Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween. I love Halloween and always have. I have wonderful memories of getting a costume at Sears or Penney's which would become pj's for the rest of the year.  When I was very little, Moma made us matching black cat costumes. One year, when money was just too tight to buy a costume, I borrowed an old skirt, a scarf and some dangling earrings and went as a gypsy! I loved it.
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When the kids were little, they had store bought costumes, but now with everyone so tall (DS2 is 6'4), they have had to be more creative. Last year, DS 1 and DD went as Dr. Who and his Companion. DS 2 went as Clark Kent, complete with Superman shirt underneath his blazer and white dress shirt.

As a family, for several years we have been watching The Ghost and Mr. Chicken as well as the Great Pumpkin special. We have added a Halloween episode of Gilligan's Island and Andy Griffith. There is nothing really scary or sinister any of these.

When I was looking for a vintage Halloween picture, I found this one. I loved the old Brach's candies. My dad would always buy for me a box of the chocolate stars. They are very difficult to find. Last year, Wally World started carrying some of the Brach's candies. Do you like candy corn? I love it, especially the Indian Corn.

Hope you have a wonderful night with lots of treats!

Whistle Me Home

This picture is from an older issue of Highlights magazine. I had the magazine when DD was very little, and I thought that she might one day look like this. Well, she does!  And, we are having a windy, fall day just like the young lady in the picture.

Good to Be Home

Today was a good day but another busy one.  We were able to go hear one of our colleague's reading  his novel, A Gathering of Eagles, at a local bookstore in the next county over. The author, Dr. Walton Young, is a dear Southern gentleman scholar.  DS1 takes a composition course from him and is learning as much about character and integrity as he is about the basics of good writing. We then went on to Publix, my little bit of nostalgia disguised as a grocery store. Seems the harder we try to slow down, the more things to do land on the calender. This is really more of a concern than a complaint.

I think for supper we will have the simplest of fares: hot dogs and macaroni and cheese.   Tomorrow, the chicken is scheduled to spend time with the crock pot while we are at Church. I have an episode of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. I might be able to talk everyone into watching.  Last night, I watched an old movie (1954), Three Coins in a Fountain. It was a good movie with stunning scenery from Rome.

The colors of the leaves are beautiful - - - as they are falling quickly from the trees. I love fall, but it stays with us such a short time.  The temperatures are supposed to be dropping beginning tomorrow. There's a big storm lurking off the coast of this part of the country. I don't think we are due to feel much of its presence, but many will, I fear.

Better run and try to get a little laundry done before the day is gone . . .

Victory at Sea

 The Era of the World Wars class has come around again, and I am enjoying it more than ever. I often think that it is my interest in World War II that led to my teaching.  In class, we are about to see the Blitzkrieg turn west. I want to show the students some of the footage from the Victory At Sea series. They are used to programs on the History Channel, color, glitzy and sometimes over-produced, but sometimes not very historic.

The Victory At Sea soundtracks are beautiful. The scores were composed by Broadway-greats Richard Rodgers and Robert Russell Bennett. They add so much to the drama of the footage and narration of the programs. I have them on CD's, and the covers are not nearly as vivid as the old LP covers.

That Time of Year

This is the time of year our family reads Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."We look forward to this so very much. We read the short story from Irvings's Sketch Book and then watch the Disney cartoon.  Irving wrote in a wonderful descriptive style--and if you're not used to the style of that era, you can get lost (so many novels and short stories today read like newspaper copy). DD stated the other night that the story is so much better now that she can really understand what the author is saying. I loved it, and she is so right. She's getting more out of it than in years past. At Christmas time, we read Dickens' A Christmas Carol, then watch the Patrick Stewart version (he is amazing as Scrooge).  I am grateful that the kids still love to do this!

Tuesday at Home . . . Kind of . . .

Today, I have a little bit of time at home with DS2 and DD. We have to get some organizational time in on our homeschool assignments, and this is the day that they get to go to their art/drama class. These classes are taught by a wonderful teacher, Miss Shannon. They are learning art history for the first hour, then DD participates in the drama class where they are working on a production of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." DS2 and I spend the last of that time together working on our school work. The fee for the classes is only $20 a month for the whole family. When DS 1 gets a day off from being Joe College, he is welcomed to attend as well. While they are having fun with their classes, I am sitting next door in the bowling alley (yes, the bowling alley--it's wonderful) grading papers and enjoying a huge diet coke (which would be illegal in New York City).  What I enjoy about this program most is that the kids are having a great time with other homeschoolers. Miss Shannon keeps the atmosphere positive and disciplined. She doesn't crack a whip, but encourages strongly everyone to be kind and Christ-like. I don't think she makes much money, if any,  off of this enterprise; the fees go primarily to pay for the use of the building. But she is such a blessing to all of them.

I hope to load up the crock pot this morning and get the tea made so that when we get home, I don't have a lot to do to get supper ready. Last night, DS1 and I went to school to work for a little while before the debates. I really need some Mom time with DS2 and DD today.  Everyone is so tired--not a bad tired, just a tired, tired. We had the singing convention at Church this weekend and that was just a foreshadow of heaven. But, it was really a lot of work getting ready for it. I hope this weekend we can take it a little bit easy. No complaints . . . just thinking out loud and thanking God for His provision and the joys He gives us day to day.

A Tisket, A Tasket, A Golden Sewing Basket

Well, here is my new sewing basket I purchased at my beloved Hancock's in North Carolina on our break. This picture doesn't do it justice. You can see I am making very little progress on the sampler, but I was able to do some today on the way back home from our morning services. I'll try to get my expert photographer to help with some better pictures soon. I am working on 14-count with two threads.  I am flirting with the ideas of adding some beads or buttons and perhaps a border using a variegated floss pattern. If I continue working very hard, I should be finished in time for the next Presidential election--2016.

"Rascal for President"

Granny Squares

Summer

Fall 

 Winter

Spring

Oh my goodness. I am having so much fun with this afghan. I don't know that it will ever be finished, but I love working on it. I don't have as many different colors as you might think (there are a lot, but not as many as it would seem). Just changing the combinations makes the most of the skeins I do have. I love it. I only have about 85 more to go! Which "season" is your favorite?

A Touch of Beauty

Last night, we stopped at a Publix grocery store (out of town, of course). I have always loved their arrangements--they are fresh and very reasonably priced. DH picked these out for me--I can't tell you how much I love it when HE picks something out--it is always just right. 

These roses have opened a bit since last night, and are even lovelier than the picture reveals.
I am grateful for their beauty, DH's thoughtfulness and DD's help in posting the picture. I hope your Saturday night has its own touch of beauty,

Words of Wisdom from Joni

The other day, I was blessed to hear a sermon by Dr. Erwin Lutzer (let me recommend him, by the way . . . he is just tremendous). In his message, Dr. Lutzer quoted Joni--I won't get this exactly right, but hopefully you'll understand the message. He said that she talked about the moment when she could run into the arms of her Savior and be free of her paralysis; but greater still would be her joy at being free of sin there in His Presence. That's what I call having "your priorities in order."

Joni has always meant so much to our family. DH has read her books and loved her devotionals. We listened to her autobiography traveling to and from Church, and she made quite an impression on our DD.  We love her story, but it is her TESTIMONY that shines. I heard her at a Billy Graham Crusade in North Carolina years ago. Again, forgive my attempt to quote, but she declared that she would rather have gone through the accident and have the relationship she does with Christ as a result than to return to that girl fettered by hopelessness. My goodness . . . . what will heaven be like? No regrets, no hurt feelings or worry, no sadness or anger--just love for our Savior and joy together with one another in His presence.

Thank you, Joni. You are such a blessing to all of us.

Classic TV Sunday: Mission Impossible

Oh my goodness!  What a show!  Over the past few years, I have enjoyed revisiting this great show on DVDs.  I remember watching this first-run at my grandparents' house--I remember the crew with Leonard Nimoy and Lesley Anne Warren (she was "Cinderella" to me). All I knew then was that the show had the best theme song imaginable.

I have to be honest with you--I usually have to watch an episode twice  before I understand what really happened.  The show debuted at the same time as another great Desilu production, Star Trek.  Both were great series with dynamic casts and original storylines.

Who is you favorite character or favorite ensemble group? Greg Morris (Barney) and Peter Lupus (Willie) were the only two actors to remain on the series throughout its run.  Peter Graves always seemed to be "the face" of the program to me.  DD says that Barney "is the most cool."  I would have to agree with that.

Out for a Bit . . .

Hello, sweet friends. Will be in limited contact with my computer over the next few days. Hope you're all keeping well . . . .

World Book

Oh my goodness!  Stop the presses!  On Facebook, someone posted a picture of World Book encyclopedia (see bottom of this post). I just had to post about WB encycyclopedia in our home.  Many years ago (1971 or 2), my parents purchased a new set of World Book Encyclopedia for the family. This was at great expense and sacrifice on their parts.  I used those things for yeasr, and I know that Moma and Daddy enjoyed them as well.  Jumping forward to our little family, we found a GREEN set of World Books from about 1960 at a "Friends of the Library" sale about 12 years ago.  They are oh-so-olive green, but just perfect for DS1. His favorite color is green and he has poured over those beloved volumes in the years since.  Later on, we happened upon a fabulous deal for homeschooling families whereby we could purchase a set of Britannica, Childcraft and World Book Encyclopedia for an unbelievable price. We made payments (interest free) for about 2 years, but it was among the best money we ever spent as a family.  As you know, Britannica has ceased publication of this famous encyclopedia, at least in its hardback form.  I am so glad we have these on our shelves.  Having said that, I think DS1 still used his green edition far more often. I can't tell you how many times I have walked in his room and found a stray volume by his bed.

I can't help but think that students are missing something special in this era by not having the joy of finding information in these beautifully bound books.  They added so much to our lives, and continue to do so.
I am grateful for parents who instilled in me that love of learning and for children who are carrying it on.

Color Me Beautiful

Do you remember this trend in "color analysis"?  My mom had so much fun with this book and the color swatches inside. She and her sister and friends at work had a big time choosing their colors based on their "season."  I could never decide exactly which season I was, and I just wore whatever I thought was pretty!  I think even Mary Kay embraced the warm/cool color families.  By the way, I have used MK off and on since 1981.  Recently, I looked at a new catalog and recognized nothing!  I especially lament the missing classic fragrances--anyone remember "Angelfire"? I used that forever.  Oh well, back to the present which holds its own blessings. Hoping each of you have a great day with the Lord!