I seem to remember that around this time last year I had no posts…  Summer is a strange time for me.

My dear friend reminded me that she checks in to see what I have posted and there has been nothing new.  This does NOT mean there is nothing new in my corner of the world!

I will link all of these bullets to the dates that I took the pix.  When the print is color instead of black, the link is done.  I will try to crank them out for you!   Click on the link if you want to see or read more.

A few bullets:

The end of the school year brought many activities.

James’ soccer team finished their season–champions!

Kate had her instrumental music concert.

Alexander turned 8.

They both were recognized for achievements in school at an assembly.

I started a shop for my creativity. It’s called Simple and Green.  I hope to have new things to post there soon too.  Crafting can take a lot of time… but I love it!

Rich went on tour with Joyful Noise through PA and OH.  He got to see the music hall of fame–the highlight of the trip for him.  Followed by the “homecoming concert” that finished this year of “noise”.

James and Kate went to R-Camp for a week.  They always have a fantastic time making new friends and seeing old ones, learning some independence and growing in spiritual principles.

Coco is growing.  Fast. Her personality is strong.  She is vocal about everything.  She is “on” and going non-stop, or “off” and sleeping deeply.  We wonder about her lineage.  Many comment that she looks like Akita.  We were told Sheltie mix…  We’ll see.

The 4th of July found us at a friend’s annual bash.  Pool.  Drinks.  Food. Fireworks.  Fun.

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Several years ago I saw some crafts in a museum store that seemed to be made from recycled paper.  I have wanted to make something similar ever since.

This is the result:  a trivet.

I tore out pages of an old fashion magazine and folded them until they were slender strips.  Winding over itself and securing with hot glue.  Adding the next piece.  Glue.  Until the circle grew large “enough”.  Then I cut out a bit of felt from my stash and glued that to the bottom.  Rimmed the edge with some ribbon.

And voila!  One less magazine in the recycle bin.  One less product bought.

I paired it with some bamboo cooking spoons and wrapped it in a kitchen cloth.  One fabulous birthday gift for a dear friend!

When death comes knocking it always makes us answer. We think that we should learn from death, but it was pointed out to me today that we really must learn from life.

I have been fortunate to have to face very few deaths in my life.

Distinct memories of my Dad’s tears at his father’s graveside when I was very young. The first funeral I’d ever been to. I am still touched by my Dad’s sorrow.

I felt extreme loss and pain at my grandmother’s death followed only a few weeks later by her husband. Watching my mom loose both of her parents so quickly was tragic. I remember thinking how much they loved each other and were so interdependent. Nana and Grandad were foundational in our family. I still feel emptiness in their absence.

Today was the memorial service for a friend. A peer. Janet was only 35 years old. She was a wife. A mother of three. Just like me…

Her battle with cancer was long. I have prayed to God countless times that she would be healed as have many others. Prayer for her and her family has been a regular announcement at church for a very long time. It has felt very hard to understand why God would take such a vibrant, happy, fun, and faithful lady. We cannot understand. We can try to learn from her example.

So many scriptures were shared today that not only exemplified Janet, but that are a reminder of how to live a faith-filled life. I am inspired by her. I Am encouraged by her even in her death. I know that she would want that.

I will quote here a poem that her oldest son, a 7^th grader, read today.

I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free

I’m following the path God has chosen for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call;

I tuned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work, or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way;

I’ve now found peace at the end of day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joys.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;

Oh yes, these things, I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow

Look for the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much;

Good friends, good time, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seems all too brief;

Don’t lengthen your pain with undue grief.

Life up your heart and peace to thee,

God wanted me now, He set me free.

–Shannon Lee Moseley

I am grateful to have been one of the many who was touched by Janet’s love and life. She will be carried with me always.

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For some reason this year, I was all about Halloween.  I usually put up the spider web and that’s about it.  This year, I reinvented / recycled a bunch of stuff.  I made a mini grave yard from cardboard and paint I already had around the house.   A few ghosts from an old sheet, some stuffing, and a sharpie. The kids’ costumes are all from the thrift store for no more than $5 ea.  I made James’ mustache (felt) and Kate’s parasol (from an old lampshade).

I also decided to spend some serious time carving a pumpkin. (I got the stencil from WWF.)  The kids each carved a pumpkin too.

For dinner we had a fabulous soup I made up using a bunch of the produce from our farmer Ray.  Potatoes, sweet potatoes, leeks, mushrooms, carrot, zucchini, and a bacon seasoning mix.  Yummy!

The neighbors and friends gathered around 6:30 and they were off.  The rain held off to a slight drizzle so that didn’t stop the excitement.  I sat on my front step with a glass of wine, my knitting, and wearing a “Black Eyed Pea” costume (thanks mom).  The treats were flowing!

I think we have enough candy to last for months– and that’s AFTER I ate more than my share!

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Raggedy Andy and Raggedy Ann costumes are a reprise from my parents.  They wore them many years ago AND my mom made them!  Too cute!

The party was amazing.  Talk about “doing it up”.  There were decorations in every corner of the house.  Really.  The food was all labeled with crazy spooky names.  There were spider webs, ghosts and goblins, a haunted village, and skull cups.  Thanks Christine and Kevin for a fun time!

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Had a very belated birthday celebration with some friends.  Thanks ladies!

The pix aren’t all that, but at least it’s a memory right?!

Looking forward to next time!

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Our next door neighbor is in a band called House of Echo.  They are becoming fast recognized in the DC music scene. (click the link and take a listen)

They asked if Rich could join them for this concert “Rock 4 Jesus” that was raising $ for kids in Guatemala.  It was rockin’!

My pix are many.  Most are edited since my camera bag was mysteriously missing the footing for my tripod!  ARGH!

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Neighbor friends of ours have Shadow’s best friend.  How can dogs have best friends you ask?  They just clicked.  Lily walks past our front yard several times a day.  It became natural to chat.  Those chats turned into friendships for all of us–  Dogs, Kids, and Adults!

We’ve had dinners and drinks at each others’ homes, and even a doggie birthday party for Lily.  Our kids like to play too.  But especially great is the way Lily and Shadow are together.  They play and run and are happy together.

This weekend, I “dog sat” Lily.  These pix are a few from her visits to our house so she’d not be alone for four days.  I swear she’s smiling!

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Retreeeeet!  I left out of the house in the opposite direction of my family for a weekend away.  It was fabulous.

Kir and I went to our church Women’s Retreat a day early so as to unplug from the summer and be able to focus.  The theme was GPS: Growing Peaceful and Secure.

We arrived in the early afternoon and walked across the parking lot to a shopping plaza that had a HUGE used bookstore where we could have spent a week, a shoe store where we both came out with new sandles, and a Dollar General where we found deals on things we didn’t even know we needed/wanted!  The afternoon had dissolved into evening and our hunt for a place of dinning ensued…without a GPS!  We drove around “nowhere’sville” for an hour before coming back to our plaza Burger King for take out!   But God is so encouraging and gave us a FULL rainbow to gaze at while munching from our room.

The conference was filled with friends, song, fellowship, lessons, discussions, laughter and tears, prayer and worship, food, and talent.  And despite the lack of a working air conditioner (and only 2 huge fans) we had a great journey!  I learned how important my relationships are, with those both older and younger than me.  We have so much to offer each other.

The sound of the ocean is constant.  We can hear it at first, but then we ignore it as background noise until we consciously listen.  In the same way, we must consciously listen to God’s voice for direction.  I realized that my peace and security are dependent on my surrender to God… Growing Peaceful and Secure!

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Since we’d all been up late the night before partying, we hung out at home chillin’ in the AM.  Then off to another pool party.  The Joyful Noise directors hosted this one.  The weather was not the usual sweltering July, so the pool was kinda cold!  But more food and fellowship made up for it.