WOOLY WORLD

Just wanted to share a bit of news. I haven't been able to post lately. But here's a picture of a drum carder that my spinning group had set up at our recent county fair. One of our memebers was kind enough to loan it to our display for the week. I learned to operate it and demonstrate this step in the processing of wool for the many onlookers that visited our interesting display.  After wool is "picked" it is placed in the drum carder, cranked by hand until the drum is full of long strands of wool all going in the same direction. Then the long pinlike tool is used to gently lift the wool off the carder at one location. Once it is "pried" (not a hard job!) loose, it can be neatly pulled off in a uniform "batt." It is then ready to spin or be put through one more process to make roving. Either way, it's "spinnable" at this point.

Several of us ladies sat and spun or knitted all week so people could watch the process and get their questions answered. We had the walls behind us covered with our hand-spun creations. A nice informational board was included that featured locks of many different kinds of wool to show the incredible variety available!

Here's hoping EWE enjoyed this demonstration! Blessings, LORI

A FINISHED PROJECT--OR ALMOST!

How do you like my new sweater set? It's been under construction for about 5 years! I finally finished it--or almost! Actually the shell needs to be blocked and side seams sewn.

This pattern comes from the Country Diary Book of Knitting--an older book that I think has an awesome pattern collection. This one was called Hawthorn Blossom. Interesting.....when my daughter and I made our trip to England I was enthralled with the beauty of the hawthorn trees blooming in the fencerows. Let me know what you think. I included a close-up of the lace design for you to see. Blessings, LORI

NEEDLEWORK AROUND MY HOME

I couldn't wait to do a post and show off my "new look." I hope you like the blog background!
This first picture is the lace scarf in progress. I decided to use the "Colorado Cotton Candy" yarn that I spun in the stripes between the lace panels of Icelandic. The pattern is from a book I got for Christmas. Very subtle color variations. The colors reminded me of my dining room.....and so......

Next are two pictures of a set of four--embroideries that I did a few years ago. Very delicate colors and tiny, tiny stitches. I really like these. The kit was given to me by a friend and all four hang in our dining room by the front door.

This next embroidery is larger and hangs between the set of four. It took a long, long time to complete. I got it clearance for about $5 and it was a kit too. The year I completed it, I framed it about an hour before the entries closed at our county fair. I took it in and won the Judge's Choice ribbon that year--a great honor since there is only one Judge's Choice for the entire needlework building--quilts and everything. They told me it was a very close race between this and another item. I love this, but am not sure it deserved the prize against the other lovely things that were there that year. I wish I was a better photographer and could capture the tiny details for you to see. There is candlewick lace design between each motif and some of the flowers have an almost three-dimensional look.

I did this next embroidery when I was about 13. My aunt and uncle gave me this kit for my birthday and I enjoyed it so much. It needs to be reframed, but $$$ prevent me from undertaking the professional process it deserves. I have many other items waiting for framing as well.

Some antique plates that adorn my dining room wall on one side of my big china cabinet. These hang right near the next embroidery. The bottom one is from a very old family set. I love transferware.

A sampler (kit) that I made as a young girl and finished after years of neglect. I LOVE this one. It reads, "Long Life Sampler" "Be cheerful, thankful, loving true. A brighter day will dawn for you. Of rest and labor take your share, eat simple food and breathe pure air." Good advice!

The Long Life sampler with more antique plates surrounding it. The bottom framed item is an ancient church symbol depicting Christ, the suffering servant--the lamb in the thorns. When I first saw this symbol as an outline on the Mennonite hymnal, I knew I had to try to execute the design in bobbin lace. I enlarged the shape and made a pattern, completing the lacework in free form, no pattern.

So, there's a sampling of my samplers and some other needlework! I guess you can tell how old I am since the craze for samplers was kind of a 70's trend with the Bi-centennial celebration of our nation. I really did a lot of them in those days, many of which were given away or sold. I have never lost my appetite for them and now have several more kits in my sewing room closet--I mean like a LOT of them! Blessings, LORI

WEATHERING THE STORM

I SOMETIMES DO GET BORED STAYING HOME, BUT I ALSO CAN'T UNDERSTAND PEOPLE THAT CAN'T FIND ENOUGH TO DO! THE BIG BLIZZARD OF 2011 BEGAN TO HIT US YESTERDAY AFTERNOON ABOUT 4:30. I DON'T MIND A GOOD BLIZZARD AS LONG AS NO ONE GETS HURT. IT GIVES YOU EXTRA TIME TO ACCOMPLISH AND TO US CLASSIC "TYPE-A-ER'S" THAT'S A GIFT!

Our list of accomplishments since the storm hit:

Made pizza
Made econo-potato soup out of leftovers
Watched Jane Eyre
Read Bible
Vacuumed
Fed Birds
Cut out a new skirt
Knitted on a sweater
Plowed out driveway
Read books
Worked on proofreading third book
Prayed
Exercised on treadmill
Spun some Icelandic wool into laceweight
Emailed friends
Battled my way out behind the barn to dump peelings into the compost


What does your list look like? I feel like we're just getting started and actually haven't accomplished much yet. It will be fun to see what all we get done while "snowed in." Let me know what you are planning to do during this confinement! Blessings, LORI

HANDSPUN HAPPINESS

Proverbs 31:19, "She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her handss hold the distaff."

Proverbs 27:26, "The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of a field."

Here is picture of me in our front yard holding my latest skeins of spun yarn. This group is Alpaca/Wool blend. I really enjoy spinning and knitting, but when I was thinking about the Proverbs 31 woman, I had to wonder if the charm would sort of disappear from the hobby if it were a duty--part of the necessary work of a woman. What if I had to actually spin all my thread, then weave it, then cut the cloth to make clothing? Since I also have some experience weaving, I can't begin to imagine the amount of work that would involve. I can't spin yarn fine enough to suit me right now, let alone fine enough to weave into cloth for clothing! I've been trying to consistently produce nice sport weight or fingering yarn with an eye to lace weight eventually. Yet, even that would be pretty large thread size to be made into cloth!

The sweater I have on in the picture is one I made a few years ago. The yarn is a bulky/chunky type of novelty yarn. I love it and yet it was a little scratchy on my neck as I wore the sweater today. I can't imagine what some forms of homespun would have been like for everyday clothing. It's so hard for me to think about creating all my clothes from the sheep to the shirt. But our ancestors did it on a regular basis. No wonder the Proverbs 31 woman was revered! I have trouble cooking supper sometimes and she was doing all kinds of hard work on a daily basis!

Well, anyway, it was a beautiful fall day here. Though it was cold, the skies were a lovely mix of dark clouds and vibrant blue skies with sunshine and shadows alternating. The browns of the late fall leaves and the occasional evergreen against dry yellow corn fields just made scenes worthy of a painting, in my estimation. This is one of the prettiest times of year, I think. I went to my spinning and knitting group today and had a great time. I hope you enjoyed the day too. Think of the Proverbs 31 woman while you are doing your daily tasks and be thankful for ready-made clothing, electric mixers, washers and dryers, freezers, and so on....Blessings, LORI

PROJECTS

Just wanted to post a few pictures of some completed projects. Take a look at the socks I've been working on, finally done! I am fairly pleased with them, but am already planning on how to improve the next ones.



This really bad picture is of me pointing to the "I Voted" sticker I got right after we went to the polls yesterday. Clint and I made history yesterday, not just in voting--because I think this election was of historic proportions--but because he had to do a graveside service in the late morning and he asked me to help by reading scripture. That's why I'm all dressed up. We did the graveside service, visited with the bereaved family over a lunch and then went straight to the polls. Clint does lots of funerals, (like nearly 100 in his 18 year pastoring career) so that's not history-making, but the fact that I helped is! For some reason, he asked me to read scripture yesterday. I was glad to do that for him.


The final picture is of the squash we finally got baked and scooped and bagged for the freezer. We have one more squash to do. A friend from church gave us these lovely huge squashes. I love to make pie out of butternut squash. We got three very generously packed quarts so far. One more fall project out of the way. Yesterday we also got most of the garden ornaments, lawn furniture, and various piles of leaf debris taken care of in the yard so we are pretty much ready for winter. Are you all ready for the snow to fly? Blessings, LORI

A FEW LAST PICTURES OF OUR COLORADO TRIP

HERE ARE A FEW OF THE LAST PICTURES OF OUR TRIP! I AM READING TO EMMA FOR THE LAST TIME FOR A WHILE. THIS WAS KIND OF SAD. IT WAS A TEARFUL GOODBYE BEFORE THE NIGHT WAS OVER.


ALSO AMONG THE PHOTOS ARE A SCENE FROM "GARDEN OF THE GODS," A BEAUTIFUL ATTRACTION RISING OUT OF THE EARTH IN THE MIDDLE OF COLORADO SPRINGS! IT'S AMAZING AND VERY PRETTY.


I ALSO HOPE YOU ENJOY THESE OUTDOOR SCENES TAKEN DURING OUR TRIP TO THE STATE PARK UP IN THE MOUNTAINS.

SORRY THE LAST PICTURE IS BLURRY. THIS IS EMMA IN HER "BOB THE TOMATO" HAT THAT AUNT RHI FOUND AT HER VISIT TO FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, ALSO IN COLORADO SPRINGS. I DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD PICTURE OF SOPHIE ON OUR LAST EVENING TOGETHER.

THANKS FOR SHARING OUR TRIP WITH US THESE LAST FEW WEEKS. THOUGH WE'RE HOME NOW, AND IT'S QUIETER IN ONE SENSE, IT SEEMS WE'VE BEEN ON THE RUN EVERY WAKING MOMENT SINCE RETURNING. I THINK THAT HAS HELPED US FILL THE TIME WITHOUT THE GRANDBABIES. GOD IS GIVING THE GRACE I PRAYED FOR.

FOR THOSE WHO CARE--THE SOCKS ARE NOT YET COMPLETELY 'EVOLVED.'

WE ALSO CAME HOME TO A CRASHED COMPUTER AND THOUGHT I HAD LOST MY LATEST BOOK AND ALL OUR OTHER FILES WHICH INCLUDED BOOK 4 AND 5 WHICH WERE ONLY PARTIALLY WRITTEN. IT NOW APPEARS THAT OUR COMPUTER GUY (A COUSIN) WAS ABLE TO SAVE EVERYTHING! PRAISE GOD! I HAD A FEELING I NEEDED TO TAKE TIME TO PRINT OUT BOOK 4 WHICH WAS READY TO GO TO THE PROOFREADER RIGHT BEFORE WE LEFT. IT WAS ONE OF THE LAST THINGS WE DID. IT WAS AS IF THE LORD WAS WATCHING OVER ALL THESE SMALL DETAILS. THE BOOK IS SO CLOSE TO PUBLICATION AND FOR 24HOURS I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNSURE IF IT SURVIVED HAD WE NOT TAKEN THE TIME TO RUN IT OFF ON PAPER RIGHT BEFORE LEAVING. I'M SO THANKFUL TO GOD THAT I DIDN'T HAVE TO SWEAT IT OUT EVEN FOR THAT LONG! BLESSINGS, LORI

KNITTING IN THE HIGH COUNTRY

Here are some pictures of our "tour" today into the mountains. It was incredibly beautiful scenery. We went to a state park and took our family pictures for our annual Christmas cards.

With this beautiful scenery, I couldn't resist having my picture taken with the wool I bought and the sock I was knitting. I know, it's a little weird, but that's my idea of a fun time--knitting and the beautiful wilderness! To me, wool and the colors of the earth go hand in hand. If you read my blog often, you've heard me say that I often look across the landscape and enjoy the colors of our cornfields back home or whatever scenery we see and think of wool, dyed in those shades.

The other evening when we were at the minister's conference, during worship we sang the Hillsongs song that everyone loves, "Shout to the Lord." As I was singing I was humbled at the lines that speak of the works of God's mighty hand. I suddenly thought to myself, 'I spend a great deal of time in my life with my handiwork, but it is NOTHING to the handiwork of God that is to be seen in creation.' This week has been a great reminder of that. No matter how intricate the work is that I am doing, He has done something so much greater in this beautiful creation! Blessings, LORI

A VIEW FROM OUR HOTEL

Though these pictures are a bit out of order, bear with me. Pike's Peak had snow on the top this morning. I couldn't resist taking a picture as I was out for my walk. That's the last picture.

The picture of me standing by the sign was taken on Wednesday just after we crossed the state line of Colorado. The really bad one of me by the fence was taken just outside of Colorado Springs this morning when Clint took me on a "fiber hunting" expedition. I found a WONDERFUL store with more roving than I've ever seen in one place in my life. They had looms, spinning wheels, and dye materials as well as a complete knitting shop. I bought one ounce each of white and gray Blue Faced Leicestershire to spin.

I should mention that we went as visitors to a session of the leadership/minister's conference at Charis Bible College last night. The service was wonderful. We got to hear Andrew Wommack preach. This was a big deal for me since I really enjoy his teaching. My son, being a first year student, was helping out as an usher. It was an experience I'll never forget. The Lord has really blessed me in the last few years to be able to meet or see several of the very famous Christian ministers. A few years ago we met John Hagee on a trip to San Antonio. We attended his church and then met him afterwards. I also met Lisa Bevere and Natalie Grant while in England. Our contacts with Resurrection Life Churches based in Grandville, Michigan has allowed us to meet other nationally known Christians as well. This has been a huge blessing to meet the faithful people that God is mightily using in the world today. Oh, to be used by God to win souls! May it be so! Blessings, LORI

MORE OF THE EVOLUTION OF A SOCK

As you can see, something went wrong in the evolution of the sock (is that a surprise?). Is this a mutation? It's more like survival of the fittest! It's a whole new sock! I hope you readers know that I'm making a statement here. I obviously don't believe in evolution. The more I read and learn the more the theory is completely unbelievable to me, though for years after being in school, I didn't question it.

I actually decided that the pattern was too difficult and got tired of the agony of it. This one is going better.

Little disclaimer: Never knit in the car while traveling. I have a friend who is an emt who alerted me to the dangers. You can only imagine the possible ramifications of a front seat knitter in a crash. However, obviously these pictures were taken in the car on our way out west.

This sock is made of a wool/acrylic blend and I love it. It is a heathered blue/brown with a little lace edge (that's what attracted me to it.) If I had read the preliminary instructions more closely, I'd have avoided a few mistakes. The second sock will be better. I had one of the double pointed needles that didn't match and lo and behold after I had knit quite a bit I realized it was a slightly different size. (I'm not known for perfection on some things. I have a huge assortment of old needles and will use mismatched to avoid purchasing--this time it backfired!

Blessings, LORI

REPLETE WITH RIBBONS--WELL, NOT EXACTLY

Here's the picture of the ribbon results from last week's county fair. I had a good year, but not an outstanding one. More blue ribbons than red, no white ones, but no "big" ribbons either. I am always working for the Judge's Choice in the different categories since the ribbon is huge, and represents a major distinction. Plus, it pays a much larger dividend and who can't use that?

Our fair is paying premiums of 70% of the former rates since the state had to pull all the funding for county fairs during the economic crisis. At least that's the way I understand it. Still I got a nice little check when all was said and done and not having a job, every little bit is like gold to me. A friend of mine has a goal of entering 50 items and this year she had over 30. I think I'll set that kind of goal for next year. I have one item in mind that I've thought of making for years. It's a huge tatted tablecloth that has over 2500 individual motifs in its design. I would hope against hope for a Judge's Choice on that one and it would be crushing if it didn't happen! Maybe someday I'll get it completed!

Just by way of description, the large picture in the back is embroidery and cross stitch-a blue ribbon. (That was a surprise to me!) Sophie's dedication dress and overcoat is next to it--a blue ribbon. Two little ovals in front of the big picture are pressed flowers on velvet--I make a set every year and have won Judge's Choice in the past. This year I got a blue ribbon on those. In front of that is the little embroidered oval picture that I posted in a picture of the "farm corner" before. I could only enter one and I chose the covered bridge. It won a blue. Underneath that is a crocheted table runner that got no ribbon. I didn't quite understand that one, but that's the way the ribbon awarding goes. Sophie's little knit hat that I designed is next to that--no ribbon--truthfully I was very disappointed on that one. My long knitted "ribbon" made of scrap yarn and recently pictured on another post of the "European Corner" drew a red ribbon. The large garment is several years old. It's a Civil War costume pattern that I decided to use for everyday wear. Actually only the top is the pattern. I think I just made the skirt from two pieces of straight fabric-no pattern. It received a blue. My knitted fingerless gloves are next to the dress and they got a red. Somewhere in all that is a tiny bobbin lace bookmark, barely visible. It's on another post as well--it received a blue and was the only comparable item in the entire needlework barn. The judge wrote a note on the entry tag, "Beautiful!" I always consider it a privilege to receive a written compliment from a judge because it rarely happens.

It's always nice to receive earthly rewards and recognitions, but let's face it--what we really want is to hear, "well done, good and faithful servant," at the end of our lives, is it not? The crowns we will receive to lay at Jesus' feet are the real important awards. Someday all these items and ribbons will fade away and only the eternal matters. We should be working hard for the kingdom of God while we have breath in us. Blessings, LORI

NATURE'S LACE--PART 2--Color!

Here are a few more pictures of Nature's Lace! The tiger lilies are the excpetion--not particularly lacey, they are beautiful and we couldn't resist capturing them on film. They are abundant this time of year.

I am trying to cultivate more of the "Liatris," the tall spikey purple flower. I love how it adds to a cottage garden. This picture is the pods of the "Love in A Mist" or Nigella. It freely self seeds and as well as being lovely, it's even beautiful and intricate after the flowers close into seed pods. I usually press several for my pressed flower pictures.

Also pictured are "Milkweed" and "Lady's Mantle." I love the dusty color of the milkweed flowers. As a knitter and spinner, I see nature in "yarn." I know that sounds weird, but I often see flowers or scenes along the roadside (especially in the fall) and think, 'now that would make a beautiful color combination for a knitted sweater or bit of hand-spun, hand-dyed wool! Milkweed always reminds me of a nice hand-knit sweater.

I hope you have enjoyed the flowers and especially the ones that remind me of nature's lace! Blessings, LORI

THE MYSTERIOUS MISSING PICTURE!

Now that I already revealed the secret of the "knitted project" featured a few posts ago, here's the accidentally deleted picture! Sorry, I hope you like these unusual knitted fingerless gloves! They remind me of something from another era--like you'd see in medieval times or something. I really am enjoying them and know I will want to make more. They are handy because your fingers are free unlike traditional gloves, yet your hands stay warm.

MORE ON NOBILITY

As I wrote on the last few posts, I have really been pondering "nobility" for a number of reasons. With all the family history searching that's been going on, the thoughts about nobility increased. When Rhiannon began making connections clear back to 1221 (assuming the research is correct) we began to learn of legends surrounding some ancient members of the family. These stories involved famous battles, kings, and crusades! While no one can positively confirm these things, they made for alot of interesting study. While it appears that none of the family we have yet traced was actual royalty, it is quite possible that some of them received their lands and occupations from grants given in return for favors to kings. I did some studying this week and learned so much about the old systems of feudalism in England and Europe. It appears that this is very accurate about the way you received land and appointments.

In my studies I read alot about the Crusades and the rise of "knights" and chivalry. It was very interesting, but one of the most interesting things to me was the fact that young boys who might become knights were first expected to serve. One book indicated that they were expected to serve in all manner of ways to learn many skills and "earn" the knowledge and right to rise to another level of greater service and rank. With more rank came more honor. It reminded me of Jesus words that he who would be great must first be a servant. (Matthew 20:26)

So, I think another quality of "nobility" is servanthood. You rise to ranks of honor and privilege by first serving. You do not expect things to be handed to you on a silver platter. Isn't that a bit of what was being lived out in the Bereans of Acts? Instead of just taking the words given to them, they studied to be sure they contained truth. Paul was not the least bit offended by them taking the time to check his message. Apparently even in their diligence, they had a willing and open mind that longed to receive the gospel. Being teachable is a wonderful quality to adopt. As a teacher (I have taught in Sunday school in many capacities) it is always nice to deal with teachable people. Maybe "nobility" is connected to servanthood, teachability, and diligence as in the Berean's search of scripture). Just some thoughts. Blessings, LORI

MISCELLANEOUS FILIGREE!

I have a bunch of little newsy items to post about today. Here goes!

KNITTED FILIGREE!

First, this is one of my latest knitted projects. Can you guess what it is? I will give clues in the next few days and post pics of the finished product when done. I love the pattern but had to have the help of a friend to get going. I tore out the first few rows about 10 times til we together got it figured out! Make a guess as to what it will be!

A friend recently told me she'd like to see me post some recipes on my blog! I have certainly thought about that, but kind of disliking cooking like I do, I think that my really good recipes are few and far between; but let me tell you what I did today that I thought was ingenious. I had leftover beef roast and gravy, a couple spoonfuls of mashed potatoes, etc. from a big family dinner. I mixed up a crust out of baking mix (recently discovered I had too many opened boxes in my cupboard!). I cooked up leftover carrots and the above beef and veggie mix and made a pot pie. Covered it with the excess crust and froze it for later use. Let me share last week's quick meal. I took a very cheap can of potato soup and added half can of creamed corn and a few dollops of American process cheese, some milk, and heated it. The family RAVED about it. Try it--they'll think you slaved away on homemade soup and really it was very economical as well as done in 10 minutes! I am more of a "use it up" kind of cook than a recipe cook. This comes from years of homeschooling and scrimping while I was a stay-at-home mom. You had to get creative to make the budget stretch.

Yesterday I went shopping for fabric. It was really just a pleasure trip as I'm contemplating a couple of little granddaughter dresses for an upcoming baby/toddler dedication! As soon as Granny gets the word on when, she will start making an heirloom dedication gown for Sophia and a coordinating dress for Miss Emma Rose. My designer mind went wild today as I looked at fabric. There was lovely fabric and exquisite laces and notions. I saw a piece of lace that I instantly knew had to be used around the waistline of the dress I intend for Emma. It will change my original color scheme, but that's ok, since I found the exact fabric I wanted that coordinated with it beautifully. Can you build a whole 2-outfit scheme on one little piece of lace? ABSOLUTELY and I will! Also found fabric for Sophie's little gown. I have a few styles in mind and lo and behold they happen to coordinate in the most becoming way. Emma's will have a bolero jacket, the kind that are so popular right now and this little christening/dedication gown has an attacked jacket that trails down to the hemline of the dress. I CAN'T WAIT TO GET STARTED!

RUBY SLIPPER STORY--FINAL CHAPTER

After I opened the box that contained the "ruby slippers," I should have been relieved, comforted, and awed by God's amazing love to me. I already told you I didn't catch the real significance of that right away. I can't remember for sure, but I think it wasn't until we were on the way home that it really all sunk in.

The last three days of the African trip we went on safari. It was a kind of "vacation" for the weary workers before going back home. It was a chance to have a little fun, see the beauty of Africa, and unwind after the heavily scheduled week. We left the safari complex in the morning and drove on long bumpy dirt roads from the semi-arid safari location through some of the higher elevations and back to Nairobi. While in Nairobi, we shopped a bit as we waited to board our late evening flight. The next day we arrived back in Amsterdam. We only had about an hour layover this time and can you guess what most of the Americans did first thing? Yes, that's right--head straight to the nearest cheeseburgers and fries!

We boarded the plane and I can't remember what time it was. We were finally on the last leg of our journey and many of us didn't pack much at all in our carry-ons--after all, we were going home! Several of our party were ill by now. Some were later discovered to be suffering from e-coli infections. One person had been sick in Africa and was still rather weak, though a bit better. When we got over Greenland--I think about three hours into the flight, the pilot came on the intercom informing us we were going to have to turn around and go three hours back to land in London! You should have heard the groans and moaning of the entire plane. It seems there was a package found on the plane that was not associated with any passenger and that's a security issue. Talk about disappointed people! One soldier we met was going home from Iraq to attend his father's funeral and said now he would most likely miss it. I broke down and cried at his words, letting out all the built up emotion over returning home just flow out of me as I realized my own desire to return must be nothing compared to his.

So we began to make the flight back to London. I had a bit of a good feeling about that since I always wanted to go to England. I figured I'd at least get to see London. When we got close to London, they were unable to take us and we had to return to Amsterdam where the airline would put us all up in hotels for the night. We were given complimentary care packages with combs, a t-shirt, toothpaste, etc. Then we were given vouchers for food and lodging. Also free travel miles were given. It was actually kind of nice to sleep in a good hotel room and eat well before arriving home since we'd all been through the mill that day coming quite a ways across Kenya and then on a flight. We all were able to clean up and rest before boarding another plane in the morning.

I think it was while I sat in the plane, returning to Amsterdam that the realization hit me that God had reached into my situation and "promised" me with tangible evidence, however unique, that I would make it home! God is so creatively wonderful, isn't He? Most of us have Amsterdam sweatshirts or t-shirts now as a result the three visits to that city in a ten-day time span. Souvenirs of this most amazing trip!

PICTURES FROM OUR IOWA TRIP

The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. She brings her food from afar. She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. Proverbs 31:11,14,and 21

Here are a few pics from our Iowa trip. I chose the verses from Proverbs because I felt they wrapped up some themes from the pictures. Picture number one is the "carrot canning operation" that my friend and I undertook! (She brings her food from afar!)These carrots came all the way from Michigan to Iowa! My friend is a true Proverbs 31 woman. She sees to it that nothing goes to waste around her household. She's very diligent to can and freeze lots of stuff for the winter and economize. It was a privilege to help her in this endeavor. We had a great time!

Picture number two was taken during the big blizzard. The winds howled all day long!

Third picture was taken along the interstate the day we drove home. Either this one or the next one was taken near Colona, Illinois. We are from COLON, Michigan!

The last "snow" picture reminds me of "Fields and Fences" because that's just what it is. I was trying to capture the lovely look that the new snowfall gave to the fields in the area. "She is not afraid of the snow, for all her household is clothed with scarlet."

The last picture is of me in the green dress--finished! This picture is taken in my living room. We arrived home safely on Thursday evening after joining the chaplaincy board in Indiana for supper. We just stopped on our way home and ate a nice meal with our fellow board members and still got home and all unpacked before 10:30 pm. That was pretty good!

While in Iowa I finished lots of projects. One was the green dress. Also finished plying all my original handspun yarn from the brown Corriedale. I finished a sampler on the way home, but decided to remove a few stitches. A quick few minutes some time will complete that. I also finished three tatted cross bookmarks and one side of the lace panel cardigan I've been knitting. It was a very productive trip for me!

The Lord's been showing me some really neat things this week as I took time to read and meditate on scriptural truths. The extra quiet time away from the normal routine was conducive to receiving some spiritual insight, I believe. I have a speaking engagement on Sunday--at our church! Pray for me if you think of it. Thanks for sharing my trip pictures. Blessings, LORI

BLIZZARD!

"Everyone arrived home safely, but what had started as a picturesque snowfall turned into a raging winter storm that continued for almost twenty-four hours dumping several feet of snow on the countryside." from "The Fields of May"

Oh, how I wish I could post some pictures! We are in a blizzard here in Iowa!We went to town (about 1 mile away) for lunch and other than that, I knitted all day. Finished one front half of the lace cardigan I've been making for years! We didn't get too much snow here where we are, but enough and then winds that are unbelievable, relentlessly gusting all day around 50 mph or more. We are hoping they quit soon so we can have decent travel back to Michigan tomorrow. Maybe if they are still coming out of the west we will be blown all the way home! The weather conditions prevented us from accepting an invitation to our friends' home tonight (40 miles from here) for pork loin sandwiches and a visit to their Wednesday evening services. I was really sorry we couldn't go. Most schools and many businesses were closed here today.

I guess our power went out today back home (no storm there yet) according to my daughter's report. I think this is the third time that's happened while we were out of state. This time it was for some unknown reason. Last year at this time an accident caused a huge gas line fire just 3 tenths mile from our house shortly after we left for Iowa. Rhiannon says she is getting tired of this scenario, since she's left home to deal with it! Thankfully the power came back on. I think the power was out when we were on our way home from Tennessee last spring as well. We considered not going home that night because of it, then it came back on. I guess we know when to leave town!

Tomorrow on the way home we will attend the Christmas dinner (in Indiana) for the chaplaincy ministry. I am anxious for that although it will mean wearing dress clothes all the way home from Iowa, oh well! Will post pictures of the blizzard and more when I get home. Blessings, LORI

MORE PICTURES OF TENNESSEE

Finally, here are the rest of the pictures we promised you from Tennessee! I am a fan of "sign pictures. And of course, these signs are advertising some of my favorite things---turnip greens! Only in the south!


Here's a picture of an old barn displaying the signs that I remember so well from my first few trips to the south. I love it!

Here I am with my new spinning wheel. This quaint old barn is on the property of the place where we stay in Tennessee. Isn't it lovely? We had just come home from church and decided to take a picture of the spinning wheel on this pretty day.

Doesn't this swing and pastoral setting seem to be inviting you to relax and enjoy the late fall day? This picture was taken out near the barn where I sat spinning. This pretty pond is full of giant catfish!

Here's a picture of the famous Carnton plantation near Franklin. The story of this home coincides with the story of the battle at the Carter House in town. I posted a picture a while ago of the Carter House cat, General Cheatham, remember? The stones you see in the picture are part of a large Confederate cemetery on the grounds. The house was used for a hopsital during the battle of Franklin. The wounded were brought here and they were put in every bed, chair, couch and all the floors throughout the house awaiting operations. The surgeons worked in front of windows using doors from the rooms placed upon barrels for operating tables. The surgeries went on non-stop for 2 days. The lady of the house graciously donated all but one room for the medical needs of the moment. Some bestselling books have recently been written about her and the dedication she had to keeping the graves and information about the men buried here. As I listened to her story, I wondered how many people nowadays would have the strength of character to allow their home to be completely taken over with bleeding bodies, ruining furniture and leaving permanent stained reminders of the carnage in the floors, then spend the rest of their lives caring for the memories of the victims. Surely these few hours of battle changed the lives of this particular family forever. You can't erase those kinds of scenes from memory. The bodies of four Confederate generals were placed on the front porch for the people to pay their respects as they passed by. Such tragedy. May we all learn lessons from those gone before us.

Just one of the very beautiful roadside scenes we photographed and enjoyed during our trip. The fall color was breathtaking.

Here is a sight we never see up north. This is a tobacco barn with the year's harvest drying inside.


BLESS THE LORD O MY SOUL, AND ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME BLESS HIS HOLY NAME! Psalm 103:1

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture--Psalm 103. It speaks of the complete redemption that was secured for me by Christ. I often pray these scriptures when sickness is threatening. I command my body to line up with the words of this scripture and "bless the Lord" by remaining healthy and operating properly, since "ALL that is within me," is supposed to be a blessing to His holy name!

I hope you're having a great week and enjoyed these pics. I have been quite busy with follow-up on my mom's surgery--dr.'s appointments and such. She had a little set-back and so I'd appreciate your continued prayers.

Just thought I'd share with you what I'm reading right now. In addition to the Bible, I am reading a history of the 19th Michigan Infantry to learn more about my Gr. Gr. Grandpa's unit in the Civil War. Still working on Emma's socks and finishing the final read-through of "A Sturdy Fence." Later this week, it will be out of my hands and into the realm of publishing! Hooray! Blessings, LORI