Good News is News Too!

Another thing that drives me crazy is the lack of good news we see on TV and other media now a days. Yes, I know and understand (and weep sometimes) over the news that makes the news--the unloving acts of violence and greed towards one fellow man. And yes, I know that there is a lot of fear out there with the families that are now struggling with the very real issues of unemployment, illness and more. I don't mean to minimize your pain at all and I fervently hope that if you are suffering with these issues you'll see an improvement in your painful situation soon!

But back to the subject at hand---good news. Yes, even in this day and age of uncertainty I hope we don't lose sight that everyday, in every community nationwide (and worldwide), there are acts of kindness taking place---people helping people in what ever way they can! And I wish that this more hopeful, positive and REAL message could make its way onto more TV screens, radio and newspaper outlets because I fervently believe this message needs to be heard-that our children need to see the good news that more kind then evil deeds are being done everyday in the communities around them; that there is a better way of living to aspire to and that their lives can make a profound difference -- at home and in this world.

Blessings,

Aimee

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“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4: 29-32 KJV
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“And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of My followers, you will surely be rewarded.” Matthew 10:42 NLT (© 2003 Ilumina Software, Tyndale House Publishers)
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“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God“ . Matthew 5:7-9 KJV

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“Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40 KJV

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“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever” I Corinthians 13: 4-8a KJV

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Note: I have added 2 new widgets to this blog. They are on the right side and both are found at the Foundation for a Better Life website (info in post below)-one is a daily quote with a postive message and the other is a news article sharing good news! I hope they will be a blessing to you:)

A Better Life

I am not a fan of the majority of ads that we see now a days on TV. I don’t enjoy their not too subtle message that one must fit a certain image to be of worth in this age we live or buy a certain so and so to be a good mother to your child, to be a loving spouse to your wife, and so on. YUCK!
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One of the few exceptions to these type of commercials are the ads put out by the Foundation for a Better Life. I LOVE the positive values they advocate--values of inspiring others, living with love and forgiveness, etc. Although the foundation does not affiliate itself with any religious organization, it effectively IMO portrays values that ALL people--no matter their cultural or religious background should be able to agree upon. Values that we, as parents and grandparents, should seek to pass onto our families and more then that--our communities. Values not at odds with the Golden Rule and 10 Commandments AND values consistent with our American heritage. Simple and yet life changing, universal values that would make a world wide change if every individual sought to incorporate them more in their daily living.
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Now the question is -- have I always lived up to these values? No, I like every other human being am a fallible person--I get angry at times; sometimes even allowing it to spill over into bitterness and I have other faults too. BUT I seek to live better--more honestly, more loving, more kindhearted, more Christ-like and when I fall short I ask forgiveness from the One who so clearly and completely understands my weaknesses and faults--my Creator. Then I return to the right path--the path of love and seeking to 'pass it on'.
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Blessings,
Aimee
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Links:
http://www.values.com/ (Foundation for a Better Life with free downloads of posters, etc)

Thursday Thanks-giving: family, friends & hot baths

This week I am thankful for all the things that make life more bearable when you are ill; things that we often take for granted like refrigerators, a wide variety of food, dependable heat and warm blankets, and hot baths. Yes I am really thankful for all these things!

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I am also thankful for a son's willing nature this week that sent him late in the evening to the store not once, but twice, to get me a few items that might sit well on my very upset stomach and then refused to be repaid for the extra amount that he spent on them. Such is love and I am grateful! In fact, I am grateful for ALL the family and friends God has blessed me with! May God bless them and may they walk in HIS ways througout their lives.

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Blessings,

Aimee

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Photos:

My eldest son at a lake in WA--I think...

and at his first birthday party.

Has it really been that many years?

PNW Farm Tour: Farm Bakery, Plants, Fruit, Veggies & More

Not too far from Koch's Farm, is another great farm--French Prairie Gardens! Actually I should say that it's a farm, farm store, nursery and bakery--and a very yummy bakery at that; one that I understand has even been featured before on local TV there!

Inside the store is where you'll find ice cream, seasonal fresh veggies and fruit, baked items, frozen berries and other items---one of my favorites being a really nice selection of woven baskets perfect for storing magazines or whatever.

And now the farm bakery---I can say a lot about their delicious fresh baked pumpkin scones (or their marianberry ones), the yummy apple cider cinnamon sprinkled donuts or the pies--berry, peach, pumpkin--that they make seasonally (some available frozen in their freezer case; they had some mini pies too). They have other baked goods too in their display case.
Suggestion: it is a good thing to call ahead if you are looking for a certain item as they are quite popular and busy during the summer/harvest season. I am told that after this season it is also good to call ahead to order the item(s) you may be desiring:)

Two areas I didn't visit are the nursery located behind the store and the fun area they put together for families during the early autumn season. Info is available on their website (link below). All in all, I found the staff friendly and helpful (the farm is another family owned farm-yea!) and the visit a lot of (munch, munch) fun!!!!
I would also like to take a moment to thank them for making our visit there so nice (and yummy) and giving me permission to post the photos I took on my blog. Just so you know I am not in any way associated with the farm but do recommend it for a fun place to stop if you are in their area. In fact my suggestion is to do a farm tour of the area--all of which could be covered in a day or two depending on the time you spend sightseeing. Here is their website where you can find more information about the farm's offerings/events and contact info. Enjoy!

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Blessings, Aimee

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Photos:

Farm Store exterior

Rural view and decoration for Autumn Harvest Festival

Fruit Pie

Freshly baked apple cider cinnamon donuts & pumpkin scones

Freezer Woes

What's a bowl of figs doing on a post titled 'Freezer Woes"? Well read on to find out the whole sad (and preventable) story.

Tonight my son awakened me to tell me that somehow -- in the midst of the BIG project chaos -- the freezer got unplugged and almost everything is ruined! This coming on the steps of throwing out a lot of dried food only to find out later that the guidelines for storage had been changed and a large part of it was probably OK:(

Can I just take a moment to scream here? Argh!

OK I am back. Incredibly sad, angry with myself and not too happy right now, but I'm back.

There's nothing much that can be done at this point about the freezer food. If I hadn't been so ill this week I might have caught it before now; but as it is my DH figures the freezer's probably been unplugged since the weekend and although the food is cold still, it looks like it will have to be discarded for safety's sake because it is totally defrosted.

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Now part of why I am SO upset is not just the food that will have to be thrown away this time, but also the accumulative feelings of remorse over all the food our family has wasted in the past--food that no one wanted to eat, food that I was too worn out to cook after a long day at work, food wasted for other reasons. I feel bad about the waste itself (bad stewardship) but I feel bad for another reason and that is this food represents time and energy that my DH spent in working to be able to buy it

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food is a gift from God and I've not always treated it as such; I feel very bad about that too. But food waste is not an uncommon thing in the US, where having so much but living lives at a frantic pace has often led to waste you would likely not see in the so-called developing countries or by the generations that preceeded this one. Now, I don't think ALL families waste food to the degree I've seen mentioned, but I know that many do; and if you're a family that doesn't waste food I totally applaud you!

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So tomorrow will be dedicated to throwing out the freezer food that once was bought or preserved to nourish our family and now will only add to an already busy landfill. It will also be a day of repentance for past waste and sincere prayers that God will give me the consistency I need in this area of weakness and bad habit. I will also be looking into getting a freezer alarm to ensure this particular problem (the freezer getting accidentally unplugged) doesn't occur again.

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Woefully yours,

Aimee

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Links:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/keeping_food_Safe_during_an_emergency/index.asp

(scroll down to find food safety guideline chart in case of emergency--or as in my case accidental power loss to freezer and/or refrigerator)

(Also you might be interested in doing a search for average food waste in US family. If these estimates are true they are rather sad)

To Honor Those Who Served

When I was growing up I didn’t realize just how many of our family had served in American wars, but as I studied our family history I became more and more aware of their service to and love for our country.

Some of my ancestors and extended family fought in the War for Independence, some in the Civil War, others in World War I & II, the Korean Conflict and other family members up to the current war.

A few died in service to America.

This day, as America pauses to honor all its Veterans and active Servicemen (and women), I would like to take time to honor all Americans who have served or are still serving at home and abroad too.

May God bless each and everyone of you.

May those of you who are homeless find shelter;

may those without jobs find work.

May God grant you who serve and your families courage, safety and freedom from fear.

And may God bestow to those who have lost loved ones, in this and prior wars, peace and comfort during the night of your storm and always.

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May God bless America

and

grant our nation, and the entire world, a true and lasting peace.

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Blessings,

Aimee

Jewels of the Garden

Everytime I walk in my garden I am captivated by the beauty to be found there.

Day by day I see changes - brought on by storm winds, rain and other elements.

I look at the reds and I see rubies,

and the yellows topaz.

The oranges...well I am not sure what jewel they would be but I know they're incredibly beautiful and priceless to me.

These walks, through the jewels of my garden,

refresh my soul like a walk in the PNW forests or mountains

for I see the hand of God who created them all no matter where I go

and that makes me feel peaceful.

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Blessings,

Aimee

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Photos

Japanese maple leaves caught on top of bamboo bench.

Laceleaf Japanese maple leaf caught on spirae.

Japanese maple leaves against sky.

Dogwood leaves.

Laceleaf Japanese maple leaves, moss, rocks.

And finally...

more Japanese maple leaves:)