Photo Project 2012 - Days 300 to 304

Day 300

I thought Zelda looked too cute in this flamingo shirt. Too bad she's growing out of it.

Day 301

Zelda was on the schedule to help with ushering at church on Oct. 28. Before the adult ushers arrived, she grabbed bulletins and was in position to greet people as they entered the nave. Nearly made me cry.

Day 302

The kittens really liked the fleece I was working with to make Annalee's Halloween costume.

Day 303

On days like this, when I see the sun burning through the trees and bushes, I relish the opportunity to get Annalee to school at 7:15 a.m.

Day 304

Fleece flames on Annalee's cape. I think this is the best costume I've made so far.

Here she is as the girl on fire, aka. Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games.

Zelda turned into a black cat for Halloween.

My nephew Wyatt was a scary clown. Yuck!

Do you know the name of this fairy? It's Merryweather from Sleeping Beauty. Way to go, Gerri!

Though I didn't take this picture (obviously), I include it here, 'cause it was a fun picture and you can see the excitement building as we prepare to go trick 'r treating.

And, now, I'm caught up through October. Only two more months to go!

First Sunday of Advent, Dec. 2, 2012

May Christ the sun of righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path, and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, Mother of us all, be with you and remain with you for ever.

Amen

Photo Project 2012 - Days 290 to 299

Day 290

The view through our kitchen blind each morning is a clear indicator of how the sun is moving further south as it rises in the east.

Day 291

As Annalee gets ready to leave for school I made her pose with her volcano poster. It was part of a partner project on natural disasters for Discovery class. Her teacher loved it.

Later that day, we made s'mores candy apples. Once again (Day 200), our apples did not come out looking nearly like the picture in the magazine. While I swore during the making of them that this would be a one-time deal (the cooking of the marshmallows was time-consuming and hard on my wrists), they were so good that I have saved the recipe. As in, they were awesomely delicious!

Day 292

I love the look of this birch tree in contrast with the yellow and green leaves.

Day 293

Doesn't it seem odd that vegetables now come with instructions?

Day 294

If you can believe it, this was the best of the pictures I took of the girls and my niece and nephew. And, that's not saying much.

Day 295

Portia likes Zelda's backpack.

Day 296

Zelda and I loved the rich color of these Chinese eggplants at our local market.

Day 297

Zelda and I donned our rubber boots to clear out the garden one afternoon.

Day 298

One of the blessings of Annalee taking band is that on those Thursday mornings when I take her to school (very) early, I get to see the sunrise. What a beautiful way to start the day!

Day 299

I can't believe that Ron can still lift both girls at the same time.

And with this post, we are down to the last 66 days of the year! Of course, that was back on Oct. 26, when I took Day 299's picture. I'm sure we're in the 40s now and counting down. More pictures to come soon!

Photo Project 2012 - Days 270 to 289

Day 270

The cats seem to love Zelda no matter how she plays with and moves them. Here they are on a stool in the kitchen one morning.

Day 271

I spend a crafting weekend with six women twice a year. No matter how many times we've done this, we always bring way too much food.

Day 272

An early morning view over the lake in Beachwalk, Michigan City, Ind.

Day 273

A church steeple sits majestically against the clear blue sky on Sunday, Sept. 30.

Day 274

Gretchen gave us this ball ring for the cats. Portia can sit and play with it for very long periods of time.

Day 275

Annalee is the only bells, aka xylophone, player in beginning band at her school. She's finally understanding why learning to play the piano is a good thing.

Day 276

Portia rests on Annalee early one morning.

Day 277

I don't know if it's that these monkey bars are lower to the ground and, thus, less scary, but Zelda has them mastered. Only these.

Day 278

Ron was behind the planning of a fundraising poker night at church on Oct. 5. Even though I didn't win, I had a lot of fun bluffing.

Day 279

We spent years boating in Racine, Wis. In our final year, they created Party on the Pavement, an end-of-season party in downtown. We returned this year to visit with our friends and 'party.'

Day 280

Jessica brought Milo to church for the annual Pet Blessing service. We brought the kittens, too, but somehow I didn't manage to get a picture of them.

Day 281

Portia, top, and Cinna. These portraits just don't do their beautiful faces justice. Makes me appreciate really awesome pet portraits!

Day 282

We found out on Columbus Day that we had a small, but still disgusting, lice infestation among two of us. I thought the headbands in the freezer was rather humorous the next day.

Day 283

If you think you've seen enough of the kittens by now, just wait. I get lazier as the year goes on!

Day 284

Ron and Zelda read a book together after dinner.

Day 285

I haven't figured out why the girls always tilt their heads when I try to take their pictures...

I was so excited to arrive at church for a ladies' CAbi party and see the digger stationed on the property ready to start construction.

Day 286

Our friends, the Kanes, had their second annual fall festival. Despite the rain and wind, the girls made the most of face painting and pony rides. They even managed to get Ron to carry them back to the car when the fun ended.

Day 288

Something about the choir lined up at the alter and our rector distributing communion looked so blessed and beautfiul.

At the end of the service, we processed outside for a ground-breaking ceremony to great cheers.

Day 289

With the ceremony completed the day before, construction began in earnest on Monday, Oct. 16.

Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012

Church started off with an awesome Collect:

Let us pray.

Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, we praise you for the wonder, beauty and goodness of your creation, for the order of the universe, and for the rhythm of work and rest you establish. We thank you for making us coworkers with you in your ongoing creating. Guide us as we celebrate this privilege and reflect upon the meaning and joy of working creatively with you all our days, that the work of our lives may be pleasing to you, through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen

And it closed with this final blessing:

God of abundance, you  have fed us with the bread of life and cup of salvation; you have united us with Christ and one another; and you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue for ever in the risen life of Christ our Savior.

Amen