Li'l Punkins

...and the five little pumpkins rolled and rolled away!
Looks like they landed on our table! I've made hundreds of these over the years for all of my kindergarten students. Now in retirement, I'm at it again for my two youngest grands to take to their kindergarten and pre-K classes. I've used a pattern from www.yarncat.com/jackolanternpin.html for this batch.

The brighter yarn is Plymouth Encore. The lighter orange is GGH Samoa. I used a size F crochet hook with both yarns. A mossy color boucle yarn is knotted on top for the stem. In the past I have stitched the facial features or glued felt pieces for the face. This time I used a black Sharpie marker to draw the features on the yarn. Can we say "faster"? I added an adhesive backed magnet and a pin to the back of each to meet the pin/fridgie part of the pattern name. Soon the li'l punkins will roll into the Dallas area for the kiddies to share with their friends.

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God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
~ James 1:12

Box-o-Books

I got one of those boxes delivered the other day. You know, one of those boxes. The kind where you know what's in it. In fact, you ordered the contents...item by item, yet its arrival is exciting and full of delight! A box-o-books! Yaaaaay!!

These are from Book Close-outs---what a deal! The top two items are lovely, little journals. Its a bookie time here as I've received an Amazon order and swap books from Book Mooch and Paperback Swap. Now, if I could just tear myself away from blog reading, I'd enjoy these books and do some knitting!

What books have you gotten lately?

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Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Dogs On Thursday

Mighty Max the Wonder Dog

Lailah learns from Max

My Sweet Boy

October 1997 ~ July 2009

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Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
~ Psalm 5:3

Wordless Wednesday -- Need a Lift?

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Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
~ Psalm 25:5

Teaser Tuesday--Town House

From http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/ its Teaser Tuesday!

From Town House by Tish Cohen, page 18:

"Snowden's theory of desensitization involved exposing yourself to your own very special anxiety-provoking, stimuli in bite-sized doses, preferably with a dependable friend or, lacking this, your lanky son. The theory was that if you performed your miniature miracle without wetting yourself, vomiting on your dependable friend, or losing consciousness, you'd achieved a cool level three on the freak-out scale and were all set to try it again with full confidence and clean trousers."

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Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
~ Colossians 4:2

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Absolutely enchanted by the beauty of this magical story, the magical family, and magical garden. I truly feel transported to this glorious home with its loving apple tree. I sense the sparkles of contentment within me. This is a story about affect in its characters and certainly within this reader. The story of the Waverly family, their community, and loved ones conveys life lessons common to most readers. The knots and tangles of life come loose. I come away feeling quite serene.

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We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God. John 6:69

Wordless Wednesday Yes, You Can Take It With You

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For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
~ Philippians 2:13

Friday Fill-Ins #141

1. That's a bride to be.

2. Wooooo-h0000; I'm over here!

3. The possibilities include: all or nothing.

4. Nonna's Italian Soup is one of my favorite cool day recipes.

5. How will you know when enough is enough?

6. As we bounced in our boat, we watched the churning water and a stormy sky.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dinner with DH, tomorrow my plans include going to the lake and Sunday, I want to sing and praise the Lord!

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So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say?
~ Luke 6:46

Wordless Wednesday Local Color

Snapped by DH

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Be still and know that I am God.

Ps46:10

Teaser Tuesdays

From Pursuit by Karen Robards:



" 'Nobody would send out a government hit squad if they weren't trying to cover something as big as ---her voice, which had been scarcely louder than a whisper before, dropped even lower, although an anxious glance around re-confirmed that no one seemed to be paying the least bit of attention---'the First Lady's murder.'
'I got that.' "

I'm racing through the last section of this engrossing book because I just can't put it down!! Excellent story-telling.
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I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.
~ Psalm 17:6

Almost A Nina Shawl

I spend a lot of time knitting and reading on our deck. Since I've been wanting wrap for cooler weather, which will soon be upon us, I finally decided on the Nina Shawl from Mason Dixon Knitting. There have been other beginnings for my "deck shawl" which have been ripped and wound into yarn balls for decorative purposes only. None of the patterns seemed just right. The Nina Shawl is. Just right. Well, almost a Nina Shawl, that is, because the checkerboard part did not have the checkery look I wanted. Since I have solemnly vowed to use stash only (Ever heard that before? Anyone?), my stash yarns do not lend themselves to that clean, distinctive pattern.

So I am nina-ing with alpaca and wool and blends. Can we say "warm"? I'm not happy with the colors in the Malabrigo---a yellow/green icky shade. I decided this close to the mid-point of the shawl. DH dutifully remarked that he liked it---mainly because he knows what a frogger I am. So, with his approval, I continue merrily along. Even though the man has no color sense at all, I needed validation from someone!

I'm currently adding wide striping at the mid-point to add length so I can dramatically wrap and fling the shawl over my shoulder for the drama of it all for Lailah and me out on the deck.

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But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, "You are my God!"
~ Psalm 31:14

Wordless Wednesday Doggie Doc

Teaser Tuesdays

From http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read. Open to a random page.Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.

Do not include spoilers! Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

The Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O'Neal Page 89

" Alvin snored loudly at her feet, curled up like a kitten, his feathery gold tail protecting his stuffed crocodile. In the notebook on her lap, she lazily drew connections between notes, letting the shape, the colors, the textures of the menu rise in her mind."

--->PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays at the website cited above.
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Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.
~ Proverbs 16:20

If Its Friday...

Its Friday Fill-ins!

And...here we go!

1. He was a "Lion of the Senate".

2. The gentle weather is what I look forward to most this time of year.

3. My best friend has four legs and an itty-bitty tail.

4. I try to be honest with you.

5. Appearances can be shockingly cute.

6. The last person I gave a hug to was my DH.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching TV, tomorrow my plans include knitting and reading, and Sunday, I want to go to the lake!

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Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
~ Hebrews 10:24

Recent Fluff

What’s the lightest, most “fluff” kind of book you’ve read recently?

Murder at the Azalea Festival --- doesn't the title scream fluff?! Written by Ellen Elizabeth Hunter, the story is fun and relaxing. I read about this author somewhere online and decided to read this cozy mystery. The lead character is Ashley Wilkes, a historical preservationist, who stumbles into murderous situations of course. Ashley is female;her sister is Melanie. Their mother was enchanted by "Gone With the Wind". Ashley is quite certain that had there been a brother, his name would be RhettButler Wilkes.

A good read.

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Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
~ Hebrews 10:24

Days at the Lake

Loading our camper and pontoon, we departed for a nearby lake taking Lailah on her first camping trip. A marvelous Monday-Friday enjoying nature's beauty.

There were a couple of very windy days that had us scrambling to get the boat off the water,

And sunny days when we glided down the boat ramp and onto the glistening lake,

Passing the no wake buoys,



And watching the graceful sail boats.

DH enjoys fishing and hooked this wiper

And netted it with curious Lailah's help.

Day time, no one sleeping. Time for Lailah to enjoy the air mattress.

But, by night she slept on a mat on the camper floor. Make that, the dirty floor!

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We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:8–9

Friday Fill-Ins Filled In

Graphic courtesy of Tonya!And...here we go!

1. When will the cows come home?
2. Royal Pains was the last good tv show I watched.
3. Everything has its beauty but its only skin deep.
4. Pasta salad is what I had for dinner.
5. I'd like your prayers, please.
6. Cancun is where I want to be right now.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to web surfing, tomorrow my plans include knitting and reading, and Sunday, I want to go boating!

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Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
~ Psalm 23:6

Wordless Wednesday

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For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:18

Followers List

Thanks to the people who have put themselves on my followers list. Its so nice to know that someone clicks in now and then.

I so appreciate it and invite others to join in with us!

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

Bizarro Colors

I used stash yarn---hence the bizarro color combination--- to crochet a baby blanket for a local charity. I used an F hook with DK and WW yarn.

I love edgings so I added a row of sc all around, then a row of trc, and finished with picot stitch. My prayers go with this blanket to bless a baby with love.

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So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
~ 1 Peter 5:6

The Beach House

The Beach House: A Novel by Jane Green

I got the book because of the 65 year old protagonist and am not disappointed in her character. Overall, the writing is formulaic--almost like reading a story board. The plus is that the descriptions of life in the natural beauty of Nantucket made the book worth while for this reader.

View all my reviews >>

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O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
~ Psalm 86:5

Good Manners Over Time

Our fun-loving Red Hats group toured the Overland Museum in Sterling, CO. There are fantastic displays, actual buildings moved to create a village on the Plains. Marvelous-marvelous! I, however, snapped only one pic. This is it:

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The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
~ Psalm 9:9

Summer Time ~~~Livin' Easy

Beautiful Colorado Day @ Jackson Lake, CO

The rock work is the ramp to the boat launch.

Seeing the sunshine in the yellows of these beauties...

Look at the pink bursting forth...petal after perfect petal.

The splendid work of God's loving hands.



From the hand of man, this spectacular industrial piece at Chipotle's Grill.

I call him Chief.

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I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
~ John 16:33

Book-book-booking

Today's Booking Through Thursday question asks:
"Do you keep all your unread books together, like books in a waiting room? Or are they scattered throughout your shelves, mingling like party-goers waiting for the host to come along?"

Its a "waiting room" on my book shelves. Unread books are shelved together, though I often refer to my TBR list on http://www.goodreads.com/ . Sometimes its easier for me to scan the list of my TBRs online than to read the sideways book titles on my shelves.

A note to Moo http://woollymooselovesboo.blogspot.com/
I haven't been able to leave messages on your site since you switched your blog format. Waaaah! Any ideas on why that is? I want you to know that I visit you often and am cheering you on in your quest to complete the Log Cabin. I remember slogging through my Log Cabin!

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A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.
~ Proverbs 15:30

Happy Times

Finished a throw for the master bedroom using a modified version of the "Happy Times" pattern by Dot Drake. This is a great mindless crochet pattern that I varied with sc, hdc, and trc.

This one was done with a size H hook and Plymouth Encore in pale pink, light green, and white. I added a scalloped edging to finish it and tossed it on the bed.

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Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy.
~ Psalm 100:2

If it's Tuesday, Its Time to Tease...

From http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/teaser-tuesdays-june-16/

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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I'm currently reading A Letter of Mary by Laurie R. King. Here is a teaser from p.30:

"The observation sounds trivial, a minor disturbance on the surface on our lives, but it was no less ominous than a stream's roil that, to the experienced eye, shouts of the great boulder below. Marriage attunes a person to nuances in behaviour, the small vital signs that signal's a person's well-being."

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Then he said to him, “Follow me!” John 21:19