Author Archives: Ellen
Time to Switch…
…from the hummingbird feeder to a regular bird feeder, and boy have I been entertained!
Because my little hummingbirds have been few and far between but other types of birds come and perch on this feeder I decided to change the feeder out.
Can you see the flutter of the wings in this photo?
I need to get out and wash my window again so I can get clearer bird photos in the future. All the bird seed is gone so I need to buy another bag. The funniest thing to watch is the big Blue Jay who comes and attacks the feeder trying to perch on the base. He sends the feeder rocking to and fro with very little seed consumption.
Today is our last Bible Study session until January. We are having a brunch today and I’m taking Judy’s Ham and Egg cups to share. Tomorrow our son arrives from Eastern Washington for a few days. We are going to have our family Thanksgiving meal this Saturday while Dan is here. He has to work on Thanksgiving day. So much to be thankful for. Hope your week is going well.
Matryoshka Bridal Shower
On Saturday we had a Northwest Bridal Shower for Katie with a Matryoshka Theme.
The Bride Katie
Katie and Laura, sisters by marriage.
The color theme was purple, deep red, and gold.
I was so busy I forgot to take photos of all the other food. We had Savory Blintzes, a Quinoa taboulleh salad, orange-mango chicken salad, pumpkin praline trifle, and pumpkin spice cookies.
It was a fun reunion of friends who have touched Katie’s life over the years. Katie’s maid of honor, Jamie, led us in prayers for Andrew and Katie and she ended with a prayer of blessing on her friend. Such a wonderful dear time we had. Katie was showered with blessings and nice gifts. At the end of our evening the power went out so we rushed around lighting more candles. My sister Lana escorted all our guests to their cars with a flashlight!
I have to admit that I am wiped out today. We couldn’t clean up last night because we had no power so I went over to Lana’s this morning to gather my stuff and to help clean up. By the time I got there Lana had everything washed and ready to go so all I had to do was load up my car. Everything is put away in it’s place here at my house now and I’m just gonna sit around the rest of the day!
I’m linking up with Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.
O Father, We Would Thank Thee ~ Hymn
“Go forth today, by the help of God’s Spirit, vowing and declaring that in life—-come poverty, come wealth, in death—come pain or come what may, you are and ever must be the Lord’s. For this is written on your heart, ‘We love Him because He first loved us.”
~ Charles Spurgeon
O Father, We Would Thank Thee
O Father, we would thank Thee
For all Thy love has given,
Our present joy of sonship,
Our future joy in Heaven;
The life which sin had blighted
So wondrously restored
By our mysterious union
With Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rich gifts of life and gladness—
A new and heav’nly birth,
Baptismal waters flowing
To cleanse the sons of earth;
The strength in which to follow
The steps that Jesus trod;
And love beyond all knowledge
Which calls us sons of God.
A new and heav’nly birth,
Baptismal waters flowing
To cleanse the sons of earth;
The strength in which to follow
The steps that Jesus trod;
And love beyond all knowledge
Which calls us sons of God.
O mercy all abundant
Bestowed on us today!
O hope of future glory
Which fadeth not away!
By God’s great love begotten
To living hope and sure,
May we at Christ’s appearing
Be pure as He is pure.
For all Thy gifts, O Father,
Our hymns of praise arise—
The love which calls us children,
The hope which purifies;
The grace by which we offer
A service glad and free;
The earnest of perfection,
Of fuller life with Thee.
Words: Ada R. Greenaway, in Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1904.
The Story Continues…
Good Saturday Morning to you all. I’m up and busy today getting ready for a celebration.
Today we are having a Northwest Bridal shower for Katie at my sister Lana’s house. The we are my Daughter in Love Laura, Katie’s maid of honor Jamie, my sister Lana and me. We will be getting together today to decorate and get ready for our guests. Our guests are friends who have helped to write Katie’s Story. Besides our Northwest biological family we have Katie’s lifelong church friends, school friends, work friends, and our extended family through marriage who have all played a part in Katie’s story. Katie’s dad and I are very grateful for the love and friendships that have shaped Katie’s life. Of course I’ll be sharing lots of photos in the next week or two of our celebration. Here’s some of what we are looking forward to today…
We are also serving 2 salads that Gluten Free and Vegetarians will enjoy.
If I’ve been absent in visiting and commenting you now know why. Busy baking and cooking and shopping for a new outfit to wear!
Veteran’s Day ~ 11-11-11
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
The Veteran on the left served in 3 wars, World War II, Korean War, and Viet Nam. The Veteran on the right served in Viet Nam and is now part of the Patriot Guard Riders.
Thank you to all our Veteran’s! Thank you for your service to your fellow man! We appreciate your sacrifice.
Photobucket is holding my photos from this post hostage.
Birthday Cupcakes for the Marines!
Katie and I went to a local Marine Recruiting office today and delivered some cupcakes for the 236th birthday of the USMC! The Sergeant was all smiles and very appreciative of our visit.
Happy 236th Birthday USMC!
November 10, 2011 is the 236th Birthday of the U.S. Marine Corp. Since Andrew is on deployment Katie and he will miss this years Marine Ball celebration.
Katie and I are delivering cupcakes to the local Marine recruiting office today to wish them a happy birthday.
Semper Fi! Oorah! Happy Birthday to the Marines!
B is for Borsch!
It’s time for Alphabe-Thursday with our dedicated teacher Miss Jenny. We are at the very beginning …a very good place to start. Today is the letter B! I’m going back to my humble food beginnings.
When tempted to buy a head of cabbage it must be time for borsch. This is a soup I grew up on and only learned to love from my high school years on. When I was little I can remember having to sit in front of a bowl of borsch until I finished it. Left alone at the table I’d dump the bowl back in the pot and then get in double trouble. My mom would be very upset that I spoiled the whole pot with my bread laden bowl of soup. I would dunk as much bread in the soup as possible hoping the soup would disappear…
The broth for this soup is made with a 7 bone beef roast. While the vegetables are cooking I season the roast and put it in the oven for additional cooking. Pieces of the roast can be added to the soup to make it a heartier soup.
Borsch is also served with a nice dollop of Sour cream and good bread. Here’s a recipe for borsch!
Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Head over to Mennonite Girls Can Cook for this cookie recipe! Perfect for any Autumn gathering. I’ll be baking these for Katie’s Bridal Shower this weekend. Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 