50 Questions ~ Part 1

50 Questions Just for Fun.
So my friend, Karla, did this and it looked like fun so here goes the first 25 questions...

1. Are you young at heart, or an old soul?Can I be both? Like Karla, I have always enjoyed "grandma" hobbies like embroidery, quilting, crocheting, cooking, reading and writing letters; but, I LOVE kids! I work in our church's Junior Church and every year I cook at Athens Youth Camp after driving a van load of young people up there. I am also Event Coordinator for our Homeschool Group...so, I'll let you decide! ;) Oh, and don't let me know there is a baby around, I'm known by many as "Aunt Nesi" and when you get to heaven, you'll find me in the nursery with all the babies after the first million years at the feet of Jesus!

2. What Christmas present do you remember the most?
My Drowsy doll! I still have her and she still talks when you pull the string in her back!

3. Name one physical feature that you like about yourself, and one you don't like.
My hair color. I love auburn hair and was blessed with a decent head of it...and the one I don't like is ....duh, my freckles!

4. What holiday do you most look forward to?
Easter!! I love the time of year our Saviour paid the Ultimate Price.

5. How is the relationship between you and your parents?
I have a very good relationship with my parents. They are always there for me and pray for me and all my needs all the time.

6. You've got the TV on, but you're not really watching. What channel is the TV on?
We do not have TV.

7. If you could pick anywhere to live the rest of your life, where would it be?
Probably here in Cincinnati. It's where I've lived the longest and it's home now.

8. Have you ever spent a night in the hospital?
Haha! TOOOO many nights! With a little boy who's had 17 surgeries and a husband with Parkinson's Disease, yes, I have spent MANY nights in the hospital!

9. Do you enjoy being with only one or two friends, or with a large group of people?
Either one is fine with me. I would prefer one or two for meaningful times but have grown accustomed to large groups with my responsibilities.

10. Do you like the type of music your parents listen to? Do your parents like the type of music you listen to?
My parents don't really listen to music. They prefer silence or talk radio. I love music of many genres and they would be comfortable listening to whatever I had playing.

11. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Haha! Homemade bread with peanut butter and homemade strawberry freezer jam! I LOVE homemade bread!

12. Do you believe in a god?
I believe in the Triune God! He has healed and taken care of many needs and I know He lives. He is my Best Friend!

13. What's you're favorite hash-tag to track?
I don't Twitter.

14. When you were young, what would you dream you would be when you grew up?
A nurse. I loved reading Cherry Ames books and was sure that is what I would be! Lol! I'm a nurse alright~ private duty 24/7! :)

15. Do you want to have more friends than you have right now?
Like Karla, I don't need more friends, but I'm always happy to make new friends.

16. Have you ever met someone through the Internet, then met them in real life?
No, I don't think so.

17. Tell me about the last book you read.
It's been a little while since I read a book for me. We read textbooks! ;)

18. Predict what your life will look like a year from now.
I'm glad I have no idea what my life will look like a year from now ~ the prospects are scary!

19. Early bird or night owl?
Ditto for Karla's answer: Night owl for the most part, but I have managed to get in the habit of getting up early, which requires going to bed earlier than I would naturally. Which is a good thing, I think. I'm definitely not a morning person.

20. Where do you live?
Southwest Ohio.

21. What was the longest car ride you've ever taken?
From Cincinnati to Los Angeles, CA and then back across the north side of the country.

22. What is your ethnic heritage?
I am "American" ~ my maternal grandmother was English, my maternal grandfather was Irish, my paternal grandparents were German.

23. Do you want to live until you're 100?
I might. If that's what God wills. But I would only enjoy it if I could be healthy both physically and mentally. One of my great-grandmothers lived to be 99.

24. Do you practice what you preach?
I try to.

25. Have you ever laughed uncontrollably when it was socially inappropriate?
Oh, yes. Too many times...Some people don't like my propensity to laugh.

Precious Memories, How they Linger!

Today I want to tell you about my Grandma Rossman. My childhood is FULL of many pleasant memories of this dear lady who loved to cook, bake, celebrate Christmas and be busy with her church and family. I cannot help but wonder if that is why these things are so dear to me? She had a servant heart ~ always baking bread and delivering it around the countryside, going visiting to shut ins, picking up people for church, and the minute the car was in park at church, she was out to go teach Sunday School, lead the singing, help with VBS or whatever else she knew needed doing. One of my favorite childhood memories is of Vacation  Bible School at the little white Nazarene church in St. Petersburg. I couldn't have been but three or four at the most; but, I cherish that clip in the camera of my mind.

I mentioned cooking and baking. Today, I am not able to be at Grandma's funeral because of my youngest son's health; but, I will spend that time making pickled beets and remembering Grandma working in her humongous garden, canning and pickling for all she was worth. Bread and Butter pickles, dill pickles, cherries, green beans, pickled beets and my all time favorite that will be DEARLY missed: her green sweet pickles. No one can make them like my Grandma!

Christmas time was another treasured time. There were Buckeye balls, homemade caramels, haystacks and hard tack to be made along with a myriad of cookies. I REALLY treasure the memory of when she came to my house one Christmas season, not too long ago, and helped me make all kinds of her candies. My son had just had one of his 17 surgeries and the sacrifice she made to come and help us have a Merry Christmas will NEVER be forgotten. That was Grandma ~ always doing for others.

Speaking of Christmas...Grandma was "Queen of Christmas!" From all the candies and cookies she made to the big old evergreen loaded with C-9 bulb lights and a million silver icicles, presents galore for everyone and Dennis Day singing on the record in the background, I learned how to celebrate Christmas! Christmas morning always came with the sound of the pressure cooker spitting away cooking the potatoes and the delicious aroma of ham or turkey and all the other things she prepared for our Christmas feast. Going to Africa as missionaries didn't stop Grandma from celebrating Christmas ~ she would send us the most wonderful packages with everything wrapped ready to celebrate. She never forgot to include necessary ingredients for her Christmas goodies either!

When Daddy was in college, we would often arrive at Grandma's in the middle of the night. The porch light was always on with its yellow bug light shining a warm welcome and Grandma would be there to receive sleeping girls into her warm loving arms. "Merciful heavens, I'm glad you made it all right! That is one long trip," she would say. We would slip up the stairs to bed. We were at Grandma's! I look forward to her welcoming me to her new home ~ When I get to heaven, she'll be there too to meet me with open arms and say, "Merciful heavens, I'm so glad you made it all right!" I plan to meet her there!

Comfort

Today is both of my grandmothers' funerals. They passed from this life within 24 hours of each other and less than 20 miles apart.  I am unable to attend their funerals due to a very sick son among a few other reasons.

When I began my day, I determined not to let a spirit of gloom and sorrow overpower me. So, I did a quick clean of the house, put on an attractive yet comfortable outfit, lit a candle, put on a classical music CD and fixed a cup of my favorite tea.

I can't help but note that my maternal grandmother's funeral is going on right now.  She was all about duty and life held little joy for her. Early in life, she buried her little five year old daughter, Beverly, after she succumbed to rheumatic fever. Life was full of heartache for her. 

I remember staying with her during my parents preparation to go to Africa as missionaries.  I have many WONDERFUL memories from those days of playing Monopoly for hours under the eaves of her cozy little home!

She always hung her laundry on the line after washing them in her old fashioned Maytag wringer washer and I loved to help her. I also remember pleasant summer evenings swinging on the front porch having just enjoyed a roast beef and homemade bread and applesauce supper. Of course, she and Grandad always had coffee ~ that was before I learned to drink it. My sisters and I would enjoy a cold glass of milk that had to be shaken before being poured into the colored aluminium cups. Grandad and I would make regular trips to the dairy farm and get the wonderful fresh unhomoginized milk. 

Right outside the living room window is a snowball bush. You've never seen a bush so laden with loads of many beautiful balls of flowers!

Sometimes we would go floating over the hills to visit Grandma's sisters, Nellie, Ruth, Eleanor and Hazel and before her mother died, we would go see Grandma Summerville. Always on the way home we would stop at a spring where a pipe came out of the hillside beside the road and fill numerous jugs with the delicious, cold spring water. THAT is goood water!

Many evenings ended with pleasant conversation with either my Aunt Georgie or Uncle Rudy who both lived "just up the road."

So today, another life is remembered. I know by the natural course of events, that it won't be too many years and it will be my life that is remembered. I hope that people remember a cheerful servant who loved her Savior more than life itself and always trusted His design...no matter what.

Only one life, 't will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last.

~ Bathrooms Extraordinaire ~

Public restrooms are usually pure function ~ nothing special or pretty unless you're at Nordstroms or Saks. Recently, our family was priviledged to attend the wedding of some friends at a church in our area. When visiting the restroom afterward, wow! This church had recently redecorated their ladies restroom as a gift for Mother's Day. They went over the top! Just amazing! I don't make a habit of taking pictures of restrooms; but, this is one more day I was very thankful for the handy pocket camera my son had given me for Christmas a couple of years ago. Enjoy!

Just inside the door was this little sitting area...

On the wall the door opened against was this beautiful wall painting

    containing a scripture speaking of ladies....

                                  

And the vanity area just inside of the little sitting room...

            

Straight in the door from the sitting room was this lovely wall mural with another scripture.

                             

Note the vanity is to the left and the restrooms are to the right.

                           

A little close up of a part of the wall mural in the restroom area.

                                            

They even decorated above each commode!

I hate to even include this picture because it's so blurry; but,

                  

this is what you see when you open the door to this lovely ladies room!

What do you think?

We all agreed that this ladies room reminded us of what God wants us to be.

Feminine, worshipful and fearing the Lord.

"Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain,

        but a woman who feareth the Lord, she shall be praised!"

Proverbs 30:30

Guest Blogger: Lorna

Shh.. Don't tell Denise (That's my mom) that I was here..

I might get in trouble!

I am going to college Monday 8/22 but,

still gonna be living at home..

So this is risky for my life! ha!

I saw this "button" and really liked it..

But, while I was thinking about it, realized the only way it applies to my mom's blog is if you would slip a "forever" in between "waiting" and "us".. Haha..

Also, I found some more "buttons" I liked..

Haha.. I say "holler" all the time! Do any of you ever catch yourself saying "holler?"

If so, leave a comment and tell me (well my mom) about it!

Cause you know,

!!!

Hopefully you have enjoyed this blog update.

DISCLAIMER: Reading this blog post does not enable you to fly, cause drowsiness, help you save the world, contain traces of fact, is not intended for gift wrap, and Lego's are only fun if you have an imagination!

Traditional Wedding with a Touch of Country

Two weeks ago, my daughter's friend was married in a traditional ceremony held in a beautifully restored barn. She had asked me to decorate for her wedding and reception several months ago. The tricky part was uniting a traditional style gown with the white cowboy boots the bridesmaids were wearing. After surfing the web, I came upon burlap and realized this would be the key to bringing the diverse elements of this wedding together. The front of the barn needed "something" so I used many yards of burlap, shirring tape, four tall shepherds hooks in large pots and two daisy balls for the backdrop. Ferns on the floor gave the needed touch of greenery and life. The unity candle table was wrought iron and we placed a simple cotton tea cloth on it.To decorate the aisle, I adorned very large horseshoes with the bride's choice of flower, the daisy. These were alternated with lassos also decorated with daisies.

The beautiful wood floors and beams of the barn lent themselves to the rustic charm of this wedding.

The reception was held in a camp dining hall. No alterations to the building were allowed so we had to keep the decorating limited to the tables. The typical serving line area was obscured by another large piece of burlap with shirring tape sewn at intervals. The tray bar was layered with cardboard, lights and tulle and then framed engagement pictures of the bride and groom alternated with horseshoes and arrangements of daisies were placed on top of that.

Canning jars tied with yellow gingham ribbon were filled with stems of daisies and placed on the burlap runners that ran the length of the tables.

A closer view of the decorated tray bar.

I was very pleased with how the diverse elements came together with such an easy to find and inexpensive material ~ burlap!

I am joining with Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesdays!

Exciting Giveaway ~ Thanks to The Nester!

Who wouldn't love a sign like this? This is our state motto with my little Buckeye's name emblazoned in the background. Stop in at the Nester's and enter for a chance to win one of these personalized signs from Danielson Designs and Dayspring.

More Great Gift Ideas!

Here are the addresses of some more creative ladies. Shelley is Very Creative Indeed. You'll find all kinds of great gifts you can make - easily! Visit around on her site - it will be time well spent. This darling apron is so easy, you don't even need a pattern!

Here's Shelley's address: http://7layerstudio.typepad.com/

This basket liner is super easy too. Visit your favorite thrift store for a basket then personalize it with the super easy liner. Fill with homemade goodies and you're sure to be the Best Gift of the Year Award Winner!

http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/2009/05/basket-liner.html

Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Best Ideas Ever!

Well, sometimes life gets in the way of the best intentions and that is what happened here the last month. Benji had three major emergency surgeries in less than a week and we spent 11 days in Children's Hospital. He came home with a PICC line (a port that delivers the medicine straight to his heart) and I hook him up to a special machine that administers heavy duty antibiotics three times a day. He's still not out of the woods and according to one of the doctors over his care, "He's in grave danger for the next three months." So, please keep us in your prayers - especially Benji as he fights a deadly staph infection around the hardware in his back.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sometimes I find some very creative ideas on blogs I happen on. This post has the addresses of some of the creative ladies who come up with those ideas. Enjoy visits with Amy, Savannah and Amanda for help with your holiday decorating and gift giving!

Amy gives a free tutorial on how to customize a beautiful clipboard for someone on your list. Here's the address to that post - but be sure to stay a while and see all her other cool ideas:
http://adayinthelife-amy.blogspot.com/2008/11/i-can-make-that-teacher-gift.html

Another neat gift idea that could easily be adapted to Sundy School teacher, a family name, pastor, etc. Again, stay a while and enjoy the creativity of Amanda.
http://imperfectlybeautifulms.blogspot.com/2008/12/cheap-yet-chic-teacher-gifts.html

Then Sweet Savannah will offer all kinds of beautiful ideas for decorating your home for the holidays. Be sure to visit the posts before and after this one for all kinds of ideas and ... click on HGTV's Favorite Holiday Ideas in the right column - ooo, la,la!
http://mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com/2008/11/holiday-mantle-ideas.html

Happy Thanksgiving!

Back to Blogging

It's been a very busy year and my blog fell off the "Important List". Sometimes we think we don't matter and what we say couldn't encourage a frog; however, I've learned that several ladies actually enjoyed reading my blog! And even more amazing, some were encouraged! So, I will try to pick back up and share with all who care to take the time to stop in for a visit.
Thank you! You've no idea what an encouragement you are to me!
What a sweet pleasure to encourage one another and build each other up in the most holy faith. Sisters in Christ are a treasure indeed.
Love,
Denise

Swedish Blessings

Now, my daughter isn't Swedish but the other evening she shared a wonderfully encouraging song familiar to many - "Day by Day". You can listen to the wonderful Father- Daughter duet she shared with me on Bill Gaither's Solo Album.

I looked to see who the author of the song was because I wondered what they'd endured to write with such depth. Her name is Lina Sandell. She was a Swedish lass who's father was a Luthern pastor. While on a boat trip, he fell overboard and drowned before her very eyes. The incident inspired her to write over 650 hymns one of which is the beloved,
"Day by Day and With Each Passing Moment."

The gentleman who translated the song was A.L. Skoog - a Swedish gentlman who later immigrated to Minnesota. The following hymn is another of his translations named, "My Future". You may listen to it here: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/y/f/myfuture.htm

I have a future all sublime,

Beyond the realms of space and time,

Where my Redeemer I shall see,

And sorrow nevermore shall be.

A precious heritage is mine;
’Tis kept above by love divine;
And while I tarry here below,
He gives me what is best, I know.

O, God be praised, He planned for me;
From anxious care I’m spared and free;
He bids me cast on Him my care—
What then remains for me to bear?

Sweet peace within my soul doth dwell;
With joy I sing: “Now all is well,”
He leads me safely by His hand
Until I reach the Glory Land.

O precious Savior, teach Thou me
To live my life more true to Thee
The little while I yet must roam
Before I reach my heav’nly home.

Isn't that ENCOURAGING? How lovely are His plans for our future!

Another Swedish blessing is this blog. http://nostalgiochromantik.blogspot.com/

The simplicity of her decorating style and excellent photography make it a feast for the eyes even if I can't understand a word she writes! The loads of white with touches of pink keep me coming back for more!

Thursday's Thought

Every once in a while a good laugh is needed.

With my husband's latest procedure, let's suffice it to say,

I know now why there was a reason I didn't go for nursing!

. . . ~ however ;) . . .

changing bandages, cleaning port sites, etc. has become routine the last couple of weeks.

. . .

While blog hopping this morning I ran across this and laughed and laughed.

I hope you enjoy it:

No matter how crazy it gets, don't get commited because of insanity! ;) The men in little white coats are busy enough! ~Smile!~

Secret Sisters and Living Lights

This is the Secret Sister corner of our church.

This period I used the scripture from Proverbs 27:9,

"Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart,

so doth the sweetness of a friend."

Spring flowers decorate the perimeter of the board and tulle bunched periodically finishes the bottom of it. I spray painted a little shelf I found at Goodwill and put a lace doily and some Crabtree and Evelyn Summer Hill items on it. After enlarging a page from a Precious Moments book on Friendship, I framed it in a frame I already had and spray painted to match. I had searched all over for a poster of this print but couldn't find it :(.

For a table cover, I used a queen sheet pinning the sides

for a tailored look. To keep our program exciting and "happening" we run our secret sisters for three month intervals. We've found that after that, interest dies off. Also, to ensure that some sisters don't "fall by the wayside" we have a sign up sheet where you put your name, date and item received. There are two people over the program (so they can also participate) and they give friendly reminders to those who've not remembered their sister for whatever reason

(that's what the clipboard is all about). There again, I just spray painted a plain old chipboard clipboard, twisted a flower on it and tied a regular pen to it (that way there's always a pen handy). The basket is for cards - either for a Secret Sister or to thank one's sister for a special gift.

The rest of the table is wide open for gifts.
* * * * * * *
Yesterday marked the end of our last theme in Junior Church - another favorite aspect of church I'm very involved in ;)

Our last theme was "Living Lights - Shining for Jesus in 2009"

This is about half of our Junior Church during the program we did for the adults as part of the Sunday School preliminaries.
Matthew 5:14-16 was three of our verses and I used various items as clues to help us learn them.
"Ye" - we all pointed straight out,
"are the light" - flashlight,
"of the world" -globe,
"a city that is set on a hill" -I had my Benji build a city out of Legos on a Lego hill,
"cannot be hid" - I had Caleb, a fellow with a short haircut, put on a ski mask for this clue, "Neither" - shake your pointer no-no fashion,
"do men light a candle" - a little 'man" turned on a battery operated candle,
"and put it under a bushel" - he put it under a bushel basket that his neighbor was holding,
"but on a candlestick - we had a candlestick for this clue,
"and it giveth light unto all that are in the house" - we had a ceramic house for this clue.
"Let your light so shine" - another flashlight, turned on at the appropriate time,
"before men" - the person holding the flashlight stepped in front of a little man,
"that they may see" - a pair of glasses,
"your good works" - a construction hat for the Public Works Department,
"and glorify" - clap hands,
"your Father which is in heaven"- point to heaven.
For the reference we had an envelope addressed to Matthew 5:14-16.
You can see some of my helpers with the items they got to hold for our program. I've found this to be the easiest way for our children to learn their verses - I guess whoever said, "a picture is worth a thousand words" knew what they were talking about ;) !
This is a couple of our little men helping with one of the songs from the theme.
Don't they look so handsome in their suits?
Flashlights labeled "boys" or "girls" were used for taking up the offering. Here Benji and Racquelle get ready to take up the final offering for the theme.
They collected over $300.00 this theme!
Way to go kids!

I hope you enjoyed these snippets of some of my favorite ministries at our church.
Have a blessed week!

P.S. Check out our pastor's wife's blog for some very creative genius she shares at:

http://gayle-gaylesblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/michelerella-and-secret-sister.html

Thursday Thirteen ~"Q"~

Not only is today Thankful Thursday Thirteen, it is my 100th post! Like alot of other bloggers are doing, I've been re-focusing! We learn alot the first year of blogging and something I find interesting is that my blog's top googled subjects are:

1. Tea and . . .

2. Secret Sisters!

Interesting, huh? Tea is a fun and hot topic so I can see that; but I was surprised about the Secret Sisters. I know there isn't alot on the internet (or any where else for that matter) about Secret Sisters and the special ministry opportunites it offers in our local churches.

I did find it interesting that a blog was a place Secret Sisters looked for inspiration.
A blog would be an excellent place to reach out and minister to other Secret Sisters with ideas for encouraging, gifts, bulletin boards, etc. , wouldn't it?

I will endeavor to begin doing regular postings on ideas for Secret Sister Ministry. In this day of cyber relationships, it's a Christlike way of being His Hands and His Feet as we minister to special friends in our congregations.

Before we celebrate Thankful Thursday Thirteen, I'll tell you about our family's latest addition, Bailey, our eight week old St. Bernard puppy. You can read all about her on DJ's blog - he's her proud owner.

Now for Thankful Thursday Thirteen:

Thirteen things I enjoy that start with the letter "Q":
1. Quality - do you always pick out the most expensive one like I do? ;) Funny how we always recognize quality!
I enjoy a houseful of quality furniture due to owning an Amish furniture store for nine years.
2. Quaint - towns, houses, etc. I love them!
3. Queen Anne's Lace - a beautiful wildflower and a favorite store I love to visit in Berlin, Ohio.
4. Quench - there's nothing like having one's thirst quenched. Spiritually or physically. A cool drink of water on a hot summer day . . . or a hot cup of tea in a pretty china cup ;)
5. Quiet - Blessed Quietness. Soothing and peaceful.
6. Quill - ever try to write with one? Quill Cottage is a favorite place to visit.
7. Quilt - a warm quilt. So comforting!
8. Quiz - just checking to see if we're getting it! What a wonderful priviledge to be able to learn!

9. Quote - Words of wisdom to help us on life's way!
10. Quarters- are you saving all the states quarters? Quarters are so handy! Parking meters, gumball machines, pop dispensers, Aldi's chopping carts. . .
11. Quarts - of home canned goods. A feast for the eyes - especially when it's a row of my Grandma Rossman's pickles ;) !
12. Queen - I LOVE being the Queen of my Castle!
13.Quick and Easy recipes - my very favorite.

I'm very thankful to be home after spending two weeks at UC Hospital. I'm thankful for His Grace and Mercy that bring us through hard times. I'm thankful for my sweet mother and father who came and stayed with our children so I could be with Dan. I'm thankful for all my sweet sisters at the Christian Nation Church who fed our family with wonderfully delicious homecooked meals while Dan was in the hospital. They were balm to the soul and spirit as well as food for our bodies. God bless every one who prayed - it's prayer that changes things. I wouldn't want to know how things would have gone with out them.

Blessings to each of you as we celebrate my very favorite season that starts tomorrow -

S P R I N G ! ! !