Amanda this is for you!

A must read for quilters

I just finished reading this book and I enjoyed it so much. I probably would not have read a book about slaves during the Civil War but it is part of a series, The Elm Creek Quilts, that I have been reading for a few years. Even though this book is fiction it touched my soul. Quilting is the original bond, but it goes much farther than that. This is a story about one woman's quest for freedom and a desire to care for her family. Her quilts are more than coverings, they are history written in fabric. This book is fiction but it tells a story of so many women, women who are part of our heritage. Just another reason I love quilting so much.

Wednesday's Wonderful Woman

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called^[c] the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

When God called Mary she listened. Do I listen when He speaks to me?

James 1:26-27

 

 ²⁶If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. ²⁷Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Yesterday at Bible Study we filled 55 pillow cases with items for boys at a school in Joliet. Most of  these boys are either homeless or in foster care and have very little. We were very lucky to be working with a local organization... My Joyful Heart.  They asked us if we could sign cards for the boys and by the time the ladies were finished each boy will receive a pillow case full of things including a hat, gloves, scarf, toothbrushes, soap, socks, and lots of candy. We were able to get the names of all the boys so each pillow case was personalized with their name and a Christmas message. Many hands made light work and we were finished in about an hour. Kim for My Joyful Heart was there to pick up the bags.

Vintage Friday

This year I'm adding vintage light reflectors to my vintage tree. I found these on Ebay last week and they are perfect for my tree. I'm also adding these vintage icicles.

Vintage Friday

Here are some pictures of old doorways I saw on a recent trip. I love the look of old doors with their peeling paint and rusted hinges. I like to think about all the people who have passed through these doors and what their lives must have been like. Each of these doors has a unique history and hundreds of stories.

The Scoop

I just finished reading this book this morning. It was my first novel by Fern Michaels. I usually don't read novels but I enjoyed this one. It was light reading and I didn't need to think about it. It was just for fun. Of course, now I have to read the rest of the series as soon as it comes out.

Making Laundry Detergent

This afternoon I made a batch of laundry detergent. I have been wanting to do this for a long time. I actually bought the ingredients weeks ago, but forgot about them until today. It was very simple and the kitchen smelled great. I am going to wash a load of towels to try it out.

Breathe

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence
Living in me

This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word
Spoken to me

And I ... I'm desparate for you
And I ... I'm lost without you

This is air I breath
This is air I breathe
Your holy presence
Living in me

This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word
Spoken to me

And I ... I'm desparate for you
And I ... I'm lost without you (eh hey, yeah)
And I ... I'm desparate for you
And I ... I'm lost without you

And I ... I'm desparate for you
And I ... I'm lost without you
I'm lost without you
I'm lost without you
I'm lost without you (father)
I'm lost..without you

This is the air I breathe

This is the air I breathe

Pumpkins

This is one of the biggest pumpkins I've ever seen. It is already too heavy for me to lift. I was able to turn it a couple weeks ago, but I can't do anything with it now.




Our little pumpkin patch has exploded! I had no idea the leaves were so big! Someone told us the vines will follow the sun. Well the sun must be in the trees because our vines have started to climb the tree and there is actually several pumpkins growing in the tree. I am going to keep them there until they start to get heavy. I think it's so funny.

Today's mail brought a nice surprise, a package from Linda at Peace Creek Collections. She had a giveaway a few weeks ago and I was one of the lucky winners. It is a very pretty kleenex holder. Red is my favorite color and I love red dots! Thank you Linda.

Vintage Friday

I have a lot of vintage jewelry, mostly earrings. I have been gathering it for over a year now. I use it in crafts, scrapbooking and sometimes I wear it. I get most of it from antique stores, occasionally from a thrift store. Recently people have been giving it to me as gifts. I love this kind of present. A girl cannot have too much vintage jewelry.

Julie & Julia

Brittany and I just got home from seeing Julie & Julia. We both enjoyed it, and now I want to read Julia Childs book. I think I might want to try a few of her recipes too. Has anyone made anything from her first book?

Vintage Friday

How's your glove life?

Does two make a collection? I hope so because that's all I have for now. I love these vintage gloves. They are so feminine. Both pairs were given to me by Jen.

Victory Garden

Our humble garden on the side of the driveway.


Fresh picked veggies.



Jim decided he wanted to try his hand at gardening this spring. We have a very small back yard so we planted it on the side of the house. We have just a few different vegetables, as we are waiting to see what works in our soil. Everything seems to be doing pretty good. We won't have a "bumper" crop and probably won't even have enough to freeze but we are eating fresh beans and beets already. They are two of my favorite veggies. Our tomatoes are going crazy and so is the pumpkin. We might even get a few ears of corn if the birds and squirrels stay away. Every time we pick something from the garden I get excited. I am already planning next years harvest.

The man of my dreams.

This was kinda fun. Maybe I'll build a whole new life.
http://www.amctv.com/originals/madmen/madmenyourself/

Christmas in July

I had planned on doing a Christmas in July post this weekend and put it off until Sunday. Then Jen said she had my Christmas present and wanted to give it to me now. She had just spent the last week in Michigan and had done a lot of estate sales and garage sales. She knows just what I like. I had asked her to look for tablecloths I could use to make pajama bottoms with. She did a very good job on my present. She always does.

I have been wanting one of these cases to hold my vintage lace and doilies in for a long time. This case is in very good condition on the inside. I was thrilled with the "R" It is going on a scrapbook about me.

I love hankies and doilies. Of course she wrote in the book, a message just for me.

I won the NotquiteJuneCleaaver apron giveaway and the package arrived last night. It is always fun to get a package in the mail and this was not a disappointment. It was wrapped so cute, I took a little time just to enjoy it. I was so excited when I opened it. The apron is so cute! I really like the fact that it is very "wide". I am not a small women and this fit around me perfectly. The fabric to so me! Also included was the book Comfortable Country. I can't wait to curl up and look through it. Thank you so much Susan. You made my week.

Wednesday's Wonderful Women

A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!

Rules for Living

Thankful Thursday

1. I'm thankful for Barb.
2. I'm thankful for the time we've spent doing crafts together.
3. I'm thankful for the talks we've had.
4. I'm thankful for someone to share the hard times with.
5. I'm thankful for the plans we have to spend more time together.

Happy Birthday America

First Song That I Sing

Dress Up

This week Jennifer gave the girls some old clothes that belonged to her mother. They use them to play dress-up. Each of the girls dressed themselves. Don't they look great!

Thankful Thursday

1. Brittany is home this afternoon.
2. Cheyrl is getting better.
3. I live in the U.S.A.
4. I was able to spend a lot of time with Barb last week.
5. Our strawberries are coming in.

Birthday Party

I had a party last week to celebrate my 50th birthday. I invited all the ladies from my Tuesday Bible Study group. This is Jen and me posing for the camera.(I'm the short one)

I made all the decorations myself. I used scrapbook paper to make hats and place cards. The cards had quotes about friendship. I also made treat bags with lemon cookies inside.

I served chicken salad as the main dish with plenty of fruit on the side.

There were 15 women at the party. I cannot say how much it meant to me that these ladies came to celebrate with me. My girlfriend Barb even planned her trip here from Arizona to be at the party. Actually the party was her idea.

The women were very generous to me. Just being there was really enough.

This was by far the best birthday. Turning 50 doesn't matter, it's just a number. Having friends and family to celebrate with is what's important.