Crocheted Dishcloth

 

Pardon me while I do a little mom bragging.   My daughter Lynne’, 24, has made two baby blankets so far.  She knit the first one for her niece and the second blanket was crochet for her BFF’s baby.

For Christmas this year she decided to do a crocheted face cloth for each of her grandmothers.  Both of them turned out absolutely gorgeous and her packaging was perfect.  She used a very light sage green yarn called King Tut that has a beautiful sheen to it and oh so soft and luxurious.

 

A trip to World Market for some boutique handmade soap and it was time to package.  The basket was gathered in plastic wrap and tied with a bow.

What a great gift for somebody you love!

Scripture Sunday

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Our church service today was one of those that you just want to play over and over in your head.  The music was over the top good and the sermon – oh the sermon.  Have you ever listened to a sermon and just felt so convicted - and to be honest, even a little uncomfortable?  And I mean that in a very good way.  Sometimes the words you hear are some that you don’t really want to hear or face, but oh we are better for it.

What I find interesting about this is that we overslept this morning, which meant that we missed the service that we actually wanted to go to.  Instead, we went to the service that God wanted us to attend, though we didn’t realize it at the time.

Things like this always make me think of my Grandmother’s words: “It’s not odd, it’s God.”  AMEN!

I found one of the songs from our service on YouTube by the original artist.  Beautiful song and when you sing it at a service there is just no way to stand there without lifting those arms heavenward.

Friday’s Fave Five

So the first week of 2010 is behind us and now it’s time to look back and remember 5 of our favorite things from that week.  Head on over to Living to Tell the Story to see links to more posts like this.   And then do a post of your own – it’s a great way to focus on the good.

1. Dinner – We are doing so good at cooking and eating at home for dinner.  It was interesting to me when we all first realized that we actually prefer that over Eating Out as that seems like such an event. But at home it’s relaxing, prayerful and so good. Plus you get leftovers for lunch the next day!

2. Prayer – Speaking of prayerful, in yesterday’s Bible reading I read again about the Lord’s Prayer and that got me to thinking. Maybe once in a while instead of praying before our meal we could say that prayer together. Last night was the first time we did it and I stumbled on the words twice – and then got the giggles.  I was absolutely mortified! Worse yet was once I got the giggles it got Lynne’ going too.  Maybe this isn’t always going to work for us.

And now it got me to thinking of inappropriate giggles. I’ve probably shared this story before, but many years ago a lady I worked with lost her son. My boss and I attended the funeral and as we were leaving she walked with purpose up to a door, opened it and discovered it was a broom closet. We both started giggling and scurried out as quick as we could. What is it about things like that that can make you laugh – nerves maybe?

3. Corner Gas – Last night we finished watching Disc One of Season One of this show.  The three of us watching it together, and laughing so hard, is great. The show is from Canada and it has a rather dry, almost deadpan humor – and that is so totally my family.

And this is a perfect example of why reading the Friday Fave Fives is a good thing.  I first read about this show on somebody’s blog and ordered the first disc from Netflix. I’m sure we’ll order all the others as much as we’ve enjoyed it.

4. Knitting – My word have I been knitting! And actually I’ve finished the knitting part of several projects that are just sitting here waiting on me to weave in ends or do a seam. I enjoy it so much and it’s so relaxing for me to sit and knit and watch a movie or tv show. I’m thankful for the opportunity to enjoy my hobbies.

5. January – There are few things I enjoy more than holidays with my family, but that also means January soon follows. What I like best about January is looking towards an entire year just waiting to be filled in. Yes I do make goals/resolutions, though that doesn’t mean I always keep them. But I have always had the theory that if I didn’t at least try then I’m doing nothing to improve myself. I just read a quote yesterday that said “If you fail to plan you plan to fail” and that struck a chord with me. I definitely do not want to plan to fail (!), so I will be refining my plan over the next few days.

Bracing for the Weather

All week long we've heard on the news about the Arctic Cold Front that is blowing through on Thursday.  Our low temperature will be about 13 degrees and we won't be back above freezing until Sunday.  But even more impressive, this is the longest and coldest cold front to hit the Dallas area in 12 years!

Now that's all well and good......except that I don't own a coat.  I've got jackets, some of them are even fairly warm.  But the thing is, 12 years ago when it was so cold, I weighed a lot more than I do now.  I finally donated the large coats several years ago and it honestly hasn't been cold enough to warrant me spending the money on a new one.

So yesterday I decided it was time for a coat.  During my lunch hour I went to two different stores and found no coats.  After work we ran up to Penney's and I found a rack that had two lonely little jackets - probably about a size 2 - hanging there...with the sound of crickets in the background.  It was starting to seem like a cloud of locusts had descended on the area and no more coats were to be found.

Next we went to Belk, which is a fairly new store in our area and there they were - several racks of coats just waiting to be chosen and come home with us.  The roof opened up, rainbows and unicorns appeared and there was much rejoicing.

Better yet - coats were now 50% off!  I found the cutest red wool coat and really couldn't have been happier.  I feel quite sassy in a red coat and now I'm almost looking forward to the cold weather.

Heavenly Father, we ask that you be with the homeless people during this cold weather.  Keep them warm and safe and offer up a place for their comfort.  Let us never forget just how blessed we are in our homes.

Sunday Scripture

“God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.”  Genesis 1:25 NIV

I’ve mentioned before that I’ve started my read the Bible in a year series again.  It’s rather comforting to read the familiar words of the beginning of time again.

We didn’t make it to church this morning as Keith and Lynne’ are still sick.  As I drank my morning coffee and read my Bible in the quiet of my house I was at peace.

And it was at this point that the cat wandered over, jumped on the sofa with me, curled up purring and went to sleep.  As I stroked his back and listened to his purring I couldn’t help but think of God creating all the animals.  Many times I look at this cat and think him worthless (and I say that with love!), but there are few things as comforting as listening to a cat purr. 

It truly was good.

Hoppin John – and Nothin’ Else Hoppin!

Alas, my household has fallen victim to the a winter cold.  I don’t know if it’s because we weren’t sturdy enough to play out in the massive snow or if it was just our time, but all three of us have been fighting it the last few days.  I have never been so happy to see a three day weekend!  The unfortunate part is that we weren’t able to celebrate New Year’s Eve much. 

They say that whatever you do on New Year’s Day you’ll be doing all year long.  Fortunately I did wake up feeling better today and was able to do quite a bit of knitting.  Lynne’ also felt better and spent most of the day out with friends.  Unfortunately, poor hub Keith seems to have the worst of all and hasn’t quite bounced back.  So while he rested on the sofa watching movies I cheerfully watched with him, all the while knitting away.

I’m probably the last person on the planet to have seen Julie and Julia, but we did see it today and I enjoyed it.  We’ve had it here from Netflix for a bit, but Keith was never really interested in seeing it.  Today he decided to lay down on the sofa and nap, so I said I would pop the movie in and watch and knit.  What we didn’t realize is that this movie also shows some of Julia Childs’ life, so Keith ended up more interested than he first thought.  He especially was always a fan of her show, so he enjoyed the movie more than he thought he would.

And like any good southern wife I made sure to have our black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day so that we would have good luck all the year long.  Keith and the kids don’t like them, so I’ve argued every year trying to get them to eat at least a few spoonfuls.  This year I went for something a little more exciting – I turned the black-eyed peas into Hoppin John ala Emeril.  MUCH better and that will be our new tradition.  Recipe follows, along with the changes I made.

And a HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!

HOPPIN JOHN
adapted from Emeril

1 T olive oil
1 large ham hock (I used 16 oz pkg of diced ham)
1 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
1 T chopped garlic
1 pound black-eyed peas, soaked overnight and rinsed
1 quart chicken stock
bay leaf
1 t thyme
salt, black pepper and cayenne
3 cups steamed white rice

Heat oil in a large soup pot, add the ham hock or ham pieces and saute for about 4 minutes. Add the onion, celery, green pepper, and garlic and cook for an additional 4 minutes. Add the black-eyed peas, chicken stock, bay leaf, thyme and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes or until the peas are creamy and tender, stirring occasionally. If the liquid evaporates, add more water or stock. Serve over rice.

 

Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.
~Martin Luther