For DS 1

Our DS 1 loves History and things historical, but he also has an interest in images of the future as well. Here is a neat picture I found--posted in his honor.

Just For Fun

Praying

There's so much to pray about these days;  we have friends and friends of friends who are truly suffering with physical ailments and worries.  Indeed, the world itself seems to be turned upside down. We have been studying the Book of Jeremiah in Sunday School this month, and I have to say it certainly seems to be prophetic about this era.

Lord Jesus and Father God, I pray that You would intercede--in the lives of those we love and in the lives of those who need You not only physically, but spiritually. 

Lord, please draw us closer to You.  Keep us in Your care until You take us to Your home. 
                                     Amen

Revisiting Old Friends

Over the past few days, I have pulled out my own Quick Cooking magazine collection (this is a stock photo). What a great magazine!  There are so many wonderful practical recipes that are easy to manage for our family of five.  Of course, this title is no longer published by the Reiman folks.  The company has been bought by Reader's Digest--another magazine I used to truly cherish.  Sadly, this acquisition has changed the character of the Reiman family of publications.  Now, Taste of Home, Reminisce and even Country Woman are full of advertisements. The folksy, comfortable "atmosphere" created by these beautifully photographed magazines has changed..  Taste of Home has changed the most, I think. It has lost its rural character, and I rarely see any reference to Church or saying Grace.  Even the recipes have changed.  By trying to appeal to a broader market, they have abandoned the audience (and its values) which made them unique and successful.  Now, the Reiman magazines are just like all of the other nameless, glitzy titles at the check out.

Years ago, my sister-in-law gave me boxes full of her old Taste of Home magazines. That thoughtful gift changed my life.  I kept all of them and added to the collection over the years. Now, I am not even remotely tempted to purchase the new issues. I just pull out the old issues and find something really wonderful to make for supper!

A Happy Place

I lifted this picture from the internet, but our new-ish JoAnn's looks much like this. I can't describe the feeling in there. I love Hobby Lobby (they play Christian music in their stores--hymns, no less!) and Michael's (they give a discount to all educator's and welcome homeschooler's in that category, too!), but there is just something lovely about our JoAnn's. Every time DD and I go in there, we are so happy to bet here. We may not buy anything at all, but have such a great time looking around at everything!

DD is knitting a pretty pink sweater for a gift for a family member.  When she ran out of her yarn, she could not find any the same color as that from JoAnn's.  We just weren't able to get up to our store.  Friday, we went, and she found exactly her color and we purchased enough for her to finish the project.  The whole time we were in there, we were looking at buttons, scrapbook material, fleece for blankets and fall decor galore. Everyone was so pleasant, and the store is really well-stocked now. They offer all kinds of craft classes--I would love for DD to be able to attend those at some point.

We may have a rainy day or two this week--it would be so much fun to be able to stay inside with the lamp on and something on TV while we stitched, crocheted and knitted.

God is so good to us to give us these wonderful moments--truly the "desires of our heart."

Hazel

How many of you remember this marvelous television show starring Shirley Boothe? Hazel is one of our family favorites; DH received Season 3 for his recent birthday.  I love how she always manages to make everything ok.  We especially love to see how Hazel and "Mr. B" go 'round and 'round about his "terrific weight problem." 

The first season was telecast in black and white, but the subsequent seasons were in color. I love to see the colors of the home decor and "Missy's" clothes.

If you haven't seen this in a while, get your hands on a season or two.  You'll love how she manages to solve all problems with her marvelous cooking!

Ginger--On Top of the News!

This is a picture John Thomas snapped this summer. There was lots of news what with the Olympics and election year politics, and our Ginger endeavored to stay on top of it all. She loves the newspaper basket!

Betsy McCall!

Do you remember the lovely Betsy McCall? My goodness! My mom loved magazines, and I benefited when she bought the latest issue of McCall's--Betsy McCall was one of my favorite childhood memories.
Look at Betsy's nightgown and housecoat--didn't you have something like these or want something like these?
I had a pink quilted housecoat that was much like this one, but it was much too hot for the typical Florida winter! I still remember it fondly though.
Which of Betsy's Christmas gowns do you like most? Do you still enjoy receiving gowns and robes as presents at Christmas? They remain my favorite gifts!

Rhapsody in Blue . . .

Do you like paper dolls? I love them! I have a very small collection of some which harken back to a time when clothes were prettier and much more feminine. I regularly look at a website called PaperDoll Review; they also send email updates about their latest recreations. This one caught my eye today (that's all it will catch, too, until payday!). Hope your day is as lovely as these dresses!

Just For Fun!

With all of the body washes and bath gels around today, seems like bath salts are a forgotten pleasure.
I found this lovely decanter a while back at a local antique store. I promptly went to Wal-Mart to get some bath salts (Calgon, of course).  The picture on right is one that normally hangs in our bathroom. Simple pleasures are blessings from the Lord!

Calgon, take me away . . . .

Finished!

With lots of help from DH, DS and DD, we were able to finish the puzzle last night. I want to glue it with puzzle glue and get it framed.  One of the reasons I like the picture itself so much is that it takes me back to the scenes portrayed in Eleanor Estes' semi-autobiographical stories of the Moffat family. The Moffats lived in Cranbury, Connecticut in the 1910.'s. Their father had passed away and they depended on their mother's income as a seamstress.  The stories are wonderful--Eleanor Estes captures the happiest times from her life and shares them with generations to come.  They were published in the 1940's and have proven as timeless as any great work of literature.

When I showed our DS's the puzzle, I asked them if the picture reminded them of anything, and they both agreed--The Moffats. Our lives have been dramatically enriched with these lovely stories and characters.

As for the puzzle, I will keep you posted on our progress in getting it framed!

Creativity! And ... Some Retail News

Isn't this something? A creative stitcher made this colorblock "sampler" using all of the DMC standard colors. I would never have thought of something like this. Take a gander at the  www.DMC-USA.com  site for more details.  I also wanted to share with you something I thought I would not see again: a Wal Mart near us has brought back cross stitching supplies --floss, fabric, bobbins and other accessories. I don't know whether the one in my town has or not.  The WM I visited was about 2 counties over.  I remember when cross stitch stores were everywhere with rack after rack of pattern books and kits.  Wal Mart back then carried tons of patterns and supplies.  Maybe there is a resurgence in popularity for cross stitching!

A New Puzzle

Anxious to spend my birthday-present money, I purchased this beautiful Cobble Hill puzzle.  Isn't it something?  If you look carefully, you can see that it takes us back in time quite a ways. There are only 275 pieces (about 175 more than my comfort level), I hope to glue and frame it and maybe put it in my office. I should receive it in the mail in the next few days along with the Cross stitch pattern I posted below.  Turning 50 wasn't so bad!

Not Another Project?!

Yes, another project.  I am currently working on two cross stitch projects with an additional one waiting in the wings:  the Girl's First Sampler, an old rose pattern from 1977 and a Christmas sampler.  Hmmm . . . there is also the afghan that is coming right along. I get the sale announcements from Everything Cross Stitch. This week, the Autumn patterns are on sale, 15% off!  No, I am not a compulsive pattern buyer. I thought through a plan before I clicked the little PayPal button:
Keep working on the roses to finish for a September birthday gift.
Work on the Girl's First Sampler at least 4 days a week.
Complete the Autumn Glory pattern (above) then begin on the Christmas Sampler.
Continue trying to make one square a day for the afghan.

When we travel to Church, it takes about 30 minutes each way--the roads are straight and flat, so I usually get a lot done.

Now, here is the key to success:  Seek ye first the Kingdom of God . . . I must be truly devoted to daily time with He has given me this life and these paths of contentment. He IS the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley!

I AM the rose of  Sharon and the lily of the valleys . . .

Down Giliead Lane

Do you enjoy children's radio dramas?  I guess most are familiar with Adventures in Odyssey.  Let me share another title with you that we have discovered:  Down Gilead Lane. This program follows the Morrison Family--Mom, Dad and their five children as they find God's will and purpose for their lives.  This program is produced by the Children's Bible Hour Ministries. I have listened to "Uncle Charlie" on BBN's Captain's Club for years (4:00 p. est Monday-Friday).  When the boys were younger they received the devotional, "Keys for Kids."  This ministry is solidly Bible-based.  The story lines and their messages have one purpose: to draw children to Christ through the teaching of Biblical principles.  Visit Uncle Charlie and the CBH Family at  www.cbhministries.org   You can listen to some of the stories there and you can hear Uncle Charlie around 4:20 or so every weekday on BBNRadio.org

I KNOW I would be so much more content through the day and evening if I just listened to BBN!  I can listen to it on the computer since we are out of range for a traditional station here. They play beautiful Christian music and feature uplifting and challenging programming.  I tell the children all the time that what we listen to has such an impact on our hearts and minds.  

Thy Compassions They Fail Not

One of the loveliest stories in the New Testament is the story of the compassion Jesus showed the woman with the issue of blood.  Those who do not understand Christianity often denigrate it based on a misconception about the status of women within the faith. During the days of the Lord's presence on Earth, women in the Mediterranean were not treated well at all. They undoubtedly enjoyed a better quality of life and higher status among the Hebrews than with the Romans or Greeks.  Our Lord understood the unique difficulties, trials and weaknesses of women: the dear woman at the well, His close friends Mary and Martha, Mary Magdalene, and His own dear mother, Mary. Each of these women had a testimony of His love and sensitivity.  Mark tells us of the woman who had endured "an issue of blood" for twelve years. He goes on to say that she had "suffered many things of many physicians and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse."  John Mark was a bit more wordy in his description of this woman's ordeal than was his usual style. He goes on to relate to us what she did in her desperation and faith:

When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind and touched His garment.  For she said, If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole.  ANd straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

Jesus was there at that moment and place for her; He knew she needed Him, and He knew that she believed in His ability to help her when no one else could. He turned around and declared, Daughter, thy faith hath thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.  

Notice Christian sister, He did not make more of this miracle than these words He spoke. He did not embarrass her by saying to everyone what He had cured for her.  He understood that this "plague" rendered her "unclean" in her culture. Again, I want to point out that I believe He had a divine appointment with her--she didn't just happen to be near. He came near to her.  He comes near to us as well, and wants us to touch His garment--to reach out in faith. If you have the time, read through Mark's account of this story in Mark 5: 25-34.

A Nice Evening Out

We have had such a busy week getting ready for school and cleaning the house.  The house still isn't really clean, and there is tons left to do for school, but we took today off from all of the busy-ness. We had another rainy morning and early afternoon. We all watched TV, napped and then topped the day off with a trip to Panera Bread Company with our favorite books in tow.  We then went over to JoAnn's and Dad and the boys went to Family Christian Book Store and Best Buy.  JoAnn's still does not have the new DMC Color Variation colors.  They have the "last batch" but not the most recent. Hobby Lobby has quit carrying the Color Variations entirely.  I can get these new shades from Everything Cross Stitch, and that is just fine.
In the third row down on the far left, you can see a lovely combination of Christmas colors. I think I might get a skein of this to use as the border for the Christmas Botanicals pictured below.

We had a great time and ended up at Publix--a chain from my home county in Florida.  I loved seeing all of the beautiful produce, and they had a great BOGO sale on many items we use, including GINARMOUS jars of extra crunchy peanut butter. We loved it.  Their prices otherwise are on the high side, but I love the memories of being in my mom's favorite grocery store, albeit a state away.

Hope your Saturday was great, too, and that you are ready to serve the Lord at His House tomorrow.

What do you think of this lovely pattern? I just received this pattern, complete with fabric and floss from Everything Cross Stitch.  The fabric is 14-count "baby pink"--I think it will be a perfect complement to the colors of the pattern. If you are interested in pretty, affordable patterns and a vast selection of fabrics from which to choose, visit them at www.everythingcrossstitch.com

These nice folks are affiliated with PatternsOnLine with whom I have shopped for several years. They are so helpful and their materials are affordable and conveniently delivered to your door!

Please know that my endorsements here are not compensated for in any way. They are just my personal opinions based on experience.

I am still working on the sampler with the lovely dancing girls, and a pattern given to us by our dear friend and piano teacher, Mrs. Ann. That sweet pattern dates back to 1977! Lots of stitching in the days to come!

A little more housework to go for the day and then on to supper (simmering in the crock pot) and tv time with the family. Hope to get some stitching and crocheting done as well.  Wishing each of you a lovely evening--with lots of love sent to DF Janice W  and the Brown girls, Sarah and Sheila.