Nature "Stained Glass"

We did these "stained glass" circles at the family reunion.

Here is the process:

I folded a piece of Contact Paper in half and traced a plate on top. Cut through both layers for two matching circles. A little tape or paper clips can be used to help hold the edges together for easier cutting.

Peel one backing off and tape it sticky side up on a table. Just tape a couple of spots along the edge to hold it flat. I used masking tape, which worked well.

After collecting nature bits (try to find things that are fairly flat), arrange them in the middle of the circle in any design. Leave a bit of a border around the edge so they will seal well.

When your arrangement is done, peel the backing off of the other Contact Paper circle and position it on top of the first circle, pressing and rubbing to seal them together. Pull off the tape that taped the bottom circle to the table. Seal those spots. Trim edges if necessary.

Punch a hole in the top. Add a string to hang. This could also be done with magazine cut outs, cut or torn tissue paper, family or trip pictures, etc.

Pontoon Tour

Last night we had a pontoon tour with Husband's soybean board. The board is hosting producers from the South this week, and sharing our farming practices, area and attractions with them. We viewed quartzite cliffs, falls and heard about local history. Supper by the river followed.

Epiphany

e⋅piph⋅a⋅ny noun, plural -nies.
1. a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day.
2. an appearance or manifestation, esp. of a deity.3. a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.4. a literary work or section of a work presenting, usually symbolically, such a moment of revelation and insight.

It's amazing how one can learn new things about each other after 28 years of marriage (and 4 years of dating.)

It happened on a Sunday last month. We were preparing to go to our Sunday School picnic, church service and pot luck in the park, with swimming planned afterward. As we got ready, and the girls were told to get their swim suits and towels, Husband pointed out that maybe it would be too cold to swim.

As I stood at the kitchen counter, heading up the campaign to get everything and everyone into the car and to the park on time, I immediately felt irritation at this declaration. The kids were looking forward to swimming! In the next second, I was stunned to have a new thought enter my mind: "I think he is being negative, and he thinks he is just being practical."

I am the "yes" (wo)man in our marriage, and Husband is the "No" man. I'm always thinking, "Why not?" Let's just say, that's not always my husband's first thought process. That morning, I realized I had been seeing his aim in the wrong way.

Darn. How can I love someone so much and live with him so long, and misinterpret him so easily? I guess it's the human condition. I hope I can continue to see him more clearly in our continued life together.

Badlands National Park

We checked out the Badlands after the reunion. They are surreal. The recent rains had lowered the temps and made the light very soft. The last time we went through the Badlands, it was 104 degrees there! Here is a great series of pictures and a self portrait of the photographer (Daughter L.) at the end. (Husband and Daughter M. in the other picture.)

Nature at the Reunion

It was lovely in the Hills. Ninety-eight degrees of heat in Rapid City, but cool breezes and pleasant days and nights at camp. We had several episodes of rain, which made for lovely light for picture taking. (Blue landscape by Daughter L.)

Family Reunion

Last weekend we had a family reunion at a camp in Custer, SD. There were about 70 relatives from Mom's side. We canoed, hiked, talked, laughed, played games, cried, ate, watched kids, told stories, napped babies, dodged rain, looked at pictures, updated, did crafts and slept.

Top to bottom:

Aunt Ronnell brought crafts for the kids (Daughter W.)

Aunt Ronnell shared her whipped cream spray with the little ones, very popular activity!

(back: Owen, Sojourn, Brock front: Olive, Ariston)

Table of girl cousins (W., Piper, L., Kyra, M., Gabrielle)

Bull session (plenty of it flying!)

Cousin Todd doing the "Grandpa thing" with Selah (cousin Julie's baby)

The traditional "Oldlyweds Game"

Group picture

Still Clipping Along

Mom and Dad are here on the way to Mom's sides' family renion this weekend. Fifty-five years and still clipping. I pray Husband and I have as many years and more.

Three Generations

This is a picture of three generations. See the resemblance? This is our idea of bonding with Grandma. (Picture by Daughter M.)

Music in the Park

After church this morning we spent the day at a state park listening to folk music and walking the trails. We heard friends from church who are great musicians. We met our cousins there, and also saw one of Husband's buddies from his pork board duties. Daughter L and M were along. Daughter W went with G and G to visit cousin Piper for the afternoon.

Paper Snakes

Daughter W and I made these quickie snakes the other day. I saw them somewhere on the internet, but don't remember where. Very quick and easy. She plans to decorate them, but hasn't yet.

I love paper crafts, and this project is very effective because it looks 3-D, and it takes less than 30 seconds to make each snake. Cost is minimal, with possibly 2 snakes per page.

You need:

card stock paper

a pen

a magazine

a scissor

Put the paper on the magazine and draw a snakey shaped line, pressing firmly. Don't make it curve too sharply or it will be hard to fold smoothly along mid-line. Cut along each side of the line creating a point for the tail, and a pointed head shape. (See picture.) Turn your snake over and bend along mid-line to make it more 3-D. Decorate as desired.