You would think this would already be a done deal . . .

I am sure frustration levels are at an extreme high with my friends right now.  My friend's wife went down on Fri. with her sister and their daughter.  A plane with some of the kids from the orphanage arrived on Sat. evening, but their children were not supposed to be on it.  Then when she saw video of the children she saw her daughter Patricia in the group, but not her brother Philippe.  Soooo . . . Patricia arrived on Sat. evening and they expected Philippe Sunday afternoon or Monday morning.  Now, the Prime Minister has stopped the flights of the orphans with Philippe still in Haiti without his older sister.  I am sure our State Senator has been contacted about this, but I am just astonished. 

When my friends were planning on adopting they saw Patricia and then within the month they found out she had a younger brother.  They knew that they would never separate siblings and how that would just break the hearts of these children.  There is just no way that these kids who have been in the adoption process for two years have a different status of adoption--they have the same parents--and now they have been separated by people who just want to show that they are in charge.  I don't know how they could think that this is an okay thing to do. 

Also, by allowing these children to come to the US, the orphanage is better equipped to handle children who have been orphaned by the earthquake.  They have already been able to take in about 30 children.  If they didn't have to be worrying about the rest of the children waiting to come to the US, they would be able to care for more.  I am sure it is the same way with other orphanages in Haiti.

I guess I understand not wanting children to be sent willy-nilly around the world, but I have not yet heard of any child coming over from Haiti that was not supposed to be adopted and didn't have their parents waiting for them.  Maybe its happened, but you would sure think the news sources would be up on that happening as they have been at the airports waiting for the children along with parents.

Don't know what else to say . . .

Coming Home!

The children should be coming home tonight or tomorrow morning!  My friend's wife and her sister on on there way or already in FL now to pick up their kids whenever they arrive.  I believe that 114 children from the orphanage will be coming to the US from this orphanage (these were the children already in process of being adopted).  Now the orphanage will not need to care for so many children (approx. 15 children were not in process of being adopted yet) and can focus on helping birth families that are in need of help.

The kids have been back and forth and unsure of what will be happening to them for the past week during aftershocks and small amounts of food.  Plus, media attention--CNN's Solodad O'Brien went with the children on the bus yesterday to the embassy (the bus ended up having to turn back as the children were getting sick in the heat and waiting in clogged streets).

I can often whine and complain (maybe not out loud all the time, but it is still there running through my mind) about how things are going in my life.  Don't have enough money, our furniture is mostly handed down through family and friends, but I need to be reminded of how my life has been blessed.  Those who have been blessed with much need to give much.  Give their prayers, give their time, give what they can . . .

We have all been blessed in some way, so we should give of those blessings to others.  What have you been blessed with?  How can you use what you have to help those around you?

PS  I think I may have to look back on this post when I want to start to whine about things.  I'm one of those people who needs lots of reminders!

Update

The kid's orphanage was on Fox News over the weekend.  The reporter that came upon the orphanage found the children with almost no food and water with no help having arrived, but they alerted the powers that be and relief has been sent there way (what little there is that can actually get to them).  Out of the 130 or so children there about 120 are already in process of being adopted and many of them have been in limbo for at least a year.  There is a plane waiing for the kids in the Dominican Republic and our friends are on call to be ready to have their children very soon.

They are waiting on clearance from the State Department.  All of the children have visas in hand and they just need the ok.

Soon, soon, soon!

Prayer for my friends kids in Haiti NEEDED

My friends whose children are in one of the orphanages in Haiti need prayers sent their way.  They just got news from the orphanage about the actual current status at the orphanage and are in need of real help.

Follow this link to the orphanage website for details.

Some good news: They have news from the state department that they will be trying to get all of the children who are in process of being adopted to their families in the US and finish the paperwork here, but they need to make it through until that time comes--with travel being the way it is and red tape that needs to get cut and also making sure that children and their paperwork can successfully be put together to find their families.  There are also many other children who have lost their parents in this time and I am sure it is hard to know who to trust as well.  My heart just cries for these kids!

Happy Birthday Dan!

Dan doesn't go on the internet--we don't have internet at home--he doesn't quite know how to turn on the computer we have at home.  Perhaps if we get the internet someday (hmmm, someway needed to convince Dan that this should become a monthly household expense--difficult to do with a person who doesn't care for computers) he would actually spend many hours just browsing all over at things rather than working on the house and making it nice.  Hmmm . . . scrap that, 130-140 year old houses need work and we need to finish off projects.  All that being said--he won't read this--he won't see how happy I am for him that it is his birthday and that we are going out to eat at Applebee's tonight.  (and getting spicy wings--I am sure).  BUT . . . I will let him know that I wrote up a little something about his birthday and I'll even let him know that I think he's kinda cute.

Anyone else want to send my wonderful husband well wishes?  Just leave a comment and I'll let him know that somebody, somewhere out there that he has never heard of or might have heard a few words about at some point, but won't remember because he barely remembers that I have a blog because the word "blog" means nothing to him (except that Pioneer Woman has one and we stood in line for 5 hours to get my cookbook signed not to mention the 3 hours round trip in the vehicle).

Soooo . . . anyway Happy Birthday to my Dan.  The one that takes the gross things out of the refrigerator for me, plows out the driveway, does the heavy lifting, does pretty leatherwork and remembers that I love wild flowers!

Help for Haiti

Friends of mine have been going through the process of adopting 2 children from Haiti for the past couple of years.  As many people are aware adoption processes can take a long time.  During this time they have been down to visit their children several times, but have not been able to bring them home yet.  The orphanage where they are staying did get damaged in the earthquake.  So far it sounds like the children are ok, but a couple of workers at the orphanage were hurt.  (The director and a nanny).  We don't know the extent of their specific injuries, but please remember these children in your prayers and, if possible, send a donation to a solid charity that is working in Haiti.

Some suggestions:
Doctor's Without Borders
The Red Cross
World Relief
or if you would like send a donation directly to the orphanage where my friend's children are
http://www.forhisgloryoutreach.org/earthquake_relief

Please remember to pray for my friends who have already been struggling with not being able to bring their children home from an already devastated country.  I cannot imagine how it must feel to know that your children are stuck in the middle of all of this.

The children and families of this country are already struggling so much and now this earthquake has taken so much more away.  If you can send nothing else, send your love and prayers to people who are in great need.

Thank you.

Smiles for the New Year!

Lake Jennie Church at Christmastime--our little country church

(There were a few tears before Christmas, I'm sad to say)  All my busy times just got pushed together and if I was better at organizing my time, they might not have been there at all, but golly, I hate to organize my time!

We had Christmas Eve at our house this year for my family--no big deal really-everything as basically clean and it was just my parents and one of my brothers with his wife and son.  The food was easy enough and I enjoy making food and making treats, but when you combine that with editing down school Christmas Programs (also a fun time), finishing off your own gifts to give (fun, too), and finishing off other people's gifts to give (fun as well, I like my job) it gets to be a lot of stuff to get done.  Dan ended up doing all of the wrapping of presents which was very nice!

While my brother was at my place we went sledding out in the South yard (cow yard? former goat pasture?) with him and my nephew.  With all the new snow we had gotten it was so much fun.  Even the cows wanted in on the party (wish I had some pictures--I'm waiting on getting them from my brother as we had his camera out there with us).

Christmas was at Dan's parent's place and was really fun as well!  Just a nice relaxing day with his family.

Dan had the whole week from Christmas through New Year's off, so he did all sorts of things around the house.  Most not very visible (like leveling the stove and refrigerator, plugging up mouse holes, and helping sort through all the cupboards and the big walk-in closet)  We threw away so much stuff and have things a lot more organized once again.

Now just a couple of fun photos of the critters I've taken the last couple weeks!

Dakota rolling in the driveway on a cold winter's day--

it was well below zero at this point, but she'd been cooped up inside all night!

Forgive the bit of blurriness and shadow in this picture, I've been trying to get a good picture of Bernie as he sucks on one of our blankets for a while and this is the best one so far (what with poor lighting and the flash blowing out the picture).  Bernie just loves to nurse on blankets--a comforting thing I suppose since his mother left him alone in our chicken coop at such a young age.  Norman used to do this, too with one of our extremely soft blankets, but Bernie really seems to like these striped wool Southwestern style blankets.  Never knew bright blue stripes looked so much like a mother cat!  (Of course, Norman has also stepped in as a surrogate mother at times--who knew a big 6 year-old neutered male cat could be such a loving mother!)

Hope the new year will bring you smiles and fun moments now and again, too!

Closer

I just finished editing two Christmas programs to go up on the local cable channel and also finished off the framing jobs I needed to do before Christmas.  Feeling a little less crunched.  Didn't finish all I had hoped (my brother's family will be getting their Christmas box after Christmas--just didn't have time to package it up, yet), but as long as I get those programs i just edited onto the air tomorrow afternoon I think everything will be just fine ;)

Just Keep Breathing

Finishing Christmas presents that need to go into the mail today, putting Christmas programs up on the air on the local cable channel, if it doesn't get done, it doesn't get done, but I'll try to finish it up . . .
See you at the end!

New blog title, but same old blog

A Wilde Rose In Minnesota

I so often have content other than knitting that I was thinking it was time for me to change my title.  I'm staying right here, but just changing the title on my page to reflect more of who I am and what I actually write.  I will be going through and adding labels to all of my posts in the coming weeks, so that if by some chance you want to look for some specific type of post you might be able to find it.  (Let's hope I'm smart enough to figure it all out!).

That's all for now, so I'll leave you with this . . .

A photo Dan took of our house earlier this Fall.  He's a good picture taker!

Have a great day!--Christmas knitting is nearly done (would be done, except that now that I find I have more time, I am adding to the list!).

Camera card stayed home today

Not much to say--just that I am chilly today. My little hand mitts feel like they should be full-on mittens today!

I have some fun little pictures of things, but I left the camera card at home today by my home computer where I made up my Christmas letters to send out to family the other day. Oh well.

Happy Wednesday.

Oooo . . . I finished up two Christmas presents over the weekend! (and started a quick other one last night--I may even add a couple of dishcloths to the mix later on if I think I can handle it--that might be too much to do, though)

Chilly, Christmas-y Winter Days Are Here Again

Brrrr . . . I'm chilly today . . . and yesterday . . . and the day before

Do I use . . . too much?

I don't know . . . (he, he, he)

Well, this post hasn't said much so far, but I thought I would show you one thing I had designed in the last month that might be of some interest.

For the last couple of years, I have been designing and printing banners to be hung at my church during different seasons of the year. Our little country church gets decorated so beautifully at Christmastime with candles, wreaths, and greenery. It already looked so special, so I didn't know if anyone really wanted me to design anything to be put up in front for Christmas, but I asked the Pastor and he said that he thought people would like them during this season as well.

So this is what I came up with . . .


I split this picture in two and it is up on either side of the cross in front of the church. The thing I like about this picture most is the scene truly is from the hillside around Bethlehem. (Although a heavily photoshopped version of it all!)

Dan took a picture looking out over Bethlehem when we went to Israel a couple of years ago. Do you notice the tall mound on the far right. That is a Herodioan (built by Herod/Herod's people) from way, way, way back to before the time of Jesus (at least that is my understanding). Mary and Joseph would have looked out on those hills, the Magi may have had to have crossed those hills to get back home. Those hills were there when Jesus was born and, if hills could talk, could attest to have seen angels in the air announcing His birth. Anyway, those are some special hills :o)

Do you want to see the real picture Dan took?

Well, yes, you do.


The part in the banners is in the way back--I am doubting that Bethlehem currently looks much the same as it did in Jesus' time. I hope I did it all some justice in the banners (highly smooshed and manipulated is they may be).

***Me on my bit of a soap box***
I think that there are times when people today think that God doesn't really have anything to do with the world anymore (if He ever did). That maybe He just ended stuff whenever the Bible was done being written (or, that whole thing was faked anyway). He doesn't care about anyone, none of what He did (or was thought to do) can really be explained, so He must not really be out there at all. I get that. I can understand that people don't see things the same way as I do, but, I say, "What if . . .what if God truly is there and truly loves each one of us and truly has a plan for every single persons life on this earth? What if He truly has known you since before you were born?"

My mind and my heart say that we will see one day that God and all the science and everything out there really do work together. And that thoses hills that were there way back at Jesus birth will attest to the fact that He was born one night 2000+ years ago to really save the people of this world (before and after Him) from the sins that have separated us from our perfect relationship with God since the Fall of Adam.

But, I digress, I am not here to start some kind of theological argument. I just get thoughtful about things sometimes and don't know where to put those thoughts except for out here somewhere where they might cause someone else to think something or other.

Well, enjoy these special days and I hope that wherever you are (here in my hometown or out far away) that your fingers and toes are warm and will continue to be throughout the winter.

Movin' on Up to the North Side

All of the kitties are now in their permanent homes. Ernie and Mort (the two in the back) moved up to my parents new place just to the North of our place last night. Norman and Bernie remain home with us. This picture was taken on their last night all together relaxing on the couch. :o)

Last night after we got the kittens moved away (the whole 1/8 of a mile), we decorated the tree (I use the term "we" loosely as Dan wasn't feeling very well).

So this is what it looked like in the morning


and this is what it looked like last night.

I realize this isn't the best picture showing how everything looks in every way, but it is pretty and glowing. Pretty good for using manual focus and no tripod in the dark.

Especially after you look at this


I was really trying to get a nice shot of this


This photo is the closest I got last night, but maybe I should try putting the camera on a tripod, focusing with the lights on, and then turning the lights off. You know, like you're supposed to do? Although, I do have to say I really like this picture so far!

And in honor of the Yarn Harlot's post
Shazam!

I just wanted to be cool and say it once, too. Because of course all of the cool people say shazam.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We spent Thanksgiving at my in-laws with 50 of our closest relatives (really--and that wasn't even all of them). This year was my mil's turn to host and she did a great job. The hostess always makes the turkey (or 3 as the case may be) and mashed potatoes while everyone else brings along the side dishes and dessert. I brought this

Scrumptious Apple Pie--recipe on tasty kitchen by the Pioneer Woman

Mmmmm, tasty!

Here's a close-up of all of it's caramel-y goodness (I have the hardest time spelling caramel--I want to spell it carmel or caramal or caranimal, well, maybe not caranimal)

In the purpose of full disclosure, let me tell you that both Dan and I got a piece of this pie, but by the time my mother-in-law was ready for pie it was all gone--we philistines had eaten it all up and there was none left for our wonderful hostess. I am making another one today, but it is for my family Thanksgiving tomorrow! I will also be making this for Christmas when we get together once again, but this time it will just be immediate family--she'd better get some!

After a full day at their place visiting with cousins that we don't see all that often and Dan's brother Jason who moved down to Missouri last year, we went home and rested well.

Now, tomorrow will be a big day. My parents are moving into their new house (well, their stuff will be moving at least) and it is also the first hay auction of the season around here. We have hay to sell from this past summer, so Dan thought he had better load up the truck to bring the hay over before the truck needs to be used to move my parent's things.

Take no notice of the tarp on the garage roof--someday we'll be re-roofing it, but for that is back a ways on the list of priorities for our old farm place. Somewhere behind finishing off our upstairs (or maybe not--I've never lived in a finished house--what is that like?)
But do take notice that there are some hangers on up on that pile of hay.

You say you want to see that a little closer?
Alrighty
That's Mike and Betty--we'd better shoo them off before Dan goes out on the road, but for now they're enjoying sitting on the warmed up hay.

One other thing--do you notice that little bell hanging from the rear-view mirror of the truck. That bell is a leftover from our wedding day over 7 years ago. (We gave our little bells as wedding favors) Dan put that bell up before we left for our honeymoon and it has been there ever since.

Well, hope your weekend is great and that you were able to spend Thanksgiving with people that you love!

Pioneer Woman (and some knitting and cuteness, too)

I will now eternally owe my husband ummm . . . anything he ever wants. My wonderful Dan stood in line with me for five hours at the Mall of America to get my PW Cookbook signed (and the one I'm giving to my brother-in-law, too--I didn't leave him out).

We became bosom buddies with our neighbors in line by the end of the day--saving spots for bathroom breaks, food breaks, I'm going crazy breaks (I don't think we actually got a break from going crazy--just went further in, I guess).

Marlboro Man and sons

I got our books signed by Marlboro Man, too not long before he and the boys left for a bit to get some supper and to get out of the giant crowds of people. Notice the security guard in this shot? There were a bunch of them around and they were being followed by camera crews!

Why would a camera crew be interested in following Mall Cops around you ask? A new reality show on TLC called Mall Cop: something or other about Mall of America Security. We kept wondering why on earth camera crews along with security kept going around the crowd of people waiting to get there book signed and then one of the girls standing in line with me had an epiphany and recalled seeing a story on one of the local news shows about it. So funny! Dan said that he thought it would be a pretty boring show, but hey, if you get TLC and happen to see a this show about the Pioneer Woman keep a look out for Dan--he's the only one in a cowboy hat in the whole crowd, so you'll likely be able to pick him out. (I'm standing right next to him, but I'm short). We don't get satellite or cable at my house (too expensive when you live out in the boonies (or a mile from town)), so I won't see it at all.

Ree and me (my hair looked prettier earlier in the day--I promise)

Finally we reached PW and she so graciously (not that she wouldn't be) signed my two books. I also gave her a print of one of my cattle marker drawings--a little worse for wear after holding it for 5 hours, so if you happen to read this Ree, I can send you another one!

ETA: Hmmm . . . I guess I was so far back in line, I didn't realize there were a few exciting moments with a bomb-sniffing dog. I am going to have to wait until PW's post on the MOA. It should be really fun!

It was a long day, but a good day. I came home surprised at how sore a person can get after just standing all day. It isn't quite as sore as I used to get when I was a waitress at the Red Rooster Cafe and surprisingly enough, even with all those people, it didn't smell nearly as bad either. (can I just say that I am so thankful for the smoking ban in MN--the combination of smoke, eggs, and bleach is just not a pleasant smell--it will forever make my stomach turn. I mean, I suppose it makes other people's stomachs turn as well, so I'm sure it isn't just me, or is it?--but enough of smells that we don't want to think about, I was doing a post about PW, wasn't I? and then I was going to show you some other cute pictures from the farm without going into any smell discussions)

First, I've been working on my Mother-in-Law's Christmas socks. They should be ready in time for Christmas I'm sure. I don't think she remembers that I am making her socks because I was knitting them right in front of her on Sunday and she had no clue that they were hers or maybe she does know, but didn't want to pressume?

The fur and whiskers are not a part of this sock, but rather a part of a curious kitten

The kittens really like the first sock. I'll have to see if they approve of the second one.

Speaking of kittens--they remain extremely cute.


They can mess up a house like nobodies business, get up on the table on knock things over (the chairs are no longer tucked under the table, by the way), and try to tear apart your knitting instructions, but then they go and sit in a little pile like this right in the afternoon sun and you just can't be mad at them. I mean--they're glowing . . . like angels?

And then there is this . . .


I mean, what are you going to do with this? Ahhh, Biff, you are one cute little steer. Don't remind me about what will be to come. I know it is coming--that is why we named our whethers things like lambchop when we were growing up, but for now, I am just going to pretend you are going to stay a little steer calf growing up on our little hills. At least I know you'll be happy here.

Baby Bonnet

Congratulations to our friends Ben and Colleen who just had baby Sierra this morning a little before 10!

In honor of the new little one, I finished off her baby bonnet last night--hopefully we will be able to meet her sometime this week!

From the front--look at those cute little tassels!

From the side--just a little look at more of the shape.

This one shows the color a little better!

I was able to use two skeins that had only been partially used up on making the add-on pieces for some baby viking hats I had made for children of family and friends last winter. Several years ago I used this same pattern for Dan's cousin's first daughter and only used white. It was very pretty, but I do like the combination of color on this one a lot. (sorry, did that one long before I had a blog).

The pattern is from my mom and grandma's old knitting book The Complete Book of Knitting by Elizabeth L. Mathieson.

Bernie

I figured out why the kittens always like to sit in front of the refrigerator. That's where it cycles out the warm air. I mean I knew that way back in the back of my mind, but was constantly wondering why they were sitting there--especially when I'm making supper and having to open it.

No pictures of these yet, but I just started working on a pair of socks (Christmas gift) and another little baby hat (more of a knitted bonnet than a hat really-something nice and girlie for a baby that should be born next week--I really should have started it sooner, but I just figured out the exact pattern I wanted to use and pulled the yarn out of my yarn basket last night. If there is enough yarn I might add some mittens.)

Facebook Fan Page and some fun!

Ummm . . . don't know if you are on Facebook or not, but I just set up a Fan page for the gallery that my dad and I run in our small town. It is called Robert Wilde Studios. If you are interested in artwork or pictures from Rural MN become a fan and you can see the various events happening around here. There is a link on the side bar. Thanks for allowing my shameless plug . . .

In honor of your kindness here is a recent photo (last night in fact) of our baby kittens.

Ernie, Bernie, and Mort--I'll admit Bernie is a bit of a dork, but what a cute little dork--I love him to bits!

Now, how about a couple of finished projects! Woohoo . . .

My dad's birthday mitts are done--a wee bit late seeing as how is birthday was in April, but he only really started needing them a few weeks ago when the weather got cold! They wouldn't have been very useful during the Summer months. Oh, I made the pattern up--seeing as how each mitt fits a little differently (the second one is a little tighter than the first), I don't remember exactly how I did it.

And a baby hat for a baby shower that I am going to on Sat. for Dan's cousin who just adopted a 4 month old baby boy! I wish I could keep it for myself, but it doesn't fit well enough. Made using Ann Budd's Handy Book of Pattern's guidelines.

Happenings

A few pictures of what has been going on around here.

Our trip to the North Shore of MN.

Dan and I in Two Harbors

Gooseberry Falls

Sunrise on Lake Superior

Working on the house.

A bunch of guys from church came to help side our house. Not quite done yet, but hopefully this can get done soon!

Baby kitty

One of the joys of having a farm is that we always have kittens around. Occasionally a few end up being orphaned by their mothers. This is Ernie. Sadly he had a sister who died yesterday morning, but he also has a brother to keep him company.

The cows

Our new foster cows--maybe that is what the are--all I know is they are owned by Dans cousin Tim, but they stay at our place and we feed them and keep an eye out on them.

Remember when . . .

Saw this on Karen's blog and just couldn't pass it up.


If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, even if we don't speak often, please post a comment with a COMPLETELY MADE UP AND FICTIONAL MEMORY OF YOU AND ME. It can be anything you want--good or bad--BUT IT HAS TO BE FAKE. When you're finished, post this on your blog and be surprised (or mortified) about what people DON'T ACTUALLY remember about you.