Sayings and Signs

I enjoy reading quotes, especially short-and-to-the-point kind of sayings. These are a few signs and sayings from our New Glarus trip.  They make me smile :)

inside: "And then I thought, 'Maybe this much awesomeness

 couldn't possible fit into a smaller size.' " :)

Yup!

We should post this one at the camp entrance!

If you can't read it in the pic, the bottom of the sign says "Cheer accordingly or shut up." 

tsk, tsk, those radical Packers fans!

Aww...

(it's amazing how many terms of endearment involve food: "punkin," "sugar bear," "lambie pie," "sweetcakes"...

This is a Hershey's chocolate platter.  I like chocolate, but I'm not sure it trumps meat!

Hmmm...unfortunately this one's not humorous-more like a scary reality!

Psalm 91

Psalm 91 has become one of my favorite Psalms as of late. This year has been one of some uncertainties, and my "security blankets" have all been taken away from me.  When the circumstances and people I rely on for my security are removed...there is only God.  It's easy to say "God is enough," and I know it's true, but does my life show that reality?  This Psalm is an incredible reminder of  God's protection for me, even through doubts, through being afraid, and through the spiritual "wars" that have seemed unrelenting.  This is truly a picture of God as my Father.  I won't type out the whole chapter, but here's a few highlights:

vs. 1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the

  shadow of the Almighty.

vs. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God: in him will I trust

vs. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler

vs. 14-16 (God's perspective) Because he hath set his love upon me, 

therefore will I deliver him: 

I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.  

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: 

I will be with him in trouble; 

I will deliver him, and honour him. 

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Wow!  This is truth, straight from the word of God.  Why he would do all this for us poor, miserable humans is beyond me, but I'm not God...HE IS!

I'm looking forward to seeing these realities come out in my own life.  

I suppose it's worth the struggle... If I don't face hard things, I don't need deliverance.  

If I don't face storms, I don't need shelter.  

If I don't have trouble, I won't need him to rescue me.  

Therefore...BRING ON THE TRIALS! 

(maybe kind of a gentle, little by little, put-it-to-me-softly kind of trial ! :) )

This has just been such an encouraging chapter.  I'm contemplating rewriting some of it in poetic form and setting it to music...we'll see!

The Girls Get Away Part 2

Saturday morning, after a short night's sleep (it was our own fault), we got up and enjoyed a scrumptious breakfast.  The hotel had hot breakfast, and you could make your own waffles.  The waffle cooker had an "AmericInn" stamp on it, so when your waffle came out, it had the hotel insignia on it-very cool!  

The view from our room.  The large white blob on the window is a snowball someone threw from outside!

Miss Charity joined the ranks and we headed to New Glarus-about 20 minutes from Monroe.  It is a small, touristy town with Swiss roots.

Street signs

We visited some cute little shops.  They were all very quaint.

Snazzy!

These bracelets and keychains were made from braided horsehair

This place had a lot of beautiful handpainted pottery

Lovely..but a little pricey!

It is really a very charming little place.  There are painted cow statues all over the town:

After shopping, we went to Culver's - time for a little American culture!

All our order numbers-the restaurant was crazily busy!

After lunch, we did something really girly, and visited the bridal shop.

I was asking the lady that worked there if they had any jackets to go over the gowns, if they did alterations, etc., and she asked me when the big day was.  I told her we hadn't planned it yet! :)

Here comes the (future) bride!  Dum, Dum, Dum-Dum

I thought this one was pretty!

All in all, it was a very fun, relaxing day, and I thoroughly enjoyed spending non-work time with good friends.

Wrapping things up...as the Swiss say:

:)

The Girls Get Away

Every now and then in our busy schedule, we find times for a girl's getaway.  Sometimes, we go to Brodhead, sometimes we go up to a Driftwood cabin, but...this most recent one could 

very well be Best Ever!

Last Friday, Mr. Scott let us off work after lunch.  Ruth, Hannah, Angie and I packed up and headed off to Monroe, Wi, where we had booked a room at the AmericInn hotel...lovely!

The room was neat and clean...

...well, pretty clean.  The housekeeping ladies decided it needed a little touch-up.  Hannah had brought cleaning wipes for that purpose!  CJ does cleaning right!

A view through the peephole

Our hotel room was actually two rooms.  One of them had this whirlpool in it...nice!

We ordered the lunchbox special from Pizza Hut.  YUM!

Hanah did all our nails...are we spoiled or what?

We were able to (to use a trendy word) Chillax.  It was such a blessing!

Angie

(Hannah pic)

 We got to go swimming-it was a blast!  Hannah had us cracking up with her animal impersonations!

This is the hot tub: IN-CREDIBLE!  By the way, sitting in a hot tub is a very good way to soak fresh nail polish off, should you ever need to have some removed! :)

(Hannah pic)

 Ready for the big plunge

(Hannah pic)

It was snowing heavily outside, but was warm and toasty inside.  Not only was the pool heated, but we also had it entirely to ourselves.  I'm sure any guests desiring a late-night swim would have reconsidered after hearing the unearthly noises coming from the pool area!

Happy Birthday, Big Sis!

I am unfortunately posting this from Wisconsin while Rebekah is celebrating (?) her birthday in Illinois.  We had planned to go home Sunday afternoon, but due to nasty road conditions, we had to postpone it until this weekend.

I am so very thankful to the Lord for my big sister.  She is one of my best friends.  We have been through a lot together.  We have gotten into a lot of trouble together.  We did geometry class together.  We acted up during "nap time" together.  We poured water into Ruth's crib together. (Mom thought she wet the bed :) )

There is no substitute for a friend who has been through so much with you, has seen your very worst side, and loves you anyhow.

My sister is that kind of friend.  It's been neat to see how she has grown in grace over the years.  She is mature and kind, and helps balance out my impulsiveness with her quiet sense and reasoning.  I never have to wonder if she'll repeat secrets I tell her...she is faithful and true...And I love her.

Me, Rebekah and Ruth-3 Peas in a Pod

"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

-Proverbs 17:17

Happy Birthday, Rebekah! I love you - GTD (you know!)

Old Faithful Lives Again

Okay, so you know you're getting old and sentimental when you get attatched to a kitchen stool.  We've had this thing probably at least 10 years.  It's been here ever since I have.  I've recovered the seat twice, and we've reinforced the back with old wire hangers twice also.  Last weekend, it finally got to the point where it was no longer safe to use.  So, we decided to get rid of it. 

That slant is not exaggerated.  It was in bad shape! Here's where the drama unfolds... (our lives are not interesting enough, so we have to make everyday things dramatic...ordinary people would have put the stool out by the curb, but...)

THE DEATH OF OLD FAITHFUL

(suspenseful music plays)

"Time to say goodbye..."

"From this valley they say you are going.."

"Oh, I can't look!  This is all so horrible!"

It's over...sob!

But, wait!

OLD FAITHFUL LIVES AGAIN!

Today, the kitchen stool was back!  Aunt Carol very matter-of-factly said "If that thing goes, I go.  It's been here as long as I have." (Yes she really said that.)  She took it over and put a new bolt on one of the legs.  I reckon it will service us for another ten years now!

The masterpiece

It's a beautiful thing!

Acting and casting for this remarkable true story was done by Abbey Lange.  Professional photography and creative writing by Rachel Logan.  Taking matter into her own hands was Aunt Carol.  Repairs done by I have no idea who.  Any captions resembling words to real songs are coincidental.  All rights reserved.  copyright (c) 2014 

DIY Magic Shell

Ruth and Hannah have been trying to come up with some new ideas for Snack Shop goodies.  Ruth came across a recipe for homemade Magic Shell, which is that runny stuff you pour over ice cream, and it hardens, and you can crack it by whacking it with a spoon.  So, she tried it out today, and gave us free samples! :)

It's really simple- just 2 ingredients:

Homemade Chocolate Magic Shell

1 cup chocolate chips ( you could use another kind of chips if you wanted)

2 Tbsp. coconut oil

You melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil together in a double boiler until it's smooth

  

Then, you pour it over the ice cream and let it sit until it hardens.

It is yummy!

Hee, Hee, I can't wait try it!

The temptation was just too much to resist!

From the goofy archives:

I scream,

you scream,

The cops come...

It's awkward.