Thankful or Grateful??

One topic at church this week was - what are you thankful for and what are you grateful for and is there a difference.  I am thankful  

 "I think our governments will remain virtuous for many centuries; as long as they are chiefly agricultural; and this will be as long as there shall be vacant lands in any part of America. When they get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, they will become corrupt as in Europe." 1787 December 20.

In a letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison - prophetic??

It is Thanksgiving Day.  

Turkey's in the oven, 

Potatoes on the stove,

Pies in the cupboard and table is set.

I think this is the first year I have seen more than 15 minutes 

of the Macy's Day Parade.

 Not a big tradition in our family. 

 What is a big tradition is our tag team way of preparing the BIG meal. 

James makes the pies - i clean up

Doug makes the stuffing - I clean up

Turkey Day - James sleeps on the couch and Doug cooks the turkey and we clean up.

Doug moves out to the living room and I peel and cook the potatoes.

I move to the living room and Doug starts the squash and brussel sprouts. 

I come back and mash the potatoes and set the table. 

Everything is finished ---  except the gravy. 

Doug doesn't eat it, James doesn't want it, I'm not going there so.....

we might just have a gravyless meal.  

       This is my country

Land of my birth

This is my country

Grandest on Earth

This is my country

Land of my choice

This is my country

Hear my proud voice.

I pledge thee my allegiance

America the bold

For this is my country

 To have and to hold.

Finally .....

I knew I had three sons for something ..... finally got one of the two IKEA cabinets half way finished.  I must remember that good things come to those who wait....and wait... and wait.  I happily did a craft show with one of my best friends this morning praying... LORD, I need to make enough money to buy the counter top for these cabinets.  Didn't quite make the full amount but came very very close plus found just the counter top I wanted already precut for just the right price.  GOD is so Good.

Since we have become such avid coffee drinkers,  I need a place to stash and prep all of 

our drinks.  The short computer table just wasn't cutting it.  NOW, I have 6 feet of cabinets and 

countertop to  play with.  Thank you John, James and Joshua for all your hard work.

addendum: the counter top is 3/8" to wide because the walls aren't even ---- who'd of thought.

KY means travel means ..... IKEA

Back in the summer of 2008, we discovered IKEA.  OH MY. 

The one we visit is in West Chester, Ohio (Cincinnati area)

I suppose it would be better for my budget if we had not visited that first time.

This trip we stopped on the way down - Tyler had a ball checking out and

 even climbing under the covers of all the beds.  

In the kids area he spied a wooden train set an insisted that he didn't have on like that - 

he of course did, but you can never have to many train sets.  

Funny thing is, when I got to his house he was right - 

This set have a different smoke stake - how the heck did he know that!!!

After getting some goodies we left, 3 hours later for LaGrange and mommy. 

BUT, we returned five days later. NOW it was my turn. 

Our first stop was for a shared lunch of salad, swedish meatballs, 

clam chowder soup and apple goodness.  And BTW - that is coffee and 

not chocolate milk. They ran out of cups. 

AND THEN I SPIED IT.

My dream house design. 

382 square feet and a cabinet for everything and a hose down bathroom. 

I feel in love with this layout.  Of course, I know I can't have it but

Ikea is for dreaming right. 

 Kitchen with bed and desk behind.

Kitchen from the sleeping area. 

 Across from sofa.

Cool isn't it.  

Ya gotta work for your dinner

We only have Tyler for the month of October so we need to 1. teach him a lot about farm work 2. take advantage of free labor when we can. Tonight the men folk we working in one of our green houses getting it ready for spring and Tyler was right there in the middle of it helping . 

shovel wielding 101

shovel wielding 102

He's getting the hang of it. 

But when you are tired -- you just need to find any place to take a nap. 

 

On the way home....just follow the light. 

There's sheeps amongst us.

Dedicated to all the dogs I have known and loved. 

Godly, Moral, Upright Movies

I was challenged Sunday when a lady in our church recited Phillipians 4:8. ....whatsoever things are lovely......  I am a movie addict and I use my knitting addiction to justify watching them.  I am not ashamed to spend $8.00 a month on netflix for my computer either.  So I am always looking for good movies -- Godly, Moral, Upright, Spiritually Uplifting Movies.

Christian Cinema is a nice website that list movies, talks about the actors that star in them and yea, a whole lot more. 

Faith like Potatoes
The Woodcarver Troubled teen Matthew meets an elderly widower named Ernest whose woodcarving work he vandalized at the local church. The two soon form an unlikely bond as they rediscover the importance of faith.  starring John Ratzenberger
Escape While grieving the tragic loss of his baby's life, a doctor vacationing in the islands of Southeast Asia is kidnapped by human traffickers. 
Running Inside Out This Christian drama tells a story of forgiveness and redemption, following a young woman's journey from college to career as she encounters love, success and unexpected crisis: an unplanned pregnancy. Good values are present but the issue of sex out side of marriage aren't addressed.  The acting is mediocre but the message of forgiveness and God's grace come through. 
The 5th Quarter In the wake of a car crash that killed his 15-year-old brother, Luke, football player Jon Abbate returns to Wake Forest University with renewed purpose and leads his struggling team to its most successful season ever. Well done, good acting, believable.
I am not a football fan but this movie gave me chills - a true story of faith and dedication that makes no excuse for the God they serve.  A must watch..
Lifted - 13 years old Henry Matthews struggles with life after his reservist father is deployed to Afghanistan. With the help of a local pastor, the boy decides to take part in a local singing contest.
The Greater Yes: the Amy Newhouse Story - After accomplishing many hard-won goals, high school student Amy Newhouse must now fight the biggest battle of her life -- cancer.  A true story about a young women and her amazing faith. 
Bang the Drum - an indie film with stunning cinematography of South Africa. When a mysterious illness wipes out his entire village, claiming the lives of both his parents, 9-year-old Musa (Junior Singo) is forced to set off on his own, eventually joining the ranks of the scores of orphans who live on the streets of Johannesburg. Directed by David Hickson, this poignant award-winning film examines the heartbreaking effect that AIDS has had on the poor and underprivileged children of Africa.
ANGLES in the DUST - 
NIGHT JOHN
King of the Wind --- I have always been a fan of Marguerite Henry's books. this story is just another one in her brilliant career.  Agba, a poor stable boy, whose undying devotion to a magnificent colt named Sham takes him on a journey from the arid deserts of Northern Africa to the court of the King of France and on to England where a remarkable turn of events unfolds.

Latest Project

Well, sort of.  Most of my soakers are knit in solid colors but when I found this nice variegated yarn at the shop I couldn't resist buying it.  I made a nice dark brown with flecks of orange, yellow and red that is really nice for fall.  I also picked up a variegated that would be nice for a boy. 

The top of this soaker measures 14" and would be nice for an older baby .  For more soakers for sale check out my store at granshouse.com