Friday May 25, 2012

 

 

Patio, Garden, & Meadow

 

 

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A squirrel keeping an eye on me while enjoying dry bird seed on a rainy day.

 

 

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Another view

 

 

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I like how it has one foot on the bench and another on the feeder.

 

 

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Trying to stay dry.

 

 

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A catbird making a lot of noise.

 

 

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I thought this looked pretty in the sun.

 

 

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Cows in the meadow

 

 

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A pair of Canada geese and their little ones at my brothers’ farm pond,

 

 

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Flowers in the patio garden

 

 

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Our roses are pretty this year.

 

 

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The yellow yarrow is in full bloom.

 

 

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I planted a tomato plant this year. It has been years since I did that.

 

 

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It looks promising for tomatoes.

 

 

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Our stand of tea is tall and beautiful – and the result is delicious.

 

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 I just finished a cup of mint tea while working on this entry.

 

 

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I caught this male cardinal in a strange pose.

 

 

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At first glance I thought this was a female cow bird – and maybe it is – but it sure looks like a female Brewer’s blackbird. Does anyone know? According to my bird book, Brewer’s blackbirds do not frequent our area.

 

 

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Friday May 25, 2012

 

The one who says he belongs to Christ should live the same kind of life Christ lived.

1 John 2:4-6 (New Life Version)

 

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Thursday May 24, 2012

 

 

TFC’s Newest Chapel

It’s almost ready to move to Flying J Travel Plaza, Frystown, Pennsylvania, where it will replace the old one.

 

 

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Karl Auker installing crown molding

 

 

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Installing carpet in the living quarters.

 

 

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Nice!

 

 

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Progression of change in the chapel area since early February.

 

 

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Installing vinyl flooring

 

 

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The change on the exterior during that same period of time.

 

 

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There it is! Another beautiful rig ready to serve our nation’s truckers.

 

~~~

Within weeks Cerwin will begin construction on a replacement chapel for Rochelle, Illinois.

~~~

 

 

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Thursday May 24, 2012

 

I’m back online, and will return to normal posting tonight.

A storm shut our electric, satellite, and internet down momentarily last night – everything came back but the internet. The repairman just left. I needed a new modem.

 

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Wednesday May 23, 2012

 

Don’t look for shortcuts to God.

The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do.

The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.

Matthew 7:13-14 (The Message)

 

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Tuesday May 22, 2012

 

 

Mother’s Day Dinner

After the Parade

Sunday Evening, May 13

 

 

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After freshening up a bit at the TFC office, we went to John J. Jeffries to meet Roy and Deb. This was their Mother’s Day gift to me.

We told Roy and Deb to make the appointment for 5:30, because we didn’t know where we would be placed in the convoy.

 

 

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 Since we were in the first third of the parade, we were finished early and arrived about an hour before our appointment. Cerwin loved this chair. Notice the big leaves.

Since John J. Jeffries restaurant is located in the old, remodeled tobacco warehouse in Lancaster, we soon realized that these are tobacco leaves.

While we waited for Roy and Deb, I enjoyed paging through a huge book in the lobby that featured Lancaster County towns and villages in the early 1900s.

 

 

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Before long 5:30 arrived, and we were seated in a beautiful area of the restaurant.

 

 

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The interesting menu made it difficult to choose.

 

 

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Notice the exterior between Deb and Roy. If it had been a calm evening, we could have eaten outside. The temperature was warm enough, but it was too breezy.

 

 

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The first food we received was this strawberry palate cleanser.

 

 

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Then it was bread and a fermented oriental dish – which I really liked.

 

 

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Deb’s appetizer – Crispy Pork Belly Love

Organic Stone Milled Grits, Sweet Potato Johnny Cake and Pennsylvania Maple Syrup

It was quite good and reminded me of a breakfast.

 

 

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Roy’s appetizer – Asparagus, Spring Onion, and Potato Bisque

Everything was delicious – but this was fabulous. Roy gave each of us a taste, then very wisely never passed the bowl around the table again.

 

 

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I don’t remember ever drinking coffee from a French Press. If I remember correctly, the coffee grounds are put in the pitcher first, then boiling water is added and the press is attached. After a certain amount of time the press (which has tiny holes) is pushed to the bottom, and voila! Delicious coffee.

 

 

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Our delightful waitress gave me permission to take a picture of her.

 

 

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Cerwin & Roy both ordered this.

Thistle Creek and Kookaburra Farms Grass Fed Dry Aged Steak

Fried Livengood Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Reduction Sauce, and Chimichurri

 

 

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Deb’s Black Tamworth Pork Gordita

Sweet Potato Johnny Cake, Organic Stone Milled Grits, Creme Fraiche, Salsa, Guacamole, and Chimichurri

 

 

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My delicious Meadow Run Farm Organic Pastured Chicken

Black Forbidden Rice, Seasonal Vegetables and Reduction Sauce

 

 

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Cerwin’s dessert – Keswick Creamery Quark and Strawberry Cheese Cake

Creme Angalise

 

 

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Roy’s Kallari Organic Fair Trade Chocolate Flourless Cake

Creme Anglaise and Strawberry Sauce

 

 

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Deb and I ordered Honey Lavender Creme Brulee

It was yummy!

 

~~~

Thanks Roy and Deb. We had a wonderful evening.

~~~

 

 

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Tuesday May 22, 2012

 

Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence.

Psalm 105:4 (The Message)

 

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Monday May 21, 2012

 

 

The Final Part of the Parade

Make-A-Wish Convoy – Sunday, May 13

 

 

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Coming into Ephrata

 

 

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Notice those watching from the porch roof!

 

 

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Our friend Della is in the middle with her daughter Marla (who I met at a ladies retreat at the end of January). I expect the man on the left is Marla’s husband, but I never met him.  

 

 

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This is a photo from Marla of me taking the previous photo.

 

 

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Marla’s photo of us continuing down the street.

Thanks, Marla. It was fun to see us from your point of view.

 

 

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There are always a lot of people at the Walmart entrance and the junction of RT 322 and RT 222.

 

 

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More parade watchers on RT 222.

 

 

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Looking toward RT 272 where the trucks behind us are heading toward Ephrata.

 

 

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Our friends John and Karen Rissler

 

 

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Another friend – Jason Shelly

 

 

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A beautiful rig – not aware that it is anybody we know.

 

 

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Cerwin’s brother called to say where he was parked and that he had Mother in the car. Since the parade was over, we stopped to give her a Mother’s Day hug.

 

 

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Because we stopped, we were now behind a different truck and could see the reflection of the cross on our grill in the back door of this truck.

 

 

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These people already saw the parade, but stayed to see the trucks returning to Burle Industries – or going in that general direction.

 

 

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These trucks were ahead of us. It appears the drivers stopped to talk.

 

 

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Back at TFC’s office and shop.

At the beginning of the day, when the truck broke down, we weren’t sure we would make it to the Make-A-Wish Convoy.

We have been doing this for several years, and it was the best ever.

~~~

If you want see us in action – go to this YouTube video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIODBdFqxC8

 You can see us at 13 minutes until 13:26.

 

 

 

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Monday May 21, 2012

 

May the words of my heart be pleasing to Him.

Psalm 104:34 (New Life Version)

 

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Monday May 21, 2012

 

Happy Birthday

To Our Favorite Jared

Jared 2-11

We Love You

Grandpa & Grandma

 

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