Faith

Lord, I want to walk on water,
To dance through the adversity
You send me for my good.
Yes, to walk in faith on water.

Lord, I want to move mountains,
As I pray for what You will.
To have the grain of faith,
That makes my requests sincere.

Lord, I want to trust You
Like the birds, who have no worries
For their food.
To have faith to rest in Your care.

Projects in the making

Today we went shopping. Yep, we did. We probably wouldn't have if Butte were not a small metropolis where the Black Friday shopping is roughly equivalent if not less than the every day shopping in Salt Lake, where we lived previously. Not too scary. And since we went in the afternoon (my husband would rather sleep and spend a few extra dollars), it was even less scary.

I, of course, hit the Joann's sales! I'm so excited about my new finds that I can hardly keep from starting four new projects tonight. Since that wouldn't be wise, though, I won't. ; )

The browns on the left are going to make a tote bag for a good friend (the chocolate brown that you can hardly see is also going to make me a short-person-friendly baby sling!). Flannel was an incredible price at $1.49 per yard! Since I try to make baby quilts for all of our friends who are having babies, I decided to stock up and buy enough flannel to have on hand for a boy quilt and a girl quilt. I also purchased backing for one that is already sewn. I'm hoping to make my own variation of this clever idea, an expansion of the crayon roll idea, for Little Man with the fire engine print and red solid.

In addition to the fun stuff I pictured here, I got some new green (!) pins, some batting, some backing, and some other little things I needed to complete projects. We also were able to get some new shoes for my husband, socks for my son, and components of little gifty ideas we have up our sleeves. ; )

It was another good day. I am thankful that my husband likes shopping with me and that we were at peace with each other even in all the hullabaloo of shopping and making decisions. I'm also thankful that Little Man behaved very well even though he was tired and teething.

Thanksgiving Day

Yesterday, Thanksgiving Day, was a peaceful, joyful day. (Really, it was. Even the cooking and dishes didn't get out of hand!) I enjoyed it a lot.

In the morning my husband and father went hunting but came home unsuccessful. They decided to go sight in the guns, and they have much better hope of success next time. ; ) My mom came over later in the morning, and we peeled and cut potatoes, prepared vegetables, chickens, gravy, sweet potatoes, and stuffing. We were able to do it in a timely way that eliminated stress. I enjoyed being able to visit and to have a lot of help with the dishes and cooking.

We invited several people from our church over who don't have much family in town, but only one ended up coming. She made delicious crescent rolls and was a lot of fun to visit with after dinner.

After getting up early and then having an especially large lunch, my dad fell fast asleep in the easy chair--while Little Man was playing in his lap! I had to laugh when I saw it, and hurried to grab my camera.

My husband played a few computer games and then fell asleep on the couch to catch up on some much needed rest.

On a whim, I decided to work on these pretty crocheted leaves made of wire. I used finer gauge of wire and a smaller crochet hook, so mine turned out a little more delicate. I have several ideas for them floating around in my head, and I even made a few pairs of earrings out of some of them last night. More on them later, I suspect.

My mom managed to escape unphotographed. We'll have to make sure we get some photos of her next year. ; )

In the evening we went over to some good friends' house for pie and coffee. And football. Watching it, that is, not playing. And video games.

When we came home, my husband and I stayed up way later than we maybe should have just talking and talking. Even though I've been a bit tired today, it was so nice! No regrets.

I am thankful that I was able to avoid being stressed throughout the whole day. It really is a lot better that way!

Thankful Pie...

...is quite different from humble pie!

Here is at least part of my thankful list this year.

I'm thankful for:

~God and His love (read previous post for elaboration!)

~My husband. Oh, there are so many different ways that I am full of thankfulness for him! Today I was stressing a bit about getting the house clean and the cooking done, and he wrote this to me: "Remember what's important - love, joy, peace, faithfulness. Clean house didn't make the list, as long as love rules in it. I'd rather come home to a less than perfect house and a happy wife than spend my evening attempting to relieve your over-stressedness from being frantic. And frantic people tend to not get things done anyhow." Now isn't that priceless? My mother-in-law says that it is a verbal bouquet. I agree. ; )

~My son. The challenges and joys he brings me every day, how he reminds me of all the little things in life that are worth enjoying , how he throws himself at me for an impulsive boy hug, how he hold my hand and takes toddling steps, how he giggles at unpredictable times, how he looks at me and gives me his special wide smile.

~My parents. They help us in so many ways: offering a helping hand, a listening ear, a word of wise counsel. I am thankful that we can live near them.

~My in-laws (parents-in-law and siblings-in-law). What fun it is to experience life in a family that has only one first born and five non firstborns (My family is made up of three first borns! And yes, we tend toward perfectionism). They have helped me become more relaxed in many ways. I love making them laugh.

~Especially my sister-in-law who grew up as the only girl with three big brothers and who makes up for it by having fun girly times with me. I love being such good friends with her. ; )

~My many friends. Martha, Janelle, Sarah, Melissa, Kaeley, Cassie, and many more. I am encouraged to see them grow in God and hope they can say the same of me. We share encouragement, girl giggles, and memories.

~My church. Not a perfect "family" but a place where I know there are people who love me.

~My home. Warm. Dry. Beautiful. My tile floor, fireplace, washer and dryer, etc.

~My music. Flute, piano, voice, a way of praising God. My flute student who delights me with her diligence, progress, and friendship.

~My ability to make art from almost anything I touch.

~My peripheral vision.

~An astonishing abundance of nutritious as well as tasty foods. A deep freezer to store the fall's harvest of venison and fruit.

~Books. Cook books, literature, information books, but most of all God's revelation to me: the Bible.

~The ability to communicate though writing. Letters, e-mails, blogging, and friends that I can make and keep in touch with though writing.

~Many, many more people and things should make the list, but I only have so much time and space.

May you have a blessed, peaceful, and joyful Thanksgiving Day. But even more a Thanksgiving Year, filled with joy.

Thankful

I have been thinking a lot about God's love lately, and I want to make a special post just about my thankfulness for His gracious love.

I am thankful that God loved me enough to sacrifice what was most dear to Him--His Son, Christ Jesus--for my redemption. For my freedom from bondage, for my peace and joy, for my unity with Him.

I am thankful that God loved me enough to be patient with me until I turned in repulsion from my idolatry, disobedience, and hate to Him and His purity.

I am thankful that God loves me enough that He still is patient with me--even when I refuse His help and choose to do wrong--and lovingly teaches me to do what is pleasing to Him, to chose holiness.

I am thankful that God loves me enough that He has surrounded me with more than bountiful blessings, spiritually and physically.

I am thankful that God loves me enough to give me wisdom when I don't know what to do, to give me peace when I worry, to assure me of His nearness when I am lonely, to give me faith when I am faithless, to give me love when it is hard to love.

I want to share my thankful rejoicing in God's love with others. I want the whole world to know the unfathomable hugeness of His greatness, His mercy, His love. I want them to see His love in me. It is a big love. I don't have it in me, but I have God's Holy Spirit in me, and God is love. Lord, help me love like You do.

I pray for love, more and more
That I might have a love like Yours
A love that goes from East to West
A love that has no height or depth.
Michael Watson and Steve Wilson

Ups and Downs

Today has just been one of those up and down kind of days. I know I have gotten stuff done, but I feel so tired and have so much more that I want to get done, that I feel discouraged.

As you can tell by the photo, I swept my kitchen and dining room as well as spot mopped. It really needed to happen. They pile of yuckies that I swept up was impressive. In a negative way. ; )

I also cleaned, cut, ground, and packaged the meat from the deer my husband got last week. I am so thankful for my mom's help packaging and keeping track of Little Man, who is getting super adventurous and exploratory. It was such a good feeling to be able to get it all done and to be able to stow all those tidy packages in the deep freezer for winter use.

We were all set to record this evening when one of my husband's guitar strings broke while he was tuning. So, he had to re-string all six strings (you need to have matching strings), and we have to wait until tomorrow to do guitar since the new strings stretch and go out of tune too quickly.

I was disappointed to not be able to work on recording tonight, but I did make another abstract guitar string sculpture. I think I am going to call this one "bad hair day". It was going to be a treble clef, but as you can see, that didn't work. I don't think it will stay on the light switch, but it amused me to put it there. Anyone want a crazy abstract guitar string "sculpture" to accent their decor? ; )

I am enjoying listening to my husband sing and record with the keyboard since we can't do flute and guitar tonight. He is singing a song he composed, and it is simply beautiful!

I am going to close with the lyrics from it since I am being blessed by them and would like to share.

Where charity and love are, God is there.
Christ's love has gathered us into one.
Let us rejoice and be pleased in Him.
Let us fear, and let us love the living God.
And may we love each other with a sincere heart.

Where charity and love are, God is there.
As we are gathered into one body,
Beware, lest we be divided in mind.
Let evil impulses stop, let controversy cease,
And may Christ our God be in our midst.

Where charity and love are, God is there.
And may we with the saints also,
See Thy face in glory, O Christ our God:
The joy that is immense and good,
Unto the ages through infinite ages. Amen.

Creamy Pasta Sauce

Here is a recipe for creamy pasta sauce that I made up tonight for dinner. My husband liked it, and since he was raised on Italian food (his mom is half Italian), I feel quite complimented.

I usually make cream sauce to serve with grilled, sliced chicken over fettuccine. This recipe makes roughly enough sauce for a pound of pasta.

Creamy pasta sauce:

3 cloves garlic
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup water
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
3/4 tsp basil
1/2 cup grated cheese (Tonight I used medium cheddar; feel free to experiment with what you have on hand.)

Mince or grate the garlic and saute it in the oil over low heat (the low heat is really important; it helps keep the sauteed garlic from becoming bitter) until it is golden brown. Whisk in the flour, mix well, and turn up the heat to medium. Quickly add the milk and water. Whisk until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently with a whisk, until the sauce is beginning to thicken. Add the salt, pepper, basil, and cheese. Continue stirring and cooking until the cheese is melted and the sauce is the consistency of a thin pudding.

Serve over pasta and enjoy!

This recipe has so much potential for variation. What about adding some tangy sun dried tomatoes, replacing the cheddar with a smaller portion of Parmesan or Asiago cheese for a stouter flavor or with pepper jack to have a sauce with a bit of kick, etc. How about leaving out the cheese entirely? Varying the spices? Serving it over macaroni or farfalle? Adding seasonal veggies, lightly steamed? Have fun. If you try something new with it, let me know. I just might like to try it too. ; )

Menu Plan Monday

Well, Thanksgiving week is here! I am excited, but I have so much to do in the next week-and-a-half before our trip that I will become very overwhelmed if I don't focus on getting one day done at a time. Today my goals are grocery shopping and running other errands, spending time with my friend, maybe working on a quilt, doing dishes, and doing some more recording in the evening.

Before I can go shopping, though, I need to make up my menu! Here it is:

Tuesday: Boston brown bread and baked beans (I might use this recipe for the baked beans.)

Wednesday: Sloppy Joes and veggie

Thursday: 2 roasted chickens (me), mashed potatoes (me), gravy (me), dressing (Mum), sweet potatoes (Mum), cranberry sauce (Mum), veggie (?), rolls (guest), pumpkin pie (me)

Friday: Leftover casserole

Saturday: Leftovers or tomato soup

Monday: Rice noodles, satay sauce, and terriyaki chicken

Tuesday: Chili with leftover corn bread

Wednesday: pasta with red sauce

Thursday-Monday: out of town

more menu plan monday

Recording

We are making a short Christmas CD to send out this year instead of a card. We are planning for it to have 5-6 tracks and hope to get it out the first week of December (okay, update: my husband just read this over my shoulder and said, "5-6 tracks!?!? I was thinking three!" Hmmm. I think a communication short has occurred.) We have two tracks done, which is good, but we still have so many more to go (update: maybe only one more to go)! ; )

Today we recorded me playing a flute duet with myself. ; ) Yep, that's right. I recorded and re-recorded, and re-recorded some more. One part on top of the other. It was tough to get the timing right, but it's done now! My ears are so not processing anything anymore.

We moved our recording operation upstairs temporarily since the acoustics are much better in the living room than they are in the basement. I will have a bit of a challenge keeping Little Man out of it, but that's all right. The better sound quality will be worth it.

I am really thankful for my producer-husband who is really patient with my timing glitches and who copies and pastes bits of music into their proper places. ; )

We had so much fun. I can see why some musicians like to record so much. In some ways it is more demanding than live performance (every little mistake is recorded "forever" instead of being a passing glitch). Yet in some ways it is easier because you have so many times to try to get it right, and sometimes you can take the good sections from two different takes and paste them together, omitting the bad.

More tomorrow...I'm going to go get a snack and go to bed!

Fun Stuff

Tehe. ; ) Little Man makes this expression when my camera's green focus-helping light shines in his face in dim light. I probably would be making a similar face if it was me. ; )

Yesterday we spent the evening with some of our good friends here in town. They have a small son the same age as Little Man as well as a tiny baby daughter. We had a delightful and uplifting time with them chatting and making cookies (and I got my baby-holding fix for a little while). ; )

I am so excited because they would like for me to do their Christmas family photos! I know I can do a less expensive job, but I hope that I can do a good enough job that they won't be sacrificing photo quality. This will be my first time doing an official "photo shoot" of non-family members (read: Little Man). I am looking forward to the experience and hope that it doesn't fall though.

Today I am hanging out at home doing embroidery while my husband gets in a few more work hours. I should probably try to streamline my project clutter in the living and dining rooms since I have multiple projects in the works right now. I'm hoping to work on some recording this evening.

Enough for now.