Catching Up

This is the life! Being home from school and having the chance to nap and love on a kitty is what Joe has been missing. His first semester went very well and he is enjoying school, though it's been really cold there.
Katie bug is enjoying her Thanksgiving dinner. It looks a little different than mine? She is the newest member of the family (born into it)
Matt and Julie are also students relaxing on their Thanksgiving break. They just passed their first anniversary this summer!
Bird's eye view of one table at the feast...
Yet another table at the feast.
Angie and Grandma. We just enjoyed our time together so much this year.
I love this picture of Mom getting ready for the big dinner.
Dad taking a picture. I can't stand these, but it works.
The adult table at the dinner.From left is Ginger, Pat, Terri, Uncle Bob, Kathy, Rick.
The cutest person in the room, Katie with mom, Kristi.
This is just a quick catch up of some photos. More to come.

Stormy Weather

This has been a very stormy week. We have had four official storms and the one due on Sat. came early this evening. There was thunder and lightening and then rain like Noah must have seen. Come to think of it... I haven't seen a rainbow for quite a while. Do you think God went back on his promise? NAW, but it sure feels like it. We had a power outage, lost a most beloved Weeping Willow tree, had chimney trouble with our bricks and a steel plate. It feels like the middle of winter and it's just barely begun. I hope this too will pass, and in time for safe travel over the pass for Thanksgiving.We look forward to seeing almost all our extended family on Rick's side for Thanksgiving. We will miss seeing the California Bouchers, but know how hard it is to be two places at one time. May we all be blessed with good visiting, safe travels and many memories and relationships deepened. Love to all of you!

Rub a Dub Dub, Two Men and a Tub

Interesting shot of Gator and Rick taking out mirrors and the tub. The tub that will soon (sure, right) be installed into our bathroom... that is as soon as we figure out how it will fit in the best. Oh, and then actually do the work.
They are so strong! It just looks so easy.
This is a sweet soaker tub that is so pretty and it was being neglected by friends that only enjoy showers... So we will give it a new home. One that appreciates it. We do appreciate it. Thanks to Pam and Mike!!

My first pair of Socks

I finished them. They are not perfect, but they are sweet. I used a self striping yarn that makes them look prettier than they otherwise would. This is a pattern that Barb gave me and now I will
try my hand at socks with actual heels. Still these are so comfy.

2nd Annual Doughnut Day!!

Would you believe these are leftovers? It's true! We made at least 2X what's pictured but we had some serious quality control issues to constantly monitor.
Quinn and Rick had fun with the blackboard pantry door. Rick's pig is fierce.
Ron never has a vacant lap. Last year at our first Doughnut Day, Ron only had one doughnut. ONE. Never again. He'll be eating doughnuts for weeks!
Doesn't he look innocent? Rick found a new friend.
This was at the beginning of the afternoon, and it was a giddy feeling seeing the pans fill up. Ronna just couldn't control herself.
Even Diesel is trying to appear "uninterested".
Angie enjoys the first Maple Bar of the season.
Living proof that we made them and didn't fly over to Krispy Kreme's.
Kira was the expert dipper and I was just her assistant.
Icing done properly, with the pinky extended.
Man, I think I can smell the goodness. Enjoy Kathy, now Dick will see what we were up to...
Ronna's got a runny eye...
I cannot believe that in all the pictures Barb, the mastermind cook and chief tormentor, eluded my lens. How did that happen? Well, I will work on getting other pictures at our knitting group once I start back. I hope I don't start a run on Dunkin Doughnuts with this post. I ate one donut and one hole. It was enough. Sugar doesn't have the same hold on me it used to (but don't hold me to that!)

The Seals

What a great illustration/distraction during my quiet time. It is such a God thing to supply such a rich object lesson to speak to me. If you couldn't go to Soul Saturday you can have your own self directed retreat from your daily schedule. Just find a nice spot to get away from the phone.

Soul Saturday

The beautiful view from my first refuge at Camp Four Winds. This was during our quiet time that I sought a spot with a view and the comfort of a great bench. It was sunny and bright, but chilly.


So I moved on to an even more secluded spot, but nice and sunny. I didn't know someone else was there until I heard the noise. It sounded kind of rude. Then I saw them.
So between glimpses of scripture and contemplation I suddenly felt like I had a living object lesson before me.
I have been a "lazy" beached seal... content to live by the living water, drink when I am thirsty, sometimes immersing myself. And in contentment sunning on the deck - separate once again.
The seals hang over the edge, wanting the water.. wanting to sun... wanting both worlds.
I am reminded to have balance and a steady diet of the living water and resting in Him. Lots more thoughts... but this was a good Soul Saturday.