books vs. movies

which do you think has more impact on a young person's life?

we've had this book for years:



and the boys enjoyed it, and had fun with it. it's been a couple of years since we used it, since it was in storage all last year, so i thought it would be a great way to jump start their imaginations for spring and get them away from screens (tv/computer/video games).

so i opened it and found this:



hm. inquiring minds want to know--what happened? who did it? what was the purpose behind it?

the two oldest brothers started laughing, in a reminiscent/ fond memory sort of way.
that was years ago, mom.
we wanted to hide some batteries.

did you read about that in the book? i ask.

no. we saw it in a movie.

:)

what's going on

one sure fire way to tell what's going on in the house is to look who's been taking pictures with my camera.








pete planted seeds.
he is taking the watering and making sure they get adequate sun (a challenge for sure this time of year!) very seriously.
he is *so excited* at the daily growth.







there is lots of sewing going on.
my mom was just here for a brief visit.
she helped answer some questions about attaching sleeves to a shirt.
i love watching the melding of generations and mutual respect shared.

and i humbly thank God again for bringing us back home.

awana grand prix

each year awana does a pinewood derby and this year was no exception. the boys didn't win anything (and i forgot to take individual pictures of their cars!) but they had fun.



this car won best design. it was made by our 12yo friend, breanna.

one afternoon......

i turned these:

into these:

(click to enlarge)

so easy! so fun.
and i finally figured out something to do with those shelves i was given 3 months ago!

colorable alphabet

i first saw this idea here and even though we've had these pans a while, and have made chocolates in them, i hadn't made crayons until now. they'll make great gifts for my 3yo sunday school class.

creativity has its consequences

there is always a mess to clean up


american girls samantha and kit relax with lemonade and snacks under a palm tree and clear blue sky.
in the window of our atelier

teacher appreciation

simple, cheap, easy. consummable and most of all... appreciated!
that, to me, describes the best teacher gift.
how many ceramic apples that say "#1 teacher" does a teacher need?
we bought notepads, covered the tops with fancy scrapbook paper (used elmer's glue) and added 3 dimensional stickers from the scrapbook aisle at target.




here's a close up view:


mike made his own, and olivia loved it so much, she wants to make them as party favors for her birthday party this year.

for my mom

here's the quilt fabric i ended up getting to make this zigzag quilt only instead of 12 different zigs with an additional outline, i'm going with an uneven number, and having it be a mirror image from the center. i just couldn't find 13 deep red fabrics that i liked. i started with the baseball fabric (i'm planning on it being a family room throw for our new house....if we ever get one).

casting

i'm currently working on knitting a scarf to match my carolina blue coat and black hat/gloves.
it wasn't easy to find yarn exactly like i had in mind, but eventually i did.
and when i cast on those 25 times, i thought of the verse,
"cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you."

ever think about that?

when you cast on for a knitting project, you don't want to take it back.
when you cast a fishing pole, you aim to bring it back altered. with something attached to it.
if you need a physical cast, a liquid is transformed into a protective solid.
casting agents for a play find people to pretend to be someone else.

the Bible talks about casting often:

• casting crowns
• casting lots
• perfect love casts out fear
• casting out demons
• better to be cast into the sea than cause a little one to sin
• casting into fire
• casting off all pity
• casting down righteousness
• casting sins to the depth of the sea

(there's more. go here for a free trial of my new favorite study bible through march 31).

is there something you need to cast on Him today and replace/transform it with His peace, His love, His Sovereignty/Holiness......

as for me, i'm casting my cares of clutter that is not mine (and i can't do anything about), school concerns (that are out of my control), fighting against principalities/spiritual forces (oh yes, it is real and we are going through it as a f a m i l y), and timing on the sale of our home (Lord Jesus, come quickly!)

if i can add yours to my prayer list, i would love to. comment or email privately.

you are loved!
jeremiah 31:3