Saturday's Song - The First Noel & Joy To The World

Well this will be my last installment of the Christmas version of Saturday’s song. I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas day yesterday. I hope it was filled with the ones you love celebrating the birth of one who loved us so much He came to this earth born in a humble stable to save us from an eternity of being lost.

We will be traveling today to spend the rest of the holiday season with my family in Boise. It has almost been a year since we were last there and I’m still reeling from what happened to the year that has flown by so quickly I wonder where it went. They say time flies when you’re having fun, I don’t think 2009 was a particularly fun year (only a few great highlights) but not working has had some plus sides to it.

I still keep coming across Christmas songs that are my favorites but I will end it with these two.

The First Noel
as sang by Carrie Underwood

The First Noel, the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!



Joy To The World
as sang by Casting Crowns on the "Peace on Earth" album

Joy to the world
The Lord has come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and nature sing

Joy to the world
The Savior Reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

He rules the world
With truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love

Saturday's Song - O Come All Ye Faithful & Silent Night

This is my 100th post and I'm less than 2 weeks away from my Blogoversary, wow!

I can't believe Christmas is less than a week away...where did the last month go? But then again where has the last year gone. This has probably been one of the better Christmas holidays we've had in a long time...even though we are short on finances this year and are paring way back. Scott has had very few days in the last 2 weeks where he has actually worked and in the next several weeks things look as if they will be slow for him as well. We went to his Christmas party tonight and the owner of the company he works for apologized to all the guys for being slow but also expressed that they were hoping things would pick up soon and that this is the first time ever they have had to deal with these challenges....for being in the construction industry that is pretty good if this is the first time they have encountered a slow time. Since Scott has been home more, we have decorated together, baked together, shopped together, wrapped together, watched Christmas movies together and have been spending a lot of time together...he's been speaking one of my love languages. It has just made this normally hectic time flow so much smoother and relaxing for me.

Here are another 2 Christmas favorites of mine. I can remember singing "O Come All Ye Faithful" year round though in church (especially those years where my dad was the worship leader).


O Come All Ye Faithful
Casting Crowns from the Peace on Earth album

O come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye
To Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the king of angels
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the lord

Sing, choirs of angels
Sing in exaltation
Sing, all ye citizens
Of heaven above
Glory to God
Glory in the highest
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

Yeah Lord we greet thee
Born this happy morning
Jesus to thee be all glory give
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

O come let us adore Him
He is Christ the Lord
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him




Silent Night
Casting Crowns from the Peace on Earth album

Silent night
Holy night
All is calm
All is bright
Round yon virgin
Mother and child
Holy infant
So tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night
Holy night
Shepherds quake
At the sight
Glory streams
From heaven afar
Heavenly hosts
Sing alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born

With the angels
Let us sing
Alleluias to the King
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born

Christmas Tour of Homes 2009

Last year at this time I came across The Tour of Homes 2008 from one of the blog's I follow and thought it was pretty cool and loved some of the decorating ideas that others had. I thought about joining in then but I hadn't started a blog yet and I had a lot going on last year so I kept it in mind to do this year. If you have a chance go here to check out everyone who has joined in on this years tour; it can be overwhelming so you have to do it over a period of time since there are so many. If you would like to join in you can also do so by adding your link to that post.
This is what the outside of our house looks like all lit up. We used to put up two of those animated deer and three spiral trees in the yard, however, after the last two winters we've had, where the snow is so deep they are buried, we've left them in their boxes. Maybe one of these years we will have a mild winter again and they'll be able to join the rest of the holiday lights again. We try to get these lights up the weekend before Thanksgiving before a lot of the snow starts to fall.We usually try to get the inside decorated the weekend after Thanksgiving or that first week in December. It takes a couple of days to get it all up and this year I was so thankful that Scott helped put up 90% of the decorations. I hate doing it all by myself and it feels more like a holiday if you can do the decorating as a family.

Two years ago we added the smaller 4' tree to our decor and I use it to put all the grandkids ornaments and any fun type of ornaments...making it our grandkids tree. I got this wonderful idea from my stepmom, who puts up about 15 (I think that is the number this year) trees (mind you they are the pencil trees) all decorated differently and put throughout the house. I collect ornaments and I have so many that I can decorate two trees and they both end up very full. I've also added to our main big tree lots of twisted glass icicles and a lot of clear (crystal looking) snowflakes. The picture of our banister all lit up is taken standing next to the larger tree, so all of this is in our living room area of the house. At night when all the lights are off besides the Christmas lights and all the candles lit our room ends up being so beautiful and cozy. The "Noel" blocks in front of my tv were a gift from my stepdaughter last year, so this is the first year I was able to add them to the decor.We put all the stuffed "toys" on the stairs and the snowman at the piano is one of those Hallmark specials that is Scott's favorite...he feels the need to hit the button at least a couple of times a day going up the stairs....it cracks me up that he is so much of a kid inside.

The red and gold floral arrangement on the floor is one we got from my dad and stepmom that was part of the decor in their December wedding several years back.

In the picture with the two Santa's (the closer one) is a new addition this year. It belonged to Scott's parents and he has always remembered and loved this Santa and has wanted it passed down to him. His mom passed away almost 4 years ago and his dad brought it over to him a couple of weeks ago when he came across it while going through things, making Scott very happy that he now gets the Santa (apparently it is a very old one as well).

The cream colored nativity in the bookcase is probably the oldest (aside from some of my collected ornaments) of my Christmas decorations. I've had this since the early nineties, way before Scott and I were married, and it is one of my favorites to put up.

As you can see I have a lot of candles all over too, I've learned it is best to just use a lot of tealights so I don't have all these candle cups to clean out.

These are only some of the ornaments I've collected over the years. I love Tinkerbell and have several ornaments with her, we have several from different trips we have made, and my sister and I always exchange an ornament with each other every year. A lot of years it will be a "sisters" ornament but not always. The Santa and Mrs. Claus ornament in the bottom right corner of the picture above is really cute, I have it on a spinner thing that you plug into one of the sockets on the light strand and it spins around like they are really dancing. The two bears kissing on a pinecone in the top right corner, was our first ornament for our first Christmas together.

This is the first year I've done the top of my tree so elaborately with all the "stuff" coming out of the top with the angel. After seeing so many trees decorated this way at the Festival of Trees I decided to try it on our tree this year.

We got our tree the first year after being married (so we've had it 9 years now) and it is 7.5' pre-lit with 800 lights (last year I put flashers in some of the strings so it kind of twinkles) and has a motor in the base of it that makes it spin around. I love this because we get to see all of the ornaments on the tree. This year we had quite a bit of trouble with the lights because after 8 years, there were a bunch of bulbs that had just had it and needed to be replaced so I ended up replacing a ton of them before we could even decorate it.

These remaining pictures are throughout the house. Above my kitchen cabinets I have the snowmen with the silver metal trees, the Santa next to the green sleigh, the pencil trees with poinsettias, and the silver lit tree. The nativity was a new addition last year and is one of my favorites. The white poinsettia trees and the poinsettias going down the railing downstairs are also leftover wedding decorations from my dad and stepmom's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding all the "Christmasy" decorations. I do have a few more things here and there but I already overdid it in the pictures department.

I hope you enjoyed seeing all my decorations, I know I enjoy doing it. My house makes a transformation at this time of year, I take down all my pictures and collectibles that are usually on the bookcase and hutch and put up Christmas. I try to get as much enjoyment out of it every year. Sorry for this being such a long post, if I decide to do this again next year, it shouldn't be so long.

Merry Christmas & God's blessings to everyone this holiday.

Saturday's Song - The Virgin's Lullaby & Joseph's Lullaby

These two songs are ones I remember hearing for the first time last year and I just love them both.

The Virgin's Lullaby
performed by The Nativity Voices (from the movie "The Nativity Story")

I am a shepherd
Humbled by Heaven's bright star
I am nothing to offer
But the peace that I hold in my heart
Tonight I saw the Heaven's open
As angels filled the sky
But nothings ever touched my soul
Like a virgin's lullaby

Chorus
Sleep tonight
Close your eyes
Oh child of mine
You bring the world love
Glory divine

We are the kings
Traveled so far from the East
Bearing gifts
To lay before the Prince of Peace
We've seen the world and all its wonder
But here before our eyes
We're humbled by the miracle
Of a virgin's lullaby

Chorus
Sleep tonight
Close your eyes
Oh child of mine
You bring the world love
Glory divine

We are the angels
Sent from the throne on high
To join in this lullaby
His praises we sing

Chorus
Sleep tonight
Close your eyes
Oh child of mine
You bring the world love
Glory divine

Let your light shine
Bring the world love
Glory devine




Joseph's Lullaby
by Mercy Me on their Christmas Sessions album

Go to sleep my Son
This manger for your bed
You have a long road before You
Rest Your little head

Can You feel the weight of Your glory?
Do You understand the price?
Does the Father guard Your heart for now
So You can sleep tonight?

Go to sleep my Son
Go and chase Your dreams
This world can wait for one more moment
Go and sleep in peace

I believe the glory of Heaven
Is lying in my arms tonight
Lord, I ask that He for just this moment
Simply be my child

Go to sleep my Son
Baby, close Your eyes
Soon enough You'll save the day
But for now, dear Child of mine
Oh my Jesus, Sleep tight

Saturday's Song - Breath of Heaven & Mary Did You Know

Another couple of Christmas favorites of mine.


Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)
as sang by Amy Grant

I have traveled
Many moonless night
Cold and Weary
With a babe inside
And I wonder
What I've done
Holy Father
You have come
Chosen me now
To carry your son

I am waiting
in a silent prayer
I am frightened
by the load i bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone
Be with me now
Be with me now

Chorus
Breath of Heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me, your holiness
For your holy
Breath of Heaven


Do you wonder
As you watch my face
If a wiser one, should of had my place
But I offer-all I am
For the mercy-of your plan
Help me be strong
Help me be
Help me

Chorus




Mary Did You Know
as sang by Mark Lowry (he also wrote this song)


Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby
You've kissed the face of God

Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am

Oh Mary did you know?

Linking to some good stuff - Volume 3

An inspiring video about loving your spouse

A great post about forgiveness, an act I have to reflect upon and practice on occasion

Why? Why do a video of this? Why even go so far as to put it on YouTube?


A good post that I thought explained being a Christian really well. I too grew up in church and not that I fell away from the Lord but I know that I wasn’t CLOSE to Him for years and recently I’ve been back to being closer to Him.


This post is kinda long but the blogger was a guest writer for the Crazy Love book the Bloom Book Club was covering and her post is REALLY good.


This post brought tears to my eyes….I can remember having a couple of dogs that expressed such great joy at my coming home.


I think this is a great Christmas tradition to carry out

Saturday's Song - Away In A Manger

Since we are in the holiday season I thought for the next 5 Saturday's I would do a Christmas song or two that are my favorites.

This song I can remember clear back to my childhood singing in many Christmas programs at church or school and has always been a favorite.

Away In A Manger
(this one is sang by Patty Loveless)

Away in a manger,
no crib for His bed,
The little Lord Jesus
lay down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky
looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus,
asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing,
the poor Baby wakes,
But little Lord Jesus,
no crying He makes;
I love Thee, Lord Jesus,
look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle
till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay,
Close by me forever,
and love me, I pray!
Bless all the dear children
in Thy tender care
And take us to heaven,
to Live with Thee there.




What is your favorite Christmas song?

Black Friday....Madness?

I've probably always done some shopping on "Black Friday" when I was younger, as I was always the one who loved to shop, but I never did the crazy...get up in the middle of the night...shopping. I've never been a morning person and generally if I am up at 3-5 am it is because I have yet to go to bed from the night before.

One year (2004) my sister and my mom were at our house for Thanksgiving and my sister and I had perused the newspaper ads, found some good deals and thought we'd get up SUPER early to run out and get our treasures and come back home and go back to bed (she too is a night owl and together we can stay up late, catching up, whatnot). We fell asleep on the living room floor, talking, went out did our shopping and that was the year I started to get hooked on it. It was fun getting up early (not that I'd want to do it all the time, but once a year or so is fun) getting a special coffee drink, standing in the cold with all the other die hards and being with someone else made it something fun to do.

The next year (2005) it was a Thanksgiving of just my husband and I and I was (surprisingly) able to talk my husband into going with me on this crazy shopping trip. He is a morning person so getting up early didn't bother him too much, getting a special coffee...he loved...then he saw the MADNESS (long lines you wait in, the pushy people grabbing the last one of what you were just going to get) inside a couple of the stores and couldn't believe it. He kept saying this is insane, however, I still enjoyed myself.

The following year (2006) I was sure my husband wouldn't join me in my endeavor again but I was able to introduce my oldest stepdaughter to this wonderful day after Thanksgiving tradition. She had worked in retail the several years before and has always been able to see it from the working side of things but this was her first try as being the customer. I made it kinda fun and made up a couple of little blank notebooks for us to make our lists in and jot down ideas of what to get those we needed to buy for and be able to check off what we got. We ventured out early, got our special coffee (which she is an addict to anyways) and stood in line. We giggled and shivered and had a blast...she was HOOKED! We went to so many different stores and shopped til early afternoon.

In 2007 we were in a teeny tiny but wonderful mountain town with my Dad & stepmom Terry and there were no stores that held any sort of Black Friday shopping deals...which was fine by me (hey, I can skip a year and it doesn't bother me at all) we helped decorate for Christmas instead and my stepdaughter in her own town did the Black Friday shopping but we still remained in contact as to what good deals she found, etc...

In 2008 we were in Lewiston with my stepdaughter and her family for Thanksgiving so I went with her and her friends....yeah...one of which was up and in line at Walmart at 1:30 am...with a nice little heater, saving us a place in line. It was pure madness....everyone rushing to what they wanted (oh, by the way, I am a people watcher too so just watching these pushy people was fun as well). We shopped until later in the morning and went to breakfast and went home for a nap.

This year was another year of my husband and I being at home by ourselves but he piped up and mentioned he would go with me if I wanted to go shopping this year...of course I do...by now there is a feel good feeling that I get when I go out on this crazy shopping day, that is invigorating and fun. So yesterday I perused all the ads (and I'm going to admit this totally OCD way I did it, but I put all the ads in order by if we were leaving our house and making a huge circle and the order of what stores we would come to...I wanted to make it easier when I did my list).

Since this year has been a difficult one for us financially we weren't getting too much but I want to highlight on the few wonderful deals we did get. Cabela's (opening at 6 am...not too terribly early) had these Roughneck jeans (regularly $24.95) on sale for $9.95. Since my husband likes Levi 501 jeans, and they are generally $40+ and the cheapest I can ever find them on sale is $32, I wanted him to look these jeans over, try them on to see if they fit well and he liked them so we could get them for him to wear to work instead of his expensive jeans. Yeah, on a tight budget we saved a bunch on the jeans, he liked them so we got 3 pairs, when the guy gave us our total, we paid for 3 pairs what I would normally pay for 1 pair of the Levi's....score! Walmart was doing price matches on other store ads and I wanted to get the Uno Moo game for our granddaughter (which was at Kmart for $12.99 & they opened at 6 am too - and way too far away to make sure we got one) so we checked Walmart for it, they had one left on the shelf. Walmart also had in their ads these reversible, puffy down type coats for men, women and children for $7. I've been wanting a coat of this type for a year or so but I figured they would all be gone by the time we got to Walmart so I didn't even write it on my list. When we got there and I was making my way back to toys (to get the game) I passed by all these racks that had these coats and they had a bunch of them still left and the top of the rack was marked $4...I figured that was a mistake and checked their ad and it did say $7 so I picked one out...it rang up for $4 and the checker told me that yeah they sometimes will have in store sales like that....unbelieveable to me that I got a coat like I've been wanting for that cheap. I truly believe that it was a gift from God because He knew I've been wanting one and it really had to be cheap for me to get one. We went to a few other stores to get a few stocking stuffer type items, to Costco for a few groceries and our free cookbook and then we needed to make a quick stop at the mall for Bath & Body Works. Scott had let me know a couple of days earlier that he was getting low on cologne and back in the summer he had found one they carried that we both really liked. I had 3 different coupons for Bath & Body Works so I figured I could get him a stocking stuffer and use up these coupons. I ended up with pine scented oils for our burner and our plug in thing and a free lotion along with his cologne and I only paid $3 more than what his cologne was...I like how they allow you to use all kinds of coupons in one shopping trip.

We were both beat so we headed back home to take naps because we were going downtown to see the Festival of Trees and the lighting ceremony that the Coeur d' Alene Resort puts on every year. We hadn't been down there for the last several years and it is something we enjoy doing. We have had a very fun, eventful day.

I know many people don't understand the craziness behind shopping on this day but it is like I heard a lady say on the TV the other night, when you are on a small budget, (especially in such a bad economy as what we have right now) you try to get more bang for your buck and this kind of a shopping day makes it easier to do so. My brother got his first taste of it this year as he was looking for the Nintendo DS and Walmart had them for $98. He couldn't believe how wild it was, how crowded it was, but he started looking around at some of the things on sale and was better able to understand it a bit. He said he found a few things he'd like to have but since he wasn't shopping for himself he by-passed them.

I myself have always been lucky (I know it is the Lord blessing me) to not have to encounter the rude, pushy people on this shopping day. I always encounter the other ones who are kind and considerate, say excuse me, or even help you look for what you are looking for if you help them as well...makes for a much more pleasant shopping experience.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wow....an actual post that doesn't coincide with my Saturday's Song segment...but with today being Thanksgiving I wanted to do a quick post for what I am thankful for. For those of you who are on my Facebook some of these will be familiar since for the last 2 weeks I was participating in a challenge of daily posting what I am thankful for. I was really enjoying seeing what everyone else posted as well.

I am thankful for:

• Jesus, my Savior...He has saved me from an eternity of hell and being lost
• My husband...even though some days I wish some things were different or I'd like to change him in some ways, I can't imagine being without him
• My home...even though some days I wish it were a different house
• My car...I love it and in 4 years, I haven't had any problems with it and still have not found one I like more
• My friends...I've had so many that I've known through the years some for a long time and several for just a short time but they have all brought something good into my life
• My family...I was raised in a close-knit one and my siblings and I all get along and love each other
• My hobbies...I have several that I love to do (stamping, crocheting, reading, baking, beading)
• My education...my parents sacrificed to put my siblings and I through private school and I am so grateful for that
• My freedom and all those who serve or who have served in the armed forces so I can have those freedoms
• My health...for a year we haven't had health insurance and we've only had a few minor illnesses
• Music...I love music, both listening to it and singing it
• Prayers of my friends and family
• My mind...I have so many good memories to remember
• My ease of joy and laughter
• The beauty and scents of nature...I live in the mountains surrounded by pine trees, lakes, fresh mountain air and lots of my favorite flowers
• Makeup...without it I look like I haven't woken up yet
• Faith and hope
• My grandkids & stepkids...I didn't have any children of my own and I am able to spoil and do for them what I would have done for my own kids had I had any

I know I could come up with so many more if I took the time but I need to end this list somewhere. I'm even thankful for this last year. It has been a hard one for us, me being unemployed, we've had to make a few sacrifices but it has been a nice "vacation" from the workforce that I think I really needed. I know from the line of work that I was in that I would tend to get to a point where I hated people and I don't like that kind of me. I think that the Lord knew I needed to make a change in ME and get some of my priorities straight. I'm hoping and praying that He will bring me a new job in a field I would be happy in.

I hope everyone has had a wonderfully, blessed and enjoyable Thanksgiving.

Saturday's Song - My Wish

I almost didn't get this weeks song done. We spent a large portion of our day putting up the Christmas lights outside trying to beat the snow we are supposed to get tonight and tomorrow and after dinner I was so tired I fell asleep on the couch at 7:30....on a Saturday night. Most of you who know me would find that surprising as well. Scott's the one who always falls asleep that early, not me. But after a 2 hour nap I woke up and figured I'd get this post done so I could go to bed.

I heard this song last night on the radio and thought it would be a good one to highlight. I wish....for all of my loved ones...what this song says. I need to keep it in my mind fresh for myself as well.

My Wish
Rascal Flatts

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you want to go
And if you're faced with the choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you

And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin' til you find the window
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
But more than anything, more than anything

My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish

I hope you never look back but you never forget
All the ones who love you and the place you left
I hope you always forgive and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get

Oh, you'd find God's grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take
But more than anything, yeah more than anything

My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish, yeah yeah

My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish
(My wish for you)

This is my wish
(My wish for you)
I hope you know somebody loves you
(My wish for you)
May all your dreams stay big
(My wish for you)

To see a video with this song click here.

Saturday's Song - I Believe

This song is one that I just wanna get up and dance when I hear it. The message is so good too...I believe in God, I'll shout it from the mountains and I'm not ashamed to talk about it.

I know there are a lot of times in my Christian walk where I don't express this enthusiasm as much as I should. Mainly though because I let "things" in life get me down and blind me to the excitement of what life should be. I want every day to be a pleasure and wake up to another day of serving & trusting in Him.

I Believe
Zoegirl

I used to close my eyes and pray the time would pass me by
So I could fly away in my dreams to anywhere unreal
And I'd hide away from everything
I didn't know what was real, I didn't know the truth
There was a day when somebody introduced me to You
And You breathed Your life in me
You set me free...

Chorus:
Now I'll shout it from the mountain
That I'm not the same that I used to be
I believe in God, believe in God
I'm not ashamed to talk about it
To a world that slowly slips away
That I believe in God, believe in God

Now at the end of the day when
nothing seems to go my way
I've got a friend, I've got a
love that's never gonna let me go
Since You gave Your life for me
You set me free...

Chorus:
Now I'll shout it from the mountain
That I'm not the same that I used to be
I believe in God, believe in God
I'm not ashamed to talk about it
To a world that slowly slips away
That I believe in God, believe in God

Oh, when I feel so alone
He comes to sweetly say
It's all gonna be okay
Oh, when my emotions flow
He comes to sweetly say
It's all gonna be okay

Chorus:
Now I'll shout it from the mountain
That I'm not the same that I used to be
I believe in God, believe in God
I'm not ashamed to talk about it
To a world that slowly slips away
That I believe in God, believe in God


To see the video of this song click here. I can't embed this video into my blog.

Saturday's Song - Praise You In This Storm

This week was a really bad week that I hope we will not have to repeat for awhile.

Scott finally went to Immediate Care on Monday and found out he had bronchitis. I'm really glad I pushed him to go because bronchitis turns into pneumonia if you don't get antibiotics to keep it from getting worse. He has had pneumonia before so he could get it easily and it took a month for me to get over it back in May. So far I've been able to keep it to just a head cold, I've been continuing with all the vitamins and Tylenol Cold. I still keep up with the hand sanitizer if I’ve been out somewhere.

Earlier this week some of the guys Scott has been working with were laid off and then on Wednesday he was told that on Friday (yesterday) after he was finished with this job he’s been on for awhile that he was going to be laid off for about 3 weeks. Because I had already had one big shock for the week Scott was afraid to say anything to me but when he did I think he was surprised that I didn’t freak out. I think it is because I was still in a state of shock. I am almost at a one year anniversary of being unemployed and quickly running out of unemployment funds with no confirmations on any of the jobs I’ve been praying I get. But after Scott talked to the owner and he mentioned going down Monday to file for unemployment he told Scott to hold off they were going to be having a meeting on Monday and from the way he talked they are going to keep him working one way or another. Praise the Lord!! We already know this Christmas is going to be one of the bleakest for us ever but we are just trying to keep our heads above water in this terrible economy….um what happened to our President creating jobs to help the growing number of unemployed?

The week ended pretty good when I got an e-mail this morning from one of my favorite authors, Stef Ann Holm, (she lives in Boise) whose blog I also follow that I had won an autographed copy of her latest book. I had just read the first 2 books in this series and I had gone through and caught myself up to all of the books she has written in the past. She posted to her blog how she came up with a winner and it involved her Yorkie dog....perfect, since that is the next dog I am wanting to get....a sign? Maybe.

Needless to say since our week was a bad one I really wanted this to be my song for the week. Another song I love and have ever since I first heard it on the radio. We may have been weathering a storm this week but He's still with us.


Praise You In This Storm
Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will life my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Saturday's Song - The More I Seek You

So it has been 2 weeks since I did my last post. Last weekend we went to Lewiston and I didn't get my post done ahead of time so I just skipped it. I have REALLY been neglecting my blog lately. I do have several cards that I've been working on that I need to get posted.

Scott started getting sick last weekend and he usually kicks it pretty quickly but he's been fighting it all week and I'm afraid we'll have to make a trip to the Immediate Care center so he can get an antibiotic because I'm thinking from the sounds of him and what he is coughing up...he may have bronchitis. He has had walking pneumonia before and I'm afraid if he lets it go too far he'll end up with it again. Having insurance would be helpful....if only. Especially since it is so easy for me to catch any and every bug that goes around. I've been popping TONS of vitamin supplements (because I have such a poor immune system) and I've been spraying Lysol everywhere and using the Lysol disinfectant wipes to swab everything he has touched to keep me from picking up the germs.

This week's song is one my sister sent to me as a suggestion since they sing it in her church during worship and I just loved it from the moment I heard it. They lyrics are very simple and heartfelt.


The More I Seek You
Kari Jobe

The more I seek you,
The more I find you
The more I find you,
The more I love you

I wanna sit at your feet
Drink from the cup in your hand.
Lay back against you and breathe, feel your heart beat
This love is so deep, it's more than I can stand.
I melt in your peace, it's overwhelming

Saturday's Song - In Christ Alone

Sorry I skipped Saturday’s song last weekend. I was busy on Saturday and then on Sunday I felt like my body was trying to fight being sick because all I wanted to do was sleep. With all we are hearing in the media right now with this Swine (H1N1 or as I like to refer to it as the hiney) flu going around, I am fearful of getting it. The school that Scott has been working on has had about a 10% attendance decrease because of it and several teachers have also been out this week. There have even been about 5 deaths in the area that are related to the flu; one a coach for Post Falls that was in perfect health. A few nights ago, while sleeping, Satan kept trying to attack my mind. I had nightmares all night about getting it to the point of I was terrified of leaving my house. Since we don’t have insurance and I have a terrible immune system I’m just fearful of what could happen but I need to put my faith in God that we will be okay.

I just finished devouring the autobiography of Michael English “The Prodigal Comes Home”. I say devoured because autobiographies are hard for me to get into and read and it generally takes me awhile to finish one but this one I finished in 2 days it was so good. If you’re looking for a good book to read check this one out.

I was raised listening to southern gospel music and was a fan of Michael English before his big scandal and the several years that followed where he continued running away from God. (I even have all of his albums that he did as pop music.) I didn’t know what all he got involved in but it all comes out in this book and it is a miracle he is living to tell about it. He completely turned his life back around towards God and is back with the Gaither Vocal Band.

I thought it was quite sad in his book how he mentioned there were churches that he would attempt to attend that would just ask him to leave. It is those types of churches and “Christians" that make trying to witness to someone who is lost very hard.

This is one of my favorites that Michael has done and the words really were speaking to me in this time in my life where I need to be placing my trust in Christ.

In Christ Alone
Michael English

In Christ alone will I glory
Though I could pride myself
In battles won
For I've been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone, I overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes
Like diamonds in my hands
But these trophies could not equal
To the grace, by which I stand

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory
In the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

In Christ alone will I glory
For only by His grace
I am redeemed
And only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness
To my need
Now I seek no greater honor
Than just to know Him more
And to count my gains but losses
And to the glory of my Lord

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory
In the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

Mojo Monday #107

I'm going to try something new...a sketch challenge.
I've never participated in one of these before but I sure have looked at lots of them. I follow the Mojo Monday Sketch Blog and I use them a lot for ideas on what to do on my next card but this time I'm going to participate as well.

I have a friend whose birthday is this weekend and we are going to a surprise party for her 50th Birthday so I knew I wanted the main colors of my card to be black and white.
For my stamps I used Autumn Leaves Florishes V2 set and created my own background on the large piece of white and around the white circle in silver. The "Happy Birthday" is by Parked on Rubber.

I used my Nestabilities Large Circle dies to cut the circles and I also embossed the larger black circle but I'm sure that won't be picked up in the photo.

The patterned paper I found at Michaels and it is by Recollections. It has a real pretty filigree pattern. I also used it with my iTop to create the larger brads in the middle.

I finished off my embellishments with some mini black brads, a piece of black satin ribbon and a piece of thinner white satin ribbon for the bow.
On my inside I used my circle punch to cut out circles of the patterned paper and printed off a nice quote I found.

If you'd like to check out some of the other cards submitted for this challenge you can do so by going here...but there are a lot to see.

Saturday's Song - I Need You To Love Me

I picked out this song for this week and as I was reflecting on the words, I was reminded of something I had read recently about God's love for us. I wasn't sure which book I had read it in because I am studying 2 at the moment so I went back through both of them and found it in the "Crazy Love" book, so to quote from it (and Francis Chan the author) again this week a few sentences from Chapter 3 titled the same as the book "Crazy Love".

The very fact that a holy, eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful, merciful, fair, and just God loves you and me is nothing short of astonishing.
The wildest part is that Jesus doesn't have to love us. His being is utterly complete and perfect, apart from humanity. He doesn't need me or you. Yet He wants us, chooses us, even considers us His inheritance (Ephesians 1:18). The greatest knowledge we can ever have is knowing God treasures us.
The irony is that while God doesn't need us but still wants us, we desperately need God but don't really want Him most of the time.

Ephesians 1:4 - Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.


I Need You To Love Me
Barlow Girl

Why, why are You still here with me
Didn't You see what I've done?
In my shame I want to run and hide myself
But it's here I see the truth
I don't deserve You

[Chorus:]
But I need You to love me, and I
I won't keep my heart from You this time
And I'll stop this pretending that I can
Somehow deserve what I already have
I need You to love me

I, I have wasted so much time
Pushing You away from me
I just never saw how You could cherish me
'Cause You're a God who has all things
And still You want me

Your love makes me forget what I have been
Your love makes me see who I really am

Saturday's Song - Legacy

I really need to do a regular blog post one of these days I do have a few things to catch up on.

I started reading the book "Crazy Love: Overwhelmed By A Relentless God" by Francis Chan to participate with the Bloom Book Club and since I started late I've been trying to catch up (which isn't too hard since they are only covering a chapter a week and I started 2 weeks late).

But this last week I did Chapter 2 and the title of it is "You Might Not Finish This Chapter" and the author is speaking about we don't know when it is our time to go. I may not finish reading the chapter before I pass on or he may not finish writing the chapter before he passes on. To quote a few sentences it states:
"...it's easy to think about today as just another day. An average day where you go about life concerned with your to-do-list, preoccupied by appointments, focused on family, thinking about your desires and needs. On the average day, we live caught up on ourselves. On the average day, we don't consider God very much. On the average day, we forget that our life truly is a vapor."

James 4:14 "How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog-it's here a little while, then it's gone."

I know the Lord is really working on me and my priorities lately and making me realize the absence of time I spend with Him. I know that this whole lay off/absence of a job at this time, was in His plan for a reason...I'm starting to see one of those reasons.

The book club blog talked about this song and I thought so fitting for this weeks song. I want to leave a legacy.

Legacy
Nichole Nordeman

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...




If you think you may be interested in reading this book, I highly recommend it and I've heard that the first 5 chapters can be read online at barnesandnoble.com.

Linking to some good stuff - Volume 2

I've been collecting some good links and they have just piled up on me and I need to get them shared. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Here is an enlightening post on being happy in our ordinary lives. I know I wouldn’t trade mine for the limelight.

This one made me breathe deep…I have claustrophobia and a weird thing with heights…the glass walls make it look like you could slide right off the edge

The best diet secret ever….I need to rely on this

Here is a really cute Staples commercial (which I’ve never seen on TV)

This is a pretty good video…the enthusiasm this crowd has is addictive.

I wonder how many households where this actually happens A LOT.

I like this post and I even can relate to it on #4 and Gaps being gifts.

This is a really cool video….great song too.

This short post and this little longer one had me laughing.

Why You Don't Take Your Husband Shopping

I got this e-mail the other day and had to share it on here because it is so funny.


After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Target. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunate, my wife is like most women - she loves to browse.

Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Target.

Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Samsel , are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking.

2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals

3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.

4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away! This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lose time and costing the company money.

5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on layaway.

6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.

8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' EMTs were called.

9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.

10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department , he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.

11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.

12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his ' Madonna look' by using different sizes of 20 funnels.

13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'

14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'

And last, but not least:

15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.' One of the clerks passed out.


What a creative imagination...Target is one of my favorite places to shop and I'd have to laugh if I saw any of these things happen.

Saturday's Song - Jesus Calling

I can think of a few friends (including myself) who could probably use the reminder of this song in their lives right now. We may feel like there is always a storm going on in our lives but we just have to listen to God's still small voice saying, I'm right here with you, you're not alone.

Jesus Calling
33 Miles on the album One Life

What do you see when you look at your world today
Is it so full of clutter that you feel like you’re going insane
And you can’t fight back cause you’re just too afraid
and it seems like the clouds in your sky don’t wanna change
You see there’s always another story, another side to every coin,
And how you see your circumstance is all about a choice

CHORUS
When you see the rushing wind, feel the pouring rain
hear the thunder now as the clouds roll in
and you’re blinded by the lightning
do you also hear that still, small voice saying
It’s okay, you’re not alone, you may be scared to death,
But I won’t let you go
You may think the sky above is falling
But can you hear Jesus calling

What do you see when you look at your world today
Do you see a glimmer of hope, or has it all turned to gray
Well start by counting your blessings one by one
Oh and I’m sure right there, you’ll start to see the sun
You see there’s always another story, another side to every coin
And how you see your circumstance is all about a choice

CHORUS
When you see the rushing wind, feel the pouring rain
hear the thunder now as the clouds roll in
and you’re blinded by the lightning
do you also hear that still, small voice saying
It’s okay, you’re not alone, you may be scared to death,
But I won’t let you go
You may think the sky above is falling
But can you hear Jesus calling

Calling out to you
Because the darker the night, the brighter He can shine

CHORUS
When you see the rushing wind, feel the pouring rain
hear the thunder now as the clouds roll in
and you’re blinded by the lightning
do you also hear that still, small voice saying
It’s okay, you’re not alone, you may be scared to death,
But I won’t let you go
You may think the sky above is falling
But can you hear Jesus calling

Friday Faves - Shoes

It is Friday Faves again and this week is our favorite shoes we own and favorite shoes we wished we owned.

I think this will be a fun post as I am excited to see what some of the other gals (I have yet to see any guys participating in these posts) have for their favorite shoes. I am not a typical girl, in the shoe kinda way, they aren’t my weakness on a shopping trip. However, pass me by a handbag department and I can’t just walk by, I have to see if there is something I’d like to take home too. I have slowed down on purchasing handbags (it used to be I couldn’t go into a new month without getting a new one) though when I stepped it up to buying a Dooney & Bourke and I have carried it for 2 ½ years straight now….I’m really wanting something new. The amount of money I spent purchasing several handbags in a year exceeded my one purchase of the Dooney. I love it though it fits just right on my shoulder and is large enough to hold all my treasures. But hang on, I got off track, we’re discussing our favorite shoes, not handbags….they do kinda go hand in hand though.

I have a few favorites, depending upon the season, because you know in Idaho, we have our seasons and lately winter has over stepped its bounds into a few more months than what it should.

First up are my Ariat Fatbabies. I LOVE boots (I also have a pair of Durango’s, Laredo – lace up roper’s, and an Ariat ankle boot) and these are so comfortable. I’ve had these for 3 years now and they still look brand new, because I want to make sure they’ll last me a long, long time. Both of my step-daughters each have a pair (not the exact same) and my granddaughter even has pink ones.

Next are my comfy slippers. I have two pairs that I alternate between, Woolrich (purple ones) or Minnetonka (tan ones). My husband bought them both for me and I do wear these out to the grocery store. They both have hard soles on them so I can wear them out and about and they keep my feet warm. I love wearing them with a cute pair of jeans.

The last of my favorites are actually many in number but it is more of a type of shoes (if you can call them that).
Flip flops are my most frequented summer shoe. As you can see from the picture, I have MANY to choose from and I generally pick by the color I am wearing. I have a few that are really thin though and I don’t wear those if I’m going to be walking around a lot instead I opt for the Sketchers with the really thick good sole on them.

Most of my shoes I wear for comfort but they have to be cute too.

As for the favorite shoes we wished we owned, I’ve always wanted to try a pair of Ugg’s because, there again, they look so comfy. Although I’m afraid with the sheepskin on the inside my feet would sweat like crazy, since that is generally where I do all my sweating is through my feet. I think these are the ones I like the best the Ugg Classic Short – Boots.

I’ve also wanted a pair of these mule like tennies by Sketchers. I like the looks of them; however I have a pair that is similar that I bought at Payless Shoe Source that was a fraction of the cost of the Sketchers. So until they have completely worn out I’ll stick with them for now.

And, since I was out there in cyber world scanning for some new shoes I thought I’d see what the latest in the Ariat attire was and found these SUPER CUTE boots that I would definitely like to have. I love the colors and it would help to have a black pair too.

That’s it (should be I went over too many pairs as is) and if you would like to check out what everyone else’s favorites are, pop on over to Missy’s site to see, I know I’m excited to check them all out.

Saturday's Song - What If

There have been many times in the past where Satan has tried to impose doubt in my mind of my beliefs, because that is one of the strongest tools he uses against us (doubt and unbelief) but as this song states, what if they're wrong? I would hate to be the one left behind because I didn't believe and serve Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 (NLT)

2. for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
5. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
6. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.


What If
Nichole Nordeman on her album Brave

What if you're right?
And he was just another nice guy
What if you're right?
What if it's true?

They say the cross will only make a fool of you
And what if it's true?
What if he takes his place in history
With all the prophets and the kings
Who taught us love and came in peace
But then the story ends
What then?

But what if you're wrong?
What if there's more?
What if there's hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He's more than enough?
What if it's love?

What if you dig
Way down deeper than your simple-minded friends
What if you dig?
What if you find
A thousand more unanswered questions down inside
That's all you find?

What if you pick apart the logic
And begin to poke the holes
What if the crown of thorns is no more
Than folklore that must be told and retold?

You've been running as fast as you can
You've been looking for a place you can land for so long
But what if you’re wrong?

Friday Faves - Favorite old hymn & modern praise song

It’s Friday Faves again with It's Almost Naptime and this week is about our favorite old hymn and favorite modern hymn or praise song.

I love music, as I’ve mentioned before, so just picking one of each is hard. There aren’t a whole lot of churches anymore that sing hymns in their worship services, which I find sad. There are some great hymns out there and these two stick out as always being favorites.

I Surrender All

1. All to Jesus I surrender; all to him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust him, in his presence daily live.

Refrain:
I surrender all, I surrender all, all to thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

2. All to Jesus I surrender; humbly at his feet I bow,
worldly pleasures all forsaken; take me, Jesus, take me now.
(Refrain)

3. All to Jesus I surrender; make me, Savior, wholly thine;
fill me with thy love and power; truly know that thou art mine.
(Refrain)

4. All to Jesus I surrender; Lord, I give myself to thee;
fill me with thy love and power; let thy blessing fall on me.
(Refrain)

5. All to Jesus I surrender; now I feel the sacred flame.
O the joy of full salvation! Glory, glory, to his name!
(Refrain)

Here is a video of it performed by The Isaacs, they do a really good rendition of it.



The Old Rugged Cross

1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain:
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.

2. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.
(Refrain)

3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see,
for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me.
(Refrain)

4. To that old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he'll call me some day to my home far away, where his glory forever I'll share.
(Refrain)

Here is a video of it sung by John Berry:



There is a hymn that my dad doesn’t like with a funny story behind it. One time many years ago (before I was ever around) while singing “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” in church, he looked over and caught one of the usher’s (I think) picking his nose. So every time my dad hears that song, he has that memory in his mind and I guess I do too now.

Two of my favorite modern day worship songs which I’ve already featured in my Saturday’s Songs posts are “Revelation Song” back in July and “We Fall Down” back in May.

Do you have a favorite you’d like to share? Leave me a comment and let me know what it is.

If you’d like to check out the others who have participated this week in Friday Faves, click over to Missy’s site at It’s Almost Naptime.

DipTacular - Bean Dip

I’m a little late in getting on board with my contribution to BooMama’s Diptacular she started last week but being gone for 4 days away from home and the computer has given me a lot to catch up on but I loved the relaxation of being in the mountains (a post on our weekend soon to come).

I’ve slowly been going through all the others who have participated in giving their dip recipes (I haven’t gotten through them all yet) and I’ve found several (including variations) of my two favorites that are easy to do. The chili (with no beans) and block of cream cheese dip or the can of Rotel and block of Velveeta dip, so I didn’t want to do those. In looking at so many others, I’ve decided that on game days I am going to do a new dip recipe and maybe just soup for dinner. My husband and I love college football….especially if the BSU Broncos are playing or his favorite team the Washington State Cougars.

Here is a dip that I got from a friend of mine that is good and easy.

Bean Dip

2 cans Campbell’s Bean with Bacon Soup
2 cups sour cream
2 jars Bacon Cheese (or the canned stringy cheese you would put on crackers)
4 chopped green onions

Mix all together in a crock pot & heat. Serve with chunks of French bread.


If you would like to check out the other dips click on over to BooMama’s post, but it may take you some time to get through them all.

In the meantime, enjoy your favorite team play a good game of football….GO BRONCS!!

Saturday's Song - Turn Your Radio On

Since tomorrow is my grandma’s birthday I wanted to do a song that reminds me of her.

I can always remember singing this song with her and my grandpa in the truck on the way to logging camp. My grandpa was a logger and every summer they would pull their trailer up to the area he was logging and take one of us grandkids (8 in Idaho) at a time to stay for the week. While he was working we would spend time with grandma playing hundreds of games of Yahtzee, walking on the logging roads, picking up pinecones or rocks and just spend quality time together. There were times where we would pick huckleberries too and in my recent trip to pick huckleberries, the scent of them reminded me of such. I think bonding times like these are important for grandparents and I think that is one of the reasons I was so close to them.

I was raised on Southern Gospel quartet music and I can also remember hearing it played in their house many, many times there was many an occasion when their house was always filled with kids, grandkids, friends or other family where they'd put on the records and we'd all sing along. I can also remember grandma always having the radio on in the kitchen to KBGN and most of my memories I remember a sermon going on, but there were sometimes there would be music too.

My grandma always has had a sweet and loving spirit. I can’t ever remember her speaking bad about or to anyone. If we ever got into trouble with her, we had to put our nose in the corner or if mom and dad were around and we’d get in trouble with them she would hate that we were in trouble and try and get us out of it. In doing a Bible study just recently on our mind and thoughts, I was having to do a lot of reflecting and realized I have an easier time of forgiving and not letting any bitterness consume me. I let things go pretty easily and figured I have gained this wonderful personality trait from my grandma. She was a huge peacemaker and I want to be more like her in that respect.

My grandpa passed away 6 years ago and grandma is in a care facility with Alzheimer’s. I don’t make it home very often anymore to get to see her much and the last trip home (last January) it took her a few minutes to realize who I was. If you’re reading this and are unfamiliar with the Alzheimer’s disease it affects the short term memory. They may ask you the same question 5 times in the span of 10 minutes because they forgot they have already asked it or they can't remember what they ate at their last meal but they can remember events of what happened 50 years ago, like it only happened yesterday. In the last year, I’ve had a chance to talk to her a few times and she talks more about when she was a little girl than she ever did around me and I cherish hearing her stories. This is the 3rd grandparent I’ve had that had this terrible disease and each case has been different. I get teary eyed, even now, just thinking about and knowing that there may not be too many more years where she is around.

If you know my grandma, please leave a comment about a memory you have about her, I would really love to hear them. (This is from the last time I was home)

Turn Your Radio On
as performed on one of the Gaither Homecoming videos

Come and listen in to a radio station
Where the mighty hosts of heaven sing
Turn your radio on turn your radio on
If you want to hear the songs of Zion coming
From the land of endless spring
Get in touch with God turn your radio on

Turn your radio on turn your radio on
And listen to the music in the air
Turn your radio on heaven's glo-ry share
Turn the lights down low and listen to the Master's radio
Get in touch with God turn your radio on

Don’t you know that everybody is a radio receiver
All you have to do is listen for the call
Turn your radio on turn your radio on
If you listen in you’ll be a believer
Believing on a truth that will never fall
Get in touch with God turn your radio on

I included this specific video because it has some comedic material to it…making it a little longer.

The last couple of weekends...bringing us to an end to summer

Wow, I can't believe the summer is over. What happened? Where did it go? There are so many things this summer lacked. We only ate out on our patio half a dozen times, didn't even hang out back there much this summer, and the only fire we had in our pit was just last weekend. We planned on going camping a lot this summer, instead, only one big trip this coming weekend.

We have done a few things that were first's for us though. This last weekend we did a day trip over to Colville, Washington. I sold a BUNCH of stuff on Craigslist to a lady that has a horse ranch even further west than Colville and it was a good meeting place to exchange. I have never been any farther north in the eastern part of Washington than North Spokane, so I was looking forward to seeing some new country. What a beautiful drive and a really pretty area. It was like driving through a valley area with mountains all around.

We also went out to Carver Farms (our second trip out there since our first time was last October when we went to get our pumpkins) to pick zucchini and peppers. This is the first year we don't have a garden so we had to buy our zucchini instead of being able to give a bunch away. I spent the last two days making zucchini bread and blanching and freezing the rest to use all winter. Zucchini is one of my favorite vegetables and I even tried a piece after blanching it and it was good only slightly cooked...so then I ate several more slices.

The weekend before that we went Huckleberry picking. We've been meaning to do this for years and just never have. Last year, Scott accompanied our neighbor (who partially owns a satellite internet company and has a tower) up to the top of Rathdrum Mountain so he could do some maintenance work for them. On his little trip up there, he found LOTS of huckleberries and so many of them untouched because the land is primarily owned by Inland Paper and there is a locked gate you have to get past to get up there.

(The picture on the left has the tower at the top that we went up to / the one on the right is the locked gate we went through to get up there / the one below is of the road going up - very steep & rocky) So we went up and found several bushes along the road that we may have gotten 30-40 berries off each bush but then Scott stopped in one area and walked back in and we found at least a dozen or more bushes that were laden with 4 times as many berries on each one. It was at the foot of this rocky area all around that he found them.

(The picture on the left is looking from the top down -so at the bottom of all the rocks is the picture on the right - where we found so many huckleberries)

We ended up getting almost 6 quarts and I'm hoping that is enough for all I have planned to do with those little berries.

We did purchase this handy dandy little "Huckleberry Rake" to help us with the picking and Scott was able to pick 3-4 times more than I was by hand. We only bought one because we wanted to make sure it wasn't a waste of money first and now that we know it works so well we'll get another next year so I can use one too.

You can see all the huckleberries we found on these plentiful bushes.

We've had a lot of fun the last couple of weekends and just trying to cram in a few fun activities before the snow starts to fly, because we are both not ready for that to happen.

Here is a little video that I did at the top of Rathdrum Mountain and all the areas that can been seen from it....beautiful.

Saturday's Song - While You Were Sleeping

I love this song and they (Casting Crowns) even did a Christmas version of it....maybe I'll post that one around Christmas...but it makes me tear up thinking of how many of those will be caught "sleeping" on that day. It makes me sad that our country and so many Christians even are being deceived. I know I don't want to be caught "sleeping" when that day comes. I want to be ready and alert to His call.

While You Were Sleeping
Casting Crowns from their album Lifesong

Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you're lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight, tonight

Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

Oh little town of Jerusalem
Looks like another silent night
The Father gave His only Son
The Way, the Truth, the Life had come
But there was no room for Him in the world He came to save

Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today
Jerusalem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night, in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent night