Back-Blogged...and New Beginnings

It's not that I have not thought about this space, in fact, I have given a lot of thought about my little cyber-journal.

Where do I start back up again? 

Among other things, one of my New Year's Resolutions was to start journaling here once more.  Since I started an IG account, It had been much easier to keep that as my journal.  Sadly, I have been neglecting this space.

Let's just begin.  I thought I would share a few images of what has been going on lately...

Project, and more projects!

Taking down wallpaper (from the original owners) is not fun.  Before and after pictures, are fun.  However, we are currently in the 'middle phase' of this project...I will be sure and share the after pictures when all is complete.

Horrible lighting, Wonderful freshly painted room.

I am making headway on my painting projects.

Speaking of projects...

Little Lamb has been busy working on several badges and awards for AHG.

Serving the community is something that we feel called to do. 

This was our third year, as a family, to chair an event for our Diocese...

I will end this entry with a daily prayer from the Order...

"...Be it mine to practice charity towards my neighbors

Especially the poor and sick

Give me the strength I need

To carry out this my resolve

Forgetful of myself

Learning ever from Thy Holy Gospel

A spirit of deep and generous Christian devotion

Striving ever to promote God's Glory..."

~ excerpt from the Prayer of the Order of Malta

~ Valerie

Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real: May 2016

Pentecost Bouquet in the Month of May

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~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Style, Eighteen, Pine Wood Derby, Home School

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for some pretty, happy, funny and real times...

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

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Home School Style

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Happy 239th Birthday America!

"GOD BLESS AMERICA,

LAND THAT I LOVE,

STAND BESIDE HER

AND GUIDE HER

THRU THE NIGHT

WITH A LIGHT 

FROM ABOVE"

~ Irving Berlin, 1918

Have a safe and blessed 4th of July

AHG, Life

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~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

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I thought the sky above the dorms looked pretty amazing.  Conductor is traveling through New York, D.C. and then onto Virginia to check out colleges.  He will spend the week experiencing the summer program at Christendom College.  The Summer Program allows participants to take classes, meet the faculty and staff and experience a lot of fun activities while meeting new friends.  Pretty good.

Sutter's Fort & Pioneers

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for some pretty, happy, funny and real family fun!

We have just completed two badges for American Heritage Girls:

The Cooking Badge (for another post) and an Our Heritage Badge through Sutter's Fort.

Sutter's Fort State Historic Park is located in Sacramento.  The girls (and parents) had fun learning about life as a pioneer in the 1800s.  It was a very fun and educational day, as we love to learn about our California history.

Everyone dressed the part...well, almost everyone.  I bailed out on my pioneer-wear at the very last minute.  Not that I did not want to participate, I just looked, well,...all wrong.  :o)  I felt like a party pooper, but it was much less uncomfortable for me.  :oP

There was about 70 girls from AHG joining us.  Our troop was one of four AHG troops.  It was fun to spend the morning with troop friends and to meet new friends!

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Games of pioneer-times

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The Kitchen station, I thought, was the most interesting.  Although, all five stations were excellent!

The pretty ornate block is actually tea that would last for years and years and years!

Mother/Daughter lunch & shops at Old Town Sacramento, O'Sacramento St. Patrick's Parade & Old Schoolhouse

The above picture was not taken at Sutter's Fort, but at Old Town Sacramento (another national historic landmark).  I had forgotten about the O'Sacramento St. Patrick's Parade, while thinking I could treat my Little Lamb to a fun and historic lunch.  It was the perfect afternoon.
We visited the Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum - very nice!  The ladies were excited to see her dressed in her pioneer costume (thinking she was a participant in the parade).
And I (almost) never leave without visiting my favorite chocolate store for a treat of a caramel apple.  The absolute best!

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I love the School Curriculum and  The Five Virtures

The Doll in glass case is the original doll belonging to Patty Reed

While browsing through Sutter's Fort Trade Store, I purchased the book Patty Reed's Doll - The Story of the Donner Party.  A group of pioneers were stranded by very heavy snow in the winter of 1846 while traveling from Illinois to California...many perished, an eight year old girl, Patty, survived.  The story is told/seen through the eyes of Patty's doll and the hardship and struggles they endured.  Little Lamb and I will read the book together and discuss the other historic and mortal dangers that occurred.  Real.

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Let it snow, Snow, SNOW!

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Our AHG Explorers group had planned a SNOW TRIP many months ago.  We have been experiencing a drought, with very little snow in the mountains this Winter...

So we prayed.  

When we drove up to Tahoe on Friday...it was beautiful.  But, there was NO SNOW.  We had packed our snow bibs, gloves, snow boots and HOPES of tobogganing.

Living in California, is living in the desert.  But living through a very long dry spell, is serious business.  
After several years of drought, we are parched.  PARCHED. 
So, any sign of precipitation is reason to jump for joy and thanksgiving!!!

The soft flakes from heaven were oh so pretty!

The girls were squealing and dancing and laughing in the falling flakes...

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Just as we unpacked our last bag...it began to snow.  And snow....and snow.
Records say it was 10 inches.  It certainly was at least 7 inches.  And most definitely it was enough snow to play and toboggan and build a snow castle. 

We had no snow, but we had hope...

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A lot of snow, snow, snow...a lot of fun, fun, fun!

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Organizing my pantry:  What began as a small project...turned into a complete overhaul.  I worked on simplifying my storage system, rearranging the existing storage space to have more functionality, eliminating waste, and most importantly...cleanliness!

This "shoe rack" makes PERFECT shelves, for my pantry.  The shelves are set at the perfect height for canned goods, paper products, boxed goods.  It fit in my pantry's dead space PERFECTLY!  I had purchased a similar shoe rack for my family room.  Once the rack was assembled, I knew the shelves would fit nicely in my pantry...and sure enough, they worked.

I found that my empty glass milk bottles are perfect for storing and pouring flour, sugar, popcorn, etc...

I love using baskets, containers, and various jars to store my spices or any opened containers or packages (pasta, legumes, rice, nuts, chocolate chips...).

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AHG: My Style

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We have been busy working away at several badges during our weekly meetings.  Most recently, the girls have achieved the My Style badge.  The girls had a lot of fun while learning about modesty, accessorizing, fashion through the ages, patterns & making garments, caring for clothing, study biblical verses about how a woman should dress and present herself...there are so many unique looks & styles!

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FASHIONS THROUGH THE AGES 

SHOES:  Church vs Park

ACCESSORIES:  Scarves

One of our group leaders did a tremendous job leading the two meetings on My Style.  The girls were able to achieve their My Style badges!  Yay!!  

Mrs. L asked if I would give a demonstration on scarf tying.  I decided to focus on six basic styles:  The Classic Drape, The Bunny Ears, The Infinity, The Toss, The European Loop, and The Wrap.  This would give them a chance to really master the technique of tying a particular scarf and go from there.  

Practicing tying scarves, despite my crude drawings/examples

I also covered how to store scarves properly; whether hanging or boxing them, there really is a proper way to store scarves.
I hang a lot of my scarves on a scarf holder/hanger, similar to this one:

credit

But I really find it helpful to keep the scarves rolled in a box and stored like this:

Easier storing, viewing, a great space saver, and very accessible.

I have been learning my own fashion tips this new year.  I thought I might be more productive if I Dressed for Success, rather than sport the usual sweat pants & gym outfit (other than when I really do aim to get in a workout).

I found this incredible over-40s blog on G+ and have really made some changes in my daily attire.  Cyndi gives tips for women over forty on the exterior (fashion, make-up, and healthy living) as well as focusing on the interior; because as we all know, true beauty comes from within.

I followed along on her 31 days of Winter Fashion posts...combining my style with whatever I found in my closet.  I searched through my closet to find similar outfits and was really quite pleased with all the clothes that I was able to use - clothes that have not seen the light of day in years in a long time! I really never knew how many outfits I had "hidden" away!  If you need a bit of inspiration and ensemble ideas, visit Walking in Grace & Beauty.  Here are a few of my takes...(I didn't "model" my outfits because I felt a little ridiculous shy posing..ha-ha...talk about awkward).

Here are a few random picks:

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DIY Infinity Style Scarf

The same scarf styled differently with different sweater - Stripes & Dots can mix

Green Jeans I found at Costco.  Shawl stylish but more importantly - snugly warm.

Well, there you go, my style.

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~ Back-Blogged: AHG, Blue Mass, Birthday, Action...September ~

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LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION...

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The crew looked {pretty} & handsome as they attended a movie premiere gala event.  Our friends' daughter produced, directed & filmed a movie that included several children in our home school & church friend circles.  
It was a super fun afternoon.  Cast members (siblings & parents, too) brought snacks, desserts, drinks to watch the completed film.  The families enjoyed watching the youth laugh and enjoy themselves.  

Movie Premiere

VIPs

The Event included:  The Walk of Fame; Special Movie Premiere; Luncheon with the Stars. 
All the cast dressed to the occasion.
Everyone enjoyed the afternoon.  Good wholesome fun and entertainment.  
Rated G for GREAT! 

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AHG & Trail Life have been bringing many {happy} events and memories.
A lot of badges and service hours have been accomplished through meetings, camping trips and home activities.  Little Lamb even took the initiative to personalize her new tote bag that each girl received to hold their AHG book & projects.  She embroidered the American Heritage Girls initials onto her bag.

American Heritage Girls

Conductor has turned SEVENTEEN.  Wow.  TEMPUS FUGIT.  

He requested his favorite side dish with bacon, and this fruit torte.  

Happy 17th!!!!!!!!!

We are so proud of you, son, and 

WE LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!

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Fresh eggs

After a good wash, I lined up the eggs in a safe spot so they would not roll away...I love having fresh eggs every morning.  Love it.


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We attended the 2nd Annual Blue Mass at our Cathedral to honor our police, fire fighters and first responders. 

Blue Mass

Eighty years ago, the first Blue Mass took place in  Washington, D.C. at St. Patrick's Church.  Since 1934, the Church has been asking for special blessings for those that work in public safety, protecting and caring for our communities; and to pray for those who have given their lives.
We take time to honor those that gave their lives in the line of duty.  This particular Mass was special in that a family friend, a police officer, was killed in January of this year.  Our bishop mentioned his name during the intentions.

Credit:  SFgate
Funeral Mass of Detective Sergeant T.S.

Bishop Barber celebrated the Mass along with ten chaplains, and three deacons; The mayor, 3 chaplains from the Episcopal church and two from the Baptist church were also in attendance and praying together with the law enforcement officers, firefighters and other first responders.

We pray for those living, especially my brother.  

Please offer up a quick pray for all those that serve and protect us.   

St. Michael, Patron Saint of  Law Enforcement Officers
St. Florian, Patron Saint of Firefighters

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