I’m not much of a Halloween person, but I couldn’t resist sharing these dog costumes! What about you? Is your pup gonna dress up to go Trick-or-Treating? Finn will have to be content to stay home and pass out candy. But, if this does happen to be your cup of tea…..

They could go as other animals……

Or, perhaps, they could go as food…….

Better still…how about as their favorite human……..

Maybe they they’d prefer to be their favorite fictional character……..

Whatever they decide on, please have some dog treats treats on hand instead of candy. If they have to go through this humiliation….they should be well rewarded!

Make sure you watch your dog so they don’t ingest any dropped candy or that other people don’t feed your dog candy. Aside from the fact that chocolate is toxic to dogs, the wrappers of even candy without chocolate can be harmful if ingested by your dog.

And, by the way, if this sort of things takes up a big part of your time………..

CHRISTMAS ! That’s right…..CHRISTMAS ! As of this minute, in 70 days, 10 hours,36 minutes……the big day will arrive. Wow! seems as if it just passed, doesn’t it? I was always told the years would move faster the older I got…and it’s true! They seem to fly by now.

When I retired after 20 years teaching music, I received many wonderful gifts from friends and co-workers (who are friends, as well). Some of the parents also shared wonderful kindnesses with me, too. All these ‘treasures’ are very dear to me. But, one of the most dearest was just a little card. But, inside, there was a note telling me that a lamb had been purchased, in my honor, and placed with a family in a South American country to help build their flock.

Since I was familiar with this organization…I was especially pleased. The organization is Samaritan’s Purse. It is run by Rev. Franklin Graham, son of the Rev. Billy Graham. You my be familiar with it through one of it’s programs, Operation Christmas Child.

Have you filled a shoebox or two with supplies and toys to send to a needy child? This is the same organization. One of it’s other ministries is helping families become self sufficient. By building their flock of sheep, or goats, of even chickens…the family will have enough for food for themselves and enough to sell to buy other supplies. For just $14, the family can receive a starter brood of a dozen chicks. $70 will supply a goat or other dairy animal. For just $50, a pond can be stocked with 500 fingerling fish. Then another$50 will supply nets for fishing or a boat for $350. And $35 will supply all that is necessary for a family to get started in the beekeeping business. The bees will then help pollinate the fruit trees that can also be provided. I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

Before my Mom died, she encouraged us, as a family, to pool our money, and supply some of these needs. Our gift giving had gotten out of hand. We were all spending more than we needed to…on each other. We all were so blessed that we did not need a thing. And, there were so many others that did. So we followed her suggestion. And, the year after she died, we again contributed in her memory. This is becoming a tradition in our family that we plan to continue. We have just received our Christmas catalog. If you would like to have a catalog, you can see one at http://www.samaritanspurse.org. or find out anymore information you need.

This has not cut out our giving presents to each other, but what we give is just a token. The majority is now given to others through this organization. If they should receive more contributions for a project than can be used, our gift will be applied to a similar project where it is needed. They will gladly send a gift card if you would like to give a gift in honor of someone.

In our family, we made plans to take up money when we gathered for Thanksgiving dinner…..and then 1 person was in charge of selecting the areas we would support and they would bring a report to the rest of the family on Christmas Day. Our gifts were given in memory of Mom. You may choose to do your gifts individually or another way all together.

I realize this is quite different from my usual post. However, this is a program our family is fully invested in and I would encourage you to, at least, look at the information. Thank you for considering this worthwhile ministry.

“I tell you the truth,whatever you did for one of the least of these….you did for Me.” Matthew 25:40b

Thought I’d share my kitchen keeper cabinet with you since I decorated it for fall. I think Fall decor is my favorite…the colors, the smells, the shapes and textures…I love it. I have gotten so much pleasure from changing out this little space for the seasons.

Note the golden mercury glass pumpkin. Birthday gift from Joy.

The little sign says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8 I don’t know if you can tell or not, but the garland surrounding all the decor has little candy corn on it. Quite appropriate for the kitchen, I thought.

A partially set table. I found that I only had 4 of these rattan chargers. I don’t remember where I got them, but I need 8 more! Anyone know where they sell them? Well, the rest of the table waits on my ‘hunting and gathering skills’. I’ll let you know.

Last, after I cut back all my coleus, I saw them laying there in the wagon. They were so beautiful! I had to bring some in and put them in water. Here is a shot of their glorious color. I bet I could root these, too. Hmmmm…

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Not related at all…but hasn’t it been amazing to watch the rescues of the miners in Chile? I can not imagine even going underground to work…so to think about being trapped there for so long is very frightening to me! As I have watched the men step out of the capsule, many have made the sign of the cross…giving thanks to God. Truly He has been with them throughout this crisis.

I have just spent 2 hours of my precious time watching “The Cake Boss”. There is not much good on at 4 AM. This certainly does not qualify either. A big family, working together, making cakes and selling them. But, the ‘thrill’..and I use that term facetiously…is the delivery. There is a small , narrow stairway…several flights…that they have to navigate to get the huge cakes into the car or van. And, THEN, they send a teenage d boy to deliver them! I don’t get it. And he doesn’t either…cause he delivers the wrong cake to the right people.

Obviously, they are doing very well in this business. 45 wedding cakes in 1 day?!! And, a TV show for people like me to ‘marvel over’ in the wee hours. So why don’t they have an elevator, and a big, wide door, and a responsible driver? I suppose they think it makes ‘better television’. Of course, I could be wrong about the whole thing and you may think this is a wonderful show. But, I don’t think I’ll be wasting my time there again. [BTW…I would not have sat and watched 2 hours of it except that I was trying to be quiet and not wake up the household.]

Now. Let’s talk about another show. On HGTV…House Hunters. I don’t know about you, but the dialogue is so unimaginative, that I can speak it right along with them…even if I have never seen it before! But I have because they show mostly reruns…maybe 3 new episodes a year. The shows go back to 2005, for heaven’s sake!!! Every show they say…over and over…….

“I like the openness.” ‘Is this granite?” “We’ll have to gut this kitchen.” “Oh, stainless steel. That’s what I wanted.” “This is a little small.” “I like it” “This is good for entertaining.” OR “There’s not enough room for entertaining.” “I need room for an office.” “Hardwood floors!” “I like this.’ ‘The kitchen is so outdated.” “Look, stainless steel!” “OOOOO, I LOVE the granite!” “Ah, I will have to finish putting up a fence.” “I like it!” “We want the kitchen and family room to be open.” ” That color just POPS!” “We would have to change the appliances to stainless steel.” “Closets?” “I like it.” “This is little small.” “Love the stainless steel appliances!” “We need room for entertaining.” “I like it”. “Love the hardwoods!” You watch it and see. Not very creative folks running this show.

It’s Columbus Day. Yea! I’m so happy he discovered us. Otherwise, we would all be living here without knowing where we were. Columbus sailed the ocean blue……. In Fourteen Hundred Ninety two!

Funny story. This is not one of my crazy lady stories. I know this lady, and she is a hoot and a half! She is an older than me friend who attends church with us. I do not think I have ever known a lady who loves to laugh as much as she does. And, if you are around her when she starts talking…you will be laughing, too! As we were leaving church after the service, she called out to me, “Tonja, come here, let me tell you what I did.” She was already cackling! She lives in an assisted living facility. In her words…

“When I woke up this morning and looked at the clock…I was running late. It was already after 10:00! I even slept through breakfast! So, I got up and started getting ready. I took my bath and got all my clothes on…even these old pantyhose…and got my Bible and purse. I didn’t hear any body else moving around and I thought that was unusual. I waited for them to come and get me. And then it started getting late and I went down the hall to see if they forgot me. I told that girl, that I thought they forgot me ’cause I was usually picked up by 10:45. I asked her what was going on. She looked at me and then she just laughed and laughed…and said, ‘Mrs.T….,It IS 10:45….at NIGHT!!!!! ‘ [Well, those of you who know whom I am speaking of can hear her…..she just got so tickled at herself! ] I can’t believe I did something so dumb. I went back to my room, but, I wasn’t about to take off all this garb…and these pantyhose…it was hard enough to get them on the first time! Can’t do it 2 times in one day! So, I smoothed everything out and sat down real easy in my recliner, and just slept there till I came to church!” We all laughed…and she the hardest! As I left, she was telling it again to someone else! She is a precious saint.

Here I sit now, watching the Today show. Have you ever noticed how absolutely ridiculous some people act when they see themselves on a monitor? I’m talking about those who are standing outside…behind the person being interviewed. When they realize they are showing up on TV…they lose their minds. They jump and grin and wave and tell everyone around them…and then those people try to edge them out, so they can get in front of the camera! And they are all pushing and shoving and waving. It’s like they have never seen themselves before. I can only imagine how they act in front of a mirror!!! There was one young girl who finally found herself. She waved a while, and then she pulled out her cell phone and called someone in The American Heartland. It rang and rang and rang. Finally someone answered. She told them she was on the Today Show. Then she waited till they turned their TV on and got the right channel……….and then…they saw her! And, she was transported to the Realm of Wonderful! She jumped and danced and swayed and talked…all the while keeping that wave going. Life was just too good for her this morning. Then obviously, the person on the other end of the line, had to go back to work, because she hung up. Girl on TV put up her phone. She looked up one more time and gave a big sigh and moved on so someone else could have the chance at stardom…if only on a monitor, outside, behind Hilary Duff and Ann Curry discussing Hilary’s new book, and marriage, and TV show and album. Busy girl…I’m just saying……..

I think that commercial of the girl sucking all the yogurt out of the container is disgusting!

And, I think the commercial that has the mop despondent over not being used is ridiculous!

But, the commercial that has the animals that are natural enemies frolicking together at the waterhole, is very clever!

However, the one that has the biggest bug in the world going up to the door and asking to come in…creeps me out!

I have typed this post off and on all day. My DH is off on Mondays, so it is always a lazy day for us. But, I did get a dresser cleaned out and ready for Christmas wrapping supplies. And, I went out and cut back all my beautiful coleus. Is there a plural for coleus? Or is it still just coleus? Well I had 2 huge pots of coleus…but, alas, they had gotten so leggy, they had to be cut back. I fully expect them to come back, though. We’ve got lots of warm weather left. Sweet Finn went out with me while I worked on my plants. He’s not quite brave enough to venture too far away from me when we are outside. It’s such a big yard and such a little puppy.

IN OTHER NEWS: 12 weeks, and all is well! Thank-You, God!

There are 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays, and 5 Sundays in October.

This happens only once every 823 years !

Who figures out these things ?

Useless trivia, for sure !

But, I bet you go and check your own calendar !

And, here is Sweet Finn. Only…he’s not always sweet!!! His teeth are sharp, and I think he’s hyperactive! Maybe, it’s just been too long since I had a puppy around. He is already so protective of Alex…..he’d better see who it is if someone goes into his boy’s room!

Eve says to Adam…….

Now this is amazing to me…Someone has taken a fallen leaf and has scraped out this image into it. It has not been glued or taped. Pretty neat, huh? My hands would never cut something this precise!

This is one of my favorite fall images. It’s on an enclosed porch. I love the grouping of items and the colors. The leaves set the tone for the whole picture. Love it! (From Better Homes and Gardens 2008) I, however, would not put the spooky white pumpkin. But, maybe a decorated one .

Here is another favorite. I just love how the pumpkins are the exact shade of the old yelloware pottery. Isn’t it pretty? (BHG)

Have a beautiful, fall weekend ! God made it for us all to enjoy!