August: Project 365, the 2016 Edition

Saturday, August 6

Our Saturday morning walks in downtown Warsaw include taking in the weekly Farmer's Market. A street is blocked off by the courthouse and vendors set up tents and tables selling everything from syrup to vegetables to home-made soap... One vendor always has homemade Scotch eggs which Ivan enjoyed for the first time this summer. Sadly I couldn't have any because they are most definitely not gluten free -- leading me to attempt making a gluten free version myself.

Not the prettiest picture, but they were quite good served with a homemade peach syrup we also bought at the market. Definitely making them again!

Saturday, August 13

We sure enjoy any time we can get with our grandkids. I get to see them just about every week when I go to pick up that week's CSA share, but Ivan only gets to see them 2-3 times a month. I don't always remember to take photos but today I did. Let me tell you, it's not easy getting decent photos of little people in constant motion :)

Sunday, August 14

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADALYN!!!

We were able to skype with Adalyn (and her parents) today. One of these years we'd love to be with her there in person to celebrate on her birthday, but meanwhile we're just grateful for Skype and photos on Facebook, like this one:

Tuesday, August 16

We've been enjoying fresh produce via a CSA in Elkhart. Today's haul included a huge head of cabbage.

Isn't it beautiful?!

Saturday, August 20

HP Home Rescue has several homes in various stages of progress, including these two:

This house near Chapman Lake was a down-to-the-studs project that's close to being done.  It's where Ivan has spent most of his time recently.

But he's also worked on the plumbing at this new build right here in town.

Sunday, August 21

Today was the start of the annual missions conference at Pleasant View Bible Church. One of my favorite parts is the Parade of Flags at the start of the morning service; then throughout the conference the flags line the stage.

 

 

Tuesday, August 23 

I've been a fan of MudLOVE for years. Today I was downtown and decided to stop at their store (you can shop online, too). For every product you buy, you help provide clean water to someone for a week. Organizations can also contract with them to have fundraisers by selling their products. Wonderful organization! Anyway, outside was a bin of clearance bracelets, some with the wrist bands and some without. I spent an inordinate amount of time going through the bin and ended up getting this one, and choosing a band in one of my favorite colors:

There are many reasons for choosing this particular one: (1) a reminder to watch my words; sometimes -- too often -- I use an excessive amount; (2) the importance of story; and (3) the impact of our of words...

I've followed Amy Beth for years, since she regularly blogged about the ministry she started while in college, and then via Facebook as she married, fostered and eventually adopted two sisters. Amy Beth's Facebook post about an object lesson she taught her older daughter, who was starting middle school, ended up going viral. It appeared on many online sites as well on various news outlets, including The Today Show. She had asked her daughter to squeeze toothpaste onto a plate, then asked her to put the paste back into the tube. When her daughter protested, Gardner told her to remember the plate of toothpaste for the rest of her life. "Just like this toothpaste, once the words leave your mouth, you can't take them back," she said.

I'd encourage you to read the rest of the story if you haven't already seen it. Bottom line: our words matter.

Friday, August 26

On Fridays Alan and Sharon's sons come for dinner, giving everyone a chance to catch up and just enjoy some really good food. Like these bacon wrapped stuffed hot peppers that served as appetizers tonight.

Oh.My. These were so good! And a great way to use up the jalapeños that had accumulated from the CSA over several weeks. We'll be making these again!

Saturday, August 27

We got to watch Betsy while Kyle and Tina took Simon to the circus, and then both kids while their parents went out to eat. No photos of Simon; he was pretty tired so it was dinner and bed for him when he got home. But I did snap this (kinda blurry) photo of Betsy standing at her play kitchen.

And I took this crazy photo of Ivan and manipulated it in Photo Booth using the kaleidoscope option.

Sunday, August 28

Few churches have missions conferences these days, but PVBC does it up big! There are activities every day from one Sunday to the next, finishing up with a Taste of the World event. Representing Argentina, we bought baguettes which we sliced thinly and served with a dollop of chimicurri that Ivan made. Unfortunately we had no idea what a big deal this was going to be and ran out (even though Ivan made a triple batch of chimi). Next time we'll know and be better prepared!

I wish I'd taken notes of what different missionaries served from their countries, but we were too busy dishing up chimi appetizers. After the initial rush, we did take turns going around the gym and checking out the different booths. The only thing I felt safe trying was the borscht made by another missionary with celiac. And I learned later that there were booths in two other rooms. Next year I'll make sure to hit them all :)     

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Once again I didn't do very well at remembering to take photos this month. I missed so many opportunities! I need to put a daily reminder on my iPhone calendar to help me with that.