rag balls...

I actually picked up two of these at the Thrift a couple of months ago for .25 cents.  I love that all of the pre-work is done for me already.  Now I'm not sure what to do with them. Any ideas?

Joining Natural Suburbia  for Creative Friday...
And Rhonda at Down to Earth for On My Mind...



Blessings,  Debbie

the poem that just happened

Allow me to share with you the depth and richness of my creative mind. :)

I've been a bit shy about sharing my poetry.  I'm going to step out on a limb here. For several years my family has joined together with other families from our church to build a home for a family in need in Mexico.  This particular year, I believe it was 2006, was an especially moving trip as we had already been the year before and were excited to return and connect with the friends we had made the previous year.  If you've never had the opportunity to share in this way I strongly encourage it.  The great need was so evident yet the oneness with those of faith was immediately moving.  They had "nothing" yet they had hope and joy and amazing love because they knew their Savior.  I don't have any pictures on the computer and I don't have a scanner which really is a shame. I'll post about this again when I do because a picture really is worth a thousand words.

So, this poem was written by my daughter and I in the van on the way down.  It was obviously inspired, as it's title hints. :)  Hillary was in the back of the van and I obviously had a hard time hearing her.  This is exactly how the conversation went.  Hillary first, then me.

The Poem That Just Happened  

by Hillary and Debbie

I want a beagle.
That's illegal.
To have a beagle?
I thought you said eagle!

Touching I know.  If I were with you I would share my tissues.

Blessings, Debbie

primal knitting

What I am knitting and what I am reading for Ginny's yarn along?  I am knitting up pickles plain vest in soleil 100% cotton.  The pattern calls for 100 grams each of cotton and merino lace wool but I've been wanting to use this yarn, and with the mish-mosh colors I had left I thought this might be a fun-easy pattern to get creative with. I'm using piquant green with arcadian green for the ribbing. and butter yellow with arcadian green for the stockinette.  I'm hoping that breaking the colors up this way will leave enough yarn to finish the project.  Isn't it exciting when you start a project not knowing that you are going to be able to finish?  Ahem...

I am reading Primal by Mark Batterson.  This is a book that was recommended (and later loaned) to me by my friend Alan (thanks Alan).  I read it in snippets before bed at night which is a good way to read it.

  Whenever I'm reading the Bible and I get to a verse that I already understand or obey, I tend to read really slowly.  I take time to pat myself on the back before turning the page.  But when I get to a verse that I don't understand or don't obey, my natural tendency is to speed-read.  My pace picks up because I don't like the confusion or conviction it causes.  But here's a rule of thumb:  when you feel like reading fast, you need to read slow.  And if you do, God will reveal new patterns of truth.  The truth won't just get into your short-term memory, it will get into your eternal soul.  And instead of just imparting information, it will lead to transformation.  excerpt from chapter 5  

Challenging.  This isn't one of those books that just makes you feel good after reading.  Yet, it does feel good to be challenged doesn't it?  Mark Batterson is a thinker and a doer.  I'm often heavy on the thinking and light on the doing.  I'll be trying harder.


Blessings, Debbie

beautiful creation

Audrey, Hillary, Erin - July 2010

So much money is spent today trying to achieve perfection.  Style is something to be sought and bought. In a time when more and more people are joining the ranks of the frugal I believe we are going to see an explosion in creativity.  And in the process people are going to find something that they didn't even know they were missing.  A deep sense of what it means to create.  A sense of the relationship between the creation and the creator.  I'm a Christian who knows her Creator.

When looking at the myriad designs in a seashell.  The outrageous colors and patterns of a peacock feather. The incredible design of the human body.  How can we who understand creating deny The Creator?

How exciting it is to cast on the first row for a knitting project.  It's exciting because casting on is not the first step of the project.  First I had to have the idea to knit.  Then I decided what I wanted to knit.  I pored over patterns; toys, dishcloths, sweaters, hats.  I decided on a sweater.  Now, I didn't just start knitting.  There were more decisions to be made.  Should it be feminine?  Or utilitarian?  Slouchy?  Fitted? Short sleeves, long sleeves or no sleeves?  How about cables?  Stripes?  Buttonholes?  Ties?

By the time I am casting on, my mind has had a workout and now the fun begins.  The physical act of creating.

hat in team colors

Now, imagine with me that I just throw a pile of yarn on the ground.  It eventually becomes a sweater?  And not just any sweater but one with intricate pattern and precise arrangement of color?

Let's take another step back because I just assumed that I had spun, plied yarn to start with. Instead, I have a pile of unwashed, uncarded, unspun fleece before me.

Erin 2010

I stare at it for years and it is still a pile of fleece.  It may be a bit felted if left in the weather but it certainly does not have the stamp of design.  In fact it probably is not attractive in even a rustic sort of way.  So now let's add millions of years.  Maybe with millions of years it will have managed to add not just exciting colors but design.    

As I cast on for my sweater I am thankful to have been shown over and over through what is created and through my act of creating, the Truth that is more beautiful than fiction.  And the more I study, the more I know.

Blessings, Debbie

supermoon

downtown -  we're headed up to station ourselves on that rimrock

Last night we took off in search of Supermoon.  The last time my daughter tried to get good moon pics she was foiled by the trees.  So, she decided that we needed to head on up the grade to the overlook for this momentous occasion.

Town square and courthouse

She asked her dad if he would take her.

He said he'd rather not....Good movie.

She asked her mom if she would take her.

"Just you and me"?  Sounded nice.

Dad noticed that mom was going and decided that maybe he should pause the movie and everyone should go.

Our town at night.  As seen from the viewpoint.

We waited for a half an hour on that overlook.  We never did see a moon and it was cold!  Dad was antsy to get back to his movie and began nitpicking until we were all a little disillusioned. Daaaad!!  (I still love ya honey)

I took this out the front window for daughter before going to bed.
The moon had finally found it's way out of the clouds.  Superbright but not supersize at this hour.

Sometimes it's about the destination.

Sometimes it's about the journey.

And sometimes you wonder why you bothered leaving the house. :) 

Blessings, Debbie

goin' green

"Faith and begorrha"!  "Green pancakes"?  "Well, of course darling, it's Saint Patrick's Day"!
Sappy huh?  Truth is it went more like this:   pinch.
                                                                  "ouch"
                                                                  "oh, yea, it's Saint Patrick's Day"
                                                                  "Are you going to make pancakes"?
                                                                  "of course.......... It's tradition".  Smile.

can't see the green here, just trust me

one upside down (so you see green), one right side up (so you see edible)

The secret is to start this tradition when they are about 2 years old.

Two year olds think green pancakes are so clever.
Then when they are all grown up...

How is it they always show up (and with friends) when food is ready

...and they step into the kitchen, they don't see greenish blobs.  They see shamrocks with their 2 year old eyes and say,  "Whoa, is it St. Patricks Day"?  "Sweet"!

Today I am thankful for children who are delighted with my simple offerings.  Yes, I am thankful.


Beannacht,  Debbie

obedience!

Today as I realize that these children (that the Lord chose to place in my husband's and my care) are grown up, I'm choosing denial.  My oldest is 24.  My 21 year old is married.  My '16 in May' is a young woman.  But my 'baby'?  Well, my baby is my baby.  Sorry sweetie you don't get to grow up.  It's your place.  Do as you're told!

Blessings,  Debbie