Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
simple joys and grateful hearts
...floods of christmas cards...
Brett's gift to me wrapped in drafting and twine
he knows the way to my heart!
but wait, what's here at the bottom? a dream inside a dream...
wearing the jacket from me, playing mindbenders, drinking coffee
a new tablet for his game system
~my merry loves ~
Sunday, December 25, 2011
mystery incarnate
Christmas greetings from The Portage!
Despite the brown landscape we are having a splendid yuletide together. I've cleaned house til it sparkled, had a heaping share of lutefisk and lefsa, completed some stellar handmade gifts ... and we're only getting started! Tomorrow will be Craft Day Part Two with Andrea working on projects for our gift exchange with Brett's folks/sister on New Year's Sunday. Because of our involvement with soundboard/music at church this morning, we are going to open stockings tomorrow (which Brett has OFF!) and we just finished skyping with the Ives in California. I will post a few photos when I have a better internet connection; just know that I am bursting with thankfulness for my family, my home, and grace that sustains life.
Jesus was God come to Earth. Born in a dirty, grungy, smelly stable. The manure was still warm and the air drafty, and the straw pokey. Perfection humbled. Omnipotence submitted. Holiness bestowed. I would like my days, words, actions to echo the reality of the nativity story. Mystery Incarnate.
Despite the brown landscape we are having a splendid yuletide together. I've cleaned house til it sparkled, had a heaping share of lutefisk and lefsa, completed some stellar handmade gifts ... and we're only getting started! Tomorrow will be Craft Day Part Two with Andrea working on projects for our gift exchange with Brett's folks/sister on New Year's Sunday. Because of our involvement with soundboard/music at church this morning, we are going to open stockings tomorrow (which Brett has OFF!) and we just finished skyping with the Ives in California. I will post a few photos when I have a better internet connection; just know that I am bursting with thankfulness for my family, my home, and grace that sustains life.
Jesus was God come to Earth. Born in a dirty, grungy, smelly stable. The manure was still warm and the air drafty, and the straw pokey. Perfection humbled. Omnipotence submitted. Holiness bestowed. I would like my days, words, actions to echo the reality of the nativity story. Mystery Incarnate.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
eleventy-first post
There are people so poor, all they have is money.
Paul said our weaknesses exemplify Christ's strength. So, stubbornly, I pray "Make me needy. Make me have to suffer, to work hard, to toil long. Let me be desperate for You." Of course over the years I will do (have done) nearly anything to avoid dependence on anyone or anything, but that is laughably impossible. Our ideas of difficulty and ease can be quite fallacious.
By God's grace we no longer have ANY credit cards, for the first time in our lives. Unless Brett's salary changes dramatically or his hours decline again, we are set to pay off the student loans & house in about 5 years. As helpful as those five years would be to invest and save for the future, it is just not worth me working full time and missing these five years of Norah's life. Nope. No matter how much I second-guess. Besides, perhaps our challenges can be a testament to God's sustenance and we can glorify Him with our discipline (or possible failure). This is our chosen path, not an easy one, but it could be much, much worse.
We are taking a Dave Ramsey class again next year because we learned so much the first time (and you can get your own stats at mytmmo.com). You might be at a way different place in life than we are; I think I'm just trying to communicate my gratefulness, and to encourage anyone in similar circumstances. That red line on the graph? It ends on our 10th anniversary - how cool is that?! Maybe I will get a tattoo to commemorate the event's significance. Maybe not, we'll see.
What will Norah be like when she's ten? What does it matter? She's three right now, and she won't be three forever, so I'm gonna go give her a kiss.
111
(a quote I read on the internet)
Paul said our weaknesses exemplify Christ's strength. So, stubbornly, I pray "Make me needy. Make me have to suffer, to work hard, to toil long. Let me be desperate for You." Of course over the years I will do (have done) nearly anything to avoid dependence on anyone or anything, but that is laughably impossible. Our ideas of difficulty and ease can be quite fallacious.
By God's grace we no longer have ANY credit cards, for the first time in our lives. Unless Brett's salary changes dramatically or his hours decline again, we are set to pay off the student loans & house in about 5 years. As helpful as those five years would be to invest and save for the future, it is just not worth me working full time and missing these five years of Norah's life. Nope. No matter how much I second-guess. Besides, perhaps our challenges can be a testament to God's sustenance and we can glorify Him with our discipline (or possible failure). This is our chosen path, not an easy one, but it could be much, much worse.
We are taking a Dave Ramsey class again next year because we learned so much the first time (and you can get your own stats at mytmmo.com). You might be at a way different place in life than we are; I think I'm just trying to communicate my gratefulness, and to encourage anyone in similar circumstances. That red line on the graph? It ends on our 10th anniversary - how cool is that?! Maybe I will get a tattoo to commemorate the event's significance. Maybe not, we'll see.What will Norah be like when she's ten? What does it matter? She's three right now, and she won't be three forever, so I'm gonna go give her a kiss.
111
the best part
This is Brett. He is very attractive in plaid. His birthday was this past weekend, and he got a new shotgun. We got to have pumpkin pie to celebrate. And go to Les Mis in Minneapolis.
I drew a picture OF Norah FOR Norah. She is all of three years old and she is certain that Belle (from Beauty and the Beast) does not have a green strap or a pink flower on her yellow dress. Therefore, Norah needs a NEW dress.
tis the season
Christmas is 12 days away. I still want to make a treeskirt, decide where to display our Christmas cards, adorn the bare wreath on our porch, bake an assortment of cookies, and finish wrapping gifts, but in the meantime I'll share a few of our holiday traditions in our new home.
The Portage alit with twinkle lights from our wedding
a tree Brett designed out of scraps at work
corduroy stockings on our century staircase
our reassembled metal tree
with branches that unscrew and red rubber-capped tips
with branches that unscrew and red rubber-capped tips
decorated with cardinals & ribbons on Brett's birthday
a tree for Norah to decorate with ornaments
our candlelit helm
Friday, December 2, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
december first snow
Norah loves snow. I mean eating it.
When Papa got home, we walked to the library to use fast internet.
I better pack up so we can go home again!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
getting our christmas on
What a lovely November. Iowa farm visit (pony ride here: http://youtube/q_MKz-Pka9U). Loads of gamemaking and gameplaying. An inch of snow followed by a balmy Thanksgiving in Spring Valley. Today Norah and I walked downtown to run errands at the bank, drugstore, library, and post office. The air is cold but the sunshine fills our house. We'll put our tree up on Brett's birthday Dec 9th, but right now I'm plotting out the rest of small collection of decorations.
first snow
carcassonne
sunshine
curious...
puppyface
elanorabelle, snowprancer
Friday, November 25, 2011
cornucopia of thanks
A collection of my facebook statuses over the past 25 days:
1. thankful for the bright, bright red of the trees, and the autumn colors on the wooded bluffs.
2. is thankful for parents who read to me and taught me to read.
3. is thankful for the stewardship of our home.
4. is thankful for God's sufficient grace no matter the circumstances. 2Cor12:9
5. is thankful for tomatoes, my favorite food. Now, since I have about 20lbs, is there anyone who can come over to my house sometime this week and teach me how to can/freeze them? I can pay you in tomatoes, meals, babysitting, or hugs.
6. is thankful for the worthy vessels of fellowship, stewardship, and workmanship, among others. Love being their Star, courses unaltered, unimpeded, and unshaken, even to the the edge of Doom.
7. is thankful for my mother & father and mother-in-law & father-in-law, and their influence in my life.
8. is thankful for letters by post.
9. is thankful for a climate that allows her to wear hoodies, sweaters, and scarves in COMFORT!
10. is thankful for the perfect Word of God. More specifically, she is thankful her own imperfection mingles with the perfect ransom of her soul, one day to be united..
11. is thankful for brave & true soldiers.
12. loves, loves, loves, loves walks. So yes, she's thankful for them.
13. is thankful for card game inventors/innovators, and the hours of bonding they have inspired amongst family and friends (notwithstanding computer solitaire).
14. is thankful for a cuppa* on crisp days. *hot beverage of choice
15. is ever so thankful for where & when she lives.
16. gives thanks for brick, wood, ore, and ….sheep? [walls, floors, precious metal, and wheat!]
17. is thankful that God's answers are better than our questions.
18. is thankful for rest
19. is thankful for iowa, beautiful land of my birth.
20. gives thanks for the deep dark of night, hearts beating with hope for the breaking of the dawn.
21. is thankful for work to do with her hands.
22. is thankful for where she's been and where she's going, but most of all she's thankful for right here, right now.
23. is thankful for cinnamon toast, and my Grandma Velma Ives ♥
24. gives thanks for the amazing man who is her beloved husband, steadfast lover, and very best friend. And for the star that lights my morning, noon, and night, Elanor Zeforah. And for the God who gave us breath, drew us & bound our lives together, and supplies all we need for today and all the tomorrows our future holds.
25. smiles at the imminence of Christmas. Lights are twinkling in the streets and carols play in the marketplaces. She is so thankful to be spending this season in her Minnesota Portage with those her heart loves best.
Monday, November 14, 2011
oh the possibilites
THIS is my kitchen inspiration:
THIS is the current corner in question:
Materials (pictures below) include:
idea collage... stay tuned?
THIS is the current corner in question:
Materials (pictures below) include:- 2 IKEA shelves with hooks
- 1 pallet winerack/cookbook shelf
- a piece of pegboard & paint
idea collage... stay tuned?Saturday, November 12, 2011
when things get hairy
Norah gave herself a stylish bang with a pair of scissors the other day, so I went ahead and evened out the rest of her hair today instead of waiting until Christmas like I'd planned.
Speaking of hairy, here's our resident furballs:
(Sorry about the flash, kitty.) On a completely unrelated note, we scored a sweet deal at the local drugstore today! This isn't stuff we "need" but the original total was $60 and we only paid $12 cash for a few of my favorites - chai, teal scarf, woodwick candle "Tradewinds" - thanks to some 50% off coupons and two $10 rewards cards. I'm finally starting to understand why some couponers like to brag!
Speaking of hairy, here's our resident furballs:
(Sorry about the flash, kitty.) On a completely unrelated note, we scored a sweet deal at the local drugstore today! This isn't stuff we "need" but the original total was $60 and we only paid $12 cash for a few of my favorites - chai, teal scarf, woodwick candle "Tradewinds" - thanks to some 50% off coupons and two $10 rewards cards. I'm finally starting to understand why some couponers like to brag!
Friday, November 11, 2011
elevenses
If i were to my 111th post, then I could write it on 11.11.11. Alas, I only just reached 100... but that time will come. :)
Since today is Nov 11th 2011, also a Friday Veterans' Day, I would like to commemorate it in writing. Writing about sanctification, which does not have numerical designation. If it is measurable at all, it is only in retrospect; or, a friend once told me, like a tree.
Saying that I love to read is like saying that I love to breathe, and most of the time I take them both for granted. But in stories often I focus solely on finding out what happens - what is the result? what is the application? For instance I cannot bring myself to read all of the Twilight books but I want to know what happens so I watch the films because that saves me a few minutes, and makes the characters slightly more endurable because I can focus on the music or the cinematography/special effects or the costuming and find something redeeming instead of trudging through a style of writing that (I hate to say it but I can't lie) bores me. What I am getting at is the fact that I must know what happens. But only God knows what tomorrow holds. He is the only perfect Future Thinker (by the way, He is also the perfect Present Thinker, in case you didn't know). He wants us to trust Him TODAY for whatever we might think we need tomorrow. In fact that's what Jesus did when He prayed Thy Will Be Done.
[Note: I posted this a while after I first wrote it on 11/11/11. My apologies.]
Since today is Nov 11th 2011, also a Friday Veterans' Day, I would like to commemorate it in writing. Writing about sanctification, which does not have numerical designation. If it is measurable at all, it is only in retrospect; or, a friend once told me, like a tree.
Saying that I love to read is like saying that I love to breathe, and most of the time I take them both for granted. But in stories often I focus solely on finding out what happens - what is the result? what is the application? For instance I cannot bring myself to read all of the Twilight books but I want to know what happens so I watch the films because that saves me a few minutes, and makes the characters slightly more endurable because I can focus on the music or the cinematography/special effects or the costuming and find something redeeming instead of trudging through a style of writing that (I hate to say it but I can't lie) bores me. What I am getting at is the fact that I must know what happens. But only God knows what tomorrow holds. He is the only perfect Future Thinker (by the way, He is also the perfect Present Thinker, in case you didn't know). He wants us to trust Him TODAY for whatever we might think we need tomorrow. In fact that's what Jesus did when He prayed Thy Will Be Done.
[Note: I posted this a while after I first wrote it on 11/11/11. My apologies.]
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
the tablet of my heart
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
My own understanding is so flawed. I usually don't see the flaws, but they exist. When I lean on my own understanding I get angry, impatient, jealous, and bitter. But verse 7 reiterates:
Do not be wise in your own eyes,
Fear the Lord and turn from evil.
It will be healing to your body,
And refreshment to your bones.
Today, I can choose to lean on my own understanding, which leads me to a place that seems very bleak and hopeless, is full of heartache and contention, and perpetual dissatisfaction.
Or, I can turn from those evil thoughts, acknowledging God's presence even in the actions of others, the circumstances I cannot change, the possibility of future anguish, and the consequences of past wrongs, and He will make my paths straight. My bones will be refreshed.
Refreshed to bless to others. Kindness and truth written on the tablet of my heart (and tongue) in those emotion-charged moments. Listen to wisdom and receive length of days, years of life, peace, favor, and good repute.
vv. 1-4:
My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
For length of days and years of life,
And peace they will add to you.
Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5&6
My own understanding is so flawed. I usually don't see the flaws, but they exist. When I lean on my own understanding I get angry, impatient, jealous, and bitter. But verse 7 reiterates:
Do not be wise in your own eyes,
Fear the Lord and turn from evil.
It will be healing to your body,
And refreshment to your bones.
Today, I can choose to lean on my own understanding, which leads me to a place that seems very bleak and hopeless, is full of heartache and contention, and perpetual dissatisfaction.
Or, I can turn from those evil thoughts, acknowledging God's presence even in the actions of others, the circumstances I cannot change, the possibility of future anguish, and the consequences of past wrongs, and He will make my paths straight. My bones will be refreshed.
Refreshed to bless to others. Kindness and truth written on the tablet of my heart (and tongue) in those emotion-charged moments. Listen to wisdom and receive length of days, years of life, peace, favor, and good repute.
vv. 1-4:
My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
For length of days and years of life,
And peace they will add to you.
Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
old friends
My dear old friends S. and R. and little E. visited this fine fall weekend. We baked, walked, shopped, competed, laughed, and enjoyed each other's sweet company together.
The antidote for fifty enemies is one friend. ~Aristotle
Norah and "Steve" were fast friends. Norah graciously shared her tea, and Eve attentively observed and cooed her approval. While the adults talked amongst themselves over dinner, Norah held a separate conversation with her new little buddy.
We missed you, Abi!
"Did you get our feet?"
Eve is a peek-a-boo pro.
Brett drew a helpful map to Starbucks.
The antidote for fifty enemies is one friend. ~Aristotle
Norah and "Steve" were fast friends. Norah graciously shared her tea, and Eve attentively observed and cooed her approval. While the adults talked amongst themselves over dinner, Norah held a separate conversation with her new little buddy.
We missed you, Abi!
"Did you get our feet?"
Eve is a peek-a-boo pro.
Brett drew a helpful map to Starbucks.
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