To My Anonymous DOT Swap Partner

What a nice surprise to receive your package on the day before Christmas! The stitch markers will be put to good use. Of course, I love the ornament frame with Max & Lailah's picture in it! So very thoughtful! Thank you so much and Happy New Year!!

Friday Fill-Ins #103

1. Said the night wind to the little lamb, Do you hear that, or is it just me?

2. The first Noel, the angel did say, What does Noel mean anyway?

3. Skiing, Over the hills and everywhere.

4. It came upon the midnight clear and, boy, was it cold!

5. Grit your teeth and smile! Let your heart be light.

6. And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing on key.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading online, tomorrow my plans include shopping and Sunday, I want to attend church!

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A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
~ Proverbs 14:30

Generosity

Do you give books as gifts?
I do give books as gifts.

To everyone? Or only to select people?
Each of my seven grandchildren receive books on birthdays and at Christmas in addition to other gifts. One DGS gets 2-3 Hardy Boys books for each celebration. I give books to others when I find something that I know a particular person will enjoy. This year, my 85-year-old MIL is getting two Marie Bostwick novels, "On Wings of the Morning" and "A Single Thread". She's an avid reader who says she doesn't need more "stuff" at her age, so books are the perfect gift! She shares the books with her friends when she finishes reading them. Our older DS is getting a book of stories about Ohio State since he is an alum and enjoys that topic. I sent a book to a friend this Christmas, too. DH gets a book or two and/or audio books.

How do you feel about receiving books as gifts?
My attitude is the same about both. Receiving a book that the giver knows I will enjoy is very special. I only feel comfortable giving books if I know the recipient wants it or when I know something about that persons interests and preferences.

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

Blue Stocking

I may not be a Blue Stocking, but I do have one thanks to Skippymom at http://skippymom.blogspot.com/ Stuffed with goodies, this snowman stocking arrived through our Stocking Swap. Along with the tin of chocolates and the tin with the gingerbread cookie is the little, round tin with Christmas earrings shaped like a Christmas light. Thanks to my partner for all the treats!

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

Friday Fill-In 100

http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/2008/11/100.html

1. My stomach roils and churns with excitement.

2. Baby carrots is what I ate the most of on Thursday.

3. The yard ought to be covered with snow. Its not.

4. On a beach is where I'd rather be at any given time.

5. The smell of freshly baked Italian bread reminds me of my Nonna.

6. Energy is what I need right now!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dinner with DH, tomorrow my plans include knitting and reading, and Sunday, I want to spend time at church in worship and fellowship!

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So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!
~ Psalm 31:24

Stylin' New Collars

Lailah's new BFF is this cute St. Bernard that she's been carrying around the house with her. She has not, however, learned how to share and hoards a rawhide bone in there too.Max ponders a lunge for the rawhide bone as Lailah is distracted by outside activities. Two rawhide bones and Lailah always wants to take Max's. Always.

Max and Lailah are sporting their new "muddy paws" collars from Pet Expectations www.petexpectations.com

Awwwwwwww.....blue for He and pink for She. Gotta love it!

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So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:5

How fun to get a package! Thanks to my Secret Santa at www.somereads.blogspot.com ,I have a fantastic basket of gifts. Isn't the basket liner pretty?

The basket is packed with just wonderful gifts!

The tree contains lavender bath gel along with a small botanical candle tin. Love the squishy yarn!

Isn't Snowman cute next to the peppermint tree? Snowman has a few surprises, a winder on the bottom and a top that opens!

Jolly snowman is a jolly music box with teeny snow-skaters rotating around the Christmas tree. I just love this! Thanks to my generous Secret Santa!

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And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.
~ Psalm 39:7

Flower Basket in the Snow

I love the change of seasons. Here's the view on our deck.

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The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. ~~Galatians 5:6

Washington's Lady

Washington's Lady by Nancy Moser

Amid all the anticipation and dazzle surrounding our new First Couple, reading about the first-First Couple has been especially moving. Laying the foundation for leadership was a daunting challenge for George and Martha Washington. I've read so little about Martha that I was completely enthralled by this historical fiction related in her first person voice.

The narration of daily life in mid-to-late 1700's opens a world of hard work, war, teeth-rattling travel, unchecked disease, and family relationships that speaks to us through time. Their love and devotion to one another cascades to others in caring acts of kindness and consideration. What a marvelous couple! They complemented each other and built a solid life for Martha's children from her first marriage and a soothing home for George's weary returns from battles.

The story covers Martha's grief at the loss of her first husband, her courtship and marriage to George, and their lives as people of strength and courage. I feel I have at least some notion of this incredible woman who has been lost in the mists of time for far too long.

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There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest. ~~Hebrews 4:9–11

Hot Damn! Afghan

So, apparently in the '90's there was a beautiful throw priced at $250-$500 in stores. A clever knitter duplicated the pattern and said "Hot damn!" upon completion--- so excited was she at her cleverness in saving $$ and creating the beautiful throw. That's the story on the free pattern available at http://www.knitting-crochet.com/hotdamn.html



After finishing the AbFab throw http://yarnknitreadlit.blogspot.com/search?q=AbFab (Don't they all have clever names?) to give to teen DGD at Christmas, I started this for DH and I. Deciding to use stash yarn, I am now knitting with size 19 needles using Skacel "Poker", Trendsetter "Pinot", and Plymouth Encore Colorspun. No, they're not setting atop yarns gone wild! That's the piled-up version of the knitted throw!

I think of the colors as strawberries and French vanilla with a hint of chocolate which will carry through a variety of stash yarns for this throw. Its especially fun to use the Pinot and Poker, souvenir yarns from our travels in Nashville, TN, last summer after our Delta Queen cruise.

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Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. ~ Psalm 9:10

Booking Through Thursday

Five for Favorites

1. Do you have a favorite author? Ann Ripley is one among several.

2. Have you read everything he or she has written? I've read 5 of 10 titles, so I do have time to relish the remaining 5.

3. Did you LIKE everything? Yes, these are formulaic cozy mysteries, so I basically know what the form will be. I do enjoy each one for its light, relaxing reading.

4. How about a least favorite author? While I dislike particular genres, I cannot think of a particular author who is least favorite.

5. An author you wanted to like, but didn’t? David Balducci because of the violence and graphic scenes in his stories. I've heard people talk about his enormous talent, however there are aspects of the content that are outside of my comfort and enjoyment level.

6. Question: Having deeply enjoyed a book by a particular author, are you often disappointed in other titles by the same author?
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O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
~ Psalm 62:8