The Homeschool Masquerade Dance



Here we have a butterfly, flamingo, fairy and a bear.



And here we have Emily, Emma, Kathryn and Emily.




And just so you would believe me...here is a photo of the calf races!
Well...calves and a big farm dog.

Thanks for the invite Lynn in Wi. It was great!

And yes it was as gorgeous out as it looks in that picture and
Lynn even made us some homemade bean dip :o)
Yummy and garlicy!



Here is your 23rd birthday cake Patrick Jr.




Happy Birthday!
We love you!

I will have a Red Cake waiting for you when you come home.
Hug and Kiss,
Mom

*Recipe for Red Cake found here.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Memorial Day





Executive Mansion,
Washington,
November 21, 1864.

Mrs. Bixby,
Boston, Massachusetts:

DEAR MADAM: I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant-General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours very sincerely and respectfully,

Abraham Lincoln.


___________



I don't think I have it in me to see my boys go off to war.

Nope.

Definitely a 'cross that bridge when you come to it' situation.

I am in awe of the families and soldiers who have crossed that bridge.
The families were sacrificing and serving are daily realities.
Bless you all.

'Be always coming home.'

Donna

Okay. So I'm late to the party.

I read the introduction to Bird by Bird last night and I have to agree with all the buzz. I love this woman's style of writing. It is so natural...she writes like a friend. A friend you really want to spend time with. She's funny and genuine and has been around the block.

"I was very shy and strange-looking, loved reading above everything else, weighed about forty pounds at the time, and was so tense that I walked around with my shoulders up to my ears, like Richard Nixon...I was very clearly the one who was going to grow up to be a serial killer, or keep dozens of cats. Instead, I got funny. I got funny because boys, older boys I didn't even know, would ride by on their bicycles and taunt me about my weird looks. Each time felt like a drive-by shooting. I think this is why I walked like Nixon: I think I was trying to plug my ears with my shoulders, but they wouldn't quite reach."

It has been a while since I have opened a book and been drawn in.
I know I will go on to read many more of Anne Lamott's books.

Do you have any Anne Lamott favorites?


_________

A Sunday Poem

Calmly we look behind us,
on joys and sorrows past,
We know that all is mercy now,
and shall be well at last;
Calmly we look before us-
we fear no future ill,
Enough for safety and for peace,
if Thou art with us still.

-Jane Borthwick

Encourage one another,
Donna

The Old School House magazine has begun hosting homeschool blogs.
They sent me an email and I signed right up :o)
It is a free blog and it is very easy to navigate and post and has been hitch-free so far.
But because no one knows I'm even posting over there...

I am all alone!

No comments yet :o)

Here is the link to my new blog. Quiet Life @ Homeschoolblogger

We are allowed to bring posts over from our current blogs. Which I think I will do if the post is about education. I may even repeat some of the past posts in which I wrote about curriculum and homeschooling.

If you have always wanted to start writing a homeschool blog this might be a nice time to go over the homeschoolblogger.com and check it out.

___________


***Hey! I have a comment. Michele from New Zealand has started blogging again!
Staci and Lynne are also homechoolbloggers too :o) You might recognize their names from the comments box.

___________




So here I sit on Saturday morning wondering how the big Prom went last night.

Emma went with three of her friends to the Homeschool Formal. (They all call it the Prom.) She went to Katherine and Emily's house to get ready...so we didn't even get to see how she looked. Then she stayed overnight with her girlfriends.

I don't like being out of the loop like this.

Next year they are getting ready here!

Pout...pout....

Last night I handed Emma the camera and told her to notice everything so she could tell me all about it.


The letting go comes in little steps, doesn't it?
Sometimes it is just more noticeable and painful than other times.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday Feast From the Archives






Appetizer
Name 3 things that you think are beautiful.

Soup
What was the last concert you attended?

Salad
What is one thing that frightens you about getting older?

Main Course
Tell us about one of your funny quirks or habits. (Editor's note...it's me...This question is very much like one we did earlier this week. If you have already answered this ie., no underarm hair, rolling tongue...)
Tell us what cookbook you use most frequently.

Dessert
If you could extend one month to 50 days (instead of the normal 28, 29, 30, or 31), which month would you want to lengthen?

I'll put my answers in the comments box!

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.

John Greenleaf Whittier
Beauty seen is never lost, God's colors all are fast.

For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Kismet

A funny thing happened on our trip to Marinette.

We arrived just in time for the graduation party. Nathan and Andrew have been homeschooled all along. They are smart, kind, good boys. (And they would probably love that description) Their mother is a very good friend of mine. Besides loving to laugh at all of my jokes, she makes me laugh too and is smart, kind and good. :o)

I was happy to see old friends at the party and meet Cindy's parents from Missouri.

On the way up north I told Katie she would have a blast.

"A blast. What's 'have a blast'?"

I told her there would be many children to play with and that it was going to be a lot of fun.

There were. She did.

Of course we stayed well past the end of the party. But, hey, I was still there...so it was still party-time.

Emma stayed to play volleyball for an hour longer and Katie and I drove over to see if Karen was home.
Since there were no cars in Karen's driveway, we headed for Mickey Lu's.



Karen and her husband, Chuck, are owners of this fantastic hamburger stand!
Everyone I have ever brought to Mickey Lu's can't wait to go back :o)

Karen wasn't there but another friend saw us on the way and followed us over to visit for a few minutes. Liz is a sister-of-my-heart. We were young mother's together and were very close.
Circumstances kept us apart for many years.
But now when we see one another...it's like riding a bike.

So here is the funny part of this rambling account.

Liz and I are having a burger with the Works and Katie is dying to play a song on the jukebox. I dig for a quarter.

Katie-I'm going to play 1D.
Me-Fine.

I don't get up to help her. I'm hoping she can do it herself so Liz and I can continue talking uninterrupted.

Katie- I did it!

The machine picks up the 45 and lays it on the turntable.

The music quietly starts playing Katie's song.

It's The Stripper Song! Wa Wa, Wa Wa....

(The instrumental song from the 50's)

The song our mother loved to play!

Chuck looks at us from behind the counter and says, "Is that song still on there? I didn't know that was still on the juke box!"

Oh we laughed so hard!

Talk about serendipity!


I drove Liz home and went on to visit with Karen and her children for a little while.

Karen is another soul sister.
Karen and I used to walk every morning at 6:15am. We walked until 7:00am and continued to talk on and on. Every day we talked and walked...and never ran out of things to talk about! Isn't that remarkable?

So I was late picking Emma up....

Oops.

But if I had been on time I wouldn't have the jukebox story to tell.

So it is well worth it to me.

And on the way home Katie happily told Emma,

"I had a blast!"

Alphabet Meme about Me, me, me.

A is for Age - 47
B is for Booze - No, thank you.
C is for Career - helpmeet and mother
D is for Dad’s name - Jim
E is for Essential items to bring to a party - Diet Dr. Pepper so I have something to drink.
F is for Favorite song at the moment - Cowboy Take Me Away
H is for Hometown - Wheaton, Illinois
I is for Instrument you play - nada...cowbell, perhaps.
J is for Jam or Jelly you like - strawberry
K is for Kids - Four blessings :o)
L is for Living arrangement - two story, three bedroom, 1 1/2 baths
M is for Mom’s name - Esther
N is for Names of best friends - I can't put names here for fear I would leave someone off and hurt someone's feelings.
O is for overnight hospital stays - four births, ruptured appendix 1989, bowel obstruction 1990, our two little girls with jaundice, Patrick Jr burned himself at 17 mo. and I stayed with him.
P is for Phobias - hurting someone's feelings
Q is for Quote you like - The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self=control. Gal. 22
R is for Relationship that lasted longest - Other than siblings, I have been friends with Cathy Ripkey since I was four. I have been married for 25 years.
S is for Siblings - five sisters and one brother
U is for Unique trait - I can think of something to talk about with anyone I meet.
V if for Vegetable you love - I love tomatoes!!!
W is for Worst trait - not the best housekeeper
X - is for XRays you’ve had - teeth and tummy
Y is for Yummy food you make - salads
Z is for Zodiac sign - I'm a Libra but I don't put any stock in such things.


***Please feel free to take this meme to your site and answer the whole tamale.
Or answer as many of them as you like in the comments box.

I would especially like to know your unique traits and all about the yummy food you make.

________________


Do any of you shop on Ebay?
If so, what are your main searches?

I look for books, Florence Eiseman clothing for Katie (but I have never bought one outfit) and vintage, cotton pillowcases.

Emma is always searching for an inexpensive Lacoste polo.
They are popular again :o)


Encourage one another,
Donna

Wish Julie D. a Happy Birthday!
I would love to see her comments reach her age...which is 48!
We are the kind of gals who think our birthday's are National Holidays :o)

I always thought the 1950's would suit me.
Until I saw this;
Hair and Makeup for your face shape

Yeah. I'm Miss Neglect.


I knit this bag while Katie slept last night.



Hey, look!
It's just my size.

Actually it is too small. Can you see that it is not felted yet. Once it is felted I don't think her little hand would fit inside.

Knitting without a pattern is tricky.

I'm a granny.



Katie is as funny as she is cute!
She was walking hunched over and was talking with her lips curled over her teeth. (like she was toothless)
She is one partying granny.

*Matthew is safely home.
*Emma passed her road test yesterday.
*Must go grocery shopping...again!

Encourage one another,
Donna

Have you read?

Knots on a Counting Rope by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault

"A Native American boy requests his favorite story from his grandfather --- the story of the special night when the boy came into the world. Though he was born blind, the boy has learned from his grandfather many ways to see without needing his eyes. Each time Grandfather tells the boy's tale, he adds another knot to the counting rope. Once the rope is full, the boy will know the wonderful story by heart, able to tell it himself."

This book has so much about it that I love.

Storytelling, family, overcoming adversity, emphasis on remembering, absolutely beautiful illustrations and smooth flow.



Remembering and telling our stories is so important. I come by it naturally. I know some people don't, but it is a 'skill' worth nurturing.

The Bible reminds us to remember often.

My son, keep my words
And treasure my commandments within you.
Keep my commandments and live,
And my teaching as the apple of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 7:1-3

My sister's Janice and Janet would have very few memories of our parents if we didn't share our memories with them.


I believe sharing our stories is one of the most important teaching tools we have as parents.

************

Matthew comes home today. Hip, hip, hooray!


Emma and I coaxed Patrick Sr. to come and play tennis with us last night.
He didn't want to come but once he hit the ball a few times he started to enjoy himself. He is really a good and natural athlete.

There was the most perfect breeze last night. Ahhhhh.

***********

Today is the beginning of the three day Jeopardy Champions Tournament.
Ken Jennings comes back to play two fellow Jeopardy Champions.
(They have been playing games for three months to whittle it down to the two people who would play Kenny)

The winner of the tournament will win 2 million dollars.

I can't wait to see how Ken plays against the very best players.
Will he blow them away?

My guess is yes, Kenny will blow away the competition.

I can't wait!

Go Kenny, go Kenny....

Encourage one another,
Donna

Mornin'

In looking for a quote to share this morning I typed a Google search;
Sunday quotes.

They gave me Billy Sunday quotes.

"Try praising your wife, even if it does frighten her at first"

Ha.

There's one for the men.

First time and probably the last.

Encourage one another,
Donna

I often read of women who have been offended by what others say to them. Unkind things just fly out of people's mouths.
Snotty comments about family size and homeschooling are abundant.
Some ladies get really nasty things written to them in their comments.
In 16 months I have only gotten one really weird, scary comment

Miz Bean handled a similar situation, earlier this week, with 'amazing grace'.
Danielle Bean

Look at the creative talent out there in the blogworld.

Wee Wonderfuls....again

The girls and I are traveling again today.
It's graduation party season.

Mama T has a graduate this year? Anyone else?

Ah.
Life is Good.
God is Good.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday Feast

Hey, did you know I don't write the Friday Feast, like a did most of the Friday Fives? Nope. Someone out there in computerland is making my Friday morning much easier :o)

I scanned the archives and found one I liked.
Have fun!


Appetizer - Who is the one person you email more often than anyone else?

My friend Karen from Marinette. We keep in touch very regularly through email!

Soup - So far, which year of your life has been the most enjoyable?

I don't know really.

Salad - Name someone with whom you have lost touch but would like to reunite.

My friend Cynthia from Marinette. We have not spoken in two years and it is a real shame because she is an amazing woman.

Main Course - What was the tastiest meal you had this past week?

Mandarin Orange Salad-I made it- tra-la

Dessert - Using the letters in your favorite color, write three words that describe your personality.

P-perky
i-interested
n-nice
k-kookie


I will be gone all day again. Busy, busy, busy.

Today I get to meet up with a very dear High School friend in Milwaukee.

Any dibs on whether we do a cheer or two?

We. Can. Beat. Ya.
We can beat ya badder than ya ever been beat.
We. Can. Beat. Ya.
Look out Rams were gonna show ya defeat.
We. Can Beat. Ya.
You're Beat.

Oh Lordy...the grammar....

Have fun and be good while I am away :o)

Encourage one another,
Donna

Two of my favorite ladies have stopped blogging. Just like that.
I miss them.
I miss hearing about their families and the very smallest things.

Small pleasures add up to make the day lovely.

Peeking out the widow to spy a singing bird.
A warm breeze.
The turn of a phrase.
A giggle.
A tear.
Chasing the cat.

Miz Nuttenhoney and Miz Dominion Family,
I wish you well in this season of your life!


Which reminds me of a fantastic anthem of a song from RENT.
I wonder if anyone knows it? Click here to hear a small portion.

Seasons of Love

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Moments of Dear
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure - Measure A Year?
In Daylights - In Sunsets
In Midnights - In Cups Of Coffee
In Inches - In Miles
In Laughter - In Strife

In - Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure
A Year In The Life

How About Love?
How About Love?
How About Love?
Measure In Love

Speaking of moments, Emma is taking her driving test today!
Would you say a quick prayer for her.
She is well prepared and will most likely pass...

It's just that I would love prayer for her safety as she travels the busy highways...from now on.

I have this queasy feeling in my chest about her driving.
It's tough not being in control, isn't it.

It's that time again....time to trust God.

I don't have to battle fears too often lately...I go along in happy-go-lucky-land...but today I feel fear.

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."(Isaiah 41:10).

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

Okay. I will.

One more thing...I get to see Jean in Wi today! She and her daughter will be at the same driving center today! We both will travel 30 miles from our homes (we live 60 miles apart) and arrive at the same place, on the same day.
We didn't plan this.
I think someone else did :o)

Katie wishes we were going out to the farm too.
"I want to pet the kitties"
But we will have to do that on another day.

It's gonna be a good day...filled with many moments, I'm sure.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Katie and I don't watch The Simpsons but everyone else in the family does. They think it is hysterical. I think it is usually pretty irreverent. "I can't believe they just said that!"

But on Sunday night dh and Emma were watching The Simpsons and came to tell me how funny it was. Homer and Bart wanted to become Catholic. My Catholic husband and Protestant daughter thought it was great! In the five minutes of the show that I saw, Bart said something that I thought was brilliant (and I would, because I'm such a mutt.)

Let's not fight over the stupid little things ... when we have so many stupid big things in common.

It's how I feel...except for the 'stupid' part. :o)

_____________


A friend sent a link to a few excellent articles on the Holy Spirit.
I loved this one and thought I would pass it along. Leithart/Exhortation/Pentecost

The Spirit who is Love enters a fragmented, divided, and confused world, and He comes to bind together what is broken. He comes above all to knit us to Christ. Just as a husband and wife are one flesh, so, Paul says, “the one who joins himself to the Lord is one Spirit” (1 Cor 6). The Spirit comes to join together the members of the church into the body of Christ. The Spirit is the matchmaker who prepares the bride for her eventual union with her husband. The Spirit illumines our minds to see Christ in the Scripture, joining text and heart, and the Spirit joins the word preached to the congregation receiving that word.

What the world needs is a united and thriving church, and what the church needs is a renewal of Pentecost, a fresh burst of the rushing mighty wind of the Spirit.

Well said. Beautifully said Mr. Leithart.

Much better than my Rodney Dangerfield comments.
_____________________

If you have read or are currently reading Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, what do you think of it? I am only on page 44 and am enjoying it. But can you tell me what all the fuss is about? Is it going somewhere?

From what I heard on Jeopardy yesterday Gilead has won the Pulitzer prize.
I guess I don't know fabulous writing even when I'm reading it.
What makes this book a Pulitzer Prize winner?


Thanks for the fun comments yesterday! Did you know that every comment I get is like a little present to me?

Keep on encouraging one another...you are all so good at it!
Donna

Tennis Anyone?

Emma and I went to the park last night and played our first game of tennis....ever.

We had such a great time and got in an hour of exercise! But playing tennis is no way as boring as exercise. It is a fun game!

I have played quite a bit of tennis in the past.
Emma has never played at all.

And since I'm rusty and she is young and fit we were a perfect match :o)

When was the last time you played tennis?

Try it, you'll like it :o)
____________________

Introducing the Comrade Grinch Buttonhole bag!




I love the shape...the size...and the feel of this bag.
The grayish-greenish (Lamb's Pride calls it Khaki) yarn felted up really fuzzy.

That's the fun thing about felting. You really don't know what is going to happen.
The Grinch felted very tightly and quickly.
The colors remind me of a Russian uniform hence the Comrade...
I thought it was going to be a Cheery Cherry Tree button hole bag...
but the felting produced Grinch hair instead :o)

Look! It's getting taller, Crissy!
(Crissy would like a buttonhole bag that is roughly 12 by 13 so I am experimenting with the pattern.)
__________________

Did I ever tell you what a fan I am of 'life-time' sports?
Well I am. I love a sport you can participate in for your whole life.
Golf, tennis, swimming, softball are great choices.
Not too many football games or gymnastic meets from 40 year olds :o)

I like a sport the kids can learn now...and play til they're 80.

Tennis anyone?

Encourage one another,
Donna

Moving the behemoth



I moved the couch three feet to the left yesterday afternoon.

I earned $1.21, found at least fourteen pens and pencils, cleaned and vacuumed.

Can you believe this is the decluttered look?

Too much stuff
Too much stuff
More than enough
More than enough

(sing to three blind mice)

Other than being a moving girl, we went to a graduation lunch for our niece.
Ellie is interested in theater. She has a summer stock job lined up in Montana and has a job working in a children's theater all set for the Fall. She is doing what she loves...we wish her well...Break a leg Ellie!

Emma took an application into Old Navy on the way home from the luncheon.
As she handed her application to the manager, the manager asked her, "Why do you want to work here?" Thinking quickly Emma said, "I like the atmosphere, your clothes and of all the clothing stores this is my first choice" (Something like that)
We thought she was brave and answered well. I'm glad she didn't grunt, "I need the money."

Other than that, I knitted :o)



Aren't those colors glorious?

And aren't you glad Tom is the winner of Survivor!?
He deserved to win! Good for him!

We have lots of exciting things coming up this week.

How about you?


Encourage one another,
Donna

The Trinity

Today, in churches that follow a liturgical calendar, is Pentecost or the Feast of the Holy Spirit. On this day we pay special remembrance to when Christ 'gave' the Holy Spirit to His disciples.

For some reason, the Holy Spirit is the Rodney Dangerfield of the Trinity.
He gets no respect.

Most of the time I pray to our Heavenly Father...and actually that name encompasses the Holy Spirit...but I am not thinking 'Holy Spirit'.

But as I understand it the Holy Spirit was sent to comfort and teach.

That's pretty important.
And so the church reminds us.

Prayer of the Holy Spirit

Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life: come and abide in us, cleanse us from every impurity and save our souls, O Good One.

Come Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your Divine Love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Oh God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructed the hearts of the faithful, Grant, that by the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Growing in faith and understanding,
thanks to the Holy Spirit.

DOnna

A favorite Psalm





Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

-Psalm 100, KJV

Friday Feast #43

These little Friday's Feasts have been going around for a year now. This week is their one year anniversary. I finally found a set of questions I like well enough to share. Picky aren't' I?


Appetizer: What was your first “real” job?
Kentucky Fried Chicken. Four hours. Total disaster.
I didn't go back.

Soup: Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?
Yarn store- Live or On-line.
Knitting Blogs.


Salad: Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when-
I talk too much.

Main Course: What values did your parents instill in you?
Love one another. (If you can't play nicely with your sisters you can't go play with your friends)
Be careful what you say. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
Go to church.
Have fun!

Dessert: Name 3 fads from your teenage years.
Long straight hair.
Dr. Scholls.
White frosted lipstick.

How fun! :o)

Somebody come and play
Somebody come and play today
Somebody come and smile the smiles
And sing the songs
It won't take long
Somebody come and play today

Encourage one another,
Donna

Good Old Fashioned Fun

Have you ever entered anything into a County Fair or a State Fair?

I have not!

Kay and Ann over at Mason-Dixon knitting are leading their readers down the road to the Fair Grounds. Ann is from Tennessee and found a Creative Arts Needlecraft competition at her State Fair.
This could be fun!

From what I can see, Wisconsin only has competitions for Juniors (the kids from 4-H)

However, I did find a beer brewing competition for adults. (Hey Martha...Kurt might enjoy that one)

My goodness you should see all of the categories :o)

So I will snoop around a little more today but I'm afraid Wisconsin dropped the adult Creative Arts competitions years ago.

If you know anything about this fellow Wisconsinites, let me know.

So tell us...

Have you won a prize for your baking, sewing, photography, etc.?

I'll just bet we have a few winners among us!

Encourage one another,
Donna

Well....we were tiptoeing on the edge yesterday.

I can be naive. I didn't realize that some of the comments could be hurtful cause I saw it as a funny meme.

I sure hope feelings are not hurt by our 'mostly' minor differences.

I try very hard not to offend. And I try not to be offended by things I encounter on the internet.

So I think I will stay away from the edge from now on :o)

But, hey, wasn't that Dave Barry article a hoot???

*************

Okay...I wrote the above last night...and then we slept till 8:05 this morning!!!
I was worn out from watching the Amazing Race. I think I was forgetting to breathe.

Uchenna and Joyce were worthy winners.
Rob and Amber made the race fun. My husband and I really like their personalities and the way they treat one another.
Ron and Kelly. Big Bummer.

If Rob and Amber did not make it into the final two (which was what we thought was going to happen cause of the police check) I don't know if we would have finished watching the show!!!

*******Just watched the $million dollar$ check ceremony on CBS.

Uchenna and Joyce-working on a baby.
Rob and Amber-married...Tuesday May 24th CBS
Ron and Kelly-just friends

The Amazing Race is the most exciting show on television!

I know those of you who don't like reality can't imagine this...
But that's okay with me....
I'm not easily offended :o)

Socks are not offensive!




Made with Hello Yarn hand dyed Merino. Soft, dreamy yarn.
Hellen's Favorite Sock pattern.

I just finished the toe this morning on the second pair!
I wish you could feel them.

I know two of you have told me you would be learning to knit this Spring.
How is it going?

Time to get to work.
Encourage one another,
Donna

Third leg

The baton has been passed from Julie D. to me.

"List five things that people in your circle of friends or peer group are wild about, but you can't really understand the fuss over. To use the words of Caesar (from History of the World Part I), 'Nice. Nice. Not thrilling . . . but nice.'"

1. Law and Order

bong.bong.

Zzzzzzzzzzzz.

2. The Lord of the Rings

I'm am so sorry but I have absolutely no interest in The Lord of the Rings.
Imagine my chagrin when it swept the Academy Awards.
ugh

3. Theological debates

Make me squirm and feel bad.
Can't we all just get along :o)

4. SUV's

Gigantic gas guzzlers! Bane of my existence.
I know you all love em....and need em...
but watching that gas gage head toward E just driving up a hill made me light headed.

5. Coffee

I just don't get it.
It tastes icky...and so does tea.


And while I'm on the subject. Dave Barry wrote a hysterical column about SUV's a while back. I tracked it down last night.

If there's one thing this nation needs, it's bigger cars. That's why I'm excited that Ford is coming out with a new mound o' metal that will offer consumers even more total road-squatting mass than the current leader in the humongous-car category, the popular Chevrolet Suburban Subdivision - the first passenger automobile designed to be visible from the moon.

'visible from the moon' bwahaaaaa

Read the rest of the column here.


Anything you're not wild about...but everyone else is?

Do tell.

Encourage one another,
Donna]

Don't forget!!! The final leg of The Amazing Race is on tonight!
Woo Hoo!

Recipes

Carmon is hosting a cookie exchange today. If you haven't visited Buried Treasure yet, today is a good day to start. I'll bet Carmon gets at least 20 tried and true cookie recipes.

If you haven't visited my recipe page or didn't know about it, you can find it at the sidebar or click here. It's called Recipes I have Know and Loved.


I was very happy to hear that two friends from church are visiting and using some of the recipes I have shared. My friend Jeaneen is eating very low fat these days and loves my recipe for Crock Pot Chicken Soup. She doubles it so she has enough for her family and a few more servings for herself. Her younger sister found my Carrot Cake recipe and even made it for her father's birthday celebration.

This gives me such a thrill!

I am one of those ladies who is heart-sick when a meal fails...when no one likes what I have prepared. I take it personally.

My husband and I have very different pallets and appetites.
Our children follow suit.
They are somewhere between my husband and I.

Did you know that my husband ate sloppy joes for lunch every day for fifteen years.

The rest of us get bored with the same thing for lunch.

Patrick likes routine. And really doesn't care about food.
I love variety. And I love food.

Guess which one of us is thin?

So go and collect some new recipes from Carmon's cookie exchange.
Maybe you will find a new family favorite!

Encourage one another,
Donna

A day for Thanksgiving: Mother's Day




I miss thee, my Mother! Thy image is still
The deepest impressed on my heart.
~Eliza Cook



I am so thankful that I was given such a wonderful mother.

She was only 23 in that picture!!! I was baby #4.

Thank you God for the gift of such a dear, loving, mother.

"Some are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together.
-Pearl S. Buck"

Who ran to help me when I fell,
And would some pretty story tell,
Or kiss the place to make it well?
My mother.
-Jane Taylor

As Father's Day and Mother's Day rolled around each year I would ask my dad,
"When is Children's Day?"
He would reply, "Everyday is Children's Day."

I feel like everyday is Mother's Day.

Thank you, God, for giving me a husband and children.
Help me to continue to grow in my calling.

Happy Mother's day to all.

Donna

You are Jane Bennett. You are beautiful, good,
kind, and loving. You take care of everything,
love everything, and everybody loves you. You
think the best of everyone until it is too late
and then still believe that they have redeaming
qualities. On the one hand, you are wonderful.
On the other hand, get your head out of the
clouds, woman!!


Which Pride and Prejudice Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Why of course I will share this quiz....
I got a good result :o)

You can be sure I would not have shared the quiz if I had been Mr. Collins....like my friend, the Happy Catholic. (She is not a bit like him!)


Just after Jane and Mr. Bingley announce their engagement, her father, Mr. Bennet proposes a sort of toast to Jane.

"You are a good girl," he replied, "and I have great pleasure in thinking you will be so happily settled. I have not a doubt of your doing very well together. Your tempers are by no means unlike. You are each of you so complying, that nothing will ever be resolved on; so easy, that every servant will cheat you; and so generous, that you will always exceed your income."

Mr. Bennet is really rather funny.

I tell Emma that I hope she marries someone as sweet as Mr. Bingley and then we can say this at her wedding :o)

I can't wait to see if we have any Lydias in the group....
I highly doubt it!
Any Mrs. Bennets? Marys?

Oh... the joy of Pride and Prejudice...
We could talk for days on this topic couldn't we :o)

Encourage one another,
Donna


p.s. The quiz has the spelling wrong, according to the on line-book, Bennet has only one 't'.

etc.




I'm just playing along here :o)

Cribchick is playin'....show us your shoes today.

These Birkenstocks look fine with a pair of handknit socks too :o)

Is that 'granola' enough for you?

If you had an iPod: Friday Five...

Matthew bought an iPod with a portion his tax refund.
He is spending a lot of time filling it up with his favorite songs.
He was downloading songs off of Emma's cd's when he was home and then bought a song or two on itunes.

There is a whole disco section :o)

Not for Matthew...for me.

So if you had an iPod, what would be the first five songs you would load?

1. Until you come back to me(I'm gonna knock on your door) by Aretha Franklin
2. In Your Eyes by Peter Gabrielle
3. I melt with you by Modern English
4. Spring Wind by Greg Brown
5. Follow You by Genesis

***********

We had such a nice afternoon yesterday!!!

The Amazing Knitter Lynn was hosting a kick ball game with her homeschooling group.
She invited Katie and I to come along.
There were many children, a fun game of kick ball, lots of nice mom's with very familiar faces and a playground.

It was a sunny 70 degrees with a slight breeze.

Perfection.

From what I could see...the children played well together and the mom's had a lot to talk about. Katie loved it!
Although she has already noticed that I do not pay the best attention when my children play sports...

"Mommy you weren't watching."

"She doesn't watch very well Katie. She even misses my goals." informs Emma.

Bad mommy :o)

I also was able to purchase some organic eggs from one of the mom's at the field. Her son is raising and selling eggs as a little business...
Cool, huh?

The Choir (the one that Emma is in) has their big Spring concert tonight.
I can't wait to see it.
The Christmas concert was pretty classical, this one is more of a Swing concert.

Oh yikes...I need to bring three dozen cookies....

Better take some butter out of the fridge....

Encourage one another,
Donna

Well...that happened sooner than I expected

Katie had her first proposal of marriage yesterday afternoon.

She said he asked nicely...but she doesn't want to marry him.
She said 'No thank you'....and ran home.

Runaway....runaway....

She does not want to talk about it.

***************

Are you known for a certain color? color combination?

I am not really...but my sister, Janice, is Miss Pink and Green. Every time I see this yarn at Knit Happens ( Go look! )

I think of her :o)

And I think 'what can I make with that glorious yarn?

I visit it daily and imagine.

You know what I really like. Florals.

I have pictures of flowers, flowers on a pillow on the bed, flowers on the living room couch and my favorite perfume is Quelques Fleurs.

I do not have a blouse with flowers on it...I think I need one :o)

What a delicious time of year to love flowers!

Earth laughs in flowers.
Emerson

What colors say YOU?

Donna

Whirling Dervish

Did you know a Whirling Dervish is a real thing....a real person?





In Turkey there is a religious ceremony where a person called a Dervish, whirls.
For a long time....

It's one of those words you have heard your whole life and never thought about.

Did you know Holy Rollers are a real church?

My mother-in-law told me that there was a church of Holy Rollers in Marinette, Wisconsin many years ago. I thought she meant that the church had very religious members. But no, they actually rolled on the floor.

Did the Shakers shake?

Don't you love word orgins?

And don't you love the Amazing Race even more???
It is television at it's finest.

So long to Meredith and Gretchen!

Gretchen said that they 'won a million dollars worth of memories.'
A nice way to exit.

And how cute was Amber last night with her Sherlock Holmes hat and pipe as she walked down Baker's Street?

Next week is the finale....I can't wait!

I will be waiting for Tuesday...just like Katie!


*****

It is starting to warm up around here again....
I'm looking forward to a little sunshine on my face :o)

*****

Still haven't heard from Matthew. I'm sure he is back at college, don't you think?


Encourage one another,
Donna

Can we talk?

I am feeling a little awkward about posting pictures of my handknit items here on the Quiet Life blog now that I am selling them over at Sweet Pea Knits.
The reason I am feeling awkward is that I would never
want anyone to feel an obligation to purchase something I am selling.
I am not a sales girl at heart.

So I will continue to show you my things....but you can check over at Sweet Pea to see if what I am making is for sale of not.



I am naming the bags...
The pink one is Cherry Blossom.
And the blue one is Bluebell.

I can't decide which bag I like better. I like the pink and the girls like the blue.

...and I don't have a dog to name so I will start to name my knitting projects.
Now is that a sign of the crazies?


Speaking of color, Patrick and I saw a very interesting story on the CBS Sunday Morning show this weekend. The story was about a company that 'decides' what colors will be in fashion in the future. They have also categorized paint colors to make production uniform and easier. For instance they created and cataloged the colors; UPS Brown, Coke Red, Barnes and Noble Green and Gap Blue.
Here is the link to the story.


Who knew color was a giant business. Check out Pantone's cool website.

********

Mini-follow up to the Wellness Seminar-

We are having smoothies today.

I used Olive Oil on my face and arms as a moisturizer yesterday. (I did not break out and I did not smell like a Greek Salad)

I will try one of Tess' recipes soon.

(Sparrow, I will post a few of those recipe's for you, soon. I thought you would like this tip about rotating your main course, Tess rotates between, brown rice, potato, pasta, bread and grains instead of beef, chicken, pork...)

Make changes one meal at a time....one whole day at a time...

Approaching it that way suits me very well.

Off to blend those smoothies. I wonder if Katie will drink it????

Encourage one another,
Donna

All's Quiet on the Midwestern Front

The boys are back in Omaha. (I think. No phone call. Hope they are not dead in a ditch. I'm not worrying.)
They were funny and enjoyed their visit to Madison.

Emma is home from tour. She had a wonderful time. They performed eight times, lodged on a farm (Emma's small group slept in the machine shed with their fun mom-chaperone), and goofed around with the other all of their friends.

Katie scoured the neighborhood for anyone to play with.

I knit so much yesterday that I think I sprained a little tiny muscle in my hand.




I guess I better do some stretching before I start in on the marathon knitting.

I did figure something out, all on my lonesome...
When you are using markers with your knitting, use a green one for the place you will start your counting. It is very easy to remember that green means go :o)

It works for me!



On last thing.
Is anyone else watching Grey's Anatomy?
Probably not.
But boy is it good.

Off to a fresh new week....

Encourage one another,
Donna

Crissy is asking, "Show us your bag" this weekend.
Welcome back to blogging Crissy. I missed you!

This is a real live picture of my purse and it's contents.

I am not usually a minimalist...but this cute little 'bag' is not very practical...very cute tho :o)

This was my anniversary gift this year :o) Notice the initials. They're mine!

This bag is the perfect example of 'you will fill the space you have'.
I usually have much more in my purse...much more junk.

I knit a brown and pink buttonhole bag and am in the process of knitting a blue and brown one...I may be switching over to one of those very soon.

*************

What are the 7 Natural Laws of Health?

Nutrition
Exercise
Water
Sunshine
Fresh Air
Rest
Emotions

The woman who gave the workshop, Tess Fries, is a Master Herbalist and Certified Nutrition Herboligist.

I would say the workshop was intermediate level information and geered for people who are ready to be Vegans.
I was more interested in Introductory information to be honest.
She was very pleasant and informative. But we are not really interested in going Raw only....and she spent a lot of time on that.

She did serve us smoothies, breakfast bars, pasta salad, bean chili and potato stew.
All were excellent and I would make all five of her recipes.
So that was a big hit!

I am ready for some first steps.

I am on the healthy range for emotions/spirit and rest! Is that funny? sad? Well...it's a start :o)

Our folder came with seventy-five recipes.
I look forward to trying those. The exercise, fresh air and sunshine will be much easier to get now that we are staying above 45 degrees.

The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they'll ease
Your will they'll mend
And charge you not a shilling.
~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990

Joy and Temperance and Repose
Slam the door on the doctor's nose.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book. ~Irish Proverb

Happy May Day!!!

Tra-la,

Donna