A Dream Come True!!!

Hi everyone....Merry Christmas!
I trust that all of you had a nice day; I know that I did!
This Christmas, I got something that I have wanted for a VERY long time...an archery bow! I went outside afterward and shot it...it's smooth and true. A 25-pound-pull, cameo colored, Youth Compound Bow. I would post a picture, but I didn't have time to take one. :(
Oh well. Anyway, have a nice evening, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

In Christ,
~Rose

P.S. I will be posting the winners of the 2008 Story Contest soon...also, I am sorry for not getting the prizes for the winners of the 2008 Photo Taking Contest out yet--it will be around New Years. Again, I am sorry for such the long wait! We shall try and get the out as soon as possible.

Merry Christmas!

Well, it's finally here; Christmas.
I have to stop and wonder sometimes where time does go! It seems that we just had Christmas!
This morning, after I had showered and done my Morning Devotions, I was sitting on my couch under my loft-bed; it was still dark, the house was quiet, I had soft Christmas music playing on my CD player, my Christmas lights were on, creating a soft red, blue, green and orange glow, and my cat was sitting in my lap. "Where had time gone?!" Only yesterday-it seemed-I had been sitting on the couch with my dad, brother, little sister and mom, opening presents and having a great time.
For some reason, I'm not that excited over Christmas this year; I guess that it's because of all of the different changes that have gone on in 2008. I know that you can never understand my feelings, but I'm sure that you have the same thoughts of your own.
But, no matter how we feel, we still need to be happy and cheerful to brighten other people's days. If we're down, then the others around us will most likely be too! As daughters in a family (or sons, whoever is reading this,) we must try and keep a good countenance, or else we'll only cause frustration and strife.
In the coming year of 2009, look back on your life, and if you can see an up-ward climb, then BRAVO! I cheer you on! But if you see a down-ward, slippery slope, then I encourage you to pick up the Bible that is gathering dust on your shelf, and read it through thoroughly, studying every word--after all--it IS God's letters to us.
I have been looking back on my life, and have seen a slow, curvy, rocky, tiresome climb up a horrifically steep mountain; I am no where near the top! Not even half way, but, by God's grace alone, I can make it...and if your situation is like mine; you can too.
In 2009, let's start that climb upwards to our Lord, and "Become more and more like Him."

Have a wonderful Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

In Christ Alone,
~Rose

The Simple Woman's Day Book

For Today: December 20, 2008
Outside my window: Cool and Cloudy.
I am thinking: How much time do I have before company gets here??? ;)
I am thankful for: Christmas!
From the kitchen: Water fountain, and some lovely Classical Christmas music...along with the smell of cinnamon.
I am wearing: Brown, frilly dress.
I am reading: Stepping Heavenward, Beautiful Girlhood and my Bible.
I am hoping: That it would snow.
I am hearing: My keyboard, computer vent, water fountain, Classical Music and my mom and Mae-ma talking.
Around the house: Wonderfully clean!
One of my favorite things: My Purity Locket from Vision Forum.
I accomplished since last week: Keeping the house clean.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Well, seeing that it's Saturday...I suppose that we'll entertain guests that are coming over and get read for church to morrow.
Here is something special that I'm sharing with you:

You're Time....Is Running Out!

Alright people!
Where are my story entries? I've only had one so far. A friend has told me that he only has to edit his and he'll send it in...surely more people are going to enter than just two?! :(
Oh well, it's the 17th...you ONLY have FOUR more days, and at midnight, this contest is closed.
If you have a story to enter, I would advise that you enter it VERY soon! :)

Thanks!

In Christ,
~Rose

The Simple Woman's Day Book

For Today: December 15, 2008
Outside my window: Cool, cloudy and rainy.
I am thinking: That I wish it were sunny so that I could go riding!
I am thankful for: Christmas!
From the kitchen: Water fountain, Classical Music, and my mom on the phone.
I am wearing: Long, blue skirt with blue shirt.
I am reading: Stepping Heavenward, Beautiful Girlhood and my Bible.
I am hoping: That it would snow.
I am hearing: My keyboard, computer vent, water fountain, Classical Music and mom on the phone.
Around the house: Clean! *gives a sigh of relief*
One of my favorite things: My Purity Locket from Vision Forum.
I accomplished since last week: Keeping the house clean.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Ooooh...possibly go riding, do math, work on a baby blanket, and get ready for Christmas.
Here is something special that I'm sharing with you:

Home-Making Tip:

To make your house smell like Christmas, take a small pot, (a sauce pan will do) one orange, one apple, two cinnamon sticks, and a pinch of cloves. Fill the pot almost full with water, and cut the apple and orange into quarters. Put the apple and orange in the water, and then add the cinnamon and cloves. Put on stove and turn to about four and a half. It smells wonderful!

Enjoy!

In Christ,
~Rose

Hannah's Horrifically Hot Chili!

Hello all!
Okay...does anyone here love hot-I repeat-HOT, spicy, mouth-burning chili?
If you do, you ought to try my home-made recipe for the hottest chili you've EVER had!
My recipe is called Hannah's Horrifically Hot Chili....I dare you to try it!

1 pound of ground beef
2 cans of diced tomatoes
2 cups of water
Paprika
Onion Powder
Ground Red Pepper
Garlic Powder
Ground Cayenne Pepper
Monterey Jack Cheese
Texas Pete Hot Sauce
Sour Cream

Directions:
Brown and drain the beef. Add the 2 cans of tomatoes (we used home-canned.) Add 2 cups of water and stir.
Now here's the fun part; put as much of the spices as you wish....preferably about a teaspoon of each. (or more!) We also used Ro-Tell diced tomatoes along with our home-canned ones. We used the MILD kind...but they have a REALLY hot kind.
Cook until ready.
If you want it even hotter, add a squirt of Texas Pete Hot Sauce and grated Monterey Jack cheese with jalapenos...and don't forget the full glass of milk to quench the burning! :D
Add a spoonful of Sour Cream.

Enjoy!

In Christ,
~Rose

A Random Post

Hi eberyone...
I'mb sick!
Alright, enough of that! (but I am sick....:)
Well, it's snowing right now; in the mid/low 20s I suppose. A cold day worthy of hot chocolate, a fleece blanket, blazing fire, soft, cozy music and Christmas tree.
Speaking of which; we went to get our Christmas tree today. We usually get it the day after Thanksgiving, but since we were at my Grandma's...it didn't work out.
We went out this morning for breakfast, and I took a few pictures there:

This is an 'experimental' one; the camera is focused on the glass, but my little sister is in the background. I like it. :)









Here is my dad,








Oh, and on the way back from getting the tree, Nate and I rode in the back! That was fun...and COLD!








Okay, now for some random pictures; here is an opossum that showed up on our back deck last night. It found the cat food....







This is a picture of one of my favorite drawings. I had this book when I was a little girl. It's called "Songs from Dreamland"; it comes with a tape and this book. The song that goes with the picture is called "Mommy is Tired Tonight"....but....I like it....;)








Here is the mountain in front of our house, it's called Bullhead. This was taken sometime last week, when there was frost on the trees.






The best for last:
This is Lillian. She and her family came for a visit last Thursday, and Lillian was 'marrying' my big Breyer horses. It was cute!









Well, what can I say? It's a random...VERY random post!

Thanks for reading it.
In Christ,
~Rose

P.S. Do not forget the Story Contest! It ends December 21 at midnight.

Okay...This Was Just TOO Funny to Pass Up!

Hello everyone,

After you read this post, you'll probably think that I'm the weirdest person in the world; but casting that fact aside, here it is anyway. ;)
I found this off of Jeremy's blog...Hope you don't mind me using it???

Oh well...all I can say is, that if you're not a Star War's fan and like John William music...You'll never get it! :D

Um...Sorry?

Okay...I'm very sorry about the text on the post before this one...something went VERY wrong! :(
Please ignore that...I'm not yelling--I promise!

Thanks.
In Christ,
~Rose

Various Things-

Hello everyone,
First of all, I'd like to thank all of you for the nice comments about Tucker; I do hope as well that he will come back. (But so far, we haven't seen anything of him.)

Okay, this post is going to be three in one...so...it may be sort of lengthy! :P :D
Post # 1.

Tagged.
Well, I've been tagged...I'll have to deal with it. (to everyone that has tagged me in the past: Sorry-it's been rather busy, and I just had found time when Fox tagged me.:()

Fifteen things that I'm not afraid to admit:
1.I have five cats.
2.I have a couple of annoying friends. *side glances at Fox* :)
3.Just set up Christmas decorations today.
4.This post is pretty random. ;)
5.I haven't visited friends blogs lately.
6.I'm sorry for that!
7.Packed and un-loaded 100 bales of hay in three trips. *wipes forehead*
8.Hoping to not get a cold that little sister has. :)
9.Am looking forward to Thursday.
10.Am wishing that I could get this over with.
11.Just four more to go!
12.Am surprised that you haven't left my blog yet!
13.My brother is sitting here watching me.
14.This is getting really annoying....
15. GIVES A HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF!!!!!!!

Okay...now that's done! Er, I'm not going to go tag six other people...have more important things to do!

Post # 2
Story Contest.

Um...Er....I have no entries! Could you start sending stuff in so that I'll have time to judge? I would be VERY thankful!

Thanks.

Post # 3
Ronnie: Your Typical "Purpose Driven Church" Attendee.

The best is always saved for last! My dad showed me this video just a few moments ago: it's strange at first, but it just gets better! Please watch!