Archive for the ‘Awards’ Category

« Older Entries

Honest Scrap Award

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

blog_award-honest_scrap

A couple weeks ago Linda at Remote Treechanger gave me the HONEST SCRAP award. Thank you so much, Linda!

To keep this award, I must complete the following:

1) Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award
2) Share 10 honest things about myself
3) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design or those that have encouraged me
4) Tell those 7 people they have been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving it.


Here are 10 honest things about me:

  • I greatly enjoyed being stay-at-home mom to our nine children.
  • Currently, I get enjoyment and satisfaction from being a para educator (“teacher’s helper”) at our local middle school, which means grades 6, 7 and 8.
  • My current favorite authors are Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer.
  • I’m fascinated by nutrition and health topics.
  • I have made peace with my limitations. When I get tired, I can rest or play, without a guilty conscience.
  • It is easy for me to stay online for a long time.
  • One of my favorite things is going out for a really good coffee with my daughters.
  • I would rather be kind and useful than brilliant.
  • I can be very ditzy at times. Once I worried that I hadn’t gotten daughter Kayla a birthday present, and couldn’t remember, even as she was opening it, what it was. I hope this doesn’t bode ill for the future!
  • I don’t easily “make friends” with machines. I especially shrink from driving someone else’s car.

So, there you have my HONEST SCRAP. Now, to nominate seven other bloggers I admire:

Just to decorate this post, here is a picture from the Farmers Market at Point Reyes, CA taken last Saturday:

farmers market

Posted in Awards, Blogthings, Friendship, From a friend's blog, Fun Things, Things for Which I am Thankful | 7 Comments »

A Special Family Time

Saturday, June 13th, 2009

What a quiet morning I’m having. Wait! It’s past noon, and I’m still on ‘leisurely’ mode.

The entire family slept in this morning, after yesterday’s excitement. (Warning: Mama bragging ahead!)

Yesterday afternoon we were privileged to attend the Outstanding Graduate festivities at Western Washington University. Our son Michael was selected as the 2009 Outstanding Graduate for the Computer Science department. Besides majoring in computer science, Michael also majored in mathematics, and minored in physics. His favorite professor, Dr. Phil Nelson, spoke about Michael during the ceremony. Congratulations, dear son!

outstanding-grad-programme1

outstanding-grad-programme2

Here is a photo that was taken of our group, courtesy of the university. The folks in front are Michael’s best friend Mitch and his wife and daughter. Dr. Nelson is on one side of Michael, and I’m on the other.

outstanding-grad

We came home to enjoy a meal of barbequed steaks, fresh broccoli salad, potato chips, and fresh plum pudding cake for dessert.

Later in the evening, we enjoyed watching the latest version of Persuasion, an adaptation of the novel by Jane Austen. This is one of her books which I have not yet read, which I now simply must read. So many deep themes are explored in this story. Despite all impediments, true love will find its way may be the main one, and one which my always hopeful heart embraces!

We all slept in a bit after the busy day. I’m still on slow mode, though, most likely because my hay fever is at its zenith. Puffy eyes, constant sneezing, etc. tend to make me tired. It’s a minor affliction, though, so after doing this post, I am really, truly, actually going to get busy!

I hope you’re having an enjoyable and productive day. Is it lovely and summer-y where you are? Our weather is a true delight today. Goodbye!

Posted in Awards, Books, Education, Family, Favorite Photos, Things for Which I am Thankful | 6 Comments »

Simple Woman’s Daybook

Monday, June 1st, 2009

simple-woman-daybook-small1

Hosted by Peggy

For Today…June 1, 2009

Outside my Window…a summer-like evening, with the scent of newly-mown grass on the breeze.

I am thinking…what a silly girl I am to stay up late to do this post.

From the learning rooms…only 8 ½ days of school left! We are very busy!

I am thankful for…every good and perfect gift, coming down from the Father, with whom there is no variableness or shadow of turning. (James 1:17)

From the kitchen…This was such a busy evening. After the senior awards ceremony at the high school, I made myself a delicious sandwich on an Oroweat 100% whole wheat Sandwich Thin, a new bread item at Costco. I mashed half an avocado, and seasoned it with my new favorite HOT chili sauce, Sriracha by Huy Fong Foods. Dessert was a slice of apple pie, also from Costco.

I am wearing…my multi-shades of blue V-neck sweater and black dressy skirt.

I am reading…Tools for Teaching by Fred Jones. If you work with students, read this book!

I am hoping…that the 8th grade students whom I am helping with their final projects get them done on time, and earn passing grades! This is a high-stress time for the Special Ed kids and staff.

I am creating…this blog post.

I am hearing…daughter Lydia saying, “Goodnight, Mom! I love you!”

Around the house…the doggie is turning in circles, settling down for the night. Bonnie Boy, one of our cats, is sprawled out on the study floor, near my husband’s desk. The children are all in bed, where I should be, too!

One of my favorite things…is rejoicing with those who rejoice. At the Senior Awards Ceremony, I was blown away by the accomplishments of many of our high school students, including some who earned full tuition scholarships. Daughter Debra was named outstanding student for the English Department. What makes this so amazing is that she learned to read at the end of seventh grade, after becoming severely ill when she was ten years old. It is such an accomplishment to move from Special Education to this mainstream award in such a short time. She has fulfilled all state academic requirements for high school graduation. Congratulations, Debra!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…Lydia is going to a concert with a girlfriend’s family tomorrow, Lyd and Reb have a soccer game on Thursday and Debra graduates this Friday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…This shirt design, drawn by daughter Lydia, will be used for the Everson-Nooksack Summer Festival:

lydiasfestivalcartoon

I don’t know if Lydia consciously tried to do this, but the characters look like Rebecca, then skip the little guy, herself, and Seth!

Hostess Peggy says this about The Simple Woman’s Daybook:

Are you content to linger on the simple things of life…then join me in taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of those of us who are focusing on simplicity…the beauty of the everyday moments around us. That is my vision for this idea!

Posted in Artwork, Awards, Bible Thoughts, Books, Education, Family, My job, The Simple Woman's Daybook, Things for Which I am Thankful | 7 Comments »

A Bushel of Blessings

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

Today I have been especially sensible of the blessings I receive from God’s hand. Maybe the fact that it’s Sunday, when we step back from the busy doings of the other days of the week to focus on worshiping the Lord, has something to do with that.

The drive to church this morning was beautiful, the epitome of spring time freshness, after the heavy rain last night. Fluffy cumulo-nimbus clouds, flowering cherry trees, tulips, leafy raspberry vines – What could be lovelier?

This Sunday was special for us, too, because our youngest son, 13-year old Seth, made his public profession of Christian faith, after successfully completing the membership class and being interviewed by the church elders. The fact that this was HIS desire, not some cultural dictate, means so much to me. May he grown in his love and devotion to the Lord!

Another blessing I called to mind was that all nine of our children are seeking to live to God’s glory. What a comfort and encouragement this is to their momma! Though Rick and I have worked hard (and enjoyed our kids a lot, too) we know that it is God who regenerates our children. This, too, is His gift.

It was a blessing to freely meet together to worship the Lord, and hear God’s Word preached twice today. The times of visiting with friends afterwards were also refreshing.

When we got home from church this afternoon, daughter Debra got ready to sort her medications. She could not find her most expensive and necessary medication, which I remembered picking up from the pharmacy. A phone call to the pharmacy confirmed this as fact. I began looking everywhere for those meds: in the car, in the van, throughout the house, even through the garbage. I thought maybe I had thrown away the little bag that the meds come in without taking out the bottle. I remembered that I had run errands for my mom on the day I picked up the meds, so I drove half an hour over to her place thinking perhaps I had left the bag there. Nope. You can imagine that I asked the Lord to help me remember, all the while thinking that I was truly going dingy.

I returned home after my search, still unable to think where those pills might be. I pulled out the box where we keep her meds, and there they were! Deb had somehow missed seeing them, panicked, and I had not thought to check the most obvious place. Whew! I am so thankful to the Lord. Even if we could have come up with the money to replace the medicine, I don’t think the pharmacy is allowed to refill a prescription that has just been filled.

I mustn’t forget to mention that today included time spent with married children and grandchildren, another blessing to this gramma. Diederick and Carly are just so funny (and fun).

One of our grown sons called this evening to tell us he is treating us to a Katie Melua concert this coming Saturday! I guess he knows I always have excuses for why I’m too busy to do things, so he just buys the tickets and tells me when the event will be, getting me out of my comfortable routine.

That son also told us he has been selected as the graduate of distinction from the Computer Science Department of Western Washington University for this year. Congratulations, Dearie! I thank the Lord for giving him a sound mind, and the willingness to work hard.

I conclude with a picture of a dandelion. I love these flowers, not only because they are bright and cheery, but also because they mean summer is on the way. I hope you have much for which to be thankful to the Lord, as well.

dandelion

Posted in Awards, Bible Thoughts, Education, Family, Fun Things, Sunday Thoughts, Things for Which I am Thankful | 6 Comments »

The Sisterhood Award

Saturday, April 11th, 2009

sisterhoodaward

Earlier this week I received The Sisterhood Award from my blogging friend Vivian of My Cards & More. Before presenting this award to some of her friends, Vivian said:

It is amazing how we can open our world to others in our world…we don’t see them, know how they look, where they work…but we are drawn to them by this force of likeness and many times “sister hood”. I do not have a big drawing on my site…but I am sure drawn to others. I will add a few names of ladies I visit; I hope they will be as blessed as I.

The rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude!
3. Be sure to link your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Remember to link the person from whom you received your award. So here are my self-proclaimed cyber sisters: (Vivian then lists her nominees.)

Thank you, Vivian! I certainly feel sisterhood with you, too. I admire your creativity, enjoy reading about family doings, and am edified by your love for the Savior. I thankfully accept this award.

First, I offer my disclaimers:

  1. If I visit your blog, hopefully leaving a comment now and then, I love you, too! I’m only supposed to list ten blogs, though, for this award. Let’s start with these ladies. Visit them. You’ll be glad you did!
  2. This award is for cyber friends. I have loads of friends at church whose blogs I follow, and family blogs I follow, too. Just so you know.

Here, then, are my nominees for The Sisterhood Award:

  1. Sarah of Coffee at the Cabin. I believe I met Sarah through The Simple Woman’s Daybook meme. She is a dedicated home school mom, a Christian sister, and an excellent writer.
  2. Susie of Susiej has such an interesting blog, full of variety. Susie writes for a newspaper in her home state, so it’s an understatement to say she writes well. On her blog you will find the home for the Give What You Grow endeavor, a sort of Victory Garden thing.
  3. Grace of Sandier Pastures
    or Desert Living Dubai Style makes you want to visit Dubai, with her stories and photography. She includes family stories, as well as give-aways.
  4. SusanB of A Life of Grace
    is a Christian sister who humbles me with her loving spirit. We met through The Simple Woman’s Daybook. Susan is uplifting, loving and encouraging to me.
  5. Tamy of 3 Sides of Crazy
    is the most bundle-of-energy person and blogger I know! On her blog, you will read of the on-going remodeling of the 100+ year old home she and her husband are doing, recipes she is creating, give-aways and memes. Whew!
  6. Mom24 of 4everMom tells of family life in Ohio, with an honest look at life’s ups and downs, and a spirit of making the best of things in these difficult times. Her family is Jewish/Christian, which also puts an interesting spin on things.
  7. Linda of Remote Treechanger
    is a busy, back-to-basics gal living in a remote area of Australia. Linda recently graced me with the Lemonade Award (as in, When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!) which I have not yet passed on. Thank you, Linda! You will learn a lot about life in Linda’s corner of the world from reading her blog. Also, Linda has friends all over the world whose blogs are also well worth reading.
  8. Barbara of A Day in My Life
    is also a friend met through The Simple Woman’s Daybook. She and her husband have three very musical boys, and do some interesting traveling together. I simply enjoy her blog. Oh! I forgot to mention that Barbara is an excellent scrapbooker, for all you enthusiasts out there.
  9. Storyteller of Small Reflections. This friend, who prefers to remain “a nonny mouse” as she would say, is a busy retired teacher in Southern California. Her blog specialties are wonderful, inspiring quotes, collected over a lifetime, an upbeat attitude, and lots of photography which make you want to move to her locale!
  10. Melanie of New Creation Cottage is one of the cheeriest gals I know on the internet. She is a hospice nurse who has this to say about her life: “In all times, the good and the bad, Jesus has been at my side.” Melanie is an encouragement to me, too.

So, these are my nominees. I do hope you all will accept this award. It will be fun to find out who you nominate in turn. And, Thank you again, Vivian!

Posted in Awards, Friendship, From a friend's blog, Fun Things, The Simple Woman's Daybook, Things for Which I am Thankful | 8 Comments »

Blogging This and That

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

This poor blog! I have not been posting very often, and I’m trying to figure out why. I think there is not just one cause, but a number of them, that have contributed to this sorry state of affairs.

  1. Like almost everyone out there, real life has been keeping me busier than usual.
  2. I have been conscientious about doing work in the here-and-now before doing this lovely creative work of writing a blog post.
  3. We have had so much sickness this winter/spring season. This means extra cleaning and laundry, or just not being able to do as much if I am the sickie.
  4. I think I got burned out doing the blog everyday thing with Blog 365 and just wanted to know that I really am not obligated to blog every day.
  5. For recreation, I have been spending more time on Facebook, keeping track of what friends are up to, and playing word games, and spending less time blogging. (If you are on Facebook, and especially if you enjoy playing Scrabble-type games, please add me as a friend!)
  6. Ever since the camera that I was comfortable using drowned in a lake (sigh!), my supply of pictures has decreased dramatically. We have only an old, persnickety, unreliable camera. My husband does know how to make it behave, so I must ask him to snap some photos for me. Without photos, I can’t participate in Wordful Wednesday or Photostory Friday, two of my favorites.

Well, there are lots of things I want to blog about, so, since I started this post with a list, I’ll continue in that manner. At least I can check back to this post to remind myself what to write about later!

  1. I need a picture of the designer laptop bag that I received today from Casauri.com. If you want to know what it looks like, go to their website and look for MS1412 Messenger Bag. Mine is the one with stripes. Founders and designers of the bags, Emily and Helena McHugh, provided this lovely item as a ‘Giveaway’ on my friend Grace’s blog, Sandier Pastures: Desert Living, Dubai Style. I still cannot believe that I won this lovely laptop bag. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Grace!
  2. Some pictures of the seeds sprouting on our living room window ledge need to be taken and posted. I told my friend Susiej, who sent me the seeds so that I could plant a Victory Garden of sorts, that I would do that. My husband is the one with the green thumb, so he is doing this project. If you are interested, you can also join the effort to grow a garden for your family’s use, and give the remainder to your local food bank. Susie is sponsoring this project.
  3. My blogging friend Linda of Remote Treechanger, nominated me for an award that I would like to accept. Linda lives in a remote area of Australia, and has interesting tales to tell of living simply in an area where you cannot just run to the store for everything. She reads and recommends interesting blogs from all over the world, so do check her out if you would like to peek at everyday life in other countries.
  4. I want to do some creative writing again. A poem is percolating somewhere, I just know it. I think it needs a digital photo for inspiration (hint, hint!).

Since I’m too tired to stay awake much longer, I bid you adieu! Thanks for stopping by for a virtual visit!

Posted in Awards, From a friend's blog, Fun Things, Gardening, Homemaking, Photostory Friday, Wordful Wednesday | 4 Comments »

Just a Quick Quiz PLUS Something Cool

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

My friend Storyteller over at Small Reflections took this quiz (I got the same results as her!). If you enjoy this sort of thing, give it a try:

Some time ago, Storyteller also gifted me with this cool badge which she created.

giraffes-youmakemydayaward-storyteller

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Storyteller!!!

Posted in Awards, Blogthings, Friendship, From a friend's blog, Fun Things, Things for Which I am Thankful | 2 Comments »

Two Terrific Awards

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

Today Storyteller of Small Reflections
shared this friendship award with her readers.

And lovely are the blossoms

That are tended with great care,

By those who work unselfishly

To make the place more fair.

And, like the garden blossoms,

Friendship’s flower grows more sweet

When watched and tended carefully

By those we know and meet.

And, if the seed of friendship

Is planted deep and true

And watched with understanding,

Friendship’s flower will bloom for you.

 

You are welcome to take this award also if:

  • You consider yourself to be my real-life or bloggy-life friend. If you’re taking the time to read my humble blog, you qualify!
  • You will kindly link back to me when you post this award on your blog

My bloggy friend Storyteller has another blog, Happily Retired Gal. On that blog she introduced me to her other readers with these kind words:

Joyce of Mom’s Musings lives a very busy life. Another working mom (and grandmother too), her attitude is always upbeat & cheerful, and her posts are thoughtful & uplifting.  She leaves wonderfully supportive, encouraging comments on the blogs of others and always responds with friendly emails to those who comment on her blog. Her joy in the Lord shines consistently.

In keeping with her kind words, Storyteller gifted me with The Lemonade Award
(as in ‘If life hands you lemons, make lemonade!’).

If you would like this award for yourself, please comment on this post. I’ll do another post in which I talk about your blog, and present you with this lovely commendation.

Here are the (real) rules for passing on this award to others:

  • Put the award logo on your blog or post.
  • Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
  • Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
  • Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
  • Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

Thank you, dear Storyteller, for these kind awards.



 

Posted in Awards, Friendship, From a friend's blog, Fun Things, Things for Which I am Thankful | 3 Comments »

The Fabulous Award

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

Linda, of Remote Treechanger, is a new blogging friend who is from Victoria, Australia. I think we met through the Thankful Thursday
meme. Is that true, Linda? Anyhow, being the very friendly person that she is, she gifted me with The Fabulous Award! Thank you, Linda!


Here are The ‘Fabulous’ Award
Rules:

1. You have to pass it on to 5 fabulous blogs.
2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions.
3. Make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them.

My 5 ‘fabulous addictions’:

1. Writing on my blog
2. Enjoying a good cup of coffee
3. Going for relaxing walks
4. Menu Planning and reading cookbooks
5. Reading. I must always have a book that I am reading, or I feel lost.

I am passing it on to the following bloggy friends:

  1. Stacey of 4everMom
  2. Sarah of Coffee at the Cabin
  3. Laura of Life According to Laura
  4. Storyteller of Small Reflections
  5. Susan B of A Life of Grace

Please visit these blogs if you haven’t already; perhaps you will make some new friends.

Posted in Awards, Friendship, From a friend's blog, Fun Things, Things for Which I am Thankful | 6 Comments »

Some Goodies From Storyteller

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

My blogging buddy, the author of Small Reflections and Sacred Ruminations, goes by the moniker Storyteller. She is a most faithful giver of encouraging comments. Not only that. She is the giver of fun graphics! Here is one she just gave some of her friends, including me (THANK YOU, Storyteller!) which she created herself:

Here is another which I’ve been waiting to post for some reason, which I love:

Also, today Storyteller took a blogthings quiz which she invited her readers to take as well. Here’s my result. Are you surprised?


You Belong in Fall


Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times…
You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings
Whether you’re carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you
What Season Are You?

Posted in Awards, Blogthings, Friendship, From a friend's blog, Fun Things | 2 Comments »

« Older Entries