Doodling...

...rows of corn



...cornrows

P.S. to A Journey...

My wish/hope/desire is that by reading these books, you will believe...and seek out God. Amen.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

You Are Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core. You often find yourself on the outside looking in. Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works. You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Cockadoodledo and Cluck, Cluck, Cluck

Claire's daughter, Cayley, has show chickens...don't think she shows them anymore, though. They were wandering around the place today and ended up under a tree right next to my drive. 3 hens and a rooster...here they are.

This one is so dark, I'm not sure how well you'll be able to see her...

Proud rooster...

Here's the rooster with 2 of the hens...

I'm off to do some hooking...YIPPEE!!!!

A Journey...

I wasn't doing much last night...just cruisin' the internet, looking at blogs and websites and photos, etc. I felt that I should write something in my own blog, but nothing came to mind. Not that my mind was empty, mind you ...just that I had no photos to share and nothing struck me as 'blogworthy', as Tammy says. WELL, when I was on my way to bed last night, a thought hit me and it was a true 'duh' moment. I have something very important to write! YAY! It was still on my mind this morning when I awoke, so I knew I had to sit down and put my thoughts to this blog. I wondered if I should share this...not trying to proselytize here, but it truly is an important part of me and I feel compelled to set these words down. Besides, this is MY blog and it is here for me to share, to publish my thoughts...right?

My intention is pure...my desire is to share what is in my heart. So, now that I have your attention, here we go!

Like so many people around me, I am busy and don't always find time to do the things I know I should do. Like go to church. Well, heck...let's start in believe in God! I do, but how much time have I actually thought about Him? Raised a Catholic, I married a divorced man and consequently joined the Lutheran faith. I did my part...baptized my boys, took them to church and Sunday School, joined the choir, and even taught Sunday School. I felt I was doing what I should be doing. But, was that enough? Going to church on Sunday gave each week the perfect start. Going to church was what we did...what our friends did...it was a habit more than anything. Of course it had meaning! Of course I believed the messages we were given by Pastor Hansen! Of course, I thought that I was a good person and that I would go to heaven someday! BUT, funny thing (well, actually, not so funny)...God did not truly live in my heart throughout the rest of the week. I had no Bible...I really did not give God much thought on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday...let alone put him first in my life. Oh, I guess I thought about Him when I sat down to plan my Sunday School lesson...but I was teaching the 3 year old class, so the concepts were fairly simple.

As time went by, I became a single mom. I still believed, I still went to church. Then one day, I moved away from my church...here to Madison. Finding a church in my new city was on my list of things to do...one that I have actually still never crossed off.

Let's skip ahead several years to the year 2006, and suffice it to say that in those previous 16 years, several things happened in my life that were good and many that were not so good. I do believe that things happen for a reason, though I am not always sure what the reasoning is. I still believed that there was a God...I still believed that I was a 'good' person...and that one day, I would actually follow through and start going to church again.

Okay, so I procrastinated. And didn't think about it...OR God, either, for that matter. I know a woman at work...I truly admire her! She used to take her lunch hour at a desk close by mine...within my view. I noticed that she always prayed and that her reading material was, well, religious stuff. Then, I noticed that there was one day each week that she didn't eat...I asked her about it. She told me that she had asked God what she could do for Him and that His answer was that she fast one day a week. Though I was a bit skeptical (yeah, me!), I knew it was her belief and I so admired her for that.

Around the same time, I started chatting with Brenis online via instant messages...every once in a while, she said something about being a Christian and shared some thoughts with me. I never had much to say in return. I'm not exactly sure what happened, but I do remember that at Easter, last year, I told Bren that I wanted to talk with her about being a Christian. I had been moved by thoughts of the significance of Easter and felt badly that I had no true faith. Since that time, we've had many interesting chats on what being a Christian is all about.

I bought a Bible and started reading it. I started praying. I started looking for a church. And, then I faltered. Okay, I did more than falter...I simply wasn't strong enough to resist the pull backward...away from God. I started drifting...didn't have time...didn't know where to go to church. I still believed, I still prayed, I still praised God for the good things in my life. I still knew when I had a 'God' moment. But, APPARENTLY, I was missing the tappings on my shoulder, the hits on the head, the "hey you!" moments I was receiving from God.

As an avid reader, I am at the library all of the time. Mostly, I search out books in the library's database on the computer and put requests in for those I want to read from the long list of authors that are my favorites. When the books are available, the library sends an email and I stop at the library to pick up those books. The reason I'm explaining this is so that you know I generally don't 'browse' the shelves when I'm in the library. There's a reason for your need to know this.

Here it is...one day I went into the library to pick up a book by a new author. I wasn't sure how much I would like his writing, so decided to see what was on the 'new book' shelf. And, as I just mentioned, this is something I almost NEVER do. Right away, my eyes were drawn to a book called, "The Rapture". I read the synopsis and thought it'd be an interesting read. Boy, did I NOT have a clue! I know what rapture means...and I know that, as a Christian, this is something that I look forward to...it's the time when Jesus comes down to take us back to heaven with Him. I guess, though, that I thought it was more of a novel...well, it is...okay, I confess, I don't remember what I thought it was...but I surely didn't think it was what it turned out to be! I had absolutely NO idea that this book was based on Bible teachings...or, more importantly, that it was going to have such an impact on me.

What it is...an interpretation of one man's idea of what the Rapture will be like. How it will be for those who are 'raptured'. How it will affect those who are 'left behind'. Which, by the way, is the name of a series of books that I am devouring! The book, "The Rapture", is actually one of three that are prequels to the LEFT BEHIND series. Tim LaHaye is the man who conceived the series...Jerry Jenkins is the man who wrote them. As it says in the book, these are 'Christian thrillers', 'prophecy-based fiction'...whatever you wish to call them. I call them AWE INSPIRING!

Little did I know the impact reading these books would have on me. I am a re-born again Christian...not a zealot, a fanatic...but I truly am 'back in the faith' (and yes, that IS like being 'back in the saddle').

I am eager to learn...to read the passages from the Bible that are quoted in the books...to feel that God is with me and I with Him. I am now on the 3rd book of the series and am absolutely riveted! The books are fairly simple to read and I am reading as much as I can...I feel as if I am devouring these books! I need to know what happens next! Mind you, these stories are fictional, but the basis of them is real. After all, we're talking about God, His Son Jesus Christ...and the people who are left behind to go through (literally) hell before they are given a second chance to leave this earth with Jesus when he reappears.

I encourage you to read these books. After all, I want all of my friends and family in heaven with me...I don't want any of you left behind.

They're haying again...second crop. This is taking place next to and behind my property where there are HUGE fields! Nothing sweeter than the smell of freshly cut hay, let me tell you! Here are some pictures. I never did get photos of the big bales last time, so made sure to get myself out there this time...mostly cuz I like feeling like a city slicker taking pictures while the men watch me (I guess!). {grin}

Grandkids here today...

What a pleasant few hours I had this afternoon...two of my grandkids were here for the first time since I moved. Conlan is 4 and will be in K-4 this fall, and Jasmine will be in the 3rd grade. Oh My Gosh...how the time does fly! Here are some photos of the kids.

...Conlan with his mom, Jesika.

...Jasmine is giving her mom some 'tude.

...much better, don't you think? What a beautiful girl she is.

...but, I can't get on the swing by myself!

...Conlan is catching on to what 'pump' means.

...such a sober look!

...just hangin' around

Rug Hooking...Really!

Here's what I've been working on this past week...the Stretch Golden Retriever...one of the dogs in my new series of patterns. I know...all medium value woolens, except for the border and the outline of the dog. BUT, those are the colors I wanted to use and I am liking the look. Boy, are there ever so many browns to choose from...some too yellow, some too purple, but this one is just perfect for what I wanted. YAY! I hooked this in an 8.5 cut, and it measures about 7 x 27 inches...I am very happy with it.

I need to whip the edges with yarn and bind it, but that won't take long. Then, onto the 2sheep pattern that is waiting for background and border. In the meantime, I've been working on some custom designs for new clients who are also new hookers! That is always exciting for me.

Otherwise, not much new to share. Jasmine and Conlan (grandchildren) are coming by tomorrow...first time they will be here at my house! I'll take photos and post them.

Decisions, Decisions...

I've been working hard at organizing and setting up my rug hooking business in the basement of my house...which has made me do a bit of thinking. WOW! I have WAY too much stuff! Now that I am living in a house (which is huge) and have a yard and all the upkeep that goes with all of that, I just don't have enough time to keep my eBay Store stocked at the level I desire. So, I am going to close my eBay Store before the end of August. Besides the house, yard, 3 dogs and my job, I have several large hooking related projects that demand my attention. At least one of them is a long-term project (more on that as it happens). I will have some of my most popular colors available on my website and will list at auction special colors, bundles, etc. from time to time. So, that said, do be sure to check out what I have left in my store. I thank you for your patronage. Please continue to check on my website's "what's new" page from time to time to see what I am coming up with!

Here are the woolens that I have listed on eBay right now:

Truly Doodling...

WOW! It's been way too long since I've posted. Been hearing about it, too...apparently there are a few of you who have a difficult time starting your day without reading my blog! You poor things.

Anyway, here are a few photos.

This is Lake Kegonsa...this is what I see as I come up over the last hill on one of the roads I travel on the way home. This was an overcast day, but it's still quite the sight.

This is apparently what started my 'brown' dog fascination. I think I'm about one year old in these photos.






This is my all-time favorite ice cream. I used to be able to find it everywhere, but now cannot find it at all! Cashews and caramel...YUMMY!!!

Must go and be creative. More soon...I promise!

This n' That...

I took a bunch of photos today. I've been busy getting a lot done, but I am also spending time just hangin' outside...enjoying the glorious summer day.

These first two photos...just taking my daily walk around the yard, looking at what's blooming and checking on the pears, which are about 2 1/2 inches now.



After lunch, I took my scooter out and washed it off...it got very dusty sitting in the basement at the apartment building. I wrecked my knee shortly after I bought it, so I really didn't have much of a chance to try it out or to train any of the dogs. Want to know what in the heck I'm talking about? Click on this link and you'll see... http://www.dogscooter.com/

Anyway, here is a photo of the scooter...it has 20" wheels and the handlebars are set about 48" off the ground, I think. I hooked Allegra up with her x-back harness and she looked at me as if to say, "I believe you have me mistaken for someone else...I am THE Princess!"...and "You want me to do what?" Doesn't she look cute sitting there, though?

I relented and took her off the gangline. Then, I got Tag hooked up with his brand new hybrid harness...custom made...even has his name embroidered on the harness! Course, he hadn't a clue what 'line out' meant, so he kept following me as I tried to take a photo. Apparently, he doesn't know what 'stay' means, either. Doesn't he have the sloppiest sit you've ever seen? Cripes! Curt came over to see what we were doing...apparently he is a much braver person than I am...he jumped on the scooter and Tag took him for a little ride around the property (with a lot of help from Curt). YAY, Tag! LOTS of training ahead for me, for sure.

After we finished with that, Tango and I sat outside and hung out together...he's such a good ole boy.

I had dyed some woolens the other night...first time since I moved here. I was havin' fun! Here are some photos of them...I need to get them listed in my eBay store.

All in all, it's been a very good day...and it's not over yet!

New Pattern Series for my website.

I took some time off from UNpacking and was creative! YAY! I started a new series of patterns for my website...STRETCH DOGS (and CRITTERS)! Each pattern measures ~7 x 27, with each dog/critter measuring ~5 x 25. I've started with 12 patterns in this series...more will come in time. These are fun, funny-looking, and some are more distorted/disproportionate than others and totally crack me up. Here's one of them...a Scottish Terrier. His head is out of control...but you can definitely tell that this is a Scottie...right?

to see the rest, go to www.browndogprims.com/whatsnew2.html