Timothy likes to squeeze in where he can when I'm using my laptop. He's so warm. Sometimes knitting is difficult because he's taking up lap space so I have to hold my knitting up (awkward!) It's okay because he is a very precious little petty pet and I am ever so thankful for him.
The coleus I planted in the shade garden is still going strong (this isn't it but any coleus photo is lovely) and the nasturtiums are winding around the dirt and roots. I think it's time to buy indoor plants. What kind of indoor plants do you prefer?
I'm reading a book about Henrietta Mears. She was an amazing woman who revamped Sunday school curriculum back in the 1930's. She had a huge impact on people like Billy Graham and J.B. Phillips. The book is so inspiring that it makes one want to sign up to teach Sunday school right away.
I had an amazing Sunday school teacher when I was in the fourth grade. Her name was Mrs. Prahinski and she was IN LOVE with Jesus. Her enthusiasm was completely captivating. The Holy Spirit was alive in that little classroom. Later I went to church camp for the first time and had a counselor named Paula. She had a soft voice and a big heart. She really knew Jesus. I'll never forget her talks with us as we gathered in a circle, on the cement floor of the rustic cabin.
A few years later one of my friends introduced me to The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. The film came out later that same year. I've been smitten with Corrie ten Boom for decades now. Bill and I went to her house in Holland, remember? The Beje was where people came to receive love and attention from the ten Booms. Sitting in her living room was a dream come true.
People who impact our spiritual growth stay tucked into our hearts forever. In high school a quiet girl named Mary talked to me about her relationship with Jesus. We talked in Spanish class and in history class (I was always a talker and after being a teacher I'm a little embarrassed that I was such a blabber mouth) and I loved listening to Mary's stories. She really had a heart for me. There were other people at church that impacted me (like my own mom who taught my Sunday school class one year!) and I'm so grateful for strong souls that had the courage to speak passionately.
I'm going to hunker down and study the book of Romans for a while. Our son Brad has written a hearty study that I will use AND I ordered Henrietta Mears' book What the Bible is all About so I'll use that, too.
The season has allowed for more quiet just as I knew it would. It holds my birthday (one of my favorite days - ha ha ha!) and all the pumpkins and fun and ultimately Thanksgiving. When I was a little girl I loved to draw pumpkins and I still have this masterpiece! But even with all the hoopla there are soft quiet days like yesterday when I sipped chicken broth and knitted a sock. I fed the birds and I did my work for Nexus. We had stroganoff for dinner (Bill LOVES noodles). Ordinary days are much appreciated. For that I'm extremely grateful.
Today will be busier, but I'm thankful that sometimes I am filled with bliss simply holding Timothy and smooching his sweet little head.
So, yes our election is looming and it seems like so many people are so confused about what they believe in, juggling conflicts and inconsistencies. God is good. Jesus came to save us and HAS saved us. We don't need a president to do so.
God be with you, kind visitor.
I hope you encounter a soul or two today, people who cross your path and walk in front of your love beam. It feels good to love.
I took a photo of this sock before I "frogged" it, winding the yarn back into a ball. I was using a pattern for worsted weight yarn and sock yarn made the sock too small. It's okay. It's fun to knit socks.
Little super snoozer is a lovely companion. He pouted for a few days when Bill returned from Taiwan. I know cats punish their loved ones for leaving. He's cuddling right up to Bill again now.
The pansies are still blooming.
I wish you could pet little Timothy. He is very sleek and soft.
Look at the brothers? Lookalikes?
I had to start over with my Penguono pattern, too. It was too stiff and hard and really the wrong colors for me. I went with red and other yarns that sing with red. My first idea was too harvest-y. I would have to dye my hair an autumnal color in order to wear it. Ha ha ha.
See? He wants to participate in everything.
And so does this little sprite!
Sam and Plum made cute jack-o-lanterns.
The hollyhock that I moved is so gorgeous!
Isn't this a cute little something? I saw it in the Papyrus store window when we were mall walking.
This is a house near one of Jeff's work sites. Some Americans go loco for Halloween!
I adore ponytail photos.
We made banana bread. It smells so good, but frankly, it always makes me feel a little carsick.
Tim likes to catch the sunbeams.
I couldn't wait for this book to come but it's a bit disappointing. The photos are vintage and lovely, but there is something missing. I guess I wanted it to be like Knitting in America. It's one of my all-time favorite knitting books.
Some of my lovely yarn acquisitions. Woot! Woot!
Trick or treat night is just around the corner! I hung the orange lanterns this morning.
We don't usually get a lot of trick or treaters, but the grands trick or treat here whenever they visit. Naughty sugar Granny.
It's a cloudy day today (still 70 degrees) and it LOOKS like fall. I have been sleeping like a baby and I'm not sure why. I'm thankful.
I've been finding joy in ironing, knitting, cooking dinners, holding a soft kitten, talking to Bill, connecting with our precious kids and the grands, reading my bible, appreciating food, and many other sweet pleasures. What is bringing YOU joy these days?
Here is a photo of the staircase at Jenny's new house. It reminds me of The Brady Bunch. There is so much sunshine/natural light in their new house! I love it!
Saturday night they stayed in it for the first time and Jenny sent me a text that said, "I'm homesick. Just like in middle school."
I used to have to drive over to her friends' houses at 11:00 at night to bring her home, so I said, "Do you want me to come get you?" Ha! I'm so glad we had three weeks of our sweet baby girl's company. They'd come upstairs and have coffee with us in the morning and the girls' would creep upstairs at 6:30 every morning, full of cuddles and smiles. Bliss.
Below is her dining area. I think her table looks just right there. Golden.
Here's Mr. Cuddle Puss. He is the softest and most floppy cuddler.
James came along with us on Saturday morning (we had the car loaded with Jenny and Scott's stuff) and LOVED driving the big moving truck!
Oh! More cuddle bug-ness!
Timothy NEVER scratches and he has meticulous bathing habits.
Here is Jenny's spacious kitchen. I am so thankful that they sold their old house and bought this one at just the right time.
Up here is a loft where she could have her own little study. There is a study on the main level for the work Scott does and the part-time/at home jobs Jenny does.
There is so much big sky out where she lives. I love their deck.
Back at our house, the walk to the bank and post box is gorgeous!
Here's Timothy saying, "Really? How can you watch this stuff? Turn it off!"
Sometimes we call him Silver Paws.
And sometimes it is impossible to blog.
This October is so gorgeous. I was thinking that right now the leaves are a treat for the sight and the PEAR is a delight to the taste.
Mr. Stripes the lap cat AGAIN!
THIS little smile enhanced our days. Bill started calling her Tigger. Plum Cake also adapted to Granny and Grampy's quickly. She was always crawling into Bill's lap or asking, "Can we go outside in the backyard and play MONSTER?"
I've been knitting and knitting. I have bags of yarn and bags of projects galore!
And the usual pile of books. We read The Boys in the Boat for book club (today we meet at Nancy's) and I highly recommend it. Five stars. My dad knew that coach because he was still at the University of Washington when my papa attended there to play basketball his freshman year. I like reading stories that take place in my home state.
Naughty, Silver Paws!
These are the weird gourds that a bird planted in our garden. Some of you thought I was talking about the nasturtiums, but this pumpkin-like vine produced several funny things!
Red pears! Honey Crisp apples! YUMMY!
Yes, October has been VERY nice, full of grace, and gorgeous outside. And I got a kitten as per Susan Branch's suggestion! She so sweet. Even on her Scottish vacation she took the time to answer my comment and congratulate me. She's the sweetest famous artist EVER.
Soon I must wash ALL the dishes and the pretend foods that are in the Wendy house. I will sweep and tidy the outside space. I really want to move the exercise equipment from the family room to the basement, put down soft rugs and bring our wicker rockers inside. I am still thinking family room/Brambly Hedge. Stay tuned.
Today I have to do my office work, go to book club, and then I'll get a haircut. I love going to this particular hairdresser because he cuts my hair so well. It's a treat.
Tomorrow I meet with my sweet friend Sondra. We are going over the book Stone by Stone: Tear Down the Wall Between God's Heart and Yours by Jasona Brown. It's excellent. Tomorrow we'll meet at the groovy coffee shop and talk about lies we've believed that have kept us from God. I can't wait.
Oh, I meant to tell you that I am not going to make video podcasts like I thought I might. I like watching them but I do not feel led to plunge into that endeavor. I might make a few little videos for my blog, but no regular podcasts. It's just not me.
Happiest of weeks to you, nice reader! Thank you very much for stopping by!
