A Heart That's Full

When I woke up this morning and looked at my blog list, I watched this touching video from NieNie's husband. What a beautiful testimony of faith, love & gratitude.

My heart is full today. At 2:00 we had a funeral service for a dear friend, Lori Schmidt. In just a couple of weeks, December 20th, she would have turned 89 years old. I became close to her after we moved here and I was assigned to be her Visiting Teacher. When the routes were changed and I was assigned new sisters to visit I still kept visiting Lori. I found that our age difference had no barrier. We would joke all the time that our spirits were the same age. She led a fascinating life and overcame many obstacles. We went shopping, out to lunch, and visited in each other's homes. We are both avid animal lovers and enjoyed sharing our pet stories. We laughed and cried over the experiences and trials this earthly life brings. She has touched my heart and I feel blessed to have had her as a friend.

Revelations 21: 1-4
1) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2) And I John saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Our Thanksgiving Day

We did something different, do I dare say... it is totally unheard of! We went out to eat for Thanksgiving Dinner! We went to the Black Eyed Pea. It was fun, delicious and relaxing (especially when we finished eating and left the restaurant). It certainly was enjoyable but I don't think I could do that every year. Here we are sitting outside the restaurant after our meal.

Marci and Mike took the girls home for their nap and we went to an afternoon flick. We saw Australia . It's based on a true story. I thought it was interesting and great entertainment.
Of course, in the evening we had to continue with our ritual of playing "Scum". We got together at Marci & Mike's place, ate pie, visited and then were all slaughtered by Scott at Scum. We've been playing it forever. Now they acutally have a geniune game of it! It looks similar to the one we play, but we just use regular cards.

Thank You Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving!






A challenge from Rhonda Byrne 
(that I happen to love)

Today is Thank You Thursday.

• Today and every Thursday is your day to say and feel "Thank you" in as many ways as you can.
• Write a list of all the people and events you want to give thanks for.
• Return thanks today to those who have done things for you.
• As you walk say "Thank you" in your mind with each step you take.
• As you drive, make each time you stop your cue to say "Thank you."
• At various times in the day, think and feel "Thank you" inside you seven times in a row.
• Look for every opportunity to say "Thank you" to other people, and say it with so much meaning that the person looks right at you.
• Thank your way through every Thursday, and make "Thank you" your predominant thought, feeling, and words of the day
• "Thank you" - two words, inconceivable potential power, and all they need is you to put the power into them by expressing them.

I'm thankful for this day that I get to spend with "part" of my family and I'm looking forward to having the whole gang together at Christmas! We're not having our traditional feast this year. Today I'm thankful that we are going somewhere to eat and I don't have to cook or clean!

What are you thankful for today?

The Benefits of Expressing Gratitude

"People who are grateful have higher levels of positive emotions like love, optimism, joy, enthusiasm,and happiness.

“The practice of gratitude as a discipline protects a person from the destructive impulses of envy, resentment, greed, and bitterness,” Emmons says ... Photo by Michael Whoolly

"that those who are grateful are able to cope better with stress, sleep better, have more energy, and even have more resilience toward illness and have greater physical health."

“Gratitude works because, as a way of perceiving and interpreting life, it recruits other positive emotions—like joy, contentment, and hope—that have direct physical benefits, most likely through the immune system or endocrine system,” Emmons says.

“We have also found that when people experience gratitude, they feel more loving, more forgiving, and closer to God.”

Emmons believes the power of a thank-you note is incredible,

and that there are three main benefits:

1. Expressing emotions magnifies the feeling, so expressing thanks makes our gratitude stronger.

2. Expressing thanks builds and strengthens relationships. He says gratitude is the relationship-building emotion, so not only do we benefit on an individual level, but we create better bonds with others.

3. It humbles us. The natural man has a self-serving bias and the tendency to take sole credit for everything positive.

Just something to think about this week of "Thanksgiving"

The Big Day

Last week Mark and I were able to take a quick trip to St. Augustine to see Mack and Cheryl and attend the meeting where Mack was sworn in as a new County Commissioner to St. John's County. We arrived Monday afternoon in Jacksonville and Mark had some appointments set up to see a couple of his customers. That evening we met Mack and Cheryl at Longhorn Steakhouse for dinner and then went to Mack's place in St. Augustine. Mack and Cheryl Joy He has 3 adorable cats. Claymore, Heat and Raptor(the little guy I'm holding there). Mark Bergeson Miner and Mark Partridge Miner
My Mark has his mother's maiden name for his middle name so we decided to name our Mark that way. He got the nick name Mack when he was about 7.

Afterwards we drove over to see the Administration Building and Mack's new office.


Tuesday morning was The Big Day. It was so wonderful to be there with so many of Mack's other biggest fans.
Commissioner Miner!
(It was really hard to get pictures that morning. The lighting was very low. Thanks Cheryl!)

Yes, I'm Alive !

I'm Back....and Yes, I'm Alive. The trip was short, and sweet and WONDERFUL! I still need to get the pictures and then I'll do a post all about it. Diane, it was definitely a Parent Pay Day!

Tonight is our Home, Family & Personal Enrichment Meeting.

"The Spirit of Thanksgiving,

Preparing our hearts

To celebrate our Savior's birth"

I'm Off

Just wanted to check in really quickly! I really need to hit the sack:( Mark and I are going to Florida in the morning.

I'm really looking forward to having some down time and especially happy that it's with Mark! We are going to visit Mack and will be there on Tuesday when he gets sworn in as St. Johns County Commissioner. I'll tell you all about it when I get back.

Teeny Tiny Birthday Cake

I got this idea from my friend, Donna. She is very clever. If you want to make someone feel special on their birthday, but don't think they want a WHOLE cake, this is the perfect thing!
I've done this for teachers too and they always love it.


When you go to Williams - Sonoma next time, buy some Individual Butter Dishes. I didn't see them on their website but they usually have them in their stores. I did find them online at Crate and Barrel and these were less expensive (unless you have to order them online and pay the shipping). Once I even spotted them at Target! I just try to get some when I see them, so I always have one on hand.

Put a miniature cupcake inside and WaaaLaaa ... the cutest little Birthday Cake ever!
This one is going to a sweet friend today. Now "you can have your cake and eat it too"!

Marvelous Mommy

Do you remember a few months ago Little Addie Girl was featured as The Lil' Peanut of the Month on the website The Lil Peanut Patch.

Marci nominated me for their "Marvelous Mommy" feature which was very kind of her( she's not biased at all). I think I must be the oldest mommy ever submitted to The Patch. Oh well, I'm on there this month. It's the most famous I've ever been. I usually fulfill that aspect of my life by living vicariously through my kids... what can I say, it works for me! Anyway it is a great website dedicated to moms and kids.

Do you know a "Marvelous Mommy" who should be featured a The Lil Peanut Patch? Send them an e-mail with her name and e-mail address.

Thank You Veterans

REMEMBER
It was the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press.
It was the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It was the Veteran, not the lawyer,who has given us the right to fair trial.
It was the Veteran, not the campus organizer,who has given us freedom to demonstrate.
It is the Veteran, who salutes the flag, who served under the flag,

and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag.

Written by Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC

All Gave Some - Some Gave All

When Hope was 8 years old, her Activity Day Leader

did a project with the girls for the Soldiers in Iraq. She had

them make cards and write letters that they would put in a care package.

While the girls were all busy at work, Hope wrote this poem for Mack.

Her Leader submitted it to the local paper and it was published.

So Sweet.

A Poem dedicated to my soldier brother, Mark Miner

by Hope Miner - 12/07/2004

America Wants You

America wants you and loves you a lot.

All the boys like you and the girls think you rock.

Everyone is waiting for the big event

FOR YOU

to come home and be President.

America, America, America wants you

to bring you back home

and make you some stew.

To take care of your needs

and pay the good deeds.

America, America, America wants you.

America wants you because you are bright

America wants you, You're full of delight.

America is ever so proud of you

Because of your bravery and courage true.

American Solider...I LOVE YOU!

This is dedicated to my wonderful brother in IRAQ!

MARK PARTRIDGE MINER

Free Veterans Day Greeting Card - HERE

Scott and Hope made this Poster for McMeans Jr. High

Veteran's Hall of Fame

Honoring their Grandfather, Del Partridge

and Brother, Mark Miner (Mack)

Great Links:
Mack - Mark Miner Military Blog

American Legion National Headquarters

AMVETS National Headquarters

Department of Veterans Affairs

Disabled American Veterans

The Official Moving Wall Website

Military.com

Please take time today to say Thank You!

To find fun ways to celebrate and honor our Veterans

visit Pineapple Hill Blog

Owl Appliques

I finished sewing the appliques on the "owl t-shirts". It really is fun! I did most of the owls with the machine. I embroidered black X's on their eyes and embellished the flowers with embroidery stitches, buttons and beads.

Sorry about these pictures. I took them in the afternoon. I didn't realized they were covered in shadows, and I've already give the shirts to Marci. She takes great pictures. She'll either send me some or put them on her blog.

I'm going to start selling embellished bloomers in my new ETSY store, so I decided to make the first addition "Rick Rack Bloomers" for Ella and Addie. I have some really fun ideas for cute bloomers!

P.S. Pineapple Hill was featured as a "Saturday Sweet Shoppe" at the Little Window Shoppes!

Blessing Mix

Blessing Mix

This recipe will make about 16 blessing mix gift bags of about one-third cup each.

Use cellophane goodie bags to package this treat.

Ingredients:
2 cups Bugles brand corn snacks
2 cups small pretzels
1 cup candy corn
1 cup dried fruit bits or raisins
1 cup peanuts or sunflower seeds
1 cup M&Ms brand chocolate candy
16 Hershey's brand chocolate kisses
Directions:
In a large bowl, gently mix all ingredients except Hershey's Kisses.

Place 1/3 to 1/2 cup Blessing Mix in small cellophane treat bags.

Add one Hershey's Kiss to each bag.
Makes 16 Blessing Mix gift bags

This fun treat is from
The Idea Door
Click Below to Print:

blessingsmix.PDF

Frogs, Owls and Blessings

Today is my Dad's Birthday! Happy Birthday Frog! ... Yes that's my dad's nick name. You can read about it here. My dad is an amazing guy. A career in the U.S. Navy meant that he was often gone for months at a time. Even so, I was "daddy's little girl" and I knew that always, if he was home or away. Being the only daughter in the middle of two boys could be frustrating to a girl, especially when we were voting for what TV show to watch! It could also be pretty wonderful and that it was most of the time.
When I was tiny my dad called me his "sweetie pie" and I repeated, "I'm daddy's Wheetie Pie". To this day, I still sign my notes and cards ~Love, Wheetie Pie.

My dad has many talents and attributes. I admire his strength, integrity and compassion just to name a few. He always made me feel safe when I was a child and he knew the answer to EVERYTHING. I'm still learning from him even today just by the life he leads.

Happy Birthday Wishes to you, Dad!

Now, on to the Owls. Remember the skirts I made recently for my little granddaughters? I had appliqued little t-shirts with birds and witches hats on them for Halloween.

I wanted to make the girls another top that would match their skirts. I love the black fabric
with the owls on it and I had enough left to cut out some of the pieces to applique.

Today I ironed the fabric appliques on the shirts and tomorrow I'm going to sew them on (part by machine and part by hand) and embellish them with beads and buttons ( my favorite part).

Addie's Shirt

Ella's Shirt

I have the neccessities now to make "Blessing Mix" a little goodie I share in November to friends and neighbors. Stay tuned, tomorrow (or the next day) I'll put it together and post the verse.

Eye Candy & Inspiration

One of my addictions while planning Kayley's Wedding was visiting the Blog:

I fell in LOVE with these Autumn collages!

Snippet & Ink

Thanksgiving Clip-Art Place Cards

To help you create decorative place cards for the Thanksgiving table,

Martha Stewart has free clip art. Download and print the place cards

(cream or neutral-colored card stock will work best),

cut along the dotted line, inscribe your guest's name,

and score down the middle with a bone folder.
You can also make a flat card with a border by using double-sided tape to affix the place-card design to a piece of card stock 1/4 inch larger than the place card. You can punch a hole in it and use twine to tie it to a napkin, or simply tuck it into the napkin.

The Midas Touches

from Martha Stewart November 2007

No need to go to excess this holiday season.

Small glints and gleams make the greatest impression.

Use the most precious metal, real and faux, to highlight and amplify natural beauty and your celebrations are sure to be filled with golden moments.
Horn of Plenty

Flocking Together

In Full Feather

Glimmer and Shine

Finding Joy in the Journey

"Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings"

Thomas S. Monson

Click Here to see Thanksgiving Ideas

Trick or Treat

Pictures from Halloween Night

Tradition....

Some of the Girls eating their Taco SoupOur neighbor, Anna and Hope... "From the Hood"

The Cute Freeman Family

Pictures of our "Trickers" and "Treaters"

I wish Scott's hair showed up better in this picture.

It really was funny.

Oh, He's a Mad Scientist ...that's also a Dweeb.

Hope, The Sassy Pirate Girl

The Big Girls

The Little Girls

Princess EllaZebra Addie

Cute Little Trick or Treaters

the end