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November 2008 EPIPHANY STAR T o s t an d fo r J e su s Ch r i s t , g row t o g e t he r a s G o d ' s fa m i l y an d m a k e H i m k n o w n t h r o u g h t h e p o w e r o f t he H o l y S p i r i t "Let there be light." From the Rector: an overwhelming task unless Christ, At this time of year (autumn) there the light of the world, overwhelms us. are so many beautiful things to notice- In Colossians 1:13 St. Paul talks about the air getting a little chilly, the colors God delivering us from the dominion Inside This Issue of the trees, the gradual changes of of darkness and transferring us to the From the Rector 2 light and the days are getting shorter. kingdom of His beloved son where we (continued) Personally, I like it on the other end- find redemption and forgiveness of Thanksgiving Before spring, when daylight savings brings our sin. As Christians, we are in a Thanksgiving more light. I was thinking about this dark world, but not to be "of" it- not to Day Light Savings Time in terms of the first words of God in be so identified with its ups and Meet-Greet-Eat Genesis 1:3 "Let there be light". downs, its claims to our lives that we Thanksgiving Baskets 3 Without light, we can't live. The grass lose the light we have. One of the Wings Ministry wouldn't grow- everything would be great reorienting resources we have in Our Sympathy subjected to the futility of darkness. our time is the Psalms. The Psalms Chinese Internet 4 Jesus, the Lord of all creation says of are prayers we are meant to pray, not Ministries Himself- poems we "recite". Psalm 119:105 Acolyte Ministry "I am the light of the world. He tells us: Prayer 5 who follows Me will not walk in "Your word is a lamp to my feet Prayer Points of Contact darkness, but will have the light and a light to my path." Baptism and 6 of life" -John 8:12 In those days, if you had to walk Confirmation In the beginning of the apostle home through the darkness, you had a Little Women 7 John's Gospel, John describes Jesus light- an oil lamp or candle hanging this way from a pole that you'd hold out in Wardens' Corner 8 "In him was life, and the life was front of you to literally light the path Vestry List the light of men. The light shines before you. It wasn't a spot light illu- Epiphany Women in the darkness and the darkness minating like high beams- it was just Parish Retreat Pictures 9 has not overcome it" -John 1:4. enough to show the immediate path Epiphany Women Notice it's in the past and present before you. That's a great picture of (continued) tense- Jesus' light still shines against the guidance Jesus our Light gives us Youth Ministry in 10 all the forces of darkness in the world. through His word. If we knew every- November Consider the fear that has gripped the thing that was to happen, we wouldn't Youth Ministry 11 world's economic systems and ours. trust Him each minute, we wouldn't (continued) People are groping in the dark trying follow Him. He is our light for each Birthdays & to figure out the stock market. We are moment of the day. Anniversaries weeks away from an important na- Women's Ministry tional election- how do you and I see Activities through the dark fog of all the sound (Continued on page 2) Mark Your Calendars 12 bytes and hype to the truth? It can be Prayer Vigil Page 2 Epiphany STAR November, 2008 of the earth will bring their ness, and the darkness has From the Rector (Continued from page 1) glory into it, and its gates not overcome it." –John will never be shut by day— 1:1-5 Light- it's the first thing our and there will be no night eyes catch when we're born, there." The Peace of Christ be always when we wake in the morning- with you. Jesus said our eyes are a power- When the Bible describes ful indicator of what's in us- ei- Jesus as the "Alpha and Omega" ther light or profound darkness. Jesus is the light of the world- the beginning and the end, its speaking of Jesus as the Lord of -Robin+ light that shines through all the all Creation- the One who pre- pages of Scripture. And all the exists time itself- Jesus was there way through the Bible, God's from the beginning: light directs us to Christ- right up "In the beginning was the to the end- in Revelation 21:23 Word, and the Word was we see a picture of the restored, with God, and the Word was redeemed earth and the glory of God. He was in the begin- the City of God: ning with God. All things "And the city has no need of were made through him, sun or moon to shine on it, and without him was not for the glory of God gives it any thing made that was light, and its lamp is the made. In him was life, and Lamb. By its light will the the life was the light of men. nations walk, and the kings The light shines in the dark- Thanksgiving BEFORE Thanksgiving -- "Food Evangelism" or Meet-Greet-Eat Chili Cook-Off and Bingo! Sign up to meet, greet, and Join our parish family Sunday, No- eat! Groups of 5 or vember 23 (the Sunday before 6 adults will be put Thanksgiving) from 5:30-8:30 for a together to meet chili pot-luck supper followed by three times between bingo-ramma. Sign up in the Gather- Dec. and ing Place. March. There will be a new evangelism component: each host will invite an un-churched couple or friend to join the fun. Easy relationships will de- velop so the when you invite those people to a Lenten play or to join you for Easter service, they will already know several people at Epiphany. You may structure your gatherings around a theme, in a home or restau- rant, casual or fancy, lunch or dinner, kids or no kids. Have fun, be hospitable, enjoy the new company and then invite new friends to church. Sign up in the gathering place or on line with Bill and Gin Edmunds Remember to turn back your clocks next Saturday at email@example.com. night, November 1st!! Bill & Gin Edmunds November, 2008 Epiphany STAR Page 3 nations in to church any time up until Sunday, Thanksgiving Baskets November 23rd (the Sunday before Thanksgiv- Every year, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries co- ing.) ordinates the distribution of food baskets at Thanksgiv- 2. Donate fresh fruit, vegetables and baked ing and Christmas, as an expression of God's love and goods. These can be brought to church by 5:30 an opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus on Tuesday, November 25th (the evening of de- Christ. WFCM is a local ecumenical ministry livery.) that provides life essential support to those seeking our 3. Donate Giant gift cards, cash or checks. We will assistance. Can you help a needy family celebrate put gift cards in the baskets for the families Thanksgiving this year? We expect the demand to be to buy a turkey, and the donations will be used even higher than usual. We're doing things just a to buy extra food to fill up the baskets. Please lit- tle bit differently this year, and there give to Doric or Kathleen Caron. are several ways you can help 4. Help assemble the baskets on Sunday, November 1. Donate canned and boxed goods: as 23rd at 2:30 PM. you are leaving church, please pick up a 5. Deliver baskets the evening of Tuesday, Novem- "turkey" with a suggested dona- ber 25th at 6:30 PM: this is a wonderful way to tion. Each turkey will have an item get your whole family involved in making a dif- and quantity, such as "3 boxes of ference in a less fortunate family's life. Sign up stuffing." If you're feeling espe- in the Gathering Place to deliver the baskets . cially generous, take several! You can Please consider helping in any one of the above ways, bring these so we may show God's tangible love to hurting fami- do- lies. If you have any questions, please call Doric or Kathleen Caron at 703-263-7901 or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com. Thank you for your kindness to- wards those in need. Wings Ministry Update By Linda Bassert Dear friends and Wings Ministry supporters, ceive mail, so hopefully they will come off the wall, and some Below is an email from Lilly, received after her care pack- new names and faces going up. Please check the Candle for age arrived. She had requested icing to make cupcakes out of updates. the cake mixes sent previously. We sent her icing and mini- —————————- muffin tins, so she could share the cupcakes more widely. She Linda: also had requested an NIV Bible for a co-worker, the Nigerian WoW! Wow! Wow! I cannot thank you enough for who runs the embassy motor pool, and who had been looking all your goodies. I love you and your church group. I for it. We sent her several Bibles as once she found out it was will share my muffin tins with the whole embassy com- not difficult for us to send her one, she took us up on the munity...Thank each and everyone of your friends for offer to send her a few more to share with others. the bibles and food! I am overjoyed. We will be sending out care packages again in early No- Love, vember and December. We have two who can no longer re- Lilly Our love and sympathy are extended to Gary Hall and family on the death of his mother, Barbara Hall on October 8, 2008 Rest eternal grant them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her. Page 4 Epiphany STAR November, 2008 Chinese Internet Ministries—An Epiphany Supported Ministry By John Arpee "All over the world this gos- The Epiphany missions commit- pate in such an exciting mission pel is bearing fruit and grow- tee is excited to support this ministry field. At least 5% of the people in ing, just as it has been doing because it is highly effective and it's China are estimated to be Christian among you since the day you founder, Art is well known to Epiph- but they do not enjoy freedom of the heard it and understood any and CANA. Years ago Art was press. Getting copies of the Bible is God's grace in all its involved in Truro's outreach to inter- difficult. The government limits the truth." (Col 1:6) national students. He befriended number of bibles that may be Epiphany supports missionaries Murray Black during his time at printed. People sometimes hand all over the world. One of these min- GMU and is known by others at copy the bible because it is so diffi- istries, Chinese Internet Ministries Epiphany. I had a great time getting cult to find originals. Ministries like (CIM), uses the internet to distribute to know Art a few weeks ago and was CIM are having a dramatic impact the Gospel and Christian materials pleasantly surprised to run into him but there is still a lot of work to be (articles, books, sermons, Bible teach- at the church retreat this weekend done. ings in audio, video and other for- which gave us the opportunity to Please pray for: mats) to Chinese Christians. CIM meet each other's families. Art was launched the first Chinese Christian with another church that was at Mas- • Continuous provision of video, audio recordings of literature web site in the world in sanetta Springs at the same time. quality Bible teachings, ser- 2000. In 2001, 9000 people visited Our missions strategy at Epiph- mons, Christian books and CIM's web sites. Now 3000 people any is to support many missions at articles for us to post to our visit one of CIM's web sites every fairly low levels so that no mission is web sites day! The materials have grown from too dependent on Epiphany for their the Chinese Bible and a number of funding. We also support people • More editors and multimedia Christian classics to hundreds of clas- that we know so that we can pray for experts to join CIM's minis- sics, thousands of articles, testimo- them more meaningfully and so that tries nies and stories, commentaries, text- we know our resources are being put • Financial support for our books and thousands of hours of to good use. staff audio and video. Even more people are reached from other web sites that Please join me in praying for • Funds to buy a professional CIM, and Art and his family. We video camera and data center copy and redistribute the materials. are truly blessed to be able to partici- and software upgrades ACOLYTE MINISTRY 6th Graders - High School We are looking for young people from the 6th Grade through High School to volunteer in our Acolyte Minis- try. The hours that you volunteer will count toward community service hours needed for school or scouting. Please join me at 9:00 AM in the Sanctuary on November 2nd for Acolyte training. If you are interested, please contact Laura Kiel at 703-327-7286 or email@example.com. Adults If you like to work with young people and are interested in helping with the Acolyte Ministry, we are in need of extra Acolyte Coordinators on Sunday mornings at the 10:00 AM service. The Coordinator makes sure all of the acolytes have arrived on time, informs them of any changes in the service, and helps arrange any last minute substi- tutes, if needed. We are also in need of some extra help cleaning the robes about three to four times a year. If you can help and/or have any questions please contact Laura Kiel at 703-327-7286. November, 2008 Epiphany STAR Page 5 Nothing is Impossible for God Prayer Do you believe that nothing is wrought a victory. He knew layoff at the office, or a broken impossible with God? the mind of God. Therefore, relationship. For others it may be Elijah, God's prophet did. He he, one man, strangled a emotional distress—depression, stood before King Ahab and nation and altered the panic attacks, or anxiety. pronounced, course of nature. By the key Whatever your need, God is of faith, which fits every "I solemnly swear, as the able. He alone can do lock, Elijah locked heaven, Lord God of Israel whom I the impossible. pocketed the key, and made serve lives, there will be no Ahab tremble. Though it is We invite you join us dew or rain during the next wonderful indeed when in the prayer corner few years unless I say so. (1 God lays hold of a man, during communion. King 17:1 ESV)" earth can know no greater Together we will draw No rain for three years? What wonder—when a man lays near to God, asking and an outrageous statement! That's hold of God" [emphasis trusting Him for that impossible. mine]. which seems impossible. Bold? Perhaps. Impossible? No. May we be men and women As we pour out our hearts to Him, You see, Elijah was a man of who lay hold of God as Elijah did. He will guard our hearts and mind prayer, a man who knew not only Prayer tears down strongholds, with His peace: the mind of God but understood strengthens the weary, and "The Lord is at hand; do that prayer releases God's power. empowers God's people for not be anxious about service. Prayer changes the course anything, but in everything Leonard Ravenhill, a of nations, penetrates people by prayer and supplication prominent British evangelist and groups with the truth of the with thanksgiving let your author of the classic, Why Revival gospel, and opens doors for the requests be made known to Tarries, explains it this way: gospel that no man can shut. God. And the peace of God, "Such praying men are What is it in your life that which surpasses all a lwa ys ou r na tio na l understanding, will guard seems impossible? Perhaps it is an benefactors. Elijah was your hearts and your minds addicted loved one or an adult such. He had heard a voice, in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:5-7 child who has abandoned the seen a vision, tasted a ESV). power, measured an enemy, faith. For some, it may be an unexpected medical diagnosis, a May we be a church who trusts and with God as partner, God for the impossible. Prayer Corner Every Sunday morning: • during Communion and after the service in the prayer corner Ginger Black • people are available to pray with or for you for burdens and/or thanksgivings Intercessory For anticipated or long term needs: Prayer Letter • write out your prayer request and leave it in the box on the table against the far wall in the Gathering Place Faith Fisler • typed up each Sunday after the late service and mailed to a large group of people who will pray daily for each request for a week 24/7 Prayer Line For urgent or immediate needs: • a group of people committed to pray for those in need 703-389-7292 • call 703-389-7292 anytime, or • from 9:00am-3:00pm, you may call the church office at 703-481-8601, ext 100 or Christina Cummings 101 Page 6 Epiphany STAR November, 2008 Baptism and Confirmation On Sunday, October 12th The Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns visited Epiphany. The 10:00 am service was a service of Baptism and Confirmation. Baptism is the "Sacrament of new life" Confirmation is the "Sacrament of Witness" Those who were previously confirmed in an Anglican Church can reaffirm their Confirmation vows. Baptized Confirmed Reaffirmed Rae Bubash Sara Faith Hix Brittney Ann Marcum Mathes MacGregor Hamby Ashley Lauren Baehr Helen Davis Norton Sara Faith Hix Corey Nathaniel Baumgartner Justin Burke Butler Received Ryan W. Peake Sheila Mentzer Nicole Anne Rhoads Douglas Thurston November, 2008 Epiphany STAR Page 7 Page 8 Epiphany STAR November, 2008 The primary message that we have for you this emphasized that month is vote! We really have in mind the vestry elec- we examine our Vestry Wardens' Corner tions to be held on Sunday, November 9 right after the various activities 10 o'clock service. The vestry elections are critical for of the parish in Senior Warden........ Murray Black our Church, just as the national elections are for our light of our vi- Junior Warden........ Ralph Morris country. Please consider carefully and prayerfully all the sion statement of Chancellor ................. David Reed candidates who have agreed to stand for the election. A standing for Je- Register of the Vestry............Larry good way to do this is to look at the special edition of sus, growing to- Pantzer the candle that is dedicated to this purpose. You will gether as a family Outreach .... Jan Welch —Overseas find background data as well as answers to important of God, and ...................... Larry Pantzer—Local spiritually-related questions that the candidates have making Him provided for us to review. We appreciate each of the known through ...........Gin Edmunds—Evangelism candidates for their willingness to pray and discern a call the power of the Worship ............. Ross Cummings to stand for election. We also appreciate the nominat- Holy Spirit. Fellowship ....................John Ticer ing committee that has led the process. The committee As you have .......................................Bill Fetzer was headed by Kevin Holmes. heard, we have Ministry .................. Steve Mentzer Our recent vestry meetings have shifted considerably been blessed with Teaching.................Kevin Holmes in that we now spend the majority of the time discern- favorable court Buildings & Grounds................... ing the will of the Lord for our parish. This means that decisions thus far ............................ Ross Cummings we examine how we are both implementing our mission regarding our and planning for the future. At our most recent meeting property. Please ................................Gin Edmunds for example, under the leadership of Lisa Ellis, we re- remain faithful in Finance.................... Murray Black viewed the strategic initiatives that we set for ourselves a prayer for our .........................................Lisa Ellis year ago. They included institutionalizing our mission attorneys and Administration ....... Ralph Morris statement, re-energizing and expanding small groups, Judge Bellows so Treasurer .............Charlie Monroe teaching spiritual gifts, and increasing our discipleship that every deci- Assistant Treasurer .... Tom Miller in virtually all areas of our church. We all agreed that it sion will honor Growth Taskforce .. Steve Mentzer was a great start but it is certainly a work in progress that God. needs the support and effort of all of us. In addition, Special Initiatives ............Lisa Ellis We wish you Steve Mentzer gave us a report from the Growth Task all God's many force on our assessment of our ministries and programs. blessings for an exciting fall season! He reported that the committee would be conducting "mini-assessments with the leadership of each area. The intent is to ask critical questions regarding mission, sup- port (or lack thereof), and effectiveness. Both reports a speaker for the winter Season's Gathering on Tuesday, Epiphany Women— January 20, 2009. Please contact Ann Guest at email@example.com if you'd like to volunteer. Aloha! That means hello in Hawaiian in case you weren't able to make it to the Season's Gathering at Another highlight of this month was the October Terri Carvey's home last week. About fifteen to twenty Epiphany Women's Potluck that took place at my home of us met in Terri's beautiful, inviting home for hula last night. Seven women made it to this first one. We dancing by Millette, from the United Methodist Church had an awesome dinner and afterward Patricia Stachew in Burke. She mesmerized us by dancing praise hula to gave her testimony. It was the story of her life which we three well-known praise songs in a flowing, graceful, and were honored to hear. The November Potluck will be prayerful way. We ate a great dinner and I was just be- Sunday, November 16, from 6-8:30pm at Babette Ar- ginning to relax when I noticed the time and had to nold's home. Who would like to give her testimony? Let jump up to leave to get one of our sons from his Scout me know at email@example.com if you're interested. meeting at the church. Oh well, more relaxing another (Continued on page 9) time J Speaking of another time—we need a hostess and November, 2008 Epiphany STAR Page 9 2008 Epiphany Parish Family Retreat (Continued from page 8) anything like me, fun is what my kids have, but NOT ANYMORE! Please invest in yourself and get to know Please email Babette at email@example.com or sign up some of your sisters in Christ. Plus, there's usually in the Gathering Place if you'd like to come. REALLY good food. I hope you will consider coming to the November God bless you-- Potluck, getting more information about one of the Bi- ble studies, or checking out the list of ongoing activities Hayley below for something that sounds fun to you. If you're Page 10 Epiphany STAR November, 2008 Youth Group: November 9th and 16th In speaking about the self working overtime with our instruc- Hang Time: November 5th, 12th, and 19th disciplined following and tors to learn trip planning, extra first Youth Ministry in November learning from Christ, or aid skills, and other needed skills to Discipline: Leading Without discipleship, in Colossians 2:5, Paul be equipped on our own in the wil- gives this instruction to his readers derness. We were to leave before the Instructors that captures the essence of leading rest of the group and find the last Leading in the wilderness with- on our own in the expedition of the camp site of our expedition. The rest out instructors requires discipline Christian life: of the group would follow later. and skill. Following Jesus in this Could we do what our instructors "I'm a long way off, true, and you wilderness life also requires disci- had been doing and lead? Did we may never lay eyes on me, but be- pline and skill. It requires being a have what it took to go at it alone? lieve me, I'm on your side, right be- disciple, a learner. One of the goals The answer is, "Yes." We led, with a side you. I am delighted to hear of of the National Outdoor Leadership few minor detours and complica- the careful and orderly ways you con- School is "To develop students as tions, a successful instructor-less ex- duct your affairs, and impressed with leaders who make decisions to lead pedition and we learned from it and the solid substance of your faith in without the direct guidance of their in turn will teach others how to lead. Christ (Peterson)." instructors. The curriculum This is such a perfect picture of themes of wilderness skills, expe- becoming Disciples of Christ and dition behavior, leadership, leave making Disciples of Christ. As the no trace, and risk management church, Disciples of Christ, we are all follow toward this to teach people the gospel and teach goal" (Gookin). Just as this is them what it means to follow Jesus. one of NOLS's goals, to develop We are to do this in such a way that leaders who can lead, this is also they will be able to follow Him on the main goal of the church to their own in our absence. This is make disciples; the church is to what Paul was doing from prison make disciples who make other with the Christians of the disciples. Colossian church. He wanted Discipline is the root of the them to follow Christ on their own. word disciple, which means He wanted them to be disciples who learner. A disciple, or learner, make other disciples without fur- has exercised the discipline ther instructions from him, or his needed to gain the knowledge, presence. skill and judgment needed to make disciplined and informed Like my instructors on my NOLS decisions on the wilderness expedi- Paul wants his readers, the Colos- course, Paul tells the Colossians tion, or the adventure, of the Chris- sian church, who he has never for- that he is not far off from them. He tian life on his or her own, by the mally met, to be able to navigate fol- tells them that he is with them and power and grace of God. We need lowing Jesus and living for Him on that he is aware of their ability, train- discipline in the wilderness expedi- their own in his absence from them. ing, and accomplishments. He tion of the Christian life. There will This is the same picture of what it is knows their credentials. In our case, come a time when each of us has to like to lead in a NOLS course with- as Christians, our credentials are take ownership of our faith and be- out instructors. that we have the power of Christ come true disciples who go and and His leadership training, and we When I was on a NOLS course make other disciples. We cannot have the fellowship and teachings of the summer of 2008, I had the op- always live vicariously through some- portunity to lead without instruc- the church and its help and support one else's faith. We have to make the tors. It was toward the end of our on our way. Because of this, we can journey on our own at some point in two week expedition in the Bridger be confident to follow Christ on our our expedition to follow Christ per- Teton National Forest, and three of own, knowing that we are not truly sonally and to live our lives for Him. my teammates and me had been on our own. Like Isaac Newton said, (Continued on page 11) November, 2008 Epiphany STAR Page 11 10 Anne Beury WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Jennifer Daugherty Shervan Torabi 2 Ross & Christina Cummings Birthdays and Anniversaries 11 Yuko Ryan 4 Archie & Margaret Winesett 16 Brandon Baumgartner 19 Michael & Nancy Saunders Janice Marriott 21 Jimmy & Shelia Crawford Penny Rauh 22 Betsy & Rick Zimermann 17 Melanie Miller 23 Richard & Brenda Mason Duane Young 24 Larry & Carolyn Pantzer 19 Braydon Conrad 25 Robert & Jeannie Beckley 28 Michael & Lisa Ellis BIRTHDAYS John Tenaglia Alvin & Meseret Moore 20 Steven Mentzer 1 Ted Frederick Ginny Roberts Ed Stachew 21 Colin Tucker 2 Wendy Osborn 24 Holly Tenaglia Paige Phillips Carolyn Wolfe 4 Russell Green 25 Paul Allbright 5 Ginger Gast 26 Kathleen Bumgardner Janet Forsyth Ellen Toole Ben Lucas Jake Wiegand 8 Bill Knight 29 Irene Condray 9 Brittney Marcum Bob Yeomans Anderson Moore Ed Straker (Continued from page 10) are to teach. We are to make learners of Jesus. We are to make and be Disciples of Christ. "If we have seen May we be followers of Christ with discipline and further [or in this without instructors, and may we be and make disciples case, if we have who make other disciples. followed Christ on our own] it is Robbie by standing on Gookin, John. Wilderness Educator Notebook. Ed. John Gookin. the shoulders of Lander, WY: National Outdoor Leadership School, 2006.Peterson, giants." This is also similar to an old Chinese Proverb Eugene H.: The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language. that says: "If you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. If you teach a man to fish, he will eat for a lifetime." We Women's Ministry Groups Group Time & Location Contact Comments Bible Thursday 7am @ Edmunds Gin Edmunds (firstname.lastname@example.com) Studies Friday 9:30 am, Room 204 Sunday 12:30 @ Torabi's Pat Meyer email@example.com or home Malu Torabi email@example.com Praying Mothers of 4th Wednesday of month Barb Ensor Pray for your adult Adult Children (P-MAC) rotated among members firstname.lastname@example.com children and each other. Red Hat Society 3rd Wednesday of month at Susanne Jones Watch upcoming Sunday 7 pm, local restaurant email@example.com bulletins for information Epiphany 3rd Tuesday @ 10 am Kathie Bumgardner Readers Fair Lakes Barnes and firstname.lastname@example.com Noble Starbucks Spiritual Day & evening meetings Martha Petersen mpetersen@His- For those who like to Journaling available. Small groups (8- Star.org write, share, laugh, 10 meet about 2 hr/month support one another and grow in the Lord Seasons January, April, July , Ann Guest email@example.com October – 3rd Tuesday Jo Arpee firstname.lastname@example.com "To stand for Jesus Christ, Church of the Epiphany, Herndon A member of the Anglican Communion grow together as God's 3301 Hidden Meadows Drive family and make Him Herndon, VA 20171 known through the power Phone: 703-481-8601 Visit our website at epiphany-herndon.org of the Holy Spirit". Sunday Worship Schedule 8:00 a.m. Morning Prayer with Eucharist 9:00 a.m. Christian Education for all ages 10:00 a.m. Eucharistic Worship Important Dates..... Publishing Information The Epiphany STAR is published monthly and contains Jubilee........................................................October 31 articles and information of what God has and is doing in us Re-Set your clocks ................................... November 1 and through us as the Epiphany Family. It is intended to Baptism—All Saints Sunday.................... November 2 encourage each of us in our ministry and discipleship by Prayer Vigil .........................................November 8—9 relating how God is working in the midst of us. The Epiphany Candle is published weekly by email highlighting Vestry Elections ...................................... November 9 what is coming in the days ahead at Epiphany and other Thanksgiving BEFORE Thanksgiving . November 23 information that the staff and vestry feel is important to Thanksgiving Service @ 9 am............... November 27 emphasize. Parish Office Closed........................ November 27-28 Your comments are always welcome (TheStar@Epiphany- Herndon.org is our address for the STAR and the Candle). Subscription requests may be submitted also. Stories and pictures may also be submitted to that address. Prayer Vigil for The deadline for The STAR is the 15th of the previous Epiphany & Ves- month. The deadline for the Candle is Wednesday. try Elections Please take a moment an sign up for E-Mail us at: a slot! The signup sheets for the 20- Rev. Robin Rauh, Rector: firstname.lastname@example.com minute slots will be in the foyer. This is Rev. Luke Lucas, Associate Rector: firstname.lastname@example.com an IN YOUR home prayer vigil! Totally immerse yourself in the presence of Rev. David Welch, Parish Deacon: firstname.lastname@example.com God, in prayer and praises! As we ask Betsy Zimermann, Parish Secretary: email@example.com for God's wisdom and guidance to pray Anne Bracy, Executive Assistant to the Rector: email@example.com for Epiphany and our leaders. May Babette Arnold, Program Director: email@example.com God Bless you and your families with peace, health and joy! Jimmy Crawford, Minister of Music: email@example.com Robbie Pruitt, Director of Youth Ministries: firstname.lastname@example.com **The prayer booklets will be emailed to each individual prior to the Vigil.** Janice Monaghan, Financial Administrator: firstname.lastname@example.com Patrick Condemi, Building Manager: firstname.lastname@example.com
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Kendall Jenner knows she cannot get Harry Styles back anymore. Reports of her wanting the 1D member back have been circulating for a while, but with Harry Styles becoming serious over Paige, Kendall herself dropped the chase. It helps that there are a lot of guys who would want to be with her. It seems now that Kendall sets her sights on NBA hunk Chandler Parsons.
Page Six reports that possible romance can bloom between reality star and model Kendall Jenner and NBA hottie Chandler Parsons. An insider claimed the two were very cosy and flirty with each other on Saturday night, so it's not too farfetched to say something romantic can bloom between them.
The pair was seen "next to each other" at STK LA. They were with Kendall's sister, Kylie, and two other friends.
"Kendall and Chandler were flirting throughout the meal," the insider shared. "They laughed and chatted all night."
Parsons is a good catch if this is the case. He just signed a three-year, $46 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks. The Jenner sisters were in Dallas last week because they were promoting their fashion line.
Fans of Harry Styles and Kendall Jenner should now face the truth that the two will not reconcile. Harry Styles seems already very serious about Paige Reifler. Their actions at the Warner Music and GQ party at Shoreditch House last week say a lot.
"Harry turned up specifically to meet up with Paige but they were as discreet as possible at the event. Then they both left the main party, which was on the rooftop next to the pool, and went downstairs to the more private," Metro UK reports.
Harry seems so smitten with Paige that Paige is getting death threats because of it! This got Paige spooked. Paige is even prepared to call the police now because of it. Mirror UK reports that the New York model posted on Twitter: "I hope you all know that giving die threats is a crime. I could report you to the police. The hate can also be reported."

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I have friends that I work with who have spent like $800-$1000 on just the crib alone! I think that's a little ridiculous considering the baby will put teeth marks all on the side, and not to mention grow out of it within 3 or 4 years. I am paying $300 for the crib and mattress together and it's a really nice crib. I'd say that's pretty good. What is the most you will spend or have spent?
What's the most you'd spend on a crib?
Posted 10/05/2012
Where are y'all using the 20% off coupon? Sorry if this has already been asked!
Posted 10/05/2012
My boss bought the crib and drawers/changing table, mattress and pad for changing table for $1200 when I was pregnant with my DS. It's a convertible crib and my DS is using it as a toddler bed right now. He said that since it can eventually be a full size bed, it will be a good investment for a lifetime of use. It's a beautiful bed and I hope to use it as it is intended.
Posted 10/05/2012
Probably $350. We ended up spending almost $300 on our crib for DS (which we are obviously reusing for this LO), and that was pretty close to a max amount for me.
Posted 10/05/2012
we're buying a crib for about $400. it goes from crib to full size bed. money well spent.
the greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return.
lexy oscar 032010 eisley 12913
the greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return.
Posted 10/05/2012
The convertible crib we bought for DS was $700 - it converted to a Toddler bed then a full size bed so he will have it forever. It is also quality, hardwood. I don't think it was that much considering some people buy a crib, then a toddler bed, then a big bed.
DS, Aiden, 7-12-09 and welcome to DS, Liam, born on 1-2-13, exactly 5 weeks early!
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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365139232014-06-15T18:47:57.911-06:00marta writesmarta dansie writes and reflects on life, her graphic designs, motherhood, handmade businesses, the arts and crafts movement and daily details that inspire her.martahttp://email@example.com://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-73755516602934761312014-05-25T23:32:00.003-06:002014-05-25T23:58:43.552-06:00kids camping party ideas & printables
purchase this camping party invitation printable here.

school's almost out and my little ones are already gearing up to camp out in the backyard!! benji is getting old enough to enjoy hiking, going on nature walks, and even loves listening to spooky stories. (scooby do is on repeat these days, whether i like it or not.) thanks to his mountain man dad, my boys are learning about explorers and the great outdoors. since benji is nearly done with kindergarten, i started imagining up some fun traditions to help swing in the season of summer! my sister has a shaving cream slip n' slide party in her backyard. another mom loves pelting the kids with water balloons at the bus stop for a sneak attack water fight! i also like the outdoor movie idea of cozying up under the stars. i'm dreaming up a special cousins camp out, a perfect way to celebrate the summer, teach my kids the joys of the outdoors and give my siblings the night off.

throwing a casual (and often, spontaneous) party that focuses on the kiddos is key; no birthday cake or presents or too much decor to worry about, just pure fun designed with kids in mind. benji loves making lists and schedules, so i usually let him help me dream up our events. anticipation is half the fun. here's to happy campers!!

our brainstorming came up with these camp out party ideas...

flashlight fun / sleeping bag sack races / s'more brownies / daytime scavenger hunt / glowstick tag / dot to dot constellation games / nature walk / pajama dance off / lantern-lit bracelet looming / make your own trail mix / camper camper bear (instead of duck duck goose), paint wooden snakes (available on amazon.com) / mix up kool-aid bug juice / rope tug o' war / eat ants on a log, oreo mud pies, cheetos (fire flames) and mini hot dogs / nerf gun bullseye target practice / battery-operated candles / spooky stories...

find this camping party printable invitation in my shop! a scavenger hunt printable is also part of your purchase. please note: if you're not keen on hosting a sleepover, there is also a blank camping invitation included for you to write in your own information; whether it be for a family reunion, a scouts meeting, a group hike, a couples shower or a late-over for friends! customize this printable to suit your needs. martahttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2014/05/kids-camping-party-ideas-printables.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-72173225206481767362014-05-15T21:50:00.003-06:002014-05-15T21:50:53.668-06:00national chocolate chip cookie dayto celebrate national chocolate chip cookie day, i've rounded up ten of my favorite cookies. these are all tried and true favorites that i keep coming back to. i also have a handful of Cookie Friday cookbooks stocked in my shop! happy cookie day.

oatmeal white chocolate chip craisin cookie.

peanut butter dipped in chocolate cookie.

valentine sugar cookies.

peanut butter blossom cookie.

coconut krispie chocolate chunk cookie.

peanut butter cookies.

pumpkin chocolate chip cookie.

soft gingersnap cookie.

homemade cookie dough ice cream.

hilary's milk chocolate carmelita bars.

martahttp://email@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2014/05/national-chocolate-chip-cookie-day.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-73828334298862503802014-04-22T05:19:00.000-06:002014-04-22T05:21:25.130-06:00burlap pennant banner & full alphabet stencil

one of my most-pinned posts, this DIY Burlap Banner Pennant tutorial, features a banner template and stencil download which is so easy to print at home. my stencil has just been updated and now contains EVERY letter in the alphabet, not only the Christmas words that it previously did. now you can truly customize every special occasion with a burlap banner. (thank you for your inquiries and suggestions on this!)

visit my shop for the full details.martahttp://email@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2014/04/burlap-pennant-banner-full-alphabet.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-15999409700730604032014-04-16T09:03:00.002-06:002014-04-16T09:07:13.687-06:00give a basket full of sunshine
my friends and i wanted to give something bright & cheerful to another friend of ours. after some brainstorming, we came up with this sunshine basket!! each of us had only a short time to shop, so we split up and went shopping on our own, taking iphone pictures of our loot so no one purchased repeats. i loved going grocery shopping with only a single hue in mind, sunny yellow!! finding brightly wrapped treats and gifts turned out much easier than i had imagined. it was a fun scavenger hunt of sorts to see the sunny items we had each collected. the basket came together beautifully. even though the items may seem like a random grouping, the cheerful color scheme creates a cohesive sunshine vibe, which is exactly what we were hoping for!

 martahttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2014/04/create-sunshine-basket.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-17579457431469857132014-04-12T22:15:00.001-06:002014-04-12T22:24:42.017-06:00a blank page. a new post. refresh button.
hooray for handmade print available in my shop.

i hear / feel / watch my thoughts rumbling around in my soul (tumble dry) and i know i need to write them. just write them. just get them down. it's simple. easy peasy. i'm a self-proclaimed writer, i do this. this should not be hard. hurry and write something decent; a pretty prose or something completely imperfect. just write. you know you know how. you know you've done it before. (oh how full of writer's guilt i've been.) and then another must-do pops up, or a nose needs to be wiped and dishes need to be done or beds need to be made or naps need to be taken and the rhythm of my to-do list shoves out my last thoughtful thought and therein i miss a moment to reflect, write and learn something from the process. letting things spill from my head to my fingers to the page. often, words i wish to be written down are not unlike the loner striped socks that remain loosely out of place, scattered and without a proper home. yet they are still persistent enough not to be thrown out entirely. they lurk in the laundry room and elsewhere. my loner socks and tumbling thoughts (admittedly) haven't been properly lined up, paired up or folded into neat drawers for what seems like months. i'm calling myself out on this.

not to say that i haven't been living a fulfilling, exciting, filled to the brim, joyful life these past non-blogging months. oh i have!! there's so much to tell. no way i can catch up. i've been so fulfilled and busy and happy, i wondered if i really needed blogging at all in this season of life. i've thought a lot about that. honestly however my mind gains clarity when i write things out. to me, crisp keys on a typewriter is as calming as lapping waves of the bluest water on the beach. sitting here, my cluttered brain sits still for awhile and i remember what discipline and practice and vulnerability and creativity mean again. frankly i am more frightened of writing it all out there like i used to. i'm out of practice and feeling vulnerable to opening up. so stay with me. i'll braven up as i type along, i'm sure (i hope).

ever thanks for the encouragement and amazing connections i still feel from you. (so thoughtful to receive emails from those of you who were concerned about little ol' me!!) i can't even begin to tell you all the good things that have come from blogging. here i am, to start anew.

xo. martahttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2014/04/a-blank-page-new-post-refresh-button.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-35017046105049669092014-04-02T13:19:00.002-06:002014-04-02T13:47:37.377-06:00my favorite tropical dessert: mangoes with coconut rice

it's a rare sight to see; me choosing a dessert that does not involve chocolate, custard, gelato, cake, cookies, brownies, etc. however, i do have a major crush on rice pudding (when done right) along with this delicious duo: coconut rice with mangoes. this is a delectable pairing, you cannot go wrong. basically if the word coconut is on a menu, i usually order it without hesitation. i'll eat a ramekin of this for breakfast (while my family has frozen waffles) and for a moment i imagine i'm on a tropical vacation. i justify the sweet and carb combo because we're headed out to the surf soon to catch the first waves of daylight... i snap back into reality as i sign paperwork, oversee homework, and push lego guys out of the way on my kitchen table. still, the mangoes and rice are the real deal. this recipe is so simple, you might start making it on a weekly basis. that's not so much a warning as it is an invitation.

Mangoes & Coconut Rice
Thanks to my darling friend Jamie Anne for this recipe!

1 1/2 cups white uncooked rice (Basmati or Calrose short-grain work great)
Cook rice according to directions and set aside. Then transfer rice into a larger bowl.

3-4 Mangoes (ripe, deeply colorful, firm but not too firm - like an avocado) **
1 (14 oz.) can pure coconut milk (I buy the 'light' version)
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt

Combine coconut milk, sugar, and salt into small saucepan and simmer over low to medium heat until sugar is dissolved. This takes about 5 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently. The milk will turn from milky white to a more clear color. Remove from heat.

Pour coconut sauce over your sticky rice. Stir to combine and allow to rest. The rice will continue to soak up all that coconut sauce and the flavoring will be infused into every grain. Do this at least an hour (or longer) to absorb the coconut milk. Meanwhile, remove skins and slice mangoes into bite-sized bits and place into separate bowl. Dish it up into pretty bowls; serve at room temperature. Add a few raspberries for a kicky, bright garnish.

Serves 6, approximately.

**The great news is they now sell mangoes by the jar!! I've seen them near the packaged salad kits. They are tasty, juicy, and ripe and take ALL the work out of this dessert. Seriously worth your money if you're short on time or terribly impatient when cutting mangoes (and / or have a toddler at your feet).

Note: Ladies especially seem to love this dessert. Take it to bookclub, a buffet or girls night out. It travels well, assembles easily and is a fun change from the usual monotonous sweets scene. Enjoy!

martahttp://email@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2014/04/my-favorite-tropical-dessert-mangoes.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-75058520012655081962014-04-01T12:42:00.000-06:002014-04-02T12:43:28.947-06:00simple & delicious chicken pot pie

when the april showers turn on and days don't feel quite like spring, i always feel like devouring something warm and packed with cooked veggies and homebaked. once i learned that the boxed up, processed frozen pot pies are possibly the worst thing available in the grocery store, i've been going through major pot pie withdrawals. and i imagined i'd have to buy pie weights to wrap my brain around a from-scratch pot pie recipe. however, this one is simple! no pie weights necessary. this features normal ingredients and you can easily find store bought crusts. i am going to try Trader Joes brand next time (i hear they are delicious)! ready set go, lets make chicken pot pie.

Simply Delicious Chicken Pot Pie
source: all recipes

1 pound skinless boneless chicken breasts, chopped
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup frozen green peas
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. celery seed
1 3/4 cups chicken broth (saved from cooking chicken)
2/3 cup milk

Two (9" unbaked) pie crusts

 Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a saucepan, combine chicken, carrots, peas, and celery. Add water to cover and boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, drain (saving liquid for broth) and set aside.

In the saucepan over medium heat, cook onions in butter until soft and translucent. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and celery seed. Slowly stir in chicken broth and milk. Simmer over medium-low heat until thick. Remove from heat and set aside.

Prep a 9.5" pie dish with your bottom crust. Place the chicken mixture in bottom pie crust. Pour hot liquid mixture (should be thick like gravy) over and stir lightly to combine. Cover with top crust, seal edges, and cut away excess dough. Make several small slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Note: This is a super easy recipe to double. After adding the top crust and slicing little air holes, allow the pies to rest and cool, then stick one in the freezer before baking!

martahttp://email@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2014/04/simple-delicious-chicken-pot-pie.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-46722745640769549192013-12-03T00:51:00.004-07:002014-04-22T05:03:20.277-06:00DIY Burlap Pennant Banner tutorial
after researching plenty of burlap banner ideas on pinterest, i decided to gear up and make my own! as you may know, i like to craft, but i like my crafts to be speedy, perfectionist-free and without any sewing requirements whatsoever. this burlap pennant banner fit the bill! scroll down to see the easy step-by-step instructions.

this burlap banner is so simple to make and can be created in just a few hours with simple supplies. i'm excited to try different words and occasions too. i like to think it turned out pottery barn chic, but it's oh so cheap; less than $12 to do-it-yourself. (i created this tutorial well before christmastime, so please excuse the autumn table decor. i plan to swap out the photo eventually.)

gather up the supplies for your burlap banner:
+ burlap (lots of varieties and colors available at JoAnn's!)
note: one yard of burlap will make approximately 2 dozen flag pennants
+ stencil and flag template printed on cardstock
note: you can purchase my burlap banner template & stencil here for $5!
+ acrylic paint (mine was a creamy white called vanilla)
+ sharp scissors
+ glue gun or fabric glue
+ foam paint brush
+ fabric pen or permanent marker
+ parchment paper (to protect your table)
+ a couple yards of jute string or twine (my banner is 33" long)
+ a handful of pretty ribbons for the ends, about two yards total of each ribbon
+ mod podge stiffener product (or plain mod podge works too!)

do you know this handy burlap trick?? if you want to cut burlap straight, loosen one of the fibers and give it a pull. then you'll have a straight guide to cut your material. hooray.

cut out the flag pennant guide and trace it onto the burlap, creating enough flags for the word you choose (my template & stencil has the words: noel, cheer, joy, merry, peace and star all included). when cutting out the burlap flags, cut inside the black marker lines so your marking guides will not be on the final flag banner. print your stencils on cardstock and start cutting out letters (be patient with yourself.. just cut out the black letters and the rest of the page will be your stencil for painting. you'll need to save the circle and triangle shapes from the letters P and A and hold them in place while painting. a little tricky, but i believe in you. if you make a mistake and cut through the stencil, just print it again!)

for a fool proof method, tape the stencil over your burlap flag, eyeballing it in the center. be sure to leave room at the top of the burlap for the fold-over. now start painting lightly until you get the feel for it. i liked the look of a consistent solid paint, dab over and over until you're happy with the results. be careful to hold the edges so bleeding doesn't occur. let the letter flags dry sufficiently.

when the flags are all finished and dried, turn them over (spelling your word correctly and backwards) and hot glue gun the jute string to the burlap by folding the top edge over. be sure to leave adequate leftover string on both sides of your banner. (i used parchment paper to protect my work area, do not use wax paper or it will melt onto your banner!) if you'd like your banner to remain fray-free, use a fabric stiffener all over the flags or, at least, brush mod podge on the edges to help limit any fraying that may occur. allow to dry.

tie festive ribbons on each end and hang your homemade banner with pride! may your home be filled with peace and happiness this holiday.

martahttp://email@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/12/diy-burlap-pennant-banner-tutorial.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-34828108038224996852013-10-17T11:29:00.004-06:002013-10-17T11:32:53.154-06:00DIY caramel apples this post is a repeat from last year. amazingly enough, i posted the original post on october 17, 2012 and here we are exactly a year later and i'm craving them again! tomorrow i'll be dipping gala apples and using a store-bought caramel to compare to the delicious homemade recipe you'll find below. (i'll add my notes about these options.) happy october!

dan's sister sarah taught me all that i know about caramel apples a few years ago on a family trip to sun valley. i finally had the courage to try them on my own, after a little refresher course from her a few weeks ago. you'll find her amazing homemade caramel recipe below. (after researching online, i found a few expert tips too, which i've included. please comment with your own if you have additional techniques!) i am posting this tutorial mainly to remember all of the steps and to readily admit that dipping apples is not as frightening as i once thought it to be. i hope you'll try them if you haven't already! i definitely want to make this a tradition (and improve my skills) each year. here we go!

we agree that green apples taste the best with the sweet toppings. i bought giant packs from costco. these were organic which means i didn't have to scrub so hard to get any shiny coating off of the apples. you want the apples completely cleaned off. sarah even uses a tiny drop of dishwashing soap to get the skins nice and clean. i read online that apple dipping experts use a bit of fine sandpaper (yes, real sandpaper!) on the apple skins before washing them to ensure a nice caramel coating.

dry and polish the apples until they gleam. they need to be very dry. any moisture will deter the caramel from sticking. all of this prep work is somewhat tedious (especially when you are working with forty-two apples!), but like i learned while painting the rooms in my house, prep work is oh so important for a job well done. no skimping! and whistle while you work!

stick the apples in the fridge overnight or at least for several hours. cold apples are best!

optional: gather all the stuff you'll need and head to a friend's house for the caramel making. it's much more fun doing something this messy and marvelous with a friend (bonus if her kitchen is big and fabulous too)! plus, her kids will entertain yours while you work. (see benji wearing star wars storm trooper costume below. he was in heaven!)

have one friend plant wooden sticks into each apple while the other starts the caramel in a heavy duty pot. i was too busy stirring and feeding and holding the baby to take pictures of the caramel bubbling (boy does it smell incredible). mainly you need to keep stirring it so it won't burn to the bottom of your pan. my candy thermometer was not behaving so we totally guessed on the firm ball stage. i dropped it in a cup of ice and didn't know what to look for, but it seemed good to me. for two newbies, we did pretty well! p.s. be sure to line your cookie sheets with parchment paper, not waxed paper! caramel will stick to wax paper. eek. experts pour the hot caramel into a clean metal bowl to allow it to slightly cool before dipping. obviously we skipped this step and just started dipping straight from the pan because we're adventurous impatient like that. luckily, it still worked like a dream. set the caramel apples in the fridge while you melt the chocolate.

now the really fun part. dipping and sprinkling! we had our assistant (my friend's super helpful and eager eight year old son) prep all of our toppings into separate bowls while we melted the chocolate. he even creatively concocted one bowl with all of the toppings mixed together for a 'suicide' type apple (always good to have options). you'll want the toppings ready to go before melting chocolate.

you can melt white chocolate in a double boiler, a pretend double boiler (does anyone really own a real double boiler?!) or in small increments in the microwave. whatever works. again, we threw caution to the wind and just started dipping after melting in the microwave. (hers had a special 'melt' button! if your microwave does too, you should be melting on a regular basis. you have no excuse. i am unbelievably jealous.)

some toppings to try: sea salt on plain caramel, crushed oreos, seasonal sprinkles, brown sugar & cinnamon, reeses pieces, candy corn, heath toffee, mini chocolate chips and then some. we had trouble with the heavier toppings sticking well; they just drooped down the chocolate. but the kids were happy to take those apples off our hands. i love the look of dark or milk chocolate dripping down the sides in a pretty drizzle design, but i ran out of energy for that final step. definitely will do it next time (you know, when seth is a year older and toddling around and pulling everything out of the cupboards and putting everything into his mouth. funny when you imagine things will be easier next time around...)

allow apples to set up in the fridge. wrap them up with cellophane, ribbon and tags. because everything is pretty with cellophane, ribbon and a tag! devour the apples or give them as gifts within 48 hours.

here is the recipe scanned in from my cookbook scrapbook. click and print out for yourself! enjoy!

martahttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/10/diy-caramel-apples.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-76347977394566019312013-10-02T10:04:00.004-06:002013-10-02T10:04:53.926-06:00toll-house chocolate chip pie
images in my kitchen with iphone

a quick hello and a super simple recipe for your sweet tooth. happy october everyone!

Toll-House Chocolate Chip Pie

2 Eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts
one 9" unbaked pie shell
whipped cream or ice cream for garnish (optional, but delisch)

Pre-heat oven to 325. In large bowl, beat eggs until foamy; beat in flour, sugar and brown sugar until well blended. Blend in melted butter. Stir in semi-sweet chocolate chips and walnuts. Pour into pie shell. Bake for one hour. Allow to set for at least 10 minutes. Serve warm.

Note / This recipe is easily doubled. Bake two pies and freeze one for later!

p.s. another fall favorite recipe is this apple cake with best ever sauce. and of course we'll be having general conference trail mix this weekend. i can't wait.martahttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/10/toll-house-chocolate-chip-pie.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-10490456970678736332013-09-16T22:37:00.002-06:002013-09-28T23:11:05.689-06:00fall in love | autumn is the season

here at our house we are excited for fall. i love september! what about you? autumn is one of my favorite seasons to decorate for; you can use so much of nature to create a smashing display!! lookie here and here for more of my autumn decorating tips. benji loves changing up the house with me and we can't wait to decorate for halloween. last week he helped pour some corn kernels, lentils, pumpkin seeds, black beans, and other dried grains into glass vases to create simple (and inexpensive) harvest decorations. i plan to leave them until we're ready to deck the halls after thanksgiving.

thanks to some sweet instagram encouragement & inspiration, i've created an autumn bucket list for my shop. it's an 8x10 print and fits neatly into a standard frame. you can purchase either the download option or order the print straight from me (domestic shipping is free)! the prints are ready to ship this week. for my own fam, i've also made an ongoing specific Fall Fun list on my phone to refer to. here are some activities we plan to do this season. what are your autumn faves? (why let summer have all the fun? bring on the bucket lists.)

our autumn bucket list | 2013
+ brunch at Ruth's
+ hot dog cook out with church group
+ pumpkin patch
+ make Nutter Butter ghosts
+ host a cider & donuts party
+ carve jack-o-lanterns together
+ dip caramel apples
+ have chili in breadbowls
+ celebrate birthdays & anniversary
+ check out halloween library books
+ take a sunday drive to see the changing leaves
+ candlelight read-a-thon
+ bake pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
+ make homemade applesauce
+ trick or treating, pizza & home-brewed root beer
+ Disneyland (!!!!)martahttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/09/fall-in-love-autumn-is-season.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-7773398883387986862013-09-11T23:50:00.001-06:002013-09-15T23:31:48.912-06:00shop interview and fall discount code

so grateful to fellow blogger, crafter extraordinaire, christina for featuring my shop with an interview over on her blog. i talk a little about my design work and product photography too. thank you for being interested in my designs!! for the month of september enter FALL15 and get 15% off orders over $5 in my shop. happy autumn!martahttp://email@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/09/shop-interview-and-fall-discount-code.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-34263188810271879672013-08-16T00:10:00.003-06:002013-08-16T00:26:32.142-06:00shout outs (and small businesses!) all around

marta dansie designs / images via twig

hello again. (i'm so rusty at blogging. ugg!) thank you for the kind comments and cheers for my grand shop opening. it's a little thing, but pretty big in my world, so i appreciate the enthusiasm for the long hours i put into opening shop. merci. i have a few bits of featured news...

+ one of my favorite blogger friends in the world, michelle of TWIG–the cutest wooden handiwork around–just had her second baby girl. this past year, i was delighted to finally meet mama michelle, in the flesh. her friendly, genuinely thoughtful and happy demeanor solidified our friendship and we discussed her baby girl's birth announcement. she gave me some ideas and i ran with them. a little Aztec pattern meets soft warrior princess. and, of course i had to include some faux woodgrain into the design as an ode to michelle and steve's TWIG business! she was so kind to do a write-up on marta dansie design, check it out right here. thank you!!!

+ i'm loving the talents of crafty artisans far and wide. i've discovered a lot of incredible new-to-me calligraphers, letterpressers and designers circling around instagram. please check out who i follow to see a seriously talented bunch. you'll want to follow along too. @martawrites

+ i've been meaning to mention a few wonderful LOCAL ladies who have started their own businesses. i am a big believer in following your dreams and striving to make them happen. (of course we mamas must remember there is a season for everything. it took me a lot of late nights and no blogging, tv watching or folding clothes :) to get my shop open!) ever since starting this blog, i've wanted to support women and small business owners in featured posts and in using and buying their products. in fact, all of the packaging supplies for my shop come from small business owners. anyway, please check out these new businesses for me and tell them i sent you! they are each oh so talented...

• INSIDE AND OUT COSMETICS this is an incredible new line of all-natural and organic makeup! i'm blown away at the time, effort, market research, testing, science, creativity, trial & error and beautiful packaging this company has been involved in. what an accomplishment in creating a healthy and nourishing cosmetics line, i'm so happy for them. one of my personally favorite things is how they've named their lipstick shades after history's influential and powerful women! go girl power.

• OH CARROT STICKS my friend becky creates adorable artwork with a simple photo of your child's favorite beloved toys! i just love this idea. what a sweet keepsake after these stuffed animals are tired, worn out and tucked away. benji's bear has definitely seen better days, capturing it up into a pretty print is definitely a sweet piece of childhood!

• PRINCESS PENPAL my friend elizabeth is always creating something darling for our kiddos; cute quilts, super hero capes, dinosaur digs and more. her new business focuses on making children feel special with their very own penpal! what kid doesn't love receiving mail?!

hip hooray for the handmade movement.
keep up the good work!

martahttp://email@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/08/shout-outs-and-small-businesses-all.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-73442549510651059342013-08-12T01:27:00.002-06:002013-08-12T01:27:33.234-06:00the mini mart re-launch party

hello out there!!! after neglecting my blog for much too long, i hope there is still some of you out there checking in. i have exciting news to share: my online shop The Mini Mart is finally stocked, revamped and ready for its big debut. from thank you notes to dollar downloads to fill-in invites to wedding suites; i hope there is a design that will strike your fancy!

thank you for being patient and supremely supportive. i love the online community that has surrounded this blog and befriended me since way back. i have high hopes to fall into the groove of writing again after all the shop dust settles. this custom designed paperie pop-up shop has been a goal of mine for awhile now. i never wanted to launch it without plenty of pretty pictures and wordy descriptions in tact, which is my excuse for letting my blog lay quiet for so long. i appreciate your kindness throughout all the endeavors i take on. blog readers are the best! thank you for your support, for your enthusiasm for the handmade, and for cheering on small businesses and bloggers!

please feel free to pop in and take a look around!
minimart.martadansie.com
don't forget to use one of these discount codes as a thank you for being a loyal blog reader.
20% off today only: LAUNCHPARTY
OR all month long: FANCLUB for free shipping! martahttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/08/the-mini-mart-re-launch-party.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-1502338297739417112013-07-12T00:01:00.000-06:002013-07-12T00:03:46.659-06:00lately.
insta love. #campbaby
we've been camping.
we lit army tank fireworks.
summer is running past fast.
seth is almost one. i can hardly believe it.
he is so smiley and toothy and red-headed.
life feels so good.
i am picking up drawing again.
and trying not to be so hard on myself.
i am staying up late working on my new shop.
it's going to be stocked full of invitations. i've always dreamt of having a shop full of stationery. here's to making dreams come true. and making the most of the rest of summer vacation.

stay tuned.

martahttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/07/lately.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-30541158397764292082013-07-08T10:06:00.002-06:002013-07-08T10:06:59.769-06:00round up of our favorite july eats

my mom's amazing red velvet cake

oatmeal pb chocolate and toffee bars

homemade coconut ice cream

homemade oreo ice cream

laney's s'more brownies

patriotic peanut butter cookies

mom's tuna and shell pasta salad

martahttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/07/round-up-of-our-favorite-july-eats.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-23233624847665090202013-06-10T00:45:00.002-06:002013-06-10T00:47:37.056-06:00working into the wee hours to rebrand
a peek into my photo shoot with one of my very favorite wedding suite designs

i forgot how much fun (work, effort, craziness, and mania) goes into re-building a brand. (remember when i used to post all about running an online shop?!) these days i'm working hard on rebuilding my own! finally! #yay. last year i collected all my favorite designs and wedding invitations into an oversized leather portfolio, yet still hardly anyone has actually paged through it. my best clients seem to be found online (hooray! i love you, customers!) thus it's obvious i'm long overdue for a new website, better photos, a new logo, and a shop of ready-made designs for clients to hurry up and pick a party invitation without too much hassle. not everyone is gung-ho on waiting around for custom designs, so i am hoping to solve that dilemma. i'm gearing up. slow and steady, i'll get there. it's a big process, especially for a one woman show. thankfully my excitement is giving me adrenaline!

here is what i've managed thus far.
+ full fledged affair with instagram @martawrites
+ just put the finishing touches on a new mini mart shop logo
+ photographing my own designs (catching the sunlight is the trickiest!)
+ cropped, tweaked, photoshopped said product photos
+ uploaded photos into online shop

here is what i still have to do. (the short list)
+ update all that product verbiage in the shop
+ figure out prices, shipping postage, nitty gritty details
+ update main website / design another new logo
+ print new business cards, packaging, etc.
+ create even more products for shop (ideas are rolling in)
+ market, promote, create buzz, spread the word!

martahttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/06/working-into-wee-hours-to-rebrand.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-25873504112103335112013-05-28T08:55:00.000-06:002013-05-28T10:32:30.813-06:00what's on your summer bucket list?
dreaming up a few ideas for our own summer bucket list. check out this list inspiration!!

oversized and bright hues make this list an art piece! / by talented & crafty emily

 chalk it up & cheerful chairs! / meg duerkson

i love checking boxes off / free printable by whimsey box

100 great summer ideas / pinterest link / and even more ideas right here

a simple and sweet bucket list by carla
martahttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/05/whats-on-your-summer-bucket-list.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-37220578838008923282013-05-17T11:09:00.002-06:002014-05-15T21:44:54.439-06:00am currently on a carmelita kick / hilary's caramelita recipe

my dear friend hilary was one of my favorite idaho finds. we were neighbors and became very close during the years i lived there. lucky for me, her fam moved here when we moved home. such a happy crazy coincidence! we still get to see each other. in fact we are running a 5K together this weekend. if you feel so inclined, please donate a little for a good cause. we are running on a team in honor of her sweet angel baby michael. hilary is one of those friends that you know God put in your path for a reason. i have learned so much from her, i get teary every time i think about it. she is one of the most genuine, charitable people you'll ever meet. and she brings you cookie dough, just for no reason. and she shows up early when you're hosting parties, to help out. and she usually stays late to help clean up. she is that type of person. i'd never met any one else like her.

to make a long story short, i am a better person because of hilary. she is too humble to ever realize all she has done for me and my family. in this household we talk about her and her husband like they are legends. we really love them. enough gushing, onto the carmelitas! p.s. happy birthday, hil! admittedly, i have been on a carmelita kick for months now. they hit the spot, are quick to whip up and keep for days in the fridge. these bars are perfect for a picnic, a church activity or with a scoop of ice cream to accompany The Office finale. (didn't you love it?!)

i text hilary every time i make one of her recipes. she is an amazing cook. due to her gorgeous slim physique you'd never know she has a sweet tooth. but i love how she can put it away with the rest of us. just another reason we get along so well. i've been meaning to blog this recipe forever, so in honor of hilary's birthday, i give you her carmelitas!! careful, they are addictive.

HILARY'S BEST EVER CARAMELITAS
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1/2 jar Mrs. Richardsons Butterscotch Caramel sauce (brand name is essential)
1 package (2 cups) milk chocolate chips (Hilary insists on using Guittard)

 In large bowl combine first 6 ingredients to form a crumbly mixture. Sprinkle half of crumbly mixture into a foil-lined, greased 9x13-inch pan. (I smash mine down to ensure no holes for slippery carmel to get through.) Bake at 350 F for 10 to 15 minutes.

 Sprinkle chocolate chips over the baked crust and top with melted caramel mixture. Sprinkle remaining crumbly mixture on top. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

note 01. / if you want extra dense carmelitas for a party, simply double the crumbly dough topping by melting 3 sticks butter and add 3 cups flour, 3 cups oats, 3 cups brown sugar and doubling the soda and salt. use 3/4 jar of caramel sauce and 2 cups or more chocolate chips. (you can't really mess these up.) bake the doubled recipe in the same 9x13 pan.

note 02. / here's my tutorial on prepping and cutting carmelita bars. (did i mention how they are the perfect sweet for sharing?) i make them so often, i pretty much have the process down to a science. line your 9x13 pan with foil and spray with pam. then continue with the recipe as directed. that way, you can easily lift them out of the pan and peel off the foil for cutting. make carmelitas a day prior to when you plan to serve them. or at the very least, early in the morning of your dinner party. let them refrigerate overnight so the caramel can set up properly. the next day, when you're ready to slice them, take them out and let them sit on the counter for 15 minutes or so (while you eat breakfast). carmelita edges make the perfect breakfast dessert. slice off edges and save for husband and kiddos. then continue to slice into bars. place bars in sealed container and refrigerate until you're ready to roll.

martahttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/05/am-currently-on-carmelita-kick-hilarys.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-48515689516686074102013-05-15T10:05:00.000-06:002013-05-16T07:16:42.952-06:00book layout design | a life history by bernice cheshire

picking the books up from the print shop is rewarding. seeing all those stacks of collated paper, ready to roll, is pretty rad. however, picking them up from the local bindery is my favorite. watching fifty volumes of a book (that i designed!) slide into boxes for me to take home is a pretty amazing feeling. this was a super top secret mission, but i had to snap a text pic to dan of our new arrival. when you create a book, waiting on its completion is like waiting for a baby to come. "it's here!!"

dan's sweet grandmother, bernice cheshire, recently wrote her own life history by hand (click the last image below, her old school process of cutting and pasting handwritten paragraphs is the best). her daughter, my mother-in-law, shanna has been a key role in making her mother's book come to life and shanna solicited my knowledge in book design. it was a big project to take on. doing work for a family member adds tremendous pressure, especially for a beloved grandmother! of course i jumped at the chance to help. i love grandma bernice so much and have very much adopted her as my own.

bernice is ninety-five and has so much vitality, strength and stamina! bernice remember details of our lives, works in her garden and hosts parties and fixes salads for potluck suppers. she still laughs at dan's jokes and loves my littles when we come visit. she is always smiling and chooses to see the sunny side of life. bernice is a heroine of mine. it was truly an honor to assist in creating this book for her. she is a wonderful writer and has written a lovely history.

months ago we were sitting at my kitchen table and she was hesitant about creating a book and distributing it. she wondered who might like to own a copy of her book!! (we had to convince her that taking it to the copy shop and spiral binding it was not the best route for her incredible story!) luckily she grasped the vision of creating a beautiful bound book to enhance her writing and highlight it with the photos that illustrate her life. she has been graciously excited about putting this project into my hands ever since. here's a peek at the finished book...

martahttp://email@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/05/book-layout-design-life-history-by.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-17496255834819087952013-05-09T09:39:00.000-06:002013-05-09T09:43:41.092-06:00life doesn't come with a manual, it comes with a mother / videomartahttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/05/life-doesnt-come-with-manual-it-comes.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-69515914236566370342013-04-30T16:53:00.001-06:002013-04-30T16:54:12.901-06:00tip for tuesday / wannabe washi tape now at officemax

who doesn't love a good roll of washi tape? i have a growing collection and love to tape everything up and mix and match 'em. even though it's trendy. i like the neon trend too. so sue me. i don't even mind the wannabe washi tape rolls showing up at target and other easy-access stores. has washi tape sold out? if so, i for one am in favor! bring on more washi / wannabe tape! we office-supply hoarders love it.

this is one of my favorite rolls by far. now available at your local officemax! it's geometric patterned, a bit wider than classic washi tape. it's mint! and it's made my scotch. (do you know how i love scotch brand double-sided tape?! this is the next best thing!) and i just happen to be wearing mint pants today. talk about trendy. and matchy matchy. well, there's your tuesday tip. xo.

p.s. washi on wiki.martahttp://email@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/04/tip-for-tuesday-washi-tape-now-at.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-53560183139323010332013-04-23T23:46:00.001-06:002013-04-23T23:49:27.092-06:00lessons from my littles / jumping hurdles without jumping in
boy it's hard to figure out what to blog about these days. admittedly, i am sucked into instagram because it is sooo easy. forget the written word and all the time it takes to jot a post and photoshop pics, here's my cute kids! here is a snapshot with a small caption, and voila, end of story, i can connect with rad people and instagram is an insta-success for a non-socialmedia-mama! but then, there is always a story within every single day. truthfully i wonder how not to blog about my boys. family life, motherhood, daily tasks and life with littles is the main thing i have going. i know i am likely saying the same things again and again, but that's what a lot of motherhood is about. it is hard to think up a subject without thinking of what these boys have taught me recently.

i have a few ongoing design projects, but most of them and are kept hidden until the client wants to debut them.. so anyway my main life is my daily world with my kids (on repeat). in house, outdoors, taking drives, creating outings, making memories and hopefully raising them into kind loving people. so grateful to have a hands-on husband to help me along this parenthood route. i try to remember what benji says and jot his hilarious statements down in my favorite little quote book of his. four is all about growing, learning new things, testing limits and being sweeter than pie. he prays often and has such a sincere relationship with God. it's no wonder he teaches me so much. i really feel that children are here to give us new eyes and gain new insights if not a completely new perspective. i've been known to say that two kids has flipped my world upside down. in the best way possible, of course.

today i stopped and looked at them with new eyes. this happens almost once a day. they teach me so much. seth is learning to crawl. more specifically he is perfecting the plank position. it's really amazing to watch. he gets on his hands and knees, in a classic crawl and then switches to plank and drops to scoot himself around on his belly in an army crawl. i marvel that he has to learn the hard way. he has to drag himself through the motions until he learns the easier way through. isn't that how life is?! isn't that the way we learn from our mistakes? we learn the hard way and with practice, we get better and better and suddenly we realize all that dragging through life's challenges was only strengthening us. and, although benji is trying hard to teach seth how to crawl properly, no one can do it for him. seth has to learn on his own. so very true with life. we must learn and grow and figure out problems and develop our talents by ourselves. we have to go through the process to better ourselves. this is the golden part of life. even though it's so tough to watch. aren't your most valuable moments in life after coming through a trial?! isn't coping with difficulties the method of sculpting stronger souls; molding us into who we are?! as a mother i want to hurry his progress and help him crawl because i know it will be a lot less frustrating for him; but i know better. i know this is one of many hurdles he has to conquer on his own. so we clap and praise and holler and hug. we do all we can to help him help himself. a lesson i will surely be learning again and again as a mama.

benji has taken on the roll of big brother with great courage. he is such a good helper and is so very patient with our latest addition. he always creates stories about two brothers whenever he is imagining up a new tale. he is confident and happy and quick to forgive. i am so grateful he loves to be obedient. always trying to do what's right. seth loves him so much, what a joy it is to have a brother. however i know it must be hard to be four and learn about the bigness of life; the rules of right and wrong and figuring out how to be brave and honest and good and thankful and polite and know when and where ninja moves are appropriate. controlling our tempers and eating our vegetables and becoming an understanding and empathetic individual takes practice. practice is easier to come by with a little brother scooting around getting into our things. although i've tried with all my heart not to place too much older brother pressure on him, i know he must feel it. his life has changed in such a big way. he shares his mom and dad now. thankfully children are so wholesome and good, he wouldn't ever think to keep us only for himself. the only way children know how to love, is completely and wholly. i praise him and hug him and thank him for all he does. i do what i can to say you're awesome to go through this huge transition with a smile.

tonight my favorite thing happened. benji, all on his own, sang his baby brother to sleep. i waited in the darkened hallway–nearing their door, about to come to the rescue–when i heard him kindly solving the problem with a song. i stood motionless, not daring to move or creak the floorboards beneath my feet. i melted into a puddle as benji's primary song, i like to look for rainbows, calmed seth down immediately. and then they both fell back asleep in their room. i wanted to burst in and hug them both and tell them thank you for being such good boys. but i knew i would ruin the moment (and wake them both up)! another moment for me as a mama to stay by the sidelines and cheer. i silently thanked God for my many blessings and all the lessons i'm learning day by day.

benji loves baking with mama | seth perfects his plank in our hotel room

become as little children | inspiration: here, here and here.

martahttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/04/lessons-from-my-littles-jumping-hurdles.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-18569001501044474012013-04-20T10:40:00.002-06:002013-04-20T10:43:33.210-06:00a big thank you / calling all spring cleaning tips
julia child quote / source unknown / via pinterest

thank you for all the shout outs on that last little experiment. i hear you. thanks! made me feel happy! i love it when i know you're out there reading. it feels like a little party! we've been off on a mini getaway in the mountains. eating, catching up on cable tv and swimming in hot tubs while the last of the spring snow fell. seth took his first dip in his nautical suit and benji showed off some back stroke skills. life is good. i feel so blessed. today it is raining and we are cleaning and laundering and catching up on cartoons. benji loves our official pajama days wherein we don't have to leave the house! getting home from vacation is the perfect time to spring clean the whole place. (i am using vinegar & warm water as my go-to cleaning solution these days.) i have a goal this year to get rid of all the crap lurking in the corners. i am a part-time professional hoarder and hope i can keep up the motivation to clean sweep. do you have any tips for me?! i have about seven huge empty boxes waiting for a day i may need them. wha?! is this necessary in life? and magazines?! why can't i part with them? and what about kiddie artwork!? i want to figure out a solution before he starts kindergarten! wishing you a happy spring saturday.

martahttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/04/a-big-thank-you-spring-cleaning-secrets.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513923.post-63731656777208676052013-04-11T11:22:00.002-06:002013-04-11T11:24:48.221-06:00am a fan
am a fan of instagram. i didn't get it before. now i do. #callmeasocialmediaslowpoke. i plan on making an Artifact Uprising photo album. instagram is the perfect lazy-person scrapbook.

am a fan of string cheese. with apples. or alone and in my purse all day, a little smushed.

am a fan of spring rain. it's so refreshing and is making our lawn soo green.

am a fan of OPI gargantuan green grape. the perfect mint hue for nails.

am a fan of old navy v-neck tees. i live in them.

am a fan of fabulous envelopes. i love a grid design.

am a fan of these pretty necklaces. i hope to meet kersey this week at bijou market!!

am a fan of these maypole colorful felt balls and the darling girl behind them. yay, aubry. (i met her and some other very talented ladies at an intimate crafter mama meet n' greet the other night. thanks to michelle of twig for the invite! lets do it again soon!)

am a fan of the gallery wall. dan has given me the go-ahead to let me have-at-it in my kitchen. am hoping for something lovely like this little pinspiration.

am a fan of all the darling illustrations found in the little low studio shop. this adventurers print would be perfect for my family of little adventuresome men.

am a fan of hunkering down to fold laundry. am thinking i'll be ordering something from amazon prime to make it a night. any good movie suggestions?!!

am a fan of creative collaboration projects. i am so grateful for you awesome incredible people (mostly all women!!) that i get to work alongside with. seriously, i pinch myself. i love brainstorming big things together.

am a fan of this tea boy's plaid button down. if i could justify hanging another one in their closet, it would be mine.

am a fan of family bike rides.

p.s. my brother and i had a little discussion about blogs the other day. i wonder.. is blogging dead? are we on the way out, especially due to google reader going away for good!?! are you still out there? if so, say a little hello in the comments. perhaps it's just the device you read it on is too cumbersome to comment?! anyway, just a bitty experiment!

martahttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://www.martawrites.com/2013/04/am-fan.html


text:
Grape Leaf Damage
Edymnion(7a)April 19, 2012
I've got a Venus seedless grape thats now in it's second year, and overall I'd say its doing quite well.
Only hitch though (you knew there had to be one) some of the leaves are showing some sort of damage. Couple of pictures below.
Its not on all of them, but just wanting to nip any potential problems in the bud. I've hit it with a couple sprays of a broad spectrum fungicide to be safe, and with some neem oil.
Anything I should be concerned with, or is it just a "all grapes do this, don't worry about it" kind of thing?


text:
Parlor Palm and Scheff
Well It looks like the parlor palm isnt going to survive the repot. I had two clumps of plants which I planted into two different pots hoping they would do better and they are not. Every few days there is another dying frond. I wish I would have left it as it was with both clumps in the same pot. It was doing fine and I shouldnt have messed with it. I am bummed.
Scheff, wth. It is losing stems often as well. He is my oldest plant and I have never had issues with him till the repot. Dangit. It has never lost leaves and stems like this. I dont know what to do as I dont want to lose h im too.
Other than that, everyone else is doing good. Even the arrowhead that I was having problems with. It seems 3 of the stems ate growing vines, or whatever the proper terms are... I dont know. I am just really ticked about these two plants.
My parlor palm didn't even make it to the repot stage, since its roots were bad bad bad! Even making it this far is an accomplishment!
Everyone keeps reminding us that there is an adjustment period. I have two dracaena sanderiana in the SAME POT. (They are friends and I couldn't bear to separate them!) Since repotting into the 5-1-1, one of them has new growth and seems really happy. The other one is turning brown, so I'm considering removing it. Sometimes plants like things and other times, they don't.
Also, my jades have lost a few leaves. But the top/remaining ones look healthy, so I'm not worried about them.
Sending positive plant vibes your parlor palm's way and your sheff's way! It's still early. Be patient!
Remember, if one plant doesn't make it, it leaves room for a new one!
Toni I seperated it because honestly it was suggested. ;)
Which was fine, I wanted to do so anyway because my friend liked the plant and was looking to have one. So I was excited to share what I had so soon in my plant adventures. I also thought the plant would do better seperated...since it had so much shorter fronds. i figured they needed to breath.
It is my fault. I heard they dont like their roots messed with and I did just that. It just does make me sad because it was so full and pretty and it was a plant from the Aunt Julie Basket.
Toni, it was my idea. I've been quite rough with all sizes of these before when repotting, just pulling the roots apart from separate plants, and haven't had any trouble with them. Can't say for sure what went wrong with these but I feel responsible and sad. Tiff has agreed to let me ease her pain and my conscience with a care package. Still send her plant(s) good vibes!!!
Ooops..Sorry about that.
Purple isn't your fault though...like Larry said, Palms are funny when roots are disturbed..
However they need repotting when roots fill a pot.
Tiff, didn't you change soils/mediums? Maybe it's a matter of getting used to watering???? Also, time for plants to adapt to their new homes.
PurpleTiff. Please, please...you are not responsible in any way. The roots also could have been going bad with that soil I originally had them in and me stirring the pot so to speak was the icing on the cake for Bella.
Its ok. I learned alot from this repot and the condition of this Bella.
At least my peace lily is ok. She is most important.
Hi Tiff,
Sorry for plant ailing, unfortunately, that does sometimes happen.
I'm late to the conversation, but those 2 newer, smaller pots appear to be of the self-watering type. Is that correct? Not sure if that's a good idea might; keep the plants too moist (I don't grow palms).
If they are self-watering pots, was the original pot as well? If not, that COULD be the difference. (The newer pots keeping them wetter than the older pot.)
We don't generally recommend self-watering pots, best to water when WE want & keep control of that ourselves.
Are the plants at that spot just for the pic? If not, could that vent be bringing it heat or AC? Curious.
Pirate Girl, yes they are self watering but I do not use them in that wa. My stores are clearancing out pots and that was al that was left for me to buy for now. I just use the tray at the bottom to catch the extra water that I then dump out. I dont believe in self watering...persay.
Yes, the plantsare there just for the pic. I wouldnt ever stick any plant in front of an air vent.
Either the roots were bad or I slipped up somewhere. Lesson learned. Ya win and ya lose some I guess...