and then there was light...

Today I am thankful for the light at the end of the tunnel.

     ...the light that shines in the eyes of my friends.
     ...the light that is offered through the help of my children.
     ...the light that is reflected back to me from the eyes of my husband.
     ...the Light Of The World who gives me hope and life.

the light at the end of the tunnel...


I had a rough week battling a stomach flu.  I still don't feel quite normal, but with so much light around me it's hard to admit to any darkness!  Once again, I am thankful.


Joining Ann at a holy experience
Blessings,  Debbie

chicken curry and a murder...

When Hillary was home she used to make Chicken Curry for the family.  It was kind of her specialty. Still is actually.  We were introduced to this meal five years ago.  When we had our second Japanese foreign exchange student, it was a requirement that the students make a meal for their host family while here.

Shuka, our first, made this wonderful cabbage, pork, crepe sort of thing...  I wish I had that recipe too!  Nao was a bit less skilled in the kitchen and we all giggled when she pulled out this curry package and her mother's carefully detailed instructions.  But, it was delicious.  Imagine our surprise when a couple of years later we discovered that you could get the exact curry mix here at our rural grocery store!

Although that mix is wonderful tasting, I began to be a bit nervous about the ingredients when it became a regular on our menu.  I just wasn't sure how natural it was and I'm really not a pre-packaged kind of gal.  So we began surfing for a scratch curry recipe.  We still don't like anything quite as well as we did the first, but it's still a favorite.

don't worry

I'm sure Audrey deserved it...

Yesterday, on our way home from sewing, Erin asked if we could stop at the grocery store and get the ingredients for a curry dinner.  I usually don't like to just stop like that.  I end up paying more than I'm comfortable with.  But, there was a worthwhile trade off here.  Hmm,  "my 15 year old wants to make dinner. I won't have to cook, and she takes over sissy's place as curry chef in the P. household".  Definitely worth the few extra dollars!

Once again we tried something new.  Still not our favorite, but still yum!

So, if anyone has a curry recipe that they love, please share.  Not that we're picky or anything. ;)


Blessings, Debbie

a matter of style

I went to the thrift store a couple of days ago.

Just thinking today about individual style.  I'm not talking about good verses bad taste, I'm just wondering about personal preference.  I visit homes where everything is flower-y and cottage-y and the woman of the home is wearing a flow-y, air-y skirt...

someone had cleaned out their vintage restaurant ware!

Then there is the 'Easterner' where everything is oriental and lacquer and the woman is wearing a long, straight, simple lined top with slim pants.

10 of these...10!

I remember when I was in high school and I drove my mom (the flowery type) to distraction leaving the house in overalls with my hair in french braids!  So, now I'm thinking that through the years I've tried other looks, both on me and on the house but the default was always country farm-girl.

you can't see the wooden chunky dp knitting needles but they are there
~all for under $10.00...

I suppose that's why my in town, double lot back yard has been cross-fenced for farm animals... ; )

Joining Like Mother Like Daughter for pretty, happy, funny, real

Blessings, Debbie

odds & ends and another vest

Well, are you tired of this pattern yet.  I've finished vest number 2!  This time I used a hand-spun Corriedale yarn that I picked up at the fiber market last month.  I used the same pattern size; 12 month. Thinner yarn gave me about a size 6 month finished vest.  That's the beauty of knitting for babies. Especially babies that aren't here yet.  It doesn't matter what size they turn out, baby will be able to wear it at some point!   Again it knitted up easily but I'm not going to do another for awhile... wouldn't do that to me or to you.

Odds & Ends by Jo Crisp

I'm reading a sweet little newsletter that a friend puts out monthly for the retirement complex that she lives in.  She is a lady rich in observation and artistic skills.  There is a trail that follows Ochoco Creek from one end of town to the other.  Jo walks this trail daily (she doesn't own a car) to do her grocery shopping, visiting, and creek observing.  She includes in her newsletter weather reports for the month, the lyrics to old favorite songs, jokes, word games, crafts, recipes, and my personal favorite, wildlife observations along our creek.

So when the girls and I go walking, we watch for the things that Jo talked about in her newsletter. And she is so knowledgeable that we always learn something new; the names of wildflowers and trees, what edible plants grow along the banks, how many ducklings hatched near the bridge,  why the blue heron has been seen lately without it's mate, the fact that the mink has moved further upstream...

When Jo dropped off the April edition last week she said she is moving to Arkansas next month.  She offered to continue to mail me her publication (she knows how much we enjoy it).  I am honored and will be thrilled to receive it. But I admit it won't be the same without our personal creek report.  I guess the girls and I will just have to do a unit study on Arkansas.  I'm sure there will be wonderful observations in the Odds & Ends about flora and fauna, familiar and unfamiliar!

I'm going to miss you Jo, but Arkansas is going to receive a gift when you and your skills arrive to delight those near you.

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along
Blessings, Debbie

a song

 Everything
written by me 
April 12, 2011

Hope for tomorrow and Grace for today

protection for loved ones at home and away

your spirit guiding through joy and through strife

provision today and yourself in my life

Glory and honor and praise to my King 

Glory because he is my everything

bring to the alter your everything

to lay at the feet of Christ Jesus your King  

*

May others be blessed because I am yours

let me be the mirror that reflects Heaven's shores

as the difference you make in the life of 'your own'

shows a difference to those who are longing for Home

That your tender voice might resonate clear

well done faithful servant, you're finally here
on that great day when we each stand alone
joyfully there at the foot of your throne
*

Glory and honor and praise to my King

Glory because he is my everything

bring to the alter your everything

to lay at the feet of Christ Jesus your King  

Blessings, Debbie
linking with Spiritual Sundays

punchline to a yolk!

As daddy said, life is 95 percent anticipation.  Gloria Swanson

Was it worth the wait.  Yes.  Oh yes!  It's not quite finished yet but...

This week Larry had Erin do a bit of research.

So when their feet hit the floor Saturday morning, they were immediately on a mission!

After lot's and lots of talking,

a little negotiating,

the new addition comes off  to the right

some measuring and eyeballing~

Honey Bun's pen

the two of them were off to the hardware store.

entrance Bunny's pen

As I said, it's not quite finished yet.  But by the end of the day there had been a fine addition to the bunny pen.  Complete with it's own separate entrance crowned with twin birdhouses just like Honey Bunny's.  Soon we will welcome a long awaited addition to the P. family farm.

finally!

This is the result of much, much, much anticipation.  Not to mention much 'hen'-pecking!

More to come!!

Blessings,  Debbie

howdy neighbor

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.  1 Peter 4:8-9

...and bring your family

Joining Spiritual Sundays

Blessings,  Debbie