Childhood Friendships Rekindled

I love books. I especially love children's books.  When I see a title I know- I feel like I've just spotted an old friend that I haven't seen in awhile. Out of courtesy, I pick it up and thumb the pages, soak in the pictures and read the stanzas. Out of courtesy-to an old friend because, you see, it would be rude to pass it by without an acknowlegement.
I was at a flea market a few weekends ago and came across two childhood favorites. Two old friends that we're in a dire need of a new home. ;)  The first acquaintance was Shel Silverstein's book of odd and quarky poetry "Where The Sidewalk Ends". I quickly flipped to the middle of the book and read the poem about the girl that didn't take the garbage out....but I remembered -in the back of my mind- there was another poem.....something that I could hear being recited within my mind...but couldn't form the words in my mouth.....it was a poem I loved- but couldn't remember. Does that make sense? I knew that if I kept flipping through the book that I would find it. And I did. I smiled big. I remembered.....and I felt like I was in fourth grade again. Yep,  I still remember what fourth grade felt like. ;)

Doesn't it just make you want to turn around a hug someone? Go ahead and do it!! I'll still be here...

So, standing there at the flea market I spotted several other "friends" The Giving Tree, A Bargain For Francis, Ms. Suzy, Ramona and Beezus, Peter Hatcher (Fudge's older brother and proud owner of a dog named Turtle!), Hooper Humperdink (who I still feel sorry for!), and I couldn't pass up a chance to say "hello" to Sam Gribley of "My Side of the Mountain". So many friends-so many memories of hiding in my bed-between the covers-reading into the night! Then. Standing in the aisle there....my little heart pitter-pattered. Like it always does when I see a book illustrated by Eloise Wilkin.

I always felt like I knew the little girl in the book....her adventures, her clothing, her questions and stories were always so familiar and real....the pictures that Eloise Wilkin drew were real life.

My heart melts at these drawings-and I'm positive I love them more now than as a child! I always felt the drawings told a much better story than the words in the books. I could  can look at the pictures over and over.

I was in an antiques market, a fancy one too... but it was these books that I clung to as if they were treasures. They have sentimental value. I couldn't wait to bring my old friends home and introduce them to my Jake. We laid in bed that night (under the covers with a flashlight!) reading Shel Silverstein's poems until my eyes hurt and I simply couldn't read any more! I can't tell you how much I loved being cuddled under the covers in our half lit "tent" reading goofy nonsense, crazy lines of silliness that roll of your tongue with melodic  rhyming beats. 

Do you have a favorite childhood storybook? Something that instantly transports you back to a time in your life when you were bathed and in bed before the sun set? A time when your mother still kissed you goodnight... and you still believed in the toothfairy? :) Please share your treasures and memory with me!

Shine All Your Light....(especially at night, under the covers, reading a book with your kiddos!)

Cass

Iheartfaces- Photo Challenge | Sun Flare

I'm entering this photo in the Iheartfaces photo challenge. I'll let you all know how it goes! :)

Sunshiney Stuff | Regurgitated Vocab | 52 Challenge & Other Stuff

Sunshiney Stuff |
I spent the morning downloading and arranging a selection of  happy songs to my play list. Not just "happy" but SUNSHINE songs. ;) My sunshiney playlist consists of songs that have a sunshiney tempo, light (as in sun), light (as in mood) and happy feeling to them. My list includes some of the following:

Here Comes The Sun
This Little Light of Mine
Big Rock Candy Mountain
Keep On The Sunny Side
Sweet By & By
Soak Up The Sun
Lover's Lane
Shine, Jesus, Shine
You Are My Sunshine
In My Own Backyard
Let's Go Fly A Kite
and many, many more. :)

Speaking of sunshine: The temps this weekend will be spiking to the high 70's!!!! Wowzers! :) I plan on spending a lot of time in the sun this weekend on a photo escapade.

Regurgitation |
So, I realize "regurgitation" isn't the nicest lead-in....but I'm sticking with it. :) We had a special minister from Emmaus Bible College  on Sunday morning. He spoke about the tempering of the Holy Ghost. He spoke about stress and burdens.Then, he did one of my favorite things- he broke down the etymology of a word. He told the backstory of in the days of the roman empire how the farmers would take the wheels off of carts and put sharp stones, glass and rocks on the bottom of a cart and drag it over a wheat field. The process of doing this was called tribulare.  The act of dragging this cart was like a threshing sledge to the wheat -exposing the seed and allowing the wind to blow the chaff away. Tribulare means "to press". We get the word tribulation from the roman word tribulare.  Are you "pressing" yourself into the Kingdom of God?
Let this really sink in: The wheat wasn't being "punished". The process of  using the tribulare wasn't to work AGAINST the wheat- it was to cultivate and harvest the potential of the wheat. Like I said, let it really sink in. The minister then used the examples of tempering steel and refining gold. I don't know if I ever really walk away with the concept that the ministers intend to stick with the congregation- but these little nuggets came somersaulting into my heart like and I feel compelled to share ( or regurgitate?)  them. :)

52 Challenge | After church on Sunday I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting a horse farm. The lighting was phenomenal. The horses were beautiful. The girls that lived on the farm were great little assistants and models...the bummer is that only HALF of my pictures will transfer from my camera. :( I don't know what to do! I can see the pictures on there but when I go to transfer them it says the file is corrupted. (all join me for a moment of silence, please.)
I love doing silohuettes.

Other Stuff |

• My son is going to a Christian homeschooler's summer camp this May. He's over the top excited.
• I have signed 2 separate freelance SEO contracts. SEO work has proven a great way to make extra money and I'm slowly growing my business by references and word of mouth
• Zumba is my new love <3
• I know I say this EVERY year but the time change just REALLY goofs me up.
• If you're into photography and love to learn new stuff you REALLY need to check out Photovision
• Anybody want to buy some Abeka homeschool books?? Please let me know! :) I ship!

Shine All Your Light,
Cass

Hodge Podge of Stuff & Week 8 of 52 Challenge

I am positive that I will look back at last Saturday morning and be glad that I did it....at some point. I know there's truth in "No pain- No Gain" and I know that "joy comes in the morning".....but let me tell ya- however joyful the morning was...there were tears during the night!
The cause?

My first kickboxing class. AKA: Bootcamp from Hell.

I discovered a couple of things Saturday morning:
1. I totally get the heeber-jeebers putting my hands in boxing gloves that were worn by others. I mean-like, yuck!
2. My friend Sabrina totally exxagerates. She used the word "FUN" referring to Kickboxing. Gee, maybe I'll get her a gift certificate for a free root canal for her birthday!
3. Fifteen push-ups can cause serious pain right away and excruciating pain 12 hours later.
4. Lifting my right arm the next morning to put on deodroant was virtually impossible

On Saturday night I went to see the Celtic Women: Songs From The Heart in concert. I liked it much more than I anticipated liking it. I'm not big into showmanshippy type of performances....I'm more of a nuts and bolts kind of girl....but, even with that being said- the spastic violin player was entertaining. My favorite part was the bagpipe player's rendition of Amazing Grace. My second fave part was Chloe singing "There Will Be Miracles*" from the Prince of Egype soundtrack. (*may not be the actual title of the song)

Something was said during church on Sunday morning that really resounded within me. Our minister pointed out that next week is Transfiguration Sunday. He spoke briefly about the disciples who beheld Christ in his glory on the mountain- and although he's preaching on it next Sunday- he asked us to search our hearts and ask if we are prepared to see Christ in his glory. It was a very, very brief statement- nothing that he elaborated on- but it got me to thinking. When I got home I looked up some scriptures- and came across 2 Corinthians 3:18.  Amazing. The scripture said to me- don't just be prepared to see it and experience it- partake of it....."put it on" BECOME the glory of Christ! To be changed INTO the same image. Wow. Let that one sink in.
I think I would have got more out of Sunday's service had I not been soooo sore- and not sitting there thinking about the fact that I only had deodorant on my left arm and not my right! Ha! Strong enough for a man....but made for a woman....I wish I had SPRAY deodorant yesterday! I was being a girl. *lol*


52 Challenge:
I am challenging myself to shoot in only manual mode. I know for you seasoned photographers it's a no-brainer...but I'm trying to "get there". Here are a few photos for this weeks 52 Challenge. I shot this tulip poplar pod in my friend's yard. I edited the hues and saturation with Topaz Adjust (my fave PS plug-in!) It had rained the night before- so I love the way that Topaz accentuated the colors of the wet picnic table wood and let it "pop" in the picture. By the way- necessity is the mother of invention....I was using jumper cable terminals to clamp the seed pods to the table top. :)

For those of you who follow me on FB- regarding the picture below: this was the picture that made me squeal.

Last Friday my Kiddles and I did a Taylor Swifty-ish photoshoot.

Quip From The Family Scrapbook:
When my 2nd daughter was about four I was admonishing her for saying something mean about someone at our church. I was really trying to drive the point home and said, "Sarah, if you can't say something nice yooooouuuuu....." and I paused waiting her to finish the statement. She piped up just as serious as could be and said, "....just say it real quiet!?!" 

And where would  people get the silly notion that she's a spitting image of me?


Well, I meant to post this blog on Sunday- but as usual I'm playing catch-up. My week has been good...I can finally lift my arm and put deodorant on.... and my kiddos will be with me this upcoming weekend. I've been listening to a lot of online sermons online lately. This morning I listened to one regarding The Light within- the daystar of God's word and how it shines from us. Of course, this thought greatly encourages me because I think of how many of you have been a great light to me...some of you have been a candle of encouragement in a dark time- or a sweet glow of mercy through tribulations and a warm place to reconcile my heart and life to the spirit of the Lord.

May your days be bright as you Shine All Your Light....
Cass

Catch Up: 52 Week Challenge

I'm a tad late (imagin' that!) gettting my Photo Challenge pics posted from last few weekends...which explains why I would have never committed to the 365 challenge! I have a month worth of weekends to make up for! So here goes....

I had the opportunity to attend a "Ballerina" themed photography club meetup. The ballerinas came and participated as our models. There were some wonderful shots by other photographers...I'm just there to learn and this is one of the better ones I got.

My Studmuffin! This is Gabe going to his girlfriend Cate's birthday dinner. He was dressed so nicely! I think he's quite a hunk!

This picture is from a church dinner. They celebrated the older gentlemen Howard's 85th birthday-he is surrounded by his children and family members.

On Saturday  2/5  I took Jakey to Home Depot for their monthly Kids Workshop. Did you know that every Home Depot has a free wood project for kids. Did you know that you DON'T HAVE to wake your child up super early, shove food down his throat and drive like a wild maniac to get there at 9 AM on a Saturday? Well, I know that now....they do the craft project from 9-12. It doesn't START at 9 and LAST and until 12. It's a floating craft time. ;) So, now YOU know! See how informative blog reading can be?


In other news:

• I've been going to Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University for the last six weeks. Very enlightening. He has a way of bluntly pointing out my lack of responsibility and accountability with my finances. No more running away and doing trips on the weekends....I have to save, invest and be frugal. What a party pooper! HA! If you have the opportunity to do the 13 week course- I HIGHLY suggest that you do. My boss paid for the class for me as a Christmas present....and the money and time invested will pay off in many, many, many ways!
• The last few Sunday's sermons have been a study on the Beautitudes. The study guide is from a book titled, "The Beautitudes From the Backside" by  J. Ellsworth Kalas. Very insightful. After learning the political upheaval in the area during that time period and about the Romans taxing and taking over the region, etc, etc....it's very enlightening to hear "Blessed are the poor for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Putting ourselves in the midst of the political and spiritual climate of the day this sermon must have really raised eyebrows and caused quite a stir! Studying the sermon on the mount from a new perspective over the last few weeks has made the text new and inspiring to me too! ;)
• Ooooh. I have big, happy news to share too! I'm going to see The Celtic Women in concert next weekend!
• God has been blessing me with several free-lance SEO jobs lately. They ( jobs) keep falling in my lap.
• God also blessed me with new tires for my van. Talk about a BLESSING- I was going to have to go tire shopping and these also fell into my lap....good thing I have a big lap!
• More big, happy news! I have a very big secret. I can't tell. :) I'm a terrible secret keeper. Just terrible. <----- See, if I was a good secret keeper I wouldn't have even said this! Ha! But someone is having a baby. I can't tell WHO. Or WHERE. But someone is. :)
• I have been in a Zumba class for several months now. It's somewhat of a love/hate relationship between Zumna and I. I love to hate it. :D  In all seriousness, I've never had sooooo much fun exercising in all of my life. It's great...and oddly enough- I'm hoping to get a smaller lap. I know I'm a corny nerd....but hey, I think it's funny.
• Last Friday was my Doodle-Bug, Sarah's 13th birthday. Because it was her Dad's weekend with her we will be celebrating her day tomorrow. We are going to see Gnomeo & Juliette and do some clothes shopping.

Shine All Your Light.... Cass

52 Challenge

A lot of photographers are doing the 365 challenge (fyi- that means they're posting a new picture each and every day.)  I would love to think that I would be up to snuff to do the challenge- but the truth is that I wouldn't be able to make time to post a picture each and every day. So, I will do it my way....I'll post one picture each weekend. Hopefully, like the 365 Challenge- you'll see creative and artistic growth in my photography- and maybe even get to know me better through the year. ;)

And- since this is the 3rd weekend of the year- I will go ahead and post 3 pictures for the past few weekends I've missed....because one of my New Year's Resolutions is to stop procrastinating and always be running behind....so I want to start off "caught up".  :)

This picture is from my Uncle Jim's funeral last Friday. My mom comes from a family of 11 brothers and sisters. This pic is of some of her siblings and some of their spouses....it's difficult to get everyone together...and once they ARE together it's twice as hard to get them all in one photo-looking straight-eyes open, heads back...well, you get the picture. :)

Taken 1-09-11 Ice on Zebra grass.

My Uncle's service was very touching. This is of one of the military men presenting the flag to my Aunt Media. I wish I had a better view- but I was quite a ways back and didn't get the flag in the photo nor the fact that the presenter had tears in his eyes....nevertheless, it's still a touching photo.

Until next weekends Challenge....Shine all your light- and snap a pic or two! :)

Cass!

Spazz Begats Spazzes

So. For Christmas I buy my sweet, feminine, lovely, set-apart daugthers facial masks and cleansers as stocking stuffers. I was envisioning an evening of us girls sitting around doing ped's and facials...listening to classical music and using fancy lotions.
 Because....I like to pretend we're normal. Make you think that we're just like everyone else....we do normal things like pop popcorn and drink cocoa on snowy nights at home.

But- in reality- this is how our pseudo cozy night at home goes..... Kiddles (Rebekah) puts on the stress relieving masks and realizes with great delight that it will scare the snot out of her little brother (which it did!)....and one thing led to another....and here is some of the outcome.....

Kiddles thought she looked really creepy.....so she decided to eat her sister.....because creepy people eat their siblings.


 

And what goes better with a slab of arm than hair and brains???

---

And....just to not completely creep you out...and so that you don't think we're totally off our rockers- let me leave you with one of those pictures that implies deep meditative thoughts, warm fuzzies and all the wonderful things that normal people impart.... HA!



Yesterday morning- I went out at sunrise to take some pictures of the ice storm....yes, normal people go outside in their PJ's and boots to take pictures of ice- right??? Right?? Say YES- or I'll sic my flesh eating daughter on you! :)

Shine All Your Light!

Cass




























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