Home Sweet Home

   We are opening a new chapter in the book of our life. We'll soon be moving! We're as busy as bees with all the things we need to accomplish before the big day. Finding boxes, making decisions about what will come with us and what can bless someone else and what needs to go to the landfill. Packing, labeling, organizing, etc.  We have several weeks to accomplish it all in a (hopefully) organized manner.
   We are labeling our boxes with a number/letter/room system that may seem tedious but it really will help. Husband and I have lost many precious things through the years when trying to move to fast. This time we are determined to keep everything we intend to move with us! Each box is numbered and the corresponding number is listed in a notebook with a list of the box's contents. The letters on the boxes represent the priority. 'A' boxes are to be unpacked first; curtains,dishes... 'B' boxes are things that are not urgent but also not to be stored too long. Such things as books and pictures fill these boxes. Third are the 'C' boxes. 'C' boxes are things that can be stored long term or will remain in storage for quite a while. Baby clothes, Christmas decorations and even craft supplies will fall into this category. Don't worry for me I've already packed a bag of embroidery supplies to keep my fingers busy in those precious idle moments.
   Husband has not lived so far north and our little nestling will not remember having seen snow before. I myself have not seen a real snow in four or so years. We will all adapt. God has blessed humankind that way, He gives us the grace we need to change and acclimate to new environments very quickly.

  Another project that I'm attempting to fit in is completing a baby blanket for my dearest girlfriend. She has been blessed by God and is now carrying her 3rd little darling. We wont know before we move if this child is a little Princess or a tiny Prince so I went with woodsey neutral colors. I'll show it to you when I'm finished!

May your new year be blessed.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! What more can anyone say?


In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

Homemade Popcorn

I hope to encourage you to make some homemade classic snacks. They really aren't as difficult and mysterious as they seem.
Popcorn first…
You will need popcorn (raw) it’s usually in bags or jars near the microwave popcorn at any grocery store or stuff-mart.

It’s inexpensive. Generally costing under $2 for a 1 lb bag. From one bag of popcorn you can get probably 10 or more large microwave popcorn bag servings. That’s a guesstimate  I've never actually counted. You can see how much of a money saver it is though, considering that one box of 3 microwave packages costs a dollar at the least expensive place.
You probably already have the rest of what you need. Cooking oil, a 2 quart saucepan and whatever flavoring you like such as salt, butter, Parmesan cheese, etc.


So here’s the instructions: Over Medium heat add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and 3 kernels of popcorn into the pot. Cover the pot with a lid (a clear lid is really handy but not necessary) and wait until those 3 kernels pop. When they do you know that the oil is hot enough to add 1/3 cup of popcorn and replace the lid. Slide the pot back and forth over the burner constantly so that the corn doesn't stick and burn. When you don’t hear popping for 2-3 seconds you know it’s all popped. Have a bowl (or several) ready to pour your popcorn into the lid will have probably lifted off some from all that fresh popcorn so the bottom kernels are at risk of burning if you leave it in the pot.

Toss it with your salt, butter (melt the butter first), cheese whatever you like. There are toppings made specifically for popcorn that you can find in your popcorn aisle.

I think it has so much more flavor than microwave popcorn, and it's a lot more fun to make!

Big Change

   I've changed a lot around this place. I hope you like it! After a lot of consideration I even changed the name. This will be my place to invite you to sit a while and talk. It will never be as good as a sit down conversation but I do hope you enjoy your stay. There are many sides to me (as I'm sure there are to you too) so I will likely change the 'furnishings' again someday.
   Thanks for stopping by!

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

I'm sorry for the mess. I'm changing the look of my blog so it's a bit messy at the moment. I hope to have it looking cozy soon.

Autumn Blessings

Fall is here and in full swing!

 

     Every other year my family gathers at the old homestead place to enjoy each other and make applebutter. We have wonderful old traditions and some new ones.

   Family is what it's all about though, they are our greatest earthly treasure.

   Another fall tradition at our house is carving a pumpkin. It's so representative of what God does for us! Did your mind make a sound like screeching tires just then? It's true. You see, like a pumpkin we are full of yucky stuff. Sin. God can remove it, carve a smile on our faces, and fill us with his light to shine in the darkness. We didn't do a smiley face, but the lesson remains the same.

   So often I have more ideas than I can put into practice. Especially when it comes to embroidery design and project completion. I think I have ten or so that are in different stages of execution. This is one that I thought you might enjoy because I'm using a different kind of thread. It's Adelaide's birth announcement.

   I had a difficult time deciding on a color scheme until I spied cotton perle. I chose DMC cotton perle #12 in ecru. Let me break that down for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about. Perle is a kind of thread like floss or yarn. It comes in different sizes represented by numbers. The higher the number the thinner the thread. #12 was the thinnest that I could find. I think it may come in more varied colors in other countries but in America we most often see neutrals, white and ecru. DMC is the company name, it's probably the most well known cotton floss brand here in the states (Anchor is another). Unlike cotton floss perle is not divisible. You don't separate the stands when you use it. You simply unwind a length and use it. It's shiny but not silky if that makes sense. I haven't used it before and I didn't realize that. When I stitched an inch or so and realized how shiny it was I felt like I'd come upon a clearance sale at the craft store if you know what I mean!

1) full thread of cotton floss 2) one strand pulled from a length of cotton floss 3) size 5 perle cotton  4) size 12 perle cotton 5) full skein of cotton floss  6&7)  balls of perle cotton

     

This picture doesn't do it justice but to give you some perspective... Most cross stitch patterns and indeed most embroidery are done in 2-3 strands of cotton floss. The cotton perle that I'm using is just slightly thicker but it's more dense and almost stiff.
   I hope you enjoy you fall as much as we are! Off I go to sew a few stitches.
God bless you.

Step by step. Moment by moment

It's very easy to say and so very difficult to put into practice...

Walking moment by moment with God.

I think we must have an image like this in mind when we think of walking with out Lord. Peacefully Reading His word, learning Him. Walking in some lonely place surrounded by the beautiful things of 

creation. There are times when it is this picturesque. But it also has to take place when your world looks more like this...

Life is busy. That doesn't mean that we can separate God from it or put Him aside. You don't have to be on your knees to pray. To have those intimate moments with Christ. That's why He rent the veil. We know this but it's hard to put into practice when life is so busy isn't it?

Here is an example: Picture this, you are in ancient times. Walking with God it's dusty...Now did you see yourself on an open road alone with Jesus or did you picture yourself on a road crowded with disciples bumping elbows and joking? My guess is that you were alone. Here is what I want your reality to be - what it can be... Get that crowded picture and then recognize that you are the person walking closest to Jesus. That you can whisper back and forth in the commotion without anyone even paying attention. There is an intimacy even in the clamor of daily life.

How is it accomplished? By practice. By learning to pray in those times. By recalling the verses that you know. To do that you must have memorized the verses in the first place. But while you are doing your memorizing ( I trust you will) you pray during busy things. Pray wile you drive ( just don't close your eyes), pray while you cook, while you *gasp* watch TV, or anything else that you so. Also spend time getting to know Jesus. You have to desire Him for who He is. No one stays close to a person when they are repeatedly using you to get what they want then making themselves scarce when they have nothing to physically gain from you only to reappear when they have a need again. That's an abuse not a relationship. Don't be that kind of person to God. Another common belief seems to be that when you 'get saved' that's the climax of your relationship with Christ. As if you've finally reached what you've always been searching for and can now stop looking and take a deep breath. Quite the opposite is true.

If you can parallel a disaster at sea with knowing God it goes like this: The large ocean liner that you are on has a disaster and you are left bobbling and striving in the waves. A rubber raft draws draws close to you and a strong hand grips you and pulls you, limp and tired from your struggle into the dinghy. That is the moment of salvation. But you still have many days or weeks until you come to shore (heaven). That's the part of the journey I'm speaking in the last paragraph. While you are in the life raft, get to know the One who rescued you, no matter who else is in the boat or how high the waves get. I can promise you, He is worth getting to know.


Please go have a look at the link up over at:

It's THAT time of year again!

In my family it's THAT time of year. Time to make gifts for all of our fall birthday's and Christmas too!

I confess that we purchased many of our gifts for this year at after-Christmas sales LAST YEAR! So I don't have as many to do as I normally would. However the dollhouse we bought for our daughter isn't even started!

This year is an extra special treat because it's an even year! on even years my extended family gathers at the old family homestead and we make applebutter! It's about so much more than that a shiny 50 gallon copper kettle that magically appears from it's super secret hiding place and all the things that go in it! It's about family and seeing loved ones that you haven't seen in 2 years. Reflect on that a little and then think about what your heavenly homecoming will be like if you've chosen the God of the Bible as your God. What a reunion!

I'm also working on my next needle painting project "burgundy rose bud".

It will take a few days. I really like it though. I was hoping to finish it in time to enter it in the state fair but I think the entries have to be in on September 10th and that is too soon, I think. I'm thinking on trying to get it in though.



 I have a  HUGE mass of baby clothes that I'm going through. I have all of Sparrow’s clothes. Because she has reflux they are stained but I've found a way to clean them. It's a lot of work on a lot of clothes. I think it may be months worth of work and all of it being out in my parlor at the same time makes me feel cluttered and uncomfortable but it will be worth it.

I tried to dye a skirt today. Suffice it to say that I will not be wearing it, and if I ever post that I want to dye something with Rit dye - please flood me with posts not to attempt it!

Needle Painting Progress

Welcome back to Arpinotes! I've been working on my needle painting and wanted to share my progress with you.

This is the semi-complete sampler to learn the technique.I chose not to complete the little bird that you can just barely see in the bottom right hand corner. I want to do him closer to the time when I do an animal project. (which may be sooner rather than later, more on that in a minute)

This little flower is the Cerise Anemone. It takes me about an hour for each petal or leaf. It takes another hour or so for set up and about 30 minutes to frame and finish it.  Just as a technique side note. I use a larger than necessary piece of background material and I use a liquid no-fray glue so that I don't have to sew it. It gets cut off at frame -up time, I don't think it would be healthy for the piece to have glue of any kind left on the fibers (can material have health?).

Here is the little Dog Rose. In the book it is called Sunset Alpine Rose. If you have this book you will think I've done something terribly wrong. You see I loved the colors in this little flower but most of the color was toward the center. Now a real Dog Rose is pretty much all a bubblegum pink color so it's just an artistic fancy as far as the color is concerned. Well at any rate I inverted the colors because I loved them so much.

I don't know if colors in pictures ever do the subject justice. Certainly that is the case here. There are 12 colors in this flower. The leaves are almost hinted with olive tones. The petals range from a deep peachy coral to buttery yellow. I really loved doing this flower. It's going to a family member who needs a hug just now. I won't say who because they might read this post!

The finished Anemone went to a dear friend and sister in Christ. I promise not to frame all the projects the same way but I really thought the eyelet lace made them sweet and homey feeling.

  I have several ideas floating around in my head for next projects and I have several that are started but not finished. One of them is a birth sampler. I'm not quite brave enough to attempt it yet but the design is finished and I'm contemplating color schemes now. I'm also thinking of one or more Bible covers and jumping ahead in my needle painting book. May God bless you with more knowledge of Himself today!

3 Little Dresses

It was whopping hot in the South last week and I am not ready for it! What a treat it was when Mom allowed Sister and I to wear our slips as nightgowns on hot summer nights when we were small!  A slip was a light weight sleeveless sort of dress that you would wear under your dress for modesty. From what I gather it was only different from a petticoat because it had a bodice and a petticoat only went under the skirt. Since modesty has all but disappeared, so slips have vanished into antiquity! Well I wanted a slip for Sparrow to be able to sleep in (and wear under thin dresses). So I found a usable pattern and made them myself! I did go a little bit further than I wanted because I made not slips but very thin dresses. I also went farther than I intended with decorating them!

I used Butterick 3772 as a pattern but I didn’t follow the pattern as far as embellishing them.

The first dress needed no embellishment. It was so sweet just how it was that I didn’t touch it. This is a close-up of the material:

I bet Mrs. Noah requested the ark be pink! I got this material for less than a dollar ( I think) from a scrap bolt at JoAnn Fabrics – bonus!

The next 3 dresses I did in assembly line style so it went really fast but there were a few “happy little accidents” (gotta love Bob Ross!).

Dress # 2 was also from a print that needed very little decoration. I did decide that hand sewing the hem was too fussy so I simply made two folds. The first fold I basted and the second I straight stitched into place. So I did need to cover the unseemly hem. Lace! I don’t think the pictures are able to show how soft and delicate this gossamer lace is in reality. It’s as if someone made lace from a spider’s web. (shivers).  This material is very silky and light but not transparent. It’s the same as the gingham that you’ll see later.

   Dress # 3 might just as well be the gingham since I‘ve already mentioned it. This one needed eyelet lace. Pink gingham and eyelet lace just sit next to one another like old friends.

   If you look very closely you can see minute holes in the fabric, maybe that can give you a better feel for the type of material that these are. I’m sorry that I didn’t remember to look when it was purchased. I bought  these two fabrics  from Wal-mart at $1/yard.

   I had never done Chicken Scratch embroidery before and really enjoyed doing it! It worked up very quickly and for the most part I didn’t need to look at the pattern because it’s repeating! It was very easy on my eyes after doing so much needle painting lately. I found the pattern for free.

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

   This last dress is regular quilting grade cotton. Calico outside the USA. It’s hard to tell here but with the back being a print and the front being white it gives the illusion of an apron. This was one of those “happy little accidents”. I cut out the back of the dress and then realized that I had made a bonnet out of the material and now I didn’t have enough to complete the dress. So, I grabbed some plain white and just kept going.

(Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without -right?).

As it was I had plenty left over to make the little pockets and I know Sparrow will love having a place to put her treasures.

*note to self: check pockets before washing!!*

  Eyelet seemed to want to go on this one too, so it went on the hem and pockets. The little bird I found as clip art and it seemed to want to live on this dress with the eyelet. It’s backstitched except for the eye and wing. The eye is satin stitched and the wing is trellis stitched.

May your night be full of rest and your tomorrow be blessed.

New and Old

I have many embroidery and sewing things to update and post on today! First I need your help!! One of my projects is making dish towels for my Mom for her birthday. The question is, What is this object? As I understand it this pattern is out of copyright so feel free to print and use it. I thought it was a lantern but what are the big wheel like things on the sides – stylized glow from the light? A grinder of some kind? If you take away those wheel like objects it seems less lamp-like, more urn like? (who wants an urn on their dish towel) I’d love to hear your ideas on what this object is…

   Next up is the finished duck. I’m very pleased with the way it came out!

With those two projects well underway I started a “class” to hone some skill at needle painting. I’m using Trish Burr’s book as a class on my own. Generally I’m the type to start at the hardest level of this sort of thing. I guess I’m just lazy and don’t want to practice. In this situation though I want to really push myself to do things in the proper order. Not unlike practicing penmanship or violin or any other art. What a blessing this book is turning out to be.

   The above pictures are: The cover of the book that I’m using, a very close up shot of a single flower petal and the bottom one shows the trick of how I’m really doing this! Bright light is essential for this type of detail work. I’ve strained my eyes several times now and am determined to avoid doing it again! The magnifying glass really helps cut down on the eyestrain as well although it’s a bit difficult to get used to using I find it well worth learning to adapt. I have yet to adapt to a thimble though! Eventually I will get to the last level in this book which is this level of difficulty… Yikes! “I think I can, I think I can”. Please, if you are interested in needle painting seek out Trish Burr. I’m not paid or reimbursed in any way, the lady has no idea of my existence. It’s just well worth it.

May God bless your day, Dear Reader! Oh, don’t forget to comment on what you think the picture is for my Mom’s dish towel!

Free Toddler Color Learning Toy

   I'm not sure if toy is the right word there but Sparrow thinks it's a great toy!
     Husband and I went to the lumber yard the other day for some green stain (to be used on the shingles of the doll house we got for Sparrow). While we were waiting our turn to mix the stain I spied the paint chips! We have a bed frame to paint so as I was browsing the colors an idea formed. I gathered paint chips of all the basic colors. When we got home I punched a hole in the top corner of each and used a zip tie to hold them together. You could do this a million ways and any piece of string, ribbon etc. can be used to hold them together. If you are inclined you could also attach magnets to the back and use them on a cookie sheet too. Many ways that a person could utilize this free learning tool! Have fun!!

 

10 Commandments

   It's common knowledge right, the 10 commandments. "Can you name them"? "Can you name one, say the 4th"? "um, well..."

   To my horror I recently realized that I didn't know them. I set out together with my husband to learn them straight away. I'm not very disciplined with in myself so I'm taking the easy route and learning them simplistically first. Then I'll learn the actual verses. Here's how I did it:

  

    I am using hand gestures as a sort of memory trick. There are many ways to learn the 10 commandments in this manner. I suggest you view many and take from each one the gesture that makes the idea stick for you. Since my camera batteries are dead at the moment I'll just write them out and trust that you'll be enthusiastic enough about God's word to seek out videos on your own. It really did only take about 15 minutes or less for me to get this. 

1- There is only one God

(index finger pointing upward)

2- no idols

(use both index fingers bending one as if it's bowing to the other)

3 - Don't take the Lord's name in vain

(use the standard finger gesture for the number 3 it also forms the letter 'W' - for the word 'word' cover your lips with these 3 fingers to remind yourself not to use your lips)

4- keep the Sabbath holy

(use the first 2 fingers on each hand pointing them downward to suggest a chair or bed to rest on bringing to mind that God rested on the 7th day)

5 - Honor your father and mother

(keeping one of your hands flat fingers together make a downward swoop with your hand as if spanking a child, I remembered this one first because it was so cute)

6 - don't murder

(hold up one hand, fingers apart these fingers represent people. Point your index finger of your other hand at these 5 'people' indicating shooting them. *remember not to use your thumb as a trigger for your finger gun because having 7 fingers raised may throw off your commandment order and make things difficult to keep straight*)

7 - no adultery

(hold up 5 fingers on one hand again representing multiple spouses. hold up 2 fingers on the other hand  representing a proper husband and wife)

8- don't steal

(hold up all of your 8 fingers tucking in your thumbs. The idea is that in some countries they still cut off your thumbs for theft)

9- don't lie

(hold up four fingers of one hand and lay the entire other hand on an "air Bible" as if being sworn in for court)

10 - don't covet

(using both hands make a grabbing gesture into the air)

Exodus 20 KJV:
2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
13 Thou shalt not kill.
14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
15 Thou shalt not steal.
16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. 

OR

Deuteronomy 5 KJV

 ¹And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.
 ²The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
 ³The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.
 ⁴The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire,
 ⁵(I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,
 ⁶I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
 ⁷Thou shalt have none other gods before me.
 ⁸Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:
 ⁹Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
 ¹⁰And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
 ¹¹Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
 ¹²Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.
 ¹³Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:
 ¹⁴But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.
 ¹⁵And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.
 ¹⁶Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
 ¹⁷Thou shalt not kill.
 ¹⁸Neither shalt thou commit adultery.
 ¹⁹Neither shalt thou steal.
 ²⁰Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.
 ²¹Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.
 ²²These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.

Duck and more...

First let me say that I"m really sorry for not having posted in so long. Then let's dive right in...

   Another project I've started is a set of dish towels for a certain birthday gift. It was a request so that really makes me feel good! I can't show you those because the person who is getting them reads my blog *cough* (Mom) *cough*.

 
   In other news, We have had this awful cold that has been circulating. It's really hit us at a bad time because  Sparrow needs to have an MRI of her spine and she can't have the anesthesia if she has a cold. The MRI is needed to check on some changes she has had to her Sacral dimple. They need to check to make sure she doesn't have a tethered cord cysts or any other things that may cause her problems. We are trusting God in this just the same as we always have.
   A few weekends ago we were able to enjoy some fellowship with our dear friends in the Myrtle Beach area. It's so refreshing to just get away sometimes! Now we are eagerly awaiting a visit from family as soon as we are healthy enough to receive visitors. In the mean time I'll be cleaning and stitching.

   I'll leave you with this thought from 1 Timothy 6:6 "godliness with contentment is great gain"

Apparently someone has stolen my pictures from here and used them elsewhere.  So, I have deleted them from my blog. If you see them on Pinterest just pass them over. 

Christmas 2011 Follow Up

  Christmas seems to go so fast once it is here! I wanted to do a quick follow up on the embroidery projects that I did Above is the finished piece that was in the original photo. I gave it to my dear Mother-in-law. She is such a dear lady and I am blessed to have her in my life! Last but never least in any way, these 2 were for my Mom and Stepdad. Nope, your eyes are not tricking you! My 2 Dad’s have the same design (and I love it so much I am now making myself one in shades of pink!) Each is in colors that I felt represented each man. I loved stitching these.

    Finally we come to my Mom’s. My Mom loves Lily of the valley, and Chrysanthemum’s (did you learn how to spell that word from Anne of Green Gables too?) and all manner of growing things. But I really wanted to give her Lily of the Valley because she loves them. As I type this I just happened to think of one that may have been better yet, I’ll have to work on that for another project! These little flowers were fighting me to be created but I couldn’t let it go. After several (6 I think) false starts, I did it! I was having trouble with the bell shape of the flower not lending itself well to satin stitch in such a tiny, tiny area. But I refused to give her less that the best, after all she is my mother and she deserves the best! (Love you,Mom)