The Shelf

Playing with Instagram...

Shelf is painted! $3 at Goodwill!  Now it holds my Goodwill Pewter collection.  I will show you a picture of the wall later so you can see how the wall has changed.  I took down the red mirror.  I think the shelf allows for more negative space around it unlike the mirror.  I like it!  What is even better- the hubby likes it!

I am still here!

Here I am! Just thought you might want to know.

     Ugh.  I know I haven't been posting any prim decor lately.  I am working on it.  Right now I am taking a break from moving 3 pieces of furniture and painting a shelf (If I work while I let the paint dry, I won't be tempted to touch it!).

     I am still working on my pincushions.  I have about 20.  Now, here is the question.  Those of you who sell, should I just post one picture of each pinkeep with the price?  And then a description of the item?  Well, if you have a chance, ya'll can let me know what you think!  I appreciate your opinions ever so much.

     Hmmm. Ok, so the same week we had off 2 days for the hurricane, we went back to school for one day, and then we had an in-service and parent-teacher conferences.  That one day (Halloween was that night), was such a fun day (Yes, that is sarcasm...)! But, the class made up for it by bringing  their Butterfingers to share with me.  They were so cute about it!  Apparently, the other teachers have trained the students over the years to bring them some of their favorite candy from their loot.  They asked me what I liked.  I never dreamed that I would get so many.  Well, not so many now.  Not any at all.  Ooops.

     Last week, I almost burnt some pinkeeps because my husband forgot I had them resting in the oven when he went to fire up the stove to make meatloaf (which was really good!).  That was my "Anne" moment of the week. He said they were toasty, but I thought they were prim!  I don't think he gets "prim" yet even after being married for 14 years.

     We had a field trip to Hopewell Furnace.  It was a beautiful trip!  I will post pictures soon as they are on my "good" camera and not my iPod.  I loved it!  Well, except when the park ranger said they could throw dirt at each other in the casting room.  I know, right?  That did wonders for the cough I have had for the past month.  She kept telling them that when they blew their noses that night, gross stuff would come out.  Great.  Lovely.  Good to know.  Glad it was a Friday.

     Hmmm.  Well, in getting over my cold, I have been really tired at the end of the day.  My hubby frequently finds me passed out on the couch when he gets home.  Apparently (he says), I get surly with him when he tells me to go to bed.  The one week, after Granny Trace was posting her woolie gingers, he said that I said "Ginger dudes are keeping me awake."  He got me to say it twice, and then I said, "Uh-oh..."  At that point, I was awake and knew he would use this incident against me.  Well, he went and wrote it on our chalkboard where he is keeping a diary of sorts of all of the weird sleepy things I say.  Last night, I supposedly said, "The coffee table is an inflatable kayak."  Ugh.

     That's pretty much my adventures lately that have been keeping me from posting.  I am just really wanting to change over to Christmas decor, but since I am hosting Thanksgiving, I can't.  I could put a little Pilgrim hat on a snowman.  I guess that is pushing it.  Maybe.

     Well, back to moving furniture!  I hope this finds you all well!  I miss talking with you all, but I have been enjoying poking around your blogs more!  My prayers are with you, especially our dear friends affected by Sandy!

Blessings!

Heather

PLEASE PRAY!

I appreciate how much this blogging community lifts up one another in prayer...

A dear family in my school, one that I know and love very dearly, went on a Missions Trip to Guatemala. Some of you may know that the country was hit by a 7 magnitude earthquake with multiple large aftershocks. No one has been able to contact them, which is somewhat understandable, but worrisome nonetheless.

Thank you, in advance, for your prayers for the Silkroski family- Al, Marcia, Sydney, and Caleb.

I will keep you posted!

A reminder from our principal in the email that she sent...

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.

The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Come, behold the works of the Lord,

how he has brought desolations on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the chariots with fire.

“Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Picture taken from: www.earthquake.usgs.gov 

Good Morning...

A good reminder any and every day...

Morning...

by

Charles Spurgeon

"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands."
Isaiah 49:16

My favorite picture, "Grace"...

No doubt a part of the wonder which is concentrated in the word "Behold," is excited by the unbelieving lamentation of the preceding sentence. Zion said, "The Lord hath forsaken me, and my God hath forgotten me." How amazed the divine mind seems to be at this wicked unbelief! 

What can be more astounding than the unfounded doubts and fears of God's favoured people? The Lord's loving word of rebuke should make us blush; he cries, "How can I have forgotten thee, when I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands? How darest thou doubt my constant remembrance, when the memorial is set upon my very flesh?" 

O unbelief, how strange a marvel thou art! We know not which most to wonder at, the faithfulness of God or the unbelief of his people. He keeps his promise a thousand times, and yet the next trial makes us doubt him. He never faileth; he is never a dry well; he is never as a setting sun, a passing meteor, or a melting vapour; and yet we are as continually vexed with anxieties, molested with suspicions, and disturbed with fears, as if our God were the mirage of the desert. 

 "Behold," is a word intended to excite admiration. Here, indeed, we have a theme for marvelling. Heaven and earth may well be astonished that rebels should obtain so great a nearness to the heart of infinite love as to be written upon the palms of his hands. "I have graven thee." It does not say, "Thy name." The name is there, but that is not all: "I have graven thee." See the fulness of this! 

I have graven thy person, thine image, thy case, thy circumstances, thy sins, thy temptations, thy weaknesses, thy wants, thy works; I have graven thee, everything about thee, all that concerns thee; I have put thee altogether there. Wilt thou ever say again that thy God hath forsaken thee when he has graven thee upon his own palms?

Blessings, Dear Friends!

Heather

The plaque my daddy made right by it... Fits just right...

You are all so kind...

Thank you all for your prayers!  Here in Lancaster, PA, I am fine.  My family and home are fine.  I need to inspect the house now that it is light out. God's hand of protection was very evident.

Wind, rain, and snow flurries are still on the "menu" for today and possibly tomorrow.

What a storm!  I have never felt wind like that!  It was so scary! I was looking out of our French doors to the deck last night.  The wind was gusting against the doors so much that I could feel them moving.  I wasn't sure that they would stay closed even with the deadbolt.  So this genius continued to look out the window to see if any trees would snap. DUH!  They did look like they were doing Yoga positions. 

The changes in pressure made my ear hurt so much. It felt like it would explode.  This was because of my cold and then extreme low pressure. 

We also have 7 inches of rain at this point. I also had a furry barnacle attached to me at all times.  Such a good, furry little buddy.  But, those are all minor in contrast to what you see others have suffered in other places.

Storm is not done yet.  Still wind, rain, and now snow showers!  Yikes! Thank you for your continued prayers for the East Coast! God is in control is a "very present help in our time of trouble".

Thanks again for your love and concern! Time to get some coffee!

Blessings,

The Marm

Leaves are all gone...

We couldn't get the fence down.  A friend borrowed our drill...  Oops...

Yikes!

1 inch of 7 total inches

Happenings...

Newest pinkeeps- I love the wooden one- a old treen cup with carved rings!

 

Making Signs- Printer, Carbon Paper, & Paint!

Goodwillin'...

Wreaths- Target, $1 for 2.  Pumpkins- Goodwill, $.50

 

The beginnings of Sandy (Although she has not made landfall yet.)

Check out my little stove- it's my smore maker and some vintage pans... Hope I don't have to use it!

 

How much rain we have since this morning (It is now 11:30 am).  I am tracking it on my chalkboard in the hall. Rain and wind picking up.  It is not supposed to be here until tonight.  Already scary now. I am going to go take a shower, make brownies, and cook chicken before the power goes out.

Well, I am all up-to-date now with my posts!  I am praying for you all, and I hope you are all safe and well! 

I will leave you with the song from my childhood that has just popped in my brain the last few days...

"How Can I Fear?”

by Ron Hamilton (Patch the Pirate)
 

 WHEN SHADOWS FALL AND THE NIGHT COVERS ALL
THERE ARE THINGS THAT MY EYES CAN NOT SEE,
I’LL NEVER FEAR FOR THE SAVIOUR IS NEAR;
MY LORD ABIDES WITH ME.
HOW CAN I FEAR? JESUS IS NEAR,
HE EVER WATCHES OVER ME.
WORRIES ALL CEASE, HE GIVES ME PEACE.
HOW CAN I FEAR WITH JESUS? 

WHEN I’M ALONE AND I FACE THE UNKNOWN
AND I FEAR WHAT THE FUTURE MAY BE,
I CAN DEPEND ON THE STRENGTH OF MY FRIEND,
HE WALKS ALONG WITH ME.

HOW CAN I FEAR? JESUS IS NEAR,
HE EVER WATCHES OVER ME.
WORRIES ALL CEASE, HE GIVES ME PEACE.
HOW CAN I FEAR WITH JESUS?

JESUS IS KING, HE CONTROLS EVERY THING;
HE IS WITH ME EACH NIGHT AND EACH DAY.
I TRUST MY SOUL TO THE SAVIOUR’S CONTROL;
HE DRIVES ALL FEAR AWAY – AWAY – AWAY!
HE WATCHES OVER ME
I WILL NOT FEAR……..WITH - - - - - HIM. 

Blessings,

Heather

Country Fall Vignettes

Happy Fall, Dear Friends!

Blessings! 

Heather

A Week in School... Before Substitute Sandy...

The drive in one morning.  I had to break in the middle of the road and snap this picture.

Excitement for the week.  A hot air balloon almost landed in the playground.  This picture was as it made its way over the Turnpike.  I didn't know what was going on.  All of the sudden, third grade started screaming like banshees and pouring out of the building.  My class pressed their faces up to the windows.  The Schoolmarm was panicked that the building was on fire.  Apparently I was the only one...

Lesson for the week in Science- Force and Motion.  Teaching students to calculate speed was like pulling teeth... Ugh.

Morning Mission- To "Duke Out" their science homework.  That means to go over it with a partner, BUT if you disagree on an answer, you must "duke it out" and explain or prove how you got that answer.

Working on the floor- Students have the opportunities sometimes to work around the room or even the floor. Here they are on the floor "duking out" the science worksheet.

My one dear boy has been planning his devotions for weeks.  He started by giving them questions to write about before hand in their Reflection Journals.  Then, he asked them to guess what his lesson would be about from looking at the questions.  He also outlined what he would be discussing before he started.  His topic- how to choose friends. This boy has teacher skills!  He went over a bit in time.  He was very apologetic.  I said that God put it on your heart, and it needed to take as long as it needed.  There was good discussion, although a few behavior problems he had to handle (Devotional leaders are truly in charge).  It was funny because he is frequently one who can be a stinker.  When the kids were acting up, and he was getting frustrated, I asked him, "Do you get it now?  Do you feel my pain."  He answered emphatically, "YES!"  God works all things for HIS good purpose!

Here he is reading his devotional.  His frequent "Partner-in-Crime" is beside him.  Their conversation when the blonde boy was selecting people to pray when he finished his lesson killed me:  Partner- "I want to pray." Leader- "Are you going to behave and not be silly?" Partner- "You know I never joke about prayer."  Love it!!!!

Using the Smartboard to identify parts of speech in sentences.  Each student comes up and writes the part of speech above the appropriate word.

Gold Star Extravaganza! This dear boy shines like the night sky!!!

A warm sunny day to drive home with the sun roof open.  Not a cloud in the sky!  Love it!!!

Well, that's it!  Thanks for stopping by! No school for the next few days at least because of dear ol' Sandy.  I like time off, but not so much for scary things.  Parent/Teacher Conferences on Thursday and Friday.  I wonder what will happen there!?  It is all in the Lord's hands!  Be safe, dear friends!  Lord willing, I will talk to you on the flip side of Ol' Sandy!

Blessings,

The Marm

 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."

Matthew 7:24-25