Horizon View

Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful (Not!)

2012-01-23T21:47:00.000-06:00

Ah, December! A green December. I don't suppose you can read the journaling on my pages ... I know it's small. I have a lot to say in my year books! December was nerve wracking for me. Worrisome some. Emotional. Anxious. Waiting! Of course, Scottie got cuter by the minute. And on the evening of Wed., December 7th, Gabriel Arnold was born. Why did I worry about how it was all going to go down? Gabe's birth mom and her mom graciously decided Sarah & Ryan should be witness to his birth. His first surgery was on Fri., December 16. The celebration of another baby's birth ~ the son of God, Jesus our Savior ~ brings peace. By the grace of God and the skill of the doctors, Gabe is with us and doing well as of the end of 2011. New Year's Eve was our family celebration, and Gabe was with us in spirit if not physically. It was a very good year. Thanks be to God!

Eleven Eleven

2012-01-23T21:21:00.000-06:00

I finished off 2011 right after the first of the new year, but I haven't yet shared with my blog followers. Here 'tis. Time to get 2011 published!

The Faster I Go, the Behinder I Get It Sometimes Seems

2011-11-10T17:55:00.001-06:00

Did you see those huge, fluffy white flakes coming down yesterday and today? The first snow of the season, always so pretty. Especially when it doesn't stick ~ just not quite ready for that yet! So, I came home sick mid-day on Tuesday. I am normally off on Wednesday anyway, but oh what a miserable day. I kept my germs here at home again today, Thursday, but I am feeling somewhat better. I think it's the work of all my prayer pals and the Good Lord hearing and granting them. September was busy enough, but oh my goodness ~ October was worthy of three double page layouts. November may be fairly quiet here, but I've a feeling December is going to bring ... well, very good things. Don't forget to click on the layout to get a bigger version. And now, you can sign up to get an email notice when this blog is updated. You will want to stay tuned ...

Well I'm having some trouble here. I'd like the layout to be large enough, when you click on it, to be able to read the journaling. The Help file says it's being uploaded at its original size. If that is so, it should be plenty big enough. I'm experimenting here. Bear with me.

I Had Forgotten How Sweet ...

2011-09-28T21:06:00.000-05:00

... it feels to hold baby, see baby smile and hear baby sounds. I also got pooped on and puked on today. But I loved it! Here are some 6x4 prints I made for a little album. I can always adjust them to be 8x8 or 12x12 for a book of Baby's First Year later. Enjoy!

Ping!

2011-09-11T21:22:00.000-05:00

Well, maybe I can post a little more often than monthly here on the blog. Like a mid-month, or something. We'll see. The weather has been so perfect recently. Ken planted Roma tomatoes and another kind; both are doing well. He brought in a huge pail of Romas in last evening, and I peeled them. Then today, two kinds of salsa. The first is how Ken's mom makes it, and I fell in love with it but never really made it myself. The Roma is perfect for this.

I made two batches and this is all that's left. Ken calls it "addicting," and I agree. Mom (and now me) puts the cut up tomato chunks in the food processor, together with some onion, 2 jalapenos, and some cilantro. She adds a little lime juice, and I had some so I added it too. Just a little salt, but not too much because we're really watching the salt for Ken. Okay, all the rest of those Romas? Made 21 pints of "The Best Salsa" today, with a full quart left over.

Gosh, it's a lot of work and some mess, but I do love to hear the lids pinging sealed. Music to our ears. Today's work was made easier due to a big bag of frozen jalapenos from a couple of years ago that were ready and waiting in the freezer. Anyway, my favorite recipe for canning salsa follows. I got it years ago from someone who shared it online:
12 c. chopped tomato
2 c. jalapeno peppers
3 c. chopped onions
2 t. cilantro
2 t. ground cumin
2 T. salt
2 T. red hot sauce
2 T. olive oil
8-10 garlic cloves, minced
6 oz. can tomato paste
1 T. black pepper (optional)
3 green peppers, chopped (optional)
Simmer for 1 hr. and then process for 1/2 hr. Run through blender (optional). I probably used too few onions today, and I threw in more cilantro than this too. Didn't have any extra green peppers today either. I have never run it through the blender. My 21 pints were about a triple batch, and I have a huge kettle and could cook it all up at once. Yum!

Sleptember

2011-09-03T13:09:00.004-05:00

Ha! Silly title. I chose it 'cause it's September, and also 'cause I'm sleepy. The Labor Day holiday has begun, and Ken will soon be home from work (Saturday, works until 1 p.m.) I've been busy finishing my August Scrap-Last-Month layout this morning, but had to do an extra double page spread of course to include Scott Donald's first month of life here on this earth. Oops, he's home. Gotta run! Don't forget to click on the layout to enlarge it. Not sure the journaling is going to be legible though. I guess I still have some work to do, things to learn.

Caught Up!

2011-07-01T07:46:00.004-05:00

The second quarter of the year went by in a flash! I got a tad behind in creating and posting my Scrap Last Month layouts, but we got 'er done, and bring on July! Will this be the month our newest little family member will be born, or will he make us wait until August? Remains to be seen. For now, we're looking forward to more warm weather, lots of garden produce, some bike rides, and a Happy Independence Day. Click on a layout to see it larger.

Lynn Blogs On

2011-03-31T12:18:00.003-06:00

March is going out "like a lamb," I suppose. It's going out, anyway. Sun is shining, that's good. I'm home with a head cold today, and taking advantage of the time to finish my month of March summary and publish February too. I've been loving the Wednesday evening Lenten services, with food prior to each service. We're doing the Holden Evening Prayer by Marty Haugen. Pastor Matthew has a beautiful voice, as does Heidi, Diana, and the children.

Anyway, here are three double-page layouts for February and one for March. As always, you can click on them to make them bigger.

A Year Closer to Heaven in 2011

2011-02-03T20:52:00.005-06:00

So, the Story of Our Life, 2010 edition, was published. I like it! I didn't leave quite enough room down the gutter, though. It got a little pinched. I will adjust for 2011. Here's January. I'm learning a new camera, and I'm not sure I bought the right one. Time will tell. Happy New Year!

Finishing up

2011-01-29T11:33:00.005-06:00

So, I completed The Story of Our Life for 2010 and had the book printed by LifePhoto. My bad, I should have left more space in the gutter. I knew better. Oh well, it's still very cool. Here we go!

Boo!

2010-11-04T21:38:00.002-06:00

Here's my summary of October. I guess the journaling says it all, or most of it anyway. What a lovely month, weatherwise. Very mild and nice. It was a busy month, especially at church. I do love my church, and serving my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ there. Took a walk into the past with former pastors returning and historical look at wedding dresses ... and into the future with the ordination and installation of Pastor Matthew. We look forward to seeing more of Kara and Amelia too, now that they've moved into their new home in Lake Mills as of last week. Wow, it's late ... going to bed. Work is going well and the holidays will be here in two shakes of a dog's tail.

Scrap Last Month: September 2010

2010-10-06T19:51:00.002-05:00

Here it is, September in review. As of this writing we've had a hard freeze. So doggone glad those mosquitoes are gone. For now.

Elroy-Sparta 2010

2010-09-04T21:40:00.001-05:00

So much fun! Remember to click on the picture to get a larger version. Enjoy!

Jan - March 2010

2010-09-04T21:36:00.002-05:00

April - August 2010

2010-09-04T21:25:00.006-05:00

A Year Has Passed ...

2010-08-04T17:40:00.002-05:00

A year ago today, Dad was laid to rest. The "firsts" are behind us now: the first birthday; the first Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter without him. The first Father's Day without our earthly father with us to celebrate the day. Ah, but we know he is at the Ultimate Party. He sure wasn't perfect, but he was a man of faith.

I bought a little book, "Forever Remembered" compiled by Dan Zadra and Marcia Woodard. It contains comforting words. One such reading is this: "It has been said that there are several ways to mourn. One is to weep; and we have done our share of weeping. Another way to mourn is to sing: to sing a hymn to life, a life that still abounds in sights and sounds and vivid colors; to sing the song our beloved no longer has the chance to sing. We sing the songs of our beloved; we aspire to their qualities of spirit; we take up their tasks as they would have shouldered them." -Rabbi Jack Stern, Jr.

And so we carry on.

In Memory ...

2009-08-12T08:29:00.004-05:00

I've not continued the Project 365 Picture of the Day for 2009. Here it is, August already. I am going to share July 2009 with you however, for those who might be interested in reading it. Everyone seems to be doing fine. The huge thank-you project will soon be under way.

As always, click on the picture for larger view.

Love to all, Lynn

Blessings Be Thine in 2009

2009-01-02T21:36:00.003-06:00

Oh, bad title, huh? Perhaps, and yet ... our wish for you in the new year.

Our life is full of abundance... and the last installment of Project 365 shows just how so. I took a photo yesterday, New Year's Day, but today was just an "ordinary" back to work Friday. Nothin' special to take a picture of ... and yet, I could have taken a photo of the mounds of clean laundry that greeted us when we got home (Kevin and Becky took advantage of our offer to use our washer and dryer and were just finishing up), or used Becky's photo of naughty Sadie caught red handed (or red pawed) with the homemade bread I left on the counter today. Oh, I love to take photos, and I plan to continue in the present format or an abbreviated one, perhaps condensing a two-page monthly layout into one page. No pressure, though, just pure pleasure. Oh, I did join a "52 Week Sketch Challenge," so I plan on getting back to the traditional scrap pages this year. Enjoy and God bless all in the new year.

Oh, By Gosh, By Golly

2008-12-17T20:25:00.002-06:00

Oh, by gosh, by golly

It's time for mistletoe and holly

Tasty pheasants, Christmas presents

Countrysides covered with snow

Oh, by gosh, by jingle

It"s time for carols and Kris Kringle

Overeating, merry greetings

From relatives you don't know

Then comes that big night,

Giving the tree the trim

You'll hear voices by starlight

Singing a yuletide hymn

Oh, by gosh, by golly

It's time for mistletoe and holly

Fancy ties an grannys pies

An folks stealin a kiss or two

As they whisper, Merry Christmas to you

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like ...

2008-12-02T21:07:00.006-06:00

Christmas! Yuppers, the season is here. Thanks-

giving was good, fun, and filling. The leftovers are finally finished. Ken got a deer the day after I last posted, a nubbin buck right on our own farm. How cool is that?! Pretty darn.

I am posting the second half of November tonight. I am really going to miss this project and although I won't worry about a photo a day in 2009, I'll have to modify in some way. I have a feeling there'll be plenty to photo journal in any event. It's too much fun.

Oh Deer ...

2008-11-22T21:46:00.003-06:00

I'm so proud of Ken. He actually stayed away from work today and enjoyed the outdoors. He missed a doe and let a little one go, but he was out there. Poor guy has a bad cold again, too. I did a little of this and a little of that in the house. Some cooking, some cleaning, some computer. We had homemade chicken soup for dinner, but no butterballs. I'm too lazy.

Here's the first half of November for your viewing pleasure.

Wedding Pics Uploaded ~ Finally

2008-11-01T18:20:00.002-06:00

So, I uploaded wedding photos to Flickr. Here's a link: http://flickr.com/photos/23238839@N05/sets/72157608575707397/

I should be able to add a slideshow right to the blog, but ... hold on, still learning. Arghhhhhh!

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T21:44:00.003-06:00

Wow ... I'm on the ball with Project 365 for the second half of October, huh? I should be out partying it up ... but I have a hubby with quite a cold that has made its way to his chest. Poor guy went to bed early and I didn't go with ...

Tomorrow marks three weeks since the Mehringer wedding. The photos and videos are wonderful! I need to upload some pictures and learn how to link to a Flickr album or however I'm going to do it. Perhaps tomorrow. The Boylens are thinking about adopting another fur pal, Wicker. Haven't met him yet ... maybe this weekend. Gotta get started on the Christmas shopping, too. The stores will really be competing for our dollar this year. And, finally, soon election day will be here and we will know which candidate is going to save the country. Hmmmm. Enjoy this installment of "photo of the day".

More October Musings

2008-10-19T18:55:00.003-05:00

And here we go with the first half of October, 2008. We want to wish a very special sister a Happy 50th Birthday today. She's celebrating with family in Benson, Arizona. Congrats, Diane!

Sweet October

2008-10-19T17:51:00.004-05:00

Although it's a blustery, very windy October Sunday, we still have an awesome view of spectacular color in the woods to our east. The weekend hasn't been long enough to do all the things that need doing, but it has been a relaxing one. Gail & Mike invited us over to eat and watch wedding video (what a gift, Gail!) on Friday evening, then laundry yesterday and the newlyweds had dinner with us. Today was church, and more catching up, and the Packers are winning ... yippee! I never did post the second half of September, so here we go. I need to figure out how I will post wedding pictures. Still gathering them up at this point. Enjoy!

Sunshine and Green Grass Again

2008-09-17T17:08:00.003-05:00

I am so blessed to be able to reserve Wednesdays for me if I so choose. Today I chose to bring three estate plan files home, and I did them all in about four hours, at the kitchen table no less. With the sun shining and my beautiful views and the breeze blowing in the open windows. The grass is green again thanks to recent rains and it's just plain lovely.

Another half month has passed, and it's time to post Photo of the Day for September 1-15. Here goes! Included on this page are the wonderful events of 9.14.08 - the bridal shower here on Sunday. Our daughter-in-law-to-be received so many nice gifts, and so many wonderful people attended.

Autumn's Really in the Air

2008-09-03T08:23:00.002-05:00

Wooo hee, yesterday's high was in the low 90's. Today's will be about 70. Oh my, we need some rain though. Everything is much too dry, dangerously dry.

I'm canning some salsa today and brought a bunch of files home from the office to get some serious drafting done. I do have the second half of August ready to post, however, so here goes.

May God bless all of the students and teachers (especially a certain first year McFarland High School business ed teacher and a certain tech ed teacher at Union Grove High) returning to school. Planning for Becky's bridal shower and bachelorette party, Oktoberfest for St. John's, and the wedding continues to be a focus for us. And we are blessed with some nice tomatoes in the garden, now in my canning kettle. So back to the salsa and those work files ...

Autumn's in the Air

2008-08-20T09:13:00.001-05:00

A Wednesday off ... and Thursday too. Yeah!! I've a few vacation days to use before the end of the month. But soooo much I want to do, as well. I just know it won't all fit into a couple of days. There's a fairly busy weekend ahead too ...

Anyway, here's the first half of August. And now, autumn's in the air. The focus is "back to school" in the stores and on the minds of students and teachers everywhere. We are thankful that son-in-law Ryan is teaching and coaching at a wonderful school, Union Grove High School ("Broncos") ... and thankful that Kevin was offered a teaching contract at McFarland High School ("Spartans") as well. In fact, he's off this morning to meet with HR and have a physical. New teacher orientation is Friday and Monday, with prep time the rest of next week. Classes begin the day after Labor Day. Woo hoo!

Sarah seems to be adjusting to the new job at Mays Insurance in Burlington. We pray that just the right position for Becky will become available to her also. Plans are under way for bachelor party, bridal shower, bachelorette party and of course, the big day on October 11. Also, our church Oktoberfest is October 4. MUCH to do for that fun day, too.

The Eighth Month

2008-08-02T13:54:00.003-05:00

Here we go! A new calendar page once again. July was ... well, a lot of things. But now it's history. So here are two layouts representing Project 365 for July.

All is well here as we hope it is with you. The garden is bearing produce, but the mosquitoes are nasty at times. Unbearable at times. We had a wonderful visit with Mom and Dad Mehringer, here for a week from Arizona in July. Kevin accepted a teaching position at McFarland High School, and wedding preparations are progressing. My goodness, we're talking month after next now. Hope you enjoy my July journal.

My Country, 'Tis of Thee

2008-07-04T21:24:00.005-05:00

Sweet land of liberty ... Happy 4th of July to one and all! A quiet and relaxing day for us. Perfect weather. Too many mosquitoes (gotta whine about something!) It's time to post the second half of June ... and over half the year is gone. History. Hope you are enjoying Project 365 and having a little glimpse into our world. Thank you to all of our service men and women who are on duty ... because of you I am able to enjoy so many freedoms. God bless the USA.

What a June (so far)!

2008-06-26T10:18:00.002-05:00

A June to remember, that's for sure ... or forget, however you want to look at it. Record breaking rainfall and floods. Quite the story. Here's the first half of June, and the second half will soon be up.

A Stormy June Morning

2008-06-05T07:42:00.006-05:00

Well, it's quite a wet and rainy one today. Thunder and lightning and wind and rain. Arghhh!! I'm still learning and it seems this time my photos are side by side? Maybe that'll change by the time I publish the post. I'm enjoying the photo-a-day very much. The layouts say it all for the most part, so there's not a lot of journaling to add. We look forward to Father's Day this month, Kevin's birthday, and the Boylens' 3rd wedding anniversary. Fun stuff!

Just Another Wednesday Mornin'

2008-05-07T08:01:00.003-05:00

Well, some things have changed since my last post. But life goes on, as is seen in this current installment of Project 365. I'm still taking a photo a day, or nearly every day...and jotting down a few words. The weather is warming, sun is shining more, flowers (and weeds!) blooming. Ken is busier than ever at work, and worried about help. Sarah and Ryan and Mazie are fine, despite their recent loss. Kevin and Becky are finishing up their college requirements, and soon the countdown to wedding day reaches five months! Sadie had her stitches out on Monday, and is as feisty as ever. I'm experiencing my share of aches and pains, but let's not go there. We are blessed.

Glorious Spring!

2008-04-23T20:27:00.007-05:00

And then (above) ... a very special layout containing some very special news. I had put my order in some time ago (not too long ago, though). It appears that, God willing, we'll acquire a daughter-in-law and a grandchild before the year is out!

Woo hoo ... what a day! Beautious out there today. I'm going to go ahead and upload Project 365 for the first half of April. One note regarding April 15 ... great nephew Owen Zachary has been added to the Pernat family. We've not met him yet, but heard he looks a lot like Austin. Praise God, he's a healthy baby and we hope to visit soon.

Student teaching is going well for Kevin, and wedding plans are progressing. Becky is working hard on her senior project and interviewing for an internship position. Many unknowns for these two but God will provide, and they have each other.

Sadie's surgery is tomorrow for removal of bladder stones. She needs to get back to her old self ... she's such a good friend!

April Fool's + 2

2008-04-03T11:38:00.003-06:00

Trying to be silly in the title, on April 3rd. I've been "on vacation" this week, scanning and scanning photos to get started on my family heritage book. Holding my mouse with right arm extended gave me a mean case of tendonitis (or whatever!) in the shoulder, which was really aggravated by Jazzercise last night. Owie ouch ouch. But I'm not stopping! At least I've felt like I got a good start this week. I also had Sadie to the vet on Monday. X-ray showed bladder stones, so she's on antibiotic pill which has been an experience trying to get her to take. It may be a surgery for her, we're not 100% sure yet how we'll handle this.

Here's my Project 365 for the second half of March. I'm still learning how to insert pictures and add links and so on. I'll close now and try to get some more scanning in before going in to work for one little appointment and then to a meeting tonight. Thanks for reading!

TGIF

2008-03-28T19:26:00.003-06:00

I'm too pooped to be creating a blog entry, but am doing it anyway. Still playing around, learning. I wish I knew how to get the image bigger, so you could actually SEE it well enough to read the journaling. I really like doing the Project 366, and that reminds me that I have to recharge my camera batteries!

More Project 366 - February

2008-03-21T20:02:00.004-06:00

Good Friday

2008-03-21T19:29:00.007-06:00

Three weeks since I created this blog? Hmmmm ... well, life is busy. I do enjoy my digiscrapping for personal archives as well as our new and improved church website. Mr. Miller generously gives us a 1/2 day holiday on Good Friday, but I called in this morning, and missed church this afternoon as well. Quite the stormy, snowy day here. Ken came home from work with a doozy of a head cold, so he headed to bed early.

I'm going to go ahead and share my Project 365 (366 for 2008) layouts. Niki from Italy started it by forwarding a Photojojo newsletter about it. Some of the Niki's Cellar and Fotofusion Yahoo Group ladies are participating. Some are using Flickr accounts, etc., but I thought I'd make a printed page of them. I had to backtrack in January a bit, since we didn't begin until later in the month. Here's my first blog image ... but yikes, it doesn't look big enough to read the text! What's up with that? (The photos are reversed ... 2nd half of month is first and 1st half of month is second. I'll learn yet!)

In the Beginning ...

2008-02-28T20:20:00.000-06:00

Just like that! One minute I'm thinking about creating a blog, the next minute I've created one. Well, I wasn't keeping up the website hosted by lutheransonline very well, and it seems like more and more people are keeping blogs, so I've taken the leap and jumped on the bandwagon too. Stay tuned!