advent week 1 -hope

The theme for week 1 of Advent is hope.

Hebrews 6:19 — We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul,  a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

thanksgiving

Menu:  turkey (for the non-vegans), stuffing, cranberry salad,  green beans casserole (vegan),  corn, rolls, salad, baked tofu, acorn squash stuffed with risotto, corn chips, hummus, peanut butter cups (vegan), pumpkin pie (vegan and non-vegan), and pecan pie.

 

simple joys – day 7

dutch oven

simple joys – day 6

hot mug of tea

simple joys – day 5

My yoga mat

simple joys – day 4

wool afghan

simple joys – day 3

mp3 player

simple joys — day 2

My Bibles

My big red study Bible and my handy sized “goes with me” Bible

simple joys –day 1

simplicity

As we approach Thanksgiving, I thought I would share of few of my favorite things.   All these are simple little things that really bring joy into my life.

Day 1 — My bamboo utensils and Kleen Kanteen.

attitude

A wrong attitude toward nature implies, somewhere, a wrong attitude toward God.

TS Elliot, The Idea of a Christian Society

pansy maiden-the weekender

Saturday I received this beautiful bag in the mail.  Isn’t it gorgeous?  It is the perfect size for a long day away from home or even a weekend trip.  The front has a kangaroo pocket; the back has a zippered pocket; the inside has 2 pocket on each exterior wall.  It has a well constructed bottom that is stiff to hold the shape.  It comes with handles and a shoulder strap.  The bag is really heavy and well constructed.

If you are in the market for a new purse or tote bag, I encourage you to go over to Pansy Maiden, look around, and then order.  Laura does a fantastic job and I know you will be pleased with your purchase.

I’ll definitely purchase from her when I need a new purse, bag, or tote.

More from The Pansy Maiden website:

About Pansy Maiden

Inspired by the natural world, clean lines, organic shapes and the handmade revolution, Pansy Maiden bags are for those who believe “practical” can and should be pretty.

I subscribe to the “less is more” philosophy. I don’t believe in adding a lot of meaningless hardware or buttons to a bag. Anything I add to a bag is going to have a specific purpose. Otherwise, what’s the use? I like to keep my bags simple. Elegant. Refined.

Always and forever: 100% vegan materials.

gifts from hm

HM found a perfect birthday gift for me.  She was so excited she gave it to me before we left the parking lot.

It is a great size to take with me and my favorite knife fits across it perfectly.  She also gave me a package of mineral oil wipes for keeping the cutting board in good shape.

Thanks HM!

 

black skirt tetra

We added the first residents to our aquarium.  I chose black skirt tetras because they are really easy to keep, are very forgiving of new aquariums, and they are so fun to watch dart and school around the tank.  I’ve always had a few in all my tanks.

I have 5 in this tank, but will probably add a few more today since these are doing so well.

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

• adult length 2.4 inches
• mature at 1 year and then begin to lose the deep color
• pH 6-8
• dH 5-19
• preferred temp:  68-79
• omnivorous
• schooling (min of 5)

sitting room

Remember the project I started a bit ago?  Much progress has been made in that department.  The chief progress came when CK decided he really didn’t want to move the tv in there.  He likes the tv in the big room with the wood stove.

So instead I am making it into a bright, light, sitting room/library/guest room.  I love the color on the walls.  I love the way the bookcases and books look.  Even without furniture in there, the room makes me happy.  It will be a pleasant place to curl up with a good book or a good friend.

I plan on adding a big comfy reading chair and a futon couch.   This will sound crazy, but what I would really love to have is a swing in there!  I know, I said it was crazy.  Short of a swing, I wonder if I could find a loveseat sized glider?  The room just feels like it needs something lighthearted like that.

Ignore the mess please.  I’m still decluttering and moving things around.   It always takes a few days to find new homes for all the stuff.

an old hobby revisited

My birthday and Christmas came a bit early this year.  It all started because CK brought home a betta fish instead of flowers for me.  I love aquariums and used to  mess around with them all the time.

Then we moved here.  My tanks broke in the moving van.  Between farm animals, raising children, raising dogs, and raising gardens I never got back to my hobby.  I used to sit and watch my aquariums like most people watch tv.

CK remembered that and thought that now would be a good time for me to take up the hobby again.

So we went to town to look, ask questions, and maybe buy.  I really thought I would come home with a 20 gallon tank.  That would have satisfied me, but it turns out you can get a 55 gallon aquarium for twice what you pay for the 20.  That is like getting 1 free 15 gallon tank!

The bigger they are the easier they are to maintain — so says the man at the specialty store.  He was so patient.  I asked a million questions then wandered around for quite some time trying to make up my mind between 20 gallons and 55 gallons.

In the end I went with the big one.  I have secretly always wanted one and CK encouraged me to plunge in and enjoy myself.

 

No fish yet.  Not even water yet.  It took us several hours to build the stand, place the tank, add the gravel, plants, pot, figure out where to place the thermometer, the heater, and the filter.  Today we’ll start adding water.

Next Friday, I will bring home the first few fish.