Words from Robert Burns

Should old acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind ?Should old acquaintance be forgot,and old lang syne ?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,for auld lang syne,we'll take a cup of kindness yet,for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !and surely I’ll buy mine !And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,and picked the daisies fine ;But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,from morning sun till dine† ;But seas between us broad have roaredsince auld lang syne.
CHORUS
And there’s a hand my trusty friend !And give us a hand o’ thine !And we’ll take a right good-will draught,for auld lang syne.
CHORUS

Merry Christmas!

“When I think of Christmas Eves, Christmas feasts, Christmas songs, and Christmas stories, I know that they do not represent a short or transient gladness. Instead, they speak of a joy unspeakable and full of glory. God loved the world and sent His Son. Whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life. That is Christmas joy. That is the Christmas spirit.” Corrie ten Boom


"And so, in God's mercy, a happy Christmas to you all."
Winston S. Churchill
24 December, 1941

Christmas Crafting

Bella, Adelaide, Noah and my friend Sara recently made a gingerbread house book and an art ornament craft with me. Each one turned out so cute! Bella and Adelaide graciously allowed me to take pictures during their crafting.

Here are the links for directions to these crafts from the Crafty Crow Blog:
Gingerbread House Book
Child's Art Ornament

Pals

Knightly absolutely loves Noah. As soon as Noah gets here Knightly wants to lick him and play chase. Noah is a good sport about being covered in slobbery kisses and he plays well with Knightly. Yesterday Noah made the comment, with hand motions, "Big dog - little man." So true!

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

Gluten and Casein Free Pumpkin Bars

This recipe for pumpkin bars is delicious and the frosting is extra delicious! They are easy to make and have turned out well every time. Click here for the recipe from glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com.

For Miranda

Theresa showed me how to make an adorable poncho and hat. For Miranda's Christmas gift I made a poncho and hat for her as well as for her doll, Helen.

Gluten Free Information

A handy book to have while traveling is The Essential Gluten-Free Restaurant Guide published by Triumph Cookies, LLC. Go to www.triumphdining.com for more information. While in Omaha I treated myself to an Omaha Steak at the Upstream Brewing Company, which is listed in the restaurant guide.

Wyoming

My trip to Wyoming began with a stop in Council Bluffs, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska. The book The Lieutenant's Lady by Bess Streeter Aldrich begins at those two cities. Since it is a favorite book of mine I wanted to make those cities part of my trip. I spent time in the historic downtown of Omaha and walked the pedestrian bridge over the Missouri River.

On my way west I also stopped at the birthplace of John Wayne, toured Wind Cave and swam in a natural spring pool.

While in Wyoming I had a terrific time visiting Theresa and Emma. We went to Rapid City, SD to shop one day and also drove to Buffalo, WY to get a closer look at the Big Horn Mountains. However, mostly we stayed warm indoors and crocheted. For Thanksgiving Theresa baked a gluten free turkey and I made gluten free pies. A friend of Theresa's came with her husband for dinner. During my stay Theresa's husband repaired a foot stool of my mom's that Knightly had chewed. It looks brand new.

On my way home I stopped at Wall Drug and at the giant green statue. Those are places we stopped when I was eleven and my family went on a trip west.

Thanksgiving

"AND THUS THEY FOUND THE LORD TO BE WITH THEM IN ALL THEIR WAYS, FOR WHICH LET HIS HOLY NAME HAVE THE PRAISE FOREVER, TO ALL POSTERITY."

-WILLIAM BRADFORD

Wyoming Update

My friend Theresa posted pictures on her blog. Click here for the link. :)

Happy Birthday USMC!

Today the USMC is celebrating it's 235th birthday. The following is a re-post from last year.

The United States Marine Corps was founded at Tun Tavern on November 10th, 1775.

My Uncle Rene retired from the Marine Corps and my brother Matthew served four years as an active duty United States Marine.

Matthew wrote the following letter during that time.

"Dear Friends,

Hello, I'm writing from my seat on a Boeing 767 as I start another great adventure in my life, Operation Iraqi Freedom III. In approximately 15-20 hours I will be in Kuwait, and then on up to Falluja, Iraq where I, part of the greatest fighting force in the world, will begin 'peace' operations. I say 'peace' knowing that it is no more than all out war. Cowboys vs. Indians, it has been part of the world since sin entered, and it will go on until Jesus comes back with the greatest fighting force, which I already am a part of, as well as all of you. I am proud to be able to claim that in the hardest battle man can know, the battle for his soul, my father, mother, sister, brother and friends stand shoulder to shoulder with me. In the war that matters most, WE have already won.

Love to all, Cpl. Potter, Charles M., United States Marine Corps"

"There is no better friend and no worse enemy than a United States Marine."

Happy Birthday and thank you to all who have served in the USMC! Thank you to all veterans and those serving in all branches of the military including my Grandpa Joe and my Uncle Randy who served in the Army and my brother Jacob who served in the Air National Guard.

"When you go home, tell them for us and say: 'For your tomorrows, we gave our today.'"
Fifth Division Graveyard Sign, Iwo Jima

Karamel's Palace

Karamel is delighted with her new abode! My guinea wishes he had such a nice home. This hutch was built by Tim Halstead. It has two stories and perfect for a bunny. My dad built Karamel's first outdoor hutch, but it was getting weather beaten and chewed. Koko likes having the run of the entire hutch while awaiting her palace.

Tim Hawkins - The Government Can

2010 Reading

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
by Ina May Gaskin

"Another study compared perceptions of labor pain between two different groups of U.S. women: those who gave birth in the hospital and those who gave birth at home. The hospital group rated childbirth pain significantly higher than did the home-birth group."

"Good research shows that when the midwifery model of care is applied, between eighty-five and ninety-five percent of healthy women will safely give birth without surgery or instruments such as forceps and vacuum extractors."

2010 Reading

Just Do Something
A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will
Or
How to make a decision without dreams, visions, fleeces, impressions, open doors, random Bible verses, casting lot, liver shivers, writing in the sky, etc.
by Kevin DeYoung

"If you are seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, you will be in God's will, so just go out and do something."

"You don't get the sense that the apostle got angelic visits every other day and waited for his dreams to tell him what to do. With few exceptions, Paul planned, strategized, and made his own decisions about the nonmoral matters of his life."

"Study the Scriptures, listen to others, and pray continually- that's the best course of action, not just at the moment of crisis, but as a way of life. And as you engage in these practices, don't forget to make a decision-always with wisdom, always with freedom, and sometimes even with speed."

Gluten, Casein, Egg and Yeast Free Bread that Tastes Good!

The recipe is from The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen Blog. Click here for the link.
www.nourishingmeals.com

Baby Shower

Tutorial for the 3-2-1 quilt is available from Modern Organic Fabrics. Click here for the link.

The play mat directions are in Handmade Home by Amanda Blake Soule.