Come Bless the Lord

What do you get when you cross a young man with a passion with a choir's hidden ability? .... First, we got Fire and Light. Remember it? Here's the link.. The choir had a wonderful time recording this, but we've grown. So.. here's a preview for the second.. yes next cd..

Come Bless the Lord is a compilation of our weekly favorite arrangements. I'll have more information when it's available. Hopefully, before Christmas!  Here's a link to St Symeon CD ordering information.

As Many As Have Been Baptized Into Christ

So, after many years of prayers... well, pictures are better than words. ... 

I only made 3 robes this time.
See more here. 

Brilliant photos

Pascha dresses. Both these girls are now big sisters! 

Since my last post, I've finished several dresses. Here are 2 for cousins. 

I've also started a new career path. Who knew my sewing skills would lead me to optical lenses. Here's the website.

Affectionately known as OPL

So, hopefully I'll be able to post a few more times, and be a little more active. Please forgive me for my absence. 

Fireplace, Creativity and Hot Beverages

Please forgive me- I've been on a holiday of sorts. Employment and a family loss means less blog posts. I'll work more diligently to maintain posting through the holidays.

I've just made a trip to the craft store, and returned with 4 new projects I'll be posting later. My darling niece will receive another bishop dress, this one is " Sugar and Spice". She'll also have a bubblegum pink scarf to match her coat. Her brother gets a blue scarf, and my nephew has given his request for a larger hat " with ears".  He chose a homespun navy yarn. I expect it will be very handsome!

While on my holiday, I had an interesting conversation about flavored coffee recipes, you know  the ones in the rectangular cans everyone loves but hates the price tag. I love those in the winter, and sometimes adding a package of hot chocolate to a cup of coffee just doesn't do it.

While I know there are several versions posted online, I've had this list for more than 10 years, and have tried every recipe repeatedly. These make great gifts jarred or bagged with a lovely decoration. They're versatile enough to use for any occasion, and my favorite is curled up in front of my fireplace with my family around me.

They're easy enough to combine in a blender or food processor, and if you prefer to have a lower calorie option, simply replace the sugar with your favorite yellow, green, or blue bag.

BAVARIAN MINT2/3 c. Instant Coffee
1 c. Sugar
1 Rounded tsp. loose, dried mint leaves
2/3 c. non-dairy creamer

SWISS MOCHA1 c. Instant Coffee
1 c. Sugar
2 c. nonfat dry milk
4 tsp. cocoa powder

CAFE L’ORANGE
2/3 c. Instant Coffee
1 c. Sugar
Dried crushed orange peel
¼ tsp. Cinnamon

CAFE VIENNA MIX
1 c. Sugar
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1  c. Non-dairy Creamer
1  c. Nonfat dry milk
4 Tbsp. Cocoa
1 c. Instant coffee

CAFE MOCHA2/3 c. Instant Coffee
3 Tbsp. Unsweetened Cocoa
1 1/3 c. Sugar
1 c. Non-dairy Creamer
¼ c. Nonfat dry milk

CAFE AU LAIT MIX
One 11-oz jar Non-Dairy Creamer
½ c. Packed Brown Sugar
½ c. Instant Coffee crystals
Dash of Salt
(Use ¼ c. mix to 2/3 c. hot water)

CINNAMON ‘N SPICE2/3 c. Instant Coffee
1 1/3 c. Sugar
½ tsp. Cinnamon
½ tsp. Nutmeg
½ tsp. Allspice

CAFE VIENNA
1 c. Instant Coffee
1 1/3 c. Sugar
1 1/3 c. Nonfat Dry Milk
1 tsp. Cinnamon

TOFFEE COFFEE
1 c. Instant Coffee
1 c. Non-Dairy Creamer
1 c. Brown Sugar

ITALIAN MOCHA ESPRESSO
½ c. Instant Coffee
½ c. Sugar
2 ¼ c. Cocoa Powder

CAFE ORANGE CAPPUCCINO1 c. Instant Coffee
1 ½ c. Sugar
2 c. Nonfat Dry Milk
1 tsp. Dry Orange Peel

RUSSIAN TEA1 c. Instant Tea
1 9 oz. Jar Tang
1 3-oz pkg. pre-sweetened Lemonade
½ tsp. Ground Cloves ( I prefer 2 tsp of cinnamon to the ground cloves!) 
1 tsp. Cinnamon
Mixing Directions for Russian Tea: Mix ingredients together. Makes a little over one pint dry mix. To serve, use 2 tsp. in 1 cup of boiling water.

Enjoy!!

Chasing Waterfalls

This week some of the young adults from church invited nephew and me  on a waterfall hunt, with a return bonfire at the Compound ( otherwise known as our backyard). We were thrilled to go. I have wanted to explore this area of the state for a while, and couldn't wait until they arrived.  It was a perfect day, warm enough to brave the cool waters, and cool enough to enjoy the car ride. Armed with a few backpacks, swimsuits, and a good deal of bottled water, we started our mission.

Our first stop proved an easy enough hike from the parking area- literally a few steps! We happily donned water shoes and headed towards the babbling creek bed and moss covered rocks. We had a few slips and slides here and there, but reached the top of the falls safely. One at a time, we found our way down thanks to a knotted rope, and slid the last 10 feet into the pool below, gasping in shock as we hit the 60 degree water.

The priest's son was the first one to find the best slide on the waterfall, and then to challenge the whole group follow suite. My nephew was the second to try out the new-found thrill. Cliff jumping and more challenges followed, but never too far fetched to be ridiculous.  I enjoyed my view perched on a rock on one side of the fall, wishing my aging body was able to perform the feats I observed.

Kinlock Falls- The rope on the right of the picture was our gateway- the 'cliffs' are just out of the photo on the left

Rain started falling, and we decided to move to another spot. Most everyone was able to climb back up the waterfall, but with me not being able to move as I once had, I fell. Nothing serious, just enough to scrape my knuckles and knees.Not to worry, we found another, much easier way out.  We made it back to the van and headed on. Reading the directions repeatedly, we started  looking for the mysterious gate at the head of the next trail. Finally spotting the elusive entrance, we started down the trail. After walking 10 minutes down a not-so-slight decline, we found the waterfall, and started looking for the trail down. 2 other hikers/campers pointed us to the steep descent, and we were in for a surprise.

Breathtaking! Caney Creek Falls. Someone had drawn a cross on one of the rocks- of course one of our group "fixed" it - to a 3 bar cross.

 The next challenge I heard was " Everyone take a shower!" Just out of the picture on the right is a rock that juts perfectly into the pool, giving an ethereal view of this spectacular creation. Taking care of my scuffed knuckles and wounded pride, I decided to sit on the rock and watch everyone else swim for a while. I was greatly rewarded as I observed God's creation. How I have missed sights like this!

We knew there was another fall about a 30 minute hike downstream. We packed up and headed out. The trail hadn't been used heavily, and we had a great time finding the snaking path at times. It was so close to the creek at times we felt we might fall in.  30 minutes of hiking proved fruitless, and we continued another 10 minutes, justifying it by saying we were slow hikers... or translation... I was a slow hiker! ( I just need practice!)

Again, our patience was rewarded when we came to the top of the falls. I  lagged behind a bit, and after the hike down didn't feel I could persuade my failing body ( it wasn't that bad..) to climb down the branches leaning against the rock giving access to the pool. ( The branch is on the right side of the photo, against the rocks). This is the view I couldn't see....

Lower Caney Creek Falls

The kids had a wonderful time playing, but since there wasn't a great place to jump off, we didn't stay long, and considering the time, we decided we needed to begin the 2 hour trek back to The Compound. 

After a quick hot dog and hamburger dinner, the finishing touch was a bonfire in our backyard. I think it was a lovely day. Unfortunately, due to all his swimming this week, nephew wound up with an ear infection, poor thing! He'll heal- I think he had the most fun of us all! 

Thanks to the Big Kids who invited us along. Can't wait to do it again!

A funny thing happened in the grocery line...

Almost since I can remember, I've known sign language. Ok, so since 1981, I've known sign language. I was always interested, and my second grade Sunday School teacher also taught at the School for the Deaf. She would teach us signs from time to time, and made sure we knew the sign alphabet. We sang " Jesus Loves Me" both in English and Sign in our cherub choir. It wasn't long into the school year when she brought a friend with her. I remember clearly her speaking and signing at the same time. " This is J.... He's one of my students, and he's deaf. If you want to talk with J, you have to learn the signs to speak with him." We all knew the sign for " Hi" and he introduced himself showing us his name sign. (Most, if not all, deaf people adopt a name sign which is usually a combination of one of their traits or something they like to do, combined with the first letter of their first name.) J gave us all name signs, with the help of his mentor. That was the beginning of a very long relationship with J, and a wonderful journey learning Sign Language.

Through college, I continued taking classes, and spent time with my friends majoring in ( at that time) deaf education and speech development. We even declared " Deaf days" so we could practice, and understand more fully how the deaf world worked.  I started working at the Disney Store, and used my skills more every day. It seems the word spread around the community that there was a person who knew Sign language working at the store.

Since then, I haven't had anyone to talk with, in Sign, that is. Until this week. I was in line at the grocery store, and noticed the cashier pointing, shaking her head, and looking for something to write with. I looked at the lady in front of me, and was surprised to see she was ... signing! Her husband left and later came back. I asked her if I could interpret for her, and she said no, she understood what the cashier was saying. After introductions, her husband returned with his purchase, and she signed to him " she signs". He turned around, and introduced himself. I didn't realize I remembered so much! We talked for 10 minutes, exchanging information, and me helping them finish their transaction.

I was amazed at my communication abilities, and very pleased I'd made new friends. I went home thrilled. I've been more than happy with that experience since then. Maybe, just maybe, all that time I spent learning another language won't go to waste! I can't wait to see my new friends again!

Catching Up

Whew! This has been an interesting semester. I've finished my first year of Russian, and while I've made great progress, I realize there's SO much more I don't know. The 3 years of Spanish and year of French have been a hindrance, but we're working through it. Sign language, of course, doesn't help me study either! But, the good news is it's over. The bad news is.... I made an A... Again! Do you know what that would do to my poor gpa if I were taking this class for credit? ... oh well. Maybe next year I'll decide to do it for credit, I can see those little numbers skyrocketing if I do! 

No word on the job front yet, but lots of sewing going on. 6 baptismal robes, a redecorated house, and a few smocked dresses with bows and socks to match.   Several weeks ago, I was asked to make an emergency gift. She wanted something nice to give to a couple who had nothing, and didn't want much. I looked through the sewing room to see what I had available. I wanted something easy to finish, since I only had a few days to complete and deliver this gift- 4 of them, to be exact. As grace would have it, I found some edged eyelet ( the kind with the lace on the edge) and played with the pleater to see if I could prepare it for smocking. It worked! ( I had a backup plan, but I didn't want to use that if I didn't have to). I cut the sleeves, dresses and bonnet out, then the slip, and commenced the rapid fire creation. What a wonderful thing! I almost couldn't give it away! ... See for yourself! 

I didn't get a good picture before delivering,  so we took some photos in the classrooms. 

Soo Sweet! And it's my first bonnet! 

White rayon smocking with a white satin ribbon through the bottom. The sleeves also had satin ribbon around, instead of elastic. 

I know they're not great pictures; hopefully I can catch the recipient in them at some point. I know they loved the dress when they saw it. Oh, yes, the slip had the same satin ribbon trim. No way you could not know it was all a set! 

After that, I was surprised to have several people ask me for Pascha Basket covers. I finished no fewer than 8 this season! I'll add photos as soon as I download them. 

The re-decorated room is in teal and yellow.Yes, I cringed when I heard it for the first time too, but the decorator inside me found just the right shades to accent her already mediteranean feel. We put a green/teal chenielle swag across door knobs above the windows, added swing rods and bright white embroidered sheers. Then we took the same chenielle, and mixed it with yellow decorator fabrics to create pillows, recover   upholstery and make tapestry artwork. 

The owner decided she liked trim. We bought TONS of trim, and then looked at each other wondering " What are we going to do with all this trim!?" I knew exactly what we were going to do. Unfortunately we were too excited and having way too much fun to take before pictures, but, it's amazing what a little trim will do to a lamp shade, pillows, upholstered benches, and antique factory wooden spools. You may not find these ideas on any design website, but in her house, it looks fantastic. We agreed it was the " Subdued whimsey" she wanted. I have several pieces to finish for her, but in time, I'll post photos. We might just go into business!

Other than that, we're having a fun time with the pool, or we would if the weather would cooperate. Who ever heard of the deep south having 60 degree highs in the middle of May? Next thing I know, we'll have snow in June! Won't that just take the cake?!  

I'm headed out of town first with my nephew to visit Ivy Green with my nephew. Due to the horrible weather the end of last month, this is the re-scheduled trip. I'm excited! My parents and grandparents loved to travel, and while I've seen a great many of the historic sites through the southeast, and even the US, I've not been there, and to experience it with my nephew- even better!  Then I'm going with my mother, meeting my family for my cousin's wedding this weekend. That should prove to be an interesting trip. It's the second time in a year that I'll visit my grandmother's without her. It is bittersweet, as I love to walk through her yard and admire her flowers. I hope they're still in great shape. 

May 4

5/4

3

Today, 3 years ago I married my best friend, love of my life, knight in shining armor, pillar of strength, best critic,  and favorite comic. 

We've had great times, and not so great times, challenges and wonderful days.We can now say we've lived through snowstorms, tornadoes, days by the pool and days wishing we had the pool.  

The best thing, life gets better every day! I can't wait to find out what's next!

Happy Anniversary !