6/365

My friend Rebekah and I have decided to be a part of a Valentine's Day Card Swap This is the first time that I've ever done one. BUT I sure am excited to see the cards that everyone is making~!

5/365

My Scrap Quilt Top...I'm glad to get this done and can't wait to start on it's compadre.







Coaster Tops

4/365

So, my friend Rebekah came over for dinner and brought me these handmade cards. I love them, and thankfully she told me how to make them~!Of course, I didn't waste anytime to start experimenting myself. And this is what I came up with.





and another picture:

3/365

2/365

This day I finished Frank...He now has a face and I think he's super cute~!

1/365

So I officially started the whole working on a craft every day today. I was planning on working on the mittens for my cousin, but last night I laid out the fabric for a scrap quilt...and it was calling my name all day~!!! So, I gave in and worked on it. I know have strips of all the scraps sewn together, but as I was working on it today ~ another idea came to mind...and I decided that I'm going to make 2 small lap quilts out of the scraps instead of a big quilt. I can't wait to make my idea a reality. It's been so fun working on this quilt, because it makes me think of all the other crafts that I have worked on...with these fabrics in them. Tim informed me that these quilts aren't really his style. He'd prefer that I make a brown quilt. So that may be next on my list of things to do. I'll have my quilts full of color and he can have his brown quilt that he enjoys. He also informed me that Frank, my beloved sock monkey (that I was going to give him) is not his style either. He'd rather have a brown one. I'm gonna have to go find some real sock monkey socks...I think that may be his style. I told him I thought he was being a bit picky, but he just reminded me that he knows what he likes. I'm thankful for that - That's probably why I don't have a style...because I like everything~!!!!

Yesterday, I was listening to a message...and the pastor read Psalm 1, 16, and 103 in a row...and they have been such a blessing to me. The beginning of Ps 103 starts out "Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." I feel so full of God's love right now...as though He is giving me a big hug and letting me know He loves me. I am so thankful for the price that Jesus paid for me. His dying on the cross has made it possible for me to have a relationship with the Lord that none other can supply. He has forgiven my sins and made me white as snow. There is nothing that I did to deserve this. Later on in this chapter it says that he has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west...that's almost unthinkable~! Praise the Lord, O my soul~! Thank you Lord for all the blessings you give each and everyone of us. Help us to focus on those things and share them with those around us~! I also know that even though I feel full of God's love today doesn't mean that I have more of it today than other days...I am just more aware of it today. God's love doesn't change and for that I am thankful. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom

So last night at church, the sermon was on wisdom...and tonight, I wanted to listen to a sermon online...so I went to Lighthouse Baptist Church in Sussex, WI...and there was a sermon glaring at me about Wisdom. So I listened to it~ I am so thankful for God's Word, and the encouragement that it brings to me. AND, I'm thankful for the people of God who are willing to share His truths with us. Some of the truths that I have learned & want to remember...What you fear controls you~! If God is what I fear losing...Then what do I do about that? If God requires obedience, then that is where I start. If God hates idolatry, then that is what I hate. What do things like obedience and idolatry look like in my life today? I must begin praying for wisdom, be reading and studying the Word of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit, and I need to be living in accordance with Biblical truth. I was talking to my Mom this afternoon and told her that I still haven't had my quiet time...I've been home all day, but still haven't seemed to have time for it. She reminded me that I need to plan for it. Right she is...people don't plan to fail, they fail to plan.

So today has been a good start to the week...The first full week of the new year. Remember that Amish Bread I was making the last time I blogged, well...it smelled delicious, looked delicious, the end tasted delicious BUT the inside was not done. It made 2 loaves of bread that I had to throw away because they were not done. I guess this is part of the learning process to making bread. On New Year's Eve, I started a batch of Sourdough starter. I have never done this before either, but thought I needed to give it a try. Today was the first day that I was able to use it. I made 2 loaves of Sour Dough Bread...and they turned out wonderful. Tim was pretty impressed. They tasted pretty good too! YEAH~now, lets see if we can do this twice in a row. I love baking...and wish we could eat it faster so I could make more again tomorrow :)

I was able to get my house back into some shape of order today...as all my stuff was still packed from coming home from Wisconsin. I feel like I got a handle on the laundry, dishes and part of the dust~! I feel like there is dust everywhere (that is when the light shines in the right direction). I was able to wash the floors and get all the marks off...you know those marks that show up again when someone walks in the house. Sometimes I feel like washing floors is a useless task...just to be done over and over and over, BUT I must say that after the floors are cleaned, I smile with a sense of accomplishment and enjoy them for the moment. It's those little things in life. The dogs were also running under my feet all day. They were so happy and had bundles of energy in them. I actually took them for 3 walks today, and they are still running from one end of the house to the other even as I type this.

Tonight, I have been able to work on some sewing crafts. Doing these crafts seem to relax me...I love it. Tonight, I cut out a bunch of houses...which I'm trying to decide exactly what to do with them. I have thought of putting them on a purse, or putting them on pillows for my couch...or maybe making a lap quilt and putting them on that. I want to cut out more...as I only cut out 2 so far. I have to get out my fabric and find the scraps. I did start cutting out birds too. I saw this bird mobile that was super "Quaint". Not sure if that's the word for it, but it's the first word that came to my mind. I will definitely post some pictures...and maybe try to find the original picture too.

Tomorrow, I hope to study God's Word, Start Teaching my dogs some manners, and get a membership at the YMCA~!! Those are just some of my goals for tomorrow...I better start making a list :)

2009

As I write this bog, I'm trying to make Amish White Bread for the first time. In 2008, I gave away my bread maker...so now I have to try and make it the old fashion way. I'll post pictures when it's done. I sure hope it works out~!

So I'm hoping 2009 will be different than 2008. While I learned many lessons during the year of 2008...I hope to not have to learn them again. I look forward to the Lord teaching me new lessons every day. I hope to appreciate Him more as the year goes on. I hope to share Him with the people around me. I know that He is ever present and truly wants to be apart of our lives today... and I hope to hear His voice and follow it.

Tasks I want to complete This year...

1. I would like to learn how to make bread & rolls. I want to master the tricks to making a scrumptious batch of buns...that everyone is dying to eat and raving about after they are done. Pretty much - Jen, you need to share your secrets~! Those rolls you made for Christmas were delicious. I want it to become a task that is easy and I don't really have to think about, just have to do it.
   
2. I would like to make a quilt...Donette has been an inspiration to me...and I'm looking forward to completing the task this year. It's time for fun and color to enter our house. I'm hoping to make the quilt for our guest bedroom.
   
3. I would like to complete some nice purses...with the fabric that I already have...I need to use that up~!
   
4. I would also like to learn how to use my camera better...maybe I need to take a class~! I think that would be fun too. Another way to meet new people.
5. I would like to run a half-marathon. Last year, I started training for one, but then started working alot of hours....so that put the kabosch on it. So I think I'll try again.
   

Last year

• I learned how to make Pita Bread (Farm Girl Fare's Recipe) It's awesome...my husband loves it. I make it often...and we use it as pizza crust. Pizza crust for Peanut Butter Pizza. Which was an accomplishment last year, I learned how to make the pizza sauce from scratch~!
• my mom taught me how to make Homemade Laundry Soap - which I now love. Who wouldn't love washing their clothes when it only costs pennies a load~! I'm looking forward to making more batches this year...and investing in some essential oils to make it smell "pretty". What everyone wants - Pretty smelling clothes right?
• Leah taught me how to make mittens from Wool Sweaters. I loved this craft~! My hadns were so warm during hunting this year~! I'm looking forward to making more of these mittens and perfecting the thumbs :) I'm also looking forward to getting the new patterns from her also. Thanks Leah~!
• Leah also taught me how to make an apron...which I love and use often~! I've started making them now in my free time...and am in love with them. I'm having a hard time thinking about giving them away...but how many aprons does one person need really. I can't wait to post pictures of the apron we made....and the new ones that I'm making. This was such a fun project.
• Last year, I also made Suit Purses...and I'm looking forward to working on more of them this year...They need some work before I can be comfortable with putting them on etsy.
• I also made Market Bags...which I can't wait to make more of~! Boy, I need to get my sewing machine out and get it oiled...I want to start sewing now~!
• I also got 2
  dogs last year....Chloe & Ellie. Ellie came to us in the end of January. She's my baby...it's been fun having her rambunctious energy in the house. She's such a stinker~! Chloe came for a visit in June...and stayed. She's been so good for Ellie. They love playing together and running crazy through the house. They love getting their owner out of the house and going on walks (which has been good for me too). This next year, I hope to spend more time training them. They sit right now for about 2 seconds...I wonder if they have a longer attention span at times? I just realized that I don't have any pictures of Chloe on this computer...I'll have to add those later.
  

• Things I was able to do while in WI...Work in the NICU with all my friends :) It was good to catch up with them all. I will miss them. I miss RJ & Kim too. I wish that I could see them again. If any of you have her number...I would like it. I was able to see all my Wisconsinite friends...Becky & her kids, Leah, Allison & her family, Kari, & Seth. The time I got to spend with you all was awesome. Thanks for getting together with me while I was there. I'm so thankful for that time. I was also able to spend lots of time with my cousin & friend - Erin (my twin) We were able to work together, go to a Packer game together, dinner at her parents house, going to Beauty & the Beast, we went to the movies and had a sleepover~! I love you Erin, I'm thankful for the time we got to spend together. Work will definitely never pass as quickly anywhere else...without you there. AND- I got to spend time with Lydia....I love that girl...she's so much fun~! Brings a smile to my face everytime I think of her. Thanks for spilling the beans too :) I was also able to spend time with my immediate family. I was able to take many shopping trips with my sister-in-laws and mom to Goodwill...PRETTY much my favorite store anywhere~! We found so many good deals...Cole, Sarah, and I went deer shining...good times, but it seems to me there use to be way more deer years ago. I was also able to go hunting this year....which was lots of fun and freezing cold~! Wish I could have seen and shot the 30 pointer. I was able to pend time with my niece and nephews...I was always concerned that Caleb wouldn't know who I was...it was so nice to have him running to me in excitement when I would come to his house. I love you guys~! I enjoyed making donuts, helping with chores, collecting chicken eggs, riding 4 wheeler, going bowling, spending the night at Grandma's house and at your house. You all teach me new things every time I hang out with you. You each have amazing little personalities that I love watching. I can't believe how well you are reading Lucas...you are a very smart boy. Hailey, I love watching you try new things, not being afraid, and always helping others. Caleb, you are a bundle of energy~!!!! We are going to have to find a way to trap that energy and give some of it to your auntie~ :) Brandon, you are so easy going...I'm looking forward to seeing you grow...you are such a little bruit. Wilson, thanks for putting up with Chloe & Ellie, I think you taught them a thing or two. They haven't fought once since we've gotten home. Mom & Dad, thanks for putting up with me while I was there. It was so nice to be in the country and able to just relax...picking apples, kale, & baking. I love being at home. There's something SWEET about going back to where you grew up. I'm thankful for the days I worked 7a-7pm...my dad & I were able to ride to work together...it was nice to be able to catch up on those drives. Mom, thanks for encouraging me and praying with me. There is so much that I could write about...I tried to high-lite bits and pieces of it...

Well, I can smell the bread baking now, and it's about ready to come out of the oven...so I guess it's about time to end this post, but I hope to keep up with it this year.

I love you all~!

May God Bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon you.