Overcoming a glitch...

The first signs of our veggie garden are beginning to show.  My husband started seeds for the garden and today we noticed they are up and have vented the top of the seed starter tray.

We have cabbage and iceberg lettuce.

The beets and basil have started too.

I think they will do well.

I was needing a single vase a week or two ago and didn't have one.  I was at a flea market last week and found this pretty vintage milk glass bud vase.  It is diamond cut in the pineapple pattern.  

I finally finished one of the small quilts I've been working on.  It didn't happen without a glitch though.  Here's the quilt finished.

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Here's the glitch.  I had to stop and have some repair done on my machine.  I was sewing along and then the casing that holds the needle just dropped out of the machine.  

Thankfully my needle was not broke or bent, amazingly.

So that's Monday for me.  It started good, had a glitch, then ended good.  

Isn't that how life goes?

Everything is going along good, then a glitch happens.  How you overcome that glitch depends on how you face it.  In the case of my sewing machine, I turned to my husband.  I have never had my machine do anything like it.  He repaired it, and showed me what I need to do if it ever happens again.  I am now prepared  with the knowledge and the tool to take care of it next time.   

But what about bigger things in life?  How do you overcome glitches then?  I personally rely on my relationship with God.  I search my heart and pray asking God to reveal what I should do, and at some point, either through discernment or Scripture, I know what needs to be done or what to expect next.  These verses sum it up nicely.

Psalm 16:8-11 (NIV) 

I keep my eyes always on the LORD.  With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will You let Your faithful one see decay.  You make known to me the path of life, You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

Hugs, 

Sonia

Jump start...

Where has the time gone?

This week I'm able to slow down and relax.  I have all my handmade projects for Christmas done, my home is decorated thanks to my daughter, and my son is home to spend Christmas with us this week.

In all the hubbub and stress of life, I have let the reason for the season slip behind all the tinsel and glitter, the songs I was trying to use to bring on the Christmas spirit within my self, the decorations and gifts, letting all that "stuff" clamor to front of my life and letting the One true reason for my joy to be pushed to the background.

I attended two services celebrating Christmas.  The Christmas that is focused on Christ. Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.  This, is what I needed.  A jump start you might say, a kick in my Christmas merriment, to get me back on track.  I realized I had gotten my priorities mixed up.

I realized too that I had let all the "stuff" get in the way of my blog.  This is the first I've written anything since Thanksgiving, I think.

I'm truly sorry for that.

As I left work today I noticed the moon hanging big in the sky, reminding me of the wonder around me.

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My nineteen year old is saying "let's have Monday Christmas" as she looks at her brother.  I'm tickled because he commented back "I'll be here on Christmas day too."  It's nice to hear the banter between the two.

As usual, we caved and the kids opened two gifts. We have done that so much over the years that it just happens now, that some gifts are exchanged early. It all started on my and David's first Christmas together and we just kept it up.

UPDATE on my Dad:  My dad is doing better in the past week.  He walked 35 feet one day and has been sketching ships.  He still doesn't know who I am most of the time but he is being more responsive.

The new year will be here soon and I'm thinking of revamping my blog as it seems to be hard for me to update all the pages, but I will think on it and then decide.

 Okay....
well I'm getting side tracked with the kids playing a game.

I'll be back soon,
Hugs,
Sonia

My Walk

Just a note to let you know I've updated the My Walk page.

To you all, may the Lord give you peace and happiness this week.

Hugs,
Sonia

Love is in the air...

As the Valentine weekend began, at work yesterday there were several treats to start it off.

When I got home last night, I had a surprise.  I won the drawing from the giveaway give by Rhodes Creations.

* Potpourri and Hot Maple Tody potpourri liquid
* All Natural Furniture Spray - Lemon scent
* Microfiber Cloth
* Pretty handmade ornament
* Rustic star ornament
* Help from Above - a collection of Bible verses
* All Natural Dusting Powder
* Bath Melts
* Vanilla Latte Sugar Body Scrub
* Aller Herb Tea
* Mixed Herbal Blend Honey
* Mint Lip Balm
* Massage oil

It was a nice surprise for the day.  :)
Check out Laura's website at www.laurarhodes.blogspot.com

In celebration of today, I had told David I would cook.  He had requested chicken fried steak with all the fixings.  :)

I've never cooked chicken fried steak, so I looked for a recipe but didn't find one that suited me.  So I picked a recipe out to follow and then changed it up for our Valentine meal.

I'm happy to say it turned out good.

Here's how I made it.

• 4 pork cube steaks, salted and peppered on both sides
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 1 egg
• dash or two of cayenne pepper
• 2 clove garlic, minced
• 2-3 cups vegetable shortening for frying

Put 2 cups of flour in a shallow bowl.  Stir together the baking powder, baking soda, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper in a separate bowl - add the egg, garlic and buttermilk and mix well (this is your batter).  Dredge each steak first in the flour, then the batter, and in the flour again.  Be sure to pat the flour on the steaks so that they are covered completely with dry flour.

Heat vegetable shortening in a deep fryer or a deep cast iron skillet to 325° F.  Fry each steak until evenly brown on both sides, about 3-5 minutes per side.  Place the fried steaks on a plate lined with paper towel to drain while you cook the rest of the steaks.

These are tender and easily cut with a fork, and are yummy.

In a blog or two back, I mentioned getting a darning/free motion foot for my sewing machine.  I've practiced some, then decided to dive in  and give it a shot.  I have updated the Quilts, Etc. tab with how it went.  Check it out.  :)  Lessons learned for sure.

I trust you had an enjoyable Valentine's day.

Until next time,
Hugs,
Sonia