~Simplicity~

As I prepare for the Holidays, my studio is awash with fabrics, patterns, and a sea magazine clippings of beautiful things that I have painstakingly chosen to re-create for my family and friends for Christmas gifts. I've gotten my grocery lists completed, and my Christmas card list laying out ready to go. The cards of course, were purchased last year at the after Christmas sale. I do this each year, and each year I am so happy with the results, but not necessarily the means in which I chose to take to get the results. See....I'm a bit of a perfectionist...need I say more?? It drives me CrAzY!!

Today I was reading my morning devotional which teaches me new things as well as reminding me of other things I have forgotten. As my brain chooses to suck in and hold trivia like a Hoover Vacuum cleaner, you can clearly see why a Daily devotional is perfect for me. Back to perfection...I read this today and thought I would share it with you. It is from "Soul Retreats for Women."

"Do I strive for perfection in my life?" Perhaps you don't strive for perfection all the time, but are there some areas of your life where you feel that you are not quite good enough? Where you just don't measure up to what you "should" be? Do you keep trying harder to be a better woman but your efforts never seem to be good enough? Does it seem that somebody keeps moving the mark on the measuring stick a few notches higher? (Now...who could that be?)

Striving for perfection is an impossible quest; perfection is a myth and forever out of reach. Aim for excellence, instead. Excellence has nothing to do with outward appearances or with what you accomplish or with what you possess. Excellence depends solely on what you are from God's perspective-and God doesn't focus on your flaws.

When you seek God's ideal, you will throw away your measuring stick. You don't need one that marks success and quality of life by the world's standards. Christ requires only simplicity of heart."

Whew!! What a blessing to read this...before I start spinning in circles!

Simplicity--what a beautiful word.

Blessings~

~Christmas Gifts & Corn Rows!~

Yes, I know this is a weird combo here! But I couldn't wait to show you the new pillow I made....and I couldn't resist this photo of the harvested cornfield! I just love it! Since I am a geometrically challenged person....this field really appeals to me. I am attracted to the bumpy, wavy, straightness (is that a word?) of it. As I watched the farmer go up, then down, then up, down again...I secretly wondered if he took sea sick pills before he began. As for me....well I found myself hanging on to the porch rail for support!! Have a Wonderful Weekend!!

~In the Morning....

"Light is sweet,

And it pleases the eyes to see the sun.

However many years a man may live,

Let him enjoy them all."

Ecclesiastes 11:7-8

What a glorious sunrise this morning! How Thankful I am that I did not miss it!

Sometimes the greatest joys are found in the peaceful stillness of a quiet heart.

May you find your greatest joy this day!

Blessings~

~Veterans Day~

To All Of Our Military Soldiers & Their Precious Families~Past And Present~Thank You For Your Sacrifice and May God Bless You Abundantly! We are so Proud of You! Keep Steadfast; Keep Strong and Return Home to a Grateful Nation and Loving Arms.
Blessings~

~God Bless the Stewards of Our Land~

It's harvest time on our little hilltop! Farmer John is out combining the corn, working hard to catch up for time lost! We are so happy to see Farmer John because when he takes the corn, he gives us a glorious view in return...miles upon miles of beautiful plains. Stay tuned for some beautiful vistas!

Blessings~

~Frost~

Good Morning~It looks like the frost has arrived! It's a beautiful icy cold morning with tiny alps of frost gathering on my porch. Aren't they lovely? I almost wish it was White Wednesday!! Enjoy the moment!
Blessings~

~Vat the Heck, Ole?~

Good Morning!~It's a lovely day here in Iowa~the farmer's continue to rush to get the corn in as the weather has delayed harvest this year. God Bless them, as they are working day and night. My husbands' family originally settled in Minnesota, and have farmed there for generations. They are good and honest salt of the earth folks who rely on God and common sense for their daily bread. My hubby and I just love getting together with them. I received this cute joke the other day.....just had to share it with you!

Ole's car was hit by a truck in an accident. In court, the trucking company's lawyer was questioning Ole.

"Didn't you say, sir, at the scene of the accident, 'I'm Fine,?' asked the lawyer.

Ole responded, "Vell, I'll tell you vat happened. I had yust loaded my favorite mule, Bessie, into da...."

"I didn't ask you any details" the lawyer interrupted. "Just answer the question. Did you not say, at the scene of the accident, "I'm fine?"

Ole said, :Vell, I had yust got Bessie into da trailer and I vas driving down the road...."

The lawyer interrupted again and said, "Judge I am trying to establish the fact that, at the scene of the accident, this man told the Highway Patrolman on the scene that he was just fine. Now several weeks after the accident he is trying to sue my client. I believe he is a fraud. Please tell him to simply answer the question."

By this time, the Judge was fairly interested in Ole's answer and said to the lawyer, "I'd like to hear what he has to say about his favorite mule, Bessie."

Ole thanked the Judge and proceeded. "Vell, as I vas saying, I had yust loaded Bessie, my favorite mule, into da trailer and vas driving her down da higvay ven dis huge semi-truck and trailer ran da stop sign and smacked my truck right in da side. I vas trown into one ditch and Bessie vas trown into da other. I vas hurting real bad and didn't vant to move. However, I could hear Bessie moaning and groaning. I knew she was in terrible shape yust by her groans. Shortly after da accident da Higheay Patrolman, he came to da scene...He could hear Bessie moaning and groaning so he vent over to her...

"After he looked at her and saw her fatal condition he took out his gun and shot her right 'tween da eyes.

Den da Patrolman, he came across da road, gun still smoking, looked at me and said, "How are you feeling?"

"Now vat DA heck vould YOU say?"

Blessings~

The muscial selection for this post is "Fields of Gold" sung by Eva Cassidy

~It's A Harvest Moon!~The Farmers Are Working!

Did you see that moon last night? Oh my goodness but it was spectacular! A harvest moon! The farmers here are working on the cornfields now having already combined the beans. They work from sun up to sun down! They are getting closer to my house!! Our house is situated right smack dab on top of a hill, the back-back yard borders up against a cornfield. During the late fall and through winter and spring, the view from the back is far reaching and just beautiful! But in the summer, we are afforded a bit more privacy with the tall corn stalks. I love the change, and the view...and the corn. We have deer in our yard often-they like the corn too! Many times as I drive down the hill, I have to stop the truck and let the deer pass. How beautiful they are! I enjoy the fawns with their big eyes and white spots. I have my camera ready to snap some photos...I keep missing them..darn! My husband calls me the "deer stalker" as I am forever trying to get photos of them!! They're slippery though--one false move and they're gone like a shot! I am not the most graceful gal anyway....in my haste to "capture the moment" I usually trip over the rugs, or spill the dog's water...It's not easy being a paparazzi!! Happy Monday!

Blessings~