I just wanted to share a few of the fun things we have done with my grandma the past few days. :) I hope you don't mind a few pictures.
Friday we were out and about town.
Can you guess where we had lunch - YUMMY!! :) Love the soup and salad - the potato is my favorite - although to be fair, I haven't really tried any others. :)
For dessert we picked up some fancy cupcakes at a new shop.
Splitting two cupcakes four ways: See my fancy "knife?" It pays to keep a first aid kit in the car! Especially for emergencies like cutting cake! :) Say AHHH..... :)
Enjoying the sunshine:
Demonstrating my new skill! :) (By the way, it is a lot easier than I thought - and so relaxing!!)
Then today we got my garden all planted!! I can't wait for some fresh veggies!! but more on the garden later!! :)
We will be sad for Grandma to go home soon. I know that people up there are ready for her to be home! Idaho is such a long way away, though! Love you, Grandma!! :)
"When you use handspun fibers, you're no longer just a knitter.
You're a fiber artist."
~Patti the Garden Girl~
If you've read my blog for more than a couple of days, you probably know I love knitting. Although I don't always make time to knit, I love looking at projects on Ravelry and admiring "yummy" yarn. :) If you've read my blog for a while, you may remember my first spinning lesson. I still have that first skein.
However, what I am about to share is a dream come true for me. This is something that I never dreamed would be a reality... I now am the proud owner of a spinning wheel!! Actually two spinning wheels (one is held in trust for my sister in law.) :) (Eta: Should she decide she wants to learn... not sure on that.) :)
Mark's grandmother has a friend that used to own a yarn shop. This friend is in poor health and gave Mimi two spinning wheels, which Mimi in turn passed on to me.
They are both great wheels, and I am so excited to learn to use them. My head is chock full of words like drafting, twist, tension, spools, treadle... However not only was I given the wheels, but also several drop spindles (which perform the same task and are also a bit more portable - you saw this one in the last post.)...
Several books...
and magazines...
As well as some wonderful roving!
(I'm not sure what "Sugar Ray" is, but boy, is it soft!!!)
Wow! Wonder what I can make with that? (Eta: Not much. This roving was felted so I couldn't spin it. Oh. well.) :)
You know, sometimes it seems like we pray and pray for something, and we may feel that God just doesn't hear us. Then He drops something totally unexpected, and un-thought of into our laps. Just like He's saying, "See, dear one, I'm listening. What you are asking me for isn't right just now, but here is something just to show how much I do love you." That's how I feel about this gift - what a boost to faith!
So to Mimi and her friend, I really don't know how to thank you. Words aren't always adequate. But, thank you so very much!! This is such an awesome gift! What a wonderful way that God has blessed me through you!
To all the rest of you - I hope you will enjoy as I share bits of my spinning journey with you!
Here is a short video that gives an overview on how one of my spinning wheels works.
Saturday was Mark's dad's birthday, so this weekend we made a quick trip up to help celebrate. We had a very enjoyable time with the family - including Mark's grandmothers. Saturday evening, Mark's brother, Ryan, cooked chicken on the grill while snowflakes started gently falling. :) We had a yummy supper topped off with birthday cake and Bluebell ice cream. (Those of you who don't have Bluebell are really missing out!!) :)
Later that evening, we gals had some quality crafting time. I don't really scrapbook anymore (I guess my blog has become my scrapbook...) but does anyone have any guesses as to what my craft is?
(more on my "craft" later...)
Sunday morning we woke up to this:
Wow!! Can you believe - about 5 inches of snow!!
We headed back home and enjoyed passing fields of white, and pretty painted forests! Today was a beautiful warm sunny day! Hmm... wonder if spring is here to stay this time? :)
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see; Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea; Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
from Holy, Holy, Holy by Reginald Heber
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Wow! More snow again! I took the picture this morning! It's hard to believe that we are getting more snow in March. :) This is the second official day of spring. Well, it's almost gone now and maybe our warm weather will be back, but we enjoyed it once again while it lasted.
I don't have a big flashy project to share this Friday, but at least I have something that is finished! :) We helped my Grandma celebrate her 80th birthday her first Sunday here. I made her an angel food cake - a family favorite! :) I thought it turned out rather pretty and was so simple!
I just slathered it with whipped topping and fanned some strawberries for the top.
But most importantly it was yummy and Grandma liked it!! So Happy 80th, Grandma! (even though your birthday was in January...) We're so glad you are here!! Love you!
So now I want to see what you all have been up to! (For more info on FOF, see this post.) Happy linking and sharing!!
For many people this was a normal day during the Depression. East Texas was one of the richest parts of the nation because of the oil boom. New London Independent School District was the richest ISD in the world. In 1933, the new upper campus (grades 5 - 11, 12th grade was added later) opened for classes. East Texans were proud of the beautiful new building.
However, on March 18, 1937, around 3:00 in the afternoon as classes were finishing up for the day, the silent killer natural gas that had built up in the crawl space underneath the building was ignited by a spark in the machine shop. Almost 300 children, teachers and visitors were killed that day or died from injuries soon after.
As sad as the story is, it is one that needs to be heard. These people should be remembered. As a result of the explosion, within weeks the Texas Legislature had passed a law requiring odor be added to the scentless natural gas. Now when there is a gas leak we smell a definable odor and know to check it out.
Two years later, this cenotaph was erected in memorial to all those that died. Each name is listed on the monument, at least all that are known.
For years, the people of New London didn't talk about the disaster. All the emotions, all the grief was bottled up inside. The one year anniversary remembrance ceremony was canceled. It has been in the past 20 or 30 years with reunions and the founding of the museum that healing has started coming about to the members of the community.
Last Tuesday, we visited the museum for the first time. It has been a hard thing to process. This has been a hard post to write, but the story is something that needs to be heard, needs to be remembered. These people, these children should not be forgotten.
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Whew. I know this has been a heavy post. It's not the way I usually write. However, I believe that history is very important. Many times our lives have been shaped by events that we don't even know about. Tomorrow - back to "regular" programming and Finished Object Friday. :)
We have really been enjoying having Grandma for the last few days. Last week was spring break around here, and we took some time off to do some things around East Texas. On Thursday, we visited Mission Tejas State Park. This park was one of several built during the 1930s by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). Mission Tejas was the first Spanish mission built in Texas in 1690. In 1731, the mission was relocated to San Antonio and became Mission Espada.
This miniature Texas history lesson has come at no extra charge.
There is now a neat little park with nature trails and camping areas.
We took a picnic and enjoyed nature for a little while.
There is a little playground with things for kids of all ages...
Mom, Angie and I enjoyed a "hike" around the pond.
We enjoyed the wildlife we saw...
No, not Angie... this wildlife:
(don't you see that luna moth on the tree?)
We visited the reconstruction of the church:
(you didn't know you were getting a sneak peek yesterday!)
And an old cabin that was moved to the park.
Mom and Dad are enjoying the breeze in the dog run.
It was a very relaxing time. The park is off the beaten path and it was very quiet this time of year. A very nice place for a little day trip like ours. :)
Sing them over again to me, Wonderful words of life, Let me more of their beauty see, Wonderful words of life; Words of life and beauty Teach me faith and duty.
Refrain: Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life; Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life.
Christ, the blessed One, gives to all Wonderful words of life; Sinner, list to the loving call, Wonderful words of life; All so freely given, Wooing us to heaven.
Sweetly echo the Gospel call, Wonderful words of life; Offer pardon and peace to all, Wonderful words of life; Jesus, only Savior, Sanctify us forever.
I have the privilege to review the Word of Promise New Testament audio Bible. You have probably seen this in your local Christian bookstore. The Word of Promise isn't just an ordinary audio Bible, it has been dramatized with a beautiful score and believable sound effects. Many talented actors have taken part in helping the Bible really come to life. It is the entire New Testament - not abridged. It is word for word in the New King James Version. (The entire Bible is also available, although I am only reviewing the New Testament.)
I have always been a fan of audio drama. I grew up listening to all kinds. So I was so excited when I saw that I could review this Bible. When I first started listening, I think I was a little disappointed because I was expecting more of an interpretation of the Bible - a summary re-scripted (I guess I was thinking Odyssey). However, the more I listened, the more excited I became. This is God's Word brought to life in a sense. It is word for word the Bible - beautifully done! It will give you chills. One of the sections that has stood out to me is listening to the Sermon on the Mount. It was like listening to it and being right there. There were things that really got my attention more because I was listening versus reading. So far, I've gone through Matthew and some of Mark.
Everything about the Word of Promise is professional. The actors do a great job and really feel their parts. The music is beautiful. It is a little investment, but well worth it for years to come! Here's a little sneak peek:
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
So what do you blog about when you are in the mood to blog, and don't really know what to say? Well, I guess I blog about books. 'cause we all know I love books!!! :)
It is interesting to work in a Christian bookstore and library. I love it! I get to see a lot of the new books that are coming out and many times I get to be the first to read them - as soon as I get them put into the library! So I wanted to share some noteworthy authors that some of you may not be familiar with. There are so many interesting looking books out there, but you can't judge a book by it's cover, right? And with all the new authors, how do you know you are going to like the style? I thought it would be interesting to share some of the newer authors that I have enjoyed reading - frankly, with some I've had a hard time putting the books down! :)
I eagerly await each new release by Kim Vogel Sawer. She is probable the author I most frequently recommend. Her books are very well written, especially My Heart Remembers - the story of three siblings who were separated on a orphan train. However, each of her books has been excellent - and I've read all I can get my hands on. :)
Julie Klassen is another excellent author. Her books are page turners as well, and have often kept me up til the wee hours of the morning! The Silent Governess is her most recent release, although so far The Apothecary's Daughter is probably my favorite. Her writing is very "Austen-esque" centered around the regency era. If you like Jane Austen, you will probably enjoy her. If Jane Austen tires you and you want something in more modern English, you will enjoy her books as well. :)
I don't know about you, but I enjoy my share of what I call "chick lit" - fun, light, and clean. I love Janice Thompson's mix of an Italian family and good old Texas boys in her Weddings by Bella series. :) (Of course, it doesn't hurt that her novels are set in Texas...) Very fun and quirky, her books might even have you laughing outloud.
Beth Wiseman is another recent author. She is one of the many to take up the Amish fiction baton. Her books are not historical. They deal with people entering the Amish community from modern day, fast paced life. An interesting take on Amish novels. However, I leave her last on my list because even though I have thoroughly enjoyed her books, I do have one slight problem. I do think that she tends to over-romanticize the Amish a bit. They do not have a perfect world, and their lifestyle isn’t the answer to all life’s problems. The Amish aren’t all as simple and innocent as she pictures them in her books. With that said, I have really enjoyed reading them, in fact I just finished the fourth in the Daughters of Promise series.
Why do you read? What do you like to read? (If you have time... I know some of you are going "and just who has time to read anymore?" or "Are you kidding? The reading I get done is mostly things like Go, Dog, Go!") I pretty much just read for relaxation - well, fiction anyway. What makes you look twice at a book? the cover, the size? As you may have noticed, I love talking books! :)
*Disclosure* No one paid me to write this post. None of these authors even know of my existence - at least not until now (when they googled their name...Oh, wait maybe I have that turned off...) :) I haven't been given a single thing in exchange for writing this post. Thank you..... you may comment below now. :)
