That's The Thanks I Get

We've had such a deep snow.  I have been worried about the bunnies that are under my porch.  I try to throw some carrots out for them everyday...But the snow has been so deep and it is so cold.  I was worried about the little rabbits.  Then I had this great idea..(I thought).  I got a big round tray...found some light weight rope..or maybe it was very heavy twine.  Then I took four strands and tied them at the bottom...slipped the tray on  them.  Brought the ropes together and tied them...made a rope to lift it by...Then I filled it with rabbit pellets...and carrots..    I was so proud of myself.  Now I had a dumb waiter to let down from my porch to a sheltered spot to feed the bunnies.  I waited and watched as did Emily and Sarah for them to come to my lunch table.

Finally, I looked out ...in the snow there was three bunnies...laughing their heads off.  "Will you look what that "old lady has come up with now?....No way am I going to get on that thing...she wants to trick us. Probably thinking "rabbit stew".        They called all the neighbor hood bunnies to come see the "funny woman's" new gaget.  Then they all laughted...   I was glad to see them having fun and enjoying the day, even at my expense.  But now they'll just have to eat frozen carrots and good luck bunnies...hope you can find the rabbit pellets under the snow.                                                                                            

 

 

Cold, snowy morning

Here it is December 11.   It was -21 below night.  This morning the little rabbit tracks were all over. I wanted to throw out some carrots, but they would freeze as soon as I put them out.  So, I'll wait and see if it warms up a bit.  There were some little birds flying around....I so wanted to feed them ..but too much snow...I guess they'll go down to Linda's and eat with her ducks and goose.  I worry about the animals in the winter and the birds.  But the Father says, " He feeds the birds of the air."  So, I believe he will take care of his little animals.  Even in a snow storm.

This is the sun coming up about 6:30 this morning...as  I slipped out the front door.  Then around to the back...these are pictures of the little or big rabbit prints....I didn't focus very good...it was cold outside as I said...21 below. 
Winter days can be very pleasant.   I shall put on a pot of bean soup.  Put the dishes in the dishwasher, make the beds....now I can do what I want.
I want to get busy on my headwraps.  That's what they call them.  I wanted to crochet and knit some  caps for our homeless shelter.  I bought a lot of yarn.  I need to get some shorter knitting needles...the ones I have work...but kinda' clumsy, they are so long.  Need a new crochet hook...Maybe a size 7. 
I'll put some pictures on when I get a few made. 

Here's how my girls are enjoying the day....They rejected their bed this morning for a chair.  I'm so glad they are not spoiled.
Better get busy.....Have a nice snowy day,  I plan on it.

This is the day the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.  Thank you, Lord.

Spare time projects.

I have run out of projects.  Decided to try my hand at crocheting.  A cap seemed easy...so this is my own design.  Just fooling around..here's some of my projects...

I'll Tell the World That I'm a Christian

Sabbath Day's Blessing

The air is so clear,the sun is so bright
The girls and I are enjoying a quiet Sabbath morning, soaking up the sunshine.

It has been a quiet week.  I am recuperating from a cold.  My niece, Vickie, in Omaha, said if she were here she'd make me some chicken noodle soup. (If it's like her mother's...so good.)  I wish she was, I wish she would, I'd gladly eat it.  Linda, my daughter has brought me juice, teas, cough drops. I think she emptied out the drug store.

I have a confession, I haven't really been sick.  Just a cold.  But it took all my energy.  I can sit and do nothing for hours at a time. So, the sunshine is truly a blessing.  So warm and comforting.

As I sit here and say my prayers, thank our good Lord.  I look up and see this cross in the sky. Well, of course, it's the exhaust of two airplanes.  But I can see what I like.

         Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy .   Exodus 20:8

Project Finished.

Now what?  I have finally finished knitting my shawl.  I have to decide on my next project.  I hate to just sit while I'm watching television.  I don't feel so guilty if I have some kind of handwork. 
Here's my shawl, Emily is inspecting it...   She thinks it's pretty.....  
                                                                              

I just put on some vegetable soup.  I used all fresh vegetables.  Even my tomatoes..I put them in the blender.  I don't like chunks of cooked tomatoes. Sure looks good and healthy.  Wish I had some hard rolls to toast, but I don't.  Maybe I'll make some cornbread.  The box kind, I'm not into much baking.

Too much excitement!

Not a pretty day.  The wind really blew last night, then this morning, a brief period of snow.  Then lightening and thunder, in November.  So now it is just ...a dreary day. 

My kids called, wanting me to ride along to see the Christmas tree on it's journey to the White House.  It came from up above Meeker.  That's along way from Alamosa.  I wonder what route they took.  The daily newspaper says...come have a festive time downtown, pre holiday.  Eat lunch, shop, then the truck will be here at 1:30.  The mayor is to give a speech.  About what?  Well, the town is packed, the traffic is bumper to bumper.  Where did all these people come from?

I wasn't too excited about going.  Seen one Christmas tree, others are quite similar.  But just for the novelty of it, we'll go ..take a picture and put it in our scrapbook. So, we drive down the street, cars bumper to bumper.  The people standing on the street for hours, they look cold.  Word came the truck  had got struck on Wolf Creek Pass. After the long wait, down the street comes the Highway Patrol cars,  the police, the sheriff.  This is exciting....Then down the street comes this great, long, long truck.  I don't know what I expected, but not this. 

The back of the truck was a long enclosed bed with a big sign painted on it .  Then at the back was a window about 4' by 4'..covered over by slushy looking dried mud.  It parked in front of JC Penney's.  We were allowed to look in the window.  Which I opted out of.  But the kids said they could look in and see some branches, and write their name on the truck..  That is our chance to see the national Christmas tree.  Like I say...we'll take a picture of the truck and put it in our scrap book.  Then we'll probably see the tree on television.

It won't be long before Thanksgiving, but we have to rush it.   Because what do you buy for Thankgiving...a turkey...Not a big money day for the Walmarts and the chain stores.  But wait, Christmas is coming.  Is this a day to celebrate the birth of our Savior?  No, sales, money, greed. So hurry, don't even take time to say a blessing.  Get the table cleared, we're going to Walmart.  It opens now on Thanksgiving.  Isn't that thoughtful, considerate.  All those little tempting sales, you might be tempted to head over to the bigger items...get out the old battered credit card.

Dear Lord, We are such a selfish, greedy nation.  How much longer are you going to put up with us?  All we seem to want is "stuff".  Something to amuse ourselves with.  To get, to have...for how long and really for what.  Please help us to come back to what is really important.  Family, friends, most of all faith in our Lord and Savior....and the love we all share with each other. 

The Pineapple Story Series

I got this Otto Koening recording from the Library....Then I found it online...It starts out soooo funny...Then it really has a good spiritual message.  Give it a try...I'm sure you'll become a fan.  You can listen online here.

The Ups & Downs of Today

Well, I made the Sour Cream Cookies.  Total disaster.  How could something with 1 cup of butter and 2 cups of sugar be bad.  I managed....Hard, tasteless...I'm never going to bake again.  From now on I going to rely on those little Keebler elves.  I don't want to bake anyway. 

I'll be glad when the election is over.  Who does all those phone calls?  And all that mail...I don't even look to see who sends it...just toss it.  Guess it does give the printers some work.  They called and ask me to go knocking on doors....I don't think so....I don't want someone bothering me..so I'll return the favor and let people make up their own minds, or not and vote or not.  Actually, I am a very political person...but that's personal.  You won't change my mind and I don't care who you vote for.

This October surprise as they are calling it.  What a terrible thing to live through.  God bless those that are going through this nightmare.  Is it global warming?  Whatever,  I think it is the worst thing I've ever seen outside of war.  Just remember them in your prayers.  Of course I'm talking about the hurricane that hit the east coast...especially New Jersey.  New York City....it's going to be a long winter for them....It is such a beautiful part of the country.

I can't believe it.  I found the shawl I'd been working on.  It is 3/4 finished...but I lost it last spring.
Today my daughter was looking in my husband's closet. And found it.  Way in the back, I can't imagine why it was there.  But now I'm so happy to have it back.  I ran out of yarn and it was hard to match.  My son in law was nice enough to pick me some up in Colorado Springs.   Then I lost it  So, now I hope I'm wearing a pretty new shawl at Christmas.  I'll have to get busy.

Time to get busy....Just thought I'd take time to chat a bit.   I want to thank my Lord and Savior for this good day.  Bless my family.  And Father, please bless those that suffered through that terrible Hurricane Sandy.  They have a long recovery, so they really are going to need your help.

Big Decision....

This is the day the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.        Psalm 118:24

I will......enjoy the this day.  I have a head start on the daily routine.  Beds make, dishes in the dishwasher.  I straightened my freezer.  Now I can do what I choose.

I could bake cookies.  Have the recipe I want to use from an old neighbor of mine.  Sour Cream Cookies....then I thought, a nice chocolate frosting would really make them very bad,  but oh so good..

I could sew.  I have been making potholders.  My granddaughter is going to have a booth at their schools Christmas Bazaar.  She said she take some with her other projects.

I could read.  We went to the Library yesterday.  I got three books and one CD.  The Cd is by a Missionary in New Guinea.  If you want to laugh, his name is Otto Koening.  The book or should I say CD is "The Pineapple Story Series".  If you want something inspirational for a more spiritual life, maybe you should try elsewhere. Laughter is good, healthy.  But inspirational is better.  I want to do both, to laugh and to inspire.

Since I've gotten older, I don't have the freedom I once had.  To come and go ...freely.  My choices are limited.  So, I should sit down, bemoan the fact that life isn't the happy little world I want it to be.   I think not.  My life has been so good.  So filled with all the blessings God has given me.  My loving parents, my three sisters and a brother.  We lived through the depression, the 2nd World War.
I met my beautiful husband just after he came home from the war, where he was stationed in New Guinea.  His tour of duty was six years.  I was 20 years old.  We were married six weeks after we met.  Did it last?  Only 65 years (and counting) .
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife........, and they shall become one flesh.   Genesis 2:24  And we were one.
Then God blessed us with two very precious children, one girl, one boy. 

To go back to my choice of the day...........Remember?   I'll keep you posted.

Jesus Loves The Little Children

Such a beautiful day, here in the valley.  My girls are on the porch, barking at rabbits, neighbors, a falling leaf, a lone bird flying by.  They act so courageous.  If, I should open the gate and let them out, or maybe let in the big neighbor dog..you think they'd head for the door?  No, not them.  They would want to run and lick them, jumping all over them.  Because they don't know fear.  My girls have never known anything but love.

When you put your head on your pillow at night.  Do you ever think about the many children that are daily subjected to some form of violence.  Do you ever pray for these little ones?  Their little bodies, minds, spirits, pounded on, broken, abused.  True, there's not a lot we can do for these little ones, in these circumstances.  We don't know them.  We just know they are there.  We hear about them everyday on the news.  Has this violence always been there.  I don't know.  I suppose it has. But surely not so much.

My heart aches for these precious children.  I also grieve for the animals that are mistreated or hurt in anyway.  Yes,  you can call me a "bleeding heart" liberal.  I am.  What kind of person will hurt or harm another human being?  Or for that matter,  any of God's creatures?

Father, you have given us a beautiful world.  Everything we could want or imagine.  Maybe you have been too good to us. Even the very  poor can enjoy the beautiful sunrises, the sunsets.  The song of a bird.  The smell of a gentle rain.  A little flower that pushes itself to bloom among rocks.  The voice of a loved one.  The smile of a baby.  There are unlimited blessings, if we really realize them.  Yes, we all have handicaps.  We have poverty, we have the desire for power, money.  We have selfishness,  heartaches, loneliness, pain.  We think...."some people have it all."  All  I can say is "Count the blessings you do have."  Pray for others.  Thank our Heavenly Father that he is there.  He loves us "warts and all."  Sinners and Saints.  And, Father, I really do love you.

 

 

Let the little children come unto me, for as such is the kingdom of God.

Luke 18:17

 

My little girls

It has been a very hectic week. On top of that Emily got sick and we had to take her to the vet. He gave her two kinds of medicine. She seems to be better. She's back at her old bossy self. I don't know why Sara puts up with her. Emily is smaller than Sara. I have a feeling she's younger too. But the lady that sold them to us insisted they were sisters. From the same litter. But Sara is bigger, not so sassy. She justs takes things in her stride. Whatever! She stands back and lets Emily eat first....(yes, I've tried separate dishes). But Emily takes control of both. And sometimes that little pill eats it all....then I do have to take Sara and feed her alone. They are both spoiled...And I love those little girls.

In their sweaters, Emily is barking "let's go."

O Lord, you preserve both man and beast.  How priceless is your infailing love.

Psalm 36:7

Let's Bake A Pie

I think these apples are saying "Apple Pie".  But maybe not.  I like apple pie, but I also like peach and apricot.  I have canned apricots and I have peaches in the freezer.  So, I don't know. Big decision..Besides, I'd have to peel those apples.  Okay,  it's peaches.  I just discovered a great way with a pie crust. It's a Pillsbury, and it's in the dairy case at the grocery store.  Not as good as one you make...but a lot less work.  I  don't mind sacrificing quality...anyway it's not bad.

I thought I'd save the apples for phillo dough.  It will be trial and error..  We'll try and see what happens.  I've never had much success with it, but I'm willing to try again.

Okay, here my pie...my peaches were frozen and it got a little juicy.  That's okay.  We'll eat it.

  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

His love endures forever.

Psalm 138

Goodbye Summer

Summer is over. Fold it  up. Put a ribbon around it, store it in a box.  And the summer of 2012 is only a memory.  It was such a good friend, I don't want to see it go.  Had a lot of company, visited a lot of places, seen a lot of new sights.  Really enjoyed all the visitors....grandkids, great-grand kids, nieces, nephews, friends.  Lets do it again next summer.

We went looking for the fall colors....Everywhere you look is a big splash of gold, yellow, orange and the last of our greenery.     The sky is so blue, the big fluffy white clouds floating along in the sky, the blue and green of the mountains, with patches of the yellow aspens leaves snuggled in among the evergreens.  This is the world (day) the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.

1947 Oklahoma State Fair

Perfect Peace

 

There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace.  Many artistis tried.  The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them. 

 

One picture was of a calm lake.  The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains were all around it.  Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.  All who saw this picture thought that it was a picture of perfect peace.

 

The other picture had mountains too.  But these were rugged and bare.  Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, in which lightening played.  Down the side of the mountain tumbled foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.

 

But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock.  In the bush a mother bird had built her nest.  There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest....perfect peace.

 

Which picture do you think won the prize?

 

The King chose the second picture.

 

Do you know why?

 

Because, "explained the King, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work.  Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart.  That is the real meaning of peace.

 

 



First Day of Autumn

 

At about 10 minutes until seven, I looked out the window and remembered....this was to be the first day of fall .  When the sun passed over the equinox at 6:49.  So I grabbed my camera, rushed out the door. Barefoot...nightgown and all.  But I was rewarded for this great picture of the sun coming up over the Sangre de Cristo mountains...from my front porch.   It is now officially autumn.      

 

. . .In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,. . .Psalm 19:4-5

   

                                                                                                                                                           

A Sunday Ride

Sunday was such a beautiful day, we  decided to take a ride up to Crestone. Crestone is a small town snuggled in the mountains.  It has a varied population.  Some next door neighbor types, some hippie types and some of various religions.  Seems to be quite a few Buddhist.

As you drive up the little mountain road above Crestone, you will see these little lines of prayer flags on poles.  And in one place there is a big white Buddhist stupa. There is a sign nearby that reads:

 "The symbolic shape of the stupa represents the Buddha, crowned and sitting in meditative posture. His crown is the top of the spire; his head is the square at the spire's base; his body is the vase shape; his legs are the lower terrace; and the base is his throne. The stupa symbolizes the five elements and their relationship to enlightened mind. these are the essential attributes of a fully realized human being. The base of the stupa signifies earth and equanimity; the dome, water, and indestructibility; the spire, fire and compassion; above the spire, wind and all-accomplishing action; and at the very top, the jewel represents space and all-pervading awareness. The stupa is a mandala, or sacred arrangement, containing all those enlightened qualities."

Jangchub Chorten, the Stupa of Enlightenment

  The statue is quite interesting, it's a  brilliant white, with a gold top that shines a beautiful blue as the sun shines through it.

From there you can look out over the valley for miles and miles.

The town of Crestone is quite old .  And it has quite a history, it use to be a gold mining town.  Quaint little shops, not the kind they have in Estes Park or one of the other tourist towns. The town people seem to just trying to make a living  some way or other.  Anyway it is a very interesting place.  We always enjoy our visits.

We plan on checking out some other places this weekend. See the fall colors, the leaves seem to be changing earlier this year.  Hope to get some good pictures.

God is so good.  He has given us so much beauty in our world.  Forgive us Father, how we try our best to destroy it.

I love sitting here on the porch, in the early evening, enjoying the clear blue sky, the green of the hay fields, the misty blue of the sky.  We are rewarded with a beautiful sunset, as the sun goes down behind the mountains.

As the shadows grow longer we hear a dog barking off in the distance, hear the birds in the trees, chattering.  Maybe they are telling each other of the day's adventures, the places they have flown, the sights they have seen.  Next we see a little bunny hopping along in the grass.  We decide to call it a day.   It has been a good day.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your hands. The moon the stars which you have set in place,  What is man that thou art mindful of him       Psalm 8:3


    

What's your choice

10 young virgins going to school, going to parties, having friends…and family. They lived their life, being kind, honest, pure.  They love the Savior…and was waiting for his return.

They visited the sick, gave food to those in need.  They gave to charities, paid their tithe. What more could they do?

Five of those young virgins, gave, helped, shared, prayed.  Then forgot their good deeds.

Five of those young virgins, gave and bragged about it.  Helped if it didn’t interfere with their plans.  Prayed...sometimes.  Bragged about their good deeds.

Here are 10 young virgins.  Waiting for the bridegroom.  The call goes out.  The bridegroom is coming.  The young virgins begin to gather their good deeds to present to the bridegroom.

The five young virgins that gave willingly...were kind, loving, helpful, went in with the Bridegroom.

The other five:

Saw the bareness of their gifts, the unwilling kindness, the selfish giving, their total disregard of others, especially those in need.
 
But didn’t we help collect clothes for the poor?

Didn’t we help out in the soup kitchen?

Didn’t we visit the old in the Rest home?

Yes you did:

All for your own glory, all in your own time

The door was shut.

Their time was past.

Five went in with the bridegroom.

Five were left outside.

On which side are you….or me?    

Matthew 25:13 Therefore keep watch because you know not the day or the hour.

A Trip To Denver

Jason and Jeremy, my twin grandsons, took their biannual trip to the Doctor in Denver  These young men have a rare type of cancer.  The amazing part is they don't dwell on it, they don't let it get them down.  My daughter, Linda, tries and suceeds in seeing that they live as normal a life as about anyone.  They are very devout Christian young men.  But they are so much fun, so knowledgeable about most things.....computers for one thing.  They teach grandma so many things, far belong my limit and age to grasp all this new stuff.  But they keep pushing me...and they have a lot of patience. So here I am at my age...going on Facebook....now my own blog..in fact, I have 2.
   They spent a lot of time this summer at the Hot Springs swimming pool until they have turned a beautiful shade of brown.  Well, the Dr. in Denver said they were doing good..but to continue their swimming at the Hooper Hot Springs pool all winter.  That's a great place to spend and afternoon or evening in the winter, when the snow is softly falling...you can look up and see the mountains in the distance.   I must admit I enjoy that too.
 Jason and Jeremy are ardent Bronco fans...All season they live and die with the Broncos.  Their fellow fan...their grandpa passed away a year ago May...so now, when the game's on they get his Bronco hat and place it in front of the TV....It's a very noisy house when it's Bronco time.....It's a good time for women folk to go shopping. 

  I'm so proud of these two young men.  With their faith in God, they have overcome so much, they have never given into their problems...never complain...they just take life and its problems and refuse to recognize defeat about anything.  God Bless you two and I know he does.

A wise son brings joy to his father.    Proverbs 10:1