The End of the Summer Reading Challenge

The Summer Reading Challenge 2006 button is in the sidebar. August is here and gone as is the reading challenge. Here are my August Books:

Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin is a tightly woven comic novel about lives in San Francisco with all of the oddities and quirkiness one might expect of that city. The setting is a throw-back to the 70's. This is a very humorous and enjoyable story!

Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray is keep-you-smiling story of a woman striving to add income to the family after her husband loses his job as a hospital administrator. Her divorced parents move in with the family and add to the comic, inspiring, very good book with its upbeat, positive, story line. (Thus ends my list of adjectives!)

OK, reading the book Chocolat by Joanna Harris is definitely more sensory than seeing the movie! The book cover quotes from USA Today are eminently true---"Delectable...delicious." From the initial sights, smells and sounds of the carnival in the initial pages to the scents of the chocolate in the little shop, the book sweeps the reader into the fragrances and turmoil of the little French village. The pleasures of chocolate versus the church? What a premise for a lovely, romantic tale! Is Vianne a witch? The reader decides that question. One imprint from the movie remains however, Dame Judi Dench is the dear old lady. Perhaps because she completely embodies every role she plays, Judi Dench is an all-time favorite!!

If you are a reader who would like to vote for the Quill Awards, click on the link below.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13594096

The further benefits of wisdom in Proverbs 3 reminded me that I must take the first step in sowing and reaping. By praying for discernment, I offer blessings for God and give the best I have to the Lord. The full weight of loving and trusting in God blesses me with strengthened faith as I learn to know and apply God's word. I must remember to do good at every turn, to avoid delay in blessing others.

Every day we live is a priceless gift of God, loaded with possibilities to learn something new, to gain fresh insights. ---Dale Evans Rogers

Five Things for You!

Five things in my freezer: package of rib eye steaks, bag of taquitos, bag of peas, bag of shredded mozzarella, and a box of push-ups

Five things in my closet: assortment of shirts, blouses, capris, pants, and dresses

Five things in my car: registration, proof of insurance, neck pillow, atlas of U.S., and an umbrella

Five things in my purse: hair pick, inhaler, wallet, cell phone, and planner

Five things in my wallet: driver's license, money, postage stamps, photos, and credit card

Five people I’m tagging: You, you, you, you, and YOU! If you do it, please leave a message in the comments section! Thanks!

So work like you don't need money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one's watching.

---Unknown

Saturday Sky Over Me

While I sit and swing and knit. Nice.

No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible. --Voltaire

Squared

This Heartmade Blessings comfort ghan is complete and ready to mail to the recipient, a recent widow. Each square maker attaches a tag with personal info and a message. I reattach the tags after I assemble and launder the ghan. Brain Teaser: Can you find my square? Hint: It's the one that isn't tagged yet. There! Wasn't that fun?! Since this ghan is draped over some vines to secure it to the fence, it isn't hanging square. It rilly-rilly-rilly isn't that wonky!

This view is to give you a closer look at the shell edging--- a very nice finishing edged with the green used for joining.

And, what have we here? Another close view!

A member of HMB made a tote bag to send along with the comfort ghan.

There were a couple of swingers at our house this weekend. So glad there was no computer-anything for four days for them. Instead....lots of outdoor play!

1John3 lays out the formula for achieving victory over sin:

1-Seek the Holy Spirit and God's Word

2-Avoid temptation

3-Seek help from the body of Christ

It looks so simple, doesn't it? 1-2-3! Being born of God, or born again, has given me an awesome place in the family of God. I am a child of God! I strive to reflect God's love to others. Real love is an action that I try to live in several personal and anonymous ministries for the church I attend.

v. 17 says--If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

Amen.

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience. ---Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Pile-o-Crochet

This is the edging-in-process pic for this HMB crocheted ghan. It is completed now, ready to be laundered, tagged, and mailed. I will soon begin assembling another bereavement ghan made of a combination of floral squares and granny squares.

Tonight I want to work on the baby blanket for my neighbors' soon-to-be-born baby girl. On Saturday J asked when his world ghan will be finished. Ooops! I haven't touched it in about eight months! Better get on that one, too!

Reading Psalm 144 this morning led me to ponder the brevity of life. I want to live to glorify God in all I do. The Psalm offers beautiful praise to God in reminding us of our short time on Earth, "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes". (James4:14) Mother passed in March. I can't believe her life is over. I was there with her, but how can she be gone? Life passed so quickly--looking at family photos of her as a child, as a cheerleader---having fun at the beach, being with my Dad in their young, dating years. Oh, the importance of the lives of my parents, all of my grandparents, and great grandparents---all of whom I knew. Brief as life is, people make great impact in the lives of one another. Oh, Lord, bless us and bring soothing peace to my humanity; soften my heart and soul.

Love has its source in God, for love is the very essence of His being. -

--Kay Arthur

Saturday Sky

Comfortably mild weather today.

A Day without Needles and Hooks

This has been a no-knit/no-crochet day! Doubt that I'll do much of that since company is arriving soon to stay the weekend. I hope I'll be able to squeeze some time in, though! (Blogger is still have pic uploading issues!)

As I read Colossians today, I became interested in the map showing the location of Colosse. Although Paul was writing from prison, an unusual privilege, the distances covered by Jesus, His Apostles , and His disciples continue to amaze me. Typically traveling on foot, these people visited so many locations that I am again astounded. Given the fact that there were nomadic groups, I do understand that it was not uncommon. There's just something about the 94 degree weather today that inspires me to ponder their way of life, their way of travel.

In clarifying Jesus as God, Paul's writing leads me to desire to grow daily because of my love for God. I fiercely feel Spirit-led at times and exalt in that strength of the Spirit that is far beyond anything I could do alone.

Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling. --Margaret Lee Runbeck

Soon to Ramble Again!

The yellow and white ghan will be finished tonight! Then I'll pick up the Ramblin Rows baby ghan again. Although it won't be finished by the due date, August 26, I am truly enjoying this pattern. I have two more baby ghans to make--one for Fall and one for April so I'm trying to decide if I want to do one of them in the Ramblin Rows pattern. I'd really like to do this pattern with yarns of different textures, but don't think that would work very well for a baby ghan.

In the Word today, I read 1Peter4 and was again reminded to identify my gifts and talents so that I can serve others thereby giving glory to God. Love, hospitality, and regular prayer continue to be pressed into my heart.

I would like to find other bloggers who are doing this Christian Women Online "Snippets from the Word". I have looked through CWO blogs, but have yet found any blogging about this study. So, if you're reading this, please leave a note to point me to your blog!

We encounter God in the ordinariness of life, not in the search for spiritual highs and extraordinary, mystical experiences, but in our simple presence in life. ---Brennan Manning

Still No Pics

Well, blogger still won't upload pics, so I will simply say that I am still adding a shell border to the Comfort ghan for HMB. I will send it to a widow who recently lost her husband who was her best friend. She is ill and has had several losses in her family in recent months. Someone requested a ghan through Heartmade Blessings, so I have assembled the donated squares and one I made myself. I wanted to put a wide, lacey border on this ghan. The feminine, lacey touch certainly adds to the eye appeal of this ghan. I will mail it to her as soon as it is completed.

When I began reading Psalm 119 today, I was initially drawn to its structure slightly more than to the content. Not only is Ps 119 the longest Psalm in the Bible, it is also the longest chapter. Each section corresponds to a letter in the Hebrew alphabet and begins with that letter. The repetitious form could easily have been memorized at a time when the printed word was not commonly available.

After thinking about these elements of form, I became more drawn to the content--the meditative writing about the importance of God's word in my life. God's provision has bolstered me to remain strong in faith during extreme sorrow during recent months. v114 You are my refuge and my shield. I do constantly find comfort in God's unfailing love v76. I pray for discernment to understand my relationship with the Lord that I will apply the Word to my daily life. I trust in His mighty compassion and love.

Bea's comment yesterday about obedience definitely speaks to the message in PS 119, that is, diligence through obedience.

Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. ---Ps 119

Well, darn!

I haven't been able to upload pics to blogger all day today. Has anyone else had that problem today?

Today is the beginning of Daily Bible Reading with Christian Women Online called "Snippets from the Word". (See side bar.)

From Proverbs 21 today, I received the importance of being faithful in the completion of mundane tasks. Diligence is pleasing to God. Let's just say, mundane is not my thing. Reading this chapter brought me to the realization that diligence in the ordinary is every bit as important as striving to excellence in other areas.

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. ---Pro21:3

Saturday -- Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

There's no Lucy. No diamonds. There is sky! Maybe the sad news of Sir Paul's nasty divorce has me thinking of Bea'les songs?

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The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. --- Psalm 19:1

The Family Boot

So my sister and I will leave for Italy on September 07. She lives across the country and to the South of me. We usually talk on the phone while she is driving home from work.

ME: "So what do you think of the world events of the last couple days."
HER: "Yeah. I know."
ME: "Great time to be flying out of the country, huh?"
HER: (philosophically) "If it's your time, it's your time, Baby!"
ME: "Where's our first stop after we leave the country?"
HER: "Amsterdam."
ME: "Good! Let's stay out of power countries that support the U.S.!"
HER: "Ha-ha-ha-ha! Well, we are going to update our will before I leave."
ME: "Really? You are?"
HER: "Well, yes, because I want L to have all my pearls since her birthday is in June."
ME: "Oh, of course."

My strength will come from prayer, obviously, and lots-o-knit-and-crochet between now and September 07!

A book I want to read: I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron. Isn't that a great title for women of a certain age...and past a certain age!? I hope every generation has a Nora Ephron to give voice to those zero-birthdays in their day and time.

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We can't take any credit for our talents. It's how we use them that counts. --Madeleine L'Engle

Feeling Edgy

These yellow crocheted squares were made by members of Heartmade Blessings (see button in the sidebar) for a lapghan to comfort a widow. These will be joined with some white squares. I decided to edge the squares with sage green and will probably join them with white. The finishing will be lacey white edging. Pictures to follow!

A closer look

Thousands of people gathered to sing praise to the Lord in the glorious outdoors in Fort Collins on Sunday. What an awesome blessing to those who attended and everyone within hearing distance! Shout to the Lord indeed! I even won a CD of the Rez singers---such joy!

Sunday afternoon and Praise in the Park with Resurrection Fellowship www.rez.org

Listen, you kings! Pay attention, you mighty rulers! For I will sing to the LORD. I will make music to the LORD... --- Judges 5:3

Saturday Sky with Wind

Pretty-pretty with a chance of rain later. That's perfectly fine! We'll take that cooling rain!

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The best way to ensure that your children grow to become kind and compassionate adults is to teach them how to be kind and compassionate children. ---Kathryn Sansone

Pay It Forward

Here's a web site to visit. It is free and will brighten someone's day. Go. There. Now. please?

http://www.letssaythanks.com/

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... my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain. ---Isaiah 65:22-23

A Colorful Day!

The Lord sends angels to us in special ways! A dear friend stopped by for a visit and brought the gorgeous carnations below. I sometimes have "owies" from treatments I have for health reasons and a visit is such a gift. The flowers are a bonus! They brighten up my office and remind me of her friendship and Christian love.

Then my letter carrier arrived with a package. MY KTC summer swap partner graced me with this colorful collection of gifts! Wow!

Inside the lively wrappings, I found books, yarn, candy, an angel key ring, and the fantastic scissors holder that she knit and felted---she even put scissors inside! These thoughtful gifts just fill me with happies! Thank you-ribbit-thank you to Moonfrog at http://moonlightfrogger.blogspot.com/

It's never crowded along the extra mile. ---Wayne Dyer