Peanut Blossom Giveaway!

A cool internet location was brought to my attention by my good friend, Colet. Colet made these beautiful market bags for her friend Tiffany. As soon as I save up some spening money, I will buy one from her. They are both fashionable and functional and made with love by Coco.

But--take a look at Tiffany's site. She is a talented seamstress, and I'm trying to catch up on her blog and see her work. If you visit her website and leave a comment, you are in the running to win a very lovely collection of fabric, pin cushion, strawberry pins and quilting thread. Needless to say, I am a sewing moron, but I hope to take some sewing lessons from my mom-in-law or sister-in-law (who graciously offered to teach me years ago) or patronize the local JoAnn's or Michael's. The image I have of myself in my first sewing class is me getting caught in a serger or accidentally sewing myself to the table. Everyone has to start somewhere, so I will start at the bottom. Are there sewing machines with training wheels? :)

A River Runs Through It

A couple of weeks ago, John took a trip to Colorado to do some fly-fishing with three of his good college friends, Kevin, Bill and Joe. They've been friends for about 15 years now and try to get together every couple of years. This year they met at Bill's house and then headed to Almont, CO for some fishing on the Gunnison and Taylor rivers. I am so glad that John was able to go have some down time with good friends before school starts up for him. It is really neat to see how these guys have remained close across the miles and years and to see them grow in maturity, develop their careers and grow their families.

Choosing Thomas

TK and Deidrea Laux were planning for their first child's birth when they got the very difficult news that their son, Thomas, had Trisomy 13 and would not live long after birth if he survived it at all. This is a beautiful, sad and heroic love story about a little baby boy and the parents who fell in love with him before he was born. Life is so precious----why don't we love each other like it were the last day of our lives? Thomas Laux and his parents taught me that today.

Mayim Bialik

Anyone remember "Blossom," an early 90s sitcom about a teenager played by Mayim Bialik? She was a young actress and practicing Jew who is now married with children and holds a doctorate degree. What I found interesting was that her parenting methods were called 'controversial.' However, they are pretty normal among a lot of family and friends of mine. Hearing her talk about the importance of her faith and raising her kids in an atmosphere where their faith is lived was very edifying. Check it out here.

Friday is here!

Friday mornings are the best mornings of the work week for me, and maybe for most people. I get out of bed and realize that it isthe last day of the work week--always a welcome thought. It means happier coworkers, not as much phone ringing, pizza for lunch compliments of my boss, and this Friday is payday. :) That means a trip to the bank to withdraw the cash that we'll need for the month: groceries, household, spending. And then when I get home, I'll write the first checks of the month to our parish and to another charity. The mortgage check comes next.

As I see the money come in and go out for bills and such, I am reminded that we can have a home and spending money and give to charity because of getting up in the morning to go to a job that I am grateful to have. So, on Monday when I sit up, blinking my eyes open and realizing that it's the start of another week, I'll remember that many of the blessings I have are because God has given me the opportunity to work.

...or maybe I'll feel more grateful after the first cup of coffee. :)

A Walking Novena

Today I started a Novena to St. Therese. Instead of driving, I walked around Poulsbo, specifically to the library which is my frequent hangout during lunch break. The prayer, along with the 24 Glory Be's, was nice to pray while walking up the big hill and being out in the sunshine eating blackberries along the way. I especially liked how the prayer states when asking the favor from God, "if it is in accordnace with Thy most Holy Will and is not an obstacle to my salvation." That, coupled with the 24 Glory Be's of gratitude, helped me have purity of intention and humility in the face of all my blessings.