Thursday Favorite

As the 4th of July approaches, I'm happy to know my dad is getting stronger every day and my niece Chloe is on the way and is scheduled to be born tomorrow.

New beginnings, new birth... isn't that what our country is all about?  The freedom to worship when and where you like; the chance to start all over again, learning from your mistakes and making better choices; the right to have your own thoughts and to agree or disagree with what's going on around you and the right to voice those thoughts.

Ben Franklin said "Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature".

So as you spend time with family and friends this weekend, whether grilling out and shooting off fireworks, or just chilling out watching a fireworks show, remember to thank God for the freedoms you have.

Hugs,
Sonia

Out with old and In with the new

Hello, out with the old and in with the new is the idea of the day.

It's a great time to reflect on the blessings and lessons learned in the past 12 months and take them with us into the new year.

It's a great time to ask the Lord to help us break bad habits we've been trying to break on our own but realize we can't conquer them by ourselves.

It's also a great time to ask Him to help us start new habits, good habits that will better our physical, emotional and spiritual lives.

So having said that, let's celebrate the new year.  Like each day, it's a new beginning, to be better than you were yesterday.  Does it mean you have to win the Noble Peace Prize or start your own multi-million dollar business?

No, it just means take a deep breath and determine to be the best you can be each day and the most important thing to me is to know you are at peace with your Maker.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ Romans 5:1

Hugs,
Sonia

PS ... I have update the Crochet, Etc. Tab.

Early morning visitor

I had today off!

Microsoft clipart

We had visitor early this morning.  A hawk was resting on our fence.  He sure was a beauty.

I had a doctor's appointment this morning, but this afternoon I was able to work on some Christmas ornaments.  I made a set of them. 

They are made from cord, beads and butterfly paperclips.  You can find the pattern to them on Pinterest, look for "easy paperclip angel ornament".   

They are so cute!

My next project is a set of folded fabric ornaments.  I hope to have them to share by the end of the week.

Over all it was a good day and I'm thankful for that.  I have Thursday off for Thanksgiving and am already anticipating it.  I am making crockpot dressing to take to my parents house and then will make broccoli casserole for the family gathering my husband's side on Saturday.   Good food and family is always something to look forward to.

If you are traveling this week for the holiday, remember to buckle up and drive safely.

Microsoft clipart

Hugs, 

Sonia

VETERAN'S DAY

THANK YOU!

Quilts and more

Earlier in the week, Thursday to be exact, a storm blew through.  After the worst part was over the sky had a orange hue.  I stepped outside to take some pictures and there a beautiful rainbow was in the eastern sky.  My camera didn't pick up all the colors, but it was beautiful none the less.  The sky continued to churn and lighting continued to snap.  Here are some of the pictures I took over about 20 minutes.

Yesterday morning, I stepped out to check the Autumn wreath I had just put on the front door and noticed a bee, of some sort, going from flower to flower.  So I came back inside, got my camera and went back out to take pictures of him at work.

I've updated the following pages.  Check them out.

• My Walk
• Giveaways, Etc.
• Quilts

Have a great week!
Sonia

Quilted Coat

Have you ever had something like spring fever in autumn?

I feel like a squirrel that's as cracked as the nut it is trying to get into.

High energy within is held at bay from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.  By the time I can spend the energy, after 5 p.m, I am so beat down from the hours before I don't have the pep in my step to do it.  It's not a physical beat down but a mental one.

It was very warm outside today, so I sat at my desk and ate lunch.  While I was eating I thought to myself "I should have brought some small hand work like crocheting or a small hand quilted project like ornaments or a Christmas stocking  This is a way I could use up some of this creative energy brewing inside".

I had a book to read, it's a good story, but when I"m in this frame of mind it is hard for me to stay focused on the story.  I tried reading after I ate, but after a few paragraphs my mind began wondering.  So I began to type.

You've guessed it, I started on this during my lunch break.

Yesterday David met me in Ozark and we spent my lunch hour together.  We went to a flea market that Audre and I discovered last week when she and I spent lunch together.

$1.00

I found a cute little Santa Clause with a quilted coat.  I think he is adorable.

I also found an angel by Jim Shore.  She is from his 2002 collection.  I've always like Jim Shore's creations and was tickled when I found this one.

$4.98

Needless to say I enjoyed my lunch break.  I use to get to spend lunch with David everyday, but with my current job it doesn't happen very often.

Thank goodness the weekend is near.  I'm so ready for it.

Hugs,

Sonia

Always Close...

Microsoft desktop picture

Yesterday afternoon, towards the end of another long week at work, my desktop wallpaper changed to this picture.  I thought "what a great pic to end my week...".   A rainbow is a sign of better things to come and after the stressful and extra hours over the past two weeks, I needed that reminder.

Well the "better things" started with a 3 day weekend.  Can I get AMEN?!

This morning I was able to work on the log cabin quilt.  It was nice to be able to do so after not working on it for two weeks.

One of the best things so far this weekend is the opportunity I had this afternoon to spend time with family members I don't get to see very often.  Some of my aunts and uncles from Alabama and Louisiana are up to visit this weekend.  One of my uncles, my uncle Harold, I haven't seen since I was a young teenager.  Listening to him talk today, the sound and inflection of his voice, reminded me of my grandpa.

Growing up, due to my dad's occupation, we were on the move every three years or so and were not in close proximity to most of our family.  I wonder sometimes what it must be like to be near most of your family all your life?  What is it like to be there for them through hard times like heart break or grief, to help them through it so that they don't make choices that could harm them or they regret later?  Or to be there for them in the happiest of times, like the birth of a child or the addition of a new family member through marriage, or even to celebrate an accomplishment they've had no matter how big or small?

Though I don't get to spend a lot of time with most of my family, I cherish those times I do get to see them, because I don't know when I will see them again.  I have been blessed with a loving family on both sides and I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world.  My family is always close to me in my heart and thoughts and are continually in my prayers.

I took quite a few pictures today and plan to put them in a scrapbook.  I found a scrapbook yesterday at a local flea market and it has all the decorative pages in it.  The theme is "Family & Friends".  So the pics I took today will be perfect for it.

My first day off for the Labor Day weekend has been a good day.  I trust your weekend has started out good too.

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What's Up With That?

Lately there have been things that just make me say "hmm..." and make me wonder about them.  For example...

On the way to visit with family today, we met a police car on the highway driving towards us.  The car was moving slower than normal and as it got closer to us it moved to the yellow line, and after it was past us it swerved over the yellow line.  What's up with that?

Then there is a spot in the road on one of the highways I drive that has a sign that states "BUMP", indicating a bump is ahead in the road.   Well it is not a bump, it is a dip.  I know they have signs that state "DIP" to indicate a dip in the road.   Were they striving for a bump and just did not accomplish their goal?  What's up with that?

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I guess that's all I have for now.

Until next time, enjoy your weekend!

Hugs,

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

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.