Squirrel-ing

Here in the North, the beauty of fall has been past for a couple of weeks now. It seems that a bit of melancholy sets in once the leaves fall and Daylight Savings Time ends. It can appear dark and dull, especially on sunless days. So, to our delight, snow was on the deck this morning as we started to gather for breakfast. Although it was melting within the half hour, it gave a glimpse that another season will soon be on the way.

However, before that can happen, a bit more squirrel-ing needs to be done around here. Two weekends ago was spent filling the freezer with squash soup and carrot cauliflower soup, along with squash cooked up for several nice winter's meals. Tonight after dinner, a huge box, almost 30 pounds worth, of cranberries was taking up major space on my counter. Much as my tired body would have liked, I couldn't ignore it. I had to deal with those berries or I would be sorry.

So they got washed...

 

 

Sorted and bagged for freezing...

 

 

and my sweet helper cooked some...

 

 

 

It always feels good to know that I am a bit more prepared for the next season squirrel-ing away for my family.

 

 

HAPPINESS IS:

Today for journaling, the Chili Peppers had to write 10 things for the journal prompt Happiness is... While I was trying to get them thinking, ideas poured into my mind about what makes me happy. Here they are as they spilled out with more than 10!

Happiness is:

• sunny days
• no conflict relationships
• Jesus
• cuddling with BNH
• sleeping in
• reading to the Peppers
• watching Jane Austen with Kase
• cross stitching
• long Bible study time
• girlfriend time
• walking on the River Walk
• being forgiven
• reading Jennifer's blog
• drinking tea
• reading a good book
• awesome praise and worship
• scones
• a clean house

The Consolation Cookie

A new tradition started in our family today. Not purposefully but rather out of the need of the moment.

Our beloved Big D had to fly back to VA this noon. Most of us took in early church so whoever wanted to could ride along to the airport. For me it was going to be one of those times when I just knew I would be a mess saying goodbye all the way there and back. So I did my kiss, cry, and goodbye at home.

Here is the story I heard when the farewell team returned:

My youngest was hungry (No surprise!) and asked for a cookie. BNH said there weren't any. But lo and behold, a package of leftover cookies was absently, and providentially, left behind from a trip last week. Best of all they were gluten free!

So Kase and Mr. Buster each had one. They asked their dad if he wanted one and he said why not? He then came up with "the consolation cookie." The cookie that gets eaten because everyone needs a little consolation after taking a beloved one to the airport. The cookie that could never make the heart feel good but give the tongue and tummy a bit of satisfaction for however long the nibbling lasts.

I am not sure when the next consolation cookie will be eaten, perhaps deer hunting/Thanksgiving. Maybe Christmas. Whenever we get the blessing of another visit, I'll have to make sure the car is ready with the necessary goods for the trip back home.

 

Stitchin' Stash

Thursday I took some time for myself and went to my LNS. I was on the hunt for a specialty thread and school starts up next week. My big guys were home so no worries about a get-home time. So I figured I had better "take the gift and go." 

Shortly upon arrival I was surprised to find out that the shop is closing in 3+ weeks and with that news came the knowledge that all in the store was 27% off. I think I puttered around in the tiny shop for over an hour and a half. It was bliss! I had fun talking to a wise, seasoned stitcher who works there as well as two other customers who came in. I love learning from those who have perfected their craft and it made me see how I have a need to connect with other stitchers.

This was the one thing I went for:

And here are some of the lovelies I picked out:

I love yellow and this was just calling my name. It was marked down and then the shop lady gave me the 27% off too.

                                                       Threads, of course!

 

                                                     Several charts...

 

I kept going back to these Lizzie Kates and finally decided they will be gifts.

A rather BIG pile of goodness!

And a rather thankful heart!

 

Victoria : )

Sheep in the Pen and Grapes on the Vine

Every year on or around our anniversary, BNH and I go away on an overnight to a bed and breakfast. Due to graduation parties, the ACT test, and working weekends, we were not able to go on June 9 or even after that. So earlier this week we stole away when a couple of the bigguns' were here to stay with the couple of lil'uns. It was perfect. We have been staying at our favorite place for several years now, but this year we both wanted to go somewhere new. After struggling to find the right spot (and one that didn't serve corn flakes for breakfast!), we providentially stayed at The Speckled Hen Inn. While more pricey than we usually do, we were not disappointed!

 

Our upstairs room was spacious and had access to the balcony.

 

 

The owners have worked hard to create several spots to sit and be still. We tried out them all as we were wanting quiet, refreshing time. BNH's favorite was a metal red chair that he sat and read in. I enjoyed the bench right in front of the sheep pen. Full of sun and a great place for reading and praying. I also watched the sheep move in a group across the pasture to graze and then move back to the shade always in a group.

 

 

Two lllamas also resided in the pen. 

 

This guy was kinda sassy and didn't want his picture taken.

Here is where breakfast came from. Delicious eggs and amazing breakfasts. I wished I would have photographed them! There were 3 courses (we skipped lunch both days) and Bob and Pat kindly made it gluten free for me. The Coconut Basmati Rice Pudding was to die for!

 

 

 

I hope we get the oppotunity to be blessed by another stay here.

 

Where's the grace?

I am so needy for it  - RIGHT NOW!! I can't even tell ya'.

 And not just a bucket full. I need a whole ocean full.

 Dumped right over the top of me.

Yes, I'm desperate!!

I find myself in situations where I just want to explain how I feel and before I know it, it becomes a very tangled, tense conversation.

"GRACE! Need you right now, please!"

Do I try too hard to present my feelings? Do I put too much importance on being understood? Do I want everyone to get "my way" of thinking or doing?

Yeah...

I need grace because I need to learn how to interact with people. Walking in this world sinner-on-sinner is tough stuff! I would be a complete idiot to think I could manage even for a moment without grace. That's why I am so desperate.

I need Jesus! I need Him so desperately!! I need all that He has to offer and I need to ask Him to fill me with Himself continually. I need His grace to cover my sins and deal with the guilt of them. I need His grace to accept His forgiveness and to help me to forgive others. I need His grace to empower me when I am too weak to conger up His grace on my own.

I know "where the grace is." It is found at the foot of the cross. It is found in His Word. It is found when I simply cry out for it.

And I don't need to be desperate any more.


And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  2 Corinthians 9:8

Closer Than the Air You Breathe

My Bible study group is doing Priscilla Shirer's Jonah right now. What an awesome study! I am really enjoying the introspectiveness and the challenging "re-thinking" that it is making me do.

The start of Priscilla's study goes like this:
           I am Jonah.
       I want to serve God...as long as it is convenient.
    I desire to do His will...until it is a tad uncomfortable.
I want to hear His Word...as long as its message is one I'm suppose to pass on to
someone else...

Umm...yeah. That is me too. And this is some tough stuff to deal with when I want to have some control.

This past week we had a day to focus on the fact that we have nowhere to hide. Psalm 139:7 says, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?" The obvious answer is nowhere. He is ever present. Or more properly put: omnipresent.

Priscilla shared a small portion of a devotional from Sarah Young's God Calling which
says, "I am all around you, hovering over you even as you seek My Face. I am nearer than you dare believe, closer than the air you breathe."

When I first read this I thought how amazing it was to think about His very nearness hovering over me! All the time. Wherever I go! It's pretty indescribable how comforting and loved that makes me feel. He is nearer than I dare to believe. Closer than the air I breathe. Air is right around me all the time. It is just one breath away. His presence is less than one breath away. It is closer than the air I breathe.

The air I breathe is right up to my nostrils - there for my very life and sheer existence. When I thought about God being that close, for a minute it gave me pause. Being closer than the air I breathe would mean that He would right up against my nose - no space in between. I would not be able to breathe at all. I felt suffocated. It made me want to step back and literally take a deep breath. I felt a bit panicky thinking about His presence being right there, so close. Close enough to cut off my breath.

"Just give me an inch, Lord. To be able to breathe. You would still be super close."

 As I kept pondering this, God continued to show me more. If He truly was closer than the air I breathe, I would not be able to breathe. I would have no life from lack of air. I would no longer be breathing anything other than Him. He would be my air. I would not be living for me but living for Him and by Him. The beauty about this is that He showed me that is exactly how He wants me to be. Dead to myself and alive because He would be my supply, my breath of life. No longer would I live for myself but He would live in me.

But only as long as I did not step away, not even 1 little head movement of an inch.

 I want the Spirit of the Lord hovering over me and nearer than the air I breathe. Not fretting that I don't still get to breathe on "my own" and worrying that I will be suffocated. But rather resting in His nearness so very, very close.

"Don't give me an inch, Lord. Not even one. Be closer than the air I breathe."