HAPPY SON-DAY

Hi everyone,

I pray that you all are having a beautiful Sunday.  This is one of my favorite Scripture verses. It's been a favorite for a very long time for so many reasons.  Enjoy this Scripture photo. 

If you share it on your blogs and/or Facebook pages, please credit it back to me here at Heather's Blog-o-rama and/or to my public photography page on Facebook here at Heather Danielle Photography. Thanks, everyone. 

I pray that this Scripture photo will be an encouragement to you today :)

That is the news from the ocean shores of California today.

Love and hugs,

Heather :) :) :)

IT MAKES "CENTS" TO ME FOR FRIDAY - DECEMBER 20th



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi everyone,

 

How have you been? I've recovered from being sick. The antibiotics that I have been taking have really worked their magic and the sinus infection is G-O-N-E.

 

The photo I posted above was one that I took a few days ago when I was out at Asilomar State Beach and it reminded me of how God can still the storm-tossed waves of our lives. 

 

So I've been working on a financial plan of getting out of student loan debt and then I got thrown a curve ball the other day.  I'm still working on saving up a $1000 emergency fund when an unexpected expense for the dentist came up. I have to save up money for an xray before I can continue in my orthodontic/braces treatment. 

 

So sometimes when things like this happen, other wants get put on hold....again...and that  might be the situation here. I'm not sure yet.

 

One thing I have decided to do is tithe 10% of my gross paycheck. I started doing that last week and I'm going to continue to do that with each paycheck.  It's just something that I felt like God had been laying on my heart for awhile. It's all His money anyway and I just manage it...and I'm simply giving back what belongs to Him first.

 

I think it will look different for everyone and I firmly believe that we can also tithe with our time and talents when money is really tight. 

 

I've noticed a couple of things: 1) somehow my budget is working out and everything is getting covered, even inspite of me tithing 10% off the top of each paycheck 2) You can never outgive God.

 

I know that the money I give will be put to good use for people in need.  

 

That's just where I am at right now.  I got paid today and haven't given every dollar a name yet, other than to budget for my tithe.

 

The Christmas holiday season at work is still crazy, but once I can get past Monday, it will be smooth sailing ;) :) I'm so looking forward to Monday.

 

That's the news from the ocean shores of California today.

 

Love and hugs, Heather :)

BEING SICK IS NO FUN

Hello to all of my sweet blog readers :) :)

Sorry I haven't been around much the last few weeks.  Christmas/holiday season at my job is in full swing and it means crazier than crazy hours.

I've also been fighting some sort of cold/flu virus for a week. So it's really put me out of commission.  I will have more blog posts coming up this week, including and especially on Friday :) :) :)

Here's a Scripture photo that I created this morning. Last night I was feeling really miserable and I was extremely congested. I just couldn't stop coughing, which made sleep impossible. While laying in bed, I was starting to let the worries about my financies and others things start to overwhelm me a little bit.

However, almost as soon as those thoughts entered my head, another thought, or rather a Scripture, entered my mind. It was Psalm 50:10 where it talks about how God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. It just encourages me to know that God is in control and that He does care about the things that concern me. He WILL take care of me.

I also thought about this photo that I took a little over two years ago. This was shortly after I moved back to California. I thought it was very appropriate.  So I decided to put Scripture and photo together.

Here it is. May you all be encouraged today and everyday.  I'll be praying for the things that concern you today, too !!!

Feel free to share this on your blogs and Facebook pages. If you do, PLEASE credit it back to me here at Heather's Blog-o-rama and also at my public photography page, Heather Danielle Photography.  While you're at it, leave me a note that says you stopped by. I'd love to "meet" you all :) :) :)

My best friend from church brought over some cold and flu stuff for me. I'm feeling much better right at the moment.  Plus my father is being really sweet and doing all my chores which amounts to a single load of laundry right now AND cooking all my meals today :) :)

That is the news from the ocean shores of California today.

Love and hugs, Heather

 

SCRIPTURE SUNDAY

SCRIPTURE SUNDAY

Hi everyone, Happy Sunday to all of you. Here's another good Bible verse.  Feel free to borrow this photo if you 'd like and share it with your friends etc.   The women's Bible study that I belong to is going through a study called "His Princess" by Sheri Rose Shepherd. We've been listening to the CDs the last three weeks. Next week, we'll actually have the DVDs and workbooks. I'm making these little memory verse cards for myself AND all the ladies in the Bible study. It's a great way to   add beauty and Scripture to everyday life ;) :) Plus, it's a ton of fun to make these up for everyone :) :) :)  That's the news from Oregon today. Love and hugs, Heather :)

BIBLE VERSE CRAFT PROJECT & COFFEE MUG

Hi everyone,  How has your week been so far? Mine has been good. Yesterday I was reading some blogs. I LOVE to read blogs. There are so many good ones out there with lots of practical tips, crafts, keeping a home etc. So for me it's about information and entertaining. Needless to say I was visiting a blog that encourages women to grow in their spiritual walks. The idea for this project came from a blog called "At The Well". Click on that blog title to read the article. Well, it really caught my attention because it aws talking about  two very simple ways to add beauty and Scripture to your home.  One way is to   write out a verse of Scripture, frame it and put it on  your kitchen windowsill. Another is to write out a longer piece of Scripture and place it in your bathroom, maybe opposite the toilet, so you have something encouraging to read :) :) :) There's also a book dedicated to stories you can read in the bathroom, depending on how long you 'll be there. No joke...the stories are actually really good..but that's another post ;)

First  select some paper.   I had some professional grade drawing paper samples. However, they were too thick. So I decided to make use of some scrapbooking paper  I had here in the house. I chose this nice creamy color. You will need some sort of a picture frame that stands on it's own for this project. Nothing fancy, but functional :) :)  In this case,  I cut the paper to fit a 4" x 6" frame.

* Choose some drawing markers, drawing pencils, or both :) :)

I have this HUGE box of  professional and regular grade drawing markers, pencils, pens etc. Oh, remember my last post where I talked about credit cards. I also went through a period of buying stuff I didn't need and this box is proof of that. However, in this instance, I am glad to have these available. So, back to the subject, pick out some colors that you can use to decorate the paper.

* Choose a good black felt tip pen for writing out your Scripture verse or words of inspiration.

I chose three felt tip pens, because I was not sure if any of them worked. I also had  a test piece of paper to write on. It is always good to test out your writing utensils first, to make sure you get the right size line that you want.  Lucky me, all of these worked. So it was just a matter of picking one that I liked. I chose the pen on the far right because it has a .3 mm felt writing tip.

* write out the Scripture verse on your decorative paper

* also add some stickers or whatever you like ;) :) Actually, you might want to add the decorations first, before you write out the Scripture verse.

So here I added some stickers that I had leftover from Creative Memories. I put quite a few on there, because that's what I  like :) I also grabbed some of my green drawing markers and a green pencil to add some vines to the border.

*  Place completed project on your kitchen windowsill or anywhere else that needs a little extra beauty touch :)

Here is the finished product. It's really easy and you can decorate it however you like.  Oh, my friend Dorothy over at Notes from Mémère sent me this lovely little stand-up picture frame. So I thought it would be sweet to add a Scripture verse. My apartment has a really nice kitchen window above the sink with a windowsill. So this sits right above the sink. It's right in my line of vision when I wash dishes :) :)  I tried adding a little extra, like this green Depression glass piece.

 I also tried putting my most favorite coffee mug next to this. It's green, too. I can't decide which I like better. Although, right now, the coffee mug is winning :) :) Speaking of coffee, I need to go make a cup o' joe.   I LOVE coffee and I love tea. On that note, since most of you might be curious about the backstamp on the coffee mug, here it is...

I'm  going to see if I can find this company online. Vintage items and reproduction vintage items are wonderful. This coffee mug is super cute. I'm CONVINCED beautiful dishes and glasses make EVERYTHING taste better :) :) 

So I hope you liked my little craft project today. If you make one for your home, let me know, so I can come visit and see :) :)

There's not a whole lot going on today. The weather can't make up it's mind weather to rain, snow or shine. Or in some cases, all three at the same time. That makes for some really good conversations with friends, that's for sure :)

 I'll be job hunting, working on some home sewing - mainly my flannel quilt.  Plus, I'll be down-sizing and getting rid of some books. I'm going to try and sell them to a used bookstore.

God has given me a nice home, a nice family, my own upstairs bedroom with a nice big closet and window. Those are just little things that I'm grateful for today, too. That's the news from Oregon today. Love and hugs, Heather :)

SCRIPTURE SUNDAY - I COR. 13:4-8a

Scripture Sunday

Have a great Sunday everyone.  God is convicting me of some bad attitudes I've had about work lately...so I have griped a lot in private emails..and I'd ask your forgiveness!!!  Enjoy today. My father and I will actually be staying home today and listening to a church service at Gateway Church online. My dad listened to the first service, said it was so good, that I needed to hear it, too. Now my dad says almost EVERY sermon is good that he listens, too. However, today had extra emphasis...SO I will listen and be encouraged...maybe convicted..not sure..but knowing that God only has His best for me. Happy SONday everyone....I'll be posting craft stuff this week, so keep your eyes out for that :) :)Extra love and hugs today because it's chilly here in Oregon. That's the news from Oregon today, Heather :)

Scripture Sunday

Feel free to borrow this and share it with your friends and family or on your blog :)

Hi everyone...Have a great Sonday. I'll be working on some new photos with Scripture this week.  Enjoy this one today. That's the  news from Oregon. Love and hugs, Heather :)

Scripture Sunday

Feel free to borrow this and share it on your blogs, on Facebook or with your friends and family :) :)

Have a great Sunday everyone :) :) It's RAINING here in Oregon today. It is really dark outside and even though it's 8 a.m....it's looking more like 6 a.m.

I did have trouble uploading photos from Picasa directly to Blogger today. So I had to save it to my USB port and then upload it that way :) That's the news from Oregon today. Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

Scripture Sunday

Feel free to borrow this and share it with your friends and family on your blog or on Facebook. Just make sure to link it back to my blog. Thanks :) :) :)

I know I've posted this one already...just forgot to make a new one for this week. There'll be a new one next Sunday :) :) :) I hope you all have a great Sunday!!! That's the news from Oregon. Love and hugs, Heather :)

Precious Gifts At Just The Right Moment & Update

Feel free to share this photo on  your blogs, Facebook, and or with your friends and loved ones :) :) :)

Hi everyone!!! :) :) :)  How was your day today? Mine was good. I had lots of calls today and with the exception of two customers who were not "happy" no matter what I did, my customers were especially nice today :) :) Oh, Here's the photo of a giveaway I won over at Prairie Flower Farm a couple of weeks ago :) :) Isn't it sweet? I really LOVE it!!!! Click here to pay Linda at Prairie Flower Farm a visit. She's a really sweet lady, who knows all kinds of wonderful farm and homemaking stuff....plus she LOVES Jesus Christ.

This gift came at exactly the right time....Why? God KNEW I would need some extra  love/encouragement in the form of a very sweet gift :) :) :) At first I was going to turn the guinea feathers into a project...but Linda packaged it so sweet...I'll leave it the way it is!!! It'll remind me of farm life, my sweet friend....and the love/encouragement of Jesus Christ she pours into everything she does...for her family and for others around her!!!

There's a peek at the sweet note that Linda wrote to me. I won't show all of it, because it's just for me :) :) :) I hope you understand...However, see that lovely purple Tazo tea bag? I'll enjoy a cup of that while I watch the elimination round of "Dancing with the Stars" on tv tonight!!!

Aren't the tags the cutest, too? Very sweet...and now I've got "pumpkin pie lattes" from The Human Bean on my mind....It's like the pumpkin pie in a coffee cup :) :) :) Yummy!!! That's just one of the things I love about Linda...all the attention to detail :) :)

Oh, I bet you are wondering what I meant about getting this gift at the time God knew I would need it most? Well, as most of you know, my dad and I have been going through some challenging times at work. My dad lost his job today...and that's all I can or will say about that. Needless to say, my dad is sad...however, he is also relieved!!!!   Continue to pray for him and myself, as I am now the only income earner in the family...for the time being..I'm NOT worried though....

I really do need a little calendar for my purse. This will be perfect!!!!! The one I currently use is too big for my purse...so this will be nice to have when I'm out and about or at work :) :)

The whole time I was  at my computer taking calls today at work...I was thinking of one thing only...well, actually TWO things...Number One: The joy of the LORD is my strength...a truth and a promise in my book :) :)...and Number Two: God will work this out!! He will watch over my tiny family. He is faithful and He ALWAYS keeps His promises..Okay...I guess that's more like five things...but that's alright :) :) So when I came home and I saw Linda's gift...this is just what I needed :) :) :) 

I immediately set to work photographing this special gift...and putting some Scripture to go along with it.  As I was searching, I found that the entire phrase "...the joy of the LORD is my strength"...is only found in one place...Nehemiah 8:10. For those of you sisters wiser in the faith, let me know if I'm wrong..but I even checked the Blue Letter Bible online...



Speaking of which, there's a website that's really great for looking up Bible verses, reading Scripture etc. It's called the Blue Letter Bible...It has all different English translations of the Bible...so you can look up a Scripture in one translation, and even have that translated into another English version. Click here to visit this really neat website.

I first heard about this from my father a couple of years ago. For a period of about a year, my father and I didn't have a car. So we literally had to walk EVERYWHERE, including the library...and I didn't want to carry my Bible with me, because it would get really heavy while walking. So I'd walk to the library and spend an hour on the computer just reading my Bible...and that was how I did part of my devotions for awhile. It's a bit unconventional...but at the time it worked and was a real ministry to me...

Oh...and while I was pontificating on why the "joy of the LORD is my strength" was only found in one spot in all of Scripture...my dad reminded me that all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching etc...and He reminded me that God's promises back then, are still promises today.

Then we started telling silly jokes...and I'll end with a funny...Bear with me...I'm going to take a little liberty here..

Question: Who was the second shortest person in the Bible?
Answer: Knee High Mia...(Nehemiah)

Question: Who was the first shortest person in the Bible?
Answer: Bildad the Shoe Height (Shuhite)  :) :)


Okay...I hope you enjoyed the humor. It's good clean fun :) :)  Thank you so much for praying for my dad and I....your continued prayers are always appreciated!!! That's the news from Oregon today. Extra love and hugs, Heather :)

Bible Verse Sunday for September 26th, 2010

HI everyone....Are you having a good Sunday? Here's a Bible verse that I literally carry around with me everywhere I go. I didn't have any idea for a photo and I wanted to write out the ENTIRE verse...so I just photographed the index card upon which it was written. This one is in the New King James version of the Bible.



I always have my little "portable" Bible underneath my computer  monitor at work...and this little index card with Philippians 4:8-9 written on it...sitting on top of that. I try to memorize Scripture at work...because I want to commit more Scripture to memory...but also because I don't want to get burned out at work. There are only so many photos of fruit etc that I can stand before it gets boring fast :) :) 

Also, this verse...among many others...helps me to keep things in perspective, especially when customers are being difficult etc.  Yesterday, my customers were really nice, but it was quiet and I wanted to focus my thoughts on something besides myself and boredom. So I was looking at this verse...and this idea poppped into my head to write down the keywords to help me memorize it. See the photo below...

In the NKJ version, the word see is actually "saw"...but I was trying to make it applicable to right NOW....but it still helps me to memorize it correctly :) :) :)

This paper is literally the paper I was  "doodling" on at work yesterday. I wrote 9:45 a.m. because that is when I thought up this idea...You can see my little "doodle" mistake and a drop of water I spilled on here.  Anyway, I was really pleased with this and the verse is an excellent measure for anything in life....one practical thing, is for what we watch on television. That's a challenge even for me sometimes..

However, at the end when I wrote "learn, receive, see"...."DO"...."peace"....think about it....put into practice what God has for us and we WILL have peace. He's the author of perfect peace :) :) :) He loves us so very much.

Anyway, that's my verse for today. That's the news from Oregon today. Bonus love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

My 8th Tea Time Tuesday & Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday for August 31st, 2010.

Hi everyone...

Phew..it's been a crazy couple of weeks. I just started back to work at a luxury fruit gift company a few weeks ago and things have been crazy and busy and crazy-busy.  For the next few weeks, I'll be repeating some tea things...but telling you some more stories behind each of these tea things and sharing some more Scriptures etc...at least until I can add more tea things to my collection :) :) :)

Here's where it all began...oh all those lovely tea cups and the siren call of "Let's have tea" :) :) :) You ladies are awesome...and now I'm hooked on tea :) :) :) That's okay...I've been so blessed by all of you :) :) This first photo is some of the tea things that actually belong to my grandmother.

This was part of my grandmother's wedding china. She had a full set for 8 people :) :)

My grandmother passed away in 1995...to cancer.  She went peacefully in her sleep and I miss her still...but I don't cry..not anymore...rather my heart still aches a little for the woman I loved so much and still do. She was a woman who loved Jesus Christ.  The day that she went home to be with Jesus Christ, it would have been her 53rd wedding anniversary.

Below is a close-up of the sugar bowl. I don't recall my grandmother ever actually using this, because she was very health conscious. Of course, I wouldn't remember sugar for my tea...but I DO REMEMBER a sweet....either a half of a Danish, a homemade cinnamon role or oatmeal molasses cookies... :) :) :)


I was thinking about all the teas I would have EVERY DAY when I spent summers with her. It's so random, because just today, I was sitting at my computer at work and trying to figure out how to sell peaches..and YES, they are very TASTY AND DELICIOUS :) :) :)...truly...but then all of a sudden I found my thoughts wandering to my grandmother.

We ALWAYS had tea around 3 or 4 p.m. as I recall...and it was special.  I remember sitting at the table having tea and staring out her window. She had a perfect view of the ocean less then a few miles away. After we'd had time to visit, she'd pull out her Bible and some of these Bible stories that her mother-in-law...my great-grandmother had written who knows when...I'm sure she wrote those back when God was a boy..but in any case, she'd always read one of those stories and we'd talk about it. What did we talk about? I don't remember. All I can recall is that each story always illustrated some principle out of the Bible.

Here is a close-up of the detail on the sugar bowl. This is the same vine/leaf with shell edging that you'll find on all the cups, dishes, saucers etc. Isn't it beautiful? I love the delicate detail. That is real bonafide Wedgwood china...

Oh...I love this sugar bowl. So cute and chubby and just plain beautiful :) :) :)

My grandmother would make me memorize Scripture...which at the age of 14 and 15 was NOT what I wanted to do..but I obliged, because she was my grandmother and I loved her :) :) Although as soon as the Bible lesson was over, I was away from the kitchen table quick...and doing other things...like looking at her family photos ;)

She felt that it was important that I commit God's Word to memory. She thought it was smart and would serve me well in adulthood. My grandmother was right..although I would not have admitted it at the time. I'm so thankful now for that foundation that she instilled in me. 

It's funny when I think back on it now...because I don't remember a single word of what we talked about other than those stories from my great-grandmother. However, I do remember her telling me why she bought Bibles for all the kids in her Sunday school class. Some of the kids couldn't afford a Bible, some just didn't have them for whatever reason etc...but she wanted every kid to have a Bible and to read it :) :) :) She would paste a name plate into each one...it said "Ex Libris" at the top in fancy script.  How do I know this? She gave me one back in 1990..It's a New King James "Open Study Bible".  It's fantastic and has really great outlines. 

In any case, I do remember that and that always touches my heart even after all these years.  I've always wondered about those kids that she taught. She really did love those kids...that I remember very well!!! She loved them enough to tell them about Jesus and teach them the Bible :) :)

Below is the backstamp. I think this was the backstamp on the sugar bowl. I don't remember exactly. The backstamp itself is the same on all the dishes and cups...however, some of the "series numbers" are slighly different.

As a young teenager I had no idea about the long and impressive history of Wedgwood china. All I knew was that this was gorgeous and I loved it because it belonged to my grandmother's :) :) :)

Those are my tea things for today :) :) :) I spent a few years living in Europe in my early 20s. Three of those years I spent in Germany.  When my friends would ask me a question about something that would involve a long story or response...I usually replied with "Das ist eine Tasse Tee-Geschichte". That literally means "That's a cup of tea story". What that implied was, we need to sit awhile, sip some tea and have a long chat about whatever the subject happened to be...that was okay with me :) :) It was always a good excuse to have something good to drink and spend time with friends.

Oh, I'll be sharing stories from work from time to time and I' ll be calling these segments "Tales from the Pear Tree". So here goes...it'll look something like this..

"Kids...it's time for another episode of "Tales from the Pear Tree"....:) :)

I work for a luxury fruit gift company here in Southern Oregon.  It's been around for decades...75 years to be exact...and actually has a history going back further than that...:) :) :) In any case, the old department I worked in...outbound telemarketing...that department was eliminated over a year and a half ago.  It was just brought back a few weeks ago. I realize I sound a bit disjointed here...but there's so much to talk about and I only have so much blog space :) :) :)

In any case, one of the things I do involves calling past customers and asking if they'd be interested in any of our specials. It's great product...but it's not always easy to tell people about over the phone. Right now, it's peach season and we sell lots of Oregold peaches.  My job is not easy...and honestly, the only reason I do it is because it is what's available and it pays the bills...sort of :) :) 

However, I am blessed because at least half of the ladies and 2 guys that I work with are Christians...all different kinds...but all love Jesus Christ :) :) :)  In any case, this past week was especially hard because customers were mean, talking rude, being condescending etc... and honestly it made me cry this week.  I was frustrated because I get that people don't like telemarketers...but that's no excuse to be rude. So I thought that I will write a post on how to treat telemarketers...AND some tips on how to gently get rid of them while still being nice and polite :) :) I've learned a few things in this job :) :)

In any case, right now it's peach season and I've been selling peaches like they're going out of style!!! I was working that phone so much I was beginning to feel a little bit like a peach hussy...actually, I was thinking "peach harlot"..but "hussy" is probably a better term :) :) While in between phone calls, I turned to one of my co-workers...also a fellow Christian...and we were talking about how hard it was to get sales this one particular day. We'd only worked about half the day, but it felt like we were working overtime.  We both came up with the term "peach harlot"...and just started busting up laughing :) :) :) Oh, it was some welcome comedic relief, that's for sure...and now I can't stop laughing over it :) :)

I did read a verse the other day which I wrote out and put under the computer monitor...Ephesians 5:19...It's a good one...and I'll be gradually adding others. It helped me to keep things in perspective. I'm learning to pray for my customers more...something which I have not done enough of.  Today was easier :) :) Thank you Linda over at Prairie Flower Farm :) :)

Sometimes my customers are really funny...even the ones who "reject" my offers :) :) :) That's okay...I can handle the rejection :) :)  I'm blessed to talk with people all over the country and sometimes the place names are just really funny. My most favorite one of the day was a very sweet gentleman who was in "Truth or Consequences, New Mexico". Isn't that just about the funniest city name you have heard? I think so...really cute :) :)

Well, that's about it for the moment. I  still feel like I'm running around in circles...but that's okay. One of these days I'll figure it all out and be completely organized and sane...right?...hee hee hee :) : ) (Insert here great admiration for all my blogger friends who are married with kids..I don't know how you do it all :) Thanks for joining me for tea and stories.  That's the news from Oregon today. Extra love and hugs to all of  you, Heather :)

Memory Verse for Sunday and My Favorite Word at This Moment:) :) :)

Feel free to share this Scripture photo with your friends/loved ones or on your blogs. Please let people know where you found this :) :) Oh, to see the full-sized image of this photo or any photo that I post here...just left-click on the image :) :)

Hi everyone... It's actually Saturday night as I write this...but I want it read for Sunday. I'm going to try and take Sunday off from blogging...at least for today anyway :) :)

Here's the latest memory verse for this week....Psalm 27:4 !!! Enjoy!!!

Also my new favorite word is "kerfuffle". It's my new favorite word because of how it sounds when I pronounce it. I love the way it rolls of the tongue. It makes me laugh too..because of the way it sounds!!!  I first came across this in the Anne of Green Gables books and movies. This word is British in origin..and specifically Scottish if I remember correctly. "Kerfuffle" is a loud disorderly disturbance or tumult!!! Marilla Cuthbert used this word...I think it's very apropos for her, don't you? Oh I loved all the characters in the books..but anyway...I don't want to cause  a "keruffle" by writing too much :) :)

Here's a plain version of the collage as I was playing around with all the hydrangea photos that I took!!! I even turned the middle photo into a black & white with just a hint of color :) :)

 

Have a great Sunday and a really good week!!! That's the news from Oregon today. Love and hugs, Heather :)

Growers/Crafters Markets have the best food & I love a good book!!!

This photo is courtesy of Prairie Flower Farm. Please pay the blog a visit. Tell them I said hello. You can find the Prairie Flower Farm button my sidebar!!!


Hi everone... Are you having a good week so far? I'm having  a great week. Today I made a sort of unplanned trip to my local growers/crafters market.  I wanted to  buy a couple of hand  pies/tarts...one sweet and one savory. So it was such unexpected fun today, I just had to snap some photos and share them with you all.

Here goes...The last time I was at the growers/crafters market was back in May. I went with some friends.  This particular market is held at the local National Guard Armory. It's fantastic.  I was so surprised by all the variety. This market is small, but mighty..and there was everything there from fruits/veggies, fresh eggs...to handmade toys and cutting boards :) I was really hungry and I saw these hand pies..and they were yummy, yummy.....and yummy!!!

When I looked at the sign, I noticed it read Pennington Farms. Oh I remembered this place. This is the farm that was featured in the July 2008 issue of Country Living magazine. At the time I didn't know they were local. I just loved their baked goods and their story.  Here's a link to the online article. It's worth checking out, the photos are fantastic. So when I realized they're local, I was really happy!!!

The first visit to the market I purchased an apple turnover and an Italian savory hand pie..both are handheld pies..so yummy. Today I purchased a blackberry hand pie and a spinach/Swiss cheese hand pie :) :) Of course, I shared both with my dad. This is my favorite booth for jams, baked goods etc. I asked if I could take a few photos. The very nice lady said "yes".  Here's a few photos of the booth...and you'll see why I love it so much :) :) :) Oh, click here to visit the Pennington Farms website :) :)


Look at all those yummy bottles of fresh preserves and jams!!!


Pennington Farm has lots of hungry fans :)


This is a little bit about the farm. They also have this on their website too :)


Okay...I love stuff like this :)

Here's some of the fresh berries available for purchase. There was quite a bit more this morning...but people kept buying it all up :) :)


Now this is what I'm talking about :) :) :)


These are the little bags that the hand pies and turnovers are lovingly packaged...wow, even the bags are cute.

This is the blackbery hand pie. Yummy, yummy, and did I say yummy!!!!


These were miniature jars of preserves that were $1.25 each..I'm going to reuse these jars for a craft project when the preserves are all eaten up :) :) :)


This was a free postcard...so I took one home. This booth has so much to look at , buy and enjoy :)

My other favorite booth at the growers/crafters market is Full Circle Bison Ranch. I love bison meat because of how it's raised...100% grass fed. It tastes a lot like beef. Click here to visit their website. Now I didn't purchase anything here, because I am on a budget...BUT they are very well known here in Southern Oregon. Their products are sold in quite a few farmers markets and stores.

What caught my interest was the bison hide and the bison fur pelt.  My dad makes leather Bible covers from leather hide..and I saw this..I knew he'd be really interested. So that was my "hook" for getting him to come to the farmer's market with me today :) :) Oh, in addition to their bison meat being 100% grass fed, it is also certified ORGANIC. That's so important.  For me at least, I'm careful about the meat I eat...because whatever the meat animals eat, you eat too. So it's just a personal conviction of mine.

The gentleman at the booth today was a real sweetheart. My dad was asking a LOT of questions, which was his way of saying that he loved the booth, and especially that bison leather hide. It's super soft...softer than cow leather hide.

I don't eat a lot of meat, but when I do, I LOVE bison meat or organic beef. Full Circle Bison Ranch specializes in buffalo meat :) :) :) It's really good.

There's all sorts of bison meat products to purchase there or on-line. Full Circle Bison Ranch will ship to your door :) :)

Here's my dad talking with the nice gentleman in the hat. They're talking bison leather hides. The bison pelt on the right is also really interesting!!!


I wrote this on the back of the Pennington Farms paper bag that kept my hand pies safe till I got home to eat them :) :)   I wanted to thank them for letting me take some photos :) :) I highly recommend both businesses because their product is good, but they were also really nice to me!!! That's important in my book...don't just frequent a business for the product...but also for how they treat you as a customer :) :) :)

Oh, I love to read. Lately I've been reading a lot of historical Christian fiction. I love this genre because its great romance but also clean and uplifting.  One of the author's I love to read is Mary Lu Tyndall. Click here to visit her website or  you can go straight to her blog by clicking here. She's been having a giveaway durings Fridays in July for her book "Surrender the Heart". It's the first book in the  "Surrender to Destiny" series. This book opens up in 1812 right at the onset of the war of 1812 between the USA and Great Britain.  I won a copy. I'll finish reading this book really quickly :) :) :)

I had previously read Mary Lu Tyndall's series "Charles Towne Belles series"..which takes place in the 1750s during Colonial America.  All of her books have romance, adventure, danger and the Gospel is weaved throughout the books. So these are fantastic romances that will leave you feeling uplifted and wanting to read more.

This is me holding a copy of Mary Lu Tyndall's book "Surrender the Heart". This photo was taken today.


Mary Lu even autographed the book. How cool is this? I love it!!!!

My dad and I had a great morning. It's going to be another hot one today, for sure. I didn't know the farmer's market opens at 8:30 a.m. So the next time I go, I'm definitely going to be there when it opens :) :) :)   

I got something good to eat and now I have something romantic and uplifting to read. I hope you all are having a great day today!!!! That's the news from Oregon.  Love and hugs, Heather :)

Extra Love And Hugs To All Of You Today!!!!!!!

Feel free to share this photo on your blog or with friends and loved ones today. I created this just for you...Why? ...just because :) :) :)

Hey there,  How are you all doing today? I'm having a great day so far.  There's a neighbor that lives right across from my dad and I...in a different apartment complex, that's seperated by a wire fence. Everyday I walk by their back porch and see these beautiful roses. I've tried so many times to take photos, because the roses are beautiful and I've felt a bit sneaky...but what can I do? Those roses were just begging for a photo. Anyway, the other day it was like the rosebush just bloomed and there were all these beautiful clumps of roses. So I snapped a photo of the ones you see up above here!!!! Enjoy them.  It's the middle of the week. I just wanted bring some smiles to your faces today :) :) :)

I did see "Stubby" kitty today...meowing and letting all know that she's there. I tried to get a photo of her today...because she was looking especially cute. However, she decided the apartment gardener was more interesting...so the photo will have to wait for another day :) :) :)

Wow, I've had some wonderful  ladies join my blog the last few days..What a surprise!!! So let me welcome everyone before I forget...

WELCOME TO: Vicki at Bunny Cottage. Click here to pay her a visit. If you like anything related to tea...definitely check her out. She has some lovely pieces to share with you.  Also I love vintage anything ...and she's got lots of that, too!!!

WELCOME TO: Lady Katherine of Lady Katherine Tea Parlor.  Click here to pay her a visit.  She  has lots of lovely tea things...and she had a post recently talking about canning.  Both topics I'm really interested in. There's something about tea in a lovely setting that just makes the everyday things seem more beautiful somehow :) :)

WELCOME TO: Martha of Martha's Favorites.  Click here to say hello and visit her blog. She has lots of lovely tea things. I love the combination of Victoriana and Americana on her blog site, too!! It's really lovely!!! She's another  tea friend that you'll enjoy visiting!!!


WELCOME TO: Cindy McGough...I noticed you joined my blog. Thank you :) :) :) I didn't see a link to your blog if you have one...if you do, please let me know, so that I can post a link here...so my friends can come pay you a visit. Otherwise, I'm so glad you joined!!!

Here's another lovely Scripture from Prairie Flower Farm. I thought this would encourage you as much as it has me today. Click here to pay Linda a visit or just click on the button on my right sidebar. She talks about the quilt used in this photo. Isn't it lovely? You can tell there's a lot of love in this quilt!!!

So my dad and I got rent paid.  I bought a second copy of "Mary Janes Farm" magazine. Apropos, MJF...there's a button for her on my sidebar. Check it out.  I always take the copy I receive in the mail and gently pull apart the pages and place them in my own three-ring binder. I keep two binders now full of ideas, recipes, decorating tips, crafts etc..that I want to use now and ones that I'll use later if God blesses me with a husband and a family of my own. Well, until the hubby and kids come along, I'm just working on making my home a hospitable and lovely place to be :) :)

I went to three different stores to look for a product called Pink Zote Soap. Click here to see an image of it at Lehman's. By the way, that's where I'll be ordering this soap from them.  I was visiting my blogger friend Maryjane over at "The Beehive Cottage". There's a link to her blog on my sidebar. She has a really nice recipe for 16 pound batch of homemade powdered laundry soap. You can use Fels Naptha OR "Pink Zote Soap"...and I wanted to buy the pink soap, just so I could have really pretty pink powdered laundry soap. OH, click here to check out her recipe...

Anyway, I went to Albertsons, Fred Meyer, Winco and even two towns over to Walmart...and NO LUCK...no pink Zote soap to be had anywhere :( :( :( Well, it's not the end of the world...no...but I'll have to wait awhile before I can make homemade PINK powdered laundry soap :) :) :)

So my dad and I came home.  I was a little sad...but I quickly recovered. I wasn't going to be grumpy simply for lack of a nice big bar of pink soap. HOWEVER, I am going through yarn withdrawls...major!!! I was supposed to buy some more cotton yarn today..and I forgot. I'm going to run out today and I'll have nothing to knit with. That'll be a good time to pick up my crochet cotton, instead...Aunt Lydia's crochet cotton here I come.... :) :) :) I love my "Aunt Lydia's..:) :) :)

That's all the happenings so far today!!!! Oh, I'm up to 9 uses so far from the homemade powdered laundry soap I made awhile back. Click here to visit the recipe I used...or click here where I broke down the cost of materials. I'm marking each time I use a "serving" of this laundry soap, so I can see how much it actually costs me per use!!!!

Alrighty...I have so many ideas for things I want to make for the apartment...and not enough hands or hours...hmm...how about I give up some sleep. Sleep is overrated anyway...well, not really...it's very necessary for our bodies and keeps us all looking beautiful!!! In my case, I need to sleep a lot :) :)

Before I forget, I've been doing this really cool Bible study by Pastor Mark Driscoll on the book of Ruth called "Redeeming Ruth"  Check out Tressa at "Walking in His Path" and Micah of "Unfading Beauty". both of these ladies are leading the study. They are two young women who've committed their lives to following after God. They are true beauties and real sweethearts. Also the study is really encouraging...so please join, if you are interested...One thing that I really like, if you go back and read the book of Ruth...when Ruth and Boaz first meet, she's out working in  a field. She's probably stinky and very dirty...and Boaz doesn't even think about that.  He sees her character and that's what he finds attractive!!! Something to think about ladies :) :) :)

Love and hugs to all of you. Thanks so much for being a part of my blog and blessing me with your lives. You all have something unique that makes my heart very glad :) :)  That's the news from Oregon, Heather :) :) :)

I Love Giveaways!!!! (see update) & I'm Knitting Up a Storm This Week!!!

This photo is courtesy of Prairie Flower Farm.  Click here to pay a visit...!!! You'll enjoy your time here and leave with a smile!!!! 

Oh someone left me a comment today about about 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time...Blogger deleted it before I even had a chance to read it :( :( :( So I don't know which one of you dear friends wrote to me....no fun when Blogger deletes comments left for me WITHOUT MY PERMISSION :( :(  As soon as it reappears...I'll be able to write back!!!

Oh, there's so many beautiful blogs I don't know what to do with myself. The last few days I've found some really neat ones that combine my love of Jesus Christ, vintage, romantic, antique, rustic, country...etc...I'm on sensory overload..and my heart is so joyful I just can't stand it.  One of the blogs I just recently found/started following is Brenda's over at Shabby Cats and Roses.  Click here to pay her a visit.  When you look at the header on her blog, you'll understand why  I love it!!!! I love pink...and this, well, it's a lot of eye candy...all the pretty dishes and beautiful things. I love how she makes everything so hospitable and inviting!!! It's amazing. 

Brenda over at Shabby Cats and Roses is hosting  really fun CHRISTMAS IN JULY GIVEAWAY. CLICK HERE TO ENTER AND FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO WIN THIS WONDERFUL GIFT!!!! This stocking is made with love and who doesn't love presents?  Oh, and Christmas isn't over till you receive your last gift :) :) :) I like the colors and design...so it fits right into my decor that I'm working on for my home.  It also matches my Shabby Chic bedding :) :) :) Check out her site....you'll enjoy the time you spend there!!!!

ANOTHER FUN GIVEAWAY AT FLAT CREEK FARM: Pay Tammy @ Flat Creek Farm a visit for details. Click here. She's giving away a $50 CSN store gift certificate. I took a look at their website and there is a TON of stuff to choose from. It's really great. You can also find a link to her blog on my sidebar. Check out. I've already entered.  It's worth your time to enter...AND she's got a really great blog...so you'll enjoy that too :) :)

Another really sweet blog is The Homespun Heart which is written my friend Monica. She's a really neat lady who has a heart for Jesus and her family. She always has great ideas for making everyday things extra special...special things to do with your kids...and also spiritual encouragement etc...for us grown-ups :) :) :) Click here to view her blog or the button on my sidebar!!!  On Tuesday's post she has a photo up of a really cute farm just outside of Topeka, Kansas. I know some of you live there...do you recognize the farm? If yes, pay Monica a visit and let her know. Pay her a visit anyway. She's gracious and hospitable :) :) :)

Sandi over at Rose Chintz Cottage Inspiration is another really neat blog. She loves Jesus and all things related to the home!!!!  She has lots of pretty things to look at and encouraging things to read!!! I just joined her Tea Time Tuesday. Click here to pay her a visit..or you can find a link to her on my sidebar!!!

I've been knitting quite a bit the last few days.  I find it really relaxing. Yesterday, I started from scratch and finished to French bath mitts!!! I'll use them for washing my face and in the shower, too. It's funny...but I like to use a fresh mitt every time I wash my face or shower :) :) :)  ...and those glass dessert bowels I found at a yard sale for $1...well, one of those is now my soap dish :) :) :) so pretty!!!! 

My dad and I have been having silly spats today...but they end in forgiveness and laughter. We were arguing over whether or not it uses less energy to leave an appliance plugged in or not...Well, I'm obviously right on this one...:) :) :) ..hee hee hee...It uses less energy to completely unplug an appliance from the wall when not in use...especially if it's not needed...ie) when we're not watching television...it is competely unplugged from the wall.  It keeps our energy bill low!!!  Sometimes I wonder why we even have spats over silly stuff like this...but I love my dad, anyway...and vice versa :) :) :) So that's a good thing...and I'm still thankful for my dad!!!!  For my married friends out there, is that what married life is like sometimes...silly spats and then forgiveness/laughter? I don't know...but I think living with my dad is teaching me some valuable lessons on how to think of others first before myself.

I had some other things I wanted to write about today...and I completely forgot!!!! WAaaggghhhh...if I remember, I'll write a new post.  What sorts of fun projects are you all up to ? I love reading about all the canning, crafts, decorating etc that everyone does...you all are great and I'm the blessed/honored one to be able to take a peak into what brings joy to your hearts!!! Thank you!!!

That's about it for the moment. I'm off to knit...surprise, surprise. I'm also going to try making some lace edgings and try out this idea I have in my head for a project. Pray that it goes well...if it does, I'll take a photo and post it here!!!!

WELCOME TO: Terri at Artful Affirmations. Click here to pay her a visit.....also WELCOME TO: Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage Inspiration. Click here to pay her a visit.  Thanks for joining my blog..that's a huge honor and blessing!!!

Oh, I think you all should read some of Emilie Barnes books...she's all about managing the home and creating more hours in your day...plus she collects tea cups!!!  I'll write a post about one of her books that I really enjoy..so keep your eyes tuned for that!!!!

That's the news from Oregon. Extra love and hugs, Heather :) :) :)