Another Excellent Mom and Becky Adventure

And it happened right at home too!

I was making some "fabulous" bowl 

candles yesterday....

(featured here)

when out of the blue my Mom and her

dog, Bear, showed up at my door.

Not unheard of but I knew that she had

completed her morning walk and was headed

home...my front window and Bear's love of 

barking as he walks had let me know that.

So, to have her turn around and come over 

caught me by surprise.

Turns out the handle on her storm door had

broken and she was completely locked out of 

her house.  I felt the adrenaline kick in as we joked 

about breaking and entering.

I gathered up some tools, including a metal nail 

file that I had noticed out of place the day before

but had not put away.  

It seemed nearly as good as a credit card. lol

Well, it turns out that unless we were willing

to do major damage to a window Mom's house is

pretty much like Fort Knox.  That is good to know.

However, when you are trying to get in one hopes 

for a chink in the armor.

Nope.

We had to get that door open somehow!

We removed screws.

That didn't do it.

We took the pins out of the door hinges.

Nope, we couldn't budge it.

We laughed....a LOT.

Mom's new neighbor is a police

officer....just as the last one was.

  I could just imagine what he 

would think if he happened to come out

and see us with hammer, long screwdriver and 

other implements of breaking into a home.

Thankfully she introduced herself to him last

week so he probably wouldn't have thought 

too much about it.

Finally, I took that metal nail file and pried

one more time at 

the completely stuck handle.

It was a no holds barred last 

move of desperation.

Thankfully, it opened.

Of course we weren't exactly home free

because it was broken and once closed 

would be locked once more.

Ask me how I know this...

or on second thought, please don't.

So....we set into removing the handle completely,

restoring the pins to the hinges and putting the 

screws back in that we had taken out.

What a mess we were.

But it was kind of fun.

Mom and I....we specialize in getting

into crazy unexpected situations.

All completely unintentional I assure you!

Scavenger Hunt For Food and A Game of Dirty Marbles

 By Sunday Evening the weather
in Lancaster County was stunning.

Hurricane Irene had moved on up the coast

and all that was left were downed trees,

flooding and power outages.

We had lost power a couple of times 

but other than some inconveniences we were

fine.  I pretty much stayed up all night Saturday

night....but then I stay up anytime there is a huge

news story....just so happened we,
along with the entire East Coast,
were a part 

of this news story. 

The storm raged outside and it was scary 

and fascinating all at the same time.

By Sunday evening I was interested in going

out to see what it looked like in other neighborhoods.

So...I suggested we do a Coupon Book Scavenger

hunt for food.  After all, the one from last year will 

expire in October and there were still many good coupons

remaining and we got the new one with many more 

fun buy one, get one free offers.

Only Chelsea and Warren were agreeable to 

go along....although the boys were willing to help

us eat anything we brought back.

Off we went.

We were impressed by how tame things

appeared as we drove north. 

It seemed that while there was a tree

down here or there and some roads were closed

near waterways the damage seemed pretty 

minimal the further north we went.

But there were a couple of corn fields laid

completely flat.  That was so hard to see.

We are praying that the corn can still be salvaged 

for feed.  Our neighbors depend on the profits

from the crops to live.

Finally we arrived at the first stop on our 

scavenger hunt....

We had NO coupon

but it seemed so necessary to 

our Chelsea....

Ahhh....now we could have fun.

So, across the street we went,

coupon in hand for buy one, get one free

foot long chili dogs at Sonic.

Into the back seat they went 

the first in the loot to head home.

Also...Warren felt the need for a slush.

Not too far away we got to use another 

coupon to score two giant roast beef sandwiches

for the price of one.

Then it was two Frosty's for the price of one.

I promptly ate one of those.

The other was pretty melted by the time

we got home....

but Mikey enjoyed it anyway.

Over to Willow Street to the McDonalds

where we picked up a couple of 

Quarter Pounders with Cheese.

The view from the drive through...

Willow Valley Grace Brethren Church.

I love the steeple!

Our final stop was for a pizza that had
been called in at half price.
I didn't add up everything we spent and
I am sure that with gas prices it wasn't the
most economical way to feed a family...
but it was fun!!
And it did provide for variety,
which we all know is the spice of life.

We came home to a fun game of Dirty Marbles

with Mom, Georgia and a neighbor couple.

This game is like a cross between Sorry and

Chinese Checkers. It lives up to its name....

such dirty marbles, always sending someone

back home or changing places with them at the
most inconvenient of times.

We decided that we will have to do game nights

more often. It is fun to get together with neighbors

and laugh. A wonderful stress reliever after a

nervewracking weekend, that is for sure.

We still have a pole down on our road.

The wires are hanging down.

No one can drive through....

those effected have to take a detour 

every time.

In the grand scheme of things,

it is a minor inconvenience.

I have no idea when they will get here to

fix it but so far our power is back on and

there are blockades to protect drivers on

this road. I just pray the neighbor children

don't get curious and get hurt.

I'm interested to read your storm stories

and hear from friends up North

to know that you are ok.

Hugs.

2:41 AM Sunday Morning

This is what I know about Irene.

She is nasty.

She is loud.

She is causing our first responders to 

be out and in danger.

The wind and rain has woken me

several times....

I've taken up residence on the couch

because it is not directly under any trees.

Warren is the smart one.

He is getting a good night's sleep in our 

comfy bed.

I just filled the tub with water

as I watch more and more calls for 

wires down.

We have a generator but it would 

take a bit to get it connected to the well pump

and get the water going.

My front window should be very clean

when Irene has finished with it.

As long as it remains intact.

The rain is scouring it ...

I'm thinking that spider who lived

up in the corner where I couldn't reach 

it probably didn't stand a chance.

We won't have church as usual.

That has been decided.

We may get together as a neighborhood

to sing, pray and share.

We'll see about that.

It has been discussed.

I'm tired.

This makes me glad we aren't any closer

to the eye of this storm.

We are close enough!

Good Night, Irene.

Irene

She is heading our way.

They are forecasting six to seven inches of rain

for our area.

We have tall trees.

High winds scare me just a bit.

Even in thunderstorms we usually 

lose several large branches.

So, tonight and tomorrow we will

hang on...

Not sure about church tomorrow

but we will progress as if it is on.

This means music practice

and we will make the bulletin.

If this were a blizzard I would 

be a bit more sure of what we should

do....but that is just because we are

in the Northeast and we are more

used to blizzards than hurricanes.

The list of things to do from my last post

has been reduced significantly.

I am so happy my friend, Melissa, 

is safely settled in her new home.

She had helped so many people over the 

years that we were all happy to give back

a bit.  Her move went very smoothly.

The new freezer is in.

Warren had it all set up and filled by the

time I got back from 

Melissa's on Thursday evening.

That was so nice!

We had the first fundraiser kick-off of the 

season last evening.

It was great to see old friends and meet 

new ones.  I think it is going to be a 

great year. 

This morning I opened my email to a 

request for a new fundraiser.

Yay!

I am going to be wonderfully busy!

I love to be busy.

I admit it!

How Does This Happen?

Things have gone from very quiet and slow

to crazy busy in just a matter of a week.

Must be the time of the year?

All I know is 

that today and tomorrow will 

find me doing many different things.

Mailing orders.

Making hot chocolate candles...

and more

Helping a friend move.

Kicking off a large fund raiser.

Prepping for Sunday.

Accepting delivery on a new freezer.

Moving contents from old freezer to new freezer.

Listing new items at Etsy shop.

Work with college student on a class project.

Addressing post cards to attendees of a recent 

Ladies Night event.

Making appointments for Chelsea.

Laundry.

Preparing for mini vacation.

Getting Foster Dog to Vet.

Getting plane ticket for this dog.

Taking this dog to the airport.

Just a few things to handle over the next few days

to a week.  I am very, very excited about the 

new freezer!  Ours is very likely on its 

last legs, as it is ancient....and we have it 

so full that it is working hard.

Warren has done all kinds of calculations and 

it is very interesting to see how much electric

we will save even on this larger freezer.

And...The electric company will pay us 

to take the old one away.

O.K. then!

They are welcome to it.

All of this to say

please forgive me if I 

continue to be a bit

scarce here and at your blogs

until the weekend or even

early next week.

I do not take your visits for granted

and LOVE hearing from you.

The Things I do For You.....

I am NOT a model....

don't want to be a model.....

Should never even try to be a model!

However, 

I happened to mention on my Facebook page

last evening that I got my hair cut.

This unleashed a flurry of comments by friends

who insisted on seeing it.

So....

I dug out some fresh camera batteries,

the old ones had died as we initially tried to take

photos last evening...in good light....

I took it as a sign.

Probably should stick with that.

But because I have posted less than

flattering photos of friends and family here

I'll play fair and show you the cute hair

along with the decidedly non photogenic face 

it sits atop.

I think that was an earthquake!!!!!

Deer in the headlights?

Chelsea said to add a cheesy grin....then she sighed..."not that cheesy!"

Maybe I could do better in the living room?  Nope!

A little bit to the side?  Nope!

Sneak up from below....definitely not!!

Sadly, I can't take my own picture.

Chelsea has mastered the process and the 

poses......but I am not she.

However.

You now have an idea of the haircut

my friend Jenny gave me.

That, and the highlights.

She says it is a Princess Diana cut.

I believe her...

because I want to!

Underappreciated

A very ignored little candle.

 

 It sits in my Etsy shop all alone and 

with only three views.

So, I thought I would bring it here and let you

see its cuteness.

After all, even a tiny little Amazing Grace

candle deserves some love.

((smile))

Jonathan and Chelsea Paint

   

A Blue Monday Post 

to celebrate Sally's homecoming from her 

very long journey of illness in the hospital and

rehab.  What mercy God has shown in 

allowing her body to heal.

There is continued need for prayer as 

Sally gets her strength back.

 

We were in the craft store when my friend, Shelley, visited

and I saw canvases on sale. Chelsea and I had been talking

about letting the teenagers do some art for an area in the 

kitchen at church so I got the canvases and acrylics to 

see what they came up with.

On Saturday, Chelsea and Jonathan spent a 

couple of hours together out on the deck 

painting away.  

They would occasionally run into the house for 

this brush or something or other but they 

were very industrious.

I'm thinking that if they each do one more

in similar themes we'll be onto something.

They just need to tie the trees and the 

fruit together in some way so that we

can hang a series of four canvasses on the wall 

over the desserts.....

Perhaps a fruity dessert?

How about a man picking fruit 

from the trees.....

then the pear and finally 

a fruity dessert?

Or maybe we scrap the trees 

entirely (not literally, just with this project in mind)

and do a series of 

still life fruit in the style of 

the pear?

What would you suggest?

This is the beauty of art....

one step at a time.

Makes me happy that the siblings are

enjoying the process so much!

Traveling Candle Meets Unfortunate End

I received word that this candle....

which had made multiple trips to be refilled

and sent back and forth between friends has

met its end.  Sadly it was a cleaning accident.

I don't believe any humans were harmed.

There will be another traveling candle.

Word has come from one of the participants.

I look forward to seeing the next one.

In the meantime.....

it is a sad moment indeed for one jar

that brought so many smiles.

Another one just now to my 

silly face.

Perhaps I should get a life....

or get to life.

There is laundry waiting.

Have an awesome day!!!

Prayer and a Flower Arrangement

Last evening was so special.

We had a nice group come out to pray for 

some needs which I have already told you about.

The very urgent need for prayer on Susanna

and Katerina's behalf.

And the health of a precious man in our church.

It was a very real blessing to all who participated.

Before the prayer time we had dinner with Pastor 

Mike and a few others.

I had hoped to have time to make a flower arrangement
for the table

from the waning Summer flowers and during one

of the afternoon dog outings I saw my chance.

I can't decide if this looks modern or old fashioned.

The shape says modern 

but the sweet faded pink of the hydrangea says

vintage....to me anyway.

I had added black-eyed susan to the mix

but they were a distraction from the 

sweet pinks and purples.

I thank those of you who have joined in prayer

for Susanna and Katerina.  

Their names are a link to another blog post,

if you care to read more.

Have a wonderful day!

You'll want to check out my candle

blog later today for info on a give away of 

four juice glass candles in apple cinnamon fragrance.

I'll put that up as soon as the hosting site 

posts the details.......

Brandywine River Museum

Tucked onto the bank of the leisurely

Brandywine River is a gem of an art museum.

The Brandywine River Museum features the

works and collections of the Wyeth family.

Andrew Wyeth,(July 12, 1917 – January 16, 2009),
was a local artist from the
Chadd's Ford area.
He painted what he knew...
.the things around him.

It is likely because of his popularity
that this museum exists in this

location today.

As we approached the museum
the enormity of the building

struck us.
It is a beautiful brick structure with all windows

closed tightly with gorgeous wooden shutters.

Inside you discover three floors of galleries.

They are spaciously laid out and the
environment is one of

quiet respect and appreciation.

Unfortunately for this post
there was a no photography

rule in the galleries.
I would have wanted to show you

some very interesting pieces.
Well, I thought they were

interesting. As is the case with art,
it is subjective.

What I loved may have caused you
to shake your head.

Andrew Wyeth was introduced
to the world of art by his very talented

father, N.C. Wyeth.
I was not familiar with his work
until seeing it here.

 N.C. was an illustrator.
This museum holds his original paintings

of illustrations for the book,
Treasure Island, which was published in the

early 1900's.
He also did many other
illustrations and magazine covers.

Seeing the original works was interesting
in part because of the immense

size of them.
It was hard to get an idea
of scale in the galleries, the

rooms are so big,
but these paintings were huge.
They were framed in a

rough pine frame to protect
them in shipping and then sent to the publishers.

In a world of computers and scanners
this would be considered primitive

today but has a certain charm about it,
don't you think?

Andrew had a son named Jamie,
born in 1946,
who also enjoys the gift

 of putting paint to canvas.

He is not really a "people person" though, 

by his own admission. 

He loves farm animals, though.

Pigs are particularly of interest to him.

On one occasion he was painting a huge pig

when he stepped away for a moment.

Upon his return his paint tubes were quite missing.

He figures there were 22 or so...of quite 

toxic paint.  Later the farmer wondered about 

colorful excrement from the pig...but Jamie never 

said a word.  He was just happy, beyond words 

that the pig lived since the paints were so deadly.

Now, not to shock the Wyeth Folks I must 

admit that Warren and I found one particular gallery

to be the most fascinating.

It was the still life gallery....

It is hard to describe what captured our attention here

but various artists shared their gifts of

illusion painting.

One in particular took our breath away and 

sadly I cannot remember the artist's name at the moment.

It was a painting that looked exactly like a photo

taped to a paper.

You would never have guessed that it was an 

oil painting....I've never seen oil used in such a fine

and detailed way.  We stood and stared at this 

piece for the longest time.

Finally after exhausting our visual senses we headed out of doors

to the path which ran along the river.

It was a humid day....ripe for a downpour

but the walk was nice in any case.

The stonework fascinated me...

Pieces of brick poking through.....

Paying homage to Jamie Wyeth's love of the pig.

Somebody has to love them, right?

When I was a girl I would visit my best friend's farmette.

They had pigs.  My favorite time to visit was just after the 

birth of piglets.  They were such friendly and fun critters 

to visit.  So I can almost understand the attraction for this artist.

Almost.

Warren and I found this museum fascinating for different reasons.

He enjoyed checking out the strategically placed sprinkler system, 

designed to preserve the art if it should go off.

I greatly enjoyed the art.

I think in time I can win him over to the wonder of art.

However, if not, I think he will indulge me a few more

times if I want to wander a gallery here or there.

I highly recommend this museum if you are in 

the Brandywine Valley.

It is relatively inexpensive at $10 per person.

Given that you'll likely spend a couple of hours here

it is a great value.

Thanks for visiting today.

I am going to get back to real life now and begin a deep 

cleaning of my kitchen and dining room.

Reviewing the memories of beautiful 

and fascinating art

in my head as I work.