Good Friday

For the past several weeks since the time change, we have been able to see something that intrigues us on every good weather morning when the sun hits the telephone pole on the lower road. Look at the following pictures and it'll become clear to you as well.







Truly, it's been quite an image to see a white cross of sorts floating in the sea of brown and gray branches. We won't be able to see it much longer when the forest greens up, but it has given me the opportunity for much reflection.

The word from Our Daily Bread this morning sums it up better than I could...

It is a simple thing to say that Christ died for the sins of the world. It is quite another thing to say that Christ died for my sins...

Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! Rev 5:11–12

God bless your Good Friday!



One more thing, if you haven't had the opportunity to visit Sandi at Holding Patterns or Kari at Just Livin' Large, perhaps you'll check in today. You may know that Sandi is Kari's aunt. Doesn't it seem that things seem to hit families all at once? Anyway, you'll find both blogs in my sidebar under featured blogs.

Thursday So Soon?

The Conference is keeping me on my toes. My day gets restructured in interesting ways to accomodate the schedule and not as much is being accomplished about the house nor with blogging visits. Still I'm trying to get it together because I just learned that we will be hosting Easter dinner for my side of the family after all. Yikes!

As much as I'd love to hop through all the hoops of creating a memorable dinner, I think we'll be keeping this one a little more low-key. No sitting at one table, no Grandmother's china, no big to-do tablescapes, no polishing of silver. It's going to be spiral ham and Green Ivy Corelle dishes all the way baby. That and much joy. Easter should be filled with joy.

Backing up to the conference, I just know that you want to know what I thought of Melissa's presentation. I. found. it. fascinating. One thing that I'm learning across the board with the presenters, many of them bloggers in Blogdom, is that all are a little shy. Everyone feels as if she has stepped out of her comfort zone. One even suggested today that many bloggers are shy. I know that I am. I feel much more comfortable chatting with you here than I would in person. Much. So Melissa comes across as one who has stepped over that comfort zone line...a little surprised to find herself where she is today yet so willing. Refreshing!

So this was my funny story of the day... John decided to talk budget at 9:30 this morning just as I had taken my seat before the computer screen. I tried to ward him off with "the look." Eventually, wouldn't you just know it that one of the speakers talked about having a good marriage and little tips that would help. One of those tips included greeting the hubby at the door with a smile and a kiss. Fine. I'd give it a whirl just as soon as I could boot him out the door.

Fast forward to one o'clock when I greeted him at the door. More like startled him at the door, actually. He later said that he wasn't sure that he had the right house. After dinner, we were discussing the afternoon — what he'd be doing and what I'd be doing. I told him that I didn't care what he did as long as he left me alone between 3 and 4 as I would be listening to Melissa and that. was. that.

This is what the poor man did while I listened to my seminar session...



I tapped on the window...
he looked around wondering. When he saw me, he waved. Look at that lit-up face! Well, I just know that I can make my face light up the same way whenever I see him. Shouldn't be tough at all.

Happy Thursday, Everyone!

Easter 1940, Etc.

Isn't that an interesting magazine cover from the 1940 Easter issue of the Saturday Evening Post? I'm loving the colors and the dress, the hair and hat, the shoes, the purse, and get a load of those butterfly wings. Woooieee...I want some! (PETA people should be pleased that I did not mention the mink coat dangling from the apple tree.) (Edited to Add: The cover design was done by J.C. Leyendecker.)

I even found a matching car to go with the outfit.



It's a beauty isn't it? A real corker of a Chevrolet.

I should be thinking about *Easter eggs,* the way that Rose Cottage has been. Oh do read this scrumptious post. You'll be glad that you did and most especially if you want to create some beautiful Easter eggs dyed using all natural dyes in many different colors. Check out the exquisite colors of Rose Cottage's Aracuna hens' eggs, too. If you love blues...

I'm so excited that I will get to hear Melissa's voice today. Yay! You may know the story...Melissa was the first to ever leave a comment here at Haven so I feel a little connection. I believe that there's something very special that she will share with the women attending A Woman Inspired. And it's not too late to sign up.

Enjoy your Wednesday; I know that I will!

Windows Live Writer Experiment and Much More

I am writing this on Friday evening (4/03/09) using the new Windows Live Writer and will post it sometime next week. You know, I’ve been complaining for some time about the limits of Blogger. When I want to set a paragraph in, I expect it to happen. When I want to center something, I expect it centered. You know, the usual formatting issues. I just downloaded Windows Live Writer and I suddenly have my MSN Messenger back, along with a lot of other neat things. (ETA: Not everything works. The new picture program nearly crashed my computer.) The screen looks like this by the way. (This photo was added Monday night from the regular Blogger program.)

Let’s see if I can center this.

Oh yes I can!

I am brilliant lucky!

Just was able to add a picture albeit an artsy, crooked one from the photo album using the button pictured above. It's on the right side of the screen. Oh, I don't like that "view full album" feature one little bit! It shows up automatically and hyperlinked below any photo uploaded using this program. I was able to remove it, but that will prove to be a pain because it needed to be removed using Blogger in Edit Html.

Surprise, surprise! I think that I will be sticking with Blogger after all! Otherwise, I would have to go back and forth between programs to get the best features of both. I'd go with the Live Writer if the photos worked the way that I want them to.

Google "Windows Live Writer" if you’re interested in learning more. I don’t dare to try the hyperlink. If you've used this program, please let me know how you like it.

You may already know that I am one of the most blessed gals in Blogdom. Truly.

Yesterday, another package arrived. Though the resident prankster tried to keep me from getting my hands on it, even he couldn't manage to keep it away. Gheesh! The things some gals must go through!



This is a wonderful package from Miss Sandy who shared all about it here. I have also added a button on my sidebar so that you may check out this event for yourselves. What a wonderful seminar for Christian women, which you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home! So far, I've listened to one live session, but I will be able to download all the sessions in the future and I plan to. I'm so excited about Wednesday's session with Melissa who spoke about it here.

The pretty package picture story follows...









Is it any wonder that I feel so blessed?

Click on any photos that you'd like to see better. You may even be able to read what I circled at the bottom of the page. Nope, it's too tough. It says: Prayer is not all that you can do. It's the best that you can do.

Thank you again, Miss Sandy. You are a blessing.

Sap Buckets and Sweater Pillow

Weather Report: Sap is still running. No, not all over the ground. There are lids on those buckets. Yup, it's been windy. The snow is going fast.



My mother returned a sweater vest to me that I had given to her because she had given it to me. Are you still with me? I decided that there was no way that I wanted a blue stripe right across my mid-section with ducks swimming in it so was preparing to pop it into the Goodwill bag when I thought that I'd save the sweet buttons on it. Yes, they're sheep.



Then, just as I was preparing to take the first snips another thought. Whoa...Wait a minute, Chickie. You can do what Judy did right here. So I did, minus the felting. I remember that Manuela also did one...a red one...at her former blog. OOPS! Manuela informs me that the information is available right *here* . (My memory is shot! I actually did a search this morning, but must've been too specific.) I think she said something about not being too fussy so I wasn't too fussy following Manuela's good advice. It was the kind of project that wouldn't make any difference in appearance whether one spent 30 minutes or 3 hours. So there it is and, no, I'm not packing it away until next winter. Even though it's a sweater, it has a springy scene...apple trees, flowers, ducks swimming, and sheep grazing.

Enjoy your Monday, Dear Ones!

Where's My Donkey?

Sometimes I get the impression that God wants me to give him something and sometimes I don't give it because I don't know for sure, and then I feel bad because I've missed my chance. Other times I know he wants something but I don't give it because I'm too selfish. And other times, too few times, I hear him and I obey him and feel honored that a gift of mine would be used to carry Jesus to another place. And still other times I wonder if my little deeds today will make a difference in the long haul.

Maybe you have those questions, too. All of us have a donkey. You and I each have something in our lives, which, if given back to God, could, like the donkey, move Jesus and his story further down the road. Maybe you can sing or hug or program a computer or speak Swahili or write a check.

Whichever, that's your donkey.

Whichever, your donkey belongs to him. It really does belong to him. Your gifts are his and the donkey was his. The original wording of the instructions Jesus gave to his disciples is proof: "If anyone asks you why you are taking the donkeys, you are to say, 'Its Lord is in need.'"

~Max Lucado from And the Angels were Silent

Though I can't find the Bible version that says "Its Lord is in need," I fully agree with Mr. Lucado. Everything is the Lord's. Guess it's time to head for the Strong's Concordance.

Have a wonderful and blessed Palm Sunday!