{SQT} Linking up for Link-toberfest, Quick Takes about Quick Takes

I've been wanting to get in on Link-toberfest at Kelly's, so now that it is the third week, I've finally sat down to do it.

Since I want in on the party (and prizes), here is a little look at my Quick Takes journey.

1. The funny thing I just remembered reread is that my very first blog post was about how I found Seven Quick Takes. I talked about finding them through Lori (see #2) and really liking Kelly at This Ain't the Lyceum, Grace at Camp Patton, and Dwija at House Unseen.

2. I found Quick Takes through Lori Miller's blog. She doesn't blog anymore, but she was actually the first blogger I read, ever. I found her through Catholic Mom.com and her post on Freedom from Purses. The post wasn't really about purses, it was about trust and surrender, but it showed me that there are people in the world that were seeking to be good Catholic Christians as I was. I had no idea how many bloggers existed at that time, it was just a small corner of internet I had stumbled upon. And it has been a real support for me to know there are others out there who have the same faith, beliefs, and longings that I do.

3. My first Quick Takes post was on January 26, 2013. I enjoyed reading that again, (and of course it was on my old blog.) I have linked up 16 times, and my most popular post was about our vacation home to Colorado in 2014.

4. This weeks prompt for Link-toberfest is "Who is your favorite blogger you found through Quick Takes?" I mentioned Kelly and Dwija above, but my other favorites (who I at least skim through when I only have a few minutes, and probably keep up more on social media then blogs) are Cari at Clan Donaldson, Colleen at Martin Family Moments, Micaela at California to Korea..., Mary Kate at Why, yes, I AM crazy. Thank you for asking! But the one that I relate to the most and would someday love to meet in real life is Tracy formerly of Making the Trek, but now at Gingerlocity. Actually, I'd love to meet all of these inspiring women in real life some day.

5. There are several other bloggers who I read when I can. Some give me inspiration, some make me laugh, and some are just beautiful people who inspire me as they live out their faith in bold, counter-cultural ways. Take a look at "My Favorite Places to Visit" on the side bar. I'm still working on getting this blog setup to represent me, maybe if I win the prize for a blog consultation from Bonnie, I can make this place look better :) Along with bloggers, in the world of social media there are some really great people to connect with including podcasters. I really enjoy Fountains of Carrots and Building Bridges. (I feel like I have a spiritual connection to Jenna who is the mastermind of Blessed is She.) The truth is that if you seek, you will find. Ahhh, the blessings!

Two Takes left, I think I'll move on to some personal stuff.

6. I took Monday and Tuesday off so that we could take my son to visit Rochester Institute of Technology. He is a senior in high school this year and trying to make decisions on where he wants to attend college. His first choice is Clarkson University, but RIT is a close second. Lets see who wants him more, and can prove it with scholarship money...



7. I started facilitating a Women of Grace Study Group at the beginning of September. I had never attended a WoG group before but really felt that the women in our parishes needed some outlet of spiritual support. I have been pleasantly surprised at how well it is going. There was a great turn-out of participants, which tells me that my instinct was right. I'm very pleased with how it is going and look forward the many weeks we have to spend together as sisters in Christ.  I'd love to hear any feedback or comments on others who have participated in a Women of Grace group before.


Oh and don't forget to go visit all the others for this week's Quick Takes.

7 Quick Takes Friday about Chicken, Gardens, and a Saint



I'm so excited to be posting my first 7 Quick Takes on my new blog!! Let's get started.

1. Last Sunday was the Annual Chicken BBQ at our Fire Station, which meant Saturday was spent preparing the beans and coleslaw for me. And cleaning and organizing the fire station for John. Then he was back there early Sunday morning to help with the cooking of the chicken. Hunter and I worked the take-out line as usual. It was a beautiful day and nice to see the community come together for this annual event.



2. On Saturday after the cooking, I worked for several hours in my garden weeding and tying up the tomatoes. They are growing like crazy all over the place. My garden is coming along beautifully. I'm planning a whole blog post on my garden. It is something that I am very proud of.



3. Hunter has had an unusually exciting week. First he signed up to shadow a medical technician in the lab at the hospital where I work. He did that on Thursday and really enjoyed it. I am also putting him to work on a computer project in one of our physician offices to do some data mining.

4. Then he applied for and succeeded in gaining a part-time job at a local convenience store. He starts on Saturday. I am really proud of him for stepping outside of his comfort zone.

5. Just so Kayla isn't left out, she sent me this gem:



6. I canned my first vegetables from my garden this year. I'm using a new recipe for the banana peppers, we'll see if we like these better than the recipe I used last year. I did a few pickles too.



7. Last week I had the opportunity to be a part of a small group presentation by a priest who is the son of dear friends. He spoke about St. Teresa of Avila. It was a wonderful presentation focusing in part on how each saint is still themselves, different personalities and all. That they all come to holiness with all their traits that God gave them. It reminds me that God made each and every one of us with our own gifts and talents and a plan for the life he gave us. That is intriguing to think about, yet difficult to actually live. Lord have mercy. I've seen God's plan at times in my life, but forget all too often to keep focused on that.
As a bonus to the beautiful presentation; it was truly a blessing to see this priest, the son of faithfully Catholic parents who are role models. To see the fruits of their commitment to Catholic teaching and living their vocation as parents as God intended.

That will do it for me. Be sure to visit all the other Quick Takers over at Kelly's.

Working Together {Blessings}

Saturday was a beautiful day that I got to spend with my husband. Even though we were working hard, I was plainly seeing our blessings in all we were doing.

We are blessed to have the resources to allow us to have membership to a recreational club and to be able to build (with friends) a small camp to stay in.

I was blessed with my husband wanting to spend the day with me, even though I'm sure he has many friends who could have provided much more arm strength than I have. He just wanted me there with him.

We are blessed that we can drive the hour and half to get there, that we can work hard, that we have lunch to bring with us, and so much more that I could go on and on.



Before we left, had to get the selfie with our hard work.

Then before we left the club for the day, he had to show me the stellar view from the President's camp.

This picture doesn't do it justice. It was so beautiful!

How nice it will be for us to have a place to go to disconnect, relax, and enjoy time together.

Welcome!

I want this to be a new beginning for blogging for me.

I needed to let go of my old blog, I need a new place that represents me more now. Therefore, I present Strength Peace and Blessings.

Strength for one of my favorite bible verses: Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Peace for another bible verse: Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hears and minds through Christ Jesus.

And Blessings for everything God has given me. My life is overflowing with blessings. There are too many to count, but I love to look for new ways He shows his presence to me everyday.



These people are my Strength Peace and Blessings!

I hope to document the times in my life when I have identified God's Strength Peace and Blessings in my life. I know that are so many more than I could ever recognized, but by His grace I see them from time to time.

Thanks for visiting!!