My Busy Day

Its been a busy day here. Kyle, Noelle, and I rode our bikes to a couple yard sales. I found a basically brand new coffee thermos carafe for $2, a little vase for all the flowers Noelle is always picking for me (she's such a sweetie), and some trims for crazy quilting. We got home from doing that and I decided to clear off the deck and sweep it. Got interrupted before cleaning the deck furniture to walk Noelle to the Y for homeschool gym (got over there and found out it had been canceled), went to the dollar store for a few things, then to Save-A-Lot for some more things, then walked home. Found out I needed to make a real grocery shopping trip in the van, so I made a list and off I went. I also bought some Impatiens to plant in a planters on the deck. The kids put the groceries away while I went and finally got the deck furniture hosed down and scrubbed. Came back in and made dinner. Ate, went back outside to put the cushions on the furniture while the kids cleaned up from dinner, then Kyle came outside and helped me haul all the furniture back up onto the deck. Planted my flowers, talked to the neighbors for a few minutes, then came inside and got on the computer. You know what? I'm tired.

On another note -- Kirk's mom called this morning and was talking to the machine, waiting for me to pick up. She wanted to do something special for his 50th birthday. Well, Kirk came home very early from work (not feeling well) and sitting on the computer, heard her message. I started laughing as I picked up the phone and informed her he had heard the whole thing. He said something to the effect of, "Over my dead body." Lol. Kevin's (Kirk's brother) girlfriend surprised him with a 50th birthday party last year and I was told that I better not do something similar.

More About CQing

Here's an update on my CQ square.
I still have a lot more embellishing to do.

The day before Mother's Day I bought a bunch of different colored costume satins out of the bargain bin at Walmart (Who can pass up $2/yard?) and some trims.

Another great resource for fabrics and trims are yard sales. Especially little girl dresses. I found this one on Friday for $1 I have accumulated a lot of buttons, threads, fabrics, trims, batting, needles, ribbons, beads, etc. over the years this way.

Another weekend...

Friday -- walked around town going to yard sales, payed bills, perused some stores, road our bikes to the library, walked to the store for a rotisserie chicken and some Italian bread for dinner, watched The Andy Griffith Show on DVD from Netflix

Saturday -- did laundry, dishes, played on the internet, worked on my CQ square, found some cross stitch projects I started years ago and did some work on one (the bee sampler to go on a pillow for Noelle), made a pasta salad for dinner, Kirk and Noelle went to Walmart for a giant sub for dinner and to get Noelle some shorts, watched The Andy Griffith Show on DVD (another one)

Sunday -- Kirk had to work today, kids and I went to church without him, I had power point today and recorded the sermon from our guest speaker Ed Black (a missionary to Croatia), took Noelle to Walmart to exchange her shorts (dad let her buy a size too small), got home and did dishes, walked to the store, made coleslaw and chicken drumsticks for dinner, did dishes, relaxed for a while, then wrote on this blog :)

Off to bed now, night all!

Concerts in the Park

Concerts in the Park starting up June 1

By Tom Boyle
Monday, May 11, 2009 10:58 PM CDT

With summer just around the corner, you can almost hear the sound of a band playing in Scheide Park in Titusville.

The Titusville Council on the Arts has released the schedule for one of the most well-attended events in the city -- the Titusville Summer Concerts in the Park series.

The 26-year-old program is a staple for family summer entertainment each year.

The concerts take place each Monday evening in June, July and August from 7 to 9:00 in Scheide Park. In addition, the Titusville Lions Club is present each week to provide food sales.

“Our program committee sat down and considered the acts we used last year,” said Penny Gustavson, executive director of the Titusville Council on the Arts. “We took attendance each week and considered the interest shown by residents.

“Every year the schedule changes, because we try to bring in new bands,” Gustavson said. “We put out the word early. Bands that want to play here during the summer must contact us by mid-January.”

Part of the process used by committee members to choose the musical acts is to listen to CDs forwarded to the arts council.

Gustavson said that last year's two most popular bands are returning: country band “Ghost Riders” (June 22) and 50s, 60s and 70s crooners “Top Cats” (July 27).

“People begged us to bring in a 50s and 60s band,” Gustavson said of “Top Cats,” who definitely filled the bill.

Another group that Titusville folks turn out for in big numbers is the polka band “Gerkmania.” Gustavson said that although these music makers are unable to perform on Monday due to work commitments, she will try to bring them in on another evening to perform.

“They are well-liked in this area,” she said. “We will try to work them in.”

Two newcomers to the Scheide Park stage are bluegrass band “Grass Fire” (June 8) and country rock's “Divided Highway” (July 6).

“[Divided Highway] is a very popular area band [that] we have not had the privilege of presenting before,” Gustavson said. “We are excited about being able to have them.”

Residents are encouraged to attend with a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the music each week. Families are encouraged to bring children of all ages.

In the event of rain, the concerts will be moved to Titusville High School. If Colestock Auditorium is not available, the show will go on in either the gymnasium or cafeteria.

The concerts are made possible through the generosity of several area civic groups and charitable organizations.

In addition to the concert series, the council will also be busy with Oil 150 Celebration activities.

Along with the tribute to Hank Williams scheduled for Aug. 18, Gustavson said there are a lot of other things planned by the arts council for Oil 150, pending the receipt of funding through grants.

Ethnic Day has been set for Aug. 20. The theme this year is the Seneca Indians.

“We are going back to the original collectors of oil,” Gustavson noted.

The Titusville Council on the Arts Summer Concerts in the Park schedule for 2009 is listed as follows:

June

June 1 - The Necessary Experience (rock)

June 8 - Grass Fire (bluegrass)

June 15 - Forsyth Special (Irish)

June 22 - Ghost Riders (country rock)

June 29 - Bill Beggs Big Band (big band)

July

July 6 - Divided Highway (mix)

July 13 - Loose Change Band (country)

July 20 - Newman (modern)

July 27 - Top Cats (50s, 60s and 70s)

August

Aug. 3 - Carl Olson -- An Instrumental Journey (pop)

Aug. 10 - CATRO (jazz)

Aug. 17 - Banjo Jammers

Oil Festival Special

Aug. 18 - A Tribute to Hank Williams






Posting this here so I don't have to go looking for it later on :)

Thinking Ahead

Rambling Post

Noelle took my camera outside yesterday to practice her photography. This was the best one. Its one of my double tulips. And I made home made salsa last night for today. I usually put black beans and corn in but decided not to this time. Still yummy (if I do say so myself :)
I use the food processor to make mine less chunky and also cheat by using jarred jalapenos and dried cilantro.

Poem

I've always liked poetry and used to write quite a bit of it when I was a teenager. This poem was brought to my attention on an e-list and I wanted to share it with you.

WHEN I SAY, "I AM A CHRISTIAN"
by Carol Wimmer

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost! That's why I chose this way"

When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble-needing God to be my guide

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge
I have no authority--I only know I'm loved

Copyright 1988 Carol Wimmer

The Weekend

On Friday Kirk and I looked at washing machines (decided against the used one) and bought a Maytag. Here's one of those purchases that I would love to have been American made but those were a couple hundred dollars more than we could afford. Lately, it seems as though everything we own is wearing out.

Noelle and I attended our church's mother/daughter brunch Saturday morning and had a really good time.
After we got home I spent most of the afternoon learning needlework stitches and working on my CQ square. Later in the evening we watched the movie Faith Like Potatoes.


Everyone else went to bed and I stayed up late mixing together the dry ingredients for the scones I was baking in the morning. I promised Ermagene I would make her two dozen and planned on giving the rest for cafe.

Breakfast Scones

2 cups unbleached white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon powdered cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup sour milk

Mix dry ingredients together well. Cut in butter. Add milk. Kneed dough on a floured surface a couple times then form into a log and cut in half. Pat each half of dough into an 8 inch circle and cut into 8 wedges. Separate wedges and place on a cookie sheet. Bake in a pre-heated, 400 degree oven for about 12 minutes. Makes 16 scones.

Kirk stayed home sick from church so the kids and I went without him. The rest of the day everyone lazed around and I practiced more stitches for my CQ. Dinner was a simple affair of ham, eggs, and waffles. Kyle got invited to go listen to Eric Hovind speak at a nearby high school and even spoke with him personally afterwards. He got home about 9:50 p.m. and really enjoyed himself.