Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Tackle It Tuesday

Today's tackle is not yet done, but is on the list for today. On Sunday, it was sunny and 80 degrees. Yesterday it was rainy and only in the low 50's. Today is sunny and will be somewhere in the 60's. It is that crazy change of season. Today, I prepare for winter. Our fireplace has a gas log, though it does burn real wood if we choose. A gas log is very clean and easy, though once a year it is a huge mess. Today is that day. I will take the logs out and check to see if all 3 layers of "bedding" are sufficient and clean. First is a layer of sand, then in the middle is this fluffy wool type material which causes a burning embers effect. The last layer goes around all of this and is tiny lava rock. Oh, the wonders of a fake/real fire! The outside of the fireplace gets a deep clean also. I am starting something new in my Tackle It Tuesdays...one tackle will be a "job" that needs to be done, and a second one will actually be more of a challenge, but it is also a need. I will tackle some time for myself, with or with out a child involved. Today's involves NO children. Wicked? I'm not sure, but I will take some time away from household chores, which for today include, laundry, baking bread, dust and vacuuming the lower level (after the fireplace is cleaned) and kitchen cleaning. I did little or no housework yesterday, as I was helping a friend set up her new blog. I will introduce her to you once it is all set up. OK, so today's "time tackle" is to spend at least an hour reading. Not a children's book, or a 1800 themed novel, but a book of substance. I received 3 from Amazon yesterday and will choose one and plan to complete it within a week. I will let you know how that goes. It will cut into my quilting time, but I feel it is important for me. Plus the cleaned out fireplace will provide the perfect ambiance for reading and a cup of coffee. To see what others are tackling today, or to join in on the tackle fun, go here. I want to welcome a new blogger to the block. Her blog is called Drucilla's Stitches. She is a home schooler and a quilter. Pop over to say welcome. I look forward to reading about her quilting and home school adventures. She is basting a queen size log cabin and wanted some advice...as a thread baster I can not help her. Though, you did mention, Drucilla, that you may send it out to be quilted, which means you may not have to baste it at all! And to answer your comment about "being fast" at hand quilting...not at all. If you look at my posts regularly, and you can ask my readers, I rarely have anything to show unless I do a stitchery or a "portion" of my queen size quilt. I am planning to start my winter installment of the 4 seasons swap very soon and with the Christmas gifts I have planned I will be able to show more very soon. We are studying the fruit of the Spirit in our home school. I found this, but to be honest I can not remember where. I thought it was a wonderful reminder of the fruits that God wants us all to bear. One of the things that I am sharing with my children is that these are fruits OF THE SPIRIT. You can have them on your own, to a degree, but when they are truly working in your life from the Spirit of God, they are perfect. May we yield ourselves to His Spirit and bear His fruit today. (grab the fruit and pass it on!)

17 comments:

Drucilla's Stitches said...

Thank you for mentioning me on your blog, how sweet! I love the "Pass the Fruit"logo!! This is one of my favorite passages and have used this many times in teaching my children as well.It is adorable with the pumpkin. Thank you for sharing this!!

Drucilla's Stitches said...

Sorry, after a second look I see this is not a pumpkin but an orange, LOL!! You can tell I'm really into FALL huh? or is it that I'm in a bit of a hurry today? Anyway, it's still adorable!

Lib said...

Your fireplace is Beautiful.I love a warm cozy room with a fire going.
I have chores I have to tackle.But always feel better when they are finished.
Hope You have a Great Day!
Blessins',
Lib

Jennifer said...

Great idea to tackle some time for yourself. I think I should add that to my list of things to do today.

Knit-Wit said...

Aaaahhhhh - that fireplace looks so cozy and inviting! I wish I could pop on over and have a cup of coffee with you next to it. We have a couple of wood fireplaces that we have yet to light up - some cracks in the brick around it need to be sealed first.

Enjoy your book and give us a review!

Donetta said...

What a lovely post. Hello I come by way of the Tackle. I like you down time tackle idea. Good for you and for your family too.
I enjoyed my visit. Feel free to come over and say hello.
Donetta

Donetta said...

I have responded via email. Let me know if you get it.

Niki said...

Good Morning Bren!
I love the picture of your cozy living room. 3 books of substance is serious! I agree that we need to feed our mind to keep it sharp, I think you've mentioned 2 of them to me, what did you choose for the third? I will be very interested in your opinions of them. I also love the orange, we like the same graphics methinks....have a blessed day!
Hugs,

Solstitches said...

Your room looks so inviting.
Love the fireplace but would not love the cleaning which sounds as though it is a very messy and time consuming job.
I like the picture of the Victorian lady reading by the fire.
I hope you enjoyed some quiet time doing just that.

motherofmany said...

I wanted to ask you specifically to pray. We got a new little guy yesterday (only 3) and we have already heard so many things coming out of his mouth that shouldn't. He keeps saying he is going to kill people, he has a severe aversion to anyone in dark clothing (asking if they are police), and when we went into the court room today, he asked if people were going to die in there. We went out to eat and he grabbed the butter knife and was weilding it like he knew how to use it, and I don't mean to butter bread. And I know you understand more than others the time we are entering here. We also tried to pray, and he said "Jesus can't save you now".

Thanks!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

You living room looks so cozy and inviting with that fire going! I'll have to check into the Tackle It Tuesday - sounds like good motivation.

Manuela

meggie said...

Your fireplace looks so cosy & warm! even if it is 'fake'. LOL.

Yvonne said...

Your fireplace is so cozy looking. I hope you enjoyed your "me" time. :)

motherofmany said...

I have not yet figured out what the verse means, so I will keep praying on it, but I did want to tell you that when it was time for bed, he said he was scared. I got out the Bible to read Psalm 27, which the kids and I are working on memorizing, but so far I am only familiar with the first 3 verses. I wanted them to have something they could recite with confidence...WHOM SHALL I FEAR!?! So anyway, I began to read it to him, and when I got to verse 10 I could hardly speak it. It was just so relevant.

I have also put the cd player in the hallway on low and put in the McCaughey septuplets lullaby hymns, and the words to the first song are just specatular:

"Hush my dear, lie still in slumber, Holy angels guard thy bed. Heavenly blessing without number gently falling on thy head..."

I also remembered the song on this album that I re-enacted the story of Moses to for Mothers Day a few years back at church, and it is another prayerful blessing:

"Hush little child, wipe that tear from your eye. Don't you be scared of the dark, for someone is watching to guard as you sleep, protecting each moment you grow.

Moonlight has shadows on warm summer nights, winter wind whispers through the whistling rough; there's no need to worry, He'll stay by your side protecting each moment you grow."


I'm going to let it play all night, and hopefully that will not only be soothing but also fill his head and heart with the truth instead of lies.

Jan said...

Love your post, hope you enjoyed your reading time. I love the Tackle it Tuesday idea--I did some Tackle it Wednesday and will do some more today!!

motherofmany said...

OK, I understand you now. I totally got the demonic part, even before the caseworker told me about mom's 'lifestyle'. I just wasn't sure what the taking the kingdom by violence had to do with it, but you are right- the Word is our sword as so many verses tell us.

And it has been eye-opening for our other kids to see, because they do not remember when they came here and the way they were except when we talk about it. And last night my son mentioned this child doing something he saw in a 'devil movie' so now he understands the way Satan was lying to his heart before.

Keep praying, and thanks so much!

1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."

Revelations 12:10-12 "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."

motherofmany said...

Bren,

Do you have this book? "Spellbound: The Paranormal Seduction of Today's Kids". If not, I have a second copy I want to give you. Just send me your address.

Amy