 Has winter ever hit in Minnesota! This is the most snow and super cold we have experienced yet since we moved here! Wow! Who is ready for Spring? The roads have been so bad that we had to cancel our weekly WOW ladies meet at Liquid Assets. So if you would like to attend but haven't made it to one yet, please message me via my Facebook Page or email me. For your convenience you can use the links below: PERSONALLY: So since it's been snowing like winter got mad or something, hubby has been plowing for his accounts like crazy. There's been so much! School has been cancelled a few times already, so on those days he could really focus on getting it done and I've been able to come along on his plowing routes. It's really interesting how he does it. Here's a little video I took I get to spend time with the hubs and at the church we get to be physically active and snowblow/shovel the walkways, entryways and stairs. As long as the wind isn't blowing too bad, I've actually been enjoying this. I know right? Hard to believe, because I'm such a summer/flip-flops person, haha. However.....there are NO mosquitos right now! :D Below a few wintery pictures I've taken on our plowing outings.....  UPCOMING EVENTS: During the winter months, and especially this winter with the harsh temperatures and the amounts of snow we have been getting, I have to avoid travel this time of year, especially long distances. So my schedule has been very light. Keep track with me via the "TRACK" button up top on my website or check in on my Facebook Page. Date: 2/12, 2/19, 2/26 (watch for weather cancellations) Time: 12:30-2:30 Event: WOW Bible Meet Place: Liquid Assets 1091 2nd Street South Town: Sartell, MN A group of us ladies (all from different churches) meet every Tuesday at Liquid Assets Coffeehouse in Sartell. The synonym for WOW means Women Of The Word. We are there at the same time from 12:30 until 2:30. Occasionally we schedule an activity such as singing at Quiet Oaks Hospice house (see January 22nd), or we may plan some other community outreach/service on a Tuesday. We start with my guitar and singing or we may end that way. Currently I'm teaching on "Dividing Of Soul & Spirit", which has been such a good and interesting study for me....and it has been refreshing for all of us. We will be on that subject for a little while, it's so good. You are welcome to join us. We have fun, we sing, we learn, we study, we look up scriptures to stay grounded and we grow as we love the Lord and He loves on us.  Date: 3/2/19 {NotesNBling) Time: 9a-1p Event: Sartell Winter Market/Sartell Business Expo Place: Sartell Community Center 850 19th Street S. (GPS will say St. Cloud) Town: Sartell, MN This little Winter Market has been such a fun time for me and we only have two more Winter Markets left - March and April) It is always on the first Saturday each month and is indoors in Sartell's Community Center. This time it will be a bigger event, because our little market will be part of a Community Business Expo held the same day. So we won't be in the small room where we usually are, but among all the other vendors. Warren is also going to be there with his BBQ sauce jars in three flavors: mild, famous and throatwarmer. So come out and see us! IN ENDING:
This past Sunday our pastor shared a great illustration with us, which explains Hebrews 12:1 perfectly! *In Jules Verne's novel 'The Mysterious Island', he tells of five men who escape a Civil War prison camp by hijacking a hot-air balloon. As they rise into the air, they realize the wind is carrying them over the ocean. Watching their homeland disappear on the horizon, they wonder how much longer the balloon can stay aloft. As the hours pass and the surface of the ocean draws closer, the men decide they must cast overboard some of the weight, for they had no way to heat the air in the balloon. Shoes, overcoats and weapons are reluctantly discarded, and the uncomfortable aviators feel their balloon rise. But only temporarily. Soon they find themselves dangerously close to the waves again, so they toss their food. Better to be high and hungry than drown on a full belly! Unfortunately, this too, is only a temporary solution, and the craft again threatens to lower the men into the sea. One man has an idea: they can tie the ropes that hold the passenger car and sit on those ropes. Then they can cut away the basket beneath them. As they sever the very thing they had been standing on it drops into the ocean and the balloon rises. Not a minute too soon, they spot land. Eager to stand on terra firma again, the five jump into the water and swim to the island. They live, spared because they were able to discern the difference between what REALLY was NEEDED and what was not. The "necessities" they once thought they couldn't live without were the very weights that almost cost them their lives. The writer to the Hebrews says, "Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles" (Heb. 12:1 NIV) - writer: Ed Haynes, Edwardsville, IL. Doesn't that make you think? What might be hindering us from achieving our dreams? What might be hindering us from loving Jesus freely? What might be the burden and weight we hold on to because we blew it too many times or think it's necessary to our life, only to continue being discouraged, disillusioned and unhappy when the Bible says in Psalm 16:11 - You will make known to be the path of life; In Your presence there is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (NASB) Do we love Jesus above all else? Do we want to be in His presence? Is He in Whom we find joy despite of the circumstances? Do we seek Him? It's in discerning what truly is needed (which is Christ) and what is not (which is a lot of stuff that takes our energy, thoughts, worries and fears). Are we going to truly live, or will the very weights we carry cost us the abundant life? Stay focused my friends....... Sam
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 Hello and Happy New Year to all you special people! I know.....it's already past the middle of the month and I'm just now getting around to it. But hey, it's the thought that counts! You all hopefully had a wonderful Christmas Season and a good start to the New Year, and if it wasn't quite what you had hoped for or expected.... things can get better but we must remain in hope! Never give up hope and always seek the best and follow that which is good, of good report, praiseworthy, pure, lovely, honorable, true and right. (That's found in Philippians 4:8) PERSONALLY: We had a good Christmas, but different this year. We got to spend Christmas Eve with friends at their house here locally and that was such a GREAT time. Spending time with people is so important! I always wish that everyone would have someone to spend time with on the holidays, but I know so many times it's not possible and my heart goes out to those who feel lonely. It was hard for me on Christmas Day, because hubby and I had planned on going to my daughter's in Chicago together, however with snow in the forecast for the day after Christmas, Warren had to stay behind to take care of his snowplowing accounts. Since my daughter from South Texas was already in Chicago and I don't get to see her all too often, I headed out by myself on Christmas Day. Sad to leave hubby, but excited to hang with my two characters and apples that didn't fall far from the tree :D Tell ya what, driving that day was the BEST driving down I-94 I've EVER done! Wow! Hardly any traffic, no trucks (except for two) and making it from Monticello all the way through the Cities in one hour (yes, driving the speed limit)....that was amazing. I've never done that! Those of you who live around here know exactly what I'm talking about when it comes to Minneapolis/St. Paul traffic!!! I had a wonderful time with my daughters and grandkids, missed all the snow around here and enjoyed decent temperatures and a lot of fun. On the way home after 5 days, I stopped by my favorite bead store and stocked up on supplies for more jewelry creations for NotesNBling. Now....it's January....and COLD. -6 degrees this morning as I headed out to an event. Yikes! Y'all, but Spring is only 60 more days away!!!  UPCOMING EVENTS: Date: 1/19/19 (NotesNBling) Time: 9a-1p Event: Live Your Passion Rally Place: Jitters Java Cafe 403 Main Street South Town: Sauk Centre, MN  Date: 1/22/19 Time: 11a to 1-2p Event: WOW Women Worship/Music Place: Quiet Oaks Hospice House 5537 Galaxy Road Town: St. Augusta, MN This particular Tuesday is going to be our "service to others" day, so we will be leaving from Liquid Assets to go sing at Quiet Oaks for the residents and staff. They loved us so much last time when we came during Christmas they asked if we could come back and maybe do this every month...  Date: 1/29/1 Time: 12:30-2:30 Event: WOW Bible Meet Place: Liquid Assets 1091 2nd Street South Town: Sartell, MN A group of us ladies (all from different churches) meet every Tuesday at Liquid Assets Coffeehouse in Sartell. The synonym for WOW means Women Of The Word. We are there at the same time from 12:30 until 2:30. Occasionally we schedule an activity such as singing at Quiet Oaks Hospice house (see January 22nd), or we may plan some other community outreach/service on a Tuesday. We start with my guitar and singing or we may end that way. Currently I'm teaching on "Dividing Of Soul & Spirit", which has been such a good study for me.... it has been refreshing for all of us. We will be on that subject for a little while, it's so good. You are welcome to join us. We have fun, we sing, we learn, we study, we look up scriptures to stay grounded and we grow as we love the Lord and He loves on us.  Date: 2/2/19 {NotesNBling) Time: 10a-1p Event: Sartell Winter Market Place: Sartell Community Center 850 19th Street S. (GPS will say St. Cloud) Town: Sartell, MN This little Winter Market has been such a fun time for me. It was super busy before the holidays and I hope people come back these next few more months (February, March and April) for this market which is on the first Saturday each month and is indoors in Sartell's Community Center. The vendors currently there are fresh meat (grassfed), honey, popcorn, homemade essential oils and soaps, crafts and myself with the jewelry. New and different vendors pop up monthly as well besides the dedicated ones. When basketball is over, Warren will be back with his BBQ sauce, most likely March and April. IN ENDING:
The girls and I have decided to keep each other accountable for some fitness and weight loss goals. Soooo..... I got a Fitbit for Christmas....!!! Oh boy....the RACE IS ON!! So with Fitbit, you can do these weekly or weekend challenges with your friends where you have to get the most steps in to win. So far the girls always get the upper hand. Then Warren decided he wasn't going to be left out and found himself a Fitbit at a great discount and so now he is a challenger to contend with for all of us, especially on the weekends!! Last week however, their steps were toast when I took over and won the week with the most steps. That was thanks to decent weather!! Can't let these youngsters show me up who are half my age! Right?!! :D Now at -6 degrees and the high in the single digits, I think I'll let them win next week until the weather gets "warmer"....then watch out!!! What are your January fitness/health goals? Let's buckle up and get to working on with keeping up with that and feeling better and getting stronger! Music/jewelry schedule will have to be a little light these next few weeks since it's "tax season" and paperwork time.... Prayers for my sanity appreciated! Need to get back to just creativity SOON! Wishing everyone a successful and blessed 2019! Sam  The Holiday Season is upon us! Have you finished all your shopping yet? Have you even begun? We (as in Warren and I) are in the category of.... "have you even begun"... :0-D It's been such a blessed time already though, with all the events we have been going to like craft and vendor shows, playing a Christmas Concert in Eau Claire Wisconsin at the Gospel Christian Coffeehouse, enjoying my time with the WOW ladies group here in town and us preparing to sing for folks at a Hospice Home. Do you all have plans for the Holidays? Going to see family and friends or having them over? We hope to spend time with family, but it all depends on the weather, because if it snows we have to stay put as Warren has accounts for snow removal..... So, our holiday plans are up in the air. UPCOMING EVENTS: Last events for this season before Christmas.... Date: 12/8/18 Time: 1 - 4 pm Place: Gospel Christian Coffehouse 1726 N. Clairemont Ave. Town: Eau Claire, WI Date: 12/11/18 Time: 11 am Event: Christmas Caroling Place: Quiet Oaks Hospice House 5537 Galaxy Road Town: St. Augusta, MN Date: Saturday, December 15 Time: 10am - 1 pm Event: Sartell Winter Market (NotesNBling) Place: Sartell Community Center 850 19th Street S. Town: Sartell, MN We will also see you back in Sartell at the Winter Market on January 5, 2019 held at the same place (Sartell Community Center) from 10am-1pm. PAST EVENTS: Since I'm getting this newsletter out pretty much almost at the middle of the month, all our early December events have already passed. But here are some highlights. First: Hometown Market in Hudson, WI. Such a blast to be with the other vendors, meeting new people and creating an atmosphere of worship during the event. Here are just a few pictures of some of all the craft and vendor shows we've been participating in November and this month. Warren's BBQ sauce has been a great hit! My jewelry has been flying off the racks! ....and the most fun was just this past weekend (Dec. 8) at the Gospel Christian Coffeehouse in Eau Claire, WI playing music, enjoying fellowship, laughter, quite a few Christmas songs and just the best time ever! PERSONALLY: Warren's ankle has been healing up very nicely. He's just in a brace now and already has refereed his first basketball game a week or so ago. Thankfully he was able to referee with another person so he did not have to cover the whole basketball court. He said he didn't have a lot of trouble with his ankle, but his leg did get tired after a while. So he's not quite up to par, but he sure is glad to get around SO much better. I've been busy making jewelry, going to shows (some without Warren) and letting people know about my business. The most fun is always to see someone find just that piece they love, either for themselves or as a gift for someone, and walk away with a big smile on their face! Since my jewelry is built upon scripture, it's been a great way to share encouragement and God's love with others through those scriptures. I love my creative art and so grateful that people appreciate it and want to buy it, ask for custom orders or just have me resize or make something special for them. Aside from the music (my first passion always), the jewelry has been a beautiful addition and my little business is growing as are my designs and different jewelry lines I now offer. More to come in the next year! Check in often on my NotesNBling Facebook page! IN ENDING:
Recently one of the songs in my Christmas repertoire is a song called "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". A couple years ago I did some research on that song and found some pretty cool stuff. To sum it up shortly....this has been one of the most misunderstood carols of Christmas and the reason why is that some of the words we as Americans hear are not anything like what the English peasants meant when they first sang this song over 500 years ago. This carol was written as a direct reaction to the music of the 15th Century Church. During this period, the songs of organized religion were usually written in Latin and their melodies were somber and dark, offering singers and listeners alike little inspiration or joy. Although they continued to go to worship, the peasants created their own church music outside the walls of the cathedrals and chapels. They wrote songs that were light, lively and penned in common language. Their Christmas folk songs became the foundation of what are now known as Christmas carols. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen's" lyrics reveal that the song's unknown writer knew the story of Jesus' birth well. He included the high points of the gospel throughout the carol's verses. The writer also fully understood the power of Christ and what His arrival meant to all who embraced it. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" was sung for hundreds of years before it was finally published in the nineteenth century. It eventually crossed the ocean to both Europe and America. The only problem is that few of today's singers fully understand the beginning of each of the carol's many verses. This is the result of the evolution of the English language. When modern people say "Merry" Christmas, the word merry means happy. When "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" was written, merry had a very different meaning. Robin Hood's "Merry Men" might have been happy, but the merry that described them meant great and mighty. Thus, in the Middle Ages, a strong army was a merry army, a great singer was a merry singer and a mighty ruler was a merry ruler. So when the English carolers of the Victorian era sang, "merry gentlemen", they meant great or mighty men. "Ye" means you, but even when translated to "God rest you mighty gentlemen", the song still makes very little sense. This is due to another word that has a much different meaning in today's world and a lost punctuation mark. The word rest in "God rest ye..." simply means keep or make. Yet to completely uncover the final key to solving this mystery of meaning....a comma needs to be placed after the word "merry". So, in modern English, the first line should read: "God make you mighty, gentlemen". Using t;his translation, the old carol suddenly makes perfect sense as does the most common saying of the holidays: "Merry Christmas"...... With this..... I wish you all a very MIGHTY CHRISTMAS! ....and a Happy New Year. Love Sam & Warren.  This is the time of year that's always been one of my favorites (other than spring). Although I know what's coming after fall (snow and cold - and I miss my flip flops), the colors are great and the crispness of fall is in the air with the holiday season soon to begin. Growing up in Germany this season was always special. With anticipation I would look outside the windows of our apartment in the three story building we lived at, for the street decorations to arrive. My dad's work, a bank, was on the first floor. We lived on the top floor. It was my delight when I would see the city trucks pull up to hang the lighted Christmas Garlands which would span across the whole street from one building to another, lining the street all the way to the train station which I could see blocks away from my viewpoint. The lights always brought me joy, comfort and they were so cool to look at. I knew Christmas was coming and with it family visits, playing with my cousins, great food....and of course presents. What made or what makes your Holiday Season special? UPCOMING EVENTS: Date: Saturday, November 3 (NotesNBling) Time: 9am-3pm (That's TOMORROW!!) Event: Christmas Craft Fair Place: Hinckley/Finlayson High School (in the new gym) 201 Main Street E. Town: Hinckley, MN 55037 Date: Friday, November 9. (NotesNBling) Time: 5-9 pm Event: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Craft & Vendor Show Place: American Legion Paynesville, 770 Dieckman Dr. Unit 1. Town: Paynesville, MN 56362 Date: Saturday, November 10. (Music & NotesNBling) Time: 10 am - 6 pm Event: Hometown Harvest Market Place: Peace Therapeutic Massage, 901 4th Street, Town: Hudson, WI (I've been invited as the musical guest to play a few sets during the event) Date: Saturday, November 17. (NotesNBling) Time: 10 am - 1 pm Event: Sartell Winter Market Place: New Sartell Community Center, 850 19th Street S, Town: Sartell, MN (GPS comes up with St. Cloud instead of Sartell) Date: Friday, November 23 - Black Friday (NotesNBling) Time: 3-7 pm Event: Melrose Craft & Gift Show Place: Melrose City Center, 225 1st Street NE. Town: Melrose, MN 56352 Date: Saturday, November 24. (NotesNBling) Time: 9am-3pm Event: Vendor & Craft Fair Place: American Legion Auxillary Unit #428 Waite Park, 17 2nd Ave. N. Town: Waite Park, MN All the events of the season at a glance:   PAST EVENTS: Last month I had the opportunity to be at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Sheboygan Falls, WI to lead worship for Celebrate Recovery. It's pretty neat when folks say "hey I know you!!" :) I think the best part is where everyone shares their struggles and we encourage one another. Lots of tough breaks in life for folks, but they are on a better path and hopefully their feet will continue to stay planted upon the rock Who is their solid foundation. Thank you to the organizers for having me! NOTES-N-BLING In October I had my first event to start out the NotesNBling shopping season, my NotesNBling Open House at my place. It is always such an awesome time to connect with folks individually as they come to shop and just hang out. We have the best time chatting, snacking on yummy stuff, enjoying coffee, tea or flavored water during our talks. This fellowship time is almost the better part than just the sales! What has been so nice for everyone with my Open House is that each person is able to take their time looking through the various items, lay some aside, keep looking and then finally decide on the piece or several pieces which have made their final selections. We also enjoyed being part of the St. Augusta American Legion Crafts Fair. Warren came along to sell his homemade BBQ sauce, and will do so at all the other events. This lady was a thrilled customer who bought my blue lace stone diffuser bracelet and earring set from the RockNStone collection!  ON THE PERSONAL SIDE:
Well, my sweet hubs had a hiccup in his git-along. He was out kayaking a couple Fridays ago and ended up in a situation where the wind blew him across the lake and he had to find a place to land and get out, which he did. However it was in a "trespassing" zone, due to being on homeowners properties. He tried to knock on a couple doors but nobody was home. So he called the sheriff out just to let him know all he wanted to do was load up and get out of there. The sheriff happened to be an experienced kayaker himself, so that was cool. He was kind enough to drive Warren over to get his truck and then helped Warren load up his kayak. However on the second trip down the hill to get the rest of his items, Warren's left foot slipped, got hung and he lost balance, the foot went under him and he thus broke a bone in his ankle. So he has been in a boot and on crutches for the last two weeks! He's had a lot of pain to deal with, many sleepless nights, but I think it's starting to get better under control. So far the doctor is pleased with how his break is doing and they are confident he won't need surgery nor screws. But he has to take it easy. This means, no refereeing for quite a while and staying off his leg as much as possible, keep it elevated after work and iced down. So, he will be doing crafts fairs with me! YEY! He is going to sell his homemade BBQ sauce. The setup and tear down will be all on me (sigh!!!!) but, I'm glad he can be with me and just sit and be there! It's a lot more fun to do it together..... So yes, please come out to the events and see us. I'm sure Warren will love to fill you in on all the details of his mishap. Have a great fall season! Sam  So October is upon us and the fall season begins! Up in Minnesota I'm sure you can smell the fireplaces going already. As of this writing I'm still in Illinois and the weather is in the 70's-80's.... Yup, I'm loving it! MUSIC WISE: After all my events in Illinois and Wisconsin, most of my upcoming events will be related to my jewelry (NotesNBling) for the holiday craft fairs and shows. Unless there's a place who would like me to come and do music (and I will LOVE to do so), I'll be taking a break with the music..... Not giving up, just re-evaluating and seeing where God would continue to lead in my songwriting, singing and playing guitar. UPCOMING EVENTS: Date: 10/11/18 Time: 6:30 pm Event: Celebrate Recovery Place: St. Paul Lutheran Church 730 Hwy PPP Town: Sheboygan Falls, WI Date: 10/20/18 Time: 10-4 Event: NotesNBling Open House Place: email for address Town: St. Cloud, MN Date: 10/27/18 (NotesNBling) Time: 10-5 Event: American Legion Craft/Vendor Show Place: American Legion 1894 247th Street Town: St. Augusta, MN Date: 11/3/18 (NotesNBling) ***Tentative*** Time 8-2 Event: Deer Widows Crafts Fair Place: Trappers Pub & Grub Town: Farming, MN Date: 11/10/18 (NotesNBling) Time: 10-6 Event: Hometown Harvest Market Place: Peace Therapeutic Massage 901 4th Street Town: Hudson, WI Be sure to check my Facebook page (or this one) for new events that may pop up between now and then. PAST EVENTS: This past month has had a lot of activity! Between getting jewelry ready for KR Digital a photo & frame shop located in Elbow Lake, MN and for The General Store in Arthur, IL (both stores carry some of my jewelry pieces), more jewelry had to be made for the Crafts Fair in Rice, MN, which was an unplanned (but great) surprise. Then it was time to head out to Illinois for 3 music events and another vending opportunity at a festival with my NotesNBling! Great times ahead! Below some photos from my concert at The Steeple Coffeehouse in Monticello, just my set-up at Monticello Christian Church for my concert there and playing a few songs for our AirBnB host in Michigan. Blessed times! NOTES-N-BLING: A really cool thing happened the first weekend in September. Every year Rice, MN hosts a big crafts fair at the same time when the one in Little Falls takes place. It's an event I always wanted to participate in with my jewelry, however the vendor fees were a bit too steep for me. So....I got invited by a couple ladies from our church group to share the tent with them! YEY! How exciting! They are a start-up company called 'Ruby Buckle' for unique greeting cards with a message of "faith", "hope" and "love" to promote handwritten notes and sweet gift bags to give to friends and family. A big 'thank you' to Colleen and Meg for inviting me to share the vendor booth. It was such a good event, us ladies had a blast together and enjoyed a great time of fellowship, I met so many new cool people and a lot of my pieces went home with happy owners! While in Monticello, IL (after my music events) I participated as a vendor at the Monticellobration Festifall. It was my second year to do so and this year I got to share the booth with a Monticello friend who has 'Tattered Rags' which is upcycled clothing. What a perfect combination with the clothes and my jewelry!  ON A PERSONAL NOTE: While in Michigan with my friend, I learned to ride a Segway! Those things are quite intimidating initially, but hey, this old person got the courage up and got on one and even started rolling down the road once I got familiar with them in the driveway of the AirBnb where we stayed. IN ENDING
It has been wonderful for me to connect with folks over the summer into the early fall but I am ready to be home, do some events together with my hubby and enjoy the crafts fair season in Minnesota. Join me this season to take a break, breathe in the fall air, grab a cup of hot chocolate, tea or coffee and visit with a friend. Share encouragement, share a laugh or two and focus on all that is good. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. |
Christian Organic Folk Singer/Songwriter & Author
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 Psalm 100 Scripture
1 Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. 3 Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. 5 For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations. Archives
February 2019
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