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Howdy There Folks! Hope yore enjoyin' these western themed elements, and I thank y'all for the great suggestions pourin' in. I hope y'all don't mind if I took care of lil Miss Lucy's request first, as she sounds like she's already got a heritage theme cookin' and said if I made some frames she could use them. Ah think ah kin handle the other requests - they are terrific, keep 'em comin! Just leave me a comment here on the blog and I will do my very best!

I had a HOOT at Amy W's BINGO madness yesterday - got me addicted, she did, and I even won a prize! You need to go to the next one - the best fun you can have for an afternoon. Thanks Amy - put me on the list for the next one!

Today's blog is going to be short and sweet as I'm having some quality time with my dear, dear Sister-in-Law, Judy, and my beautiful niece Melissa! Hope you all have a great weekend!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK!

Happy birthday today, to a special young man in our lives - Mark. We want you to know we are thinking of you as you celebrate. May the coming year be one where you realize your hopes and dreams. All our love to you!

You know, it has been a bit rough in my Christian walk recently. This may shock some people to hear me say this – but you know Christians are REAL people, and just because we know and accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour does not mean our troubles miraculously disappear. Oh no, not at ALL. Sometimes I think it may even feel harder, being a Christian because I am accountable to my faith and can't just divorce my feelings and actions from being accountable to God and those around me. It does not mean I won't have trials and troubles like my worldly brothers and sisters, but hopefully, if my faith is real and strong enough, I will handle them in a different way. Where before I could simply get mad, brush things off and walk away, abandon, now I must work through them using the Holy Word as my template. It does not make it easier – in fact, sometimes its a lot harder because I can't just say “thats the way it is” and so forth... because I know that God knows my heart and He's expecting me to do what's honoring to Him.

This makes things tricky at times as the old self would have just said “Get over it” or “thats Your problem” or just ignored things altogether, but when I died to self in the name of my King I recieved in my heart some sort of Spiritual Warning System which doesn't allow me to just brush life's situations off, like a pesky housefly. I know that ALL struggles put in my path are knowingly allowed by my Father – and He's counting on me dealing with them in the correct way, that's pleasing to Him. His Word tells me He allows just what I am able to handle, so I must walk in confidence of this. I need to turn the seemingly impossible situations into His hand, and listen for His counsel. And I may not always like where that leads me, but I must trust the outcome is for my own good. How much less work to trust in His plan for me, than the huge amount of energy I used up when I struggled along in my own way... plus, I almost always inevevitably wound up making a bigger mess!

The bible tells us that we must 'suffer a little' to get to there – to the place with Him. And we all know there is no 'free ride' in life. Theres no real life like the song I once heard of 'No Consequences' Trust me, my friend, there are ALWAYS consequences, and I would far rather put my trust and hope in the consequences of doing what is right in the sight of my Lord. As I do this I find He trusts me with more. I used to get quite angry – to the point of physically throwing things in the heat of anger, but today – I can't think of when I last felt the urge to do this. In fact – it sort of all seems like a bad memory, like it happened to another person. If you struggle in this way – I can assure you from personal experience that the Lord can remove it right from your life, if you ask Him to!

But lately I was tortured with all sorts of yicky, icky 'human feelings' – the big E (envy) and A (anger) and I (impatience) Oh how silly I have been, to allow myself to even let my heart be so blind. How the enemy can use me so easily in these very times – fill me up with myself and my own needs. Its only now, with introspect on it all that I can see that by not trusting in the Lord, I was robbed of opportunities to actually have compassion to the very people I chose to be upset with in my heart! In the instances, upon looking back and consider, I have missed opportunities to witness and bring comfort. I really did not understand that there was pain in the lives of the people I was upset with.

And so, God has allowed me to 'stew in my own juices' for a bit, until I was obedient to His word, and now that I've given it all over, I can see the folly of my ways. I had to suffer to learn the lesson. And His word tells us we will suffer, if we choose His way. Only, this suffering will have a far far far more precious outcome. Won't you turn your troubles and problems and anger etc over to the One who can really help?

1 Peter 1:6

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

1 Peter 5:10

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Psalm 57:2

I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.

Are you standing at “Wits End Corner,”
Christian, with a troubled brow?
Are you thinking of what is before you,
And all you are bearing now?
Does all the world seem against you,
and you in the battle alone?
Remember – at “Wits End Corner”
Is just where God's power is shown.

Are you standing at “Wits End Corner”
Blinded with wearying pain,
Feeling you cannot endure it,
You cannot bear the strain,
Bruised through the constant suffering,
Dizzy, dazed, and numb?
Remember – at “Wits End Corner”
Is where Jesus loves to come.

Are you standing at “Wits End Corner”
Your work before you spread,
All lying begun, unfinished,
And pressing on heart and head,
Longing for strength to do it,
Stretching out trembling hands?
Remember - at “Wits End Corner”
The Burden Bearer stands.

Are you standing on “Wits End Corner”
Then you're in the very spot
To learn the wondrous resources
Of Him who faileth not;
No doubt to a brighter pathway
Your footsteps will soon be moved,
But only at “Wits End Corner”
Is the “God who is able” proved.

- Antoinette Wilson

I'm going to leave you today, with a video which was shared with me by my close friend K. - amazing how she sent the link to me just as I was preparing to publish the previous poem and journalling. I think you will agree its so fitting. So, without further ado, I leave you with this powerful portrayal of how God is always longing and waiting for us to turn to HIM.

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Howdy there folks! I'm praying this day finds you well. It seems so strange to wake up and it's still pitch dark outside my window – the time has not changed yet, its coming later than usual this year. I think thats messing some peoples clocks up – my body and mind are ready but it is just not the day yet. How bout you? Do you like it when the time goes forward or back, or does it throw you off?

I've a few more rope elements to share in the next several days, so be sure to check back. Is there anything you would like to see in rope? Just leave me a comment ON MY BLOG ONLY and I'll do my bestest!

BINGO MADNESS!

Woo Woo! Bingo - Amy's having BIN-GO neener neener. I think its non-smoking, though when she's thinking real hard I can smell smoke emenating from my screen... at any rate, you have a date for Friday night. I don't know ALL the details, but you can get them by visiting Amy's Blog and she'll fill you in on the details... here's what she has to say:

Friday is a big day for our Week of Madness! The challenges begin, some great designer grab bags go into the shop for just $2 (but worth so much more!) and most importantly my Fall Madness Bingo chat is happening!!! Make sure you swing by and grab a bingo card from the forum and fill it out prior to chat.

My sister sent me a cool email a while ago, which I fully intended on blogging, but it got lost along the way. My last blog entry brought it to mind when I wrote about decorating a pie crust. It was the phrase 'upper crust' which brought it to mind. Well, you'll see as follows:

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500's:

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in
May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were
starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the
body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting
married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the
house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other
sons and men, then the women and finally the children Last of all the
babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone
in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood
underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the
cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it
rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and off
the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings
could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a
sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds
came into existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt.
Hence the saying "dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would
get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on
floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more
thresh until when you opened the door it would all start slipping
outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway. Hence the saying
a "thresh hold."

(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that
always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added
things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat.
They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get
cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food
in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, "Peas
porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days
old."

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special.
When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off It
was a sign of wealth that a man could "bring home the bacon." They would
cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew
the fat."

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid
content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead
poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next
400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of
the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or "upper
crust."

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would
sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking
along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial.
They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the
family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they
would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a "wake."

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that
always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added
things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat.
They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get
cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food
in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, "Peas
porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days
old."

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special.
When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off It
was a sign of wealth that a man could "bring home the bacon." They would
cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew
the fat."

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid
content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead
poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next
400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of
the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or "upper
crust."

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would
sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking
along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial.
They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the
family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they
would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a "wake."

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of
places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the
bones to a "bone-house" and reuse the grave. When reopening these
coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the
inside and they realized they had been burying people alive So they
would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the
coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would
have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the "graveyard shift") to
listen for the bell; thus, someone could be "saved by the bell" or was
considered a "dead ringer."

And that's the truth... Now, whoever said that History was boring!!!!

Thanks for this so interesting story Sis – it certainly brings home how we take our comforts for granted!

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Enjoy my ready-made half-blossom png – or cut out your own using the template included. If you are using Photoshop, you can easily recolor the center circle in two ways. First, you select the center circle layer, then go up to layer, adjustments, then choose hue/saturation. Once this dialogue box opens then 'tick' the box which says colorize. Once you've done this, play around with the sliders until you get the exact color and shade you desire. Alternately, you could, making sure you have the circle layer selected, look down on the bottom of your layers pallette, and choose fx (the letter f in a little black circle) Choose 'color overlay' and click in the red color which will be the default. Find the color you are looking for, then pull the opacity slider over until you have the circle looking the way you desire! Feel free to ask me questions if my instructions are not clear!

Welcome to a brand new week!

Barb's Accident Scene

(click to view larger!)

I've woken up bright and refreshed and looking forward to being victorious over Blogger today. I'm determined to share my tales with you and won't be taking no for an answer! Firstly, I'm going to share an amazing tale with you. A while ago, in the summer – just after my sister Nina's visit, in fact, I wrote about an accident which happened just outside Keremeos. We'd just had lunch and were about to head home when we heard emergency sirens and I asked Miles if we might investigate – perhaps there might be a news story in the making. We followed the sirens out of town – quite a ways out of town, in fact. It was a miserable day – the kind I'm sure had my sister questioning if she were home on the rainy coast. After driving for a good 15 minutes we arrived at the scene of the accident. It was a grim site – a vehicle had gone right over a HUGE embankment, all the way down to the the river bottom, landing in a pool. It looked impossible that anyone could have survived. In the cold, wet, driving rain the emergency response workers worked cautiously and calmly to do a check of the vehicle to check for people and to begin the process of retrieving it.

Honestly, I felt so odd taking the photos – I'd never want to profit on someone's tragedy, but at the same time I felt the photos would be newsworthy. I was unaware if the driver or passengers had survived this horrific accident and I prayed I was not documenting a fatality. It wasn't until later that I, thankfully, learned on the news segment on the local station, that the driver (the only person in the car that day) was OK. She'd suffered injuries, but she was (miraculously) OK.

So why am I reviving this story? I'm telling it to you again because an awesome thing has happened. This blog happened. I've been amazed at how the Lord has used my blog to do some incredible things – and this is one of them.

Amazing she walked away alive!

(click to view larger)

It turns out that Barb (really – same name as me!) who was the driver of that vehicle that fateful day, was searching the internet recently - and 'happened' upon my blog. I can only imagine what would have gone through her mind when she discovered that not only had I witnessed her accident, but that I also had taken the news photos of it. Apparently she'd contacted the local tv station, but they did not have the photos to give her, so it was unbelievable that she found me! Here's the good news. Barb is OK. In her own words (and with her permission)

“Thank you for the pictures. It really was amazing for me to see the accident from that point of view. I knew it was bad, but didn't realize how incredibly lucky I was. I mean, I know I was lucky, but this put a whole new perspective on it. I was beginning to feel as if I had maybe imagines the seriousness of it, and thought I should be over this by now, but seeing the pictures made me realize I have every right to work through this traumatic experience on my own time. The pictures do help though. Gives me clarity and somehow closure too. There were so many wonderful people who helped me and who I have found again to thank personally, and now I thank you too.”

“ I really was fortunate to basically 'walk' away with only a compound fracture of my left wrist and head trauma. This past week I just underwent surgery for my left thumb. They had to replace the tendon which had ruptured in the accident. So now I sit again with a cast for 6 weeks. But if that's all that I have to deal with physically, then I thank God every day for saving me and giving me this chance to continue my life and be there for my kids, my boyfriend and his daughter. It's what I live for. They are who I live for.”

Thank you for allowing me to share your story, Barb. I'm praying for healing for you – both in your heart and in your body. I've been blogging recently about being thankful for things in my life – I'm so thankful that I was able to be of help for you in this situation. I can't imagine how the photos make you feel – but I'm betting your current days are certainly more precious in their 'normalness'... excitement like this must give an entire different perspective on life. I'm counting my readers might pray for you and your family too.

So – since I'm on the subject of vehicles, travel etc... I'll continue on and share the story I was TRYING to publish the other day when Blogger robbed me.

When we went to the coast for Thanksgiving weekend, we decided to take Highway 20 in Washington State for a nice change of scenery. We left plenty early in the morning somewhere edging towards 9, hoping to arrive at Mom's in the mid afternoon, figuring we would stop along the way to eat and take lots of photos. Well, it was a comedy of errors from the getgo. Firstly, we travelled all the way down the highway to Brewster where we gassed up before turning off to head west – when we could have turned off several miles back. Then, we drove over to Winthrop – a quaint western-themed town. We stopped a mile or so out, then reconsidered and turned back to the town to eat, figuring it would be too far to the next town and we would be too hungry and mess up our having dinner with the folks (they had promised to keep it for us)

So, we got back to Winthrop with the intent to eat there when I discovered that we'd forgotten the gas cap – yep, waaayyyyyyy back at Brewster. This has happened to us before on vacations. (hold your advice please – we've been here before and KNOW better LOL!) In the past we have always been fortunate enough to get our original cap back, but one time we did try to stick a 'generic' cap on in place to make do until we got our own. Well, they just don't fit. So, we knew we HAD to head back to Brewster, or worry constantly for the coming days while we ran around with an open tank. We could have phoned them back and had them hold it for us, but hey, we figured it was our consequence so we headed back. We took a wrong turn on the way back. The turn we should have been on in the first place, on our way here. Sigh. It took a few miles to realize we were not seeing any familiar landmarks, in fact I'm SURE we didn't see that pyramid shaped glass greenhouse on the first time thru. Oh MY. Add an extra 4 hours onto our trip – had us arrive at the folks at 8 pm. Thank goodness we at least got a few good pics! Plus, we had a pretty good meal at a Mexican restaurant in Brewster...

But we made it safe and sound – and had a wonderful time with family – so I'm thankful for this too.

I meant to share this idea with you all a while ago – but things kept getting in the way... so today's the day. When the apples were being picked locally, I got the hankering to make a big fat pie. We had guests coming for dinner and I'd planned a simple meal – homemade soup, bread and a pie. Comfort food. Well, my artistic side took over in the midst of the upper crust and I wound up getting creative on it. You may be wondering how I achieved this look? Its simple – just use jelly powder! Mine is not so neat and tidy because of being a first attempt, but it still looks pretty? I would suggest if you're to try this that you would make a stencil first (out of paper or cardboard) – or better yet, use a cookie cutter. Place the cookie cutter over the area you want to color, then sprinkle the powder over it. I would love to see what you do with this idea!







I declare this “Grumpy, Frowny People won't get to me Week! Right, Cis? We can't change those 'ol grumpusses, but we can make our own place a nicer one! Your blog is making me HUNGRY, Cis - thats a mighty good looking home-bakery item you've got yourself there - along WITH THE RECIPE .... mmmmm

Laugh a little – sing a little
As you go on your way!
Work a little – play a little,
Do this every day!

Give a little – take a little
Never mind a frown -
Make your smile a welcomed thing
All around the town!

Laugh a little – love a little,
Skies are always blue!
Every cloud has its silver linings,
But it's up to you!

Today in History:

1581 - Commissioned by Catherine De Medici, the "Ballet Comique de la Reine" was staged in Paris. A spectacle of dancing, this is often considered to be the first major ballet.

1815 - Napoleon Bonaparte landed on the Island of St. Helena, where he had been sent into exile by the British after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.

1860 - Grace Bedell, age 11, wrote to Abraham Lincoln with a request, grow a beard and she would try to get her four brothers to vote for him as president. In November, Lincoln won the election, then he grew a beard.

1892 - The United States government made the Crow Indians relinquish 1.8 million acres of their reservation for 50 cents per acre. A presidential proclamation, opened the land in the mountain area of western Montana to settlers.

1901 - In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the first fishing magazine in the United States was published. It was called "American Angler".

1905 - Joining the other United States citizens that didn't want women to vote, President Grover Cleveland wrote an article for "Ladies Home Journal". The president said, "We all know how much further women go than men in their social rivalries and jealousies... sensible and responsible women do not want to vote." Cleveland wins our vote for the dumbest man to ever be president of the United States, he is also one of least remembered men to hold the office.

1931 - In New York, the production of "Cat and the Fiddle" opened for the first of its 395 performances.

1932 - The War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, California became the first municipally-owned opera palace. The first opera performed there was "Tosca".

1951 - The immensely-popular comedy series, I Love Lucy, starring husband-and-wife team Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, aired for the first time on national television on CBS.

1964 - At age 73, Cole Porter, renowned lyricist and composer, died. Porter was responsible for classics like "I’ve Got You Under My Skin" and hundreds of others that crossed all musical style and format boundaries.

1984 - If you had a credit card, you could use the first public telephones on airplanes. Twenty flights offered phone service fort the low cost of $7.50 for a three-minute call, $1.25 for each additional minute anywhere in the United States.

1987 - Queen Elizabeth accepted the end of more than a century of British sovereignty over Fiji, expressing sadness at the military takeover of power in the South Pacific nation.

1993 - African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela and South African President F.W. de Klerk were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work to end apartheid and lay the foundations for a democratic South Africa.

Barb's Handy Tip #312

I am WOMAN - I can D.I.Y!

Geared towards empowering women to do-it-yourself,

this website is chock-full of great advice!

BEJANE

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Ok... TWICE now, I had entire blogs done. Ready to go. On the last few words. And twice it's been snatched out of thin air by blogger. I'm not up to this fight. So, this will be short and sweet. Here's a kiss for you. Ressurected from last years elements. I can't remember all I was going to tell you, only it was really really really good. Trust me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM

(our beautiful niece)

credits:

Locket QP by Jill (its FREE) - leave some love too!

Bow by Olivia Dorazio

Hope your day was extra special Samantha. Hope you don't mind I found a nice castle for your background... your dress was too elegant for anyting else! Love from us!

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Well, that Olivia, she's just the designing-est little thing - and she's having the blessing of having Amy W. to throw some goodies together for ya to jazz up your spooky layouts. I'm thinking there's at least one more tag to come - one with a string even... so be checking back in a few days. If you like the kit then you're going to want to visit www.sophiasarducci.com and seek out Olivia Dorazio to find more of her good 'stuff'. She's in good company with the many other talented designers there - you better pour a coffee as you will be there for a while, I'm betting!

We had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving weekend - spent it with family which is always good for the soul. More to follow, but you know what its like, first day back, unpacking etc... plus I have school tonight so I have to get working on my lessons. I will be back a bit later in the week, with some photos etc. You have a good week too!

Love me, Love my Family layout - by ME! :)

CREDITS:

All papers and elements from Amy Watson's SOFTNESS KIT

(click on either link to find her kit!)

I did manage to find a quiet hour to make this layout while on holiday this weekend. I loved using Amy's kit - it really complemented the photo - and you truly have to see this kit full-size to appreciate the velvety textures!

Olivia Dorazio's Spooky Kit Add-on Freebie!

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My friend Olivia, since she does not have a blog started yet – asked me to host her give-away here on my blog for you! She's promising a few more to come, in celebration of her Spooky Kit add-on at the Shoppe. In case you haven't been to visit her at the shoppe, you can find her HERE. Her full name is Olivia Dorazio – check out her wonderful designs while you're browsing, as well as the other talented artists! Its an exciting time for Olivia and she could use your support. Truly, you GOTTA see the other cute/ugly critters she's got in her add-on which will debut Monday. I've got her second give-away all queued up for Monday! Click HERE to go to the Shoppe!

It's Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada, this weekend... so I'm taking some down-days. I will rest up for to be good for you all next week. Wishing you all some Blessed time with family and friends. For you folks in the USA – I understand its Columbus Day, and though I haven't delved into the full meaning of your day (course I get the gist of it) I hear many of you have at least a day off from work. I hope you enjoy! KimB – if you're reading this, when are the big holidays in good 'ol South Africa?

I got an awaaaarrddd neener, neener, neeeeener. My Amy alternately emotionally beats on me (well, I BEG for it) and then rewards me with nice stuff. Whew, what an exhausting friendship we have! Thanks Amy, sames for you as me. Soooooooooooooo... I will put my thinker to work over this weekend to consider who I'm going to 'pay forward' this great honour to.

Amy Watson's SOFTNESS Kit

Even though I spend countless hours trying to get Amy 'off track'... she still manages to design some killer kits. Like for 'zample, she put together amazing kit while I was chatting her lil ear off! You could be the almost first person to buy it if you hurry! She's got a zillion other beautiful items for sale there too... you'll be thanking me for sending you to her shop. Just click HERE to be instantly transported!

Lately, it's been so very busy and I've found a day can fly by without me taking any quiet time out at all. This is not good, because I've personally found that God speaks to me in the quiet times – or perhaps thats mostly just when I actually HEAR His voice. I came across this poem which is a good reminder of this very fact, so I'm going to share it with you.

“STAND STILL” my soul, for so thy Lord commands:
E'en when thy way seems blocked, leave it in His wise hands;
His arm is mighty to divide the wave.
“Stand still” my soul, “stand still” and thou shalt see
How God can work the “impossible” for thee,
For with a great deliverence He doth save.

Be not impatient, but in stillness stand,
Even when compassed 'round on every hand,
In ways thy spirit does not comprehend.
God cannot clear thy way till thou art still,
That He may work in thee His blessed will,
And all they heart and will to Him do bend.

“BE STILL” my soul, for just as thou art still,
Can God reveal Himself to thee; until
Through thee His love and light and life can freely flow;
In stillness God can work through thee and reach
the souls around thee. He then through thee can teach
His lessons, and His power in weakness show.

“BE STILL” - a deeper step in faith and rest.
“Be still and know” they Father knoweth best
The way to lead His child to that fair land,
A “summer” land, where quiet waters flow;
Where longing souls are satisfied, and “know
Their God” and praise for all that He has planned.

~author unknown

I hope you can find a quiet time in your day. Whether you have Faith in God, or not, if you're seeking Him, He is often found in those peaceful, reflective moments. Won't you open your heart to hear His voice? He's waiting to hear from you...

mmm.... grasshopper is to mantis as steak is to humans...

These two pictures were ones I took recently

on a walk through a local nature preserve.

I recieved a link for the following two videos in an email recently, and I think they are done very well. I have a very tender spot for our young women of today... of how much pressure they recieve to 'look' a certain way. There's such a huge amount of pressure for them to live up to impossible standards, thanks in a great part to all the media which bombards them daily. Just thought I would share them with you. Unfortunatly, the second movie has no embed link, but I'm providing an url... so you can click to watch. Its worth it!

Video 2 Link

I also saw the SWEETEST video of this little walking atlas-gurl... she knows more, at the age of 2, than I know today!

Today in History

1535 - The first complete English translation of the Bible was printed in Zurich, Switzerland.

1582 - Today was the last day of the Julian Calendar in the Papal states, Spain and Portugal. Pope Gregory's Gregorian calendar took effect the next day, which became 15 October to allow for the 10-day error which the Julian system had accumulated.

1824 - The republic of Mexico was proclaimed.

1854 - Abraham Lincoln made his first political speech while at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.

1878 - The first Chinese embassy opened in the United States when Chen Lan-Pin presented his papers as envoy to President Hayes.

1881 - Edward H. Leveaux of Surrey, England received a United States patent for his completely automatic player piano.

1895 - The first United States Open golf tournament was held at the Newport Country Club in Rhode Island.

1931 - The "Dick Tracy" comic strip, created by Chester Gould, made its first appearence in the Detroit Mirror. The strip originally was called "Plainclothes Tracy".

1939 - With the Ted Weems Orchestra, a barber from Canonsburg (near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), recorded "That Old Gang of Mine". The singing barber was the feature of the Weems band for years before going solo on radio, television and stage. Today he is known as Perry Como, and his hits for RCA Victor span four decades.

1952 - The first pacemaker to control the body's heartbeat, developed by Dr. Paul Zoll of Harvard University, was fitted externally to David Schwartz.

1957 - On ABC-TV, "Leave It to Beaver" premiered. Jerry Mathers played the Beaver, Hugh Beaumont played patriarch Ward Cleaver, Tony Dow was big brother Wally, and Barbara Billingsley was mopther June Cleaver. The Cleavers lived the Hollywood verision of American life with June doing housework in three strands of pearls, fashion plate dresses, makeup and heels.

1958 - The first trans-Atlantic passenger jetliner service was begun by British Overseas Airways Corporation with flights between London and New York.

1978 - Tammy Wynette, popular country music singer, was abducted, beaten and held in her car for two hours by a kidnapper wearing a ski mask. He held a gun on her and forced her to drive 90 miles from Nashville, Tennessee. She was later released, and the kidnapper escaped.

1986 - In New York City, Dan Rather of "The CBS Evening News", was mugged by two men.

1989 - Secretariat, the first Triple Crown winner since Citation in 1948, died on this date at the age of 19. He won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes in 1973, was voted Horse of the Year in 1972 and 1973, and was widely acknowledged as the greatest racehorse of the last 40 years.

1994 - South African President Nelson Mandela was welcomed to the White House by United States President Bill Clinton.

Barb's Handy Tip #311
Cookin' Videos Up... theirs and YOURS!

Cook It
Prepare your favorite meals and have fun doing it!

Film It
Become a star and record yourself cooking your masterpeice!

Share It
Easily share your videos with everyone, public or private

This site is a way-cool idea... I hope I see some of YOUR videos here in the future, be sure to send me an email so I can watch! I do have to tell you the FUNNIEST one here I think is one done by Actor Christopher Walken making his own version of chicken and pears. Really, he's so down to earth, not one of these fancy-scmancy videos despite being famous.

To see the Cooking Video with Christopher Walken HERE

I'M COOKED VIDEOS

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Well! I never! Did you see that Amy W. branded me as a Slacker? A Lazy Bumm? Ha, take this Navy Gurl! Thwack! Now it's your turn to churn out a super-duper freebie (well you would anyways but I have to bug ya!) Actually, Amy's the freebie-est, freebie listie-est gal I know and her generosity with her time and talent impress me. Don't let it go to YOUR head, gurl!

Happy Birthday Sister-in-Law!

credits:

Photo: Judy Forsyth - another sis-in-law (hugs 2 you!)

Frame and Ribbons - KimB's *Wrap It*

Buttons - KimB's *My Little African*

Flowers - KimB's *Sweet Silvia*

Tie and Pin -KimB's *Sweet Silvia*

Paper - KimB's *Sweet Silvia*

KimB has tagged me with 'something good' this a.m. - I've not had enough coffee digested to have my brain fully work out what she's bestowing upon me... but will blog on that next entry... hmmmm.... your de 'Bes, Kimmie! By the way, you NEED to get over to her place for an AMAZING metal aplha text download - and rib her a lil for me too, while there!

I received the following poem via email from my friend and fellow Artist Mina - thought it would be a good day to share it with you all - you may want to share it with someone you know too!

TO A PHENOMENAL WOMAN

When I was in my younger days,
I weighed a few pounds less,
I needn't hold my tummy in
to wear a belted dress.
But now that I am older,
I've set my body free;
There's comfort of elastic
Where once my waist would be.
Inventor of those high-heeled shoes
My feet have not forgiven;
I have to wear a nine now,
But used to wear a seven.

And how about those blasted tights --
They're sized by weight, you see,
So how come when I put them on
The crotch is at my knee?
I need to wear these glasses
As the print's been getting smaller;
And it wasn't very long ago
I know that I was taller.
Though my hair has turned to grey
and my skin no longer fits,
the outside's changed a bit.

But, on a positive note... I've learned that no matter what
happens, or how bad it seems today,
life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/
she handles these three things:
a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your
parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making
a "life."
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life just being a
doormat. You need to be able to throw something back.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I
usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.
People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will
forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Today in History:

1608 - The first telescope was demonstrated by Hans Lippershey of Middelburg.

1780 - John Andre, a British army officer during the American War of Independence, was executed as a spy.

1835 - The first battle of the Texas Revolution took place as American settlers defeated a Mexican cavalry near the Guadalupe River.

1836 - The British naturalist Charles Darwin returned to Falmouth, England, aboard the HMS Beagle, ending a five-year surveying expedition of the southern Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Visiting such diverse places as Brazil, the Galapagos Islands, and New Zealand, Darwin acquired an intimate knowledge of the flora, fauna, wildlife, and geology of many lands. The Ecuadorian Galapagos Islands was Darwin's most important research area.

1901 - The first submarine commissioned by the British Navy was launched from Barrow.

1919 - President Wilson suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed.

1928 - At Victor Records Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, DeFord Bailey cut eight masters. Three songs were issued, in what was the first studio recording sessions in the place known now as Music City, USA.

1929 - Debuting on NBC radio was "The National Farm and Home Hour". The program gave rural Americans information about farm products, growing crops, farm animal care and useful household tips. The show opened with "The Stars and Stripes Forever". Featured were Don Ameche and Raymond Edward Johnson, music and entertainment by The Cadets male quartet, Jack Baus and The Cornbusters and Mirandy of Persimmons Holler. Montgomery Ward sponsored "The National Farm and Home Hour".

1937 - 26-year old Ronald Reagan made his acting debut with the Warner Brothers release of "Love is in the Air".

1939 - Benny Goodman and his six-man-band recorded "Flying Home" for Columbia Records. Fletcher Henderson played the piano on this classic. Later the song became a hit and a signature piece for Lionel Hampton, who also played on the original version.

1944 - The International Arts Guild was formed in London to encourage interaction among artists of all nations.

1950 - The comic strip "Peanuts," created by Charles Schulz, debuted in nine newspapers with the characters of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Patty and Sherman. It is now the most-read comic strip in the world.

1953 - On CBS, Friday nights were "Person to Person" nights from now on. Edward R. Morrow, a lit cigarette in hand, premiered the interview program. The popular show would establish Morrow as a television icon.

1955 - Alfred Hitchcock, master of mystery movies, gave millions of CBS viewers his brand of suspense. For the next 10 years, Hitchcock, the man who put the thrill in thriller would scare viewers each week with "Alfred Hitchcock Presents".

1959 - Rod Serling's science-fiction anthology, The Twilight Zone, first aired on CBS. It was the most acclaimed science-fiction anthology program ever created for televison, and became the industry's benchmark. It won three Emmies and a score of other awards.

1968 - California's Redwood National Park was established.

1998 - Gene Autry, Hollywood's original singing cowboy and former owner of the Anaheim Angels, died at age 91.

Barb's Handy Tip # 310

Design your own Business Cards (can you say FREE?)

Businesscardland hopes to provide an easy way to make free printable business cards. You can print your own business cards on an inkjet printer, using pre-cut Avery Business card paper or on your own paper using our cutting guides. Once you're done creating your custom business card design, simply click the "Make PDF" button, and a PDF document will be created of your printable business cards. Unlike other free business card software, our Business Card Maker allows you to make business cards online, and therefore works with both a Mac and a PC. We also create our PDFs using the CMYK color space, which is required for full color business card printing by offset printing shops.

BUSINESSCARDLAND

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It is Indian Summer. The rising sun blazes through the misty air like a conflagration. A yellowish, smoky haze fills the atmosphere and a filmy mist lies like a silver lining on the sky. The wind is soft and low. It wafts to us the odour of forest leaves, that hang wilted on the dripping branches, or drop into the stream. Their gorgeous tints are gone, as if the autumnal rains had washed them out. Orange, yellow and scarlet are all changed too one melencoly russet hue. The birds, too, have taken wing, and have left their roofless dwellings. Not the whistle of robin, not the twittering of eavesdropping swallow, not the carol of one sweet, familiar voice. All gone. Only the dismal cawing of a crow, as he sits and curses that the harvest is over; or the chit-chat of an idle squirell, the noisy denizen of a hollow tree, the mendicant fraiar of a large parish, the absolute monarch of a dozen acorns. ~ Longfellow

Well, fall's not taken such a hold here yet, though it's nearing. The sumac are still in transition which is a wonder to behold as they turn every hue from greens and yellows through to ruby's and claret reds. Across the way, the vineyards are beginning to fade to a pale yellow-green, before they will progress to a deep golden. The nights and mornings have a crisp bite and we finally relented to putting the furnace on again.

I created the special Sumac Mini kit for you – so you can share in the beauty as well. The elements are actual leaves. (well course the blues are'nt LOL!)

As we near Thanksgiving, my heart is moved to ponder beforehand, the things that I'm grateful for – I'd like to thank the Lord for all the blessings He's provided in my life. As my friend Becky journalled in her blog ( a must-read!) - she reminds us that every good thing is from God – not just the big things... but everything! I'm going to do some bible study on that theme this week and make lists of what I'm grateful for. How 'bout you? Would you like to share what you're thankful for?

Psalm 107:7-9

7 He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.
8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.

First, I'm thankful for good friends. I believe that God has brought so many wonderful people into our lives. From random-chance meetings I've met the most amazing folks. I've been astonished how quickly our lives become intertwined and blessed by people who were, just a short time ago, were strangers to me. I've even come to know and deeply care about a whole virtual community of you – so many of you touch my heart with your on-line encouragement, sharing your lives, your stories, your wisdom. I thank God for you, and I thank you for your friendship.

I've actually had the joy to meet a few of my online friends in person. I knew Gina, and chatted almost daily with her for several months before we got to meet – and now I consider her to be in my 'inner circle' And just yesterday, I had the honour to meet my friend (E) Cicero, who writes a wonderful blog full of interesting bits and bites and who lives in the same province. Cis and her husband stopped in for a breakfast visit and if I had not been under a deadline for some projects I was wrapping up, we would have kept here to get to know more. As it was, our time went SO quickly and was so jam-packed that I forgot (did we both forget?) to even get a photo!!! Can you imagine? We're counting on a future visit – surely a much longer one. It was so good to meet you both. Cis left me with some of her handmade soap and body oil which I luxuriated in this morning in a chin deep tub of water with! Thanks Cis!

I had another visit this week, from my dear friend Melanie. Gosh, she lives in the adjoining town, and yet this was the first visit since the spring! Far too long, Melanie dear! Anyways, I'm sitting here, blogging and sipping some lovely Blue Eyes tea which Melanie brought me for a belated birthday gift, along with a highly polished little copper teapot. She also brought me samples of three other exotic teas from the tea shoppe where she's been working. One day I plan scoot on up and enjoy a tea there! Thanks Melanie, the teas are wonderful!

And for the third time this week, Miles and I were blessed to spend time with friends. Our good friends Roger and Marie ( you know, the folks with the 'dorable alpacas!) ... well, it was Marie's birthday, so we spent this friday evening out to dinner, celebrating, at a local Chinese Food Restaurant. We had a lovely meal, and were even serenaded by Amy – she and her husband Ben are the owners. Amy plays a Chinese (Mandarin) Instrument called a Gu Zheng which sounds slightly Sitar-like, but with an oriental tone. What a nice touch to the evening. Oh dear, and actually for me, it was the third time I ate at that place in one week... haha, I'm ready for some Italian, or Indian, or... well, anything but Chinese for a week, please, good as it was...

Marie and Roger, thanks for having us share in your special day!

Here's a lil bit of pre-Thanksgiving humour for you! (It's Thanksgiving here in Canada NEXT WEEKEND!)

A turkey farmer was always experimenting with breeding to perfect a better turkey. His family was fond of the leg portion for dinner and there were never enough legs for everyone. After many frustrating attempts, the farmer was relating the results of his efforts to his friends at the general store get-together.

"Well, I finally did it! I bred a turkey that has six legs!"

They all asked the farmer how it tasted.

"I don't know," said the farmer. "I never could catch the darn thing!"

***

What sound does a space turkey make?

Hubble, hubble, hubble.

***

A woman was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store, but couldn't find one big enough for her family. She asked the stock boy, "Do these turkeys get any bigger?" What did the stock boy say?

No, Ma'am. They're already dead.

***

I'm also grateful for memory – memories. Just this morning, as I was folding away a cereal box for recycle, I was blessed with the memory of my Gramma who used to save cereal boxes for giving away cookies in. She would cut the top, flat panel all the way around, and then tape up the end of the box where it was originally opened (to pour the cereal out of) Then, once this was done, the box would be laid flat on the table, the 'lid' was opened and then she lined the inside with wax paper. She'd then fill it with her delicious goodies for give-away, not having to worry on the container being returned. Gramma had a 'recycle program' of her own going on, years before anything formal ever came along.

Today in History:

1066 - William the Conqueror invades England to claim English throne.

1399 - King Richard II became the first English monarch to abdicate.

1829 - Greater London’s Metropolitan Police has much to do when there was opposition to the act of Parliament authorizing the police force. The act was requested by Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel; so the police were called "Bobbies" in honor of him. The first official headquarters for the Bobbies were at Scotland Yard. Scotland Yard would become the police force's official name.

1913 - Rudolf Diesel, French inventor of the diesel internal combustion engine, disappeared and presumably drowned in the English Channel.

1930 - Singer Bing Crosby, married Dixie Lee.

1940 - Radio quiz show, "Double or Nothing", was heard for the first time on the Mutual Radio Network. When contestants answered questions correctly, their winnings doubled from $20 to $40 to the big payoff of $80. If they answered incorrectyly they were eliminated. The show lasted for a dozen years. Sponsors for the show included: Feen-A-Mint, Chooz breath candy and Campbell’s soup.

1946 - "The Adventures of Sam Spade" premiered on CBS radio this Sunday night. In the summer of 1946, it had aired on ABC on Friday nights. "The Adventures of Sam Spade", starring Howard Duff as detective Spade, became a hit on Sunday night radio.

1947 - Musician Dizzy Gillespie (performing with Charlie Parker) made his Carnegie Hall debut in New York City. Playing with a full-sized band, Gillespie was the leader of a new wave of jazz known as bebop. Over time, Gillespie became one of the great jazz players of all time.

1951 - CBS presented the first football game to be televised in color on a network, played by the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California.

1959 - The irreverant cartoon TV series, Rocky and Bullwinkle, created by Jay Ward, debuted on ABC on this date. It was the most sophisticated satirical cartoon series of the television era at that time. The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis debuted on CBS on the same evening.

1988 - In the first space mission since the explosion of the shuttle Challenger in January 1986, the shuttle Discovery was launched.

1989 - Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor was convicted of battery for slapping a Beverly Hills police officer who had pulled over her Rolls-Royce for expired license plates. (As part of her sentence, Gabor served three days in jail.)

Barb's Handy Tip #309

101 Uses For Ordinary Things

In every part of your house, everyday items — from clothespins to cotton swabs — are simply waiting to do surprising new things. This list from REAL SIMPLE magazine has some good hints for you go adopt for your own!

REAL SIMPLE 101

Autumn QP (png format)

(does not include the cute photo of Amy W.'s Emma...)

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Awwwww... Amy W. just rocks. I mentioned to her that my friend Olivia Dorazio was launching her first designs today, and was nervous, and so, even tho Amy's busier than a two-headed dog chasing his tail, she put together a sweet QP for you to have - and even provided a preview with her sweet little Emma in it. That Amy. One day when I grow up and be a real designer I hope I have an Amy in my circle of friends. Amy created the ribbons, as Olivia does not know how to make them yet, and Amy also made the paper too. I hope you'll visit Amy today. Olivia created the whimsical, handpainted pumpkin and the beautiful life-like leaves - you really have to see them to appreciate the texture. Please check out Olivia's designs for her launch today at www.sophiasarducci.com - make sure you look for Olivia Dorazio under the artist menu!

And isn't that really what makes the world go round? Folks helping folks. Someone taking time to mentor to others. This is what makes the world a better place.

The world is like a mirror

Reflecting what you do,

And if your face is smiling

It smiles right back at you.

Jesus said "I tell you this -

anything you did for one of my brothers here,

however humble, you did for me.

Matthew 25:40

Kind hearts are the gardens,

Kind thoughts are the roots,

Kind words are the flowers,

Kind deeds are the fruits.

Take care of the gardens,

And keep them from the weeds.

Fill, fill them with flowers,

Kind words and kind deeds.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

K, no more time to chatter here - I've a date with my friend Becky for a walk in the countryside so I better get some food into me.

Today in History:

1493 - Christopher Columbus set sail from Cadiz, Spain, on his second voyage of discovery to the New World.

1513 - Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa was the first European to view the eastern shore of what later became called the Pacific Ocean, after he crossed the Isthmus of Panama. He named it the South Sea, claiming it in the name of the King of Spain.

1690 - One of the earliest American newspapers, Publick Occurrences, published its first, and last, edition in Boston.

1789 - The first United States Congress adopted 12 amendments to the Constitution and sent them to the states for ratification.

1890 - In Central California, a United States National Park was established. It was named Sequoia National Park after the giant redwood trees growing there.

1933 - Heard on NBC radio for the first time was America’s favorite cowboy, Tom Mix. His show would continue on the air until June, 1950.

1950 - NBC introduced a new daytime programming idea for televisiion, it had Kate Smith debut in an hour long show, which would last for four years. The show's theme song was "When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain".

1953 - Piano player, Liberace, made his debut at Carnegie Hall. Liberace performed to sold out crowd. His candelabra and concert grand piano became instant trademarks that lasted for his whole career.

1954 - Elvis Presley made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

1956 - One century after the first transatlantic telegraph cable was laid, the first transatlantic telephone cable began operation. Consisting of 4,500 miles (7,242 km) of coaxial cable, laid in waters up to 2.5 miles (4 km) deep, the system provided 35 high-quality telephone circuits from London to the United States and Canada.

1957 - Nine black children had to be escorted to class by U.S. Army troops at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, because of racial unrest.

1965 - The 30-minute cartoon adventure series, The Beatles, debuted on Saturday morning TV, and featured the likenesses of the popular rock group. The show ran for three seasons.

1970 - The family musical sitcom, The Partridge Family, debuted on ABC. The song I Think I Love You, which was launched on the show, hit the Number 1 spot on Billboard's record charts later that year, and David Cassidy became an international teenage idol as a result of the show. It was typecasting that would haunt him the rest of his career.

1973 - The three-man crew of the United States space laboratory "Skylab Two" splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean after spending 59 days in orbit.

1981 - Sandra Day O’Connor became the first female to sit on the United States Supreme Court bench, when today she was sworn in as the 102nd Justice.

1986 - At a California coin auction, a 1884-S Barber Head dime, one of only a dozen in existence, brought in $83,000.

1993 - A Florida judge ruled it was legal that a child could divorce biological parents. The court case surrounded Gregory Kingsley, a twelve-year-old who didn’t want to be with his parents any longer.

Barb's Handy Tip #308

Wow - touchable computing!

If you have'nt checked out the newest technology from Microsoft, then you must scoot over and see for yourself. It's here - technology that allows you to physically interact with the interface! I can't fully describe it - you're better to see it yourself.

Microsoft Surface