Flower Power Friday!

That's it Thursday

I know this picture makes my head look huge and my body look small...aside from that...notice the large quantity of potting soil. Yeah, ever felt like you were on God's candid camera?

Our small, adorable Scruffy dog...yeah, she has a death wish. A few weeks ago she ate rat poison that squirrel brought into the yard to share...and then other day I let her in the house...and she smelled like a 4H barn. It was awful! I momentarily thought murderous thoughts.  HAHA...just kidding.  I carried her up to the bathtub and scrubbed and scrubbed. Couldn't get the smell out. Sent random texts about how to get a smell of unknown origins out of dog...considered using Lestoil. (Don't worry, I didn't.  Turns out white vinegar works well!)

I went outside and walked the yard, looking for the ICK associated with the smell. I found a patch of flattened grass and lots of rabbit poo. (Did I mention we suddenly have rabbits. We have never had them in IN before. They are everywhere...and Oh, yes...Scruffy likes to eat rabbit poo!) So....I google "rabbit poo in yard" and read all sorts of hilarious posts from annoyed people with my same problem. It seems that rabbits are "hygenic animals" and all pick one spot in your yard to use as a communal toilette! Lovely!

But, I read, they don't like the smell of bone meal. "Hey!" I think, "I have some in the garage that I use for fertilizer!!" So...I scurry into the garage...and reach up to get the bone meal...and...a half a bag of potting soil showers down my body. It filled my shirt, my pockets, and my right ear. All the way to the tippy top! Ugh. I sort of just froze there...and that's when the thought about God's candid camera came into my mind!

I sprinkled bone meal around liberally...very liberally.  I then pondered the fact that God was watching me handle this absurd situation as I showered. He cares if I become a raging lunatic. I was thinking of that whole concept of what "pours out of you" when bad things happen. Traffic, dogs, rude people, etc. seem to generally bring out the worst in me...and I was grateful that God was helping me see the humor and chuckle about it. But God wasn't done yet...

Sometime later my Pastor brought his sons to mow my lawn. (They do that when Loverbrains is abroad.) It started to pour...and there was wet grass everywhere. I had to let the dog out and she promptly dyed herself green, brought clumps of grass in the house "WAIT WAIT...what is that all over your little fuzzy face!? BONE MEAL!!!"

GOOGLE...Oh, yeah...Dogs LOVE bone meal. Fabulous! Good grief...I quit. That's IT!

So, I swept up the grass...and went to put the bone meal away...and WHOOSH! Yeah, the other half of the potting soil poured down over me...for the second dirt bath of the day! And...I had to laugh...cuz "Stupid shelf...wait, who put this stuff away like this?! Oh yeah, me!!" I guess I'm safe now...there's no more potting soil left in the bag! 

So, as I took my THIRD shower of the day...I was grateful that God blessed me with a ridiculously fun story to tell...that He helped me see the humor in it...and that He brought Scripture to mind. Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" And although it's a rather stupid thing perhaps...I'm glad to see that He's changing my quick reactions...cuz those internal changes are sometimes the hardest to change.  Things that just POP out are hard to pre-screen.  I can tell that He's working in me...and that's thrilling indeed.

And I thought of a good song to sing in the shower...be it dirt or water.  "He's changing me...my blessed Savior. I'm not the same person that I used to be. Well, it's been slow goin' but there's a knowin' that someday perfect I will be. Little by little and day by day. Little by little in every way. Jesus is changing me. Since I made a turn about face, I've been growing in His grace. Jesus is changing me!"

THAT'S IT!...Grow in Christ...shower yourself with dirt if necessary!!

Hip Hop Hodgepodge

Looks cute doesn't it? Don't you believe it!!

 

1. What question do you often ask yourself?
Why did I go upstairs?  Why am I looking in the fridge again?  Seriously, duh!!?
2. Do you grow roses? What's your favorite color of rose?  Ever been given a dozen roses?  Where was the prettiest rose or rose garden you remember seeing?
I have tea roses growing next to my mailbox that are our "family rose"...they were cultivated by my Great Grandfather...and smell like a little bit of pink heaven!  I always take one to my Pastor's wife in a cobalt vase...because she remembers similar roses from her childhood in New England.
3. Do you read the freshness dates on grocery store products?  Will you use eggs past their 'use by' date?  Take medication that's expired? Buy a dented can?
I'm not a snob...I'll use dented cans and I buy generic.  BUT, I don't take the health risk of using things post date...like eggs and milk.  I knew someone who got salmonella poisoning and almost died.  It's dangerous.  Don't even get me started on the the medication thang.  Loverbrains and I disagree on this subject adamantly.  Always take all of your antibiotics...do not save them for another time.  *gasp*  I throw them OUT!
4. Should athletes be role models?
Well...like it or lump it...they are.  Not necessarily GOOD role models.  I'm sort of anti sports...I'm not the best person to talk to about athletes.  I think the whole culture is messed up.  What upsets me most is that an industry so completely supported by money, sex, and booze is an approved form of idolatry for most christians.  Sports related sermon illustrations leave me cold.  Thankfully, they're rare at my church.
5. Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal became the first explorers to reach the top of Mt. Everest on this date (May 29) back in 1953. What's something you hope to achieve in your lifetime?
I'd really like to run a mini marathon...I just don't know if I'm capable.  I did a 5k last year...and I'm gearing up for another one this Fall.  That was a big challenge...a mini just seems far far off.  13.1 miles is a lot more than 3.10685596 miles.  The most I've ever done is 5...and that was a weird fluke day.
6. What would you do if you had twenty acres of land and the money to develop it any way you choose?
Where?  Downtown...in the country?  Overseas??  All would be factors in my decision.  I think it'd have something to do with quilting.  Maybe I'd make a bunch of cabins or a lodge and have quilt camps and classes.  Twenty acres is big...really big.  Gee...I need more time to think....
7. If I invite you to a party with a 7 PM start time, what time will I actually see you there?
Early...6:45...unless I sit outside and walk up at 6:55.  Depends on how close of friends we are...I might come in and help you finish setting up.  I have an early disease...sorry.
8.  Insert your own random thought here.
My dog keeps rolling in rabbit poo.  I've put bone meal down...that makes rabbits leave but the dog eats it and then rolls again.  She eats the rabbit poo too.  I put down a bottle of hot sauce and water...and she somehow found another spot and rolled in that.  I'm ready to kill her...It never happens at a convenient time but right before I'm supposed to be leaving for somewhere and I have to wash her stinky furry buns...Grrr.  Any suggestions?  Please help me.

Memorial Day!

Sew Saturday: Welcome Ingrid...

I let you sneak a peak at my new old sewing machine on Tuesday....Did you see her?? 

 This is INGRID, my featherweight Singer!

She came with all her bells and whistles and in GORGEOUS condition...

The best part is...

...I discovered her at a garage sale...for a very reasonable price. 

Wow, how amazing to have a little piece of history!

The tea wallet was her first project...

and I took it to the nice older lady who sold it to me! 

 She was tickled!

Flower Power Friday

Wednesday "Haggard" Hodgpodge

 

1. It's National Bike Week...do you own a bicycle? When did you last ride a bike?
I own a fabulous Bianchi...a cute, red Italian bicycle.  My Mom gave it to me.  She's currently hanging upside down in our garage (the bike, not my Mom!)...but it sure is time to get her down and fill her tires!  Thanks for the reminder.
2. What's something you learned in school that wasn't part of the curriculum?
Being a leader isn't about being loud, persuasive, or bossy.  I was surprised to find that when I knew what was right and chose to do that...alone if necessary...many followed me.  Then my teachers said I was a good leader.  Huh, good to know.
3. What's a food you've never tried, but want to try? What's a food you've tried and will never try again?
I'd love to try Scorpion...It just sounds so interesting!  I'm a REALLY adventureous eater...and I can't think of anything that I would never try again.  Huh....I'll think on it.
4. Have you been more demanding on yourself lately or less? Why? Do you think that's a good trend?
I'm always pretty hard on myself.  Right now, I KNOW I'm being hard on myself.  There's no rest for the wicked.  HA.  Seriously sometimes there's no alternative...things have to get done and I'm the only one who can do them.  No, it's not a good trend.  It'll pass eventually...
5. Who is your favorite book, movie, or TV show villain?
Book:  Moriarty  Movie:  Cruella Deville  TV:  I like CSI and Bones but they don't have a specific villain. 
6. How concerned are you about identity theft?
We're careful, we shred important papers...but it's happened to Loverbrains and the police don't do much.  Pretty much if they steal it they aren't prosecuted as far as I can tell.  Pretty depressing that.
7. I saw this last question on Dawn's blog a couple of week's ago and asked if I could share. Everybody hop over and say hi, but first answer this...would you rather have an ordinary home in an extraordinary place or an extraordinary home in an ordinary place?
I think an ordinary home in an extraordinary place.  Totally more exciting!  Ooo...like a little house on the edge of a magnificent waterfall, like in "Up" the kid's movie!
8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Yes, it's a HAGGARD HODGEPODGE for me...I have GOT to figure out a way to sleep when Loverbrains is traveling or I'm going to DIE!  I feel like the mother of an infant...totally sleep deprived.  I just don't get it...I'm not a light sleeper per se, I'm not particularly worried/uptight about him being gone...I'm not a cuddler so his not being next to me can't be the reason.  Unfortunately sleeping pills KNOCK ME OUT...even the next morning I can barely move my arms.  Not a good idea as the only responsible adult in the house.  So, I guess it's twitching eyes and stiff necks and grumpy Mom around here.  Ugh!

Tute Tuesday: Tea Wallet

I wanted to make a special thank you gift for someone...(I'll tell you why on Sew Saturday!)...so I decided to make a tea wallet! I mostly followed this lady's tute...with a few variations of my own.

You need two 5"X7" background fabrics...one 5"X7" piece of interface...and here's where mine's different....I carefully cut two antique hankies...careful to use their intricate lace edge when I cut two 5"X7" pieces.  I also have a long piece of grosgrain ribbon.  Save your hanky scraps...you'll see why.

Iron the hankies (wallet pockets) in half.  Pin the hankies intensely cuz they slide all over the place.

Iron the interface to the wrong side of one background piece.  Sew the top of the pockets.

Measure one inch up from the bottom and attach your first pocket by sewing along the bottom...only...not the sides.

Then align the second pocket with the bottom of the wallet...and again, sew the bottom only.

If you are using 1/4 inch seams and you've been measuring properly...Measure in 3 1/2 inches and mark with pins or fabric pencil. Sew a vertical line to form two sets of pockets. I backstitched slightly at the top of each pocket so it could withstand use...and because the hanky fabric was thin.

Pin your ribbon to the side...and gather it up and pin it so it's not flapping all about.

Put your other background fabric face down on your "sandwich"...so right sides are together and ribbon pile is inside. Sew all the way around leaving an opening at the bottom so you can flip it inside out. I put those two yellow pins facing the left so I know not to pull them. I've sewn things shut before. I'm just sayin...

Flip it inside out...

Iron the lips of the opening and then top stitch all the way around the edge of the wallet.

Remember those scraps you saved? Make a tea bag tag...You will need to thread a needle and handstitch a bit...but the end result is worth it.

VOILA!

Fill with tea...

...Give it to a friend!

Merry Monday Memories...

Sew Saturday: Jazelle's cover

Yes, in case you missed it in the comments...I named my new machine...JAZELLE!  

You need to flip your hair when you say it...Jazellllle!

I played with my new free motion quilting foot and had such a good time...

I even wrote my name...

I LOOOVVE Jazelle...she's such a schnazzy Stylist! 

Next week...I have someone to introduce you too...

Flower & Fitness Friday

My 2 tone irises are blooming and I picked some cilantro and made fresh salsa for lunch. Yummo!

Thankful Thursday

After studying Genesis this year...at our favorite Bible Study...Caleb needed some special gifts for his teachers.  We took two, 6" painters' canvases...and one world map.  Pick these up for free at any roadside rest stop!  I traced his hand over two "colorful" parts of the map.  Also, two places I know the leaders have been praying for as a bible study group.  China and the Middle East, if you're curious.

Cut them out...Then, a little bit of glue to stick them on well...and a blue sharpie to write Caleb's favorite verse (from the week he got saved!) It was very appropriate for his teachers too, I thought!

I am so thankful for these two ladies...who volunteered their time...to teach God's Word to my child. God worked mightily through them this year...and touched my son's heart...and brought him to Himself! I am so thankful to them for their faithfulness and to God for His mercy and grace!

Hurting Hodgepodge

  

1. May is National Blood Pressure Month...what sends yours soaring, either literally or figuratively? What calms you down? When did you last have your bp checked?
Traffic raises my blood pressure...sooo I don't drive in it...hehehe!  Yes, I love doing errands in the early morning.  I had it checked about a year ago.  All's well...
2. You just found $1-what do you spend it on? How about 10$ 100?
Found money...as in not allocated into the budget yet?  How do you spell....GARAGE SALE!!!!
3. Mandatory labeling of genetically engineered (GE) food has been proposed, but not enacted in the US. How much attention do you give food labels before you buy? Are you in favor of labeling if it means an increase in food prices? Is this an issue you've been following and feel strongly about, or is this the first you've heard of the controversy?
Since our son has major food allergies...and I've had major GI issues over the years...I do read labels carefully.  The GE issue is interesting.  I think we could probably figure it out without the labeling and hike in prices...ya know, when in doubt don't buy it.  I'm all for buying organic beef...it's having the funds set aside ahead of time that's needed...and a good freezer.  Oh, and a neighbor with a generator so you don't spaz when the power goes out!! ;-)
4. May 15th marks the birthdate of Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz. At this point in time, are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain.
Courage. Solo Mia!!
5. "There's no place like home" is an oft repeated line from Baum's book. When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement?
The hum of activity has been intense lately...I feel that way when I get a quiet day like today...to just do mountains of laundry and chill with my little man...ahhhh.
6.  Steak...yes please or no thank you? What cut do you prefer and how do you like yours cooked? Sauce or no sauce? Besides your own kitchen, where's a place you like to go to get a great steak?
Steak...*drool dribble*  I love steak...hands down my favorite meal.  I like Organic Sirloin.  Medium.  No sauce (tsk tsk...the very idea)...Besides my own kitchen...I really enjoy a place called The Brown Derby near my parent's home in Canton, Ohio.  My folks have sent us there on a couple of dates while they watched the grandkids.  :) 
7. When was the last time you were in a genuine hurry?
Sorry...I'm perpetually early...because I flip out when I'm in hurry situations.  Since I don't relish the joys of being that kind of awfulmeannasty person...I make sure I give plenty of leeway.  Unless I oversleep or something drastic it won't happen.  Praise the Lord!  Phew....It happened once in college during student teaching and I still get heart palpitations thinking about.  It was so traumatic I still remember what I threw on wore that day!
EDIT:  I lied...I'm so sorry.  I just remembered....I few months ago I forgot my yearly physical exam.  I needed an insurance form signed and when my phone reminded me 5 minutes til...I had home hair dye in...my son with me...raced there...it was the yearly lady exam (ahem)...and then I forgot to get the stupid form signed.  Yeah, that one was so traumatic I momentarily blocked it from my memory.  Great...well, I'm not going back up to answer number one again but I'm betting all this hurried recall has elevated mine a bit!  Sigh...
8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Funtimes...as I begin yet another solo stint without the Loverbrains (til June)...I somehow hurt my neck and shoulders...I could hardly move yesterday but today I'm a bit better.  I think my body ganged up on me...my stress filled weeks are coming to an end so my body thought it'd be fun to seize up all those muscles I've been clenching.  I weeded my perennial garden and that tipped me over the edge.  Thankfully, my new neighbor is a massage therapist.  I've watched her kids a few times so she could work on patients...and when I told her I was in pain she very sweetly told me to come right over.  Praise the Lord...for her healing hands.  She was afraid to work on me for more than a half hour because it hurt me so badly...so I might have to go back again...but what an answer to prayer she was to me!  God is so good even when I'm in pain.

Tute Tuesday: Before & After

This is the way we go to a garage sale...find a credenza for $5...haul it home...

...lightly sandpaper it...

..spray on some black spray paint...
(On the drawer only...layer turquoise, green and black and scrap it for fun bit 'o color)

...have neighbor help you haul it into the house...

...VIOLA!...

...my New Printer Stand...Sturdy storage (holds a whole box of printer paper)...and looks nice too!

Methinks Monday...

The archaic-sounding verb methinks, meaning it seems to me...seemed a cute way to share some serious stuff I've been pondering. A little levity with the gravity!

Methinks the technology is taking over.

 I know, an ironic thought from the gal blogging at you according to the alliterated muses of her mind. So, I'll try to explain these ponderings.

I've recently been forced to re read a book but this time in a mentoring situation. As with any situation where you are needing to prepare to teach and instruct...you are often the one that is learning and changing...maybe more than the mentee. 

So, I'm toodling along and pondering what it means to be changed into HIS image...and the author hits one of my areas of irritation. The balance thang. How are we to be in the world and not of the world? How can we strive to be holy, as HE is holy...and yet be able to have a conversation about anything with our unsaved neighbors? Ever heard that saying, "They were so heavenly minded they were no earthly good."

 Methinks it is a hard balance. 

We cannot do this without God's help to plan wisely and take strict measures. Strict measures with ourselves...but not by alienating the masses. Jesus hung out with prostitutes and tax collectors...Methinks he wasn't a prude. That being said, I adamantly disagree with those who would excuse their own sin by saying they should go drink in bars with unbelievers cuz that's what Jesus would do! Jesus was SINLESS...He did not SIN to save sinners. Think about that. But, he also didn't stand on a box and say I'm better than you...that was the Pharisees, remember?

Methinks it's a self examination issue.

I know my own areas of temptation.  The Holy Spirit will guide me...and convict me of sin.  I need to be sensitive to the sin in my life...and ruthlessly remove it.  And I need to be sensitive with the sinners in my life.  The moment I'm shocked by someone elses sin, is the moment that I've lost touch with my own sinfulness.  So, that's how I ended up realizing that technology was becoming more my master than my servant.  I need to restrict its demand on my time.  I need to jump, not for the buzz of a text, but be in the moment of each Divine appt.  I need to memorize God's Word...with no excuses about having the time to do so...especially when I have time to check the FB, blog or watch a cooking show. 

Methinks it's good to re-evaluate those priorities. 

It's also good to think about what would please God.  Bricking myself into a fortress away from the sinners, just leaves me alone with a big stinky one...myself.

Sew Saturday

This Sew Saturday has been good motivation to actually SEW! Yeah! I was invited to join a Quilting Group. Although I haven't made it to a meeting yet, I did start doing the block of the month along with them. This one is called "Slash and Dash"...and it's not really my style but was fun to make. It doesn't look square in the picture...but I assure you that it IS!

I broke a bunch of my coasters...soooo...I decided to make myself a few new ones!

AND...I haven't officially introduced you to my new machine. Her name is...okay...I need help.  Does your machine have a name?  If so how did you come up with it?  This is a Singer Quantum Stylist.  She needs a schnazy fashionista kind of name.  Hmmmm....

They turned out pretty cute. I've been holding onto these baby batik log cabins for a while...glad to be able to look at them regularly!