tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12463414425906091152024-02-06T19:55:58.455-08:00My Humble Wordsa place to share my humble thoughts about
my life, my loves, and my SaviourSusanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-48360656886416032412014-02-02T22:10:00.001-08:002014-02-02T22:10:36.489-08:00Taking -&- blessings
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was doing my regular weekend laundry marathon. I checked
the pockets of my child’s pants and found something unfamiliar to me. So I
asked where it came from. “I don’t know. . .the ground. . .I think it was. . .”
After pressing some more, the truth came out. My child had found it and wanted
it and took it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My laundry was then interrupted to have a lesson about what
the Bible says about wanting and taking and stealing and lying and what our
hearts need to be focused on and forgiveness. In the end my child wrote a
letter to the person who was missing an object, admitting what had been done,
acknowledging it was not the right thing to do, apologizing and promising it
wouldn’t happen again. The object was returned in the letter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then my child did a pretty amazing thing (in my humble
opinion, anyway). My child admitted to doing something similar and wanted to
fix that situation too, instead of leaving it as a “wrong-doing.” Another
letter was written, admitting what had been done, acknowledging it was not the
right thing to do, apologizing and promising it wouldn’t happen again. And of
course, the object was returned in the letter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then I gave my child a big hug. I said I had been so
disappointed in the decisions that were made to do wrong, but now it all seemed
to be turned around. Now I was proud of the recognition of the wrong and the
want—the need—to fix it and make things right again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My husband, watching the whole thing, later told me that he
liked how I handled it. He said that for most people an insignificant object
like the one found in my child’s pants pockets probably would have been
tossed aside by most. He said he appreciated how I took an opportunity to take the “little”
sins and even try to teach the good in those—the ones that are often just
overlooked. I said I was just hoping that our kids would turn out to love,
respect and serve God for the rest of their lives, and that I hoped I was
teaching it well enough. Because to be honest, I was kind of crushed. I didn’t
want to be that mom having the stealing and lying talk with my child that
night. I would have much rather been the one celebrating the good things: the
accomplishments, the achievements, the triumphs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe God needed to remind me what my job was as a mom,
because the next morning, my other child came out of the room with a little
paper she had been working on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcB6ZgqEufvk7nkDgdKScbRxt8CZtIyir4Yj_FUMjNqaVhrPx3J5AHBQMhvx1z4mbV-oewVfmplsUvj5a-erc8C5MHjdftlxHwKpA9_7W6ndhrfqSc9NPfJ0nTkT4Qgynebz3Wfcn_DBG/s1600/IMG_1451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcB6ZgqEufvk7nkDgdKScbRxt8CZtIyir4Yj_FUMjNqaVhrPx3J5AHBQMhvx1z4mbV-oewVfmplsUvj5a-erc8C5MHjdftlxHwKpA9_7W6ndhrfqSc9NPfJ0nTkT4Qgynebz3Wfcn_DBG/s1600/IMG_1451.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh, did my heart want to burst! So we typed it out, added a
clip art and made it pretty to hang up and be a reminder. And now if I walk
into the child’s room, I get to see this reminder too. . .that those crushing
moments are teachable moments. . .and I better make the most of them. I guess
I’m just going to keep hoping that in whatever I come across, I will be
teaching our kids to love, respect and serve God for the rest of their lives.</span></div>
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Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-86726354354427135572014-01-03T10:40:00.001-08:002014-01-03T10:40:37.917-08:00Arm-Knitting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love the look of infinity scarves, but don't really consider myself a scarf-kind-of-gal. I get the Michael's updates in my inbox and saw a tutorial for them--a 30-Minute Infinity Scarf (using your arms to do the knitting!) and thought maybe I wouldn't delete that e-mail just in case I want to try it later. After seeing a friend post a picture of her finished project, I figured I would give it a try (and I had no school to prepare for and a quiet evening with all the kiddos in bed and hubby sick. . .). The video I used is found <a href="http://www.thekurtzcorner.com/2013/09/arm-knitting-diy-30-minute-infinity.html">here</a>--and it is GOOD!</div>
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See me in front of my computer? Used this tutorial to a T (well, except for using the same yarn. . .I'm not sure the # of how bulky my yarn was, but it was bulky!)! Casted on 12 on my arm and went from there. . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3R-CLC4wmfBaDtQCHbuNrt38mRKwBKAPresd6ZMEV9MgdHps91Z1H08nDfqq-PtVLhEi5DdirMFo8whlDo6wLhmV9KN68unsOYORJuMKOe8snelh1Q7fjVjXhISDVcGXVD3DkU0oZhIV/s1600/IMG_20131230_203834_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3R-CLC4wmfBaDtQCHbuNrt38mRKwBKAPresd6ZMEV9MgdHps91Z1H08nDfqq-PtVLhEi5DdirMFo8whlDo6wLhmV9KN68unsOYORJuMKOe8snelh1Q7fjVjXhISDVcGXVD3DkU0oZhIV/s320/IMG_20131230_203834_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My first few rows. . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VjEL1GJYivLEBLj8Ay_WXFJyMWjN24fYCKlu4me1AmUNF38fGm1-n8Ky9BxqFCnhnVaEfCI2rTi-Kxb8qCb9F9uY42EMFrP5fiPig3VB9tjMKgBc2f8LPYdodvRIrGZyEQb0ilyaTumg/s1600/IMG_20131230_210413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VjEL1GJYivLEBLj8Ay_WXFJyMWjN24fYCKlu4me1AmUNF38fGm1-n8Ky9BxqFCnhnVaEfCI2rTi-Kxb8qCb9F9uY42EMFrP5fiPig3VB9tjMKgBc2f8LPYdodvRIrGZyEQb0ilyaTumg/s320/IMG_20131230_210413.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Mid project.. .and my yarn bag. . .</div>
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My backside. . .ready to "sew" it together.</div>
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And then my finished project. It took me an hour as I followed along with a tutorial video.</div>
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And I decided it was TOO bulky. I'm not experiencing a HUGE winter storm or severe cold weather, so. . .the next day I took it all apart (took me 15 minutes) and made it again (in a half hour this time!) with only 8 casted on my arm. </div>
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And here is finished project deux!</div>
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I think I might try again using 12 cast-ons, but not such bulky yarn to see how that will turn out. . .</div>
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Use the link above to go learn to make your own!</div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-29290253958768051032013-12-24T11:17:00.002-08:002013-12-24T11:17:26.225-08:00The Star--raffia and ruffles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some friends and I get together and do craft nights every now and then. Working full-time and trying to be a full-time mom doesn't often allow me to "plan" some great crafts to do on these evenings. But I did run across a cute craft idea on a rare "study-break" on Pinterest, where I found a Pottery Barn copycat ornament (<a href="http://www.sassysanctuary.com/2010/12/raffia-wrapped-stars.html">here</a>). Now on her post, she used dowels and made them larger. Being a scavenger to get a quick craft ready for an evening with the girls, I thought I would try it using chopsticks, as that is the closest thing I had to dowels on hand. She has all the directions, so I'm not going to repeat. Pop on over there if you want to give it a try. They are kind of time consuming, but look great. . .in my humble opinion!</div>
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Here are mine. . .I put them on a string where we hand our Christmas cards:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGm_quDiuzYkScOYhahFs_AWiGBQlL1jdtwyOtxSRpofdYk2YnQX-SknsdbV4oX2g8fnpGi_hflFQ_5XKXZPzvgr2rTC3QiIkoSJDLVp9PBwGCRS0ymLAL1ZldgJ1EHbujWPAU7UpZgfp3/s1600/IMG_1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGm_quDiuzYkScOYhahFs_AWiGBQlL1jdtwyOtxSRpofdYk2YnQX-SknsdbV4oX2g8fnpGi_hflFQ_5XKXZPzvgr2rTC3QiIkoSJDLVp9PBwGCRS0ymLAL1ZldgJ1EHbujWPAU7UpZgfp3/s320/IMG_1292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then because I got so good at them {wink, wink}, I figured I'd make them into ornaments too! Here are two that I made for ornaments:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaH4coHG4SGpvxs0NaNJZjbGxfGo0aQHx-9a6EH4_tDjcAy0YT_xir3SQYiNt6HpUswJyHDScYPLwriKlmVWO-o0xiQ09411XqTDB0VIOqoA29L4_8TnX5-ndP2TH9yDUaf8fQHOMZWHpl/s1600/DSC06321+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaH4coHG4SGpvxs0NaNJZjbGxfGo0aQHx-9a6EH4_tDjcAy0YT_xir3SQYiNt6HpUswJyHDScYPLwriKlmVWO-o0xiQ09411XqTDB0VIOqoA29L4_8TnX5-ndP2TH9yDUaf8fQHOMZWHpl/s320/DSC06321+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Merry Crafting. . .and Merry Christmas!</span></div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-2795397444413399202013-12-24T11:00:00.001-08:002013-12-24T11:02:27.588-08:00Picture frame hair clip holder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I know these are all over blogs right now, but I just had to try one of my own for my daughter! Not only was our bathroom looking a little pink (when it is supposed to be quite blue and espresso!) and scattered with hair accessories (very hard to clean between the clips and head bands!), but I needed a "cute" Christmas present. Seeing that I am posting this on Christmas Eve means that it was just finished last night! Right on time! Here is how I made mine. . .</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Step1:</span> Buy old frame from the thrift store. Use spray paint. When it sticks to the newspaper, peel excess off! I also added some white hooks to the bottom. (Left-overs from a <a href="http://my-humble-words.blogspot.ca/2009/05/being-crafty.html">jewelry holder project</a> I did a while back).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRL8D7Y9ZB471ocfCK_vc2earY1D2OyOzpFu78lOTBjRwc07TXYI-PRQQuMpvhvwjGJ4WxRI7_wUCSnEZ0BPH2uvQ9nQRR_ojugBAeEAm7gyOUjsD_3ml-TOgBcuyMh1lW6XwD0BH1h8_/s1600/DSC06326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRL8D7Y9ZB471ocfCK_vc2earY1D2OyOzpFu78lOTBjRwc07TXYI-PRQQuMpvhvwjGJ4WxRI7_wUCSnEZ0BPH2uvQ9nQRR_ojugBAeEAm7gyOUjsD_3ml-TOgBcuyMh1lW6XwD0BH1h8_/s320/DSC06326.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"> Step 2:</span> Add ribbon. I decided to keep the "back" on it--I wanted the glass part so she could use it as a message board if wanted (or that I could write bible verse on it as the years go on. . .always thinking of the future!) So I used those little foam scrapbook squares to make sure the ribbon pops out a bit from the glass. I cut scrapbooking paper down to size (scrapbooking paper from the ActivityVillage website), and mounted that on the cardboard backing of the frame.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Step 3:</span> Glue ribbon down to backing--I used double sided tape and then went over it with packing tape. Hopefully that holds the test of time and craziness of "accessory-choosing!"</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">Step 4:</span> Turn it over and evaluate if it will work or not. . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XWQNlOgf32IHxXCbiSN2_utI_pqZjWXI3-uNhBWflHmxSLnvmempUYaOGamfjAnclY8Zwh3lxZteu3niZe-jy1x3Biv-pz6SsKUt_7uELguXfm6OQHuDoZpQV0F25mn-FuxBMPnNNZkM/s1600/DSC06329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XWQNlOgf32IHxXCbiSN2_utI_pqZjWXI3-uNhBWflHmxSLnvmempUYaOGamfjAnclY8Zwh3lxZteu3niZe-jy1x3Biv-pz6SsKUt_7uELguXfm6OQHuDoZpQV0F25mn-FuxBMPnNNZkM/s320/DSC06329.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;">Step 5:</span> Add a few decorations (wooden flowers at the top--from Michael's--they match a clothes/sweater hook I made for her room a few years back). And Voila--Christmas present done!</div>
<br />
Can't wait for her to open it and spend time "organizing" her stuff! I guess I'll have to post a picture of it handing on her wall and full of the barrettes, headbands, elastics and flowers! Merry Christmas, Princess!Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-4270984762091908292013-12-20T11:32:00.000-08:002013-12-24T11:33:05.207-08:00Advent Calendar Idea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last year, for school, I was looking for an advent calendar type of idea that would be more on the "educational" and Bible side of things. I stumbled upon this <a href="http://howsweeteritis.blogspot.ca/2011/11/advent-calendar-teach-true-story-of.html">blog/post</a>, and LOVED it!!! I knew her idea would work better in my home, and didn't have the time to do all the searching, so here is how I changed it up a bit to work for my little school kiddos:</div>
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</div>
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Here is my Christmas tree: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxp2nDVpFtkg6m4n2Qrs-Cs5JnCsMeES5GlPr-wYVkM-Z0XuvOdtYLWIo6EhETX4UQet_pThz-aRT5mBMSaKD-vf4ZJtZluMFtSsbciaQ5W4E5PPre3fRoBy9s8cA9JdxFnEQi_Mcwv_q/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxp2nDVpFtkg6m4n2Qrs-Cs5JnCsMeES5GlPr-wYVkM-Z0XuvOdtYLWIo6EhETX4UQet_pThz-aRT5mBMSaKD-vf4ZJtZluMFtSsbciaQ5W4E5PPre3fRoBy9s8cA9JdxFnEQi_Mcwv_q/s320/009.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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(star tutorial found <a href="http://cornwallcraftystampertutorials.blogspot.ca/2009/11/christmas-star.html">here</a>; the rest is just cut paper for the tree)</div>
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I used the Christmas collection of scrapbook paper from the ActivityVillage website, and mounted those on "library card" envelopes. Then I copied and reformatted the "meaning of Christmas" readings and glued them on cards to fit in the pockets.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFEpzYQlwE_WD48ST6A-vxlLQxVt7kgkfuAjY98k4leBpKk4IKXN59pBGwql5jrid5dkB9HhEyvx1Z9vte1HkUVcmrbDwVfLeZA6as3_uGotyGEwLj83VW4dxLskUKC_BLFnb63fxhGYz/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFEpzYQlwE_WD48ST6A-vxlLQxVt7kgkfuAjY98k4leBpKk4IKXN59pBGwql5jrid5dkB9HhEyvx1Z9vte1HkUVcmrbDwVfLeZA6as3_uGotyGEwLj83VW4dxLskUKC_BLFnb63fxhGYz/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I used some of the printable for the numbers from <a href="http://www.makoodle.com/diy-advent-calendar/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.livinglocurto.com/2010/12/free-printable-christmas-advent-calendar/">here.</a> They worked beautifully--very talented people to make them for me to use!!! Thank you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMN_YsDw1BDIVgW3wvJgt_4hlwj2i2jTEdifyc9HnC4xDmm_e4Ba7qYqnfyiAb6qptfjzff2EvaJRZtQRdHryQ9cCVP7m7tLZ1uwRZhyphenhyphen0QaPy3lAxQRTrTsceFThcz4pV90t-TAG7sZQcJ/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMN_YsDw1BDIVgW3wvJgt_4hlwj2i2jTEdifyc9HnC4xDmm_e4Ba7qYqnfyiAb6qptfjzff2EvaJRZtQRdHryQ9cCVP7m7tLZ1uwRZhyphenhyphen0QaPy3lAxQRTrTsceFThcz4pV90t-TAG7sZQcJ/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I popped the inserts in. . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqQqD9XQeoVASIQq6UfHxrUAy-JJRcgMdqnPxP_B6dlhyphenhyphentzY2HwA7mDHLU3UjZkG8cgbyFkHy8yK6ZKO1Kf7ILdF-UR1pSCu7T0JuqSMoDiURFLz-XPWlggBPvobL1fZGMEz3uPzsrKyy/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqQqD9XQeoVASIQq6UfHxrUAy-JJRcgMdqnPxP_B6dlhyphenhyphentzY2HwA7mDHLU3UjZkG8cgbyFkHy8yK6ZKO1Kf7ILdF-UR1pSCu7T0JuqSMoDiURFLz-XPWlggBPvobL1fZGMEz3uPzsrKyy/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Then instead of having tangible things to display or put in drawers as shown in the first link, my Sped aide and I got together to collect pictures to hang on the bulletin board.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjra3AboCGU-119PYAxDODiUMFrOMqIH0FQezmcPC6Ioqm7WiFcZ1_U5n00e5o4i4EuRLdlDfX7aAvcx3vKR-MegwvdqfelCI7X76M1XyFKKco_xovy0ym9DipSvriW7XOMcR07gUIIkk_X/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjra3AboCGU-119PYAxDODiUMFrOMqIH0FQezmcPC6Ioqm7WiFcZ1_U5n00e5o4i4EuRLdlDfX7aAvcx3vKR-MegwvdqfelCI7X76M1XyFKKco_xovy0ym9DipSvriW7XOMcR07gUIIkk_X/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
As seen in the first picture, as each day was read, the picture got to be hung up. The special helper of the day got to search for the right picture, the class got to guess what the pictures might be about, and the "high" readers got to practice reading scriptures. The students really looked forward to doing devotions and Bible in this way! I used it again this past year. . .although we never got it done as a snow day cancelled our last day of school!<br />
<br />
If you need yet another way to do advent and teaching the "real" meaning of Christmas, here is what I did. . .<br />
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<br /></div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-24075479062061413302013-11-20T22:31:00.001-08:002013-11-20T22:36:31.506-08:00To All Teachers of Any Classroom. . .<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">An article has been circulating among my
friends of Facebook. It was found right <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/blackberry/p.html?id=3209305" target="_blank">here</a>: at </span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/blackberry/p.html?id=3209305"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/blackberry/p.html?id=3209305</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It’s a humorous article by Steve Wiens,
titled:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Steve Wiens: To Parents of Small Children: Let
Me Be the One Who Says It Out Loud </em>from <em>May 3, 2013 17:02:32<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></em></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It made me smile, and even chuckle every now and then. I’ve read it over a few times and decided to
give it a try. . .here is my rendition of his article (with no intention to get
in trouble for any copyrighting or all that jazz—I give ALL credit to him for
what he wrote!) in order to send a note of encouragement to those teachers in
my blog-world.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">So here it is:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Susan: To Teachers of Any Classroom with Needs
and Needs and More Needs: Let me Say it Out Loud. . .or at Least on this Humble
Little Blog<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I am in a season of my teaching career right
now where I feel bone-tired almost all of the time. Ragged, how-am-I-going-to-get-through-the-lesson-plans-by-the-end-of-the-day-or-even-get-them-through-this-year-learning-anything-at-all,
hands-in-the-air, did-I-teach-them-anything-at-all exhausted.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I have a full class of primary students—the little
ones. I'm not complaining about that. Not even one little bit. I wouldn’t
change it for anything. I absolutely LOVE what I do! But the helplessness I
sometimes feel—I could give that away. But I know I have a principal and
superintendent and board and school community with high standards. I have a bunch
of parents who have trusted their darlings into my care each day. And I have a
bunch of wide-eyed students who are looking up to me . . . all the time. ALL
the time!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I have a class with needs and needs and more needs.
There are many moments where they are utterly delightful, like last week, one
of them told me they wanted to be a teacher just like me when they grew up,
which they thought would probably be about 2 years from now. Or the time when
one of them prayed that they could be locked in the school so they could have a
sleep-over with me and never have to leave the classroom. Or the time <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when one student came up to me and wrapped
herself around me in a spontaneous hug to which followed all of the others who
are just itching for a class cuddle.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Oh, but there are also many moments when I feel
like I have no idea how I'll make it until the end of the day. The constant
demands, the outbursts, the yogurt spills on the carpet, the noise, the
repeating of directions, the forms, the grading, the set-up, the clean-up, the “I-think-I’m-going-
to-be-sick” moments, the e-mails, the phone calls, the problem-solving, the
blank stares after 2-step directions are given. Oh they are like fingernails
across the chalkboard. The gentle reminders I daily (or hourly. . .or is
happening each minute?) give to not all shout my name at once or follow me
around like a mother duck and her ducklings. Or shed tears or angry words when
demands are not met immediately and to their liking. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.truffleshuffle.co.uk/store/images_high_res/Cadburys_Chocolate_Chunk_Mug_hi_res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://www.truffleshuffle.co.uk/store/images_high_res/Cadburys_Chocolate_Chunk_Mug_hi_res.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.truffleshuffle.co.uk/store/images_high_res/Cadburys_Chocolate_Chunk_Mug_hi_res.jpg">photo credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I’ve come to the stark realization that I am
not an octopus with enough hands to juggle all of their papers or problems. Or
a superhero who can jump in at any given moment to perfectly rescue them at exactly
the right moment. Or a mind-reader who will magically know what is going on in
their heads when they can’t get it out by way or words or pictures or actions.
. .and follow their logic of course. Or a miracle worker. Oh, to be a miracle
worker!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I’m just a teacher.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I have to confess that sometimes, it all
drives me to chocolate. And I will neither confirm nor deny how much coffee I
drink in one day or how much junk food might be stashed in my desk. Or how loud
I play my music on my drive home.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There are people who say this to me:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">"You are a great teacher! You can do it!"<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I usually smile and give some sort of lame
joke to brush the comment aside, but inside, I secretly don’t always feel like
I am who they<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> think</i> I am. Sometimes I
feel like I wasted a whole day of a child’s life. Sometimes I feel like I didn’t
teach the lesson in a way that made them “get it.” Sometimes I feel like we are
on a journey that is just too far and the end is not in sight. Sometimes I feel
like they missed the point—or I missed the point.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">If you are a teacher, you know that there are
moments of spectacular delight, and you can't believe you get to be around
these little people all day—five days a week; 6-7 hours a day. The joy, the
bliss, the “ah-ha” moments, the successful projects, the cooperative group
projects, the high test scores! But let me be the one who says the following
things out loud:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You are not a terrible teacher if have tried
the lesson three (or even 10) times with three (or 10) different approaches and
they still give you blanks stares. Half of them are probably already doing
calculations two grade levels up and solving major world problems as they
stare.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You are not a terrible teacher if you need to
take a story break sometimes. You are justified—you have little imaginations
that need to be filled right there in your presence. Who knows if one of your
students might become the next Dr. Seuss or Robert Munsch, or if they have
already formulated the storyline for the next book about the Wimpy Kid or Star
Wars.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You are not a terrible teacher if you can't
figure out how to refocus their energy on the 18<sup>th</sup> math problem
today and need to take a Body Break (of course that is the teacher lingo for
run around like crazy for five minutes—you included!) instead. Mind and bodies
need to grow and their bodies might be more needy today.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You are not a terrible teacher if you are
wishing it were a snow day . . and it’s only <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the end of September.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You are not a terrible teacher if you are
wishing that the Pro-D meeting would end really soon because you have about 10 stacks
of grading sitting on your desk and next month’s unit to plan and bulletin
boards to plan and Centre activities to organize for the next school day. And
today would have been a great day to get it done. . .instead of spending the
weekend working on school stuff. . .again.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You are not a terrible teacher if you just
can't wait for the end of the day after a school spirit dress-up day. Or even
if it’s a Friday of a short work week.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You are not a terrible teacher if the sound of
certain complaints no longer register as immediately urgent to deal with. You
don’t like your sandwich again? Your shoes are wet after jumping in mud puddles
again? Your pencil broke again? You lost your journal again? You don’t feel
like writing today . . .or reading or doing math or science or socials or
health? What exactly are you trying to say. . .again? <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You're not a terrible teacher.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You're an actual real and normal teacher who
has a desire for your students to learn and succeed in your classroom and in
life. You cannot do it all. We all need to admit that one of the casualties
specific to our information saturated culture is that we have sky-scraper
standards for teaching and learning, where we feel like we're failing horribly
if we give them more free writing time or add a few extra minutes onto recess
or watch a video—even if it is an informational one and fits into the theme you
are studying perfectly!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">One of the reasons we are so exhausted is that
we are over-saturated with information about the kind of teachers we should be.
And we are getting so overwhelmed with that instead of being the teachers we
were created to be.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">So, maybe it's time to stop reading the blogs that
tell you how to be the best kind of teacher in 7 steps, with the best
worksheets and centre activities, with the cutest graphics because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">obviously</i> students learn better with
cute pictures and the latest fonts. Maybe it is time to stop beating yourself
up because you can’t figure out a way to teach this one skill in the absolutely
best way possible and integrate it into five other subjects as well. Maybe it
is time to stop worrying about what is the principal or other teachers or
parents going to say about the project that sure looks messy now, but will have
great results . . . just wait and see when we are done.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Maybe it's time to embrace being the kind of teacher
who takes those “fails” in class and turns them into “wins.” Who prays
regularly for your students and asks God to give you the right, calm, and
confident words He wants you to speak into these students. Who asks God to help
you to be a better version of the person that you actually are, not for more
strength to be an ideal teacher. Who uses moments in the classroom and the
playground to recognize that we are sinful creatures who need a Saviour. Who
can show that they are forgiven by showing that same kind of love to those
around them. Who can model a servant heart and expect a higher degree of love
to be shown on a regular basis. Who can show grace because you were shown grace
when you needed it most by Someone who has a lot of it to give.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">So, the next time you see teachers with that
foggy or glazed or frustrated or pensive look in their eyes, take a moment to
pray for them. Send them a note of encouragement. Put your hand on their
shoulder, look them in the eyes, and tell them that they're doing a good job. That
they are doing what they were created to do and are striving to follow the
example of the Greatest Teacher. Just don't freak out if they start the waterworks.
At times, we feel like we're botching the whole deal and our students will turn
into . . .well, we aren’t exactly sure anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You're tired. Today might be a good day or it
might be the day that tops the world’s worst day ever list.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Breathe in. Breathe out.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You are making a difference. You just might
not be the lucky one to see the results . . . at least not yet. But ask them in
15 or 20 years what their teachers did for them. They won’t repeat the list of
how you feel the day went. You might be most encouraged to know that they will
look back on today as one that spurred them to be exactly who God created them
to be . . . because that is what their teacher taught them and how their
treated them. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Go. . .and enjoy your day teaching those
precious children of a God. The same God who gives courage and patience and
rest. . .and go eat some more chocolate.<o:p></o:p></span></span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-12932290088252531892013-05-12T21:51:00.000-07:002013-05-12T21:51:34.046-07:00Teacher Appreciation Week: Merci Beaucoup!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our PAC did it again!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They pulled off an absolutely amazing and beautiful Teacher Appreciation week!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The theme this year was French. . <span style="color: #cc0000;">."Merci Beaucoup!"</span></div>
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Here is their Staff Room Pendant. . .</div>
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their foyer bulletin board</div>
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their staff room table décor</div>
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and some of the daily gift baskets to be won.</div>
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And I actually won one this year! Woot woot! (Mine isn't pictured though. . .it was made by a mom of one of my students, and contained handmade rustic-ish décor. . .so now I have to re-paint our ensuite to match, of course!) I NEVER win these things, so I was thrilled! (And that the one I was eying hadn't been scooped up yet by another lucky winner before me!)</div>
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Students brought in adorable little notes and encouragements for us teachers and all who work at the school. They are so sweet!</div>
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The PAC--they spoiled us!</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Monday</span>--an invite to the staff luncheon on Friday, a visit from some French servers gearing up the students and serving a bubbly fruity treat</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday</span>--treats in the staff room every day! These were wonderful, and ranged from things like brie and baguettes to crepes to fill.</div>
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They also treated us to mini candles, chocolates, and verse to encourage us each day. Some included:</div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">Ruth 2:12: "May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done." (NLT)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;">Zephaniah 3:17: "The Lord you God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;">1 Corinthians 9:8: "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Friday</span>--and of course, Friday included a wonderful and delicious lunch of croissants, quiches, fruit and pies/torte for dessert. . .complete with the PAC taking over outdoor duty responsibilities!</div>
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They spoiled us!</div>
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Our families own little gifties to the teachers . . .</div>
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bath bombs (bath fizzies) with <a href="http://club.chicacircle.com/homemade-bath-bombs-gift-idea/">adorable printables</a> and homemade cards.</div>
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As a mom, I appreciate what the teachers of my kids do, and as a teacher, I LOVED the encouragement and appreciation I felt by the parents and students of our school. Thank you!</div>
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Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-16842951634609474872013-05-12T21:29:00.000-07:002013-05-12T21:29:00.157-07:00Mother's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mother's Day this year. . .</div>
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the tradition of the kids making a hanging basket . . .</div>
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the tradition of the kids making Oma and Grandma gifts (and the visits with them) . . .</div>
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the tradition of getting a beautiful hand-made card from the kids (with super adorable letters inside!) . . .</div>
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the tradition of the K necklace (not shown) . . .</div>
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and the tradition of releasing salmon fry into the creek . . .</div>
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I love my family . . .</div>
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God has blessed me richly!</div>
<br />Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-22503943581772222262013-03-31T07:22:00.002-07:002013-03-31T07:29:15.769-07:00Oh glorious to-day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzl4ngiJ0i07ADkzN3i6Octd2J7PJJoMIFCBDxyTutumHLtjM1RBn-mXU4e9gCNzQojCZnM_vK67Rtb1VjRQ0_6XMxKZXuSYNDZS-Zi8ZLwLOgXi6fA4b3FSSDvt2oitCtini6-5DrK0V/s1600/070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzl4ngiJ0i07ADkzN3i6Octd2J7PJJoMIFCBDxyTutumHLtjM1RBn-mXU4e9gCNzQojCZnM_vK67Rtb1VjRQ0_6XMxKZXuSYNDZS-Zi8ZLwLOgXi6fA4b3FSSDvt2oitCtini6-5DrK0V/s400/070.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawaiian sunset. Photo taken by me. I don't know what heaven is like, <br />
but if Hawaii is anything like it, I think I am in for a HUGE treat!</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">OH GLORIOUS DAY</span></strong></div>
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One day when Heaven was filled with His praises<br />One day when sin was as black as could be<br />Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin<br />Dwelt among men, my example is He<br />Word became flesh and the light shined among us<br />His glory revealed<br /><br />Living, He loved me<br />Dying, He saved me<br />Buried, He carried my sins far away<br />Rising, He justified freely forever<br />One day He's coming<br />Oh glorious day, oh glorious day<br /><br />One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain<br />One day they nailed Him to die on a tree<br />Suffering anguish, despised and rejected<br />Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He<br />Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree<br />And took the nails for me<br /><br />One day the grave could conceal Him no longer<br />One day the stone rolled away from the door<br />Then He arose, over death He had conquered<br />Now He's ascended, my Lord evermore<br />Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him<br />From rising again<br /><br />One day the trumpet will sound for His coming<br />One day the skies with His glories will shine<br />Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing<br />My Savior, Jesus, is mine</div>
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Lyrics taken from<a href="http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/casting-crowns-lyrics/glorious-day-(living-he-loved-me)-lyrics.html"> here</a></div>
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(Casting Crowns)</div>
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<strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">FALLING PLATES VIDEO</span></strong></div>
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Very much worth the watch!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/KGlx11BxF24?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Happy Easter!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">He has risen!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">He has risen indeed!</span></div>
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<br />Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-78283135930646083532013-02-09T21:45:00.001-08:002013-02-09T21:52:46.084-08:00Eagle spotting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not this weekend, but the weekend before, the rain and clouds and chilly temperatures took a break and gave us a Saturday full of sunshine and lets-go-outside and I'm-happy-just-because-I-see-sun!</div>
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Around noon, I got a call from my dad to look around our area for an eagle because he had seen one and its young (two he thinks!) flying around.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvL2ZNKGsrlxyqGH2z-ASgDUoeDCtHyXI-7fb8dnUD4TiH9sz4d4cc0sqXwM_2DkqjfozWYrowLAjv3e95wGr6oydm_6xK6Sb8T8sevc7TUD6-WcDwidnKM21CnA1mOIsNm-Ukn7xgaGf7/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvL2ZNKGsrlxyqGH2z-ASgDUoeDCtHyXI-7fb8dnUD4TiH9sz4d4cc0sqXwM_2DkqjfozWYrowLAjv3e95wGr6oydm_6xK6Sb8T8sevc7TUD6-WcDwidnKM21CnA1mOIsNm-Ukn7xgaGf7/s640/026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
We spotted them. . .and it was a perfect opportunity to try out my new camera and zoom lens. Because of the sunshine, I made my way over to his house, which was farther away from where I saw them perched, but not in the direct view of the light. Not bad for an amateur! Above is the eagle--this was taken about 2-3 houses away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcduc3jnhePMbzCeIT5JzIuihFcPEWp1-jnqO4duJNSmMkMrnZl0W-x_pjInH0UUy6nZlSgeRxt86NPC-dbQoQ9K2lgcNfG2gRQZKpPIuaB2aXkLUGABMTLSornBv7F29p6__Jc8hxUSp/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcduc3jnhePMbzCeIT5JzIuihFcPEWp1-jnqO4duJNSmMkMrnZl0W-x_pjInH0UUy6nZlSgeRxt86NPC-dbQoQ9K2lgcNfG2gRQZKpPIuaB2aXkLUGABMTLSornBv7F29p6__Jc8hxUSp/s400/029.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Here is the young--photo taken about 2 houses/yards away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIZTi5HRNN3C873VVeJcvC8XIeeYw4sTtuK0ZqdJ5qRmN09HDQWWHNcxz2oBylWl35e2Ok7q8vYVP62O-AiV3H13rb2jayWESgTipPLUxBEhK9sTLaGYZ9FmWWrnbgDrQiKBqkTCf_7Hp/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIZTi5HRNN3C873VVeJcvC8XIeeYw4sTtuK0ZqdJ5qRmN09HDQWWHNcxz2oBylWl35e2Ok7q8vYVP62O-AiV3H13rb2jayWESgTipPLUxBEhK9sTLaGYZ9FmWWrnbgDrQiKBqkTCf_7Hp/s400/025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Here the bird is in the bottom right corner. Oops! <br />
While watching, these birds took to flight, chasing prey and chasing pesky crows! It was amazing to see! It was almost as if the "mom" was teaching her young to hunt. We never saw anything captured, but the hunt alone was just fine with me! No pictures of birds in flight--not there yet! I was happy I was able to focus and create the pictures I did!<br />
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An interesting aside. . .one of the members of the leadership team at our school was referring to "The Book of Awesome" by Neil Pasricha and the <a href="http://1000awesomethings.com/">1000 Awesome Things</a> blog, and then talked about a few personal "awesomes." He talked about seeing a large eagle in the area, which isn't so common, and that he spent some time looking instead of carrying on with his usual Saturday routine. I just wanted to jump up and tell him about the rest of the awesome that he missed--all these pictures came from it! It was amazing to see their heads shift, them wiggle as if ready to take off, and the sudden, silent jump into flight. The return to a perch and his gaze. And me chasing, to,--figuring where I could next see him best! I guess I just have to be happy that God let me in on a little extra bit of His awesome!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1P8DPsFTWPYnYO1jAcwD-1oTZH0Gj-nAI0iiKTFZJ2qamHBPZBQljvQ3Af3YeUhpeSBJsoKVEx-uQKR2kpYn7ZDFQIoorQY1oqtjeMiy_h0xlOx-tBUTqdvGJ9yD61Wp3Fo6s-kT-k6e/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1P8DPsFTWPYnYO1jAcwD-1oTZH0Gj-nAI0iiKTFZJ2qamHBPZBQljvQ3Af3YeUhpeSBJsoKVEx-uQKR2kpYn7ZDFQIoorQY1oqtjeMiy_h0xlOx-tBUTqdvGJ9yD61Wp3Fo6s-kT-k6e/s400/022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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(Oops--the focus is a little low and close. It was my first attempt! </div>
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This one was taken from my dad's deck, so the bird was about 3 houses/yards away.)</div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-56393567725567196052013-02-05T12:27:00.003-08:002013-03-31T07:26:06.082-07:00And it makes my heart want to sing. . .It seems like so long ago that I was on a maternity leave or maybe it was the extra time that I tacked on to each of these leaves to spend time with my children at home. I got a phone call from the admin at my school--that a TOC was needed. Okay, sure, I can do that. But it was for Primary Music. Now, I have done a lot of teaching at a lot of levels and subject areas, but Music was one thing I had never tried before. I almost laughed to myself--does this particular caller <em>know</em> me? Has she ever <em>heard</em> me? Oh, these poor, poor children who get to have me today!<br />
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No one had said it, but the lady that I had TOC-ed for had battled cancer before and the timing--add to that the fact that I got called a week later to cover a Music class again--had me speculating. Unfortunately the results turned out to be exactly where my mind had wandered: she did have cancer again.<br />
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It is many years later. I still don't know this lady well. I've never shared any significant soul-spilling conversations with her, I'm not in her "circle of friends." But God has done some significant things for me through her (and I am only guessing He has done that for many others around the world who keeps up on her happenings)--and that is what I want to share on my humble little blog here.<br />
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She keeps a blog. Lately it has talked a lot about procedures and hospital stays. But only a few weeks earlier, she spoke <em>not only</em> of these procedures and stays, but of her greatest hope--the Saviour that she gets to praise. She spoke of hymns and prayers. She spoke of joy and gratitude. She spoke of hope through the hard times and she spoke of hope in a loving and healing God. <br />
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That first time I TOC-ed for her, I had to teach some primary students the current "Song of the Month." It was called, "How Can I Keep From Singing Your Praise." Lucky for me, and thankfully for those groups of students who walked into my care for the day, she left a CD! I instantly loved it and had its chorus go through my mind over and over--the way us non-musical people might. (If there is anything significant that is done in the chords or the workings of the music, that part got lost on me!) I loved it because it spoke of the God who loves me and loves me through every event of my life.<br />
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I had no idea who the song was by and it was just recently that I Googled the song for its background. If my findings are accurate, Chris Tomlin wrote the song along with Matt Redman based on a hymn from long ago. Tomlin heard the words <em>how can I keep from singing. . .your praise</em>, and saw (or heard) the relevance for it today. They reworked the words and music to make it the song that it is today.<br />
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I don't know what it is like to struggle through an illness like this talented music teacher has. What I do know is that she has proclaimed God's glory through it all. She has ministered of a God who is full of grace and love. She can claim a God who heals and can hold on to a God of comfort. And if I didn't learn of this God through Bible stories, church lessons, school stories, or the like, I have heard it from her on-going testimony of God's goodness to her. What an amazing gift it is to bless people with God's story of love shown in one's life.<br />
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In school we were asked to read a letter about her to our students. In one part of it, she said she was looking forward to singing with the angels and the choirs in heaven. Again, this song came to my mind. Again, what an amazing gift it is to bless others with God's story of love--and promise of salvation--shown in one's life. <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There is an endless song<br />Echoes in my soul<br />I hear the music ring<br /><br />And though the storms may come<br />I am holding on<br />To the rock I cling<br /><br />How can I keep from singing Your praise<br />How can I ever say enough<br />How amazing is Your love<br />How can I keep from shouting Your name<br />I know I am loved by the King<br />And it makes my heart want to sing<br /><br />I will lift my eyes<br />In the darkest night<br />For I know my Savior lives<br /><br />And I will walk with You<br />Knowing You'll see me through<br />And sing the songs You give<br /><br />How can I keep from singing your praise? How can I ever say enough, how amazing is your love? How can I keep from shouting your name? I know I am loved by the king, and it makes my heart want to sing<br /><br />I can sing in the troubled times<br />Sing when I win<br />I can sing when I lose my step<br />And fall down again<br />I can sing 'cause You pick me up<br />Sing 'cause You're there<br />I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord<br />When I call to You in prayer<br />I can sing with my last breath<br />Sing for I know<br />That I'll sing with the angels<br />And the saints around the throne</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> How can I keep from singing your praise . . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And so I now, I can proclaim those words she taught me--although she did without even meaning to--that how can I keep from singing Your praise. If I look at all that she has gone through--and my knowledge of this is quite limited--and see that <strong>she </strong>can still cling to that Rock and sing in the troubled times, then that is what I must do, too. I serve that same God she does who is full of amazing love. That same King who lives and who loves--loves me, and her, and all His children. And for that reason, has even made this non-musical heart sing.</span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-41377994958330560652012-12-22T19:23:00.002-08:002012-12-22T19:24:16.599-08:00Mittens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some great women hosted a Ladies Ornament Exchange evening at our church. I thought that sounded like a fun evening. . .but I <em>REALLY</em> wanted to make an ornament! My original idea was a stocking, but then one day I just started doodling and changed my mind to making matching country mittens. So. . .here they are:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4yJTgwaD14ePVyVc_MqXoMuXl5Zws1XE1OonTmLCBlOFgD3LMJ1dZmolunNUeC0QLcGVl6CVyRj5DhJSRN2Kpy_8ppfmBHv9j2yJPBUW-PCUdKJib-05Ah4WgmRjaRC9eLFc8abOKr1n/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4yJTgwaD14ePVyVc_MqXoMuXl5Zws1XE1OonTmLCBlOFgD3LMJ1dZmolunNUeC0QLcGVl6CVyRj5DhJSRN2Kpy_8ppfmBHv9j2yJPBUW-PCUdKJib-05Ah4WgmRjaRC9eLFc8abOKr1n/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There is my pattern--a free hand mitten and long heart. Add a button and coloured embroidery floss. . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUimFwyJ5w9H9y_3yN-PZEXJyKVW2NWQ2RUm3xf9lr1aEMLWDtRsUnT0Vwm1lEpLmVFZmXPjJBLKQcrZaSyKUw9o_Csp1Vd2tqNIjY9dQgkPmxB_9DxFPDqSpuRDuhuUMNjF8S_I1Zb7o/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUimFwyJ5w9H9y_3yN-PZEXJyKVW2NWQ2RUm3xf9lr1aEMLWDtRsUnT0Vwm1lEpLmVFZmXPjJBLKQcrZaSyKUw9o_Csp1Vd2tqNIjY9dQgkPmxB_9DxFPDqSpuRDuhuUMNjF8S_I1Zb7o/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then stitch like crazy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7SVZZWzN64V0ylDj-H8Twjziw9zURI6guqpnQ97f2Jfc1DzLiF8q0If1MumiK6fIldVzMakyMd61i_1fVnipddqXjRKq17tL4Y2mzD0mMLw5hrhEvFy_HJbHQcKHv2DD52ULmvW6Ru1B/s1600/005+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7SVZZWzN64V0ylDj-H8Twjziw9zURI6guqpnQ97f2Jfc1DzLiF8q0If1MumiK6fIldVzMakyMd61i_1fVnipddqXjRKq17tL4Y2mzD0mMLw5hrhEvFy_HJbHQcKHv2DD52ULmvW6Ru1B/s320/005+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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And I got them done on time! I loved how they turned out!</div>
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After that, I made a few more in blue with brown buttons and looped the hanging string just on one side. (No pictures. . .what was I thinking???) Most of those disappeared to my co-workers and prayer partner at school.</div>
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I love crafting during the holidays!</div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-77263103395965153562012-12-22T06:56:00.003-08:002012-12-22T06:57:48.174-08:00Christmas in July. . .a little late!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I just realized I still have this post in my file. . .and it has never surfaced into the blogosphere!</div>
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So. . .ignore the title, and here was my "Christmas in August" ideas.</div>
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Yes, you read that right. I have learned from the past. There is no time to create Christmas cards prior to the Christmas season, and I had a wave of creativity one lovely day in August, so this is what I did: I made Christmas cards. </div>
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Maybe you can guess. . .it was a Pinterest idea. Well, I should say it was <em><strong>based</strong></em> on a pinterest idea. I saw cards made out of paint chips (similar to the ones at the bottom of this post) and decided I should search the web for some tree ideas. I found a gift tag (blog <a href="http://kendrascorner.blogspot.com/">here</a>) that looked similar to the tree I made, but decided to make mine as a whole card, thinking I could put a family photo on the back. Which never happened.</div>
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But here it is:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeTmUVK7I1jCsGGsAoBzwcyHe5_ZXmuS-8-V2yHoB19pC0Ref7cg-pDtk-OstO1RIefc6nChJDOkki537H6rXDUSmHni_j1iRUkv1Pk5zRR8ey4vf9IPPch7HGA7jtz_dGu_DyE2UNTKA/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeTmUVK7I1jCsGGsAoBzwcyHe5_ZXmuS-8-V2yHoB19pC0Ref7cg-pDtk-OstO1RIefc6nChJDOkki537H6rXDUSmHni_j1iRUkv1Pk5zRR8ey4vf9IPPch7HGA7jtz_dGu_DyE2UNTKA/s320/026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are the cards--done on the right, works in progress on the left.</div>
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(Stamps from Michael's clearance, ink was Staz-On, ribbon from my left-overs stash, paper from Activity Village website and my stash)</div>
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And below are some other cards I tried to make.</div>
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They are very, very pink. Cute, but VERY pink. Sparkle too, but VERY pink!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiry332Dynse9G-VyXVvZ94YIc2KGLYDxXUBw-TgPVyxvzoGfx5XeVpso7A71G6kH3GIZzib1_Pu2jAoNzr1U9j7TNYG8zM-20wbEZQYphHeAUJ82tgDrw9eO7pt2PSm6K4vvo5ThKJmSus/s1600/014+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiry332Dynse9G-VyXVvZ94YIc2KGLYDxXUBw-TgPVyxvzoGfx5XeVpso7A71G6kH3GIZzib1_Pu2jAoNzr1U9j7TNYG8zM-20wbEZQYphHeAUJ82tgDrw9eO7pt2PSm6K4vvo5ThKJmSus/s320/014+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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(stamps from Stampin Up)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKy5DNDswgayeVQnDZQPO2SVklA26gVIfTTX9zTVIFSwWzlPrI5fiStfqbCSJP1T3FVIWVmuuH9ywX1Z8O3crxSe6ZTMD4TnwSkq-lqKK4RqcxygzAlrfFZpz1SjGVxXYZdwIYQLedGTa/s1600/015+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKy5DNDswgayeVQnDZQPO2SVklA26gVIfTTX9zTVIFSwWzlPrI5fiStfqbCSJP1T3FVIWVmuuH9ywX1Z8O3crxSe6ZTMD4TnwSkq-lqKK4RqcxygzAlrfFZpz1SjGVxXYZdwIYQLedGTa/s320/015+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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(stamps from Michael's clearance bin)</div>
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Thank you to my many trips to Home Depot, where I was {seriously} considering painting the guest room one of various shades of green, but never did, and then considered painting a hallway pink, but never did--and didn't want to waste the chips so I crafted instead. (Am I justified in this?!?!)</div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-90852150270033863742012-12-22T06:42:00.002-08:002012-12-22T06:58:23.796-08:00Star of Wonder. . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This past week we had a snow day, which would have been perfect, except that my princess also decided to come down with a nasty flu bug that same day! Lucky for us, it was only one of those 24 hour things and so far no one else has caught it. Not a pleasant way to start a blog entry, I know, but I needed to give you background for this one. The day I stayed home with her was supposed to be a Christmas craft day with my students. The snow day was supposed to be a day that we would do some art for a Christmas Pageant Chapel my primary cuties were doing. So, suddenly I had two days of art activities that I had to cram into a day that I wasn't able to be there! </div>
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The sub plans were all there--crazy art explanations and all--but of course, there were those projects that I knew just could not happen! I've been on the TOC list before so I know what a TOC needs to put up with, and I just wanted to be kind to her--and I wanted a star ornament that would be all that I envisioned it to be! So I ditched the old idea and came up with something new.</div>
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And then, not even knowing if it would work for little kids or not, the princess (and her partner in crime) and I gave it a try at home. If you say the words art or craft, the princess perks up pretty quickly!</div>
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So. . .first we made a Star of David out of Popsicle sticks. You can Google how to do it, or you can glue together two triangles and then place those on top of each other with more glue.</div>
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Once that was dry, we painted. (Unfortunately for the Royal Sick-o, all my glitter was at school, so hers was straight paint--maybe we will add some sparkles soon). Her little follower thought black was a pretty cool star colour. I tried, but how do you argue with someone who says, "Shh-shh. Mommy, I do good" ? You don't--you let the star be black. Maybe we need to add some glitter to his too!</div>
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While that dried, we traced a 5 point star pattern on scrapbooking paper (mine here came from the ActivityVillage website). The other side has musical notes on it that the princess and Mr. Black-star traced in yellow and orange for star colours.</div>
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Then a hole-punch, some raffia ribbon and a loop to hang it on the tree.</div>
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Easy enough?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoyzi7FNhga1tT3t3qLp88lhzJKLOP4MFn75_Q1MMBg_YoumK-UXF4X_Zt8rczu10JlP23-QOmRKo3QYQ5yYdd0qZxJMI1bjZddUaAMjph7XtKPbxXho63XA8p1hxN-3KQQDxCtq5ANKm/s1600/DSC06062+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoyzi7FNhga1tT3t3qLp88lhzJKLOP4MFn75_Q1MMBg_YoumK-UXF4X_Zt8rczu10JlP23-QOmRKo3QYQ5yYdd0qZxJMI1bjZddUaAMjph7XtKPbxXho63XA8p1hxN-3KQQDxCtq5ANKm/s400/DSC06062+-+Copy.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished star craft</td></tr>
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So, here it is: hanging alongside out mudded walls--not my best photo op. Oh well.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOmm7EvI_BAU5b7jwlAtrTgrzKJbe_sRTH2WsKHUC_ufPBRnITLJTUWHrt2cpYYqsAWRXHMhN_LjYk7F_eHsWcn-MeiMERHZNECZcOEEdfl08iNfuOwSm7Ql04waKbJ2mfMcjPszKqK54/s1600/DSC06061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOmm7EvI_BAU5b7jwlAtrTgrzKJbe_sRTH2WsKHUC_ufPBRnITLJTUWHrt2cpYYqsAWRXHMhN_LjYk7F_eHsWcn-MeiMERHZNECZcOEEdfl08iNfuOwSm7Ql04waKbJ2mfMcjPszKqK54/s320/DSC06061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cute creators</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center">
<span id="goog_1678923053"></span><span id="goog_1678923054">And here are my cute little sick kids, proudly showing off their creativity!</span></div>
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</div>
<div align="center">
The good news: when I went back to school on Christmas Chapel day, the stars were already hung behind our stage for ALL the moms, dads, grandparents, family, and friends to see. . .</div>
<div align="center">
and they looked great!</div>
<div align="center">
Hooray for easy, last-minute crafts!</div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-65200060583347690812012-11-11T21:45:00.001-08:002012-11-11T21:45:04.808-08:00Row-on-row<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My little princess is having a bunch of fun in school. She learned to draw owls recently. . .</div>
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so at home she tried to do it again, and do some writing about owls, and for some reason this all got her into the poem, <em>In Flanders Field.</em></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnUyF_ZHIocuf1DtRMeU96GoOiqHcc_4NFNxlSY2nVPcFc9pZzKLcLQz4ruWPqIm8Q11Apbd7c1E1rpkbdnB4NHap-V3uWisUmcuubdHobHMfN7WnjMrLci9WXj7-AULlOidDU8XyVs_f/s1600/003+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnUyF_ZHIocuf1DtRMeU96GoOiqHcc_4NFNxlSY2nVPcFc9pZzKLcLQz4ruWPqIm8Q11Apbd7c1E1rpkbdnB4NHap-V3uWisUmcuubdHobHMfN7WnjMrLci9WXj7-AULlOidDU8XyVs_f/s320/003+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I *think* it says, "Owls fly.Owls hoot. Owls have good eyesight on the trees."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today her brother showed her how to make flowers--poppies--out of Kleenex. Here is her droopy one that she put on a sign on her door. . . </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TsHbKSqzpNqbsyFpd8-7xgoV7BPhyphenhypheniwVQiwiEUmiNo9Dtw0LUsE3zBF8k1CPDhk_sfD7xVhxuWWyBq_0YY9L3TrQfgzsSMoX2Knfgyi4pMGvTaQ0ah5K50-2cNDG_iPV7yMoV11968qr/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TsHbKSqzpNqbsyFpd8-7xgoV7BPhyphenhypheniwVQiwiEUmiNo9Dtw0LUsE3zBF8k1CPDhk_sfD7xVhxuWWyBq_0YY9L3TrQfgzsSMoX2Knfgyi4pMGvTaQ0ah5K50-2cNDG_iPV7yMoV11968qr/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SBhvRJ1Ft3xYJkwUOtzuicaoVvEolVyLuXhm6qidRy78KJDMXXHbcfgtNCNSr21ZNbThriIJgPwhfMYVhT55i2Jy3UTysOsfp8bjaad6OrV2DihqGiG6WJcsNqfeD3fod26P3jr4aOgz/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and then inside her room--it is her Flanders Field--with the poppies that she made "row-on-row."</div>
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(Is that adorable or what?!?!? Oh to see <strong>all of life</strong> through the eyes of a child!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKVZ7biXLnNZQ8UYoFR279FbnHsQ_bVjVYflvCTd7Dw8Xz_oylIokv5yzrLtGGHaYoZPO2ewQyk7vGbbUdfS6_nSNiw8P7jedE_c_XyMfAzbNVxXXsVwwm6pNPpuJ1RKfxnMWFQdDTYo_/s1600/001+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKVZ7biXLnNZQ8UYoFR279FbnHsQ_bVjVYflvCTd7Dw8Xz_oylIokv5yzrLtGGHaYoZPO2ewQyk7vGbbUdfS6_nSNiw8P7jedE_c_XyMfAzbNVxXXsVwwm6pNPpuJ1RKfxnMWFQdDTYo_/s320/001+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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She spent a bunch of time drawing, colouring and cutting poppies. Little did I know that this is what it was going to turn into!</div>
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<em>Lest we forget!</em></div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-83151332308124544822012-10-19T22:25:00.000-07:002012-10-19T22:25:00.567-07:00A little bit of Apple Butter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was browsing through some blogs, and an old colleague of mine said that she had made apple butter in the crock pot. I had never done that before (I had never made apple butter, period!), so I searched for an easy recipe.</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Approximately 3 lb. apples<br />
3 cups sugar<br />
2 tsp. cinnamon<br />
1 tsp. nutmeg<br />
1/2 tsp. allspice<br />
1/2 tsp. cloves<br />
Dash of salt<br />
3/4 cup water or fresh apple cider<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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So. . .that was one recipe. . .and I pretty much did that, minus the adding water/apple cider (since later on in the recipe they ask you to boil it down to very little moisture anyway. And I added less sugar, something I read on another blog, that suggested if I were using sweet apples, maybe not as much sugar was needed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-W4G4A6cpmD8hafHm1wZGnfxBaRoIRykhn9pZzzhk2h8zqma_q_5zoZ0s_mXFknuDnt-klQtn7qBknz4r4R91pBwD3uCYsXGqvgvrjUx9UAyWpef-wqvjB8x1huoMjvwu9bXGzNlXh5B/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-W4G4A6cpmD8hafHm1wZGnfxBaRoIRykhn9pZzzhk2h8zqma_q_5zoZ0s_mXFknuDnt-klQtn7qBknz4r4R91pBwD3uCYsXGqvgvrjUx9UAyWpef-wqvjB8x1huoMjvwu9bXGzNlXh5B/s320/031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, I followed directions as needed. . .but then when I got to the part that suggested I take the lid off of the crock pot to get rid of excess water, I did something different--so ground-breaking! I decided to drain it. . .and make apple cider with the extra apple juice. Brilliant, I know! (See my "pioneer method" of getting apple juice?)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhQ0M6MkR5FPk5PA-KVKj2n9xh9tI9xpkdYq6D8IOZhfvyXJ76SjwI0oMnFhk-8H8D42xCt94MB-SjT0jN-7_oiG_wLszaKZzQKtKLKrSyPZ4QMRWbt_wlBnlSmGKASQNEZlQaWhdziKA/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhQ0M6MkR5FPk5PA-KVKj2n9xh9tI9xpkdYq6D8IOZhfvyXJ76SjwI0oMnFhk-8H8D42xCt94MB-SjT0jN-7_oiG_wLszaKZzQKtKLKrSyPZ4QMRWbt_wlBnlSmGKASQNEZlQaWhdziKA/s320/032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I don't have a hand blender, and when making apple sauce, I usually just use a potato masher if I do the crock pot variation because we don't mind it chunky on occasion. So for this recipe, I put the drained apple sauce into the kitchen aid to make it smooth. So easy, so fast!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXF8evelcZwtqrEbcL7XJGUz2WjlQGICA3eOUfrpTMY0mJdf33De-OkQzoq_hNqPKCy8J-rDV9drjLEbXmoTXSdZWGfVgkxV1lNbivNk7j4tolxk26tqkYCBC-im4UITFAyAXduAhq56S/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXF8evelcZwtqrEbcL7XJGUz2WjlQGICA3eOUfrpTMY0mJdf33De-OkQzoq_hNqPKCy8J-rDV9drjLEbXmoTXSdZWGfVgkxV1lNbivNk7j4tolxk26tqkYCBC-im4UITFAyAXduAhq56S/s320/033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then I added the spices, and needed to boil it one more time in a sauce pan (or crock pot again. It was getting late into the night, so the sauce pan was quicker. More dishes, yes, but it got me to bed before my alarm clock went off in the morning!)</div>
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And the kids like like it--including he BIG one. . .but not E. He thinks it is just smoother spicier applesauce and that doesn't belong on bread. Oh well. . .it is getting gobbled up anyway!</div>
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Happy fall food preserving!</div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-29852088246999339102012-10-19T21:53:00.000-07:002012-10-19T21:53:56.512-07:00A few words. . .
Oops. . .this post is a little bit dated now, but I figured I would still tack it on here. . .<br />
<br />
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<span class="uficommentbody"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Today I have been
thinking about Words. Yes, words. Funny topic, when that is all I can produce
from this keyboard of mine, when that is all you get to read from me this
sitting, all my mind swirls with most of the day, all my poor little mouth can
generate for me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="uficommentbody"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="uficommentbody"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Facebook, full words,
got the best of me today. I was reading a post by the local newspaper—it told
me that FIFA had suspended Christine Sinclair for a few games because she
complained about a referee following the ever-famous Canadian-U.S. Olympic
soccer game. The newspaper asked if the followers thought it was fair. And
really, what were they expecting people to say??? Was it worth even reading the
responses? But something in the back of my mind caused me to read the
responses—something that told me, maybe FIFA was on to something. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="uficommentbody"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="uficommentbody"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Before you think I am
crazy, let me tell you I DID watch the game!!! I saw what those refs were
doing!!! Don’t think for a minute that I wasn’t sympathizing with those
Canadian gals! But in between all the people sharing—or should I say that they
were pulling out the “what about freedom of speech” line and bashing FIFA quite
harshly—there in between all of that, was a comment that resonated with what my
gut was gurgling around. A paraphrase of what a certain commenter said was
this: he said it was fair. He pointed out that, yes, it was a poorly refereed
game, but that athletes are taught to just play the game and show
sportsmanship. He pointed out that Sinclair is a role model for kids across
Canada and that those little ones (and can I also add, maybe the big ones too)
need to know that it is not okay to challenge a ref. He asked if we wanted to
give athletes—or parents for that matter—the okay to “give it” to the refs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span class="uficommentbody"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Maybe this resonated with me because one of
my “friends” had posted only a few spots down a video about bullying and what
the words of some “too cool” middle school students did to the life of young
girl. She’s no longer on this earth to tell about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">And then a few posts later was a question
asking if followers thought the school districts were doing enough to stop
bullying. And I was appalled by the language used and attitudes portrayed in
some of these replies!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">And then I got to thinking about what
freedom of speech really means. And I don’t think it means we can say whatever
we want whenever we want to and to whom ever we want. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Believe me: I am a gal with opinions! When
I was younger I spoke these opinions all too quickly. I still do. I’m learning
the art of thinking first. I’m learning to use some intelligence and
understanding first, because words are all too powerful, and I’m not sure we
always know how to use them or receive them correctly. So I need to learn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I could read the book of James daily just
to learn a little bit about wisdom and my words. A very key thought for me
comes from </span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">James
3:10: “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should
not be.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">And Proverbs—I could spend hours studying
that one, too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">James 1:19-20<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">My dear brothers, take
note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to
become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God
desires. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Proverbs 17:27<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">A man of knowledge uses
words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">James
3:8-17<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">. . .but
no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With
the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have
been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My
brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the
same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?
Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Who is
wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds
done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and
selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such
“wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the
devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder
and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all
pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit,
impartial and sincere. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Proverbs
12:18<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Reckless
words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Although everything in me wants to side with the fact that the
refs acted poorly and that justice should be done—I want to side with the
complaints!—I am also called to act a life worthy of Christ. Although I want to
be “political” and boast in my freedom of speech, I am also called to remember
the millions of kids in schools today who are wounded by the words so freely
tossed out both on a whim or with the intention to hurt that scar so deeply.
Although I want to be a popular voice for those feeling injustice soaked up by
the media, I am also called to relentless love for those whom the heart of
Jesus is breaking for—those truly feeling the pangs of injustice and the
wrong-doings of inequality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">I’m convinced that there is a right way—a wise way—to voice your
opinion or belief. I don’t want to be a person known to “give it.” I don’t what
to raise children who think it is okay to toss around words so lightly. I don’t
want the world to see just another complainer. I believe that the words that emerge
from my life have to reflect the One Greater than I who IS the Word. And
because of that, I need to use caution, care and persistent wisdom, so that my
tongue doesn’t act as a sword, but as light and salt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-35879194201711368902012-08-16T16:21:00.005-07:002012-08-16T16:21:39.348-07:00Pretty clothespins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is a quick and easy thing I did a few nights ago.</div>
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Pretty clothespins!</div>
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No, I'm not <strong><em>so</em></strong> crazy that I need this for hanging my laundry (I don't know how durable they would be if used for that reason). I was thinking more on the lines of hanging up student art. I used the clothespins last year, but I just wanted to spruce it up a little, make it "cutesy," like a good primary teacher would. :) Using clothespins was so-o-o handy--no pushpins=so much quicker to put up and down! An easy student art wall!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZV-qUPcZehMxAh-gft0w2rQD5HhIwfC_yN1jklIAPts5rdRrVqTEW-mCK3UlItYvIPEeTnpMKlqOgHiPVqIN1CAa4sulToQ5aRqqYjrNFhZSgMh4iBcO0ucZXTK2CJ0khcb87AgdJtOI/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZV-qUPcZehMxAh-gft0w2rQD5HhIwfC_yN1jklIAPts5rdRrVqTEW-mCK3UlItYvIPEeTnpMKlqOgHiPVqIN1CAa4sulToQ5aRqqYjrNFhZSgMh4iBcO0ucZXTK2CJ0khcb87AgdJtOI/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Here is how easy it is: Cut strips of scrapbooking paper--really thin! Measure your clothespins and cut away. Glue the strips on. Wait for them to dry. Then modge-podge, or whatever brand you have of that glue-ish-y paint. Wait for it all to dry again--really good this time, and there you go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xwPBDEbrCpia4-cnGlWS8q_nZ2YPVBxgLr__j1lJPhH3JynWotxQbudOzRdB0fQcBx5X9bNI17FMRoz9Uhbf5dT9AfDXNtEzzRwHLuxxi3DSrr_-PQM1DWLSR2Nzzxw-cMvkAuZeVOUx/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xwPBDEbrCpia4-cnGlWS8q_nZ2YPVBxgLr__j1lJPhH3JynWotxQbudOzRdB0fQcBx5X9bNI17FMRoz9Uhbf5dT9AfDXNtEzzRwHLuxxi3DSrr_-PQM1DWLSR2Nzzxw-cMvkAuZeVOUx/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
So, now I have done my first "get-ready-for-the-new-school-year" project.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsB6usC53My5_Ku-dQkq9PHM9mI7wGnLFoUBtx0brFJ5CPoFM-dI6fUqmgsrkRXYnV-mBIoRB8Gw5Ge6KjZD5AN_GFQW_4ngtuTpQvv0HSt-h9bRwzpcjfQ3tIfwM9Kr3I9f0FXPrYbii/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsB6usC53My5_Ku-dQkq9PHM9mI7wGnLFoUBtx0brFJ5CPoFM-dI6fUqmgsrkRXYnV-mBIoRB8Gw5Ge6KjZD5AN_GFQW_4ngtuTpQvv0HSt-h9bRwzpcjfQ3tIfwM9Kr3I9f0FXPrYbii/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And I'm wondering where is my summer disappearing to???</div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-77788943894876167972012-08-16T15:51:00.002-07:002012-08-16T16:01:39.375-07:00Arm-Saver-Sling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Back when #3 was a fresh baby, I had borrowed this sling or "<a href="http://www.thepeanutshell.com/">Peanut Shell</a>" from one of my sisters. It worked like a charm! I used it as he grew older and was able to sit in it as well. I loved it.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMLml-qUmJPKOELuwTww8rxyvQkj00kaeJPNFq4rp7EXwYThtrdYes9U32xdjyxHnvDPaWPPXWK0ggBEWCxlypJw8kyl16kt1llzVYNjGz3o-Ke6io6xiYDvhd0KZHXJzpGWxs_QpuWcl/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMLml-qUmJPKOELuwTww8rxyvQkj00kaeJPNFq4rp7EXwYThtrdYes9U32xdjyxHnvDPaWPPXWK0ggBEWCxlypJw8kyl16kt1llzVYNjGz3o-Ke6io6xiYDvhd0KZHXJzpGWxs_QpuWcl/s200/035.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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But eventually, it had to go back. He was getting bigger anyway, and we had a backpack carrier for him to go in. It turned out that he HATED the backpack carrier! He screamed whenever he went in it or even saw it! I'm not typically one of those moms who lets my baby-child "decide" what he or she wants, but this was just plain irritating, since my ear was not that far from his scream! I was kinda stuck, because he was much too heavy to carry, especially is we ever went walking or hiking!</div>
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So I went on an Internet search. . .and found my solution. It was found <a href="http://www.mykarmababy.com/">here</a>, although the link to the instructions is no longer on this page. Hmmm. . .</div>
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I wasn't 100% sure on making my own sling, but didn't want to spend the $$ on one, especially if #3 didn't want to be in it! My cousin had one and she had even carried her 3 year old in it (on her hip or on her back), so I thought this might be the answer. But being cautious, I didn't go out and buy the trendiest material for it, just in case. Here is my plain-Jane blue. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDKHvnYZzmxXUygKRO6PCdShBThHmwQ1qVL5_zvpPFzr2zi1lggvepDpA8CyYztgkyye2upWqXuS04RQ3NWjaG81yWYVArzrwqxqwSAIb9VKbvqtjlrgcfSOYlfV1AGXFoG3zQ6rLRkDv/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDKHvnYZzmxXUygKRO6PCdShBThHmwQ1qVL5_zvpPFzr2zi1lggvepDpA8CyYztgkyye2upWqXuS04RQ3NWjaG81yWYVArzrwqxqwSAIb9VKbvqtjlrgcfSOYlfV1AGXFoG3zQ6rLRkDv/s320/023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Based on the advice from the instructions, I doubled my material because it was only cotton. </div>
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I cut my curve. . .2" less on the sides than in the middle.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GWGb1IFb6Zcn6fboPPm9ibdsjscubJvQiDSco1RwgKJRlQVvcIGVEj52Z_GQpMYoXCBLeDpjakddBx8Do2ScHmc35yWK9BMuQLRRjuL7ANfOffeRM3yuo17pg3v56t8s9idrmNxMIQsD/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GWGb1IFb6Zcn6fboPPm9ibdsjscubJvQiDSco1RwgKJRlQVvcIGVEj52Z_GQpMYoXCBLeDpjakddBx8Do2ScHmc35yWK9BMuQLRRjuL7ANfOffeRM3yuo17pg3v56t8s9idrmNxMIQsD/s320/024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I made my super nice french hem. . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwV9o4wozUX6-GYNGLCBEhg4TVD34JRnLS1eCRVhtKimxQazL80TR60zVxyNoI70FLTFLA1YU_ZIxQpG8gDlCW4N2fl3l2ebeK1ImiWsZDh4ICWGkMVehgfGqqiyX-YMO4ZenXPLor8Z-Z/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwV9o4wozUX6-GYNGLCBEhg4TVD34JRnLS1eCRVhtKimxQazL80TR60zVxyNoI70FLTFLA1YU_ZIxQpG8gDlCW4N2fl3l2ebeK1ImiWsZDh4ICWGkMVehgfGqqiyX-YMO4ZenXPLor8Z-Z/s320/025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Okay, so I didn't follow the instructions to a "T." I eventually found the sizing chart, which wasn't 100% clear as I fit into two of the sizes, and re-cut my project and sewed it all over again!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGz9IDk2MF3mJRC8XQZyvW8Lff4E-y4aCigLQAytuVZiNzJnidY7NPeSjvbX59boUJzCqmnVeq6retmIhuvrnI6wJV-DSDCd2T8LwaFXYyygrLWJDrriVNvJe39iprAMoYAGTbJsuCtLsw/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGz9IDk2MF3mJRC8XQZyvW8Lff4E-y4aCigLQAytuVZiNzJnidY7NPeSjvbX59boUJzCqmnVeq6retmIhuvrnI6wJV-DSDCd2T8LwaFXYyygrLWJDrriVNvJe39iprAMoYAGTbJsuCtLsw/s320/027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Here is me, with it on, although he picture seems to show off the kitchen more than me. Oops!<br />
And below is my model, the banister post. . .who does a lovely job of showing it off!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6B9bnTtI7d0UgnW0rVwWIVvY2151exSfWXsM69_w7wUgYf3nc8AWvx-AHQBlt0-UEqmz5b1pzVdraCDBlMNWUEjvQKvDb_8lysRbQUnuUYAYebsxnfJXe6r0NU_BmxSvNknrL_J0Uckm/s1600/028+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6B9bnTtI7d0UgnW0rVwWIVvY2151exSfWXsM69_w7wUgYf3nc8AWvx-AHQBlt0-UEqmz5b1pzVdraCDBlMNWUEjvQKvDb_8lysRbQUnuUYAYebsxnfJXe6r0NU_BmxSvNknrL_J0Uckm/s320/028+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Here is my munchkin who LOVES being in it!(And who LOVES freezies! How can you tell he is #3? #1 would have never been able to have so much sugar/junk food at that age!) What a great thing to make, and what an "arm"-saver for me! Sorry I don't have any photos of me in it. . .I just haven't thought of taking a picture when I am on the go with him! :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgxR6U49ZL_mgIhEH4xPrbEPWgq1yvZaeVLnDupG2aDYZIFBVAiWfPB_oAZONG1dTTHvr7qOKCNBJRwxtws7DsbboG03pPJgGkE13bHxjeqLm3FsvPE7TqmpBoMAwbhBsM-jt0OlSzqyG/s1600/029+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgxR6U49ZL_mgIhEH4xPrbEPWgq1yvZaeVLnDupG2aDYZIFBVAiWfPB_oAZONG1dTTHvr7qOKCNBJRwxtws7DsbboG03pPJgGkE13bHxjeqLm3FsvPE7TqmpBoMAwbhBsM-jt0OlSzqyG/s320/029+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
If I do it again (which I will, when I have time!), I will pick better fabric. Thick cotton with a nice pattern so I don't have to double it. I will also add a small pocket. And a loop to hook my keys on or a toy on. I was thinking that I could add a pocket or some printed bias binding to the current one. . .we'll see.<br />
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<em>Update:</em><br />
<em>So this whole post was written a LONG time ago!!! (My links above disappeared in this time of not posting!!! Oh no!!! So sorry if you were trying to hook to them--I'll go searching again! Just give me some time!) </em><br />
<em>Over a year ago! And I have used this sling like crazy! LOVE it. I still use it a bit, eve though baby #3 is past the 2 year mark. He's too old to be in a stroller--according to him--and too young to walk as much as the rest of us can. So this is always in the van, for just those times! And although he is heavy, using this is much easier than having to carry him without it and it frees us my hands a bit!</em><br />
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<em>But I did do some exploring with the pockets, loops for keys and bias binding ideas. . .</em><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bwlpmmeW0kFK6Es22JaBvitPJwQXIL9WNWgrS_ee_S4tvEidP2ClLk6v1tXNrMOtdUnLEGSD8NZ389Y1QAve0fYs0RsvZ4qDX7BrqJA6YO2lEYfBHi_xNNNPzr3qnsM562gBKUyRpRA4/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bwlpmmeW0kFK6Es22JaBvitPJwQXIL9WNWgrS_ee_S4tvEidP2ClLk6v1tXNrMOtdUnLEGSD8NZ389Y1QAve0fYs0RsvZ4qDX7BrqJA6YO2lEYfBHi_xNNNPzr3qnsM562gBKUyRpRA4/s200/007.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dinosaur trim</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wlLVQd9aKSy2-Kc7fufy-YW139lwapi9M8ohDzcswQkKCngB1yn9LZsce63I-x7deYb3XjxQ2yHJZMiB3F3qPVHCy4XXVrYEkgq5oahgX2CBCvG0MKHiHAG1rNHWYQa9xhIPO4sf8Pz_/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wlLVQd9aKSy2-Kc7fufy-YW139lwapi9M8ohDzcswQkKCngB1yn9LZsce63I-x7deYb3XjxQ2yHJZMiB3F3qPVHCy4XXVrYEkgq5oahgX2CBCvG0MKHiHAG1rNHWYQa9xhIPO4sf8Pz_/s200/008.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">racetrack trim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<em>Happy sewing for me again!</em>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-30573247834564553052012-08-09T20:50:00.002-07:002012-08-09T20:50:43.204-07:00A few "pets"We are a pet-less family. At least for now.<br />
So when my kids find animals, they like to "adopt" them. (Meaning: research, watch and follow them to death and act like they actually now own the rights to that species). Our summer has not been without animal adventures!<br />
Here is our first to showcase: a little baby pine siskin.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYZ9fihZj13X4ZK-WOq-o4EEKgEg9cRjCEjzcSWeBKnEjayrLqZv79kTycuwUDLBrOP7Byv0rd8hUzCSykkDjKcSuOg7jFmXhK_k9tGRHJm50qVCE3jur2_fWqYIyOUl_NBPkhGSxnFR1/s1600/July+2012+060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYZ9fihZj13X4ZK-WOq-o4EEKgEg9cRjCEjzcSWeBKnEjayrLqZv79kTycuwUDLBrOP7Byv0rd8hUzCSykkDjKcSuOg7jFmXhK_k9tGRHJm50qVCE3jur2_fWqYIyOUl_NBPkhGSxnFR1/s320/July+2012+060.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This little guy (or girl or one of its friends) decided to spend some time sitting on little A's head to our surprise a few days ago, and then E found another one here in the tree (below). He could actually reach out and touch it--I'm not sure it was old enough to know it should be afraid of humans. Luckily, this one found my kids, who LOVE animals!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1iL16LZgox37EhYBiyU0HJNvHbBL0h43b0jJWo2MdK0sfCXgs-crGicmqjh_Vd0jxaE8FIpFv74UCuGqIpAfJu1VGYmowfNM-XP0-kQU63XvcKxNGvrSG-MYuF3ZhlqyV9ngiVgS2-rT/s1600/July+2012+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1iL16LZgox37EhYBiyU0HJNvHbBL0h43b0jJWo2MdK0sfCXgs-crGicmqjh_Vd0jxaE8FIpFv74UCuGqIpAfJu1VGYmowfNM-XP0-kQU63XvcKxNGvrSG-MYuF3ZhlqyV9ngiVgS2-rT/s320/July+2012+054.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And we have our owl from the creek. We think it is a barred owl (we have seen two together, but there might even be three of them), but E is a little on the fence on this one. His screech seems to mimic a barn owl, but a barred or spotted owl is our best guess from all we have researched. We've taken some extra walks in the creek to visit our friend, and to see the things it likes to eat! (Ew!) We've had some pretty close encounters with it.<br />Below is a picture from my camera--your plain old point and shoot kind.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8R17ND4yxagC1KmWQ4dHkKuRlY5jGspzem5_j2JMnT0m3asMcJQyN_sztkrfvCki5D-r8MTlZOjunpfiDbC-dUei0xwDxRGktg23C0g9f3-GzVGNjUSiw1DlEDvm9hDRg6GE57y6DrJJ/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8R17ND4yxagC1KmWQ4dHkKuRlY5jGspzem5_j2JMnT0m3asMcJQyN_sztkrfvCki5D-r8MTlZOjunpfiDbC-dUei0xwDxRGktg23C0g9f3-GzVGNjUSiw1DlEDvm9hDRg6GE57y6DrJJ/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />And another one from a different day--yah, I'm pathetic. I go out each time we see or hear it to see if I can do any better for a photo. We've had it sit on our back fence before, but then there is no camera around!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3C4a4hOIHR_BWxYRhX7sGu99eAaM6uyHfgcaq2Hjfdah3O2VrTp0E8lMnQaleHjM8Uu9v7zjilBhgynvbwOrGBix0ieZ68jKkfzvQannyxsNQFTqgLt77Htipn1ybryZTo8E2bZc3c2ZT/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3C4a4hOIHR_BWxYRhX7sGu99eAaM6uyHfgcaq2Hjfdah3O2VrTp0E8lMnQaleHjM8Uu9v7zjilBhgynvbwOrGBix0ieZ68jKkfzvQannyxsNQFTqgLt77Htipn1ybryZTo8E2bZc3c2ZT/s320/042.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
These two pictures are sent from our neighbours down the road. He has the cool camera with the specialized settings and the extra lens and all. . .Maybe I can convince my hubby that I <em>NEED</em> one of those cameras!!! Can't I hope for <em>my</em> Canon Rebel for Christmas? :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRam5W9olnjzbt74YiXdgr_D-AUtNwn1wXRV3mSKSEghl-B_33fCkoEaAL96rYAPxGthXxazMrc6D7JadidhrgUeLqmWbzo596LTkZkeyn0GWAEansD0sYCE7_ng2sdub_oK63D8n9Xo03/s1600/owl+photo+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRam5W9olnjzbt74YiXdgr_D-AUtNwn1wXRV3mSKSEghl-B_33fCkoEaAL96rYAPxGthXxazMrc6D7JadidhrgUeLqmWbzo596LTkZkeyn0GWAEansD0sYCE7_ng2sdub_oK63D8n9Xo03/s320/owl+photo+2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC1C6eMo9RVQkl6ROaKp752Z8GR6byHXdwLP8WWoF16kZYG-YiD3Cq0ezdFyHhz8oR2HmXY50q4tmHNgzfl-lUjU5dSmURZ74BK8GDOwCOpkfVljT0jsmSbWxyzKzHhg8tkvtyWrV6rc-/s1600/owl+photo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC1C6eMo9RVQkl6ROaKp752Z8GR6byHXdwLP8WWoF16kZYG-YiD3Cq0ezdFyHhz8oR2HmXY50q4tmHNgzfl-lUjU5dSmURZ74BK8GDOwCOpkfVljT0jsmSbWxyzKzHhg8tkvtyWrV6rc-/s320/owl+photo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
And a few from E's bug box. He has been busy collecting caterpillars of all sorts and enlisting the help of others. Here was Opa's contribution one day--he caught it and put it in E's bug box while we were out to surprise him! (This one was taken on my boring old camera--I was kinda impressed with how well it turned out!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80_fzAbTc6c9geZCgSiqsVgLrA_OTIuds8qJMp0l__XtpzqGU6GBFzfHdKnLZTHeh04zQILvwtx8HdFXq8boPuCDD-T8yFPbXlS-Bj3KiAE8cNNXZxVe4_XHygQSXqatXScfUbGD1QaeA/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80_fzAbTc6c9geZCgSiqsVgLrA_OTIuds8qJMp0l__XtpzqGU6GBFzfHdKnLZTHeh04zQILvwtx8HdFXq8boPuCDD-T8yFPbXlS-Bj3KiAE8cNNXZxVe4_XHygQSXqatXScfUbGD1QaeA/s320/027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And as you can see (or this explanation will help you see) that beside our butterfly friend (who was released the next day) a cocoon or chrysalis of some sort. You can correct me if I am wrong, but I think this one is a cocoon because it is silky and cotton-like and a chrysalis is more of an opaque hard shell. It came from a black caterpillar with orange spots.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KQlyyVJeK9bW4GoQFHds10czeI0S8qjxR8atwUv3QkZnenSSAjw0En28n-VOzIR16XhXm1KkIDh38Lp-spsXiXx3ETt4KrEo6_zfmYWXZHped2EwYGQjnCvLxmAGoz4Cko86x9cgZgDl/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KQlyyVJeK9bW4GoQFHds10czeI0S8qjxR8atwUv3QkZnenSSAjw0En28n-VOzIR16XhXm1KkIDh38Lp-spsXiXx3ETt4KrEo6_zfmYWXZHped2EwYGQjnCvLxmAGoz4Cko86x9cgZgDl/s320/028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Well that cocoon (and one other darker coloured one) sat there in its pupa stage for FOREVER! I was ready to scrape them out. This particular white one is actually still sitting there and getting thinner, but the darker one is broken open, because. . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuy6T7GM6-QXgeXiqe9G3lmbzD6wH9m9loT9Z6bebcYcP_2lpjPUi6gzM5t4GSSkSD-xNo233SsJiSH3OXXLZaTb4e9CvyePvHF7VQMGnzvE51FGN1xP0ytloldwHP2NE2TkJ12fWzDxbI/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuy6T7GM6-QXgeXiqe9G3lmbzD6wH9m9loT9Z6bebcYcP_2lpjPUi6gzM5t4GSSkSD-xNo233SsJiSH3OXXLZaTb4e9CvyePvHF7VQMGnzvE51FGN1xP0ytloldwHP2NE2TkJ12fWzDxbI/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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out came this moth! We haven't quite pinned down what kind it is except that the wings are brown with white spots (and we have a few pictures to go back to and compare for our searching for the exact name!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_OvMWCBJzXZdRqfVKLr2yHaznV3MuHo5y2flVEtlvR-UWEFD9Om1uSD2fXMrOvYVFNM0d7HMfgAXQHXx3AKqucReXZBb_eCSbi3Rk2PvbyYieZ2ERVaZHOSVqIFaTuxbeMHU_biK-YzB/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_OvMWCBJzXZdRqfVKLr2yHaznV3MuHo5y2flVEtlvR-UWEFD9Om1uSD2fXMrOvYVFNM0d7HMfgAXQHXx3AKqucReXZBb_eCSbi3Rk2PvbyYieZ2ERVaZHOSVqIFaTuxbeMHU_biK-YzB/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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In this above photo you can see the cocoons and the moth. We had a big releasing at Grandma's house and by her pond. After it was all done, E decided to announce that he had learned that usually moths and butterflies go back to the place of their emergence to lay eggs. (Glad it wasn't released at our place if that was true!)</div>
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And another is on the way--a fuzzy brown caterpillar in a new bug box brought over by Opa. We will see what comes of that!</div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-73177285060452053922012-07-19T10:50:00.000-07:002012-07-19T10:55:54.800-07:00a little garden fixing. . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I selvaged this little garden sign from my MIL yard garbage pile, probably about 5+ years ago. It has been in my garage that long, waiting to be fixed up and painted as the thing was almost wood again, no colour. Last week, I finally gave it a try.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCBl4AVETk9FjKnw8vKGkYOf5l65_axkmNZUhl-J-kuW7k4LwPKaspEewFJOhFEqG2_tBkvF2G2mbtuiREdV2HYG5ecCLQO9LePtC7fuQC_s3amGDSOfhw0z7f9PT6fyDdZ3rlg8yYEic/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCBl4AVETk9FjKnw8vKGkYOf5l65_axkmNZUhl-J-kuW7k4LwPKaspEewFJOhFEqG2_tBkvF2G2mbtuiREdV2HYG5ecCLQO9LePtC7fuQC_s3amGDSOfhw0z7f9PT6fyDdZ3rlg8yYEic/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Added some wire. . .I was going to hang it on my tree or fence and take the stake off.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrE78Mlcm5TmpCbOXyBEnijy9DOi8OQDCkQn2AsGWxpaZoN4Fo2CdT8bpqK4k3ApOuRkEybJML95IjBjr0ywvFB7Dscuwj8-Gx4odYOf92eKUJG1FE_e32ZH0iGkpc3tiiInPfrfcKQfn/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrE78Mlcm5TmpCbOXyBEnijy9DOi8OQDCkQn2AsGWxpaZoN4Fo2CdT8bpqK4k3ApOuRkEybJML95IjBjr0ywvFB7Dscuwj8-Gx4odYOf92eKUJG1FE_e32ZH0iGkpc3tiiInPfrfcKQfn/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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But it didn't look too bad like this, so here it stays for now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0u32hl2fIyPdiZrHsPSj5g9sNyAIS5vBkkGwy0OkNMcaaNlctup98Yy-UFkwUyTdPtoKmZzGLZ7iWqdBGFroVyBvNvmGrdurcYVw_JwLcsZEUKybK04vF9sfxdIi0-xUA8tRXsf4INYTP/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0u32hl2fIyPdiZrHsPSj5g9sNyAIS5vBkkGwy0OkNMcaaNlctup98Yy-UFkwUyTdPtoKmZzGLZ7iWqdBGFroVyBvNvmGrdurcYVw_JwLcsZEUKybK04vF9sfxdIi0-xUA8tRXsf4INYTP/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here is my previous ivy patch, all dug out (well mostly in this photo). Why is it that every spring/summer I want to change around all my gardens? I'm not a great gardener--just learning as I go, listening to others, and looking at what they have done (and of course using the good ole computer!). Hopefully I will fill this spot with a variety of hostas instead. But for now, I am busy weeding and cutting down overgrown gardens!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQS0JKJ2_6MEEEtarGFtFLGHWQtUL7bTz2zp-C1fhFoEVGJ4Vx_FfOXcH-afy_PzTqnK1Umy5AGbwcbDJ2euvyVG8mh60rkByig30WSi77mBRILbo50NN2FFRMBmAj57Rz0TBITWPla81/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQS0JKJ2_6MEEEtarGFtFLGHWQtUL7bTz2zp-C1fhFoEVGJ4Vx_FfOXcH-afy_PzTqnK1Umy5AGbwcbDJ2euvyVG8mh60rkByig30WSi77mBRILbo50NN2FFRMBmAj57Rz0TBITWPla81/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Happy gardening!</div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-81565938389958041332012-07-19T10:44:00.001-07:002012-07-19T10:44:33.182-07:00a few more baby gifties<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
With summer here, I've had a few extra minutes to sew again! </div>
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Aside from just fixing the broken clothing, I've made a few baby blankets for gifts. I missed a few babies being born, and had no extra <span style="color: #0b5394;">"boy"</span> ones in reserve, so that was my job for the last few days. I was a little hesitant at first to use this fabric because the matching ribbon was. . . <span style="background-color: white;">black!</span> It <span style="color: black;">was</span> a risk for me--I'm usually more into the colourful, but I just could not find any matching ribbon! I also tried a "hooded blanket" this time, just to try something new.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgks_CG5QuXOJAMxJGE7rStiEND2dLweCiwYVB-u56sdZ0bRG74HFYQt0uoddaChhQoreTOAF5g6W1TV_-XD8xUPiJVBy0XPktQ6gMQPuOGDyRk_uckjmVSCbgQdoW0IUwCXZVeAVJC_ePX/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgks_CG5QuXOJAMxJGE7rStiEND2dLweCiwYVB-u56sdZ0bRG74HFYQt0uoddaChhQoreTOAF5g6W1TV_-XD8xUPiJVBy0XPktQ6gMQPuOGDyRk_uckjmVSCbgQdoW0IUwCXZVeAVJC_ePX/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is my dinosaur set--hood blanket, bandanna drool bib and a tag blanket.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRubsiLBeUtnJvDbRRSQ3dhCoP7wiFEfjv0gfyE5WvKEPPL4X52gRTBGZjFEEI829nR7AUtJzM6DFaVSvz17X-t084eXP9Le9v-rQkvxVnP2oZWZSXJmleL6K8cVqAQaIamUFPUwJO0ADM/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRubsiLBeUtnJvDbRRSQ3dhCoP7wiFEfjv0gfyE5WvKEPPL4X52gRTBGZjFEEI829nR7AUtJzM6DFaVSvz17X-t084eXP9Le9v-rQkvxVnP2oZWZSXJmleL6K8cVqAQaIamUFPUwJO0ADM/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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See all the black ribbon on this one? But I think it turned out OK!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPr72SPccZ6VUlsZfIynv4826M2iLHZeARbyl-3Uou-CbCVvMOylxo-ot1lpr7t6HlZZL54Fyx18cHyWzDPcibTk3ZjMvX5xiHP-pa11Gcdq5m9m9zBULnCJG4KE9mRswV26KA7FzIhll/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPr72SPccZ6VUlsZfIynv4826M2iLHZeARbyl-3Uou-CbCVvMOylxo-ot1lpr7t6HlZZL54Fyx18cHyWzDPcibTk3ZjMvX5xiHP-pa11Gcdq5m9m9zBULnCJG4KE9mRswV26KA7FzIhll/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here is my bandanna drool bib. My daughter had one and it worked wonderful, so I thought I would sew a few to match.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNswBH13XF7DvgdSGdpl5-sgjxo4wdOImhrzP49cyEcX0lSlNknhyikHlK8d58QuL2QqISkasQ5X1cHfoCXsjERgMUMW8p_QnQ6V5hbF5BDR6J60Er0pyJ-yHpHr8ZrVtaYtqyY1aB6ycA/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNswBH13XF7DvgdSGdpl5-sgjxo4wdOImhrzP49cyEcX0lSlNknhyikHlK8d58QuL2QqISkasQ5X1cHfoCXsjERgMUMW8p_QnQ6V5hbF5BDR6J60Er0pyJ-yHpHr8ZrVtaYtqyY1aB6ycA/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here is my race car set--hooded blanket, tag blanket, and bandanna drool bib.</div>
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This one I was able to find a blue that went pretty well with it, without going to bright and bold with red or yellow. Maybe on the next one. . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIvDABT7EaS_rZQeDom99qgfmPvNo-34wz-AQJ_TDfUTvpLWrX01pPl2ypWKtRB14DqDH_ZsaiQkdMFSxH9et1RdAScyhKNqxOsOqpFENucYSsAkrzqSOKa6qMHr-IV-TORnq4ibwFKg_/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIvDABT7EaS_rZQeDom99qgfmPvNo-34wz-AQJ_TDfUTvpLWrX01pPl2ypWKtRB14DqDH_ZsaiQkdMFSxH9et1RdAScyhKNqxOsOqpFENucYSsAkrzqSOKa6qMHr-IV-TORnq4ibwFKg_/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now it is off to the fabric store in order to make more--I ran out of blanket material!</div>
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</div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-45161151110020445652012-07-08T07:07:00.000-07:002012-07-08T07:07:44.072-07:00felt flowers for her hair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was my daughter's birthday a bit ago and she knows all about parties because of her older brother. </div>
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So whenever her birthday comes along, she had a long LIST of things to do!</div>
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But we keep it small--and crafty! Here is what we did:</div>
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felt flowers on headbands or barrettes.</div>
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My sister and I had made some cute rosettes out of felt to put on headbands or barrettes once, and I thought they were cute, so I kinda went off of that idea and made these layered felt flowers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SKljXowFrdMz5JmEibLGe_-TUmdvymMi1KJpectO9CUlTa1P8yzRG6H-A1YazonXZ9iCUUOtkX_nXbTJUFpH2R7F6oBuY9TGUJgFFLW80ujSOF1Y51jo1OOVebDwy8k0RVkG1MFD9Vbe/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SKljXowFrdMz5JmEibLGe_-TUmdvymMi1KJpectO9CUlTa1P8yzRG6H-A1YazonXZ9iCUUOtkX_nXbTJUFpH2R7F6oBuY9TGUJgFFLW80ujSOF1Y51jo1OOVebDwy8k0RVkG1MFD9Vbe/s320/036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(supplies above)</span></div>
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First I found all the different colours of felt I had in the house.</div>
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Then I found some flower patterns on google. These ones were great! I also found more "daisy" type ones with pointed petals as well. I sided them differently and then started tracing and cutting!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEWt4z7BSV1A4qhi_VrfIylMpzBw6_TJvygAxdZc9Yno9Qr0uTzLc-QRuJO3APg9_ASaluV0404lzY2COI5H_NfI-BAbzWu4tFbDa0wZBaAvscTnUXv_o5SV3vgRsuVt5gY1Uf0p5wHAD/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEWt4z7BSV1A4qhi_VrfIylMpzBw6_TJvygAxdZc9Yno9Qr0uTzLc-QRuJO3APg9_ASaluV0404lzY2COI5H_NfI-BAbzWu4tFbDa0wZBaAvscTnUXv_o5SV3vgRsuVt5gY1Uf0p5wHAD/s320/037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then I chose a few to try--pink and grey for now. I layered them up. Now, you can just layer them and glue them--some of my daughter's friends did that. These flowers were bigger, so I put one tiny "x" stitch in the middle (see the yellow?) to gather them just a bit.</div>
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Next went the rhinestone. . . </div>
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Oh the girls were in heaven with those things!!!</div>
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And then finally the little circle patch to help glue it onto the headband.</div>
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I gave the girls a choice--so here is how it is if they wanted to use a barrette instead.</div>
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I wish I had taken pictures of the ones they had finished/made. Some of them were so cute! I had also cut out some tulle flowers and circles to add in and little leaves if they wanted to add those as well. They just stacked flowers and started gluing! (and then I used the glue gun to finish them all off!)</div>
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It was a cute and easy party idea!</div>
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</div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-56421834248592685532012-06-24T14:56:00.000-07:002012-06-24T14:56:51.076-07:00A Few Firsts. . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It has been <em><strong>forever</strong></em> since I have blogged last!</div>
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I guess too much else has been going on.</div>
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Here are a few "first" from yesterday. . .</div>
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E's first tooth means a first visit from the tooth fairy in this house!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRyUYvttEGD2x99-y4R8p-rMk4chDMhnwrUIdFsfoL7JUqe9oEAfjVYAHG_2XqrtM2HLzVs323rI_2GHmZnJSC85oeAvtQGLcgSVGC6kaxjOnfukMeCKPDXx1GikdoO8GkqmDqjjVAnjo/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRyUYvttEGD2x99-y4R8p-rMk4chDMhnwrUIdFsfoL7JUqe9oEAfjVYAHG_2XqrtM2HLzVs323rI_2GHmZnJSC85oeAvtQGLcgSVGC6kaxjOnfukMeCKPDXx1GikdoO8GkqmDqjjVAnjo/s320/029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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He was so nervous to pull it out and we tried encouraging him to do it while he was still in school, but he was not budging! So, on Saturday, the day after school was let out, it was hanging on by a thread and I just yanked it out!</div>
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The tooth fairy made a first appearance at our house. . .</div>
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(not sure where this came from. . .I googled a lost tooth certificate and this was one of them!)</div>
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And being his first tooth and all . . .I forgot to remind him to put his tooth my his pillow! So, to make ti all better, he ALSO got a letter from the tooth fairy. </div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">"Dear E:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Written: Very late on June 23</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">As your loving tooth fairy, I had to look EVERYWHERE for your tooth! It was not under your pillow or on your night stand. That is where most kids usually put their teeth for me to collect. However, I flew into your mom while searching and she showed me where to find your tooth. (It was on the kitchen counter!) Next time, please have it nearby! After all that searching I had to do, I am exhausted! {insert smiley face stickers here}</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Love, the Tooth Fairy</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">p.s. I already talked to your mom about how she is supposed to remind you to put it in the right spot. You might want to have a little talk with her too!"</span></div>
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He loved it. . . and it sure worked to save me--I mean, the tooth fairy--from an "oops!" I had dance recital on my mind, sick little brother, nightmares from watching Batman and Robin to ward off, FF hubby off to save the town from the thunderstorm. . .</div>
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~*~</div>
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And the other first we had on Saturday, was A's first dance recital!</div>
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Oh my! I am so not a "dance mom!"</div>
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The make-up! The curls (which you can't even see in these pictures)! The hairspray! The eyelashes!</div>
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(Okay, I attempted the eyelashes, but then just sent them along with her so someone there could do it! Sorry, no pictures with her long wavy black lashes--and I am kind of okay with that!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJ7zcEhlJNTosnUv8hgT1OmW22NsQm5Agf3OalA4UTa0gpNY2Dql6lt4un7MwRa2tipOE2wa4Sn2cXKEKprS_j9Npl3E-P6ORYcQrTNWZr5ZZiQp3fx-iDGR-W6C_Qq-iuh29kAbqUPbo/s1600/034+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJ7zcEhlJNTosnUv8hgT1OmW22NsQm5Agf3OalA4UTa0gpNY2Dql6lt4un7MwRa2tipOE2wa4Sn2cXKEKprS_j9Npl3E-P6ORYcQrTNWZr5ZZiQp3fx-iDGR-W6C_Qq-iuh29kAbqUPbo/s320/034+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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There was no pictures allowed during the recital, so here are a few from afterwards. According to her, the vest was too itchy and it would have been better to do the performance without it. And, according to her, lipstick tastes gross and eyelashes feel funny!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNNp4CEgiN5nxdPjCcU1MNSqTEa_06U0BfmzmBnjSHEwquBvPxKmRKoUb_shJA5ZDa-KunY3um2HTDdRmSkJ_xPnPL6IihZY91jbkuU0pEXHqCCjcgWoTIDGdy9iyFf_eHI9hOzmmVhVT/s1600/035+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNNp4CEgiN5nxdPjCcU1MNSqTEa_06U0BfmzmBnjSHEwquBvPxKmRKoUb_shJA5ZDa-KunY3um2HTDdRmSkJ_xPnPL6IihZY91jbkuU0pEXHqCCjcgWoTIDGdy9iyFf_eHI9hOzmmVhVT/s320/035+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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My dancing queen! She was a line leader in her little number and got to pull some of the other girls in the right direction during the dance! I told her that I thought she did a great job leading all the girls in her sidesteps around the circle. She informed me that maybe I need to take some lessons too, because they did the sidesteps in a square. My BAD!!!</div>
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She loves dancing!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0i1XMCUv23qscpFAdbFky9BWWff16WkpU8xihF-pxr5r5lBXxSRXrlmnfVmKHkWDryq14TKVKby47iPqvyevTKJEJ_4ECiQ2-eZMX6TrYMDb4iD8IQdgdnzVQRygtaqvCIGI7InCvmA67/s1600/038+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0i1XMCUv23qscpFAdbFky9BWWff16WkpU8xihF-pxr5r5lBXxSRXrlmnfVmKHkWDryq14TKVKby47iPqvyevTKJEJ_4ECiQ2-eZMX6TrYMDb4iD8IQdgdnzVQRygtaqvCIGI7InCvmA67/s320/038+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1246341442590609115.post-54090018160147786082012-04-18T20:36:00.001-07:002012-04-18T20:42:28.842-07:00Superheroes and Sidekicks. . .against bullying<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our school recently celebrated a "theme week," with this year's theme being "Superheroes and Sidekicks." This was a theme that was centred around our Greatest Superhero, Jesus Christ, whose greatest gift to us was His saving love. We focused on the following verses:</div>
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Matthew 22:36-40</h3>
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New International Version (NIV)</div>
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<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23909">36</sup> “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” </div>
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<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23910">37</sup> Jesus replied: <span class="woj">“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’</span><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23911">38</sup> This is the first and greatest commandment.</span> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23912">39</sup> And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’</span> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23913">40</sup> All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”</span> </div>
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In this theme, we tried to foster positive character building and friendship traits by taking a villain--something that stops love from being spread--and to fight that with a superpower, which turned out to be the fruit of the spirit. The theme week overlapped "<a href="http://www.pinkshirtday.ca/">Pink Shirt Day</a>," a day in which people wear a pink shirt to show their desire to take a stand against bullying.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-o43lUy1OnNbnR6-v9tRGGB0lum6u-A3uHAvsSClpJ0JyX9EC1zAad0HiG-DVrJZy5dxgchca-L7VDSlXFV2gvaCjewIX5BOJMBSQC4pzp16rmS1mt9h8OJQIKbMlah7W5S5S5stazZS4/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-o43lUy1OnNbnR6-v9tRGGB0lum6u-A3uHAvsSClpJ0JyX9EC1zAad0HiG-DVrJZy5dxgchca-L7VDSlXFV2gvaCjewIX5BOJMBSQC4pzp16rmS1mt9h8OJQIKbMlah7W5S5S5stazZS4/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The school's PAC so willingly decorated the display case in a "comic book"style. Our week included Captain Bucket-filler--a superhero we created in connection to the book about filling people's buckets--and our school's theme from last year about how God desires us to fill the buckets of others by doing kind and loving things.</div>
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One of the grade five classes created these banners for the "Pink Shirt Day."</div>
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Our staff room had a HUGE table filled with resources about friendship and bullying for teachers to use throughout the week.</div>
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Here is Captain Bucket-filler himself (our principal!) in a visit to each classroom to encourage the students to keep filling others buckets!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSis1JPBVYaGhjz18ul51fS9kF7VfkloLxTBMkcOAr6mC5vD7aOsDRKXFcPrfmJnrulb5lw4w4EVoA9GboKZbb_Et-_9TgKyy-DfeEDUsM7GgvbXaod5MNlJAIbFAWeKJtnluC8aEENOIn/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSis1JPBVYaGhjz18ul51fS9kF7VfkloLxTBMkcOAr6mC5vD7aOsDRKXFcPrfmJnrulb5lw4w4EVoA9GboKZbb_Et-_9TgKyy-DfeEDUsM7GgvbXaod5MNlJAIbFAWeKJtnluC8aEENOIn/s320/010.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Pink Shirt Day was accompanied by pink lemonade for all the kids and treats to celebrate friendship!</div>
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Friday was a superhero dress-up day, closing chapel, and grade-level presentations.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiy22YzIBmFcTTaV7XNeFeuAHpNh04G-w_yWNWnTS1jkeOh8CHhZGTBWdlflbIX-FDZsJv3zCjGG1vmYuGSaUloF4Se2eT5nQ8BtLRWIniy65UAor-p3A90DymfavD8z6GwKKrTkr43_5c/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiy22YzIBmFcTTaV7XNeFeuAHpNh04G-w_yWNWnTS1jkeOh8CHhZGTBWdlflbIX-FDZsJv3zCjGG1vmYuGSaUloF4Se2eT5nQ8BtLRWIniy65UAor-p3A90DymfavD8z6GwKKrTkr43_5c/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Each class was responsible for creating a project of some kind to present to their grade level on Friday to show what they learned about friendship. My group of grade ones picked the villain, "The Meany Monster. We created "Wanted" posters with pictures of crazy monsters and wrote descriptions about what a mean monster might do. Then we talked a bunch about the Fruit of the Spirit.</div>
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With a little searching on google, I found colours that represented the fruit of the Spirit, so we made beaded bracelets for our grade one friends in the other classes, and also made a card that went along with it explaining how we wanted to practice "loving our neighbors" by letting the fruit of the spirit flow out of us instead of those mean traits.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3q-ebyMmMyy5w9gDfcqgyszEZA7EoBpOGsymUofHPR9f9j1SPKGwECNusO0VtPyA_4zrAm6Q771BVAETvfouK3aS8aCYXFFagWX3EKBUVn4p-06yDkDulxN0o1iv_QMGnHM1pVSixH-U6/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3q-ebyMmMyy5w9gDfcqgyszEZA7EoBpOGsymUofHPR9f9j1SPKGwECNusO0VtPyA_4zrAm6Q771BVAETvfouK3aS8aCYXFFagWX3EKBUVn4p-06yDkDulxN0o1iv_QMGnHM1pVSixH-U6/s320/032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are some of the kids working so hard on their cards. (We each had to make 2-3 bracelets/cards so that we could have one for ourselves and also share them with the other classes!)</div>
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It was a great week of watching the presentations of the other classes and spending a lot of time talking about how we can show love to God and our neighbor in the way we treat our friends. </div>
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The week started out with an opening chapel, featuring a teacher skit of a Sloth who saved his sleepy friends, even though they at first found him annoying.</div>
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The week ended with a worship chapel, where we also acted out the Good Samaritan story and sang our favourite song of the week, "<a href="http://childrenmatter.ning.com/video/jesus-youre-my-superhero">Jesus, You're My Superhero!"</a></div>
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<br /></div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06605512724175326122noreply@blogger.com0