This one’s for the girls . . .

CheriGENERAL

Dressing for work or church or social events usually involves adding some adornment — jewelry, to “complete the outfit”.  Ladies, you know what I mean…the earrings (for all the piercings) a necklace, a ring or two, a bracelet, the watch, toe ring.       They say after you put your jewelry on, you should then take off a few … Read More

Master the long meal

CheriGENERAL

Food and music and art and friends and stories and rivers and lakes and oceans and laughter and …. did I mention food? God has given us life, and God’s desire is that we live it.  One of the most tragic things ever to happen to the gospel was the emergence of the message that … Read More

Thank You !

CheriGENERAL

This new blog design is the creative work of my friend, Mark. He worked with me over a couple days “figuring me out” (not an easy task) by reading my blog, then designing, re-designing and refining turned into this work of art!  (I think it looks kinda “sassy”—Kirk says that fits!) Check out Mark’s blog here, … Read More

Use what you’ve been given

CheriGENERAL

The other day Pastor Ryan posted his “Friday Fifteen.” Good stuff there….as usual. One of his “fifteen” was “You’ve got to use what you’ve been given.” I keep going back to this incredible video. What an inspiration. Too often we only think about what we don’t have, instead of all that we have been given. … Read More

Celebrating

CheriGENERAL

Our children are a gift. We’ve always believed that. (even in the difficult times). Children seem to bring out the best in a person — and occasionally– the worst. (We’ve experienced both those extremes in our family). Last night we took a “surprise party” to Danae’s house. She didn’t know we were coming – or … Read More

A New Era !

CheriGENERAL

Happy Birthday Baby Girl! …always the charmer – and lover of the shades! and now . . . …our baby girl is ushering us out of the teen years! Happy 20th Birthday Danae Joy!

In the garden

CheriGENERAL

Martha, move over ‘cuz Cheri’s “in the house garden!”  I’ve made salsa, tomato sandwiches, more salsa, open-face cheese/tomato/onion sandwiches, tomato omelets, salsa and we’ve eaten our fair share of plain tomatoes too.  Don’t get me wrong, we love tomatoes.  The problem is there is a lot, yet not enough.  That is, not enough to can.  So … Read More

Baby Girl Visit

CheriGENERAL

Today I got an instant message from our baby girl. It went something like this: Baby girl: You remember that I’m coming home this evening right? Me: Yeah, now I do. Baby girl: Yeah, I’m getting my hair done. Me: What time? Baby girl: 6:00. I thought maybe we could get appetizers or dinner or … Read More

Spaaaaaahhhhhh

CheriGENERAL

Saturday was amazing. Like, we woke up, and got ready to go. Then we like, drove to Dave and JoLynn’s house where they had like, this amazing breakfast of HUGE cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit and COFFEE waiting for us. and then……we like, drove to Edina where the spa was, and we all got ready for … Read More

A Windy City

CheriGENERAL

This afternoon Cara called from Cincy.  She was outside – and it sounded like she was in the middle of Hurricane Ike!  Today Cincinnati has experienced their own mini-hurricane (like a category 1). Over 500,000 people are without power.  Including Cara. They say it might be 3-4 days before the power is back on! Here’s … Read More