Friday’s Fave Five #124

Even though the day is almost over, I do still have time to share some blessings from the past week.  Thank you to Suzanne for hosting the Friday’s Fave Five each week at Living to Tell the Story. 

1. I’ve gotten to spend some time with my daughter the last few weeks and of course I always enjoy that.  She lost her job right before Christmas, so she’s coming over to our house a few days a week to work on her job search.  It’s just so cozy with the two of us working away at our computers in the same room.  Praying she finds a new job soon!

2. Today the old bedroom furniture that was stored in the garage went to a friend’s home, which was really a win-win sort of deal.  We were thrilled to continue our quest to simplify by freeing up some space and he was happy to have bedroom furniture.  I love it when things work out that well.

3. I have gotten hooked on the HGTV show House Hunters International.  The domestic version is ok, but I *love* seeing homes in other countries and learning about other cultures.  I blame my daughter for this new addiction of mine. 

4. A silly, silly thing to be so happy about, but I’m going to say it anyway – I’m so tickled with the new toy we bought for Joe, our geriatric golden retriever.  It’s a stuffed mallard duck that we found at “the big box store” in the pet department for just under five dollars.  The coolest thing is that he barely has to bite down on it and it makes a hilarious quacking sound.  He gets going with that sound and I start laughing and can’t stop, which fuels him to chew it faster.  Laughter is good for the soul.

5. My son sent the link for this video to me today and I’ve watched it over and over.  Enjoy!

Valentine Subway Art

“Love is in the air” most definitely around here.  I never did much decorating for Valentine’s Day when the kids were young and I find myself wondering why not.  It’s fun and what’s not to love about LOVE?!?!

 

I found the free download at Eighteen 25 and fell in love with it.  I chose a solid black frame from Target to offset the white background and pink/red words.  LOVE IT!

 

The hearts tickle me – I found them in the dollar spot at Target.  They are called “Table Scatter” and I find that amusing. 

So for the amazing low price of $2 for “table scatter”, $5 for the frame and the negligible amount it cost to print I have a cute little Valentine display on top of the dresser in the guest room.

And it makes me smile.

 

* Linking to:  Valentine Party

Quilt Show With the Moms

 

Had a wonderful time on Saturday with my mom and mother-in-law – we went to a Quilt Expo in Oklahoma City.  Do we look ready to rumble or what?  

 

This was the quilt that won Best of Show.  Believe me when I say that my cell phone photo does not do this quilt justice.  It’s a whole cloth quilt and the quilting in places was probably a tenth of a centimeter or some other crazy small stitching. 

 

But personally this is my favorite kind of quilt and it won Best Traditional Quilt.  There are a couple of four patch blocks that are about an inch tall.  When we read about the quilt we were amazed to find that there are 4,667 pieces in this top!  Very inspiring.

This show was more vendor booths than quilts, but even that was wonderful.  Each of the booths had quilts hanging for inspiration and many had demos and make-and-takes.

I’ll give you just one guess which craft I worked on today after being at that show….  

SSMT Week 2

I posted yesterday that I was looking for a new Bible reading plan and you know what? God in His infinite wisdom has given me something to do in addition to reading.

I am a huge fan of Beth Moore. I think her Bible studies are so good and she speaks to a woman's heart. Every time I've done a Beth Moore Bible Study with a group of ladies I come out of it with a clearer understanding of the subject or book of the Bible. She speaks "real" during the videos and we end up having some heartfelt conversations around the table.

So when I saw that 2011 she'll be leading us in Bible memorization again I was so excited! I did it in 2009, but like so many of my plans I ended up not following through. But as I told Keith a bit ago - I am SO EXCITED about memorizing this year! And in my opinion once you're this excited about something it's the real deal and God Himself is speaking to you.

We are to post our verse on Beth's blog on the 1st and the 15th of each month, so starting with verse 2 I'm going to be posting here as well.

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"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21 NIV

The reason this verse speaks to me is that I am very much a list person - I truly love making lists! With this being the first of the year I've been making lists on every subject imaginable and plans are being made to improve on just about every area in my life. While that is NOT a bad thing at all, I want my number 1 thought to be "the Lord's purpose prevails" - sort of along the lines of "Thy will be done." His will, not mine.

I think this is a great thing to ponder at the beginning of the year. Meditating on this verse and keeping it in my heart will help me to remember that my plans are indeed secondary to the Lord's purpose.

AMEN!

Friday’s Fave Five #122

Let the Snoopy Dancing commence – it’s Friday!!!  Thank you to Suzanne for hosting the Friday’s Fave Five each week at Living to Tell the Story. 

1. LWML – This week was the first time I was able to attend the LWML meeting (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) at church and I had such a wonderful time!  These women are so much fun and have such beautiful spirits.  I’ve been wanting to attend for the longest time and my schedule has just been so busy that it didn’t happen.  Last fall I kept saying I would go “after the first of the year” and I actually did.  I so look forward to getting to know these ladies better.

2. Brooklyn – I know I posted about the RV show yesterday, but I want to say again how much joy she brings to the two of us.  She is so much fun to be with and makes us laugh constantly.  Her mama taught her the Smelly Cat song from Friends, so on the way home from the RV show the two of us sat in the backseat and sang – ah the memories.

Oh one more memory – at one point at the RV show I called her some pet name, can’t even remember what it was.  She turned to me and said “Nuh uh, I’m Buttercup!”  Took me a minute, but then I remembered that I always say to her when I first see her or enter a room “What’s Up Buttercup?” and she remembers that!  So of course my eyes fill with tears and I have to look away so I don’t look like a silly old fool.  But it meant so much to me that she remembered something that I didn’t give a thought to really.

3. Valentine’s Day – Yesterday I got started on the Valentine’s decorations around the house and I’m having so much fun with it! Had to make an “emergency” run to Target last night for a couple of things because of course I’ve gone to blogs looking for ideas and everybody is so creative, which means I just have to copy some of the ideas.  Will be a post early next week to share some easy, fast and cheap ideas.

4. Bible Reading – I haven’t started a new Bible reading plan yet this year and have been doing some searching.  Most years I use the One Year Bible Online plan and *really* like it.  Then you might remember I did the Bible in 90 Days last fall.  So I’m just trying to figure out what my reading plan for now will be.  Anybody have other resources I should look at?  If not I will probably go with the One Year Bible Online again.

5. Camera Class – Last weekend I went to a Camera Operations class and I’m here to tell you, even though you really *can* teach an old dog new tricks it does take the old dogs a bit longer!  LOL!  It was a fabulous class and I’m hoping this year will be about learning to use my camera better.  I’m currently at a stage in my life where I’m not at all interested in taking college level courses, but I am very excited about taking classes for things I WANT to learn.  Camera and photography classes would be one of the main things and taking the class last week just solidified my belief that yep, I’m going to really enjoy doing this.

Brooklyn Loves the RV Show

Ahhh….good times!  We went for our 3rd annual RV Show excursion with Brooklyn last Saturday and had such a grand time.  We picture ourselves as someday being a retired RV couple so we do love the shows.  The beauty of it though is we are nowhere ready to buy, so really we go to figure out exactly what we like – and to dream – and to share that time with our granddaughter.

One of the things that tickled me most is when we first got to the convention center they had a little kiosk set up selling tickets to get into the arena where the show was being held.  I got the tickets and B ran over to the escalator so that we could go on our ride!  Naturally as grandparents we rode up to the 2nd floor with her – and then took the next escalator up to the 3rd floor.  She looked out over everything from way up high, then contentedly rode the escalators back down.  I think she would’ve been perfectly happy to go home at that point!

 

As with the other years she still loves the balloon piles. And that silly 3 year old cheesy grin…

 

This year the fascination was definitely with the showers – she absolutely loved them and had to get in just about every one. 

 

Up on a bunk bed doing a little “test”.  Her eyes are looking at another little girl probably a year older than her that was climbing up to be with her.  We were trying to get her to look at me and smile and she finally told us “Not now, my friend is coming up here with me!”  Happy that she’s so friendly!

 

We did stop and get some water and take a short break, though when we ordered only one bottle at the concession booth she informed us that she did not want to share.  I told her that since a bottle of water was $4 that she would indeed share….and she said ok. 

And in case you just feel the need to see the last two years at the RV show I’ll share the links.

2010 – this one has the video where she tells me I’m too big.  :/

2009 – she looks so little….

WIP Wednesday

Some of the projects I have going on are bigger projects and I just hate it that it takes so long before I can share a picture.  I’ve decided to occasionally post a WIP (Work In Progress) post on Wednesdays.  Really a WIP post *has* to be on Wednesday because it feeds my love of alliteration. 

 

Mom and I have talked before about how sometimes you see a project and it just grabs you.  That’s exactly what happened to me with this project.  Little Miss Shabby is doing a year long BOM (block of the month) quilt called Birdie Stitches.  In addition to quilting it also features embroidery.

And I’ve finally gotten over feeling like I must venture out and choose my own fabrics or yarn and not use exactly what the designer used on the model.  When I saw this first block the stitching AND the fabric worked together to grab me and convince me to make the quilt.  My Moda Layer Cake in the Sunkissed pattern has arrived and I’ll be starting my block tomorrow.

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Last year the bulk of my knitting was charity knitting and while I still very much want to continue with that I also want to do some other knitting as well.  I joined a group on Ravelry called YOSS – Year of Stash Socks 2011.  The premise is that instead of joining one of the fabulous sock clubs that instead we will knit a pair of socks or mittens using our stash of yarn every month during 2011.

Even if I don’t knit a pair every month I’m thrilled to pull out some of the yarn I already have.  You see, I *love* my yarn stash and everything I purchased I did so because I loved it….and still do.  So this is very satisfying to me.

The first pair of socks are coming right along and I just have a few more rounds to finish out the toe.  I’m using a self-striping yarn - Clown by Marks & Kattens and am loving it.  Self-striping yarns are fun to knit with as you get to watch the pattern develop as you go.

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This is the Advent Scarf pattern by Kristin Benecken.  I’m using JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool Silk in the Vanilla color and some pearl beads.  This scarf is turning out simply divine and I’m thoroughly enjoying knitting it.  The pattern was released a section a day for the 24 days prior to Christmas, but I went into it never intending to finish it during that time.  I sit in the evening, knit and listen to a book on tape and can feel all the days troubles just melt away – seriously.  And what a gorgeous scarf I’ll have to wear next year.

Card #1 - FTL122–Thank You Card

One of my high school friends recently posted on her Facebook page about a book that she was going to try and follow. It’s called 365 Thank Yous: The Year A Simple Act of Daily Gratitude Changed My Life by John Kralik (the link takes you to an author interview on NPR). This book chronicles the author’s decision to write a thank you note to one of his friends, family or even a stranger every day for one year.

I think this is a tremendously great idea and really goes along with the Friday Fave Five posts in that it helps you to focus on the positive. Honestly can’t you right now think of people that you could send a Thank You too?

However….that’s a rather lofty goal for me, so when I first read about it I agreed to myself that it was great, but not for me. But my thoughts keep returning to this book.

Then this morning I read somewhere that a person’s handwriting is fast becoming a lost art. I’ve mentioned before how much I love getting notes in the mail and when I read this about handwriting it gave me pause. A lost art? How sad that would be. Seeing a person’s handwriting can take you down memory lane faster than many things.

So all this leads me to my mutant version of the the book and the handwriting. In my version I’m going to try to send out a card a week – more if the situation warrants (I’d hate to put off a birthday card because I’d already sent a card that week!!!). There is *always* something you can send a card for and if there are no birthdays or anniversaries then it’s time to send a Thinking of You, Thank You or Missing You card. Can’t we all think of somebody that would fit one of those categories?

I’m hoping that I will also make the card I send so that I can justify my card making craft supplies. But I’m not going to beat myself up if it’s a busy week and I can’t get to it since the real point is to get a card sent.

** Edited to add - Apparently I'm not the only one that came up with this mutant idea! Today in reading blogs I found a link to 52 Weeks, 52 Letters where she challenges us to do the same thing. I added my link and if you've decided to do something similar to this post I encourage you to link there as well.

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Here is Card #1 using the FTL122 layout from the Clean & Simple Stamping blog. I do have a reason to send a Thank You card, so I’m off to a good start. Now all I need to do is handwrite a message on the inside!

• Stamps – Whimsical Words by Stampin’ Up
• Ink – Palette Noir Black
• Paper – Kraft (Stampin’ Up), Spring Moss (Papertrey Ink), pattern paper/blue paper Metropolitan Plaza (American Crafts)
• Size – 7x6 folded in half

* Linking to Get Your Craft On, Monday’s Blog Hop, Take-A-Look Tuesday

Friday’s Fave Five #121

I had planned to really buckle down and not miss any of the Friday’s Fave Five’s for 2011 and here it is late afternoon and I still haven’t posted – that was close!  This is such an awesome way to keep your focus on the good and blessings in your life.  Head on over to Susanne’s blog at Living To Tell The Story to see more or to join in yourself!

1. Routine, Glorious Routine!  You know, the holiday season is one of my favorite times of year, but I’ll admit that it’s so nice to get back to routine.  Really the best part is that since we are at the beginning of a New Year you get to set your routine how you like it and then go forth and conquer.  Sometimes the ordinary becomes the extraordinary simply by being dependable.

2. New Calendar!  I get so excited about this every year!  For the top of the hutch on my desk I have a metal picture holder that holds a calendar I print out for each month.  The calendar is on sale right now at DigiScrap Kits for only $3!!!  This is seriously cute to me and I’m excited to get it printed and ready to use.

3. Weather!  Seriously…it’s January and yesterday was 73 degrees here.  We took the dog to the park and had a grand time running around.   I just checked and it’s 65 right now, so quite possibly we’ll be either at the park or in the backyard this evening too.  I do love it, but really it’s winter and not supposed to be like this.  Let me add that we have a chance of snow on Sunday and Monday, which is as it should be.

Oh and we did a wee bit of geocaching last night too and it’s been way too long since we’ve done that.  We both remarked on how funny it can be to discover you’ve missed something and didn’t even realize it!

4. Craft Day With Friends!  Last Saturday a dear friend had us over to her house to ring in the new year with a crafting day.  She served brunch (a melt in your mouth strata) and dinner (jambalaya people – oh my word!) and had a day of talking, laughing and playing with her dogs.  GREAT way to start the new year and hoping to do it again and again.

5. Filling the Calendar With FUN!  I hibernated way too much the last half of last year while recuperating with some medical stuff and now that I feel sooo much better I’m excited to be getting back into the swing of things.  Several great things coming up with several different groups of friends and family.  Isn’t it great to have things on your calendar to look forward to?

Brooklyn’s Beautiful Dress

I know that we all have put Christmas 2010 behind us and we’re looking towards 2011 now, but please indulge this Grandma that had no internet to document the incredible cuteness of her 3 year old granddaughter during the holiday season.  There’s really not much to do at this point but to share a few photos before moving on. 

On Christmas Eve we went to the Children’s service at my in-law’s church, which also happens to have been our church back when we lived in the same city.  Pastor started out by addressing the large crowd and letting them know that this isn’t what the usual services are like, that this one is geared toward the children.  He warned that there might be some “little lambs bleating” during service, but that it was perfectly ok.  At that point he called all the children forward to tell the story of Christ’s birth in his unique fashion.

I’d say there was at least 50 children during this service and they were all so darling in their finery and so animated to be up at the front.  We happened to be Front Row Joe’s and had a great vantage point from our seat, but Brooklyn did go forward for most of it.

The story was darling.  Pastor would pull little cutesy figurines out of a box – Mary, Joseph, the animals, Baby Jesus – and tell the story.  He had the children shouting answers back to him and truly it was a blessing.

Back up about an hour and a  half though and we almost didn’t make it.  Poor little Brooklyn had fallen asleep on the couch and we had to get her up to get her ready to go.  Think about waking up a 3 year old that hasn’t had a nap in two days and had only slept for about 20-30 minutes ….. it wasn’t pretty.

She did come out of it though and was her usual adorable self.  When we got back to her great-grandma’s house Keith and I wanted a picture of our darling granddaughter in her beautiful Christmas dress.  And that’s when the cheesy grins started coming out…and the cute little turn of the foot:

 

Grandpa did finally get her to laugh and  not have quite the silly face:

 

One last picture so I can share the darling little coat that went with the dress:

 

Thanks for indulging a grandma that is madly in love with a little 3 year old girl. 

And A Happy New Year!

So thrilled to be online again!  Apparently when our new neighbors moved in and got their telephone connected the tech knocked out our phone, internet and TV service.  And of course this happens over the holiday period, so we were without our entertainment devices for far too long – LOL!  But as of today we are back in business.  I wonder if this is what we will all feel like if the EMPs ever really happen?  And have you read those books…the series that I can’t think of the title right now?  I’ll have to look those up.

Anyway, New Year’s Eve is never a big holiday for the two of us and really never has been.  We’re low-key kind of people that really prefer to not be out and about, though we have been known to do that on occasion as well.

This year we weren’t able to do our usual watch the ball drop in Times Square since we had no TV.  Honestly, when you CAN’T do something is when you most WANT to do it!

So we headed out to our favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner, then came home and played ROCK BAND!!!  Yes, the kids got us ROCK BAND for Christmas and I think our inner rock star comes out every single time we play it.  I am seriously not good at all at it as my timing isn’t all that great, but it’s a very fun thing for the two of us to do together.

That lasted until about 10:00 and then I think we went to bed shortly after.  We are truly party animals. 

I hope that everybody had a safe holiday and celebrated it in your favorite way.  Here we are at the start of 2011 and I for one am certain it’s going to be great!