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Saturday, November 30, 2013

This evening ...

... I could not come up with a creative blog title. A dreadful plight for a blogger (bloggist?), I assure you! See, I've never been good with titles ... I remember one year despairing over a piano composition that had, had, had to have a name before I submitted it to competition. Oh, the sleepless nights! Until finally, with the deadline fast approaching, I resigned myself to a title over which I was less than happy, assuring myself for peace of mind that I would rename it afterwards with something Truly Fitting. 

 Only, it's been six years ... and that poor composition probably has a complex by now, because I still haven't the faintest clue how to make a name fit a song. Or a blog post. Hopeless. Hopeless.

SO -- I simply will not give this post a title ... and without further ado, here's a peek into what I've been doing of late!

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Working on a piano duet with my little sis for her FIRST Christmas recital next Saturday (yay!):

 
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Knitting with red and white Peaches and Cream cotton yarn ...




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Crocheting this scarf from MaryJane's Stitching Room (find it {here}). This book is wonderful, and so informative! The scarf is made of 34 crocheted hexagons stitched together. 10 to go!
 





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Tatting! This is the most recent kind of hand-work I've been learning, and I really love this lace-making technique. I only know a few of the most basic steps, but enough to make simple snowflakes! They make such fun Christmas tree ornaments!

 


 






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Project Christmas Puzzle, anyone? The question of the hour is ... will it be finished by the new year! ;o)





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Happy Holidays, and may you always have a title at your fingertips. ;0)

Sunday, November 24, 2013

There Are Some Times






There was a time that my Savior came from glory;
As a man, He endured such misery.
There were days that my Savior felt so lonely;
There were some times that my Jesus cried –
There were some times that my Jesus cried.

There are some times that I start to feel discouraged;
There are days that the burdens pain my soul.
But I know that my Savior up in heaven
Knows how I feel, and He loves me so –
Knows how I feel, and He loves me so.

My Savior prayed when His heart bore down with sorrow;
He found strength from Jehovah up above.
I will call to my Father when I’m weary;
He’ll lift me up, and He’ll make me whole –
He’ll lift me up, and He’ll make me whole.

~B. Rainwater

Friday, November 15, 2013

On the Mountain



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We have all experienced times of exaltation on the mountain, when we have seen things from God's perspective and have wanted to stay there. But God will never allow us to stay there. The true test of our spiritual life is in exhibiting the power to descend from the mountain ... We are not made for the mountains, for sunrises, or for the other beautiful attractions in life -- those are simply intended to be moments of inspiration. We are made for the valley and the ordinary things of life, and that is where we have to prove our stamina and strength ... Those times of exaltation are exceptional and they have their meaning in our life with God, but we must be aware to prevent our spiritual selfishness from wanting to make them the only time.

After every time of exaltation, we are brought down with a sudden rush into things as they really are, where it is neither beautiful, poetic, nor thrilling. The height of the mountaintop is measured by the dismal drudgery of the valley, but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God. We see His glory on the mountain, but we never live for His glory there. It is in the place of humiliation that we find our true worth to God -- that is where our faithfulness is revealed.

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My Utmost for His Highest, excerpts from October 1 and 2

Saturday, November 2, 2013

The Saturday Evening Post: The Last Month at Home



 I brought home this lovely bunch of flowers from work last week -- a sweet lady patient has twice brought in flower bouquets for the staff since I've been a member of the office team. The first time was on Valentine's Day, then she brought more in last week -- so sweet. :)

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Read-aloud with my sis :) ....

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Dad and sis on a cake-baking adventure! (Vanilla with browned butter frosting) ;0)

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 The raspberries are finally pruned and ready for winter ...

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 and the grass I planted in the chicken pen after re-taking a corner of it {here} (click to read about my adventure with that ;) is coming along quite nicely. :)

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Now, we do not believe in fairies ;) ... but my sister thought it would be fun to make a little "fairy fire" and we had fun putting it together.


Autumn leaves make great "flames"! :D





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Grammar lessons with my sis ...

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... with homemade hot cocoa afterward. :) Perfect way to end the school day!

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I discovered this wonderful piece one morning recently when listening to the classical music station on my way to work. It's gorgeous, hauntingly so. Yes, it's 13 minutes long ... but it's worth every minute of that!! :) This is Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus by Ralph Vaughan Williams.


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Happy November! :)