Gardening

The beauty of home-grown food!

Hair Net Deal

I listed a set of 3 hair nets / bun covers in my Etsy shop. This listing is designed to save you a bit of money! If I list a set, my fees are lower and therefore I am able to reduce the price per piece a bit.

This set includes one each of my three most common colors:  Black, Brown, and White. All three are made in the flower style. Go on over to my store to check it out!

Printable Greeting Cards

I am very excited to finally have some of my new greeting cards done and ready for sale!! It has been a lot of fun making them and I am excited to see if they will sell. That’s always the question with new products. This time, I’m not too concerned about the selling part though, because I have been having fun using the cards myself!

What is it? You will get a pdf file in your email that you will be able to print as many times as you like! It’s that simple.

I listed the first one in my Etsy shop this week. This one is a Thinking of You Card. (Wording can be changed upon request).

The Front of the card

This is the back.

The third picture shows how it prints out on a full sheet of paper.

A few details:  The cover image is an original photo taken and edited by me. It is a beautiful pink rose on a light green and yellow background. The words are blue. The watermark will not appear on your image. The background is from MGA Creations. The inside is blank for your personal message…

…You may print and use this card as many times as you wish. I do ask that you do not sell or transfer (share) the original pdf file. The cards you print are for your personal use, as gifts or what ever, but please don’t sell the printed product. Thank You!  Read full description.

God Is With Us

This is a selection from Footprints for Women: Scripture with Reflections.

As Our Loving Father

 

He whispered,

“My precious child…”

 

The Creator of the universe calls us His children – what a blessing! What a privilege! What a responsibility!

 

The LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:12

 

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18

 

To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:12-13

 

You are my Father, my God, the Rock my Savior. Psalm 89:26

 

To us a child is born, to us a son is given … And he will be called … Everlasting Father. Isaish 9:6

 

O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaish 64:8

 

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs– heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.  Romans 8:16-17

 

For us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. I Corinthians 8:6

 

There is one body and one Spirit– just as you were called to one hope when you were called– one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6

 

Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:14-15

 

As children of God we can trust that our Father will provide for us.

 

Jesus said, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:8

 

{Jesus said] “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:11-13

 

God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

 

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

 

As God’s children, our Father knows us by name and bestows on us certain rights, privileges and responsibilities.

 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will– to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:3-6

 

Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. Isaiah 49:1

 

It was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you. Deuteronomy 7:8

 

When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade– kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1Peter 1:3

 

Our loving Father cares for us as a shepherd cares for his sheep. And we, His children, need to listen carefully to His voice.

 

[Jesus said,] “The sheep listen to [the shepherd’s] voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. John 10:3-4

 

[Jesus said], “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me– just as the Father knows me and I know the Father– and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15

 

Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3

 

[The Lord] tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11

 

I remember my father having a kind of intimate, heartfelt compassion with me. Often when my dad would be busy at his easel, I’d sit on the floor at his side with my crayons and coloring book. Sometimes he’d set his brushes aside, reach down and lift me into his lap. Then he’d fix my hand on one of his brushes and enfold his larger, stronger hand around mine. Ever so gently, he would guide my hand and the brush, and I would watch in amazement as, together, we made something beautiful. This is the kind of love our God has for us. Fatherlove. The kind, gentle compassion of a dad who deeply cares for his sons and daughters… Let God’s big hand close gently over yours. With his help, even the discouraging scribbles of your life can become a masterpiece. Nothing would delight a father’s heart more.   Joni Eareckson Tada

Couponing and Other Things

I enjoy getting good deals, but I am not an “extreme couponer” as it’s little difficult here since we live so far away from the stores. You can’t just run in and pick up a few little items when there is great prices. I do try to save some coupons though and today I had fun getting a few great deals! It is very exciting to go to CVS and the receipt says “Today You Saved: $20.33!! Wow. I only spent $12.40 plus I got $3.99 ECB. I wasn’t expecting the savings to be that high, but I found a pack of Emergen-C for 75% off.

For help with couponing and frugal living ideas, I enjoy following the Money Saving Mom blog. I also like the lists that My Frugal Adventures does for shopping at CVS. They are a BIG help!

We also went to Target this afternoon. My bill there wasn’t as good, but still got some deals. My sis-in-law got two pillows for .50 each! That was definitely worth it.

I was a little nervous about planning a coupon shopping trip when I still don’t feel that great. It’s hard enough to think through deals with a clear head! But everything went well. I do feel completely exhausted now. The 107 degrees didn’t help much. I hope to rest up the rest of the week. At least part of the week. We do have plans for helping make freezer jam, putting up sweet corn, and sewing school uniform jumpers sometime this week!

I saw one of my doctors today, but he didn’t really comment on how I am doing. He just oversees my IVIG. I did get a report from my Pulmonologist on Monday that my chest x-ray shows no new issues. That was very good news! So now I am hoping to soon feel normal again… To be able to do simple tasks without becoming exhausted… I always forget how long it takes to get well again… Then I get to this stage where I am tempted to become impatient. So just now I am trying to focus on counting my blessings instead of the “I wishes”.

I didn’t get my Something to Think On post for today up yet, but I hope to do that soon. I hope you have a blessed week!

Faith and Flames

I only got one book finished this week. It is called Faith and Flames in the Shenandoah Valley by Naomi Rosenberry. It was rather exciting to have a book to read that I had never read before!

This is the story of Mennonites who lived in Virginia during the Civil War. It is a clear picture of the things they went through at that time. It shows the blessings of living nonresistance even in the face of terrible hardships. It shows the remarkable peace we can have when our lives are truly surrendered to our all-powerful God! Although those people were human and were by no means perfect, they were able to remain faithful to God in the midst of trials.

from the back of the book:  “Terrified, the Brennemans watched as great leaping flames and thick columns of smoke rose from the Ralston’s barn first, and then the Burkholder’s and Rhode’s.

“They’re coming!” Timothy shrieked when a small contingent [of soldiers] galloped down the Broadway Road.

Father was standing in the driveway when they arrived. “Please don’t burn our buildings!” he begged.

Two Mennonite families, Daniel Wengers and Noah Brennemans, face the horrors and hardships of civil war in the once-peaceful Shenandoah Valley.  Booms of cannon and screams of wounded men shatter the peace.  Raids by alternating armies deplete well-stocked pantries and granaries. Fathers and young men go into hiding. Happy family life suffers strain and disruption. Dreaded diphtheria sends innocent children to the grave.

Through all this, faith in God shines brighter than the flames of destruction. Both young and old find shelter and peace in God’s everlasting arms. Spiritual life in the church is stirred. Convictions on nonresistance are tested to the breaking point yet grow stronger under trial.

Faith and Flames in the Shenandoah Valley opens a window into Mennonite life in Virginia in the mid 1800s. Church history and nineteenth century customs come alive in this well-researched story. This book will prepare readers for the time when our faith may be tested.”

This book is published by Eastern Mennonite Publications.

Beautiful Greetings

Beautiful cards make it so much ‘easier’ to send notes to my friends. 🙂 I enjoy making cards, but I often think I don’t have time. There are lots of lovely options out there, tho!

Here are some beautiful ones I found on Etsy.com:  Beautiful Greetings These are all made with flower photos. (This photo only shows half of them.)

or I have a few of my own too: Etsy Shop

Home Sweet Home!

Crocheting in Sickness and in Health

One reason I love to crochet is because I can do it while I am sick. It gives me something to do with my hands (keeping my mind occupied) and keeps me from feeling completely useless! Of course it’s much more fun when I feel well, but I still enjoy it all the time.

Here are some things I have been working on the last week and a half or so while I haven’t been feeling good:

Crocheted Rose

I wasn’t completely satisfied with my rose, because I didn’t think it rolled very nice. I need to keep practicing that one!

Crocheted Socks

I love making socks because it seems like something more useful that people could actually use. This pair is for me; I wanted to see how they wear and how they wash. They turned out pretty good! The drawback with socks is that the yarn makes my hands really sore.

Besides this I am still working on my baby afghan and also on baby hats and booties. I love doing the hats and booties because they are so cute and don’t take long. I usually have a short attentions span when not feeling well. I’ll try to tell you more about the patterns I use in another post.

I have also worked some on my “Big Project”.

My Plans

Some mornings I get up with a whole row of things I want to get done that day. A lot of days, I actually do get a lot of things done on that ‘list’. There are other days when my energy just can’t keep up with all my brain’s ideas. Sometimes that is why I sit and crochet.

When this happens it is tempting to ‘stew’ instead of calmly crocheting away. Crocheting is a relaxing hobby for me if I let it be. I have to leave my plans in the Master’s hands and remember that He really does know best.

Psalm 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. (NIV)

Psalm 94:19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. (NKJV)

It is not easy for me to accept a change in plans. I realize however that I don’t see the whole picture and in the end God always gives the best.

Psalm 37:4-6 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. (NKJV)

Many times I do not understand the ways of God. It may even seem like His plans don’t have my best interest in mind. This is not true.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (NKJV)

Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. (NKJV)

God always knows best. So I can sit and calmly crochet in peace.

The Sprouting of God’s Seed

The Sprouting of God’s Seed by Arie Tuinman is another book off my bookshelf. It is just a thin book and has a unique writing style. It is very interesting though. If you have ever wondered if anyone notices your Christian life, or what good it is to be faithful to Him no matter what, this is a good book for you! We often do not realize how God is scattering His seed through us!

This is the true story of Klaas Van der Weele, a 20 year old country boy. After becoming blind, Klaas comes to see his spiritual blindness and inability by nature, to serve God in truth. As a result, Klaas is disowned by his father because he cannot reject his new convictions. Teenagers and adults alike will enjoy this interesting and instructive book. –from the back of the book

I got my copy of this book from Christian Light Publications.

The Tanglewoods’ Secret

The Tanglewoods’ Secret by Patricia St.John is a book from my bookshelf that I just re-read again. It is definitely one of my favorites!

“Ruth,” my aunt said, “I won’t have you grow up as selfish and obstinate and ill-mannered as you are now. I am going to send you to boarding school.”

There was a long silence, and I stood perfectly still. Then I announced, “I shan’t go. I shall run away, and I shan’t come back,” and with that I ran straight out of the door.  –from the back of the book.

This book contains a sweet mixture of adventure and nature with sadness and joy mixed in it. It is the simple story of learning to allow our Shepherd to control our lives.

I don’t remember where I got this book. (Actually, I discovered it has Mom & Dad’s name in it. 🙂  ) I have found some Patricia St.John books on Paperbackswap.com and Amazon. Today I just found this site that has a lot of her books. They are definitely worth reading, even if they are classified as children’s books.

Lovely as a Rose

I made an Etsy treasury list today! It took a long time, but it turned out pretty. It took longer because about halfway through I lost it and had to start over! 😦 

You can view it here: Lovely as a Rose

Wish I could crochet such beautiful stuff! 🙂

Let me know what you think!

Repurposed Denim Rug Mat Frayed Look

A new item for my Etsy shop this week!

This is how it started out:

Photography tip: When standing on your bed to take a picture don’t forget the ceiling fan! Fans make pretty good headaches even on low speed.

End results:

This rug is 33″ x 24″ and is made of upcycled (recycled), re-purposed demin. All the peices were cut from used jeans. The blocks are carefully sewn together and will last a long while!
The backing is a light blue knit. Repurposed Denim Rug Mat Frayed Look Sale 10% off entire store use coupon code JULYSALE

Showers of Blessings

Here in AZ rain really is a blessing, especially after it is so hot. I never thought of taking pictures of rain until I saw some pictures on this blog. I am still learning, but here is some of what I got. What made it so beautiful is that the sun was shining through it!

 

Sometimes the ‘rain’ in our lives doesn’t really seem like a blessing, but there is usually light on the other side!

In this last one I was trying to get the drops on the leaves. It didn’t turn out too good, mostly because it was starting to rain harder again and I didn’t want my camera wet!

My Pattern

My Pattern

I use patterns nearly every time I sew, crochet or anything. Even in cooking we use a ‘pattern’ –a recipe. Even if I do something from memory, the pattern is still stored in my head somewhere. It is very important to follow my pattern if I want my project to turn out the way it should. If I end up with lumpy icing or a mishapen garment or a crinkly doily, I have likely neglected the pattern somewhere.

How much more important to follow my Pattern for life! His name is Jesus Christ and He is not hard to follow if I heed his directions in the Word of God!

Christ is my perfect Pattern or Example in every area of life. He is able to perfectly love everyone. 1John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 19 We love Him because He first loved us. (NKJV) It is only by allowing God’s love to flow through me that I can love others.

Humiliy is another characteristic of Jesus that I would like to follow. Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (NKJV) Too often it is tempting to promote myself instead of the Glory of God and the good qualities of other people.

Accepting others just the way they are is another area I can grow more like Jesus. He never turned anyone away or looked down on others who were different than Him.  Mark 2:13 Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them. 14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. 15 Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (NKJV). It is much more comfortable to surround myself with others who believe and live the way I do. In doing that I miss the blessing of leading others to our Perfect Saviour!

These are only a few examples of the way our Perfect Pattern is an Example to us. The list could go on and on. The important thing is to make sure and obey God when He points out flaws in my life. It is only with His help that I can become more like my Pattern.

 In what ways is Jesus your Perfect Pattern?

Handmade Girl’s 5T Pink Jumper Dress Amish Mennonite

 Handmade Girl’s 5T Pink Jumper Dress Amish Mennonite

I renewed the auction for this jumper on eBay today. I have actually had it on eBay for quite a while. That’s why I don’t make dresses to sell anymore; it takes them ‘forever’ if ever to sell. The occasional one that I do try to sell, I make a size that someone in my family can wear if it doesn’t sell. There’s always someone else I can give it to, also.

This particular Jumper is made of 100% cotton and a very simple, cute  pattern. It would look great with a white blouse. 

HERE ARE THE FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:

Top of shoulder to waist: 11″

Shoulder to bottom of hem: 33 1/4″

waist: 26″

back opening: invisible zipper

sleeve: sleeveless

Full description

Emily

Emily

by Emily Smucker

I heard about this book several years ago, but never read it. Recently I thought about it again and found it in our public library system. (I’m in a stage right now where I don’t want to buy a book unless I know it’s a favorite!)

I would say this book is definitely worth reading. It has a different writing style than I am used to, but once I got past that I really enjoyed the book.

Emily was sick all the time and they finally diagnosed her with West Nile. I never knew much about West Nile Virus so I looked it up when I was done reading the book. It sounds miserable! But with God on our side people can make it through these things. This story is Emily’s journey through an ongoing sickness and not being able to live a ‘normal’ life.

I also read some of the other books in the Louder Than Words book series.  I didn’t like them much. The one started out ok and ended really sad.  But since these books are true you can’t really just make up a better ending, right? People have to make their own choices.

 So if you are like me and always looking for a new good book to read, maybe you should check this one out.

Handmade Bag Pictures

I got this bag done and here are the pictures. I put a zipper in the top so I can use it as a purse. That was a challenge. I actually let Mom do the sewing of the last part so I wouldn’t get so frustrated at my sewing machine. It has this habit of breaking thread lately.

I used the smaller option of the pattern Simplicity 2830. The outside, pockets, and handles are cotton.

For the lining I used a dark blue cotton. Plus inside I have a stiff fabric (I’m not actually sure what it is). I didn’t use the stiffer fabric alone for the lining because it is old-fashioned bright yellow with green flowers! Next time I want to find my real canvas to use, because the yellow stuff still isn’t quite stiff enough.

The handles are just long enough to hang comfortably on my shoulder if I want to.

I have always preferred the smallest possible purses. 🙂 So this thing looks very big to me. Amazingly all my stuff fit in it though! This picture shows it stuffed full of stuff:

I got to use it already yesterday. I made my monthly visit to the hospital infusion center for my IVIG and my book actually fit inside my purse! So I didn’t have to take two or three bags in to hold all my stuff. It depends what I take though.

I used to think I would get lots of stuff done just sitting there for 4 hours. I usually never looked at most of the stuff I took along, so I quit taking it. I’m usually so sleepy from the Benadryl I can’t concentrate and it doesn’t work to crochet with an IV in my hand! I didn’t even sleep yesterday, though. Probably because my book was so interesting! It is also one of the saddest books I’ve ever read though.

My Big Project

My Big Project for the Summer

I got this ball of natural colored size 10 crochet thread – 1,000 yards – to make hair nets. (Because they were selling so well at the time, I figured I’d use it all eventually – like the white one I have.) Even before that, I had been dreaming of making a huge doily slash tablecloth. This ball of thread sat around for a couple of days, still new. That’s when I decided to use it for a table cloth instead of hair nets. (That’s why you don’t see many for sale!) The thought was, since the ball of thread is still new, it would be a test to see how big a thing I could make out of a 1000 yards!   🙂    Yeah, I have funny ideas sometimes.

This doily / table cloth is turning out pretty well, I think. On the latest pictures you can see it ‘ruffles’ at the edges. It’s not supposed to do that, but I think it will work out as I go on. At least earlier ruffles did.

I have been working on it for at least a month now! In my free time of course. Every once in a while I need a break from my work! 🙂

I forgot to mention: I don’t have a pattern for this huge doily! Am I crazy? Yes, I am making it up as I go. I have made some doilies in a much smaller version so I took that pattern (also made by me) and went on from there.

So here are the current pictures. I actually have two sets because I took them and intended to post them and didn’t get it done so I have more now. That way you can see a bit of the progress. Sorry about the funny color. My bedroom lighting does that to pictures for some reason. 

Those were the first pictures. These last three were taken about two weeks later.

Shall I keep going? Or quit now? 🙂