Quick! Write a leaf post before October is over!

Pictures by Micah.

Engagement Rings

Wow that caught your eye didn't it? :) No I am not engaged nor do I have a boyfriend. But just like every other girl I like to dream and who knows? Maybe my future husband will someday read my blog!

Papa says that it is silly how guys are expected to spend so much money on rings when they are trying to get a house set up. I agree but I have also looked forward to a ring as something I can wear proudly to let people know 'I am engaged' or as a symbol of my covenant. Today I found a lady who makes jewelry that I like and is cheap. Connie Pardini at Wirestorm Creations Most of the jewelry she has online right now I DO NOT like but many of the things she had at the farmer's market in Oakland were original and lovely. I'd be ok with a conventional engagement ring but it would be fun to have something different. Here is one of her rings that I bought today as a special treat.

The flowers are too tall to be practical to wear all the time so I would want a smaller one for engagement/wedding. Her jewelry or pretty hair sticks and barretts would be good for birthday, christmas, anniversary or anything like that.

If I had to have a stone in my ring I might choose opal. It is not really my style but it is my birthstone which is cool and I like the symbolism of it. The colors of opal do not show unless there is light shining on them and then they dance and sparkle just like a butterfly or hhummingbird In the same way when God's light shines on me I am so much more beautiful than otherwise. Also, I want to be a multi-colored girl like the fire opal which has many colors.

I've got to say before I leave, I had planned a fall post complete with pumpkin pie and sweaters but it is just not coming together. I guess I will have to enjoy it by myself this year. :)

Of Cinnamon Rolls and Woodstoves

So a couple weeks ago our family went to the community center to help pack shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. It was the first time we had heard about it and we really liked it. Basically you pack a shoebox with toys, soap, toothpaste and brush, paper, pencils, crayons, candy, and anything else a child might like or need. Then you can add a note to your box and pray for the child it will go to. The Samaritan's Purse Organization sends your box to some place where children don't normally get Christmas presents.

What does this have to do with cinnamon rolls and woodstoves? Well actually it doesn't have to do with woodstoves but I'll tell you about the cinnamon rolls. We decided to pack our own shoeboxes at home. Of course it takes some money to fill and ship 9 shoeboxes so we are selling cinnamon rolls to pay for it. We made around 20 plates of rolls on Saturday and 15 so far today.

caught liking finger!

Don't worry though, since we are selling them we are being extra careful to keep everything clean. I can assure you that Laura washed her hands before touching anything else.

Now for the woodstoves:

In the summer the woodstoves are ignored. Completely abandoned. In fact, stuff gets piled on and around them so that you hardly know they're there. But in the winter it's all different. The fireplace is the middle of the house. Everyone gathers around so that some times you can be five feet from it and still be cold! You can't walk past the stove. It's true. It's impossible. There is like a magnetic force pulling you towards it. Then once you are there you are stuck, sometimes for hours!

 

Edit: This post was supposed to be done yesterday but I really wanted pictures of the woodstove and couldn't find any. I may still add some if they pop up.

My favorite snowfall

The first one! On Tuesday (before winter hit) some of my siblings were cutting out paper snowflakes. I said, "You can't start that yet it hasn't snowed."

The next morning we went to the barn and misty rain was falling but by the time we came out there were big snowflakes. You know the kind that make you think you're in a snow globe.

Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,  (Job 38:22)

We have a tradition that on the day of the first snow, we must eat gingerbread and homemade applesauce. On the way up from the barn Laura and I were trying to decide if the tradition required snow on the ground. We needn't have worried because those big fat flakes fell all day and we had an inch or two by nighttime. 

 

 The fire is going and this morning we had people sitting in front of it doing school. That's how you know it is winter. All summer the woodstove is ignored but come cold weather it is the center of the house. :)

My favorite snow song at the moment:

 

Let it Snow

 

Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!!

 

It doesn't show signs of stopping
And I've bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

 

When we finally kiss goodnight
How I'll hate going out in the storm!
But if you'll really hold me tight
All the way home I'll be warm

 

The fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we're still goodbying
But as long as you love me so
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

 

 

 Today Amanda decided there was enough snow to make snow ice cream and Mom agreed.