Sunday, March 23, 2014

The Weekend Catch Up

Yayy! We finally bought a dehydrator. Been wanting one and hoping my parents would make the decision for quite awhile. So I'm kinda excited about it.

The first thing we put in were potatoes. Boiled them for about 10 minutes, shredded them with a cheese grater, laid them on the trays, and stuck them in. Super easy, but takes forrrrever to dry.

That day, my mom and I also made raspberry jam and canned them in a water bath. Apparently fruit like this doesn't require a pressure cooker. 
The day's final result.

We also have put in strawberries and raspberries the next day and the rest of the family has been working on cherry tomatoes over the weekend. All from last year's crops that's been stored in the freezer.


**********************

On Friday I went to the Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show at the fairgrounds with some friends. Vendors all over the place and raffles for guns, Guess-How-Many-Fishing-Bobbers-Are-In-The-Container games, drawing for a truck/Duck Dynasty cruise/Scotty McCreery concert (I just want that pick-up! *wink*), archery, air gun range, little fishing pools to keep the fish you caught, and demonstration show with real lions and tigers.
Fun people, fun stuff, fun day! :)
Afterwards we went to the movie theater to see the new movie God's Not Dead
Review? 
I give it a thumbs up. We should...no...NEED to be brave and take a stand for our Savior in any and every circumstance. Even when others think it's pointless and you may lose something near, dear, and important to you. Just remember...
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." ~Romans 8:18
"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good solider of Jesus Christ." ~II Timothy 2:3


 And Saturday was waking up right before dawn to spend most of the day at the fairgrounds with my riding instructor and others for a horse show/clinic. I didn't enter any classes, but just went to watch and help out and maybe pick up some pointers. I did get to ride for a bit in the arena as we waiting for the English division to be other with.
Excited for show season!
I'm going to say the burn on my face is mostly from the sun instead of wind, too. *grin*  
Summer is coming!






Do you can or dehydrate food?

Have you seen or plan on seeing God's Not Dead?


Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Wordy Wednesday

 



Oscitancy...
All I gotta say is, "yes". 



 



I'm a sleepy gal with a busy ending of the week starting tomorrow! Today, my mom and I dehydrated some shredded potatoes (just bought a dehydrater!) and made some raspberry jelly. 
Pictures and stories to follow...


I'm not quite sure how 
to pronounce this...
Grammar wasn't my thing 
in school. 
*wink*

Monday, March 17, 2014

Music Monday

I'm pretty much a die hard country fan. I like classical, I like Christian (particularly the hymns), I like instrumental, I even like something from oldies such as The Temptations on occasion. But country is where it's at. 

Alan Jackson...
He's one of those artists who hasn't changed because of the group of listeners. His style has pretty much been the same since his beginning years in the '90s (actually, that period of country is better than the newer singles!). 
Remember how I just said I like hymns? Well Alan now has two CDs out full of hymns that he recorded for his grandmother. That's like a double scoop of ice cream. 
Yeah, he's pretty much my favorite artist. 

 
Didn't even bring my camera. Glad my friends did though!
 Since the opportunity to see him live with some friends last summer, he's even better in concert. The way he is in the video I'm sharing below is about how he is on stage. He just...sings. :)
What makes me laugh is we were probably the youngest
ones there.


But this isn't about him, because I do not idolize artists and definitely don't keep up to date on what they are doing. I like songs. And that's about it. All that chatter was simply a lead up to one of my favorite songs, "Little Man". 
After all, Music Monday is about sharing music!

                          "Little Man"

I remember walk'in round the court square sidewalk
Lookin' in windows at things I couldn't want
There's johnson's hardware and morgans jewelry
And the ol' Lee king's apothecary
They ware the little man
The little man


I go back now and the stores are empty
Except for an old coke sign dated 1950
Boarded up like they never existed
Or renovated and called historic districts
There goes the little man
There goes the little man

Now the court square's just a set of streets
That the people go round but they seldom think
Bout the little man that built this town
Before the big money shut em down
And killed the little man
Oh the little man

He pumped your gas and he cleaned your glass
And one cold rainy night he fixed your flat
The new stores came where you do it yourself
You buy a lotto ticket and food off the shelf
Forget the little man
Forget about that little man

He hung on there for a few more years
But he couldn't sell slurpees
And he wouldn't sell beer
Now the bank rents the station
To a man down the road
And they sell velvet Elvis and
Second-hand clothes
There goes little man
There goes another little man

Now the court square's just a set of streets
That the people go round but they seldom think
Bout the little man that built this town
Before the big money shut em down
And killed the little man
Oh the little man

Now the stores are lined up in a concrete strip
You can buy the whole world in just one trip
And save a penny cause it's jumbo size
They don't even realize
They'er killin' the little man
Oh the little man

Now the court square's just a set of streets
That the people go round but they seldom think
Bout the little man that built this town
Before the big money shut em down
And killed the little man
Oh the little man

It wasn't long ago when I was a child
An old black man came with his mule and his plow
He broke the ground where we grew our garden
Back before we'd all forgoten
about the little man
The little man
Long live the little man
God bless the little man




What's your
 favorite genre 
of music?

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Throwback Thursday

With the warmer weather this week, snow is starting melt up in the mountains. It's not a lot though, being its only 50 here in the valley area, but I went by the lake today and the water level is higher than it was a few weeks ago. 

 


 Even though this picture was taken in April of last year, I thought I'd use it for this week's "throwback" as a reminder that this sight isn't very far from now!





Its always real neat to go down to the dam in early spring/ late summer, because there is a lotta wata goin' through that. Luckily for me, it's right down the street! Cute park with little historical landmarks to read about and the whole bit.

What do you look for in your area 
when anticipating Spring?

***********

   Blogger Help!...

Do you notice your pictures having a slight over-exposed/brightened look when they are posted compared to when you view elsewhere on your PC? 
I do! :/


Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Wordy Wednesday

 

Heliophilia!

Now if that isn't me today or what!
Or every day...
 


Being in North Idaho, we have long winters. As in, my family has the wood stove going from September to about April. 
SEVEN out of the twelve months! 
But I love this place and never want to leave. 

March came in like a lion this year, so we're hoping for it to go out like a sheep. Either way, we are smack dab in the middle and pushing 50 degrees with SUN! The door is open and its chilly in here, BUT it smells goooood. 
This is also the temperature we all start rolling the car windows down around here.

Yesterday was the same and got a lot of work done outside. Wanting to go back out today and take advantage of this, but really need to do stuff inside. So yes, I am a proud heliophilia. 



Are you a heliophilia?

Monday, March 10, 2014

Music Monday

Music Monday! Told ya, I was gonna do it. So here it is...
***
Ever since my piano teacher moved away, I've been without lessons and a set practicing schedule which has, unfortunately, resulted in no new songs being learned.  But I've decided to tackle learning something on my own now...and by knowing plenty of pianists, I can get pointers at any time. So far it has actually gone pretty well! I'm surprising myself.

I'm just starting the third page of my five page Dino Kartsonakis arrangement of "My Tribute". 
This video is what I'm aiming for. Got lots of work to do.
The dude has serious man hands. In all his pieces, I've never seen such big chords!

I'm saving the nerves, ears, and patience of my family by opting out all the glissando's for the finished piece. ;)

Are you a musician?
What do you play?
Are you working on anything new?
Share, share, share!

Five Ways to Help Us Control Those Evil Emotions

    Control can be easy or difficult depending on the situation. We all can control a vehicle and drive within the lines. For us equestrian folk, we can control a horse through bodily actions of command. But when we're behind the wheel of that vehicle that hits ice or on the silly horse that's spooking at everything, it can be hard to get that control back!

    The same applies to our emotions. They come and go, up and down and all around, strong and weak, quick and slow that all is depending on the situation at hand. Happy, sad, worried, excited, and the worst...anger. That seems to be the easiest emotion to find, doesn't it? Maybe that's why there is the well-known phrase, "Flying off the handle." Anger most commonly stems from us thinking we aren't being treated as we see fit. (Goodness...three references to self in one sentence...I'll just save those thoughts for another post ;] )

    Anger isn't the only evil emotion though. Judgment, hate, condemnation, envy, discontentment, and pride are also ones to be aware of!


    I by no means have it all under control! But...


Here are 5 Ways to Help Us Control Those Evil Emotions

1. Love Yourself!
As vain as it may sound, you are fearfully and wonderfully made simply because God created you. You won't be satisfied with others until you are satisfied with yourself. Always continue striving to better yourself by being occupied through learning, growing, or becoming strong mentally, physically, and emotionally. You nurture and give some extra TLC to a wilting plant so are you not much more better? Do what you need to do to enjoy YOU!


2. Analyze First. 

Is this really something to upset about? Is the offense big? Is it important? Complicated? Petty? For selfish reasoning
Jesus even overthrew the money tables in the temple and He had legitimate reasoning! Learn to detect when righteous indignation is real and when it is okay to express it.


3. Forgive Quickly.
Until you forgive in your heart for any action done against you, you will not have peace. Realize we are all but dust. Just silly humans trying to get by in this world. Good thing we have a King to guide us along, right?  

"For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." (Ecc. 7:20) Don't be harsh. Don't judge. Cultivate a spirit of forgiveness.

4. Remember God.
Think of all the times the Lord has had to shake His head at our stumbling and wait for us to come to Him. He's always there. Patiently waiting. Sometimes looking at things through God's perspective is a refreshing spin on things. (And makes you grateful, in which God gets even more praise!)

5. Choose Happy.
Yes

               it  
               is 
                                           a  
CHOICE.



******************************************************************************************

With God, all things are possible...right?

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Throwback Thursday

Wow guys, can you believe it...this actually makes two posts in two days! ;) 

**************
Throwback time...
                              


 
    We'll just go back to about 6 years old  with my beloved cat, Yo-Yo. This picture just makes me laugh, because of the way I held cats for pictures...





And just a little closer...for dramatic effect.











Anddddd just even more closer...

                           She looks like she's having fun with her  new family, right?






She was a stray we found around our apartment in Iowa. My uncle, back in Idaho, had a gray cat named Yoda, like from Star Wars; however, my kid brain thought its name had to be Yo-Yo.
Upon seeing this cat wondering around, I excitedly exclaimed, "It's Yo-Yo!"
And my mother thought, "Oh no."
But she became part of the family after all and moved to Idaho with us.
Yo-Yo and Yoda never met...


Have you ever owned any stray cats? 
Dogs? 
How did you find each other?

*****************************************************************
Blinky



At least now I am holding them like the babies they really are... ;)


Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Wordy Wednesday

Agraphia.
       It's a noun for "writer's block".

It sounds like just a cute word for all the writers out there, but Wikipedia describes it as an actual neurological condition. 




 "Agraphia has two main subgroupings: central ("aphasic") agraphia and peripheral ("nonaphasic") agraphia.

Central agraphia occurs when there are both impairments in spoken language and impairments to the various motor and visualization skills involved in writing.

Peripheral agraphias occurs when there is damage to the various motor and visualization skills involved in writing."
 **************************************************************************************************** 
Okay, so that may have been a little random. But how about a theme for every day, or at least every other day?
Wordy Wednesday: If you have Pinterest, I'm sure you've seen the pictures like I just posted above. Plain background with a strange word and a neat meaning. That will be the foundation for Wednesday. Pointless, but kinda neat. I will admit to feeling quite smart to be saying, "agraphia"!
Throwback Thursday: This is a common Facebook trend right now. Posting an picture/memory. Nostalgic time!
Music Monday: Swap some lyrics/video of a song. Us music lovers do enjoy being introduced to something new!


Alrighty then...that leaves four more days to figure something out for. It's a start right? ;)



Does your blog have a daily/weekly/monthly theme? 

If so, what is it?!

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

!! Sunshine Award !!

First off...a big "thank you" to Bethany over on Liberty or Death for nominating me for the Sunshine Award! 

I now get to answer 10 questions of her choice.
Here we go!

1. How did you become a Christian? 
I was raised to love the Lord and knew and believed that getting to heaven is through Him. And I accepted that at a very early age. It was not until I was older when I really understood baptism and had that strong desire to please Him and take the final step of showing my faith. But it wasn't until I was about 14 that I realized I had never actually brought it to the forefront of my mind and personally acknowledged to the Lord that I accept Him as my Savior, even though I fully believed it in my heart already. Of course, then that's the night we had "The Talk". 
The Bible says the Lord looks on the heart, and He knew my real devotion to Him was already deep in there before that night anyways.

2. What is your favorite Bible verse?
"I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him."- Ecc. 3:14
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."- 1 John 4:10

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"-Psalms 8:3-4
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."-John 14:1-4
(Just to name a few... ;] )

3. What's your favorite color?
Dark green andddd...pink!

4. What are your favorite sports or other hobbies?
Horseback riding, photography, piano playing. 

5.  If you won $10,000 what would you do with it?
 Get a truck, get a horse, save it.

6.  What are your favorite shows/movies?
The Avengers, Flicka (with Tim McGraw), Sense & Sensibility, Gunsmoke 

7. What are some of your favorite books?
Sense & Sensibility, the Bible

8. What's your favorite animal and why?
Horses because they really are poetry in motion. Strength, capability, movement, response to the slightest touch when being rode. 
Cats because..well, they are just so darn CUTE! :D

9. What's your favorite season and why?
I want to say summer, but always go back to Autumn just because its scarf, boot, candle, crunchy leaf weather and just has this smell in the air.

10. What was one time you were in a very difficult situation and the Lord helped you?
He's been good to me.
**********************************************************************************************

Now it's my turn to do some nominating and I chose:
Mary at Mary's Place
Jan at Butterflies and Rainbows
Laura at Through My Eyes
Natasha at Day by Day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1) One state you'd like to visit, but never have?
2) Your earliest memory?
3) Your favorite memory?
4) What are you doing this weekend?
5) Something you could eat your weight in?
6) Is that glass really half empty or half full?
7) Favorite Bible verse?
8) Snow or Rain?
9) Worst injury?
10) Next thing you're most excited for?
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Start a new blog post.
Upload an image of your choice.
Answer my 10 questions above.
Then make up 10 new questions.
Nominate some bloggers.


Enjoy!