Thursday Favorite

Wow, what a week!

We had a warm weekend, just a teaser really... then a bitter cold week.  I'm thankful we were spared from the ice and snow here in Arkansas, but my heart goes out to those who are further south who got caught in it.  I'm from the deep south and most of my family is there and we are just not created for this cold weather business.  That's all there is to it.  :)

I thought it was pretty awesome though, that baby Grace was born in the midst of all the ice chaos on the interstates.  I'm sure all those involved will never forget that moment in time.

On Wednesday nights, I work with 1st - 6th grade children in the AWANA program.  Talk about good medicine!

Spending time with the kids, going over God's Word and listening to them as they learn scripture and the meaning of the scriptures, is what I need in the middle of the week.  If I'm feeling stressed from work or low in spirit, just an hour or so with the kids always relieves the stress and cheers me up.  I think they have a good time too.

Last night one of the girls gave out thank you cards.  Her lesson was on showing others you care.  I thought it was very sweet of her.  Here is the card she gave me.

I think the rainbow is pretty on the purple background and handmade cards are so special.  Don't you think?

I still have every handmade card, picture or project my two children have given me over the years.  You can't beat that.  It is something created with their hands, their thoughts and their heart.

Warm hugs,
Sonia

Prayer, Cookies and Crochet

I'd like to start out with a prayer request.

Please lift my family and especially my aunt Barbara and my cousins, Flora, Brian and Dawn up in prayer.  Yesterday my aunt's husband, my uncle Bill, passed away.  They think it was due to a heart attack.  Please remember them in this time of sorrow.

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It has been a beautiful weekend with sunshine and warm temperatures.

To be honest, I'm not ready for the weekend to end.

I tried out a new cookie recipe yesterday and must admit I wasn't happy with the recipe and wound up making some changes to it.

The recipe called for five ingredients, to bake at 250° F for 20 minutes.  The dough was very hard to work with and I wound up having to bake the cookies for 40 minutes.  That was my first batch.  They turned out, but my word!  :)

So I decide to do a second batch and I added to the amount of one of the ingredients, increased the oven temperature and adjusted the time. They turned out better than my first batch and didn't take as long to bake.

Here's the recipe.

1. 1 3/4 cups flour
2. 1/2 confectioners sugar
3. 10 tablespoons of melted butter
4. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5. 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Combine all the ingredients well, forming a stiff dough.  Roll the dough out and cut into small cookie shapes.  Bake at 350° F for 13-15 minutes or until lightly browned on edges.

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Friday night, I took my rings off to put lotion on my hands.  A few hours later I put my rings back on but one ring would not go on my finger.  It seems that maybe I am experiencing my first touch of arthritis... not sure... but I think it might be.  My joint is swelled on my finger, is a little sore and I can't bend it all the way like my other fingers.   So, since I can't put the ring I normally wear on that finger, I crocheted myself a new ring.  This ring will fit over my swollen joint and will be comfortable to wear.

I single crocheted a band, making it more narrow on the bottom, then added a crocheted flower to the band.

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Hugs, 

Sonia

Thursday Favorite

This morning I was working on pulling up documentation from several years back and as usual the computer program took its lovely time... Processing..... Processing... the hand on the little clock above just spun around and around and my eyes focused like the pic.  Ugh!

I know today is Thursday and I should be talking about my favorite thing instead of my least favorite.  So I've been thinking on it.

Though I had frustration at work and it is bone chilling cold outside... I have a warm home and a loving husband who will listen when I need to vent.  He listens and then gives me his thoughts on the matter. He usually helps me get over the "thing" I'm so worked up about, either by helping me come up with a solution or showing me there isn't a solution beyond my way of thinking or facing it.

He has become my best friend over the years.  So today my favorite is my husband David.

We are friends, he and I.

I say scrambled, he says fried.

I wouldn't have any other way.

It is something to look forward to each day.

They say opposites attract, and I guess that's true.

Because there's a good balance between us two.

I love him and he loves me.

Together as one, we are and will be.
SParham 1/23 /14

Hugs,

Sonia

My Thursday Favorite

As I backed out of my driveway this morning and started on my way to work, I was blessed with a beautiful sight.  

The moon was full and low in the western sky.  It was surrounded by cirrus clouds and shining bright.

My view was through the branches of trees in the field across the road from my house.  Though this picture isn't the best, you can see how bright it was.

It was as if the Lord was saying "Good morning my child, here's a little jewel in the sky to start your day, it is going to be a good day and remember I am with you."

One of my favorite sections of Scripture is one of the of Psalms of Ascent; Psalm 121.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you - the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm - He will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

So the next time you see the moon, maybe you will remember these words and know that you are not alone.

Hugs,
Sonia

Tickled Tuesday

Funny Pictures - Quotes - Photobucket

Live every moment.  Laugh every day.  Love beyond words. ~ Anonymous

Hugs,

Sonia

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop

Hello, since I'm at home today, due to icy roads I thought I'd share with you a blog hop I'm part of.  
It is Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop.  You can find it at Katherine's Corner.com or just click on this link  http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=2168090895&group=0&frame_type=a&blog=3391399&link=aHR0cDovL2thdGhlcmluZXNjb3JuZXIuY29tLzIwMTQvMDEvMDgvdGh1cnNkYXktZmF2b3JpdGUtdGhpbmdzLTEzMS1nYXJhZ2Uv&frame=1&click=0&user=3300975
I have made a commitment to do better at participating and promoting this blog hop this year as it is a great way to learn new things and connect with other bloggers.
I will do my best to post a Thursday Favorite blog each Thursday.  Join me and let's share our favorite things each week.
My Thursday Favorite
Today my favorite thing is being home with David, Josh and Audre, in my warm house with a cup of hot java.
As I write, I look out my front window and see the ice coating everything in sight. The trees, the barbed wire fence across the road and the grass in the pasture beyond the fence.
It is suppose to warm up today and the ice start melting.  I hope so and plan to be back at work tomorrow.  I received a text about 30 minutes ago (11:40 a.m.), that a tractor trailer had turned over on the highway I normally travel to work (hwy 309) blocking both lanes.  My prayers go out to all who are involved with that accident and the others out on the roads today.
So warmth and family is my favorite for this week.
What's your favorite thing today?
Hugs, Sonia

Brr...

FROZEN

That word describes my part of the world today.

A front is moving through, dropping freezing rain/drizzle and putting enough ice on the road that there have been a lot of wrecks on the roads.

A friend of mine had a 5+ hour trip home today because of having to stop for wrecks on the interstate.  He only works 45 or so minutes from home... talk about a long trip home.  

It took me twice as long to get home this afternoon.  My key word for travel today was SLOW.

A school bus, with children, flipped on its side today but thankfully no one was injured.

If I could afford to do so, I would be a "snow bird" or in this case an "ice bird" and head deeper south before this cold icy business started up.

Deep south in the winter and north in the summer... yep, I think that would work well for me.

I hope you are home safe and warm this evening.

Hugs,
Sonia

2013 in Review

Hello, 

After looking over the past year I realized I did a lot more projects than I thought. I tried to load a video of projects done in 2013 but it was taking way too long.  So I deleted it and decided to post the pictures instead.  I have also shared my best tool pick for 2013 and wrapped it up with a short summary of the year.

Projects done in 2013 

QUILTING

Grandmother's Garden

Baby Nine Patch

Winter wall hanging

Maple Leaf

Table topper

Mini Nativity

Quilted checker game

Candle mat

CROCHET

Baby hippo

Colorful dishcloths

Baby penguin

Summer dishcloth

Baby gator

Orange coaster

Heart bookmark

Potholder

Color block dishcloth

Orange dishcloth

Baby girl afghan

WREATHS

Autumn wreath

Christmas wreath

Large Christmas wreath

Spring wreath

OTHERS

Felt fish needle cases

Mini scrapbook on seasons

"Quilted" ornament

Hand crafted gift bag

Free hand embroidery

My pick of the best tool for 2013 is...

Handy seam riper with thread eraser

To wrap up my memories of 2013; I was laid off after 24 years of service with former job, hired nine weeks later at current job, my son graduated college with honors, my daughter accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was awarded Percussionist of the year, and I had some heartbreak, lots of laughter and joy, and blessings that are beyond monetary worth.

Though I couldn't always see it while living through it, looking over last year I now see it was overall a good year.

Hugs,

Sonia