April 30, 2009

Seven Things I Love...

I was given this award by my friend Viv from Viv on a Whim!
Part of the award is to mention 7 things that you love.
It's hard to stop at only seven, but I'll try. I love:

(1) My wonderful family both near and far.
(2) Perennial Plants that sprout up year after year.
(3) Grown children that still call me for advice...and not so grown children that still listen.
(4) A Life Group that prays for me.
(5) A husband that tells me I'm his prize!
(6) Real letters that arrive in the mail.
(7) My God who showers me with His love & joy!

Thank you, Viv!
I will be passing this award along to some other Kreative Bloggers too!


April 27, 2009

One Potato, Two Potato...I remember that one!

Ok...you can call it what you want...a senior moment, a brain freeze...forgetfulness...but I know what the problem is...and it has nothing to do with shrinking brain cells!

You see I decided to make a potato salad yesterday - just a simple dish. I peeled and chopped the potatoes, onion and celery, added the dijon mustard, mayo and spices, stirred it up, all the while admiring my fine work...and then it happened...as I lifted the spoon to my mouth for the obligatory "taste test"...that little dim light, that was apparently in sleep mode, turned on with a flash!

WARNING * WARNING * WARNING* DO NOT EAT * DO NOT EAT*

...indeed...I had forgotten to boil the potatoes! They were completely raw, uncooked!
And the salad was finished!
"How could I be so stupid?", I thought. "Seriously...forget to cook the potatoes?" "Really?"
...and then I peered around to see if anyone was watching. Whew...I'm safe.

But I will not accept defeat and I will not admit to a diminished supply of active brain cells.
It's just that my brain is FULL - in fact it is overflowing with 53 years of names, facts, recipes and other useless information (until you play Trivial Pursuit that is).
It has become impossible for me to cram in anything else without shedding something first!
Let's see...I could let go of that poem I recited in third grade...and I certainly don't need my bike lock combo from Jr. High School...and what about the names of my old boyfriends (well perhaps I could keep a couple of those)...but if I toss out the "two all beef patties, special sauce..." commercial and my body fat number from 1985...I just might remember to pick up my daughter from school, put the milk away in the fridge rather than the pantry and still win on Cash Cab!

Just think of the valuable space I would gain! See I am not getting old...just full!
Isn't that wonderful? I feel so much better.

Oh...what did I do with my potato salad - you ask? Well I considered serving "Hot Potato Salad"...after all it tasted great...but I cooked it up, of course...and then I chilled it for a couple of hours...and you know... no one was the wiser...
Except for my brother who came in and asked for a bite just as I realized my little faux pas...
"Don't even ask" I said, as I refused his request... and we both just laughed!




April 22, 2009

An Acorn...a creation of a thousand forests...

This award was created by Bella and Ces in honor of their friend Renee.
In Bella's own words "This is a brand new award and I have the pleasure and honor of spreading the seed, watching it grow. I hope it finds it's way to those who are like Renee: the acorn, a small package becoming a tall and sturdy oak, giving more acorns, becoming tall and sturdy oaks, giving acorns..."

I was honored to have this award presented to me by my friend Koralee from Blue Bird Notes.

So I had to think...what does it really mean to be an "Acorn"?

"An acorn is a nut, containing a single seed, enclosed in a tough, leathery shell."

Well, ok, I can be "nutty" at times, and I do hold a single heart and soul, ..but the tough, leathery shell? Really...me? Perhaps that is where I need to look at myself a bit more closely. A tough shell is good for self protection, but unless I can also be soft and pliable how I can I touch and produce other little acorns?

"The two most critical components for caring for acorns that are to be planted are: not allowing the acorns to dry out for an extended period and not allowing the acorns to heat up. Acorns will lose their ability to germinate very quickly if allowed to dry out."

Being an acorn is quite a responsibility...I must water and nourish the other acorns so they do not become dry & withered...I must act quickly, tending to their needs when I see them arid and thirsty...if they are not nurtured and provided shade and relief, they will not be able to grow and flourish.

"The best time to collect acorns, either off the tree or from the ground, is when they begin falling."

It's just that simple...I must help others when they may be only in need of a light hand or a soft touch...a kind word or a small gesture....It is up to me to catch them when they first begin to fall rather then when they have been laying on the ground for some time already quite parched from the harsh sun! I cannot wait for them to ask for my help, but I must always be looking at where I can pick them up!

"Acorns germinate on different schedules, depending on their place in the oak family."

I must not expect others to mature and grow on my schedule or in my timing. Each acorn has its own path to take...its own perfect script... I can guide and even teach...but I must ultimately allow God's plan and pruning to take hold.

"An English proverb states that Great oaks from little acorns grow, urging the listener to wait for maturation of a project or idea.

Wow...do I really deserve this award? Can I honestly live up to its expectations?
Certainly not on my own...but with God as "my Acorn"... "my Oak"..."my Sheltering Tree"...I may...and I will try...each day... to water, feed, nourish and lift up each little acorn that falls into my path.
"And one of these days, perhaps, will see
that the world will be the better for me."

Thank you, Koralee & of course, Renee!

I am passing this award along to my sweet niece, Breezy at the Pink Door.
As a wife, young mother, sister, daughter, niece, grand daughter, cousin and friend...she is living her life as an example of God's leading and is a role model and inspiration to my four daughters!
I know she will accept the challenge to be an "Acorn"



April 17, 2009

An Apple a Day...

When I saw these apples this morning I knew I needed to use them up before they spoiled...
So...how about some apple cake? Yummm
When my cake was ready to go in the oven...I started to think about how I like apples and use them to decorate my house. Come take a look...
They are scattered around...here and there...









Maybe you can find a recipe to use some apples in today too!
Here is my finished cake...It looked & smelled so good I had to have a piece before I even took the picture...Wish I could share it with you...


April 14, 2009

Easter has Come & Gone...

Here is all that is left of Easter...well at least all that is left of the bunnies & eggs...baskets & goodies.
We tried the "Martha Stewart" silk egg dying...
It worked pretty well, but I am sure she used all brand new silk that had never been laundered or cleaned...because some of our eggs were not as bright as hers.
But it was a fun new craft...as we all (my four daughters, my niece and several friends) gathered around the kitchen island and experimented together (sorry no pics)!
It was however, difficult to find a glass or enamel pan at the last minute. I certainly didn't have one. One of my neighbors pulled through for us.
We had an indoor Easter Basket Hunt...a table filled with good food...family, friends and even karaoke!
And although all that fun came to an end... Easter is really just the beginning...the beginning of the new life offered to us through the sacrifice of Jesus himself. A renewed heart, a fresh beginning and a life of peace and joy.
Easter is a wonderful celebration! A celebration that need not ever end!
Happy Easter and many blessings to all!




April 9, 2009

For my future grandchildren...

When it comes to babies, who can resist making something special for them. Quilts happen to be a favorite of mine...and baby sizes are quite manageable! Here are some fabrics I have gathered togther and coordinated to make some warm & cozy quilted creations! Being a mother of 5 kids, ages 27, 24, 24, 19, and 14....I am sure the recipients of these quilts are in my future....so why not get started now? Besides I can always use them for gifts. After all, as you may have seen from an earlier post, I am one of seven children, and I have many nieces and nephews who are beginning their own families. In fact my sister, Diane of Saturday Finds...is waiting for her 5th grandchild! She hit the jackpot with 4 little ones being born in the past year and a half!

The "cowboy" print is a vintage flannel fabric I have had stashed away!

Not your typical "baby pastels"....something different.
Hmmmm...do you think there are some baby boys on the horizon!

This is a "Rag Quilt" that I have already finished...it is waiting for it's new owner...?
It is an all-flannel quilt...cozy!

What do you have in the works? If you are like me, I am sure you have many projects.
In the "Quilting Community" they are called UFO's (Unfinished Objects)
I have many UFO's flying around my craft room! Maybe I should try to finish 2 or 3 projects before I start a new one? hmmm What a novel idea!






April 7, 2009

What is "Blog Worthy"?


Well Oscar Meyer thinks their quesadilla is "Blog Worthy". This ad was in the recent issue of Redbook magazine. Isn't it amazing how mainstrean the word "blog" is becoming. Not too long ago...only a handful of people knew what a blog was! And now there is a new concept..."blog worthiness". So what makes something become "blog worthy" anyway? I would have to say it is truly in the eye of the blogger and the blog reader (is their a special name for that...perhaps the blogee?) Blog worthiness is as individual as the blogger herself! We can get caught up in worrying if our post is "good enough" or "catchy"....or "blog worthy". But just like a diary or a journal, that's not the point. The idea is to record your thoughts, ideas, creations and artistry in your personal and unique way! After all...we are all "blog worthy".








April 2, 2009

Mary, mary....the giveaway fairy...

Many hugs and much thanks to Mary at Snowflakes On Eyelashes for her wonderful gift to me!
Right in the middle of feeling down from this terrible cold, this sweetest Easter package arrived to brighten my spirits and cheer my day!

With much anticipation I gingerly opened the box...
...and found these three beautifully wrapped packages tucked inside...
The first one held this darling little Easter basket...just for me! The little yellow chick was peeping out to say "hello" and the basket was just loaded with special trims and treasures that would bring a smile to any girls' heart...
Oooh-la-la!
This tiny little package was hidden amongst all the other goodies...
...and look what was inside...a decorated matchbook filled with tiny notions!
But that's not all...
The next package had gorgeous pink vintage earrings adorning the bag!
...and these handmade creations inside!
Simply beautiful!
And to top it off...a specially designed Easter Bag was in the last package!
Perfect for the upcoming holiday!
My heart is full, Mary!
My thanks again for your creativity & generosity!
In a time when money is tight and people are stressed, an unexpected gift truly lifts the cloud!

Stop by and visit Mary when you have a chance...I am sure it will bring a little sunshine to your day!



P.S. My friend, Vivian at Viv out on a Whim is having a incredible giveaway too, hurry over & sign-up! It's the biggest Easter Basket ever!!!



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...