 I just realized the last time any news went out was August! Whoa! 😳 Usually I try to update you guys what's happening and if we are at any events. So I missed sharing about my Open House I hold every year, a couple worship events we took part in, so I guess this is going to be more of a re-cap. First an upcoming event.... UPCOMING EVENTS: Event: New Years Eve 24/7 BURN Day: Thursday December 31 Time: 6pm-1am (We will play from 6-7) Where: Jubilee Christian Center, 3125 Cty Road 74 Town: St. Cloud MN This is an evening of worship/prayer and thanksgiving of God's goodness in 2020. MUSIC RECAP: With so many places shut down this year, including churches and Christian Coffeehouses and Ministries, including all my favorite places (oh how we miss everyone!!!), there was not much music happening. Very grateful for the couple opportunities to participate with the BURN 24/7 Ministry in sharing music and sharing with my WOW Ladies study when we did meet in person. I have to admit that I haven't been playing much, because my attention turned to other things which entered our life, including helping others with some projects. I have lyrics written to one song that I'm yet to put music to. So the goal for next year is to also include the music back into my focus.  NOTES N BLING: You can imagine with all the closures happening everywhere, most of my shows, craft fairs and festivals have shuttered as well. So my yearly October Open House time came around way too fast and I've held off and off trying to decide if I was going to do it or not.🤔 Usually it always took place within my home, generally for two days and we all had enjoyed a great time visiting, hanging out, sharing snacks, tea, coffee and shopping. With the situation this year I figured people wouldn't be comfortable to come inside. So I thought, why not utilize my new event tent I bought this year (hoping to have events). This would be the perfect setup!! It would be outside, for one day only, we could social distance and still visit. The weather had been in the upper 60's and lower 70's, unusual for October, so the invitations went out. The day of the Open House, it was a tad chilly in the morning (of course the temps lowered that day 🙄), but there was NO WIND!!! It turned out to be a very beautiful day. Folks came out, some hung out for a while and visited. What a blessing! So imagine this - the next day - it was SO terribly windy, there would have been no way to do a tent outside, it was that bad. Ah, so grateful for a beautiful Open House day! If the weather is nice next year, I may just do the same thing again! In the meanwhile more craft shows are being held, however those became either hard to get into (as you can imagine, people were eager to share their wares) or they were too far away or simply people I haven't worked with in the past and I'm cautious who I do events with. Even our Winter Farmers Market in Sartell had only ONE single event which was on the first Saturday in November before everything shut down again. For now the Community Center is not open. We did get to set up at the mall in Hutchinson for 4 days last week which was very cool. Thankfully I've had some custom orders come in here and there and time to try out some new designs, which have been well received so far! More to come next year! PERSONALLY
This sure has been a weird year, yet I can say that we've had a LOT to be thankful for and are grateful for God's provisions for our needs. We got a lot of yard work done, which is so cool, something I've been wanting to tackle for the last 3 years, but always seemed so daunting. Now about half of it is done and no more weeds! YEY!!! The other part hopefully we can finish in the spring, which is another major project, but hopefully it'll be super nice once it's done. I'd really like to have a little fountain/pond going, so we will see if we can get that done next year. We have been busy helping some friends with their home remodel project. So that's been really cool. Other than that, we are staying home a lot and that's nice and hard all at the same time. I think this whole year has affected each of us emotionally in one way or another. We miss hanging out, going out to eat, shopping..... hopefully things will open up soon. We are praying that 2021 will be a year where we see God's glory manifested in every believer's life. No matter what happens, God is always in control and never unawares! We wish you all a blessed holiday season and may God grant you wisdom for your life steps this next year. Peace, Sam
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 It's a very rainy morning as I'm writing this. Hubby is starting his brisket down in St. Joseph for an event we hope will take place despite more thunderstorms (some with severe warnings) are to come into the area this afternoon between 4-7 pm, the time when we would be serving food into the evening until 8 pm.... ***Update*** So, I just deleted what I had typed in this section about waiting to see about today's event. A few minutes ago they announced on their Facebook Page that they will be holding the event but it'll start 1/2 hour later after the rain stops, so that the band has time to set up to start at 7 pm. They said for folks to come after the rain, as due to COVID they have only a very limited indoor space for people to gather.*** Well that's good news. I got a load of laundry in - might as well while I'm typing this short update (which got quite long actually now looking over it)....so I should check on it before we head out. So I better get this sent off so that we can prepare to take the equipment trailer down and get it set up at least. UPCOMING EVENTS Friday, August 14: BBQ!!! Time: 4-8p Place: Milk & Honey Ciders 11738 County Road 51 Town: St. Joseph, MN The band "Church of Cash" will be playing - we just heard that the event WILL GO ON after the rain stops. So instead of 6:30 pm, the music will start around 7 pm. We probably will start serving around that time as well, since tents would not be safe in case a strong storm blows through.... Check out "Warrens Famous BBQ" on Facebook. Click button below for updates!  NOTESNBLING/MUSIC Events wise, there is nothing lined up until October and hopefully the one crafts show at the American Legion in St. Augusta will take place. So far they are still looking to do the show and are looking for vendors. This is a show I've done with this event coordinator for a few years and I really like the show. It's small, but it's fun and the people are cool, plus you can order food from the Legion, which is by the way pretty darn good! I hope to also hold my annual Jewelry Open House in October again. Due to Covid I most likely will not hold it inside my home as in the past years, but hope to have my little shop, the "she-shed" fixed up enough to where I can put my displays inside there and have some heat going in case it'll be cold. Also hopefully we will finish that part of the yard in front of the shed to where you can actually walk on paved stone instead of weeds and it'll be landscaped nice. Should we not get this done.... I'll have to do some thinking on how to hold the show this year to keep you, my customers comfortable and healthy as well as my family too. Maybe it'll be by appointment where I won't have folks gathering together like in past years. If we can be outside that would be perfect! Maybe setting up my tent in the driveway and display my jewelry like I would at an outdoor show might work also. Then, if it's nice we can sit on the deck and still visit. But this is all still a couple months away yet.... Music wise, I'm working on a new song. At the moment titled plain "Jesus" and it's about who He is and what He means to me (us). Lyrics are there, melody is still not in my head quite yet. Otherwise no music events as all has been cancelled for the rest of the year. However God always opened doors on very short notice for me music wise, so I'm ok with nothing being scheduled. I think for how life is right now - that's the best thing. No expectations, no disappointments, no planning - just letting God move. IN ENDING
If you've been following the news, everything seems dismal and if you are getting depressed or angry because of the news - TURN OFF THE NEWS!!! I have! Now that doesn't mean I don't scan through to see if there's something I do need to know about, but I'm careful which news I follow and what I'm supposed to pay attention to and I'm selective to hear news which presents events of today in a biblical perspective. Use discernment of the Holy Spirit. Most of all my eyes have turned to my Bible more, for in the Word of God I find wisdom, direction, calmness and God's leading. We need to be repentant, humble, seeking the Lord more than ever. If we are a follower of Christ, we need to live as He did, act as He did and show kindness even when it is not returned or we are attacked. It's hard, but gosh I see so many people hating on one another because of politics, masks, skin color, opinions. We need to allow one another to be who we are and to have different views and opinions. Yet, NONE of these will matter in light of eternity. The ONLY thing that matters is, if Christ is your Savior and your name is written in the Lambs book of Life! Are we to care about the world we live in and seek the good for it? YES. In Jeremiah 29:7 it says: Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare. (NASB) This scripture refers to a city, but our country is made up of many cities and a lot of the big ones have had some major turmoil in them! Also remember that once we are saved we are not of this world, we are exiles here. Man's way of "fixing" the wrongs or the issues of today will never work, unless we all have repented hearts and do it God's way. All the "self" (add any word: care, help, sufficiency) is all built on self, within ourselves. We are so messed up we can't help ourselves! The help we need comes from the Lord! I too get discouraged - I've lost most of my business since March with no shows (jewelry or music) on the horizon except possibly October. It's not been easy and I'm sure for many of you it's probably even worse. However, we cannot put our trust in government or anything else. We MUST TRUST GOD! ....remain strong, remain focused and do not give up or give in! Also remember the CHOICES you make today will affect your tomorrows.... Remember it's the ENEMY OF OUR SOUL who comes to kill, steal and destroy! Psalm 121:1-3: I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He wo keeps you will not slumber. (NASB) Love you all, Sam  Happy 4th of July! As the Independence holiday approaches, we are busy with fireworks sales. Hence a very short update. Wanted to let you guys know that this year we only have ONE fireworks tent with TNT. We are no longer in Waite Park at Westside Liquor. So if you've been stopping by there, you've probably noticed strange people there.... and we don't know them. We decided to 'lighten the load' and not have the stress of 2 tents this year. So where are we? 💥We are at the COBORNS parking lot in SAUK RAPIDS!!!💥 Our tent is open 💥every day from 🧨10-9🧨 - except 🧨Sunday July 5 from 12-4.🧨 Weather permitting.....and no Thunderstorms in the forecast - on the evening of July 5 we are considering doing some informal music 🎸🎼 at 6 pm in the TNT fireworks tent. Bring your own lawn chair, we will sit in the round, come hang out and let’s have a time of fellowship. Check the Sam Scales Music Facebook page for updates should weather be bad! (www.facebook.com/SamScalesMusic) Come see us!! UPCOMING EVENTS:
Saturday, July 11: BBQ!!! Time: 3p-6p Place: Milk & Honey Ciders 11738 County Road 51 Town: St. Joseph, MN The Milk & Honey Ciders place have a few events going on and they are trying out Warren for food that day. We may do more if they like his food. So if you've been wanting Warren's BBQ and since all our other events have been cancelled - here's your chance! 😊 Also, all my events for the rest of the year have been cancelled as well, so please check my Etsy store for your jewelry gifting needs, or - if you just want to buy a unique piece you can show off! I'd much appreciate it! www.Etsy.com/shop/NotesNBling. All my jewelry is now listed!!! Now we hope we all will have a fun, wonderful celebration holiday without any crazy things happening.... Happy 4th y'all!! Sam Ah dear friends, once again our nation has been shaken! The catalyst was horrifying, unnecessary, cold with no regard for life. The protests are justified and necessary - however the destruction and stealing uncalled for and in a way took away the voices of those who are advocating peacefully but rightfully for change! The results of ungodliness and SIN are ever more rearing its head and unless we, as the people of God, begin to repent and turn from our own wicked ways and humble ourselves and pray - we will continue to see the effects of sin. God WILL heal our land, but we have a lot of work to do in the spiritual realm. At the moment of writing this I still haven't wrapped my head around it all.... it starts with each one of us, each individually seeking the Lord of how we can shine His light. Maybe it's not in a grand scheme for many of us, but we each can reach, comfort, help, encourage and actually LISTEN to: a neighbor, a person of color, someone who is going through hard times, someone who has lost a loved one, first responders, a law enforcement officer (not all are bad!!!!). Random thoughts: I have often wondered what the significance of the masks is. Now please hear my heart, I'm not talking at all about the virus and the need for the social distancing, the need for protection. I'm talking about a spiritual significance of this virus showing up and we all wear masks. Like as if prophetically we have been shut up. Muffled. As to be quiet. As not to speak out. Or as in we HAVE been quiet, we haven't spoken out. Spoken the TRUTH of the Word. As churches (rather I should say buildings) are "opening back up" we now should wear masks especially when singing?!!? This brought tears to my eyes and spiritually it bothers me extremely and deeply. SPIRITUALLY I see this as if our praises are muffled. Stopped in their effectiveness! Maybe this is a physical manifestation of what has already has taken place spiritually over the last few years...? Social distancing....again maybe another prophetic significance of how we as the church have been distancing ourselves from one another - way before the actual virus had us do this physically? Have we distanced ourselves from people because of their differing views on whatever the strife of the day is? Have we distanced ourselves from our brothers and sisters because we don't agree with them? So much division alone in the church. We act like the world does!!!! We have stood by and agreed with the world on abortions and homosexuality and the moral decline in our country is off the roof! We are not to "throw away" the people caught up in it, but we must deal with the SIN!! Finally, have we thus distanced ourselves from God also? Have we distanced ourselves from true faith? Real faith? Jesus said in Luke 7:8 in the last part: However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? I'll be the first to admit, I'm not always strong with walking in faith. Stuff shakes me! I have worries, fears too.... But then I'm always reminded that God is still in control and I MUST TRUST Him! So, please....take it for what it is - MY thoughts, things I'm sensing in the Spirit, things I've been wondering about. Trying to look at this from a possibility of spiritual significance aspect and I hope you allow me to present this to you. You may not agree, or you may, and that's ok too. I fear for my fellow human beings and brothers and sisters in Christ of color, of other nationalities and white too. We are all created in God's image, something we seem to forget! What is happening in our country and all over the world is the result of SIN, plain and simple. When have we truly repented? I'm not sure if we can still reach this society for God 🤷♀️, I pray it's not too late. Today is the day to start..... Pray, seek God, have compassion, be caring, treat other human beings with kindness no matter how they treat you! It starts with us individually reaching the individual!  UPCOMING EVENTS There are NO events for MUSIC or JEWELRY (or even BBQ) 😢, as now ALL of scheduled summer events have been cancelled by the events coordinators. We are still hoping for one August event for BBQ at the Summerfest in Deerwood, MN..... JEWELRY however is available online in my Etsy Store: www.etsy.com/shop/NotesNBling All my new summer line is listed as are most of my designs. I was SO excited to show it - so please take a look. I'll be running a few sales here and there throughout the summer. So, by the time shows can start it'll be fall already and I'll have to start working on a new fall line.... 🤔 FIREWORKS for Warren and I starts up end of June and runs through July 5. For some reason the Fireworks Tent sales have been declared "essential". 🤷♀️
So, since we had agreed to do the two tents again this year, we must fulfill our obligations. We will have a TNT tent at Westside Liquor again in Waite Park (across from the Mall and Scheels) and our other tent will be in Sauk Rapids at the Coborns Grocery Store. We pray for a good season, since there is no other income for us this summer with all the cancelled events (including BBQ events).... We would love if you'd come by to get your fireworks from us if you're doing fireworks at home and we'd appreciate it a lot if you could share with your friends about our locations. We will have social distancing in place and also the shopping experience will be a bit different as it usually was in past years, but we will have fun and still help you find the fun fireworks you're looking for. IN ENDING: Let's keep the focus where it should be. On our precious Lord and Savior and upon the Word of God! The following verses are SO good. What principles to live by in these days! Psalm 37:1-9. 1. Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers. 2. For they will wither quickly like the grass And fade like the green herb. 3. Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 4. Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 . Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. 6. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday. 7. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. 8. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. 9. For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land. Much love, Sam  Wow, has the world changed since my last Music Notes (March)!!!
After the "Pot-O-Gold" event in Chicago, everything shut down and Toilet Paper was nowhere to be found 🙄. All my upcoming shows were cancelled - bam - just like that, life changed! 😳 It is certainly been a time to be grateful for what we had, what we still have and what we still can do. Life changes in a moment, but God never does and THAT my friends is the anchor I hold on to! I'm grateful that as far as working from home, not much has changed for me, but for a lot of you - work life has become different, for others of you more stressful, for some of you (especially medical and grocery) more dangerous as you are around either sick people or around people all day long. Honestly, I don't want to dwell on the current situation too much....I'm sure many of you feel sick and tired of hearing the name in the news and the ads and the announcements in stores. Many of you believers have been praying and standing on Psalm 91... if you have not read that one lately, do so. It will encourage you. I've added Psalm 119 to my reading list and began posting a portion of that Psalm each day on my Music Facebook Page. So grateful for the Word of God! So there will be no UPCOMING EVENTS listed this month. I'm considering some "live" music online via my Facebook page.... but I'll let you know when that happens. THE JEWELRY: Since everything is shut down, my jewelry business went from doing well to "zero" and that's been sad 😥. I've met so many cool new folks at the shows and SO enjoyed my customers, fans & friends I got to see at each of the shows. I miss the conversations, helping people pick that perfect piece, share some love, give encouragement or share God's love. THAT part has been very difficult. So.....this forced me to go online and restart my Etsy shop again and if you are reading this on a laptop, or computer screen, there's a picture on the right "I'm on ETSY". If you click that it'll take you to my store. I've been doing daily store updates and there are over 100 items listed now 😮! (I know, right?....for months it was only 5 bracelets 🤪🤪🤪) If you are on a phone, that link is probably on the very bottom..... so please take a look and if you have any questions or want something in a specific color, just reach out to me via the store. ON THE HOMEFRONT: Warren has been laid off from school bus driving since school is no longer in session, however we are grateful that he will get paid until the end of this school year. What happens once fall rolls around remains yet to be seen with all this uncertainty.... Let's pray all will be back to 'normal'. He is really disappointed too that there are no ball games he can umpire. He has truly enjoyed that and the kids and parents. Summer will definitely look different for us this year as there aren't as many BBQs either. But on the bright side... it's gonna get WARMER in Minnesota and the sun will hopefully shine more and we can be out in the yard - which needs a LOT of attention 😃!! Warren can also enjoy is kayak and fishing more. I have been staying SO busy at home, I can't believe it. I'm re-organizing my jewelry studio and I've discovered a lot of cool stuff I had ordered and totally forgotten about. Soon I'll be making more new things. I have to admit, this present situation took the wind out of me and I just haven't had the motivation to create more jewelry at the moment. There were just some things that needed to be cleaned out, cleaned up and one of those places was the BASEMENT! Gah.....why does all.the.stuff. collect in the basement??? Does that happen to you guys too? Today I poured leftover paint out of the starting-to-get-rusty metal cans into plastic paint containers I got at Menards on Thursday..... Now if I need to fix a nick on a wall, I can actually open the paint container! aaaanddd, ALL the paint fit on ONE shelf! LOL. There were a lot of empty cans down there. Now why? Really...why? Empty cans? Seriously. Y'all, that's why I needed this time to really sort through stuff. IN ENDING: Have you guys seen all those ridiculously funny memes and gifs on Facebook lately? Some of them have me just rolling! Y'all, keep your humor, laugh with your family, play with your kids, find fun things to do, keep your mind on the bright side, stay healthy, spend wisely, trust God and keep the faith. 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. Philippians 4:8. Much love, Sam |
Christian Organic Folk Singer/Songwriter & Author
based in Minnesota See my Jewelry!
 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
June 2020
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