Ok, so big breath...I just ordered our first science curriculum package and lab kit. On the bright side, I *did* spend less than $150 for a quality science curriculum with lab. On the other hand, I *did* just spend about $150 for a science curriculum for a child who isn't even in elementary yet!! I have a feeling homeschooling is going to get VERY expensive...but if this is what God is pushing towards for our child, I know we'll make it through.

And this is what Reagan wants to study...she's gifted at science...even mothers of her friends have noted it...so here goes...I'm hoping this sets her off on a lifetime joy of learning and discovering.

The Girl Who Chased The Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

Emily Benedict didn’t know what to expect when she arrived in the tiny town of Mullaby, North Carolina. But she surely did not expect to find secrets in every hushed whisper, fanciful lights that flitted around in the night, or a boy who would change her life.

In Sarah Addison Allen’s latest book, “The Girl Who Chased The Moon,” dreams can come true and love can be found, if only you wish upon the moon.

After her mother’s death, Emily comes to live with her grandfather, a gentle giant of a man named Vance Shelby. Emily’s mother, Dulcie, had told her nothing about her hometown or her family, but everyone in Mullaby seems to know everything about Dulcie and a long-ago scandal that had sent her fleeing from the small town. And now they all want to know about Emily as well. She finds a couple of friendly allies in an unusual boy, Win Coffey, who insists they have a shared history, and with her grandfather’s neighbor, Julia Winterson.

Julia has returned to Mullaby to settle her father’s estate, and has ended up staying to run his barbeque restaurant. She has become known for her fabulous cakes, and it’s her dream to open her own bakery someday, but it’s so hard to be a success in a town who only remembers your past. Only a former beau, Sawyer Alexander, seems to understand Julia’s passion and desire to bake cakes.

The past also haunts Win Coffey, whose family secrets hold him a virtual captive to his home during the night, and whose growing affection for Emily causes him to want to expose those secrets once and for all. But a family tragedy from long ago threatens to keep the young couple apart.

Sarah Addison Allen creates a fanciful world with “The Girl Who Chased The Moon,” where the wallpaper changes to suit the inhabitant’s mood, where delicious cakes send spirals of glittery messages of hope, and where the moon can bring out the glowing best in some, love can triumph over all adversity if given a chance. With a story chalked full of magical fantasy and realistic situations, Allen delights her readers once again with an imaginative and creative tale that is sure to become an instant classic.

I received a copy of this book for review and was not obligated to give it a good review, but I did!

Music: Moon River by Audrey Hepburn from "Breakfast At Tiffany's"

Bike Trailer

Alexa and Lillian ready for a ride.

Alexa wasn't happy because Lillian hit her in the face with a flashlight.
All ready to go!!

Since last summer when Alexa learned how to ride a bike and then how to ride her bike without training wheels, Adam and I had been talking about getting a bike trailer for Lillian, so we can all go on bike rides together. Well, it never happened last summer.

But, ever since March hit and we've had such amazing weather, we've all been itching to be outside enjoying the sun and warmth. It put the idea of getting a bike trailer back in our heads. I've been keeping my eye on Craig's List, waiting for that 'great deal'. Most of them, including the older not so nice ones have all been way more than what we wanted to spend. So, I was feeling a little discouraged. But, one day last week I saw a posting for one for just the right price. I had Adam call the gentleman right away, as I know these things are a hot commodity right now. I know this because I've emailed several people asking if they'd take a lower offer and they reply with, "No, I have 12 others that are willing to pay full price". This is after their post has been published for only over an hour. I knew it was a long shot, but Adam soon called back saying we got the trailer. The gentleman lived in Stillwater and said they had only used the trailer 6 times in the 2 years that they've had it. I figured they 'all' say that, just to make a sale. But, we saw a picture and it looked as decent as one can, taken on a cellphone. We arranged for our neighbor Mike, who works in Stillwater, to pick it up next Thursday when the guy got back from an out of town trip. Then later asked our friend Reggie, who lives in Stillwater to pick it up for us before the guy went out of town. (I was a bit anxious.) Reggie picked it up on Sunday and the guy showed him how to set it up and fold it down, so he could show Adam. Adam picked it up at Parade yesterday from Reggie and then was able to come home from work a little bit early to get it set up and hooked to my bike. It was in perfect condition. It doesn't even look like they had used it 6 times. It looked brand new out of the box.

Of course, even though is was dark out, we HAD to take it out for a test run. We snuggled both girls in the trailer, buckled them up, wrapped them in a blanket and off we went. Adam and I rode bike all around town with the girls so snug and safely following. It was amazing. We had so much fun and the girls LOVED it. Lillian didn't want to get out when we got home. She said she wanted to keep going. I think if we would have, she would have fallen asleep in there. It was a great investment and I know we'll get good use out of it. I have a feeling that it's going to be our evening ritual from now on. As soon as Adam gets home..on the bikes we go. It's also a great way to get to those fun parks that are just a little too far to walk to, but close enough not to want to have to drive. I'm anxious to get home and take the girls for another ride. It's supposed to get up to 71 degrees today.

[ quick weekend recap..]
Friday night we have pizza/movie night, as always. The girls watched The Princess and the Frog and then when they went to bed Adam and I watched Up in the Air. Saturday we went shopping for some Easter clothes for this upcoming weekend and then to the neighbors for a fun evening and BBQ. Sunday we went to church, Palm Sunday and had all the neighbors over for a Mexican Fiesta in our garage. Adam made enchilada's, rice, beans, guacamole and pico de gayo. It was delicious! The girls were in bed and sleeping by 8pm. Another fun-filled weekend spent outdoors with lots of great friends.

Tale of Two Protests...

Link to Another Black Conservative Post and link to the two protests that ABC's post is about.

*DISCLAIMER: Some of the photos you'll see at the bottom of the post that the second link links to are graphic..in content and language. Especially if there are any Jewish readers of my blog, these pictures will be especially offensive to you. They made me personally sick to my stomach.

What a complete division of our country. I will never again refer to extreme liberals as "my fellow Americans" because they don't deserve to be called Americans..not after the hatred and racisim and murder they spew. My stomach is in knots. I can't believe that conservatives are called 'hate mongers' by the left....most of what you see from conservative protests is righteous anger directed at the government for not heeding the people's collective will. Most of what you see at liberal protests is hate filled racism and references to murder of various ethnic groups...oh, and unborn babies...those too. Hate mongers? Me thinks the liberals do call us too many names that should be reserved for them.

Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb

Dragons are very popular these days - with the release of the new animated movie, "How To Train Your Dragon," (which was very cute, by the way) the mythical flying creatures are in "vogue."

We all know the cutesy dragons from "Puff The Magic Dragon," "Pete's Dragon," and even H.R. Puffnstuff (which was supposed to be a dragon), but real images of dragons are legendary and slightly frightening creatures that appear in the myths and tales of many cultures. Fierce and independent, dragons could wreck havoc, or if they wished, could provide protection for those they trust.

In Robin Hobb’s thrilling new book, “Dragon Keeper,” the tables have turned and the dragons of the Rain Wilds River are in trouble and must depend on their human contacts to help with their very survival.

The last of their kind and the only hope for the future of dragons, 15 young, but malformed dragons have been hatched along the deadly acidic Rain Wilds River. Requiring more work than the humans who had championed their existence bargained for, the village elders determine the creatures must be moved. Deciding to take care of two problems at once, they recruit a group of young misfits, who have the mark of the river upon them – scales, claws, and other attributes that make their community uncomfortable - to accompany the dragons to the ancient Elderling city of Kelsingra – a journey almost guaranteed to fail.

Among those escorting the dragons are Thymara, a young teenage girl whose claws enable her to climb trees and who also can communicate with the dragons; her best friend Tats, a former slave; Alise Kincannon, the wife of a wealthy trader and a self-taught dragon expert, and her companion, the long-suffering Sedric. Following them on the journey is the Liveship Tarman, a ship made from the miraculous wizardwood that enables it to have dragon memories, captained by Leftrin and his crew. As they travel upriver, the keepers and the rest begin to learn more about the dragons and about themselves as well.

But it’s the dragons themselves who are the stars of this book. Although malformed from the arduous journey to the nesting grounds and from hatching earlier than they should have, all of the survivors are brave, and determined. Among them are Sintara, the feisty blue queen dragon; the golden Mercor, wise beyond his years; less than smart Heeby, a tiny red queen who is determined to fly; blue-black Kalo the largest and grumpiest of the dragons; and Dortean and Skrim, the orange twin dragons. They all have a variety of problems, from misshapen wings to shortened legs, but they each have the memories of their ancestors to guide to where their hearts desire – home to Kelsingra.

Robin Hobb creates a fascinating world with “Dragon Keeper.” Spinning an imaginative tale that is captivating and satisfying, she pulls her audience into the land of dragons and dreams. Painting her settings with such vivid descriptions, one almost feels that the lands along the Rain Wilds River might actually exist. Hobb’s characters are complex, but appealing, and as the stories of human and dragons interconnect, their relationships become central to this first book in a planned trilogy.

I’m not one who is usually gun-ho for fantasy novels, but after being urged to “just try it,” I found that “Dragon Keeper” grabbed my attention, and I couldn’t put it down. The second installment, “Dragon Haven,” is due out in May, and I’m already looking forward to learning more about the dragons, their keepers and their adventures.

Happy Scrappy Time!

Hi there!  I hope your Monday was a good one. I came home from work tonight all prepared to go into the studio and work on an upcoming class project that really needs to be finished an photographed ASAP.



Instead I turned on Mr. Lappy and saw a message that was posted  on my friend Sue's blog that said Betty told her that Melanie was having a little challenge over on her blog, I figured if Betty and Sue were going to have a little fun, I should too.  So I had to go and see what it was all about.  Melanie has put up the challenge for us to use the scraps that are on our desk right now.

See that little pile of stuff up there?  That is what was on my desk.  I also had the GKD Spring Mix set out, so I decided to use it with the scraps.   I came up with the two cards below. 

.

What a fun way to use up my scraps!  Thanks for the challenge Melanie, I really enjoyed it!  Now, I am off to get some rest.  Nighty night!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This fantastic meme is now hosted by my book buddy Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books (http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/2010/03/22/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-28/) Check out all the different blogs that are participating in this meme for some great ideas on new books to read!

Books Read This Past Week:

The Girl She Used To Be by David Cristofano

Waking Up In The Land Of Glitter by Kathy Cano-Murillo

Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Nine Rules To Break When ROmaning A Rake by Sarah MacLean

Cowgirl At Heart by Christine Lynxwiler

Currently Reading:

Deception by Jonathan Kellerman

To Read This Coming Week:

Hold Up The Sky by Patricia Sprinkle

Maid of Murder by Amanda Flower

Cook The Books by Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant

Lady GaGa: Behind The Fame by Emily Herbert

Where Mercy Is Shown, Mercy Is Given by Duane "Dog" Chapman

Actually.....actually....

I just realized I say "actually" way too often. I said it four times in a 1 minute, 30 second conversation. UGH.

Browsing From Weekend II

"So, what we wanna discuss right now?"

"I want that Nikon!!"

Cool!!!! Sometime, i want to be pictured like this =)

LOLOL

i will dream of BIG MAC!!!!!!

Friends

Happy Sunday morning to you!  It looks like it is going to be a beautiful day here today.  Any day when the sun is shining is beautiful to me.  Even when it's crazy hot here in California, I love to see the sunshine!



I made this card using Nina's fun sketch that she created for her blogoversary challenge and giveaway.  You can read all about it here. 



I started with a base card of PL Chocolate Kiss and then added some print cardstock from the Memory Box Frond 6 x 6 pack.  (I love, love this paper collection)  I stamped and embossed the flowers from the Spring Mix kit on a scrap of the Frond cardstock with Rich Cocoa Memento ink.    I added the image panel to a Choc Kiss petite scallop nesties panel and added a boatload of light blue rhinestones to add some sparkle and shine.  The sentiment and butterfly were stamped with Rich Cocoa ink as well. I took a little creative liberty and moved the bow over so that it wouldn't compete with the sentiment. 



Tip:  To emboss using Memento ink, first ink up your stamp with Versamark and then with your Memento pad.  This allows the ink to stay wet long enough to add the embossing powder.



I wish you all a lovely Sunday,

YES International people can enter this challenge, and still get a chance to WIN....

There has been a lot of confusion with the challenge blog and can international people out of Australia win and still enter. I own my own online store also called Magnolia Down Under and this here challenge blog that I made up before the store. The Store and the DT on the store do have to be only Aussie's because I do NOT sell international anymore. BUT this challenge blog we have sponsors from worldwide and talented DT from worldwide and is not related to my store, minus the name. SO in answer YES this challenge is for EVERYONE WORLDWIDE to enter!
Hope this has cleared a few things up,
Take Care,
Kellie Winnell

Magnolia Down Under Challenge #39

Well good morning Magnolia fans,

The sponsor this week is one of my FAVOURITE shops of all time and the owner is an amazing person and always ships out orders SUPER quick and a great friend of mine...... Yup Bec from Bizzy Becs. Bec has the most amazing flowers you could get your hands on, I LOVE them! As well as stamps, embellishments that some of which she makes herself and they are all amazing! I could sit here and list everything in site but just jump on over for yourself and check it all out HERE....

Whats the challenge this week? It’s something I personally have only just re-discovered and LOVE using it!

• Stitching Real OR Fake...

So it can be hand stitched, machine sewn, stitching on a pattern paper or even drawn stitching! Skies the limits!

HOW TO JOIN IN…

• Your card MUST have a Magnolia stamp to join in. Doesn’t have to be a Tilda or Edwin, it can be a butterfly, background, table, animal etc, as long as it’s made by Magnolia.
• Follow the challenge above.
• Post your card on your blog and LINK back to ou r challenge blog.
• Link your DIRECT post to Mr Linky before mid-day Saturday before next challenge to be in for judgment.We are lucky enough to have 2 amazing guests this week with us. All guests will do all 4-5 challenges depending on the month and when the challenges fall on. We would like to give a very BIG and WARM welcome to two very talented ladies…..
  

CHANTELLE


ANGIE

Here is what the wonderful Magnolia Down Under Challenge Designers came up with, something to get everyone’s creative juices going AND be sure to check out their personal blogs to see them in detail and give them some loving for all their hard works!

DEBBIE

JANE

JODIE

KELLIE

STEPHANNE

#74) Peach Upside-Downs

I have been drooling over my copy of Better Homes and Gardens' "Ultimate Desserts" since I got it in the mail last week. So I thought today was a good time to try out one of the many recipes I had picked out. The recipe in the book is a Caramelized Fresh Apricot Upside-Down Cake. Well, as I have said before, I live in Labrador so getting anything "fresh" is a pretty hard task. Also, I couldn't find canned apricots, so I went with canned peaches. And I couldn't justify making a whole cake for just myself, so I halved the recipe and made cupcake versions. Oh, and I have to apologize for the quality of the photo - fiance, aka souRIRE photography, wasn't here to do it today.

Here is my version of the recipe:

Syrup

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
1/8 cup butter (almost 2 tbsp)
1 tbsp water
1 tbsp lemon juice

Steps

-combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Let boil for 5-10 minutes (mine was done in about 7), stirring often. You want the syrup to be a rich amber colour. (watch closely as colour begins to change as syrup can go from sweet to burnt in just seconds)

-set aside.

Cakes

Ingredients

6 canned peach slices, drained (I will cut them into smaller pieces next time)
1/2 cup + 2 tbsp flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/8 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, separated
1/2 tsp vanilla

Steps

-preheat over to 350ºF and lightly spray 6 muffin cups with Pam.
-place peach pieces into muffin cups.
-pour slightly cooled syrup over peach pieces. Set aside.
-stir together flour and baking powder in small bowl.
-in a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars. Add egg yolks, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in milk and vanilla.
-in a clean, dry bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
-fold one quarter of the egg whites into cake batter. Fold in remaining egg whites.
-using a 1/8 cup measure, divide batter among muffin cups.
-bake for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. (mine took 22 minutes)
-let cool on wire rack in for 5 minutes, then run a knife around edges to loosed cupcakes. Carefully turn over onto a plate. Spoon any remaining syrup over cupcakes.

GENTLE

Gracious and Good
Engaging, willing to listen
Nice to others, regardless of who they are
Taking the time to move at another's pace
Loving
Endearing by acts of kindness and good-will

But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
(1 Peter 3:4)

*from amazing book : "God's Little Devotional Book For Men"

2

Definition of super awesome!
May 7th 2010....Mmm..1..2...3...oh! still 41 days...hehehee...

Sew Many Cards Friday Freebie

Can you believe this cute little sandcastle is Angela's Friday Freebie?  Yes, you read that right FREE!!  Hurry on over to Sew Many Challenges to pick yours up as it will only be available this week!  This card looks so much better IRL as I used sand FlowerSoft along the bottom and you really can't see it in the picture.  That patterned paper is from Close To My Heart and it is from the Majestic Blue pack.  The cardstock is PTI kraft and SU Baja Breeze.  The "netting" in the back is drywall tape....got that fun little trick from my friend, Sandie.  It works wonderfully as you can ink it up and fray it easily.  It also is already somewhat sticky so it lays down nice but it is easy to peel up and move if you need to.  Plus one roll goes along way making it much more economical than the mesh made for scrapbooking.  I, of course, colored this with my copics....love those markers!!  Here are the ones I used today:

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!!!

Love, Alexa and Lillian

oops

I just realized I didn't even post the name of the science curriculum!

Check out this site: Apologia

And here is a snapshot of the book we'll be using first!

Book Blogger Hop!!

I found this very cool meme through my friend Tracee (at Reviewsfromhere), and thought it looked like a lot of fun!

Jennifer at Crazy For Books (http://www.crazy-for-books.com/) is the host, and you can find her information and the McLinky to join in at her blog!

About the Hop:

(From Jennifer)
This is a weekly event, hosted here, where book bloggers and readers can connect to find new blogs to read. It's a great way to network with other bloggers and make new friends! Every day I seem to find another book blog that I start following. In the spirit of the Friday Follow, I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blogger Hop to give us all bookies a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!

So, fellow hoppers (and other visitors!), welcome to my blog! Please leave me a comment if you have hopped by, and I'll be sure to come by your blog to say hello as well!

Godquote #8

Sew Many Challenges Punch It Challenge & Wags N Whiskers

This week at Sew Many Challenges our challenge is to Punch It!!  What a fun challenge!!!  I used this cute little Hershey Crafting image which you can purchase here.  I colored him with the copics pictured below.  I was going in the direction of red/kraft but then I ran across this cute burgundy polka dot craft paper in my scraps and thought it was just too cute, hence, the different color red copics below as I ended up going a more burgundy route.  That super cute flower is made by punching scalloped circles out of paper from an old thesaurus.  Dawn McVey made an awesome tutorial which you can view here on how to make these super cute super easy flowers.   I then used my scallop edge border punch and made the ruffles along the bottom (you can see the dimension more in the copics picture below).  I again borrowed this idea from the wonderful Dawn McVey (see the inspiration card here). 

This week we have another awesome sponsor .... Lacey Stephens....owner of Wags N Whiskers.  Here is a little bit about Lacey:

I was a stay-at-home mom for 7 years so stamping was a great way for some "Mommy time".  But after stamping for over 2 years, my hobby became my obsession...so my obsession became my dream!  Now I own an on-line store!

Stamp and Create is a new online store carrying many popular brands of stamps, paper, and embellishments including:  Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps, High Hopes Stamps, Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps, Whiff of Joy, Stampavie, Penny Black, The Greeting Farm, Basic Grey, 7 Gypsies, Shimmerz, Nestabilities (always 20% off), charms and more!!!  I am always adding new items to the store...so check it out at http://www.stampandcreate.com/. 

I had the honor of playing with this sweet image called Just for You.  Doesn't he just melt your heart?  Please note that this is a rubber stamp so this is the actual size.  I colored him with copics and used some patterned paper from October Afternoon Farm Fresh line and I just love that brown and blue together.  That blue is Stampin Up's Baja Breeze and the brown is Chocolate Chip.  I used a Spellbinders Polka Dot Frame to layer over my image.  I then took some blue and brown ribbons from my stash and used the Chatterbox Brad Maker to make a coordinating brad for the center of my bow.  Here are the copics I used on this card.

Well, that's it for me today.  Hope you will join us at Sew Many Challenges!  Can't wait to see what you make!

Oh, the Joy's of Owning a Home...

A few weeks ago, I was standing at the sink cutting a large carton of strawberries for my girls. We usually buy the large carton, I wash and cut them all up and store them in the fridge for easy access and availability later. We go through them so quickly, so it's just easier that way.

Anyways, so I had all the strawberry tips in the sink and washed them all down in the garbage disposal like I normally do. However, this time the water didn't seem to want to drain. The disposal was running and working fine, spinning and chopping up the leftover food, but it was clogged somehow, not allowing for the water to drain. I stuck my hand down there, moved things around and nothing. I used the drain plug to plunge the drain and it worked only to drain the water that was in there. If I turned the faucet on again, all the water would again pool in the sink. I turned the garbage disposal on again and all the water and leftover food mess shot up in the air like a blender without a lid. It was a MESS!

At our townhouse, all I would have to do is snap my fingers and say "Maintenance!!" and I would come home from work to a perfectly fixed sink/garbage disposal. It was like magic.

Unfortunately in this case, I was all on my own and I finally had to give up my dignity and just call Adam. No, texting is better, then I didn't have to hear his voice. So, I text him, plain and simple, "I think I broke the garbage disposal". He text back, "How?" So, I explained and he said, "Use the toilet plunger". I would do whatever it took to fix it by myself before he got home, so I used the toilet plunger on my sink. I plunged and plunged and plunged...I mean REALLY plunged and FINALLY the water drained. I tested the water, the disposal, everything a few times and it was good to go. Whew! I cleaned the kitchen and all was well. I managed to fix it all by myself before Adam got home. Yay Me!!

UNTIL, last night...

I was doing the dishes as normal after I fed the kids and when I was done I started draining the water and turned on the garbage disposal to eat up all the leftover food and mess. But, in the midst of my dirty water, I didn't notice the dish rag was still in the sink. The garbage disposal sucked it down the drain and tangled it all up in the motor. In a panic, I tried grabbing for the rag rather than shutting the disposal off first. It made some horrible noises and I realized I should probably shut it off before sticking my hands down there. The rag luckily came out just fine and only had a small tear on one of the corners, but the garbage disposal was shot. It wouldn't even turn on. I would flip the switch and nothing would happen. I put my hand back down there, hoping to move something around and get it to work, but nothing. No drain plug or toilet plunger was going to fix this. I completely broke it this time, I just knew that the motor was done for. I didn't even hesitate this time. I knew Adam was on his way home already and there was no way of hiding it. I called him and told him what happened. He yelled. I said it was an accident. He yelled some more. I said Sorry. And we hung up. A few minutes later he came home and stormed up the stairs, kicked the dog out of the way (poor Chip) and ran to the sink. He flipped the garbage disposal switch and again...nothing. He yelled some more and I apologized again. It really was an accident, what more could I say. He ran to the garage, got his tool box and was laying under the sink. I took the girls and walked over to the neighbors. It was best Adam be alone.

I told them what happened and they just laughed. They said, "All you have to do is hit the reset button". I was like, "I'm not going back over there, he can figure it out himself". A little while later, Adam wandered over with a stupid grin on his face like he was some sort of a hero or something for fixing the garbage disposal. He looked and acted like he had just performed open heart surgery or something - like it was so hard and he figured it out. Then, Grandma Debbie said, "You just hit the reset button, didn't you?" Adam hung his head like his ego was just deflated and said, "Yeah". We all laughed hysterically. It was that easy and he threw a fit for nothing. If you know Adam, it was one of those GOT YA moments that made us all laugh.

He apologized to me over and over later. He was just frustrated with the 'situation'. We both took a deep breath and enjoyed the evening with the neighbors.

They had just bought a trampoline, so the kids were jumping and playing. Lillian kept running up to me and saying, "Mommy, I'm having FUN". She loves to have friends to play with all the time. Even though she is the youngest, the older kids sure go out of their way to include her.

After making plans for the weekend with them, we took the girls home to watch Modern Family and then to off to bed.

Nana's Basket

Hi there and Happy Thursday to you all!  Today I am sharing two more cards using Nina's new set called Nana's Needlework from GKD.  For both of these cards I used the basket of yarn image.  For the first card, I simply stamped the image with Rich Cocoa Memento ink on a cream circle panel and on some patterned paper from Webster's Pages.  The balls of yarn were colored with Copic markers and hi-lighted with some Spica Glitter pens.  The knitting needles were colored with my Sakura Clear Glitter pen (not sure why it's called clear, when it looks silver.)  The base card was embossed with my Cuttlebug and Textile Texture EF.  The print cardstocks are all from Webster's Pages Home for the Holidays/Winter's Wings 6 x 6 pack.  For my next card, I inked up only the basket and then added some of the cute little flowers 

that are included in the set.  I stamped a few of the flowers on scrap, colored them with Copics and popped them up in and on the basket.  I added Glossy Accents and some crystal glitter to the popped up flowers.  The base card is PL Kraft  that was layered with some PL Sweet Corn and Neenah Natural that was embossed with my Swiss Dots CB EF.  The fun checked print is from the October Afternoon Farm Fresh pad.  I used two MS punches around the check panel.  This card was finished off with some faux stitching,  red satin ribbon and a couple of little MS butterfly punchies. 

Hugs,

Science Curriculum

I've finally chosen a science curriculum for us to begin NOW. I'm really excited as I think this will be a gateway into convincing Reagan to learn about things she ISN'T interested in.

First, this program is rated for K-6th grade. Reagan is very advanced in her understanding of science, so this should be perfect for her. It's based on Creation and advances through God's perfect order of building the world and the study of what He created. For the next 6 years, IF this science course is for us (and who knows, it might not be?? It's all up for reevaluation!), I plan to work through Astronomy, Zoology (Courses 1-3), Botany and Anatomy with her, with lots of review of course!

Cornish Heritage Farms (Sew Many Cards Sponsor)

We are so excited to have Cornish Heritage Farms as our sponsor this week over at Sew Many Challenges.  They graciously donated some amazing new release rubber cling stamps for the winner AND they generously gave the design team at SMC some to work with also.  I was thrilled to get this beautiful Peacock Scene Backgrounder stamp which was just released on the 19th.  It is so beautiful that I felt it didn't need much in the way of embellishing.  I just embossed it and then went over it with distress ink and just let the image shine by itself.  It is so intricate and beautiful but yet it was so easy to stamp due to the high quality of rubber and the deep etching.  Lots of times it is hard to get good coverage with big background stamps but this one was so easy...I got a nice crisp full image every time I stamped with it and I played around with it quite a bit trying different colors, etc.  I didn't even put it on a block....I just inked it with versamark and laid it down and put my paper on the stamp and just used my hand to ensure that I applied pressure to the entire image.  The little paper flower on the bow was made by using a Martha Stewart punch and then wetting the cardstock and wrinkling it....just as I did the flowers on the previous post using Christina's awesome tutorial.  I failed to write down the color cardstock I used but I'm pretty certain it is the 2 greens from PaperTrey Ink but don't quote me on that.  Hope you like it!

The Cross Gardener by Jason F. Wright

You see them along nearly every road in this country. Small white crosses marking the spot of a heart-wrenching tragedy, a place where someone has died in an automobile accident.

In Jason F. Wright’s new novel, “The Cross Gardener,” the white memorial crosses take on a deeply emotional significance for one man and his family.

John Bevan was born on the side of the road as his teenage mother died from a tragic accident. He was adopted by Wayne Bevan, a kind hearted owner of an apple orchard, and it was in this orchard, along with his two older adopted brothers that John learned about life, love and family.

John also learned about loss along the way, and watched as his father erected two white crosses to remember two orchard workers who died in a truck crash, and then later placed a cross on his oldest son Tim’s grave after he died in a drowning accident. Those crosses held powerful meaning to Wayne Bevan, and he passed those sentiments down to his boys, so that when he died of lung cancer, John and his brother Scott placed a cross on their father’s grave as well.

But the small memorials take on an overwhelmingly personal meaning to John when his beautiful wife, his high-school sweetheart Emma Jane, and his unborn son were killed in a freakish car accident, leaving John and his small daughter Lou-Lou behind. In shock and grief, John erects two crosses for his wife and son on the side of the road, and visits them daily to the point of obsession. It’s the only thing that helps him cope with his loss, with his daughter’s refusal to talk, and with his family’s well-meaning, but misguided concern.

Then one day, he encounters a stranger who is kneeling beside his family’s crosses, giving them a touch-up of fresh paint. The man introduces himself as the Cross Gardener, and explains that it is his mission to take care of the many crosses in the Virginia valley. As John continues to run into the mysterious man, he begins to open up to him, and soon finds himself occupying the Gardener on his trips to various memorials.

As he learns more about his past, and visits the spots where his mother, his brother, and even the long-forgotten workers had left this earth, John begins to realize that although the accidents that took his loved ones were horrible to endure, that they were met by those who loved them to guide them home into God’s loving arms, and they were at peace. And someday, to his surprise, the Gardener assures John that he too would also met the person who would be his guide home, and it would amaze him as to who it would be.

“The Cross Gardener” is a touching, emotional look at the way people grieve when they lose a beloved member of their family and how they learn to cope in order to carry on their lives. Jason Wright’s style of storytelling captures the reader’s heart and draws them along on the journey to find forgiveness, acceptance and peace through this loving tale.

After reading this book, seeing a small white cross by the roadside might never be the same, and perhaps you can take the time to say a little prayer for the person it memorializes, and for the family left behind.

This book was deeply personal and touching for me, as my father was killed in a car accident 31 years ago, and although I want so badly to mark the area where he lost his life, I know that it would be destroyed due to the area of town where it happened. (He was a letter carrier in a poorer side of our town, and was hit by a drunk driver on his way back in to the post office after finishing his route.)

So I carry a small white cross in my heart for my daddy, and remember him daily.

I also see nearly weekly the white cross erected for my sweet cousin Gayla, a new mom, who lost her life to an idiot driver when she was just a young woman. I remember Gayla and her sweet daughter, Nicole, who was left behind, but has become such a sweet presence in our lives as she has grown up.

This book is from my personal collection.

Reaganism

Last night while I was putting Reagan to bed, we were discussing how much we loved Spring and couldn't wait to roll in the grass with the warm sun on us. Reagan looked at me and said "Momma, I think the sun is the perfect blanket."

Doesn't that make your heart warm?

The Story of a Runner

The cheers from spectators in the stadium are rumbling when he finishes his race. He has run for 5 km and he finished it as a number one. He wins the gold medal for his country and the audiences from all over the world are watching his victory.

Reporters run to him and ask him some questions. “We heard that you have an injury in your right foot but you can still win the race. How can you do that? Is it not hurt?”

“You can’t imagine how hurt I feel in my right foot.” He shows them his right food. They can see some pattern of blood from his right running shoe.

The reporters are seeing each other with fuzziness. “Then how could u still run with that kind of foot? And unbelievable u won it! What made u to not give up the race?”

He answers, “Because my father never gave up on me.”

One day after the race, many newspapers published the story of him. What made him never gave up even he felt huge pain in his right foot during the race.

When he was a child, the place where he leaved was in a war. Many people tried to run from their house, looked for safety zone. There are many explosions everywhere and many unlucky people had died. At that crucial time, he, who still 5 years old, was playing with his friends in the ground. His friends had run away but he couldn’t run with them because his right foot was bleeding. Some of the explosions near his place had gotten his right foot. He was crying in the middle of the ground while explosions and gun shots were everywhere. A moment later, his father run to him, grabbed him and took him to the safe zone.

“Are you okay? What happen with ur foot?” His father was terrifying when saw his son’s right foot was full with blood.

He didn’t answer coz he couldn’t stop crying. He was terrifying he would die.

“Listen son, I will never let you die…Don’t be afraid! I will take you to the safe zone. I promise, okay?”

His father smiled on him and suddenly he felt better. He smiled back to his father when one bullet got his father’s waist. But his father kept running.

“Daddy, are you okay?”

“I’m okay, son! don’t worry, you will not die…I promise! U will not die….” his father replied. He could feel his father’s breath was heavier than before. Then he saw that his father’s shirt was turn into red. After got the first shot, his father had two more shots in some parts of the body.

Finally, he was taken to the safe zone then his father died coz he run out of blood. He saw his father smiled before leaved him for the rest of his life.

“My father never gave up so i can live, that’s why I will live and never give up.”

To Golgota, not in a single second, Jesus thought to give up his cross. Why He did it? Coz He wants me and you to live and never give up in life.