Helping Dovetail

Actually, I wasn't really helping, I was really watching ... and taking pictures. ;) Popi said that big brother C needed help in the garage because he was using the router to make dovetails for the drawers.

Oh, in case I haven't mentioned it before, we're redoing our kitchen. :) Popi and big brother C decided they were going to make (yes make, all from scratch) our new cabinets, which includes shelves, drawers, doors, new flooring, etc., etc.. They are doing fantastic. In fact all of the units themselves are in. Some have doors, some do not. Some have shelves and some ... do not. ;) And some have drawers and some do not. So today big brother C, Katya and my new (and only so far) niece, Greta, came over to put some drawers together. Popi and Leah had to go to Leah's softball practice so Popi had to stop helping C and go help with softball. So, as I said before, Popi said C needed help. So little brother E and I went out to help. Although there wasn't much to do but hold the vacuum, which I did once, then E wanted to hold the vacuum. So I took pictures for all you peeps out there. ;) So here ya go.

My brother's big hand. ;) He's so strong!!! It's amazing!The "dovetailer". :) It hold the boards in place and then you take the router and follow the little grooves to cut the boards into dovetails. :) Amazing, I know. And yes, we have supported Rockler a few times. :)Sorry the whole world is tipping in this picture, I was holding the vacuum with my right hand, because I'm right handed and I was trying to take a picture with my left hand, not always a good idea. But this is the router making dovetails.It fits! That's the best part.Router bit. It's so neat looking.

Dovetail cuts.

Ready to be put together.

More cutting of the dovetails.

And ... even more cutting of dovetails.

I think it was around 50 today. It felt so nice out. The sun was shinning and it was beautiful!

Sometime I'll have to do a "before and after" post of the kitchen for all ya peeps.

So ummm ... aren't little brothers suppose to wear LITTLE clothes?

Or maybe it's just me. *Shrugs* I was folding my little, (yes L.I.T.T.L.E.) brother's clothes the other day and I held one of his shirts up. I was like, "Whoa, this looks like it could fit me," and so ... ummm ... yeah, I tried it on. :) 'Cause I just had to know. :) So here's what I found.

L.I.T.T.L.E. brother E and me. He was trying really hard not to burst out laughing. This is us on our own clothes.And *ahem* brother E and me wearing each other's shirts. Other than the sleeves being a touch to short and the shirt just slightly tighter than I usually wear, it almost fit. Yeah, it's a little sad that my almost teenage baby bro can almost wear the same size as me, his early twenties-year-old sister. But just the same, I had to share. Sad as it may be. ;) I just hadn't realized how fast he was growing up. Oh and P.S.~ Don't E's outfits just look fabulous together? ;)

*~* Miss Jane Day *~*

My "Miss Jane Day" today is from my dear friend who e-mailed it to me. Thank you so much Nikki! Enjoy every one!

No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy, would have supposed her born to be an heroine. Her situation in life, the character of her father and mother, her own person and disposition, were all equally against her. Her father was a clergyman, without being neglected, or poor, and a very respectable man, though his name was Richard - and he had never been handsome. He had a considerable independence, besides two good livings - and he was not in the least addicted to locking up his daughters. Her mother was a woman of useful plain sense, with a good temper, and what is more remarkable, with a good constitution. She had three sons before Catherine was born; and instead of dying in bringing the latter into the world, as any body might expect, she still lived on - lived to have six children more - to see them growing up around her, and to enjoy excellent health herself. A family of ten children will be always called a fine family, where there are heads and arms and legs enough for the number; but the Morlands had little other right to the word, for they were in general very plain, and Catherine, for many years of her life, as plain as any. She had a thin awkward figure, a sallow skin without colour, dark lank hair, and strong features; - so much for her person; - and not less unpropitious for heroism seemed her mind. She was fond of all boys' plays, and greatly preferred cricket not merely to dolls, but to the more heroic enjoyments of infancy, nursing a dormouse, feeding a canary-bird, or watering a rose-bush. Indeed she had no taste for a garden; and if she gathered flowers at all, it was chiefly for the pleasure of mischief - at least so it was conjectured form her always preferring those which she was forbidden to take. - Such were her propensities - her abilities were quite as extraordinary. She never could learn or understand any thing before she was taught; and sometimes not even then, for she was often inattentive, and occasionally stupid. Her mother was three months in teaching her only to repeat the 'Beggar's Petition;' and after all, her next sister, Sally, could say it better than she did. Not that Catherine was always stupid, - by no means; she learnt the fable of 'The Hare and many Friends,' as quickly as any girl in England. Her mother wished her to learn music; and Catherine was sure she should like it, for she was very fond of tinkling the keys of the old forlorn spinnet; so, at eight years old she began. She learnt a year, and could not bear it; - and Mrs. Morland, who did not insist on her daughters being accomplished in spite of incapacity or distaste, allowed her to leave off. The day which dismissed the music-master was one of the happiest of Catherine's life. Her taste for drawing was not superior; though whenever she could obtain the outside of a letter from her mother, or seize upon any other odd piece of paper, she did what she could in that way, by drawing houses and trees, hens and chickens, all very much like one another. - Writing and accounts she was taught by her father; French by her mother: her proficiency in either was not remarkable, and she shirked her lessons in both whenever she could. What a strange, unaccountable character! - for with all these symptoms of profligacy at ten years old, she had neither a bad heart nor a bad temper; was seldom stubborn, scarcely ever quarrelsome, and very kind to the little ones, with few interruptions of tyranny; she was moreover noisy and wild, hated confinement and cleanliness, and loved nothing so well in the world as rolling down the green slope at the back of the house.
Such was Catherine Morland at ten. At fifteen, appearances were mending; she began to curl her hair and long for balls; her complexion improved, her features were softened by her plumpness and colour, her eyes gained more animation, and her figure more consequence. Her love of dirt gave way to an inclination for finery, and she grew clean as she grew smart; she had now the pleasure of sometimes hearing her father and mother remark on her personal improvement. 'Catherine grows quite a good-looking girl, - she is almost pretty to-day,' were words which caught her ears now and then; and how welcome were the sounds! To look almost pretty, is an acquisition of higher delight to a girl who had been looking plain the first fifteen years of her life, than a beauty from her cradle can ever receive.

~Northanger Abbey

Encouragement from the Psalms

Psalm 62:1-2~
1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from Him comes my salvation.
2 He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalm 62:5-8~
5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my might rock, my refuge is God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, O People;
pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.

~ESV~

Modesty Survey

I came across this survey a while ago and thought it VERY helpful!!! READ IT!!!! I have it linked on my side bar as well!!

Me, have a journal obsession? ... NAH!

Well, okay. So maybe I do. But I'm loving it!! :) I know, I know. That's not the attitude to have if I know I have a problem with buying too many journals/notebooks, and I do try to be careful how many I buy and I make sure that I will use it if I buy it. I think I have seven that don't have anything in them but only one that I don't know what I'm going to do with it. I do know what the other ones are going to be used for. I just have to fill some other ones first before I can start to write in them. So I do plan ahead and have ideas for the journals I buy. Sometimes I know right away what I'm going to do with them and sometimes I don't, but be assured, I will find some use for every journal I buy or receive. :) So without further explanation/excuses, here is my rather-large-but-oh-so-wonderful-borderline-obsession-journal-collection.

"... the blank pages of a beautiful journal are so mysterious and tantalizing! I can't wait to write on them and I'm afraid of writing on them at the same time - eager to record thoughts and feelings as beautiful as the journal and reluctant to risk marring the beauty of the cover and pages with unworthy thoughts and feelings. Sometimes I keep a beautiful BLANK journal for years, before deciding to use it for something lovely! :->"

~ Elizabeth, Twenty Three and Soaring

The tomb is empty ... our hearts are full!

Easter is here again. But this year, let's not think of it as Easter, let's think of it as Resurrection Sunday. I've thought of it so for a few years, but often the real meaning gets lots in Easter bunnies, eggs, pretty new clothes, flowers, and sometimes even family and friends. Let us strive to remember the work Christ did on the cross, let us strive to remember the tomb is empty and how full our hearts are! I'm not going to go into a long "preach-y" post, but I want to share a few songs that are close to my heart and that I think apply here as we give glory and thanks-giving for Christ's death, His resurrection, His separation from the Father for our lives, His love, His wisdom, His life and His gift of life to us! May you all have a wonderful, God-filled Resurrection Sunday and may Christ not only fill your hearts, may He fill your mind and spill out to every one around you! Christ be praised!!!

How Deep the Father's Love for Us


Gloria

I wish I could crash like the waves
Or turn like the autumn leaves
In effort to praise You

I wish I could smell like the forest
The fragrance lifting a mighty chorus
In effort to praise You
In effort to praise You

Chorus:
But I’m such a limited creature
And my word can only paint so many pictures
But somewhere I think I read that I am

Treasured over all creation
So I know that I must try

I wish I could roll like the thunder
To leave the earth below in wonder
In effort to praise You

I wish I could fall like the summer rain
And every drop would sing Your name
In effort to praise You
In effort to praise You

Repeat chorus

Gloria, glory in the highest
Forever I will hide myself in Thee (2x)

Every breath that I breathe
Every moment in my history

Is an effort to praise You
An effort to praise You

Glory in the highest
Forever I will hide myself in Thee

Oh, Gloria
Glory in excelsis deo

Gloria, gloria, gloria
Gloria, gloria, gloria

~Watermark

(I have never heard of the band "Watermark" so I don't know what their music is like, but I've heard this song done by the group "Glad" and I really liked their version of it.)

Before the Throne of God Above

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Behold Him there! The risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless, Righteousness
The Great unchangeable I AM
The King of Glory and of Grace
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God

~Charitie Less Bancroft

(This song was also one that I heard "Glad" sing.)

*~* Miss Jane Day *~*

The evening ended with dancing. On its being proposed, Anne offered her services, as usual, and though her eyes would sometimes fill with tears as she sat at the instrument, she was extremely glad to be employed, and desired nothing in return but to be unobserved.

It was a merry, joyous party, and no one seemed in higher spirits than Captain Wentworth. She felt that he had every thing to elevate him, which general attention and deference, and especially the attention of all the young women could do. They Miss Hayters, the females of the family of cousins already mentioned, were apparently admitted to the honour of being in love with him; and as for Henrietta and Louisa, they both seemed so entirely occupied with him, that nothing but the continued appearance of the most perfect good-will between themselves, could have made it credible that they were not decided rivals. if he were a little spoilt by such universal, such eager admiration, who could wonder?

These were some of the thoughts which occupied Anne, while her fingers were mechanically at work, proceeding for half an hour together, equally without error, and without consciousness. Once she felt that he was looking at herself -- observing her altered features, perhaps, trying to trace in them the ruins of the face which had once charmed him; and once she knew that he must have spoken of her; -- she was hardly aware of it, till she heard the answer; but then she was sure of his having asked his partner whether Miss Elliot never danced? The answer was, "Oh! no, never; she has quite given up dancing. She had rather play. She is never tired of playing." Once, too, he spoke to her. She had left the instrument on the dancing being over, and he had sat down to try to make out an air which he wished to give the Miss Musgroves an idea of. Unintentionally she returned to that part of the room; he saw her, and, instantly rising, said, with studied politeness,

"I beg your pardon, madam, this is your seat;" and though she immediately drew back with a decided negative, he was not to be induced to sit down again.

Anne did not wish for more of such looks and speeches. His cold politeness, his ceremonious grace, were worse than any thing.

~Persuasion

Becoming Jane

My sister and I stayed up late (1:30am) one night (morning) and watching Becoming Jane. I thought, over all, it was a good movie ... okay, so I loved it!! :) There were a couple of parts that they could have cut out. They had a "bed" scene with her parents. It wasn't bad as far as bad goes but they could have left it out. There was a "swimming" scene, if you know what I mean. But thankfully it was short and Jane (Anne Hathaway) left so she wouldn't seen any more. And then there was a book that Mr. Lefroy (James McAvoy) told her to read that she could have read without us knowing what it said (or seen any of the pictures from 'said' book). If any of you have seen the Masterpiece Theatre version of Northanger Abbey you'll remember the part in the movie when Catherine stays up late to read a book that her friend recommended and that was a little "detailed", the same with the book the Mr. Lefroy told Jane to read. But other than those few spots, out of the whole movie (if my memory serves me right), I loved it. I really liked now they wove Jane Austen's stories into the movie and you could see what may have inspired her to write her books. You can see little things that pop up and make you think, "Ahh, Northanger Abbey ... that one is Pride and Prejudice (or First Impressions (by the first title))." If you are going to watch the movie, watch the deleted scenes and the other things in the extras. There was one extra we watched that had different interviews of the actors and actresses that really shed some light on what was going on and what Jane Austen might have been like, but I'm sorry to say I don't remember what they called that specific extra. :) You'll just have to watch them all. :) But if nothing else, watch the deleted scenes!!!!! Some of the deleted scenes were my favorite out of the whole movie! The filming was amazing!!! I loved it, rain dripping off of green leaves, rain drops in puddles on stone walk ways, rain on a window pane, ink on a page, beautifully formed letters flowing from Jane's pen, flowers, sunrises, clouds, everything beautiful and wonderful. If you are going to watch this movie, although it is rated PG, I recommend not watching it with little eyes around. :) But then again, that's just what I thought of the movie.

My weekend

The piano recital was so wonderful!! My kids did such a good job. I was so happy with how they all played and how they composed themselves! It was certainly a wonderful way for my first ever piano recital to go!! :) It was beautiful!

Here are some pictures of the preparation. Lots of baking. :) 11 dozen (give or take a cookie or two) cookies and three gallons of punch. :)

P.S.~ This is my 200th post!!! Hurrah for many posts. :)

More of my Niece!! :)

Since Kat is now home from the hospital and adjusting to baby Greta, she found time to post pictures!!! Check them out here!!

I know I said I'd be busy ... and I am ... but ...

I just had to share this with ya'll!! :)

I received an e-mail from one of my piano students. She called it "Flowers for my piano teacher" (isn't she just a sweet-y!). And here's what she wrote.

Think Spring

When you open the web page,

it will be blank but just click on your

mouse, drag across the page and see what happens!

http://www.procreo.jp/labo/flower_garden.swf

Love, C

Isn't it the greatest!!?? I completely covered my screen. :) It made me giggle and I just had so much fun!!! :)

Busy, yet extremely fun, weekend!!

As some of you know, I teach piano, and I've finally gotten to the point (or rather God brought me the students and brought me to the point) were I have enough students to put on my very own piano recital. I've never done my own recital before, so it's very different getting ready to listen to the recital and make sure everything is ready for the recital reception instead of practicing a song to play in the recital. :) I'm very excited. I can't wait to hear my students play. They are all going to do great! :) Not like I'm biased or anything. ;) But they are all working hard (or they should be :) ) so I think it will be good. I'm not expecting a perfect recital, but a good one just the same. If they mess up it will be okay. Pianists mess up sometimes (speaking from 15 (almost 16) years of experience; a lot of the time we mess up. :) ) but you keep going, you don't stop, you don't get discouraged, you keep going!! Kind of like in the Christian walk, you stumble and fall, but you keep going, you don't get discouraged and give up!

So all of that to say, if I don't post again this week, you know why. :) Cookies need baked, programs need fixed and printed, punch needs made and mixed, tables need set up, piano lessons need taught, new students need started, student's songs need tweak, etc., etc.. So if I don't get to back here this week I hope you all have a wonderful week and weekend, praising and glorify Christ; our Lord, Savior, Best Friend, Shepard, Master, and King!!!

*~* Miss Jane Day *~*

I asked earlier in a post for help on my Miss Jane Days and as I have received some help I thought, as I said, that I should share it! The help I received was from Elizabeth from Twenty Three and Soaring. Thank you Elizabeth!

"What a fun idea - to ask your blog readers what their favourite Jane Austen quotes and scenes are! I'd love to participate (I'm sorry it's taken me so long to do so!) ...

So ... some of my favourite scenes are:

In 'Pride and Prejudice', when Elizabeth Bennet and Charlotte Lucas are discussing love and whether Jane Bennet should or should not let Mr Bingley know that she has feelings for him ...

In 'Emma,' when John and Isabella Knightly come to stay with Mr Woodhouse and Emma Woodhouse ... well, actually I like two scenes from this time! Firstly, the scene in which Emma is holding Isabella's baby and Emma and Mr Knightly are talking. Secondly, the scene in which everyone is at Randalls and it begins to snow and John Knightly comes in to break the news ... !

In 'Sense and Sensibility', when Colonel Brandon tells Elinor Dashwood about the living he wants to give Edward Ferrars, but Mrs Jennings thinks Colonel Brandon is asking Elinor to marry him. I just re-read 'Sense and Sensibility' and I LOVE this scene - it's so fun!

I'm afraid none of these scene are romantic, but ... I think they are ALL 'so sweet' or 'so fun'! I enjoy watching Jane Austen movies, but I enjoy reading Jane Austen books more. Jane Austen has such a lovely way with words! :-)"

It's official!!

I'm an Auntie!!! :) Baby G was born late this morning around 11:00 am. She is so little, 6lb. 3oz. and 18 1/2" long. She is so adorable. I just loved holding her!!!

Baby and Daddy (my brother!!). The first time I saw her!!Mommy (Katya) loving every moment of being a mommy, kissing baby over and over!!And baby G. Hello sweet-y pumpkin!!Auntie Ana (me!!!!!) and baby G!! I love being an Auntie already!!!!

*~* Miss Jane Day *~*

He was gone as he spoke; and Fanny remained to tranquilise herself as she could. She was one of his two dearest -- that must support her. But the other! -- the first! She had never heard him speak so openly before, and though it told her no more than what she had long perceived, it was a stab; for it told of his own convictions and views. They were decided. He would marry Miss Crawford. It was a stab, in spite of every longstanding expectation; and she was obliged to repeat again and again that she was one of his two dearest, before the words gave her any sensation. Could she believe Miss Crawford to deserve him, it would be -- oh, how different would it be -- how far more tolerable! But he was deceived in her; he gave her merits which she had not; her faults were what they had ever been, but he saw them no longer. Till she had shed many tears over this deception, Fanny could not subdue her agitation; and the dejection which followed could only be relieved by the influence of fervent prayers for his happiness.

It was her intention, as she felt it to be her duty, to try to overcome all that was excessive, all that bordered on selfishness, in her affection for Edmund. To call or to fancy it a loss, a disappointment, would be a presumption, for which she had not words strong enough to satisfy her own humility. To think of him as Miss Crawford might be justified in thinking, would in her be insanity. To her, he could be nothing under any circumstances -- nothing dearer than a friend. Why did such an idea occur to her even enough to be reprobated and forbidden? It ought not have touched on the confines of her imagination. She would endeavour to be rational, and to deserve the right of judging of Miss Crawford's character and the privilege of true solicitude for him by a sound intellect and an honest heart.

She had all the heroism of principle, and was determined to do her duty; but having also many of the feelings of youth and nature, let her not be much wondered at if, after making all these good resolutions on the side of self-government, she seized the scrap of paper on which Edmund had begun writing to her, as a treasure beyond all her hopes, and reading with the tenderest emotion these words, 'My very dear Fanny, you must do me the favour to accept --' locked it up with the chain, as the dearest part of the gift. It was the only thing approaching to a letter which she had ever received from him; she might never receive another; it was impossible that she ever should receive another so perfectly gratifying in the occasion and the style. Two lines more prized had never fallen from the pen of the most distinguished author -- never more completely blessed the researches of the fondest biographer. The enthusiasm of a woman's love is even beyond the biographer's. To her, the handwriting itself, independent of anything it may convey, is a blessedness. Never were such characters cut by any other human being as Edmund's commonest handwriting gave! This specimen, written in haste as it was, had not a fault; and there was a felicity in the flow of the first four words, in the arrangement of 'My very dear Fanny,' which she could have looked at forever.

~Mansfield Park

**~**~**Lace**~**~**

***Warning ... Lots of lace pictures!!***

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I'm still here!

Hello all! I know it's been a while since I've posted, I've just been super busy. It's not like I don't have things to post about, it's just that since I've been busy nearly all day every day the posts I've been planning are piling up. :) I hope to post very soon, don't give up hope that there might be a post in this blog's future. :) Thank you all for staying faithful at checking my blog and being patient. :) Until my next post ... bye!