A New Year and New Goals.

Although I didn't do too bad with my Bible reading last year, I am sad to say I am far behind and doubt that I will complete my chronological reading.  I have since signed up for a "read the Bible in 90 days" and hope that another challenge will get me off on the right foot.  It's not that I don't read some each day, it's just that I don't often read all each day and so end up in the dust and I don't know about you, but it does sorta feel like a competition when you have to check off boxes on a form.  I'd probably do much better if I just read what I wanted or went along with a daily devotional book, but I'm not giving up on this new challenge.  How's that for crazy? 

I do love reading God's Word and no matter how many times I read it there is always something new.  For instance, this morning I gave our neighbor a ride to work.  This meant I was in town an hour earlier than needed.  I stopped for a bit of breakfast at a little diner in town and brought in my Bible to read while I was waiting for the time to pass before work and started my "90 Day Challenge".  I started at the beginning with Genesis 1.  Now, you can't imagine how many times I have read that chapter.  So I get to verse 10
And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.  I don't think I remember that the gathering together of the waters called he Seas.  Well I know I've read it before, but I just don't remember the wording.  This could be significant when thinking of the flood of Noah when the bottoms of the bodies of water raised up.  It seems that lakes were not formed till after the flood.  I did remember that before the flood it had not rained because there was a mist that watered the earth.  After the flood it was the rain water that gathered in the hollows to form fresh water lakes, desalinization occurring during the water cycle.  I really find this all interesting. 
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We had a wonderful Christmas.  Joanna came over to spend the afternoon with us.  Even though our little furnace died on Christmas Eve and I spent the evening feeling sorry for myself and in tears... it was all uphill from there.  Christmas morning I spent cleaning up the debris and putting up a clothes rack and shelf in the bedroom for a little extra storage space... that did my heart good... and then cooking some good food and changing the covers on the bench seats in our dining area.  After that I felt so much better.  It is utterly amazing how a night's rest and a good cleaning session will lift my spirits right out of the gutter.  I do like a clean house and a good night's sleep.  We are warming our little camper with small electric heaters and God has graciously given us a lot of snow for insulation and a warm weekend.  We are waiting for parts to come in for the furnace.  Last night is was so warm that we even had to turn off the one little heater we had running because we both woke up sweating.

We had 20" of snow on Monday.  I had taken the day off... another blessing... because it was Joanna's birthday.  Doug finally got the driveway plowed out around 11 am.  He first couldn't start the plow truck because the battery was dead, then he had to put gas in it, then the poultry had to be tended to.  It seemed there was an unending list of things that needed to be done before I left to see Joanna.  I finally got together with her at around 1:00 pm.  She had gotten a ride out (she lives way out in the woods) with her landlord who does plowing and since it was taking me so long, he took her out to lunch for her birthday.  When we finally met up we went to K Mart and I got her a couple things for her birthday and then we went to a thrift store.  I found a pair of dress shoes and a nice bathmat.  Then we went to a new library in town.  Then we each had a latte at a coffee shop and shared a cookie and then it was time to go home.  We went home the back way though and the trees were just so pretty with all the new snow.  Even though it may not have been the day I had hoped it would be, it still was nice to spend some time with my now 31 year old daughter.  She talked about her plans to hike the Appalacian Trail... full length... and what she would do with her doggie for 16 months.  I wish I could just take off 16 months and go with her, but I'm just not in that good of shape and we really couldn't financially take the hit right now.   Not only would I need money for the trip, I'd need to somehow make up 16 months worth of income.  We're talking somewhere around $35K just for basic survival.  Well, even though it might be fun... it is really not possible.

Hey, how was your Christmas?
Do you have any goals for the New Year?

Hope you all have a wonderful and blessed 2011 and that growing in the Lord is a priority for us all this year.

AND THE WINNERS ARE.....

I had a coworker draw two names for me out of "the hat" actually a box. 


She drew....



drum roll please....

Michelle G.  from Undeserving and Yet Overblessed to win the market bag.

and....

Mary Ann  from Pharm Girl has won the little tea set.

I'm so happy for both of you and hope these items will be useful to you.  Please send your "snail-mail" addresses to me at rem1752nh@gmail.com and I'll get these off to you "lickety split" it helps that I work at a warehouse that has FedEx pick up 2x/day.

Sorry I didn't have something for all of you.  What a great response!  I was sooo pleased that so many of you entered. 

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and looking forward to what the Lord has in store for the New Year.

I'll probably slow down on the blogging for the next couple of weeks, 'cause there's just so much to do and never enough time as you all know.

I'll see Mrs. T and Carrie tonight I hope at our Christmas get-together.

Love ya all!!!

Today is My Blog Anniversary

Happy, Happy anniversary... and today will be the last day to enter for the giveaway.
If you've been putting it off... put it off no longer.  This afternoon at 2pm I will do a drawing and then have one of my kind coworkers draw two names from the "hat".  First will be for the bag and the second will be for the tea set.

I love giveaways... so many new faces to my blog.  Hope you come again sometime soon.

I hope to be doing some more stuff on here in the next year.  I'd like to do some "tutorials" if I can figure that out.  And also more short Bible studies.  I love reading all your news as well.  It's like we have a little community growing here and we have lots of things in common.  I've met good friends like Conny and Gina and Lori (no longer blogging).  What an encouragement you all are to me.  I have "real life" friends I blog with to like Mrs. T and Carrie.  We see each other quite often, but it's still fun to read their blogs and see what they've been "up to".

I love each one of you and you are all very special people.  The best thing is that what binds us together is not so much this blogging business, but our love for the Lord.  Of course there are lots of blogs I've read that have nothing to do with God.  There is good information there, but not the unity that I find with those I read all the time.  Thank you all dear women of God who have encouraged, admonished and helped establish my faith.

I am looking forward to next year and what interesting things will happen.

I'll be back in the morning with the giveaway results.  I'll try to get this out right away so you will get it before Christmas.

Thanks to Mrs. T for the cool pics.

Giveaway in celebration of my 1st anniversary on Green Twig

The time has come and it's sooo exciting.  I am happy to say my first giveaway is officially started.  I will be selecting names from a hat... if I have that many to draw from.  If you would like to enter my giveaway just leave a comment here.

For several years now I have been building "bee green bags" a market bag made from materials that others are discarding.  The market bag I crafted for this giveaway was made completely from materials purchased at a yard sale this summer.  The woman who was running the yard sale was selling fabric for 10 pcs for $1.  How could I possibly go wrong, so I started going through this stack of fabric and there were some really cute Christmas pieces.  This bag was made from two of them.  I made 2 bags.  One is in this giveaway and the other is going with me to our annual Ladies Christmas party and Yankee swap at church.  My tradition is to bring a bag for the swap.

Without further comment:

This bag is fully lined with pockets on the front and back.  It's approximately 14" tall and you could fit a good amount of shopping items in here.  I keep lots of fabric bags in my car for when I go shopping.  It just seems like the right thing to do.  God made Adam the caretaker of the garden and I think we still are caretakers.  If we don't take care of what we are given, then it won't be there to enjoy.  I hate seeing plastic bags hanging from tree branches along the roadside.  I just seems so wasteful and sloppy.

If you would like to win this bag, just leave a comment here and post about the giveaway on your own blog.

I also have another giveaway.  These little cups were listed on and Etsy shop for a while, but no one was interested, so I'm giving some nice person a chance to win these.

I love the design on them

These were discarded and we salvaged them.  They have a very delicate pine branch design... a little bit "Christmassy" but could be used any time of the years.  There are 3 cups, 3saucers, 3 fruit plates and a sugar and creamer.  Would be really nice for a little "Christmas Tea" with your friends.  Again, if you would like to win these, just leave a comment here and post about the giveaway on your own blog.

I will be selecting a 1st prize and a 2nd prize.  

Hope we get lots of comments.

Blog-anniversary

Wow!  It hardly seems that it has been a full week since I wrote a new post.  As mentioned earlier my blog-anniversary is coming up next week.  Keep looking here, there may be a giveaway and "bloggy party".    I love to attend parties, but planning them is not my forte as my girls will tell you.  I'm a great idea person, but carrying this through is not my strong point. 

I promise, however, that there will be something special here on the 15th... one week from today.  We'll just call it a pre-birthday party... my 56th this year.  Am I really THAT old?  Where did the years go?  I don't feel old.  I remember when I was 20 thinking that 56 was old, but maybe it isn't so bad. 

Keep looking... there will be some fun on the 15th.

30 Days of thanks... day 30

I can't believe it's day 30 already.  How did that happen to fast?  The older I get the faster time goes.  It should be the other way around.  It's kinda like after you have been to a place once... any repeat trips to that same place go much faster... at least it seems that way.  I travel an hour each way to work.  I could do it in my sleep anymore, and sometimes it seems I have.  I know that's not good.   Thankfully I have not dozed off while behind the wheel... if I felt that way, I'd pull over and take a "power nap" even if it meant I'd be late.  "Better late than never." 

Wow... tomorrow is December 1st.  Nearly all my Christmas shopping is done and I am getting the box ready for Heather and family.  I didn't spend much this year,  because a lots of my shopping was either sales items or thrift store finds.  I started much earlier this year and hope to do that again in the future.  I made many of the gifts too, especially for those who will appreciate homemade items more.  It is true that some people just don't like homemade gifts, but others do, so to be fair I want to make sure everyone recieves something they are happy with.

I'm thinking we will be home for Christmas.  I'm looking forward to that too.  Joanna probably will come over and share at least part of the day with us. 

By the way... she sold her Butterfly sculpture... yeah!

I guess this 30 days of thanks has given you a little glimpse into our lives and I've enjoyed reading the others who participated.  It's interesting to see what others are thankful for.  I guess the top items on my list would be The Lord Jesus, my family, my sweet husband, my wonderful church family, my job, my home, my beasts and the land we live on and it is all given to me by the mighty hand of God to whom I am ultimately thankful all the time.  I know that in this life all could be taken away, but I will always have the Lord Jesus in my heart and that can never be taken away.  My home in Heaven is secure so I have a blessed hope that never fades.

I hope as you went through these past 30 days with us, you have seen the faithfulness of God.  It is my true prayer that folks will see the Love of the Lord in my life.  As I get older this becomes more important to me.  I know some of my family reads these posts as well as many I have never met.  Just so you know, I am aware that my ways are not always perfect and never would I claim that, but God is perfect and He will keep me from stumbling as long as I lean on Him.  Some say that God is a crutch, but that's OK if you.re a cripple.  Because of that old sin nature, I know I am weak, but He is strong.  He remembers that I was formed from dust.  It is only by His grace that I can greet each day. 

Thank you God for your faithfulness to me even though I am so unworthy.

30 Days of Thanks... day 29

Back to normal... though is sounds like not so much fun it really is a good thing (as Martha would say).  I'm actually looking forward to having a normal weekend so I get the laundry done and housecleaning up to par and get some baking and meal prep done and RELAX... How can I possibly say that after such a cool week last week you ask?  Well, though it is lots of fun having a holiday and all... it's exhausting!  I'm ready for a normal schedule. 

I was able to get caught up a little last night since Mr. D had men's prayer meeting.  What is it with having someone underfoot that makes cleaning the house so difficult?  In the summer I have lots of time to clean because he usually is working outside till it gets dark, but in the winter, he comes in from working outside before I even get home from work.  He usually gets out of the way and watches the news, but in a camper you can only go so far.   Needless to say, I don't get much done after work, but last night was great.  I made a big pot of beef stew with carrots, turnips, squash, onion, and mushrooms (notice no poultry)... and a pumpkin pie (never can have too much of that...:) The pumpkin pie is because I didn't make any and I had to leave it all to those who made it over the past week and I love pumpkin pie/squash pie actually... (sorry Conny- just can't help myself).
When you think of it, pumpkin pie makes an excellent breakfast food.  I'm sure it's better for you that a danish and coffee, or even fried eggs and toast.  You got your veggies (squash), your dairy (milk), your protein (egg) and your carb (crust and a little sugar).  The only thing missing is the orange juice, but you could wash it down with that :)  even has a little spice to start off the day.

I've said enough about pumpkin pie.

Where was I anyway... OH yes.  I had a good day at work too, though I had a horrible headache!  As soon as I got home, I took a couple Excedrin and it went right away.  I could create an ad for those guys.  I can't tell you the number of times Excedrin has rescued me from a headache.  I try to always keep them around, but didn't have any at work today, so suffered all day with that stupid headache.  It's much better now.

I'm thankful today for pumpkin pie and Excedrin :)
And for God's goodness to me in sooo many ways.

30 Days of Thanks... day 28

Sunday... my favorite day of the week.  We got up early after a rough night on a 3/4 bed.  Mr. D had a hard time with asthma last night, but he has been having trouble off and on for about a month now.  We are not sure what is triggering it, but being weak now it gets set off by any small thing.  I thought at first it might be molds, but seems it might be something else.  I hope with the dryer winter weather he will not have soo much trouble now.  Makes me thankful I can breathe.  It isn't fun watching him struggle to take each breath.

We had a good day at church this morning.  We went to Bryant Pond Baptist, a little church we've been to several times before.  The pastor is planning on leaving in January, so that is not so good.  I hope they are able to find another pastor soon.  They are good people and the message was very good. 

Then we left right away after church and headed toward home.  Mr. D was concerned that the chickens would run out of water since it is frozen up and not flowing anymore.  We had good traveling weather, stopped for a little lunch in Conway, NH and got home around 3pm.  Mr. D checked on the chickens and then laid down to take a little nap.  While he napped, I made supper and finished up one of my homemade Christmas gifts.

We cleaned up and then headed to church.  It was great to be home with our church family.  We had a good service and time of fellowship and then after getting some milk at the farm... went off to bed early.  So concludes our Thanksgiving celebrations. 

The truth is, there is not one day that I am not thankful for something.  Even when we don't have such a good day, there is always something to be thankful for. 

I pray you had a wonderful Sunday too.

I had a long talk with my brother this weekend too.  He is a good man and Cindy is such a sweet sister-in-law.  They have 2 sons who are serving the Lord with their wives and families.  I haven't even met two of his grandchildren yet.  One of these days I'm going to pick up Brandon and head down to South Carolina for a visit.  It would be nice for Brandon to meet his great aunt and uncle and meet the cousins.  Suppose now I'll have to wait till everyone is home again.  One of my nephews is in the Dominican Republic and the other is on deputations to go to Australia.  Yikes... we'll be even more spread around!

I thank the Lord for Paul and Cindy and their family.  I know my dad and mom would be very pleased as well to see that their children are missionaries.  My dad and mom had a heart for missions and served the Lord all their married lives. 

Love you all.

30 Days of Thanks.... day 27

We arrived in Maine about 11:00 am.  We left at 8:15 am, and stopped once for gas and oil check and a small cup of coffee in Plymouth so the trip took us 2 1/2 hours approximately. 

On the way I finished a little sewing kit for Hannah's birthday.  She has been doing some little crafts and cooking with her mom... domestic training :)  so I figured it would be a nice thing for her to have her own little sewing kit.  I included sharp needles and  thread/thread cutter and needle threader and a small selection of bright colored felt pieces so she could make a few small projects.  She also got a baby doll that cries and eats and messes her diapers :)

We had a huge feast.  The little girls had made pies... apple, cherry, and pumpkin.  Everything was sooo yummy and we watched old "Andy of Mayberry" videos, looked at family pictures, and played a little "Sequence".  Some of the girls went sliding.  We had a mini blizzard that lasted for about 10 minutes producing white-out conditions. 

Finally we went to be about 11:00 pm.  Such and nice family day.

Thank you Lord for safety in travel and a wonderful day with family.

30 Days of Thanks.... day 26

I had to work today, but it was quite slow.  Many coworkers were off, so that made it a little more interesting.  Still a little "stuffed" from yesterday.  Perhaps I will get out of work a little early today.  We are headed to Maine either tonight or tomorrow morning to be with Mr. D's family.  I love going there to be with them... it's lots of fun and we usually play games around the big dining room table.  There's usually lots of good food and children playing.  Mr. D's sister has 4 girls... all younger... though each time I see them they are older (of course they can't stay little forever).  One of them has a birthday tomorrow.  She will be 9.

Mr. D has a wonderful family.  I'm so glad to be a part of it.  He has 3 sisters and I never had any growing up, so it is fun to spend time with other women my age and be a part of their extended family.

If the chicken's water is not frozen up, we will leave tonight.  If it is too cold we will leave in the morning.  I opt for the morning.  It's nice to travel in the light of day and tomorrow is supposed to be nice weather too.

It's hard to believe this is already day 26!  Where did this month go?  We have snow on the ground and winter has officially taken over.  The road was a little slippery this morning, but by tomorrow maybe all this will be melted off :)  *hope, hope*

Today I am thankful for a nice warm home and warm clothes and satisfied tummy.  I think of many who don't have these things.  In this coming year, I would like to volunteer some time to help with a food pantry or a shelter somewhere to try and help others... especially in our own area... who are hurting.  Many folks are out of work right now.   We have some neighbors who have been especially hurt because of the lack of mill work.  The lumber business is suffering because of the slump in new construction.   I've noticed a lot more hunters out this year than in the past.  Folks are trying to get meat on the table.   If the Lord allows us to, I would like to grow more veggies in the garden next year so that some could be donated to the local food bank.  I do visit the area dumps and thrift stores, so perhaps get together a collection of nice coats/children's clothing that could be given to those who are in need.  One of the ladies in our church, her mother is working with the local food bank, so that may be a place to start volunteering time.  I have cooked for large groups before too and they have a community kitchen in Plymouth.  I may be able to help there on the weekends.  I have a good friend who is working the the Red Cross now and she really is enjoying it.  I think I'll ask her how I might become more involved.  Any other ideas you might have?

It seems a small thing, but what if everyone were thinking that way?  No one would get involved thinking they could not contribute any significant amount.  Nothing would get done.  I'm also thinking of the possibilities of sharing the gospel too.  If I am involved in the lives of others... then the Lord will open opportunities to witness for Him. 
 

OK... enough brainstorming.  The next move is ACTION! 

Hope you are looking ahead to a wonderful weekend.

30 Day of Thanks... Day 25

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.  I hope you had a wonderful day with family and friends.  We had a wonderful time of food and fellowship with our friends and daughter Joanna.  We all brought food and Mrs. T cooked the turkey, stuffing, potatoes and pie and other good stuff... we filled in with more good food.  It was fun to just visit and we played some games afterwards.  Mrs. T had a New England trivia game.  Very interesting to see how much we did not know about our region.  I think the questions that stumped us the most were in the area of sports. 

After getting home we spent some time reminiscing about the day and then went to bed a little earlier than usual.  It was a good day.

Thank you Lord for good friends and fun days to balance out the days of labor.

30 Days of Thanks ... day 24

After a very windy night and waking up to ice and snow it actually is turning out to be a beautiful sunny day. 

This morning I heard a helicopter overhead... not a good sign for our "neck of the woods" 'cause it is usually a flight for life helicopter.  Sure enough on my way to work there was a horrible accident.  An SUV caught the edge of the road it looks like and flipped into the woods.  I'm sure the icy conditions did not help, but it is a bad corner anyway and if your tire slips off the side there is not much to stop you from going off.  Last winter a Fire and Rescue vehicle went off there.  Looks like the driver's side front was in bad shape.  By the time I arrived on the scene they were just pulling the car out.  I think if you have time... take a minute to ask the Lord to intervene on the behalf of the driver.  I didn't recognize the vehicle, but it was probably a local resident/commuter.

I thank the Lord for safety in traveling.  I put lots of miles on my little Neon.  I bought the car in 2001 new and it now has 230,000 miles on it.  My commute takes me 1 hour each way though often that is due to traffic.  I go past 2 schools and for some reason our rural area has at least 3 school buses on one stretch of road.  They probably take off onto little side roads somewhere along the way.  Depending on the time I get started I have an alternate route that takes a little less time even though it is longer distance. 

I haven't yet missed a day of work due to weather, thank the Lord.  I know there's always a first time.  I've been late a few times because the traffic goes slow on the worst days, but if I start out early enough I can usually get there at a decent time. 

On really bad weather days the worst is the driveway, but it's all downhill and there's usually enough snowbank at the bottom to stop me :)

Winter has officially started I guess. 

The wind was ferocious last night... blowing things all around the yard.  A ladder was laying across the driveway this morning... right where I usually park.  I didn't park there last night instead leaving my car in the dark away from the house... no particular reason... there was actually a few things to bring in from the car too.  God in His infinate mercy directed my feeble brain to park where I did.  Thank you Lord for your protection.

Tomorrow I will not be on the internet, I will be having wonderful fellowship and eating lots of good food... check out the menu here... sounds like way too much food, but as Mrs. T says... leftovers ARE good.  I'm looking forward to the pumpkin pie :)  and of course the fellowship with good friends.

My daughter will be there too and that will be extra special!

I hope and pray you have a wonderful day with your family this Thanksgiving.

(thanks Mrs. T for this beautiful picture)

God Bless!

30 Day of Thanks... day 23

Today I am thankful for energy.  Last night I was able to complete a couple tasks that I had not been able to accomplish this weekend.  I also was able to put 10 qts of brocolli into the freezer plus 2 large bags of red pepper halves to use for stuffed peppers.  Everytime we get some I toss them into the freezer and they are yummy filled with squash/onion/sausage... ok I've already posted that recipe.

I was also able to finish the cross-stitch for Mr. D.  I didn't take a picture yet, 'cause it is not dry yet so not framed.  It'll look lots nicer in a frame.

Had a great night's sleep and busy day at work.  Talked to Joanna today too.  She's feeling a little under the weather (usual cold and flu season stuff), but she is warm in her little camper and her new little kitty "Cinder" is doing well and becoming more friendly - he was a stray abandoned kitty, very tiny. 

So today I am very thankful for the energy to get things done and the time to do it.

Head over to Conny's blog for more 30 Days of Thanks.  Lots of cute pictures too :)

30 Days of Thanks.... day 22

Today is a typical Monday.  I was sleepy this morning, but once I got up and going it was better.  Woke up cold and there was a layer of ice all over my car.  I had gone outside to put away the laundry basket into the laundry room and noticed the ice, so I stopped to get the car started and warmed up.  Then I went back in and ate my bowl of chocolate flavored cheerios ;)  (had a coupon), and by the time I was ready to leave the car was all toasty and all the ice was melted... thank the Lord.  I hate chipping ice off the windsheild.

It has been a busy day at work and so I am thankful for that.  Makes the time go by quickly.

I have supper all ready too... made a chicken in the grill yesterday and have veggies all ready to pop on the stove.

I finished my cross stitch today and will try to post a picture soon... it needs to be washed and I have a frame all ready for it.

Since Mr. D doesn't read the blog so I guess it's safe to post it prior to Christmas since it is meant to be a gift for him.  It will hang in his new office when we move back into the mobile home.

Well, enough rambling... I guess I am thankful today that I didn't have to chip ice off the windsheild this morning and that I was able to finish the cross stitch gift for Mr. D.

Thank you Lord for taking such good care of us!

30 Days of Thanks.... day 21

Yea!  It's Sunday and we had a wonderful church service.  Good fellowship.... good message of encouragement from God's word.... a reminder to Thank the Lord for His goodness.  We will be having a Thanksgiving Prayer and Praise on Wednesday. 

I have lots to thank the Lord for today.  I finished the beets!  It was a chore I was not looking forward to.  I dug them up a few weeks ago, but those three 5 gallon buckets had been sitting near the door... right in the way... since then... staring at me... well... I finally got going and of course once your going it's hard to stop.   Objects in motion and all ya know.

We got 32 quarts of frozen beets and I really packed those bags full too 'cause I didn't want to stop and have to run to the store to buy more freezer bags.    The larger ones were chunked up.  The medium size ones were sliced and the little ones (took me 4 hours to peel the pot full) were left whole.  Now my hands look like I have been working on the car all weekend.  I don't use gloves because they slip off the skins and I want to grip on so they pop out of their skins and I don't have to use a knife for persuation.

Thank the Lord the beets are DONE!

Not my beets or my picture.  Picture compliments of Google.  Glad mine are not in this form anymore... at least till next year.  By next year I will forget all the trouble they were and will actually WANT to grow some more!

30 Days of Thanks.. day 20

Today I went for a quick drive to see my friend Betty.  We don't get to spend much time together anymore.  She works on my days off and I work on her days off and we see each other at church or when I happen to stop by her work after I get out at 5pm.  She is sweet and full of life and makes me laugh.

I haven't known Betty for a long time.  I was working at a fabric store when she would come in and visit with us.  Often she would work along with us even though she wasn't paid for it... then we convinced her she should apply and work for pay.  She started working there and then I went on to a new job.  It just wasn't working out for me at the store.  There was no chance of advancement 'cause I would not work on Sunday and because of that I worked every Friday and Saturday.  I also was a closer, so often would not get home until 10-11pm.  We had so much fun working together, but now we don't get to hang out and laugh!  Betty has been really good to me and sometimes it makes me feel bad that I forget things and don't do more for her.   Life just seems to take over my time and strength some days.  I want to have more time to just do nice things for others.  I want to be more like Betty!

Well, today I am thankful for my good friend Betty.  She's sweet as a button and I don't know what I'd do without her.

I'm sorry I don't have any pictures to share with you, but if she sends me one... I'll post it here later.  Keep checking.

Thank the Lord for good friends.

OK I think I might be caught up now....

Now I must tell you what happened Monday.

I came into work and opened my email and this message came up....

The Winner is Mrs. D!!!

What a surprise!  I had entered the giveaway Conny was doing... I never win anything... but Yea!  I won.

This is what I got with my CSN store gift certificate.  I could have done a little Christmas shopping, but I have looked at these for quite a while now and it will benefit our family... so not completely selfish.

and still had enough left for one of these

We make all our own bread and the flour we use is quite expensive stone ground whole wheat.  I'm going to try growing some next year.  Don't know what I'm in for but it's worth a try.  Also found a source for wheat berries, so may get 50# and give it a go.  I tried it out the day it came and it was quite simple to use.  I think with just a few minutes of grinding I would have enough for a loaf of bread.  Maybe not as finely ground as what we're used to, but I like a little crunch anyway.  

How exciting.

Thank you Connie!!!

Today I am thankful for my new grain mill and steamer.

30 DAYS OF THANKS

The days are a little mixed up on these 30 days.  I have been writing posts, but not able to publish them.  This was actually written last Friday 11/12, but I'm publishing it this Friday 11/19.  Lots has happened in between, but I'll get to that.
11/12

Of course this picture wasn't just taken :)
Friday I was very busy and also exhausted.  I went home and made dinner and then collapsed into bed.  I am so thankful for a husband who puts up with me doing this very thing occasionally.  He was tired too after working all week digging a ditch all week.  We have a leak into our electric conduit and water was pouring out.  We are trying to find the break so it can be fixed, but so far no sign of it.  Mr. D drilled a hole in the pipe to release the water and it just gushed out, so that is an indication that the break is somewhere above.  Our land is very wet and we often have issues of this sort.  I am, none-the-less thankful that we have a little patch of ground to tend to.  It has been a joy to be able to garden and raise our animals.  It is a miracle that we have this and we thank the Lord everytime we come to the end of the driveway and look up and see all that God has given.

Our view from on top is beautiful at all times of the year.  I actually like looking out across the valley in the winter when there is a storm brewing.  I can see it approaching and as it comes the air turns white.  After the storm everything sparkles and shines and the chickadees are chattering away.  My other most favorite time of year is spring when the leaves are just starting to pop and are that yellow/green color.  The air is fresh and full of new smells and the birds are busy finding suitable spots to raise their families. 

 

a couple of pictures of Mr. D plowing the driveway,  not this year  

In general, I like the warm weather best, but I thank the Lord for winter since it fills me with anticipation of spring.

Thank you Lord for seasons.  And thank you for a good night's rest.

30 DAYS OF THANKS

Saturday the sun was shining.  My "Sweetie" went to the church for a work day and I went off to shop at thrift stores and at my favorite grocery store. 

In my travels I visited several thrift stores and picked up some nice stuff.  I'm pretty excited about Christmas.  Guess I'd better get some wrapping paper soon, or make some gift bags.

My daughter is moved into a camper this weekend.

Joanna's new home.  It is way out in the middle of nowhere.  She's turned it around, added a porch and a wood stove now.
We'll went over on Sunday afternoon to pick up some of her things and bring her some wood to burn in her little wood stove.  I pray the Lord keeps her safe in that little tiny home.  I thank the Lord for providing her with a home and that it is warm.  I remember when the girls were little we'd come in from the cold winter weather into our warm and cozy home and I would thank the Lord for the warmth of our home. 

It will be a cold winter and it is coming.  We've had some cold already with a little snow, but not enough to really freeze the ground yet.  I hope you are all staying warm where you are.

I thank the Lord for days off to recoop and regroup and get errands done.  I also thank Him for a  good job so we can pay the bills.

30 DAYS OF THANKS

Sunday must be my favorite day of the week.  We had dinner at church this Sunday and it was sooooo yummy.  The fellowship was sweet, the teaching was from God's Word and spoke to me as it always does.

We were celebrating our 30th anniversary today and so the afternoon service was all testimonies and songs with a short Bible message.  It is so wonderful to have a church family who loves the Lord and seeks to encourage one another.  Some of the folks at church I have known since I was a youngster... my father pastored in this town when I was very young.  Some are not as familiar to me, but just as precious.  Pastor Michaud is a wonderful Bible preacher and I have grown a lot since we moved here...  we've been attending since 2005, but moved here in 2007 and my husband was a member here before that but attended the church my mother and I went to in Ascutney until her death in June 2005.

I hope you are attending a church where your soul is fed and where you can be an encouragement to others.  If not, why not?

I am  thankful today for my wonderful church family and the pastor and his wife that the Lord has given us!

30 DAYS OF THANKS

Monday, but not your normal Monday.  Today I started out tired.  Last night we moved a bunch of stuff out of Joanna's old apartment and put it into the back room of our mobile home.  The best part was her old mattress which was many times better than the one we had.  We switched them out and I slept so well last night.  It's like sleeping on a cloud.

I'm thankful today for a new mattress... what a blessing!

30 Days of Thanks....

My younger daughter's name is Heather.  Heather is also very courageous.  She is lovely in every way and also a very determined person.  She has accomplished lots in her 29 years.  She is very competitive.  When she played basketball in high school she achieved 1000 points during the 3 years she played.  She moved to DC to stay with my brother right after high school, then met and married Dexter and they have a son, Brandon.  She decided to be a police officer and went to the police academy to complete her training.  She has been an officer for a few years now.  Her primary job is to work with community relations.  Still very organized and gets things done.

I love her very much and pray for her safety all the time as you can imagine.  Even though she works in the community with the families, that doesn't mean she is out of harm's way.  She also works as security in a local pharmacy.  They live right in the heart of DC and that is where she works.

Here she it... that pretty little girl of mine with a huge responsibility.

Dexter, Heather and Brandon, taken in last year's blizzard in DC

Christmas Day 2009

I thought I had a picture of Heather in uniform.  If I find it, I'll add that later.  Sorry Heather.  Maybe you could email me one.  I have a huge file of pictures and they aren't well organized yet.

Isn't she lovely... and beautiful?  

I'm thankful for my "little Heather".

30 Days of Thanks....

Wow, another beautiful day in the north country.  The frost was thick this morning, but that's a good sign... it was a clear cold night and the sun will be out today. Yippee!!!

We had a wonderful prayer meeting last night.  It just encourages my heart each time I am able to get together with my Christian family. 

I want to take the time during this 30 days to talk about my daughters.  I am starting with Joanna because she is the oldest.  Joanna is a wonderfully warm and fun loving girl.  She is a talented artist and has been drawing for most of her life.  She has sold a lot of her artwork and is now embarking on a new medium... metal.  If she can see art and beauty in a pile of old rusty steel... I am truly amazed.  Her first piece... a butterfly... was fashioned from 2 old hay racks like this one .

This is what she ended up with...

She is adventurous and is making plans to hike the Appalachian trail and is gathering equipment for that.  She loves her doggie "Pedro".  She is a loyal friend,  God's gift to me to love a care for and I am so thankful for her.

We have many miles to go in this life and I pray the Lord will use her is a great way for His glory.

My lovely daughter Joanna.  Joanna, if you ever read this, I love you and thank the Lord for you.

Isn't she pretty?  This was taken last year.  We were going to the outlet mall to shop for Christmas.  

Joanna and Pedro.  I think this was a couple of years ago.  She had it on facebook for a while... so I guess it's  

OK for me to share it here.  What a cute puppy.

Get in on the Giveaway

Conny is having a giveaway and there's not much time left...

Check it out!

30 Days of Praise

Day 11

Guess you can imagine what I am going to write about today.

Yes, I am a grateful American.  I am thankful for our country and those who have given their lives to keep her free. 

On this Veteran's Day I can't help think of those around the world who are under religious oppression.   I think of missionaries who work in countries where their lives are in danger because they seek to lead those around them to the Lord Jesus Christ.  This makes me ever more thankful to live in America and causes me to pray for all those in leadership and those who are in the military. 

Thank you to all our veterans past and present who have fought or are currently fighting to keep our country free.

Blog Anniversary:

I just noticed that on 12/15 I will have had this blog for one year.   I have noticed others having celebrations and "giveaways" for their anniversary.  We'll just have to see about that :)

I'll be makin' some plans.

Have a nice day y'all

30 Days of Thanks

Day 10.........

It's an easy day to be thankful here in the Northeast United States.  We have sunshine and warm temperatures.  I am certainly thankful for that.  We have prayer meeting tonight and I will get to fellowship with my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord and I am really thankful for that.  Another thing I am thankful for... I  found a REALLY cute jacket at the thrift store this afternoon for "someone" on my Christmas list... can't say who.   I'm thankful for great thrift stores... we have 4 of them in our area to shop at and two really great ones that takes a while to get to (good for Saturdays).

More tomorrow... go ahead and get started... you could call yours 20 Days of Thanks if you start today.  Just sign up at "The Hutch Haus" we are all looking forward to hearing from you.

30 Days of Thanks

Day 9 

I can tell that by the time I get to the end of the 30 days I may end up repeating myself.  That's only 'cause I'm getting old,  not because I can't think of 30 unique, individual things to thank the Lord for :)

I am thankful today for God's Word.  Conny was mentioning the gift of words and it made me stop and think a little more about words. 

Have you noticed some of the 3:16's in the Bible?

Well, you could start with Genesis 3:16 and work your way through... but I'd rather not think about Genesis 3:16 too much. 
Let's skip over to Matthew 3:16:
"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:"

Luke 3:16

"John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:"

and of course John 3:16
^"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

and Colossians 3:16
^"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

II Timothy 3:16
^"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

There are probably others, but I'm going to stop there.  I like to find patterns in the Bible like this.  I know that chapters and verses were added later to scripture, but isn't it kinda neat how this happened... all these 3:16's that are such important sections of the Bible.

It is a joy to have God's Word.  To be able to read it any time and anywhere.  I also thank the Lord that we still have that freedom and pray that it will continue for us in the United States.  There are many who are forbidden by law to read God's Word, or humiliated for reading it.  I have actually been ridiculed many times for referring to the Bible or quoting scripture, but keep in mind this scripture... not a 3:16, but so important to remember

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

Days 5,6,7,8 of Thanks

I have to admit that this weekend was "out of control busy".  Mr D who is bothered by asthma has had trouble breathing well in the house.  I know that the walls sweat and sometimes molds form on the surface and if I don't keep up with it, this can have a huge affect on him.   We are really squeezed into our camper and moving furniture around can sometimes be an issue, so this weekend I did an all out cleaning and took everything that was washable to the laundrymat.  It was a lot of curtains, blankets, mattress pads, the window quilts that need to go up, towels out of the cupboard.  I had a big washing.  It took only about 2 hours at the laundrymat though.  That is a huge praise that I didn't have to wash and hang out all this stuff, especially since one of my clotheslines fell down a week ago and it rained today.  I would be fighting with that laundry for a week.

Then I washed down walls with bleach solution and the floor and the ceiling.  Well, if nothing else the house smells good now.  Mr. D is breathing better and I am happier.

I thank the Lord for the ability he has given me to take care of my house.  I know I often complain about cleaning, but just think if you weren't able to do it?  I would be so unhappy all the time.  My momma taught me how to clean and take care of the house and for that I am very grateful. 

I am also thankful for the laundrymat.  Whew... I'd have been in trouble this weekend without it.  That job could have reasonably taken about a week to complete and I would be troubled with getting it done.  Now it is all clean and put away.  You may say... "well that's a silly thing to be thankful for"... but just the same I am extremely thankful.

I am thankful that I have a creative outlet.  I am able to go into my little "cubby hole" of a sewing room and get creative when I need a little creative relief.   Christmas is coming.

I am thankful for my sweet husband who put on my snow tires last night in the dark because it was going to snow today and tomorrow.  Isn't he a sweet guy?

I am thankful for a warm home to come home to.  I am thankful for a good job in a time when many do not have work.  I am thankful for my coworkers who put up with me on Monday after a sleepless night because the wind was blowing hard all night long and they changed the time on me.

I am thankful for my church family with whom we ate a wonderful meal on Sunday... yea for potlucks.  I'm also thankful that we have good cooks at our church :)  of course I probably ate a little too much, but how can you pass up chocolate chip cookie pie and chocolate cream pie?

I think that gets me caught up.  Maybe I'll get a little more serious tomorrow.

Love you guys and join up in the 30 Days of Thanks at Conny's blog

30 Days of Thanks

Today I am thinking of the message we heard in prayer meeting last night on prayer.  What a blessing it is to be able to go to the Lord anytime we want.  In good times and bad or maybe for no real reason at all or perhaps just in praise.  No particular posture needed.  No payment needed.  No reason to wait.  It's like having your best friend with you all the time.  I think if my best friend were with me all the time we wouldn't be best friends anymore :)  BUT  God is our very best friend and he never gets sick of us. 

Our pastor used the illustration in the Bible of Moses interceding for Israel. 
Deuteronomy 9:18-29

"And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also.
And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.
And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, [and] ground [it] very small, [even] until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.
And at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibrothhattaavah, ye provoked the LORD to wrath.
Likewise when the LORD sent you from Kadeshbarnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you; then ye rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God, and ye believed him not, nor hearkened to his voice.
Ye have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you.
Thus I fell down before the LORD forty days and forty nights, as I fell down [at the first]; because the LORD had said he would destroy you.
I prayed therefore unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
Remember thy servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; look not unto the stubbornness of this people, nor to their wickedness, nor to their sin:
Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.
Yet they [are] thy people and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest out by thy mighty power and by thy stretched out arm."

I know this is a large scripture to digest, but our pastor brought out some challenging thoughts... I've been thinking about them ever since.  Is there someone in your life who just seems to be going the wrong way?  They claim to know the Lord and seem to have a desire for spiritual things, but then walk away from the very things that would help them grow and mature?  I have several someones in my life like this.  Is my prayer for them important?  You can see from this passage that Moses went through this same thing.  I am praying that the God who began a great work in the lives of these people in my life... will perform it... just as he promised He would do.  I am taking to heart this example from the life of Moses.  It inspires me and encourages me.  God is good and God is able to change the life of even the most crusty individual you know.

What a great God we serve and just another thing to be thankful for... the power of prayer.

If you'd like to participate in the "30 Days of Thanks"  head on over to Conny's and link up.

30 DAYS OF THANKS... DAY 1,2,3

I told Conny that I would participate in the 30 Days of Thanks.  Here it is November 3 and I haven't started yet... sorry Conny... I hope to get caught up today.  It's not that I haven't thought about it and I am truly thankful everyday, but I just wasn't able to get on to post about it. 

November 1  In "retrospect" what I am most thankful for #1 in my life is found in this scripture passage:
Titus 3:4-7

"But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

I often think about what I would do if I lived in Old Testament times and had to sacrifice a lamb for the covering of my sin.  There would have been lots of dead lambs :)  Thank the Lord!  He has provided us with sin cleansing through his death on the cross for us.   Also what a comfort to know I'll see those who have gone to Heaven already.  This separation is not forever.  I will see my Mom, Dad, first husband, daughter, grandparents, aunts and uncles again some day.  After the elections (oops that hasn't happened yet) it's also nice to know this is not my "final" home.  How wonderful God is to provide us with Hope and we don't have to pay for it, or earn it somehow by being good.  I'd like to be "good" all the time, well... you know how that goes :)

November 2
The next thing I am most thankful for is the leading of the Lord in my life.  My favorite hymn "He Leadeth Me"  has these words...

"Lord I would put my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine"

OK... I do murmur from time to time, but I want to say it is not my intention.  I am so blessed!  What do I have to murmur about anyway? 
Isn't this a precious promise?
Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. "

He cares for us even in the tiniest of mundane situations.  He knows we were made from dust and He loves us completely.  What a blessing it is to know Him.

November 3
This catches me up with the rest of you.  Today I must give thanks for my family.  Of course my Mom and Dad are gone on now, but how thankful I am that they loved me and raised me in a Christian home surrounded by Christian principles and spiritual guidance.  I have a wonderful brother and sister-in-law.  I never had a sister, but Cindy is my sister anyway.  They have two wonderful sons and their wives and children.  My grandparents on both sides and aunts and uncles and cousins... all of whom I can honestly say would do anything for ya.  My beautiful daughters Joanna and Heather and Heather's family and Joanna's Pedro :).  My grandson, Brandon who came to know the Lord this summer, YEA! and then last but certainly not least my precious husband who puts up with me every day... not sure how.  He is the sweetest person on the planet (according to me), and I love him so very much.  I remember when he asked if he could be a part of our lives I had to tell him how crazy our family is.  I thought he'd maybe turn around and walk away, but he chose to stay anyway and I am so thankful.
God has certainly blessed me with wonderful family members, each and every one of them.  I don't want to miss my "extended" family... my husband's Mom and Dad and sisters and their spouses and children.  They are also very wonderful and have been a true blessing to us. 

OK enough for those 3 days.  I'm ready for 27 more...  see ya soon.

Long time ago....

Yup, I know it's been a while, but I have been too busy to write much here lately.  Other things have taken precedent.  Anyway I had a post ready to share, but it was way too boring.

I wanted to show you some pictures anyway of my daughter's new hobby/career... welding.... artistic welding... metal sculpture... well,  as you can see I'm not really sure what to call it, but it's neat and she's looking to sell some of her pieces so if you are interested let me know.

Here is her very first metal sculpture...

This would look really cool in a garden.  I think its great what can be made from scrap steel.  She's quite the creative one.

Her next try was a little more difficult probably because of the cast iron she chose to work with, but I think she'll get it... it's a good start and will make another beautiful piece when it is done....

I'm looking forward to seeing the finished project.

We have been very busy on the Millett Farm the past few weeks.  This weekend we will probably be butchering ducks... the ones born in the spring.  I think out of 12 ducks there were only 2 hens... the rest were drakes and gotta go.  Muscovy meat is really outstanding.  Of course as with any duck it is all dark meat, but very lean.  We cooked some in the pressure cooker for supper last night and it was very yummy.  That was a duck from last year.  They are also very large birds and have quite a bit of meat on them.

They are actually quite a bit bigger now and are testing their wings... another reason why we really need to get this job done.

I hope to add more later...

Here's a little LATE fall color for you to enjoy....

Hope all of you are really enjoying this season of the year.

My Sweetie is turning 49.

Today is my Sweeties 49th birthday.  Even though he will tell you he's been 16 ever since he was 12 the truth is he's moving a little slower these days and I can tell 16 has long since gone.  He's such a wonderful husband and I just have a need to tell you about him.

A couple months after Don Peel, my first husband, died in 2001, Mr. D asked if I might be interested in "dating" him.  I told him this probably wouldn't be wise because our life was a little crazy back then.  My father had died in 1995 and my mom was needing care.  She had a stroke which brought on dementia.  The doctors diagnosed this as Alzheimer's.  She declined quite rapidly after that and then later had a fall that caused her even  more problems.  Someone needed to be with her most all the time.  She went to adult daycare, but there were some gaps of time because of my work schedule.  Friends were helping and my daughter helped to care for her.  My youngest daughter had just has a baby.  He was about 2 months old and he would come and stay with me on Sundays.  With one daughter moved out and another on her way out, it was a little chaotic at our home. 

I was still grieving for Don even though we hadn't been together in quite some time (since 1984)   He was still a good friend and someone I could hash things out with when life got a little crazy.  He had been married twice since our divorce.  I knew that even though he was not going to be in my life the same way ever again, he was still a large part of our daughter's lives.  They were grieving too.  His death was very sudden.  He was playing basketball with some friends and just collapsed with a massive heart attack. 

So when Doug, who had been a good friend and coworker for many years, asked me if I might be interested, all I could think about was all the craziness that was my life at that point.  He didn't give up on me.  He brought us a sympathy card and gift.  He was so kind.  He prayed for us.  He broke through that resistance in short order and in April of 2002 we were married.  The church was full to capacity on that wonderful day.

  I think my Sweetie is one of the kindest men ever.  He also has a great sense of humor and can talk to me when I am "nonconversive" and broody, which is especially when I have lots of stuff on my mind.  He must think some times that he's talking to a wall. 

He is very patient with me and he is VERY romantic.  He doesn't believe in bringing me decapitated flowers, but brings me beautiful perennials.   He encourages and tells me I'm the most beautiful, even though wrinkles are taking over and there's sagging in places that never sagged before.

He helped me care for Mom for years before she passed away in 2005 and he sat with me through that really hard time.  He was with me through some difficult family issues and with the passing of Aunts and Uncles and friends.   If I want to spend time with friends or family he is not jealous of our time together.

He fixes my car when it is ailing and keeps it running pretty good for an old thing.  He calls himself a "grease monkey" but he's learned lots working on all the many vehicles we have scatter around. 

He's not able to do everything he would like because of his physical limitations, but he does all he can to make our lives comfortable.  He is patient with me when I spend money meant for other budget categories and gives me "that look" that keeps me in line (most of the time). 

He cares tenderly for our animals.  We have a kitty that had cancer and had to have her leg amputated and he nursed her back.  We also have a puppy that was hit by a truck last year and her whole head was peeled like an orange.  He tenderly picked her up and took her to get stitched up.  He cares for the chickens and ducks and is a great gardener.  We both like to do the same things for the most part and it gives us lots to share as we help one another. 

I love this wonderful husband the Lord has given me.   I thank the Lord that he was persistent.  I thank his parents for raising him to be a good man.  I thank God that He saved him and made him His child and brought us together just at the right time.

I hope he has a wonderful birthday and that the Lord allows him many more to come.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE!