Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Going to the Chapel

Fifteen wonderful years of marriage...it is time to celebrate! 

(Sorry for the poorly scanned/distorted image...but you get the idea!)


Seventeen years ago this week, Doug and I had our first date.  It was a canoe trip to a nearby lake.  It rained, but we didn't care.  Somehow we still managed to have fun! 

Sixteen years ago today, Doug took me back up to the same lake where a picnic was laid out ahead of time by our friends to surprise me when we got there.  Doug proposed, and not being able to imagine my life without this wonderful man, I wholeheartedly accepted.  (Our friends who set up the picnic spot were watching from a secret spot in the woods!)

Fifteen years ago today, my best friend and I exchanged vows and made promises to love each other forever. 


(Hmmm, print dresses...really?  It seemed like a good idea at the time!)



















From this day forward, I vow to continue to love my dear husband.  While our life together hasn't always been easy, the decision to marry each other was one of the easiest ones I've ever made.  And time after time, I've been blessed by that decision. 

I love you, Doug...and I always will.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Hope Floats

Beginnings are scary. Endings are usually sad, but it's what's in the middle that counts. So, when you find yourself at the beginning, just give hope a chance to float up. And it will.


--Birdee Pruitt (Sandra Bullock) from the movie "Hope Floats"

Hope Floats




















A friend from my childhood years has recently experienced a medical crisis.  At the age of 41, Rachel had a stroke.  Her family and friends are planning a rally in July to raise funds to assist her in this difficult time.  You can find this bracelet at the rally in a silent auction. 

Earlier this year, Rachel's friend Kay bought an Artful Accents bracelet to give to Rachel for her birthday.  I knew that I wanted to make a piece for the auction that would be similar to Rachel's bracelet. 

I'm wondering if Rachel feels like she's at the beginning of something scary...here's to encouraging her to give hope a chance to float!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Not Just An Ordinary Cookbook

They are Lovella, Anneliese, Judy, Betty, Bev, Charlotte, Ellen, Julie, Kathy, and Marg.  And they are the authors of a cookbook that is selling like hotcakes!  And their cookbook is not an ordinary cookbook. 

Aren't they darling?
source:  mgccpurchase.blogspot.com

Their cookbook is far from ordinary.  Sure it has recipes, and it is filled with beautiful pictures of the food to entice you to try each and every recipe.  Many of the recipes are traditional Mennonite fare.  But it begins to depart from ordinary when you delve into the book and discover that the authors are "much more about hospitality than entertaining - about blessing, not impressing."  source for quote: back cover of cookbook

Furthermore, each author provides a brief summary about who they are.  And you will even find inspiring devotionals, written by each cook, tucked into the pages of the book.

But what sets this cookbook apart from so many of the others is a statement found on page 5.

"All author royalties from Mennonite Girls Can Cook will be donated to charity to feed hungry children."

Seriously.  I've already bought 3 copies and will surely buy more.  Go get yourself a copy, if you haven't already.  (Disclaimer:  I am receiving no kind of incentive whatsoever to write this review.  I'm merely doing it because I think it's a good thing.)



You can purchase the book at this website. 

Or try your chance at winning a signed copy by leaving a comment on Ellen's blog, now through June 4!