Hello 2009!!!!

Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.
~Martin Luther

I pray that 2009 fills your life with many blessings!!!

Changes

From the words of the great Rock Band Tesla: "Changes, time's makin' changes in my life Rearrangin', always changin', can't seem to stop the hands of time......Can't you see, it's changin' everything......Nothin' ever stays the same, it's always gonna change I'm on my my way".

That was the theme of 2008 for us....the changes started small but seem to have snowballed throughout the year until it came came to a head on the 15th of December. After seven years of service to my husband's company they decided it was time to cut their ties with him. This was a complete shock to us and a complete shock to his boss.....it was a corporate made decision (a bad one) so it was based on seniority not on performance. Only a couple of weeks before it happened we were talking about all of the projects that he had going and that was some good job security.....the irony of it all.

This is God's way of moving us to the next part of our life. We had gotten to comfortable and put more merit in the security we had then our trust in God.......He is now showing us that He is greater than all of those things. He will give us better than what we had but in the meantime He is teaching us lesson after lesson. We will step up and learn the lessons because we don't want to have to learn them again!!!! Please pray for us that God's will be done in our lives that we will hear what He is telling us and we will go where He needs us to go.

Now please do not think that I am so righteous that I am not feeling a bit stressed about this. What I know to be truth and what I am feeling are two different things right now but I know that God will prevail and maybe that is the lesson......I am no longer living on feelings but I am living on trust.

I pray that God will be with all of you and give you joy daily and strength through your storms.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Christmas - that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved. ~Augusta E. Rundel

Merry Christmas Blogging Family!!!

My Machine

I have had various hand me down sewing machines throughout the years. I have looked longingly at the new fancy machines with all the embroidery and fancy things they do but needs outweigh wants and I have to say I really like my current machine.

What a pretty machine!!!

I was hitting garage sales one day after work a couple of summers ago and ran across this little beauty. It was a gentleman’s mother’s machine and she had taken VERY good care of it. It was like brand new and it had a cabinet to boot. I dickered with him…..which is out of my norm……he was asking $25 for the machine and I got him down to $15…….I think he was ready to be done with the garage sale. I loaded that pretty little machine up and down the road I went…….it was the first machine I had ever purchased….it was not a borrow…..it wasn’t a hand me down (I am very appreciative of both of those things but....)…….it was mine and it was such a great feeling. You fellow creative types know what I mean (I hope so or I am just a FREAK) I had bought something that would help me in my endeavor to create beautiful things (ok it was going to help with ordinary things but I like to focus on the beautiful). I think sometimes the thought process is the best…I have ideas for days but not always the now how on how to accomplish them……I tend to be very critical of myself…..I am working on it though!!!

I have helpers!!!

I pulled into the drive and asked my husband to help me get her unloaded and I must say he was quite impressed……..he thought it was a cool looking machine…..he was surprised with himself for liking my new machine so much (I was kind of worried he was going to take it to the man cave). We got her set up and she has helped me put those crazy ideas floating around in the abyss called my brain into fruition.

The messy sewing area.....yes I am missing a lampshade....it is on the list!!!!

I did have to replace her belt after a few months but this machine has been around for a while so I didn’t mind…..I hope since winter is here…..and it is here…the snow has fallen…..that I will get back up there and see what happens. I was cleaning my sewing area the other day…..sometimes I just like to organize my fabric so I can dream of what is to come…..and a little kiss from God hoped right outside my window…..a bright red Cardinal. I was sitting at my machine getting reacquainted and there he was just as happy as could be….I am taking that as a sign to get busy up there!!!

It is an odd brand….I have looked on the internet but have not come up with much on it……has anybody heard of a Coronado Sewing Machine?

A Very Very Very small pile of fabric....not even the tip of the iceberg....barely a thought about the iceberg!!!

I would like to learn a little history about it….I have had several moments at her and thought of the previous owner and the things she may have created…..should we name my beautiful machine???
Do you have any ideas?
Do you think I am off of my rocker because I want to name her???
I could be a little….but don’t tell anyone!!!

A New Day is Dawning

My husband is a horrible secret keeper and try as he may I either find out (not on purpose) or he buckles and tells me. A couple of weeks a go I was monitoring our e-mail while I was at work (I was logged on because I was using it.....monitoring sounds like I am some kind of dictator....I am not trust me.....at least I don't think I am). As I am e-mailing back and forth with my friend I keep seeing these e-mails from Dell...they weren't the usual advertisements. After a little digging I found out that my husband was trying to buy me a computer (we had talked about me getting my own computer.....so I didn't have to share or should I say he wouldn't have to share). I was so excited it was pink with a pink mouse and it would be all mine!!!

Monday I got an e-mail telling me that my computer was going to take longer than expected to get to me......I was a little disappointed......so Donnie said cancel it we will go look tonight after work. When I get home He had already gone SHOPPING!!!!! I am now the proud owner of a Pink Gateway computer....Yes I said PINK!!!!!!

Isn't it pretty????

It's Pink....a total Girl Machine!!!!

Look it's Princess S!!!

I will be able to talk to people and see them and they can see me.....how very Star Trek.............all the aliens are doing it!!!!

I will now have time to blog when ever I WANT!!! I will not have to wait until the big battle is won on Battlenet. I won't have to chance putting things on the computer only to find the have been lost or deleted.........I am going to be a computer Snob.......a selfish little computer piggie!!!!

I have a quilting program I have been wanting to add to the other computer but never got a chance, I have Microsoft Office to add (I can just imagine all of the wonderful things that are going to come pouring out of me and now I will have a place to but them...A New Day Really is Dawning!!!!). I am so excited I just can't stand it!!!!

Now that I have put all of this pressure on myself I think I need to get some rest....good night my blogging friends and I hope to be on here more frequently.

I Must Apologize

I am afraid I have been a very bad blogging host!!!
It seems like forever since I have been on here!!!

I do sneak some reads in daily but my comments and posts have been sparse, I apologize.

Here is what is happening in the World of Princess S: Work has picked UP......YEAH!!!! I do much better when I am busy...my mind can wander if I am not focused and sometimes the trips it takes are not very enjoyable!!! The Donner has gotten the Riviera started (I hope to get video on some day) he was as giddy as a School Girl at Show and Tell!!! Our home computer is not playing nice and the Donner is out of town so it may be a while before we get that straightened out but he has decided that I need my own computer......that way I won't be lurking over his shoulder when he is on the computer......I don't know why that bothers him???? I am not sure when that is going to happen because the computer that he ordered is taking longer than anticipated. For now I am using Andrew's computer and I am quite sure he is not going to appreciate the oodles of vintage clip art I have saved to his computer.....DOH!!!!

The Donner is in Florida......our temperatures were in the teens this morning....he had the gall to tell me that he was a little chilly where he was, the temperature was 68!!!! He is just not right!!!!! I can't be to mad at him because we did get some snow yesterday and it was BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I Love Snow (until February and then I am done with it)!!!!

I got to go to Iowa and spend time with my buddy Missy last weekend......we paper crafted and hung out all weekend talking girl stuff.......it was awesome.......I miss girl talk and Missy!!!! Then my Mamma's birthday was on Sunday so I stopped for a quick visit.....I wish I would have had enough time to make it to Ottumwa and visit with my family there.....next time for sure.

I know that this hasn't been to exciting but I think of my blogging friends often and hope to be more diligent in my posting in the future.

I Don't Know What is Wrong

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back on here...my real life has taken over and is totally interrupting my blog life.....unacceptable!!!!

Since I have turned 40 I have had this need to get things done....this has not been how I have conducted myself in the past. I am the QUEEN of unfinished projects......I have boxes and tubs full of started but unfinished undertakings and up until recently they haven't really bothered me. In the last 2-4 months I have been on a rampage and I have another project to mark off of the list!!! My Real life and Blog life friend Missy bestowed upon me several items to create a clip board, she makes them and they are adorable!!! I 'll be darned if I not only did I start the project but I finished it.....with in a couple of weeks!!!! What is wrong with me....am I growing up?????? I will secretly admit I am liking this new direction....I just hope that the wheel doesn't turn on me!!!!

I had to have a Red Rooster!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life... a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seedtime and harvest, the ripe product of the year - and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God.

~Ray Stannard Baker

Preparations

It is Wednesday night and I am 1/2 way through my list of preparations......I am not trying to brag but the 3 glasses of wine that have helped me through this process are making me a little cocky. This is the first Thanksgiving that I have ever gotten to prepare myself. I would love to be able to share this time with my family in IA, MO and TX but this year we are sharing it with the boys here at home. Though the rest of our families (that includes friends who are like family.....you know who you are) are miles away they are in our hearts and we love them all very much.

I am excited to see how the turkey turns out (I have been laboring over that a bit........if I read anything else about it I will turn into a turkey) but I am more excited to see if my labor has brought smiles to my boys faces or if I will have to pull the frozen pizza out of the freezer.

Sorry I had to step away for a minute to pull the cheese cake out of the oven (Pumpkin Swirl......just like my head is swirling) and now I need to make my Pecan Pie....I hope that it is as pretty as the ones I see in the books and magazines.

I hope all of you enjoy the preparations, food, fellowship and the overall day tomorrow and I will be thinking of quite a few of you.....many of you have been so open and gracious and for that I am truly Thankful.....you are on my list of blessing!!! May God Bless You All!!!

Jury Duty

I had the honor of spending the better part of my day in the Wyandotte County Courthouse......not by choice or because I was naughty!!!! I was called to fulfill my civic duty and report to Jury Duty. We have lived here almost 6 years and this is the 2nd time I have been called. I have never been called to Jury Duty any where else I have lived......I am strongly questioning living in this county!!!!

One would think that those big old buildings would be cold so being the smart thinker that I am I wore a long sleeve shirt and a sweater..................WRONG THING TO DO!!!! It had to be around 85-90 degrees in both buildings........I finally broke down and took my shirt off.......I was schfitzing in November!!!!

The process to pick the jury lasted longer than the trail did......oh yea I was picked for the jury.....I was juror #9!!! I did more waiting and sitting around than anything but it was an adventure and I met some fun people. Four of us ventured off for lunch and found an authentic Honduras Restaurant.....it was yummy!!!

I know that serving on Jury duty can be a real inconvenience and sometimes a waste of time but that is a small inconvenience to deal with in order to have the freedoms that we have. It is my right and my duty and I was glad I got to serve. At least I am off of the hook for another year!!!

Holiday Project

I have never prepared a "Holiday Meal" by myself. This year since the boys are with us I decided to tackle the task. Now like every good hostess I know that table adornments are very important and my first project is the place card for each table setting.

I am a clip art JUNKIE......vintage clip art and I am in a full blown tizzy of excitement. There is no way I am ever going to use the numbers of clip art that I have on our computer but I just keep loading it on. Since I am said lover of clip art I searched for what I would use (this is quite a process in itself....I am very fickle and I labor over how I want to do things way too long) I found several items and came up with several ideas then I stumbled across this:

I like cornucopias, perhaps it is because I was raised on a farm and I appreciate the symbolism of the harvest it portrays or it could be because of the pretty colors, either way that is what I chose. I printed it on to card stock (sometimes I get excited and mid way through I see things I would have changed, example: I should have used a cream card stock) and then I colored in the pattern and added some glitter.......no project is complete with out glitter!!!

Now I am stuck......do I use some stain around the pattern and age it a little, do I cut them out (this would be quite a tedious task) and add them to colored paper or do I just put the names on then and call it good. I must say I will be the only one that appreciates these little table embellishments but I do want it to be pretty....even if it is just for me.

An Early Tradition Revealed

I am a tried and true believer that Christmas is not to be thought of until after Thanksgiving…..now that doesn’t mean that I won’t wait up until midnight on Thanksgiving Day so that I can pull all of the Christmas stuff out and get my decorating on, but, I will not do it a minute before midnight. I feel that we are in such a rush for the Christmas season that we loose the whole meaning of Thanksgiving…..we need to celebrate our history, we need to be thankful for what we have, not worrying about what we are going to get. If we do not address Thanksgiving whole heartedly we loose some of the magic associated with Christmas.

Saying that…..I am going to make an exception to the rule (just so you can all be prepared for midnight next Thursday….I am thinking about you…I got it like that!!!) and share with you one of my Christmas season traditions. A few years back a friend of mine introduced me to book that has become a must for my Christmas Season enjoyment, it is called Four Midwestern Sisters’ Christmas Book by Holly Burkhalter. Every Friday after Thanksgiving, instead of beating my way through the crowds at the stores and causing myself great stress over the rudeness that has become our society, I sit at home with a cup of Hot Buttered Rum (recipe to follow) to which the recipe comes from the afore mentioned book. I escape back to a simpler time when traditions and family were what the season where all about. I pretend to be a part of the happy gatherings and parties they reminisce about and I find my self starting to fill with the joy of the Holiday Season…..it could be that the Hot Buttered Rum is a tiny bit responsible for some of that cheer.

The Daileys’ Hot Buttered Rum
From the book Four Midwestern Sisters’ Christmas Book by Holly Burkhalter

Mixture:
2 cups Butter, melted
2lb. light brown sugar
1t cinnamon
1t allspice
1t ground cloves
1t nutmeg
4 eggs

Added upon serving:
Rum
Boiling water

Beat together the butter, brown sugar, spices and eggs until emulsified (at least 15 min but be sure to turn the mixer off once and a while to let it cool down). Pour the mixture into an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve. To serve, put a heaping tablespoon of the mixture in a mug, stir in 1.5 ounces of Rum, and fill the mug with boiling water.

I have used the spiced Rum before and it gives it a little more kick. I have to be careful with Rum it makes me very warm all over so it is really good on a night when it is cold and I am in need of some warmth. The mixture makes around 35 servings so be sure to share!!!

What to Say

I have lots I would like to blog about today but I just can't seem to get it out right so I will leave you with this picture. The picture is from our Seattle trip and I think I have posted it before. I needed something to calm the chaos inside my head and I thought this might be helpful.

Do you have times where you have so much to say but can't get it out?

Gazing at this picture causes me to reflect on the Greatness of My God and when I think of Him the storm inside calms and there is peace.

I Would Like to Thank the Academy...or Missy

My dear and life long friend Missy at http://thejensenscrazeelife.blogspot.com/ has awarded me my first blog awards......Thanks Friend!!!! I now get to award these gems to some fellow bloggers.....I am quite new to this world and have a little anxiety over this picking because I have found so many great blogs. As each day passes less and less gets done in my real world because I would rather spend time in my blog world.........it is so much friendlier in the blog world!!!! But I am a trooper so I will press on and share this award with some very deserving bloggers.

http://nalleyvalley.blogspot.com/ - I have just recently started following her story but she has such a beautiful and genteel soul I come away from her blog feeling like I just got a big hug.

http://www.crazycowcountryfarm.com/blog/ - This peach makes me laugh and I thoroughly enjoy the adventures of her family and their pet cow.

http://athomewiththefarmerswife.blogspot.com/ - This is one of the first blogs I started following....I love her way with words and her eclectic mix of stories.

http://frakerfarm.blogspot.com/ -Miss Paula is a kindred spirit, her love of animals mirrors mine and her narrative of farm life makes my heart yearn for the day I am back on the land.

http://restyledhome.blogspot.com/ - This is the spot I go when I am needing some creative inspiration and in desperate need of getting in touch with my feminine self.


Below are the awards for these brave bloggers and I look forward to more tales of their daily lives. Thank you ladies for being a safe haven in a sometimes scary world. I hope that you enjoy the awards and share these offerings of gratitude with some other deserving story tellers.

The Smile Award qualifications are:

1. Display a cheerful attitude
2. Love one another
3. Makes mistakes(and boy do I ever!!!)
4. Learn from others
5. Be a positive contributor to the blog world.
6. Love life.
7. Love kids!!!!!

The Rules:

1. You must link back to the creator.

2. Post the rules.

3. Choose 5 people to give the award to.

4. Recipients must fill characteristics above.

5. Create a post to share.

6. You must thank the winner.

The Superior Scribbler Award

The Rules:

1. Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass the award on to 5 most deserving blog friends.

2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author and the name of the blog from whom he/she received the award.

3. Each Superior Scribbler must display the award on his/her blog, and link to this post, which explains the award.

4. Each blogger who wins the Superior Scribbler award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky list. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives this award!!!

5. Each superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.I am awarding both awards to the following blog friends!!!!

I Am Proud To Be An American

For those who have sacrificed so much in order for me to be able to Love my God with out fear, write on my blog, speak my mind and many other things I am sure I take for granted; I honor you, appreciate you and I am forever grateful for your service. May God Truly Bless You All!!!!

My Public Service Announcement

When it comes to sweets I think I show pretty good restraint. I try to eat healthy and only splurge on certain occasions and even then I rarely have an all out gorge fest. BUT……my Achilles Heel.....my Pandora’s Box......my equivalent to crack……are Mint M&Ms! I love me some York Peppermint Patties and I enjoy a good Carmelita bar once and a while……but……when it comes to Mint M&Ms I lose all sense of reason and restraint.
My intentions are good when I start out, but once I pop one of those little tidbits of chocolaty - minty goodness into my mouth I am unable to find my ability to think straight…..I will eat myself into a stomach ache…….I will be curled up in a corner assuming the fetal position with glazed eyes and continuous Rainman ramblings emerging from me in a matter of minutes…..”Need more M&Ms gotta go to K-Mart”!!! It is not a pretty sight and perhaps it is a secret best kept to myself but if I can save one more unsuspecting soul from that state of being, I feel it is my civic duty. My one saving grace is that these delectable little treats only come out once a year so I am safe for at least 10 months out of the year…….unless I see a Cheesecake Factory on the horizon……Oh Goodness!!!

Friday Night Thoughts

The Donner is out in the man cave and the boys are at work so I have an evening to myself. I should be downstairs moving things around so the Donner can clean up my floor (it has some ooky mastic on it and the Donner has some wonder stuff to get it up). I am going to create a space for me, a place to dream, design and bring to fruition beautiful things.......since the boys moved in last June I have no space of my own, it appears I am being banished to the basement. I once laid claim to all the rooms in the house but I have to share and I am more than willing to do so since that means we have the boys with us.

As I was driving home tonight I had a lot of reflective thoughts running through my head. Apparently the drive was too long and my mind has been filled with thoughts of paint chips and fabric swatches........floor coverings..........shelving!!!!!! I am so easily distracted...I enjoyed the deep thoughts when I was having them but my vanity has taken over and I get to dream of making an oasis for ME........a girl cave........a creative studio........an escape.........the basement!!!!

What things do you or would you have in your space?

Where is your space?

What do you do in your space?

Inquiring minds want to know!!!!!

Tagged

I have been tagged and I have to come up with 7 weird things about myself (granted I am sure there are more than 7) for my dear friend Missy. This is going to take some thought because I would like to stay in my delusional world of thinking I am perfectly normal. More to come later....

This has been very eye opening for me...I guess I knew I had some of these quirks but actually acknowledging them is a whole different thing.....I may need some therapy after this!!!

7 of Princess S' Quirks

1. I am a counter, I count stairs, I count the number of times I push on the paper towel dispenser, I count the number of pumps for my lotion.......the really weird part is that I can not have a count of 6.....not good...6 bad!! I don't quite know when this started but it seems to get worse when I am stressed...talk about annoying!

2. I am a singer, all it takes is for some one to say something in conversation that resembles a line from a song and I will just belt it out....unlike the counting I have more control over this quirk

3. I can not work on one project at a time....I can have several projects going at once which probably explains why I never seem to get them finished in a timely manner........doesn't help that I am easily distracted either.

4. As much as I don't like to admit this out loud....I am stubborn....to a fault sometimes....no comments on this one PLEASE!!!

5. I am a VERY forgiving person. I don't hold grudges very long if at all....life is too short to let someone steal my joy.

6. I have a terrible memory.....it is very sporadic....I can tell you the favorite number of a friend from several years ago, that I haven't talked to in years but I can't remember what I had for lunch or did last weekend.....what the heck is that about?????

7. I have to touch everything when I am shopping....sometimes there is smelling involved. That is why I love shopping at Joann's Fabrics....there is a lot to touch and smell.

The sad thing is I have an on going list.....this may have been a bad thing to start!!!

Prince Charming

Here is my Prince Charming.....the Donner!!!

How could a girl not swoon over that????

Again I love making costumes and his was no exception. The hair was something else I can tell you that!!!

Look at my sword lassie!!!

Fabio Who???

My Peeps Weekend Fall 2008

Friday was spent with my friend Missy............we had a grand adventure.

When I a lived in Ankeny, IA I had a quite a few places that I liked to frequent, Howell Tree Farm was on the top of that list. Howell Tree Farm is more than just a tree farm, they have a pumpkin patch and a BIG old barn that has a gift shop. Above the gift shop hanging from the rafters are bunches and bunches of dried flowers available for purchase.......it is amazing!!!! Another stop was going to be The Farmhouse (an herb farm with a little shop full of treasures) but when we got there it was a massage therapy place........we thought about a quick massage before we headed on but we still had a lot of territory to cover so we trekked on. Another of my favorite places we stopped at was the Brass Armadillo (I had worked at the one in Ankeny), it is a GINORMOUS antique mall....there were lots of treasures to be found there, that was for sure. I spent the night with Missy and the next morning she treated me to some Spiced Pumpkin Latte.......look out Starbucks!!!! It was so yummy and the perfect start to a fall day in Iowa. Saturday had some more adventures in store for us...........

The sign for the Howell Tree Farm..........if it hadn't been raining I would have gotten out of the car and taken a better picture

This picture doesn't do the place (rafters full of dried flowers) justice but can you imagine all of the things that you could make with these beauties?

A true Brass Armadillo treasure......who wouldn't want these salt and pepper shakers on their table??? UMMMMM.......Yea!!!!

Not only was the Pumpkin Spice Latte Yummy it was pretty!!!!

When I was a little girl my mom was a Girl Scout leader and apparently she was a really good one because she has left a lasting impression with several of my friends from school......a daughter can't really give an unbiased opinion...I mean she is my mom....she is just cool and always has been. One of the most memorable events was the Halloween Party that she threw in our garage when I was around 10. That party is still talked about (it was a blow out....we were some partying 10yr olds back then). The thing that sticks out in my head is bobbing for apples (what a silly thing to remember.....I guess I really liked sticking my head in cold water.....who knew????), but each girl has their own memory of the event and we love to reminisce.

Nutty Professor aka Momma

Jan Brady Aka Tami


Pippi aka Missy

Gereatric Night Timer aka Martina


Witchy aka ME

Our scrapbooking project

More of our project

OK I try not to be a big bragger (at least I don't think I do.....I am sure you will all let me know if I am) but I kinda want to toot my own horn right now..........sorry I will try to refrain from to much of this in the future. I am a quilter (OK, I like to quilt but I haven't made enough time lately to qualify as a quilter) and I really enjoy sewing costumes so I took this opportunity to combine two things that I enjoy and the pictures that follow are the result.....not to bad if I say so myself. I see a lot of room for improvement and may try to make a better product in the future.......why you ask.....because I can and I love a challenge.

The cone was all me the rim was from a hat I purchased at Joann's (my second home)

love to embroider spider webs....they just look so cool when you get done....I want to try a more intricate one next time......why you ask......because I can and I am out of control!!!!

The gray fabric with the embroidery......yes that was me.....I tend to get carried away but I think it turned out OK.......why you ask.....bcause I can!!!!!

My Constant Lesson

You show me the path of life. In your PRESENCE there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forever more. Psalm 16:11

If there is one thing I know for truth in this world it would be that Jesus Christ is my Saviour and when I am seeking Him my life is a grand adventure....when I am wrapped up in myself and not making time for Him it is one dreary task after another.

Daily tasks are the devil's greatest weapon, they preoccupy my time, even when I am doing one I am thinking about the next one. When I finally sit down for some quiet time with God all I can think about is what I haven't accomplished that day. This invasion of the mind starts small. I can be firmly rooted in God and nothing bothers me then before I know it I have let my guard down just a little (that is all it takes.....just a smidgen) and I hear one little whisper, then another, then another and then before you know it I am engaging in a time wasting conversation with myself and I am weighed down with burdens (usually self imposed). This is the tricky part...how long do I carry these burdens?

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. Psalm 68:19

That is just it.....I don't have to carry the burden or burdens, I have a Saviour who will carry it for me, it is my choice to hold on to those burdens. How do I overcome such a curse?

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus in the above passage reveals to me that I need to rest in Him. I seem to go around the same mountain over and over but my hiking boots are wearing out and I am in need of a spiritual alignment. I will stop and find rest in my true love for He gave His all that I might have life....not a puny life but a life more abundant.

Seattle Adventure

One of the perks of my husband traveling is that he builds up points for free plane tickets, another perk is that when he goes some place fun I get to join him by using those free tickets!!!! The weekend of October 10th I got to go to Seattle, WA to spend some one on one time with my honey (he had to work part of the time so I got a little me time...that was nice!!!)

What a Happy Fella....I seem to really like birds.
I had lots of pictures of them....who knew???

Donnie has been to Washington State several times and absolutely loves it. The Donner is one of those people that could live anywhere and be happy, he doesn't have attachments........that was until he went to Washington State......it happens to be is one of those places that he would like to move to......ummmmm that is a LONG ways from IOWA!!!! I will have to admit I can understand his infatuation, the scenery is beautiful and the people are beautiful (very friendly and laid back) just the way we like it.

Downtown Seattle

don't be looking for the Space Needle I didn't take any pictures of it

I am not a very good tourist

A little vertical action for your viewing pleasure

By the farmers market there is a park that has this view....Wow!!

I left MCI (Kansas City) on Thursday morning at 6:45 a.m. (I know....very early) and arrived at SEA (Seattle/Tacoma) at 9:30...first thing I did was get me some coffee....I was in the land of the highly caffeinated......when in Rome!!! The Donner picked me up we got some breakfast at Jack-in-the-Box (only the best for the Donner's woman) and then met Mike (The Donner's co-worker) and went to where they were going to be giving their training. Once we had established where they were going to set up Mike thought I needed to see Downtown so he dropped me off at the original Starbuck's (it is located at the Pike's Peak Farmer's Market) and left me to fend for my self among the bohemians. I must say I have never seen so many dreadlocks (now saying that, you would have thought I would have taken a picture of them.....wrong) it had a very artsy feel and I loved it. There were stands that had big bunches of flowers for $5 and all kinds of yummy looking fruits and veggies (I wish I would have had a kitchen), booth after booth of jewelry, t-shirts, and any kind of craft you could think of but my favorite ones were the fish marketers. The fish stand workers were putting on a show selling their wares in the most vocal ways...singing, yelling and giving each other a hard time....the energy in the whole market was so exciting.

Pikes Peak Farmer's Market...not quite like my hometowns that is for sure



Still the farmer's market...they had this lush foliage on over the city

The Fish Marketers

Hello little crabs, you look yummy

Park view of the Farmer's Market

One of my favorite things to do is to peruse through antique shops and boy did I have a lot to choose from. I strolled through a book store while I was there picked up a book and a journal.....I needed something for documentation of that great weekend, I was so jacked up on coffee I wasn't going to remember with out help.....that being said I ran through Starbucks....again (yeah I was bouncing off of the walls) then headed to a park by the ocean and jotted down a few thoughts and read my book as I sipped a Pumpkin Spice Latte (I love fall....you get to enjoy yummy things like Pumpkin Spice Lattes!!!) while I waited for the Donner to come and get me.

The Original Starbucks

The inside of the original Starbuck's

Some functional park art

What I call a perfect day

Friday I had the day to myself and Mike told me of this lovely little town north of Seattle (thank God we had a GPS in the car) called Snohomish (Sno-ho-mish now run it together.....Snohomish....very good!!!) and it was a Junk shopping girls dream!!!! There is shop after shop of exciting things to look at.....Antiques, home decor, wine, CHOCOLATE!!! It was very quaint and everyone was so friendly, in fact I met some people whose daughter is living in Fairfield, IA (that is about 30 min east of Ottumwa...my hometown). What a small world!!!! Snohomish is just the kind of town I would like to move to; small, quaint and colorful. After a great day of adventure I met the Donner at the hotel (by the ocean.....I was living the high life I tell ya) and we walked up the hill to have the best seafood dinner I have ever had.....I am ruined for ever having fish in the Midwest.......even the Donner liked it and he doesn't care for fish.

Downtown Snohomish

could you see me walking down the streets?

The River walk in Snohomish

I had to have a picture of the giant chicken

Sign by the hotel showing the Puget Sound

Our hotel was in Mukilteo right on the water

What a pretty name for a place to rest our heads

The scrumptious restaurant Arnie's

We got to sit by the sign

You have to love a restaurant that has a giant metal crab on the side of it

Seared Ahi......ahhhh YUMMY!!!

This was my first experience with raw fish...it was a good one!!

The best Salmon I have ever eaten

Donnie thought I was nuts because I was taking pictures of my food

after 3 glasses of wine I needed documentation that is wasn't a dream!!

Key Lime Pie...........not only was the food tasty it was pretty

What a view of the Puget Sound

The ferry docked right by our hotel

I had to have a picture of the mossy rocks

Saturday I got to sleep in and boy was it great....I had a morning of cable, a good book and cat napping.....I was in heaven. The Donner worked until noon and then we hoped in the car on a grand adventure. We headed east via the Northern Pass (Snoqualmie pass) and drove to Yakima, WA and the changes in the terrain were amazing...we saw everything from lush greenery and mountains to desert valleys (what an amazing country we live in....it can change in a matter of miles). We stopped at the Yakima Visitor Center and visited with the lovely ladies manning the place, loaded up on chocolate covered cherries, maps and brochures then headed for the Southern Pass (Chinook Pass) and that is where I fell in love (I am a mountain girl) with Mt. Rainier. It was so beautiful covered in snow with clouds looming around it as it stood there in all its glory....I told Donnie over and over that I was done taking scenic pictures then we would go around a bend and I would scream "STOP" I need a picture of that (I wish we would have had Donnie's camera mine did NOT do the things I saw justice). After 6hrs in the car oooohhhing and aaahhhhhing we made it to a hotel where we spent the night then got up the next day puttered around Seattle then headed home.

The valley east of the Snoqualmie Pass (don't you love these names??)







Striking a pose in front of the valley view....what is up with my hair???

I was glad I had the wrap, it got colder as our trip progressed

West of Yakima.........first of many stops to adore nature

Something about running water.....ahhhhh

This picture does not do this view justice

More running water......aaahhhhhhh

What a handsome fella...he is all mine

That is the road we were on....

yeah it was a little scary but nothing compared to where we were going

This is a hill compared to our next bend in the road

Mt. Rainier.....that is beautiful!

Look at the SNOW.........I LOVE SNOW!!!!!

The silhouettes of the trees make me giddy they are so pretty

That my friends is some majestic beauty!

Thank you Jesus!!!

What a great time we had enjoying the beauty that our glorious God created and reconnecting as a couple. Life has a way of taking those most precious things and making you forget how important they are by filling your time with duties and obligations. I discovered that I need to make trips like that mandatory, an obligation to what is really important in life.