FILIGREE FROM FIELDS AND FENCES

A BEAUTIFUL, BORROWED PICTURE

2012-01-28T12:23:00.002-05:00

My daughter took this gorgeous picture a couple of years ago up in Holland, Michigan. This is "Big Red," a lighthouse on Lake Michigan. The other day she posted this lovely pic on her blog and I liked it so much I asked to borrow it! I hope to paint this photo sometime! Blessings, LORI

NEW WORLD WAR 1 CLOTHES!

2012-01-20T13:39:00.002-05:00

Just had to show off my newest outfit from the World War 1 era. I recently sewed the blouse from Folkwear's "Armistice Blouse" pattern and the skirt is a Butterick pattern--a 1914 skirt. The black lace overblouse is from the Folkwear pattern, "Afternoon Tea Dress." The skirt features four big buttons down near the ankle, very stylish! Sorry it doesn't show well in this picture!

Blessings, LORI

NEEDLEWORK AROUND MY HOME

2012-01-07T15:01:00.010-05:00

I couldn't wait to do a post and show off my "new look." I hope you like the blog background!
This first picture is the lace scarf in progress. I decided to use the "Colorado Cotton Candy" yarn that I spun in the stripes between the lace panels of Icelandic. The pattern is from a book I got for Christmas. Very subtle color variations. The colors reminded me of my dining room.....and so......

Next are two pictures of a set of four--embroideries that I did a few years ago. Very delicate colors and tiny, tiny stitches. I really like these. The kit was given to me by a friend and all four hang in our dining room by the front door.

This next embroidery is larger and hangs between the set of four. It took a long, long time to complete. I got it clearance for about $5 and it was a kit too. The year I completed it, I framed it about an hour before the entries closed at our county fair. I took it in and won the Judge's Choice ribbon that year--a great honor since there is only one Judge's Choice for the entire needlework building--quilts and everything. They told me it was a very close race between this and another item. I love this, but am not sure it deserved the prize against the other lovely things that were there that year. I wish I was a better photographer and could capture the tiny details for you to see. There is candlewick lace design between each motif and some of the flowers have an almost three-dimensional look.

I did this next embroidery when I was about 13. My aunt and uncle gave me this kit for my birthday and I enjoyed it so much. It needs to be reframed, but $$$ prevent me from undertaking the professional process it deserves. I have many other items waiting for framing as well.

Some antique plates that adorn my dining room wall on one side of my big china cabinet. These hang right near the next embroidery. The bottom one is from a very old family set. I love transferware.

A sampler (kit) that I made as a young girl and finished after years of neglect. I LOVE this one. It reads, "Long Life Sampler" "Be cheerful, thankful, loving true. A brighter day will dawn for you. Of rest and labor take your share, eat simple food and breathe pure air." Good advice!

The Long Life sampler with more antique plates surrounding it. The bottom framed item is an ancient church symbol depicting Christ, the suffering servant--the lamb in the thorns. When I first saw this symbol as an outline on the Mennonite hymnal, I knew I had to try to execute the design in bobbin lace. I enlarged the shape and made a pattern, completing the lacework in free form, no pattern.

So, there's a sampling of my samplers and some other needlework! I guess you can tell how old I am since the craze for samplers was kind of a 70's trend with the Bi-centennial celebration of our nation. I really did a lot of them in those days, many of which were given away or sold. I have never lost my appetite for them and now have several more kits in my sewing room closet--I mean like a LOT of them! Blessings, LORI

COLORADO COTTON CANDY AND BIG BUNCHES OF BEADS!

2011-12-29T19:35:00.010-05:00

Here are two balls of finished hand spun. The large gray one is a little less than half the Icelandic I've been working on for a year. The little variegated ball is the "Colorado Cotton Candy" I spun up this week. See pics below for the "Cotton Candy" in the various stages of construction--reverse order! I am starting a lace scarf today using these two together as contrasts. Pictures coming in the future!

I'm excited to share pictures of the paper bead necklaces I've been making. I gave many away as Christmas gifts. This little craft is addictive! I can't wait to see what a magazine page will roll up to be! So far, my favorites are pages from gardening catalogs! Very bright!

Next is the finished yarn from the roving I named, "Colorado Cotton Candy." I purchased this pretty bit of fluff on our last trip out west in September. I thought it looked like cotton candy. Sorry, for all you fiber enthusiasts, I think I threw the tag away and can't vouch for the exact fiber content, but I remember Merino, silk, and some rayon (the metallic blue thread, I think.)

Here is it in the process of spinning. I am not totally happy with my spinning at this point. I feel once it's plied, my yarn looks too "loose." Any tips? I think this turned out as a fingering weight or sport weight when it was done. There's not much of it and so it will have to be knit along with something else to make a project. I am thinking it will be pretty with a bit of the grey Icelandic I've been working on. I am pretty sure I can see grey Icelandic socks with this yarn as a design in the pattern! Blessings, LORI

OUR CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

2011-12-20T13:00:00.006-05:00

Welcome to Christmas in our parlor! The stockings are all hung by the.....piano??? with care??? Well, no mantle or chimney at our house! The tree is right next to the piano.

Our "pencil" tree. We had to go to a skinny tree ever since we moved into the new house. No place for a real full tree. I'm surprised we didn't think about space for a tree when we built this place after living in the Victorian for 10 years and going all out with a huge round 9ft. tree and four other trees elsewhere in the house!

Looking at the tree from this view, you see my fringe curtains that adorn the archway separating the living room and formal parlor. The parlor is one of my favorite rooms in the whole house, though I use it very little. Many of my family heirlooms and antiques are kept in there.

I hope you got to see my paper beads on the last post. I have some amazing pictures of the finished projects coming up soon.

I hope you are all ready for this most wonderful season when we remember Christ's birth! Blessings, LORI

CHRISTMAS CRAFTING

2011-12-17T17:55:00.006-05:00

Thanks to Rebecca for asking what I've been up to! As well as working many hours at the library, I've done some crafting for Christmas gifts. The first picture is me assembling one of the six or seven footed cake stands I made for gifts.

Using second-hand store glassware or dollar-store items, I glued "pedestals;" glasses, ice cream dishes, or candlesticks to the bases of pretty plates to create a footed dessert plate. I gave one to each of the ladies at work. The next picture shows a finished cake stand, complete with one of our miniature pound cakes made with eggs from our own hens! This is a very old recipe and requires a lot of beating. Kori, my daughter in law, made me one of these wonderful plates for Christmas and that's where I got the idea!

Next is an assortment of Christmas tree ornaments I found yesterday while shopping. The little frames were only 50cents each so I snatched two complete sets. I made up one for my mother in law and one for me using parts of Christmas cards for the pictures!

Yesterday, Rhiannon and I went shopping for a few gifts. I was interested in obtaining more candlesticks for making footed dishes. We ran onto a half price sale at Goodwill and I purchased these lovely candlesticks for $3.00! I intended to use them for cake stands until I brought them home, wasshed them up and saw how absolutely gorgeous they were. They are very heavy and etched. I will give them as a gift instead of glueing plates to them. They are quite tall, though you can't tell from the picture.

More projects coming up in the next few blogs. I trust you are all having a wonderful Christmas season! Blessings, LORI

ANOTHER PAINTING PROJECT!

2011-12-17T17:45:00.007-05:00

In addition to Christmas crafting, I've gotten the card table back out and set up the paint set Rhiannon gave me for Christmas last year. The other night while we watched a program, I painted a picture of Jenny Lake in Wyoming--the first picture below is one we took probably 11 years ago when we first took the kids out west. Now one of them lives out west (Colorado) and can view scenes like this daily! My how things change! I do regret that the color on the picture of my painting is "off." The colors on the actual painting are much closer to those in this photo, but for some reason the camera didn't capture it correctly in the painting. Blessings, LORI

MAKING BEADS!

2011-12-17T17:34:00.008-05:00

More of what I've been up to--making paper beads! Yes, paper! I learned how to construct beads from paper and have been enjoying this little craft now for the last month or so. I have an egg carton just filled with these potential necklaces! Round ones are the biggest challenge for me so far.

Beads from grocery sack style paper. Various pages from magazines. If you work with a page of a predominant color, you will get beads with a "marbled" effect of that color--these green ones, for instance.

This is a view of the larger assortment--only a few! Here are the first ones I made--still my favorites! They are a beautiful black/rose color and look like cloisonne. I have begun to string them with other beads for a necklace. The way I do the beads, several can be made from each page of a magazine. These particular beads were from a colorful picture of pink flowers in a garden catalog.

It's a fun hobby, but now every magazine and piece of paper looks like a potential necklace to me ! I have a hard time, especially at work where I am in charge of the periodicals. I view every page with a critical eye, wondering just how it will roll up into "jewelry!" It keeps me constantly experimenting with color schemes! Blessings, LORI

BACK TO BLOGGING!

2011-12-03T19:11:00.005-05:00

Since it's winter, we're baking more. Rhiannon made this lovely pie the other day; yum, yum!

Been too busy to blog! I'm glad to finally post! I've been crafting, working lots of hours, and visiting with family.

Here's what we woke up to on the last day of November! I think we got about 7 inches and still have some on the ground even after several warmer, sunny days! This pictures looks out over our back deck.

Here's a picture of Clint and I a few months ago at a wedding. I thought I'd post it just because I kind of like it. Clint's outfit is one I made him a few Christmases ago. Though he has several western outfits that I made him, this is my favorite. I can sew these tab-collared shirts and silky vests for about 1/4 of the price they would be in the stores. This wedding had a cowboy theme and we had line dancing at the reception. The couple is/was from Texas!

Had a productive day. Besides blogging, I worked three hours this morning at the library and then did some cleaning and ironed 12 shirts, made some Christmas presents and enjoyed lunch out! Blessings, LORI

PICTURELESS POST

2011-12-02T08:54:00.000-05:00

Yes, I'm still here....just very busy! Working 6 days this week and starting to add in Christmas parties in evenings. My family from Colorado got home safely Monday morning and we are missing them. Even though Kori and the kids visited for 5 weeks, the time was too short.

Will be back with more pictures and updates soon! Blessings, LORI

ALL ABOUT FAMILY

2011-11-12T17:11:00.006-05:00

Papa and Huxley--notice the similar facial features?

Princess Emma getting her gloves on for a royal tea party at the other grandma's house! Princess Emma and Lady Lori at the royal tea table!
Emma and Sophie in their harvest party costumes making some very good looking treats at our church.Sophie at our farm--"Wow, it's hard work for a cowgirl to break in a new pair of boots!

Papa and Emma on the tractor.

More genealogical news coming soon--any more guessses? Blessings, LORI

FARMING IS SERIOUS BUSINESS!

2011-11-03T19:34:00.003-04:00

Couldn't resist posting this picture of Sophie "driving" Papa's tractor! She is all business, isn't she? On a recent trip to our farm for the afternoon, the girls enjoyed picking a few beans (in the field in the background), feeding french fries to the chickens, and taking tractor rides! Can't wait to post some very interesting genealogical discoveries made just last week! Can anyone guess which famous New England family I discovered that I'm related to? Blessings, LORI

HOMECOMING!

2011-10-31T16:45:00.004-04:00

It is so good to have our family back home again for a visit--well, everyone's home but JT. He'll be here in a few weeks.

Here is a picture of Huxley and me. He wouldn't need the saying on his shirt, he looks like a boy--no mistaking him for a girl! He's a very calm baby and soooo sweet!
Next is a picture of Sophie looking very serious. She is growing so fast. She is talking quite a bit now--a very smart and sweet little girl.
Last is a picture of me and Emma gathering eggs. Here we are inside the chicken coop. Doesn't she look like she's having fun! Emma is so grown up. She can write and spell her own name now!

SOME REAL GOOD DIRT!

2011-10-22T20:10:00.005-04:00

Well, it's that time of year again! Time to plant tulips! It's an act of faith in a way. You plant them in the fall and trust that they will come up exactly as planted in the spring. This is a picture of me showing off the prettiest (an appropriate description for dirt?) compost you ever saw. We made this mixture over a couple of years just by saving our kitchen scraps, cleaning the coop occasionally, and adding leaves and yard debris. Makes dirt all the more precious when you know you worked to reclaim it! These 50 bulbs of 5 different colors that we planted today were purchased during our trip to the Tulip Festival in Holland, Michigan earlier this spring. We've been waiting for a hard freeze before we planted. We were discussing today whether our great, great, however-many-greats-grandfather and his family were tulip farmers while living in the Netherlands. Just this week we uncovered a bit of information that indicated that the family originally fled from France to Switzerland to escape persecution. Later they moved to the Netherlands where this grandfather was born in the 1700's. Eventually some of them came to America. We are blessed because of their courage and determination. I am so thankful for the earlier generations that left us a legacy of faith.

As we delve into more family history my faith is strengthened in discovering such truths. Clint's family has long known their history of fleeing religious persecution, coming from Switzerland to America in the 1800's. And....just today we learned an amazing tidbit of information that I think is the most amazing yet! Care to guess what that might be? I will post on this in the near future!

Meanwhile we are enjoying the return of our grandchildren and daughter in law from Colorado Springs! Blessings, LORI

MY HOW YOUR PROPERTY HAS CHANGED!

2011-10-12T15:50:00.004-04:00

I couldn't help thinking of this blog title when I started writing! When I posted property pictures yesterday, they were of things a few weeks ago. Please take time to compare! When I was little it never failed every year at the family reunion, older aunts would look at me and exclaim, "My how you've changed!" The same can be said for the rapid color changes we saw in the last several days around here! Michigan is lovely right now! Fields and hills...
More fall color!
An aisle of red sumac!
The pond
A woodland trail
Beautiful trees

I hope you are enjoying the pretty fall we're having. They say our weather is about to change. We are gearing up for an early winter as this last ten days seemed like Indian summer--a bit early! Blessings, LORI

A COUPLE OF PICTURES

2011-10-08T12:13:00.003-04:00

Just recently I spent a little while at our new property. Clint mowed lanes around the 29 acres. This is what it looked like about 2 weeks ago.
This is the pond at the back. I was hoping to get a nice fall color picture but it was a bit too early the week I took this. On Sunday afternoon I spent quite a while over there walking the hills and lanes. The view was very different than just a week ago. I will try to post those new pictures soon so you can see the comparison! The family will soon be all together again for a visit. Kori and the children will be home! Hooray! Later JT will join them and we will be together for Thanksgiving! We are anticipating that with great joy! I hope we can all go over to the new property to walk the trails together and possibly take our family Christmas picture.

We've had some amazing times with the Lord just recently as we met up with His servants--some from far away--one person we had met for the first time and another we hadn't seen for a few years. We've also had some wonderful prophetic encouragements given to us recently that make us eager to keep the faith and press on! I trust the Lord has been blessing all of you as well!

Had a day off today and was surprised at all I got done--seemed so good. Ironed 9 shirts and 3 pants, did laundry, cleaned various areas of the house, started a sewing project, read Bible, pulled weeds, took a walk, cooked (a rarity lately) and probably more I can't remember! Blessings, LORI

SUMMER IN A JAR!

2011-10-06T08:49:00.009-04:00

THIS IS A QUICK POST ABOUT PUTTING THE FLAVORS AND BOUNTY OF SUMMER IN JARS! This is the wild black raspberry jelly I made from berries on our property!

Here is a picture of the moms cutting apples for sauce! Thankful to have a laundry tub for this!

Next is the operation of squashing the apples down for sauce. Isn't it a pretty pink? No artificial color! I use a mix of equal parts Jonathan, Cortland, and McIntosh every year and this is the lovely color product I get!
Running the pressure cookers to process the jars.
Many, many crabapples from our 200+foot windbreak down on the front of our farm. This is the first year I've picked them since I got a longing for crabapple jelly like my Mom once made when I was young.
Jewel-like jelly in jars. I am very, very pleased with the crabapple jelly. I didn't get much--4 jars in all, I think, but it was the easiest jelly I've ever made. It required no pectin since the fruit is so full of natural pectin! Sugar and juice and that's it! I could have picked more, but I decided it was a lot of work and the wildlife appreciate the winter snack!

We are very, very busy right now. Our weather is beautiful, the whole family is working long hours, and we are trying to enjoy what is probably the last of our nice fall weather. Blessings, LORI

GOING DUTCH FOR A DAY

2011-09-27T19:25:00.005-04:00

I wanted to share my photos of my granddaughters in their "Dutch" dancing costumes. The first picture is of Sophie, who is wearing the "Isle of Marken" outfit. By the way, we discovered that Sophie is a very popular name in the Netherlands! Her dress is the most colorful of the provincial costumes, I understand. It features either a blue or red striped blouse with ribbon trim, three headcoverings, and a red/yellow vest with overlay of calico. Her skirt is bright blue with yellow band and the apron is blue gingham and plain blue. I thought she looked adorable, even with jelly on her chin!

Here's Emma trying to smile for the camera. (My daugher in law is in the background. Emma's dress is the "Middleburg" dress. Her outfit features a black blouse, black skirt, and striped apron. There is also a brightly colored bodice overlay. She has two bonnets, though only one is visible in the picture. The little "wooden shoes" she has are actually fuzzy slippers made to look like the Farmer's style wooden shoe. Both girls seemed to enjoy their dresses and Sophie put up a little fuss when I tried to put hers away. She begged to put it on again and I understand Emma didn't want to take hers off, even for a nap!

My family ancestry includes a grandpa born in Rotterdam, Holland back in the late 1600's or early 1700's. This made the construction of these dresses even more exciting for me, as I learned just last year that we had a little Dutch ancestry.

I enjoyed making these outfits and really enjoyed seeing the family again. Poor Huxley, he didn't get a Dutch outfit! Maybe next time!

UPDATE!

2011-09-19T08:46:00.002-04:00

Yes, I'm still here! It's been quite a while since I posted. We are entering our busiest time of year. In addition to the Colorado trip--went quite well--Huxley is beautiful, by the way!--we have our county Fair, harvest time for Rhiannon (long hours), a ladies' Bible study finishing up, and more hours at work for both Clint and I.

Just wanted to say "hi," to everyone. I'm also working on the final prep of book three in the midst of all this and joined our church worship team. Yesterday was my first time to play and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience! This means a weekly practice. I'll be working at the County Fair several different times during the week as well.

More information on my projects and pictures from Colorado coming up! Blessings, LORI

FINE FARM FILIGREE AND FOUR FAT HENS

2011-08-30T20:09:00.008-04:00

A bunch of "volunteer" marigolds in the middle of the garden! Aren't they bright?

I love this bit of filigree from the English Garden. The trumpet vine finally took hold and grew this year. The birdhouse with the beard is about to be engulfed. I just love this scene!

Who are you and what are you doing on my farm?

Roast chicken!

The bean pole in the veggie garden. Lots of herbs, beans, morning glories, and marigolds.

We are headed for Colorado Springs soon to see our grandbabies! So excited about that! Lots going on in our lives with job opportunities and so on. Clint starts a new part time job as soon as we get back from our trip. I will be working more hours this fall as well. My book is in the final stages of prep for publication and I am anticipating starting on our church's worship team in a month or so after a 9 month leave from music! Lots going on and lots to be thankful for! Rhiannon begins harvest tomorrow. The changing of seasons is evident in the air--another year about to close. It doesn't seem possible, but we are thankful for the many wonderful changes we've experienced this year! Blessings, LORI

COUNTRY COLLAGE--Weekend scenes from our house and our new property!

2011-08-21T21:32:00.014-04:00

Though a bit blurry, this is a campfire-grilled tribute to our favorite lifestyle!

Rhiannon holding the campfire treat--a bag of popcorn from her employer!

A hen party at the amazing squash-growing compost pile!

Rat-killing attempt in the chicken coop--second night in a row!

The first egg of the year!

Mom snipping beans while we sat around the campfire.

Where I think the house should sit at the new property!

A picture of me standing between the two tracts of acreage we recently purchased.

One of the "fence gates" at the new property.

A big, old apple tree on our new property!

This morning Clint preached at a small church nearby. We spent the rest of the day enjoying the goodness of the Lord's outdoors by having a campfire and taking a trip to our new property where Clint had recently cut paths with the tractor. Beautiful day! I hope your Sunday was restful and enjoyable as well! Blessings, LORI

WELCOME, HUXLEY OWEN ZEHR!

2011-08-18T21:37:00.006-04:00

This post is dedicated to my new grandson, Huxley Owen Zehr, who came on the scene early this morning in Colorado Springs. We received a call at about 6:06 Michigan time saying they were on their way to the hospital. At 6:50 we received another call--Huxley was born at 6:45, Michigan time! This is not unusual. His sisters were born very swiftly as well, Emma's midwife completely missing the birth as was the situation this time if I have the facts straight! I am told that 60 more seconds and Huxley would have been born in the hallway! We are praising the Lord for this very easy delivery and a healthy baby boy, the first boy in Kori's direct line of women for about 80 years, if I have that fact straight. Doesn't Kori look great! What a good mom she is. Emma and Sophie are welcoming a new baby brother!

Kori's sister flew in to Colorado Springs yesterday to join Kori and this was an answer to prayer for Huxley to arrive right at this time--God is so good! We were saying this was the best possible scenario and then the Lord worked that out! Huxley was due yesterday, but Kori's sister was also due to arrive in town yesterday. By his birth happening this morning, Kori has the optimum advantage of her sister's help for a full week!

This little fellow will carry on the Zehr name from Clint's family since there were no other boys in his grandfather's line with the Zehr name.

Huxley is protesting here! I'm not sure why, probably being poked and annoyed with the new bright light and all the things that have to be done to a newborn!

It looks like a soothing bath and a more peaceful Huxley. I understand he will be nicknamed, "Huck." We all love his name, an English name that means, "Outdoorsman," completely perfect for this family!

Welcome Huxley, congratulations JT and Kori, Emma and Sophie, and may God's richest blessings rest on all of you! Granny will be coming to see you in two weeks!

2011-08-13T16:53:00.002-04:00

Well, it's that time of year again! Time to pick the sweet corn! We will be freezing corn long about Tuesday.

This is a picture of me standing amidst the fields where we get our corn, near Clint's great grandparents old family farm. I thought you'd like to see what southwest Michigan looks like this time of year. Just over the ridge and back to the west we attended the neatest wedding I've ever been privileged to see last week. A cousin was married behind the church and up on a high hill that overlooks rolling farmland. Maybe I'll tell more about that on another post! Blessings, LORI

OUR NEW ACREAGE and ANOTHER KIND OF FILIGREE

2011-08-07T19:16:00.003-04:00

This picture is our newly acquired acreage--13 3/4 acres of rolling hills right next to the 15.2 we purchased in April. This is a big blessing! We are strongly considering putting a house on this pretty property once we can sell our farm. How thankful we are to be able to obtain land right where we wished to re-locate! The first acreage to the west of this is VERY hilly with a decent amount of woods and a pond. This plot of ground is a bit less hilly and contains only smaller trees. We are happy about this!

I was asked to consider doing a ladies' Bible study and through prayer and many confirmations, I finally decided to "test-pilot" a study I had outlined when we were still pastoring. It will begin tomorrow evening and last for the next several weeks. It is a study for those who have been Christians for a while and want to go deeper in their spiritual walk. It will focus on various disciplines that create an atmosphere for growth in the Christian life. I decided to name the study, "Filigree." I love filigree and lace. Filigree is a delicate object of lace-like intricacy. I believe this is an appropriate name for the study since it will be delving into more complicated disciplines that hopefully produce a beautiful, intricate spiritual development! Pray for me! Blessings, LORI

FARMING AROUND HERE!

2011-08-05T21:24:00.005-04:00

SOME PRETTY DILL WEED FROM MY GARDEN DRAPED WITH THE MORNING DEW! I thought you'd enjoy this picture and a bit about our farm country!

On the last post I re-commented about our farms here in St. Joseph County, Michigan, but I suspect many of my readers don't re-read the comments, so here's a bit of info.

Our field behind our house, approximately ten acres, is planted in no-till soybeans this year. My daughter told me she thinks it will take about a half hour to pick the beans. The farmers have big combines to do the work. We rent them the ground and they have grown several different crops over the years--corn, beans, alfalfa.

Here in St. Joseph County they say we are a seed corn capital. We have several major seed corn companies located in the surrounding towns and we are said to be the most irrigated county east of the Mississippi--largely due to the seed corn industry.

Rhiannon has worked for one of the companies for years. She is an inspector and inspects about a hundred acres a day this time of year (mostly on foot) checking for all kinds of things--bugs, weed problems, rogue corn, etc., etc. It's a fascinating, scientific system that produces this incredible corn. Lots of money is involved in one single field and the farmers and the seed corn companies take the job of raising it very seriously. Lots of people are employed in the business of seed corn in one way or another around here.

In addition to seed corn, we have several farms that raise vegetables for commercial use. Such crops as green beans, carrots, and potatoes are among the variety of things grown in St. Joseph County. On a smaller scale, many people have little home garden plots and fruit and vegetable stands and co-op style garden businesses are springing up lately. This is a large garden operation where people can buy shares and then get an allotment of vegetables, etc. each week during the season without ever lifting a finger to do their own gardening! Most Amish families also raise most of their home fruits and vegetables in their gardens as well. Our county is home to several Old Order Amish.

The picture above is my little patch of dill in one of my raised beds. I plant it because I always think I will use it and never do! Well, once in a while I make "floating vegetables" with it--sliced tomatoes, onions, and peppers, floating in vinegar/sugar water with various spices. I like to eat this fresh.

I hope you enjoyed the little bit of farming education. Sooooo.......This seemed like an appropriate time to announce our big news--WE WERE ABLE TO BUY 13.75 MORE ACRES TO ADD TO OUR NEW LAND! We are just thrilled! For a short while--until we sell our house and adjoining acreage, we own almost 47 acres. This is something we only dreamed of in our wildest dreams! This has been a big blessing the Lord has given us and we are encouraged unbelievably by being able to realize this dream. We now own just shy of 29 acres all in one plot over near our old hometown! It's not exactly farm ground. It's more wooded and rolling hills, but beauitful and we hope to build on it soon. We feel so blessed and as soon as I have a nice picture, I will post it, but I couldn't wait to share this blessing with you!

My third book was finished yesterday and will be going to the publisher early next week! There's one big summer goal accomplished! Blessings, LORI

A FIELD OF BEANS AND SOME PHILISTINES

2011-08-02T19:41:00.007-04:00

One of my favorite Bible heroes is "Shammah," one of David's mighty men. He is mentioned in only a few verses of the scriptures, but his acts were very brave.

On Sunday, Clint was asked to preach at a local church where we've ministered before. He asked if I'd like to say a few words as well. All week I struggled with what God would have me share. I was almost ready to believe that I was not to speak this time, when suddenly on Saturday, the Lord seemed to show me clearly what I should say.

I was wading through the soybeans in the fields behind our house heading out to pick berries when I thought for the umpteenth time this month about Shammah, a little-known Bible character. Each time I made the trek across our 10 acres of beans to get to the edge of the woods to pick wild blackberries, I would think of this Bible hero and try to imagine how he defeated a whole troop of Philistines in a bean field! That has always intrigued me. It seems like there is no place to hide in such a field. On Saturday I realized that it would be possible to lay down among the plants,they're taller than they look from the road, but then how would you fight off a whole army if you did? I always believed from the scripture that Shammah was either alone or severely outnumbered as it says in 2 Samuel that "the people fled from the Philistines."

Saturday the beans were waist high as I waded through and I thought about his heroics. He must have been carrying some armor, at least a sword. It is HARD walking through a field. I was dressed in long pants, heavy boots and had a colander strapped around my waist and I was having a hard time wading through. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to run or fight or maneuver over the uneven ground!

Yet the scripture indicates that he "stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory." (11 Samuel 23:12) This nation was the enemy of Israel at the time. I take courage from Shammah's dedication. We as Christians should be passionate about a number of "fields" and refuse to give up territory that rightfully belongs to the Lord. Of course, nowdays our battle is not a physical one, not against flesh and blood, and does not involve such warfare. I am referring to spiritual battles that affect the future of our nation, our children, our faith. Shammah took his stand and fought to the victory. Jesus said that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church and her confession of His Lordship! We need to take courage in these days! Take special note of the fact that though Shammah defended the field, scripture says it was the Lord who brought about the great victory! Blessings, LORI

THOUGHTS FROM A FORMER PASTOR'S WIFE--PART FOUR

2011-07-30T20:49:00.004-04:00

I am excited to post another installment of my "Thoughts From a Former Pastor's Wife," and show you some of the garden's latest glories! Above is a lavender liatris and below some peachy colored daylilies! I've been picking wild blackberries as big as your thumb, but I think today was the last picking!

THOUGHT NUMBER THREE--FITTING IN TO A NEW CHURCH

There is a strange phenomenon that occurs for a former pastor and his wife--fitting in to a new church. With us exiting the picture we hoped it would be possible for the new pastor to carry out his duties without former leadership clogging the way. There was simply no other way to handle this. That meant we needed to find another church, though we currently still live in the same community.

We did this in one simple stroke. We never visited anywhere else, we just knew where we should be. Our new church has been wonderful to us and we are "pastored" for the first time in a long time. We have completed some of the membership classes that they offer and are currently making our way through the various trainings they recommend.

However, there are drawbacks in moving from leadership to congregational member. I never realized how easy it was for me to attend church when I was paid to do it! I'm ashamed to admit it! I never could understand why everyone else wasn't there every time the doors were open like we were. Now that we have a different schedule and I work as well, I realize the difficulties families faced in making it to church functions. Plus, I always knew the schedule of EVERYTHING going on at church since Clint kept the calendar. I was used to just hopping in the car whenever it left the house and it was a given that I'd be in it and ready for church. Now we must make an effort to stay abreast of what's happening in our new church. It's a bigger church and in another town. All these factors make it challenging to attend every function.

I also think there was in my mind and heart a great desire to be accepted coupled with some trepidation about how another church would receive a former leader. I am not sure how much of my wonderings were fact-based or just imagination. We have been received warmly and embraced. But think about it, how many "FORMER" pastors and wives do you know?

If they came to your church, what would you do with them?

Are they valuable to you or a threat?

How does the leadership at your church view them?

Thoughts to consider. I think the American church needs to deal with these questions since church doors are closing at an alarming rate which in turn means pastors have the need to be absorbed into other churches at an alarming rate. Many couples each year become former pastors, thrust into secular employment and a new church due to various circumstances.

I hope you will consider the things I've said and think of former pastors you know. Maybe this little glimpse into our lives will help you relate to former pastoral couples should your paths cross! More in future posts.....Blessings, LORI

THOUGHTS FROM A FORMER PASTOR'S WIFE--PART THREE

2011-07-24T21:40:00.004-04:00

THOUGHT NUMBER THREE--Results of leaving a pastorate

I, personally, have probably experienced the most identifiable challenges since we left the pastorate. I have been told that issues in the pastorate affect the pastor, doubly affect his wife, and triply (is that a word?) affect his children. I can attest to this very fact--I now believe it is true, for whatever reason—that’s just the way it works.

Things that have personally been a challenge to me mostly fall into two categories, the first being the realm of vision and ministry. I was heavily involved in the ministry alongside my husband though at times a casual onlooker would have had a hard time discerning what that role was and I had the freedom to step back if I got overly busy--so sometimes I did. I taught older level Sunday school classes, occasionally preached, and attended most leadership meetings along with elders and their wives. I took an active part in helping set vision and whatever else went on with leadership roles. This was a "behind the scenes" function that most of the church never saw. Being a creative, type-A personality, I think I was often a visionary and insrumental in helping with much of the direction and details we walked out together, while at the same time I was always trying to juggle my natural leadership traits so as to not overstep a biblical role. I had launched at least one major ministry while at the church that is still thriving six or so years later and many of the ideas we shared for the direction of the church we arrived at through discussions between the two of us at home or with the other couples in leadership meetings.

The results of this new post-pastorate role for me were at first a huge sense of euphoria that we could finally relax and leave behind the aspects of the position that were not working, for whatever reason--the job duties we did not seem suited for (everyone has special gifts but no one embodies all the gifts--only Jesus gets that distinction!). A definite sense of relief immediately flooded the household after the resignation and we found more peace than we had seen in years. Maybe this is because it was truly time for us to leave this position and so God's blessing naturally followed. Mabye it was the demands of the job that were suddenly removed. Maybe it was because the phone rang exponentially less than before, maybe it was the excitement of making a major life change. I do not know for sure, maybe all of the above.

I now find I miss being involved in ground-level planning--a definite function of leadership.

More on the second most challenging thing for me coming up in a future post--stay tuned!

Hope you enjoyed the pictures of the English Garden and my vegetable garden hollyhock, complete with a busy bee! Can you see the humidity "hanging in the air" in the garden picture? It's been very, very hot and humid here for a week. We are hoping for some relief. This morning we woke up to a thick fog over everything!

Blessings, LORI

THOUGHTS FROM A FORMER PASTOR'S WIFE--PART 2

2011-07-21T18:55:00.005-04:00

THOUGHT NUMBER TWO--The Leap Of Faith

When we made the decision to leave our pastorate, we were sure that we had done the right thing. I still believe we did though there have been some challenging days since. But, for the most part, this move was a leap of faith that increased our faith and tremendous, unexpected blessings seemed to follow. We have had some of the greatest victories of our lives in the economic realm since resigning, while at the same time having some of the biggest uncertainties face us as far as earning money goes.

Even after seven months my little part time job is the ONLY income we can count on in a "natural" or "normal" sense--by that I mean that I usually know how often I will work. But all the jobs Clint does (he has at least four part time jobs) are "on call" type jobs. You never know when or IF you will be needed. He barely worked during the month of June and then had more income the first few days of July than all of June combined. There is absolutely no way to project our monthly income until the month is over!

Our already limited monthly income has been reduced by about half most months. We had been working under a sizeable pay cut for the 18 months previous to our resignation. We had offered to take the cut, so please don't think our church was purposely trying to limit our income! But that meant that most savings were already dwindling. Still, I have been amazed that Clint may work only a few days to my 12+ days per/month and he always brings in more money than me. I am very happy with my pay by the way--so that's not a concern! I believe the "anointing" for earning an income is on him as head of the family so that even in these circumstances, he never fails to provide. This fact alone increases my faith.

Some people would call us fools for taking such a risky step this late in our lives. as I've said before, I wouldn't recommend doing such a thing lightly. Our past experience walking through the Christian life helped us recognize the proper timing and how to trust for provision.

Stay tuned for my next post on "Thoughts From a Former Pastor's Wife."

Meanwhile, on other fronts....I'm moving forward on publication of "The Cry From a Distant Field." Hooray! Also we are experiencing a very serious heat wave here in Michigan. Thankfully, we have air conditioning in our house! Today I spoke at a tri-county ladies' prayer luncheon quite a distance from my home. The meeting went so well! Their usual meeting room is not air conditioned so we met in an adjoining room. It was pleasant, and the ladies were so sweet to turn out in such weather, but it did get a little warm before the event was over. We had a great time together and I continue to marvel at how the Lord seems to use stories from our lives in our evangelistic and church-encouraging efforts. Today my topic was about how God spoke to my heart while I was in Africa in 2004! There was a lot of interest in my books and I was thrilled for that!

Stay cool, and BLESSINGS, Lori

THOUGHTS FROM A FORMER PASTOR'S WIFE

2011-07-17T17:42:00.007-04:00

I have been pondering my life over the last seven months--we resigned in January, 2011 from an 18 year pastorate of our home church (attended there 30 years). This was THE SINGLE MOST DIFFICULT DECISION we ever made, believe me.

So how is it going for us? Lots of people ask us that. For the most part, good, but there are definite challenges that result from this move as with any life-altering decision. I want to share them with you in an edifying way. I am hoping by writing these few posts that I will be able to share some wisdom and encouragement.

THOUGHT NUMBER ONE: THE PRE-SEASON

After many years in ministry gradually we found ourselves with a hungering or unsettled feeling that wouldn't go away. After much prayer and thought, oceans of tears, arguments amongst ourselves in the family (just being honest :), hugs and encouragement, family discussions, counsel, prophetic words, dreams, and circumstances, we made the decision to resign. Keep in mind that we had no other jobs to go to, no education (our original denomination did not require a degree), no prospects for future employment, and we were both almost 50 years old. We were going to be leaving a position that had been among the most rewarding as well as at times the most frustrating things we had ever done.

We raised our chidlren in this church, we buried two parents and other beloved friends from this pulpit, we led people to the Lord here, we cried tears with countless folks, we dedicated babies including our children and grandchilren, baptized believers, performed weddings, laughed, cried, and lived, declared the Word of God and sang His praises--all from this place. This was a BIG move, this was SCARY. Only a definite sense of God's leading was enough to move us out of this position. I wouldn't recommend it on any lighter direction. One of my favorite teachers speaks of a time in his life when he was in serious financial straits and says something like this, "It makes a great testimony if you live through it!" That's kind of how I feel about this transition.

So why am I now a FORMER pastor's wife? Well, my husband and myself are still ordained, but not currently "PASTORING" a congregation. He serves voluntarily as a hospital chaplain, retains his position as pastor to a couple of friends in their para-church ministry, continues to serve as the president of our county's jail chaplaincy board and preaches wherever and whenever asked.

Stay tuned for more on these thoughts.......Blessings, LORI

CUT AND DRIED--WILL YOU BE REMEMBERED?

2011-07-09T20:56:00.006-04:00

As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes, For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more. Psalm 103:15-16

The funeral director in my small hometown had three funerals today. One was of a beloved teacher of mine. This is somewhat unusual to have that many funerals in one day in town that size. My husband, Clint, will have worked at three funerals in a week's time by next Tuesday. I worked on filing and cataloguing countless obituaries at the library this week as well. It kind of made me think about our lives and how or if we will be remembered.

This evening I "cut" and "dried" two bunches of the flowers pictured here. One was the yellow yarrow, and the other, the very profuse baby's breath that you see being held up by the iron fireplace grate. It got very big this year and needed a prop! These flowers would quickly fade and be forgotten unless I took pains to preserve them. Our lives are similar. I surely wish some of my ancestors had left better information about their lives. I'd like to know more about them!

But as Christians, we must answer the question, "Will we be remembered?" If so, it should be for our Christlike lives and the people we led to the Lord. We might also be remembered through the children we brought up who carry on the faith after we are gone. It's humbling to think about after reading the above Psalm. It really doesn't take long for us to be forgotten unless we are diligent to leave something greater than ourselves behind. I am getting first hand experience with this as I work in the library's history room. So many people come to me to get information about a long-lost relative or a house they once lived in. I've been living in this vicinity for 50 years now and I realize that with the death of my Dad and Grandma (and each generation) lots of information about our friends and relatives was lost.

Make an effort to live in a way that will influence generations to come by leaving a legacy of Christian faith and leading many to the Lord. Great people of the faith can trace their spiritual ancestry-by that I mean those that led them to the Lord or influenced them. Be one of those influencers that takes many people to heaven with them--preserving a lasting memory that is worth more than gold. Blessings, LORI

BACK TO THE OLD WAYS

2011-07-07T14:31:00.003-04:00

I decided to title this post, "Back to the Old Ways," in honor of not having a picture to post! I used to post long articles in the old days, with no pictures.

I've been so busy I haven't had time to do much but work. Last evening I picked a good bunch of wild black raspberries in the fencerows of our farm! I thank the Lord for those each year. They make the best jelly ever! It was peaceful out there and I got a good extended time of prayer in while I worked. However, the garb I had to don for that work is interesting indeed. Long pants, long shirt, bandana (I want to avoid ticks!), straw hat (same reason), bug spray, and boots. Why do the berries always ripen in the hottest part of the summer so you can be so comfortable in that get-up?

The brambles and bugs are both very thick. But last evening I had an easier time that usual. My hands were barely even stained and I came out of the patches relatively unscathed--until I turned across our field and headed toward the beautiful patches at the east side of our woods. The sun had already dipped behind the front of the trees and the mosquitoes literally chased me. I couldn't get back out into the field and into the sun fast enough. It was awful. We've had a lot of rain and I suppose that accounts for the onslaught!

Getting very close to the publication of my third book, "The Call From a Distant Field." I am excited, of course. I have a small amount of re-reading to do then it goes to the publisher who is currently working on the cover. I hope it is out by September. I will be speaking for a ladies' prayer group later this month and had originally hoped to have it by then--my own fault!

Will try to post pictures again soon. I have lots of projects going on. We are very busy right now and I've been putting in more hours at work. I love my job and so that's ok. I welcomed four new chickens to the farm last week and they are growing fast. Our barn sale was a huge success and we're glad to have everything cleaned out! Blessings, LORI

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THE COUNTRY--PEARLS OF COUNTRY LIFE

2011-07-01T20:48:00.006-04:00

My new chickens escaping the pen after I spent time trying to secure it this morning before work--DON'T LOVE THAT SO MUCH.....

Having to post a sign like this during our barn sale, because a good tractor is one of the most valuable things in the country......................

More yellow lilies--another variety bursting into bloom..........

We took a ride this evening to observe the gardens of our friends in the surrounding countryside and I got inspired for this blog post. Wish I had had my camera with me as I saw several pearls of country life along the back roads.......

Waving to a fellow farmer as he turned onto our road and the same country song was blaring from his truck as we had on in our car........

Crossing a dirt road bridge over a small creek where some girls had placed tiger lilies and butterfly weed in the handrails for decoraton......

Watching abundant wildlife and farm animals--deer, cranes, songbirds, calves, horses, kittens, dogs, and ducks...........

Passing no less than 4 different places where our ancestors owned fields and farms in the 1800's all within a few square miles.........

Coming home to my own comfortable farm!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you will remember to thank God for a wonderful country to live in this Independence Day! Blessings, LORI

DAYLILIES AND DISCIPLIES

2011-06-30T19:44:00.003-04:00

These beautiful daylilies are PROFUSE around my front porch and back deck. I've never seen them so beautiful! This year they are wonderful. I think I started all these plants from one start a friend gave me and they just keep multiplying! I was thinking we Christians should be the same way--we should be easily reproducing ourselves. That is what Jesus commissioned us to do in the end chapters of Matthew and Mark. So let's commit to getting busy with the task! Blessings, LORI

KNIPHOFIA FOREST--SHARING BOUQUETS FROM MY GARDEN

2011-06-19T14:55:00.003-04:00

I thought you might like to see one of the more unusual plants in my English Garden--the Kniphofia, or Red Hot Poker. This plant was given to me by a friend and it easily multiplies. I'm getting quite a collection of them. I think they are very interesting. I'm trying to get other things planted among them that will bloom at the same time since they are a little stark by themselves, however, they really do lend interest to a garden! They look like orange flames or tall candles.
Below the plants you can see one of my garden stones. This is the first one I ever made. Yesterday we were cleaning out the barn and I devoted more of my old dishes that used to be garden border dishes for making garden stones in the future. I use the broken bits of plates, jewelry, etc. for creating beautiful stones for the pathways.

Today we were privileged to have lunch with cousins visiting from Tennessee. We met them after church. and it was great to visit even for a short time. I hope you had a blessed Sunday! LORI

HOLLYHOCKS AND HONEYSUCKLE

2011-06-18T20:28:00.003-04:00

I am anxious to share a few flower photographs with you! My first hollyhock of the season is blooming right outside my laundry room window! Hooray! Hollyhocks are one of my favorite flowers.

Next is the amazing honeysuckle. This humble vine was "borrowed" from JT and Kori's house. It is so fragrant its scent permeates the entire English Garden. What a treat to sit out there (if the mosquitoes don't carry you away) and enjoy it's perfume. My English Garden is way in the far corner of the back yard, far from the house. I noticed yesterday that the honeysuckle perfume hits you about 20 feet before you get to the garden!

We have been very busy. I've worked 4 days this week and will work 4 next week as well. We also started cleaning the barn in anticipation of a BIG sale! Today I washed all my garden dishes--none were put out this year...yet. I smashed a few for garden stones and kept a few for a playhouse in case we ever can put one up for the granddaughters. The rest are ready for a garden!

Have a great Sunday! I hope you will attend church and remind your pastor and his wife that you appreciate them! Blessings, LORI

WELCOME TO COLORADO SPRINGS!

2011-06-06T15:14:00.004-04:00

Here we are in Colorado Springs! Clint is holding Sophie out in the backyard!
Me, and both girls reading!
Emma, Sophie, and Granny--Emma doing a Hollywood pose!

We are having lots of fun here enjoying family time. Heading for the Focus on the Family Pastor and Spouse conference tomorrow.

Pike's Peak is so beautiful from the city, but a haziness is in the air due to forest fires in other states. Hard to believe! We find ourselves drinking lots and lots of water since it is so much drier here! Pray for us and our safe return on Saturday! Blessings, LORI

NEW OLD PICTURES AND EXPLANATIONS

2011-05-31T20:41:00.009-04:00

THANKS FOR THE INQUIRY INTO WHAT'S IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE SECOND PICTURE ON THE LAST POST!

SINCE THE GARDEN IS NOWHERE NEAR AS NEAT AND PRETTY AS IN OTHER YEARS, I DECIDED TO DO WHAT I DID TWO POSTS AGO AND RUN MORE PICTURES FROM LAST YEAR FOR ALL YOU WHO ARE NEW TO FOLLOWING MY BLOG. IF YOU DIDN'T SEE THE POST BEFORE LAST, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK FOR ANOTHER VIEW OF A CORNER OF THE GARDEN AND MY FAVORITE LITTLE GIRLS.

WHAT YOU WERE SEEING ON THE LAST POST IS AN OLD QUEEN SIZED IRON BED FRAME. I BOUGHT IT AT A GARAGE SALE AND USUALLY HANG A LACE TABLECLOTH OVER THE TOP AND CURTAINS AT THE CORNERS. THIS GIVES DIFFUSED LIGHT FOR READING OUT THERE. THE BED FRAME IS BURIED PART WAY IN THE SOIL AND HAS BEEN THERE FOR 5 YEARS OR SO NOW. IT'S LIKE A LITTLE GARDEN ROOM WITH CHAIRS AND A TABLE INSIDE!

AS FOR THE BOTTLE VASES, I SAW THE IDEA AND LOVED IT. I TOOK WIRE AND TWISTED IT AROUND THE NECK AS TIGHTLY AS I COULD--NOT AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS--AND THEN AROUND THE POSTS. HOPE YOU ENJOYED TOURING MY LAST YEAR'S GARDEN!

I'VE BEEN 'CLOSING IN' ON BOOK THREE IN MY SERIES--I REALLY AM FINALLY ALMOST READY TO GO TO PRINT! PRAY FOR ME ON THIS! Blessings, LORI

MY LATEST RECLAIMED JUNK

2011-05-27T18:47:00.002-04:00

HOW DO YOU LIKE MY NEWEST GARDEN JUNK?

Lo and behold, I found some bottles in a ravine where some junk had been dumped on our new property. I snatched these old glass bottles to use as garden vases.

I really like them and think they will add a bit of interest to the garden.

I have old plates that I usuallly bury halfway in the borders, so bottles seemed like an appropriate addition. I haven't gotten the plates out yet this year and might not. The garden is really at its peak right now and if last year was an indicator, it's all downhill from here. We'll see. Hope you enjoyed this garden update! Blessings, LORI

A YEAR AGO...OR THE GIRLS I MISS SO MUCH!

2011-05-22T19:11:00.003-04:00

I couldn't resist doing a post on what we were up to a year ago. Mother's Day Sunday last year was dedication day for my two granddaughters. Some of you who now follow my blog weren't with me last year and didn't see these. They are some of my favorite pictures of the girls.

I've been longing for my granddaughters so much lately. I suddenly realized that last year about this time (actually a few weeks ago) we were having a special Sunday--their dedication at church. I had spent lots of hours making them special dresses out of the same fabrics. Their "coats"--Emma's bolero and Sophie's long ruffled coat were made of flannel backed satin. Their main dresses were a rosy fabric covered with a sheer overlay and edged with lace. Emma's dress had an ornately decorated ribbon waistline. My dress was new too, one I had made from Folkwear's Afternoon Tea Dress Pattern representative of the early 1900's dresses.

There's nothing I love better than taking pictures by a fully blooming spirea bush (see my book, The Fields of May) and last year my spirea out by my English Garden was in full bloom two weeks earlier. It's just now starting since we've had such a cold spring!

It's amazing how much the girls grew and changed in just one year and how much gray-er Granny got and how much more the garden is out of control! Thanks for sharing these special moments with me once again! Blessings, LORI

ANOTHER BOUQUET

2011-05-18T17:43:00.004-04:00

I'VE BEEN LONGING TO POST, BUT WAS GONE FOR FOUR DAYS THIS WEEK TO LIBRARY TRAINING WAY UP NORTH. THE LOVELY LODGE WE STAYED AT HAD NO PUBLIC COMPUTER, BUT THE VIEWS AND ACCOMMODATIONS WERE WONDERFUL. SO I WAS UNABLE TO EVEN CHECK MY EMAIL ALL WEEK. I WAS TAKING THE TRAINING FOR THE FIRST LEVEL OF CERTIFICATION. NOW, I SHOULD BE WAY SMARTER HERE AT THE END OF THE WEEK THAN I WAS AT THE FIRST! TRUTHFULLY, I DID LEARN SOME VALUABLE THINGS.

HERE'S ANOTHER PICTURE OF A BOUQUET FROM OUR YARD AND GARDENS. WE ARE ENJOYING THE SPRING FLOWERS AFTER SUCH A LONG, COLD, DAMP, WINTER AND SPRING. WHEN I GOT HOME, I WAS AMAZED AT HOW THE TREES HAD LEAFED OUT AND FLOWERS POPPED OPEN IN JUST FOUR DAYS.

WHAT'S IN BLOOM IN THE GARDEN RIGHT NOW? SHASTA DAISIES, FORGET-ME-NOTS, LILY OF THE VALLEY, LILAC, HONEYSUCKLE, IRIS, SWEET WILLIAM, CANDYTUFT, AND DANDELIONS--WELL, I HAD TO INCLUDE THE HUMBLE DANDELION! Blessings, LORI

A TRIBUTE TO THE DUTCH

2011-05-11T18:35:00.000-04:00

I have been anxious to post some pictures of our "Dutch" items! Two days ago, Rhiannon and I went to the annual tulip festival in Holland, Michigan. This is now becoming a yearly event for us since we loved it so much last year.

The tulips we bought last year and waited with suspense to see are finally blooming--in fact, they're almost done! This bouquet is only IN my house because they were getting to the last stage. Doesn't the arrangement match the vase perfectly? The vase was a gift from Germany given to me by a good friend and exchange student from high school days. The bluebells were transplanted from Clint's grandma's last spring. The other flowers are ones that popped out in my garden just this week.

The other picture is my latest painting. It is a very amateur rendition of the almost 200 year old authentic Netherlands windmill on Windmill Island in Holland. This was done from a photograph we took last year. Artists were there this year doing beautiful work around the island. I watched a pastel drawing of the wonderful flowers and museum being done. Windmill Island is my favorite part of the tulip festival--except for the WONDERFUL costumes that people were wearing, each from a specific province of the Netherlands. I fell in love with the colorful dresses.

I purchased some patterns while there.....a seamstress can't resist. I was especially intrigued and tried to find a costume for one certain province since I learned that my 5th or 6th great grandfather was born in Holland--a fact I had absolutely no knowledge of and would have never guessed until Rhiannon did all the genealogy this past year! I am still searching for the costume from his native province. Hope you enjoyed this little visit of color--I hope to post more pictures from our trip soon. Blessings, LORI

A LITTLE SIGN OF SPRING, A BIGGER SIGN OF SPRING, CHURCHES, AND THE ALABAMA TORNADOES

2011-04-27T18:09:00.010-04:00

Found this tiny little sign of spring while we were outside staring at the new tulips! This is a for-sure sign of spring in Michigan when the mushrooms start popping out. Rhiannon spotted it in the grass!

This makes us anxious to go hunt the woods on our newly acquired property to see if there are more over there!

The vase of flowers are some of my favorites from my garden. I sure wish Rhiannon would let me pick some of her tulips to help grace this bouquet!

--A few more thoughts about competitiveness between churches: I believe the situation does exist, though I was glad to hear that my readers had not noticed it all that much.

I talked to a pastor's wife recently (from a small church) who told me of a creative suggestion her church adopted long ago to keep from getting into a competitive spirit with other churches in their locale. They started posting the name of an area church in their bulletin each week so the congregation could pray for that specific church. I thought that was a lovely way to avoid exclusiveness and competition.

I do believe that competitiveness existst since I have sensed it myself and heard certain pastors refer to situations that reflect this could be going on--although it may be unintentional. Americans have a tendency to think materialistically about things, including church. This means that the "fast food," "supermarket," "shop 'til you drop," mentality we so often embrace can translate to our church selection and attendance. I heard one pastor say that he felt people use the question of "where can I get the best deal" when deciding where to go to church.

I appreciate the comments you posted on this matter. In the next post, I'll explore this a bit further and I hope you will have more thoughts to add.

PS: Dear Friends of mine live in the hardest hit towns of Alabama that were seriously affected during yesterday's tornadoes. We have visited them often in the last few years and it was very strange to watch the weatherman standing in front of stores where I've shopped--little out of the way places that are suddenly in the news--negatively. My friends are without power, have roofs blown off, windows out, and neighbors dead. I am praying for their recovery in this whole mess. I hope you'll think of them as you pray today as well. Blessings, LORI

I'M STILL HERE!

2011-04-27T08:52:00.003-04:00

I've been too busy to post lately. That means spring is here for sure! Lots of interesting things going on, though. Will be back again soon! Hope you are all doing well!

I'd like to take a little poll among my readers (which I am suspecting are few :)) for a future post. The question came up the other day, "Do you sense a competitive spirit among churches in the US?" An interesting question to ponder. I'm curious what you think. I have some thoughts on the subject, some I got from unlikely sources. Comment if you can since I'm thinking of posting some thoughts on the subject in the near future.

Have a blessed spring! LORI

A GREAT BIG ANNIVERSARY BLESSING!

2011-04-20T13:40:00.009-04:00

Sunday was our 29th anniversary! We celebrated by going to church and attending the Uganda fundraiser meal and auction afterward. Other than that there were no dinners out this year or anything like that.

BUT.....we had another big blessing occur just a few days later. We closed on a beautiful 15+acre piece of property! This was a big dream and blessing that has come about just in the last few weeks. Since we resigned the pastorate we had been praying about a possible move back to our old hometown and had a realtor looking for suitable building sites for us. They are few and far between in the area we were desiring (only a few miles away) and we thought this might take a while. Most of our area is flat land, but this piece of ground is different. The views on this property are gorgeous and no other houses close. When it came up for sale, we lost no time making an offer that was accepted in a short time. Now we own this lovely, largely wooded, rolling acreage with a pond at the back. Some of the pond is within our boundaries and some is on other land, but it's all very secluded--a hunter's dream with a lovely site for building a home with walkout basement. You see me in the picture walking down ONE of the steep hills leading to the pond. A good walk through this property gives a hearty workout!

We don't know if we'll be able to build or when, but now we are one step closer. I never thought we'd be able to build two new houses in one lifetime, but God really blessed us with this opportunity and so rebuilding now becomes a very strong possibility. When we built the house we live in 7 years ago, we never dreamed we'd ever move again, but needs change and that's what happened to us. With one of our kids now married and us not pastoring, the housing needs are different. (Did you know that pastoring creates special housing needs? If you never thought about it, consider your pastor and his family and how you could bless them with help since they often share their home with others). Our ideas to move again could all become a reality in God's timing.

This land would put us only a couple of miles from our new jobs and in this high-priced gas economy, that alone is a blessing! Rejoice with us as we thank God for this blessing! LORI

HOW YA GONNA' KEEP 'EM DOWN ON THE FARM?

2011-04-18T18:22:00.010-04:00

I'm excited to share a few pictures of my grandparents during the WW1 years! My Grandpa was a soldier and Grandma was his faithful sweetheart back home on the farm helping her parents (they weren't married yet then)--just a couple miles from where I now live. The old WW1 song asks, "How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm, after they've seen Paris?" My Grandpa wanted to be sent to France, but he never made it there. Most of the time he was enlisted he spent cutting timber for the war effort out in Oregon and Washington. He and Grandma faithfully wrote back and forth for those years and our family is privileged to have stacks of letters--living history chronicles--to see how life was in those days! This is what scares me about email--do we take the time to save our mailings for the benefit of future generations??? Something to think about!

I adore the WW1 fashions and some of these pictures are of my Grandma in her wonderful WW1 era clothing. I would call the coat in the bottom picture a "duster." I once made one for myself and got umpteen compliments (used Folkwear's pattern) but now regret that I gave it away. I intend to make another one, this time for keeps! Notice the collar on Grandma's dress and her hats. I love the dress lengths and the shoes as well! I am currently sewing the "Armistice Blouse" by Folkwear and hope to picture it when it's finished. I trust you enjoyed these pictures and a glimpse into America's proud past. Blessings,

A SURE SIGN OF SPRING!

2011-04-11T17:27:00.004-04:00

WHILE I WAS OUT FOR MY WALK YESTERDAY (TEMPS IN THE 80'S), I SPOTTED THESE FIRST DAFFODILS OF SPRING GROWING ALONG THE ROADSIDE. THEY APPEAR IN THE SAME SPOT EACH SPRING. IT'S A BIT OF A STRETCH TO PICK THEM SINCE THEY ARE ON A SLOPE LEADING DOWN TO A WET SPOT NEAR A ROADSIDE DITCH. BUT I MANAGED.

I FELT LIKE I WAS LONGING FOR SPRING AND JUST NEEDED TO BRING SOME OF THE SUNSHINE INTO THE HOUSE. I ASKED MY DAUGHTER TO PUT THEM IN A VASE. SHE CHOSE A CANNING JAR AND I THOUGHT THE EFFECT WAS WONDERFUL. PARKED HERE BY MY FAVORITE COOKBOOK HOLDER, I THOUGHT THIS WAS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY SIMPLICITY!

Part 3 of how we're surviving the economic downturn--aka--job change!

We are doing well. I already spoke of "tithing," and "tightening our belts." We seem to see the Lord bringing jobs our way just when they are most needed. So far, the jobs Clint does, including the evangelistic preaching/pulpit supply appointments are all 'on call' or 'as needed' types of jobs. Still, just when it looks like we are going to have a slim week, a call comes in for him to assist somewhere.

Yesterday at church a gentleman got up and gave a wonderful testimony of how he had received a huge bonus and a raise this week. This came right on the heels of a guest speaker at the church the week before feeling led to pray for and bless the heads of homes in the church concerning better jobs and higher incomes. If you think this is unusual, remember we live in Michigan and the economy here suffered to a greater degree than the rest of the country. If you can't identify, try to imagine magnifying your situation or what the recession meant to your state and then understand how it felt to live in Michigan during the worst of the downturn. This man's testimony was an encouragement to us all.

As well as that our family has been blessed with wonderful extra blessings in the form of material items the last while, it seems. All we can say is, "Praise the Lord!" Blessings, LORI

FIVE GENERATION PICTORIAL

2011-04-09T19:21:00.027-04:00

I thought you might like to see a pictorial family tree! Obviously, the first picture is me standing out in my English Garden a few years (and a few pounds) ago! The next two pictures are of my Grandma, Alma Gertrude Bartholomew Happel Moore. I was a Happel. The first picture of her is when she was about 16, I think. I still have the dress she wore. It is pink. Largely because of her pictures that she left me and the rich history in the stacks of letters she and my Grandpa sent back and forth while he was in WW1, the styles of that era are probably my favorite vintage looks of all! I included the next picture of her because the pose is similar to the one of me above.

The next few pictures are in order of newest to oldest. The last one is the lady we call "Massachusetts Grandma." Her name was Helen Stanhope Wheeler Liddle. Obviously the picture is of Civil War era. She was born in Massachusetts and through her line we were able to trace our New England ancestry to England in the 1100's.

The next photo is her daughter, Helen Juanita Wheeler Haywood. She is my great, great grandma.

The next photo is Nellie Maranda Haywood Bartholomew. My daughter got part of her name from this Grandma. Nellie is my Great Grandma who died many years before I was ever born. Even my father never knew her. She died around 1916. Isn't it amazing how much all these women look alike? I guess I was thinking a lot about history this week since I spent quite a bit of time at my job engaged in the duties of sorting files in the history room. I helped a few people who inquired at the library for county and family history. I like nothing better! Rhiannon took time to write 10 pages of memoirs of my father (Grandma Alma's son) and it seemed appropriate to share some of this with all of you! I hope to expand on the importance of preserving history in some of the next few posts. I had a hard time getting this post to separate properly, Hope you can still read and enjoy it But for now, Blessings, LORI (See following pics) Alma Gertrude (Bartholomew) Happel

Nellie Maranda (Haywood) Bartholomew

Helen J. (Wheeler) Haywood

Helen L. (Stanhope) Wheeler Liddle (Massachusetts Grandma)

ON MY PET SHELTER SOAPBOX!

2011-04-02T18:59:00.006-04:00

It has been on my heart to do a post like this for a long, time. The other day I saw some billboards by a local animal shelter/society that touched me so I couldn't get them out of my heart. Therefore, I'll get on my soapbox for a few moments!

First, I want to say I'm not an animal rights activist. I believe we have dominion over the animals, (Genesis 1:26-28) but that does not include mistreating them or making unwise choices with their lives. Yes, my husband, son, daughter, and even daughter in law hunt, and no, I don't have a problem with that. Taking an animal for food by a quick, humane kill is biblical.

The heart of the matter to me is the attitude many folks have about pets. I have noticed an increased number of discussions, advertisements, and so on about the popularity of what I call "designer animals." I hear a lot of folks even down here in "rural-ville" talking about getting puppies or kittens that were specially bred and paying big bucks for them.

Instead of purchasing an expensive pet why not adopt an animal from a shelter? Is there anything wrong with loving a pet that is not "designed" to your specifications? Would we do the same to our children when they are not perfect? (Scary thoughts). Most of the animals, cats and dogs, that we've ever had were adopted from our local animal shelter. Two of them were puppies bred for sale and then relegated to an uncertain destiny because of defects or lack of "market." They have all been wonderful, loving additions to our family and we didn't regret the decision at all. Why should we be creating more pets when there are already so many that are unwanted--born into the world usually through the laxity of owners who refuse to have their pets spayed and neutered.

I remember watching the movie, "Amazing Grace" that came out a few years ago about the life of William Wilberforce. He was the English statesman that campaigned tirelessly for the abolition of the slave trade. I was thrilled and surprised to learn that he was also instrumental in seeing attitudes about animal cruelty change in his land. I felt such a kinship with him on all his efforts, but concerning the animal cruelty work that he campaigned about, I realized that what I always thought of as a "secular" concern really is near to the heart of God. After all, the animals are part of His creation too. Originally we were designed to live in complete harmony, sharing the world with them and managing them with God's ways in mind.

I think it is high time Christians took a look at this "small" concern that is not usually thought of as a spiritual focus and led the world in reform. Let's do our part to help steward this part of our creation. The loving rewards are endless when those beady little eyes look up into yours, depending on you for care and companionship, completely loyal and ready to be your best friend!

A HOPE AND A FUTURE--part 2

2011-04-01T14:47:00.006-04:00

THE SIGNS OF SPRING IN THE ENGLISH GARDEN--AND HOPE AND A FUTURE! Just a little update...I want to continue the story of how we're surviving against all odds with the sudden reduction in income! I hope this post encourages you. Here's part two of "A HOPE AND A FUTURE" Proverbs 24:10 says, "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small."

I often remember that one in difficult times! Our past experiences of life prepared us for this step of leaving a secure pastorate with no plans for the future. Years ago when our children were small and we were attending Bible school, I learned how to economize in drastically reduced circumstances. We put some of these principles back into practice in the last few months. I didn't use my dryer at all this winter except for a quick "fluff up" of clothes that had been dried on clothes bars in the house or on the clothesline. Yes, it's possible!

We ate very inexpensively. It's like the Lord prepared us a few months ago when Rhiannon and I were shopping one day and got some incredible deals on meat--enough to last us most of the winter. It all went in the freezer. I also raised meat chickens last spring not knowing what was coming--which meant I didn't have to buy chicken. All of last year's canning was on the shelf as well. This enabled us to buy only the temporary type groceries that I can't make myself--staple type foods.

In addition to those things, I got a job that I'd been desiring for years. This was a move of God that came at the perfect time--something I couldn't have predicted. Clint has also been working part time jobs and just when we need more money, he gets a call, it seems. God has been very good to us and come through for us in amazing ways. But part of that is also that He has taught us principles in His word that make it possible to live frugally and wisely. We still give of the money we do have to His work. This is like a seed and He returns us a harvest in various forms. Long ago we learned to tithe and I'd recommend it to any believer! I believe that the principles of giving have helped to see us through. More updates later....lots of exciting things going on in our lives....Blessings to you! LORI

THE BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER!

2011-03-25T08:30:00.011-04:00

THIS WEEK I CELEBRATED THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND HALF OF MY LIFE! I've always said I'll live to be at least 100 and so that means I am in the infant stages of Part 2!

I turned 50 on Wednesday and a few days before I received the best birthday present you can imagine--for me! Rhiannon finally found the name of ONE of our grandfathers that served in the War for Independence (Revolutionary War)! HOORAY! This is a recent goal that has now been met! She stumbled upon this name, not the grandfather we were originally looking for that we knew had served--but another grandfather of whom we were totally unaware--James Wright, Sr. of Litchfield, Connecticut! And.....not only that....there was his will in his own words, testifying of his faith in Jesus. That is so exciting to find such a thing! In addition to that, excerpts from his son's diary told of life in the colonial days and how he remembered his soldier/father and how it was to see him coming home after they had been told he died in battle!

Rhiannon is a historical/genealogical sleuth and I'm so proud of her. She is discovering all kinds of things that my grandma, now passed on, would have loved to have known.

This was a good way to begin the 50th year of my life! I hope to pass on this Christian legacy and other good things to many people. May my second half of life be more productive for the kingdom of God than the first! Blessings, LORI

PART 2 OF "A HOPE AND A FUTURE" COMING SOON!

A HOPE AND A FUTURE

2011-03-21T19:36:00.008-04:00

A friend recently made me aware that I might be able to encourage my blog followers with some of the experiences that I've recently gone through. So I've decided to do a series of posts to update, explain, encourage, and testify about the results of our recent "leap of faith."

Many of my readers are in ministry in one form or another, so I hope you can benefit from these next few posts or at least identify and add a hearty "Amen!" to my words. If you are not in some "official" ministsry, I hope that you will be blessed and uplifted in whatever your calling in life.

The picture I chose today reminded me of spring and the hope that this season brings. Here in Michigan we have little evidence of the change of season as yet, but today for the first time, I noticed some of the spring flowers' stems peeping through the ground. Tulips we planted in faith last fall were finally popping up! That's a sure sign that it won't be long until the promise of our hope, at least in the form of blossoms, will be coming. I saw the first purple crocuses in my big English garden today! Yet, our weather is still not very warm and the sunshine is sporadic.

As most of you know we recently resigned our pastorate with little to no idea of what our future would hold and about as much idea how we would make a living. At nearly 50 years old, (my birthday is this Wednesday), we weren't sure how wise it was to take such a risky step, yet we were sure the Lord was leading us. We are still in the infant stages of this move and can only testify to what we have already seen, not the complete working out of God's will as yet.

As spring approaches I am reminded of the long winter we've just come through and how it's not quite over yet. This seems to mirror our own experience in some ways. We have the sense that all is not yet shaken and sifted to "settle out." I keep getting a picture of someone panning for gold and the pan has a screen in the bottom. Water and sand are shaken through the screen to sift out the treasures. Some of the "water and sand" in our situation is still being shaken out, but we expect to find a gold nugget before it's all said and done. Does that make sense to anyone? I hope so. Or think of a glass container filled with half water and half dirt. When you shake it up, it looks muddy, but as things settle, the dirt settles to the bottom and the clear water rises to the top. It eventually becomes so clear you can see through it!

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Like the coming spring, Clint and I are living with our eyes directed toward our future and hope in a way we haven't exercised in a while.

More thoughts tomorrow on how this "leap of faith" is working out! Blessings, LORI

GIRLS IN WHITE DRESSES WITH BLUE SATIN SASHES

2011-03-16T14:47:00.004-04:00

HERE ARE SOME MORE EMMA BIRTHDAY PICTURES. I MADE HER THE LITTLE WHITE DRESS FOR HER THIRD BIRTHDAY AND SENT IT TO COLORADO. SHE BROUGHT IT OUT WITH HER ON THIS TRIP AND WORE IT FOR ME TO SEE!
Emma doesn't like her picture taken and didn't feel too great that day either, so we had to beg her to pose so I could get a picture of my sewing. The reason she got this dress is because "Apple Streudel," her name for "The Sound of Music," is her favorite movie. She watches it over and over. She especially likes the song about favorite things which mentions girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes.

Today we took Emma and Sophie and my daughter in law, Kori, back to the airport and said 'goodbye' for an undetermined amount of time this time. Last time we knew they'd be home in March and saying goodbye right after New Year's wasn't so hard. Now we aren't sure when our next get-together will be. Ahhh.......the dilemmas of a long-distance Granny! Can anyone relate? Blessings, LORI

A RABBIT BIRTH-TEA PARTY!

2011-03-16T14:43:00.004-04:00

On Tuesday we celebrated Emma's 3rd birthday even though it was belated! She got her own special cup for tea and we poured it from the rabbit teapot (juice!). Yes, that's a piece of cheese with candles in it! Her mom said she's not much on cake and would be just as thrilled with candles in a piece of cheese--one of her favorite foods. Even though she was half joking, I decided to take her seriously and use a brick of cheese and black olives for candle holders. Black olives are one of Emma's favorites as well. Granny likes them too! She got to put her olives in the little egg cup. It was very cute!

AN EARLY SPRING UPDATE

2011-03-14T19:30:00.003-04:00

I thought I'd write a little update to let my blog friends know I'm still alive! We have been very busy with our daughter in law and granddaughters home from Colorado Springs since Wednesday. Clint, Rhiannon, and another aunt picked them up from the airport in Chicago on Wednesday evening. I had to work and missed going along, but waited up til midnight to see them.

They stayed the first two days with us since Kori's little sisters were sick. On Saturday, Kori had to be in a wedding of a girl from our old church. That took up much of Friday and all of Saturday for her. On Friday evening we took Emma to our new church for a concert of a children's choir from Uganda! Emma was enthralled with the vibrant singing and dancing for almost the entire hour and a half before she got a little "antsy." She got up and stood behind our chairs and began to dance along with them. She loves musicals and dancing and at the tender age of just three, I think I see a life pattern here. We were seated in the balcony and suddenly at one point, Emma was so moved by the children that she darted for the double doors leading downstairs. Aunt Rhiannon caught up with her on the stairsteps and retrieved her! Emma said, "I have to go down there!" I see this as a possible indicator of ministry to come in her life. I can look back now and see the patterns of my own children and how they developed into ministry and life. Rhiannon always played a toy guitar and sang along with all the music in the house--and look how that turned out--a worship leader! JT was a compassionate little boy who always wanted to know if everyone he met was saved! Now he's studying in Bible school and I expect he will minister in some way with all that knowledge when he's finished.

Tomorrow we will have a morning birthday party for Emma--the only time we could fit in and hopefully spend some time together. Then on Wednesday I return to work and the girls head back to Chicago to catch a plane home. The time went so fast. But this is why I've not posted. Lots going on to keep me busy. As well as all that, we started cleaning out closets and bookshelves, etc. for a garage sale today. Have been walking for exercise too. For those of you who are praying for us on the evangelism front, we are ministering once again this weekend in an area church. We appreciate the prayers. We were at our new home church this last weekend for a very wonderful service that charged us up for more ministry! Blessings, LORI

TUESDAY EVENING SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT

2011-03-04T14:46:00.004-05:00

This last Tuesday evening, I had a book signing at the local library where I work! It went very well and I wish there had been a better picture of me alongside this table, but alas, they were all very "interesting." Seems I was always caught with my mouth open! Well, it was a speaking engagement after all!

I talked about my two books and then a bit about the third in the series that I hope will be out later this spring. I used the example of my grandma's diaries to encourage people to journal down everyday events and family history for the sake of the future generations. I also spoke a bit about the traditional values in my books and how I think we need a return to good moral stability and the values that made us a great nation.

I had a great time, though I felt a bit nervous speaking on a topic as opposed to teaching Sunday School or giving a sermon. This was a little different and it's been a while since I did this kind of speaking. But once I got started, it went quite well. People asked lots of questions, which made it easier and I guess I'm a born talker! Wish you all could have joined me! Blessings, LORI

A SIMILAR LIKENESS........

2011-03-04T14:33:00.004-05:00

I just finished another painting! I tried painting from a photograph this time. I think it went better overall! Rhiannon took this picture when we were in England. It is one of our favorites.

I had to think about the fact that I want to be an image of my Heavenly Father, a good likeness. I should be striving to be a better likeness of Him every day, not just a person with occasional similarities to His character. Thankfully, Jesus has made us righteous when we are "in Him!" The Father views us as His children through the wonderful grace of His Son! What a good thing that is! I need His righteousness since I will never "measure up!" Blessings, LORI

ONCE UPON A TIME.....

2011-02-27T14:05:00.004-05:00

I thought "Once Upon A Time," was a good title for this fairytale picture! Who is the young couple? This is a picture of Clint and I headed off to the prom in 1979, I believe! That's the year I graduated. We never went to any of my proms, so it was a Centreville High School event, I'm sure. This dress is one of my all-time favorites. It was a voile fabric with rosebud clusters in the print, very sheer and airy. I loved the sleeves and collar. Two years ago I made a reproduction dress of the same basic pattern (the dress in the picture was purchased) and posted pictures of it on this blog. I love, love, love the style! and love how the flowering bushes in this picture mirror the dress fabric. I don't like my hairstyle, though. Too tightly pulled back. We were only about 18 then. My how time changes things!

In response to a comment on the last blog, I'll explain a few details. Clint and I are doing some traveling/speaking engagements since resigning our pastorate of 18 years last month. So far, we've spoken in three different churches and are going to a church in northern Indiana next week. In addition to that, the pressed flower pictures and tatting I posted recently are a hobby of mine that is now helping to supplement a little here and there, bringing in a little extra cash!

There was a question about my job as well. I am currently working at the public library in our old hometown--12 miles from our house. I wanted this job for years!When the kids were growing up and we were in the library every other day or so, I thought, "someday I'd like to be a library clerk in this library." The same week our resignation was final I was hired! It was one of the amazing confirmations that God used to bless us as we were stepping out in faith and starting a new chapter of our lives. I work two days a week and that's just right for me! And, yes, I continue to write. I'm working on the third in my courthip fiction series, "The Call From a Distant Field." This book takes place mostly in Africa and follows the families from the first two books as the years unfold. Many of the details for writing this book were reflections of things I noticed on my 10-day trip to Africa in 2004. I hope it will be out in the next few months. It's almost complete and we're in the process of designing the cover. I will be speaking at the library on Tuesday evening this week as part of their "local authors" series. Any of you that are in the immediate area are welcome to attend and cheer me on! I'd appreciate the support! I'll be signing books as well, talking about my new book, and giving background on the other books. Thanks to all of you for the lovely comments--I've got lot more projects to post about whenever I finish them! Blessings, LORI

2011-02-24T15:23:00.001-05:00

I'm anxious to share my latest accomplishment with you! A local store called this morning to request more of my pressed flower pictures and so I spent a few hours constructing these. Took them over this afternoon to re-supply their stock. It meant a little quick cash for me and is such a blessing--just one more way the Lord is bringing blessings our way.

Loving my new job and looking forward to every day I GET to work. Yes, "GET" to work not "HAVE" to work! It's that much fun! Couldn't be more blessed!

Clint will be preaching at a church closer to home again this weekend. Pray for us if we come to mind! Blessings, LORI

A TRIP TO THE JUNGLE

2011-02-17T12:37:00.004-05:00

Here's a few pictures of our weekend! Did we go to Africa?

The church we spoke at was having a banquet with a "jungle" theme! The ladies of the church did a wonderful job of transforming the church into a very jungle like place! The decor was beautiful! This went right along with what we were going to speak about since I told the story of a very significant incident I experienced while in Africa. Clint followed up with preaching. Many people came to the altar for ministry and we were humbled to serve them in the name of the Lord! Thanks to those of you who prayed for us!

How do you like my African skirt? I bought the zebra outfit while in Kenya. The cloth thrown over my shoulder is a traditional apron, the name of which has slipped my mind. Ladies use them as aprons and for carrying things, including tying them over their shoulders for babies to ride in!

No, that's not Clint standing beside me!

FINISHED DOILIES

2011-02-07T16:28:00.004-05:00

I'm pretty excited to share these pictures with you. This is what I've been doing during the cold winter evenings. The doily with the rounded edges is an original design and the one with pointed edges is the same one that I labeled as a "ruined" project a few posts ago! I fixed it!

I've gotten a part time job at a nearby library--a job I've dreamed of having for years! This was a real blessing of God at just the right time since I had actually applied over a year ago! This is like a dream come true for me! Instead of going to work, I feel like I'm going to FUN! I love being there.

Thanks for all of you that have been praying for us. We have the next four Sundays booked with preaching and teaching at various churches. God is really opening doors for us it seems and we are praising Him. Today we began gathering a prayer team of dedicated people who will pray for us as we are out ministering. This weekend we travel clear down to the Ohio/WV line to minister in a church there. EXCITING! In additiont to that, I am in the final stages before publication of my third book--I welcome the prayers for that project! Blessings, LORI

WEATHERING THE STORM

2011-02-02T14:50:00.003-05:00

I SOMETIMES DO GET BORED STAYING HOME, BUT I ALSO CAN'T UNDERSTAND PEOPLE THAT CAN'T FIND ENOUGH TO DO! THE BIG BLIZZARD OF 2011 BEGAN TO HIT US YESTERDAY AFTERNOON ABOUT 4:30. I DON'T MIND A GOOD BLIZZARD AS LONG AS NO ONE GETS HURT. IT GIVES YOU EXTRA TIME TO ACCOMPLISH AND TO US CLASSIC "TYPE-A-ER'S" THAT'S A GIFT!

Our list of accomplishments since the storm hit:

Made pizza
Made econo-potato soup out of leftovers
Watched Jane Eyre
Read Bible
Vacuumed
Fed Birds
Cut out a new skirt
Knitted on a sweater
Plowed out driveway
Read books
Worked on proofreading third book
Prayed
Exercised on treadmill
Spun some Icelandic wool into laceweight
Emailed friends
Battled my way out behind the barn to dump peelings into the compost

What does your list look like? I feel like we're just getting started and actually haven't accomplished much yet. It will be fun to see what all we get done while "snowed in." Let me know what you are planning to do during this confinement! Blessings, LORI

BOOKINGS, BOOKS, AND BOOK MARKS!

2011-01-21T11:25:00.004-05:00

I know this picture is a bit hard to view because of the lacy contrasts, but I wanted to share another of my winter projects with you.

These are the tatted Bible BOOKMARKS that I've been making. Occasionally I vary the design as I did in the one on the left. When completed, they are pinned to my lace pillow (used for bobbin lace) for stretching. After they are stretched and pressed they are ready for sale or gift-giving! Very easy to make and low cost! These make great gifts and I never keep them in stock for long!

Praise the Lord with me for the provision He has already set in place as with very little effort, Clint filled three of the four Sundays on the February calendar with preaching dates (BOOKINGS) at various churches! It feels like a confirmation from God in the direction we were sensing! The little tatted bookmarks will go well if we start a traveling ministry where we set up a BOOK table. Some friends told us they have been "seeing us for a month or more" (before we resigned) in traveling ministry and having my books offered on a book table! Amazing! May the Lord's will be done! Blessings, LORI

AN ENGLISH CASTLE--PAINTING #5

2011-01-21T11:14:00.002-05:00

Introducing my fifth painting! I am quite happy with this one. I wish the colors would show up a bit better, because that's what I like best about it! I am really enjoying the new art set Rhiannon got me for Christmas. This has been a great way to wile away the cold January hours this year. So far this is my favorite painting of all. I've done three barns, the hollyhocks and this English castle.

I try to work on a little bit on a painting each day. It's amazing to see how a work evolves (hate that word!). I usually start with sky and background and then gradually add details. I didn't like the colors of the hills on this one, so I added "heather" to mask some colors I was not happy with. I was very pleased with the skies here and wish you could see the colors better.

I hope you are enjoying your winter days! Blessings, LORI

A BEAUTIFUL GIFT AND RECLAIMED SNIPPETS

2011-01-18T17:48:00.005-05:00

I wanted to take time to post about the projects I've been working on! The first picture was of the wonderful gift I received recently! A dear friend had my name for the Christmas gift drawing for our spinning and weaving group. I missed the Christmas party and didn't get to pick up the gift until late last week. To the untrained eye, this stuff in the heart-shaped chair looks like a big pile of fluff. But to me, it's like GOLD! I was so excited to see these two huge balls of Icelandic roving from my friend's farm! I will surely put that to use! I made her the 'THANK EWE!' note (pictured below) in reply.

I got in the mood to use a bunch of my "waste" tatting--pieces of scrap tatting that didn't work out for one reason or another. I made up all the cards you see pictured by using these little snippets of otherwise wasted lace. It's amazing how perfectly some of the shapes lent themselves to new uses; the sheep and the girl's petticoat, for example!

Is there a lesson to be learned here? Things that we don't value much and might toss aside are very precious in the eyes of God. Sometimes we make the mistake of treating people that way. We don't value others as God values them and tend ignore them or their contributions. Let's be careful to see the value in every person God has created since all people are dear to His heart. (Jeremiah 1:5)

Sometimes it's the small things in life that really count the most--like the tatting that became something very unique with just a little effort. I wonder how many overlooked persons there are in the world that might be doctors, lawyers, teachers, or statesmen, if only one person would value them and give them a chance to succeed? This month marks the anniversary of the famous Roe v. Wade court decision. One can't help but wonder how many babies that are now "missing persons" in our country could have impacted lives had they been allowed to live. As well as grieving for the precious lives lost, we also need to remember that the mothers of thoses babies might have also been hurt or overlooked by someone in their lives. We can only imagine the stories behind the stories.

I hope this post showing my tatting and the joy this wonderful gift of roving will help make the point that many things in life have value far beyond first glance! Blessings, LORI

ONE LONELY SOCK

2011-01-14T14:11:00.005-05:00

I finished this pretty sock a long time ago, before Christmas. Then I got busy doing other projects and failed to start the matching sock! I am kind of dreading the project now, even though the first sock really turned out well! I wonder if I can remember the stitches I used since I changed a few things? I do need this pair though since I am using my homemade, partly wool socks much more this winter. We are keeping the heat turned way, way down in the house and there is nothing like the homemade socks to take off the winter chill! Blessings, LORI

A FAILED DOILY

2011-01-14T14:05:00.003-05:00

I have been tatting every evening for the last week. This is the finished project. Now you would think that a veteran tatter (36 years since I learned) would not have a failed project. But doilies are supposed to lie flat. This one doesn't. When I tried to stretch it, one of the joinings came apart. Usually I stretch the doilies I make overnight after each round added. I do this by pinning them onto one of my bobbin lace pillows. I got lazy and failed to do that this time. Then I paid for it in a "puffy" doily.

I have two options. Try to restretch it and fix the join, or make a velvet pincushion and shape it over it and have a lovely, lacey pincushion? Any suggestions? I had intended to sell this doily, but now, I think it's only useful to me. Taught me a lesson on scrimping my time.

How often do we scrimp on our time for the Lord and then think we can just be alright and go on with life? I think this lesson of taking time to work and prepare properly is applicable to our spiritual lives as welll, don't you? Let's present our best time and effort for the Lord! Blessings, LORI

JANUARY PROJECTS

2011-01-14T13:56:00.003-05:00

I am thrilled to share with you my first two paintings! Rhiannon got me a beginner's acrylic set for Christmas and I've been having such fun. I try to paint almost every day near the living room window where the afternoon sun comes shining in. I know I have a long way to go, but I feel like I've improved in just two projects.

The first painting I did was the hollyhocks. Emma and I were working together in the last blog post and that was the hollyhocks picture in its infant stages. The second painting was another country scene, the red barn against fall fields and dark stormy skies. These are the scenes of my country life.

With all the family history we've done, I've read about my grandmothers and great grandmothers who loved to paint. One great grandmother loved to paint the pansies that she grew every year. My own dear grandmother painted flowers and covered bridges. I remember seeing her paintings displayed all over her living room when I was a young girl. She once gave me a painting of poinsettias on a canvas. I wish I still had it, but somehow it was lost over the years.

Thanks for sharing my latest art attempts! Blessings, LORI

ENJOYING FAMILY HOLIDAY TIME

2011-01-06T17:59:00.004-05:00

Here is a picture taken during the recent Christmas sesason at our house. I wanted a lovley little picture of the girls in the dresses I made them--but Sophie was mad about posing! They had little coordinating dresses made from some leftover fabric I sewed up from a bridesmaid dress Rhiannon had made for a friend's recent wedding! I did some beading on the decorative ribbon and added a sparkly tulle skirt to each dress. They looked like snow princesses! Wish I had a good picture of them in their outfits.

I really like the picture of two budding artists! Rhiannon got me a watercolor painting set for Christmas. I've always wanted to learn to paint. I am enjoying it so much. If you know anything about painting, you can see I am going about it the wrong way! But I completed the picture today and I am quite pleased. Emma insisted on sitting very close to Granny and coloring on her own pictures! I loved it!

I also wanted to tell all my blog friends that during this Christmas season, we made one of the hardest decisions of our lives. Early in 2010, it seemed the Lord spoke to us about this being a year of awkward changes. There were many! Some of the biggest changes of our lives, like JT and Kori moving to Colorado and Clint's mom moving out of her home of 49 years all occurred this year. In addidion to that we had a big decision to make ourselves. We resigned the pastorate at NCCF--a position Clint has held for over 18 years. This decision was agonizing. He began a sabbatical upon the strong advice of our oversight in mid-November. Clint was burned out at that point and seriously needed to regroup. Through much prayer, counsel, and even things like prophetic words and dreams, we finally could see that God was directing that our time at NCCF was through. This decision was emotional to say the least. We read our letter of resignation on January 2. We will stay at NCCF for a short transition until the end of January. After that our plans are indefinite.

It would have been more comfortable for us had we had another job in place, but this time it seemed the Lord was asking us to take a big leap of faith. We do not know what we are to do next--still waiting on the Lord for direction! In the last year or so we had done some speaking outside our church. Clint is an evangelist at heart and hopes to be able to do more along those lines. If you know of any churches or groups wanting special speaking or a series of meetings--please suggest us!

Please pray for us as we come to mind. We will be seeking other employment and Michigan is not the best environment for that, but we trust that God will work beyond any of our limitations.

Happy New Year to you and many Blessings, LORI

THE SOUNDS OF A HOMECOMING!

2010-12-18T18:01:00.002-05:00

The pitter-patter of little feet, an occasional baby's cry, theological discussions, giggling over a "tea party" with the Peter Rabbit tea set, praise and worship music blaring from the upstairs in the early morning! These are the sounds of a re-united family!

We are so glad that JT, Kori, and their girls, Emma and Sophie, made it safely home from Colorado Springs yesterday afternoon. For the next week and a half they are staying with us. It's such a joy to hear the little voices of our granddaughters again. Emma and I have played tea party in the antique toy corner countless times already. She seems to enjoy it more than ever. Sophie is walking all over now and is growing up rapidly. I hope your desired holiday moments are coming true as well. Blessings, LORI

PEACE ON EARTH

2010-12-13T21:43:00.005-05:00

Somehow, I managed to get two of the same pictures on here. Then I realized how appropriate that was to my post title! Peace, Peace! Can you get too much of it?!

"Peace on earth" is part of the declaration of the heavenly host from Luke 2 in the account of Jesus' birth. It seems to be a statement that the Prince of Peace has now arrived,' things are being set right in the world, God has sent the provision for your total well-being!

This week we received the same huge winter snowstorm that blanketed much of the midwest. I think a good snowstorm creates a sense of 'peace' in so many ways. When the snow has stopped falling, the countryside looks clean, sparkling, glistening, and peaceful. It forces you to stay inside, slow down, and do things you have been putting off--things like writing letters, baking, spending more time as a family, and gathering around cozy places. I think a heavy snowfall is a positive thing once in a while!

Pictured here is my garden sign, "PEACE," now almost buried in snow. Also pictured is "Mrs. Wren's house" with snow on the roof! Blessings of peace to you in this wonderful season, LORI

WELCOME TO THE ANTIQUE TOY CORNER

2010-12-02T19:23:00.010-05:00

I hope this panorama of pictures will give you an idea of what my "antique toy corner" is like. This little area is upstairs in the dormer that faces east and has the large decorative window. I got the idea to decorate it this way from a memory from childhood. We visited My Old Kentucky Home in Bardstown, KY when I was a little girl and I remember the nursery in a little upstairs room. It fascinated me and impressed me a lot, I guess. I inherited many old toys from family members and so decided to put them all here.

The grandfather clock is a family item that will be going back home to my mother-in-law's soon. It stayed here for the summer while her new house was being built. First group of strong guys here are welcome to carry it downstairs and move it! Next to it sits a little red wooden chair that belonged to my grandma. It's early 1900's at least. Sorry that we had to photograph through the stairway. This dormer is sliced by the open staircase.

You may need to click to enlarge these pictures for detail. The red chair and little rocker both holding dolls were given to me. The little chair belonged to Clint's mother and the larger rocker my parents found at an auction. The little red egg was an Easter present given to my dad by a great grandmother in the 1920's. It almost got away from me the day of my mom's auction. I found it and took it back in the house before the sale started!

The little white dresser was mine as a little girl and on top of it sits a new Peter Rabbit tea set I bought recently. Emma and I took it down and played with it while she was here during Thanksgiving. The little cradle was made in the 1800's by a man from Pennsylvania. We just found out from family diaries this year that it was probably purchased by my dad for his sisters one year in the 1930's. He had a paper route and this gentleman was one of his customers! My aunt, my dad's sister, just gave me the little bronzed shoes this year. An old school slate is leaned against the wall.

The white shelf I obtained at a garage sale and it holds my collection of Snow White dishes. I played with them as a little girl. Some were broken, but I salvaged most of them. The sampler above was done by Rhiannon in high school. It was a homeschool project.

In one picture you will see an antique coverlet on the wall. I salvaged this from Clint's mom's auction as well. I think his grandma made it and I believe the fabric is from feed sacks. The picture of the little boy fishing is very old. It hung in our house when I was growing up in the 1960's and 70's. My mom loved auctions before they were "cool" and she got it long ago. The desk beneath it was given to me for a graduation present since I was a business major. On top of it sits an African tea set I purchased in Kenya and several antique toy utensils. Below it are a pair of my grandma's shoes that she wore when she was four years old (1903-04). Also piled on the floor are several old quilts--very old I might add. I believe some of the fabrics are Civil War era and were pieced by my great grandmothers. Also a little antique stroller is holding some books that belonged to me, my father, and his mother. The wooden stroller behind the desk was Clint's mother's.

Emma loves to come up here to play. I have to supervise when she plays up here since some of toys are so fragile. I want them to be enjoyed, though and I think it would be a shame to never let her touch them. She is learning to treat them carefully. I hope you enjoyed this little visit to my toy corner. Blessings, LORI

A FEW NEW ITEMS IN DECORATING

2010-12-02T18:57:00.007-05:00

Just wanted to post a few pictures from around the house. My daughter in law suggested this when she was home recently. She said folks like to see decorating ideas on blogs. I want to share one of my favorite dormer corners with you. I have posted about it before, but there have been some recent changes!

This is a picture of my "European Corner," as I call it. I recently added some items to this dormer. I was cleaning the other day and happened upon this antique gold picture frame that I've never put a picture in! I decided not to let it sit around any more! It is now a frame for hanging herbs and flowers to dry!

As well as that, I recently added a few new plates and a plate rack to the wall below Vermeer's "Lacemaker." I am especially fond of this painting becuase I too am a bobbin lacemaker. The new plate rack was given to me by a friend who did not realize I had the exact matching two lengthwise ones. They hang on the opposite wall! I was thrilled to get it! The new plates--the ones in the middle--came from a second store. They pick up the bright primary colors of the room quite well. The new decor cost a total of $12.50, so I am thrilled with the cheap changes!

We are leaving for Iowa tomorrow. Have a blessed week! LORI

A PICTURELESS POST UPDATE

2010-11-24T19:19:00.004-05:00

Just wanted to post a little before Thanksgiving. We got a big surprise when JT, Kori, and the girls walked into our house on Saturday evening! They had called Friday evening asking us to pray for Emma. Seems she'd been under the weather with stomach issues and they thought she was doing better. They planned a surprise trip home from Colorado and when they put her in the car, she vomited all over. So they headed to the emergency room instead of to Michigan. Two hours later they called saying the doctor said she'd be fine, gave her something for nausea, but that the trip was off. I suspected it was still on for some reason, but calculated their ETA for sometime Sunday.

Well, were we ever surprised when they did show up, but sooner than we expected! They drove straight through, taking turns sleeping! We were able to spend a lot of time together eating, visiting, and playing games over the last few days.

Tomorrow Rhiannon and I have to take off (yes, on Thanksgiving day) to make it to a wedding in Pennsylvania. Rhiannon is a bridesmaid for a Bible college friend and must arrive before Friday night rehearsal. So the kids came home for Thanksgiving, but we had a quick turkey breast meal yesterday instead of tomorrow since she and I will be gone. Clint is invited to three different meals and might join JT and Kori at Kori's family's on Friday so he can spend a little extra time with them before they go home on Saturday.

So for the last few days I have cooked happy meals for a full house again and enjoyed little tea parties with Emma. Sophie is walking and she was very sweet and sociable to us. Seems like last time we saw her (only 5 weeks ago) she was a baby, and now she's becoming a toddler who likes to interact, smiling and hugging everyone. We read our favorite books, watched our favorite nature shows, and played with all the favorite toys. Once I saw them I realized I had missed them much more than I ever realized. Saying goodbye tonight was a heartbreaker all over again. I didn't cry too much this time, though, hoping another visit will be only about three weeks away.

As well as that, Clint started a sabbatical on Sunday. We haven't taken one since 2004. This was a HUGE year for us in many ways. His mom moved out of her house of 49 years and since he was the only child, much of the organizing and clearing out fell to him. Getting her settled into a new place was a lot of work. As well as that, JT moved to Colorado and we took a trip out there to help Kori move. We became instant surrogate landlords (not really much work to that!) for their home (now rented, thankfully). The changes were mostly big emotional changes and they took a toll on both of us. It was even more so for Clint as his mom left the home he grew up in. As much as we wanted her to leave and get into a more manageable home, I admit I almost shed a tear or two myself the last day we were there and the house was empty. Plus having a son who lived less than a mile away move 20 hours away was a big adjustment for Clint, the father that was often around (preachers have home offices!). Since we were a homeschool family, it made us very close. This is the first real separation we've experienced as a family since Rhiannon went to Bible college in 2002. Even that was only 4 hours away and lasted for a nine month school year.

I chipped my front tooth yesterday, but thankfully a quick and inexpensive trip to the dentist this morning repaired it good as new!

We have much to be thankful for this year and we are very aware of that. God has been so good to us. He gave me some very special assurances when JT and Kori first talked of moving away to attend Charis Bible College. It has made me thankful. It made the transition easier as well.

When we get back from PA, I will have two days before we have to leave for the annual Iowa trip. I hope to post some really great stuff as soon as I can! Take care, Happy Thanksgiving, and Blessings, LORI

A PICTURELESS POST UPDATE

2010-11-24T19:19:00.000-05:00

NOW THAT'S BAZAAR!

2010-11-13T20:49:00.009-05:00

I wanted to share some pictures of our annual bazaar with you! Our church has held a bazaar nearly every year for as long as I can remember. I've been there almost 30 years--so that's a long time!

We almost always make raised doughnuts, which are a highlight every year. Often people would line up for the doughnuts well ahead of the opening time. We could hardly ever make enough! Here is a picture of some of them along with homemade cinnamon rolls.

Several dedicated workers get up in the middle of the night to start making the doughnuts so they are fresh and ready for customers at 8 am.

As well as the food, we also have a baked goods area and many handicrafts. Notice the quilts and comforters. All the stuff pictured with the quilts was auctioned--among which are the antique embroidered kitchen towels that my Mom and I saved out of a box of stuff given to us last summer. We washed them and ironed them the day before the sale. They ended up being a $50 item and we were thrilled with that.

Several years ago we started a rug project. You can see the many lovely rugs hanging on the bars also. The ladies of the church sew up the rags or new material that's been donated and then send them off to be woven. The rugs are a popular item each year. The comforter on the far right of the bars was not sold but ended up being donated to a family who lost their house in a fire that same week. The love of Christ was extended beyond our walls with the present of a comforter. In addition to all that we sell lots of crocheted items and Christmas decorations. We even have a bit of a rummage sale. The bazaar is unique each year because of the donated items. No two bazaars are ever alike! We once cracked over 100 dozen eggs to make noodles and angel food cakes!

For the last several years we have had a few hogs butchered and had whole hog sausage available. This is a very popular item. Some of the men grill it as well and sell sandwiches. I had my share--yum, yum!

All the proceeds go to missions. Despite the poor economy, we did well this year and the money will be appreciated by the various groups that receive it. A lot can be accomplished with everyone working together. With everyone pitching in, each little effort goes a long way! Isn't that the way it is in the body of Christ? Few of us are the big evangelists that draw large crowds and minister to thousands upon thousands. So we still need the local church. We learned a valuable lesson about all this last week. Clint taught Bible class for a local Christian high school back in the mid 1990's. He had just a few students but he faithfully presented the truths of Bible doctrines to these teenagers. In the recent election one of his former students was elected to the United States House of Representatives! Another lady from our church was one of this man's school teachers and one of our men in the congregation coached him in basketball. This was a sobering thought for us as we realized we never know who we are impacting when we think we are just doing the little things (like teaching three or four kids around a little Sunday School table). Though this man was not from our church and now lives a ways away, who would have ever thought that someone from such a rural place would end up in Washington for "such a time as this."? I like to think Clint was able to positively impact this person's life who is now serving the United States in Washington, DC! Keep doing the so-called "little things," that God assigns you to--you never know what the impact will be! Blessings, LORI

FALL FENCEROW FILIGREE

2010-11-10T11:09:00.003-05:00

I wish I had had this picture of the lacey little cabbage earlier in the summer when I did a post on "Nature's Lace." Check it out at http://lorizehr.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html It would have been perfect. I was pretty excited to see it in my garden this time of year when everything else is dry, brown, and frostbitten. I love light green and off white together--it's one of my favorite combinations in clothing, dishes, etc. This pretty little cabbage is just as nice as a rose, if you ask me and should have been in the other post!

We've been having unusually nice weather here this week and so I went out to the English garden to do a little more fall cleanup. I was surprised to find this bittersweet growing in profusion in the nearby fencerow. It is very pretty and I had no idea that it was there. What a nice surprise.

We've had a very busy week and I haven't had time to post anything yet so I hope you enjoy these few pictures until something more exciting comes up in my knitting, baking, or homemaking world!

HANDSPUN HAPPINESS

2010-11-04T17:14:00.007-04:00

Proverbs 31:19, "She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her handss hold the distaff."

Proverbs 27:26, "The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of a field."

Here is picture of me in our front yard holding my latest skeins of spun yarn. This group is Alpaca/Wool blend. I really enjoy spinning and knitting, but when I was thinking about the Proverbs 31 woman, I had to wonder if the charm would sort of disappear from the hobby if it were a duty--part of the necessary work of a woman. What if I had to actually spin all my thread, then weave it, then cut the cloth to make clothing? Since I also have some experience weaving, I can't begin to imagine the amount of work that would involve. I can't spin yarn fine enough to suit me right now, let alone fine enough to weave into cloth for clothing! I've been trying to consistently produce nice sport weight or fingering yarn with an eye to lace weight eventually. Yet, even that would be pretty large thread size to be made into cloth!

The sweater I have on in the picture is one I made a few years ago. The yarn is a bulky/chunky type of novelty yarn. I love it and yet it was a little scratchy on my neck as I wore the sweater today. I can't imagine what some forms of homespun would have been like for everyday clothing. It's so hard for me to think about creating all my clothes from the sheep to the shirt. But our ancestors did it on a regular basis. No wonder the Proverbs 31 woman was revered! I have trouble cooking supper sometimes and she was doing all kinds of hard work on a daily basis!

Well, anyway, it was a beautiful fall day here. Though it was cold, the skies were a lovely mix of dark clouds and vibrant blue skies with sunshine and shadows alternating. The browns of the late fall leaves and the occasional evergreen against dry yellow corn fields just made scenes worthy of a painting, in my estimation. This is one of the prettiest times of year, I think. I went to my spinning and knitting group today and had a great time. I hope you enjoyed the day too. Think of the Proverbs 31 woman while you are doing your daily tasks and be thankful for ready-made clothing, electric mixers, washers and dryers, freezers, and so on....Blessings, LORI

PROJECTS

2010-11-02T15:26:00.008-04:00

Just wanted to post a few pictures of some completed projects. Take a look at the socks I've been working on, finally done! I am fairly pleased with them, but am already planning on how to improve the next ones.

This really bad picture is of me pointing to the "I Voted" sticker I got right after we went to the polls yesterday. Clint and I made history yesterday, not just in voting--because I think this election was of historic proportions--but because he had to do a graveside service in the late morning and he asked me to help by reading scripture. That's why I'm all dressed up. We did the graveside service, visited with the bereaved family over a lunch and then went straight to the polls. Clint does lots of funerals, (like nearly 100 in his 18 year pastoring career) so that's not history-making, but the fact that I helped is! For some reason, he asked me to read scripture yesterday. I was glad to do that for him.

The final picture is of the squash we finally got baked and scooped and bagged for the freezer. We have one more squash to do. A friend from church gave us these lovely huge squashes. I love to make pie out of butternut squash. We got three very generously packed quarts so far. One more fall project out of the way. Yesterday we also got most of the garden ornaments, lawn furniture, and various piles of leaf debris taken care of in the yard so we are pretty much ready for winter. Are you all ready for the snow to fly? Blessings, LORI

STRANGE STUFF ON THE CLOTHESLINE AND SOMETHING IN THE DIRT!

2010-10-31T17:35:00.005-04:00

I'm excited to finally get the pictures on the blog--the ones I wanted to post yesterday and because of technical difficulties, I could not!

You will notice my clothesline is decorated with my newest spun, skeined, and washed 100% Alpaca yarn! Whoopee! This is an accomplishment for me.

Also yesterday, Rhi and I planted 30 tulip bulbs. It is best to dig a big hole several inches deep and quite wide and sort of scatter them. It was a lot of work since our soil is not all that cooperative. It has quite a bit of clay and it's been dry here until the last few days. We are hoping for the best with the tulips come spring. We planted three varieties. They are Rhi's favorite flower and so she is really looking forward to them. If we can keep the critters from carrying them away, biting them off right before blooming, digging them up, etc., we'll be all set!

Hope you had a lovely Sunday. Readers--please post a comment on what your favorite flower is! I had a little guessing game last year about mine and no one guessed after alot of clues. Mine is hollyhocks. What are yours?

THE LAST ROSE OF SUMMER

2010-10-30T18:13:00.004-04:00

If you have followed my blog for very long, you have seen this picture before...like last spring when it was taken! My camera card must be full and I wanted to do a post, so I had to delve back into the files to find a suitable photo.

Just this morning Rhiannon and I were noticing someone's lovely roses still blooming. She asked if we had a "last rose of summer" blooming anywhere on the property. I told her "no," that this year was kind of unusual. We most always have at least one hardy specimen that exerts itself in a last ditch effort this time of year, but I hadn't seen any yet.

Rhiannon wanted to put a rose on Clint's Grandma Sal's grave if we could--and she felt it should be our "last rose of summer," since this was a saying Grandma quoted alot. After a hard day's work in her garden or baking all day, her hair falling from the upswept style she always wore, she would often quote, "I'll bet I look like the last rose of summer." Grandma Sal was an important person in all our lives. We miss her greatly. She taught me so much about so many things. I got several of my best recipes for baked goods from her. She was an expert flower and vegetable gardener and I'll probably never come anywhere near being that good with plants. She was hands down the best cook I've ever known and that's not just my opinion. She was known far and wide for her spectacular baked goods and wonderful meals.

Well, lo and behold, after making a visit to the English garden to take in some of the ornaments for winter storage a little while ago, I saw that this same little rose has one bud on it. I hope within a few days we will have our "last rose of summer!"

I wanted to share some other pictures of what we did today, but as I said the camera wasn't cooperating. We worked really had today at various projects that have been left behind while we did all the traveling. We had to make a quick overnight trip to Iowa earlier in the week for a funeral. This, of course, was totally unexpected and came quite closely on the heels of returning from Colorado. I felt like I never got settled from that trip before it was time to take another. So I spent quite a bit of time today tying up loose ends as far as work around here goes.

Today we planted tulip bulbs that Rhi ordered back in May at the Holland Tulip Festival here in Michigan. They will be a spring treat in a few months! I finished digging all the potatoes, did 5 loads of laundry, mostly heavy bedding to catch what might be one of the last beautiful, windy days of fall, took a walk, did some cleaning, went to purchase a little gift to send to the granddaughters, and cleaned out some areas of my desk. Last but not least, and I wanted to show you a picture--I washed my 100% alpaca yarn that I spun. It's hanging out on the line to dry. I was pretty proud of it. Most of it is quite consistent and I'm happy with the finished product! I hope you enjoyed this fall day as much as I did. Blessings, LORI

A FEW LAST PICTURES OF OUR COLORADO TRIP

2010-10-21T13:57:00.006-04:00

HERE ARE A FEW OF THE LAST PICTURES OF OUR TRIP! I AM READING TO EMMA FOR THE LAST TIME FOR A WHILE. THIS WAS KIND OF SAD. IT WAS A TEARFUL GOODBYE BEFORE THE NIGHT WAS OVER.

ALSO AMONG THE PHOTOS ARE A SCENE FROM "GARDEN OF THE GODS," A BEAUTIFUL ATTRACTION RISING OUT OF THE EARTH IN THE MIDDLE OF COLORADO SPRINGS! IT'S AMAZING AND VERY PRETTY.

I ALSO HOPE YOU ENJOY THESE OUTDOOR SCENES TAKEN DURING OUR TRIP TO THE STATE PARK UP IN THE MOUNTAINS.

SORRY THE LAST PICTURE IS BLURRY. THIS IS EMMA IN HER "BOB THE TOMATO" HAT THAT AUNT RHI FOUND AT HER VISIT TO FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, ALSO IN COLORADO SPRINGS. I DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD PICTURE OF SOPHIE ON OUR LAST EVENING TOGETHER.

THANKS FOR SHARING OUR TRIP WITH US THESE LAST FEW WEEKS. THOUGH WE'RE HOME NOW, AND IT'S QUIETER IN ONE SENSE, IT SEEMS WE'VE BEEN ON THE RUN EVERY WAKING MOMENT SINCE RETURNING. I THINK THAT HAS HELPED US FILL THE TIME WITHOUT THE GRANDBABIES. GOD IS GIVING THE GRACE I PRAYED FOR.

FOR THOSE WHO CARE--THE SOCKS ARE NOT YET COMPLETELY 'EVOLVED.'

WE ALSO CAME HOME TO A CRASHED COMPUTER AND THOUGHT I HAD LOST MY LATEST BOOK AND ALL OUR OTHER FILES WHICH INCLUDED BOOK 4 AND 5 WHICH WERE ONLY PARTIALLY WRITTEN. IT NOW APPEARS THAT OUR COMPUTER GUY (A COUSIN) WAS ABLE TO SAVE EVERYTHING! PRAISE GOD! I HAD A FEELING I NEEDED TO TAKE TIME TO PRINT OUT BOOK 4 WHICH WAS READY TO GO TO THE PROOFREADER RIGHT BEFORE WE LEFT. IT WAS ONE OF THE LAST THINGS WE DID. IT WAS AS IF THE LORD WAS WATCHING OVER ALL THESE SMALL DETAILS. THE BOOK IS SO CLOSE TO PUBLICATION AND FOR 24HOURS I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNSURE IF IT SURVIVED HAD WE NOT TAKEN THE TIME TO RUN IT OFF ON PAPER RIGHT BEFORE LEAVING. I'M SO THANKFUL TO GOD THAT I DIDN'T HAVE TO SWEAT IT OUT EVEN FOR THAT LONG! BLESSINGS, LORI

CHURCH AND FAMILY TIME IN COLORADO

2010-10-10T19:03:00.007-04:00

Today we had a great time going to church and spending some really good quality family time together. We started off by going to the 10 am service at the church next to the Bible college. It's called Charis Christian Center. The pastor is one of Jt's teachers. He gave an excellent message and we were warmly welcomed. The church is much larger than we are used to back home. It was nice to sit with the family--something I rarely could do at our church. Since I'm on the worship team at home, I am on stage for a large portion of the service, then usually sit in the front bench while Emma and Sophie are in nursery. Even got to sit next to my husband for a change. Pastor's wives rarely get to do that during church and it can begin to feel lonely when everyone else has someone to sit with.

After church we went out for lunch and took some pictures of the girls while waiting for our food. Sophie was in a rare smiley mood. Usually she is very serious. Emma didn't want her picture taken while we were out on the bench, but Rhi snapped a quick photo anyway.

I hope you enjoyed a great day of fellowship at church today. We are counting down the hours now until we say a goodbye that will last for a few months--maybe longer. It will be difficult not to see the girls as often as we did. We are taking advantage of every moment now. Please go to my daughter's blog--www.loaded6string.blogspot.com to see some really great family pictures that we took in the last few days. Check her last few posts for some great photography. Blessings, LORI

KNITTING IN THE HIGH COUNTRY

2010-10-09T20:21:00.009-04:00

Here are some pictures of our "tour" today into the mountains. It was incredibly beautiful scenery. We went to a state park and took our family pictures for our annual Christmas cards.

With this beautiful scenery, I couldn't resist having my picture taken with the wool I bought and the sock I was knitting. I know, it's a little weird, but that's my idea of a fun time--knitting and the beautiful wilderness! To me, wool and the colors of the earth go hand in hand. If you read my blog often, you've heard me say that I often look across the landscape and enjoy the colors of our cornfields back home or whatever scenery we see and think of wool, dyed in those shades.

The other evening when we were at the minister's conference, during worship we sang the Hillsongs song that everyone loves, "Shout to the Lord." As I was singing I was humbled at the lines that speak of the works of God's mighty hand. I suddenly thought to myself, 'I spend a great deal of time in my life with my handiwork, but it is NOTHING to the handiwork of God that is to be seen in creation.' This week has been a great reminder of that. No matter how intricate the work is that I am doing, He has done something so much greater in this beautiful creation! Blessings, LORI

A VIEW FROM OUR HOTEL

2010-10-08T18:56:00.007-04:00

Though these pictures are a bit out of order, bear with me. Pike's Peak had snow on the top this morning. I couldn't resist taking a picture as I was out for my walk. That's the last picture.

The picture of me standing by the sign was taken on Wednesday just after we crossed the state line of Colorado. The really bad one of me by the fence was taken just outside of Colorado Springs this morning when Clint took me on a "fiber hunting" expedition. I found a WONDERFUL store with more roving than I've ever seen in one place in my life. They had looms, spinning wheels, and dye materials as well as a complete knitting shop. I bought one ounce each of white and gray Blue Faced Leicestershire to spin.

I should mention that we went as visitors to a session of the leadership/minister's conference at Charis Bible College last night. The service was wonderful. We got to hear Andrew Wommack preach. This was a big deal for me since I really enjoy his teaching. My son, being a first year student, was helping out as an usher. It was an experience I'll never forget. The Lord has really blessed me in the last few years to be able to meet or see several of the very famous Christian ministers. A few years ago we met John Hagee on a trip to San Antonio. We attended his church and then met him afterwards. I also met Lisa Bevere and Natalie Grant while in England. Our contacts with Resurrection Life Churches based in Grandville, Michigan has allowed us to meet other nationally known Christians as well. This has been a huge blessing to meet the faithful people that God is mightily using in the world today. Oh, to be used by God to win souls! May it be so! Blessings, LORI

MORE OF THE EVOLUTION OF A SOCK

2010-10-08T18:52:00.003-04:00

As you can see, something went wrong in the evolution of the sock (is that a surprise?). Is this a mutation? It's more like survival of the fittest! It's a whole new sock! I hope you readers know that I'm making a statement here. I obviously don't believe in evolution. The more I read and learn the more the theory is completely unbelievable to me, though for years after being in school, I didn't question it.

I actually decided that the pattern was too difficult and got tired of the agony of it. This one is going better.

Little disclaimer: Never knit in the car while traveling. I have a friend who is an emt who alerted me to the dangers. You can only imagine the possible ramifications of a front seat knitter in a crash. However, obviously these pictures were taken in the car on our way out west.

This sock is made of a wool/acrylic blend and I love it. It is a heathered blue/brown with a little lace edge (that's what attracted me to it.) If I had read the preliminary instructions more closely, I'd have avoided a few mistakes. The second sock will be better. I had one of the double pointed needles that didn't match and lo and behold after I had knit quite a bit I realized it was a slightly different size. (I'm not known for perfection on some things. I have a huge assortment of old needles and will use mismatched to avoid purchasing--this time it backfired!

Blessings, LORI

WHAT HAPPENS TO MICHIGANDERS WHEN THEY GO OUT WEST!

2010-10-08T01:10:00.002-04:00

For some of you blog followers who've never met my husband, this is a bit of a bad picture by which to introduce him....but this is what happens to Michiganders that go out west and really get into the spirit of things!

For a long time Clint has wanted a pair of black cowboy boots. I make western shirts and vests for him quite a bit and he has several very nice western suits. He is just lacking a pair of black boots. We've looked all over Nashville and even on our trips west before. So far no black boots to suit him. We couldn't resist this picture today as we searched some western stores here for just the right pair. Still no boots, but we're having a good time.

I absolutely cleaned up at the mall buying 5 articles of clothing for about $30. That never, never, never happens to me. I can barely ever find anything that fits and today, everything fit and was on huge sale! Even a pair of earrings I wanted were only $2.99!

I felt so blessed today as we got to eat lunch with JT, Kori, and girls as well as drive out into the mountains near Pike's Peak. I will share more of our trip with you soon! Blessings, LORI

GO WEST, YOUNG MAN! (and old man and women , and children!)!

2010-10-06T22:43:00.009-04:00

Little did I know when I used to read these classic Horatio Alger novels to our homeschooled children, that one of them would actually choose to "Go West!" Alger's themes were often about the downtrodden young man that works hard and makes good in the world by striving and showing diligence.

On Monday we spent all day getting ready to follow Kori and Rhiannon and the girls to join JT in Colorado Springs. We vacuumed the air out of plastic bags full of pillows, blankets, and etc. to make more packing room in the vehicles. Both vehicles were filled to the gills!

We borrowed a car top carrier--and it was a good thing! Clint packed all our luggage in there and saved the back of the van for Kori and JT's household items! Plus Kori had her vehicle full as well. Moving across country is not an easy task.

Rhiannon and Kori and the girls left at 3:30 Tuesday morning and we left at 7:30. We finally met in York, Nebraska after a long day of driving--uneventful, thankfully, and stayed there last night!

Thanks for the prayers! We really felt the Lord watching over our traveling. More on the sock evolution and trip progress soon. Blessings, LORI

THE EVOLUTION OF A SOCK AND OTHER FALL PROJECTS

2010-10-02T10:03:00.004-04:00

It seems like I've really worked hard this week! Everyday it was one big project after another. We are trying to get alot of little details done in preparation for our big trip out west in just a few days!

This trip came up suddenly and so we are scrambling to prepare in a number of ways. I never thought I'd get my applesauce and spaghetti sauce canned before leaving, but you see it--all done! I didn't do as much this year since we have leftover from other years and with half the family out west, we will use less as family dinners will be less frequent.

I had frozen tomato juice as I got enough tomatoes out of the garden little by little. I got it all out and made up the sauce on Thursday. As soon as it was in the pressure cooker, the apples were underway. Thankfully, Rhi got home early that day and could help and my Mom helped as well. We watched the girls in the afternoon and I was glad we were at the end of the canning project by then!

As well as canning and cleaning up the garden for the fall (digging potatoes, weeding, and tilling), I decided to start on a pair of knitted socks. I have long desired to become the queen of sock knitting. I figured I better get started or I'll never meet that goal! Since we are anticipating a long trip (20 hour drive one way), I thought it was a good time to begin a project. Here you see the first stages of a sock. I use the double-pointed needles because I haven't had time to have the girls in the spinning and weaving guild show me the trendy new toe-up, two-at-a-time, double circular needle system, though I'm anxious to try it. Since I am an old-fashioned girl, this will work just fine until I can learn the new way! I'm pretty pleased with these so far. They have a lacey pattern to them. Despite a few mistakes, I think they are going to be ok. I was trying to watch the pattern and watch Charles Dickens' "Bleak House," at the same time. Probably not a good idea. We are fans of his literature and decided to watch this very lengthy movie before we left for Colorado. I enjoyed it so much.

I will be gone and probably not posting the rest of the sock evolution until I get back. We plan to be gone for two weeks. I'm sure I'll have many beautiful pictures of the Rocky Mountains and our trip to share then. Pray for us if we come to mind. Blessings, LORI

REPLETE WITH RIBBONS--WELL, NOT EXACTLY

2010-09-29T14:07:00.004-04:00

Here's the picture of the ribbon results from last week's county fair. I had a good year, but not an outstanding one. More blue ribbons than red, no white ones, but no "big" ribbons either. I am always working for the Judge's Choice in the different categories since the ribbon is huge, and represents a major distinction. Plus, it pays a much larger dividend and who can't use that?

Our fair is paying premiums of 70% of the former rates since the state had to pull all the funding for county fairs during the economic crisis. At least that's the way I understand it. Still I got a nice little check when all was said and done and not having a job, every little bit is like gold to me. A friend of mine has a goal of entering 50 items and this year she had over 30. I think I'll set that kind of goal for next year. I have one item in mind that I've thought of making for years. It's a huge tatted tablecloth that has over 2500 individual motifs in its design. I would hope against hope for a Judge's Choice on that one and it would be crushing if it didn't happen! Maybe someday I'll get it completed!

Just by way of description, the large picture in the back is embroidery and cross stitch-a blue ribbon. (That was a surprise to me!) Sophie's dedication dress and overcoat is next to it--a blue ribbon. Two little ovals in front of the big picture are pressed flowers on velvet--I make a set every year and have won Judge's Choice in the past. This year I got a blue ribbon on those. In front of that is the little embroidered oval picture that I posted in a picture of the "farm corner" before. I could only enter one and I chose the covered bridge. It won a blue. Underneath that is a crocheted table runner that got no ribbon. I didn't quite understand that one, but that's the way the ribbon awarding goes. Sophie's little knit hat that I designed is next to that--no ribbon--truthfully I was very disappointed on that one. My long knitted "ribbon" made of scrap yarn and recently pictured on another post of the "European Corner" drew a red ribbon. The large garment is several years old. It's a Civil War costume pattern that I decided to use for everyday wear. Actually only the top is the pattern. I think I just made the skirt from two pieces of straight fabric-no pattern. It received a blue. My knitted fingerless gloves are next to the dress and they got a red. Somewhere in all that is a tiny bobbin lace bookmark, barely visible. It's on another post as well--it received a blue and was the only comparable item in the entire needlework barn. The judge wrote a note on the entry tag, "Beautiful!" I always consider it a privilege to receive a written compliment from a judge because it rarely happens.

It's always nice to receive earthly rewards and recognitions, but let's face it--what we really want is to hear, "well done, good and faithful servant," at the end of our lives, is it not? The crowns we will receive to lay at Jesus' feet are the real important awards. Someday all these items and ribbons will fade away and only the eternal matters. We should be working hard for the kingdom of God while we have breath in us. Blessings, LORI

THE FIELDS ARE WHITE UNTO HARVEST!

2010-09-29T13:42:00.005-04:00

Last evening we had a family get-together to plan for a two-week trip to Colorado. Kori brought the girls over and we talked about leaving on Tuesday in the early morning. Kori needs Rhiannon to help her drive and we will follow with a load of household items. Thankfully, this year for the first time we can remember, the harvest went so well that Rhiannon is done as of yesterday! Usually she works almost to the first of November.

This worked out pretty well. God is blessing the faith of JT and Kori to work all this out. We will be back just in time for a leadership conference we had hoped to attend.

The first picture is of Sophie in my English garden sitting in the bent willow chair probably for the last time in a long time. That's because it's about time to haul the garden furniture in for the year and because she will be moving to Colorado! She's wearing Emma's headband.

The next picture is of me and Emma sitting in the wheel of the big combine that harvested the corn on our back 10 acres! The machine is much bigger than you might think. I am just slightly taller than that tire. Until you get up real close, it's hard to imagine how truly huge this piece of equipment is. Emma wanted to look at it--but mostly from a distance.

The next picture is earlier in the day. I took it to show that the harvest is underway--both in my garden (in view) and in the field. I have been digging potatoes and onions, picking the last of the tomatoes, and shelling the last few dry beans.

Jesus said that the harvest is great and the laborers are few. He also said the that fields are white with the harvest. These are thoughts I've certainly been pondering this season. I learned a first-hand lesson in sowing and reaping as I dug my potatoes. I had done a poor job of planting, making the harvest difficult. The rows were uneven and I didn't "hill" them up. Now it's like hunting to get them dug. About every other bunch gets accidentally speared with the pitchfork or sliced with the shovel. Reminded me of the relationship between seedtime and harvest--there's a proper way to plant in order to reap abundantly. This is true in all of life--personal matter, churches, and literal gardens! Think about that as you live this day! Blessings, LORI

I'VE BEEN CALLED ALOT OF THINGS LATELY!

2010-09-27T09:54:00.004-04:00

How do you like my new dress? Amazingly I finished this dress during Fair week! Clint's 30th class reunion was Saturday night and I needed something to wear. My wardrobe is in serious trouble right now!

I threw this together quickly. It was a lingerie pattern for the underdress and the "Afternoon Tea Dress," tunic pattern by Folkwear for the black overdress. I had just enough black lace for the tunic and couldn't even put the pattern pieces on correctly with the grain. It turned out exceptionally well despite the "issues" and the stripes in the lace pattern look great running on a diagonal. I put black lace down the center of the dress as well. The main dress fabric is a polyester sort of dark mallard green, shimmery with raised roses in the weave.

It worked out really well that I was able to get my hair done earlier in the afternoon. I am a terrible hair fixer and cannot do anything creative with my very long hair. I was happy with the updo that I had done.

Someone at the class party commented that I looked a "cameo." I took that as a compliment since I love old-fashioned jewelry. I told them I'd been described as a hippie only a few weeks ago! Earlier in the week a new acquaintance saw my husband at the Fair and told him I was a "sweetie." Someone at the reunion also said that my style is like a "gypsy." What I really want to be known as is a "fine Christian." I want to be so like Christ that it is obvious to all that I serve Jesus. My identity needs to be "in Him." Wouldn't you want that as well?

Clint does alot of funerals and one thing he notices is how people are remembered. I want to be remembered most of all as a follower of Christ. I have literally known people who seem to have the radiance of Christ all over their countenance. Wouldn't that be wonderful? Blessings, LORI

FAIR UPDATE

2010-09-22T22:06:00.006-04:00

I'm pleased to share a little more of our exciting week with you! As Clint and I spend time at the St. Joseph County Fair in our old hometown, Centreville, Michigan, I hope to share the fun of the fair with you!

On Tuesday we spent the day volunteering in the Miracle of Birth tent as we do every year. We worked from 9am-3pm helping do whatever was needed for the animals. Clint helped alot with the cow, doing chores and as you can see, (in the very unflatering picture of me!) I took care of the incubator where the chicks were hatching. It was very hot at the fair yesterday and we were trying to claim any breeze we could. As you see, the sides of the tent had been rolled up. Several chicks hatched on my shift and I turned all the eggs at least once. The incubator stays at a steady 100 degrees and when a hatched chick is completely dry they go over to the other glassed in pen where they can eat and drink and walk around under a very warm light. Having been a sort of "chicken farmer" for a while, I really enjoy talking to all the people who are interested in knowing more about the chicks.

When we were done, Clint went to work at the chaplaincy's booth and I went to spin with the spinning and weaving guild in the needlework building. One of the other spinners and I got our pictures taken by a man from the local newspaper. I guess it appeared today. I haven't seen it yet.

Today I went and spun some more while Clint manned the chaplaincy booth again. It is great fun seeing lots of old friends and talking to people interested in what you are doing. I got all my alpaca/wool blend spun and plied. I really liked working with it and was sorry to see the product finished in one way. I immediately started some 100% alpaca--a little more challenging! I'll post pictures of the finished yarns later.

This evening Rhiannon came over to the fair and we did what we do nearly every year--attended the Demolition Derby! Hooray for wrecking cars on purpose under safe conditions! We got kind of hooked on this while my dad was still alive. He always took our kids when we lived in Centreville just a block from the fairgrounds. They enjoyed it so much that we all started going. Most of the time now, it's me and Rhiannon that enjoy the derby and tonight we had a friend driving in it for the first time. She did really well, but wasn't the final top prize winner. Yes, I know, this is out of character for me! But I really do enjoy the derby! The one picture of the upside down ride with the flags was taken by Rhi from the top of the grandstand while we waited for the derby to start. While we still were living in Centreville we awoke early one morning to fire whistles and a glow in the sky. The very, very old grandstand, a sort of icon in the county, was on fire. It burned beyond saving and a new grandstand was built to replace it. It is very nice and tonight was great mild weather for sitting outside to watch the show.

More pictures later in the week! Blessings, LORI

SOME PRETTY FAIR SPINNING!

2010-09-20T18:34:00.003-04:00

"She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands."

Here's a picture of how I spent my day today! Our county fair is underway and I was demonstrating spinning in the women's arts building along with others from the spinning and weaving guild that I attend.

I had a great day. One of the gals helped me adjust and oil my wheel and then the spinning was easy and fun. I replaced the drive band a few days ago and hadn't spun all summer. It was suddenly very easy again and I got some great yarn (for me!). The yarn you see me spinning here is 50% Alpaca, 50% Wool--my favorite blend so far! I really like the natural heathered color. I am striving to spin yarn fine enough to use for sock knitting since I have a goal of becoming a knitter of lace socks. I think the handspun, naturally colored yarns will look great done up in lace patterns, sort of an unusual combination!

I hope to be spinning at the fair every day this week. Tomorrow my husband and I will serve as helpers in the Miracle of Birth Tent for the third or fourth year in a row. Several animals are there waiting to give birth. Lambs have already been born this week. I will probably keep an eye on the chick incubator while Clint acts as a general host, answering questions and helping wherever needed.

I've been enjoying the county fair since I can't remember how long! I was in 4H and began exhibiting projects years ago. This year I entered 11 items in open class categories. Report on that at the end of the week!

Hopefully more pictures later this week! Blessings, LORI

A HIPPY DECORATING SCHEME?

2010-09-14T16:04:00.007-04:00

"A few curtains and some furniture here and there would make a great difference," Carrie observed silently as she eyed the yellowed pull shades on the windows. "Maybe a picture or two and some throw rugs," she thought. Excerpt from "The Fields of May"

I wanted to share a few of my latest decorating additions with you. I hurried to finish the blue candlewicking pillow that you see on my great grandmother's rocking chair. I got this kit at a thrift store for 99cents!

Kori generously allowed me to use the beautiful hatbox you see atop my armoire in my bedroom. She is storing furniture and household items in our basement since they are moving to Colorado. I gave her this lovely hat box for a wedding shower gift. I used it instead of a gift bag. Now I get to enjoy it again for awhile!

The long, strange-looking thing hanging above my spinning wheel is the newest addition to the "European Corner" upstairs. It is a knitted "ribbon." I got the inspiration from my favorite knitting shop, no longer in business except online. They had these displayed all over the shop. They left an assortment of needles and yarns for the customers to knit with. Each customer added interesting stitch patterns in their choice. When the ribbon was long enough they hung them in the shop. I thought this was a creative use of excess bits of yarn--after all I'm the queen of thread! Sadly, it barely made a dent in my stash. But I think it looks great on the wall. It picks up the colors in the rest of the area. Poor Rhiannon just about freaked at this item. She thinks it is downright weird. I used old colorful needles to stretch the stitches apart. I wish the picture were better so you could get a close up view of the various patterns.

The other picture is of an old desk that belonged to my grandma. I adorned it with this shawl I was crocheting for a local shawl ministry. I was using a combination of scraps they had stashed away. I never finished it and I think the ministry is no longer meeting. It was perfect to stretch over the knobs of the desk drawer to add a bit more pink to this area!

A couple of these items were a hurry finish last weekend since we had company coming. I always try to make a point of getting a little more house decor done before company comes. It's a goal I have. Rhi's friend from Bible college hadn't been to visit for years. Since then she has married and her husband was coming along to visit for the first time. She told me he asked what we were like and she described me as kind of like a "hippy." I thought that was really interesting. I probably might describe myself that way too. Though not a hippy in ideals or philosophy, I probably kind of have that look! As a youngster, I so well remember the old Victorian houses in the city where we shopped. Many had been rented out to college students in the 1960's and the style of the occupants was obvious! I'm sure as a little girl I was influenced by the clothes of the era. I still love peasant skirts and lacy, intricately patterned items. I guess we are all influenced by our culture more than we know. As Christians we need to be the influencers--make a difference in your sphere of influence today! I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my low-cost, unusual decor! Blessings, LORI

FILIGREE ON FENCES

2010-09-10T19:39:00.011-04:00

A THING FOR VINES THAT CLING.....

Here are some pictures of the various vines in my gardens! I love them. First are the vines on the back garden fence. Next is the morning glory and bean pole in the vegetable garden.

The biggest vine is my honeysuckle that grows at the entrance to the English Garden. I started it from a cutting.

A scarlet runner bean grows out in the English Garden on an old set of springs from a baby bed. I picked them up at the edge of the road. The picutre would not post for some reason.We painted the side rails and made trellises out of rest of the baby bed too! They sit in other parts of the garden.

"Between the house and the barns was a small stone building, an old milk house with rambling vines creeping slyly up its corners." From "The Fields of May"

Here is the Amish Frosting Recipe I promised. I do not vouch for it's health properties--it's not something you want to make a steady diet of!!!

1 cup milk

4 heaping Tbl. flour

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup granulated sugar

Cook milk and flour until thick. Let cool completely to room temperature or cooler. Beat butter and shortening together for four minutes. (The beating time is important-do a full four minutes)

Add sugar to this mixture and beat 4 more minutes.

Add milk and flour mixture and beat 4 more minutes.

You can beat in a bit of vanilla if you desire, but I usually do not.

I usually double this recipe. I bake a nice fudgy chocolate cake in two round pans, cool, and then slice the layers to create 4 layers. Use a nice long bread knife and be careful not to break the cakes. Divide frosting evenly between layers, top and sides. I like this best when chilled. If it gets too warm, sometimes it tends to separate.

We are enjoying incredibly beautiful fall weather here this week. I hope you are too. Please add a comment with your vote (previous post discussions) for your favorite method of breadmaking--by hand or by bread machine! Blessings, LORI

A BUSY FALL DAY

2010-09-07T15:57:00.006-04:00

We are having beautiful fall weather here in southern Michigan! These are a few of the last flowers abloom in my garden.

Today's To-Do List:

Read Bible and Pray
Finish and hang out one load of wash
Iron three of Clint's dress shirts
Make homemade beef barley soup
Bake bread
Do minor cleaning chores

Do church-related phone work

Attend funeral luncheon with Clint

Clean at the church for a short while

Thankfully, I finished it all!

I will be posting the recipe for the Amish Frosting that I used on the chocolate cake on the next post. Stay tuned! Blessings, LORI

FAREWELL BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND FAMILY TIMES

2010-08-28T13:55:00.008-04:00

This year Jt's birthday party, his 24th, was bittersweet. Everyone came over Friday night for our favorite family cake--4 layer chocolate with what we call "Amish" frosting. Would anyone like the recipe? I'll post it if I get requests.

Emma and Sophie are pictured suspiciously near the cake with my son, Jeremiah. I am prejudiced, but I think he's handsome. Sophie's fingers and toes ended up in the frosting before we got the picture done.

I remember the day JT was born 24 years ago like it was yesterday. He was a beautiful little baby. Went in for a checkup in the morning and he was born at 2:10 pm. Easy delivery. No mistaking him for a girl--he looked like a boy right from day one. He was a good eater and a big baby. He's been a blessing from God. Now tomorrow, he's moving to Colorado Springs to attend Bible school at Charis Bible college. Since I'm a big fan of Andrew Wommack's teachings, I'm kind of jealous! We did a similar thing to our parents when we were about his age--actually a little older. We moved our two kids to Ohio to attend Bible school in preparation for ministry. It's really hard to see them go. We've been so close for so long. It will be a change for him. He grew up in our church here at New Covenant and he's never attended anywhere else except for the few Sundays we were in Ohio and he was only 5. (We came home 3 out of 7 Sundays that year so Clint could preach at our home church in pastoral transition at the time).

So because they are leaving so soon, I'm including this family post with pictures of Emma Rose and Sophia Truth. Sophie is getting big so fast. See her posing as a princess?I suppose she'll change the most by the time we see her again. Emma is talking alot and amazes us with her two year old intelligence. In the one picture we are reading her "shapes" book. She can name all the shapes and colors without hesitation. I can't begin to describe how their departure will affect our family and church. JT has been a key part of the worship team for years and years. He plays four instruments and can replace almost any member of the team. He will be sorely missed especially since there is currently no one to replace him. Kori is talented in a number of areas and is a capable and dependable church member.
Pray for us when we come to mind. I am uncertain how this family separation will feel. I'm not liking the thought of missing those babies, but I know they are in God's will with this move. Early on when we found out they were considering a move I felt the Lord speak to me something like this: 'Don't whine about them moving. Many parents would give anything to just have their children show any interest at all in the Gospel let alone going off for Bible school training.' That has given me great comfort in these months of preparation.

The more we have learned about our family--even just in the last few weeks with our genealogical research has added to the bittersweetness of this separation. My ancestors have lived here since before the Civil War. Clint's family was here not long after that, but we've all lived in the midwest forever. To say goodbye is difficult. Yet, the stories are the same in all our research--it appears that our ancestors kept moving-- came here from Europe for a better life and then from New England westward to Ohio and Michigan with a pioneering spirit. Can we deny any less to our children? God bless them--the next generation of pioneers! Blessings, LORI

FRUGAL SEWING TIPS IN THE TRADITION OF PROVERBS 31

2010-08-28T13:51:00.005-04:00

I was pretty excited about today's accomplishment! I got the piecing done on a patchwork chair cushion I had had in the works for years--yes, years! I started making a patchwork cushion cover to replace a very, very old one that still adorns my great grandma's chair. She was born around the 1873. The wicker rocker sits in my sewing room and I'm sure my grandma replaced the cushion sometime in the 1960's or 70's. But it's time for a new one....so that finally got done. Now I just have to finish assembling it.

Then I started a much needed repair on this black jacket. It's a lightweight blouse I found at a Goodwill a few years ago. I literally weaR this jacket over almost everything I own. It's my all purpose-matches everything-hides midriff fat jacket! I don't know what I'd do without this versatile wardrobe accessory. I wear it with jeans, crop pants, and fancy dresses. It is the completing touch for my WW1 style outfits I concoct. I couple it with black skirts, tapestry skirts, and use it over camisoles to be more modest. Because of the constant wear, it was getting kind of "ratty," and very seedy-looking. I had a special event to attend tonight at the church I grew up in--one of their special services for their 150th celebration. I needed to couple this jacket with a dress Clint bought me a few years ago that is now so tight it can't be used alone and still look good. (Oops! Get on a diet!) I slung this jacket over the dress--a black sequin-embroidered flapper style with handkerchief hem and then put a velvet print skirt of mostly black underneath the dress. What a beautiful combination! The muted colors of the skirt showed out from under the uneven hem of the dress.

These pictures are of a few of the construction details I used to "fix" the jacket and bring it up to new quality again. I meshed two strips of narrow lace together (because I didn't have the right width) and replaced all the lace that looks grey in the picture. It was faded from being washed so much. Then I replaced the wide lace at the hemline with a new strip of wide lace. When done, I carefully cut away the old lace underneath with very pointed, tiny sharp scissors. This saved me from tearing out hems and seams to fit the lace in.

When I arrived at the event this evening, an older lady told me my outfit reminded her of some antique necklaces she had at home and if I'd come over, maybe I'd like to have them! This was a very wonderful compliment for me--since I'm the queen of antique and vintage looking jewelry!!!!! Which brings up another subject....today Rhiannon and I think we found amongst my grandma's antique buttons a button from my great, great grandpa's Civil War Uniform. She spotted this miltary button and then checked online. It appears to be the original button. We wrote the manufacturer for imformation to confirm this. Will picture the button in question sometime in the future if it turns out to be authentic! Blessings, LORI

TOMATO CANNING 2010

2010-08-28T13:44:00.003-04:00

Hi, everyone! I wanted to share these pretty photos of our 2010 tomato canning operation! I've been canning tomatoes for almost 30 years now. Doesn't seem possible. I remember the first time I canned pizza sauce and me and my mother in law had every possible container in the house filled with juice awaiting the second stage of "cooking down." We did the whole operation in one day--picking them, cooking them, juicing them, cooking them down, spicing and flavoring and then canning them. What a lot of work. I have rarely ever done it that way again.

Here's a handy tip. I juice up a few tomatoes at a time--whatever we have ready. I use a Victorio strainer that I got years ago. It's a great time and arm-saving device. If it's a nice day we set the strainer up outdoors or on the porch to save a huge splattering mess in the kitchen. We put the juice in old ice cream pails and freeze it. Then I get it out later in the fall when the mornings are cool and the house needs to be warmed up. I cook it down and add spices, then cook it down some more. Then I fill the jars and give it a few minutes in the pressure cooker! This makes for two days of work instead of one, but a much shorter day each time and helps heat the house up on a chilly fall day. I'm always pressed for time it seems, and this saves me a partial day to use for other work.

So this year's tomatoes were juiced and because there were not too many and I had Rhiannon's help, we cooked it down as well. I froze this batch and we will add to it with the next ripe ones we pick. Then one day in the fall, I'll get it out and cook it down. This year I can add my own herbs since my garden is overflowing with all kinds of basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme. I'll also have my own onions to add. The kitchen smelled wonderful and we were thrilled with the beautiful color of the tomatoes!

I am so thankful for the bounty we have. Blessings, LORI