a shawl and meant to be worn close to the throat and pinned with a shawl pin. I like it and the color, believe it or not, looks good on me. My skin tone is sallow and I look best in autumn colors so pison green is my color -smile-. One of 'em at least. I'm amazed at how warm this shawlette is and realize I won't be wearing it much longer before it will have to be put away until autumn and cooler weather. That's okay, my hands have been happy for a few days and that's a good thing.

Vicki, of Simple Knits, has put together a terrific listing of knitted shawl patterns. A lot of the patterns are free so make time, please, to visit her. "My", and I use the word loosely as there's nothing new under the sun, pattern is a take on the old knitted dishcloth pattern.

Pison Green Shawlette

400 yards bulky cotton yarn - you choose color and brand and yes, increase skein by one  if you're using Lion Brand Organic Cotton as it comes in 103 years per skein.

Size 9 knitting needles

Cast on 3 stitches.

Knit* 2 stitches** into back of each stitch, Yarn Over***, Knit into back of each stitch to end of row

Pattern is

K* 2 sts** into back of each stitch, YO***, K into back of each stitch to end of row

I made my shawlette about 2 feet or a little more in width, across the top. Then I cast off, wove in all my ends and began cutting yarn twenty-four inch strips in length. I tried twelve inches in length but it looked puny; perhaps eighteen inches would have looked good but twenty-four looked lush so twenty-four inches it was. 

Use a crochet hook to attach the fringe to the edges of the shawlette. I suppose one could block but it's a roly poly bulky cotton and doesn't take well to blocking so just throw the sucka on and look beautiful!

Blessings ~ knitting ~ hands to knit ~ cotton yarn ~ pison green ~ shawlette ~ pink moon ~

Knit happy, 

Sandra

Tidbit Tuesday - Rag Wreath

 ~ stash fabric ~

WHOOPS! Liar, liar, pants on fire... remember that one from childhood? Since Dave's illness I've gotten a lot of practice saying, "I'm sorry." My brain works, sometimes, and the memory not at all, most of the time. When I said I'd found the rag rug wreath link at Retro Farm Wife, I well and truly thought I had. But, no. I had a good visit the the RFW but I found the link at Tammy's Recreating Grandma's House, her April 7, 2011 post. Tammy, many thanks for your comment here as that's what started the gray cells sparking; I'm sorry I neglected to give you credit firstly.

I finally spent some time in the studio but couldn't quite get my mind around a project. For a long while, perhaps a year, rain has been finding its way into the studio and every time I go out there, see the wet rug and floor, my heart sinks. It's silly, I know, there are far worse things than a wet floor but life is so crowded that any little thing just pulls me down. We've re-side the studio, the old ham house, and we've caulked and I don't know what to do next. I'm not sure if the rain is coming through, or near a window, which that's what it looks like or what, perxactly. Daniel is perplexed too and if Daniel is perplexed I shouldn't feel quite so bad -smile-. Around here, if Daniel can't fix it...it's well and truly broken.

I visited The Retro Farmwife and, on her sidebar, found a link to The Cottage Home and a tutorial for a Summer Fabric Rag Wreath. Please see Whoops, above.

~ fabric strips ~

That was just the ticket for a fun, quick project and all I had to do was pull out some fabric from the stash and get the heart shaped wreaths from the garden shed. Perfect! Please see Lindsay's blog for more concise directions as I see absolutely no need to reinvent the wheel. I'm sorta a git 'er done kinda gal and there's no way I'm going into the detail she went into. Some of my strips were cut into 12 inch lengths, others into 14 inch lengths and I didn't sweat the difference. Heck, some strips were even longer so I just wrapped them around the heart shaped wreath and then tied the knot. Come to think of it, not all of the fabric wasn't even used but I only remember hours after the fact.

~ heart shaped wreath ~

By the way, I only have a heart shaped wreath and not the circular wreath like Cottage Gal but I think it worked just as well.

 ~ studio wreath ~

So, here's the finished wreath and I do like it. It hangs atop my Spring Gal sent by Misha last year and add cheer and beauty to the studio door. Both make me smile every time I go by, or into, the studio. I've got two more wreaths and am pulling out the black and white fabric for one and, perhaps for Christmas, I'll use red and green fabric.

I liked this little project; it was fast enough to give me some instant gratification and, because of the fabric stash, colorful enough to add cheer and beauty. That's a win-win, don't you think?

Blessings ~ fabric stash ~ heart shaped wreath ~ Misha ~  spring ~ Lindsay ~

In beauty,
Sandra

 ~ Chef's Choice ~

So many bloggers have been delighted with CSN stores and I am no exception. Last autumn, they asked if I'd like a gift certificate so I could do a review on my blog.  You may remember, other events precluded virtually everything else in our lives and I didn't take CSN up on their kind offer. Last week, I sent them a note, explaining why I was derelict in my duties and they, quite graciously, said, "have another go".

Waffles are one of my favorite breakfast foods and I love making them from scratch. I chose the Chef's Choice International, in part, because it has round waffles and they always look nice and fit well on a round plate. My waffle iron has shipped and, as soon as possible after it arrives, I'm making waffles and showboating -smile- and then will let you know how it turns out.


Blessings ~ waffles ~ waffle irons ~ CSN ~ Kate at CSN ~

Yours in good eating,
Sandra

Sabbath Keeping

 ~ view from my window ~

"Train up a child in the way he should go; 

even when he is old he will not depart from it."

~ Proverbs 22:6 ~

"Your children need your presence more than your presents." ~ unknown ~ 

"There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child.  
There are seven million."
~ Walt Streightiff ~

"Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven." 

~ Henry Ward Beecher ~ 

"Children are great imitators.
So give them something great to imitate."
~ unknown ~

 "There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul 

than the way in which it treats its children."

~ Nelson Mandela ~

"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see."
~ John W. Whitehead ~

 "Why is it that a child's death amounts to a tragedy, but the death of millions is merely a statistic?"
~ Patrick McDonald ~

"If you haven't time to respond to a tug at your pants leg, 

your schedule is too crowded."

~ Robert Brault ~

"Every child you encounter is a divine appointment." 

~ Wes Stafford ~

"The only thing worth stealing is a kiss from a sleeping child."  ~ Joe Houldsworth ~
"Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them."
~ Lady Bird Johnson ~

"While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about."
~ Angela Schwindt ~

"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."

~ Frederick Douglass ~

"If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry 

to reaching children for God!"

~ Dwight L. Moody ~

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. 

For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see

the face of my Father who is in heaven." 

~ Matthew 18:10 ~

If you'd like your name added to this Prayer Keeping list or my private list, please let me know and, please, don't hesitate to remind me, lest I forget.

Prayer Keeping ~ Becky ~ Rick ~Misha ~ J ~ Linda ~ Ryan ~ Roy ~ Tonya ~ Dave ~ me ~  


Thanks be to God,
Sandra

Appalachia's Life Blood

 ~ coal trains ~

If you're reading this on a computer that's operated by electricity, in a room that has an electric light bulb, please, thank a coal miner. 

It always amuses me when folks start in on coal miners and the mining industry. Generally, those whiny folks are using computers fired by electricity, living in houses fired by electricity, working in offices fired by electricity, driving cars manufactured by electricity...all of which are because of coal, well, you get the idea. 

Like all the gasoline stations that "proudly" state, "Ten percent ethanol added". 

Big Whoop.

What that translates into is more profits for the petroleum companies CEO's, Board members and shareholders and worse gasoline mileage for us. All ethanol does is s.t.r.e.t.c.h the gasoline, making it less mileage efficient so we get fewer miles per gallon of gas.

Okay, I'm not so good with the scientific jargon but I'm pretty good at counting and what I count best is money. We're spending more money and receiving less for it. 

So what's new?

If you know anything about Appalachia, you know we're coal country. A good portion of the Appalachian states have coal mines and coal miners. On Spike Television, from the same people who brought us Deadliest Catch and Ice Road Truckers comes COAL. It was filmed about fifty miles from us, over the VA/WV state line, in the next county, McDowell, and we've been watching. I have a healthy respect for anyone who earns their money the old fashioned way, by sheer physical labor but especially coal miners. 

After all, I am a coal miner's daughter. Daddy's people came to the USA in the mid 1600's from the coal mines of the old country. I well remember Granddaddy coming home, black save the whites of his eyes and stripping off the layers of his coal dusted work clothes. Later, Uncle Clarence came home the same way and then Daddy. At some point, Daddy decided the coal miner's life wasn't the life for either he nor his family and he packed us up and moved us to Richmond. 

Coal is the lifeblood of Appalachia; at least, our part of Appalachia. It's one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, taking place in one of the darkest places in the world - middle earth. There is nothing, nothing, like the inside of a coal mine. This I know from listening to my menfolk, and others, talk of their job. It was always considered bad luck for a woman to enter a mine and, to this day, out of respect, I've never been inside of a mine. I have family members sealed in mines because there was an explosion and the mines caved in, leaving no way to get the miners out so they buried them.

Did you know canaries were the early warning system for methane or carbon monoxide gas? Miners carried canaries into the mines with them and if the bird died, the men knew to head for sunlight and the surface... fast! The last canary carried into an English mine just died from old age in the 1980's; he was one of the blessed ones.

COAL shows miners at their best and at their worst working for Cobalt Coal Company, a company traded in both the USA, CCCXF.PK, and in Canada, CBT-V. The show premiered in Premier, WV where some friends live and has been the biggest thing to happen to that community since the train laid tracks.

So, to repeat myself...if you've got mod cons like electricity, automobiles, trucks, public transportation; heck, virtually every part of our lives are because of COAL, thank a coal miner. It's a hard, tough, dirty job and I thank God for coal miners. Bless 'em, Lord, and please keep them safe. 

Watch the show and let me know what you think.

Blessings ~ God's resources ~ coal miners ~ trains ~ coal ~

Soli Deo Gloria,
Sandra

April Spring...and Snow!

 ~ spring sights ~

How's it going with you? Are you in full bloom spring or, like us, getting ready for yet another April snow storm? Oh, more than likely, the April snow storm won't amount to much but the cold temps, high winds and pelleting snow will make it seem like a lot. My bulb garden will take a pounding but, hopefully, still be standing after the storm.

~ garden in late afternoon sunlight ~

The garden has been plowed, now disced and ready for the next step. Everything in preparation for the seeds that are soon to be sown in the greenhouse. Weather permitting, seeds will be sown this weekend and include vegetables, herbs and flowers. Blueberry bushes are ready to be put into the garden but after the ground has been given a good taste of coffee grounds and peat moss. Blueberry bushes need acidic soil and coffee grounds and peat moss are the quickest way to attain that goal.

 ~ Daniel, planting a sour red cherry tree ~

The garden lot is large enough for both garden and orchard so Daniel planted an apple tree, peach tree, a sour red cherry and a sweet black cherry tree for me. I'm taking the Virginia Master Gardner workshops and learning a lot...mainly what I've already done wrong...wry sigh...as well as what other folks have done to kill some of their plants, trees, shrubs, bushes, etc. Is it wrong of me to actually like hearing those sad tales? I can't help it; it makes me feel good knowing others have made the exact same mistakes as I and are still gardening. I think the VA Tech website is outdated but it still gives you a good idea of the program. If there are similar programs in your area, please do consider taking the classes and becoming a Master Gardner. It seems to me, these type programs are taking the place of the "ole timers" who used to pass along such information to folks who wanted to garden. Those "ole timers" are few and far between so now such information is gleaned from our agriculture colleges and universities. The International Master Gardner Conference is being held in Charleston, WV in October and promises to be a good learning experience.

~ plowed garden in late afternoon sun ~

Sam and Sadie are good helpers because they stay close yet out of the way while I'm working outside.

 ~ tag! ~

Recently I took a tree grafting class, courtesy of the Master Gardner program, and grafted half dozen apple trees and three pear trees. They are sitting in the cool, dark basement waiting for autumn and planting time. All the apple grafts are heritage apples and will be a welcome addition to my orchard.

Blessings ~ heritage apple trees ~ grafting ~ gardens ~ pear trees ~ blueberry bushes ~ flowers ~

Happy Spring,
Sandra

Sabbath Keeping

 ~ Dandy Man in the lead... ~

 "If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, 

then how canst thou contend with horses?" 

~ Jeremiah 12:5 ~

"Faith is knowing there’s an ocean because you have seen a brook." ~ William Arthur Ward ~

"Faith can move mountains, 

but don’t be surprised if God hands you a shovel." 

~ Unknown ~

 "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence."
  ~ Helen Keller ~

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all that I have not seen."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

 "Faith makes things possible, not easy." 

~ Unknown ~

"Feed your faith and your fears will starve." ~ unknown ~

"What I admire in Columbus is not his having discovered a new world but his having gone to search for it on the faith of an opinion." ~ A. Robert Turgot ~

"Faith sees the invisible, 

believes the unbelievable, 

and receives the impossible."

~ Corrie Ten Boom ~

"Most of us do not understand nuclear fission, but we accept it. I don’t understand television, but I accept it. I don’t understand radio, but every week my voice goes out around the world, and I accept it. Why is it so easy to accept all these man-made miracles and so difficult to accept the miracles of the Bible?" ~ Billy Graham ~
 

“Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ” 

~ Hebrews 12:1-2 ~

If you'd like your name added to this Prayer Keeping list or my private list, please let me know and, please, don't hesitate to remind me, lest I forget.

Prayer Keeping ~ Misha ~ J ~ Linda ~ Ryan ~ Roy ~ Tonya ~ Dave ~ me ~ 
Soli Deo Gloria,
Sandra

A Box of Happy

 ~ chick chocs ~

Karen, at This Old House 2, sent A Box Of Happy when my name was randomly drawn. The box of Lindt chocolates are in my refrigerator so when I hope the door, their smiling, quirky faces greet me like a perfect day. Go ahead, I'm sure you've thought it...HEY! You looking at ME??? -smile-

 ~ more happiness ~

If there's one thing that instantly brings me happiness, it's bubbles. The above are Miracle Bubbles, no less and designed, so I think, to bring instant happy. The note cards have already been put to good use as has the Burt's Bees lip balm. My cuticles and my lips take a direct hit when I'm stressed and, right now, my face and hands look like the dogs have been gnawing on them. Sorry you had to read that but it's true. If I get any more stressed out, I'm going to pop a cog.

The insulated glass, with straw, is great! I keep a glass of water going all day long and it's ever so much more pleasant to drink from a pretty glass than an ugly glass. Karen, thank you; you've added joy to my "underfull" of joy day.

After being missing for a few days, I'm going to be missing for a few more days. Dave's cousin is coming and I'm headed to a hotel room to sleep, sleep, sleep. I'll have to take a bit of work with me, trying to catch up -haha- but the main purpose is to try and relax, de-stress and work/pray through the anxiety. I've been 24/7 since August and if I don't take a break, my body and/or mind will break and I don't want that. Dave is doing a tad better, thank God, and we're hoping he'll continue to improve; so now is the time to take care of me. Hopefully, you're taking care of you as well.

Blessings ~ Dave's cousin ~ sleep ~ a box of Happy ~ chocolate ~ Karen ~

Soli Deo Gloria,
Sandra

Sabbath Keepingg,

 ~ foggy mountain road ~

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." 

~ Isaiah 55: 8-12 ~

 

 "God is subtle but He is not malicious." ~ Albert Einstein ~

 "Our Lord did not ask us to give up the things of earth, but to exchange them for better things."
~ Fulton J. Sheen ~

"The more we depend on God the more dependable we find He is." ~ Cliff Richard ~

"If God is your partner, make your plans BIG!" 

~ Dwight L. Moody ~

"God does not come to us in nicely defined, rationally explained, thought categories.  God does not fit Himself into our theological text books.  The Hebrew God breaks all the rules.  He is near, yet transcendent; clothed in human form, yet holy; more terrifying than can be imagined, yet compassionate; invisible, yet revealed; judging, yet merciful, sovereign, yet humble.  No matter where you look, God breaks the molds." ~ Skip Moen ~

"Man finds it hard to get what he wants, 

because he does not want the best. 

God finds it hard to give, 

because He would give the best and the man will not take it." 

~ George MacDonald ~ 

To say that I am made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for my existence, for God is love." ~ Thomas A Kempis~

"Most of us wait until we're in trouble, and then we pray like ens. Wonder what would happen if, some morning, we'd wake up and say, "Anything I can do for You today, Lord?" " ~ Burton Hillis ~

"Is your place a small place? Tend it with care; He set you there. Is your place a large place? Guard it with care! He set you there. Whate'er your place, it is Not yours alone, but his Who set you there."
~ John Oxenham ~

 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: 

now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." 

~ I Corinthians 13:12 ~

If you'd like your name added to this Prayer Keeping list or my private list, please let me know and, please, don't hesitate to remind me, lest I forget.

Prayer Keeping ~ Misha ~ J ~ Linda ~ Ryan ~ Roy ~ Tonya ~ Dave ~ me ~

Soli Deo Gloria,
Sandra