Coffee & Powdered Sugar Hodgepodge

 

1. "Summer is like childhood. It's full of warm memories and gone too soon."~Kellie Elmore  Agree or disagree? Share something you loved about the summers of your childhood.
Agree.  Even though I'm not a fan of summer's lack of routine, I'm learning to enjoy the ride.  It sure is fast...especially with the new year-round school calendars...my kids start back next week.  Blink blink...where did summer go??  I love the extra time to read, sew and love on my kids.

2. Are you a fan of auto racing-NASCAR, Indy, Stock, Grand Prix, etc? Ever been to a race in person? Any desire to do this?  Do you know a lot about cars? Do you notice particular makes and models when you're out and about?
I guess I should be ashamed to admit that I don't and I haven't...considering that I live in Indianapolis.  Watching loud and stinky cars go round and round holds no appeal for me...sorry.  I do enjoy seeing older cars...and I love Seinfeld's Crackle Web Series, "Comedians in Cars getting Coffee."  It's the most I've learned about cars...well...ever.

3. What's something you think is too serious to be joked about? Or do you think anything and everything is fair game?
I was going to say death...but I've been to plenty of funerals where laughter was the best medicine.  I suppose, as always, it depends on your tact and intent.  With any joke timing is everything, right?  That being said, I probably should be more careful with my joking.  I know that my Dad and I find things hilarious that truly irritate my Mom and brother.  We probably should just cool it.

4. July 29th is National Lasagna Day. Are you a fan? Do you have a great recipe, and if so where did it come from? If given a choice would you choose a plate of lasagna or a plate of spaghetti?
I love lasagna but I never make it.  My husband doesn't like it and my son is allergic to half it's ingredients.  I just order it when we go out.  

5. What's a simple pleasure you'd miss if it were not a regular part of your life?
Reading books for pleasure.
 
6. If you could be the CEO of any company, which would you choose?
Apple.  I'd get free stuff, right?  Bwahhaha...sorry...I can't take this question seriously today.

7. August is just around the bend...bid farewell to July in exactly seven words.
Thanks for the cool, very unexpected, breezes.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Thanks for your prayers and emails after my post Monday.  Ya'll are sweet!
 

Tune Tuesday: Still...

Hide me now 

Under your wings 

Cover me 

Within your mighty hand 

When the oceans rise and thunders roar 

I will soar with you above the storm 

Father You are King over the flood 

I will be still and know You are God 

Find rest my soul In Christ alone 

Know His power 

In quietness and trust 

When the oceans rise and thunders roar 

I will soar with you above the storm 

Father You are King over the flood 

I will be still and know You are God 

My God.. My God.. My God.. 

Be still and know 

That I am God 

(This is sung by Hillsong...I didn't really like any of the recordings I could find...I like how it's sung at church...and, of course I don't have a recording of that...It's the words I wanted to share anyway)

Monday Musings: The Reality of Suffering...

God is good, all the time.  All the time, God is good.  Although I will not go into much detail here, I figured I'd let the faithful few followers I have pray for me by sharing minimal issues from my personal life.  It's probably more fun than the subliminal messages I've been posting in the form of songs, verses and poems, right?  

I did share, about a year ago, that my Dad was diagnosed with a rare illness called myleofibrosis.  Not very long ago, our family found out my Mom also had cancer.  It was hard news.  It is our family's prayer that in all these things God would be glorified.  We know He is in Sovereign control.  

I am learning to rejoice in trial and not wrestle so much.  I read recently about the Sovereignty of God being the pillow upon which we rest our heads.  That is very true for me.  The nights I toss and turn are the nights I'm not resting in His Sovereignty.  This week one of my friends also passed away very suddenly leaving a husband and two little boys behind.  I am sad.  I'm also watching another new friend enter into the last days of her husband's life...she also has two little boys.  We aren't guaranteed our tomorrows.  And, I'm thankful that my reality is helping me count my blessings in the present.  

Interestingly, Ironic or just plain Providential I sat in church today to hear the first of a series on Job.  I almost laughed...well, except that all the worship songs made me want to bawl.  Ok, I might have cried a little.  Some highlights for me...Job's default position was his knees in worship...that's right where he goes after that first day of awful news.  So, what habits am I forming now so that I can worship in the midst of pain?  I also loved the pastor's comments regarding the stupid comments people make...Don't let your comments make people dumber like Job's friends.  Be a nail in a firm place...we can't fix things all the time.  The bottom line...Jesus wins.  He has already WON!  To God be the glory.

Sew Saturday: X-stitch upcycle

I've been holding onto these x-stitches I was gifted for about four years. They are lovely...and I knew I wanted to make pillows out of them...but they were glued fast to their embroidery hoops...

So, step one was carefully prying them off the hoop...and then trimming the glue edge and ironing them flat.  I say carefully because I didn't want to stretch the aida...or ruin the stitching.

After sewing right sides together and flipping inside out...I had a minion stuff them...

Then, I hand sewed them shut! Pretty pretty...I have about five more...and plan to put them all in a row on my bed!  I may use fabric around the front to make a few a bit larger.

I look for x-stitch to rescue from thrift stores. After spending so much time stitching myself...it makes me sad to see great work "thrown" away...Happy up-cycling.

Friday Funnies...

Monday Musing: All else but God!

When is the time to trust?

Is it when all is calm,

When waves the victor's palm,

And life is one glad psalm

Of joy and praise?

No!  For the time to trust

Is when the waves beat high,

When storm clouds fill the sky,

And prayer is one long cry,

"Oh, help and save!"

When is the time to trust?

Is it when friends are true?

Is it when comforts woo,

And in all we say and do

We meet but praise?

No! For the time to trust

Is when we stand alone,

And summer birds have flown,

And every prop is gone,

All else but God.

When is the time to trust?

Is it some future day,

When you have tried your way,

And learned to trust and pray

By bitter woe?

No! For the time to trust

Is in this moment's need,

Poor, broken, bruised reed!

Poor, troubled soul, make speed

To trust your God.

When is the time to trust?

Is it when hopes beat high,

When sunshine gilds the sky,

And joy and ecstasy

Fill all the heart?

No!  For the time to trust

Is when our joy has fled,

When sorrow bows the head,

And all is cold and dead,

All else but God.

Selected from Streams in the Desert

Sew Saturday Bonus Edition!

I realized that in an effort to keep this baby quilt a secret I never posted pictures of it. So, BONUS Sew Saturday! Go you!! I know Sarah likes all things vintage and simple...and I also knew they did not know the sex of the baby. So...

I chose retro '40s prints...LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

My Mom taught me a super fast way to make pinwheels...yay!! My friend, Tammy, let me use her long arm machine to quilt my first ever baby quilts. The perfectionist part of me was screaming...but for my first time ever...it's not bad.

Here is is all bundled and ready to mail. AND...I just saw it again in the delightful baby's room all ready for his/her's arrival!!

Sew Saturday: Peg Bear Reveal

This bear has upcycled sweater ears and belly fuzz...

I'm unclear as to why they are called peg bears...perhaps because of the legs? If anyone knows, do tell!  I've googled and found nothing...

For the most part this went with the quilt I made for this baby...but I didn't have any large pieces of the retro fabrics left so chose this coordinating fabric for the back.

Cute!!!  Cutie...Cuteness!!!

These adorable bear was delivered to my friend Sarah....At this point I'm waiting rather impatiently for news of baby's arrival...overdue!!

Fisherman Friday

Darreny had a great time fishing this year. I even got to go out with him one day...It was loverly...

My happy fisherman...

Even the kids were super into fishing this year...Emma especially loved the cleaning process (Ew)...Me thinks we should get some fishing poles and find some Indiana fishing spots.

Streams of Hodgepodge

1. The month of July was named for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. He's quoted as saying, 'Experience is the teacher of all things." So what has experience taught you lately?

You can't plan and be organized enough to withstand exhaustion.  It's better to just plan for less and enjoy quality over quantity.  We shortened our trip to NY this year...and although it was bittersweet to have less time it was incredibly more sane and much more enjoyable.  Especially on this end...not coming home exhausted and grumpy.

2. Where did you last 'roam'?

I have roamed far from home...many miles...and back again.

3. Speaking of 'Rome'...pizza, pasta, gelato...you can only pick one, which would you choose?

Pizza!  Considering I just cut carbs out after our fattening holiday this question is rather tortuous!

4. 'Rome wasn't built in a day', 'All roads lead to Rome', 'When in Rome...' which 'Roman' idiom have you most recently encountered? Explain.

When in Rome...Being in different peoples' homes means doing as they do, following their daily patterns, etc.  It teaches me patience and flexibility.  All good life lessons.  That being said...it does feel good to be queen of my castle and schedule again.

5. What's a movie you've seen or a book you've read, that makes you want to book a trip to Italy?

A Thousand Days in Tuscany by Marlena de Blasi

6.  Walt's original Disneyland opened almost sixty years ago, on July 17, 1955  Have you ever been to the California park? How about any of the other Disney parks around the world? What's your favorite amusement park ride or attraction?

I have only been to the one in Florida.  I enjoy rollercoasters.  I detest standing in lines in the intense heat though...so...this isn't really my question...ha!

7. It's that time of year...when were you last bitten or stung?

We went hiking with friends and the mosquitos feasted on my legs...But thankfully, they healed up quickly.  Our backyard is chigger heaven...and we are planning to spray some fancy chemicals back there tonight.  They bit my babies...so, they must die!!

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

I hate it when you have big plans to get cleaning done and find yourself with a massive headache and unable to hardly be upright and watch over the children.  So much for this day...sigh...Praise The Lord it's finally starting to pass though...

Annual Sarah visit

As has become our tradition, we ventured over the mountains to visit my childhood friend Sarah and her husband Nick.  On the way to visit their growing family...we spotted this turkey family!!

As ever, it was a joy to spend time with them.  They are both fabulous with children...and my kids love them!  Emma enjoyed smashing strawberries and helping make dessert.

And true to form...we took our picture on their lovely front porch...even waiting out a rainstorm to do so.  (That was actually God's timing....putting us behind that storm instead of in it!)

Speaking of form and God's timing...Sarah looked fabulous for a nine month pregnant gal...and this child is much prayed for and proof that God's timing is always best.  As I write this it is the due date for that baby to arrive...although, baby's tend to make their own decisions on these things...

I am so excited to meet this little one!

Home again...

Morning walks are my favorite part of vacation....Sooo peaceful and perfect...

I love the routine specialness of it (oxymoron)...and...

...I love sharing my childhood summer memories with my kids.

Ahhhhh....now, I must get back to my Indiana mountains...of laundry.

Vacation...

See yas later...

Sew Saturday: Peg Bear Secrets...

Little Emmer bean stuffed and I sewed...

And together we secretly assembled...

...a peg bear of love!

I promise a full reveal after he's been delivered and baby belly has been patted.

Happy Fourth!!!

"You may allow me to vote, own property, and associate freely in the public square in every other way. But if you do not permit me to speak and to act on those beliefs about ultimate reality that define who I am and why I am on this earth, then the other freedoms mean little. In a very real sense, then, all human freedoms depend on the freedom of religion."  ~Thomas Farr 

More Pictures with photo filters...

Took some great pictures last night during our sunset stroll after a Daddy was done working!!! Ahhhh...

This pic was tough to take...because little heads kept looking and toes kept sinking...

A sweet passer by took an awesome picture.  Thank you kind stranger!!!

Lover brains climbing the rocks with the Sweet Boobahs!!

MI Hodgepodge

Blogging from MI would be easier if I'd remembered my keyboard... Argh!

1.  Speaking of 180...when was the last time you 'did a 180' on something?

I'm better at making a 180 in attitude...especially as far as seeing business trips as an excuse for 
adventure and following and loving my Loverbrains.  I wish I'd done a 180 yesterday cuz I have a wind burn on my left side only...duh.

2. It's Independence Week in the US of A! What's your favorite thing about America right this very minute? Favorites only! Let's hear what you love about America.

Nothing shows your love of USA than blowing up a small piece of it....bwahaha!  We really love setting off small fireworks in our cul de sac with our neighbors.  They are super safety type people....which makes something dangerous great fun!!!

3. Stars or stripes? Red, white, or blue? Watermelon, homemade vanilla ice cream, or blueberry pie?

Blueberry pie!

4. When did you last see stars, figuratively speaking?

My son brought his head up under my chin in the pool....just glad my tongue wasn't between my teeth!

5.  'Clear as a bell', 'with bells on',  'lots of bells and whistles', 'saved by the bell'...which phrase 'rings' truest for you lately?  Have you ever seen The Liberty Bell?

Never seen the Liberty Bell...unless it was when I was young and I've forgotten.  Clear as a bell...we enjoyed hearing church bells ring in a small MI. Town this morning!!

6. Are you caught up in World Cup fever? Have you watched a lot or a little or none at all?

Observed the bummed USA fans this AM at breakfast...It is fun to watch...I especially love the 

goalies!!  Wow.

7. Bid farewell to June in 10 words or less.

Enough with the humidity already!!  Bring on the tomatoes!!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Tried out the baby powder method to remove wet sand upon beach exit...ahhhhmazing!!!