tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530133976718741772024-02-07T16:23:21.054-05:00TolentreasuresTolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.comBlogger1033125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-38995028172332168552024-01-06T21:19:00.001-05:002024-01-06T21:19:43.033-05:00Some Random Items<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQQ9ZvM0P-yfHV-C46oNOHS0Q1VWy2-QPCNgGX76luOmLu3uWLUZThR2ufZSq2PR4TZUjctw--FdHHRYv_xnxdn95iSFA" width="225" height="300" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">More random finishes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Ornaments,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Magnets, boards </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">and more</span></div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQ8CV1gcynT6rIKgnBITBRXX8t2qYUyzBLS0Bu4z5PF_J3U8zuZ1Dn-LJAzk9Pa31mD-U5iZ3A-p5GF6DrzSSJ8Kk-YAg" width="209" height="278" /></div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTXNuAgDaKEAkwGNd86xchoEzKj_isArU0HKfDFtjyFcC3Ec13Dzjw5E6UN1d080FBfOjZG-fC9Lj3NcshtJvxV54tCmQ" width="231" height="308" /></div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSkTJZamPhrJlE2gOeq9lpsv0T3VeZHjH-J0VKmYZJDHShQ5Fg4LEdl_iafI-_RdwlQYK0tLKThUrPeGt0g1_mdyx-A" width="235" height="313" /></div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQHBdd3bCzeHQ_c96DpKhzLJ2p-X5PJifWbODYza_HX4bjiFrPGDlOjeoyXQZyUApyuIYpR5ihjkYy68QXs4BFunXiO" width="238" height="317" /></div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSED78UEcerPAjvDT-pw3vij0FzNlfLj6-fTSuF67KWCvP2j5iDVTF5w_B9ck7t4rKJ1gmKOsyUy27H5TOeT7NeTAZi_Q" width="254" height="338" /></div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-71458375426270858502024-01-04T07:32:00.001-05:002024-01-04T07:32:57.689-05:00Boards and Another Hat<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSiImOTQHLiHIzIxQQou_qQUI193ZMv3Huaeh8PggRSOMg2NNsRERTccI7T8WM7W0sn7szDl7QHrixMtByGcotYif4UXQ" width="400" height="533" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Continuing to finish items. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">I had these started before the New Year, but managed to finish them yesterday.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">I always have a bag with unfinished hats.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">They are ready for riding in the vehicle. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Another one finished. </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQEoWPQFxtaZeiXqcjHG0npsGJ02G1hMk8GAs_12cEJuORr9uAG0SXah6dvTxBtcnf0wzPGa-PuYSx7xOZ_TV_dXb_PVg" width="400" height="400" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">So the tally</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">6-12. boards</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">13. Hat</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Now lets see what today brings! </span></div>
<div> </div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-76088280856877800072024-01-01T20:40:00.001-05:002024-01-01T20:40:35.410-05:00Word of the Year<div><span style="font-size: 24px;"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSCz20U6ebsgquzOYLOwJXrQjktVEy2x74WvZ5oSx2ZqJx2mrbS_hwSvmt9PAZX6G7v1Fjf3aTt-fckLqowpuE5gCam" width="241" height="321" /></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">People are picking words for the year. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">They have deep meanings. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Thought was put into them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">So I thought. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">My word(s)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 24px;">DECLUTTER</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 24px;">DESTASH</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 24px;">FINISH! </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Not sure which one I want to use.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Finishing would declutter and destash though. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">So maybe </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 30px;">FINISH! </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">I have so many unfinished projects. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">So many supplies for projects.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">So much stuff! </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQomIZvbJCjf49VJO3iZEnI7ddYgt1VzOxMmvEQOGCwypRrorXM8AAevtTzvB6EATU50l2ynvQjBxJ_WPpdCRPQ5bxQ_Q" width="171" height="228" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Did you ever think about how many projects you manage to finish in a year?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Social media for me is somewhat of a record of them for me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">However, I don’t want anyone to ever think i am being showy or bragging, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">so I am going to (hopefully) keep track here for the five or less people </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">that follow me!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">This blog has always been more about keeping my records </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">and memories than followers anyway. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">So here goes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">1. Temperature Blanket</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">2. Donation Baby Afghan</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">3 and 4. Aprons that I sell in Smicksburg and Punxsutawney</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">5. Bias flowers using up scraps. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTDbTeoQXhqMhscik3Q8SZrl7o1YdrOSEOurUc1iaB-kwzswK3f05FqzyZZk77H2bBIHskA-yTytnDngqPSWr3SeLPJ7g" width="273" height="205" /></div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSMhJqcKc8TWU-cPUQSbh6yVN-SjiQXlUeK1s7fKObdsTuxl2r5B14JlQ_44cOWmje0r_h0iLfmJkmWY0uQWqkvo7es" width="269" height="269" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Let’s see where this goes this year.</span></div>
<div> </div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-79591173357190997192023-12-02T06:36:00.001-05:002023-12-02T06:36:36.734-05:00December is here already?<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCNy6Lcg096HJEgyzxpe_0TqU49qnRKaK1I8CPrC2PKSJvQ8Iyr2Tu3cK8HLK0tMOpdyOli0BM7Z0ozFcbR80CmWaFt7g" width="214" height="285" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">It’s been another week of running</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">and lists. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Chores and obligations</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">and things that have to be done.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">There doesn’t seem to be any down time</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">built into all this. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">I thought today was going to be the day and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">last night, reminders came in for </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">orders that people want</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">…yesterday! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">This vine was a gift item, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">that needed done. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBkQZNPAF3OayOUhYYLHZyGBT1U8OBvwQaCLqo_HWb5Z1CnE1dm8xUhZ859RiStrnDqzfUg44873i03kzqy0ri59mhy" width="306" height="408" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">The tree in Ford City</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">needed decorated. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Not my best work, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">but checked off the list in the freezing cold! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">The half hour ride home with every heating accessory</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">in my car on full blast,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">didn’t quite thaw me out! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaC_8LGh0fiDCHR564HxkWlA9pX7tVGpUpRWBVLZhw_I0OjGrl2OPNnX97_gGyiymNRKtlpgMe7bVPhi57Q-i1nrSfePKA" width="273" height="364" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">This is one of the seven or eight quilt tops stacked up in </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">need of visiting the quilter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">When I got this one back, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">I gave her three more and said to</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">space them out a little </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">for my pocketbook’s sake. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">This one just needs the stitching around the edge. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">It will be nice to start to get them all finished. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDciU9liDSBSaILUSDWHw-_leOlYZx1lvYJDBxBLNwzGpGu_0IxH-rcVzeb9T4zqw-SWj43etTRb-noCT8YIkeo1Dsbgg" width="256" height="341" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Still working on samples for art class. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">I thought this one turned out cute. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">All found items around the studio.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAEHYlAMmq0TbXVr_vL7W0lsBhCixERoeSE3P37DLJVbosxa13ME9zO1XtbV0n0Yl2xvSsVElqmMd7KYGsbTOupU95Y" width="261" height="348" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">The eighth graders at school made these. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">I think that they did an amazing job. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">They are a nice, small, manageable group</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">and I really enjoy them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">They take their time and try! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Off to try to get some of these orders done today. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">I seriously thought I would have time this year to </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">do some orders. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">What was I thinking? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">To be fair, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">I have had a cough and/or sore throat since mid October,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">when is this going to end? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-83326162517353876032023-11-19T08:25:00.001-05:002023-11-19T08:25:49.930-05:00A Kindred Spirit and Chocolate Town to Steel Town<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDuMJ4XAkE6Ie3hF8zQposbb6wI0wMKNFRj9akdpES-cdHLrslijBBCinlVNb-jWKliTO5I97Zx7LN9qDK6Tq1MUN-qbw" width="400" height="300" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Friday started with work. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">The students were working in watercolor and crayon, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">doing a crayon Batik resist project. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">It should not have been that messy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">A little Kindergarten boy raises his completely paint covered hands</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">and tells me, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">“Mrs. Strate, this is when you know you are having fun!” </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">I could not agree more.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Sometimes you find kindred spirits in small children.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">JWS and I then traveled to Hershey, Pa in a </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">rainstorm of very hard to see roads. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">We are at the Hershey Hotel</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">for the CCAP conference. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">When JWS got the info, he apologized that it would not </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">be at the Lodge where we stay for the PSACF Convention, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">I assured him that the Hershey Hotel was going to be a </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">huge treat for me!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">It has not disappointed! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">It is beautiful and relaxing and just what we needed </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">after a year of campaigning! </span></div>
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<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCmHKVeRc_YsOCxdfOw8JL6s5KxXjxtaLa-jlpbdfdmmMzx1n-bI1tnjTHUEbYVF3Npn8DVBJJpRSxh8YL_HdvXOM_bkw" width="400" height="300" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Our first stop was Troeg’s Brewery.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">It is a must stop on every trip to Hershey. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">I would go just for the Rosemary Olive Oil popcorn. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBH5aK42eO8nvt0PlbldyA9DGJjBTN1qHU--L9nrTZ2ROyVImzslndSVw350SqPpnaGRKO42X1MIFFTbeWwq1LaIBaXoA" width="400" height="300" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">A quick selfie outside the Brewery.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">My place to sit and knit while I was waiting</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">for JWS to finish his classes for the night.</span></div>
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<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBAVzyo08h2gdOxN8E9z9spXTvr0grLIlcK6IEDrhSSDnNf8J2Uwfx-_pZJBJTbozmMK00EDBNvZlpyxtuj1R0gcAj7ug" width="400" height="533" /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Yesterday was spent connecting with an old friend</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">and making new friends. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Christkindlemarkt</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">in Bethlehem, PA.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Growing up in a steel town and watching the changes there </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">as the steel left, (Youngstown, Ohio)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">I am always amazed at the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">in communities that have managed to </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">adapt and survive and grow</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">in the face of what could be the death of a town. </span></div>
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<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBtBeHpKdBvNj_w53GQwKhey9TKwjWGmdY4aju4ZFc9iaQG0uVkbJaGtLpIYWdXOvDW5OguN8FdS6623AO_-YkBq52gcw" width="400" height="533" /></div>
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<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCeQdXtKGXMBDU24Kuf1yWEJvQE4gV5ARqeGbN3LQKrbRCCqGZmeFDoyVUMXQEE0FyRFxdG5s4RxZc1WsSL9qS7futa6A" width="400" height="533" /></div>
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<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCXWHoJyyS8l3lKzuVvaA2xTmVLWgoPLCvk4GlJFx397H0ip2LZz1fnTKpVhedWV8O5U600PfhKZFhKwmkihDZzOVh6bA" /></div>
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<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBP9nlzdtrF0pDEnP74n4em2biB1bkDsRRiz_E54Z7mbgVYNyfzycUE7ijS8bypfWGiPpss5FFhaURjJRtikFzLMNm1pQ" width="400" height="300" /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">I think Bethlehem, PA has it figured out! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">It was interesting to see how they have reconfigured </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">space that would otherwise be a downfall</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">of a community. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Our final stop of yesterday was </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Funck’s Restaurant in Palmyra, PA.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">It is another yearly stop for us when we are in this area.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">I had the Beef Ragu and it reminded me so much of my </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">mother’s flank steak that was always my birthday meal. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">I texted my mom and said it was a good thing she is living because </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">I would have sat and cried at that taste memory! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">As an added bonus there was a really good band playing and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">we enjoyed the music while we ate. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">We even sang along for a few! </span></div>
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<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaC4cNBNe5i11EY1bmghMXIf4md8rdbyzDeMOn52xPgNb5ST4ZnevmxWzQzqMhsbEe7_cF9kX28xkb33mOoe3KDBct29" width="400" height="533" /></div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-2044424454396630632023-11-14T18:43:00.001-05:002023-11-14T18:43:34.984-05:00Christmas Elves<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaB9JwUOIkCK0kBmvecucVm2iNtqug01ox_thBUrUmO5cYC4AFg2Lph-uVTn5xjaTS2aqPVW1hczOd5Cz5rD4mM5sSojXg" width="400" height="517" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Another tree up this evening,</span></div>
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<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAGZQa5dhnMPdoQZHDXEatm-1z7TPUBYkSR-H7ILGYEnsvuZcTJ12aKRgQdNmhLGtPgHEMDOrQOUnB_MhIP25U2gnJf8Q" width="400" height="533" /></div>
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<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCIZZupQOQrDSr4es8UJEdKgPvtbBWyp5-u0EMIXwnGHJTXCgGPEbP0KmR2arqxj-W05cIAgFEshOhqBqlq0VwEw72zaw" width="400" height="300" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">I had some amazing little elves helping me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">We decided that Kamden’s strong point was not putting</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">lights on the tree, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">so he was sent to the yard to do some winterizing tasks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Kendall ended up with two baby Jesus. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Apparently, she had two complete nativity sets</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">set up as one. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">We did a little editing and back to normal. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Jesus was not a twin. </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCUbINcQxkjJCxDZG6HGoTwhMRrS2IxAA5Rt4rrWOkSU5aXNO1_GAkZhPZU4i7o2apVjUxMMtbPcKrpRktn0euP0p-5Dg" width="400" height="533" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Insomnia set in and I finished aprons </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">and hemmed a pair of pants for JWS. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div> </div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-86343200794213196042023-11-13T07:45:00.001-05:002023-11-13T07:53:11.574-05:00At the Ballet<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBcUw9VsgE5yRn08oGsfugzm13lCY9J8k8DqZiKXRlgQrRY-zu5nXZTjzFHJKWdYGF5WYek_2LOXmbMphQKQZlLaLDj2Q" width="400" height="300" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">This happened on Saturday Night. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"> A modern ballet performed in Armstrong County featuring eleven artists from the county. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">I am in the red in the middle. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"> I seriously dislike being in front of crowds and public speaking. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">It was a challenge, but I was honored to be chosen</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">and to sit alongside such amazing talent. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">I have been singing, in my head, the song from A Chorus Line, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">At the Ballet, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">for days. </span></div>
<div> </div>
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<div> </div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAYQQuHbZD9aG1PSnARV5OTl0qdlbxUPqnd1yf1fahNgF02XncFtaTd2Dtk3s2_hwav6soCKpN-nU3hifhuuLHO_jGWTg" width="400" height="533" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Back to reality, I am nursing a sore throat and spent much of yesterday </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">resting in my chair and working </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">on catching up my temperature blanket. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">My new years resolution already is to not take on any year long projects next year. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">The year before I did a Block of the Month quilt and a sampler afghan. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"> Too much pressure and seriously over estimating how much</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">time retirement would give me. </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaATlks4qrJ2d1uw4wk6-fdJOaaCyVHFjY_5cTl7jSlMQJ2bZC1u-7kQqorxrcHaJr0p_8bfshOGwy8lgk_xAMbmiEWH" width="400" height="493" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Sunday morning was spent decorating this tree in Kittanning Riverfront Park. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">I skipped church, too much talking for an already raw throat. </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaANy4GDbf0HWG6rTtZ6i2F6743f5GA7lVnvZUpmBFIno9uhWakzNRICjQiHSvqn1j_DcaD4prtMqZFM5-q6FwEOJ_LJGA" width="400" height="533" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Next is the tree in Ford City today and moving into yet another shop. </span></div>
<div><br /><br /></div>
<div> </div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-36287611698544883282023-10-21T10:10:00.001-04:002023-10-21T10:12:55.232-04:00One Year<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCa1f-fhkDbfU_uL_kS6RAhuRdrfJcBJp1BTnKuLd_mwoa7sOjbCndELEAcgIXN3oBPsg9Pj2WiJxgnOnQfUf16bzRS" width="400" height="533" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">As I look over the past year, and it has been that long since I posted, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I am amazed at the changes in our lives that have happened. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Service to our church and community have always been a priority for both John and I,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">however I feel in the rush of working and family life, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">they were not as high on the priority l they probably could </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">have been for both of us. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A little over a year ago, John was approached by several individuals to run for </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">County Commissioner. Let me tell you this, public office was never on our radar. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">we talked, we prayed and we decided to take the leap. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Were we aware of what a public campaign would involve?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Absolutely not! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I pictured fun outings together, shaking hands and meeting people. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Eating food at local festivals, throwing candy at parades, all of which have happened </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">and more. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We have attended banquets and breakfasts and fundraisers and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">gun raffles…oh so many gun raffles! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We believed then and still do that John could make a difference in this county.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We believe that the county could benefit from his honesty and faith.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We believe that the county has so much to offer and could grow through its resources </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">and most of all it’s people! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here we are one year later! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We are sliding into home plate, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">more knowledgeable and informed of all that the county has to offer, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">many of the hurdles that need to be overcome</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">and I must admit a little worn! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Best of all, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">reinforced by the many people we have met who have shared </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">their stories, their lives, their problems, their successes and their resources! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We have less than three weeks to go in this campaign.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We appreciate your help so far, we would appreciate your vote on November 7th! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-45016765918047685972022-11-24T19:04:00.001-05:002022-11-24T19:04:36.220-05:00McDonald's Salt Packets and the Shelby Tree<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Xyn52YwZ9CMhQ7WTKXStBUHiRWelmX9TWKupuWLULaVg5y4v5wk5g4AdE_JrzwwsROM" width="400" height="278" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The blonde one in the middle with the brown sweater used to come to our house</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">after school. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Somewhere along the line, I think possibly prompted by JWS, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">she hid salt packets all over my house,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and I mean all over. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s been two years and I am still finding them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They sightings are getting farther and farther apart</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and unless she reads this, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">she is not going to know how much </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have enjoyed finding them!</span></div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/LSqpN1YhNizUXQLeZ49wTRlMGYHxMoNGCqsbUltRVVZMc3lkxWOP-dPWyA833ArPvqo" width="400" height="533" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">These four, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">always fun. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thrown together as sisters, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">20 years ago, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">ups and downs, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">they are still there for one another. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div> </div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/POaF8tdPieEiFapX4R6NB_RChEQWjtof9I-TYvPKKRDQ71DJ3uxbZC3sfKogmowmCJ0" width="400" height="300" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">That brings us to the Shelby Tree.</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This little tree that stays decorated </span></div>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div><span style="font-size: large;">and has stayed decorated for many years,</span></div>
<div>
<div> </div>
<span style="font-size: large;">through many moves </span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: large;">to many houses, </span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: large;">has always had Shelby’s preschool picture on it.</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: large;">We have always called it </span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: large;">The Shelby Tree. </span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: large;">It is always a source of conversatiom</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: large;">as to why </span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: large;">ONLY SHELBY</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: large;">has a tree. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/gev26I4AUFViPxIZBCukz8G8wl4ul8gjxbZW7Uou5cCqkU_oLtsSb58gdb4I2qiTBUQ" width="400" height="533" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every year on Thanksgiving, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">sometime during the festivities, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">things happen to my trees.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This year, this happened. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shelby is now on a lot of our trees. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">18 years of school teacher pictures are appearing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">These are a few, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don’t think it is over yet. </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/vLOZxKxl1YF9t5lU36z6yVVhXuCEeYzTrtebVO-voi_-bcLNYvZ4NbQKLC7k3FiJl74" width="400" height="400" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of Shelby, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">she normally makes the pies for Thanksgiving. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Imagine my surprise when last night, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">for our Thanksgiving, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">without warning, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">we had no pies. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So this</span> <span style="font-size: large;">morning, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I decided we had to have pies. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">we had no pumpkin! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">No problem here. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I recycled the leftover </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">sweet potatoes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dont ask my for a recipe. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don’t have one. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Candied Sweet Potatoes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Eggs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Half an Half</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Spices</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some Sugar </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and whien they were too sweet...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">JWS suggested mashed potatoes. </span></div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TVBluH2_0mgGH8a2RaHuoG9xzm7TQzKKRZFHDa-Q89TJpY5Ms6icPsST8FL8Hl02JGc" width="400" height="533" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-43923531898825686572022-05-22T17:25:00.001-04:002022-05-22T17:25:35.411-04:00India - The Food<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/PLLj5G3mJaT45PvF1oMoMKyPfXE1l8wDy6OhgZZzt4PozV37Sgzh11A46ZW3BIPO26w" width="231" height="308" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Food plays a big part in travel for me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love to find local foods to any area. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The pizza above, while it was Domino’s, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">certainly had an Indian twist with the chicken on top. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This little boy seemed to enjoy it! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div> </div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ioJZGFnAmC-0VK0ZHOq_7rP9R_MIqNDymSeJRxGnwTkg-I6_ax3b2iA94uEEhLhAJZI" width="233" height="310" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/XNH59SBIlpeYxcVq2r_0u-zkvqKYzFNJwgqR7-Qp8gMhspgUnLxX2vdaQUF3tR-DO4c" width="236" height="314" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The vegetable, picked from the tree could not have been any fresher! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don’t remember what it was called. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ZE5J0uL7et2ZbPTLdJtqsHMS6OWk8yPlU_eW_UvWLaFUKrn5GNr94oywnqxG6xxgxg0" width="276" height="368" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And momos! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not enough good can be said about these little dumplings! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These were from a restaurant on our return from Darjeeling.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then we made our own! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And these eggrolls filled with vegetables, including beets,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">were amazing. </span></div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YuVUw8Qa04SqOxOL2pzTwvmOR36qYfqtuhfAsE07oGv7MFXml3l1z_z_BtM0azCs8Uo" width="233" height="310" />
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Chili Chicken from the restaurant was great, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">but then Mridula made her version and it was heavenly! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don’t have any pics of hers, but it was one of the BEST things I ate. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was similar to General Tso’s Chicken, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">but with a lighter, cleaner taste. </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
</div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/QQroehgZYPUlmkG8bqM2gfKVjGXynk4YN-OCWhbiwDNcrRyLxJ7Kao6jZgAS5NqfuG4" width="302" height="402" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below is a late night session of making momos. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was not good at making them pretty. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am about to try them again tomorrow for our church community group. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stay tuned for that event! </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/VMSzh2nqlNRmmrxn_C7WpPQoQMwM_yNuoqVyS7yfsJmAW45y_2emdFkwn1EceUuG42k" width="293" height="390" /></div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-47001033406466670692022-05-19T05:18:00.001-04:002022-05-19T05:21:40.395-04:00India - The Women<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a2uaDDcEsXYwua0jTnQBodEBGLRhCmWeqEsuju069SQXfvQubNAoC-UQ-jZMkq3p6co" width="360" height="352" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I often think of Lydia in the Bible. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think of her working to provide for God’s church, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">of her entrepreneurial spirit. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How God used her and I am sure other women’s</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Spirits, gifts and experiences to enrich </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">His church. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don’t know the stories of all these women, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">but I could easily see their work ethic. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am sure many of them were providing for their families</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and I know that some of them were working </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">to care for God’s people. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first one is of women running a stand at Darjeeling. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Food for the tourists. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/9tWx63XBpeL7niWh3cZw39kSHqyxxfMsdpYdgdpaV-UF5BoiZQ3ZLD7AJIDBTjbvASA" width="252" height="336" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A teacher at the school that I visited who brought her baby</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">to work with her every day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here she was cooling her down and washing her up on break time </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">between classes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/FCIZj4NRKtLr1Dpe--qQ0SHdMOPAnFejjOFcaQsxm_spmVxsPABOZz-OZ4UI5-SxYO8" width="270" height="360" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Nepali women at the Himalayan Zoological Park</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">selling corn snacks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2MleLxvren0XCQxG7zqSyoS_0IaIGMOUzgib4Y9DqYOxI8PR7uxNjxRl_oX_GEVQzso" width="314" height="418" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A young girl running her own tea stand</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">in the tea fields of Darjeeling. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/A98vWLRVuMrUhQ0QlYoSflRTxTMd9AAC1QyrwgpRCaPeeEYJP7sBn7AY0s0G9SBDeVU" width="344" height="458" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There were so many of these women sitting along the railroad tracks </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">at the Batasia Loop of the Himalayan Miniature Railroad.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They were all crocheting hats and sweaters as they waited to sell their wares. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/NWZSAxIvK6vnyh2nEWNmFUNUjt0eMpqHJQO26Oqd0WRMJVIyxbyuK8K3_Yi2yBon1Uc" width="294" height="349" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This beautiful, peaceful Nepali woman took the time to show me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">her craft. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Although we couldn’t speak to one another, I felt such a kindred spirit</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">with her when she began carefully showing me her stitches. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I so wish she would have had one finished for me to buy! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/AqMaaz_n6OsB6kD725YrJ1PlYs8znNijbkJPB9FuWY3CBwotEDK5p-iqwrGu8KOO5hA" width="341" height="328" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The tea workers were like a painting! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They were so surreal in the fields harvesting the tea. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It struck me that they wore such Western clothing to go out and work in. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The same women wore kurtas and saris the rest of the time,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But out here is was button down Western looking shirts. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They allowed me to even pick tea with them! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Such an amazing experience! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/FiL4rSa1P3pqWH_sqeytu5brzZSjG0NfWDW1ZR-D2Agdm9Pq8DxgIY16bQ_MbPKT3LQ" width="355" height="473" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The final worker is my friend, Mridula.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She was my host for two weeks. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She opened her home to a virtual stranger</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and later shared with me how nervous she was about me coming. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She works so hard,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">cooking and cleaning and teaching at the school. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I so admire her for all she does. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She and her family provided a </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">once in a lifetime experience by opening their home </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and allowing me to become family in such a short time! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">…even if they did make me wash the dishes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Proverbs 31:10-31</span></div>
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<div> </div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-46097239815047092362022-02-22T05:58:00.001-05:002022-02-22T05:58:33.466-05:00The Start of the Florida Trip<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/HdSSzgPQueXmApY0yFQiyxciJMdHpklgvBTcaMI5xtj7HSptupU4IO_dqFSyyRrG5mY" width="312" height="416" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was time to escape the snow.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know that I had enough.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I always hope when i get home that its almost over.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We pulled out after church on Friday night </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">drove to Clarksburg, West Virginia. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Saturday brought us </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Skeeter’s Hot Dogs in Wytheville, Virginia,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">for lunch</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sunday’s Soul Food in Walterboro, South Carolina</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">for supper. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Spent the night in Kingsland, Georgia. </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sunday was spend wandering around Ameila Island. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/is5EeKA9J6pfnrT6ps9hpO3CWhG3ylwD0N-03C5KyNZZae30iDNktCxj3y-1ElASXBs" width="317" height="422" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/cQvyaedNYjoRGfZqqOzLN1Ws4OshPcnjXLChWxuvnLkqQj3uElvnNUzvVeQQNGcDEoY" width="283" height="377" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Traveled down A1A and rode this ferry across the St. Johns River.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_euG_AlJvm2x-ly6Mqebc3pQoJ0GjQX4MxIWbtq3P5vKQQg5upVT8s-Bdu2co5LKdAg" width="400" height="300" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Found this amazing shop! The art and creativity of the vendors was amazing! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then we went to supper at Safe Harbor Seafood.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The line was so long that we opted for takeout and a tailgate picnic along the river. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3XadL1ODXppDokp6Bf_dYWbVGyOwuLVcVF12YduhotjTaalHToj5jvhZ8gUCC4XaPIk" width="281" height="374" /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyone who knows me, knows I am not a huge bird fan</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and JWS knows this well. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So Why? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Why would he choose to feed the rest of the seagulls his French fries right over my head? </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We ended up arriving at our destination in Daytona yesterday! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now its time to rest. </span></div>
<div> </div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-56288301873605612592022-02-12T08:36:00.001-05:002022-02-12T08:36:28.972-05:00How Many Projects Can You Have Started?<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oZHthwP6DOLoHNOZcRoGojjeT-HzPhB77tNo9Xqn-McCKAuTW1Og4mwrfCu7w6VVcts" width="400" height="400" /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">In my case, apparently a ton or </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">seven to be exact! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">In my defense, I started a prayer shawl for a friend</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">who is going through a rough time right now. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I felt that it would help me to remember to pray for her daily. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I didn’t like the yarn.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">(see the mint green)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I bought white.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">(not soft enough)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I finally got to a Hobby Lobby and bought the blue variegated.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Perfect. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">To be fair, at least I prayed through all the ones I didn’t like. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">They will still be fine for church donations, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">just not quite special enough for my friend. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Then there is this stash above. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I found this great little yarn shop in Punsxutawney Pa. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a title="The Fireworks" href="http://www.autumnhousefarm.com">Autumn House Fiber Works </a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The owner was so helpful finding me great yarns that were not wool</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">and so many were on sale. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I am learning new stitches and trying to expand my skills. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Then there is the </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Annie’s Kit Club </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">that shows up every month and teaches me more new skills. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Plus, my hands work better if I vary the projects! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Enough justification for the ADD mess I have here?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">That’s my story and I am sticking to it. </span></div>
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<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9L0l758ka1Ro-ob-Shq4Njjg_ThSdfIit7JvLdWwR9XXeduLVzHBaneE1XgebrdhRg4" width="400" height="400" /></div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-41405062282057490832022-01-08T06:12:00.001-05:002022-01-08T06:12:40.977-05:00Before, No After...Yet<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/gbj8EdEOGfdkRf4H9__qgPT-cyUlrun-hkZ96AFy3zWRGk_ocBktrcEpyw829GRDCIU" width="286" height="381" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First of all, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have lived in this house 19 years. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That is officially the longest i have lived anywhere, ever in 63 years.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I guess that meant that I never lived anywhwere long enough </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">to change what I had done. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I might have repainted but never had to strip my own wallpaper. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I guess I should apologize to all those people that bought houses</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">that I had gone wallpaper crazy in over the years. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And I really loved wallpapering. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was my last place I had wallpapered.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">19 years ago, when I moved in. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am not as young as I was then. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And this is kicking my butt. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After an entire day working on this yesterday, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and not being as far along as i thought </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I would be in my mind, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am almost too sore to go back to it this morning. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Full disclosure:</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>My mind might think my body is a little younger than it is.</em> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">…update, tomorrow! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div> </div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-46277342390600327812022-01-05T19:23:00.001-05:002022-01-05T19:23:59.970-05:00The Possessed Hutch<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/lLln0CgI7Yzwu6VM8WrUyHTEqLqF4-ttKDzQJNPfdBhK4R2MVnMG0hJDTm3ajYjttTk" width="252" height="337" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, the saga of the hutch.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I beleive it is creating a history of it’s own. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My mom and dad moved last July to a smaller house. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mom had all these beautiful cobalt dishes that she displayed in her old (larger) house</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">on a plate rail that ran all around her dining room. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The new kitchen has a place for a hutch and we started to look for one. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A woman walked in the shop one day with a picture of this one</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">for a great price. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I would have to go and pick it up. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The problem was...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was on crutches and non weight bearing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But the hutch was perfect. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, a quick call to my grandsons</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and a suggestion to draw straws </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">over who <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">gets</span> HAS to go with gramma. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Logan draws short straw and off we go. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First of all, the man at the house insists, vehemently that it won’t fit. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I calmly tell him it will. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He gets out a tape measure and begins to measure. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I tell the woman and Logan to just load it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and while he is still measuring, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">they load it, we pay and leave. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Excited, I tell my mom that I have the hutch, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and she says that she has decided she wants a bigger one. </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I painted it Dixie Belle Silk Tide Pool </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">it found a home holding paint. </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/prv2x2HpduW4LngvqBRSMb3_UZhJdeY8wiCuBJeVD0lKfDRraz5Uamaq8wGUfjwXces" width="399" height="534" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And I had to have help to move it into that shop, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">still on crutches. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then Mom decided that the size of this hutch was actually what she wanted. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We started shopping for another one, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">but none were as nice as this one. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That shop didn’t work out. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We won’t even go into those reasons. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes God closes doors. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I moved out. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And I had to have help to move it again. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At least this time I was part of the help. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I brought it home and yesterday decided it was time to paint it white. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">i was able to get the top unloaded, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and the drawers. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And JWS was willing to help with the base. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, one of the drawers must have hit the lock button </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I locked the keys in the van. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, yesterday, I start painting. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don’t normally paint anything pure white. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is fighting me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Three coats so far.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It might be driving me crazy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The van got opened today. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now tomorrow to pin someone down to unload the base. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/XdDyi4yvaEgMGXKBo3qxhkWysB2Ek6cPH77ybPtXKfp9-MmPQjiOA-IOPMu3JetPDlU" width="400" height="711" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am sure there is more to come, it will have to be </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reloaded</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Delivered to Ohio</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unloaded again. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whew! </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-70607070532230679342022-01-02T10:49:00.001-05:002022-01-02T10:49:20.483-05:00Old Brown Singer<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/VXjqhmEM1zajOAlK3UaS5NVKRjOOdqfuZMpuCW-HKTEdH2P9ko3kwlvSnaKPRGYgIuU" width="400" height="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Back to the basics.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That is what this machine is. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I learned to sew on an old brown Singer in the late 60’s. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My mom’s was fancier than this one. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It actually made some fancy stitches </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">this is just a straight stitch. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I could not wait to get a new fancy sewing machine, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">it was what I asked for when I graduated from high school. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I researched and chose a JC Penney machine. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It served me well for years,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">while my mom kept using the old brown Singer. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Eventually mom’s machine was retired. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Where it went is actually sketchy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mom moved on and has had several new machines. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have had a couple of newer Singers, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">a Brother that worked hard for many years, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">but always on the lookout for an </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Old Brown Singer. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I found this one and another at yard sales. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They are sisters. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The one sister needs a little help, but this one keeps plugging away.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also have a newer Singer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">that does some fancy stitches, but</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">for straight, regular stitching, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I always return to this little girl. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She is a workhorse. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As a side note, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I will buy one like my mom, and my grandmother </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">had if I ever find one. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because, you can never have too many sewing machines. </span></div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-69853621140447876442021-12-31T07:01:00.003-05:002021-12-31T07:01:44.736-05:00Scrappy Quilting<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWiy-xpEQLGQ12Gu0ephbssTFKTHMXvMedAgP0oGRSFWYprpG0S78QwiYAFqD_TWy0KfpNJm0OYEYwglF4BtrAGsmBZ5P4OEts3BAMucdMH3sCR6MwHR8KLH4lzuNSQyv5o1KltZWN3-_weu7L9QhcLMw-HOqrzcx82EVonIppPvehEAm_ZNbVeXb8=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWiy-xpEQLGQ12Gu0ephbssTFKTHMXvMedAgP0oGRSFWYprpG0S78QwiYAFqD_TWy0KfpNJm0OYEYwglF4BtrAGsmBZ5P4OEts3BAMucdMH3sCR6MwHR8KLH4lzuNSQyv5o1KltZWN3-_weu7L9QhcLMw-HOqrzcx82EVonIppPvehEAm_ZNbVeXb8=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I found this pattern in a quilt magazine that I had never opened.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Truthfully, I was looking for paper to start a fire.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Fire started, I was browsing and found this pattern </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">and could not wait to try it! </span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I had a few oops, well really five oops before</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I went back and read the directions! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Sometimes I like things "not so precise" </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">and this quilt fits that so well. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoxLAwdCpuqjZc3MFnivMSiXcAs8AaOc0QB8AdzSpmrFe8JdnPtLMhg9lAxhE0D285NfzJD01qiBq8hGPtL54oTdS3Le8RQGgw-gkoV3acmnR1Lw96ftgW3I1U52PMM3Z7m32Io0AOtauZTsVPTT8sqOhKqdE3VFZWe6Nce-AuMBawy4BAdPivgnfF=s1921" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1921" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoxLAwdCpuqjZc3MFnivMSiXcAs8AaOc0QB8AdzSpmrFe8JdnPtLMhg9lAxhE0D285NfzJD01qiBq8hGPtL54oTdS3Le8RQGgw-gkoV3acmnR1Lw96ftgW3I1U52PMM3Z7m32Io0AOtauZTsVPTT8sqOhKqdE3VFZWe6Nce-AuMBawy4BAdPivgnfF=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">For more of her patterns, go to </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.beaquilter.com">www.beaquilter.com</a></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, stashbusting is happening at my house! <br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6Ltnh89tFUUFR1dn3a1atIjJFdbmySZXxOBFbN1M7Fd-d06fJZJf0A92TJHJqoFMT8TWNTOZ0qh1KvgVhSyeznldfIKbrM-eAAPpJO_xDWjsl2lHunn50prGECkOQDZ3D_k3sKpgthFwraLDZ_kAtCMrsC9GtjyY28HFn23nHVfRjZNXMqvNfKuOs=s3024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6Ltnh89tFUUFR1dn3a1atIjJFdbmySZXxOBFbN1M7Fd-d06fJZJf0A92TJHJqoFMT8TWNTOZ0qh1KvgVhSyeznldfIKbrM-eAAPpJO_xDWjsl2lHunn50prGECkOQDZ3D_k3sKpgthFwraLDZ_kAtCMrsC9GtjyY28HFn23nHVfRjZNXMqvNfKuOs=s320" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKJ_7aZgxW9cTETHKFTzM8ui6ZUDHTGmlkPyZKf00mNTLFyxzdJhNtOJv8n5iVtUqIqyBiYi79Zy9i7tkZMbR_AZ6gcG0FJD6wW60yyvlkOGuf9y_ngnoQzVicgEui1w7NyvKqIY5i0uU0I179iPP-HeZ49dFp9K1WPvyfgxKKylYzttYbaGgkV-Wo=s3024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKJ_7aZgxW9cTETHKFTzM8ui6ZUDHTGmlkPyZKf00mNTLFyxzdJhNtOJv8n5iVtUqIqyBiYi79Zy9i7tkZMbR_AZ6gcG0FJD6wW60yyvlkOGuf9y_ngnoQzVicgEui1w7NyvKqIY5i0uU0I179iPP-HeZ49dFp9K1WPvyfgxKKylYzttYbaGgkV-Wo=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj39cIYbVpuwc9GB4FmRMPcfOUJslEHVOhvgSRmPiueb2H_S-8MNLAC3UGD383-qeuo6_EEyZGKzQ1fPPoxoyx67c0BrYBOcbycxXDxemGVStG_KAC3XySoytDEam91ILwK-ZU8hllTAyX7gDGtYCKsOlpTq3ViaAesfAyq7GWafL2LyECJfyPfuQkl=s3024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj39cIYbVpuwc9GB4FmRMPcfOUJslEHVOhvgSRmPiueb2H_S-8MNLAC3UGD383-qeuo6_EEyZGKzQ1fPPoxoyx67c0BrYBOcbycxXDxemGVStG_KAC3XySoytDEam91ILwK-ZU8hllTAyX7gDGtYCKsOlpTq3ViaAesfAyq7GWafL2LyECJfyPfuQkl=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-79249020044376597302021-12-29T18:59:00.001-05:002021-12-29T18:59:33.971-05:00Moving Paint<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/2lZGae-cyNeGKlja17Ohq-QCh3kbtO3uVmUtwhNNOzr_SZqSYaRo8Piy24g3R5X4yfw" width="287" height="382" /><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hC-DPZLg0eLKIP6CDY7RVhLetLVmec0J4CuPy9aqiJ-oz6L6MLDuVxFomYzjPcBGpt8" width="290" height="386" /><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/XadLkGswpU0DITzQUSeZVAGqdrReAx0GBCGXEb0yYTE8t-h-c75cH7nQ4uNWmhpu_h8" width="283" height="377" /><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/z9xr_lEH4VvHoGLTFRARXZr47C3o5suDat2pY_imIThjD7mr4ko5iYQyIGrPmBeAgw0" width="377" height="283" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The last two days have been consumed with</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">moving all this paint. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I closed one location</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">combined it all into the other. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I packed and moved one location in an hour and a half. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Carried the boxes out and loaded them in my van.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I must have been on some type of adrenaline rush</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">because when I got home, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I could not lift the boxes! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had to cut them almost in half to get them out of the van. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But this evening, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">they are all in place!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whew! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now to pack all the remaining Christmas items in my booth! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anybody have a new paint project? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I can ship! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-10335765875633953492021-12-28T05:56:00.001-05:002021-12-28T06:13:44.113-05:00One Crazy Year<div><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Viy35_rq86D24-QIWT6mYe4vUn7oveJTEuXBgcwXHCFkjaMimdxxAkiY7m3kjUqTDQk" width="400" height="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">Retirement</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">A surgery</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">Giving up some responsibilities</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">Taking on others</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">Surviving the crazy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">Looking back to this time last year, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">I had no idea how much </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">would change in a year. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">For the better? Absolutely! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">I have sold the shop, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">resolved some issues with managing my time, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">and had a foot injury fixed. </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">With retirement came extra time to spend with my parents,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">which included a long overdue move to a smaller home.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">What I did not expect was ANOTHER hobby! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">My mother’s friends have corrupted me! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">As if I needed help in creating another crafting obsession! </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">Above is my most recent FINISHED project. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">I guess this obsession is a lot like my other ones.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">I like to start things, not necessarily finish things. </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">More on that later. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">Happy New Year everyone, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">I will be in the sewing room…or painting studio…or art room…or in my chair crocheting or knitting. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">Notice how I don’t mention the kitchen or vacuum? </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-79573575466691189352021-01-08T06:30:00.001-05:002021-01-08T06:30:49.124-05:00Waiting for the slowdown. <div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_504c_12bf_7064_82e7" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/VgK5qOGYlcM5cG8tW8uKuLTqkh74Wb9xHXONc9B2K3ap7nd3BEpLvBPGr3yFJ0Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="font-family: Arial; width: 306px; height: auto;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">Waiting on the January slowdown and it’s not happening. </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">I know the time, </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">less shop traffic, </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">home in the evenings, </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">slower days to recuperate from the holiday rush.</font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">Where is it?</font></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="6"><br></font></div><font face="Arial" size="6"><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_76b7_57d1_f057_6928" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MaC-nIUTGm5lq1fAQ5qFGuv0q9hqPz3OwUvxRcYedlp0LJChY0gOSj6ztb24q1Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 301px; height: auto;"></div></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">Every evening, I drop into my chair, throw a few stitches in this</font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">and</font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">promptly pass out. </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">Everywhere I look,</font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">something needs my attention</font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">and </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">I don’t know what to tackle first! </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6"><br></font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">Ever have a time like this in your life?l</font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6"><br></font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6"><br></font></span></div><div><br> </div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-26017752569174642852021-01-01T07:32:00.001-05:002021-01-01T07:32:59.234-05:00New Year’s Visitors and a Shop Change<div style="text-align: center;"><font size="6"><img id="id_958f_cadb_b208_687b" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/bJAFKUxtgGLvu4TNpGTAqFkZ8Hbi8kuPy182tNqG1kgrVnVij_q8FUqhOeZHQ7s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="font-family: Arial; width: 233px; height: auto;"></font></div><font face="Arial" size="6"><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_6cc3_ba03_9d17_604b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/P8TShwBAeZh2AydocCa5VcmZy6hZmXVCEISIetdRtKA7SlMEeTYP7OWyzBWmsvw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 239px; height: auto;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_31f4_5a86_9c3a_1958" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/tCrt_gai7-trJ6AgLz3OumRhSgvSlpPZB4aFQLwYUQ-Ty6RqYLV5-g47XhVerdg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 240px; height: auto;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_3de1_7521_30ea_c7c" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/uWsvJMJP4XMX7XxCFDpqkkKE63w6uP_vamYG2MB9gj867jArpRKkPNGBG_SoxDY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 238px; height: auto;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_c861_2256_de03_7796" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ol5ipt4AlsCf5WhAkIiXFDWqlMyj5YuIG_4qWd_Z0YQLAkPWEJL9Sm_UUl-9GmY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 243px; height: auto;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_e5f_a69e_8a28_9a0c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/f_RvTpAU__SP3Qn4X5x1TpT4isigDaIRKYiXwgf2AkmVnuVV1_8WqyGeimT8vDY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 247px; height: auto;"></div></font><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">We had these four for New Year’s Eve.</font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">Make your own pizza, games, a puzzle, lots of laughing and giggling.</font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">The only one that didn’t see the ball drop was JWS. </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">Typical though, he usually goes to bed long before midnight.</font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">They are all still sound asleep. </font></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial;"><font size="6">I might need a nap today.</font></span></div><font face="Arial" size="6"><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_e324_6f82_3c8e_c3ab" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/vvMsVIVbkyypXZsl435DYUDlpbVicjujP1CglGCV4XeiSpiNKXH3ut40V2-SlCU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 254px; height: auto;"></div></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">Changing some things around in the shop. </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">I have been painting these cupboards the last few days. </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">I am upgrading my paint line to premier and elite status.</font></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="6"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Doesn’t that sound fancy ?</span></font></div><font face="Arial"><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_3dd0_ea80_84b_65a0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/joeHV5JUw-1s4k_13TXwcO0Oyq7xZjuaKgeqvGnwithdcj4hRf01qJXAaWWIibE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 258px; height: auto;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="6">Happy New Year to all!</font></div></font></div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-8951218714105934412020-12-28T07:00:00.001-05:002020-12-28T07:00:33.000-05:00New Year, New Menu <div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="6"><img id="id_6bf8_89b3_df76_1af5" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/jkpkr5buX2i6RGo9y4cS_qrNIGvynErPAuDMByD3YkbE_OZ7cK2pcb02MbsYFy4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 295px; height: auto;"></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6"><br></font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">JWS does most of the cooking around here, </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">however since his COVID induced semi retirement,</font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">meals have changed around here. </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">We seem to be eating more and more leftovers. </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">He seems to be busier than when he was working. </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">He asked yesterday for meal suggestions. </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">I jumped right on that idea! </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">I made a list! </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">Can’t wait to see what he produces in the coming weeks. </font></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="6"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="6"><img id="id_a22f_504a_ded2_993a" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/l1XU7XE-bH-sFcqUdNN5yWrRV5HvOLnAsKaEWoAicw5AJOp-6iZEhki2EkMYlTc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 301px; height: auto;"></font></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">Just a sampling of ornaments that I am working on.</font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">I am hoping to have them all done in January </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">for next Christmas season. </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">The goal? </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">1000. </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">Can I make it? </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">I don’t know, but I am at 262 right now. </font></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="6">One fourth of the way there! </font></span></div><br> </div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-82234783995544432692020-12-26T20:22:00.001-05:002020-12-26T20:22:27.348-05:00Christmas 2020<div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><img id="id_d685_3e63_424b_5dba" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/7wTncFFAxivBED7OahiFfODN3L3bACCV_joIw-1wB3kbrj0qkkg0njnVTLfHypM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 281px; height: auto;"></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5">We rarely get pics taken together.</font></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5">That needs to change this year.</font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><img id="id_4454_39b8_d651_e579" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_iOXBx7_Qb_PiTEToT8F_laSiz5B1rh0IHrO5dEkjYHm1WE6eyDQJbbR3OnXxuc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 309px; height: auto;"></font></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5">The yearly sister pic.</font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><img id="id_1ecc_5f90_d846_9bfc" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/EQD5lO52rcgnt2wn_8A3lHURY21zJNp6qOslq8TjtRGnMWGtYxemWHLcaEGeU-4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 314px; height: auto;"></font></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5">And the 2020 Christmas Eve Scavenger Hunt winners!</font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5">I think that these two made up the Dream Team.</font></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5">Gracelyn has spent more time at our house than any of the rest of the grandkids this year.</font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><img id="id_a3d6_1eb4_2e2a_8ad5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/YActpw9fprwhST6Ay7OfDkChMpyDI_1rK2Ui9EH6d3hExYE-iOksK_hIWwqILYw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 329px; height: auto;"></font></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5">Christmas Eve candlelight service. </font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5">The first one we have made it to in many years. </font></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5">The girls did all the cooking this year!</font></div><br> </div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-84794988750172050122020-12-24T06:28:00.001-05:002020-12-24T06:28:49.529-05:00What did get done, what didn’t. <div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_5950_fe9c_e5ff_8687" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/UHKuH0ex65A9rnd8fE7_ZzS4M8YY5hL5fGxnnwiwl-mv3mgX9_B9BDjhHONzZqA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 383px; height: auto;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="6" face="Arial"><br></font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="6" face="Arial">Teaching the kids power tools yesterday!</font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="6" face="Arial"><br></font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="6" face="Arial"><br></font></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-large;">What a year it has been!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="6" face="Arial"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="6" face="Arial">Who would have ever guessed the outcome of this year 365 days ago? </font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="6" face="Arial"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="6" face="Arial">So much could be said. How I wish I would have documented the year! I wish I would have set aside the time to journal, to blog, to write it all down. </font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="6" face="Arial"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="6" face="Arial">Now as I sit here on Christmas Eve with a shiny new calendar ready for next year, I think back to what I did and didn’t do. What I should have done and what I shouldn’t have done, things I have said and things I should not have said. </font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="6" face="Arial"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="6" face="Arial">Through it all, the biggest lesson, as I look back has been to trust God, leaning not on anything I could do, but solely on him. It is a concept that I always knew in my heart, but quite often did not practice. </font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="6" face="Arial"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="6" face="Arial">So as I sit here with my calendar and make my yearly lists of what I want to do, I will try my best above all to keep last year's lesson at the top of the list, God first...in everything.</font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553013397671874177.post-8198606849008548792020-01-29T21:36:00.001-05:002020-01-29T21:36:37.571-05:00Samuel’s School<div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5">In December, I had the opportunity to travel to West Bengal, India on a mission trip with my church. Six of us made the trip to care for the children of mission workers who would be attending a conference there. </font></div><div><br></div><img id="id_91e2_fa47_71aa_798a" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/TY8SntovCakqOnQs6rLrRPPmFhOeYrxQV6YO2ARKIeif8qiLPD7Hi0xiPNNS9Qo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 517px; height: auto;"><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5">The last full day that we were there we went to a school in a nearby village and met Samuel who runs the school there. He is a converted Hindu and teaches Hindu children a Christian based curriculum in English. His school has been very successful because of the high quality of education he is providing. This allows him to present the gospel to children and their parents often. </font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5"><br></font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5">The problem? He has more students than classroom space. </font></span></div><div><br><br><img id="id_2b62_5b47_cc0d_aa37" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/adEtFYUKfmce6HBloRw8ZgJcxd4R8DejwWA4rC3lVtJ46CnEeW3UMtr6zK8WN1E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 517px; height: auto;"></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">And three swings for over 200 children! </span></div><br><img id="id_3b7b_dcf4_5a40_2f28" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/nxzDA6UR2cHjMIlam4wfZjADfQ3hIchPfMUKIgl_hiUa7FE3Zypff6-DFRCeV7Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 520px; height: auto;"></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Such well behaved children! Such even lines! </span></div><br><img id="id_f6f5_2eb7_8350_d95" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/AVZC8UVFglwx58wffXPIkK7dXaVnf3hxXP2WET0-WtIWJFSwqWvyCHW5LPbmc1Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 516px; height: auto;"></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Some of the older children are having outside class!</span></div><br><img id="id_ff8b_b707_3638_9157" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/KhFEhzmKgz-LE1CfxbeJqZ_ieKfM8FkDaIoP8183U7zKBj8IpbLgbZHuVbSiocQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 513px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_bb90_8f63_aee2_7be7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ghH5ESkDJOvEsPKnULbEGZ_Lv53mka489uGYmzVswpp5nQRr1FKaQNQm9ijy7Go" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 528px; height: auto;"></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">They are starting a classroom on the second floor. </span></div><br><img id="id_ce59_810a_96b3_1b00" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/idAqvCNrXnjQy8y6mFlmrpwqZNpjFopAefQJFglhcrSBah84uAV26U3gbcRxWXw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 526px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5">Here is where my part of the story comes in. </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5">Samuel’s school was my moment. That moment when you know you have to take action. But what. I prayed. I asked for a penny drive at kids church. And I decided to commit any watercolor projects that I sold to the school for at least the next year. Doable and yet I could still pay my bills. </font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5">And the next day...</font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I get a call. </span></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Would I be interested in illustrating a children’s book? </span></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Absolutely! </span></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="5"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">And here we go...</span></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="5"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Don’t limit God...ever. </span></font></div><div><br><img id="id_ceeb_35f4_3f03_d0e5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HZHckw6WZmM0_o0fYQnZLSXo3n3rlY3o7OQSK2YWC6YbU_qyVTJbzSplgsXfvc4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 520px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">Here is a sneak peek. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><img id="id_9344_aa3d_1b93_192f" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/72fl9xAg3x8D_aEokycS70nVPyAp1zdqeTA8NVUNDbJo9lUbypzE4wd1cpyJ2RU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 518px; height: auto;"><br><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">Rough drafts so far! </span></div></div><div><font face="Arial" size="5"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5">Stay tuned!</font></div>Tolentreasureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06824185306484314086noreply@blogger.com0