One Lovely Blog Award

Thank You Annette

Hay folks I am going off line until Sunday evening.
All is fine, just need to do something.
Tell you about then.
Made you wonder...ah ha
Appreciate your prayers and I will keep ya all in mine too.

your still welcome to comment

Kitchen windows

Click image to enlarge
beaded of course:)

There was exactly like not an 1/8th on an inch difference of beads to do the little lamp.
There is another valence to use in the kichen cafe style.
I am a bit iffy whether I will use it.

You can find a tutorial over at
A Place to Create

"I do not know how you do all of what you do?"

Many of you sweet folk will often make mention of this sort.
Perhaps it is time I address the HOW of it.

Sheer determination.

You see so much of my life was lost in my youth (see a life restored) due to the control of others
and well...with the threat of the Alzheimer's/early onset dementia over me with the demilenation in my brain....
Well I just do not want to let anything take away even a moment I have here now.
I have fought so hard for my life and I just have to live it to it's top.

Although I am only 48 I have faced death in the eye several times personally.
That helps one to gain a greater appreciation to extend the strength of ability.
Ability is often taken for granted.

I have also stared down the eye of the death of so many dear friends and loved ones along the way.
Lives and promise lost.
I am who I am and live as I do not only for myself but for all those others who's lives were cut short often due to the hopelessness that overtook their reason.
I live on for them too.
My life was given back to me.
I fought so very hard for it and the darkness did not win.

It is that determination that compels forward.

The hours upon this earth are so short.

Organization, Ergonomics, Education and Study all play a key role in the logistical
HOW DO I?
It is by that unmerited favor that shines upon me that is the real key.
I am loved that is the fuel.
I spent the first third of my life not knowing what it was to be loved.
The second third of my life learning how to receive it and believe I am worthy of it.
This the finale the third part the stanza that will be remembered of me...
I am living it.

I just want to grab life by the tail and hold on for all I am worth.

Thankful Thrusday

Last night through the shadow of the haunting pain of my back
I was able to really enjoy myself at the sewing machine.
There will be a tutorial over at A Place to Create soon.

This I am thankful for
that I am physically able to set to task with the skills gained and talents given.

We have our abilities to be used.

It is a terrible thing for those who suffer with skills that they are physically unable make use of them.

Do this day what you are ABLE to do with the cheer within your heart.

That we are able to do it.

Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Exodus 31:6
Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you:

Exodus 28:6
[ The Ephod ] "Make the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen—the work of a skilled craftsman

¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

These beads have been around for a long while There were just enough to create a look I was after here. I really love beads of course you all probably already know that about me.

That red fabric was from the home school days.

I used to read a cute book to Dove when she was three or so.

The Bellveiw Hotel

The guest received the red carpet treatment .

The carpet got out of control and rolled right to the dock.

Dove wished she could walk on a red carpet so I made her one.

That is why this was so simple it was already hemmed.

It is fond and every time I see that window I just can see my little girl walking so respectfully down that red carpet.

The Artichoke Adventure...

stock image

Good Evening Friends
Well today was an adventure.
Spent mostly laying low (for me anyhow)
I did a few light duty chores and had the children change out the washer/dryer.

A friend came over at noon to give me a little adventure in life.
She had heard me say I had never tried artichoke.
She called yesterday much to her joy the grocer had some for a$1 each and they were large ones.
She used my largest pot and boiled that thing some 45 minutes until it was finally ready.

She the kids and I all sat to try this odd veggie.
We dipped it in mayo...
Well I really did not hate or particularly did I like it but...
I would not go out of my way to have another one.
She was so sweet, she gave me the heart we split among the kids.
Dove was very gracious and tried it and tried her best to be complimentary.
Dove does not like it but she did try it.

Now Dash he really liked it.
Dash will eat most anything except potato's

It was an adventure.
One I doubt that will be repeated except perhaps one more time.
She left one for me to cook for Steve...I think however I will steam it.
Boiled veggie is not my way, soaks all the nutrients out of things.
Perhaps steamed might improve the adventure.

What do you think?
Any suggestions?

Some light sewing tonight and easy listening to some old Cat Stevens Tea for the Tillerman album. I just LOVE what I have done so far.
I'll show you in the morning.
My Sweet heart remembered my fondness for it and downloaded it.
That is so sweet.

My back is still a bit iffy.

Please Pray

Grayson in the NICU tonight....

Visit Grammy Girlfriend here to offer your comments of support
Thank you

Our National History

Tackle it Tuesday

My big task today was to make tamales, green sauce and a good dinner.
See that bottle of javinaros (sp) well ...
Today I am in a tremendous amount of back pain so I finally broke down and took too pain pills...
You know in order to function and stop crying out.

Well function does not = functioning well...
Ha
That little jar of gold was a gift they are real smoked peppers.
I did not function well...
Ha
I made the green sauce and all but finished added the peppers oop first mistake see that plural peppers....oh no...

So It smelled or rather emitted a very hot scent...
Me silly , on two pain pills me...
Tasted it!
I just dipped my finger in it that is all....
oh no no no
Immediately I was at the sink spiting and clearing with water and almost lost the "cookies".
Dove ran for a cracker for me to absorb the oils. OH OH OH OH OH OH
Well you see that little jar there?

Hell fire in a bottle!
I added two of them.
My apron is off for the day!
function = eating well and not going through hellfire.

My fabric heaven has turned into a big mess!
Neglected sewing Machine and just pining for my attention

For those of you who sew...
We who think of color like a child thinks of candy...

This is my tackle...
Well one of them.
I have so many things I long to create and they are put off on the back burner of priority.

Sewing creating and just having some fun with it.

Oh but the tasks that are never ending call me away into laundry and tortilla making and and and and and ...

well if all that is just going to go on and on and on....

perhaps it is the time to pull this forward.

Gratituesday

I am thankful for pain pills.
children who are loving
Dash prayers
good friends praying
A husband loving and praying
and a back that will soon be better

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... Monday, June 22, 2009

Outside My Window... Is night in all of it's calm.

I am thinking... How nice the evening was with my friend. We went to a Korean Tea House. It was really fun and relaxing. It was an adventure in the Korean ritual of tea service. Very cool cultural experience.

I am thankful for... Every breadth every instant each life

From the kitchen... Tamales in the morning to make, the chicken has been boned.

I am wearing...Full Make up . Yes me... I have a pink ironed dress on and earrings and a beaded french wire brooch of a flower that I made many years ago.

I am reading...Eldala the book written by the friend I spent my evening with.

I am creating... nothing right now.

I am hearing...Crickets! many many of them!
The A/C unit on the other side of the wall.

I am going...To delight in the love of those whom I care so deeply, the love yes that they have for me but more so the love, fondness and thoughts of them. of you

Around the house...The home has improved greatly. I have been inplimenting some Fung Shuy decorating techniques.

One of my favorite things...My sons Bed time kisses and my little girls hugs.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...Laundry, tamales, breads baked for hot dog and hamburger buns. Garden care. Child play time with my kids.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing…

We created a little corner desk at the foot of Doves bed and a shelf for her houses.
I have given her the use of an OFF LINE lap top that was mine many years ago.
She is allowed to share it.
We created a family social spot in the family area of the house.
It has been used over and over in just the last few days!
Love it!
It is a little tight but is a really nice feel to come and visit each other.
By making that chatting place I opened up the main living room. It is the creative center for the children.
They are in there watching the TV , well now less TV more creating.
It has a lot of clean up yet, they are using it constantly!
It will have their art books and things on the shelves nearby.
LOVE IT!
yes it is in the living room
lets have some LIVING IN THIS ROOM!
It is not just for show.

Happy are you the Father of our children.

Let us not forget we have a Heavenly Father...

He^a]"> predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will

You are your Fathers Son
My love...

For you did not forget that you yourself being adopted into the embrace of a loving father.
A God who comforts you in every way.
You set to take his example into your life.
As he pursued you.
You pursued your children
Your choice, the way you became a father was one that few men make.

You laid down you own desires and dreams and goals to give them a life.
To give us a life together.

You traversed the globe.
Braved elements that are far beyond the understanding of most.

Intentional was your becoming a father.
To first gain our daughter.
Intentional and with choice were the great risks you took to afford a father to your children.
All of this you chose to do willingly. Your risk to return after the towers of 911 fell...
The risk of life lost and dreams snatched...
Letting go of the certain to risk another chance for your dearly adopted son.
As we set into a trust the accounts and to wills prepared the possibility of loss our own lives...

Your choice for another above yourself and the family secure we already had...

Your a FATHER
For you are for them.
You pursued them and yet still do.

Watch and see that it is good
all that you had risked was rewarded so many times over.

As you lead them up the hills and through the valleys of life.

The example of courage is exemplary.
The humor you have instilled in them make life lighter.
The example of leadership in our marriage is unity that provides a safety too few children have ever known.

In accordance with your pleasure and will you have chosen wisely.
I see that good pleasure in your eyes and theirs.

The consequences of your choices have given you the life of a
FATHER.

So happy are you the Father of our children.

The GOOD MAKERS generous gift.

I received a email this evening...

My dear sweet Donetta.

It was so good hearing from you!

NOW...a check is on it's way to the Bloggers Retreat Fund that has been designated as YOUR REGISTRATION FEE.

So---all you have to do is jump/shout/praise GOD!

I was notified by e-mail that it was to remain anonymous. And it will. So just blog about the miracle of the LORD! Spreading HIS love is the best way to thank anyone!

I love you!


My reply...

stunned...Stunned...Stunned
a fullness envelopes me...I am basking...
kindness got my tongue

Please express my deep gratitude to the gift giver. It is a joy to see and feel the loosening of the inappropriate guilt I have been struggling with once I paid for the airline tickets. I felt so uneasy spending so much on myself when the family could afford so many things with those said funds. Now I take ease...receive this thing that God has set before me an offering asking me my choice. I said yes I really want to go and He said you are there. Stunned it is like that weight replaced with a fullness of gratitude an adventure and the hope for a rest and fellowship.

My dear sister I am tired and this hope and expectation will sail me through the months ahead as I set task to parent and wifery and homemaking gardening and all. There is a window to fix a gaze on to those amazing trees and the lake and the green of the wood.
Those eyes and embraces and risk reward of courage spent traveling across the country on my own with HIM.

Good things in store.
Did you see the post at what happened tonight.
We did the budget and saw we had 73. left to do grocery go look the tab was 73.!!!!!!!!!!! $95 savings!
To funny and fun being HIS friend His presence is awesome!

strange thoughts...
I was thinking about puking last night while I was falling asleep laying there and how wonderful it is when I am even ill that He is right there and so close I could touch him. As he is now touching us.

Steve asked to extend his appreciation as well.
Dove was so amazed too.
just HOLY
stunned
loving you
Donetta

My Dear benefactor
A benefactor is a person who gives some form of help to benefit a person, group or organization (the beneficiary,) often gifting a monetary contribution in the form of an endowment to help a cause. Benefactors are humanitarian leaders and charitable patrons providing assistance in many forms, such as an alumnus from a university giving back to a college or an individual providing assistance to others. The word benefactor comes from Latin bene (good) and factor (maker).

Your generosity is a warm and exciting embrace. I think I am just still in a bit of shook it feels good though:) Kids are asleep or I would be very vocal I am sure. Hahahha
Just can't wait to tell Dash too.

It is good that you make. Love is the only thing that makes me ever cry. Tears heal. Your kindness is healing. I appreciate you heart toward me.

Menu Plan Monday

Good Morning!

Well it is the last week of June already.
Last week I spontaneously added a note to myself on the master grocery shopping list.
see image
Remember to ask specifically for your every need.
Dependence is a good thing in that relationship. :)

This morning the harvest was ready for the Butternut squash that helped itself to grow in the garden.
I did not plant this fellow...
Best guess is the compost.

3 1/2 pounds!
There is tree more in the cue growing into a fine meal for us.
Now butternut is one of my favorite...
cut the squash in half length wise.
Scoop out the seeds (toss them in the compost ya never know hahah).
Perhaps I will save these intentionally to replant later.
Lay them flat in a small amount of water and bake for one hour
Add some brown sugar, or maple syrup perhaps some mace or nutmeg.
Oh man it is really living!

Well It has been a very expensive month for us.
What with tires, a ticket and a retreat so many other little and big hits that we felt we were totally over budget.
I have worked so very hard on the grocery and other expenses to keep to a minimum.
Well to our amazement we kept within our self imposed goals.

So at the end of it all we see we sill be able to do the things we desired and with the 73. left I headed off to the grocery with a hand full of coupons and the work on the lead in adds I did during the week.

Look at that receipt!
My budget was $73.!
Dash wanted to come with me and so I had a bit of a distraction added in.
He was very sweet and good.
Just very VERY talkative.

We got everything we needed and had the coupons for.

Total spent $73.76

Total savings! $95.67

big hug from husband!

Like I said we got every thing we needed!

We are well covered till the first and will be able to keep to goal.
Keeping track of every dollar both coming in and going out is awesome!
We have so much peace.
Our overtime stopped this month.
This too is a blessing for Dash has a visit down at St Joe's Children's the second week of July.
By that time we will be off it for two pay checks of 80 hours each.
We will then be easily able to qualify once again for the 0% out of pocket coverage.
Now we are at 100% out of pocket because we worked so much overtime to pay off the $14,000. in medical copay's last year. We did it we paid it all off no debt.
Do you see it?

Provision and all I have need of his hand has provided.
The loss of overtime was a big hit and yet we made it.
We will now be able to qualify!

Even to the dollar!
Cool
By the way I was not counting the amount because I was interacting with Dash too.

The kitchen freezer became my baking storage near the baking center.
I used to keep it in the outside freezer (it keeps fresher) .
Now it is right there where I can see the flours I have.

Rye, millet, corn meal, amaranth,soy, flax and so on.
This will make baking much easier and now that I am baking every other day that will be nice.