Lucy in the Sky

Just thought I'd show you some miscellaneous pictures of Lucy and also the sky for my Friday Fragments.  These are all pictures from this week.

Lucy, the night before getting groomed

Lucy on the ride home from the groomers.  I could not get her to look at the camera.  It's like she knows what I'm doing.

Finally I got her face.  She really didn't get to much hair cut off.  Just neatened up.  I don't like when I can't see her eyes.

This is from Thursday night.  We were leaving my brother's house and the sky was beautiful.  Unfortunately my camera didn't pick up all the colors that were there.

Here's another one from the same night.

Love blue skies and when the moon is out during the daytime.  This is from just outside my office.

So, what are your plans for the weekend.  It sounds like we could be having some pretty bad weather this weekend, so it may be a stay at home weekend for us.  I don't know if we'll get to have church or not.  Whatever you do this weekend, be safe!

 

Thankful Thursday

It's time to think about things I'm thankful for.  If you'd like to play along click the button above to link up at Knit by God's Hand.

1.  I'm thankful for another sale at my Etsy Shop Simple Treasures by Cat.  It's been slow getting started, but I'm having fun making stuff and I've almost sold enough to take out my "seed" money and put it back in savings.  My main goal is to have fun and to at least make enough to pay for my yarn and other items I use.  Everytime I get a sale, I get so excited I can hardly stand it.  My poor hubby is just so supportive and patient with me.  Gotta love that man.  There's a link in my side bar if you'd like to check out my shop.

2.  Referring back to #1, I'm thankful for my hubby.  He is always so supportive and encouraging in all my little ventures.  Let me tell you, I so appreciate that.  He always believes that I can do anything I want to (even when I don't believe in myself).  Let me tell you young single girls....make sure you get a man that builds you up and doesn't tear you down.  It's worth all the tea in China.

3.  I'm so thankful our winter weather hasn't been too bad here in southwest Ohio so far this year. We've had some snow, some ice and some cold weather, but it has been so bitter as last year, nor has any of it stuck around as long as last year.  Thank you Lord.

So, what are you thankful for?

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. When did someone last suggest you 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell someone (or want to tell someone) to 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell yourself to 'chill out'?
I don't remember when the last time was that someone told me to chill out but it is probably something I need to tell myself a little more often.  Although that isn't a phrase I use too often.  It would be more like relax, calm down, it'll work out.  I can get pretty excited when things don't go smoothly and I need to learn to relax.

2. What most recently caused your heart to melt?
My puppy makes my heart melt every time she gives me those sad puppy dog eyes when we leave the house.

 

3. "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered." G.K. Chesterton
Your thoughts? When did you last experience either an adventure or an inconvenience? How did you see it at first, as an adventure or an inconvenience? Does it feel the same in hindsight?

I really have nothing for this right now. 

4. A Wendy's Frosty, root beer in a frosty mug, or a frosted chocolate cupcake...of these three, which one is your favorite 'frosty' treat?
A frosted chocolate cupcake.  Yummy!!

5. Would you say your life so far this year has been more like a circus or a symphony? Explain why.
Both.  Like a symphony in that hubby and I have had some fairly relaxing evenings and weekends lately and that is so soothing to me.  But like a circus, in that we've had doctor's appointments for us and for family, a memorial service for my aunt, plus work, etc.  

6. Since it's a 'snow day' here, what's your favorite song containing the word 'white'?
White Christmas

7. If you had to leave the city you currently live in, what would you find the hardest to leave behind?
My family.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The below scripture was in a recent Devotion I'm using.  I really love these verses.  They make me realize just how much God loves me..."how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.  Love it.

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (Ephesians 3:16-19 NLT) 

Weekend Wrap-Up

It's Monday! I'm not sure I'm ready for it, but it's here anyway!

It's been a fairly quiet weekend. We cooked supper at home on Friday and just spent the evening there. I'm getting so more and more I want to be home and not out running all the time.

Saturday we went to lunch and Walmart. Then we went to 2 different furniture stores looking for a chair for hubby. He wasn't sure whether he wanted a recliner or just a straight back chair with a foot stool. He finally found a recliner he loved. We wanted it in a different fabric, so it will be 4-6 weeks before he gets it. But I'm glad he picked one out and it's in progress. Now we have to decide if we are going to keep the rest of what we have or get a couch and another chair. I may end up going back and getting a couch (or love seat) to match what he just got. Who knows? Too many decisions!

Sunday was church and then out to dinner with the in-laws. Very nice time.  It started snowing late Sunday evening and by Monday morning we had about an inch.  I'm so glad that was all.

I love puppy paw prints in the snow.  This was Sunday night around 10:00pm

Drive into work.  And why yes, we do have a Mickey head on our antenna (did you really expect anything less).

And that's the wrap-up of my weekend. How was yours?

Joy

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thankful Thursday.  And while I know I should be thankful everyday, it's nice to take a post once a week and dedicate it to my thankfulness to God.  Click the button above to join in.

One of the things that most often reminds me to be thankful is the sky.  I love looking at the sky, day or night.  It's beauty is beyond compare.  When the sun is shining and the sky is blue, it makes me think of God.  Or when it's night and the stars and moon are out, it makes me think of God.  I think of creation and how awesome an artist God is.  So today the thing I am thankful for is God's beautiful artwork in our skies.  Below are a few pictures I've taken this week.

It was a grey day, but when I went out with the dog, the sun was shining so brightly, I just had to take a picture.

I had just walked out of work and the sky just grabbed my attention.  Look at that color!

Here's another angle from the same day

Both this and the one below are from my backyard.  If the sky is blue this time of the year, I just have to get my camera out!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Click the button to join up for the Hodgepodge at Joyce's blog.

1. American Idol is back for a 14th season. Are you watching? Have you ever watched? If you were to audition for the show (or were made to audition), what song would you sing?
No, I'm not watching.  At least not yet. Yes, I have watched...the season Scotty McCreery won.  Oh my goodness, I have no idea what I'd choose.  Maybe a country ballad of some kind.  Hopefully uplifting...not a bar song.  

2. Mark Twain is quoted as saying, "If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first."

So when did you last have to 'eat a frog'? Or two? How'd that work out?
Typically, I put things off as long as I can, but really it is better to do it right away and get it over with.  However, that can backfire.  I remember my senior year in Spanish 3 we had to write a story all in Spanish and then share it in front of the class.  My friend and I decided to do ours first and get them over with.  Well, we did it!!  And then the teacher never followed through and not another student had to do it.

3. If you were going on safari, what is the number one animal you'd want to see?
A lion

4. January 21st is National Granola Bar Day. I know. Do you like granola bars? Chewy or crunchy? Your favorite flavor? How about regular granola? Let's exhaust this topic in honor of the holiday okay?
Yes, I like some of them.  Chewy.  One with chocolate in it.  Regular granola is okay.

5. If only__________________________________________.
I could lose 50 lbs before my daughter's wedding...realistically I'll be happy with 20 and I think I can do that.

6. You can add one item to your bedroom. What will it be? Keep it family friendly please.
A gas fireplace

7. What is one thing you've enjoyed about winter thus far? If it's not winter in your corner of the globe, what season is it, and what is something you've enjoyed about whatever season it happens to be?
That the temperature has gone up and down enough that I don't feel like I live in the arctic circle. Last year it seemed to stay cold for weeks at a time.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
 My retirement plan....ssssshhhh don't tell my girls!

Yarn & Hats & Headband/Earwarmers

I did make it to Michael's yesterday for their yarn sale. I love yarn, and did I ever buy some. My husband is so good about my yarn collection. Bless his heart. I can't wait to get started with this yarn. Hopefully, today sometime.

I think I'll be using the red first

Below are some items I've recently completed and will be in my Etsy Shop real soon. I have really been enjoying making these recently.

Headband/Earwarmer - The mix of colors is so neat in this yarn.  I can't seem to get a good picture to really show the colors.  It looks kind of washed out here.  Someone care to give me an idea as to what kind of lighting I need to be in for these pictures.  All these were taken out in yesterday's beautiful sunshine.

 I was thinking about keeping this hat, but decided I needed to put it in the Etsy Shop after selling so many last week. 

Another adult hat - I love this purple color

Headband/Earwarmer

Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday night we had take out Chinese and just relaxed at home.  Watched some TV, did some knitting and some reading.

Saturday we got up early and went to breakfast at Bob Evans. Then we went to church. My dad's sister passed away a week ago and her memorial service was Saturday afternoon. We needed to be at the church to meet people and unlock as needed. While it was sad, it was also happy. She lived to be 90 years old and had been a Christian forever. So it was so nice to celebrate her life and to know we'll see her again one day.  It was good being with family. 

Above is my Aunt Hilda on her 90th birthday. She seemed to always have a smile on her face. 

Above she is with her 4 surviving brothers. That's my dad on the left. These are some of the greatest people I've ever had the privilege of knowing. 

Sunday was church and an afternoon at home. That's it for my weekend. Well, except that it's not over. Today is a holiday and I don't have to work. Plans are to go to breakfast and to Walmart and then to Michael's. All their yarn is on sale. I can't wait!!

So, what are you up to?

 

Friday Fragments

Time for Friday Fragments. You know, those things that don't need a whole post, but you'd like to get them down.

*  Wednesday night Hubby started teaching a new study series on end time events at church.  He started with giving us some history of the church.  Very interesting.  Looking forward to the next few weeks of this study.

*Thursday night Hubby and I met his parents for dinner at Captain D's.  I've been craving their fish for the last couple of weeks.  It was good and even better was the time spent talking with the in-laws.  They are really good people and fun to be with.

*We've selected the Bible Study for our Women's Spring Bible Study.  We are going to do Priscilla Shire's "Gideon".  I'm really looking forward to this.  I have my book and plan to get an early start.

I've completed 1 hat 2 more headbands/earwarmers and I'm working on a hat.  Should be added to my Etsy store soon. I sold 6 items out of my store this week.  Gotta get that inventory back up.  Yay!!!

That's all for me.  So, what have you been up to?

Thankful Thursday and SSMT Verse 2

Joining in for the second time for Thankful Thursday.

I'm thankful for beautiful sunrises, even when it is terribly cold outside.  This was taken in our back yard.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to listen to audiobooks from the Library while working.

I'm thankful for adorable pictures of my girls when they were little.  This is one of my favorites and hangs in my office at work.

I'm thankful for beautiful sunsets.  This was taken in our backyard.

Sky pictures almost always make me thing of God.  Here's another sunset picture taken while driving down the road in our van.  Thus the reflections you see.  But I just think the sky was so pretty.

I'm thankful for a good report from the doctor.  Blood pressure is great and cholesterol has come down considerably.  Awesome!!

Another thing I'm thankful for is the opportunity to participate in the SSMT Scripture Memory Challenge.  It's time for verse #2 now.

Psalm 139:2  "You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away."

Wednesday Hodgepodge

The Hodgepodge is back.  Thanks Joyce!

1. What's your best piece of advice for a newly married couple? I'm asking for a friend.
First and foremost, Keep Christ at the center of your home.  
Also, do not put your expectations on your spouse.  Let them be themselves and do things their way too.  Everything does not have to be the way you've always done it.  This works for your kids too.

2. Before we're too far into the new year I wanted to post a question Teresa submitted during the December giveaway. Teresa blogs over at Being Refined As Silver, so everyone go say hi.

Teresa asks, "What were you doing on December 31st, 1999?"and "Did you or your family make preparations for Y2K?"
I do not remember what I was doing.  I do not thing we made any preparations at home.  I do however remember they were concerned at work at what would happen to our computers and the work software.

3. According to Global Language Monitor, the most used word of 2014 isn't a word. It's the heart emoji. Huh? How can something that's not a word be the most used word, but I digress. What do you think was your most used word in 2014?
Not really a word either, but probably lol.

4. Speaking of words, it's that time again. Time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, and general uselessness) in 2015. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year's top vote getters are-

bae (before anyone else), polar vortex, hack, skill set, swag, foodie, curate/curated, friend-raising, enhanced interrogation, cra-cra (as in crazy), takeaway, and -nation (a suffering sports suffix).

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?
cra-cra...No reason, other than I just don't like it.

5. January is National Hot Tea month? Are you a fan? Do you like flavored teas? How do you take your tea? Have a favorite cup or teapot? How many cups of tea do you consume in a given day?
I do not like tea at all...cold or hot, sweet or not.

6. Whatever happened to________________________________?
 me retiring.....maybe in 3 more years I'll be able to.

7. What is one book on your must-read list this winter?
I just finished the first book in the Chronicles of Narnia, but C.S. Lewis.  So I guess my must read, is book 2.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I am ready for spring!!  I found this poem on FB and had to share. It was posted by Q92. 

Winter Reading Challenge.

This is my first time to participate in the Winter Reading Challenge.  I really haven't read too many books, but I thought I'd join in anyway.  Here are the few I've either read or listened to the audio version of.

House, by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker.  I am currently listening to this book at work.  I love to read these guys books, but they scare me while I'm reading them.  I'm not a real fan of horror stuff, but their books are more than that.  They are both christian authors and usually their books deal with spiritual things.  Although, sometimes it takes awhile before you figure that out.  House is really intense and I can't wait to see how it all turns out in the end.  Depending on how work goes, I'll probably finish it tomorrow.

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis.  I just finished reading this book on my Kindle.  I got it from the Library.  I tried to read this once before and got bored with it.  When I read this time, I really enjoyed it.  I'm not sure why I thought it was boring before.  If you've ever watched the movies, The Chronicles of Narnia, this books is the first in the series.  I love the things this books reveals about what I saw in the movies.  For instance, where the light post came from, and where the wardrobe came from, and where the witch came from and who the professor in the first movie is.  If you love the movies, you really should read this book.  Very good!!  I'm hoping to start book 2 next.

The Tattered Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter.  This is another one that I listened to while at work.  It's #2 in a series of the Half-Stitched Quilting Club.  This book is very humorous and fun to read.  But the characters all seem to deal with some serious things too.  It's a fun read, but you also learn some about the Amish lifestyle.  I recommend both of the books in this series.





That's all for now.  So what have you been reading?