Got word today that my son and daughter-in-law needed to let their beloved dog Samantha Jane, a.k.a. Sammy Sam, go today. They had her from puppyhood for 11 years!
She will be sorely missed! Such a good dog she was!
Farewell, Sammy Sam! :'(
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Regarding Children and Books
Psalm 127:3 New Living Translation (NLT)
3 Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.
they are a reward from him.
This verse came to mind as I was sitting here contemplating my own four now-adult children. Now I can also read that verse as: "Grandchildren are a gift from the Lord..."
I love to watch my "kids" and grandkids grow and stretch and dive into new and exciting endeavors.
My eldest is an author and she, her husband and an artist friend, have produced a most lovely children's picture-story book called
'Twas an Evening in Bethlehem.
I will include my review here on my blog and hope it inspires you to pick up a copy for yourself to read!
'Twas an Evening in Bethlehem
by
Beautiful, Imaginative Retelling of a Historical Event
I really enjoy reading aloud the poem-text of this book and let the words roll off my tongue, especially the list of the shepherds' names. I love the soft, earthy tones of the paintings and how their simplicity draws me into the story, leaving the details to my imagination. I especially like how a piece of the "big picture"on the left side page is inserted behind the text on the right side page.
I purchased a copy for my 92-year old mother and she was immensely pleased. So it is quite suitable for all ages!
This is a beautiful picture book that adds a touch of imagination to a true, historical event.
I highly recommend this book! It would make a great gift for Christmas.... or for any occasion!
I really enjoy reading aloud the poem-text of this book and let the words roll off my tongue, especially the list of the shepherds' names. I love the soft, earthy tones of the paintings and how their simplicity draws me into the story, leaving the details to my imagination. I especially like how a piece of the "big picture"on the left side page is inserted behind the text on the right side page.
I purchased a copy for my 92-year old mother and she was immensely pleased. So it is quite suitable for all ages!
This is a beautiful picture book that adds a touch of imagination to a true, historical event.
I highly recommend this book! It would make a great gift for Christmas.... or for any occasion!
Monday, August 5, 2019
This day in "history"
My daughter, Brittany Jean (singer-songwriter), reminded me where we were one year ago today (actually it was a Sunday, but it was August 5). We were walking around Lower Manhattan in New York City checking out the 9/11 memorials and then taking a Clipper Ship tour around New York Harbor. The following day (Monday, August 6, 2018) Brittany would have the privilege of performing for 30 minutes at the City Winery NYC prior to the main event: Three Dog Night in concert!
It was a whirlwind trip, but one I am grateful we were able to make with Brittany and get to "see her shine!" It was a "night to remember" and truly a highlight in the year 2018!
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Summer 2007 Collage
Brittany mails her deposit for puppy; Piano recital with supporting "fans"; making music in our home; Family get togethers; baseball; new fence.
Family dinner in Chicago, 9JUL07
Brittany, Nan, Jim, Jenelle, Derek, Grant, & Evan celebrating Jenelle and Derek's 3rd anniversary (early) at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Chicago. Yummy!!!
Jenelle and Derek
It's always fun to have them come home for a visit! They got to spend a week with us over the 4th of July holiday. We celebrated their 3rd anniversary early by going to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Chicago.
New Patio Furniture to enjoy
Brittany, Evan, Claire, Jenelle, Derek, Grant, & Jim trying out our new patio furniture. Sadly, the new umbrella got destroyed in our Aug. 24 tornado!!! :-(
Coach Jim (and nephew Austin)
Jim coached our boys' baseball team, the Chicago Titans, in the Skyscraper League, Chicago. This was a lot of work, but Jim and the boys had some fun with it.
Chicago Skyline
This was the baseball field near UIC where the boys played all their games this summer. It was quite a spectacular backdrop to view!
Our cute puppy, Sadie
Grant liked this little puppy! Jim, Brittany, Grant, and Nan drove up to northern WI to get her (Golden Retriever) on July 22. She was fantastic for the 6 hour trip home!
Evan and "Sadie"
This golden retriever puppy was such a cute 6 1/2 week old puppy. Evan worked at a private golf resort all summer, so he did not have too much free time, but in his few spare moments he would enjoy playing with Sadie.
Brittany and "Sadie"
And of course, Brittany loved Sadie! It was HER puppy. She had counted the days after Sadie was born in June until the day we could go pick her up! Nan loved Sadie, too, but caring for such a young pup combined with all the kids soon heading back to full-time at schools...was too much for Nan...and the decision was made to take Sadie back to her home in WI...where she was placed in a very good home with folks who raised golden retrievers! We had fun with Sadie for 6 days and we miss her! (You can see the new fence we put up in our back yard...for our doggie.)
Jim and "Sadie"
Jim and Brittany drove Sadie back to WI after we had her 6 days. Sadly, Nan was the one who could not "cope" with all that would be involved in raising a dog. It has been one of the hardest things in Nan's life...to bring to an end the dream of her daughter to have a dog!
Grandpa turned 80!
Grandkids: Brittany, Brandon, Grant, Austin, Jalen, Connor, LeAnn, Ethan, Garrett~think "Grandpa Wonderful"...
Grandma's turn was coming...
she also would turn 80 this year, so her grandkids helped her celebrate early. LeAnn, Brittany, Austin, Brandon, Grant Ethan, Connor, Jalen, Garrett
Happy 80th Birthday, Mom!
Randy(50), Nan (52), Mom(80), Anne (44), poolside in Morenci
Angelina, Grant, Evan, Claire
Making summer memories...ready to drive to Cleveland, OH for a Kenny Chesney concert, with a stop in Morenci to introduce the girls to G'ma & G'pa; and enjoy the Randy Porter Family and their 4-wheelers! :-)
Grant-man leaving for Biola
It was an early morning departure for Grant as he and Jim would drive the Ford Pickup Truck back to La Mirada, CA, where Grant began his 3rd year.
Sunrise Departure
Nan and Grant take a "self-portrait"...photo booth style! Grant and Jim were leaving early in the morning to drive cross-country to California! Nan is smiling, but she is NEVER happy to see her boys leave home...again!
Evan-man heading back to Biola, 20OCT07
Mom says yet another "good bye" :-( We brought Evan home for a "mini fall break" so he could surprise Claire with an in-between-visit before Thanksgiving.
My Girls 9Sep07
Jenelle (25 in photo, now 26) and Brittany (15 here, but now she's "sweet 16") are pure delights to my heart! They are truly "treasures" from the Lord! We enjoyed a Labor Day week visit from Jenelle and Derek. We LOVE having them visit!!!
Hello, Snow!
First snow of December, day 1
Busy, Hungry Squirrel
Here's one of many squirrels we enjoy watching as they scamper and play in the snow. This one found a cob of corn and seemed to enjoy nibbling at it!
Squirrel eating his lunch...
This squirrel was a lot of fun to watch as he dragged this cob of corn around our yard! I wonder if he carried it up into his hole in the tree!
One more squirrel photo
I enjoyed looking out my kitchen window to watch this busy squirrel as he ate his corn. It is so marvelous how the Lord cares for meeting the needs of the wild animals! How much more He cares for us!!!