Profile Picture...

Does anyone know who the artist is for my profile picture? I have a reader who would like to buy a print of it and I have no idea where to direct her. Thanks!

Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.

-C. S. Lewis

Sleeping Beauty, Jessie Wilcox Smith

Sense of Humor Needed...

A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses."
When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation."

***

There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets."

***

A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump.
"Reverend," said the young man, "I'm so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip." The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business."

***

People want the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the center of attention..

***

The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. Therefore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play. "Here's a copy of the service," he said impatiently. "But, you'll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances."
During the service, the minister paused and said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up."
At that moment, the substitute organist played "The Star Spangled Banner." And that is how the substitute became the regular organist!

Busy, Busy...

Things are busy around here! We are starting to pack everything up in the house in preparation for our move (which should be sometime before September 8th). We have also had two to three house showings a week where we are asked to be out of our rental for one to three hours per showing which has made things a little crazy. With the demands of the church, Fr John's business and two little ones (who've been dubbed Naughty One and Naughty Two behind their backs!), things are hectic!

Unfortunately, I have very little inspiration for blog postings... If you have requests, I'd love to take a stab at some of the things you are interested in. Otherwise, things might get a little quiet around here...

Daffodowndilly...

She wore her yellow sun-bonnet,

She wore her greenest gown;
She turned to the south wind
And curtsied up and down
She turned to the sunlight
And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbor:
"Winter is dead."
-A.A. Milne

Janine's Daffodils, Carol Rowan

Fields Around Our Home...

The fields that are barren all autumn and winter always look so pretty in early spring! The green starts to creep back in but the best part is the clover that spreads a purple haze over everything for a few weeks until planting begins. These pictures are a bit blurry because they were taken from the car as we drove by... don't worry, I was in the passenger seat!

FOUND!!

As we were heading downstairs to go on a walk this afternoon, I spotted my cross on the carpet by my dresser! Thank you so much for your prayers! Now I know who to come to when I loose something... your prayers are wonderful!

Lost Cross...

Please say a prayer that I find my lost cross! It is particularly dear to me as it was the cross I wore on my wedding day. Thank you!

Thank You!

Thanks for all of your encouraging comments about my new 'do. I am feeling better about it - not because I wanted it - but because it it something different and as much as I probably won't purposely cut my hair short again, I now know how I look with shorter hair:)

I feel a little guilty for feeling upset about my hair when bloggers I know have real problems to deal with. Thanks for your support, encouragement, and reminders that it'll grow:)

E-mail Me...

My e-mail address is now posted on my sidebar. Feel free to drop me a line if you have a question or comment you'd like to ask privately!

Thank You, Sylvia!

When I joined the Orthodox Mom's Swap a few weeks ago, I had no idea that I'd get so many fun things! I opened the package from Sylvia and found a cute handbag full of goodies! The bag will be the perfect thing to hold all the the things I need to carry on a regular basis... plus, it is navy, one of my current favorite colors! I am really looking forward to reading the magazine and the travel brochure to Greece tonight. Our two year old has already tested the crayons, Lord's Prayer booklet, and index cards and I wore the flip-flops to the pool already! The diptych Icon is on my desk and the travel samples and notebook are already in ym new purse! Thank you for all of the little goodies that you sent Sylvia! I am definitely going to enjoy them!

Home Again, Home Again...

After four trips (12 days away!) since Memorial Day, we are happily back home getting our bearings! I have a bunch of posts I'd like to share in the next few days... stay tuned!

A Quaint Little Development...

We live in an area that seems to be booming with new developments. Though we are renting (and have signed the lease for a second year - a first in our marriage!), we enjoy looking around at houses. We were driving to the beach today and noticed a little hidden road. Since everyone was enjoying the ride, we decided to check it out. Look at these darling houses! Though they are new constructions, I love the style the builders chose and think that it is wonderful that the landscaping is mature (a nice change from our development where each house is lucky to have a lone sapling on their front lawn!). Doesn't this remind you a little of Mitford?

UPDATE: Prayers Requested...

Please pray for the safe and speedy return of a friend's teenage daughter (Susan).

UPDATE: Susan returned home safely! Thank you for your prayers!

Saint Nicholas, Patron Saint of Children

Deliciously Tasty...

Updated Blog Roll...

After many months of procrastinating, I've updated my blog roll. If you'd like to be added (or removed), just let me know!

Where I've Been...

I'm sorry that I've been pretty much MIA this past month. Things have been busy around here between two birthdays, the beginning of Lent, overnight guests each week, struggles without a choir director, and business woes (for my husband). Though it may seem silly, I am looking forward to April and it's rain! Rainy days will keep us snug at home with plenty to do.

I am looking forward to getting back into blogging more frequently, though some of my time will be spent helping my husband do some of the secretarial work for his business. I am hoping that I will soon have my computer hooked up downstairs (the web designer's wife has been computer-less since our move to this house!) ... which will mean that I can hop on when I'm able rather than when I can and when Fr. John isn't working!

A Little Blogging Break...

With our little one's baptism this Saturday, preparations to do for the house, church, and party, and lots of family and friends coming to celebrate with us, a blogging break is in order. I hope to be back on Tuesday. I will resume the Frumpy to Fabulous posts then. I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend!!

I'm Late, I'm Late, for a Very Important Date...

I'm sorry that the From Frumpy to Fabulous posts are late (again!). Things have been difficult in our house for the past day and a half due to vaccinations and a tumble down the steps (everyone is fine now, just sore!). I may have some time later tonight to catch up, but I'm not sure. I hope everyone is having a good week!

Scenes From Our Evening...

Since I never posted any Christmas decoration photos, I figured that I'd better since they are scheduled to start coming down tomorrow!

Mistletoe hanging from the bedpost

A watercolor I painted in college

Our Nativity scene

Our banister

A small wreath hanging from a doorknob

A glittery star ornament on the tree

A poinsettia ornament on the tree

Candlelit dinner for Theophany - complete with nursing mama's bubbly!