2014

From my heart to yours;

May you, in the New Year, know joy deep within, peace that goes beyond measure, lessons to help you grow and love that overflows.

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Just around the corner...

I'm glad it's the weekend! I'm tired and need to rest, decompress and relax.

I may not get the rest due to things that need to get done this weekend, but if I get them done that will be an accomplishment and in a sense I will get the relaxing and decompressing I'm in need of.

The New Year is just around the corner and I have thought about how I'm going to approach 2014.  I have set some goals and resolve to get them done.  I have tried to set time frames for each one, to help me stay on track.

I have made a list and will start with it.  I think this list will keep me busy all year.

Here's my list.

1. Finish Log Cabin quilt by 01/31/14
2. Make a new handbag by 02/28/14
3. Finish UFO's (unfinished opportunities) depending on the size/detail of the UFO being worked on at the time, I figure it will take 1-2 months for each one.
4. Lose 20 lbs. I want to do it right and not by some crazy crash diet, so I'm not sure how long this will take, but it will be something I strive for throughout the year.

Have you set goals or made resolutions for 2014?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

What I've been up to lately...

Hi, hope all is going well and you are ready for the big day.... CHRISTMAS!

Tonight I enjoyed the company of my quilting friends.   The Logan County PieceMakers had our Christmas party this evening - lots of good food and laughter.  We had a fat quarter exchange, like the "white elephant" or "dirty santa" game.  We are challenged to make something with it to show off at next year's Christmas party.  Here's the fat quarter I ended up with.  I think it is very pretty and am already getting some ideas.

We showed our project from the fat quarter we got at last year's Christmas party.  I made a candle mat with mine.  The light green fabric with fans is the fat quarter I got.  I plan to  use the candle mat in the Sprint.

Our guild president, Marcella, gave each of us a quilted coaster.  I plan to use mine at work, starting tomorrow.  :)

If we got our "Hoffman Challenge" done, we showed them too.  Here is what I made with my Hoffman fabric.  It is a mini Nativity.

I finally got my big wreath redone.  I took all the old balls, beads and colored lights off of it and re-did it with mesh ribbon, white lights and beads.  David hung it up outside for me and also added colored lights around the window the wreath is hanging from.

Our supervisors at work gave each of us an ornament and some hand lotion.  The ornament I received fits right in with the ornament on my tree.

This week has been a very long week for me.  I kept thinking tomorrow is Friday.  Thankfully tomorrow really is Friday, finally.  :)

Are you ready for Christmas?

hugs,
Sonia

It's beginning to look a lot like...

Since I last wrote, a lot has happened...

I survived Black Friday by staying out of the mayhem.  I hope, if you participated, you made it through the day unscathed and successful with bargains.  :)

We kicked off the Christmas holiday with our town's annual Christmas lighting of the town square and the Christmas parade.   The floats told the story of Christmas (Luke 2:1-20).

All lit up

Audre's last Christmas parade with the Paris High School Band

And it came to pass in those days...

And Joseph also went up from Galilee...

And suddenly there was with the angel...

For unto you is born this day...

Last Friday I received this pretty ornament in the mail from Katie, my ornament swap partner.  She made it with dark red paper flower shapes, pearl head pins, and lace to hang it by.  It goes perfect with all my other ornaments on the tree.   Thanks Katie!  :)

Little by little I put my Christmas decorations up this week.  One of the things I like to do is sit with only the Christmas lights lighting up the room.

The tree, ready for packages to go underneath

Here are more of our Christmas decorations.

The Nativity

Christmas town

Santa and Frosty

Stockings hung with care

Snowmen gathering

Yesterday I left work early due to sleet and freezing rain.  I didn't want to drive Hwy 309 in icy conditions, so as soon as I could after the sleet started falling I came home.  This morning I got up my normal time, around 5:00 a.m.  I turned on the t.v. for weather and road conditions and then went to the kitchen to make a cup of cappuccino to warm up with.  It was then I heard a snap, crackle and pop!  A tree limb had broken out of one of the trees in a neighbors yard.   I was able to get a picture after the sun came up this morning.  As you can see the big limb took out a piece of our fence in the back yard.

We were covered with ice, then the snow came.   The snow is so pretty, when I'm not out in it.  :)

I prefer to view from within, like being in a house within a snow globe.  

The song "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" has been going through my mind today.  I like to hear Michael Buble' sing, so I thought I'd share him singing the song with you.

 

If you are experiencing winter in full force, stay safe and warm.  If you are in the more southern regions and not experiencing cold, enjoy it to the fullest for those of us waiting for the warmth to come back.  :)

That's all I have for now and until next time may God bless you and keep you.

Warm hugs,

Sonia

Getting caught up...

Yesterday I wrote that I had two projects and a block to get done by the next quilt guild meeting in December... today I was able to work toward getting caught up.

I stayed home today, because I didn't want to take a chance driving Hwy 309 in the falling sleet and ice.   Who knows I probably could have made it fine but I chose to stay home and use my last vacation day.  I guess I will have to go back tomorrow... but since I was home today, I used my time toward getting some projects done.

Here is a glimpse of what I worked on today.  It is hand pieced.  I then embroidered the center block with a nativity scene.  Don't look to close at it, as I free handed the scene and it is far from perfect.   All I have left to do is quilt it and bind it.  The finished product will be about 12" square and I plan to use it as part of my Christmas decor.

So, two steps forward... and I will have to continue on during the rest of the week.

I hope you are staying warm.

Until next time,
God bless and keep you,
Sonia

Brr!

Mercy!  It has been a cold day.  I do believe winter has arrived in Arkansas.

When I got home from church this afternoon I warmed up with a hot cup of cappuccino.  There was something satisfying about pouring a hot beverage into a snowman mug.  :)

My family and I celebrated Thanksgiving with my husbands side of the family this weekend.  It is always a blessing to gather with family over a meal.

We had a lot of broccoli rice casserole left over and since it was so chilly today I decided to make a soup with it.

You may be thinking "what? that doesn't sound to good..." but believe it or not it turned out good.  So if you have broccoli rice casserole left over and want to do something different with it, try this soup.

Here's how I made it.

Take left over broccoli rice casserole and put into a large pot.  Add 2 cans of chicken broth, 1 can of potatoes (drained) and 1 1/2 cups water.   Add the following seasoning to taste - black pepper, Greek seasoning, Cheyenne pepper.  Bring to a low boil and simmer about thirty minutes, stirring occasionally.  Serve with crackers or cornbread fritters.

This soup tastes a lot like potato soup.  You can change up the seasonings to your liking.

Well we are down to 30 days to Christmas.  Later in the week, probably Friday or Saturday, I will put up all my autumn decorations and start decorating for Christmas.

I hope to show my latest project soon.  I have made a ornament for an ornament swap I am in.   I tried to mail it out to my ornament swap partner yesterday but found out the post office in my town is now closed on Saturday, so I will have mail it tomorrow.   She should have her ornament by the end of the week and then I can share it with you.

I'm still working on the log cabin quilt, but also have another block to make and 2 more items for the next quilt guild meeting in December.  Talk about crunch time...

One of my favorite things to do at Christmas is to sit with all the lamps and overhead lights out and only the Christmas lights shining.  There is something about the soft glow of Christmas lights reflecting off ornaments and other decorations that is very soothing to me.  :)

Microsoft clip art

What is one of your favorite things to do at Christmas?

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Slowing down...

As I wait for lunch to get done, I thought I'd write to you.

Have you ever had an opportunity to slow down, when you really hadn't intended to?

That's what happened to me yesterday afternoon, on my way home.  I got in line with four huge farm vehicles.  I had three in front of me and one behind me.

As we clipped down the highway at 20-25 mph, I sang with the radio, adjusted the jingles on my mirror charm, and then took this picture.

Didn't I say they were huge?  Look, it took up the whole road!  :)

Anyway, I took it as an opportunity to chill out and relax a little before I got home.  I like to think it was a small gift from the Lord.  Even though I was in my car, I had those two miles at low speed to praise the Lord and enjoy the ride.

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THANKFUL

I'm thankful for the those small gifts, we are provided everyday.

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Well, my lunch is done and I need to sign off.

Until next time...

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Thrift finds of late

Hello,

I thought I'd share my latest thrifty finds.   Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year and I have been looking for Christmas decorations at flea markets and second hand stores.  Here is what I have found on my lunch break on two different day's in the past week or so.

blown glass tree and ornaments  50¢

wood/porcelain nativity set   $1.50

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I'm still working on the quilt as you go log cabin quilt.  I hope to be able to show you the finished quilt within the next month.

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Earlier today I received an email from the person I am paired up with for an Ornament Swap this year.  I'm looking forward to finding or creating an ornament for her.  I will have to get it mailed out to her by the 23rd of this month.

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If you have followed my blog for any time at all, you know I am in awe of God's creation.  On the way home from work this week the moon was so clear in the sky and looked so close I had to try to get a picture when I got home.   I took this one around 5:00 p.m. yesterday.

 
I also took pics of Elvis, our tabby.

Here are some current pics of me and my family.  It has been a while since the last time we took pics of my children and one of me and David together.

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THANKFUL

We have celebrated Veteran's day this week.  I'm thankful for all those who have served to so that I am free to worship my God, write my thoughts and be myself.

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We are down to 40 days until Christmas.

When will you put up your Christmas decorations or have you already started?

What is your Christmas decorating style?

Looking forward to your responses...

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Thank You!

VETERAN'S DAY

Disappointments...

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them are the called according to His purpose.

Twice in the past month, I have had to give up something I deeply wanted or have been denied something I was looking forward to.   I have been very disappointed, not in the way of anger but in the way of discouragement.

After searching for comfort in the Scriptures this evening, I came to Romans 8:28.  

... His purpose...   

As a believer I have the assurance and hope that God's purpose is for the good of His followers.  His purpose may not be easy or in line with our plans or wants, but is worked out so that the things that happen to us (in this case my disappointments) are working out for our good, so much so that is surpasses what we had in mind.  I say this because I have looked back over other disappointments in my life and realized that what happened in place of them has always been better than what I had planned.

So if you have experienced some disappointment as I have recently, take comfort in knowing something better is on its way.

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THANKFUL

I'm thankful for lessons learned.

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Until next time...

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

PS... how are you dealing with the time change?

Good medicine

Hi, do you remember many several blogs back I had bought two, wool felt, bags from Hancock's on clearance?

I've had them stored away just waiting for me to do something with them.  I took one out today and decided I would try my hand at embroidery on it.  I know there is a lot of room for improvement but I think my first attempt isn't too bad...  :)

Since we only have 50 days until Christmas I thought I'd share a craft idea with you.

Need napkins for your holiday table?  Why not make some Christmas tree napkins?

These were made with 24 inch circles sewn right sides together, leaving an opening for turning.  Turn the circle inside out and stitch the opening closed.

Here are instructions for folding the napkins.

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THANKFUL

It is raining this week but we need the rain as much as we need the sunshine.   So I'm thankful for the rain, the cooler temps and the color change in the leaves.

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Since it's football season and I believe laughter is good medicine, here's a video I think you will enjoy.

Until next time, 

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Encouraged to be thankful

Hello, once again life has taken me by storm and I'm getting behind on my blog.

I will try to catch up and then hopefully get back on track.

I was inspired by one of my fellow bloggers, Shirlee, to think of something I'm thankful for each day this month.  So I have set a goal for myself to do so and to write something I'm thankful for each time I write my blog this month.

You can visit Shirlee's blog at http://farmhouseponderings.blogspot.com/2013/11/30-days-of-thankfulness-giveaway-winner.html

At the beginning of the week, I got to visit with my aunt Aleta.  She is in for a visit with my parents.  The last time I saw her was about 24 years ago.  It was good to see her and I'm glad she is here.

This week has been a busy week with Halloween and Fall Festivals.   Here are some pics I have captured this week.

Halloween week started out with heavy fog

All dressed up

Good Food

Pumpkin Seed Spitting Contest - the young
lady in the light blue shirt won.

Potluck at work

Inmates at the bank, Oh my!

Never fear...

a fox

a kitty

This guy showed up in my house

As you can tell the week went well and was full of smiles.

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Thankful

I'm thankful for family, good food and friends.

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Like Shirlee, I encourage you to think of something you are thankful for each day this month.

Until next time, 

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

PS...don't forget to set your clocks back an hour this weekend.