Wanted: a new DSLR

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My Canon PowerShot takes horrible close up photos. I have to keep at least 18 inches away from the subject to get a clear photo and that it makes it difficult to photograph my new little sprouts! Thankfully, I discovered that my camera phone takes somewhat decent close ups. Aren’t they pretty?

And someday, I’m going to cherish one of these beauties… I already own two lenses that are compatible with this camera from my film days.

Ah, wishful thinking. I’ll stick to my camera phone and try to be thankful that I have one!

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Pizza Gardening – Day 5

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I have sprouts!! I literally squealed when I checked the bags this afternoon. They are barely visible, especially in the photos, but there is just a tiny bit of green in each of the bags.

My oregano is growing the fastest. There are tons of tiny green sprouts poking out of the dirt.


Oregano

The basil is growing slower but is showing definite signs of progress.


Basil

And my tomato has one tiny white-ish shoot. Just a tiny little thing. So cute!!


Tomatoes

I know it’s early, but I have visions of a really yummy pizza coming out of the oven.

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Bible in 90 Days – Please join me!

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Have you heard me talk about the Bible in 90 Days program? It is a fantastic group of readers and mentors who read through the entire Bible in 90 days. Yes, it is challenging. But it is also life changing!

Here are my thoughts after completing my first session. I have also mentored two sessions of the program and have signed up to mentor again.

Would you please join me in reading through the entire Bible? God will speak to you when you read His word! For this session, I have committed to reading alongside the group I mentor. We have two options: reading cover to cover or reading chronologically.

I hope you’ll join me! If you have any questions about the program or my experiences with it, email me (contact email is to the right) or leave a comment here.

Bible in 90 Days
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August – a month of knitting

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Because of life happening over the past few months (strange, isn’t it?), I haven’t had the energy or motivation to commit to a thirty day challenge. Now that we are getting settled in Washington, I’m eager to begin a new challenge. I did not plan ahead at all, just thought of things that I’m already doing but could focus and push myself on. I needed a challenge that does not require any money, thus the need to be creative with what I already own. What better project to tackle than my knitting?

I am going to spend some time every day for next thirty days pushing my knitting knowledge and skills past their current limits. At this point, I do not want to commit to a certain amount of time, but I will pick up my knitting every single day.

Here’s what I have on my needles right now:


Moss Shawl
My moss bordered shawl is currently 26 inches long. The goal is to reach 35 inches and then add the rest of the border.


Baby washcloth
I have made this dishcloth pattern before. However, this one is on smaller needles. Hopefully it turns out well!


Upcoming project – fingerless mittens

This is my challenging project for the month – fingerless mittens. Thus far, I have only knitted flat items: a scarf, a partial shawl, and several washclothes/dishclothes. The mittens will stretch my knitting to a new level and I’m excited to try!

I only know three knitters “in real life,” but two live in Michigan and one in California. I would love to meet other knitters online! Want to connect with me on Ravelry?

Ravelry

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My first attempts at gardening

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Until now, I’ve never recevied a housewarming gift. What a wonderful surprise! My brother and his sweet wife sent us a wonderful gift, one that we were very excited to receive.


Pizza in a bag!

The bag on the left is basil, followed by cherry tomatoes in the center, and oregano on the right. When these sprout, I can make homemade pizza with herbs and tomatoes grown on my own counter.

I can’t believe that a tomato plant grows from just these tiny seeds!

The instructions state that the bags are to be covered in plastic wrap. I don’t have any plastic wrap so I had to improvise; I cut up a produce bag and used that instead!

In 7-10 days, I should see the beginnings of life. I am very excited about container and patio gardening and these bags represent the first tiny sprouts of that new venture. Our very own home grown produce. I can’t wait!

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The tired homemaker

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I am a tired homemaker. A very tired homemaker. Our air mattress has deteriorated to the point of needing to be inflated every 3-4 hours. A week of constantly interrupted sleep has worn me out.

We are trying to remember why we are doing this – to save and pay CASH for a new mattress. No financing. No debt. No interest. We can do it. It’ll only be several more weeks.

In the meantime, I thought this verse was appropriate for my memorization this week:

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety
Psalm 4:8.

Ah, blessed, blessed sleep.

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In search of some Vitamin D

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I am a homebody. I enjoy being at home with my husband, my cats, my library books, and my computer. Phoenix has a way of turning an outdoorsy person into a homebody with extremely long 115 degree summers.

Moss bordered shawl
Seattle, on the other hand, has been enticing me outside. I want to drive to the nearby mountains and hike. I want to explore our local neighborhood, finding all of the unique shops and enticing food. I want to enjoy the beautiful 75 degree days.

Shawl in progress
Part of my quest to be healthier involves vitamin D. You would think that living in Arizona would ensure that I got plenty of exposure to the sun. Those stifling hot days actually ensured that I only ventured from the house two or three times a week and spent as little time as possible outside.

Now, however, I have the opportunity to soak up some rays from my patio. The last few mornings, I’ve been setting the timer for 10 minutes and sitting outside. I try to expose as much skin as possible without displaying immodesty to our neighbors. It feels so good!

I love sitting outside and knitting. It’s so peaceful and one of the highlights of my day.

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What’s On My Nightstand

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What's On Your Nightstand
I’ve been out of town and away from libraries for so long that I haven’t been reading that much. I did read a couple books from my personal bookshelves, a difference from my normal insistence on reading borrowed books. Last week we were finally able to sign up for our new library cards and I brought way too many books home. Such is the life!

Here’s what I have managed to read in the past month or so. Links are to my reviews on Goodreads.

Bible

  •  Acts  
  •  Romans    

Christian Fiction

  • Promise Me This
    by Cathy Gohlke – 4 stars. Fantastic book! Highly recommended.

Christian Nonfiction

Secular Fiction

Currently Reading

  • A Lucky Child: A Memoir of Surviving Auschwitz as a Young Boy by Thomas Buergenthal
  • Sacred Influence: How God Uses Wives to Shape the Souls of Their Husbands by Gary Thomas

Happy reading!

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The monster in the corner

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I am optimistic.

Jeff thinks I am crazy.

Why?

Meet the only piece of furniture in our house:

I have high hopes that our kitties will learn to use and abuse this cat tree before we buy new furniture. In Phoenix, our furniture was ratty because the cats used it as a scratching post. My hopes are that they will leave the (future) new furniture alone!

Both cats are still getting used to the monster in the corner. Both have approached it, sniffed the bottom level, and then walked off. Once the newness wears off, they will hopefully enjoy their newfound ability to stare out the window!