Ohio University/Gangnam Style

Saw this on the internet a few days ago and it cracked me up.

For those of you who do not watch as much TV as I do,
there is a Korean dude who made a song and a dance called Gangnam style.
It really odd.
Do you remember the Macarana or the Dougie?

Well.  Here's Gangnam Style.
The 'artist' is named Psy.

No matter...I love a marching band.

This ones for you Nancy B  :o)

Happy Weekend!!
Donna

Flash Back Friday...not.

Okay.  I'm only flashing back one day.

Yesterday was the most beautiful day and I wanted to show you some of the pretty sights.




I drove up to Baraboo to go to a Bible study.  On the way there I was astonished by the colors.
I have lived in Wisconsin for nearly 30 years now and have never seen such a show!

The sun was pouring down on the bluffs and the colors were Gorgeous!!!




On the way home I decided to turn off on a country road to take the picture of the bluff...and then well...I decided to drive all the way up the hill.

What a view from up there!!


And the wildlife!!!





hehe

Wisconsin style.


When I got back to Madison I decided to treat myself to a nice birthday lunch at Chipotle.
I get a burrito bowl with chicken.  It's the best.  The Chipotle is right by my favorite old church.  The trees looked pretty as I drove up to the church.  I got out of the car to try to take a few pictures.  (I did not have my fancy camera with me.  Big mistake.)


As I walked past the windows the yellow leaves caught my eye.





Pretty sight. Peaceful place.

So it was me and my iphone and the beautiful gifts of fall.
Not a bad way to spend the day.




October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came-
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.

~george cooper/partial



Encourage one another,
Donna

Odd

It's really odd the things that remind us of others.




Not only do liver sausage sandwiches remind me of my mom, but the bite out of this sandwich does too.

When my mom took a bite out of something, it looked huge to me when I was little.
I mean 1/3 of the sandwich....gone.

At least that what it looked like to me.

So yesterday when I took a big bite out of my delicious sandwich,
I thought of my mom.

Isn't that odd?


Stephanie and Melinda were talking a song called Timshel by Mumford and Sons on Facebook yesterday.
I googled it and listened on YouTube.

I loved this verse:

You are the mother, the mother of your baby child
The one to whom you gave life
And you have your choices-these are what
make man great
His ladder to the stars

But you are not alone in this
You are not alone in this
As brothers we will stand
And we'll hold your hand





Encourage one another,
Donna

Beautiful Family

On Sunday afternoon I had a photo shoot.
We had two goals in mind; a Christmas picture and a large portrait for
Grace's bedroom.

We hoped to shoot inside a little but the trees and light just made that impossible.
I have never wished to have lights before.  I did on this day.

But it was beautiful outside and I am so happy with the pictures.










Such nice smiles all around :o)







Old world beauty.

This darling girl is really as sweet as she looks.  I had so much fun giving her Tyra Banks modeling tips while we were shooting!



I'm so happy they were up for a few couple photos!!
Seriously married folks....take pictures together!!!

Hey!  I think I just thought of a blog post for Ree's!!!

Not only get in the picture....BUT get in the picture with the ones you love!

You won't regret it :o)


Encourage one another...and smile with the ones you love,

Donna


 

Saving the world and Chevron Mittens

When Katie came home from Nature's Classroom she had very chapped lips.



She went with me to get a Chai....
I remembered my cup.  I wrote a slogan.

Saving eleven cents...
and THE WORLD.

I crack myself up.
I said it approximately nine times.




My mitten kit came in the mail.  I love everything Knitterly Things.  I buy her sock yarn all the time.  her colors are wonderful. I have had my eye on this mitten pattern for a few years.  The yarn colorway is called Vintage Appliance.  CUTE!!!

Now.  This pattern will be challenging for me.  I hope I can do it.
I am going to finish Asher's Harry Potter scarf first and try these some time this fall.  I will let you know how it goes.  Eeeek.

One other thing about Knitterly Things.  Very very good service.  I ordered these and they came within days.  Well done Julia Vesper.





Ginny helping me style my shoot.

****

Katie and I talked about the books she is reading for school.  She happens to be reading books about homeschooled kids entering the world of public school lately.  Once is called Schooled and the other is called Star Girl, I think.
These are mostly stories about being different.  (odd)
The whole thing is pretty interesting to me.

They have a chart that details the number of pages to  read to earn a certain grade.

I told Katie the books I read when I was in 7th grade and then I said that I don't remember having to read chapter books for school.  We read passages out of large readers.  The Scarlet Ibis comes to mind....and The Lottery.

My chapter book reading was on my own.  You know Seventeenth Summer and The Pink Dress.

Katie said she wished she was reading out of those big books again.  She feels a great deal of pressure to read quickly to get the A.   (Because of course I told her she needs to aim for the A.)
It is taking the fun out of reading.

I suggested she talk to her teacher and tell her how she is feeling.

Then Katie said something like, well, if I keep working hard I will learn how to read faster and I will get a good grade.

She realized that this time of discomfort would pay off and she would eventually be able to read faster.

I was so proud of her for not shying away from the hard thing and seeing how the hard thing would make reading in the future easier and fun again.

I was so proud of her.

I want her to love to read...but I really want her to be able to face challenges and work hard to overcome them.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Emmy Unfashion Awards and the inspiring Jill Briscoe

I was so looking forward to showing you dresses of pretty dresses and telling you all about the good parts of the 2012 Emmy awards.

But there were....um...none.

The best part of the show was the very short but very sweet mention of Andy Griffith by Ron Howard.

Downton Abbey won just one award.  Dame Maggie Smith.

To think it was exactly one year ago that I first heard of Downton Abbey.  I saw the show win numerous awards on the Emmy and I wondered, 'what is that?'  So I bought the series and watched the whole first year in one day, or two.  Then January came and I was able to watch season two with the rest of the US.
This year Downton was passed over for shows I have not heard of, but do not appeal to me AT ALL.
And actors from those shows that do not appeal to me.

I felt old last night.  I felt like our grandparents must feel when the young bucks have taken over the telly and we are left with Lawrence Welk and Willard Scott.
But in my case it's Downton Abbey and Kelly Ripa.

No one seemed to get it right in the fashion dept.
I really could do a who wore the worst this year.  But I don't want to.

Three dresses caught my eye.

Source: dailymail.co.uk via Donna on Pinterest

Giuliana Rancic is a hostess.  She looked better than most of the actresses.  Sorry.
She and Bill have the sweetest reality show on television.

Source: dailymail.co.uk via Donna on Pinterest

I don't know this girl.  I like this but I don't love it.

Source: dailymail.co.uk via Donna on Pinterest

This is Leslie Mann.  I chose her last year.  I do love this.  But guess where I found it?
On the wrost dressed list.  Ah well.

This is just my humble opinion.

That's what blogs are for :o)

***

Going to see Jill Briscoe speak on Saturday was the best thing I have done for myself in a long, long time.  Jill's words inspired me and filled me up with good, pure, right thoughts about Christ.



Here is the talk she gave at Founders Week last Feb in Chicago.
It is very long but if you need some spiritual encouragement,
take a listen.





Love to all.
Encourage one another,
Donna

A pretty chair

Source: shop.nubegreen.com via Donna on Pinterest

Do you have a special place to read?

I read in bed every night.

Right now I am reading a book called Sheepish by Catherine Friend.
It is okay.  It reads very much like a blog.  The thing about this book...it has a very cute cover.
I'm sure this is what sold me.

If you want to read a really good book about moving to a farm
read Fifty Acres and a Poodle by Jeanne Marie Laskas.

I have the fondest memories of reading that book.
I think of her dogs often and her meeting with the hunters in her field.

If you haven't read this book.
Do.

Source: google.com via Donna on Pinterest

I'm headed to Baraboo again today for a special ladies meeting.
Stephie Seefeldt will be singing and Jill Briscoe will be speaking.
Last time I went to one of their events, it rained down ice and we missed the singing part...arrived a whole hour late.  This morning the ground is dry and I am good to go.

Katie was going to come with me but she is sleeping.
She had a really great time at Nature's Classroom.
Her group had the 'best leader'!
The food was good and the activities were really fun.

She liked it so well, she wants to be a leader there one day!!


Okay!  I gotta go!
Have a great weekend!

Lots of love,
Donna

Leaf Instagrams and Pooh

Yesterday was a very blustery day and every blustery day makes me think of Pooh.

One of my favorite things is how the letters fly off the page in Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day.
If you haven't seen this older...original Pooh....you really should.
It's charming.





“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.” 
A.A. Milne


"It's more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?"
A.A. Milne


Do you know what the A.A. stand for?
I do not.



Encourage one another,
Donna

Pictures and Yarn

Before.
No edit at all.

This is too dark sooc therefore I knew I would be editing heavily.
BUT, I loved her lips and neck and hair and eye in this picture so I decided to mess with it.



At first I tried a square in color.

It was alright.  But not my fave.



Next I made it black and white and cropped it over and over until I saw what I liked best.




Last week I mentored an amazing woman named Lori.  She came all the way from Colorado for a business meeting and a class.  I was just delighted to teach her and get to know her.  She is a homeschool mother, teacher at BU, ex nurse and an accidental business woman.

She was a fast learner and altogether fun.  She may cure Lung Cancer.
Not kidding.

I on the other hand, taught her how to shoot in manual and find the light and make bokeh.

hahaha....we all have our place.

hahaha

This morning when I let Ginny out it smelled like manure.  A few times a year this happens in our little town.  I may feel like I am a big town girl living here in the suburbs of Madison.  But gosh, those farms must be closer than I realize.

Nature.



Asher will be Harry Potter for Trick or Treat.
I'm knitting him a scarf.

I know almost nothing about Harry Potter but the one thing I do know, Asher will be adorable in his little scarf and glasses and lightning bolt scar!


Happy Wednesday!

Encourage one another,
Donna

This looks a bit artsy for an Instagram, doesn't it?

You can't tell when you look at it on a tiny screen, but this bigger screen makes it look a little like a painting.

The new iphone has a bigger screen. It is taller.
I have been waiting since March to dump my ATT plan.
I actually have been waiting two years to get rid of that stinking ATT plan.
It was the worst product I have even had.  I did not have internet service 95% of the time, yet all iphone owners were required to use ATT and the data package.
When I bought it, I did not know it would not work in most of Wisconsin, Iowa or Nebraska.
This is where I spend my time.  My phone plan has been a sore spot for two and a half years.

So now the new iphone is out and I can get one with a different plan.
Because of course, you can't use the same phone with a different plan.  Grr.

But the new iphone looks nice.

I will, however, NOT be standing in line for it.  It seems there are people standing in line ALREADY for the iphone.  People in line on Monday for the to be available on FRIDAY.

Unbelievable.  Yeah.  I guess I will wait for things to die down....and for Verizon to get the phone.

The other day Michael Strayhan (Kelly's new cohost on Regis and Kelly :o)  was asked what the "S" in  the 4Gs stood for....He said....Sucker.

I love my little phone.  I hear the new one has a better camera.

Have you seen this YouTube?



"They're sad and alone."
"A life worth living."
"Picture your life....better."

Very Funny.




Potato Soup.

Recipe here:

mizbooshay.blogspot.com


:o)


It's very chilling this morning.
I'm glad I sent Katie with lots of warm clothes.
The sun is shining like crazy...so that's good...

I'm going to make Asher a Harry Potter scarf for Halloween.
Today I will search for the yarn.
Wish me luck.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Fall Poem Love

SOMETHING TOLD THE WILD GEESE

By Rachel Field



Something told the wild geese
It was time to go,
Though the fields lay golden
Something whispered, "snow."


Leaves were green and stirring,
Berries, luster-glossed,
But beneath warm feathers
Something cautioned, "frost."


All the sagging orchards
Steamed with amber spice,
But each wild breast stiffened
At remembered ice.


Something told the wild geese
It was time to fly,
Summer sun was on their wings,
Winter in their cry.





To me, that final stanza of Something told the Wild Geese is so perfect.  
I can't explain how it makes me feel to read words that perfectly chosen.
It's heavenly.



Katie has gone away on a school bus to a full week of camp.  It's called Nature's Classroom.
I miss her like crazy already.  I know she will have a wonderful time.  I am not worried about her at all.  My husband said, you get a vacation.  I said, I don't want a vacation.

And that's the truth.


Encourage one another,
Donna

New Pinterest Pics

This week the Packers played on Thursday night.  The game was carried on the NFL network.
We do not have the NFL network so we had to listen to the game on the radio.  Which is okay with me, I like it once in a while.

I found myself pinning and pinning while I listened to the game.

Here are some of the things and images that caught my eye.

Source: flickr.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: ohhappyday.com via Donna on Pinterest

Stripes caught my eye :o)

Source: flickr.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Donna on Pinterest

Somehow I ended up looking at winter scenes.

Source: polarbearstale.blogspot.com via Donna on Pinterest

A beautiful painting I have never seen before by George Clausen


And two great pieces by Joel Felix

Source: joelfelix.com via Donna on Pinterest

(you can purchase this from Felix for $20)

Source: dribbble.com via Donna on Pinterest

(this is a t-shirt design)

And finally a kitchen.

Source: Uploaded by user via Donna on Pinterest

One of these days I'm gonna tear out all of my upper cabinets, I swear!


That's all for today.
Katie has her first volleyball games today.
Yup. Two.

Go team :o)



Happy Weekend!
Donna

Flash Back Friday

The Man in the Arena

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”

Teddy Roosevelt, speaking at the Sorbonne in Paris, April 23, 1910

I was watching the new Katie show yesterday afternoon and the author of Daring Greatly said that she got the name of her book from the above poem/speech.

I have never heard it before but it is very inspirational, isn't it?

(I just went to check and see what Ree's website said about this book. I remember seeing a picture of the book Daring Greatly over there.  Ree shared the same quote.  I swear I didn't copy. I really saw it on Katie.)


****







Ellen sent these little boys, who love the Presidents, to the RNC.
Scotty Hamilton asks one boy 'what is better than hope?'
The little boy thought about it...
and said. 'Love.'

*****




The Mom in the Arena.

Nancy in front.
Sue behind her.
Me being held by a thin, young, curly headed Mom.
Esther Jean.
A 24 year old Esther.

I think Jimmy took this picture.
It is a slice of life and I love it too much.


I like this post.
One wonderful new quote.
Two spunky, sweet boys.
Three little Glyman girls.

So much to love about it all.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Bernie:The Movie

First let me warn you about this trailer.
It tells too much.
It tells most of the story.
Watch it only if you don't mind knowing too much.





We watched this movie when we were in Omaha over Labor Day.
We all went into this movie pretty much blind.

Not knowing what to expect was part of the fun of it.
Jack Black's acting is award winning.
The story is a dark comedy.
The town's people (who are really the town's people) are wonderfully funny and real.

I remember seeing Jack Black on talk shows in the Spring talking about this movie and then it pretty much disappeared from my consciousness.  I'm glad Melinda remember it.

It's a hoot.




I recommend it.

Donna

Instagram 365

In the bleak midwinter I decided to do an Instagram project.  I am taking a picture a day and I will be putting them in a book for myself.  Probably four on pictures on each page.  I look forward to doing this.  I haven't made a book in a while and I have never made anything from my Instagrams.

So you can imagine...I have loads of pictures of Katie and Ginny.
They are my constants.




I took this picture at church on Saturday.
Don't worry, it was before the service.



huh?



Dog Park.



I grew these and then I ate them with feta.



On the way to school.

You look this pretty at 7:30, I just know it.



In which she models.



When the year is done I will tell you how many Katie pictures make the 365.

Perhaps we can have a contest.   haha

A contest without prizes.

Be sure to come back for that one.

hahaha....

Happy Wednesday!


Encourage one another,
Donna