Blah and Smiles

Hello, it has been quite a time since my last blog... or it seems so.

It's not because I have been crazy busy...

It's not because I have been stressed out...

It's not because I've been having too much fun...

I don't know why...

Just haven't been inspired to write.  

Ever been there?

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Yesterday, my daughter had a band concert.  I didn't get to go.    

I had a headache that was probably one of the worst I have had.  It started during Sunday school and got worse.   It was one of those headaches that when I sang the hymns, it hurt above my eyes.  As the morning went, light began to bother me and noises just a little elevated aggravated my headache.   When I got home I took two extra strength acetaminophen and a sinus pill, then went to bed and covered my head so that light wouldn't get in.   4 hours later, I got out of bed and the headache had pretty much left me or was a tolerable level.   

But,  I missed my daughter's concert.    

Of all days for a major headache to kick in!

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She brought home a trophy for Outstanding Percussionist of the Year.   AWESOME!!  

I wanted to get a pic of her and the trophy, but she did not cooperate, thus I have a pic of her hand and trophy only.

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I think it was Saturday... 

David brought in the first radish's from his garden this year...

and the cactus seed he planted, are coming up too.

Aren't the little cacti cute?

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GIVEAWAYS

Check out Annies Ruby Slipperz 5 Fat Quarters Giveaway

http://www.anniesrubyslipperz.com/2012/04/5-fats-giveawayits-mystery-to.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FLqeja+%28Adventures+in+Oz%29

Check out Fabric Seeds Chevron Giveaway 

http://fabricseeds.blogspot.com/2012/04/chevron-giveaway.html?showComment=1335839100225#c388303304122325734

Check out Tilda's Twisted Life Giveaway

http://tildastwistedlife.blogspot.com/2012/04/pink-panda-pillow-and-giveaway.html

Check out With Heart and Hands Ties That Bind Giveaway

http://www.with-heart-and-hands.com/2012/04/ties-that-bind-blog-hop-and-give-aways.html?showComment=1335840057637#c72534855983406341

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Inspirational Thought For Today

A smile is a curve that can straighten out a lot of things.

~ Quilted Hearts ~

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Have a great Tuesday!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Don't Forget...

Hello,

Not much going on today... just taking it easy.

I baked a french toast casserole this morning that turned out tasty.  The recipe is below.

Took a nap, this afternoon... did you?

And finished a mug rug.

Nicked my finger with my rotary cutter, a stinging reminder of how sharp they can be.

So don't forget to be careful each time you use a rotary cutter.

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Other than that...not much went on.  I needed the rest.

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RECIPE OF THE WEEK

French Toast Casserole

6 slices thick cut bread, cut in cubes

1/2 tablespoon cinnamon

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

4 tablespoons melted butter

4 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 cups milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

In a large bowl, combine cubed bread, cinnamon, brown sugar and melted butter, mixing them well so that the bread is well covered.

In a separate bowl combine the beaten eggs, milk and vanilla.  Pour over the bread mixture.   Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.

Pour into a well greased baking pan and bake at 350° F for 30-35 minutes or until golden.

Sprinkle with confectioners sugar and serve with maple syrup if desired.   Serves 4

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Have a great rest of the weekend!!

God bless and keep you, 

Sonia

The Little Things

Hello,

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! ~Psalm 27:13

It's the little things that can make or break your day.  It all depends on how you handle it. 

Today while I was studying for an internal audit, I have to do next week, I began to feel like I was going to there going over standards and procedures forever.  But then the thought about the little things, came to mind.

So I looked at the M&Ms, I was munching on, and thought of how yummy they were.   

Then I looked at one of my plants on my desk, it had new growth.

I decided that things weren't that bad, after all.  It made my studying and prep work, a lot easier to contend with.

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There are only two ways to live your life.

One, as if nothing is a miracle.

Two, as if everything is.

~Albert Einstein~

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Have a wonderful weekend!!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Fabric Seeds: Woodland Tails Giveaway!

Fabric Seeds: Woodland Tails Giveaway!: My sister bought a book a couple weeks ago, called Layer Cakes, Jelly Rolls & Charm Packs. Or something like that. (word for word from my si...

Whispering Wednesday

Hello,


Name one good thing you experienced today, no matter how small or big.

Sparkle...

Hello,

My hubby took some awesome pictures of my roses this morning.

















These first three are of a climber and a ground cover rose.

The dew made them sparkle.  :)








The last picture is my mini rose.

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I was blessed with having my name drawn for a door prize this evening, at the guild meeting.

These two fat quarters are awesome and I think they will look great in "something" I create in the near future.  :)

To me they look kind of vintage.

I was reminded this evening that I have a pin cushion and a Hoffman challenge due by June.   

Oh My!

We had a good meeting with lots of "show and tell".  Our program was on Binding.  It was a useful program indeed.  :)

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Have wonderful Wednesday!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Spark of Truth...

Hello,

Often times we experience things that aren't pleasant and we react.  We react at the time it happens and we react after the fact.

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How do you deal with something like that?

Do you dwell on it, let it control you?

Do you try to process it, learn from it and move on?

I use to dwell on those bad situations, letting them control me.  Letting worry and fear control my actions.  It was a horrible way to live, always wondering what would happen next or if what you dreaded worse. would happen.

Then one day I read a verse, that changed my way of thinking.

For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. ~ 1 John 3:20

This verse let me know that no matter my fears or worries, God was stronger than them and He is in control of all things.

Then today's verse on my sidebar, says it all.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 3:13,14

It means, though I don't have a hold on it, I let go of the past and move forward, looking for the return of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

So, though I may have regrets, I am able to learn from them and move forward.  With this spark of truth, life is much easier to face.

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Have a marvelous Monday!!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Another down...

Hi,
 do you remember, before my dad was in the hospital, the two lap quilt tops I had sewn together?  They were pieced but not finished.


I finally finished one of them.

This one is made up of black/brown nine patches, that I acquired from someone over the years.   I cut out hearts with my pinking shears and appliqued them on the nine patches, then put in the gray sash with a pink block and appliqued heart.  It is bordered with light pink and black borders.  I backed it with light mauve print and it is bound with the same fabric.

It is tied with a light pink yarn.

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Hope your weekend is going marvelously!!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia    

Blooms...

Catching up...

Hello,

Hope all is going well.

Today started out rainy and was cool most of the day.   My climbing rose and mini rose are loaded down with rosebuds, ready to open at any time.

I feel like I have caught up, a bit, on my projects today.   I was able to get my block of the month done.  It  is below.

I just finished a cover for the small Bible I carry in my handbag.



It was getting marked up and beat up.

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BLOCK OF THE MONTH

Finally got a block of the month done.  I've been away from it for a couple of months.  This month's block, I'm calling Green Christmas Ribbons.

Fabric needed:

• Theme fabric cut into four 4" squares
• Dark green fabric cut into four 4" x 2 1/2" strips
• Light green fabric cut into four 4" x 2 1/2" strips

Sew one dark green strip to a light green strip.  Do this for the remaining green strips.  You should have four dark/light green blocks, measuring 4" square.

Looking at the picture, sew the blocks together into a nine patch square where the greens make a zigzag pattern.

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I guess that's it for now.   Here's wishing you a terrific Thursday!

Remember, your worst days are never so bad you are beyond the reach of God's grace, and your best days are never so good you are beyond the need of God's grace.

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Nobody... but anyone...

Hello,

I have decided I need to start scheduling my projects here at home.   It seems I have gotten behind or away from what I want to get done.

It seems to work for me at work, so I'm hoping it will help me here at home.  Though, things do run a little more "by the seat of the pants" here at home.  :)

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...

I'm amazed at all the beautiful flowers and bushes that are in bloom.   Today on the way home for lunch, I noticed blue jays, robins and black birds darting this way and that.  They were everywhere.

I didn't take this picture, but it will give you an idea of how it looked on my drive home for lunch.

What's it look like where you are?   Send me a pic or two.  :)






I finished a pot holder this evening... started it over the weekend, worked on it slowly, then finished it today.

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WEEKLY RECIPE

My hubby grilled burgers and hot dogs for lunch today.  There was enough left over for dinner this evening.  So I thought I'd share a side dish with you.

Easy Pepper Jack Mac

8 oz. macaroni, cooked per instructions on package
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup shredded pepper jack cheese (if you don't have shredded, 2-3 large slices broken up)
2 tablespoons butter
salt and black pepper to taste
3 tablespoons your favorite salsa (more if you like)
A little milk to help the cheese melt

When macaroni is cooked as directed, drain.   Add the rest of the ingredients, stirring over low heat until all the cheese is melted and everything is well incorporated.   This is a very easy and tasty change to mac-n-cheese.

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Last night I got caught up in a movie and didn't get into bed until around 3 a.m. this morning.   I know I shouldn't be up that late, but often times I'm not sleepy until around that time anyway.   

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However, it does catch up with me.  Sometimes faster than others.   

That's how it is today.  

I'm not really sleepy, but am feeling tired.  If that makes any sense.

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Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. ~ Maria Robinson

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Have a wonderful Wednesday!!

God bless and keep you,
Sonia

New Life...

Hi,

This weekend my iris's started to bloom. 

The new blooms are representing new life and are in time for the Easter holiday.

Easter is all about the life after death.   Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. He did it willingly because He loves us beyond measure.    He was buried and conquered death, when He arose from the dead.

We now have the opportunity to conquer death (sin) and live (be forgiven).

Oh Glorious Day by Todd Agnew, is one of my favorite songs.

Have a blessed Easter!!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Just a little project...

 Hi again.  

I just want to show you a small crocheted pocket, I made this evening, for my earphones.  I made it out of scrap cotton yarn, I had left over from previous projects, and the stitch I used was a single crochet.

Now I can carry the earphones in my handbag and not worry about them getting tangled up with everything else.  

I hope your afternoon and evening has gone well.

Here's wishing you a fantastic Friday!

God bless and keep you,
Sonia

A Little Extra Time...

Hello!

I know this is a little earlier than normal for me, but we are having employee appreciation day, at work today.   Management grilled burgers for us and we are getting extra time for lunch.

The burger is tasty and I have a brownie to boot.  YUM!!   


Hope you are having a good day.   It is sunny and pretty outside today, here in Arkansas.

Okay, I guess that is it for now.

I'll probably be back this evening, if I don't blog, I will definitely read yours.  :)

Until later,

God bless and keep you,
Sonia

Compelled To Share

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Hello,

This morning, as I opened my Bible, it fell open to scripture and I have been compelled to share it all day.  I'm not sure who it is meant for, but if you are here and reading this, keep the faith - do not let what ever it is you are going through get you down in spirit.

Here are the verses.

Colossians 1: 9-14  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sin:


I'm praying for you.

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Thunder just clapped, as a strong storm has blown in.  I see lighting popping outside through my dining room window.   I can hear the wind blowing strong and the hard rain on the roof.

The satellite has gone out and David is playing his guitar.

Snap Crackle Pop!  with a little music on the side.  :)

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WEEKLY RECIPE

If you like the taste of baked potato with the fixings... you are going to like this casserole.

Hash Brown  Casserole

1 (2 pound) package of frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
1 (16 ounce) carton sour cream
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup round buttery cracker crumbs
        - or you could use 12 saltine crackers, crumbed up, with 1 tablespoon melted butter

Combine the first seven ingredients in a large bowl, being sure to mix it well.   Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 13x9x2" baking pan.  Sprinkle with cracker crumbs.  Bake at 350° F, for 55 minutes or until bubbly.   This makes 10-12 servings.   You can dress it with crumbled fried bacon, chives or green onions.

This casserole would be very easy to change up to your taste.  Change out the soup flavor, add other chopped veggies, like bell pepper, jalapeno or onions.  I think it would work good.

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My first little rose opened up all the way today.  :)

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A LITTLE NOSTALGIA

Do you remember those continues feed paper reams? 

I was going through some old files at work, files I haven't looked at since I began working in safety and training.   Anyway I came across some records that were on continuous feed papers.   

I thought I would share that moment of nostalgia with one of my coworkers.  She wasn't at her desk and when I looked around, I'm pretty sure who was left, was too young to relate.   LOL

I felt what they call, the generation gap.  Can anyone relate to what I'm saying?  :)

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Well, that's all I have for now.   I hope to have a block of the month to share by the end of the week.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Seasons...

Hello!

What a beautiful day to start April out with.

I saw my first rose bloom of the year, this afternoon.

It was on my ground cover rose I received for Mother's day last year.

My husband worked hard on my flower bed this weekend and it is looking nice.  I will take pics when more blooms start coming in.   He also planted a few veggies in his raised beds.  I think he plans to plant more veggies and flowers.

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Seasons...

As the season changed from winter to spring, thoughts of changes in life came to mind.  Changes that happen, either by work, family or spiritual circumstances.   Often times I wonder why they happen, but I continue on, living day by day, trying to live my life, the best I can, for the Lord.  The past year has been full of changes.  I look back and I know the reason for some of the changes and then there are some now, I'm still waiting to learn the reason.

There is a scripture that helps me make it day by day, though I wonder why things happen the way they do.

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. ~ Romans 8:27-28

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Are you ready for a parade?

Check out Sherri's quilt parade at http://www.aquiltinglife.com/2012/04/april-parade.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AQuiltingLife+%28A+Quilting+Life%29

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Have a great week!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia