Christian Photographers Community

Hi everyone.  We enjoyed a nice soaking rain last evening.  There were storm warnings out in various parts of the state but haven't heard any reports of damage more than a tree down.  Today is suppose to be partly cloudy.  We had a good choir practice last evening as we worked on our Christmas Cantata.  Our director has been with us for over 10 years and this is about the only time she ever asked us to stay a few minutes longer so we could complete singing all the way through the Cantata.  Now we will be polishing it for performance in the next two weeks and the final Saturday rehearsal.  Today the main activity is to drive to Atlanta and pick up Stacey so she can be with us for Thanksgiving.  I plan on taking her back home on Friday morning.  I will also see what I can do to help Pat in her preparations for tomorrow.

Marilyn, my wife sometimes makes banana break but hasn't for a long time as I keep eating the bananas before they are ready to be made into bread.  Hope you get the bread machine as expect you would use it.  We have one but it seldom gets used as Pat isn't up to doing much baking.  She is already suffering with her knee from the couple of things as has prepared in advance for tomorrow's dinner and know by the time it is over she will be exhausted. 

Ruth Ann, a number of months ago I met a young man at Dunkin' Donut who was in the ministry with Christian athletes and worked only in one of the high schools.  I was really shocked that the schools still allow this type of thing.  I told him that I really admired what he was doing.

No, no, Marilyn!  You have to bring it to me in person and then we can sit down and share it with a cup of tea or coffee!  And lots of talk, talk, talk!   

Sounds good to me Jeanne.

I put up my little Christmas tree today after vacuuming the living and family rooms. Busy busy, as usual.
We still have to make a trip to Walmart to get a few last minute things that Keith wants, I thought I had everything but I forgot the cranberries.

Cranberries are on sale at Aldi's this week, so I'll be going there Friday to stock my freezer.

Well, not a lot of news - I may try to return later today.

God bless you all,
Ruth Ann

Last evening I turned on the local news on TV.  First thing I saw was Charlene's, my DIL, mother, Charlotte.  Charlotte went to Kohl's Monday.  She got out of the car and before she got in the building, she was mugged.  A young man knocked her down, kicked her in her ribs, hit her in the face, broke her glasses, stole her purse and ran away to a waiting vehicle.  A man chased the thief but couldn't catch him.  Two ladies helped Charlotte and called 9-1-1.  Seems before she got her credit cards called, the thief had already went to The Finish Line and Best Buy and charged over $1000 on her credit card...then threw her purse in the bushes.  I don't know if anything was missing other than $50 cash or not!  On TV Charlotte was telling how she was carrying her purse but when the guy knocked her down, she stopped her fall with her hands and the purse flew off.  So then the police were telling people how to protect themselves during this season of shopping. 

Charlene sent me a picture of her Mom with her black eye.  She has implants but the eye doctor said her eye is okay.  What a mess! 

Today I have been to Ivalou's to help her clean her house for tomorrow.  I used the feather duster and dusted everything.  I don't know why.  You couldn't have written your name or date in the dust before hand.  But it is done.  Mom always said it was okay to write your name in the dust but don't date it because then she would know how long it was since she dusted.  Mom was a jokester!  She kept a nice house!

I would love to have a bread machine but don't give me one!  I would bake bread every day!  I love hot out of the oven bread!!

Now I am home and ready to find something to eat for a late lunch!

All this talk about bread reminds me to tell you that we are really enjoying good European bread, crusty and chewy!  The chef on this ship is really good, and the food is served so beautifully.  I'm sure we are gaining weight in spite of lots of walking in the cold, brisk air!

Today we visited Marksburg Castle.  It is the only one that was never taken.  Very interesting, as they have the furniture and everything there, including lots of armor and a real torture chamber! Shudder!!  We really enjoyed it, but Darrel says it sure took away his desire to live in a castle!     This afternoon we sailed down the stretch of the Rhine River where so many castles are located.  I sat up on deck, outdoors, with friends until it got too dark to see.  And the temp is in the 40s and very damp.  But I borrowed Darrel's coat (warmer than mine!) and took a heavy blanket to sit on and wrap around my legs.  Wonderful day!!  Our beautiful trip is drawing to a close and soon we will be heading back home.  I wonder if my new kitchen will be done?  I must admit, I  haven't been thinking about that very much!

And.....today was the first day we have had internet connection for a couple days, and I got some cover design ideas from the cover designer!!  Both are good, now I must pray and decide which to choose and suggest small changes if I want.  Exciting!!  Several people have heard me mention writing a book and are full of questions, and several hav e already given me their emails to send them a book---some have even paid me, and I don't yet know the price!  They added quite a generous amount for the shipping, too!  So that is encouraging!

Sorry I didn't address each of you, I have read your interesting posts and love you all, but time is limited before we get too far from a tower to have service.  And I am chilled and want to take a hot shower and go to bed.  Another fun and exciting day tomorrow!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Hi, friends, just checking in for a moment as I'm heading out again.

Today's been a good day and all is well right now.

Love to everyone,
Ruth Ann

Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving

   Well from Canada.   Want to say a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all that read this post and hope you all have a wonderful day.  Don't eat to much stuffing and turkey.

Janet:  It sounds like you have had a wonderful holiday and I hope that you enjoy the last few days and may the Lord give you a safe trip home.

Larry;  It is so nice that you are able to bring up your daughter for thanksgiving I do hope that she enjoys herself.  How is your son doing I hope that he is getting stronger.   Have a great day and the Lords blessing upon you and Pat.

May the Lord be with all the rest of C.P. ERS and have a wonderful thanksgiving.

                             Gordon and Noreen

I saw a message on a church sign that really made me think:

There are 86,400 seconds in a day. Take a second to be thankful today.

Love y'all,
Ruth Ann

I am taking a moment to thank God for life, health, strength, family, friends, love, and most of all for Jesus who died that I might live.

Blessings to each of you on this most neglected of American holidays.  May we all come to realize how important Thanks Giving really is.....and do more of it!

We just docked in Speyer and are getting ready for a walk around the town with our program director Johannes.  We call him, jokingly and lovingly....Yo Highness!  He's a great young fellow with a terrific sense of humor.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE.  I feel so grateful that God has blessed my family in so many ways and brings us through the trials that life sometimes offers us. 

The preparations for our big day are underway (and have been for a couple of days).  In about 30 minutes or so I will leave to pick up the smoked turkey from the caterer. I think we are using buffet style dining as it seems to be easier for everyone.  Our son called earlier this morning saying they were running a little behind the schedule they had set for themselves but will be on the road shortly.  They have a 90 to 120 minute drive to get here from North Augusta, SC.  They will be driving back later this afternoon.

Earlier this week someone gave me a little bag of goodies and on it was attached an explanation for each of the items in the bag.  I thought it was very nice and wanted to share it with all of my friends this Thanksgiving Day.

Blessing Mix

BUGLES are a symbol of the Cornucopia, a horn of plenty.
PRETZELS represent arms folded in prayer.
CANDY CORN reminds us that during the first winter, the pilgrims were allowed only five kernels of corn per day because food was so scarce.
PEANUTS represent seeds, the potential of the bounteous harvest for the next season if they are planted and well-tended.
FRUIT is a reminder that Thanksgiving is the celebration of the harvest and the sweetness of God's love for us.

Etta Sue, what a terrible thing to have happen anytime of the year but especially at Thanksgiving.  Glad to hear the ladies eyes were not damaged as the black eye will go away but the fear will probably remain with her the rest of her life.  I guess we are vulnerable all of the time and don't realize it.

Janet, they sure know how to make bread.  I love good crusty bread.  It is interesting that when we are away and can't see the problems we worry so little about them.  The Serenity Prayer is so appropriate to every situation.

Gord, our son has gone back to work and is feeling much better.  We will be seeing him sometime this morning.

Of all things to happen, Ivalou's fridge died!  Jo, her daughter, got here and started to put something in the freezer.  She noticed black on the inside on everything.  Everything was still froze but it was thawing.  So they took everything to Kaye Don and Barb's house since they aren't home and their freezer was about empty. 

Then Kara was in the kitchen and said, 'uh, this refrigerator is making a funny noise'.  So it seemed the motor was making a grinding noise.  So Jo unplugged the fridge and off again to Kaye Don's to put everything in their fridge! 

Ivalou called and asked if I could bring ice.  I thought she meant today.  But pretty soon, my doorbell rang and it was Jo with a container to put some ice in!  Dumb me!  They were having pizza and needed ice for tea last night!  But I will take ice today, too!

They had already called Lowe's to see if they could have a fridge delivered last night but NO!  So Jo said they may be out tonight at midnight to purchase a refrigerator so it can be delivered tomorrow before Jo goes back home! 

This bad refrigerator is less than 10 years old...she got it since I moved up here.  And she had a hard time finding one this short so it would fit under her cabinets!  Pray that she finds a fridge that fits!

It is gloomy out today in Indiana.  No rain but no sunshine either. 

Must get busy so I can start my macaroni and cheese soon! 

My goodness, I'm really remiss in adding my thanksgivings today. Most of all, I'm thankful for God's love and mercy, and for the privilege of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ who died for me.

Nexyt comes family and friends, and not too far behind is health and home and water and food and ... oh, so many more!

May God's love reach out, overshadowing us when trials and temptations beat upon our heads like the burning sun at noontime, and for the warmth He provides through His loving Comforter, the Holy Spirit.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Today and every day I am thankful for my Salvation, for the forgiveness of my sins and for Jesus laying down his life for me. I am also thankful for my family, for Keith  and my life here in Oregon. I am very thankful that I am  in contact with two more of my sons and will be visiting one of them next summer when I take my train trip to Stockton California.

Hi everyone.  Am sitting here watching Jeopardy so thought I would catch up on the Discussion.  We had a very nice day with the kids.  Our son and DIL were here about 3 hours and we enjoyed a nice lunch and a lot of visiting.  They had to leave around 3 pm as they wanted to get home before dark.  Our daughter is spending another night.  As soon as they left everyone laid down and both Pat and I took a nice nap as were pretty exhausted.  In the morning I will take Stacey back to her apartment after I get back from coffee. 

Etta Sue, what a terrible time for a refrigerator to fail.  It was fortunate that there was a nearby refrigerator that could be put to use until Ivalou can get a new one. 

Ruth Ann, that was a very nice message you posted. 

Marilyn, I am happy for you in being able to reestablish a relationship with two more of your sons.  That is indeed something to be very thankful for today and everyday.

   It is late but I just wanted to share that Last night that was Wednesday I went to our small group and it was great to see two new people out andthat they want to meet others that go to our church and to share.

Then I had to leave early to go where at least 50 to 65 or more ladies were playing cribbage and had collected food for the mission that I volunteer at.  I was introduced by there chairman and asked to give a short word about the mission so this was an opportunity  to witness for the Lord and also invite them to be volunteers also.  It always amazes me how the Lord gives us these times to witness for him.

May the Lord speak to the ladies that they are needed to things like this.  I do hope that you all had a wonderful thanksgiving and are all fed up.  God bless and have a great day today.    Good night or good morning.   Gordon and Noreen

Just a quick note to say that this morning we woke up in France!  Strasbourg, to be exact.  I just got back to the ship from a walking tour and canal tour on a covered boat, as it is very cold here.

And it is lunch time, so must run.  More later!

I am thankful for God in my life.  I am thankful for family and friends...even friends who wake up in France.  I am thankful for our health and for the foods we eat.   I am thankful for our homes, our cars and all of our possessions.  I am thankful for our safe travels away from home and for our monies for our needs and some wants.  I am thankful for our pets.  I am thankful for all our churches.  I am too blessed.  I don't deserve it.  God is good. 

Today promises to be a beautiful day.  The sun is coming up bright showing long shadows in my yard.  I imagine Ivalou, Jo and Adrian will be going to find a new refrigerator.  I plan to go to the pool, go to some drug stores to see if they have eye liner pencils that Lapel doesn't carry anymore and stop at the hospital to see if a classmate is still there.  And maybe stop somewhere for a bite to eat before coming home. 

Last night was one of 'those' nights, so I feel a nap coming on! 

We had a thankful Thanksgiving meal and weather was so perfect that we moved the feast outdoors.  Not a bit of wind either.  3/4 of the of family met with the oldest son & family in Texas & they will visit with two of our nieces (his cousins) tonight & drive back tomorrow.  I found out (after many years) that our SIL doesn't care for the celery in the dressing I make so I made a special side for him sans celery and forgot to put that in the oven. 

Betty:  It really is a small world. 
Larry:  Pecans are about $11 per # here and I am using walnuts - no pecan pie this year.  Enjoy your visit with your son!
Ruth:  Friends like you have are so special. 
Etta Sue:  Instant coffee is a last resort and it is better than years ago.
Gord:  Pancreatic cancer is still bad.  Don's mother died at age 49 after less than a year.  Sad to say, I did not meet his parents.  My sympathy to you losing your friend.  One cousin used to go to Promise Keepers but I sure have not heard much lately.  It was huge in Colorado once.
Marilyn:  Try looking at thrift stores for a good brand machine - you have to use a recipe just for the machine.
Janet:  We like Strausborg and wish we had booked more than one day. 

Don may go and buy an eReader today as he sent back the one that does not work with library books.  I am going to set up some dish towels so they can be embroidered - this is something I can carry easily around and stitch.  Need to buy some stronger reading glasses too. 

Carol is west bend a good brand  Some one is giving me on they don't want anymore

Marilyn, make sure you get the recipe book that goes with that West Bend machine.  It will explain the method of adding ingredients and the various choices for bread and crust type, as well as some specific recipes.  Once you learn the proper method you can often adapt other bread types.

Marilyn:  West Bend should be a decent brand.  Look at the capacity first and foremost, you can look up on the internet for the model number & brand & that should tell you specifics.  The internet is filled with bread recipes - remember to have things at room temperature or nearly when you begin - I mean water, or milk & eggs for sure.  Use bread flour instead of regular flour unless they say reg. flour.  Put ingredients in order of mfg. - mine are all the liquids first and then the flour & last the yeast.  You will do fine.

We are waiting for a neighbor to come & have her phone set up.  She forgot to stop the day before Thanksgiving & we waited until we finally had to leave to beat traffic.  She is under a lot of stress these days. 

Thank you Jeanne and carol. I wasn't sure about the  room temperature for everything, I kinda figured the  yeast and liquids. She has the original book that came with the machine I made sure of that before I accepted that she would be giving me the machine. I knew about putting things in the correct order, I have a Breadman book and have been checking that out to see how those were made.

This afternoon I had a lovely trip to the Black Forest, and had black forest cake at a mountain top resort hotel...YUM!  I am going to have to really cut down on the eating when I get home!!

For dinner tonight we had roast duck!  And it was good.  Of course, every lunch and dinner they serve very fancy desserts, they look so pretty you don't want to resist them!

And it's time for the evening entertainment, so must run again........

Hi, friends,

It's great to hear from each one of you. And may our Lord send His blessings individually to those who read and don't post as well as to those who come regularly.

Today's a really quiet day for me. I may be catching the sniffles - lots of sneezing today.

So, here's lots of love and care and prayers for each of you.

Ruth Ann

   Good evening to all.  Today has been a steady day as we went for a doctors app. then to go to my daughters to look after the grand kids as she is getting close to her last big exam for her B.A. and we are so pleased that she has finally got this far as with two kids it is very hard. Then I went home and the young man from my church that helps me around the house came and helped me finish doing the Christmas lights  then started to get the garage cleaned up so that I can get my van in for the winter.   Then we brought in the Christmas tree and got it together and got most all of the lights working.  It is so wonderful to have a young man so willing to help and that he loves the Lord.. 

Etta Sue:  Thanks for what you put in your post and I almost gave you a call to say how much that I appreciated it.   May the Lord richly bless you.

Carol:  Thanks for your encouragement  and I am so sad to here that you do not here about Promise Keepers as we had such a wonderful experience last week and to see 400 men come forward at the invitation what a thrill.

Pat and Paul :   Where are you we miss you both stop hiding we need to here from you both Love ya SIS.

Well must go for now God's richest blessings and have a wonderful weekend.      Gordon and Noreen

Today has been a "stupid" evening for me.,  I left home and realized Kassie didn't have her Cadet Toque.  Turned around only to realize I left the house key on the hook by the door! 

I picked up Kassie and she wanted to drive.  When we got to our destination, downtown North Bay, I asked for the keys and put them safely in the pocket of the lovely coat Pat gave me.  I reached over and locked the drivers door, rear left passenger door, got out and locked both right hand doors.  As I slammed the back door I thought "Now the keys are in my pocket right."  I felt for them and they were gone.  Two hours later, after 3 people tried to unlock the door with a coat hanger, a friend of Heather's came and in 10 second was in the car.  Why didn't I call for him first?  Two hours and 20 dollars later, all plans changed and we headed home.

Oh well had a good visit with some of the cadets Kass is involved with and that was nice!

Hello, everyone. 
Marilyn, I hope you enjoy the bread machine, and find a good recipe or two that you like.
I recently got one of the new mini machines, it makes a 1# loaf.  My old one was larger and was 25 years old, it still worked but I wanted a small machine now.  I was going to give my old one away on Free Cycle, but the lady who wanted it never would come to get it so I gave it to my step-daughter when she came to visit recently, from Dallas. 

I use all purpose flour for all recipes, and it works fine for me.  My favorite recipe is for the Rapid Rise yeast, and is to be used on the Fast Baking cycle. It is so tasty!  A little like sour dough bread.  I never did use the Rapid cycle on the old Zojirushi machine.  I got another Zo because I like it that much. 

I notice that some of you have been having coffee maker troubles.  With us it is toasters.  They just do not last very long at all.  Oh well, at least it is not the refrigerator.  I hope Ivalou was able to find one short enough.  Her old one sure did not last very long.  Ours is getting old now, but it still runs fine.  Our upright freezer is really old.  I still have the sales receipt -don't ask why, I don't know why! :-)  Anyway, we bought it April 29, 1959.  That must be some sort of a record, it still runs like new.   

Earl is weaker.  Sometimes I have to help him get out of bed, or out of a chair.  It is like lifting a dead weight, really hard to do.  I think I strained my right knee replacement about a week ago, lifting him.  It has been giving me a lot of pain since then.  Not constant, but still there.  I should have called for help from Hospice care but it was near midnight and I hated to do that so late.  He is usually in bed asleep before then but he stayed up late that night.  I always stay up late, it is almost 12:30 now.  I can't sleep all night, so I would rather sleep the second half.
The replacement is almost 17 years old, and they do not last forever.  I heard that the average is 15 years.  Actually this is my second replacement on that knee, the first one was only 13 months old, but I got a bad job that time.  I went to Lubbock for the second surgery.  Actually third surgery, I had arthroscopic surgery 3 months before the first replacement.  My other knee is still good, thank the Lord!
 

Good night all.
Blessings,  Janice

Hi everyone.  It looks like we will have one more nice day before the weather turns much colder and we get the possibility of a few snow flurries tomorrow and rain as well.  We sure had nice weather for Thanksgiving.  Other than to take Stacey home yesterday, which took all morning as I spend sometime working on her computer, which is running slower than molasses and still needing a lot more work, it was a quiet day.  I will bring her computer out in a couple of weeks and see what I can do to restore the Windows 7 files and speed it up where it should be.  Today is the normal Saturday.  I will be watching a lot of football this afternoon and evening.

Gord, your mission work sounds very rewarding.  You are involved in so many interesting things.

Janet, the cold weather will have you prepared for the weather when you get home.  Hope you are getting a lot of pictures of those desserts and also of the places you are visiting. 

Carol, the Promise Keepers organization seems to have fallen off the map.  I haven't heard anything about it either for a long time.

Judy, one word comes to mind after reading of your experience:  FRUSTRATION.  Glad you finally got into the car.

Janice, I certainly hope you don't wreck your own health in trying to care for Earl.  Please ask for the help when you need it.