Wasp Nest

I was out doing yard work yesterday and came across this wasp nest in low branch of an oak tree. Thankfully I didn't walk right into it!

Absolutely Beautiful!!

Full orchestra and choir do the finale of Beethoven's Ninth as a flashmob!

Proclaim it!

"...proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..." 

~ 1 Peter 2:9b

The Hoppers in Concert!!

 Last evening we went to a concert by the Hoppers!! It was a real treat to meet them in person after having enjoyed their music for several years.  We went with our Aunt and Uncle from church and had a great time together!!  (Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of us all...although you can see a reflection of Mom, Ana, and me on the back of the Hopper bus in the above picture!)

 Mr. and Mrs. Hopper and Mrs. and Mrs. Hopper  ;-) 

(Part of the group, but not pictured, is their other son Micheal who plays the drums, and the piano player...I think his name was Josh.)

 Mrs. Connie Hopper - she has a lovely alto voice and gentle southern accent!

 Mr. and Mrs. Claude Hopper.

 Mrs. Kim Hopper - a sweet lady with a powerful soprano voice!

Mr.and Mrs. Dean Hopper singing a song about daughters.  It made Mom cry, and after the song Dean came down off the stage and gave her a tissue!

These southern gospel groups are so friendly. During the intermission and after the concert, we girls enjoyed visiting with the elder Mr. Hopper - we was so kind and funny!  

It was a wonderful evening!!

The Greatest Food in the World?

Episode 14:  Mr. Collin Gunn shares the results of his search for the "greatest food in the world" at the Reformation of Food and Family Conference!! This is a really fun video!!

Let's Dance!

Sunday afternoon we gathered at the K family farm for an English Country Dance (and some square dancing too)!

"Virginia Reel"

"Progressive Gordon"

"Heel and toe..."

The dance group!  (Although by the time we thought to take a group picture, several people had already left.)  We had such a fun time together!!!

A Few Notes From the Food Conference

We've been enjoying the live stream of the Reformation of Food and Family conference that Vision Forum put on this past weekend.  Here are a few notes from the talks I was able to listen to so far....

Exercise fits us for a more useful purpose. It revives our minds.
Four hours of TV a day = 46% higher risk of death by anything.
Gratefulness produces chemicals that are like an opiate to your body.
Pay your grocer, not your doctor. It’s a lot less expensive to eat well than to fight higher medical bills.
~ Gary Powers


A meal needs to be peaceful for digestion and communication.
Eating food on foam plates is like putting a fine painting in an inferior frame.
I do believe butter is better.
~ Chef Francis Foucachon


Mercury in the body is related to Alzheimer and Autism - it is an ingredient in vaccinations.
Lead causes learning disabilities and seizures.
A toxin used to induce diabetes in rats is also used to make flour white.
~ Dr. Michael Bernui


God is a God of order and pattern.
There is no ecology without animals.
Herbivoros do not eat carrion.
~ Joel Salatin

Hannah K's Open House

Last weekend we went to our friend Hannah's graduation open house. (Congratulations Hannah!!)

It was a beautiful summer day!

Hannah showing Krista the horses.  I realized when I got home that this was the only picture I got of Hannah.  

  There were several cute little kids there!

Miss Krista :)

Moya's Wedding Dress

A few months ago a dear friend asked me to make her wedding dress.  I was delighted!  She had a favorite outfit (a skirt and top) from Africa that I took a pattern off of.

 I measured the dress and took notes on construction.

Tracing the skirt panels with a sharp tracing wheel.

Cutting out the finished pattern!

The lovely fabric

The finished dress!!  It fit her perfectly and suited her so well!!  

Go HERE to see my post about the wedding!

Poppy

Sisters!

Becca's Graduation

Our friend (and neighbor) graduated from homeschool a couple weeks ago.

Congratulations Becca!!!!

We enjoyed visiting with many friends and neighbors at the open house!

Happy 4th of July!!

 

“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favors.”

~ George Washington

~ Andy Griffith ~

 Actor Andy Griffith, who played Sheriff Andy Taylor in the fictional town of Mayberry, died this morning at the age of 86 at his home on Roanoke Island.

"His death is not only a milestone in American culture, but a reminder to all of the fleeting nature of life and the fact that "values" whether they are conservative or liberal, are insufficient to reconcile us for our offenses against the living God. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. And to sin against an infinite and holy God requires an infinite and holy sacrifice to make atonement. Jesus the Christ was that atonement. He declares that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us." - Doug Phillips


This show was conservative, but is not to be confused with his real life politics i.e. the advertisement for Obamacare that he participated in.
"May we learn from his life that only a heart that is self-consciously and deliberately built on the foundation of the Word of God has a sure basis not only for salvation but also for morality, family harmony, justice, and law." - Joel McDurmon

In honor of Andy Griffith, here is an episode of The Andy Griffith Show!  

Did you know there were words to that famous theme tune? :)