tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312225932024-03-19T05:55:33.110-05:00My Cozy Nookmamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.comBlogger417125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-36401003640703251712018-03-03T11:50:00.000-06:002018-03-03T11:50:09.688-06:00Death Comes for the Archbishop<a href="https://karensbooksandchocolate.blogspot.com/2017/12/back-to-classics-2018.html?m=0" target="_blank">Back to the Classics 2018 Challenge</a><br />
category 10: A classic by an author that is new to you<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/545951.Death_Comes_for_the_Archbishop" target="_blank"><b><i>Death Comes for the Archbishop</i></b></a> by Willa Cather (1927)<br />
<br />
Willa Cather is an author whose writing I have wanted to read for a while; though I knew very little about her. Specifically, I have wanted to read <i>My Antonia</i> for no reason other than that the title intrigued me. My local library did not have that book on the shelf. They did have <i>Death Comes for the Archbishop</i>, which I had not heard of before.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Cather took up the past, but rather than a personal past she evokes a shared historical past in <em>Death Comes for the Archibishop,</em> the
story of two French missionaries who brought the southwest into the
United States after the Mexican War, one of whom built the cathedral at
Santa Fe. . . Cather was elected to the National Institute of Arts and Letters and
later the American Academy of Arts and Letters. The latter awarded her
its Howells Medal for Fiction for <em>Death Comes for the Archbishop</em> in 1930, (<a href="https://www.willacather.org/willa-cathers-biography" target="_blank">source</a>)</blockquote>
I loved everything about this book!<br />
The story was wonderful, and Cather's descriptions of people and places were flawless. I identified quite a lot with Jean Marie Latour, the titular character, so I found it effortless to see and think and feel as he did throughout the book. As a matter of fact, the long-lived friendship between Father Latour and Father Vaillant struck me as rather similar to that of myself and my husband; they complemented each other very well. Willa Cather's writing is beautiful and graceful, her treatment gentle and thoughtful. I did not want to put this book down, and when the Bishop departed this life and I closed the book on his world, we both did so with a deep sense of contentment.<br />
<br />mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-17770072868611249362018-03-03T09:36:00.000-06:002018-03-03T09:36:12.896-06:00Of Mice and MenI chose <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/890.Of_Mice_and_Men" target="_blank"><b><i>Of Mice and Men</i></b></a> by John Steinbeck (1937) for my first read in the <a href="https://karensbooksandchocolate.blogspot.de/2018/01/challenge-link-up-post-classic-that.html" target="_blank">Back to the Classics Challenge 2018</a>. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em>Of Mice and Men</em> is Steinbeck’s first play-novelette, an experimental form he developed<em>. . .</em> The story is about a pair of migrant workers in California, George
Milton and Lennie Small. The two friends depend on one another in a
world where most working men are lonely, moving from job to job.
Steinbeck called his book a little study in humility—it went on to
become one of his most beloved books. (<a href="http://www.steinbeck.org/about-john/biography/" target="_blank">source</a>)</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
It is my category 11 ~A classic that scares you~ book.<br />
<br />
This book was actually a re-read for me; my first time was nearly 40 years ago when I was a teen. Nobody forewarned me then that it was a tragedy, and I was utterly shocked and horrified as the final chapters unfolded. I remember hurling the book across my bedroom, proclaiming John Steinbeck to be the most! depressing! writer! EVER!<br />
<br />
Since that time, I would not even entertain the notion of reading anything authored by Mr. Steinbeck . . . until now. My fifteen-year-old daughter lobbied to include <i>Of Mice and Men</i> as part of our literature studies this year, and I consented, informing her and her friend that it did <u>not</u> have a happy ending.<br />
<br />
As for myself, I decided that I would give the book another chance. I already knew the story, so perhaps it would not be such a wrenching experience this time. I am, after all, older and more worldly-wise now. <br />
<br />
Steinbeck referred to<i> Of Mice and Men</i> as, "such a simple little thing." It is little, and it is a story simply told; but, oh, there is so much packed into this <i>simple little thing</i>: friendship and loneliness, hope and desperation, innocence and cruelty. Yes, it is sad, hear-rendingly so, but, yes, John Steinbeck <u>is</u> a remarkable writer. He drew me into this story. He made me think; he made me care. And that, makes me me want to read more of his writing.mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-67693195942394719942018-01-13T09:48:00.003-06:002018-03-03T11:53:19.602-06:002018 Reading Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://karensbooksandchocolate.blogspot.com/2017/12/back-to-classics-2018.html?m=0" target="_blank"><img alt="https://karensbooksandchocolate.blogspot.com/2017/12/back-to-classics-2018.html?m=0" border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQX_62j63LfXtIYOwQP7SRwBzzk8djt22LmF8ANAyJGvA3ggXCaPShikXVZVWmKhzQivpNftF5lmhhm3C-T8Ne1ytNlCHs1hm2BqlsIajM3JRDwS8xXLLs1T6keZ5ikmJZEOJ/s1600/backtoclassics2018.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://olivegrove2.blogspot.com/2018/03/of-mice-and-men.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">January~</span> category 11<span style="font-family: inherit;">. A classic that scares you</span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://olivegrove2.blogspot.com/2018/03/of-mice-and-men.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Of Mice and Men</b></i> by John Steinbeck</span></span></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://olivegrove2.blogspot.com/2018/03/death-comes-for-archbishop.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">February~</span> category 10. A classic by an author that is new to you</span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://olivegrove2.blogspot.com/2018/03/death-comes-for-archbishop.html" target="_blank"><i><b>Death Comes for the Archbishop</b></i> by Willa Cather</a> </span></span><br />
<br />
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #515151; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Hat Tip to <a href="http://carrotduchy.blogspot.com/2017/12/2018-back-to-classics-challenge.html" target="_blank">Queen of Carrots</a></i></span></span><b style="font-size: 15.399999618530273px;"><i> </i> </b></span></span></div>
mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-16495075038381464242016-11-07T21:15:00.000-06:002016-11-08T21:22:44.431-06:00<div style="text-align: center;">
We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of<br />
earth and sky and sea; for the richness of mountains, plains,<br />
and rivers; for the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers.<br />
We praise you for these good gifts, and pray that we may<br />
safeguard them for our posterity. Grant that we may continue<br />
to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation,<br />
to the honor and glory of your Name, now and for ever. <em>Amen.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<em>~ from The Book of Common Prayer </em></div>
mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-30807500619252103202016-11-06T22:00:00.000-06:002016-11-07T07:12:43.050-06:00Today i am thankful for...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
some impromptu one-on-one time with each of my two youngest</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a special day together for my youngest daughter and her daddy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the friendship between my two sons; they have been best buds since my second was born</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
rain-cooled air, and the opportunity to open the front door and breathe it in</div>
mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-52571140218569407182016-11-05T21:23:00.000-05:002016-11-05T21:23:50.436-05:00Today i am thankful for...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
autumn</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cooler temperatures</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
healthier habits</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
miles walked</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
prayers offered</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
friends made</div>
mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-3518684548478379722016-11-04T22:08:00.000-05:002016-11-04T22:08:19.721-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">You are my God, </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">and I will give thanks to You; </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">You are my God, </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">I will extol You.
</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">O give thanks to the <span class="sc">Lord</span>, </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">for He is good, </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">for His steadfast love endures forever. </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">~Psalm 118:28&29</span> </span></i></div>
mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-42268942870771587402016-11-03T19:30:00.000-05:002016-11-03T19:30:14.144-05:00Thank You for the rain!<br />
<br />
<h2 class="pn">
Psalm 65</h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>and to you shall vows be performed,
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>O you who answer prayer! </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>To you all flesh shall come.
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>you forgive our transgressions.
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Happy are those whom you choose and bring near </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>to live in your
courts. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>your holy
temple.
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>O God of our
salvation; </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>you are the hope of all the ends of the earth </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>and of the
farthest seas.
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>By your strength you established the mountains; </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>you are girded with might.
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>You silence the roaring of the seas, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>the roaring of their waves, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>the tumult of the peoples.
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Those who live at earth’s farthest bounds are awed by your signs; </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>you make the gateways of the morning and the evening </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>shout for joy.
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>the
river of God is full of water; </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>you provide the people with grain, for so
you have prepared it.
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>softening it with showers, and blessing its growth.
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>You crown the year with your bounty; </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>your wagon tracks overflow with richness.
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>The pastures of the wilderness overflow, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>the hills gird themselves with joy,
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>the valleys deck themselves with grain, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>they shout and sing together for joy.
</i></span>mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-91989218987842994272016-11-02T23:30:00.000-05:002016-11-03T00:52:40.882-05:00LORD, You always know just what we need and just when we need it! Why does it take me by surprise? And why, oh why, do i still let worry and fear creep in instead of just trusting?<br />
<br />
I was going to write today about being thankful for Your provision through 15 weeks of unemployment, for allowing us to keep up with all of the bills, and keep food on the table, and gas in our cars, and even go to Luke's football games. And i am so so very grateful for that, because i know it was You looking out for us. <br />
<br />
But it seems that You wanted me to have even more to be thankful for today. So, thank You, LORD, for the new job my husband got today. Thank You that it pays more than his last job. Thank You that it is an easy commute for him. Thank You that he likes the people he met from the team he will be working with. Thank You that this offer came just at the point that our reserves were exhausted and the next unemployment check was going to be smaller than the total of the bills due next month. Thank You for seeing our needs and knowing our situation and caring about us and providing for us, always!<br />
<br />
<h1 class="passage-display">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="text Eph-3-20" id="en-ESV-29255">Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,</span> <span class="text Eph-3-21" id="en-ESV-29256">to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.</span></i></span></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="passage-display" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="text Eph-3-21" id="en-ESV-29256"><span style="font-size: small;">~Ephesians 3:20&21 </span></span></i></span></span></span></h1>
mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-67992723135958308442016-11-01T21:06:00.000-05:002016-11-01T21:06:18.264-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Oh give thanks to the LORD; </span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">call upon his name; </span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">make known his deeds </span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">among the peoples!</span></i></span><span class="p"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="p"><br /></span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span class="p"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">~1 Chronicles 16:8</span></span></i></span></div>
mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-12369114483213730992015-12-21T13:22:00.000-06:002015-12-23T07:20:25.397-06:00My Heart This Advent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUBoYqd0Zl4e12j1ptiFa3N_ow3Z9o96zW5WXRETSMIt_88WmD33lsA-otUF5dOLM51NlYPlV-8YGcoj3Lj7RG7seUTGqfEWKsmEYMCsc4jLS4DRSc02K7-BkCHlcOFmg81ko/s1600/9+Dec.+2015+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUBoYqd0Zl4e12j1ptiFa3N_ow3Z9o96zW5WXRETSMIt_88WmD33lsA-otUF5dOLM51NlYPlV-8YGcoj3Lj7RG7seUTGqfEWKsmEYMCsc4jLS4DRSc02K7-BkCHlcOFmg81ko/s320/9+Dec.+2015+009.JPG" width="278" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<i>a close-up of my son's girlfriend's stocking decoration </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>~ she is so talented!</i>)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It happens every year.<br />
Advent begins;<br />
I am already behind, but still excited.<br />
Advent is my favourite season; <br />
I am always so full of expectations and hopes and dreams!<br />
The first couple of weeks pass.<br />
A melancholy mood creeps in.<br />
I am not living up to my own expectations;<br />
My hopes of actually getting things accomplished are dwindling;<br />
No one around me seems to share in my dreams.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Is there room for Me?"</i></span><br />
<br />
My expectations and hopes and dreams can become idols.<br />
I have to be reminded every. single. year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Hope~Peace~Joy~Love</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
are gifts that come only in His presence.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As Advent ushers in Christmas later this week<br />
may I prepare my heart to<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Come, and adore Him, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Christ the Lord!</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">linking up with:</span><i> </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://daybydayinourworld.com/2015/12/4th-sunday-of-advent/"><img alt="" src="http://ahouseupontherock.com/newblog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Advent-button-2013.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-41157828231603669002015-12-18T11:58:00.000-06:002015-12-21T12:04:36.980-06:00Advent in Our Home ~ week 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRGkEPiflvbuWC88zHsQOqEIT5GEYcku79BAu6jxjM4biD43VUrY_OdagsS6f1S23uiZuZgbLn0_67N9lqgjU-LJuWbKq5Ldgi2khhHRd-7uNa4ITyqM00E7kJmBwOCCLL3_a/s1600/Advent2015.week3+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRGkEPiflvbuWC88zHsQOqEIT5GEYcku79BAu6jxjM4biD43VUrY_OdagsS6f1S23uiZuZgbLn0_67N9lqgjU-LJuWbKq5Ldgi2khhHRd-7uNa4ITyqM00E7kJmBwOCCLL3_a/s320/Advent2015.week3+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the evening</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhUfY8utuh4LHkpr27Nw97X3XMj9FPhv5FzBr-y8mv6IoxMl8rohtzzyKlIuZURvQ3KKvs0MyS94GPNNZ48UiqLNcfZ47ysmY1ndGqhyphenhyphenJmHC8KcWrFgmbU8rm2bY24HRQI3d7/s1600/Advent2015.week3+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhUfY8utuh4LHkpr27Nw97X3XMj9FPhv5FzBr-y8mv6IoxMl8rohtzzyKlIuZURvQ3KKvs0MyS94GPNNZ48UiqLNcfZ47ysmY1ndGqhyphenhyphenJmHC8KcWrFgmbU8rm2bY24HRQI3d7/s320/Advent2015.week3+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
morning prayer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibH0FxsfR3LF1OCtD0CuEW-ruvEWpfCCVhdaweXRJIMfsB1qdoG19BA6L9WsSrOFiCv_srzXKA-d3IltFr0X1sN7YnCfWFLXP57yfMLpb0xk13YHl3uRI3ErhkekM95Iw0sz_C/s1600/12311124_1032778580107137_6506633164819248302_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibH0FxsfR3LF1OCtD0CuEW-ruvEWpfCCVhdaweXRJIMfsB1qdoG19BA6L9WsSrOFiCv_srzXKA-d3IltFr0X1sN7YnCfWFLXP57yfMLpb0xk13YHl3uRI3ErhkekM95Iw0sz_C/s320/12311124_1032778580107137_6506633164819248302_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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love this boy!</div>
mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-3926810083609325262015-12-08T22:17:00.000-06:002015-12-08T22:17:52.354-06:00Advent in Our Home ~ week 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My daughter and grandson decorating his stocking:<br />
<img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUVnloRw4NlDHklcAWcY_sFGivb_7QVq5vDKrfsVBTrEBQhc7lTtumxVKoBJ3Vv5eVFZzNk4Y10LFPJkxE8x_pYzxOUbBAlEiNPNSj8e9VUOel6lrcNQ3jmRVkwtKjFtJQjOc/s320/6%25267+December+2015+002.JPG" width="320" /> </div>
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Waiting for the glitter glue to dry:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzRRgs7KrtYUmOgH4qGlU-QTDlpOWDtTZR0SODWlWTgJLIfrG__p0svMInbPKHvcRegg4jZPqlz59MTGZJvLWiWg-3GpCUrwbUKMwg1Ubu9yS4Xaah7IDpWrq4DDnGbRzYROS/s1600/6%25267+December+2015+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzRRgs7KrtYUmOgH4qGlU-QTDlpOWDtTZR0SODWlWTgJLIfrG__p0svMInbPKHvcRegg4jZPqlz59MTGZJvLWiWg-3GpCUrwbUKMwg1Ubu9yS4Xaah7IDpWrq4DDnGbRzYROS/s320/6%25267+December+2015+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yesterday, my daughter and her friend made snowflake wreaths: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKnt_UjPPdj4Kc8K_jSgHl5p36NddMJiyiqhT83SSwBX-wPI5C-2bDXtgCbQFduCscpPogLqnJCxWCFRbeuCH8RsiCmJ2DmbqoPBcijGqpBV7-rVFR-9-X_UhLbFR8zd4wKbv/s1600/6%25267+December+2015+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKnt_UjPPdj4Kc8K_jSgHl5p36NddMJiyiqhT83SSwBX-wPI5C-2bDXtgCbQFduCscpPogLqnJCxWCFRbeuCH8RsiCmJ2DmbqoPBcijGqpBV7-rVFR-9-X_UhLbFR8zd4wKbv/s320/6%25267+December+2015+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The rest of this week I intend to declutter and clean. In particular, I will be clearing out a spot for our tree.</div>
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<br />mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-51930484689445254032015-12-05T12:56:00.002-06:002015-12-08T21:18:43.974-06:00A Simple Advent Plan...because, really, that is all that I can handle.<br />
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I am at the stage of my life where I no longer have young children at home. I have five adult children ~ four of whom no longer live in our home ~ and two teens. They are busy with their own lives. They work, attend classes, have husbands/boyfriends/girlfriends, as well as homes, friends, dogs ~ and in one case, a child ~ of their own. I never wanted to be <i><b>that </b>mama</i> (or mother-in-law) who insisted that they must spend every holiday with us and carry on every tradition. Some of my children love all of the traditions, some can take them or leave them, and some would probably rather leave them (sniff). But that is alright. They are building lives, homes, families, and traditions of their own. Of course, they are always welcome here; they know that, and I try plan so that those who wish to participate are able to.<br />
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This year the best plan seems to be to focus on one or two special activities each Sunday during Advent, and invite all who are interested to join us.<br />
<ul>
<li><b>First Sunday</b>, 29 November ~ we didn't do anything. Everyone had been here on Thanksgiving and had drawn names for Christmas gift-giving. We celebrated our older son's 18th birthday on Monday. I did finally get the Advent candle set up on Thursday.</li>
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<li><b>Second Sunday</b>, 6 December ~ Saint Nicholas Day! The three children still living at home will awaken to orange rolls for breakfast. They will find chocolate coins, a mandarin orange, and new pjs in their stockings. After church I will provide a light lunch, some treats, and hot cocoa, and we will decorate our <a href="http://olivegrove2.blogspot.com/2009/12/our-family-stocking-tradition.html" target="_blank">stockings</a> (while watching the Seahawks game;). </li>
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<li><b>Third Sunday</b>, 13 December ~ put up the tree and lights; <i>maybe</i> a trip to <a href="http://www.fbcburnet.org/ministries/main-street-bethlehem/" target="_blank">Main Street Bethlehem</a> in the evening. </li>
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<li><b>Fourth Sunday</b>, 20 December ~ Christmas baking. That night there is a free Christmas concert featuring choirs from 10 different local churches; this is one of the very few <i><b>must</b>-dos</i> on my personal Advent list.</li>
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mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-12361748530985636862015-12-04T23:57:00.000-06:002015-12-05T18:13:31.706-06:00Advent in Our Home ~ week 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The season of Advent began on Sunday; </div>
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I did not begin until Thursday.</div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3N3Vzz-hgOFkdpRlcoyKJbprBCBxUQvcj8e7abSJ05yZYiEp_Sg7bJke0-ndI2eumMafqA3duRrzO7FFRBEoxEHZxXn9BP7xoNvUO0Rbf0xajxBa2sE4kGWF_Wc1GvS8DIZx/s320/4+Dec.+2015+007.JPG" width="177" /></div>
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I put the Advent candles (last year's somewhat faded and tilted candles, minus any wreath) in the center of our table.</div>
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<img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7eDqlJB3OYXhA7rpsCMu1uAf6fSzhchOZsf8uSvza78umfEyeq0Eek3ClDnaGXYQu4BDF8bAQk6g1UzJXTsD6_Y6yXaa34jHxfqEKLLe1mIHUIdLvm-Pl2U9EIkWMLL8mCts/s320/4+Dec.+2015+005.JPG" width="320" /><br />
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I put the Advent spiral on the paint-splattered dresser in our entry way and started Joseph and Mary on their journey.</div>
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<img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBhWV7dYy7bTKsVafDwHbtZA2-QnbLQgweF6hs43OXfbryHA54EqluaONvzD4pMytZRLnb9dlV-ZEpkT3x7R6PcnHwnZBc73qgU2Nn6wmG_lecsm9rOoHQAiWyFhPS2G2dCBt/s320/4+Dec.+2015+010.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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I went to Dollar Tree and purchased supplies for door swags.</div>
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My youngest daughter and I will assemble six of these tomorrow,</div>
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one for us, one for each of my four grown daughters, and one for her best friend.</div>
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<img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTW5VWO8W-iJKIY1PLf79I86fASEJQY147p4grgngYAf5enGPaT-ant_9_H8HO3bVI6N7Z0qIQC88DusPwxIS-QL0nKJZw7Rjc0DzD57BSm_s1sNv1byFzdYNxK68i_t9Rf1M/s320/4+Dec.+2015+009.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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<span id="goog_71271467">Sunday is Saint Nicholas Day, so we will be decorating and hanging our<i> </i><a href="http://olivegrove2.blogspot.com/2009/12/our-family-stocking-tradition.html" target="_blank">stockings</a>.</span><br />
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<br />
linking up for <a href="http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/2015/12/living-advent-at-our-house/" target="_blank">{pretty, happy, funny, real}</a><br />
at <i>Like Mother, Like Daughter</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/2015/12/living-advent-at-our-house/" target="_blank"></a></div>
mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-72632695528732989772015-12-04T13:09:00.000-06:002015-12-04T13:09:13.548-06:00For Your Advent Listening PleasureI have quite a large Advent playlist on Spotify, but I would like to share a much smaller one that I put together on YouTube.<br />
<br />
It begins with <i>O Come, O Come, Emmanuel</i>, followed be songs for <i>Hope</i>, <i>Peace</i>, <i>Joy</i>, and <i>Love</i>, and ends with one of my Christmas Eve favourites, <i>Still, Still, Still</i>.<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy it:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="252" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL8VchAfgKX3x2aylgbxijfNIKSz51OVxJ" width="448"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
Linking up with:<br />
<a href="http://www.ahouseupontherock.com/"><img alt="" src="http://ahouseupontherock.com/newblog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Advent-button-2013.jpg" /></a>mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-88034523146841328142015-11-30T12:34:00.000-06:002015-11-30T12:34:12.864-06:0030 Days of Thanksgiving ~ 2015 ~ day 30I have been so abundantly blessed this year!<br />
<ul>
<li>My adorable grandson was born in January. </li>
<li>In February I began a new job, caring for sweet baby K, which I am able to do in my home.</li>
<li>My sister-in-law and her kids came for a visit in March.</li>
<li>I enjoyed <i>Shakespeare in the Park</i> with two of my daughters and my grandson in April.</li>
<li>In May, we spent Mother's Day Weekend at a lovely retreat, and we paid off our first credit card.</li>
<li>June brought my 52nd birthday.</li>
<li>In July, my youngest son and daughter were each able to go to camp, and we attended the wedding of a friend.</li>
<li>August brought a rare girls night out, a 25th birthday dinner with our eldest daughter, and my youngest daughter's friend's quinceanera.</li>
<li>My older son bought his first car and got his driver's license in September.</li>
<li>In October I took a 10 day vacation to Boston with two of my daughters and my grandson, came home for three days, then left with my husband for a 4 day visit to Seattle. I also saw Jackson Browne in concert with my husband.</li>
<li>In this month of November we have already gathered as a family for our day of Thanksgiving, and there are still leftovers to enjoy; the season of Advent has begun; we have paid off another credit card; and today we celebrate the 18th birthday of our older son.</li>
<li>And, the good Lord willing, in 23 days my wonderful husband and I will celebrate 27 years of marriage! </li>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/th-DlJ3XsEI" width="420"></iframe>mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-50938493743109944782015-11-29T18:39:00.000-06:002015-11-29T18:39:12.759-06:0030 Days of Thanksgiving ~ 2015 ~ day 29<i>Thank You, Lord, for Your grace.</i><br />
<div class="version-NKJV result-text-style-normal text-html ">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h2>
<span class="text 2Cor-12-9" id="en-NKJV-29032"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>And He said to me, <span class="woj">“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”</span> Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. </span> <span class="text 2Cor-12-10" id="en-NKJV-29033"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>Therefore
I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in
persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then
I am strong.</span> </h2>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h2 class="passage-display">
<span class="passage-display-bcv">2 Corinthians 12:9-10</span></h2>
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<i>And thank You for my weakness; </i><br />
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<i>help me to be content and trust in Your strength. </i></div>
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mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-50579019958412326982015-11-28T23:19:00.000-06:002015-11-28T23:43:16.712-06:0030 Days of Thanksgiving ~ 2015 ~ day 28I am thankful for a quiet day spent relaxing and a fun evening spent with three of our kids + one boyfriend and one friend, playing games and laughing . . . a <b><i>lot</i></b> of laughing!mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-26979202558557093422015-11-27T19:00:00.000-06:002015-11-28T10:04:43.586-06:0030 Days of Thanksgiving ~ 2015 ~ day 27<div style="text-align: center;">
My amazing husband spent a good chunk of his day off doing this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroFs-5jF-DSHgu2aUwU73AAWlCfyUpakbrpY5WbcvTl71zmxGPap0L1ZCpZVh-sJEea2NLQP94www0X6EYFmGh5JjKzDwEFCl_ygfO3_zSmwDwMdenpRLy1aiV-zZdp9YLAF9/s1600/thanksgiving+clean-uo+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroFs-5jF-DSHgu2aUwU73AAWlCfyUpakbrpY5WbcvTl71zmxGPap0L1ZCpZVh-sJEea2NLQP94www0X6EYFmGh5JjKzDwEFCl_ygfO3_zSmwDwMdenpRLy1aiV-zZdp9YLAF9/s320/thanksgiving+clean-uo+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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for me! </div>
mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-32229361967556303482015-11-26T06:00:00.000-06:002015-11-27T10:41:39.773-06:0030 Days of Thanksgiving ~ 2015 ~ day 26<br />
<h2>
<i>Wishing you and yours </i></h2>
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<i>a very Happy Thanksgiving!</i></h2>
<h3>
<i> </i><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="210" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MceeFJSrwts" width="375"></iframe></h3>
mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-52000777333545105152015-11-25T10:07:00.000-06:002015-11-27T10:07:21.527-06:0030 Days of Thanksgiving ~ 2015 ~ day 25<h2 class="passage-display">
<i><span class="passage-display-bcv">James 1</span></i></h2>
<h2>
<i><span class="text Jas-1-17" id="en-NKJV-30284"><sup class="versenum">17 </sup>Every
good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the
Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
</span> <span class="text Jas-1-18" id="en-NKJV-30285"><sup class="versenum">18 </sup>Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.</span></i></h2>
mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-67638886276797351782015-11-24T10:00:00.000-06:002015-11-27T10:01:29.834-06:0030 Days of Thanksgiving ~ 2015 ~ day 24<h2 class="passage-display">
<i><span class="passage-display-bcv">1 Timothy 4</span></i></h2>
<h2>
<i><span class="text 1Tim-4-4" id="en-NASB-29752"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;</span> <span class="text 1Tim-4-5" id="en-NASB-29753"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.</span></i></h2>
mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-51150163765378854212015-11-23T22:18:00.000-06:002015-11-23T22:21:46.034-06:0030 Days of Thanksgiving ~ 2015 ~ day 23Today i am thankful for friends and the gift of friendship.<br />
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I am thankful for old friends and new friends, for true abiding deep bosom friendships and friendships which lasted only for a season. I am thankful for friends that i did not even think i would like until i got to know them (and vice-versa) and friends with whom i felt an instant connection. I am thankful that God created us for one-anothering and that even an extreme introvert such as I am still has a need for friendship.<br />
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I am particularly grateful for those special people who know all about me and choose to love me anyway. . . my friends.mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31222593.post-69685421133206948962015-11-22T17:49:00.000-06:002015-11-23T17:49:53.557-06:0030 Days of Thanksgiving ~ 2015 ~ day 22<h2>
<i><span class="text 1Thess-5-16" id="en-NRSVA-29621">Rejoice always, </span></i><i><span class="text 1Thess-5-17" id="en-NRSVA-29622"> </span></i></h2>
<h2>
<i><span class="text 1Thess-5-17" id="en-NRSVA-29622">pray without ceasing, </span></i><i><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-NRSVA-29623"> </span></i></h2>
<h2>
<i><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-NRSVA-29623">give thanks in all circumstances; </span></i></h2>
<h2>
<i><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-NRSVA-29623">for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.</span></i></h2>
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<i><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-NRSVA-29623"> </span></i></h2>
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<i><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-NRSVA-29623">~1st Thessalonians 5:16-18 </span></i></h2>
mamatigerjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535262629325129987noreply@blogger.com0