The Vision Of The Desk & Chair

 

It all started at a wood yard in North Carolina.

He was getting the vision here.
I guess he was thinking....
this could be a leg of the desk.
Then we had to find 3 more.
The legs are cedar and custom cut
just for "Sweet Hunter".

Then he found the top of the desk.
It was a piece of maple.

Then we carried it home.

He set it all up in the garage.
I could see the vision.

At this point is where he went and called his "Cousin Troy",
who is a master carpenter.
He saw the vision too.
He took it home with him.

Then several weeks later he brought it back home to
"Sweet Hunter"!
There was no doubt that "Cousin Troy" saw the vision too.
Oh my!

"Sweet Hunter" was so excited!
We both were!

Then we had to go find a chair that was worthy of sitting behind this gorgeous desk!

Then we had to find the perfect cow hide rug to put it on!
 

The Vision is Complete!

Isn't it gorgeous?

The picture does not do it justice!

When "Sweet Hunter" got it back,

He said it was perfect.

He said he hoped that one day it would be an heirloom

that our children would keep forever

because he had a vision.

It all started in a wood yard but it is priceless to us!

Thank you to "Cousin Troy"!!!!

"Sweet Hunter" had the dream and "Cousin Troy" had the know how!

 

*********************************************************

Jesus built a bridge to Heaven,

So that I could have a way up to Him

Jesus built a bridge the only way he could

With only three nails and two pieces of wood,

with one rugged cross, Jesus built a bridge.

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Thank you Lord for your vision of the bridge!

 

 

 



Best Ever Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent

 4 lb. box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

4 lb. box of Baking Soda

4 lb. box of Borax

1.3 lb. container of Oxy Clean

3 Bars of Fels-Napha Soap

(You can also use Ivory, Zote, or Castile but

FN is my favorite! I use Ivory when

I don't want a scent!)

 Mix everything together in large container.

 Grate the soap.

I am looking for a cheap used food processor because....well, just because!

Smile!

 Mix all together.

 I just stir and stir.

 

Then I start dipping in to my huge jars!

 

This recipe fills 2 - 2 gallon jars.

And then I always fill some
quart jars and give them
for gifts!
It smells so good and washes your clothes so good
 and besides all that it saves you lots of money!
It only takes 3 tablespoons for a large load!
Hope you make it!
 So far it is my favorite powdered
recipe!
**********************************
This is the day which the Lord hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it..............
even while doing laundry!
Psalm 118:24 KJV
(except for the last 4 words!)

 

Moda Charm Pack Pin Cushions

One of the many gifts from Connie!

My first Pin Cushion (Pinwheel Design)

Back of first pin cushion

Second Pin Cushion (Square in a Square)

Back of Second Pin Cushion

This is my favorite. I made this one from the scraps of the other 2.

I guess I can say I made my own pattern up, huh??

This is the back of the last one.

Gift from my "Sweet Mom"

I just love this magazine.

Thank you Mom!

I won a gift from Connie way back in Sept. of last year. She has became a great friend to me. One of the many items was a Moda (Peas & Carrots) Charm Pack. I am just now learning about Moda and different fabrics. Anyway, I have had so much fun (don't I always have fun) making pin cushions with this charm pack she gave me. My husband says it does not take much for me to have fun and it doesn't. These pin cushions were so easy to make. I love the fabric. Thanks again, Connie! I found a great tutorial on Moda Bake Shop along with many other projects.

Several Projects

I am working on my PIF exchange gifts. I know what I am making and I made me one last night. The picture showing the pink flowered fabric is the one I made me. I don't want to show the whole thing or tell what it is until they are mailed but I am excited. They should be mailed out next week. It is a very simple thing but I love it. Simple is good.

I have also been working on my siggy blocks. Connie did a tutorial on her blog showing how she is making hers. I have got several done following her directions. I love doing the chain piecing. It makes it go so fast. I love getting the experience and can't wait to see all the others. Thank you Connie. You really helped me.

I also am trying to refresh myself with http://www.flylady.net/. My best friend, Vicki introduced me to this program several years ago and it really helps me get my housecleaning done so I can have fun doing other things.....like sewing. I have been telling about my progress on my other blog. I have now decided to combine that blog with this one so you will be hearing about it on here now. Today was "desk day" so it was my day to pay bills, write letters, work on tax info., send cards, plan meals, make grocery list, etc.. I also spent 15 minutes getting some things together to put on ebay. I spent 5 minutes washing the windows on my french doors. My home is still clean and laundry and ironing is done. I don't do everything she teaches but I am working on it. She even reminds you to drink water and take breaks and pamper yourself. I will be sharing more things that I am working on with flylady later. It really works!

I am working very hard to save some money also. When I make a purchase now, I actually think twice about it and make sure that we need it. Times are hard for everyone right now. A while back we had to help a family member who had no medical insurance with 2 surgeries and lots of medical bills, along with other things so we are trying to save and recoop some of the money we had to spend. We were glad to help, but now we have to get to work and save, save, save. Thank goodness we are out of debt, but it still takes so much to live. Several years ago, we came upon a radio program that was teaching people to get out of debt. At that time, we didn't think it was possible, but it is. We did it. And when hard times come like it is for everyone right now, it is just a peaceful, safe feeling to know that you have a home paid for and owe no man anything. Our economy has caused people to lose their jobs, homes, cars, etc. Paychecks are down and bills are high. Our electricity bill alone has almost tripled the last few months. I can't believe it. I go around cutting lights out all the time. My kids think I am crazy, but a small leak will sink a big ship so we have to be aware of the little things. This is why I feel like I need to share the website of this Christian Financial adviser with you. It is http://www.daveramsey.com/ - If you need a plan, he has one and it works if you follow it. Dave & Flylady both believe it takes "baby steps. Dave always says: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

I put my card table out so my puzzle can stay out all the time. Yes, I know that I don't have time to put it together but I am doing it anyway. My "sweet granny" says it is good for your mind. Anyway, we all have time for what we want to have time for. The grandchildren help me when they are over here, but we kept having to put it up, but now we can leave it out all of the time. If we want to work on it for 5 minutes or an hour it is there for anyone who wants to help.

Cooking is another passion of mine and I love to try new things so there will be recipes or links on here from time to time also. Tonight, my "sweet daughter & sweet boyfriend,"Maranda and Lane made a mexican dip to go with our soft tacos. You can find this recipe here: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/01/mexican-layer-dip/ - It was wonderful. We love Pioneer Woman!

Another project that we do is that we also help with the food bank (see picture with food shelves) at our Church which we love to do. It takes a lot of time shopping, organizing, and giving food away, but it is a very rewarding thing to do and we are so proud to be a part of it. It is funded by our local church. We have several people that help with this. We also help with a program which provides people that have loved ones in the hospital with snacks, so if they don't want to leave the hospital,they will have food to eat. We try to include things like mints, chewing gum, cup of soups, crackers, chips, jerkey, microwavable meals, sandwiches, etc. This program came to my mind when I actually experienced this with my best friend & her family. They were up at the hospital with her mother who was very sick and a church brought in food for all of us. It meant the world to us. So I told my Pastor about it and he said to go for it. Everyone is totally supportive of this. There are a lot of people involved with both of these projects from giving a little money to help fund it, to donating items or shopping or helping give the food out. Our motto is: Alone we can do a little, but together we can do a lot. This is our little part of spreading the Word, through sharing from our Church.

Another project is that I am trying to read a chapter a day in the Bible. I am in Ruth right now. I also am trying to make sure and start my day with prayer. That is the least I can do for HIM considering what HE did for me. Thank you, Lord.

I have several projects going on that are "works in progress" & I will be listing them on my sidebar soon. This is a way I can account to myself and maybe finish something soon. I have so many things that I want to learn. When I go to bed, my brain is on overload and when I wake up, (right after my coke in bed).....I am ready to get busy. I help my "sweet honey" with his business a lot and I have a small business of my own, so I try to get all my running done so I can come home and get started on something that I love. I heard someone say the other day that they are bored at home.....how can that be? I don't get it. Home is where "my" heart is.

Weekend Fun

I was determined that I was going to sew on this holiday weekend so Saturday I had so much fun making a few Christmas presents. One of these will be for my new grandson that is due on Dec. 28 but I won't tell which one just in case my "sweet daughter" is looking at my blog. She probably will guess which one is his though. He is due in 28 days. Anyway, I was into making bibs and burp cloths for babies. I also wanted to try a cottage block from the tutorial over at Nannettes Blog. I actually made 2 of them! Then this afternoon after church I got my second quilt out and started working on it so I can finish it. The picture just shows part of it. I have to put the border on and then it will be ready for the batting and I will get it quilted. I am in the mood.....Can you tell?? I had so much fun!

Can You Tell I Love My Grandchildren?

This summer my 3 grandchildren are staying with me while their parents work. We stay pretty busy. With 3, it is constant running. (My bad leg has slowed me down some though.) The little ones are in Vacation Bible School in the mornings this week. That has helped a lot. They really enjoy it. Gran does too! My oldest "Sweet GD" & I did some errands after dropping the little ones off and then went & had our nails done. After picking the little ones up, we dropped by taco bell and ate lunch. Then we went back to my house. "Sweet GS" said, "Gran, are you going to make my shirt to my pajamas?" So what could I do but make his little shirt. He came up to me the whole time with his little dog shorts on that I made him yesterday and asked, "Are you done yet?" Once I finished the shirt, he was so excited. The shirt is actually a little big on him and it sure isn't perfect, but the funny thing is, he doesn't care about perfect. He only knows that Gran made these pajamas just for him. It was lots of fun.

Our Day

What do you do when you have to stay off of your feet?

I sewed another quilt block. I am on quilt block #5! I am trying real hard to catch up. One of my goals for 2008 was to put a puzzle together. I think I just did it! Ha! This block had 31 pieces. It was so much fun. I am proud. Can you tell? But I may end up doing this one over and switching fabric colors around. We will see.
I also sewed my "sweet little grandson" some pajama shorts. He takes after his Gran and loves to wear pajamas. He had picked out some fabric a few weeks ago with dogs on it. Today, he came to me and said, "Gran, will you sew my pajama shorts?" Well, what could I say? What would you do? I haven't sewn any clothes in so long, I forgot a few things. It was a very easy pattern but for some reason one leg of the shorts the dogs are upside down. It was so funny! He never noticed. When I told him, he just said, "The dogs are running up one leg and down the other!" What an answer! He stood up so tall and proud for his picture and said, "Gran, will I be on your blog?" So Cute! While all this was going on my oldest"Sweet grandaughter" was decorating some flip flops. Look at the picture where she is upside down working on them. It must be nice to be young. The flip flops are so cute. She cut every piece of fabric herself. I didn't help her at all. In the meantime, the middle "sweet grandaughter" has discovered talking to her friends on the phone. So when she wasn't painting or on the computer, she was on the phone. After they left, I went and fixed supper. Check out my My cooking blog!
Well, that is a little summary of what you do when you have 3 grandchildren and you have to stay off of your feet? It was a great day.

P.S. Thanks to all my blogging friends who have emailed to check on me. I am fine, just got to slow down a little. Thank you for your prayers.

My New Table

Before Pictures
Before...

Me & Mandy painting in the garage

After....

I found this little table at the thrift store. I was so excited. I have been wanting to change my end tables.This is a very big room, but on one end of my sectional, there is only room for a 12 inch wide end table. I have looked everywhere to find something I like and I haven't been able to. Then I walked in the thrift store.........and there it was! I wanted 2 but only found this one. I walked around and thought about it and couldn't keep my eyes off of it. My daughter Mandy came and helped me paint it. We had a lot of fun doing it! You can see how old it looked and now how pretty it is. It is absolutely perfect! Now I think I need some pretty quilted pillows to match the color....Hhhhhhmmmm!

Please remember to check out My Cooking Blog!