I finally finished my book!

Back in 2007 when we decided to burn down our old house to make room for a new one, I decided that I wanted to create a photo book of the project to remind us of everything that we accomplished, and to tell our unique story. I finally got the job done, and the book has been ordered. I can't wait to see the real thing, but here is a digital look at it.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Beading project - azurite and malachite

Trying to get in the spirit

Today I found myself without power.  The power company has been making "infrastructure improvements" for the past (forever) months and now they're working in front of our house.  Today, in order to switch from some old lines to new ones, they had to cut our power completely.  Without power I couldn't work in the basement (too dark) and I couldn't sew (no electricity).  The computers weren't running, and my laptop battery was flat so I did the one thing on my to-do list that did not require power...bring out the rest of the Christmas decorations.

I couldn't test the lights, but I could at least sort through things and start planning where to put which decoration.  While I was working, I was struck by a song.  It just hit me...right out of thin air.  Actually, what hit me was a toy that got bumped too close to the edge of the "catwalk" and finally teetered right over the edge - sort of like those action scenes where a car sits precariously perched on a rock tilting to and fro.  Will it go over the edge into the latrine - no, ravine, sorry - or will it stay on the rock until the driver is rescued?  To be continued...

Yes, well, while I was picking up the toy (fortunately a soft one) I started humming a tune.  Before long that tune had words; not exactly the words given when the song was written, but words that kept me going on my task.  I shared them with myFacebook friends and thought I'd share them with you.  Can *you* name the tune?

Timers and bright lights and Santas and kid art,
nutcrackers, snowmen and late trips to Walmart.
Decking the halls with great joy and delight,
this is how I enjoy spending my night.
Put the tree up, light the candles, turn the music on.
Christmas is coming, we'll celebrate soon, that Jesus is born...a babe.

I don't know...I think it has flow.  Maybe I'll add another verse.

Eleven years ago today...

The cake is ready (Lemon Poppyseed), the presents are arranged, and the käsefondue dinner, as requested, is almost prepared. I'm ready for a birthday party.

It will be a busy evening between homework, guitar practice, Tae Kwon Do, and celebrating, but it should be fun.

Where are the years going, and why are they going there so fast?!!

I'm the "Lunch Lady" at Patrick's school today.

More beading fun

Today's act of creativity

Taking the plunge.

Not that I want to ruin the surprise for those of you who will receive one of these in the mail, but I just finished ordering my Christmas cards for this year.  For the past several years I have just purchased nice Christmas cards at the store, signed them with everyone's name, and put them in the mail.  A few would get a note or a couple of pictures thrown in, but not many.  At the same time, I would received a blast of Christmas cards covered with pictures of my family and friends, and their families, and I would think about how cool it was to see pictures of them.  But I wasn't quite ready to jump on the photo-card bandwagon.  After all, just because everyone else is doing it doesn't mean *I* have to.

Then again, if I enjoy seeing pictures of my family and friends, doesn't it stand to reason that they might also enjoy seeing pictures of us?  So, I did it. The cards have been ordered.  Maybe next year I'll remember to include pictures of Joerg and myself. :)

With Love Christmas Card

Create from the Heart: photo Christmas cards from Shutterfly .

View the entire collection of cards.

Lunch date

Today, and every other week, I have a lunch date with Patrick at school. I decided that as long as he was willing to see me at school I would have to take advantage of this opportunity, especially since there will come a day when he's too cool for mom.

You have to have a strong stomach for fourth and fifth grade boy lunch room conversation, but it is certainly worth the time.

Sunset on River Cove Road

Contentment

Regardless of our circumstances, we are called to make the best use of every opportunity that God gives us to serve him—what the older translations call “redeeming the time” (Eph. 5:16; KJV). This means embracing whatever God has for us in every season of life.

This poem was written by a 14-year-old boy, and was originally published in "Who Gets the Glory?" by Dr. Charles R. Swindoll (author of one of my favorite books).


It was Spring, but it was Summer I wanted:
The warm days and the great outdoors.
It was Summer, but it was Fall I wanted:
The colorful leaves and the cool, dry air.
It was Fall, but it was Winter I wanted:
The beautiful snow and the joy of the holiday season.
It was Winter, but it was Spring I wanted:
The warmth and the blossoming of nature.
I was a child, and it was adulthood I wanted:
The freedom and the respect.
I was 20, but it was 30 I wanted:
To be mature and sophisticated.
I was middle-aged, but it was 20 I wanted:
The youth and the free spirit.
I was retired, but it was middle-aged I wanted:
The presence of mind without limitations.
My life was over,and I never got what I wanted.

Autumn colors and an amazing sunrise this morning

Vermont fall colors are just getting started.

An afternoon in the kitchen

I really enjoy baking, however, most of the things that are baked do not appear anywhere on the "approved foods" lists of low-carb diets.

Jörg and I have been folllowing the Dukan diet since we returned from our Montana trip in July. The diet is going well, but I miss being able to bake.

Fortunately, my children, while eating what we eat most of the time, still get sandwiches for lunch (home made bread), muffins for breakfast, and an occasional chocolate chip banana bread treat for an after school snack.

Ready for date night! (the first in quite awhile)

Completion

It has taken me most of the winter (which isn't actually over yet) to complete a knitting project.  This is probably one of the largest projects I have done to-date.  I have felted bags and backpacks, made baby blankets and scarves, and even a couple of hats, but this is the first piece of clothing that I have finished...that I can actually wear.  Sure, the ends around the arm holes and buttons curl (I haven't figured out how to solve that problem yet), but it's done, it fits, and it's symmetrical.  The arm holes are the right size, the length is good, and the color worked out really well.  Not bad considering I had to take a pattern written for S-M-L-XL and "guess" my way through adding more stitches here and there to get the right size for my shape.  As a novice knitter, this is a victory.