Wonderful Day

These are the handmade soaps from Darla. These are the hand poured candles from Darla.
These are a few quilts from Lavender Lime Quilt Store

Today was a wonderful day. I met my "Sweet Mom" & my "sweet sister", Karen and we went and ate breakfast at Panera Bread. Then we headed to our favorite quilt store for the Saturday Sampler. We always have a lot of fun there. Me & Mom went back to her house and played with her new sewing machine. It is always nice to spend time with my mom.

Then I came home and had a package waiting for me. It was from Darla! She sent me my Pay It Forward gifts. I just love them. She sent me 2 Soy Wax Candles that are hand poured. One is Butter Pecan and the other is Apple Orchard. Oh my goodness, I wish you could smell them. They are so pretty that I hate to burn them. She also made me some hand poured soap made with natural clear olive oil. Everything she used is all natural. The soaps are in all different shapes. I just love the little green frog. I have got to find the perfect little soap dish to put these in. Little did she know that I have been wanting to make some candles and soap but I have no idea how. I am hoping she will show us with a tutorial. Wouldn't that be great? Thank you Darla!

Are There Sewing Machines In Heaven?

I was in heaven tonight. I had both sewing machines going at the same time. The new one that does the embroidery was just humming right along working on my siggy blocks and I was on the older singer machine putting the binding on my quilt. I made 4 siggy's and got the binding put on one side of my quilt. Can you see how well that it worked out that the ironing board was positioned right where I could lay my quilt up on it as I sewed the binding on. I also learned more about my embroidery machine. I learned how to keep the embroidery straight. When I first did this it looked crooked to me. The machine does it all. I just didn't have it set right. And Connies tutorial on making the siggy blocks is great. It made it so much easier to understand. I really accomplished a lot and loved every minute. Not only that, but I had my laptop on the other side with Connie's blog playing her wonderful music while I sewed away while wearing my pajamas. Can you tell it doesn't take much to make me happy? Yes, I was in heaven..... I promise.

I wanted to also share a recipe with you. My "sweet daughter & boyfriend", Maranda & Lane made this dessert last night. They are really good cooks and have a lot of fun and we get to enjoy the benefits. It was so yummy!

Ultimate Strawberry Shortcake

Ingredients:
1 quart fresh strawberries (or more if you like)
1/2 cup sugar
8 ounces cream cheese. softened
1 cup powdered sugar

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping
1 (14 ounce) pound cake, cut into cubes (I buy the cake already made)
Directions
Wash, stem, and cut strawberries in half. Add sugar; toss to mix well. Chill.
Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar well. Fold in whipped topping and cake cubes. Spread cake into an ungreased 13x9 dish. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Cut cake into squares; top with strawberries.

Flylady Progress today ( Baby Steps):

1. House is clean because I blessed my house on Monday with a 1 hour drill of cleaning.

2. 15 minute decluttering: I cleaned out my bathroom vanity cabinet. I set my timer for 15 minutes. I usually hold on to everything but if I haven't used it, I threw it away. I was so proud.

3. Laundry- Done ( I do a small load or 2 every morning)

4. Ironing- Done (I iron as the clothes come out of dryer)

5. 5 Minute Mission: Cleaned front french doors

6. Water Drinking: 7 glasses- that is really good for me.

7. Walking: 15 minutes

8. Bible: I am reading in Ruth ( a chapter a day) and started my day with prayer.

One of my favorite quotes: "Live like no one else, so you can live like no one else."

Dave Ramsey

Simple Things Make The Best Birthday

When my children were younger, they would ask me what I wanted for my birthday and I would always tell them PEACE. My teenagers would get so mad at me about that. They just wanted to buy me something. I guess that was easier to give than peace. Ha! But that is truly what I wanted and at that time with teenagers, there wasn't much peace in the house if you know what I mean. That is still my hearts desire. I don't need anything. Oh there are a lot of things that I want but don't we all have those lists. So far, my "sweet honey" took me on a weekend trip to Gatlinburg and pampered me like you wouldn't believe. We didn't do anything except relax and it was so nice. We are home now and My "sweet daughter", Maranda brought me a coke while I was still in bed this morning with a "happy birthday." (she knows how I love a coke in the mornings-actually her or my "sweet honey" do that a lot). My "sweet dad" made me a Sweet potato cobbler and I put it on my cooking blog. My 13 year old grandaughter, Triston called to wish me a Happy Birthday. She was at a friends house and called when they woke up. It meant a lot to me for her to think of me while she was with her friends. My "sweet daughter", Mandy called and let "little bit", my new grandson, Davis talk to me on the phone which was actually a lot of grunts and moans! It was sweet. So precious! My "sweet daughter", Shannon & my other 2 grandchildren, Alyssa & Brett called and sung to me. It was priceless. My "sweet son" told me happy birthday today and didn't even realize it but he gave me something really special when he was on the deans lists at college this past semester. I was very proud. My Mom called and sung her annual birthday song and she also did a post for me on her blog. It was so sweet and meant the world to me. My "sweet son in law", Dusty called me and asked me if I was 33 or 34 years old today. I think he was trying to make me feel good. It gave me a good laugh anyway. I had several friends call & email and wish me a Happy birthday. Then it started snowing here. I don't know if you can see the snow much in the pictures but I loved it. When Maranda came home from work it was really snowing hard. We got out and pretended to throw snowballs even though there was not enough snow. My "sweet honey" drove up & we were laughing so hard we were crying. I think he thought we were crazy even though he is the one that took the picture. (sorry about the picture being so dark). It doesn't take a lot of money to make a birthday special for someone. Simple things are the best, especially PEACE. Thank you all for making my day special.

A Perfect Day

We have some relatives that we haven't saw in 6 years but they came to visit us and brought a new baby! I was so excited. Evelyn was in the family when I married my "sweet honey." She had been married about a year when we got married. (This was 30 years ago.) She made me feel so welcome and we became more than close friends. We were like sisters. We raised our children together. We gardened together. We went through hard times and a lot of good times together. Life has caused us to lose touch except for an occasional card in the mail. The minute we saw each other it was just as though the last time was yesterday. Evelyns "sweet daughter", Jennifer was with her and brought her little 3 week old baby for us to meet. The baby was born 3 weeks early and had a rough start. Jennifer also had a lot of trouble. We are so thankful to have them with us. What a blessing. I cannot tell you what it meant for them to visit me. My "sweet daughter", Shannon joined us and brought potato soup and salads from Panera Bread. We had a nice lunch and did a lot of talking about old times and new times. We are going to try to start getting together at least every other month so we won't lose touch again. My "sweet daughter" Maranda came in just in time to see them before they had to leave. My "sweet honey" got to visit with them also along with 2 of my grandchildren. The only ones who were missing were Evelyns other daughter, Angie and my other daughter Mandy and my grandaughter Alyssa! Maybe we can have them all together next time. Thank you Evelyn for giving us a great Christmas Present......You, Jenn & of course that precious baby!!!!!

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!

There is Always Tomorrow

For 2 weeks now I have planned to put the binding on my 25 year old quilt. Everyday comes and goes and something always seems to take priority. My plans today were not to leave the house and get this quilt done. I started my day by going and cutting cabbage and broccoli out of my garden. I am really proud how good my fall garden has done. I came in and washed my broccoli & cabbage and froze it. My "Sweet honey" had went deer hunting so I knew I needed to cook something to eat. I thought I would cook enough for supper also because then I could get busy on the quilt. I started cooking & cooking & cooking!

Menu:
Ranch Cheddar Chicken
Mashed Potatoes
Cabbage Casserole
Homemade Bread
Amish Pecan Pie

All these recipes will be on my Cooking Blog in the next few days. This was the first time that I have ever fixed this chicken recipe, and it was wonderful if I do say so myself. My "Sweet Honey" was eating and looked up and said, "Have you already finished the quilt?" As I was washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen & feeling really tired........I just laughed.

I already have a ham in the oven, baked beans and potato salad fixed for tomorrows Sunday lunch and supper. I am determined that after church I will start on the binding on this quilt. I sure hope so! I sure am glad there is always tomorrow.

Note: My "Sweet daughter" just read this blog and she informed me that there really isn't always tomorrow! This is so true!

Doctors Visit

I went with my "Sweet daughter" to her doctors appt. today. She has about 6 1/2 weeks to go. The baby's heartbeat was strong. He is getting so big. My "Sweet daughter" is so very pretty pregnant. She is all baby. She goes back to the doctor in 2 weeks and then it will be every week until he decides to be born. We are so excited. She is having 3 showers next week. Every since she got pregnant she has requested a sock monkey for the baby. I found one and had his name embroidered on it. It is so cute! My daughter was so excited to get it. We can't wait to meet our new little grandson!

A Fun Afternoon

The grandchildren had early dismissal at school today, so I picked them all up and then we went to visit my granny (I forgot my camera, imagine that?). Granny wanted me to help her roll a quilt to get it ready for the machine. I had never done or saw that done before, so I was glad to help her. It may be the old fashion way, but now I know how. Then we came on home and the kids helped me pick the green tomatoes, the rest of the peas and green peppers out of the garden before the frost hits. They really helped me, even though they just thought it was fun. Then my "sweet honey" came home with some new "toys" that he had found. Just what we need.....another four wheeler and a motorcycle. The kids were so excited! My "Sweet daughter", Maranda came home and got to try out the motorcycle, along with her grandmother ("My Sweet MIL"). We had a fun afternoon with all of them.