Friday, April 11, 2008

Friday Show and Tell - and Twin Update




Earlier this week I had a little guessing game. I posted this picture and asked for your opinions on what this necklace was made out of:





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Two blog friends came very close - Pea and RainyD both guessed that it had something to do with a beetle or bug of some sort.




Believe it or not - this horrible creature, which you do NOT want to find in your kitchen (or one somewhat like it) gave its life for this interesting necklace:



For size comparison, here is my necklace in my hand:


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So - I know you're all asking - why in the world would you have such a thing in your collection of jewelry? Have you actually worn a cockroach around your neck??


The answer is, yes, I have worn it on occasion - it makes for a great conversation starter!


As for why? I have mentioned frequently in this blog that missions has played a huge part in my life, though I have not been a missionary per se. A few years ago, several people from our church and quite a few other friends from our district mission council, went to Caracas, Venezuela to build a church. It was a wonderful project, and those who went returned home, never to be the same.

One of my friends brought back these necklaces as souvenirs for the rest of us on the council. I'll be interested to know if Jungle Mom has ever seen such. Some incredibly industrious, creative people had found a way to make a good thing out of something very disgusting - supporting their families by making something beautiful out of something we would be in a hurry to crunch under our feet. I wish I knew how they did it. I don't. I just know that it does not gross me out. I am proud to wear it, and have enjoyed sharing it with you.


I also promised last week to show you a bit of the dedication ceremony for Emma and Kate. I wasn't able to get many pictures after all, but will show you what I have. Their other grandma teaches in North Dakota, and her fellow teachers sent some wonderful gifts with her the last time she came down. Kristen chose to dress them in these adorable dresses for this very special occasion:


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My dad, a retired pastor, was so thrilled to preside over this occasion. He is 81 years old and has married, buried, and dedicated many people over the years. He has had the privilege of dedicating several great grandchildren lately. This was a first for him - the first time he has ever dedicated twins. He was doubly excited to have them be his own great grandchildren.


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Here are two not-too-great pictures of Kristen and me holding the girls:


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Our pastor prayed the dedicatory prayer:


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Before I close, I must acknowledge a lovely award given to me by dear friends Karen of Karen's Korner and Mary of Mary's Writing Nook. Thank you so much, Mary and Karen! You make my day, too!




For more Friday Show and Tell stories, stop by Kelli's blog, There Is No Place Like Home.


38 comments:

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

How precious the girls looked in their little dresses! What a wonderful event and day for you all.

Anonymous said...

cutie little girls! mine's up hope you can drop by.

Susie said...

I must admit I've never seen a beetle necklace, but it reminds me of something I can use for a future Show N Tell :)
The twins looks so adorable in pink.
I know that was such a special day for your entire family.
xo

Mimi said...

The necklace is pretty, it does look like a bug...but by painting it a different color you can wear it without it freaking you out...
what a precious dedication ceremony for Kate and Emma...they were adorable..and how touching that your dad was able to do the dedication...
Blessings,
Mimi

Hootin Anni said...

Dawn, I wasn't here this past week, but I DID know it was a cockroach. I had one that someone gave to me which I passed on to my daughter. She too wears it for an ice breaker of sorts. When people comment on it, and she tells them what it is...they're immediately 'in'!!

I still have my Egyptian scarub necklace.


And the twins!!! Awwwwwwwwww, so so sweet. having your father there made it all the more special for everyone!!! Wow.


Take care...hope you have a minute or two to drop by my show n tell!! I'd love to have you visit with me. Today I have something I received, from a special blogging friend!! Come join me?

Happy weekend.

nannykim said...

hmm, I was suspicious of that necklace being a bug....but a cockroach!! WOW. Now that is one great conversation piece!! I wish I knew how they did it, just think what they could do with what we call a Palmetto bug (some call it a water bug)--they are like giant cockroaches about two to three inches long--oooooohhhhh , I just realized yours may be 2 inches!!). What a privilege for your Dad--very cute.

Anonymous said...

They are getting big.
Your necklace is neat. I would wear it.

Simply Heart And Home said...

You are a braver woman than I. :)

The twins looks so precious in their dresses.

Thank you for sharing!

Gina

Needled Mom said...

I think that the shape is the only thing that would give the necklace away. I enjoyed the story behind it.

The girls look so cute. You must have been so thrilled to have them dedicated. Our newest one, born on Christmas day, will be christened next weekend. I thought about you when I was at the eye doctor this week. There was a grandma in the waiting room holding twin dirls (5 weeks old) while her daughter was getting examined. She actually let me hold one for her when they both got antzy at the same time. One had a full head of dark hair and the other was bald -- too cute.

Constance said...

Your Dad doing the Dedication brought a tear to my eye! How wonderful to be able to see your own legacy passed down to your descendents!!!

Your necklace is "interesting" to say the least! I can see where it would be special to you!
Connie

Robin said...

Those twins are just so beautiful! What a blessing to have 4 generations present and involved in their dedication!

As for the cockroach necklace - well, um, ahem. I'm glad you enjoy it.

someone else said...

I love all the family pictures in these last two posts!

Nancy said...

A BEETLE...wow, that is a conversation starter!

I love the new twin photo and I know you are delighted to have the twins dedicated and commited to a life in a loving Christian family.

I have new twin photos up also! One of our twins has a birthmark too, which helps prevent mixups. Ella's birthmark is on her tummy instead of her back- like yours.

Congrats on the award and I hope you have a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

My God ... Had never seen anything like that!
Stunning!
Beautiful!

Diane@Diane's Place said...

I knew what the cockroach necklace was when I first saw it! I guess that says something about me, but I'm not sure exactly what. ;o)

The girls are so sweet, and what a blessed thing for their Great-Grandpa to be able to dedicate them.

I know I'm late in commenting, but I really like your new look!

Have a great rest of your week, Dawn.

Love and hugs,

Diane

Linds said...

Having your Dad do the dedication must have been absolutely wonderful, Dawn. The photos are beautiful!

And I absolutely would not be wearing a dead beetle!

groovyoldlady said...

And missionaries to Maine (it's a dark world here, trust me!) can take home their own moose poop earrings.

:-D

http://www.random-good-stuff.com/2006/03/22/real-moose-poop-doo-doo-nugget-earrings-jewelry/

Amy ~ (Life's Small Treasures) said...

What a neat necklace~Not sure I would wear it though ;). What sweet babies, and I am sure your Dad must feel truly blessed to have been able to be a part of their dedication service.

I love twins~I am a mom of twins after all :D.

Thanks for sharing your show and tell today
~Amy

Unknown said...

Sweet little baby girls! Thanks for the pictures.

Carole Burant said...

Ooooh so I was right! And I almost said it looked like a cockroach shell!! lol I loved reading the story behind it and as you say, it makes quite the conversation piece because of it being so unusual.

The twins looked so darling in their little pink dresses. How wonderful that it was your dad who dedicated them, I'm sure he was thrilled to bits to be able to do so:-)

Congratulations on the award, very well deserved!! xoxo

Barb said...

I never in a million years would have guessed that necklace is made from a bug, Dawn. That's actually kind of amazing.

The twins look beautiful. What a nice ceremony. You all look great and it is so good to see those two adorable babies growing so fast!

Anonymous said...

Those tiny precious girls are adorable! So glad to see them dedicated and that your father (their great-grandfather)had the honors. That's a familiar book he is holding in his hand!

Hey, I just found out that GA is going to be in Orlando next June/July. Will you be traveling there? My husband & I are talking about it. Might be a wonderful chance for us to meet!
Denise

Wanita said...

What a unique necklace! I enjoyed reading the story behind it.

The twins looked beautiful in their pink dresses. How special that your dad was able to do their dedication ceremony.

Midlife Mom said...

What a hoot! I never would have guessed what the necklace was made out of as I have only seen one once in my life. Guess it's too cold here for cockroaches or maybe I am just way too clean in my housekeeping.....NOT! lol!

What a blessing having those precious twins dedicated! The pictures are good, especially the ones in the adorable pink dresses!

Anonymous said...

Hi!
I found your blog through the blog: "Ozark sew n'sews" - http://ozarksstitching.blogspot.com/
Good night!
:D

Nadine said...

A bug for a necklace does sound gross, but I have to say yours is very pretty. I would wear it too. I love the coloring.

The twins are adorable and I think it's great that your dad was able to do the dedication ceremony.

Amy ~ (Life's Small Treasures) said...

Dawn,
My twins are Boy/Girl and they will be 6 on the 27th of this month. It is quite the challenge, but I promise it does get easier ;).

Enjoy those babies!
~Amy

Sue Seibert said...

What an interesting tale of the necklace. Isn't it amazing what some people can do to create lovely art!

The twins are precious. What a wonderful service to have their great-grandfather dedicate them to God.

Blessings to you all!

Mary said...

Dawn,

I am real late getting over for your show and tell, but am glad I got here in time to see these photos. What an honor to have your father dedicate the girls and he sure doesn't look his age. He is the same age as my mother.

Imagine a necklace made out of a cockroach, but it is lovely and it wouldn't bother me to wear it either.

Take care and have an enjoyable Sunday. We have had rain here since the early hours of Friday morning and I'm hoping that tomorrow brings a bit of sunshine.

Blessings,
Mary

The Apron Queen said...

Late making my rounds. Awesome show & tell. Stop by for a plate of Just Peachy Cobbler.

For your daily dose of vintage goodness & a bit of silliness, stop by Confessions of an Apron Queen, the home of Vintage Thingies Thursdays.

Tammy said...

Wow, that is something about the necklace! It is very neat looking...who would believe it what it actually is!

The dedication looks so beautiful...how precious that your dad was able to preside over his little twin great-granddaughters!

(I have part 2 of our trip posted...the continuing sage!) ;)

Mimi said...

thanks for your visit and your comments on my post"Unobserved Blessings"..
funny you should mention the T.V. show "Route 66"..
when I was posting the picture that is exactly what the it brought to my mind...

Anonymous said...

hey thts so sweet...i am a twin too grandma... but well my twin died sum time back..:(

and well i have travveled a lot being a army officers son..but nevetr seen sumthing like that neclace!!!

Rita Loca said...

Sorry I have not been by earlier. With 4 weddings coming up in the family, we are so busy.
I have never seen a necklace like that! It is beautiful. I have seen jewelry made from old tin cans and such but not a roach! Amazing.

Lala's world said...

how awesome to dedicate your great granddaughters! what a blessing!

Cheryl said...

Beautiful necklace...until you realize its a bug lol. Your twins are growing fast! Such cutie-pies!

Sharon Lynne said...

Goodness! There are certainly enough comments on this post. But here is one more.

What a special day! I loved their dresses. May they always be beautiful on the inside, too. With hearts that strive with God.

Your dad looks great! I would have loved to hear his words.

Deb said...

Oh how sweet those precious little girls looked - and how wonderful that your dad was able to be involved. :)