This is my little sister, Emily Rose. Isn’t she a cutie?

Today is her 17th birthday, and I would like to share with you some pictures of her!

The first picture was taken in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, at the Portsmouth Light House. It was one of the most memorable vacations, even though Emily and I were ages 4 and 6. We traveled along the northern coast and saw lots of light houses, swam in the ocean, and even visited a castle perched on a mountain encircled with clouds. (At least that’s how I remember it.)

In the summer we would make daisy chains together. In this picture we had just finished our first fishing trip at one of the ponds. Emily was always much braver at baiting the hooks than I was!

Emily and Daddy . . . We had been in our enormous yard playing “gymnastics.” (Or was it ballet?) We did that a lot, Emily and I. Jump on mattresses, leap through the air, try to twirl in the grass, and tumble around till we were breathless. I guess I’m kinda glad we grew out of that, but don’t you miss those days, Emily?

The Lovely young Princess Emily Rose, Empress of HTML, and Chatelaine of Domestic Cheerfulness!

And this has to be one of my favorites - Emily posing in front of Granny’s puma grass, with a crown of daisies atop her head. That day I remember we had a family get-together, and we ate lots of watermelon.

Would you bless Emily with a birthday  greeting? Click here to leave her a comment. Thanks!

Happy Birthday, Emily! I love you!

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I must admit, Twilight took me by surprise: I didn’t even know about the books, when suddenly evidences of the craze could be seen almost everywhere. Thankfully, I have recently been able to learn more about Twilight via these helpful links:

Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin have written an excellent article on the emotional side of the Twilight Saga: How Twilight is Re-Vamping Romance. “Once upon a dark and stormy year . . .“

Jasmine Baucham has also written a good post on Abstaining from the Madness. “It’s an age-old story, really. . . . Except for, oh, that’s right - Edward Cullen is a vampire.”

And for Movie Guide’s review on the spiritual aspects of the Twilight Saga and vampirism, click here. (Not for young readers.) “Is it simply harmless entertainment, or does something sinister lurk behind the scenes waiting to bite you?”

I hope these links are helpful as you interact with friends or family who need wisdom in the area of dangerous fantasy literature and film.

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Thank you Heavenly Father for . . .

20. safe 7 hour bus ride

21. nearly butterfly-less performance

22. growing opportunities to minister through music

23. humbling realization that I must always lean on Jesus

24. God’s design for order found in beautiful music

25. fading fall colors

26. violet, frosty mornings

27. fog that clings to unharvested cornfields

28. Japanese maple by the Library

29. red berries

30. pressed leaves

31. time to read more

32. a warm home to clean

33. the God-given need to create, infuse life, and communicate

34. the black and white energy called Bentley that collapses into cuddly naps

35. the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave that we still fight for today

36. hearts of our forefathers that were wholly dedicated to the Lord

37. dangerous sea voyage and sacrifice of the Pilgrims

38. Providence of God in the forming of Plymouth plantation

39. . . . and Jamestown

40. . . . and our country

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In John 1:35-37, John the Baptist has just watched Jesus walk past him. John says to two of his disciples, “Behold the Lamb of God!” the One whom John has been preaching about throughout his whole ministry.

This moment is what John the Baptist has been preparing his disciples for. Andrew and, mostly likely, John (who never identifies himself in the book of John), recognize Jesus as the Messiah and, leaving John the Baptist, follow the Son of God.

“Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, ‘What are you seeking?’ And they said to Him, ‘Rabbi, . . . where are you staying?’” -John 1:38 (ESV)

Notice that Jesus doesn’t audibly assume they are following Him by asking Whom are you seeking, but what are you seeking. In this morning’s sermon, Pastor Jeff said, “All men, by nature, are seekers. Jesus reveals this in His question.” Men (and women) seek all kinds of things - status, image, money, entertainment, power, etc.

But Andrew and John answer with another question that reveals that they not only are seeking Jesus, but want to pursue a relationship with the Son of God. “Teacher, where do you live?” implies that the one who seeks to learn wants to be near the teacher, around him as often as he can be, to spend time with Him.

In verse 39, we find that it is about 10:00 in the morning, and Andrew and John spend the whole day with Jesus.

Do I seek to spend my whole days with Jesus, or just the mornings? How about you - Is your relationship with Jesus at the top of your list?

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My sister Emily Rose is hosting “A Homemade Christmas” again! Last year we enjoyed working on making gifts and sharing ideas with each other, and I’m so glad we get to do it again this Christmas season. Be sure to check the schedule so you can follow along and join in the fun!

I expect I’ll enjoy it even more this year, as I’m learning to knit. (Don’t tell Bently, but he’s getting a little sweater!)

This week I’ll show you my latest knitting project.

It’s a pouch for cough drops, or any other little lozenge or candy one would like to tote and not lose to the bottomless crummy depths of a purse.

I also added a crocheted loop and a black button to secure the opening.

While knitting, I realized I should have started with a larger size of needles. The pattern was looking a little cramped, so I added a chipboard insert to stretch it out a little and give it more shape.

For more Homemade Christmas inspiration, visit SimplyVintagegirl.com.

I’m beginning a new journey of thankfulness, and I’d like to invite you to join me. Over the past few months I’ve made and effort to be more thankful for the little things, and I believe that writing them down will become an even greater blessing as I share them with you.

Some Mondays may have a theme, others may be inspired by what is happening in my life.

I look forward to reaching a thousand and then some.

Thank you, Father, for

1. the Life-Giving Word of God

2. Daddy’s voice every night as he reads form God’s Word

3. Mama who teaches

4. wise guidance and faithful prayers

5. laughter with kindred spirits

6. Douglas and Laura’s coming baby

7. neglected crock pots

8. homemade peanut butter fudge

9. knitting with bamboo needles

10. Arches watercolor paper

11. inspiration to glorify King Jesus

12. the hum of a sewing machine

13. high speed internet

14. tooth brushes

15. handy sketch book to capture fleeting thoughts

16. piano accompaniment opportunity on Thursday

17. beautiful music

18. anticipation of angelic voices

19. adventure with sister

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P.S. If you so desire, you can vote for my blog at the Home School Blog Awards under Best Teen Girl Blog 2009—it only takes two clicks. Thanks!

For a while now I’ve been in a quandary over an alternative medium for using colored pencils in my watercolors. After many days of staring curiously into space, I had a little idea.

I pulled out my little-used Derwent Graphitint pencils, and found just the look I was going for. (In this drawing I used Cocoa.) I like the sketchy quality and fluidity of the lines, and I think it’ll work well until I can really get into oils.

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P.S. If you so desire, you can vote for my blog at the Home School Blog Awards under Best Teen Girl Blog 2009—it only takes two clicks. Thanks!

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“Toast and Cream”

Toasted bread, thoroughly punctured with a fork. Oh, and a good sprinkling of sugar . . .

. . . And milk poured over the top. Mmmm!

Extra good with homemade bread!

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Toast and Cream Recipe:

- Two slices of homemade bread
- Spoonful of sugar
- Enough cold milk to soak your bread

Toast your bread till it’s golden brown. Place toast on a plate and puncture with a fork until the tops of both pieces are covered in holes. Sprinkle a spoonful of sugar over both pieces (you may use more or less as you wish). Pour the milk over your sugared toast until they’re soaked through.

Grab your fork and enjoy!

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Okay, so y’all probably knew long before I did that knitting cables generally doesn’t take five needles. Saturday evening I finished my first cross-over.

Here it is (snickers):

Saturday night I decided I really needed help. I looked on YouTube and found some very helpful videos I’d like to share with you.

How to Knit : How to Knit a Cable Stitch - All this time I thought learning how to cable was for the knitting elite. Good grief. :)

This is a real cable:

For those who would like to see a lovely post in pictures on how to cable, The Purl Bee has a lovely post. (Scroll down aways.)

Here are some more helpful videos:

How to Knit Basics - The Cable Cast on Method

How to Knit Basics - Rib Cable Cast on Method

Continental Knitting Stitches : How to Knit Cable Stitches

And for Sara, the I-Chord: so über-easy, I can’t believe it! Did anyone ever “Cork” to make these?

And here is my latest knitting project-in-the-works:

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