Welfare Ducks

We have had several really lovely days in a row now and it makes me think that spring really is on its way. Sunshine, temps in the 50's, haze cleared out of the valley, really nice.

However the forecasters are predicting rain for us today, but I have yet to see a drop. And we have a play date planned for this afternoon. HT is beside himself with excitement!

Anyway there's a wide spot in the road by the canal just a short walk from our house where the ducks and other fowl like to congregate. There are even a few goats. The fowl have picked this spot because they have figured out that someone will come along and throw them a crust of bread. They no longer fly south for the winter and I'm pretty sure they couldn't if they tried, pretty sure they live there year round. In fact the county got tired of us humans leaving empty bread bags behind and making a mess and they have set up garbage cans for public use. They have even put up a fence and painted parking spots.

So yeah, we went and fed the welfare ducks, contributed to their delinquency. I'll repent tomorrow. I was just glad to get out of the house and so were the boys.

I'm linked up today. Click buttons for more Wordful Wednesday fun.

Eye Spy Quilt

I had been collecting juvenile prints to make an Eye Spy quilt for HT ever since he got his big boy bed, but couldn't find a pattern that I really liked so I made up my own and this is what I came up with.  What do you think?

I had hoped to finish it before Christmas but didn't get it sent off to be quilted until the last week in December.  I got it back earlier this month and once I finished the binding it was on his bed by Valentines.

I used a polka dot flannel for the back for extra warmth and cuddliness.

My new favorite thing is using a striped fabric for the binding.  I just love the look and the way if gives the edge of the quilt movement and personality.

I'm thinking I should do a smaller version for his brother for his crib, hopefully I can get it done before he out grows it!

And how could I not include this picture of my two helpers?  EM was so glad to get outside today and play despite it being cold and breezy.

I'm linked up today for Sew and Tell Friday over at Amy's.  If you are feeling crafty click here for more fun and games.

First Stone

My son broke a rock.  I know he broke the rock because he very sweetly came to me and told me about it, apologizing as he offered it to me along with the broken piece in his hands.

A rock that I had told him a dozen or more times to leave alone.

I got really upset.  I ranted and raved and told him how upset I was not only because he broke the rock but also for his disobedience.  I even started to cry.  As the tears streamed down my face in my angry rant, he too started to cry.

This was not just any rock mind you, but a rock that belonged to my father, one that sat on his desk.  He used it as a paper weight and as a reminder.  Its one of the very few mementos that I have in my possession that were among his things.  A rock he had picked up on one of his many road trips through the desert.  A rock on which he had written the words "1st Stone".

The irony of the words printed on that rock are not lost on me.

As I sat there looking through tears at that rock and at my sons confused tear stained face I was caught up short in how ridiculous it all was.  It's just a rock for crying out loud.  The issue wasn't about a broken rock, but of obedience.  I was caught up short by my own disobedience towards my heavenly Father.  How many times have I broken something, my word, a promise, or a command?  How many times have I come to the throne of grace in repentance, seeking forgiveness?  Not once has He scolded me as I scolded my son, but rather extended a nail pierced hand and freed me from my shame.

In the gospel of John 8:1-12,  Jesus faces a mob that is eager to stone to death a women who has been caught in adultery and in verse 7 he says "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."  A reminder for us not to judge others when there is sin in our own lives that needs to be dealt with.  However the lesson for me this day is what happens next.  As the crowd disperses the women is left standing alone with Jesus and he asks her "Where are your accusers?  Has no one condemned you?"  When she answers "No one, Lord. "  His reply is "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."

He has given the woman hope.  Hope for a new life.  Hope for salvation.  Hope to live a life freed from sin and the assurance of forgiveness.

He has given me hope.

" . . . He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

John 8:12

So I dried my eyes and those of my son and as I embraced him, I asked for his forgiveness and offered him mine, telling him that everything was going to be alright and that he was more important to me than a broken rock and that I loved him so very much, no matter what.

I'm linked up today with Michelle at Graceful.  Click here for more lessons.

Friends

HT has been lonely since the neighbors moved last month, so I have been trying to keep him happy and occupied, but it's not the easiest thing to do.  We have scheduled several play dates with friends but haven't been able to keep them all for various reasons, but we did manage to meet up at Chuck E. Cheese's a week or so ago for some fun.  It's not the kind of place you go to for the food.  Rather like an indoor arcade for the under 10 crowd and for a few dollars we got 50 tokens and more than an hours worth of play for the boys while us moms sat and talked each others ear off.

Good times.

Trivia, a Confession and a Winner

I know you are all dying to know who won the Barnes and Noble gift card, but I'm going to make you scroll all the way to the bottom and watch an annoying vlog for the winner.  I've been having fun going through the past posts.  So here is the top ten according to my stats:

My most popular post was this one.  The Chocolate Mint M&M Cookie recipe.  It is still getting hits today and if you google "chocolate mint M&M cookies" my blog is the first find in the search engine.  Um . .  wow.

The second most popular post was this one.  The Fresh Corn Salad recipe from June of last year, it also is still getting hits.  Maybe the universe is trying to tell me something, maybe I should do more food posts.

The third post is this one.  "Out of my Box" where I showed off one of the quilts I have made.

Fourth, "I'll Fly Away" a tribute to my dad.

Fifth "Finally Some Answers"  a follow up to the 7th most popular.

Sixth "Almost Finished".  I'm sure this is on the list only because I linked with another blog.  I'm just showing off my crafting skills again or is that skillz!

Seventh "Trick or Treat".  The one in which I play blog tag.  Thanks FringeGirl.

Eight "Kids Say the Darnedest Things".  Finally one about my kid, the reason for this blog in the first place.

Ninth "Remembering".  A tribute to my mom.  On a side note the day I posted this was the first time the blog received over 100 hits.

Tenth "Comfort Food ala Quatre".  Another recipe, hmm . . .

And now for my confession.

Today is Super Bowl Sunday as I'm sure every one in America knows, but I just have to say I hate football.  I don't care who wins and I can't wait until the madness ends.  I have felt this way ever since I was a young lass enjoying the Ingall's saga of life on the prairie when one of my brothers would waltz in the house and change the TV channel, AND THEY GOT AWAY WITH IT.  Never mind that I was in the middle of watching something else.  It's not like they would have really missed anything.  The Pre-game show, the kickoff maybe, but is that as important as the final touch down?  A technically 60 minute game can last for HOURS, hours I tell ya.  Especially when televised with all the commercials.  What harm would it have been to let me finish the last 1/2 hour to 15 minutes of my show?

And the cherry on top of the icing on top of the cake, my mom died on Super Bowl Sunday, another reason to not watch the game.

Whew, glad I got that off my chest.

But . . . . but I'm the mother of boys, and I'm screwed aren't I. (Sigh)

So without further ado,  the winner . . .

Congratulations!  E-mail me your information and I will get your gift card in the mail.

Blog-a-versary!

A year ago today I re-started up this here blog and actually despite my initial misgivings (dare I admit) I have caught myself enjoying it. I thought that sitting down and trying to come up with something to say would be a chore. You see I am not a writer and am not competing for shelf space at Barnes and Noble. If you'd like a refresher you can go read that first post here or the second one here.

There are three contributors to this blog, my sister (Charming's Auntie), myself (Charming's Mama) and my husband (Charming's Papa) and as it turns out this is also the 101st post that I have written. One was written by my husband and the others were written by my sister.

I have noticed on some blogs that people have posted 100 things about themselves on the occasion of their 100th post. I will spare you all 101 boring and mundane details of my ordinary life. However if you have this burning desire to know something that you are sure will in some way enhance your quality of life go ahead and ask me in the comments and I will do a future post in response to any questions.

Speaking of Barnes and Noble and commenting, Charming's Auntie has graciously agreed to donate one $20 Barnes and Noble gift card to one lucky commenter. She says it's for your Nook fund, but I say you can use it however you like.

So yeah, check back and I will post the winner on Sunday.

I have really enjoyed getting to know many of you bloggers, connecting with an on-line community that I never really knew existed. I just want to say thanks.

Tired Eyes

Well all of the Halloween candy is finally gone.

I doled it out one piece at a time.

Don't know why I didn't let them just eat it all in one or two days, because what happened was that I pieced on it also and my waistline doesn't need any more "padding".  Instead of letting their teeth rot all in one or two days, I let them rot over several months.

Nice . . . .

Anyway HT got this pair of glasses in his bucket and is freaked out by them and he refuses to put them on let alone touch them.

But . . .

little brother is not.

I'm linked up today.  Click the buttons if you want to play along.