Foto Friday: Self Portraits

Well, I honestly say I wouldn't have done this if it hadn't been for Rebecca!! I hate pictures of myself.. but she's right. My family does need remembrances of me, to know that I wasn't gone but a part of their lives growing up. For years I've intentionally stayed out of the pictures, not liking what I saw. Vanity!! Pretty much sums it up in one word. I didn't like what was pictured, didn't like what I had become. The svelt young woman was no longer present. Yes, it hurt my pride to see that I was no longer young, thin, and in control. But you know, the Lord has been working in my heart again. I say again because it is a never-ending process! Again, because sometimes I turn away and don't let HIM work in my heart. But recently I've felt the tuggings and stirrings. LORD, you are doing a work in me, if only I step aside. It can be painful but that pain brings blessed relief! Relief in knowing that I DON'T have to be in control. Relief in knowing that GOD does have a plan and well frankly I don't NEED to see all the details. HE lets me know them as needed. It's taken a while and the process does not end with this realization.. Thankfully God is patient and I know HE will continue the process!!

Enough of my waxing philosophical. Yes, vanity is an issue in these photos. I realized I desperately need to use more mosturizer, drink more water, and pluck, pluck, pluck. Where did all that hair come from? Actually, I know... I can thank my Siciclian heritage! Thank you Grandma Rose!! Hey, its okay they are good strong eyebrows with lots of character... but I think the moustache really has to go. It's a good thing my hubby went to town today. The poor guy is going to get a phone call in a while with a list of things to pick up. But the photos you are about to see are untouched... no makeup, no touch-ups, no editing, no styled hair. The the silly, laughing, smiling me!


I hope you enjoy these brief glimses... by the way there will be more photos posted today. They will be the ones after the plucking, styling, and mosturizing (sorry but it must be done....)

Foto Friday (delayed until Thursday, Water...)

Okay folks this is only 6 to 7 days late but I did get it in before the Friday cut-off!! See we were down in Anchorage for the regional soccer tournament and well, frankly, we were kinda busy... Did I mention we were acting as chaperones and sleeping in a gymnasium as well?

The water shots are of Turnagain Arm... the tidal flats to be exact. The tide was out, more or less. I had hoped for close up shots but we just never got down to the waters edge. Oh there has been no editing done to these pictures either. Our old program died and until today we didn't have the internet speed necessary to use the on-line programs.






Since we were at a soccer tournament I am including some soccer pictures as well. It was really windy on Saturday with gusts up to 75 miles an hour which made for some interesting soccer!! No real actions shots as the wind was blowing too hard to hold the camera steady but a good one of the team any way!



By the way, we now have high speed internet and it is so awesome. No more busy signals, no more dial-up and best of all... No more waiting for 10 minutes for pictures to load!

Multitude Monday turned Wonder Filled Wednesday!

"But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me." Psalm 22:19

Right now this verse pretty sums things up for me! Over the past days it seems as though the LORD is farther and farther away but I know such is not the case. It is so easy to try and rely on my own strength but it fails me every time. So now I am crying out to the LORD to be my strength. Is it easy? No but then the peace comes and makes it bearable again. So now I thank the LORD, in all... The little things, the big things, even the unanswered prayers or make that the not yet known answered prayers! As I sit here meditating on God's provisions, I feel my spirit lightening already! Thank you LORD!

So now Multitude Monday is more like Wonder filled Wednesday

51. crystal clear blue skies
52. bugs flying about
53. an empty refrigerator but a full freezer
54. plants given for free
55. aloe for burns
56. meeting friends in person for the first time
57. yummy butter laced biscuits
58. belly warming stews
59. homemade sweet and sour pork
60. NO leftovers because of hearty appetites
61. pleading for money to buy a book at the book fair
62. a signed copy of "Hank, the cow dog"
63. a new recipe to try with dinner
64. a new recipe to remake into other delicious ideas!!
65. fresh scent of warm laundry just out of the dryer
66. homemade laundry detergent lightly scented with essential oils
67. homemade vanillas brewing in a the cabinet
68. homemade cranberry jelly made from wild cranberries loving picked by young willing hands!
69. the thought of DSL Internet connections...
70. packages to mail
71. cards to make for holiday cheer
72. stationary to make for those I hold dear
73. old magazines to peruse for homemade gift ideas
74. thinking of that just right gift to make for family far away
75. crumbs on the kitchen floor
76. piles of laundry

As I look at my list above I see how God blesses me daily! From the piles of laundry caused by young men playing with abandon to the crumbs on the floor which in and of itself is a sign of God's provision! God has truly blessed me and continues to bless me daily when I only take a moment to step back and look around. 77 & 78. HE has blessed me with a husband who loves HIM and in turn loves me. 79, 80, 81 & 82. Who willingly stays up a little later at night so we can share time together, who stays home a little later in the mornings so he can get the boys up and pray with them before their day begins and he heads off to work.

Multitude Monday

31. Slightly lowered cholesterol.
32. Melting snow.
33. Cappucino candles.
34. Broken toes
35. Scoring 1st goal in soccer "career."
36. A desire to learn.
37. Spiky aloe vera plants
38. warm muffins
39. The smell of burning corn meal, least we should forget that the pizza is done.
40. Homemade pizza
41. Homemade pizza sauce sweetened with a touch of maple syrup!
42. Green grass covered in frost.
43. Long brown lashes.
44. warm quilts of polyester squares made with love by arthiritic hands long ago..
45. memories of those sweet gnarled hands as they lovingly pinched and patted my checks.
46. the combined smells of anchovies, sardines, and garlic.
47. old recipe card boxes
48. shelves overflowing with recipe books and boxes.
49. sauerkraut frementing in a crock.
50. piles of clothes all over the living room floor, too small, too big, and some too worn but all a blessing!

P.S.
Once again photos will have to be added at a later date! Since everyone is at school today I decided it would be a great time to regain control of the kitchen and prepare lunch/dinner items for the freezer.
Today's list includes:
-meatballs
-chocolate chip cookies
-chocolate zucchini muffins
-carrot muffins
-chocolate chip banana muffins
-apple muffins
-shredded pork in the crockpot.

I'll let everyone know tomorrow (maybe..) what all was accomplished today. We cleaned the younger boys' room over the weekend and I was appalled! It isn't a wonder that they've been suffering from colds and the like with the amount of dust/dirt in their room. We moved out everything from under the bed and everything that was one the floor. After vaccuming, dusting, and picking up the trash from under the bed and dresser (how does it get under there?) we started sorting toys and clothes. The task is still not finished nor will be any time soon. We did find out that Sean has outgrown most of his winter gear but Ian has not... So this means we will be looking for winter gear for him. Snow boots, snow pants, winter coat... Thankfully he can wear his dad's and brother's hats/gloves so I guess the guys will be sharing this winter. Oh don't get me wrong! They aren't lacking for hats or gloves... We seem to have an abundance of them. At times I think they are like rabbits as we keep finding more and more pairs! But then the military has issued Chris a number of pairs over the years so I guess it is to be expected we would have a bunch!

Foto Friday challenge

How appropriate that this week's challenge is "Black and White." See we've been getting snow off and on all week long. Ugh, is winter here already? I am afraid so... I must admit I am even less prepared for winter this year then I was last year. How is it the snow keeps coming earlier and earlier each year we are here?
Still no word on Indiana. I would love to say I am dilligently praying for nothing more than a right attitude but such is NOT the case. Yes, I've been begging, even pleading that Chris gets this job in Indiana. I know that he is ready for the move as well. But I must admit each time that I beg and plead for God to move us, in the next breath I find myself humbly apologizing... First and foremost, I want God's will and blessing on our lives, even if it is not our hearts' desire. I want to feel His spirit moving in me. To not be overwhelmed with disappointment if someone else if found to fill the position. To have my husband not feel as though he is lacking because someone else was chosen. God has been so good to us! We have been blessed in more ways that I can count... However, He has created a desire in me to acknowledge what he has DONE and is doing in my life. There are many who do NOT know the particulars of my past, nor will they unless the Lord leds me to post them. Even though I was saved as a young child, there were times in my adolescense and young adulthood that I sought my own will. AND WAS MISERABLE!!! These are NOT times I am proud of, yet I know God brought me through them. He saved me from myself! For that I am eternally grateful!!

And now onto the Foto Friday challenge.... Thanks Rebecca, I am really enjoying this even if it is often Friday morning that I am snapping photos!



Our once "chicken coop" now sits empty and alone....


Chris and Lily


By the way, Lily is a testament to my odd sense of humor. Aside from the white cross on her chest, she is black. And what colors are lilies? White! Our last black dog was Kohl.. Our little brown dog is Caleb, Hebrew for, none other than, "dog" but it also means "faithful." I am so looking forward to this next weeks challenge! WATER... hmm, I wonder if it frozen qualifies???

Ssss.....

Well folks, it did the unthinkable. It snowed yesterday. Started out a mix of rain and wet snow but by early evening it had started to accumulate. Now we have about an inch or two of wet snow on the ground with the electricity flickering in and out. And I just looked out the window to discover it is snowing again. I tell you this is just wrong! It was only the 25th of September. Last year the first snow was September 27th and it lasted until April 29th. Chris is a little perturbed as he was going to go out and cut wood. I guess the guys will still go cut wood because we still don’t know if we will be here another winter or not. In a case of the not, there is no need for more wood…
A praise! The repair work to house has been completed and Ian’s room is now water and weather tight again. The contractor finished it on Thursday! I am so thankful he did not have to drive down here hauling supplies for the job as the road will be so treacherous for the next few weeks. I am so thankful the Lord allowed us to do our errands up in town and get back home before the snows came! Still no washing machine but we do have a laundry mat in our little village so there won’t be the need to drive 60 miles one way to wash our clothes.
The garden is now done…. We still have carrots to be pulled and beets. A wet job but they should still be fine as they were planted in a raised bed. There were still raspberries ripening but it looks like those will be left to the gray jays and sparrows. As much as I love them (the berries) I really enjoy watching the birds flitting about as well.

By the way Rebecca has a great challenge going on over at her blog which I would love to link to but haven't figured it out.... Last weeks challenge was "Wind" which we had photos for but can't get them to load. Next week is "Black and White." As creative as I would like to get I just don't know. However I do have one assistant (unwilling as he may be) who loves to dress in those colors so he gets to be a "fashion" model!

P.S. There are no photos at this time as I can not get them to upload no matter what I try. Dial-up is running slow today and everything keeps timing out. So I guess I'll just do an update later and post the photos then!

Multitude Monday

I've wanted to do this for some time but have procrastinated. It's not that I'm not thankful but felt it would take too long with dial-up. But the more I thought about it the more I realized by making a list of God's wonderous blessings that in turn it would make me more aware, something I've been desperately in need of. How easy it's been to get caught up in my own little world, to become self-centered. To get caught up in the world of the have nots... So here I begin anew...

1. Dial-up connection, having internet when we could have none...
2. Allergy shots to make breathing easier
3. A woodstove to keep us warm as the days and nights get chilly
4. Golden leaves of autumn
5. Sheets of puff pastry
6. Apples on sale to make turnovers
7. Sweet silly poems spontaneously erupting from the lips of innocents
8. Tubas
9. Dogs lying on the hearth in front of the woodstove, one little, one BIG.
10. Repairs to the house to make it weather tight again.
11. Stale bread for making into homemade stuffing.
12. Leeks galore
13. Home grown carrots
14. Sweaty bodies, glistening from a good game of soccer.
15. Seeing a certain young man open the door for a lady even when he doesn’t know anyone is looking on!
16. Tomato red paint
17. The smell of wood smoke.
18. Brisk morning air.
19. Skeins of “ugly” yarn.
20. Rosy, wind burned checks.

For some reason I am have been unable to post pictures recently but have decided to continue with the posts any way!

21. A new refrigerator.
22. Meat and milk that didn't spoil when the old refrigerator decided it no longer wanted to stay below 50 degrees.
23. Long, fuzzy scarves.
24. kisses on young, bristly checks
25. playing monopoly with 3 laughing boys
26. cracking voices
27. molasses cookie dough in the refrigerator
28. coals in the woodstove
29. our interstate road system
30. grapefruit