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.

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!

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!

Her Royal Highness, Duchess of Daphna Creek

This beautiful girl is my companion, our family dog.  Her name is Goldie, but she rarely hears her name as such.  I have a hard time just calling her Goldie; so it's often "Piggy" or "Schlep" or "Chuckie" or even "Libby"...and I'm not sure why.  It just is.  Could be related to why I sometimes call my youngest son, "Bob", which incidentally is not his name. 

(Note:  inconsistent use of names is not recommended for training a dog.  However, as long as green beans are accompanied by any name, training is not needed.)

Really.  How could you resist this mug?

Since I work from home, I don't have a lot of human interaction during the day.  Who needs it, when you've got a loyal golden by your side?  A lot less complicated.  Unfortunately, along with the total package comes the hair.  Oh my word, the hair.  Yes, it is true....golden retrievers shed.  Sometimes, after brushing her, I could make a whole new dog with all the hair that comes off of her! 

A couple months ago, I was presented with a chance to return my loyalty to her.  She was laying in our family room, and I thought she looked strange with one of her legs bent at an odd angle.  I went over to her to make sure she was okay, and quickly realized she was not okay.   She started flopping around uncontrollably, and lost control of her bowels and bladder.  This went on for nearly 10 minutes.  I was crying and feared that she was dying.  Nearly the whole time she was doing this, I didn't leave her side (except to run for the phone to call my husband and the vet).  Goldie kept eye contact with me as best she could, as if to say, "please don't leave me."  It was terrifying. 

I began to make sense out of what had happened, when she slowly came out of the bizarre activity.  I realized that I had just witnessed a seizure.  She quickly rebounded and has been fine ever since.  After doing some research, I have learned that goldens are more prone to having seizures.  I upgraded her food, hoping that will make a difference.  And we keep a more watchful eye on her now.  We don't know if she'll have more seizures, but we'll hope for the best. 

Presenting... Her Royal Highness, Duchess of Daphna Creek

~Loves most dogs and humans (except for men in trucks)~

~Loved by most dogs and humans (except men in trucks)~

~Loves green beans and cheese~

A Few of My Favorite Things

In addition to raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, these are a few of my favorite things...



The color blue, any shade...

"Blue Swirl" by KellismCo

Flowers, any type...

Jewelry, with both blue AND flowers...

"Le Jardin"

I am in love with these petite lucite bell flowers that come in all colors!  But of course, the blue shades are my favorite.  Watch my Etsy shop for these earrings and more in a new line called "Le Jardin."  

Transformed

A friend of mine received a pair of earrings as a gift, a really special gift.  The only problem was that my friend does not have pierced ears!  So she brought these earrings to me and asked if I could make something out of them.  I instantly knew what had to be done!  The transformation appeared in my mind immediately. 

What started out as a pair of earrings, pretty for sure, but of no use...

...became transformed into a necklace of timeless beauty that can be worn for years to come. 

Debbie's Dream

Easter Day Hike

Sorry for the infrequent posts lately, haven't been feeling up to it.  Thankfully, I was feeling pretty good on Easter weekend...even went for an easy hike with my hubby and the boys. 

Here is the annual must take Easter Sunday picture...yes, that's my youngest son on the left!

He is one gigantic 9 year old, huh?

After lunch, we packed some snacks and water bottles and headed for the hills. Not too far away, there's a rustic little camp that has some easy hiking trails. The mission was to find the treehouse.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mission accomplished! 
 
Along the way, I noticed some pretty little wildflowers blooming.  It rained earlier, so they were still dotted with tiny perfect raindrops. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
"These are the days you'll remember...
 
You’ll know it’s true
 
That you are blessed and lucky

It’s true that you

Are touched by something

That will grow and bloom in you."
10,000 Maniacs