Westwoods

Yes, we're home from our four day vacation over to Oregon and back. How good it feels to say "We're Home!" A lot of the trip there and back on the road made me think of living out life in a Godly manner. The road with its bumps, curves, hills, and construction. The view along the Columbia River and Mount Hood. The good and bad; the beautiful and the drab mile after mile. I was impressed with the way Lora and Rawlin work together to get the job done whatever it is. Lora is my hero in the way she joins her man in life. I could learn a lesson or two from her. It was encouraging to be with family that sees each others faults but is accepting and encouraging in spite of what we aren't. Isn't that just like God? I also bumped into that verse written above... We are given everything we need by His divine power to live out our Godly lives through our knowledge of Him... We WILL overcome on this journey called life...Together... Encouraging...Growing in His knowledge.....

  I love the colors of these white shelves and bright dishes...   Relax...   A neat idea for a bathroom...   And of course, coffee with a friend... This is one of my favorite places in the area. Yesterday Joanna and I finally went into town for some girl time. Joanna has been here for around two weeks. We're taking her back to Oregon early tomorrow. We plan to be gone for the weekend. Anyhow, back to "Under the Sun"... It's the place you want to take all your girlfriends for coffee and for browsing the dishes and decor. I could spend two hours in there easily. After a visit to this place I have no trouble believing that I could enjoy heaven for all of eternity if it is filled with anything as fine as I find at this store.{I have a sneaking suspicion heaven is going to be a whole lot better.}

  I found this at the thrift store for .99 cents. What kind of craft is this? I know its glitsy and a bit garish but something about the colors I love. it's really growing on me too.   The same day I found this tiered plate thingy... Whats the proper name? It's robin, egg, blue with chocolate speckles. It was only $2.99 and the tag said it was vintage. I really doubt the vintage part for that price. Bruce says he's building me a smaller house next time if I don't stop buying frivolous things. {sometime ask him about all his frivolous things}   And just for the fun I put my chickens all together... How much pleasure should a person get out of things? We have close friends going through a very difficult time with the loss of a job and a baby on the way. We also have a sibling that is going through a dysfunctional family time. Lots of heartaches... The heart is heavy with the burden of it all. We pray and sympathize and help as we can. The things that bring pleasure aren...

        The greenhouse plants are doing well. I had little success in the one bed that was filled with lettuce, spinach, and radishes. The spinach did great but is now over. The green beans are too close together as Bruce said they were but they are close to picking. I have more tomatoes than I can use so I've been giving them away. For the first time in years I am seeing lupines bloom and our water/flower garden is taking off. It's our favorite place to go in the evening. We grab our cup of coffee and sit around the the small{and I do mean small}fish pond. For only a third of an acre we sure are making some great memories out there.

        On Sunday, we went over to Newport to visit our outreach church and to see Hans and Jo Anna, longtime friends. Most of our Bible study group ended up going as well. After church Hans and Jo invite our family and Danny Rawson family to their house for coffee and visit. Hans and Jo are the perfect host and hostess. They live cozy and drink coffee. Jo has a knack for decorating that is fun to browse. I love walking through the rooms and taking in the sights. Hans had a roaring fire going in the fireplace; while Jo served coffee in the "darlingest", little cups.{I want them for myself}. The nine kiddies played thoroughly and thrashed the boys room. I hope it didn't take Jo too long to fix up. There is nothing like a couple hours of good coffee and good friends to feel encouraged and loved.

    I love to clean... I have many friends that think I'm lying when I say this but it is true. Sorta. I love to walk into my house and smell good smells like clean laundry and candles. The truth is, I love to surface clean. I'm not so good at keeping drawers, cupboards, and closets clean. That's my secret. When I prepare to go on a trip I have morbid thoughts about suddenly be killed in an accident and family members going through the piles that reside in all my hidden places. I blush just thinking about it. Most the time I shove that thought into the corner like I do my piles of stuff. Once, when we were trying to sell one of our homes, a family from church wanted to do a walk through of our trailer. As is expected, the lady was walking through opening and closing closets and cupboards to see how much space was available. As she reached for the knob on the very, tiny closet in the hallway; I'm sure I yelped in pain because I knew what all was going to com...

        When Matt and Amy were here, Amy, April, and myself took our youngest with us for a fun day of shopping in Sandpoint. We had our hands full and got very little out of our eating out experience but the kiddoes got to know each other. Olivia decided she did not like Keagan, Shaunti tried bossing the whole thing, and little "Mima" just tried to cope.