Thanksgiving Flood

Hubby and I slept in this morning untill 8 a.m.. The kids were out playing in the back yard really enjoying each other.

I popped over to the store to get two gifts for the children before the crowds hit tomorrow.

We have a job on Saturday to put up some Christmas decorations and lights for a neighbor. She said we had been on her mind and asked if she could hire us. I told her I would rather to do it for free. She desired to give us a wage and I accepted it. We were able to get each child a toy they had wanted without disturbing the savings. We are really trying hard to follow our goal. Dave Ramsey money makeover.We are thankful that we have no debt except the mortgage now. We are working hard on our 3-6 months emergency savings fun. We have really struggled with getting far ahead at all due to medical expenses and not following through. We are taming the flesh. It is truly a challenge , but we are on the same page. We will be using this weekend to type out the pages to formulate the 0 balanced budget a hard thing to start.

Then it was over salt river and through the , well...traffic to grandmothers/ Grandfathers house to go...
We were running a few minutes late and I was so concern about loosing the reservation.
The men folk went and saved our place in line and we arrived with Grandmother in tow just in time.

This is a stock photo

Dash had this

Dove had her choice.

I indulged a bit with this, sharing my salad with the kids.

Mr Uncommon was sate with a cheese burger.
After our meal we all met at the grandparents .
The brothers and our kids went in one car.
Poor Grand parents came with me in my terribly messy car.

Dash came in to us at one pint saying ..."Mommmmm...
I think something in wrong in the bathroom."
I hurried in to see and found this!

So as I waded through the water soaking my swede shoes .
I got to the tank and pulled off the lid

just then Mr u. was at my side and I hurriedly turned off the cut off valve.

We spent an hour cleaning it all up.

Dash had used a toilet that was poorly designed.

I flooded and we were able to stop it seconds before it got to the hall carpet. After we shop vacked and towel up and wrong out the towels I took a shower of my feet and arms.

Beloved and I worked together and we always enjoy those times.

Grandma got new toys for her house. They were a hit! Dash built some Lego and Dove played a game with daddy where she made the rules and won often.

MiLove and I worked on a lay out for the front page of a web site for me. I really enjoyed us women both just being able to be together and not over a hot stove in the kitchen.

Grandma had pies waiting and Dove helped her make the whipped cream. Dove longs to do that with her Grandmother every year. I think it will be a life long memory with her.

My MILove actually mad pumpkin pie with soy milk so that we could all eat it. Dash and I were so happy to have an option.

It was wonderful~ Uncle brought his traditional rolls for he had already ordered them some time back. They come on a wheel like this. Dash was so thrilled to see them. It is his favorite thing about Thanksgiving dinners, the only thing he misses. We drove home to a sky a fire and clouded at sunset.

We gathered an egg, and covered the birds, and came in before the rains,
(I took this yesterday)
It has been a perfect couple of rainy days here.
Not too cold just romantically rainy.

The kids watched some cartoons and My Beloved and I watched some TV (an old ER) on computer together while the thunder rolled.

We all came togeather and shut the house down. After teeth brushing Daddy Man did his reading time.
They are reading the Bible.
He is reading it aloud to them.

They wanted to have a "sleep over". So although we would like to see this it is in reality more like...

this. Laughter and silliness that brother and sister do thrill in. They are catching up with each other. I hope all of you had a wonderful day. I really feel relaxed, without the stress of the cooking of the meal. I feel rested and refreshed. We all had a great day.

"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