Attitude of Gratitude Day 30 - Someone to Pal Around With

Attitude of Gratitude Day 30

Someone to Pal Around With

Journaling reads:  I got to spend the day with Ilene today. Well, several hours, anyway. I picked her up at 10:30 and gave her the white bucket hat I crocheted for her. She loved it and wore it! We went to Olive Garden for their soup and salad lunch. After lunch we went to COSTCO. Then we went back to her house where we played Rummikub until she had to leave for a hair appointment at 2:30. After I got home I put the COSTCO stuff away, fixed some tea for later and fixed myself a thermos of coffee. That is one of the items I had to buy at COSTCO because we were out of caffeinated coffee. I spent the afternoon cleaning up my email, playing Qwirkle on line and journaling on my blog about my Gratitude for the day.  Tonight after church I will create my Gratitude page, finish up the CT (creative team) stuff for November at OScraps and move into December! WOW! I cannot believe how fast this year went!

Thank You, Lord, for the Friend who is even closer than a Sister! I am so thankful You are always with me! Thank You for the opportunity to focus on being thankful for each and every blessing You bestow upon me throughout every day and every month of the year! Help me to always be mindful of each and every blessing!

Credits list:

All by Connection Keeping:

Practicing Gratitude Clusters

Practicing Gratitude Wood Papers

Practicing Gratitude Light Grungy Papers

Practicing Gratitude Kit

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

Photos are mine

 

Catch-up Time

Attitude of Gratitude Day 24

Thankful Thanksgiving

Journaling reads:  We have so much to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day 2022.  First, I am thankful that we live in a country that has freedom of worship.  That leads to being thankful I go to a church that teaches the truth of God’s Word.  And hearing the truth and believing the truth leads to salvation.  It is the greatest gift of God!  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your sacrifice for those You have called to believe.

Today we are traveling to Jessica and Terry’s home in Ohio to spend the weekend with them.  We will share in a Thanksgiving meal on Friday.  Elisabeth and Brad and family will join us, as will others.  And then we will worship together with their family at their church in Lancaster.  The weekend will fly by!  But it will be a great time!  Thank You, Lord, for the gift of family!

Credits list:

All by Anna Aspnes

Artsy Layered Template No 234

ArtPlay MiniPalette Amity

ArtPlay Palette Cynefin

ArtsyTransfers Cynefin

ArtsyTransfers Festal

ArtPlay Palette Flock

Flock FotoBlendz No 1

Gather WordART Mix No 2

MultiMedia Autumn No 1

MultiMedia Branches No 8

MultiMedia Pumpkins No 2

TogetherScripted No 1

 

Attitude of Gratitude Day 25 – The Gift of Family

Friday, November 25, 2022

Journaling reads:  Today my daughter, Elisabeth and her family drove up from West Virginia to gather with us for the Thanksgiving meal.  Aunt Jennifer (Tim’s sister) joined us, as did Jessica’s oldest son, Michael, and his girlfriend Morgan.  That made a total of 15.  Jessica fixed a huge spread.  Jennifer contributed some food, too.  Mine and Elisabeth’s contribution was to help cut up potatoes and cheese and mix the cheeseball ingredients.  Everything was ready by about 2:30.

After the meal the kids dispersed.  Some went hunting, some played, some vegged.  The men watched football.  The women cleaned up the kitchen somewhat and talked.

The weather was pretty warm, and the wind was mean!  But that didn’t hinder the kids from wanting to play corn hole with Aunt Jennifer, brave soul that she is!  She brought materials for the kids to paint gnomes on canvas but no one was ready to settle down to paint until she was ready to leave.  So she explained the process and left the materials for me to instruct the kids.  I let them chose their own colors and showed them how to tape down the gnome cutout to sponge the background down.  After removing the cutout from the canvas, the outline of the gnome was visible from the background.  We first used a Sharpie to mark the rim of the hat and then used the bottom of a Dixie cup to draw the nose and the rim of the cup to place the shoes.  Then they painted in the areas, leaving the beard until last.  Using a dry brush method, the beard was added.  Some outlining was added and other details and paint splatters for the snow and the project was complete; each one unique and really cute!  Thanks, Aunt Jen, for the cute project!!

After everyone left, we had leftovers for a late supper and played some Qwirkle and dominoes before retiring.  It was a good day!  Thank You, Lord, for the gift of Family!

Credits list:

All by Anna Aspnes

ArtPlay MiniPalette Amity

Artsy Layered Template No 302

Flock FotoBlendz No 1

MultiMedia Baked No 1

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

Photos taken by my daughter, Jessica Jones, and me

 

Attitude of Gratitude Day 26 – Family Time

Saturday, November 26, 2022

Journaling reads:  Terry, Chance and Thad went to the pastor’s house to watch the Ohio football game, play some of their own football and eat!  Mark stayed behind as he was not feeling great.  Jessica and I were going to paint, but then decided to go shopping instead.  So the three of us girls, including Araya, went shopping at TJ Max, Ollie’s and Claire’s.  Araya had a birthday gift card for Claire’s to spend!  Then we headed home.  Pretty soon the boys were back.  The meal plan for the day was leftovers whenever you felt like eating.  That’s always a good plan, especially for the cook! 

Terry and Mark watched more football while Jessica, Araya, Thad and I (Chance later) did some more painting.  Then we played some more Qwirkle and some eating in between (maybe not in that exact order, however).  It was a very relaxing day!  Thank You, Lord, for the time spent with my daughter and her family!

Credits list:

All by Anna Aspnes

Flock FotoBlendz No 1

Artsy Layered Template No 278

ArtPlay Palette Cynefin

Celebrate WordART Mix No 1

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

Photos taken by my daughter, Jessica Jones, and me

 

Attitude of Gratitude Day 27 – Traveling Mercies

Sunday, November 27, 2022

Journaling reads:  I set the alarm for 7:30 so I could get my shower for church and start the dreaded packing for going home after church.  After Jennifer brought some of her mom’s things to me to inherit, we ended up bringing back more than we took!  I took a bunch of photo albums to Jessica for storage, since she would probably be the one to inherit them, anyway.

After services we hugged everyone goodbye and headed down the road.  It was a horrendous trip!  The 6-hour trip turned into an 8-hour trip.  The traffic was bumper to bumper!  The toll booths on the WV Turnpike were backed up for 3 miles!  The GPS tried to re-route us at one point, but gave wrong directions according to the road signs and we ended up back in the crazy traffic!  We stopped for gas before we got back into traffic, to be safe and so Mark could use the restroom, but they had no public restroom!  We had been hoping to stop at a convenient Burger King before we got to WV but that didn’t happen.  So when we took the detour we were also hoping to find one…..didn’t happen!  We stopped at the Travel stop in Beckley next to Tamarack for the restrooms and the Burger King but the Burger King was closed!  Our last ditch effort was to stop at Princeton.  We ended up at Arby’s.  Every place we stopped throughout the trip people were packing the places out.  Not sure if they were just trying to get out of the traffic for a while or if they were planned stops!  I just know our planned stops didn’t happen when we wanted them to!  Even the traffic to the tunnels as you enter Virginia was backed up for several miles!  There were stalled cars, crashes and speed traps the whole trip!  The truck behind us at one point was rear-ended in one of the sudden stops!  We were so grateful to finally get home and to get here in one piece!  Some were not so blessed!  Thank You, Lord, for traveling mercies!

All in all, I am very thankful for the time we were able to spend with the family over the last several days!  Thank You, Lord, for Your blessings on me!

Credits list:

All by Anna Aspnes

Artsy Layered Template No 234

ArtPlay Palette Flock

Flock FotoBlendz No 1

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

Photos taken by me

 

Attitude of Gratitude Day 28 – The Sweetness of Home

Monday, November 28, 2022

Journaling reads:  After winding down when we got home from our trip from Ohio yesterday, Mark and I were in bed by 11:30 and slept like rocks!  I had to get up at 7:30 to take some acetaminophen and then laid back down until about 9:30 when the dogs began to whine.  So we got up, I fixed us some coffee and we took care of the dogs and then vegged for a bit until we started waking up.

Mark got dressed and headed outside.  He took the day off to rest after driving back home yesterday.  He relaxes in the woods!  We had quite a bit of rain while we were gone so the first thing he did was to check out the trails and see if any trees were down.  Then he decides what he needs/wants to do.  Today he is stacking some wood and wants to find a tree or two that he can cut down to make boards for the walls of the cabin.  I’ve already requested that we eat supper out tonight, so he will probably work until he is ready to eat.

My plans are to put away stuff we brought back from our trip and then catch up on journaling and scrapping the events of the weekend; other than that, not much.

We really enjoyed our time with the family this weekend, but there is no place like home!  Thank You, Lord, for the sweetness of home!

Credits list:

All by Anna Aspnes

ArtPlay MiniPalette Amity

Artsy Layered Template No 302

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

Photo taken by me

 

Attitude of Gratitude Day 29

Grateful for the Everyday

Journaling reads:  Everyday upon rising from my bed should begin the process of living a grateful life. But, I must confess that I take a lot of things for granted and it begins with being able to get out of bed! Please bear with me as I enumerate my gratefulness for my day:

Thank You, Lord, for the health and strength to get out of bed.

Thank You, Lord, for the technology to text my husband every day.

Thank You, Lord, for the great friendship I have with Ilene and Carolyn.

Thank You, Lord, for my washer and dryer.

Thank You, Lord, for the clothes I have that need washing.

Thank You, Lord, for my stove so I can fix good meals for Mark.

Thank You, Lord, for Mark's good job that allows us to buy groceries and all of the things we need.

Thank You, Lord, for the warm home to live in.

Thank You, Lord, for the dishes that need washing.

Thank You, Lord, for the dishwasher to wash the dishes.

Thank You, Lord, for the refrigerator to keep our food fresh.

Thank You, Lord, for the postal system that delivers my mail to me.

Thank You, Lord, for Asher being a good dog.

Thank You, Lord, for my computer.

Thank You, Lord, for the internet.

Thank You, Lord, for wireless phones that allow me to keep in touch.

Thank You, Lord, for the written Word we can read daily.

Thank You, Lord, for the nighttime.

Thank You, Lord, for my comfortable bed.

Thank You, Lord, for the wonderful day!

Most of all, Lord, Thank You for giving me salvation!

Credits list:

Lucky and Blessed Collection by Vicki Stegall

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

 

 

  

Attitude of Gratitude Day 23 - Kindness

Attitude of Gratitude Day 23

Kindness

Among the pitfalls in our way,
The best of us walk blindly;
So, man, be wary, watch and pray,
And judge your brother kindly.
–Alice Cary, American poet (1820–71)

Journaling reads:  I am thankful that, in Christ, our family members love one another and get along very well!  There are and will always be differences of opinions; it’s in our nature.  But we can always agree to disagree in a loving and kind way.  We are a family of jokesters and teasers and we love being together when possible.  Our gatherings are too few and far between as far as I am concerned!  But life has a tendency to get in the way.  But we enjoy the times together and I don’t remember a time that anyone has left a gathering feeling rejected and unloved.  And, thank the Lord that is the way it should be.  Thank You, Lord, for the love You have given our family for one another!

I read a good little writing on kindness that I want to share.  Credits are HERE.

“Kindness is something our world is desperate for. With growing fears and anxieties, everyone could just a kind word or gesture. As Christians, God calls us to be the light in the world - to love and be kind to all, even our enemies! This collection of Bible verses about kindness will allow God to speak to your heart about the importance of kindness, which in the end leads to good in the world.

Sometimes the difficulty we face in being kind stems from a need to forgive someone else. You can read these bible verses about forgiveness to remind you of the power of forgiveness not only for the other person but for yourself! The Scripture tells us in Ephesians 4:32 - “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

A Prayer for Kindness, Compassion, and Forgiveness
Father, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness describe Your character. How can I be more like You, Father? How can I be an outlet of Your kindness, compassion, and forgiveness to the people You have purposefully placed in my life? Show me, Father. Open my heart to remember the words of my Savior and feel the all-encompassing love of You, my heavenly Father. I am loved, chosen, purposed, and forgiven. Therefore, embolden me to pray, live, and love in a reflection of these great truths about who and Whose I am. Guide my prayers and my life. Let all I do, honor You. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

Any time you gather with your family, friends and loved ones, remember to begin with kindness followed by forgiveness!  Remember, “you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar!”

Credits list:

Baby Bee Garden (With everything in it!) by Lorie Davison

Time To Fly Kit by Vicki Robinson

Salad by emeto designs

Fly https://www.kindpng.com/downpng/iiwiJJ_fly-png-transparent-background-fly-png-png-download/

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

  

Attitude of Gratitude Day 22 - Weather/Neighbors

Attitude of Gratitude Day 22

Weather/Neighbors

Journaling reads:

Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood Lyrics

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood
A beautiful day for a neighbor
Could you be mine?
Would you be mine?

It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood
A neighborly day for a beauty
Could you be mine?
Would you be mine?

I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you

Let's make the most of this beautiful day
Since we're together, might as well say
Would you be my, could you be my
Won't you be my neighbor?

The Parable of the Good Samaritan – Luke 10:25-37 (ESV)

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”  He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”  And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all [of] your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”  And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”   But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”   Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.   Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.   So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.   But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.   He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.   And the next day he took out two denarii [a day’s wages] and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’   Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”   He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

 

This started out to be a post about the beautiful day.  But after remembering the song Mr. Rogers used to sing at the opening of his program, it turned into being about neighbors.  It is a shame that we don’t know our neighbors the way our mothers and fathers and grandparents knew their neighbors.  I’m talking about the next door neighbors.  Mark and I speak to our next door neighbors when we see them, but that is not very often.  We wave to the neighbors across the road when we see them.  But again that is not very often.  Everyone leads such busy lives that there seems to be no time for getting together socially with the people we live next door to.  And, to be honest, I don’t really want to put myself out there for others to know the ins and outs and daily activities of my life.  There is so much evil in the world you, sometimes, can’t even trust your own family!  Because of that I want to “keep my nose in my own business” and I want everyone else to do the same!

 

That being said, that isn’t what Jesus did.  Jesus didn’t stay locked up inside the house all His life.  He didn’t even have a house to call His own.  He was out and about, meeting and greeting and talking to His “neighbors.”  That was anyone He came into contact with.  How many times did he spend the night with “strangers?”  I need to be more like my pastor who is not afraid to talk to “strangers.”  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not suggesting we hit the streets and go with any Tom, Dick, or Harry who invites us home with them!  But I know I need to be more open to the leading of the Holy Spirit to at least talk to my neighbors.  But it gives my heart trepidation to even thinking about it! 

 

Lord, my prayer today is that I would decide to step out in faith more often and speak words of wisdom and salvation to those I come in contact with.  And please forgive my failures at the attempts I make!  Help me to trust You more!  Thank You for the beautiful day in my neighborhood.  Thank You for the patience and mercy You show to Your weak children every day!

 

Reminder to Self:

Have No Fear – Matthew 10:26-33 (ESV)

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.   What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.   And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.  So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

 

Credits list:

Eucalyptus | Mixed Media Kit by Rachel Jefferies

Eucalyptus | Impasto by Rachel Jefferies

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood lyrics

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

Photos are mine

  

Attitude of Gratitude Day 21 - Beauty

Attitude of Gratitude Day 21

Beauty

Journaling reads:  Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, right?!  Today’s beauty lies in the taste of the pies I baked...not in the looks of the pies!  Of course, the Cool Whip may have helped a little, too!  ;)  The bottom oven element messed up and Mark said the top element had to make up for the difference and that is why the tops of the pies were burned!  The insides of the pies tasted just fine!

Credits list:

Delicious Time Digital Kit by et designs

Delicious Time Playing with Brushes by et designs

Delicious Time Clipping Masks by et designs

Delicious Time Titles by et designs

Delicious Time Solid Papers by et designs

Delicious Time Vintage Brushes by et designs

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

Photos are mine

 

A Hunting We Will Go!

A Hunting We Will Go

Journaling from my daughter reads:  “Thad has been waiting for this day for a long time! He’s wanted to go hunting for years. This year he gave his dad all of his birthday money and together they purchased a gun. Today they woke up early to go walk the property that they will be hunting on and, Lord willing, tomorrow after church they will head out for day 2 of youth gun season! My momma heart would like to keep them sheltered safe at home but instead I’m letting Thad fly a little and covering them in prayer!”

Credits list:

All by Anna Aspnes

ArtPlay Christmas Magic BrushSet

ArtPlay Palette Christmas Magic

ArtsyTransfers Forester

ArtPlay Palette Forester

ArtPlay Palette Yule

ArtsyTransfers Yule

Evergreen FotoBlendz No 1

MultiMedia Branches No 1

MultiMedia Holiday No 3

MultiMedia Reindeer No 1

Outdoors WordART No 1

Woodland Animals No 1

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

Photos taken by Jessica and Terry Jones

 

Attitude of Gratitude Day 20 - Worship

Attitude of Gratitude Day 20

Worship

Journaling reads:  Nowhere in the Bible do you find where man is to be worshiped.  Only God, the Creator of the universe, and you and me, deserves to be worshiped.  We should worship God because He is holy; man is sinful.  If we worship anyone or anything other than Him, we anger Him!  Anyone or anything in our lives that come before God is an idol.  We must worship Him in spirit and truth…..Worship of anything or anyone else mentioned in the Bible is spoken about in a negative way!  When we go to His house, we are there to worship Him!  Thank You, Lord, that we still have the freedom to go to Your house to worship You in Word, song and prayer!  Psalm 122:1 “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”

Psalm 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Psalm 81:9 There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.

Psalm 95:6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

Psalm 99:5 Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

Jeremiah 25:6 And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.

Micah 5:13 Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands.

Zephaniah 2:11 The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.

Matthew 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Credits list:

Angel Wings Kit by Lynne Anzelc

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

Photos blended into the background are mine

 

Attitude of Gratitude Day 19 - Health

Attitude of Gratitude Day 19

Health

Journaling reads:  Headaches have always been a plague of mine.  I can remember having to go to bed as a teenager to wait for them to subside so I could function.  But despite having lots of headaches all of my life, other than that I can thank the Lord for my relatively good health!  At 67 years of age I can thank the Lord that I am not on any prescription medications.  I take acetaminophen for the headaches, famotidine for acid control when needed, and night time acetaminophen to turn my brain off, LOL!  I do have trouble with my digestive system with IBS, but I can usually control the problems by eating bland foods and carbs seem to be my stomach’s friend.

We all have our “thorns in the flesh” I suppose.  Since the great apostle Paul had a thorn in the flesh, I guess I’m in good company!  Even our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, had to endure thorns in his flesh.  And He did it for me!  Thank You, Lord, for the sacrifice You made on my behalf!  I have nothing to complain about and everything to be thankful for!

Credits list:

All by Vicki Robinson:

Time to Renew Transfers

Time to Renew Kit

Time to Renew Layered Clusters

Breathe Kit

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

 

Attitude of Gratitude Day 18 - Grandchildren

Attitude of Gratitude Day 18

Grandchildren

Journaling reads:  I remember when Jessica told me back in 2000 that I was going to be a grandma for the first time! I felt like I was too young to be a grandma at the young age of 45! But when Michael was born in April 2001 my grandma genes came to life! After that I was eager and excited with each and every addition to our growing family! The Lord blessed us with a quiver full, indeed!

Proverbs 17:6 Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.

Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

And after Mark and I got married the Lord DOUBLED the number of children and grandchildren for both of us with our combined families!

Thank You, LORD, for the quiverS full of children and grandchildren!

This is a picture of my mom and dad holding their first great grandchild!

Credits list:

Life After 50 Kit by Karen Schulz

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

Photo is mine

 

Attitude of Gratitude Day 17 - Fantasy

Attitude of Gratitude Day 17 – Fantasy

Kitchen Fairies

Journaling reads:  I’m being “real” today!  I have kitchen fairies, but they don’t always show up every day!  As a matter of fact, they rarely show up on a daily basis!  And sometimes I have to fire them and hire new ones to get my kitchen cleaned up so I can even prepare a meal!  But I am thankful for those dirty dishes because it means we have food to eat a-plenty!  Thank You, Lord, for Your daily provisions!

Sometimes my kitchen fairies

Are busy as little bees

But more times than not

They are very hard to spot

Credits list:

The Artists' Faeries (With everything in it!) by Lorie Davison

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

Photo is mine (blended into the background with Overlay blend mode so the fairies and other elements would show up more than the messy sink, LOL!)

 

Attitude of Gratitude Day 16

Attitude of Gratitude Day 16 – A Date

Lunch with Mark

Journaling reads:  I’m usually not ready to eat at 11 a.m.  Normally I eat, when at home, between 12 and 1 in the afternoon.  But, when Mark invites me to go to lunch, I go.  I go because, well, I like going out to eat even if I’m not hungry at the time, I can always bring home the leftovers!  And who better to go with than my husband! ;)  Thank You, Lord, for blessing me with yet another wonderful husband!  Thank You for the opportunity to spend some time together for a lunch date!  11/16/22

Credits list:

Now and Forever Kit by Vicki Stegall (the border and frame cluster were newsletter gifts)

Sometimes Digital Scrapbooking Elements (photomask)

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

Photo is mine

 

Attitude of Gratitude Day 15

Attitude of Gratitude Day 15 – A Book

The Murphy Shepherd Trilogy by Charles Martin

Journaling reads:  Murphy Shepherd is drawn to help those who can’t help themselves, especially those who have been coerced into the evils of human trafficking.  And with no thought of self-preservation he gives himself wholly to the need of one lost sheep, just like Jesus.

Each book in the series keeps you on the edge of your seat!  And the series ends in a totally surprising way!

But, don’t take my word for it!  Read or listen for yourself!  You won’t be sorry you did!

I am thankful for audiobooks, especially!

Charles Martin is considered to be a Christian-based fiction writer.  I am thankful that my daughter, Jessica, made me aware of his writings!  I have placed a hold on all of his audiobooks that are available on Libby.  Thanks, Jessica!

I am currently listening to, “Chasing Fireflies.”  Wonderful!! 11/15/22

Credits list:

Life After 50 by Karen Schulz https://www.oscraps.com/shop/digital-scrapbooking-kit-life-after-50-karen-schulz-designs.html

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

 

Attitude of Gratitude Day 14

Attitude of Gratitude Day 14

A Goal

Journaling reads:  I had several goals today…..do Mark’s laundry, get groceries, finish crocheting the bucket hat and clean out the old leftovers from the fridge.  I am happy and grateful to say that I accomplished all of the above!  Thank You, Lord, for the health and energy to do so!  Now, tomorrow I am free to play!  So, the play date is already set up…..Lord willing, I will pick up Carolyn and Ilene, go to lunch, return to Ilene’s to play games.  I need to try and remember to get a selfie! ;)

Social Distancing, Time for Hobbies by After Midnight Design https://www.oscraps.com/shop/Social-Distancing-Time-for-hobbies.html

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

Photos are mine

 

Attitude of Gratitude Day 13

Attitude of Gratitude Day 13 – A Talent

Crocheting and Knitting

Journaling reads:  I began knitting and crocheting as a teenager.  I learned on my own.  My mom was an avid crocheter, especially when the grandkids started coming along!  She made them stuffed animals one Christmas.  I knitted my mother-in-law-to-be an early American flag for Christmas one year since she was a patriotic buff.  To say I was trying to earn some brownie points would be an understatement!  ;)

I have made things for my grandkids, too!  I especially like making the small project like bears, doll clothes, hats, scarves, mittens, leg-warmers, etc.  I have knitted blankets and afghans, too, but I don’t like doing them much because I get bored with the project before I get it finished usually!

I’m working on a crocheted bucket hat now.  I’m finding that my finger joints are liking my crafting less and less, so I am crocheting some and then taking a break.  Thank You, Lord, for the ability to work with my hands!  11/13/22

Credits list:

Social Distancing, Time for Hobbies by After Midnight Design https://www.oscraps.com/shop/Social-Distancing-Time-for-hobbies.html

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

Photo is mine

 

Use It All Challenge

Attitude of Gratitude Day 12 – A Place

Mall Road

Done for the Use It All Challenge by Karen Schulz Designs found here:  https://oscraps.com/community/threads/use-it-all-challenge-with-karen-schulz-november-2022.36507/

Journaling reads:  Shoe Carnival was having a BOGO boot sale and I wanted to get some for the upcoming winter.  I asked Elisabeth if she wanted to go with me.  She came to the house with Hannah and we were on our way.

WOW!  The holiday shopping traffic is already CRAZY!!!  After we left Shoe Carnival, we went to 5 and Below.  The Target stop was a bust.  Hobby Lobby was ridiculous!  The check-out lines were all the way back into the store!  Elisabeth was going to look at the Fall 75% clearance stuff, but she didn’t want to have to stand in the long check-out line, so we left.

We drove to Arby’s for lunch at about 1:15 and then we headed home by way of the back roads to avoid the mall traffic!  Now I remember one of the reasons I decided to start giving the kids money for Christmas!  OY VEY!

In other news, Mark got the roof on the cabin today!

And now, I just realized that my journaling has not reflected my gratitude for the day.

I’m thankful that I got to spend the day unexpectedly with my daughter and granddaughter.

I’m thankful that I was able to find boots.

I’m thankful that Mark got the roof completed on the cabin!

I’m thankful it was not raining today, but was warm and the clouds were lovely!  I just wish I had taken a picture!

Love to all!

Credits list:

Bushel of Blessings Mini by Karen Schulz found at link above

Bushel of Blessings Kit by Karen Schulz

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

Photos are taken by Elisabeth Palmer, Mark and Vicky Whittemore

 

Anna Aspes Color Challenge

Aim High

Done for the Anna Color Challenge found here:  https://oscraps.com/community/threads/annacolor-challenge-11-04-2022-11-17-2022.36530/

Journaling reads:  Ryan is playing on the Rockwell Christian School basketball team for the second year now.  Last year he played on the JV and Varsity team.  I believe he is just on the varsity team this year.  He has grown probably 12 inches in the past year or so.  That makes him a good candidate for being able to out-jump the opponent with his height of near 6 feet, I’m sure, by now.  GO, RYAN!!

Credits list:

Artsy Layered Template No 292 by Anna Aspnes

ArtsyTransfers Anaphora by Anna Aspnes

ArtPlay MiniPalette Biblio by Anna Aspnes

ArtsyTransfers MiniBiblio by Anna Aspnes

Sports WordTransfers No 1 by Anna Aspnes

Achieve WordART No 1 by Anna Aspnes

 

Attitude of Gratitude Day 11 - A Change

Attitude of Gratitude Day 11 – A Change

The Weather

Journaling reads:  When I let Asher out to go to the bathroom I could not believe how warm, windy and muggy it was!  Probably just a few of the reasons why I had a tornado watch notification on my phone this morning.  It was cloudy, but lots of blue sky, too, peeking through the clouds, as was the sunshine.  I donned my hoodie, grabbed my purse and the grocery list and headed to the store. 

I didn’t need the hoodie outside, but I am usually freezing in the grocery store.  Mark told me he was leaving work around 11 and since it was almost that time when I left the house I decided to stop and see if he wanted to grab lunch before he headed home.  But he had eaten breakfast so was not really hungry, so I headed on to the store.

The wind had really picked up and by the time I finished my shopping and headed to the register I heard someone say that it was pouring out!  Well, I rushed out the door after paying for my groceries and pulled my hood over my head and dashed for the car!  I love that my key fob allows me to open the trunk hatch before I get there.  I only had about 5 bags (because I packed them myself) so nothing got too wet, including me!  The hoodie saved me from lumping together! ;)

I’m thankful for the carport that allows me to unload groceries under shelter!  By the time I got home the rain had diminished quite a bit.  I expected to see Mark’s car in the driveway, but he was in the woods under the shelter and enjoying watching the rain while reading!  He will really enjoy spending time down there when it rains after he gets the tin roof on the cabin!

Speaking of changing weather, I am so thankful that Nicole ended up being downgraded to a tropical storm after making landfall in Florida so soon after the last devastation from Ian.  I pray the two people who were electrocuted by a fallen electrical line are the only two casualties!  I’m thankful my sister weathered the storm safely!  And I’m assuming her daughter and family are safe, too, being just 2 miles from Kim.  Thank You, Lord, for safety through the storms.  When I talked with Kim on the phone yesterday she said the Lord brought the song, “Till the Storm Passes By” to her mind.

Verse 1 lyrics and the chorus read:

In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face
While the storm howls above me, and there's no hiding place
'Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry
Keep me safe till the storm passes by

 

Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more
Till the clouds roll forever from the sky
Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand
Keep me safe till the storm passes by

Thank You, Lord, for Your safety through the storms of life.  11/11/22

Credits list:

Process:  I began with a paper of Rachel’s.  Using 2 of Anna’s brushes and one paint element of Rachel’s, I grouped them together to create a photo mask that I used on a copy of the middle photo.  I stretched it and blended it into Rachel’s paper.  There are 2 edge overlays; one is blended into the background and the other on top of that to give the dark edges.  The elements are a mix from both designers.

Carefully Curated | Whatever the Weather Mixed Media Artistry by Rachel Jefferies

Carefully Curated | Whatever the Weather Misc Mixed Media Paperie by Rachel Jefferies

Carefully Curated | Whatever the Weather Journaling Prompts + BONUS by Rachel Jefferies

MultiMedia Rain No 1 by Anna Aspnes

Stained Edge Overlays No 1 by Anna Aspnes

ArtPlay Palette Storm by Anna Aspnes

Stained Edge Overlays No 2 by Anna Aspnes

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

Photos are mine

 

Attitude of Gratitude Day 10 - A Challenge

Attitude of Gratitude Day 10 – A Challenge

Beating the Computer at Qwirkle

Journaling reads:  Qwirkle is a game I learned about from a friend I have known for many, many years.  She posted a picture of her family playing it during a game night at church.  She said it was a fun game that the whole family enjoyed.  So I bought one since Mark and I enjoy playing games.  And now I am trying to teach the game to my two dear friends, Ilene and Carolyn.

The object of the game is to, in scrabble form; connect a set of 6 blocks of the same shape in 6 different colors or a set of 6 blocks of the same color in 6 different shapes.  You can see examples of both in the picture.  When you complete a set you score a Qwirkle, or 12 points.  Normally, each block you add/create a row/column with is 1 point each.  If you add a block and it is included in, say a row and a column, then that block gets 2 points.  So the object of the game is to score as many Qwirkles as you can.  When you Qwirkle a row/ column, that row/column is complete and the only thing you can do is build another row/column off to the side of the Qwirkled row/column because you cannot have duplicate blocks in the same row/column.

I found the game online.  Only thing is that you have to play against the computer.  I don’t win many games playing with the computer.  But the game shown in the picture is a game I won!  And with a couple of blocks from my “hand” I was able to double-Qwirkle!  And I did so not once, but twice!  Each double-Qwirkle earned me at least 24 points, depending how many extra blocks were touching the blocks I added.  I’m amazed at my accomplishment because I didn’t see either of the double-Qwirkles as I quite often miss the opportunity to Qwirkle a row/column!

It’s a fun game!  You should try it before you buy it!  11/10/22

Credits list:

The Elf On The Shelf Page Kit plus FREE Alpha by Vero

The Elf On The Shelf Solid and Shabby Papers by Vero

The Elf On The Shelf Masks by Vero

Fonts are Arial Narrow and Aprillica Regular

Photo is mine