Check out the new digs!! This blog will stay here as long as Blogger will allow it, but we're growing up from http://zanesmilkmachine.blogspot.com to a new design and a brand new name: http://michellependergrass.com.

If you subscribe, please visit MichellePendergrass.com and re-subscribe there! Thanks!!

New Design!

My Wordpress site is *this* close to being done. I'm SO excited!

Want a sneak peek? Click here.

It's bittersweet. I'll no longer be ZanesMilkMachine.blogspot.com (Goodness, Zane hasn't nursed in eons!!) But I couldn't change it.

However.

It's time.

Camping Coffee Dilemma

We've never bought a coffee maker specifically for camping, but I think it might be time to look into one. We normally just pack some instant coffee and boil water on the campfire. But people, instant coffee sucks.

I did try Starbucks new Via instant. It's good. But it's expensive.

And we drink a LOT of coffee.

I was thinking French Press. Like this one. Unbreakable.

Any thoughts? Suggestions? Warnings? Seems like a French Press would be wonderful for camping.

Popinjay--Breathtaking

I forgot how completely breathtaking this is for me.

Wondered why I hadn't taken advantage of the peace.

And was reminded I need to go here more often.

* * *

Next week's prompt is: CONFIDENT

Link up...

Popinjay--AFRAID

This is the view out the side door of our house.

Beautiful trees.

Standing upright.

This.

This is a view of those beautiful trees with 90mph+ winds.

Severe thunderstorms.

Tornado warning.

While I love storm chasing, it might make me just a little, teeny, tiny bit afraid.

* * *

Next week's prompt is: BREATHTAKING

Link up...

Today.

August 7, 2010

59 years ago on this day, Phil's mom was born.

16 years ago on this day, Phil and I met in a traffic jam and shared our first kiss.

2 months ago on this day, my mom died.

There just doesn't seem like there's a whole lot for me to say today. I've been rejoicing and giving thanks for my husband and our life and crying and grieving the loss of mom.

It's always both at the same time for me. Living and Dying. Beautiful and Ugly. Right and Wrong. Always in the middle of an intersection of good and bad.

The Midnight Diner 3 Cover!!

So much work has gone into this! I'm proud to present the final cover for The Midnight Diner 3 edited by yours truly.

What do you think?

Bloghop '10

Seems weird, but I've been doing the Blog Hop for three years now! Robin has been a good bloggy friend for quite some time and I also met another bloggy-bestie, Amber at the very first Blog Hop.

What's changed in the last year?

I'm way into Visual Prayer and have even written and submitted a book proposal about it! I'm doing workshops and started a website! VisualPrayer.com

I've started a photography challenge called Popinjay. You can read about it here and see examples here. (Really, really hope you'll join us!!)

I'm now Editor-in-Chief of The Midnight Diner (Our 3rd edition is going to print next week!)

I'm president of ccPublishing, which produces The Midnight Diner and Relief Journal.

My website is being redesigned as we speak and should be ready any day now! I'm so excited!

About me:

Wife, mother, grandmother, author, editor, photographer, artist, homeschooler.

I think that's about it! Hope to see you around!!

Popinjay--Dainty

This week's photo prompt is DAINTY.

It honestly took me a long time to find something dainty. I've learned this week that I tend to take photos of strong, resilient subjects.

There aren't many dainty, fragile items in my life.

From the decorations in my home, to the jewelry I (sometimes) wear, down to the type of flower I am drawn to (daisy, lilac, sunflowers) almost everything seems to be strong.

There's not much room for things of a delicate nature around here.

* * *

Next week's prompt is: AFRAID

Link up...

Freezing Sweet Corn on the Cob

Freezing sweet corn on the cob is so simple.

1. Shuck it (take the husks & silks off)

2. Blanch it (Boil it for 6 minutes)

3. Cool it (in ice water)

3. Freeze it (in Ziplocs)

That's it.

At $2.00/dozen, I'm freezing about 10 dozen on the cob and 5 dozen off the cob.

$30 for a year's worth of corn.

Apocalypse Hibiscus

I dreamed last night of an apocalypse.

Dark and grey and lonely.

But I nurtured my hibiscus plant and it bloomed fragile white flowers against the gloomy, sad backdrop of nothingness and it grew taller than me.

People tried to steal it and take it, but it wasn't theirs to take.

Bonsai!

What a little beauty! Meet my hibiscus bonsai--outdoor bonsai. It loves the porch and needs the seasonal changes. Water daily in spring, summer, and fall then bury with leaves in a corner or for extremely cold climates take into the garage or basement for winter.

The ceramic pot is so pretty, the picture hardly does it justice.

The blooms are constant and just gorgeous. Sitting on my porch swing, sipping sweet tea, admiring the delicate little flowers of such a hearty bonsai...amazing.

Bonsai means "little trees in pots" and is recognized as an international art form.

A little art tree for the artist in me.

Thank you ProFlowers!

ProFlowers on Twitter | ProFlowers on Facebook

Popinjay--Rejected

So I had a breakdown the other day, certain I was rejected by God himself.

Yes. It was a pity party. So I took my coffee outside and cried but you couldn't really tell because it was raining so hard it all just blended together. Terrible things ran through my mind, thoughts that shouldn't be running around in there. Trying to stop the thoughts was like trying to ride one of those raindrops.

And I felt some of my faith slip down off of my with the rain.

But God catches my tears and stores them in his bottle.

And He cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for me.

Why do I have so little faith?

* * *

Next week's prompt is: DAINTY

Link up...

In the Red

I'm horribly behind in my 90 day Bible reading so I don't feel I can post about it until I'm caught up. I'm still reading, but it might be awhile before I'm above water.

I went to a conference (Necon!) and had our yearly BBQ and spent over 12 hours at the fair with Zane and Patches and went to Indianapolis for a concert (Lilith!) with my friend, Toni... ALL in one week.

I almost feel like I'm a kid again and summer's over and it's time to start school again.

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Popinjay--Bizarre

This week's Popinjay word is BIZARRE...

'nuff said?

Next week's prompt: REJECTED

Link up!