One Hand, Two Hands

In his classic style, Lucado gives us another treasure. This time he has written a book for children. Just like his other books, this one has a message about how to serve others.

One Hand, Two Hands is filled with catchy, rhyming phrases. The print is large and colorful. My five year-old granddaughter and 3 year-old grandson enjoyed listening to the story. They also enjoyed reading along and picking out the rhymes. The story is just the right length for little children.
T
he book’s illustrations are delightful and colorful. They show a little girl and her animal friends in every day situations using their hands. My grandchildren could relate to those. The illustrations add to the upbeat flavor of the book.

As a parent and grandparent, I am very pleased with Lucado’s work for little ones. It is fun to read and can spark a discussion on how we can each use our hands for service, both young and old. At the end of the book Lucado lists simple way hands can be used to help others. As a teacher of Sunday School for young children I can see where I could use this book to reinforce the message of service for others too.

I recommend this book for preschool-kindergarten age children.

Please note that Thomas Nelson Publishing has provided me a complimentary copy of this book for my review; however, the opinions are my own. I have not been required to publish a positive review.

A Way to Rediscover the Bible


I set out looking for a bible that would be easier to read and understand than my New American Bible. I found it in The Voice (New Testament). This version kept the perspective and unique qualities of the original gospel writers but used a style that was easy to follow.
The layout of this Bible is the same as others. It starts with the Gospel of Matthew and continues on with Mark, Luke and John, Acts and the Letters. What is different about this Bible is the format. While it retains the Bible narratives I am used to, it retells them in the language of modern times.
Each chapter and verse is written for ease in reading and understanding. Using modern day language helps to simplify the meaning. There are often inserted explanations of passages which I found to be very helpful. Sometimes passages were written in a “script” style, almost as if reading a play. This made for very interesting reading. I can see where this could be used in Bible studies, with children and teens and other times when you want to make the Bible stories come alive.
The Voice was written by a team of writers consisting of pastors, writers, poets, and other artists. This gives a balance to the interpretation and style of the passages. I found that it helped me to become excited about reading the Bible again. I would recommend this Bible to anyone who would like their Bible passages readable, enjoyable and understandable. I can't wait for their Old Testament version!

Wordless Wednesday


Moon over our backyard.

Wordless Wednesday




A heap of fun!

Thoughts for Tuesday

I saw this quote and wanted to share it with you.


"I’ve learned that happiness comes in different forms. It can be found in the blackest thunderclouds or when the earth is withering from heat. It is also in the warm rays of the sun in the midst of pouring rain. It is in the first green leaf of spring peeping out of the cracked bud of a poplar tree. It is in the little white petal working itself out on a branch of an apple tree. It is in the darkness of the night sky with thousands of twinkling stars. It is in the tender look of a loved one. It looks out through shining eyes in family photographs."

it is everywhere
find happiness right where you stand

Lidia Evgenevna Shmakova

Thoughts for the New Year


I like this poem by Lillian Gray:

Thoughts for the New Year

Let us walk softly, friend;
For strange paths lie before us all untrod:
For New Year, spotless from the hand of God,
Is thine and mine, O friend.

Let us walk straightly, friend;
Forget the crooked paths behind us now.
Press on with steadier purpose on our brow,
To better deeds, O friend.

Let us walk gladly, friend;
Perchance some greater good than we have known
Is waiting for us, or some fair hope flown,
Shall yet return, O friend.

Let us walk humbly, friend;
Slight not the heart's-ease blooming round our feat:
The laurel blossoms are not half so sweet
Or lightly, gathered, friend.

Let us walk kindly, friend;
We cannot tell how long this life shall last,
How soon these precious years, be overpast:
Let Love walk with us, friend.

Let us walk quickly, friend;
Work our mite while lasts our little stay,
And help some halting comrade along the way:
And may God guide us, friend!

Hope your 2010 is filled with family, friends and fun!

Merry Christmas!
I cherish all my Blog Fans and are sending thoughts of gratitude and good cheer to you all. May your holiday be full of love and peace!

Wordless Wednesday


This view on my way to work. Usually it's totally dark on my commute during the winter months. Can you make out the barn and silo?

What Do You Remember?

The following quizzes, and the subsequent paragraph, are attributed to the late Charles Schulz, creator of the comic strip, Peanuts. I'm passing along his thoughts because I think it's important that we realize what is really important in life.


Quiz 1
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.


2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.


3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.


4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.


5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.


6. Name the last decade's World Series winners.


Quiz 2
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.


2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.


3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.


4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.


5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.


6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.


"The applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners. The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who cared."

- Charles Schulz

Who will remember you? What will they remember you for?

A List of Things to Be Thankful For

Some have attributed this to Mother (Saint) Theresa, which suits me just fine. I'm thankful I found it and have the ability to pass it along.

Be thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means you have enough to eat.

Be thankful for the mess you clean up after a party, because it means you have been surrounded by friends.

Be thankful for the taxes you pay, because it means you're employed.

Be thankful that your lawn needs mowing and your windows need fixing, because it means you have a home.

Be thankful for your heating bill, because it means you are warm.

Be thankful for the laundry, because it means you have clothes to wear.

Be thankful for the space you find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means you can walk.

Be thankful for the lady who sings off key behind you in church, because it means you can hear.

Be thankful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning, because it means you are alive.

And finally, here is mine: I'm thankful I am able to post this to my blog. I'm also thankful for all of you who read and respond.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I recently joined the Bloggers Unite group. They ask bloggers to pick something to blog about, only for one day and this is what I have chosen. The Brown Bag Project takes place on November 21, 2009.

This year on 11/21/09, BlogCatalog.com and HalfHourMeals.com are helping fight hunger. They are asking bloggers from around the world to join in. You can use your blog to promote this and to help make people aware of the hunger that is happening right before us. If you don't have a blog you can still help.

Here are a few ways that the Bloggers Unite suggested how we can help out.

1) Donate food or money to a local food bank.

2) Sponsor a food drive.

3) Volunteer at a local food bank or kitchen that helps to feed the hungry.

4) Deliver a meal to a hungry family.

5) Donate to a charity that fights to end hunger.


I'm telling you this early so that you will have time to plan. It could be as easy as donating to your church or asking your local school principal if they know a family who could use a little extra help this year. Thanks for reading! Enjoy your day~

This Veterans Day, we give special thanks to the men & women who protect the health & safety of our nation. We appreciate your dedication!

Change Your Prospective
~ go from winter blahs, to winter Ahhhhhs


It's November and we have switched to daylight savings time. That means it's dark about 5:30 now. By 7:00 it seems like it should be time for bed! Usually the winter doldrums start to set in. The warm sunny days of summer are just a memory.

This year I decided to have a different attitude. I was reading Gina Rafkind's newsletter (www.vedasun.com) and she gave me some inspiration. Gina talked about what she is going to do to enjoy this winter and make it more warm and cozy instead of dreary and blah. It's a conscious choice she made. Here are a few of the ways she is going to beat the winter blues:

*Making more of an effort to stay in touch with those who mean a lot to me
*Making more 'dates' with friends and family so to spend more quality time with them
*Align with positive and grateful thoughts every day
*Listen to my favorite music daily

So are you up for the challenge to change your prospective?
I'd love to hear all about it. Share your comments here. Maybe we can inspire each other to actually enjoy this coming winter!

Wordless Wednesday

Everyone can have a bad hair day!

A Friendship Anniversary

To piggyback on the last post...

Back in 1974 Gail hosted a picnic get-together for friends at a park on Memorial Day. That tradition has continued on. For years, five couples (and sometimes their children) have been getting together once a year. We started out celebrating Memorial Day and then switched to a date picked by the hosting family. The picnics were moved from a park to individual homes. We've played volleyball, gone golfing, boating, took a limosine ride to a restaurant, picnicked with kids to name a few. This weekend was the 35 th time we have all gotten together! All five couples are still together and still having fun. One of the couples moved to Georgia and then Texas for awhile. Those years our get-togethers were held when they were back here.

This year we had an Oktober Fest theme with a great meal of German food and wine. We enjoyed smart talk and laughter and marveled at how long we had been having our get-togethers. Next year's hosts were already trying to line up a date.

I'm hoping to someday write about our 50 th gathering. If God continues to be good to us--we'll all be there!

Friends are like flowers...
I came across a lovely gift book at a garage sale all about friends.
It has pages to record memories, important dates, and attach photos. I
thought this would be the perfect gift for my best friend,Gail.
Gail and I became fast friends as college roommates. We had similar
backgrounds and were pursuing the same major-- education. Gail was a year
ahead of me so she was a great source of which classes to take and which
instructors to avoid. We roomed together for three years until she
graduated.

Gail is a little taller than I am, 6'0 or as she likes to say 5"12!
I was dating a fellow (who I later married) who was tall and Gail always
asked if he didn't have a brother for her. As it turns out, he had a
tall, good-looking cousin. My husband didn't want to introduce them
though because he didn't think they would be a good match. As luck would
have it, the girls went to a dance and the guys just happened to be there
too. One thing led to another and now Gail is married to my husband's
cousin! We knew we never wanted to lose touch!


We have been friends for almost 30 years. We've been through good
times and not so good times. Gail has always been there for me. I consider
her one of my greatest blessings. I hope we both live long
healthy lives and end up being spunky old ladies together.


Thinking about Gail made me think about my mother. She has had
just the opposite experience. She doesn't have any good friends, much less
a best friend. My mom came from a very large family and for the most part
they were her friends. I feel bad that she has never had anyone her age
to confide in, laugh with or just be herself. She told me once how much
she envied my friendship with Gail.


So think about your best friend(s). When was the last time you let
them know that you truly appreciated them? Don’t lose touch, you’ll lose so much!

Wordless Wednesday If pumpkins could talk..."pick me, pick me!"

Fight Against Fall

I just can't believe that summer is going to be officially over this week. Here are my attempts to fight off Fall!

Cosmos are still blooming prettily in my garden.

It's a dog's life for sure in the summer.

Still warm enough to go for a ride.


Wine, music, sunshine and good company on the patio at Woodland Hill Winery.


A great day to have lunch outdoors.

These are sure signs that summer can't be over...right? Anyone else with me in this fight against Fall?

Wordless Wednesday--The friends I meet everyday on my commute to work.

Wordless Wednesday--"Tsar Tops Dancer"--my brother's race horse before the big race.