Timely Posts

I realize the reason I haven't started a blog before this summer is that I don't have much to say. Some friends would disagree with that statement. :) I read a lot of blogs and follow them daily. But I'm just not as wordy or eloquent. Thus, only weekly posts here so far.

Saturday, I had the privilege of attending a Living Proof Simulcast. It was an awesome day of worship and study. We delved into a character study of Luke; who he was and how he came to be one of Christ's followers and a major contributor to the New Testament. I really enjoyed the study and it reminded me of vintage Beth Moore studies. Really felt drenched in the Holy Spirit.

Last night, I was noticing a light out of my blinds and realized it was the moon. So I drug my tripod outside and set it up. I didn't take any outstanding pictures, but I do have one to share.

 

I love the fact that I'm still learning to take my camera off program mode and use it in manual. This has been a major accomplishment for me. But I'm still learning the ins and outs of settings. I couldn't get the white balance right on the roses. The color is really blown out. I was really just playing with learning the depth of field on the lens I was using (50 mm prime 1:1.8) and didn't stress the color balance.

I am a horrible yard owner. I've let the weeds grow around my knock out roses. I really need to get outside and clip them away.

You can ALSO tell I'm a horrible yard owner by the fact that the second picture is of poke berries.  I've had many poke plants come up in the fence row flowers. I got tired of pulling them up and now I'm kind of glad I didn't pull up the last batch, the pink stems are gorgeous.

I also have had a rogue tomato plant grow right outside the porch. I pulled one up in the mulch by the front door and really thought to myself that I was nuts and there was no way I had a tomato plant growing in the mulch. But my yard laziness proved me sane. There are lots of little tomatoes on the plant I didn't pull up. I doubt they will develop enough to be eaten before the first frost. But I have gotten a good laugh at myself and God's humor. I had wanted to plant containers of tomatoes on the porch this spring and never got around to it. So He's making sure I get some tomatoes despite myself.

Be Blessed

Tracy

A little stitching

I actually found a little odd time to squeeze in stitching. I started Lizzie Kate's Big Girl Panties. I love this saying and this design!

Saturday Stitching

I've finally had a stitching finish! I think this may be my first and only finish of the year!  How sad am I?

The design is by 4 My Boys and it was a freebie. I radically changed all the colors and I'm going to make a pillow out of  it. I wish I knew how to do cute flat folds. But finishing is my downfall.

I plan on framing this little piece, it is by Lizzie Kate and I stitched it one over one. I've had it finished and waiting for the framing fairy to come and put it together. I think she lost my address, so I've dug and found the frame, glass and pins and I'm ready to put it together.

I must say that the white balance on my camera and I had loud arguments today. The camera won and I did a little photo editing and the colors are still not vibrant. But I can live with them.

Happy Saturday!

Tracy

Quick check in

Just doing a quick post. I hope to post some pictures of a new finish tomorrow. Light isn't right to take photos tonight.

I am very thankful for a three day weekend. This school year is going really well. But because of changes in our teacher evaluation system it seems as though a lot of my coworkers are really stressed. I've been to several TEA regional meetings and the feeling seems to stretch across Tennesse.

On a happy note, Carmen and I spent some time at a couple of Nashville art exhibits and I took a few pictures. But I can't seem o get them uploaded. :(. Why do I keep having blogging issues?

Thankful Thursday

Today, I'm very thankful for my coworkers. They make laugh, they make me cry, and they are always willing to help one another.

I'm also very thankful for my Dad. Today is the fifth anniversary of his death. I still miss him so very much! I have my love of traveling because if him. He went all over the world with work. Because of him, I traveled to Alaska this summer. He gave me a burning desire to see the area where he worked for thirteen years. I know I will return and I would love to see more of the state. It was all I thought it would be and there is much left to discover.

Dad in La Carmen Bolivia

Dad came from a big family, seven total, four brothers and three sisters. Dad was the first to pass, Aunt Edith (the oldest) has since passed away. Uncle Lonnie and Dad were really close. This is my favorite picture of them. Uncle Lonnie is the last of the siblings to live in Texas. 

Weekend Wonders

This weekend has felt like a roller coaster. I hung on tight for the ride!

Friday was the 2nd anniversary of mom's death. It was a very emotional day. I chose to spend the evening and Saturday working with Rising Above Ministry at By the Brook. This is a retreat they hold for mother's with special needs children.

I am blessed to be friends with Jeff, Becky, and Jon Alex Davidson. They head this ministry. I have served as the media person on the worship team at all the By the Brook retreats. I started the summer mom battled cancer and I often think I was ministered to more at the retreat than the moms!  

This retreat I had the privilege of teaching a class on quick inductive Bible study. There were such sweet ladies in the class, some very new to Bible study. It was awesome of God to give me the privilege of starting them on the journey of studying His Word.

Sunday was a full morning of church, working media for three services makes for a full morning. I took the night off from The Source which is our single's ministry. I had too much laundry and other home jobs to catch up on. I'm feeling very blessed and God answered my prayers of Friday morning to please let me feel His love and arms surround me. He is so good!

This one of my all time favorite pictures of mom taken on our trip to Key West.

Summer Plans

My goal for the summer (while not in school) was to work on several quilting projects. I did start on my sister's t-shirt quilt and have half the blocks sashed. I did very little cross stitching.

Today, I decided to watch a couple of older Fons and Porter episodes. I became inspired to start a project I've had planned for ages.

 I had all of the materials to do a few notebook covers. I have had this project ready to go for over a year. I decided it was time to get started.

I cut out all of the pieces. It is a very simple cover, you need a piece of quilted fabric cut to wrap around the notebook you choose. A couple of pieces to hold the notebook in place and an optional pocket for pens or as a catch all.

I cut all the pieces and then cut binding strips. I wanted the project to go quickly, so I machine stitched the binding to the front and back, adding a decorative stitch for the front of the piece. I'm not sure I will do that when binding of the entire piece. Next, I sewed the small pieces that hold the back of the notebook in place. I'm sewing four covers at once. So I stopped after turning the last strip inside out.

I still need to sew the pieces together and add the binding. But that will wait until Monday. I need to purchase some large buttons for the flap and I want to try to find some darker velcro for the closing. 

I realized that I needed to photograph my progress while I was sewing along. It is great practice for my photography class. I'm pleased to say I shot the entire time in manual mode. A big accomplishment for me. 

Not that every shot was good, by no means, some were really bad. But I'm learning from my mistakes. Mistake #1 is not wearing my glasses and having the diopter set for corrected vision! LOL Several of my photos were blurry because of that.

Asher decided to come and watch my progress.

Tracy