tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41842207662932150252024-02-28T22:55:07.035-08:00A Vintage Farmwifefaith and farmlife with a vintage twistSusan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.comBlogger280125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-72492402936248782792016-06-23T13:52:00.003-07:002016-06-23T13:52:42.502-07:00I Miss "The Hugger"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my favorite meals to eat out is breakfast. It just seems special to linger over an extra cup of coffee and conversation after eating something besides my usual toast and peanut butter.<br />
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Cracker Barrel, <a href="http://www.thepancakepantry.com/" target="_blank">The Pancake Pantry in Nashville</a>, and the Donut Hole all get a thumbs up from us! But one of my top breakfast places is Grayt Grounds on 30A. I love this little coffee shop located in an old house with funky decorations, lots of twinkling lights, vintage furnishings, and yummy food in this eclectic beach village.<br />
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The last breakfast I had there was something the cook concocted for me from ingredients on hand that included scrambled eggs, grits, cheese, and spinach. YUM.<br />
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I have even written a blogpost or two from the table in the corner.<br />
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Sherry, the owner, is a BIG REASON the place draws us back time and again. (And obviously others since there is always a crowd.) Her nickname is <i>The Hugger. </i>She is very friendly and welcoming to everyone and has a cushion-y bosom. We hadn't been there too many times before she started including a hug for me in her welcome hello.<br />
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On a visit last spring, I intentionally watched her when we stopped in to listen to live music on a random Wednesday evening. The small venue was packed and the crowd was very diverse in age-some early 20's all the way to quite a bit older than that.<br />
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Brad and I arrived early and I did a lot of people watching while we waited for the show to begin. As the room started to fill, I noticed almost everyone in the place made sure Sherry saw them, and I could tell by the body language they were longing for a hug. Male and female, Sherry embraced each one and was genuinely happy to see them.<br />
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Each one walked away from her with a smile on his/ her face.<br />
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Did you know there is a lot of scientific evidence to support the importance of a simple hug? I listened to an interesting <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcGyVTAoXEU" target="_blank">Ted Talk</a> about stress that sent me on a search of the physical effects of this comforting human contact.<br />
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I discovered that when we are hugged, our bodies release the "happiness" hormone, oxytocin. The first time I ever heard about this hormone was when I breastfed our sons, but apparently, a lot more has been learned about it.<br />
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Oxytocin does all this:<br />
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<ul>
<li>reduces stress and anxiety</li>
<li>increases empathy and trust</li>
<li>boosts happiness</li>
<li>helps bond with others</li>
<li>makes us more generous</li>
<li>promotes monogamy</li>
<li>cements the connection between mom and breastfed child</li>
</ul>
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We are MADE to be touched.<br />
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All of this is more evidence to me that we are fearfully and wondrously made by a loving Creator. Since we are made in the image of God, HE must love hugs, too, and seems to have inserted healing powers within them.<br />
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Our body is a marvelous thing.<br />
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Our breath helps heal the body and spirit.<br />
Our words help heal the body and spirit.<br />
Our touch helps heal the body and spirit.<br />
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Of course, medications are also a gift from God, but I think it is so amazing that HE hardwired all these healing modalities into our physical body.<br />
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What can we do with this knowledge and the power of our hug? I plan to look around for those who I know could use a boost....the widow, single women, the stressed out (I guess that includes everyone!)....and give them a big hug.<br />
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How about you? Maybe you are the person who can give a hug today, or maybe you could use one yourself.<br />
Let's make a deal. If we ever meet in person, I will hug you and you can hug me!<br />
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<b>Sad Sidebar: I was so disappointed a few weeks ago when I took friends to meet The Hugger and discovered the little coffee shop has closed due to unforeseen circumstance. I may never see Sherry again, but her sweet spirit and warm hug impacted my life, and I will pass it on. </b><br />
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<b>Whoopsie Sidebar: I wrote this post some time ago and forgot to hit "Publish". No wonder no one read it. It's still very true!</b><br />
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<a href="http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/?action=view&current=signaturesusan.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="https://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/signaturesusan.jpg" /></a>Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-86234300375744337702016-06-08T04:14:00.000-07:002016-06-08T04:14:54.748-07:00How to Shine Bright<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week was a special check-something-off-my-bucket list time. I was able to take our oldest granddaughter and her friend for a week in Florida. Karen, my dear sister, was scheduled to go with us, but she opted to stay home and farm, so Debbie, my dear friend, joined us.<br />
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We had an absolutely fabulous time.<br />
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(I will not even get into the guilt I felt at leaving my farmers during the absolute busiest time of year after an incredibly wet and stressful spring. Let's just say I owe <b>BIG THANK YOU'S </b>to lots of people for stepping in to help in my absence. My husband and sons are <b>ROCK STARS</b> and very kind to their wife and momma. In my defense, when you are trying to schedule a week with <b>VERY BUSY</b> teenagers, you have to grab the gusto and go when <i>they</i> can.)<br />
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The weather cooperated beautifully. The girls were fun and giggly and grown-up and willing to try new things and <b>ADORABLE</b>.<br />
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Here are some words to describe our <i><span style="font-size: large;">Beach Bash 2016</span></i>:<br />
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ocean waves<br />
pool<br />
beignets<br />
crab legs<br />
alligator<br />
oysters<br />
resale shops<br />
Uno<br />
Phase 10<br />
oldies<br />
performing<br />
horseback riding<br />
famous people<br />
prayer walk<br />
beach<br />
art<br />
creating<br />
hairwraps<br />
pedicures<br />
spoken word<br />
movies<br />
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We were very busy and blessed and exhausted at the end of the week. However, I would travel with them again in a second, and I will never forget our time together.<br />
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Special relationships were deepened and the special relationship I have with the beach was, too.<br />
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God seems to always teach me in a special way when I'm at the beach and this time was no exception. He is so gracious and kind in pointing out errors in my thinking, helping me see others with new eyes. It seems I always need to be reminded to love my neighbor. And those lessons often come as I stare at the vastness of the ocean.<br />
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Saturday evening we went to the movies. The girls wanted to see <i>Through the Looking Glass, </i>so we bought their tickets for the 3D Imax theater, popcorn and drinks, and got them settled in before we headed down the hall to the film we chose, <i>Money Monsters. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>I won't go into the story-line of our movie, but let's just say it was very intense and NOT a love story. At one point after a tragic event in New York City, we were treated to a glimpse of what was happening at the exact same time in several different places around the world. The scenes went from one dark, evil event to another and it just about made me sick.<br />
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And made me realize that the scenes, though fiction, probably accurately represented what happens in this world. Can you imagine what it must be like to be God, to see your dearly loved children making one bad mistake after another, missing out on the life you created them to live?<br />
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Left to our own devices, we create one big mess for ourselves after another.<br />
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I was really troubled by this until Debbie reminded me that <i>we</i> don't live in THAT world. As Christians, we are part of HIS LIGHT, HIS KINGDOM here on earth.<br />
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Lesson noted and received with thanksgiving.<br />
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<b>Sidebar</b>: Our movie ended before the girls, and we snuck into their theater to check on them. We had a ball watching our two cuties watch Alice and friends while wearing their 3D glasses, smiling and laughing and reacting to the action on their screen. Precious Grandma-time.<br />
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We had milkshakes at Johnny Rockets and headed back to our condo, but I just kept thinking about the evil darkness I had seen in the movie. Why do people find it so attractive?<br />
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Sunday morning, we went to church and at the end of the sweet service, the pastor announced there would be a baptism at the beach in 30 minutes. Debbie and I were so excited to witness a new birth on the beach so we all headed down to the water.<br />
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Surprise. God showed me part two of the lesson from beach week.<br />
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<b>Sidebar</b>: I also learned not to lock my keys in my purse in the trunk. Don't worry. Happy ending.<br />
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Walking up to the pavilion to the beach, we began hearing the gentle sounds of a recorder. An elderly man was sitting there playing away, so we walked up to hear a bit of his story. We didn't expect what we saw next-a sign offering to tell our fortunes or give us an "oracle."<br />
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Say what?<br />
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I could hear my grandma's voice telling me to run as far away as I could from someone who was messing with the dark side.<br />
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But before long, Debbie told him we were there to witness a baptism and she had him playing <i>Amazing Grace. </i>She's amazing like that.<br />
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Talk about the juxtaposition of good and evil. Of light and dark. Of knowledge and ignorance.<br />
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The baptism took place on a packed beach witnessed by those of us who were there by choice <b>and </b>those who randomly were at the right place at the right time. I can't wait to find out in heaven how God used that scene to impact others.<br />
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I know it impacted me.<br />
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Friends, as believers, we are so very blessed and called to be different than the world. We must be<br />
LIGHT and LOVE and share the GOOD NEWS of the GOSPEL.<br />
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It is our "get-to". Our great privilege and purpose.<br />
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And the world desperately needs it and doesn't even know it. And they are searching for it through all kinds of evil. They don't know what they don't know.<br />
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So we need to show them through the way we live.<br />
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Once again, Christ does the work.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Jesus once again addressed </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">the</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">m: “I am </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">the</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">world</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">’s </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Light</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">. No one who follows me stumbles around in </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">the </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">darkness. I provide plenty </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">of</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">light</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> to live in.” John 8:12 MSG</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Jesus is the light and because He is, we can be. </span><br />
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<span class="bible-item-title-wrap" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;">Matthew 5: 14-16 </span><br />
<div class="bible-item-text" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
“Here’s <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</b>nother way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</b> secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</b>s public <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</b>s <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</b> <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">city</b> <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">on</b> <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</b> <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">hill</b>. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</b> bucket, do you? I’m putting you <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">on</b> <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">a </b>light stand. Now that I’ve put you there <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">on</b> <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</b> <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">hill</b>top, <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">on</b> <b style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</b> light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.<br />
<br />
Don't you just love that phrase, "Keep open House; be generous with your lives" ? Don't be stingy and selfish with the wonderfulness of God that He has put within you.<br />
<br />
Shine on, friends!<br />
<br /></div>
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Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-41162975599093488112016-05-11T03:48:00.000-07:002016-05-11T03:48:18.450-07:00Lawn Wars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDv_OGOUYuxTiyHvMruy5dhaoZnsIfOZjzJWTjzmPz0N9pA86LLJzezJSoSm-ULnDLcRzkwME6tS-a9oQ6ZiZUzB-vZ8rLJNWNaJ1BVPOv6dRwEx97lsXOUMAWJgCWXAwVOHFQ7felbZw/s1600/how+to+change+your+perspective.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDv_OGOUYuxTiyHvMruy5dhaoZnsIfOZjzJWTjzmPz0N9pA86LLJzezJSoSm-ULnDLcRzkwME6tS-a9oQ6ZiZUzB-vZ8rLJNWNaJ1BVPOv6dRwEx97lsXOUMAWJgCWXAwVOHFQ7felbZw/s640/how+to+change+your+perspective.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you ever have lawn wars at your house? By that I mean arguments
about how high the lawn mower should be set.
I am a little embarrassed to admit that Brad and I have had more than
one “discussion” about that and other trivialities of yard work. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I like the grass a little on the taller side even if it
means mowing twice a week. Brad, on the other hand, wants the mower set on 2
inches, nice and short. Admittedly, over the years,
at times it has been a struggle to even get the yard mowed at all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUFY-FlCzIMUxWlvss01APWdLs1pxCrGXq0gWB-ZLXl57tjBAxGrjVjQjg9fUdHpG1UXZ8JCCOYb_pcq5a03B-6Jg5ZAeYXOP3CeBt_Pa6rQeMgjsTHWqmesNUJkFtv80YmruXC6U0Z0/s1600/dogwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUFY-FlCzIMUxWlvss01APWdLs1pxCrGXq0gWB-ZLXl57tjBAxGrjVjQjg9fUdHpG1UXZ8JCCOYb_pcq5a03B-6Jg5ZAeYXOP3CeBt_Pa6rQeMgjsTHWqmesNUJkFtv80YmruXC6U0Z0/s640/dogwood.jpg" width="622" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m still humiliated about the time Shandi and Chris, who did our patio and sidewalks, came by for an estimate.
We were in the midst of spring planting and many evening activities for me and
the boys, and our grass was in desperate need of attention. However, no one had
time to sit on our little mower for 4+ hours. The grass must have been over 6 inches tall. And
we were showing it to professional landscapers!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh my.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9SvbPg3jXqh14gDMKOOp_bcr9DA_KxQqfCYy83-v5Fiw3-WC5X64UHCg-0lENC5jinEFMzA8RvjPiQzjLCM68yRuHk2qRjRjjGas87Ff3wEHuZE9bj9B6AapmlDWSMWVnytljVY43is/s1600/irises.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9SvbPg3jXqh14gDMKOOp_bcr9DA_KxQqfCYy83-v5Fiw3-WC5X64UHCg-0lENC5jinEFMzA8RvjPiQzjLCM68yRuHk2qRjRjjGas87Ff3wEHuZE9bj9B6AapmlDWSMWVnytljVY43is/s640/irises.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then there are the battles over dandelions. Poor Brad,
who tries to make his wife happy, has often put the little sprayer on the 4
wheeler and waited patiently for a very
early morning that wasn’t too windy so he could kill the weeds in the grass,
but nothing else, before spending another
13 hours farming.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes I am very hard to please. And unreasonable. I’m going to do better, honey.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAo2sYAEy0grFzWfkpz3yzxDDEXQ41pTFTpu_g98yRtRgaKWMBL-8j9A5V6vZRSyJ2Zd26Q1vVRVw4-H3pvB2TaVc4WmimT3Iaqc8_8dvoXFCTijmLpN385mPwzlrRFfZpsRUV6XzWFVY/s1600/cosmos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAo2sYAEy0grFzWfkpz3yzxDDEXQ41pTFTpu_g98yRtRgaKWMBL-8j9A5V6vZRSyJ2Zd26Q1vVRVw4-H3pvB2TaVc4WmimT3Iaqc8_8dvoXFCTijmLpN385mPwzlrRFfZpsRUV6XzWFVY/s640/cosmos.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have a bigger John Deere now that allows me to zip around
and finish the job in around 2 hours, so when I mow, the grass is higher and
gets it more often. One day earlier this spring, I was flying back and forth on
the mower, lamenting our yard full of dandelions when God prompted me to change
my perspective.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love flowers, so why couldn’t I learn to love dandelions? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqV7JGupLwWgC4500CEzSlmt_iVdlR2odz06DjOoOIxx47dWFvO2OTr0kyyLQi5ik-8C8HZfaKE5ND-6qb_ZDCreC1vPcQjP3VrVn_2ey3hXSj19qlqU_g_eSlUF0ixzswZAd141i9PI/s1600/prettypink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqV7JGupLwWgC4500CEzSlmt_iVdlR2odz06DjOoOIxx47dWFvO2OTr0kyyLQi5ik-8C8HZfaKE5ND-6qb_ZDCreC1vPcQjP3VrVn_2ey3hXSj19qlqU_g_eSlUF0ixzswZAd141i9PI/s640/prettypink.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got out my camera and snapped a close-up of one of the
hundreds in our front yard. Guess what? It was beautiful! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This began one of my great blessings of the last few weeks.
I’ve been on a quest to really NOTICE the beauty and variety of flowers of all
shapes and sizes, especially their centers. Each one is a little miracle and a testament to
the creativity of the Great Creator.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmDiN4HAFKULY91BWR4kqB2NyxUoX6Y1Fx8AaXTu5w3VV3dRtZWBH7BMU8UzEF1ONMChiahl03kYqzMgTCkLMmi5z9NhEaJabpWfaUy4TkARvli0Hpwx1WURSYVXzw_o1s-lCXmiCVNw/s1600/whiteflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmDiN4HAFKULY91BWR4kqB2NyxUoX6Y1Fx8AaXTu5w3VV3dRtZWBH7BMU8UzEF1ONMChiahl03kYqzMgTCkLMmi5z9NhEaJabpWfaUy4TkARvli0Hpwx1WURSYVXzw_o1s-lCXmiCVNw/s640/whiteflowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And all of these little beauties reminded me that for all
the beauty of nature, mankind was God’s ultimate creation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our
likeness……God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1: 26a,
31a</i></blockquote>
<br />
<h3>
Isn't that something?</h3>
Each one of us is created in God’s image. There is something at the center of each of us that points to the Creator.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5m0y_cvioM0wzRYBI-6hB-OOUoj16EsI52vzetiI6lztxfPRGWv3v4Ijj3pgV_J8IHWBr1p5DO4zsBiqnAxiL52YoQmy7Km2l6Y3abWNtDPMFgY9Ar5EIc7rwHkuCFLkSo2gb6DimFs/s1600/tulip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5m0y_cvioM0wzRYBI-6hB-OOUoj16EsI52vzetiI6lztxfPRGWv3v4Ijj3pgV_J8IHWBr1p5DO4zsBiqnAxiL52YoQmy7Km2l6Y3abWNtDPMFgY9Ar5EIc7rwHkuCFLkSo2gb6DimFs/s640/tulip.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<h3>
Let’s consider this….. </h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Think of: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the nicest person you know-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God
is nicer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The funniest person you know-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God
is funnier.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The best artist-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God
is more artistic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The best singer-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God’s
voice is better.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The friendliest person-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God
is friendlier.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Mzl_3HHw0VzGWYRoWr_s5OFMzyk72qFq8V4wbaZ2yMXyYL950Wfvo0vGXFsjOX6ec7d89bLwAhm6pj0GI8zFFvM8mAcPKxQWo5WkjLpn-WYhDqE9-9-VZwAVOy1BXt8MKrEnjkYW_4c/s1600/orangedaffodil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Mzl_3HHw0VzGWYRoWr_s5OFMzyk72qFq8V4wbaZ2yMXyYL950Wfvo0vGXFsjOX6ec7d89bLwAhm6pj0GI8zFFvM8mAcPKxQWo5WkjLpn-WYhDqE9-9-VZwAVOy1BXt8MKrEnjkYW_4c/s640/orangedaffodil.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most empathetic-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God
understands each person completely.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most beautiful-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God
is more beautiful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The best mathematician-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God
invented math.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The smartest scientist-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God
invented scientific principles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The best doctor-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God
is the Great Physician.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most loving person you know-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God
IS love.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The most joyful, grace-filled, self-controlled, peaceful, patient,
faithful, gentle person we know,<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<b> </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<b>Can’t even come
close to the character of God. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And this is just the beginning. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbliEJPtNO_BnCXTiVt6CDBNkxFYhO0t0tbJ7YaTcgOS8Eh4j_Mj4DtDeT2_pimgKt9g3gLvSK5YPCknUzXHdCXaxxtw2rsOhu0P102EIImW3EUWvquywVr_tRz-AfbhTs1ttqjqlgHUA/s1600/dandelion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbliEJPtNO_BnCXTiVt6CDBNkxFYhO0t0tbJ7YaTcgOS8Eh4j_Mj4DtDeT2_pimgKt9g3gLvSK5YPCknUzXHdCXaxxtw2rsOhu0P102EIImW3EUWvquywVr_tRz-AfbhTs1ttqjqlgHUA/s640/dandelion.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we could make a composite of the best character traits of
all of us, and multiply them by infinity, perhaps we begin to get a glimpse of our
Heavenly Father.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When our boot camp here on earth is finished, those of us
who are Christ followers will get to spend eternity in relationship with HIM.
And we will be transformed into the people we were created to be. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is going
to be AMAZING! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cxPfLeKRX934DA3txBrHGL7iTQiEeCJ5lFsGPrhowbM7fGmPgvWG-q9gAt3INpdbOjnTaS7B5G1Ia-tgcWRVzrFlzIAKyc_rhp-XhIRfCeORmA8oeOumFjKMxZBMUB2t09CSZexlnmQ/s1600/dandelionfluff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cxPfLeKRX934DA3txBrHGL7iTQiEeCJ5lFsGPrhowbM7fGmPgvWG-q9gAt3INpdbOjnTaS7B5G1Ia-tgcWRVzrFlzIAKyc_rhp-XhIRfCeORmA8oeOumFjKMxZBMUB2t09CSZexlnmQ/s640/dandelionfluff.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s change our perspective and take our eyes off the
inevitable flaws in those who cross our paths in this fallen world. Instead, let’s look for the beauty in <i>all
</i>of God’s creation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Including you and me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoQuote">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoQuote">
<br /></div>
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Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-28128385398117228872016-05-03T04:01:00.000-07:002016-05-03T04:01:03.604-07:00Coastal Living Design House and Fixer Uppers<br />
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Hello, friends!<br />
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When we moved back to Hidalgo after our short stint in a medium sized city, my dear husband tried very hard to find a house that I would want to live in. I was excited to move home, but I wasn't happy about any of our housing options.<br />
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The homes that Brad thought I would like, and that I <b>should have</b> liked, just didn't do it for me. At one point I know I cried because I was afraid we would end up in a new-ish house that would never be quite right, but too nice to tear down or move away from. I didn't want to feel trapped in an ugly house on the prairie. (I know. I can be a brat.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeUPpOHi2DkSDI2hF0ZGGyoRzLtCSIiCC4KCS4xboIf4BEVzYmm7AyI_sqfbZWjhtrs_hwdBb86T4fyHVFN1x05WOYjEwf1eIr1ACopI1S_2FY-lnAC-30os0gfWbFvM9bo5qZ1qH-Dg/s1600/front+porch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeUPpOHi2DkSDI2hF0ZGGyoRzLtCSIiCC4KCS4xboIf4BEVzYmm7AyI_sqfbZWjhtrs_hwdBb86T4fyHVFN1x05WOYjEwf1eIr1ACopI1S_2FY-lnAC-30os0gfWbFvM9bo5qZ1qH-Dg/s640/front+porch.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seagrove is a totally unique area at the beach. It is literally a grove of little trees and is very shaded. The houses are close together on sand roads. So cool!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first room when you come in from the porch. What do you think? I love the denim slipcovers and the curtains and the way the shelves are arranged!</td></tr>
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I really wanted to live in an old house that I could totally make ours, knowing that nothing would be permanent. And then build a new one.<br />
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We found the perfect fixer upper for me in Hidalgo, right across the street from the community building and ball diamond and down the street from the elevator, Bob's Hardware, and the little grocery store. I remember those days and that house very fondly. The house was far from perfect, but I thought it was so darn cute with its wrap around porch and gingerbread trim. And I loved it!<br />
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The nicest people lived in the village with us and the boys and I liked to take long walks and drop in (uninvited and unexpected, now that I think about it!) for visits with Fred and Lela, Richard and Kathy, Don and Ilene, Miss Flossie and Edna, to mention just a few.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved, loved, loved this room! The space. The light. The everything.</td></tr>
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If the weather was nice, we spent lots of time outside and we had lots of company, too. As the boys rode their Big Wheels up and down the sidewalk, I shared glasses of tea and our porch swing with many people who would stop for a quick visit as they drove through town.<br />
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I missed those drop in guests once we moved to our new house, built on a very quiet road and less convenient for casual dropping in. Now, I needed to extend invitations if I wanted company and I didn't extend nearly enough of them.<br />
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I regret that.<br />
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Anyhoo.<br />
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We lived in that old house in "town" for much longer than we originally intended, so I had a lot of time to dream of the new house we were going to build someday. I dreamed and dreamed and dreamed. I used to have gobs of back issues of <i>Southern Living</i> and <i>Country Living</i> and a big old notebook filled with inspiration pages torn from other magazines and carefully placed in page protectors.<br />
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Eventually, we built our new farmhouse, and I got to implement some of those ideas. But I still like decorating and changing things up, so I'm always on the lookout for pretty ideas. I no longer have my old magazines and I emptied up those page protectors and refilled them with other information that interests me. My decorating inspiration is all stored on my Pinterest boards now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMitjvf4j79vit_stweyBVoEqMqOuAwyIq6lYKf5nCCxalGW31Zk1Hprf20waFox22LKtMwBBbdUhGRqi4gxZU0e88qMLmjSa880dR-59nqi2WPcR_HoWpqPNr27YYMKoQjR0_s1ZACf0/s1600/tiny+bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMitjvf4j79vit_stweyBVoEqMqOuAwyIq6lYKf5nCCxalGW31Zk1Hprf20waFox22LKtMwBBbdUhGRqi4gxZU0e88qMLmjSa880dR-59nqi2WPcR_HoWpqPNr27YYMKoQjR0_s1ZACf0/s640/tiny+bath.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny, tiny bath</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great floors, don't you think?</td></tr>
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One magazine that I still enjoy is <i>Coastal Living</i> and I was so tickled to learn that the design house for this year was just down the road from us in Seagrove, Florida. I couldn't wait to see it, and as the pictures prove, I wasn't disappointed!<br />
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It was just beautiful and made me smile from the minute I walked in the front door. I was so inspired and gobsmacked by the designer's creativity. I especially loved the warm and welcoming kitchen/family room combo. I just know the owners of that home will entertain many friends and family there after long days spent at the beach.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Bedroom with a map of Seaside, which is very nearby</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">extra bedroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsVYU8kwkJgfk2fC3l8PUX4n49Tva9NrRIYzjf4ir7vFz6v9-s2_W_xjuKL3bzT-W-DhCY86k9reiU8ejM_c-VWCiZHNfc0O6ZapqMnZLPVPcJ-e9qjiUo5xKyEW_wHCXteCpmDPc-Wc/s1600/studio1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsVYU8kwkJgfk2fC3l8PUX4n49Tva9NrRIYzjf4ir7vFz6v9-s2_W_xjuKL3bzT-W-DhCY86k9reiU8ejM_c-VWCiZHNfc0O6ZapqMnZLPVPcJ-e9qjiUo5xKyEW_wHCXteCpmDPc-Wc/s640/studio1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">studio space</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This year has me thinking a lot about hospitality. I've dined (and I mean "dined") in the fanciest places I could imagine on our trip to Italy, eaten dishes I can't even remember the names of because they were so complicated. And I've eaten simple food in a house with a dirt floor in Mexico.<br />
<br />
The food was delicious in both places.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT09jdRZtp6cN4xT0IEppmBNqXmO5MU33fuxAZGHSxgTb5Mv2iTKi_Hoa58Vu1-UyTVb9vComA9frMJT3xgVZek1ToZ3oD7clJNauiT1-Df13yiylc5nBNVadqJxlI_U7dlftT3xJ5kg/s1600/porch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT09jdRZtp6cN4xT0IEppmBNqXmO5MU33fuxAZGHSxgTb5Mv2iTKi_Hoa58Vu1-UyTVb9vComA9frMJT3xgVZek1ToZ3oD7clJNauiT1-Df13yiylc5nBNVadqJxlI_U7dlftT3xJ5kg/s640/porch1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the back porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZh91K6MTE-Y68p4WPVaVfQtr8E5e1qW98CbAqkNwfC7VM4-dOZ3-y0mRX6VS5WEJ5r2-7MNGZnCaVdAdZY1AwD4Eg8URLGXHUClMaW5btFqcZQl5D6oMsf-BhVZ3JMz22Z2byCIKTuV0/s1600/wine+garden+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZh91K6MTE-Y68p4WPVaVfQtr8E5e1qW98CbAqkNwfC7VM4-dOZ3-y0mRX6VS5WEJ5r2-7MNGZnCaVdAdZY1AwD4Eg8URLGXHUClMaW5btFqcZQl5D6oMsf-BhVZ3JMz22Z2byCIKTuV0/s640/wine+garden+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wine garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7AbgTPNci8tCZaXUZ4U9WDbar4lN6g9xQZrWj0kS1EI7jcxSiE7nRiKUjwjXFkaitgA2OFx-ZKf_kS-2dtvys-8QcZnpbZNtQtnUsAqY5O0E2C74JG6IR-LVc-SyVHalcdasA5dzOmo/s1600/winegarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7AbgTPNci8tCZaXUZ4U9WDbar4lN6g9xQZrWj0kS1EI7jcxSiE7nRiKUjwjXFkaitgA2OFx-ZKf_kS-2dtvys-8QcZnpbZNtQtnUsAqY5O0E2C74JG6IR-LVc-SyVHalcdasA5dzOmo/s640/winegarden.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
Here's what I learned.... </h3>
It doesn't matter if you live in a million dollar mansion, a cottage at the beach, a modest typical family home, or a house made from pallets and cardboard.<br />
<br />
It doesn't matter if you prepare food from recipes that are pages long and garnish with flowers and elaborate sauces, or the food is served family style in big old unmatched serving dishes, or you bought a bucket at Kentucky Fried chicken and eat it on paper plates with sporks.<br />
<br />
If the food is served with love and enjoyed with people you want to know better, it will taste good.<br />
<br />
So, throw open your doors and have company. Invite people in. We are all just looking for a place at the table.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>You can read about our visit to the Southern Living Design House a few years ago <a href="http://avintagefarmwife.blogspot.com/2013/09/2013-southern-living-idea.html" target="_blank">Southern Living Design House</a>, and my visit to Italy <a href="http://avintagefarmwife.blogspot.com/2015/07/my-arms-are-black-and-bluefarm-girls-go.html" target="_blank">Farm Girls Go to Italy</a>, and our mission trip to Mexico <a href="http://avintagefarmwife.blogspot.com/2016/03/grateful-on-mission.html" target="_blank">Grateful on Mission</a>.</i></blockquote>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I would love, love, love to hear what you know for certain about hospitality. Please share in the comments!</span></h3>
<br />
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Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-57535343695677258262016-03-31T17:14:00.004-07:002016-03-31T17:14:56.094-07:00I Love Where I LiveHello, friends!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWHEDsaQblI8bktODa7PDu1t35mWjj2n_P6-bLarBmozbeqQmwj3nlUSVGOAiVV3Niz360zDXlem3pcNBgIoZ4NKlYci1pGQEwj-voEfmk_mzxCWMsUU6-fs6BPs29koh8ZT3JC29Zr8/s1600/white+purple+bloom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWHEDsaQblI8bktODa7PDu1t35mWjj2n_P6-bLarBmozbeqQmwj3nlUSVGOAiVV3Niz360zDXlem3pcNBgIoZ4NKlYci1pGQEwj-voEfmk_mzxCWMsUU6-fs6BPs29koh8ZT3JC29Zr8/s640/white+purple+bloom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
You know the old saying "Bloom Where You are Planted?" I'm trying and I hope you are, too.<br />
<br />
Like many teenagers, I never intended to live in my hometown when I grew up. I've written about it before, so I won't go over it again, but at one time, I really thought I was born to live in a city and somehow ended up on a farm in the country by mistake.<br />
<br />
And I NEVER intended to fall in love with a farmer who worried about the weather and worked 24/7.<br />
<br />
But I AM SO GLAD I DID!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lWk3bgsg2t-LKX29sbxOBfxHyZX62Z8TIJnhgA8XkhaPFsn1_3pJlfAhxIftr844xh7tIOxNZ8FCPhx1Y-_0JFQMKzKr_cyi-nddm5iXC2EIzQvEcmGEWBkkwpCNnO5DAJM2Noap8Vw/s1600/combine+reel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="477" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lWk3bgsg2t-LKX29sbxOBfxHyZX62Z8TIJnhgA8XkhaPFsn1_3pJlfAhxIftr844xh7tIOxNZ8FCPhx1Y-_0JFQMKzKr_cyi-nddm5iXC2EIzQvEcmGEWBkkwpCNnO5DAJM2Noap8Vw/s640/combine+reel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Now, I know I was born to live in the country on a farm with my farmer who worries about the weather and indeed <i>does</i> work almost 24/7. I'm very proud to be a farmer's wife and a farmer's daughter and farmers' mother.<br />
<br />
It is a good life and I am very, very grateful.<br />
<br />
And we go to Florida a lot, so there is that. Yeah!<br />
<br />
I am so thankful to live where I live.<br />
<br />
I LOVE our little community. It is filled with salt of the earth people who would literally give you the shirt off their back and often do. I've heard that in some parts of our country, it's common for many people to have "big hats and no cattle", living above their means and worried about keeping up with the Joneses. Here, it is much more normal for people to have "many cattle and a small hat."<br />
<br />
I like that about them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1Q8fwK5iADAJWFPTkhIxcTBnSyyfYYm39Jv30pPegNtTH09FnZnKZmP_r2qa0OkUB757R_Mewsq7h-vS88jaIS2hQeQHxlIi8SwPHW7WYZMsGxynNCQhSFN3h5pIWaLs3kXWzF7LglM/s1600/beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1Q8fwK5iADAJWFPTkhIxcTBnSyyfYYm39Jv30pPegNtTH09FnZnKZmP_r2qa0OkUB757R_Mewsq7h-vS88jaIS2hQeQHxlIi8SwPHW7WYZMsGxynNCQhSFN3h5pIWaLs3kXWzF7LglM/s640/beans.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
But, if there is a need, our people are quick to help. They volunteer. They share. They give. They support great causes. They really care about others. They notice what is happening around them.<br />
<br />
They buy raffle tickets. And girl scout cookies. And animals at the 4-H livestock auction. And purses. And cookie dough. And pork loins. And "stuff" they don't really need when their little people ask them to.<br />
<br />
They eat a lot, too. Porkburgers and more porkburgers. (Have you ever had one? They are delicious!) Pancakes. Sausage breakfasts. Hog roasts. Strawberry Ice Cream.<br />
<br />
They play basket bingo and trivia and dodge ball to raise funds for various projects. They hold special spin classes to contribute money for adoptions for people they will never meet in a state across the country.<br />
<br />
They give to missionaries across the world. And to the ministry down the street.<br />
<br />
And those are just a few things that quickly pop into my head.<br />
<br />
Who wouldn't want to live here?<br />
<br />
Not only are these people givers, they are super interesting, too. I love learning about what makes a person "light up"!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTn1OMXywZ7wS0CgNjhLlOKHRXabp7fmz5NetwOyn9RM7_YjU6KrzD7SKEqBJOrP1ri97KipmXgp9khkHc2qTV8gH6foGpFxG9I4VLo-ve7zAYXvW8-BYQkJ0T6pISWaVypH7nfaz0YKo/s1600/crab+and+sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTn1OMXywZ7wS0CgNjhLlOKHRXabp7fmz5NetwOyn9RM7_YjU6KrzD7SKEqBJOrP1ri97KipmXgp9khkHc2qTV8gH6foGpFxG9I4VLo-ve7zAYXvW8-BYQkJ0T6pISWaVypH7nfaz0YKo/s640/crab+and+sky.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I want to learn more about their......<br />
<br />
tapping maple trees and making syrup the old fashioned way, for the sheer fun of it<br />
<br />
taking farm "junk" and welding it into art<br />
<br />
making furniture<br />
<br />
creating a home music recording studio and then using it to help promote our very own American Idol contestant, Cheyenne Goss<br />
<br />
crocheting like it is a job<br />
<br />
beekeeping<br />
<br />
meeting on Thursday nights with mandolins, banjos, and guitars to make music that only they will hear<br />
<br />
running marathons, half marathons, or just around town, spinning, doing holy yoga, Insanity, Girl Fit, Cize<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmezfz9Whn1jieBAkrCNETFCPLmv4EDp4OA7bHgl3CoDmSmifiUYxyYjnszRxv-W8oVr1EU8Fa9tP12sq2WkOiF0XMODXL62KHmI_eSipFz5AwCqfaZyrL5a88HhZZ8HPp9-_Ci01WkSw/s1600/rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmezfz9Whn1jieBAkrCNETFCPLmv4EDp4OA7bHgl3CoDmSmifiUYxyYjnszRxv-W8oVr1EU8Fa9tP12sq2WkOiF0XMODXL62KHmI_eSipFz5AwCqfaZyrL5a88HhZZ8HPp9-_Ci01WkSw/s640/rose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
making museum quality quilts<br />
<br />
studying stars and history<br />
<br />
books being written<br />
<br />
fishing our lakes, hunting our woods and catching the big ones<br />
<br />
getting cattle ready for big shows all over the Midwest<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
growing huge gardens, picking mushrooms, wild blackberries, raspberries and ginseng<br />
<br />
book clubs and essential oil clubs and bridge clubs<br />
<br />
day lily collectors, daffodil collectors, antique tractor collectors<br />
<br />
racing dirtbikes and cars and competing in talent shows and being really good at it, too<br />
<br />
camping, glamping, motorcycling. cruising, exotic traveling<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH23mRcGNDA8tbju9oMPF7X0G-Wl9wxFHpjdVs4x7VgAlV-D2mSFoKgOu1vk114FazdHQTZcfZKLR0iLQ9-WkNSjb9cEsVjM6wbvukjVfGJ_44tf10j6NbSYQ0vWFjQRW7m-v4ErhdVDo/s1600/yellow+delicious.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH23mRcGNDA8tbju9oMPF7X0G-Wl9wxFHpjdVs4x7VgAlV-D2mSFoKgOu1vk114FazdHQTZcfZKLR0iLQ9-WkNSjb9cEsVjM6wbvukjVfGJ_44tf10j6NbSYQ0vWFjQRW7m-v4ErhdVDo/s640/yellow+delicious.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
bird-watching, arrowhead hunting, eagle sightings<br />
<br />
poetry writing and a newsletter published several times a year describing the events that happen in imaginary <i>Happyville</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Uninformed people might overlook our small community or wonder what we do for fun. Those of us who call this home, look around at all our wide open spaces, count our blessings and get busy living!<br />
<br />
<br />
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Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-90582080508238870242016-03-21T04:22:00.003-07:002016-03-21T04:22:47.189-07:00Grateful on MissionHello, Friends!<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
When you had<b> </b>a chance to go on a mission trip and you knew it was going to be fun and gratifying because <b>no one</b> can out give God, but He pours out his blessings in ways you never dreamed, it takes a few days to process it.<br />
<br />
Let alone share it with others. Some things should be treasured up in your own heart, but others you want to shout from the mountaintop so God gets HIS glory.<br />
<br />
If you have ever been tempted to go on a mission trip, but you didn't because you thought you were too:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
old</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
young</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
weak</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
strong</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
timid</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
outgoing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
scared</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
untalented</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
talented</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
rich</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
poor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
skilled</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
unskilled</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
get out your BIG eraser and get rid of those lies.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Don't miss the good stuff that happens when a team of Christians joins forces and works toward a common goal in the name of the Lord.<br />
<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Backstory</h3>
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Our church has long supported Casas Por Christo, whose goal is to share Jesus through building homes in Mexico, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. Many of us have also personally supported our friend, Scott Dewitt, a full time employee for Casas. Scott and Jonna were our youth ministers when our boys were young and we love them.</div>
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Several mission teams from our church have gone to Juarez to build homes. Brad and I helped chaperon a group when Brock was in high school. I count that as one of the highlights of my life. God grew all 3 of us during those hot, hardworking days. Because of this experience, I felt like I knew what to expect.</div>
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Wrong.<br />
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This trip was different and all kinds of goodness in a totally different way. The combination of building for a pastor's family.....a group of adults about whom we didn't have to worry....and 2 people with us who could speak a little Spanish made for a wonderful connection with our Hispanic hosts.</div>
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I love a good list so that is how I will share a bit of our trip with you. These are some of the praises I wrote in my gratitude journal during our few days across the border.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Grateful Mexico Moments </h3>
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In no particular order, I'm thankful for.....<br />
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1. A great group of fellow travelers, including our sister and brother-in-law and some of our dearest friends<br />
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2. A commonality despite our differences- JESUS!<br />
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3. Cows, cows, and more cows-mainly black angus<br />
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4. The beauty of green as we traveled south. Spring had arrived down there!<br />
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5. A gorgeous Texas sunset, cows on the horizon, taking photos in my head<br />
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6. Traveling new roads, seeing new towns-I especially enjoyed the Texas town with a circle drive around the courthouse.<br />
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7. Our spunky waitress at Cracker Barrel-She started out harsh, but we ended up talking about Jesus.<br />
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8. The opportunity to go on this trip<br />
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9. A great worship service at Grace church in Wichita Falls-To remember:gorgeous facilities, no formal offering taken except in collection boxes placed around the building. They told us they only start a building project when they have all the money to pay for it-and they obviously had many building projects. Word to remember from the sermon: <span style="font-size: large;">Abide</span><br />
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10. Belle's Chicken Dinner, Abilene-good food and a singing waitress with a beautiful voice<br />
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11. Laughing hysterically at Brad's sincere sympathy for dirt that can't raise corn and beans, no matter how hard it tries<br />
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12. A lovely evening with Scott and Jonna and children-so nice to reconnect AND enjoy great BBQ<br />
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13. A good night's rest before crossing the border-I worried more about not sleeping than anything.<br />
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14. Praying together before crossing that we would bring God glory as we blessed and were blessed by the Acuna family<br />
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15. The sharp contrast in 5 miles. How can it be? We are so thankful to live in America, truly the land of opportunities!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off to school!</td></tr>
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16. Tears and hugs from Marta when we arrived. I have tried to imagine the emotional roller coaster her family had been on. It isn't easy to accept help and I pray that we didn't come across as people swooping in to solve their problems. It was obvious their family had the most important things- Jesus, love, and each other.<br />
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17. Meeting their beautiful children-Luis, Elsie, Anahy, and Naphtali and his wife, Christian<br />
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18. Hard work but wonderful camaraderie among all of us-a Holy Spirit thing. Not a harsh word was spoken the entire week. And I didn't see any eye-rolling either! Or meaningful stares.<br />
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19. Hospitality shown in a 2 room home with dirt floors-BIG LESSON for me. Have company. Feed people. Love others. Stop thinking everything must be perfect.<br />
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20. Great Mexican food prepared for us by Marta and the Casas cooking team. Who knew there was such a thing as fried tacos?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwGJaP5PFVW3DF2BYh7fEKiLVjwQ-NBL5G0Bg9dpsr4l0LmqnlAyZdy5CyJ5sxLEzZWc8UqQBT3SAAHLVVxBy2YhpcPh9ggYDQiWBk1M6wumkCTorn65mZnMC7vvjMakbVaMOT8AadsU/s1600/aquadoorblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwGJaP5PFVW3DF2BYh7fEKiLVjwQ-NBL5G0Bg9dpsr4l0LmqnlAyZdy5CyJ5sxLEzZWc8UqQBT3SAAHLVVxBy2YhpcPh9ggYDQiWBk1M6wumkCTorn65mZnMC7vvjMakbVaMOT8AadsU/s640/aquadoorblog.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marta covered our tortillas with this beautifully embroidered cloth. Isn't it pretty? </td></tr>
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21. Reminders to "look up and see" what is happening around me. I tend to focus right in front of me and I miss the big picture sometimes.<br />
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22. Serious conversations in God's timing.<br />
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23. Playing games in the evening. Have you played "Spot It"? I'm terrible at it, but I loved it!<br />
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24. Special worship time when I stepped into the church while the 2 girls were singing worship songs. Reminder of how blessed I was to be able to go on this trip. Is that what happens when you aren't distracted by TV or computers-you sing worship songs for fun? Hmmmm.<br />
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25. Hard Work + Fresh Air = Good Tired + Good Sleep<br />
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26. Amazement at the construction skills of Rosemary, Geri, and Tami! No offense, Theresa and Debbie and me!<br />
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27. Walls covered in scripture written in English and Spanish before the dry wall went in place<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLBoH-fUbUf6IXpS9MLPuS1X1fOOIDbR3VyeALZ2em1U3vrht0Zk4DQBn-UgEOpxz-6hYTmbJASLn3VovFM7CRA4NrGrtKtG40RWl2RC8t0HySRShS58SNDbWyOJEHiv_05rBebyvE5g/s1600/psalm43blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLBoH-fUbUf6IXpS9MLPuS1X1fOOIDbR3VyeALZ2em1U3vrht0Zk4DQBn-UgEOpxz-6hYTmbJASLn3VovFM7CRA4NrGrtKtG40RWl2RC8t0HySRShS58SNDbWyOJEHiv_05rBebyvE5g/s640/psalm43blog.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnIjZFq5SJ8HYEYgVLisg2HEiybd8ymWuvQecdGI_G9ayvEHsBu0jZxqFByYBvu7IC4TQIiZYm669FDQ1cYxTmh0NgYwozyb4u5nqojVq2gtj05kjoeM3nkphRM4cgn4GK-anvZtymrw/s1600/quiltblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnIjZFq5SJ8HYEYgVLisg2HEiybd8ymWuvQecdGI_G9ayvEHsBu0jZxqFByYBvu7IC4TQIiZYm669FDQ1cYxTmh0NgYwozyb4u5nqojVq2gtj05kjoeM3nkphRM4cgn4GK-anvZtymrw/s640/quiltblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />This is the quilt we made <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">during the Super Bowl game </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">for our Casas family. </span></td></tr>
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28. Brad's patience letting me drive nails that would have been simpler to hit once himself and be done. Okay. Maybe twice. (Wink)<br />
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29. A touching worship service including loud praise in English and Spanish, prayers, tambourines, and another very loud Mexican noisemaker, dancing, foot washing, hugs, and God's word. Heaven is going to be amazing!<br />
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30. Rosario, the pastor and father, reminding us before worship...."Let's enjoy the Lord." Yes. Let's. I bet God gets tired of being presented by the enemy as mean and harsh and judgmental. God is LOVE. Why would we resist that?<br />
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31. Presenting this wonderful family with the keys to their new home<br />
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32. A "Pepper" party after the house dedication with 3 kinds of empanadas made with love by Marta. My favorites were either the meat or pineapple ones. Yum!<br />
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33. By our last day, we visited with Marta like old friends and sisters in Christ.<br />
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34. Knowing we will meet again in glory if not before<br />
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35. A high school boy in tears as he said good bye to Luis, also in tears. These boys bonded over soccer and guy-ness.<br />
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<br />
36. Flavored liquid creamer, gas station hot dogs (not me!), french fries<br />
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37. Our clean, little, friendly community. <span style="font-size: large;">HOME.</span><br />
<br />
38. Our praying and loving church family who made our trip possible. Their generosity paid for the home we built and their prayers lifted us and got us there and back safely. We are blessed.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b style="font-size: x-large;">Sidebar: </b>I took lots and lots of pictures and enjoyed looking through them and editing the ones I liked best. I was presented with a dilemma when selecting the ones to include in this blog post. I had a choice of how to present the community-as a poverty stricken sad place or a place of hope.<br />
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Someone with a camera and an agenda could come to our home town and focus on the sad and ugly <i>or</i> try to capture the spirit of our county and see the beautiful.<br />
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It seemed so disrespectful to Rosario and Marta to focus on what they did not have. Instead, I chose to look at what they had. They had all the things that really matter. And lots of it.<br />
<br />
There is beauty everywhere. I chose to look for that.<br />
<br />
People are people no matter where they live, the size of their bank accounts, or the language they speak. We all need Jesus, and without HIM we are poor, indeed. <br />
<br />
Our group went to Mexico, but what we did is no more important than helping the person who lives across the street from you. So gather your people and your tools-no matter what they may be- and let's share Jesus.<br />
<br />
I'd love to hear what Jesus is teaching you. Please encourage all of us and share in the comments!<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-25749809931309158972016-02-29T09:42:00.001-08:002016-02-29T09:42:12.938-08:00What I am Loving in February<br />
Hello, Dear Readers!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6Pkzy7gJlmtkgPOYuAPazU7w6cNPvWXoK5-RsSOpbSnrpqCeqp_LbkkaR-zJN5zck89-HyQjSX9EyJg7K2bRh-sWt0879R7FM2SwQircllgHN2ljdhdFLzfv3eRSTIpBZ965XewUXcA/s1600/live+with+intention.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6Pkzy7gJlmtkgPOYuAPazU7w6cNPvWXoK5-RsSOpbSnrpqCeqp_LbkkaR-zJN5zck89-HyQjSX9EyJg7K2bRh-sWt0879R7FM2SwQircllgHN2ljdhdFLzfv3eRSTIpBZ965XewUXcA/s640/live+with+intention.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I am celebrating this Leap Day reflecting about what I enjoyed this month. At the end of January, I challenged myself and you (#imnotthebossofyou) to live more intentionally during the 28 days of the love month. You can read that post <a href="http://avintagefarmwife.blogspot.com/2016_01_01_archive.html" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I'm not sure I really met my goal of living intentionally, but time marched on anyway as it is prone to do.<br />
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Thank goodness God gives do overs. I don't want to waste my days on things that don't have value, and I'm sure you don't either. <b>Note to self: stop mindless scrolling</b><br />
<br />
Without further self flagellation, here is my February list.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Things I am Loving in February:</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
1. This Ministry: Casas Por Christo</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOljeC6t-P82M4WOCrd83y0C4hvYoXYBI-3x9WcZl65nqH5CTGUa6iL2ibeKCwymGGUw1x0aPHiXfV5pAURcgSxGVgSunzCSfBaAm2Pj2bRX8Cj0wkolfh0pLjf2YlebatjCuqVpzP_4/s1600/christianedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOljeC6t-P82M4WOCrd83y0C4hvYoXYBI-3x9WcZl65nqH5CTGUa6iL2ibeKCwymGGUw1x0aPHiXfV5pAURcgSxGVgSunzCSfBaAm2Pj2bRX8Cj0wkolfh0pLjf2YlebatjCuqVpzP_4/s640/christianedited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christian after writing her favorite verse on a 2x4 in her family's new home. Isn't she a beauty?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Casas por Christo is a ministry that uses home building as a way to tell others about Jesus. If you want to learn more about this great cause or how to provide financial or physical support check out their website <a href="http://www.casasporcristo.org/" target="_blank">here.</a> Brad or I would also love to answer any questions you may have.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This was a special month for us because we got to cross something off our bucket list. We joined a group of friends and family and took a mission trip to Acuna, Mexico. I'll write a post about it all soon. I just don't have the oomph to do it today since I am still suffering from "bus lag" after our 20+ hours on the people mover on our way home.<br />
<br />
Tired but so blessed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We partnered with this ministry headquartered in El Paso, Texas, to build a home for a pastor's family in the border city south of Del Rio, Texas. Our church paid $6900.00 for all the materials and the 15 people in our group joined our leader, Scott, to provide the labor.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Scott was our youth pastor many years ago, and we were so blessed to be able to spend time with him and his wife and children. Having him with us made a special thing even more delightful!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
2. This Song: Let Love Win</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have you discovered the Sunday morning radio program <i>Worship with Andy Chrisman</i>? I found it on Tune-In radio and love listening to it as I get ready for church. Andy plays great music, interviews artists, and prepares our hearts for worship. He also introduces songs I probably would never have heard of otherwise, including this one by Carrolton, <i>Let Love Win.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
And it's just a bonus that this video includes hammer and nails after I just talked about Casas por Christo. God is so creative!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SKWm0bGZlDU" width="560"></iframe>
<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<br />
<h3>
3. This book.....<i>The Artisan Soul</i></h3>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDcTetJAXswsWBA1gfaqSBsSfMgMtsSJoWObbh6BSDPL8YJrv5p08FXM_RYsRMug32IyjuOAGxAwHzv1x1AEZtrwAyAPpv_22xuCuzVKM0tUc0KeshFmPzlgoSrDUkIbz-S_C8nn5pYQ/s1600/artisansoul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDcTetJAXswsWBA1gfaqSBsSfMgMtsSJoWObbh6BSDPL8YJrv5p08FXM_RYsRMug32IyjuOAGxAwHzv1x1AEZtrwAyAPpv_22xuCuzVKM0tUc0KeshFmPzlgoSrDUkIbz-S_C8nn5pYQ/s640/artisansoul.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
Jeanne Oliver introduced me last year to this national best selling book written by Erwin Raphael McManus, a Christ follower. I'm reading it for the second time and am so inspired by it. We were created by the original artist to be creative ourselves-we ALL are artists in one way or another. Our entire life is a work of art.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The author encourages us to ask <b>Big Questions</b>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What kind of life are we crafting- an artisan life with the Creator at the center as we use the imagination and gifts He gave us, or a soulless one with the voices of those around us directing our path?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
(Pause for pondering.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That is deep but important stuff. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I know what the <i>correct</i> answer is, but it is hard not to let the negative voices in my own head drown out HIS cheering Spirit. Please tell me I'm not alone.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
4. My New Spotify Playlist.....Free</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My One Little Word for the year is <b><i>FREE</i></b> and I'm looking for it everywhere. These songs are blessing me big time and maybe they will you, too.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here is the link if you want to give it a listen.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20src=%22https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify%3Auser%3A12121215492%3Aplaylist%3A6YCYkzA1CAYJDMXpJDd5Pg%22%20width=%22300%22%20height=%22380%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allowtransparency=%22true%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E" target="_blank">"Free"</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That's if for this month, friends. I hope some of this encourages and blesses you so that you can pour it out to others.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Please share with us what YOU are loving!</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END -->Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-41929546221464026862016-02-08T04:03:00.003-08:002016-02-16T20:12:12.746-08:00 Holy Yoga is for Everyone-even You!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCv-15JFMPJ_UJt2RR9VKbThU4xNYwLOAzvIJNf9bTDdxG_8oyvbA0nNKcDbY01a2S46FmfTZjNbZIInWXNrKrf_mHraxDcmh6Ip1EWYol6CgfVujJhEDuW3kzHXdMLSOtK52oqv2cQik/s1600/chair+holy+yoga1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCv-15JFMPJ_UJt2RR9VKbThU4xNYwLOAzvIJNf9bTDdxG_8oyvbA0nNKcDbY01a2S46FmfTZjNbZIInWXNrKrf_mHraxDcmh6Ip1EWYol6CgfVujJhEDuW3kzHXdMLSOtK52oqv2cQik/s640/chair+holy+yoga1.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a photo of a quilt that I took on our trip to the Northeast last fall. Isn't it a beauty? I hope whoever made it went to yoga often! They would certainly need to open up the chest after the hours spent over the sewing machine creating this masterpiece</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Hello, friends!<br />
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</div>
The groundhog saw his shadow and that means an early spring. It seems like he was right on the mark today. It is gorgeous here as I'm writing this especially for February! The sunshine works wonders for my state of mind. How about you? We were made to live in the light-in more ways than one.<br />
<br />
One way to improve our mood any day is to get up and move. And it doesn't matter how old we are or what kind of physical shape we are in. Our Creator made our bodies to feel better when we are moving. Unfortunately, not everyone is able or wants to do a vigorous power yoga class. Those who have replacement joints, problems with balance, trouble getting up and down from the floor, are extremely inflexible, or recovering from an injury or illness may find Chair yoga is one way to maintain range of motion and general health.<br />
<br />
Recently, my 86 year old dad's doctor prescribed yoga or tai chi to help build strength and improve balance. I'm sure my dad never dreamed he would be attending one of my Holy Yoga classes, but when I heard what the doctor ordered, I jumped all over it. I began reading and researching and practicing yoga in a chair myself and was delighted that a complete practice can be done either in the seat of chair or using the chair for a little help with balance in standing poses. I began teaching a class at a local church.<br />
<br />
Serendipitously, Holy Yoga was offering a specialty training at just at the right time. I honestly thought I could teach chair yoga without it, but I signed up anyway. Once again, my Holy Yoga people are knocking my socks off with the quality of their training. I am learning soooo much about chair yoga itself and how to help individuals maintain independence as they grow older.<br />
<br />
Guess what? I think anyone who can't comfortably do traditional yoga should give Holy Yoga chair a try. Here are the reasons why:<br />
<br />
<h2>
Benefits of Chair Yoga:</h2>
<div>
1. Increases circulation</div>
<div>
2. Stimulates digestion</div>
<div>
3. Improves balance</div>
<div>
4. Increases health of joints and decreases joint pain</div>
<div>
5. Increase energy levels</div>
<div>
6. Increases strength, flexibility, respiration</div>
<div>
7. Decreases risk for osteoporosis, therefore, fractures</div>
<div>
8. Releases endorphins which combats depression</div>
<div>
9. Improves sleep and insomnia</div>
<div>
10. Improves posture and range of motion</div>
<h2>
And a few more because why stop at 10?</h2>
<div>
11. Relieves stress, tension, and anxiety</div>
<div>
12. Improves foot and pelvic floor health</div>
<div>
13. Reduces incontinence</div>
<div>
14. Develops core strength and decreases back pain</div>
<div>
15. Stimulates brain function</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Or even 15? I think one of the best benefits of all is:</h2>
<div>
16. community.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtd43M8CjBs6R8sm17YMfEXAlwOXSnggpzvy_Cnunx8V2FvepeB75HUorvm0Keu668HDRXntLselFT8xEHQduFb8xs62o8tvSUHNBkk0235CBxLZ-UtFDCo77nq4KSs7Z9ZKuHrfcm4OI/s1600/chair+yogis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtd43M8CjBs6R8sm17YMfEXAlwOXSnggpzvy_Cnunx8V2FvepeB75HUorvm0Keu668HDRXntLselFT8xEHQduFb8xs62o8tvSUHNBkk0235CBxLZ-UtFDCo77nq4KSs7Z9ZKuHrfcm4OI/s640/chair+yogis.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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These lovely people are just some of those enjoying the physical and mental benefits of chair yoga. They laugh and visit and move their bodies in new ways. And with Holy Yoga, they also get in touch with the True Healer through prayer, scripture, and worship music.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A benefit I didn't expect is also happening. Our little township lost its school a few years ago, and it has been really difficult to maintain a sense of community. There isn't a coffee shop or a grocery store or elevator anymore-all places where it was possible to run into your neighbors once in awhile. Bob's Hardware is still a place to gather, but usually the "loafers" there are just men.</div>
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Last week, I made a pot of coffee after class and these yogis spent an enjoyable hour catching up with one other and making new friends.</div>
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It was music to my ears!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you would like more information about Holy Yoga or my classes, ask away. I could talk about it for days.</div>
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Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-1615624871315098162016-01-30T14:10:00.002-08:002016-01-30T14:10:54.697-08:00Three Things I'm Loving in January<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYq_MSmkHfLynzKOTRCcCW9fYfpgEdBjyiRt8xVCF4ohoptQ9Gp4uc_3BgxZ9vGyfkkabIvrKVyTe2evqkRzN1t1BIIk7Rh74g51XoMKQJpyjKSz2uWjtbIVOxCLtEW8gesa-3SGffB0/s1600/january+favorites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYq_MSmkHfLynzKOTRCcCW9fYfpgEdBjyiRt8xVCF4ohoptQ9Gp4uc_3BgxZ9vGyfkkabIvrKVyTe2evqkRzN1t1BIIk7Rh74g51XoMKQJpyjKSz2uWjtbIVOxCLtEW8gesa-3SGffB0/s640/january+favorites.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hello, friends!<br />
<br />
How in the name of time did it get to be January 30? This has to have been one of the quickest Januarys ever. I hope it has been filled with satisfying and rewarding things for you and you feel healthier and more joyful than you did on January 1.<br />
<br />
If not, I wonder what would happen if we lived intentionally in the month of February, focusing our efforts on things that would result in feeling better emotionally, physically, and spiritually.<br />
<br />
Hmmmm.<br />
<br />
What would we say "yes" to and what might we leave behind?<br />
<br />
Deep stuff.<br />
And probably the things that make for a rewarding life.<br />
<br />
Pausing for a few moments of reflection........<br />
<br />
Now on to more frivolous things!<br />
<br />
I love to read posts where bloggers share the things they are presently loving. I have learned about the most interesting things from my blog buddies-items that have enriched my life, made things easier, or were just plain fun! So, I'm sharing some with you today.<br />
<br />
<h2>
3 Things I'm Loving Right Now</h2>
<div>
1. <b>The Giving Keys</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm not sure exactly how this company came into my radar, but I think it is the neatest idea ever. So many people are choosing <i>One Little Word</i> to focus on for the year instead of making resolutions, including me. My word for this year is "Free" and I'm sure a post will be coming about it sometime soon. Last year my word was "<a href="http://avintagefarmwife.blogspot.com/2015/03/one-little-wordjoy.html" target="_blank">Joy</a>" and the year before, "Learn," and the year before that, "<a href="http://avintagefarmwife.blogspot.com/search/label/word%20of%20the%20year" target="_blank">Do</a>," and the year before that, "<a href="http://avintagefarmwife.blogspot.com/2012/12/reflection.html" target="_blank">Follow</a>."<br />
<br />
I need to order more keys!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.thegivingkeys.com/" target="_blank">The Giving Keys</a> manufactures great, simple bracelets and other items with small keys stamped with the word of your choice. They invite you to wear your word, soak up your word, enjoy your word and your bracelet, and then pass it on to someone else who needs it more than you. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My bracelet arrived last week and I've just started to wear it. I might or might not have told our son that I hoped no one needed it more than me just yet, because I LOVE my charming, little bracelet.<br />
<br />
2. <b>When Calls the Heart</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIw4qOUruRiwuChtbC14QXCVeGOa-8xNGNzZqTVNqgDYytm7Xv84mA1GpNdTEp8RBXLrwez8tRQFMrR0kTc6vFIvzwckbVx3178GxEa5uIKMJGGqIMDfmVbrYWhI7YTD6e1G4gigWKHM/s1600/when+calls+the+heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIw4qOUruRiwuChtbC14QXCVeGOa-8xNGNzZqTVNqgDYytm7Xv84mA1GpNdTEp8RBXLrwez8tRQFMrR0kTc6vFIvzwckbVx3178GxEa5uIKMJGGqIMDfmVbrYWhI7YTD6e1G4gigWKHM/s400/when+calls+the+heart.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
If you are looking for a sweet, uplifting TV series that also teaches life lessons, check out <i>When Calls the Heart. </i>I found it on Netflix and our three oldest granddaughters and I have spent some happy hours and devoured lots of popcorn watching it together this winter. Season Two was just released. Yeah!<br />
<br />
<b>3. Anastasia Eyebrow Kit</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8QZUsdk67UhBsn-MTQxGDo7mXFeMkWS9xb2rX4_JZcbLEJb30UTLP4Jan4DZISuItIckSViUX3SLlY399aC8smDs-bJMX8EONZsQjNjvcO5YWnUqpGH_6SAoh6tTlFZdRx69dgrZNK0/s1600/italy+geraniums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8QZUsdk67UhBsn-MTQxGDo7mXFeMkWS9xb2rX4_JZcbLEJb30UTLP4Jan4DZISuItIckSViUX3SLlY399aC8smDs-bJMX8EONZsQjNjvcO5YWnUqpGH_6SAoh6tTlFZdRx69dgrZNK0/s640/italy+geraniums.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b></div>
This picture has nothing to do with eyebrows, but isn't it pretty? Be still my heart, I was really there once.<br />
<br />
I have a minor obsession with eyebrows and I've written about them <a href="http://avintagefarmwife.blogspot.com/search/label/brows" target="_blank">here.</a> Don't you just love a full dark brow? I do, too. However, as we move farther along on life's highway, our brows tend to thin and get lighter.<br />
<br />
I'm kicking and screaming away from that.<br />
<br />
Sephora sells an eyebrow system by Anastasia that involves a pencil/brush and brow gel to hold it all in place. I really like it. Possibly other make up companies sell something similar, but I haven't tried any of them. If you are eye brow interested like me, check it out on <a href="http://www.sephora.com/search/search.jsp?keyword=anastasia%20eyebrows&mode=all" target="_blank">Sephora online.</a><br />
<br />
That will do it for this month. Any Stitch Fixers out there? I'm waiting for my first box after the girls in my small group shared how much fun it was. I'll let you know what I think.<br />
<br />
Please share what you are loving right now. We would all love to know!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/?action=view&current=signaturesusan.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/signaturesusan.jpg" /></a>Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-29478129820227224602015-12-29T06:20:00.000-08:002015-12-29T06:20:19.540-08:00Laundry Moms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSHMTNUONtzUDqsXgN41kHYMrVLMHiCx9lBARIZB3YlBbPwfgRfeANo2dXzVnR1u239nWj5usnjJMUu7bcbfOKXRFrrOKvDgSp5jQaLDfcNv5F-8hyT-r645nH1RGtNbNOPB_Mo6kALY/s1600/life+well+lived.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSHMTNUONtzUDqsXgN41kHYMrVLMHiCx9lBARIZB3YlBbPwfgRfeANo2dXzVnR1u239nWj5usnjJMUu7bcbfOKXRFrrOKvDgSp5jQaLDfcNv5F-8hyT-r645nH1RGtNbNOPB_Mo6kALY/s640/life+well+lived.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Good Morning, friends!<br />
<br />
You can imagine my excitement a few weeks ago when I was contacted by <a href="https://www.thelaundrymoms.com/" target="_blank">The Laundry Moms</a> to do a guest post on their fantastic blog. All of you Trim Healthy Momma fans should definitely check it out because there are gobs of resources that you would love.<br />
<br />
I wrote about a dear man, Don Shull. Click on over and read about a wonderful person and real life hero. I love people who inspire me to step it up a notch. Maybe you will be inspired, too.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.thelaundrymoms.com/a-life-well-lived/" target="_blank">"A Life Well Lived"</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/?action=view&current=signaturesusan.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/signaturesusan.jpg" /></a>Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-50034293425656664822015-12-17T06:26:00.000-08:002015-12-17T06:26:24.665-08:00Alice's Farmhouse Rolls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwWWo9v87CBnvwu2S5aIx_yutQRqOlwtEYjTCWyxKex41gbYgvCFIuaAbT6ItSy-wlD6EXM9CA3N1JPE4auLTZKR6y1g-0DNDFbvYP2vOVgCBI7FX1o7I9PjQ5AQAXZxCG-AXe5NPc2M/s1600/alice%2527s+farmhouse+rolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwWWo9v87CBnvwu2S5aIx_yutQRqOlwtEYjTCWyxKex41gbYgvCFIuaAbT6ItSy-wlD6EXM9CA3N1JPE4auLTZKR6y1g-0DNDFbvYP2vOVgCBI7FX1o7I9PjQ5AQAXZxCG-AXe5NPc2M/s640/alice%2527s+farmhouse+rolls.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
One of my personal treasures is a humble cookbook put together by the Jasper County Home Extension Association. It was published in 1972, cost $2.00 and contains recipes from many people I know and love. Many of these great cooks are busy in heaven now, but I still remember them fondly when I see their names and recipes in this book.<br />
<br />
These women were farm wives who raised big gardens alongside their big families and who packed big picnic lunches to take to the county fair and to many family reunions every summer. They didn't buy convenience foods.<br />
<br />
Their children were not regulars at the local fast food places because there were no fast food places in the community in 1972. There was a very busy Dog 'N Suds, but we never ate there. Teenagers did drive around it over and over and over and over again on Friday and Saturday nights. Good times!<br />
<br />
Yeeks. I might have been one of them. Time is passing, people.<br />
<br />
Anyhoo. A few years ago, my cookbook disappeared and I was heartbroken. My boys' favorite meatloaf recipe was in this book, our traditional birthday cake, my mom's rolls and many other goodies we loved to eat.<br />
<br />
It took a while, but my mixing bowls and I finally moved on and I quit automatically reaching for it.<br />
<br />
My cooking luck changed when my mother-in-law downsized and moved down the road from us. She found a copy of this very same cookbook packed among her basement stash. This copy had belonged to her own mother.<br />
<br />
I am now the proud owner.<br />
<br />
My copy has Grandma Pitchers penciled notes, recipes torn out of magazines, and hand written gems from her friends she added to the back.<br />
<br />
Talk about a treasure!<br />
<br />
I want to share with you a recipe from this book that my mom is famous for-at least in our family and extended family. These rolls are easy and almost never fail. I like to make them ahead of time and follow the directions up to the second rising. I place them on parchment paper (not touching one another) and freeze them individually. After they are frozen, I put them in baggies and take out what I need, let them thaw and rise and bake as needed.<br />
<br />
I think you and your family will LOVE them, too! The dough is a dream to work with, so this is a beginner friendly recipe.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Alice's Farmhouse Rolls</h3>
<div>
1 pkg. yeast</div>
<div>
1/4 c. warm water</div>
<div>
3/4 c. milk, scalded</div>
<div>
1/2 c. butter ( I cut mine into chunks.)</div>
<div>
1/2 c. sugar</div>
<div>
1 t. salt</div>
<div>
3 beaten eggs</div>
<div>
4 1/2 c. flour</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Soften yeast in warm water. Combine milk, butter, sugar and salt. Cool to lukewarm. Add yeast mixture and mix well. Add eggs, then flour, Mix to smooth, soft dough. Knead lightly on floured surface. Place dough in greased bowl, cover and let rise until double in bulk-about 2 hours or so. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Divide dough into thirds; roll each third on lightly floured surface to 9" circle. Brush with melted butter. Cut each circle in 12 wedge-shaped pieces. Roll each wedge, starting with wide end and rolling to the point. Arrange rolls in a greased baking pan. Cover and let rise till very light-an hour or so. Bake in 400 degree oven for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Brush with butter.<br />
<br />
Since you are the one removing them from the oven, be sure to grab a crusty one from a corner-delicious. If you are lucky you might have some homemade cherry jam from your sweet mother in law to smear on top. SWEET!</div>
<br />
<a href="http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/?action=view&current=signaturesusan.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/signaturesusan.jpg" /></a>Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-10995350325577357222015-11-25T14:07:00.000-08:002015-11-25T14:07:06.310-08:00Cappuccino Muffins, Anyone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXit-rBZce4eiYmtTHXc0iQdWyNidinhZobCI6WFhRSyTETkTPd2FxDzpcpLUkbE7PhyZaD0mnNUNwzQMgV5z1xdtSyOVKfT4rEv-OHplRsIfEpIJQaDjWqbqO8mX_Ujmo-8A2oNGOww/s1600/cappucino+muffins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXit-rBZce4eiYmtTHXc0iQdWyNidinhZobCI6WFhRSyTETkTPd2FxDzpcpLUkbE7PhyZaD0mnNUNwzQMgV5z1xdtSyOVKfT4rEv-OHplRsIfEpIJQaDjWqbqO8mX_Ujmo-8A2oNGOww/s640/cappucino+muffins.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Hello, friends!<br />
<br />
This is going to be a bit of a different Thanksgiving around here this year. Two of our sons are traveling and won't be here for our family festivities, but I decided a long time ago that our holiday would be whenever we are together. I don't want to be "that" mother-in-law. You know the one I'm talking about?<br />
<br />
Thought so.<br />
<br />
We are going to have guests in our home for two nights, maybe three so I have been doing a little preparation for that. I just took these delicious muffins out of the oven. They are quick and easy and good, so you might want to give them a try!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Q2G_3GDsbppLyA0Ru2SRVIvwi5Yn3ZnKwaOtCJtf9Mzac_UiwQXMcDv0SCTY8BZsbZ6LjUSz4RmVzD8sW8gahH1Rl_ISqOpXaX5Tqk432OBVm9uU9AIzaQLe6oROO8F2YntmAhyphenhyphen1twM/s1600/muffins2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Q2G_3GDsbppLyA0Ru2SRVIvwi5Yn3ZnKwaOtCJtf9Mzac_UiwQXMcDv0SCTY8BZsbZ6LjUSz4RmVzD8sW8gahH1Rl_ISqOpXaX5Tqk432OBVm9uU9AIzaQLe6oROO8F2YntmAhyphenhyphen1twM/s640/muffins2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Susan's Cappuccino Muffins </h3>
<br />
( I didn't really invent them. They originally came from <i>Taste of Home, </i>as many good recipes do.)<br />
<br />
prep: 20 min.<br />
bake: 25 min.<br />
<br />
2 c. flour<br />
1/2 c. sugar<br />
1/2 c. brown sugar<br />
2 t. baking powder<br />
2 t. instant coffee granules<br />
1 t. cinnamon<br />
1/4 t. salt<br />
1 egg<br />
1 c. milk<br />
1/2 c. butter, melted<br />
1 t. vanilla<br />
1 c. miniature chocolate chips (which i forgot. dang it.)<br />
<br />
Topping:<br />
6 T. flour<br />
1/4 c. packed brown sugar<br />
1/2 t. cinnamon<br />
1/4 c. butter<br />
<br />
In a lg. mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugars, baking powder, coffee granules, cinnamon and salt. Whisk the egg, milk, butter and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full.<br />
<br />
For topping, combine the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over batter. Bake 375 for 22-24 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.<br />
<br />
Yield 15 muffins<br />
<br />
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving full of friends, family, and fun!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/?action=view&current=signaturesusan.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/signaturesusan.jpg" /></a>Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-25556899412104164462015-09-15T10:37:00.000-07:002015-09-15T10:37:57.375-07:00God is Faithful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I have been reminiscing the last few days.<br />
<br />
It is almost impossible for me to believe, but this is the beginning of the 5th school year since I turned in my gradebook and keys and quit writing lesson plans for 8th graders.<br />
<br />
Five years since I laughed with my students.<br />
<br />
Five years since I read their sometimes heartbreaking/sometimes heartwarming essays and graded spelling tests for hours. (Don't miss those spelling tests a bit!)<br />
<br />
Five years since I was shocked by their language and the words of some of their music, and fell for their traps to get me off topic by veering our discussions in another direction than I planned. These discussions were often more fruitful than what I had planned anyway.<br />
<br />
Being a classroom teacher was something I loved! Granted, it could be VERY FRUSTRATING and STRESSFUL, but the energy of kids and the creativity of their ideas brought me great JOY.<br />
<br />
I loved seeing the back-to-school pictures of all the kids on Facebook, and I know many momma- hearts ached as they prayed for a good school year for their precious children. Everyone wants their son or daughter to have a teacher who cares.<br />
<br />
And I know there are GOBS of teachers who do!<br />
<br />
When I decided to quit teaching, I hoped God would show me what HE wanted me to do next.<br />
<br />
Surprise! He has been faithful to do just that.<br />
<br />
While cleaning, I came across these 2 pieces that I wrote years ago.<br />
<br />
<h1 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
New Friends</h1>
<div>
I have been teaching now for what sometimes feels like a couple of minutes (farewell Class of '74) and other times feels like I started when Elvis was King. I love my job for about 106 reasons and last night I discovered a new one. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Some of my former pimply-faced students are now becoming my poised and delightful friends. Even though I only had them in my room for 1-2 periods each day for one year, I feel an-almost-motherly-pride in the adults they are becoming.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It is fun to hear them nervously, hesitatingly call me "Susan" as if I will say snippily, "May I see your agenda, please? That was inappropriate." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's fun to giggle with them as adults over a shared goof-up, fun to talk about grown-up topics, like "my boys" and "your boys", recipes, clothes, and what God is up to in our lives.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What a blessing!</div>
<h1 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
Closed Chapter</h1>
<h1 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></h1>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I sit on our back
porch swing</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Listening to the
birds sing<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Winding down from the
last<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Days of another busy
school year<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Wondering if anyone
can hear<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The fear<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In my heart<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
As I close this
chapter of my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
No more principal-imposed
deadlines<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
No more ISAT test
times<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Ruining my late-night
rest<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Sucking the best<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Parts of teaching <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Into the slime pits <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
where they cowered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Who am I now?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
No 8<sup>th</sup>
grade teacher<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Secretly enjoying
people’s praise,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“I could never do
that”-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Take those
child-shaped<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Clays<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And help mold them
into writers, thinkers, imaginers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It’s kind of scary.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ll allow myself a
fairly<o:p></o:p></div>
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Decent time to say
good-bye<o:p></o:p></div>
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To that part of me <o:p></o:p></div>
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And then I’ll see<o:p></o:p></div>
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What I will be….<o:p></o:p></div>
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Next.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Looking back, I see how faithful God has been to me. He allowed me to participate in the lives of young people all those years as a classroom teacher, and now I have the privilege of teaching Holy Yoga and working with wonderful girls and mentors in The Push Ahead.<br />
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I have learned so much, gone places I never imagined, and witnessed God at work. I'm reconnecting with former students and their moms and meeting new folks. It's FUN!<br />
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I'm not sharing this because I am anything special, because I am NOT. I'm sharing because the same God who has shown me his FAITHFULNESS and LOVE will do the same for YOU and I'm sure he has been.<br />
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Sharing with others gives God glory and is an encouragement during times when we may need building up.<br />
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So, how is God showing his faithfulness to YOU? Tell us. Please!</div>
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<a href="http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/?action=view&current=signaturesusan.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/signaturesusan.jpg" /></a>Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-69242401571120285312015-08-21T07:43:00.000-07:002015-08-21T07:43:10.739-07:00Friday Fashion Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIW-39P5DxnfvTfqtmumhkWp5nvpQWDJhzVtqnjlGMPf1wkO0ki5y6PP_6RQQcVlZnCNFJNhVOaH4bRukE9KvaEbWMvPO5iwsIF346q9XmYfNOEZrmck1nDg-fM1LmdAF-xtmVNPEjKlg/s1600/farmwife+fashion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIW-39P5DxnfvTfqtmumhkWp5nvpQWDJhzVtqnjlGMPf1wkO0ki5y6PP_6RQQcVlZnCNFJNhVOaH4bRukE9KvaEbWMvPO5iwsIF346q9XmYfNOEZrmck1nDg-fM1LmdAF-xtmVNPEjKlg/s640/farmwife+fashion.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hello, readers!<br />
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I don't know what is happening weather wise in your part of the world, but we have had a lovely week here on the prairie. We were blessed with 2 inches of rain, which finished making our bean crop, so the farmers around here can relax a little bit and enjoy the last days of summer. The temps are deliciously lower-I am even wearing a sweater this morning as I type this!<br />
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All this has me thinking about fall fashion. I haven't done any research or bought a fashion magazine yet, but I do have a little want-to-buy list in my head. Here are a few things on it.<br />
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Stalking One: <span style="font-weight: normal;">I'm crazy about this casual look. I would still love a pair of very lightly distressed jeans like these even though they have been around awhile now and may be on the way out. Who cares?!</span></h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9TgkOyUYZGwC_pwCPLbMSiqoJZETqMzP31LTAU9mcdGS0wOowBIotVqAGEvuFZj2o5j9316f3TVHK8Dl-iMXjWB-K0qL6SsZSibsUDZuIG-olEP5UyxRAETwYqUobrSPvaPzFEx5ojc/s1600/jeansandgray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9TgkOyUYZGwC_pwCPLbMSiqoJZETqMzP31LTAU9mcdGS0wOowBIotVqAGEvuFZj2o5j9316f3TVHK8Dl-iMXjWB-K0qL6SsZSibsUDZuIG-olEP5UyxRAETwYqUobrSPvaPzFEx5ojc/s640/jeansandgray.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/18014467236779252/" target="_blank">via pinterest</a></td></tr>
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Stalking Two: <span style="font-weight: normal;">I have been wearing lots of cardigans the last few years, but would like to transition to more jackets. Comfortable, stretchy jackets. I found a cute black pleather one at Marshalls a couple of years ago and have worn it and worn it, so this year, I'm looking for a brown one. But it must be easy to wear and reasonably priced so I don't have to be married to it for 10 years.</span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9mTWKOS-Sy5Lm0J33uAUiVAmxp9_n17TdRe_YyIiRjuA9nu9c44ieVl0jLukXLqVupUhazl1dnZ2Ueh1WO52BVLZPb1XR50RFEiI3HUd1cJ2JFrnlF5wgIDSnqVUEmW1EQzjepcVems/s1600/brown+jacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9mTWKOS-Sy5Lm0J33uAUiVAmxp9_n17TdRe_YyIiRjuA9nu9c44ieVl0jLukXLqVupUhazl1dnZ2Ueh1WO52BVLZPb1XR50RFEiI3HUd1cJ2JFrnlF5wgIDSnqVUEmW1EQzjepcVems/s640/brown+jacket.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/454933999834467647/" target="_blank">via pinterest</a></div>
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Stalking Three: <span style="font-weight: normal;">I need a new pair of brown leather boots, too. I bought my last pair on sale at Macy's about 5 years ago and have worn the heck out of them. I have jumbo calves, so I really want to find some with a wider opening this time so I don't have to unzip them every whipstitch to allow my lower legs to calm down a bit when I wear them over jeans. Any suggestions, bigger calved sisters?</span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhJEVD6OTXawTb_9SY1biEHZ_ZTfjQmjRLRFkwpnizBWmlB3DoXXyHd6Du4Te3mteahui_ZBqWRTaHz22VhC1aWIkFnBRadJHX77llN9-qUjdBLB5yqDYCyVQ43adXsH6cb2xCVcdsXo/s1600/brown+boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhJEVD6OTXawTb_9SY1biEHZ_ZTfjQmjRLRFkwpnizBWmlB3DoXXyHd6Du4Te3mteahui_ZBqWRTaHz22VhC1aWIkFnBRadJHX77llN9-qUjdBLB5yqDYCyVQ43adXsH6cb2xCVcdsXo/s640/brown+boots.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/459015386999870089/" target="_blank">via pinterest</a></div>
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I would love a pair of Frye's, but their $300 price tag makes them a NO for me. Even though I've been looking for 2 years, I'll just keep trying to find some.</div>
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Stalking Four: <span style="font-weight: normal;">A Kendra Scott necklace or earrings...... so cute!</span></h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2j22CWRhi_Kk6042sK8Ea42NoDaOIev1ottqT9vcWBJkZxZQ4DEF0KZV2OwWV9sweoJ5B9PJ1mceBQ4jgVONYOO4UIoEwpJY238s8YZaGu1qNLU0LQTBRxxym53jkqh_St6u683pSQt8/s1600/kendra+scott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2j22CWRhi_Kk6042sK8Ea42NoDaOIev1ottqT9vcWBJkZxZQ4DEF0KZV2OwWV9sweoJ5B9PJ1mceBQ4jgVONYOO4UIoEwpJY238s8YZaGu1qNLU0LQTBRxxym53jkqh_St6u683pSQt8/s640/kendra+scott.jpg" width="434" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/157274211963652763/" target="_blank">via pinterest</a></td></tr>
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<br />That's it for now! Saying <b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">YES to the PRESENT</span></b>, so I'm not going to spend too much time thinking about fall as I wear my summer clothes for a few more weeks. <div>
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I had a lot of fun this season with the <a href="http://avintagefarmwife.blogspot.com/2015_05_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Get Your Pretty On Summer Challenge</a> and will definitely participate in the Fall Challenge. Be on the lookout for sign-up information here.<br /><div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">So, friends, what are you dreaming of for Fall?</span></div>
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<a href="http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/?action=view&current=signaturesusan.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/signaturesusan.jpg" /></a></div>
Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-26380176547998805422015-08-13T07:45:00.001-07:002015-08-13T08:42:37.543-07:00My Arms Are Black and Blue....Farm Girls Go to Italy, Part 3<br />
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<b>Note:</b> I have had this post written for almost 2 weeks, but I just couldn't share about my wonderful journey to Italy at the same time that one of my dearest friends was saying goodbye to the love of her life after a massive heart attack. John's sudden death reminded all of us that we are not promised another breath, no matter our age or the plans we have made or the people depending on us.</div>
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I have spent a lot of time the past few days filled with gratitude for normal days with my family, more convinced than ever to LIVE each day, not just exist. </div>
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I am so glad I went to Italy. If you have a dream, don't put it off, friend.</div>
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<b>Bellagio, Bellagio,
Bellagio</b></h3>
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I feel like the pixie dust I was sprinkled with in Italy is
starting to wear off, so I need to get my memories down on paper before the
magic is completely gone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks for joining me!<o:p></o:p><br />
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(If you need to catch up, you can read Part One <a href="http://avintagefarmwife.blogspot.com/2015/07/my-arms-are-black-and-bluefarm-girls-go.html" target="_blank">here</a> or Part Two <a href="http://avintagefarmwife.blogspot.com/2015/07/my-arms-are-black-and-bluefarm-girls-go_23.html" target="_blank">here.</a>)<br />
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We were picked up on Saturday afternoon at our hotel, encouraged several
times to take Dramamine, and taken to Bellagio, which has to be one of the most
beautiful places on the planet. It is one of several villages scattered around
the base of Lake Como, a huge body of water at the foot of the Alps in northern
Italy.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Mr. Google describes Bellagio as the “Pearl of the Lake”. He
is right.<o:p></o:p><br />
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I had never take Dramamine before, but I was scared not to
because Laura mentioned it MANY times, so I took two.<o:p></o:p><br />
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The trip was “interesting” to say the least! I loved driving
past Italian corn, bean and hay fields and at one point we were even following a
John Deere tractor. Who knew?! It made this farmwife feel right at home.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Before long we arrived at the huge lake and began to drive on a very wind-y,
narrow road with one blind curve after another. The driver would slow down,
beep his horn a few times and go for it. We made it without incident, but I
sure wouldn’t want to drive it myself in the little Fiats the Italians drive. Now I understood the Dramamine suggestion, but we all were
fine.<br />
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And I was. Very.
Mellow.<o:p></o:p><br />
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We pulled onto the <b>one</b> narrow street coming into town and
headed slowly downhill. My eyes were on overload at the stunning and very
“Europeanesque” (I know it’s not a word!) sights all around us. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The colors, the flowers, the old, old architecture, the cobblestone
streets, the people on foot, the stores less than a foot from our van
windows-beautiful!<o:p></o:p><br />
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We quickly arrived at the Hotel Serbelloni for a reception
on a beautiful, flower covered terrace on the shore of the lake to meet Laura,
Jeanne and Stephanie, our teachers for the week, and to get better acquainted
with the other ladies on the trip. We knew immediately we were in for something
special. <o:p></o:p><br />
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This was an <i>Art and
Faith Creative Retreat</i> so we were all believers. There is just something
remarkable that occurs when God’s girls get together to learn more about HIM.
The Holy Spirit in each of us quickly bound us together, and we skipped all the
insecure nonsense women so often bring out in one another. <o:p></o:p><br />
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We bonded. Big time!<o:p></o:p></div>
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And that made it all the more fun.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<b>Sidebar TWO</b>: <i>Oh, how I hope you have experienced that
special closeness that quickly develops between strangers when you share a love
of Christ. If you haven’t, let’s talk about it…….<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
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So here we were. A very open and willing group of Christian
women brought together in a place of unbelievable beauty to use the gifts GOD
gave us to create art. I had to figuratively keep pinching myself to be sure I
wasn’t dreaming.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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The next week was full of art lessons and walking tours of
beautiful gardens, a villa, a monastery. We rode in fancy cars with drivers to
multi-starred restaurants, the ferry to other lake villages and vintage
boats-the kind you see in movies set in the 1960’s. On one trip we were
overwhelmed with the sheer beauty of it all and spontaneously sang the <i>Doxology</i>. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigb25DlMcdxnnUO2cmOEidfpEG0741OyJVPtiuXU5TOHOBqyHcamse-MsZzvIvEhvqgSw8og-zh0L7cIZ1u9svrzv-wjkBH-GeKS18HCGbez5Mi6htcc7J2Kw4qN0i91MlB8auaUni8gY/s1600/plums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigb25DlMcdxnnUO2cmOEidfpEG0741OyJVPtiuXU5TOHOBqyHcamse-MsZzvIvEhvqgSw8og-zh0L7cIZ1u9svrzv-wjkBH-GeKS18HCGbez5Mi6htcc7J2Kw4qN0i91MlB8auaUni8gY/s640/plums.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was awesome!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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One afternoon, we split into 3 groups and went to cooking
school in a cute little apartment. We later ate the delicious food on the tiny
balcony under a 2 story grape arbor. Debbie and I are now certified Italian
cooks who can make Tagliatelle, Bruschetta, Ragu, and Tiramisu. And we have the aprons to prove it. Want to
take a cooking class with us when our pasta makers arrive from Amazon?<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<b>Sidebar Three:</b> <i>I learned a lesson about hospitality that night.
The balcony wasn’t big, the decorations weren’t fancy, everything didn’t match,
but the food was delicious, the conversation was important, and we felt so WELCOME. I need to quit thinking I must have my version
of perfection in order to have guests over.<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8d5EAX3epTR6oA6B42OokUSn7tlIMW0zove5LZQadVTZX0IAdYGPOoZEXxpVRyR89b9G9Qhs-FO3KA6PE974bKKGGS4vNSc6x1jOHtfCRdIhRDupSZaY_WjUkLCjKXxrT0VQVsrj_fg/s1600/flour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8d5EAX3epTR6oA6B42OokUSn7tlIMW0zove5LZQadVTZX0IAdYGPOoZEXxpVRyR89b9G9Qhs-FO3KA6PE974bKKGGS4vNSc6x1jOHtfCRdIhRDupSZaY_WjUkLCjKXxrT0VQVsrj_fg/s640/flour.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i></div>
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We hiked up and down the cobblestone streets for a little
while every afternoon admiring the silk and leather goods. We met and became
“friends” with the people who designed and made the shoes we bought in their
little workshop in the back of their store. I bet I will wear them until I am
90 and they will still be in style-and they were reasonably priced too! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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The Italians are such friendly people and I’m tickled that I
now have Italian “friends” on Facebook and can’t wait to get to know them
better. Did you know there is a translation feature that comes up when a post
is in a different language? How handy! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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Our little apartment was in the center of the village, and
we soon begin to recognize some people and see them as we went about our day.
Marta, Rita, Silvana, Elisabetta, Simona, the sales people where we bought our
coffee, our gifts for people from home, and our many bottles of water seemed as
happy to see us as we were to see them!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQofP_04SLTHWi6Ls8jQ6eJQ_GzjQl3Al6218WTTy8PEOCmOw-WQnzbqd2rbl73UvP5QundmlFMiIqMHJJriyr8cK8QybGRvMayow_fCFwCmKQ2hP5T7MFPsuP8mMY4V6z4B4Ojb_QUk/s1600/grapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQofP_04SLTHWi6Ls8jQ6eJQ_GzjQl3Al6218WTTy8PEOCmOw-WQnzbqd2rbl73UvP5QundmlFMiIqMHJJriyr8cK8QybGRvMayow_fCFwCmKQ2hP5T7MFPsuP8mMY4V6z4B4Ojb_QUk/s640/grapes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And then there was the food. Oh my. I love the way Northern
Italians eat. The food was really fresh and the portions were reasonable and
every meal we ate was better than the one before! And the meals last a <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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VERY.<o:p></o:p></div>
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LONG. <o:p></o:p></div>
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TIME.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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And gelato. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Yum!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLPlELdwq9ftgpQ7_PDN1Jf4OKaA18d11pyLSP6UrRf-pIRLXuPnNntqTg09E0aKUvlgrYKQJgT99EIJkLOJueyXs_ombLCdOcsa2dFl6UBsAe3c2h9qr6E3HoK4x7pa15NB4_BjfaMY/s1600/marta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLPlELdwq9ftgpQ7_PDN1Jf4OKaA18d11pyLSP6UrRf-pIRLXuPnNntqTg09E0aKUvlgrYKQJgT99EIJkLOJueyXs_ombLCdOcsa2dFl6UBsAe3c2h9qr6E3HoK4x7pa15NB4_BjfaMY/s640/marta.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgth-yFlhlsniB2abzChtgzC3A_1_kqOxxJo8RXCm-kGS9G0LyIr9HW5gqAdzbuiRetALdxnzA5FpOCMT8GQZ_0LC3HN_y60S4XhOO5j9S-iEsTEYfhCOVw4RzIaGmiuD-2UUenCz7H1PI/s1600/silvanaandleonardo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgth-yFlhlsniB2abzChtgzC3A_1_kqOxxJo8RXCm-kGS9G0LyIr9HW5gqAdzbuiRetALdxnzA5FpOCMT8GQZ_0LC3HN_y60S4XhOO5j9S-iEsTEYfhCOVw4RzIaGmiuD-2UUenCz7H1PI/s640/silvanaandleonardo.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm sitting at a table along the street. Silvana and Leonardo are in the street. The gelato store is across the street. The street is narrow!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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Several people have asked me about the “ART” that I made. I
have to say that I really enjoyed the chance to learn and play with watercolors
and my chalk pencil and little bitty pieces of paper torn from a fashion
magazine. We made jewelry, a mosaic of
the Madonna, a travel journal, a mixed media canvas, and illustrations that
symbolize our faith journey. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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I had no expectations for myself since I am no artist and I was
able to really enjoy CREATING and EXPERIMENTING instead of looking around at
the work of others-many of whom were really talented- and feeling small and
intimidated. Kudos to our wonderful teachers for making every project accessible for someone like me. It was FUN! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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The week flew by and we said good bye with lots of hugs and
promises to stay in touch via social media and reunions stateside. If we don’t
see each other again here, <b>we will in</b>
<b>GLORY</b>!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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Our flight home was long and uneventful but God had one last
big JOY BOMB for us. As Debbie and I boarded our
plane in Miami headed for Indy, we noticed a large group of young people
boarding with us. We could tell just by the looks on their faces and the “light”
of their presence that they were Christians who had been on a mission trip. We
chatted and learned they had been to Haiti working with children.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxxZiYCD1Q8ab2BM4N57t6xmZoxMeVpj9f-CEK166hZ5ZFaPsOhmhdhJkTJETSAOaU1FeoLDZLcIxhEHYSDh_xeAo6hBM3Z2A-7K5ZT87nUSy5mfQmzw-FamX3y_pC-Od2aGe9l6e7a8/s1600/debbiesilhouette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxxZiYCD1Q8ab2BM4N57t6xmZoxMeVpj9f-CEK166hZ5ZFaPsOhmhdhJkTJETSAOaU1FeoLDZLcIxhEHYSDh_xeAo6hBM3Z2A-7K5ZT87nUSy5mfQmzw-FamX3y_pC-Od2aGe9l6e7a8/s640/debbiesilhouette.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Our hearts were turning toward home and our husbands who
were waiting for us at the airport, so we decided to work on some Italian
phrases to greet them. In our exhausted, slap-happy state, our giggles at our "Italian" soon
turned into flat out nonstop laughter. Yawns are contagious, but laughter is
too, and before we knew it, half the plane was cracking up with us.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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Can you imagine? A small plane of people laughing so hard we
could hardly catch our breath-what a wonderful ending to our trip! Isn’t God
fun? He invented laughter, you know.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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This trip was one of those special life events that takes some
time to fully process. I enjoyed it so much and on so many different levels.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will never forget the time two farm girls from the
Illinois prairie went to Italy and will never be the same.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqe7XNDFxRZVQ3eN-AB9y2rrXc9a-kqTyTeej9cDtigqcng8sVLEdTZU6DPv9YjMNah24ewTRk9dc79Jz9y61nKupXILPP8wbtIzfDTsXx1SeGQykRglHzdyM0B4bQr0WOZeEC8iedWac/s1600/artists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqe7XNDFxRZVQ3eN-AB9y2rrXc9a-kqTyTeej9cDtigqcng8sVLEdTZU6DPv9YjMNah24ewTRk9dc79Jz9y61nKupXILPP8wbtIzfDTsXx1SeGQykRglHzdyM0B4bQr0WOZeEC8iedWac/s640/artists.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture borrowed from Laura and taken by Cathy Walters, photography extraordinaire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Sidebar Four: </b>I love a good list and still have gobs of pictures, so be on the lookout for one more post!<br />
<br />
If you are interested in learning more about Laura and her amazing Creative Retreats (I want to go to ALL of them), please check out her blog <a href="http://www.akissonthechic.com/#welcome" target="_blank">A Kiss on the Chic</a>. (Don't you just love that name?)</div>
<a href="http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/?action=view&current=signaturesusan.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/signaturesusan.jpg" /></a>Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-19672710424142335772015-07-23T05:37:00.001-07:002015-07-23T05:37:57.174-07:00My Arms are Black and Blue.......Farm Girls Go to Italy Part Two<div class="MsoNormal">
If you missed Farm Girls go to Italy...Part One, you can read it <a href="http://avintagefarmwife.blogspot.com/2015/07/my-arms-are-black-and-bluefarm-girls-go.html" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
<br /></div>
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<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">First stop-Milano, the fashion capitol of the world!</span></h4>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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We flew into Malpensa airport, got <b>our first passport stamps (!) </b> and headed across the street to the Sheraton. We
got our first glimpse of the kindness of the Italian people and started running
into other ladies who were joining us on our trip.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I always imagined before traveling to Europe, I would spend
months with my nose in guidebooks learning all about the areas I would visit
and planning out a perfect trip. Turned out that was just a pipe dream.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Debbie and I headed out flying by the seat of our pants,
which is the way Brad and I usually travel-it’s worked out well for us, most of
the time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And it did this time, too! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Before we got off the plane, we chatted with the people next
to us who had been to Italy many times and were returning to visit family. They
told us 2 things we definitely had to see and we saw those things and so much
more.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Janice, one of our fellow travelers, had tickets for a
walking tour which included viewing <i>The Last Supper by Leonardo</i> Da Vinci. We
tried to book tickets online, but it was all sold out. We
headed that way with Janice anyway, figuring we could tag along if we were willing to pay the money. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Guess what? We couldn’t.<o:p></o:p><br />
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However, we ended up in Duomo Square, right where we needed
to be to see the 2 sites our airplane friends had suggested! I love when things
work out like that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Dominating this square was the Duomo, or church, that is Milan’s
most famous landmark. The cathedral was absolutely beautiful and took 500 years
to complete. Can you imagine?<br />
<br />
A couple of years ago, I read <i>Pillars of the
Earth, w</i>hich was all about the construction of a Gothic cathedral
in England. The book not only helped me appreciate
the blood, sweat, tears and craftsmanship involved in such an undertaking,
but also, the politics involved.<br />
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<br />
I couldn’t
help but compare the magnificence of the cathedral to our more simple churches
in America. The Master Artists of the past created beautiful masterpieces of
devotion to God. What are The Masters of today creating? Are we missing the boat by going the simple route? This church is quite a bit different than the "warehouse" style churches being built today.<br />
<br /></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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OK. Now my head is hurting. I’ll think about that another
day.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Next stop-Galleria Vittorio Emanuele 2<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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Translation-A FABULOUS MALL<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJlTJriBn_lP6rKk5wLk8qxDwM9z1CHwA8Iz2q1exVKDRkD9JJStrwaMhZQ51u3blXubs6jAtcMnbgO6i0l6BYZPzZoIqS0M7ib6lfzJNRm-xqnJ73E869gsD4FPU4Fel6Y2SJlRVDsE/s1600/prada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJlTJriBn_lP6rKk5wLk8qxDwM9z1CHwA8Iz2q1exVKDRkD9JJStrwaMhZQ51u3blXubs6jAtcMnbgO6i0l6BYZPzZoIqS0M7ib6lfzJNRm-xqnJ73E869gsD4FPU4Fel6Y2SJlRVDsE/s640/prada.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was a beautiful shopping area that connected Duomo Plaza
and Piazza della Scala. (I am writing that as if I had the lay of the land
figured out. Believe me, I didn’t! I am directionally challenged and have been
known to get turned around in shopping malls and hotel hallways. Google is
helping me!)<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsYpSzjEg3xrfLmyWPC8TDALyobGnDP8Hr6cReLQ24k7EcaOStDvzcMU8if7yE2HfuFN4iPVis6FQCVBFb0VwCrAvYU0xEPvMTLzjulAjeFPhFcVxW3GoPgGvYyCKgnjAELq3BaBlDoA/s1600/galleria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsYpSzjEg3xrfLmyWPC8TDALyobGnDP8Hr6cReLQ24k7EcaOStDvzcMU8if7yE2HfuFN4iPVis6FQCVBFb0VwCrAvYU0xEPvMTLzjulAjeFPhFcVxW3GoPgGvYyCKgnjAELq3BaBlDoA/s640/galleria.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Debbie and I ventured into the original Prada store and had
a great visit with a beautiful sales lady. But, SURPRISE! We didn’t buy a
thing! Nothing had a price tag…..can you imagine?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I found this Prada bag online for $2025.00.<br />
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<br />
Gulp. I doubt I
ever find one at TJ Maxx or Marshalls-my favorite stores, but trust me, I’ll be
looking.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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Beth, Debbie and I enjoyed a long lunch and had a BALL watching
people. It was like a 2 hour fashion show. We were especially smitten with a
woman who appeared to be in her 80’s who had on the CUTEST buffalo plaid skirt,
simple blouse and adorable shoes with her hair in a flip.<br />
<br />
TRES CHIC.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Proving style has nothing to do with age. BAM!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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After lunch, we split up and the two of us began to make our
way back to the train station where we were supposed to meet for our evening Canal
Tour. We got a little confused about the direction we were to go and stopped to get our bearings.<br />
<br />
A beautifully
dressed woman began speaking to Debbie about the “ballot”. We soon realized
that she was offering us 2 free tickets to the ballet which began in 15 minutes
in the building right in front of us! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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What?!!!!!!! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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After thanking her profusely, we stepped into the most
amazing theater and were treated to 2 hours of beautiful music and an amazing
performance of <i>Excelsior.</i> I have only
been to the ballet twice before that.
Once at EIU when I was in college and coerced Brad into going with me, which
lasted about 10 minutes before he had enough and we left. He did take me to a kids' production of <i>The Nutcracker </i>a few years ago in Champaign. (He is such a good sport!)<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcvCVWdz3dOUgPGQ5N2ICDPtBGcihc2RPe25GaYl3w7AtENiJjG0J-H3aCXzl2FaaM39FMrEhM2na7d8dk3HUWh2204IFDgo0Jk7KAj0KlPeeUfBGMJl0UZACvkKiUbAXLwj2yoST6qo/s1600/debbieatballet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcvCVWdz3dOUgPGQ5N2ICDPtBGcihc2RPe25GaYl3w7AtENiJjG0J-H3aCXzl2FaaM39FMrEhM2na7d8dk3HUWh2204IFDgo0Jk7KAj0KlPeeUfBGMJl0UZACvkKiUbAXLwj2yoST6qo/s640/debbieatballet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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So, my ballet knowledge is nonexistent. However, we didn’t
need any to enjoy every second of this performance. A little explanation was
given before the show began, but, of course, we understood none of it since it was spoken in Italian. At
intermission, we tried to figure out the story line. I thought it was about
the circus and cracked up later when we learned it was about the Industrial
Revolution. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What a gift those tickets were! </b>Two farm girls from Jasper
County got to see a world class ballet in The Scala Opera House, one of the
most famous places in the world. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Crazy.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We spent the rest of the evening enjoying a walking tour of
the canal area, getting acquainted with more of the members of our group who
also were on the tour and the other lovely tourists from Helsinki, Finland, and
England. The world became a much smaller place for me that night!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsNUNLFTtUqiUgzr4teFTKGZGV47PNTWHM10rxh8LGOSh-9xDrmFzHsDTI1_L2V4RnDX_dYn3_MaU8YU2V8kUIwFdM_AfNVZ9iOlXMewMAXssdKddsQkRJi1ijRZZWvmbdzppXnRZbhw/s1600/flowerscanel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsNUNLFTtUqiUgzr4teFTKGZGV47PNTWHM10rxh8LGOSh-9xDrmFzHsDTI1_L2V4RnDX_dYn3_MaU8YU2V8kUIwFdM_AfNVZ9iOlXMewMAXssdKddsQkRJi1ijRZZWvmbdzppXnRZbhw/s640/flowerscanel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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By then, we had been up for I have- no- idea- how- many- hours, and
I could barely stay awake on the train ride back to our hotel.<br />
<br />
Our experiences
that day had our gratitude cups filled to overflowing and we could have gotten
on the plane and flown home satisfied and happy.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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But it was just the beginning!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
(Part 3 coming soon!)</div>
<br />
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Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-43601878816060814872015-07-21T11:37:00.000-07:002015-07-21T11:37:27.193-07:00My Arms are Black and Blue....Farm Girls Go to Italy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Part One</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2jmYVNd-HlhY8JWBQXmbhEX8_VqIL8vo27b8HD8fOIz7w0mvZBasmZJ8l-jFf3uFZtHOt181uhNrXvb7hTqMQSoEMLnBUxPkuIcCZ1WKbHYbFLvDcpSZsuBaRnH7NI5WZWwS46udlak/s1600/the+adventure+beginsedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2jmYVNd-HlhY8JWBQXmbhEX8_VqIL8vo27b8HD8fOIz7w0mvZBasmZJ8l-jFf3uFZtHOt181uhNrXvb7hTqMQSoEMLnBUxPkuIcCZ1WKbHYbFLvDcpSZsuBaRnH7NI5WZWwS46udlak/s640/the+adventure+beginsedited.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Beautiful mountains.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Crystal clear waters.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Blooming flowers everywhere. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Lemon and orange trees.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Olive groves.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Dining alfresco with a grape arbor heavy with bunches of green
grapes forming the ceiling overhead.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Sweet, sweet people smiling as I freely and happily practiced
my Italian phrases trying to get the accent and the rolled "r's" just right. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm sure I sounded like a fool. A very happy fool!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I have spent the last few days pinching myself as a reminder
that I was actually awake and experiencing all this and not in some weird sleep
experience in a week long dream. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Yes. This farm girl and her farm girl friend, Debbie, went
to Italy! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVjPLQztxvCoAZm3fcYtWeHM1rPST8NaAMdbHfqebP7EYW5Ko68WUV9qDEnNem_gLEzGuw6XKTm3GalQv7ktybgU4CpWnCNxc0B5jvq25FFlhFccRHVhWVO_Qz0TPUKm-mmW8QgD0BiE/s1600/airport1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVjPLQztxvCoAZm3fcYtWeHM1rPST8NaAMdbHfqebP7EYW5Ko68WUV9qDEnNem_gLEzGuw6XKTm3GalQv7ktybgU4CpWnCNxc0B5jvq25FFlhFccRHVhWVO_Qz0TPUKm-mmW8QgD0BiE/s640/airport1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bellagio, Italy to be exact.-a place I’d never even heard of
until March. And now a place I will never forget. During this trip of a
lifetime, I made amazing friends and even learned that I enjoy making art. (After
several days, I can now say that without giggling in disbelief!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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You may know that my <i>One
Little Word</i> for 2015 is <b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">JOY</span></b>. Even in the midst of some very difficult times
this year, God has graciously given me lots of joy to go along with the sadness.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Here is a bit of the backstory……..<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Last winter, I signed up for Jeanne Oliver’s <a href="http://jeanneoliver.ning.com/" target="_blank">The Becoming of You</a> series (which you should totally sign up for) and one morning while I
was eating breakfast in Florida, I began watching the videos. I loved every one
of them, but when I got to Laura from <a href="http://www.akissonthechic.com/#welcome" target="_blank">A Kiss on the Chic</a><i>, </i>I wanted to jump up and down. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Laura shared a bit about her <i>Creative Retreats</i> and described the <i>Faith and Art Retreat </i>she was planning for Summer 2015 in Bellagio.
It sounded dreamy, but I’m not an artist by any stretch of the imagination, and
I had never traveled internationally except for a couple of trips to Mexico. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUQl7kQ24hSqnE6e_tYFgmKSRB47KFeinRNzKJeMBhQsW9c5iY24xrF04uf9-FrE29OP8B7NwNMLSgI3_R37UK3TKJaKEPUdtnqpLIAPO5OSExfZ5lC6vw-R11sFMgkhaCPd2oH50u30/s1600/milansstatues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUQl7kQ24hSqnE6e_tYFgmKSRB47KFeinRNzKJeMBhQsW9c5iY24xrF04uf9-FrE29OP8B7NwNMLSgI3_R37UK3TKJaKEPUdtnqpLIAPO5OSExfZ5lC6vw-R11sFMgkhaCPd2oH50u30/s640/milansstatues.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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However,God put a HUGE and immediate desire in my heart to
attend this event. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I told Brad about it when he returned from his run, and without
missing a beat, he said, “DO IT!” I sent the link to my friend, Debbie, and she
was as excited as I was when her husband also gave the thumbs up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We signed up before we could talk ourselves out of it, with
no real idea of how blessed we were going to be. Thus began several weeks of
preparation for traveling abroad-booking international flights, checking cell
phone plans, insurance, getting euros, new suitcases and planning what to wear.
We also had quite a list of art supplies we were supposed to bring with us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-9RxT2NvQfR6zLe6mpzdP8pUVPrb68_YN2M4d1QetKE1rJLRSx-RFxIQ4WHaOsGX8HdNZQO__Vxq6m3dyDJ6sJfB9ah0q1wKltsUDAX1eA3eDwNTuooOSCu_-vceJ-tspd1CutlbluA/s1600/debbieflowerstall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-9RxT2NvQfR6zLe6mpzdP8pUVPrb68_YN2M4d1QetKE1rJLRSx-RFxIQ4WHaOsGX8HdNZQO__Vxq6m3dyDJ6sJfB9ah0q1wKltsUDAX1eA3eDwNTuooOSCu_-vceJ-tspd1CutlbluA/s640/debbieflowerstall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Gesso and mat medium, anyone? <o:p></o:p></div>
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I had no clue what I was asking for when I went to Michael’s
to get my things. And who knew there were so many different types of paint
brushes. See, I am NOT an artist!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This trip was way out of my comfort zone and out of my box,
but I LOVE to do new things, and I was up for an adventure with one of my best
buddies. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And I had a feeling God was in the midst of the whole thing. A win from EVERY angle!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XOzT03RkDZ8dKbCPIvbUvtRf-A3G92SZUojM-FUv3xP7Jje8DT_YyiiwpNn2y9eDQH1Ql9KgPQjXTZFP5VW7s9RvRomjzHFQ7nmgmPKedSoauiAKOkfFbWgLEJuPpFt-EgjctSa44qU/s1600/susanflowerstall2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XOzT03RkDZ8dKbCPIvbUvtRf-A3G92SZUojM-FUv3xP7Jje8DT_YyiiwpNn2y9eDQH1Ql9KgPQjXTZFP5VW7s9RvRomjzHFQ7nmgmPKedSoauiAKOkfFbWgLEJuPpFt-EgjctSa44qU/s640/susanflowerstall2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, Debbie and I packed our bags, grabbed our new cameras
and passports and headed for Italy with our eyes and hearts open wide.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Coming Soon: Part 2: Milano</b></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/?action=view&current=signaturesusan.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/signaturesusan.jpg" /></a>Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-13561233332736003382015-07-01T06:59:00.001-07:002015-07-01T06:59:10.566-07:00How to Brighten Someone's Day (and Your Own)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXqHwPxCobbeC3lzHro-6eG2Od96BEJL0Ec7sFx3emtbSXQnDBMYMrLa936e7tXVNcpeM_4gQWIc3Y2VQQZvTEx1CJzvFNwVyPKsVyCALrgzsYB2tUSqRp_cZdyiD1n2XuO7uHgQAN1I/s1600/go+hug+someone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXqHwPxCobbeC3lzHro-6eG2Od96BEJL0Ec7sFx3emtbSXQnDBMYMrLa936e7tXVNcpeM_4gQWIc3Y2VQQZvTEx1CJzvFNwVyPKsVyCALrgzsYB2tUSqRp_cZdyiD1n2XuO7uHgQAN1I/s640/go+hug+someone.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<br />
Can you believe it?<br />
<br />
I am the featured writer today over on <a href="http://myfreshlybrewedlife.com/2015/06/the-hugger-share-the-brew-with-susan-shull-the-vintage-farmwife.html" target="_blank">My Freshly Brewed Life</a>. I'm sharing what I've learned about hugs.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>The power of a simple hug can change someone's day. It's a fact!</i></b></span></blockquote>
Barbie and I met through an encouragement swap a few years ago and the girls from California and Illinois have stayed in touch. Don't you love that? I do!<br />
<br />
Hop over and read my post and stay awhile to enjoy all the goodness you will find there.<br />
<br />
This busy gal not only maintains a great blog, she has even written a book, <b><i>Coffee Talk with Jesus</i></b>. I have provided the link so you can easily take a look!<br />
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This post contains affiliate links but I only suggest things I think you will enjoy.Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-19968949362584312772015-06-22T11:27:00.001-07:002015-06-22T11:27:49.910-07:00Fighting Back with JOY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lypWnUW_YWrU5Cb1iyW3fpCoa-ZLQ1YG3BQA-YMMt24PRNdKmJYmSXcwqCKCo1act9URLjzuAD6zGO9Af_BmOPuVQ9h417hf6tzJU9CLEY0vg4LdweiE1UzbRkNERnndEHrzr2D882A/s1600/want+morejoy+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lypWnUW_YWrU5Cb1iyW3fpCoa-ZLQ1YG3BQA-YMMt24PRNdKmJYmSXcwqCKCo1act9URLjzuAD6zGO9Af_BmOPuVQ9h417hf6tzJU9CLEY0vg4LdweiE1UzbRkNERnndEHrzr2D882A/s640/want+morejoy+banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Have you ever heard of Margaret Feinberg? She was new to me until this spring when my friend suggested we do one of her Bible studies with our small group. I am so glad we met through the pages of her study.<br />
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She is ONE. WISE. WOMAN.<br />
A flat-out gifted teacher of the word.<br />
And I now know that she is a big deal in the Christian publishing/speaking world. She has written 4 books and Bible studies, has been featured in lots of media, and is a popular speaker at big events like Catalyst and Thrive. She was even named one of the 50 women shaping Christian culture today.<br />
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I used to wonder who would take Beth Moore's place when she wanted to step down, but God is raising up a whole new army of wisdom.<br />
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Of course He is!<br />
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We just finished <i>Fight Back With Joy </i>and I can't recommend it highly enough. It was right up my alley since Joy is my One Little Word this year. I wrote about it <a href="http://avintagefarmwife.blogspot.com/2015/03/one-little-wordjoy.html" target="_blank">here.</a> I have been so encouraged with the way God has brought this word to my attention over and over since January-the power of focus, I guess.<br />
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Margaret shares from experience how she was able to find JOY in the midst of struggles and weaves the scripture and life experience together in a way that makes it understandable and APPLICABLE. I love the practicality of her teaching.<br />
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Using lots of scripture, suggestions, and bonus activities, her words became more than just words. They became solutions to problems that were holding us back from the good things God has for us.<br />
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One of my favorite sections was <i>Embrace Celebration as a Discipline. </i>She reminds us that God loves parties and used scripture to prove it. NonChristians often have such a distorted view of God as a big party-pooper when in fact, he is the first party planner, comedienne, dancer, decorator, and cook. We are created in HIS IMAGE, so if we enjoy these things, it is because he planted the desire in us.<br />
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If you are looking for an encouraging study that will also challenge you, try this one!<br />
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Here are links to the book, study guide, and leader's kit if you want to check it out.<br />
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This is a study that I will repeat over and over. I want to be a person who looks for JOY BOMBS, which God is throwing all around me if I will only look for them.<br />
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He is throwing them for you, too, friend!<br />
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<a href="http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/?action=view&current=signaturesusan.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/signaturesusan.jpg" /></a><br />
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Disclosure: I am now an Amazon Affiliate and will be compensated if you purchase something from my links. My opinion is totally my own.Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-47191663324935834032015-06-06T14:33:00.002-07:002015-06-06T14:33:28.533-07:00Baby Talk<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-F6KSJ-Wo6wlTx4gr3b_EXTMCsEjLn_2DcarkQ0i-ZMsfXd-Hx52yrbOP74HvplbF5drWA1a4p9g_bWexl_ybORZ7RDILeUKhZMRxeds8MGaUD82CjkalE6ORS48HddJcKCC1e8XnU8/s1600/babytalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-F6KSJ-Wo6wlTx4gr3b_EXTMCsEjLn_2DcarkQ0i-ZMsfXd-Hx52yrbOP74HvplbF5drWA1a4p9g_bWexl_ybORZ7RDILeUKhZMRxeds8MGaUD82CjkalE6ORS48HddJcKCC1e8XnU8/s640/babytalk.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Prince George, not a member of our family.......google images!</td></tr>
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One of the best parts of being a grandparent is having conversations with our granddaughters. Those talks can be hilarious or innocent or disturbingly honest. </div>
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Or embarrassing when family secrets are spilled. I'm sure we have all been there!</div>
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Two of ours are learning to sew this summer and I am helping them with their 4-H projects. We went to buy their fabric at Joann's the other day and after much searching and persuading that a dress with a chiffon overlay was probably not the best choice for our budding 6 year old seamstress, Amy settled on a very colorful fabric for her elastic waist skirt. As the salesclerk handed her the cut fabric, Amy sweetly asked, "Now where are the sequins?" </div>
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I'm still laughing out loud over that one! This little doll is convinced she can do ANYTHING. And I want it to stay that way. Shame on the person who bursts that bubble.</div>
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I spent some time this week with our youngest who is just learning to talk. Her precious little babbling and talking in complete sentences or paragraphs of indecipherable language is the sweetest sound. In the midst of all the "words" are some that I recognize, including "Mammy" which is what she calls me.</div>
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She definitely is experimenting with sound, learning how to make her wishes and needs known to those around her.</div>
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I googled and discovered over 1,000,000,000 results to explain just how language acquisition happens. Educated people obviously have spent a lot of time trying to understand it. But, how can you explain the explainable?</div>
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To me, it's a flat out miracle. </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Imitation is the greatest teacher, and Hannah will eventually learn to talk just like her cousins did, by listening to language and repetition of language and being talked to by all of us. </span></div>
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What a great responsibility speaking to a child is! <br />
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What words will ring in her ears?<br />
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Will she hear words of affirmation? Encouragement? Truth? That Jesus loves her sooooo much? That she is valued and honored and has a purpose?<br />
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Like her cousins, she has parents who love Jesus and her, so I am sure that she will.<br />
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Not every child is so lucky. That makes me so sad.<br />
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Soon Hannah will know the POWER of her words. I pray that all of our grandchildren use their words in a way that honors their Heavenly Father.<br />
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Maybe they will write songs that praise Jesus, or books that change people's lives, or devotionals that lead others closer to the Savior, or speeches that encourage and uplift and bring out the best in those who listen.<br />
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Maybe they will stand up for someone who is being bullied or speak life into dark situations.<br />
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Maybe they will lead their neighbors to the Lord.<br />
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May God may use their words to change the world!<br />
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<a href="http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/?action=view&current=signaturesusan.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/signaturesusan.jpg" /></a><br />
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<b>Sidebar: Our kids don't want me to post pictures of them on my blog, so you will just have to trust me-our grandkids are ADORABLE!</b><br />
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Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-45673591055316884202015-05-25T08:14:00.002-07:002015-05-26T04:53:23.263-07:00Get Your Pretty On!Happy Monday Morning!<br />
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I have a sink full of dirty dishes, gobs of laundry to fold, Brad's suitcase still packed after almost a week, dust in places it shouldn't be, a party to prepare for this weekend, but I'm not working on any of it. Instead, I'm thinking about FASHION.<br />
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To be more specific, I'm thinking of the <a href="https://vm235.isrefer.com/go/GYPOSUM15/Susan/" target="_blank">Get Your Pretty On Summer Challenge</a>! Have you heard of it?<br />
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A friend told me she thought I would enjoy Alison's blog, and she was right. When the email came out about the Summer Style Challenge, I jumped all over it. Who doesn't want to have cute outfit suggestions sent to her email box for 21 days? I'm planning to combine these outfits with the free outfits from a previous challenge I also received, and I'm set for the summer.<br />
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<a href="https://vm235.isrefer.com/go/GYPOSPR15/Susan" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn186/Alison_Lumbatis/Summer-Slider_zps2j3isdlv.jpg" height="406" width="640" /></a><br />
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Signing up includes access to a private facebook page and I can tell already I'm going to get some great ideas from the friendly challengers who are posting like crazy and VERY WELCOMING! They range in age from 20-70 somethings, so don't let those cute shorts in the picture above scare you off.<br />
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The suggested items can be found at every price point and at a variety of stores, including Target and Kohl's and JC Penney. I really like this feature because many of the other fashion bloggers I enjoy spend a bazillion dollars on clothes, which I am NOT willing to do. I want to wear my clothes, not marry them for life.<br />
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Early bird sign up for the Summer 2015 Challenge is open and is only $29.00 until May 28. That is just the price of a few magazines or a top that is bought and stays in your closet because you just don't have anything to wear with it.<br />
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So, what do you think? Want to join the fun with me?<br />
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You can read my other fashion ramblings <a href="http://avintagefarmwife.blogspot.com/search/label/Friday%20Fashion%20Fun" target="_blank">here,</a> or <a href="http://avintagefarmwife.blogspot.com/search/label/farm%20fashion" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
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<a href="http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/?action=view&current=signaturesusan.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/signaturesusan.jpg" /></a><br />
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In the spirit of full disclosure, if you purchase from my link, I will be compensated. This is the first ever affiliate link in which I have ever participated, and I'm only doing it because I think you will benefit, too. I'm planning to use any moula I make to purchase large bolsters for my new restorative Holy Yoga class. Namaste!Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-72219216061885869552015-05-18T08:49:00.000-07:002015-05-21T14:04:28.110-07:00Fight the Frump: Camo Pants, Anyone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-x6Eoyf5n9TjAEyHwQ5CfRWoG35cwcY-N6_IBford8UX0j8Fz-yh9MO5qnjwbPNwG6QcTD9Mg65eBNjAKK6ucm4jxJH0uz1t_EMdJ7PnTG8BOhhUYHItW6yZ0RASgByMofgfygzCaGU/s1600/farmwife+fashion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-x6Eoyf5n9TjAEyHwQ5CfRWoG35cwcY-N6_IBford8UX0j8Fz-yh9MO5qnjwbPNwG6QcTD9Mg65eBNjAKK6ucm4jxJH0uz1t_EMdJ7PnTG8BOhhUYHItW6yZ0RASgByMofgfygzCaGU/s640/farmwife+fashion.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We live in a land of hunters and I come from a family of them. My granddad hunted all kinds of birds and what he brought home was often the food for that day.An empty red or yellow shotgun shell was a familiar sight at their house, along with the dusty stuffed quail and the pheasant feathers stuck in a container on the desk.<br />
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My dad also hunted birds and his high school buddy, who became an airline pilot, often visited for a "hunt." To me, Jack lived a very exotic life, flying around the world. Our family wasn't able to take many vacations because LIVESTOCK, and we certainly didn't fly anywhere. One time Jack brought us sourdough bread from San Francisco-yum! I still haven't visited that city, but I sure hope to some day.<br />
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Anyway, I tell you all of this to bring up camo. When I washed my boys camo sweatshirts, coveralls, hats, and overalls, I never imagined that I would ever wear the brown, gray and tan pattern myself, but I started getting a hankering a couple of years ago when I began seeing them styled in adorable ways on the internet.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JG3DhmBbj2YYXXDaZ8QUWxQ2OQoKLafyisrlzrriN2mu8Opia-SFn6S7QhC7TfTFyyghHRcV-B4vkMM3NonGZcsaKvQfMap0caiVvBqz2WbelZ7PPaymNyA8z49L9NXWRxfYsHq1wJs/s1600/camopants1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JG3DhmBbj2YYXXDaZ8QUWxQ2OQoKLafyisrlzrriN2mu8Opia-SFn6S7QhC7TfTFyyghHRcV-B4vkMM3NonGZcsaKvQfMap0caiVvBqz2WbelZ7PPaymNyA8z49L9NXWRxfYsHq1wJs/s640/camopants1.jpg" width="408" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via pinterest</td></tr>
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I resisted for a long time because I thought I was too old for the trend, but then I decided to live dangerously and jump into the camo pool. We live in the boonies, remember, and I didn't have time to drive close to an hour to shop for any, so I started looking online.<br />
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I found a pair by Kut From the Cloth on the <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/sr?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=2375500&keyword=kut+from+the+cloth+camo+pants" target="_blank">Nordstrom</a> website. I ended up ordering them from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/KUT-Kloth-Womens-Trouser-Ankle/dp/B00Q3YXNXI/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1431963881&sr=1-1&keywords=camo" target="_blank">Amazon</a> just because I could do it with one click and have them uber quickly since we are Prime members.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGtSBmEP79IM1yXPmrCla0GLt5esIqQfcBZaxXsIZyH6cQik3twf6Gu0CX31Zr7HffYUSgTsFFG24jkv6Wc_W4A-lqKqyod0WP0rQmc7RUhWoM56M-N0D3B8bGdQoxsxJO2gbnvNeJdI/s1600/casual-camo-look-with-jean-jacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGtSBmEP79IM1yXPmrCla0GLt5esIqQfcBZaxXsIZyH6cQik3twf6Gu0CX31Zr7HffYUSgTsFFG24jkv6Wc_W4A-lqKqyod0WP0rQmc7RUhWoM56M-N0D3B8bGdQoxsxJO2gbnvNeJdI/s640/casual-camo-look-with-jean-jacket.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIAAETGeCl1i7-XqbPmuLbieCa7IsaOwHY962Pf-nz0Je2NmMazuM47K1DTVMIG7jAj3jA0_H18ntQW-FDdU59viN40woyeUtJuQNBXKcdaMApIfPORqe9mHzkmGfAB0JyQClfNPa1es/s1600/netural-and-camo-outfit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIAAETGeCl1i7-XqbPmuLbieCa7IsaOwHY962Pf-nz0Je2NmMazuM47K1DTVMIG7jAj3jA0_H18ntQW-FDdU59viN40woyeUtJuQNBXKcdaMApIfPORqe9mHzkmGfAB0JyQClfNPa1es/s640/netural-and-camo-outfit.jpg" width="436" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via pinterest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5r4o7mEUWr1rsseEbkagq3-3WpOsLhOe0ulLhMDZGiqGy1HJbzln0xJhiIkNvof0tuXqTV3DckpggvYB8RldYIdqjCyWJoHVtE7_UW206BUXZM8MZeD_V3tbDz7eLXbYFguF61dH1DD0/s1600/shethoughtshecould.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5r4o7mEUWr1rsseEbkagq3-3WpOsLhOe0ulLhMDZGiqGy1HJbzln0xJhiIkNvof0tuXqTV3DckpggvYB8RldYIdqjCyWJoHVtE7_UW206BUXZM8MZeD_V3tbDz7eLXbYFguF61dH1DD0/s640/shethoughtshecould.jpg" width="344" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shethoughtshecould.com/spring-challenge-re-cap-3/" target="_blank">She Thought She Could</a></td></tr>
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Aren't these outfits adorable? They are kind of winter-y, but you get the idea, and I'm sure you can come up with lots of ways to summer them up. To me, they have become my new neutral and I'm going to wear them with lots of different colored tops and shoes.<br />
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Not convinced? Here are some more ideas from <a href="http://pinteresttoldmeto.blogspot.com/2015/02/pinterest-told-me-to-buy-camo-pants-and.html" target="_blank">Pinterest Told Me To</a>, which is a great little fashion blog, by the way.<br />
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Yesterday, in the sermon, the speaker reminded us that as Christ followers, we are clothed in the righteousness or Christ. That, of course, is the prettiest outfit of all! However, I think God gets a kick out of HIS girls dressed appropriately in outfits that make them feel great. Afterall, HE DESIGNED THE FIRST GARMENTS FOR ADAM AND EVE!<br />
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Isn't that a cool thought?<br />
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So, what do you think? Will you join me in wearing cute camo pants?<br />
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<a href="http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/?action=view&current=signaturesusan.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/signaturesusan.jpg" /></a><br />
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Linking up to.....</div>
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<a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/" target="_blank">Grace at Home</a></div>
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Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-92181292202872580442015-04-21T12:55:00.000-07:002015-04-21T13:53:25.113-07:00This and That and Please Join the Fun!Do you ever feel like you are just "out of it"? The other day at a track meet one of my dil's mentioned airbrush makeup. My response was "Huh?" I've never heard of such a thing, and I probably desperately need it!<br />
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As I was reading blogs the other day, one of my favorites, <a href="http://www.flowerpatchfarmgirl.com/" target="_blank">Flowerpatch Farmgirl</a>, went old school and posted a list of sentence starters. I loved reading her answers and some of the comments, as well. I learned about some new this and that, so thought I would play along here.<br />
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Please share in the comments or post a link to your own blog so we can all learn from one another. Help me get in the loop of popular culture!<br />
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<b>Reading:</b> I've got a whole stack of books in progress. I used to read only fiction, but now I'm reading mainly nonfiction. The two on top are <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yes-Please-Amy-Poehler/dp/0062268341/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1429644270&sr=1-1&keywords=yes+please+amy+poehler" target="_blank">Yes Please</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yes-Please-Amy-Poehler/dp/0062268341/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1429644270&sr=1-1&keywords=yes+please+amy+poehler" target="_blank"> </a> by Amy Poehler and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Artisan-Soul-Crafting-Your-Life/dp/006227029X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1429644130&sr=1-1&keywords=the+artisan+soul" target="_blank">Artisan Soul</a> by Erwin Raphael McManus. SOOOOO Good!</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Playing: <span style="font-weight: normal;">We usually play a card game called "Hand and Foot" several times each winter with my aunt and uncle, but card playing season is over once the time changes. Now, my guys work until dark, but I am teaching myself how to doodle and to do hand-lettering, so that is the game I'm playing!</span></span></h1>
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<b>Watching: </b>Brad and I are always behind on TV series and often just start watching right before the final season. We did it again this year. We have laughed<b> uproariously </b>this winter while having marathon sessions of <i>Parks and Recreation. (</i>See Amy Poehler above.)</div>
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<b>Cooking: </b>Just made a batch of Cinnamon Granola with real Maple syrup collected from local maple trees by a group of neighborhood men. It is DELICIOUS, and I love that these guys spend days and days every February making it.</div>
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<b>Eating: </b>Too much! Blech.</div>
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<b>Drinking</b>: I am now officially a coffee drinker, going this winter from an occasional cup in the morning to 2 cups, always. My favorite is either French Vanilla or Hazelnut light roast from Aldi. It is DELICIOUS, people. Try it. How about at my house?</div>
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<b>Pinning, Crafting: </b>I'm not spending a lot of time on pinterest, but when I am, I usually pin things for Holy Yoga or my new obsession-doodling!<br />
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<b>Doing:</b> I'm preparing to lead a new series for our Friday morning small group. We are doing <i>Fight Back with Joy, </i>and after watching the first two videos and reading a couple of chapters in the book, I know it is going to be just what the doctor ordered. I would like to make some graphics for everyone, but do you think I can teach myself graphic design by Friday? Heehee! You might remember <a href="http://avintagefarmwife.blogspot.com/2015/03/one-little-wordjoy.html" target="_blank">JOY</a><b> </b>is my word of the year, and it just keeps popping up for me!<br />
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<b>Going: </b>Nowhere too exciting for a few weeks, but I did just get back from Holy Yoga Touch training in Memphis. And we took Pearl, our vintage airstream, and stayed on Blue Suede (I think that was its name) street at the Graceland campground. Fun!<br />
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<b>Loving: </b>Holy Yoga TV-It is a very reasonably priced monthly subscription to some great Holy Yoga classes. This month we are working on Bird of Paradise pose. Yowzers. I may never be able to do it! But it doesn't matter because it's not about the yoga.</div>
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<b>Hating</b>: That our lawn looks like a hay field because of all the rain we have been having. It has been way too wet to mow twice a week so it needs to be raked. That isn't going to happen because-5 acres. Hate is way too strong a word for this, so I'll say it is annoying.</div>
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<b>Discovering: </b>We are way more alike than different. Last Sunday evening, we had a Baptismal Renewal Service at our church. No, we didn't get re-baptized, but we did share how we came to the Lord<b>. </b>It was beautiful, and so many of us shared similar stories.</div>
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<b>Enjoying: </b>Evening gator rides with my husband. It is so fun to journey on the road less traveled with the air in our faces and our eyes wide open to the beauty of nature!<br />
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<b>Considering: </b>Last night I heard a tip that I may just adopt. I guess in Mary Kay, sales people are told to make a list every day of 6 things that you want to accomplish. Sounds like a good idea to me!<br />
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<b>Thanking:</b> I am so thankful for the beautiful cards on my windowsill, and that I have lovely friends who took the time to send them to me.<br />
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OK, friends. Now it's your turn. Can't wait to read your responses!<br />
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<a href="http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/?action=view&current=signaturesusan.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn352/curly2880/signaturesusan.jpg" /></a>Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-26218263836030822612015-04-16T06:24:00.002-07:002015-04-17T15:29:23.840-07:00How to Take a Sabbatical<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Back when I was a
much younger person and dreamed of an “As the World Turns Life” minus any
personal drama, I briefly imagined I might teach at the college level. I had no
clue </span><i><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">what</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I would teach, but I liked the idea of
the life of a college professor. Doing research, writing a syllabus, and
having office hours sounded great. Taking a “sabbatical” every few years to
study something new or to travel or to rest and rejuvenate sounded so
sophisticated and la-di-da to me.</span><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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<span style="background: white;">Now, the idea that a college professor needs to
take a year off to recover from his hard labor seems hilarious. </span><b><i>I</i></b><span style="background: white;"> think </span><b>farmers</b><span style="background: white;"> need a sabbatical to rest from their 18 hour
days during the busy season and their sleepless nights during the rainy or
drought season and the heartsickness at the “God has blessed us with a big crop
and now the prices have dropped to nothing and our inputs are through the roof”
season.</span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">Or maybe you are in the 3- kids- under-5 season
and haven’t had a good night’s sleep in so long you can’t remember, and the
baby wants to breastfeed 24/7, and your house is a mess with caked on oatmeal
on the highchair and dried milk splatters on all your kitchen chair legs that
won’t come off no matter how hard you scrub because they have been on there too
long. (Can you tell I was there once?)</span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">Or the what-am-I-supposed-to-do- with –my- life
season when you look around and everyone seems to be settled in and content and
doing exactly what they were created to do, while you bumble around trying to
do </span><i>everything</i><span style="background: white;"> or hide
out at home doing </span><i>nothing</i><span style="background: white;">.</span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">Or the I-retired-so-why-am-I tired season with
unlimited opportunities to serve others and the inability to say “enough is
enough”.</span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">I could go on and on and on, and if I haven’t
acknowledged the season you are in, forgive me. The point is many of us
need a REST from the madness that our life has become. It is no wonder
that so many of us feel disheartened, worn out and unsatisfied. We are
forgetting to participate in one of God’s great gifts to us-the Sabbath. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;">There are many references to Sabbath rest
throughout the scripture, starting with God on the 7</span><sup style="color: #333333;">th</sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;"> day, continuing to the Israelites during their
wilderness travels, and Moses receiving the 10 Commandments. The Sabbath was
such a part of the life of the Hebrew nation that by the time Christ began his
ministry, the Pharisees had developed an entire list of “do’s and don’ts”
surrounding the practice of it. Remember when the religious leaders
scolded Jesus for healing on the Sabbath?</span><br />
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;">Can you relate to the Pharisees and their
rule-loving ways? I sure can. I like to follow rules and I’m learning that I
also like to make them for others. That is one of the things I need to take a
“rest” from.</span><br />
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;">I’m no expert on observing the Sabbath, believe
me, but I’m willing to learn. Holy Yoga has taught me that I can be still and
calm and restful in the midst of a busy day by coming back to my breath and
refocusing my mind on Jesus.</span><br />
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;">As some of us are working our way through </span><i style="color: #333333;">Breathe </i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #333333;">by Priscilla Shirer, I’m struggling as I usually do in
the midst of any kind of group Bible study, trying to dovetail what I’m
learning with what I thought I already knew. For me, the work He is doing in me isn't all that much fun. It’s more like a raking or flossing of my heart as He
keeps drudging up areas of unbelief or lack of love for Him or others.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;">Just how much ugliness is buried there?</span><br />
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;">Honestly. It would be easier to get back on the
treadmill and anesthetize myself with work, possessions, exercise, food, a full
schedule. But there is NO FREEDOM AT THE END OF THAT.</span><br />
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;">So, I’ll stay in the “WORD” even when I want to
run the other way, and RESIST THE URGE TO CONTINUE doing things my way.
God wants to transform and restore my heart and mind-and yours. And in
that transformation and restoration, we are FREE!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2015/04/grace-at-home-no-150.html" target="_blank">Linking up to Imparting Grace!</a></div>
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Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4184220766293215025.post-50147198425251395922015-03-20T12:21:00.000-07:002015-03-21T07:04:44.284-07:00Farmwife Fashion -Packing for the Beach Edition<br />
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We are at the beach this week and the weather has been perfect. I've been wearing shorts which just seems crazy since we had 8 inches of snow a week or so ago, and have spent a lot of time in my swimsuit.<br />
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Once again, I drug way too many clothes down here. It is no big deal, but I spent too much time putting it in the suitcase and will have to hang it all back up when I get home. That is just a waste of time and effort.<br />
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I'm lazy like that.<br />
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I like clothes and I enjoy putting outfits together and looking my best, That doesn't mean dressing up or wearing expensive clothes. Maybe that is why my mind often goes totally blank when I pack for a trip. I tend to drag way too many shoes and enough separates that I probably could go for a month without repeating.<br />
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It is silly because MANY times, I wear the same 3 or 4 outfits over and over and over.When most of the day is spent in a swimsuit and we go to different places to eat, and we don't really see a lot of people we know, repeating is just easier! And we have a washer and dryer, so I DO NOT NEED TO PACK A FULL SUITCASE.<br />
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So, I think I need to create a "Florida" capsule- that I can repeat and tweak. I'm going to base it on our vacation routine.<br />
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Maybe this will help you, too.<br />
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<b>Outdoor Stuff-</b>We normally spend most of our time here outdoors-biking, hiking, walking on the beach. For those activities, I need a comfy pair of shorts (my favorites are drawstring knit Dan-skins from Walmart), a loose fitting t shirt or 2 (usually free ones from some event or another), socks and walking shoes, and a sweatshirt. All of that stuff I can leave down here.<br />
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<b>Beachwear</b>: I have 2 swimsuits that are 5+ years old and 2 cover-ups that need to be replaced, so I am in the market for those. Boo. Does ANYONE enjoy shopping for a swimsuit? If so, please tell me what I need to do differently. I also have a couple of hats that I look ridiculous in and some cheap sunglasses. All of that stays.<br />
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<b>PJ's and Such</b>-I leave all that stuff there, so not packing any of that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5K2d3p_nnyvE261wnDDGsXViy2sEs9uWHqlPicWizELEjiwrm911rNSmQeweam92OZpTIcFnhC_PJCiMwR_0wHx8FOIiJIRTNezf_RgZTM16inH8tkcNrWPVF4k3EC9mxQ61WyTXGcg/s1600/boats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5K2d3p_nnyvE261wnDDGsXViy2sEs9uWHqlPicWizELEjiwrm911rNSmQeweam92OZpTIcFnhC_PJCiMwR_0wHx8FOIiJIRTNezf_RgZTM16inH8tkcNrWPVF4k3EC9mxQ61WyTXGcg/s1600/boats.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Yoga</b>. I usually just practice in our condo or somewhere outside, but I also enjoy visiting at least one studio class per week. I need actual yoga clothes for that, so I'll leave some here. Some comfy slip on-y shoes- something with arch support. I NEVER want to have plantar fasciitis again, thank you. I need a new pair because I've been wearing my Uggs all winter.<br />
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<b>Shopping and Lunch</b>-There is great shopping on 30A and I generally spend at least one day out and about. I want to be comfy but not too "fussy" so I can easily try something on if I want to. For this, a nice pair of shorts or jeans will usually do the trick. Here is where I start to go cra-cra, throwing way too much into the suitcase. For a week, I bet two bottoms and 3 cute tops will do the trick. A pair of wedges in a neutral color will go with all.<br />
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<b>Dinner and Music</b>-There are many great venues for listening to great music or for watching theater. Nothing fancy is needed but, I like to have a fun outfit to wear. I can also wear this to church. I am a skirt fan, and a white jean fan, and a shift dress fan so ONE of these would be appropriate. I can add a statement piece of jewelry, a cute belt, and fit in. My cowboy boots usually work for this.<br />
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<b>Have you heard of the Fashion Rule of 3? </b><br />
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I read this somewhere. Put on your outfit and add one more thing that elevates your look a notch: a scarf, statement jewelry, jacket or cute sweater. I've been following the rule and it works!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1HfXQIsf-rjnjHApCII1xbai6nLmkNXFuHDd7InoPoj6GjdupQW13EWQD6tYarg2wBw3Yv4IBQbODtkUzWqroCnNyB5OFt39SuTSuFacBcMjIT7ZzqiRAxq3khHQqbGw0uaqS7B2CrE/s1600/July+2014+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1HfXQIsf-rjnjHApCII1xbai6nLmkNXFuHDd7InoPoj6GjdupQW13EWQD6tYarg2wBw3Yv4IBQbODtkUzWqroCnNyB5OFt39SuTSuFacBcMjIT7ZzqiRAxq3khHQqbGw0uaqS7B2CrE/s1600/July+2014+115.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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To summarize for my future reference:<br />
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<b>Shopping List:</b><br />
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swimsuit<br />
cover-up<br />
cute hat<br />
yoga pants to leave<br />
yoga slippers to leave<br />
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<b>Packing List:</b><br />
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jean shorts<br />
boyfriend jeans<br />
white jeans<br />
3 tops<br />
one other OUTFIT<br />
scarf<br />
belt<br />
statement necklace<br />
cowboy boots<br />
wedges<br />
flat sandals<br />
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All of that will fit into a carry on bag and take about 10 minutes to pack and unpack.<br />
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Goodness. I feel better!<br />
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See you next time. The beach is calling.....<br />
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Linking up to:</div>
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<a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/" target="_blank">Imparting Grace</a></div>
Susan Shullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035270581759561020noreply@blogger.com4