Gettysburg...

The Gettysburg Address

by

President Abraham Lincoln

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
November 19, 1863

 Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. 

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. 

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

 

Sunday Thoughts...

 Contentment...

Check out the stitchery about her head...

     I saw my dog this morning sleeping on top of a pile of pillows.  She did struggle to get there, but she quickly fell asleep and was content.  Even though it was hard to get there, she was satisfied.  Fuzzy blanket, dog pillow, or pile of pillows- it was all good. We provided, she was satisfied.  
     
     I point this devotional at me.  I post pictures of little goodies I find.  Am I content with what I have?  What drives me? I have learned to get rid of stuff to balance the new, but seeing others blogs, and their satisfaction with less and not accumulations makes me reflective about myself. Is my aim to create a cozy home or to be surrounded by stuff?  I struggle with posting purchases I find. Why do I do it?  What am I sharing?  

     There are those who cannot decorate their home because of lost jobs or just making ends meet.  There are our dear friends who have lost all through hurricanes and floods. Could the money I spend to feather my nest restore the homes of others?  I apologize for my "bragging" of goodies I find.  I need to look inside of my heart to see what purpose it serves to share. Just thoughts I was throwing around in my head. I would love to hear your thoughts...

This devotional is from "Our Daily Bread" published for October 2, 2012...

 Philippians 4:11

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content."

Contentment is hard to attain. Even the apostle Paul, a hero of the faith, had to learn to be content (Phil. 4:11). It was not a natural character trait for him.

For Paul to write that he was content in every situation is truly amazing. At the time of this writing, he was in jail in Rome. Charged with sedition, treason, and other serious crimes, he had appealed to the highest court: Caesar himself. Without other legal recourse and friends in high places, he had to wait for his case to be heard. It seems as if Paul had the right to be an impatient and unhappy person. 

Instead, he wrote to the Philippians to say that he had learned to be content.

How did he learn this? One step at a time until he could be satisfied even in uncomfortable environments. He learned to accept whatever came his way (v.12) and to receive with thanks whatever help fellow Christians could give (vv.14-18). And most important, he recognized that God was supplying all he needed (v.19).

Contentment is not natural for any of us. The competitive spirit in us drives us to compare, to complain, and to covet. Few of us are in a predicament such as Paul’s, but we all face difficulties in which we can learn to trust God and be content.

 

O Lord, give me the grace to be
Content with what You give to me.
No, more than that, let me rejoice
In all You send, for it’s Your choice! —Anon.

 

Contentment is not possessing everything but giving thanks for everything you possess.

 

Sunday blessings, Dear Friends!

I give thanks for your friendships!

Heather

Catching-Up Saga Episode 2: Snow, Stars, Shopping, and Stitching

SNOW

Snowy Trees

Snowy Horses

Snowy Roads to Work. Yea.

More Snowy Roads...

Snowy Class- Aren't they cute?

Snowy Field

Snowy Sky

Snow... Nope! Class quietly working on a snowy day... Ahhhhh...

Snow- 3 inches... Called for a dusting. Hah!

STARS...

Starry Child- Emma holds the record.  19 stars (but count to make sure!).

  Shopping...

 The only place I went for Black Friday Shopping... First 25 customers got a $10 gift certificate.  AND from 7am - 9am you got 40% off a Christmas item and 15% off a regular item.  Soooooo, since I live 10 minutes away, I rolled out of bed around 6:30 am, donned a ball cap, drove there, got in line outside of the store in 24 degree weather around 6:45 am.  Waited patiently for about 15 minutes.  They opened the door and guess what? I was one of the first 25!

So, here are the trinkets that I got!  I love the tin star for the tree this year!  And my favorite candle- Gingerbread Cookie!

 A few Christmas goodies I picked up.  The dried oranges are from a place called The Round Barn outside of Gettysburg.  I will post picture of my trip to Gettysburg another time. The adorable prim flicker candle comes from our blogging friend, Kim at Valley Primitive Stitches. Do you know why she is famous in our blogging world?  Go check out her blog and see... She has adorable items on her Etsy!

My mom got me these.  She thought I could sell them on eBay.  The apple one will be going up.  I am going to hang on to the clove one...

Purchases from Thrift Stores- The whole lot- under $10.  I am going for a vintage/Old World Christmas look this year!

 

STITCHING...

Been stitchin'.  Trying out cross-stitching. All I can do is the x's.  I can't figure out the others.  The "Christmas Joy" one is a free pattern from Christine at Preferably Prim.  The one on burlap, "Merry Primitive Christmas" is a free pattern from The Primitive Hare.  How should I finish them?  I don't know if I can do the Primitive Christmas one like she has on her website.  Is that allowed? Can you adjust the pattern if you don't sell it or anything? Any ideas? Please help me to follow the right protocol. Other questions- Do I need to wash the white fabric?  Should I add some felt holly leaves to the burlap one (Hubby's idea...)?

Well, dear friends, episode 1 & 2 is about all I can muster.  My next two episodes, to be released who knows when, will be about my trip to Gettysburg and Lititz!  Oh, and there are new items listed on eBay.  If you are interested.  

Thank you for all of your support, comments, kind words, and friendship!

Blessings, Dear Ones!

Heather

Catching-Up Saga Episode 1: "Thanksgiving Vignettes"

 Psalm 95:1-6

 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
    let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
² Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
    let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
³ For the Lord is a great God,
    and a great King above all gods.
⁴ In his hand are the depths of the earth;
    the heights of the mountains are his also.
⁵ The sea is his, for he made it,
    and his hands formed the dry land.

⁶ Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
    let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

The table is set...

Flowers for the teacher...

 

 The Gag Reel- "Pie on the Floor"

   Disclaimers and Other Random Facts:

1. The recipe says it should be crumbly. It does!

2. It should really rest overnight.  Ok. So, I forgot about that part.  It rested.  Some.

3. I cleaned the kitchen BEFORE making the pie.

4.  I love making apple pies and always use this recipe. Truly.

My vintage stoneware deep dish pie plate!  It inspires me to make rustic looking pies. My husband's grandpa made the rolling pin.  The plastic ring thing?  Made by China.

Definitely crumbly.  Is the butter in pea-sized chunks?  I guess so... On with the show...

Aww.  Look at the cool tool so my pie crust is juuuussssttt right (read that like The Three Little Bears, please.)...

Ready to put the bottom crust in...

Not too bad.  Need to patch some holes.  Doing good.

Mmmmmm... Apples, cinnamon, and sugar.  I could just stop right here...

Good, okay, doing well...

Wait for it...

Yeah. So. Um.  I think I missed the target.  If you look at the pie in this picture, compared to the previous picture, you can see the cosmetic work that was done.  I DID NOT USE ANY THING FROM THE FLOOR!

It didn't turn out as well as it normally does, but it didn't have any troubles being eaten. And that is what matters.  Unless people would get food poisoning later.  That would matter more.

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!!!

Blessings, Dear Friends!

I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving!

Heather

Now onto the next saga...