"Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving.""

The Scarlet Tide

When I recall his parting words
Must I accept his fate,
or take myself far above this place.

I thought I heard a black bell toll
a little bird did sing.
Man has no choice when he wants everything.

We'll rise above the scarlet tide that trickles down through the mountain,
and separates the widow from the bride.

Man goes beyond his own decision gets caught up in the mechanism,
of swindlers who wreck loves kiss and brokers who break everything.

The dark of night was swiftly fading
close to the dawn of day
Why would a woman loose him again

We'll rise above the scarlet tide that trickles down through the mountain ,
and separates the widow from the bride.

We'll rise above the scarlet tide that trickles down through the mountain ,
and separates the widow from the bride.

by Alison Kryuse
as heard in the Movie "Cold Mountain"
A film based in the American Civil War

Some parts of the movie must be fast forwarded or skipped, but this is a profound story of love.
I am moved deeply by the hidden meaning I find in this haunting melody.

(solo flight)
I often think of it when I think of God's love for me,
and my love for him.
I am a bride of Christ, not a widow.
My groom lives and he will return to me.
He is no longer in the grave.
He is with me as spirit.
He holds me, comforts me.
The beauty of a birds song
for even the sparrow has everything she needs.
When I recall Jesus' parting words...
I take myself far from this place.
I let go of my choice, and my will.
Offering myself up to the design of who I am created to be.
In this it is always better than any choice I could have imagined before me.

I want no part of the mechanism.
Removing myself from greed saves me from
stolen love of coveting things, and broken dreams.
Keeping my eyes to the light beyond this darkened world,
is my sanity to hold fast to him and never loose Him.
As nothing can remove me from His love.

The tide of his blood covers the whole of life.
Those who are within it are filled with hope.
We rise above the loss and trust that our groom returns.
That we are not left Widowed.

I will look to the dawn of day.
I am so very thankful for this hope,
and the peace found within me.
As the battle here on earth remains
with the horror of casualties scattered around me.
As in those years of the great civil war.
The battle rages on all around me ( in the spirit)
over the lives of all I know.
Brother against brother.
Greed, lust and the hope of gain to posses it.
With tighten fist the fear is a mechanism of the tormentor.
Man has no choice when he wants everything.
Freedom is the gratitude to simply receive what we are given.
Remembering that to whom much is given...
much is required.

To read my testimony visit
A life restored

"This week, many of us bloggers have devoted a special post in which we are sharing our personal testimonies of the Lord's work in our lives and/or that of our families. Our collective prayer is that this sharing of our testimonies will not only encourage each other and give Glory to our Lord, but also show the love of Christ to those who happen upon our blogs. To enjoy many more testimonies like the one you've just read please visit us at "Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving.""

Wordless Wedensday

Lunchtime.
It looks like angles watching over them.
Sometimes you just have to stop the world for your child.
click image to enlarge it.

Word filled Wedesday

May the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Ephesians 1:18

Trace Melamine Found In U.S. Baby Formula

A must read even speaks of the foods used in feeding tubs.

Cranberry Marinade Makes Turkey Safer

Cranberries make food safer to consume
Great article folks.
I keep a jar of Cranberry concentrate in the refer. think about it what do you drink when you have a kidney infection? Cool .

Tackle It Tuesday

Update below.

30 Days Until Christmas
The "Mother Load"
literally!
Under this cutting table is what I have collected through out the year.

There are many unfinished projects and several ideas for gifts.
The kids have a few things to enjoy in these boxes.
And so I sew...I begin.
This is the box of projects to be finished. Things begun and not yet finished.
Looking through here is my job today.
There are so many many ideas for the children in here.

There will be many tutorials to follow.

I so enjoyed the sock monkey's I made them last year, as do they still to this day treasure them.

Working on Dove's Star Wars Coat, but that is a before Christmas gift that she has been waiting a long time for.

Check out that provision!
That is the hood for her cloak, That is the fabric I had.
Perfect! Girls an eight of an inch and it would not have been lined the way(the same fabric as the outside) like Dove desired. I used a slate gray to like the sleeves.


Dash and I spoke about a home made Christmas. He has an idea that is so sweet to make for Dove. He is going to build her a house with his Lego's and give it to her,
Lego's and all ( fer keeps!).
He thought of it because Dove longs for a $40. Lego set.

Dove had a very strong initial response to the light and easy talk about a home made Christmas.
She too was incouraged to come up with some cool ideas of things to make for one another.
At first it waxed of a guilt trip (on Me), and my temper began to rise.
Dove was told of how I was going to walk away from her so I did not get angry.
She went into her room.
I followed after I cought my breath and temper (not bad just the feathers up a bit).
I went in and told her...
When you...I feel...and I would prefer if...

When you get up all in a fuss over what you want and expect, I feel presure, like I'm just not a good enough Mom or something 'cause I'm not giving you every thing you want.
I would prefer if you could reach within yourself and come from a place of gratitude instead.
I reminded her of how in years past the presents were to the sky, yet few kids ever know that and We were happy to do that because we could and it was fun.
Being greatful for what we do have is more important, it would really be nice if you could come from that place within you of gratitude. All spoken softly and yet firmly.

She rallied!
Her whole attitude changed and she stopped her pout.
Me thinks this is the GIFT in itself!

O.K. so it's 1:00
Time for lunch!

Just have the sleeves and to close the bottom opening.
My word kept to my daughter. You know, if you know me, it was a challenge to make a black cloak. This was Dove's desire to play Star Wars with Dash.
She has had to wait a long time. I thought about my word to her. She really did not want it lined in a color as I had suggested. She preferred to just wait trusting God in that I would be able to over look the similarities to my childhood. Black cloaks were not cool!
This is Dove and not them.
I'll do a tutorial post later.

I removed the curtain around the table and tossed it in the washer. I have some matching trim for it I found in a clearance bin. It will be a project for this afternoon. It will give the weight needed to give it a more polished look. I'll show when I finish.
Fodder :) Lots and lots of fodder.

After going through the patterns out in the garage file cabnet this is some of what I came up with. Dove has longed for a blue wallet for months can never find one so I will make one for her.
A sweater would be handy for the mornings are getting chilly, well a little bit by December it will be cold. Slippers from the scraps of fleece is an idea. That draft bear is cute.

Need I say more?
I have collected these all year long. Several were from years back. I want to make aprons. Lots of aprons.

A velvet coat for Dove might be fun and useful.

Dash has gotten too tall for his robe. I will decide later on the trim.

Meet the "Bear Family"...
Notice Mother bear is pregnant...

Me thinks I'll induce labor for oh say Christmas Eve.
She should be delivered a baby, by morning:)

Remember these from last year.
Well another year has come and the teachers in this school will all have aprons by the time my two graduate.
I found many more things to do.
I will be sewing here for a few weeks so stop by for tutorials.
If you ever have a sewing question feel free to ask.

Lunch is over back to work!
Got the curtain to put in the dryer. It is a cloud day here.
It may rain today for sure tomorrow.
Left overs for that was just too much food.

Christmas edition of getting to know your friends

Working on Dove's Star Wars coat today and this evening.

*Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy into a new post . Change all the answers so that they apply to you. ......Tis the Season to be NICE! HO HO HO ***
Feel free to join in.


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? If a gift is for a child or one who likes anticipation I will wrap it. Often I use a gift bag for close friends or for persons that I have a small duplicate gift for many so I can see all of them at one time separated in like kind of bag. It helps me when I have to deliver things. I also wrap up a families and put all of them into one gift bag. I deliver the large gift gag with them all in it.





2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial, in my home we have respitory issues. I also like to think of a tree in the earth not drying up in my house. I have at times used a great big wooden cross years back.



3. When do you put up the tree? When I see hearts long for it up. Or when mine does. The weekend after Thanksgiving or so.



4. When do you take the tree down? Soon after Christmas, I like getting things back to normal. The kids also have sensory issues that cause the tree to be a bit stressful for them.


5. Do you like eggnog? like yes, can I or do I drink it NOPE I am allergic to milk.



6. Favorite gift received as a child? I received a card board music box with a ballerina spinning as it played. It was destroyed in childhood by a jealous sibling.
Years later Mr U had to travel one year. He came home around that time of year. That Christmas he remembered the story and I opened a music box. Stunned he watched as I cried out before I even opened it, I knew it was the music box of my childhood. He nor I could of known I would ever in a million years of guessed it. I Just knew...It is still one of my simple treasures. That was some 2o years ago

You See the Lord really does restore EVERYTHING
that the Worm has eaten.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Anyone I have to buy for, I like giving gifts of the hands and heart. When I feel obligated to purchase something that is very difficult for me. Now if I want to buy something no problem.



8. Easiest person to buy for? The children, they are so grateful to receive that I delight in it.


9. Do you have a nativity scene? We have several, one that is kept way up high, it is a porcelain one with fired glaze, Another is a set of cloth ones I made for the kids to learn and play with. We have one that my daughter made when she was 4? it is made of tiny little clay pots adorned with fabric and sequence.



10. Mail or email Christmas cards? **MAIL...**The hand signature is of value to me




11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't know I have always felt so fortunate to receive , I just don't look at things that way.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The little drummer boy, "I play my best for him pierces me to the heart. I love it!*



13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? This year is the first year I just have not really shopped at all. I just do not want to, I do not feel like it and the avoidance of the commercialism is refreshing to me. My heart is to gift my Husband and family with moderation . I want to give the gift of financial ability one day to travel. This is a gift I long to give them.


14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No but I have given to another the thing I may not be able to enjoy due to allergy.



15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? almond Roca and spice gum drops. Mince meat on toast.



16. Lights on the tree? White tiny ones and not blinking. It will set off a migraine.



17. Favorite Christmas song? Little Drummer, Boy and Mary, Did you Know?



18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I like to stay at home with the children. We may go to the Grandparents.



19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? no.



20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I like a star better. It makes me think of looking for Him.


21. When do you open gifts? Tradition is to open one on the eve. Then on the morn with the children, in the mid morning or early afternoon with the Elders.



22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Greed, self centered ways left from the gaping wounds of the masses around me.



23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I had a tree done with birds nests. I had birds hanging from the ceiling with strung popcorn in the beaks landing around the tree. It was Cool! I love nature themes or just using the tried and true collection of memories from years past.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Roasted beef with root veggies or leg of lamb with butternut squash.



25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I want to respect our financial goals. To teach the children the joy of simplicity without the guilt of letting them down. I want to reduce stress and find rest and peace in my family.


26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Some soul that is relaxed and just burning the evening oil.

Painting portrait

Tweaking the mouth and highlights

I varied the high lights on the nose and gave more refined lip. I still do not like the light under the lip.
I'll try the back ground idea thanks for the input.

Shirley,
Is this what you were thinking ?
before

Menu Plan Monday *Thanksgiving day off*

Home made chili and cornbread will start the week for we have a lot of little multi- colored chilies.
Cornbread is made with soy milk and cumin is my special ingredient.

A beef steak and some butternut squash steamed home grown snow peas and green beans.

Thanksgiving Day....

Black Angus Steak house
11:00 a.m. reservations.
We and the Elders will attend with the children, and their Paternal Uncle.
We will go to the Grandparents for pie and fellowship afterward.
Grandfather has something up his sleeve for making memories with the kids.

I will offer up the gratitude for a peaceful day with my family.
Stress free.

The Turkey meal will follow next week perhaps. Just because everyone loves my gravy.
Radical!

We will enjoy some homemade chicken soup or left over meat loaf for the ones who would prefer.

The Family will enjoy the warm weather by having a grilled meal and family time together on Saturday.

In the United States:
The immigrants who sailed to this country aboard the Mayflower were basically members of the English Separatist Church (a Puritan sect). They took shelter in Netherlands but soon were disgusted by their lifestyle. They settled in United States with a desire for a better lifestyle. But their beginning was horrendous. The climate was unfavorable and many of them died. But in 1621 they hard turmoil bore fruits for them as there was a huge harvest. They celebrated it with a feast with 91 Indians who had helped them during their harsh times.

Thanksgiving was celebrated after that at irregular intervals until Franklin Roosevelt, had set it one week to the next-to-last Thursday of November in order keeping an eye on commercial benefits as Christmas was nearby. Allegations were brought against this decision, which made the President to move Thanksgiving back to its original date two years later. And in 1941, Thanksgiving was finally sanctioned by Congress as a legal holiday, as the fourth Thursday in November.

Thanksgiving Day 11-16-1863

Carnival of Family Life Before and After Portrait

The Carnival of Family Life THANKFULNESS EDITION will be hosted this coming
Monday, November 24, 2008, at On the Horizon. this link.

On the subject of Family Relationships and Self-Improvement:

"I believe in God,
It's time to believe in myself"

I recently wrote this on my big white dry erase board. I had overheard it at a meeting when a woman was sharing about her new perspective and the way it was making a difference in her life.
It was the week of my Jewelry Show and Social.
The children had heard me say this and saw it on the big board in the hall.
Dove my sweet Daughter found me the other day eating what I should not, and for reasons that were not hunger.
I am appreciative that, she confronted me with such loving boldness that I was startled into change.

She said..."I thought you said you were going to believe in your self Mom?"

A wake up call had I, to the importance of my witness, to her,
and to my Son as well.

What is the Christianity that I am introducing them into ?

Before
15 years or so ago

When I painted this years ago, I only thought of myself as long hair. As if a vale covered my view.
It did.
Pain dimmed my eye to the promise, the beauty that was and that is me.
I wore an adornment because I could not see that I WAS the adornment.
Life is a progression of discovery.
It may take us many years to see our self as we wish we were able.

I removed that flower, to be and became the bloom itself.
Yesterday as I again took the courage to face the power that has been placed within me.
With raised shoulder I pressed into a puffy dress.
Again needing to let go of the covering of hair.

Life is a journey of self discovery, of discovering who HE made us to become. Letting go of what our wounds create in us is hard.
Unashamed I am made of form female, and full of the joy found as woman.


My Daughter came in.
and said "she should have red lips mom, because they would be pretty."

After
this is today...

Well I have come a long way in how I perceive myself. I know I need a little tweak and a bit of a shine here and there. I have had to lower my shoulders and relax a bit.

We redefine and refine ourselves daily.

As we do our families watch our lead.
We are in a privileged position.
They look then at who they long to become, and reach farther to achieve the desired goal.
It is in each of as parents a great duty and privilege to Believe in ourselves.
If We believe in God...
Then it is time we believe in who HE created us each to be.
Our children need us to show them the way.

It is not for us to leave off in the begining, or in the middle of our journey.
We must each continue this life long task.

Learn something new today.

Take interest in your passions.
Gain understanding and knowledge.
We may have Raw talent,
but only need to give time to developing a skill.

We all Need each other to lean on.

Let's show each other some Gratitude

Portrait Painting

Painting skin tones in Portrait Painting is a fun avenue of expression. This was an interesting skin tone chart I found.

If your desire is to learn something new, GO FOR IT! So many folk say things like "I cant do that" or "I could never do that"
What a way to shut down the thrill of your own exploration.
We may never be great at something , but if we never try how can we ever know.
If there is something that you always wished you knew, Educate yourself.
We live in such a marvelous age of information.
Study to show yourself approved applies fully to every aspect of life. Not just or only the spiritual.
What do you want to learn to do? Is there a financial constraint? Well reading is often free. You never know when a mutually interested person might delight in a conversation with another of like mind, and share their own love of it by sharing their knowledge even their extra supplies. You with a skill... remember to pass it on. What you know may just be a longing you can fulfill for another.
Pass it on. Make this world a better place.
Share your knowledge.
That is what I love about blogging. All of you teach me .
Be open to the knowledge. Understanding is the beginning of it once you practice what you know then after many a moon wisdom begins to develop.
Wisdom is broad range including the spiritual the arts and the sciences, Languages , mathematics. The ability to appreciate culture will open you up to such great understandings that prejudice could just expire from your mind.
Home economics will give you a better place to live and a greater life to enjoy.

A Self Portrait in oil, my travel easel

Many years back I found this wonderful easel at Costco.
It was loaded with oils, water color pigment and a pamphlet on painting.
All for $20.

The retractable legs clip on to the side

This has rode with us camping a few times.
One of the many art forms I enjoy is painting.
I have a talent but very limited skill.
I did not have an education in a school.
Mr U.'s Mother however is a well known artist. This is her web site.

As you can see it simple slide open and screw nuts keep it togeather

Once the legs ate out , it just stand up

The easel then slide up into an open position.
The drawer holds paints, in my case the oils. I have yet to toy much with water color.
Under the drawer is a slot for brushes.
My precious brushes.
Now some 15+ years ago my MILove (she is a respected artist)spent some time with me and on a fine afternoon she gave me a lesson.
With brush in my hand at my first lesson this came out of my brush, out of me...

I was panic stricken with the power of it. I created something that looked like me. It was good and I just could not get over it. When I was painting I felt a power flow through my brush that just made me shake.
Dove confronted me the other night .
She said " Mom , I thought you were going to believe in yourself?"

I have set up the easel. It is time that I again touch this my self portrait. She deserves to be painted.
She deserves me to believe in her and in that power within my brush to create a finished painting.
I studied color a bit and will keep trying to find my wax paper palate pad, board and it just occurred to me what I am looking for . It is my wooden paints box. I forgot about that. That is where I will find the rest of my supplies. My mission is to find it.
To finish what HE started in me and through me.
To pick up the brush and trust that power that HE has placed within me.

Tapioca Pudding and knit wash clothes

Tapioca
1/3 c sugar
3 Tbsp Minute Tapioca
2-3/4 c milk
***my variation, I used chocolate soy milk***
1 egg
1tsp vanilla
***I omitted this***
Mix all and let set in a sauce pan for 5 minutes
Cook on medium heat , stirring constantly,until mixture comes to a full boil (pudding thickens as it cools) Remove from heat and cool. Place plastic wrap on surface of pudding while cooling for best results (it make it creamy)
Now if your wondering I made a triple batch. Wash the pan once and have enough for the week.

Tapioca is a nice thickener. I like to try other thickener than corn starch. There is a variety of choices Tapioca is one of them. It is also good for pie thickening.
My Sweet MILove had some yarn and used it up thoughtfully (Thank You) to make me some wash clothes. Her yard ran out and that is just fine because they work just as well and I truly do love these clothes.
I Love these in the kitchen!

Over at "Down to Earth" Rhonda has gifted us with a post an how to do it.
So as you see even if you are learning or your yarn runs out the usefulness is still there to appreciate and enjoy.
"Beaded creations" is making knit socks...too cute

Aphids! In the Garden

Although my garden gate and shovel lock keeps the dogs out , it did not help a bit when it came to aphids.

I have been spraying, but they too like my crop. I have shared enough with these little thief's!
Out they come. I had sprayed and done the things I knew to do. So I pulled the plants of choice. They had been weakened to the point of no return. Three zucchini and one crook neck yellow squash. the beans were the next target and I put a halt to that!

With the exception of the one yellow crook neck no more squash.
Mr U needs to get some trellis for me , but it is not happening. So I improvised for now but the next time the trellis will be ready before the seeds go in the ground. I was of a mind to do it then but was talked out of it. ARG> I was able to use these small stakes to start them. My concern is that the plants will have to be harassed when they out grow these stakes.

I have a good start on the snap and pea pods. They are so tender.
Just yummy.

The beans here are happy so I think that I will plant more along this wall. The whole family likes Beans. These are so much better than canned and I get about one meals worth a week now.

I took time to refill my medication case. I got off track this week and have been a bit off because of it. One of the medications is for a strange thing called angioderma (discovered the hard way when one half of my face swelled to the point of a fat tong ER was required), I am allergic to myself:) If I neglect this medication my body swells and everything from breathing to my joints are effected. I missed two doses this week. So I have to keep this filled so I know that I have taken my meds.

I started tinkering with some Christmas earrings.

The kids are going to a movie night tonight. The entry is a non perishable can good.
I pointed out to the children, yesterday how the big collection box is almost empty.
The children understand that things are becoming tight for a lot of folks.
Dash asked me if they could share a lot and so I set up a box for each of them to give tonight.

Remember your local Food banks this fall.
I know times are tight , but there will always be those with more than and with less than you.
When I was a child it was the Salvation Army that kept us from having to eat that oatmeal (often without milk) for each and every meal. Poverty strikes folks hard.
The children often are the ones who suffer for the parents intentional and unintentional mistakes. Often the folks did nothing wrong, and everything right, yet still they need help.
Please share generously.

Well I better get to chores.