Now that Christmas is over, I can share the quilts I made for Christmas gifts this year. :o)

For Haley and Jason...

For Brooklyn's Grandma Loretta....

For Brooklyn's Daddy and Mommy...

Now that Christmas is over, I can share the quilts I made for Christmas gifts this year. :o)

For Haley and Jason...

For Brooklyn's Grandma Loretta....

For Brooklyn's Daddy and Mommy...

Christmas in Virginia

We left the day after Christmas at 2:00 am and began a 19 hour journey to VA to visit Haley and Jason. We had bad weather heading out and it was iffy at one point in IL if we were going to have to turn back and come back home, but God was merciful, the weather cleared up and the rest of the trip was uneventful. It was wonderful having all my kids together again. :o)

A few highlights from our whirlwind trip...

Sunspots Studio - We watched an artist make blown glass ornaments and a drinking glass. Amazing!

P Buckley Moss museum - I purchased this darling print called, "Lambs, lambs, lambs."

Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's house -  The view was breathtaking!

Shopping at Short Pump Mall - And getting to meet my Swappie sister, Elaine.

And my precious children...

And, one more important addition...My new grand dog, Mr. Huey Biggens. Holden adopted one of Haley's basset hound pups. He is the sweetest thing ever!

We left the day after Christmas at 2:00 am and began a 19 hour journey to VA to visit Haley and Jason. We had bad weather heading out and it was iffy at one point in IL if we were going to have to turn back and come back home, but God was merciful, the weather cleared up and the rest of the trip was uneventful. It was wonderful having all my kids together again. :o)

A few highlights from our whirlwind trip...

Sunspots Studio - We watched an artist make blown glass ornaments and a drinking glass. Amazing!

P Buckley Moss museum - I purchased this darling print called, "Lambs, lambs, lambs."

Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's house -  The view was breathtaking!

Shopping at Short Pump Mall - And getting to meet my Swappie sister, Elaine.

And my precious children...

And, one more important addition...My new grand dog, Mr. Huey Biggens. Holden adopted one of Haley's basset hound pups. He is the sweetest thing ever!

Yesterday Liz and I took a road trip to the big city to meet up with Brooklyn. Do you think she liked her Christmas present?

My hubby, being the sweetest man on earth, filled my car with gas and programed my destination in his new toy....a Garmin Nuvi. When he first purchased Mr. Jack Garmin, as I have come to affectionally call it, I thought it was silly, but I have since changed my mind. He...It...Whatever...is awesome!! I know how fast I am driving, my ETA, and where the closest fabric store is. All kinds of important things. Mr. Garmin is very smart. Mr. Garmin says he likes my van better than Russ' SUV. Just sayin'...I do have one small, teensy issue with Mr Garmin. When he gives me my directions, he tells me to turn left or right, but he doesn't clarify which of my lefts or rights he is talking about. Is it my left-left or my right-left or my right-right or my right-left?? Yes, I am on of those that gets my lefts and rights mixed up. I'm pretty hopeless in that department. Even so, Mr. Garmin got Liz and I to our destination and we had a wonderful time with Brooklyn and her family....

However....

We did have one small, teeny, tiny incident at the mall. It's almost not worth mentioning, but I will. :o) It was potty break time. Liz and I were jibber-jabbering down the mall hallway on the way to the ladies room. We were admiring each other's newly flat ironed hair, thanks to a lovely young lady who was trying (and failed I might add) to persuade us to buy her steal-of-a-deal $99 ceramic flatiron. Into the doorway and around the corner we go, with me in the lead and suddenly I stop dead in my tracks. I take a look at where I am....My eyes pop outta my head and I twirl around to head the other way...quickly like...You know, so as not to look conspicuous, but it was too late...I lead Liz straight into the mens room!! How did I know I was in the mens room?? There was a poor older man using the facilities. We both fell into hysterics and laughed so hard at ourselves that I washed the "waterproof" mascara right off my lashes!! Our antics had gathered a crowd outside of the women's restroom....Okay, it was only one man, and not the one I interrupted in the mens room, but he was looking at us with a bemused expression on his face.  I have a feeling he knew about our faux pas...

I'm fully convinced that even Mr. Garmin couldn't have saved us from such an embarrassing and much needed time of laughter...

Yesterday Liz and I took a road trip to the big city to meet up with Brooklyn. Do you think she liked her Christmas present?

My hubby, being the sweetest man on earth, filled my car with gas and programed my destination in his new toy....a Garmin Nuvi. When he first purchased Mr. Jack Garmin, as I have come to affectionally call it, I thought it was silly, but I have since changed my mind. He...It...Whatever...is awesome!! I know how fast I am driving, my ETA, and where the closest fabric store is. All kinds of important things. Mr. Garmin is very smart. Mr. Garmin says he likes my van better than Russ' SUV. Just sayin'...I do have one small, teensy issue with Mr Garmin. When he gives me my directions, he tells me to turn left or right, but he doesn't clarify which of my lefts or rights he is talking about. Is it my left-left or my right-left or my right-right or my right-left?? Yes, I am on of those that gets my lefts and rights mixed up. I'm pretty hopeless in that department. Even so, Mr. Garmin got Liz and I to our destination and we had a wonderful time with Brooklyn and her family....

However....

We did have one small, teeny, tiny incident at the mall. It's almost not worth mentioning, but I will. :o) It was potty break time. Liz and I were jibber-jabbering down the mall hallway on the way to the ladies room. We were admiring each other's newly flat ironed hair, thanks to a lovely young lady who was trying (and failed I might add) to persuade us to buy her steal-of-a-deal $99 ceramic flatiron. Into the doorway and around the corner we go, with me in the lead and suddenly I stop dead in my tracks. I take a look at where I am....My eyes pop outta my head and I twirl around to head the other way...quickly like...You know, so as not to look conspicuous, but it was too late...I lead Liz straight into the mens room!! How did I know I was in the mens room?? There was a poor older man using the facilities. We both fell into hysterics and laughed so hard at ourselves that I washed the "waterproof" mascara right off my lashes!! Our antics had gathered a crowd outside of the women's restroom....Okay, it was only one man, and not the one I interrupted in the mens room, but he was looking at us with a bemused expression on his face.  I have a feeling he knew about our faux pas...

I'm fully convinced that even Mr. Garmin couldn't have saved us from such an embarrassing and much needed time of laughter...

Let's face it....Life is hard. In the background scenes of my life, I am going through a time where I am learning to trust God at a whole new level. I know that Amanda's family is, too. On this side of the Master's plan, it looks like a mess. Things look "wrong", but things are not always what they seem when God is doing His work. May today's Grace Gem bless you as it has me...

"He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel He had around Him." John 13:4-5

"What I am doing, you do not understand now--but afterwards you will understand." John 13:7

At this time Peter did not know why the Messiah he really needed--was a Messiah with basin and towel. He was thinking of a Messiah with throne and crown and scepter and earthly pomp! He did not understand it--until after the blood of Calvary had been shed. Christ referred to these days by "afterwards."

This saying of Christ, however, may be used in a much wider sense. There are a great many things that He does, which at the time we cannot understand; yet in due time--all of them will become clear. As they appear to us, while we are passing through them, they are unfinished acts; when the work is completed--it will appear beautiful. This is especially true of many mysterious providences in our lives. One time Jacob thought and said, "All these things are against me!" But he lived to see that the very things which he thought were against him--were really all working together for his good.

So it is always, in the providences of God with His own people. "We know that all things work together for good, to those who love God."

The back side of a tapestry appears to be a mystery of tangle and confusion--but there is a beautiful picture on the other side. Just so--we are looking at our lives, largely on the back side. We cannot see the Master's plan--until 'afterwards'.

(J. R. Miller, "Miller's Year Book--a Year's Daily Readings")

Let's face it....Life is hard. In the background scenes of my life, I am going through a time where I am learning to trust God at a whole new level. I know that Amanda's family is, too. On this side of the Master's plan, it looks like a mess. Things look "wrong", but things are not always what they seem when God is doing His work. May today's Grace Gem bless you as it has me...

"He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel He had around Him." John 13:4-5

"What I am doing, you do not understand now--but afterwards you will understand." John 13:7

At this time Peter did not know why the Messiah he really needed--was a Messiah with basin and towel. He was thinking of a Messiah with throne and crown and scepter and earthly pomp! He did not understand it--until after the blood of Calvary had been shed. Christ referred to these days by "afterwards."

This saying of Christ, however, may be used in a much wider sense. There are a great many things that He does, which at the time we cannot understand; yet in due time--all of them will become clear. As they appear to us, while we are passing through them, they are unfinished acts; when the work is completed--it will appear beautiful. This is especially true of many mysterious providences in our lives. One time Jacob thought and said, "All these things are against me!" But he lived to see that the very things which he thought were against him--were really all working together for his good.

So it is always, in the providences of God with His own people. "We know that all things work together for good, to those who love God."

The back side of a tapestry appears to be a mystery of tangle and confusion--but there is a beautiful picture on the other side. Just so--we are looking at our lives, largely on the back side. We cannot see the Master's plan--until 'afterwards'.

(J. R. Miller, "Miller's Year Book--a Year's Daily Readings")

Cheers for Amanda

Cheers for Amanda

 As I told Amy, the worst part of the bag was putting on the fringe. The best part of the bag is the fringe.

 As I told Amy, the worst part of the bag was putting on the fringe. The best part of the bag is the fringe.

Today my daddy brought me box and said, "I want you to have this..." It was all I could do to not bawl like a baby when I looked in the box.  For as long as I can remember, this sweet tree has been part of the Christmas decorating of my childhood home. I thought she was long gone....

Here she is in all her glory. She makes me smile on this snowy, wintery day.

Today my daddy brought me box and said, "I want you to have this..." It was all I could do to not bawl like a baby when I looked in the box.  For as long as I can remember, this sweet tree has been part of the Christmas decorating of my childhood home. I thought she was long gone....

Here she is in all her glory. She makes me smile on this snowy, wintery day.

We have a winter storm warning in effect for our area. They are predicting 9"-12" of the white stuff. We have the cupboards filled with food, the snowblower ready to go and I have a sewing project all ready for me to start. Amy, a young mom from church, asked me if I would make her a diaper bag. After scouring the internet, I found a free pattern and tutorial on Sew Much Ado. We met at the fabric store and had a ball trying to decide what fabric she wanted as her bag. I think she made a great choice...I'm anxious to start working on it!

We have a winter storm warning in effect for our area. They are predicting 9"-12" of the white stuff. We have the cupboards filled with food, the snowblower ready to go and I have a sewing project all ready for me to start. Amy, a young mom from church, asked me if I would make her a diaper bag. After scouring the internet, I found a free pattern and tutorial on Sew Much Ado. We met at the fabric store and had a ball trying to decide what fabric she wanted as her bag. I think she made a great choice...I'm anxious to start working on it!

Tis the season...

...to be busy. Fa la la la la la la la la la

Most of the Christmas shopping is done. I'm waiting on a package or two to arrive in the mail. After they get here I'll wrap them up repackage them, along with the other things I've purchased and send them off to some of my favorite people. Yeah!!

We have a major snow storm heading our way. We are expecting 8-10 inches! Today will be spent getting prepared to be snowed in. I have some sewing projects planned. Being snowed in is a perfect time to settle in and sew. :o)

...to be busy. Fa la la la la la la la la la

Most of the Christmas shopping is done. I'm waiting on a package or two to arrive in the mail. After they get here I'll wrap them up repackage them, along with the other things I've purchased and send them off to some of my favorite people. Yeah!!

We have a major snow storm heading our way. We are expecting 8-10 inches! Today will be spent getting prepared to be snowed in. I have some sewing projects planned. Being snowed in is a perfect time to settle in and sew. :o)

The first snow of the season is so magical. :o)

The first snow of the season is so magical. :o)

My husband's favorite aunt, Aunt Poochy, moved to a smaller apartment and was cleaning out stuff. Look at what she had tucked away in a cedar chest all these years!

I am very blessed to have them in my possession.

Look at the beautiful handiwork....

They are very large for tea towels, so I am trying to decide how to display them.

Do I dare cut them up and make them into something?? What would you do??

My husband's favorite aunt, Aunt Poochy, moved to a smaller apartment and was cleaning out stuff. Look at what she had tucked away in a cedar chest all these years!

I am very blessed to have them in my possession.

Look at the beautiful handiwork....

They are very large for tea towels, so I am trying to decide how to display them.

Do I dare cut them up and make them into something?? What would you do??

Darya is coming home!!

More information here....

More information here....

Not from me! Even though my youngest of 4 is 13 and taller than me, thank-you-very-much, I need parenting advice...Take Your Vitamin Z has a fantastic post 10 Things To Remember When Your Child Is Disobedient.

#2 is the one I need to remember.

Hat tip: Challies.com

Not from me! Even though my youngest of 4 is 13 and taller than me, thank-you-very-much, I need parenting advice...Take Your Vitamin Z has a fantastic post 10 Things To Remember When Your Child Is Disobedient.

#2 is the one I need to remember.

Hat tip: Challies.com

Even if  adopting again is not part of the plans God has for our family, as far as we know (right, honey?? :-D) I am always looking for ways to support those families that do and I am especially drawn to families that are looking to adopt children with Down Syndrome.

Renee of Life With my Special K's, who themselves are bringing home a sweet little girl with Down Syndrome in a matter of days, has posted about another amazing family with a very special request. Go read the details at Special K's and if you have a dollar or two, please donate to the Darya Project. Let's help bring this little girl HOME!

Even if  adopting again is not part of the plans God has for our family, as far as we know (right, honey?? :-D) I am always looking for ways to support those families that do and I am especially drawn to families that are looking to adopt children with Down Syndrome.

Renee of Life With my Special K's, who themselves are bringing home a sweet little girl with Down Syndrome in a matter of days, has posted about another amazing family with a very special request. Go read the details at Special K's and if you have a dollar or two, please donate to the Darya Project. Let's help bring this little girl HOME!

For a while I have been experiencing 'cares'...In other words, 'worry' and 'anxiety'. That's why I have been so quiet. I would love to share what is going on in my life, the fact is, I may NEVER be able to share in this public forum, but I can share that God has been faithful....He hears all my cries of fear, anxiety and worry and He calms me with His Word and with prayers of the faithful. I am especially grateful for a faithful pastor who preaches from God's Word, line by line, precept upon precept to prepare his flock for the difficult times that life will have. I've had excellent teaching to fall back on the last week or so...

This morning, I was deeply blessed by today's Grace Gem devotional. It speaks perfectly to my situation at hand. May it be a blessing to you, as well....

****************************

For the Christian, all of life's conditions and circumstances are transformed.

Take the matter of CARE. Every life has 'cares'. There are cares in business. There are cares in home-life. There are cares of poverty--but no less has the rich man his cares. Childhood has its anxieties; young faces sometimes appear careworn. No one can escape care!

To many people--life is very hard. But Christian faith transfigures care, for those who are Christ's and have learned how to live as He teaches us to live. He tells us not to worry about anything, because our Father is caring for us. He tells us that life is a school, and that all our cares are parts of lessons which He has set for us. That means that every care has hidden in it--a secret of blessing--a gift of love which our Father has sent to us. Every time you come to a hard point in your life--an obstacle, a difficulty, a perplexity--God is giving you a new opportunity to grow stronger, wiser, or richer-hearted.

We try to make life easy for our children--but God is wiser than we are. He wants His children to have struggles--that they may grow strong, holy and noble!

Thus it is that common care is transfigured by the grace of Christ! It enfolds blessings for us. It carries in its 'dreary form' secrets of blessing for us. Even our 'drudgeries' have blessings in their wearisome routine; we get many of our best lessons out of them.

All we need to learn is how to meet our worries, and they are transfigured for us! Paul tells us in a wonderful passage how to get this transformation of care: "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7. God's peace will then shine through all life's frets. Thus care is transfigured, by the love of Christ in the heart.


(J. R. Miller, "Life's Byways and Waysides")

For a while I have been experiencing 'cares'...In other words, 'worry' and 'anxiety'. That's why I have been so quiet. I would love to share what is going on in my life, the fact is, I may NEVER be able to share in this public forum, but I can share that God has been faithful....He hears all my cries of fear, anxiety and worry and He calms me with His Word and with prayers of the faithful. I am especially grateful for a faithful pastor who preaches from God's Word, line by line, precept upon precept to prepare his flock for the difficult times that life will have. I've had excellent teaching to fall back on the last week or so...

This morning, I was deeply blessed by today's Grace Gem devotional. It speaks perfectly to my situation at hand. May it be a blessing to you, as well....

****************************

For the Christian, all of life's conditions and circumstances are transformed.

Take the matter of CARE. Every life has 'cares'. There are cares in business. There are cares in home-life. There are cares of poverty--but no less has the rich man his cares. Childhood has its anxieties; young faces sometimes appear careworn. No one can escape care!

To many people--life is very hard. But Christian faith transfigures care, for those who are Christ's and have learned how to live as He teaches us to live. He tells us not to worry about anything, because our Father is caring for us. He tells us that life is a school, and that all our cares are parts of lessons which He has set for us. That means that every care has hidden in it--a secret of blessing--a gift of love which our Father has sent to us. Every time you come to a hard point in your life--an obstacle, a difficulty, a perplexity--God is giving you a new opportunity to grow stronger, wiser, or richer-hearted.

We try to make life easy for our children--but God is wiser than we are. He wants His children to have struggles--that they may grow strong, holy and noble!

Thus it is that common care is transfigured by the grace of Christ! It enfolds blessings for us. It carries in its 'dreary form' secrets of blessing for us. Even our 'drudgeries' have blessings in their wearisome routine; we get many of our best lessons out of them.

All we need to learn is how to meet our worries, and they are transfigured for us! Paul tells us in a wonderful passage how to get this transformation of care: "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7. God's peace will then shine through all life's frets. Thus care is transfigured, by the love of Christ in the heart.


(J. R. Miller, "Life's Byways and Waysides")

Game over...Stellan has been healed. \o/

Game over...Stellan has been healed. \o/

I love Tim Challies' blog. He is one of the few that I regularly read all that he has to say. Today's post is especially poignant to me...

Read and be blessed....

*******

Last week I posted a prayer by pastor Scotty Smith. Today it seemed like it would be good to post another one. This one stood out to me as one I needed to pray—a prayer about impossibilities. It is based on these words: “Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’” (Luke 18:27)

*****

Merciful and mighty, Lord Jesus, how I need to wrestle with this hope this day. First of all, I want to thank you for the freedom the Scriptures give me to be honest about situations which are impossible to me. It’s so good to know that the gospel calls us to hope, not to hype… to believe, not to make believe… to intercession, not to presumption.

The disciples were vexed over a camel making it through the eye of a needle with greater ease than a rich man making it through the door into your kingdom. Sarah laughed at the thought of having a baby in her nineties. Mary was shocked at the thought of giving birth to you, as a virgin, and understandably so.

But because you did come to us, Jesus, in a most improbable, impossible-to-mere-man way, I am more inclined to say with Mary, “I am the Lord’s servant… may it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). And because you did overcome death and evil through your resurrection, I am more ready to say with Paul, “this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead” (2 Cor. 1:9). And because “it is impossible for God to lie” (Heb. 6:18-19), I will flee today to take hold of the hope offered to me in the gospel—a firm and secure anchor for my soul, which is floating on a sea of seeming impossibilities.

Lord Jesus, I’m asking you to breathe new life into the hearts of some of my friends who are in the paralyzing lockdown of shame, guilt, contempt and utter despair. Bring your resurrection power to marriages of friends that are, at best on life support, and others that are about to be rolled into the morgue.

For my friends who have spent everything they have on a multitude of doctors and cures, but are not better at all, have mercy Jesus, have mercy, I ask. For me, Jesus, please give me the assurance that you really are at work in my life—freeing me from the idols of my heart for the passions of your heart and kingdom. Whatever is impossible with me, is more than possible with you. So very Amen, I pray, in your anchor-for-my-soul, Name.

Link to Challies.com

I love Tim Challies' blog. He is one of the few that I regularly read all that he has to say. Today's post is especially poignant to me...

Read and be blessed....

*******

Last week I posted a prayer by pastor Scotty Smith. Today it seemed like it would be good to post another one. This one stood out to me as one I needed to pray—a prayer about impossibilities. It is based on these words: “Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’” (Luke 18:27)

*****

Merciful and mighty, Lord Jesus, how I need to wrestle with this hope this day. First of all, I want to thank you for the freedom the Scriptures give me to be honest about situations which are impossible to me. It’s so good to know that the gospel calls us to hope, not to hype… to believe, not to make believe… to intercession, not to presumption.

The disciples were vexed over a camel making it through the eye of a needle with greater ease than a rich man making it through the door into your kingdom. Sarah laughed at the thought of having a baby in her nineties. Mary was shocked at the thought of giving birth to you, as a virgin, and understandably so.

But because you did come to us, Jesus, in a most improbable, impossible-to-mere-man way, I am more inclined to say with Mary, “I am the Lord’s servant… may it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). And because you did overcome death and evil through your resurrection, I am more ready to say with Paul, “this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead” (2 Cor. 1:9). And because “it is impossible for God to lie” (Heb. 6:18-19), I will flee today to take hold of the hope offered to me in the gospel—a firm and secure anchor for my soul, which is floating on a sea of seeming impossibilities.

Lord Jesus, I’m asking you to breathe new life into the hearts of some of my friends who are in the paralyzing lockdown of shame, guilt, contempt and utter despair. Bring your resurrection power to marriages of friends that are, at best on life support, and others that are about to be rolled into the morgue.

For my friends who have spent everything they have on a multitude of doctors and cures, but are not better at all, have mercy Jesus, have mercy, I ask. For me, Jesus, please give me the assurance that you really are at work in my life—freeing me from the idols of my heart for the passions of your heart and kingdom. Whatever is impossible with me, is more than possible with you. So very Amen, I pray, in your anchor-for-my-soul, Name.

Link to Challies.com

*tissue alert*

*tissue alert*

My new favorite CD....

Beauty Will Rise by Steven Curtis Chapman....

My new favorite CD....

Beauty Will Rise by Steven Curtis Chapman....

On the Swap, we have several swaps during the year. This is the time for us to swap mugs and favorite hot drinks. I was blessed with not one, but TWO packages. One of the Swappies sent me a mug "just because." :o)

I am going to save this one for when I am having a meltdown for real. It might help, right?

On the Swap, we have several swaps during the year. This is the time for us to swap mugs and favorite hot drinks. I was blessed with not one, but TWO packages. One of the Swappies sent me a mug "just because." :o)

I am going to save this one for when I am having a meltdown for real. It might help, right?