True North

This afternoon I started painting the Mariner's Compass on my wall, in my sewing area.   It's not finished, so I will wait until it is, before I post a pic.

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The Mariner's Compass is a very old quilt pattern.  The first recorded mariner's compass quilt is dated 1726, according to quilt pattern designer, Judy Mathieson.   This quilt pattern will look great in my bedroom as I collect the old sailing ships and have them on display in my room.   The colors I am using on my painted mariner's compass will be reflected in the quilt I will make for the bed.

As I painted, I began to reflect on this pattern.

A mariner's compass is a tool used to help sailors navigate the seas.   The compass was invented in ancient China, around 247 BC, but wasn't used in navigation until around the 1100s.  So, the mariner's compass has been around for quite a while.

Reflecting on this, I see that people have always been searching, looking for guidance.  

Today, people still search.

Like the vast sea, with its waters constantly moving,  life tosses us about.  In my life, my "mariner's compass" is the Bible.  When I'm going through a tumultuous time, being rocked by the raging waves of life, I can go to my "mariner's compass" and find an answer to a problem I'm facing or find comfort while being tossed about by the wind.

I didn't always have my "mariner's compass" or if I did, I did not use it.   I would fight the raging waves on my own, only to be knocked down and sucked in - pulled deep down under the sea.  My life then was literally dark and dreary.

Thank goodness, I no longer have to live that way.     I made a choice.  A choice to follow God and to use His Word as my guide.    I now go through life with my eye on "True North" and try not to veer off coarse.   I know though, if I do get knocked down by a rogue wave along the way, I can find my way back up with my "mariner's compass".

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Just thought I'd share Audre's marshmallow catapult with you.

The Marshmallow Catapult

Lock and Load

Marshmallow Loaded

                                               

  and FIRE!!  The marshmallow flew 27 feet!

Big brother (Josh) checking it out.

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On the way home from church this evening, the sky was once again an awesome sight.   

When I got home I took some pics.   

It's not that I'm fascinated with the moon and clouds....  I'm fascinated with God's creation.

Just think - in  the old days sailors had to use the sky too, in order to navigate.

So... may you have clear skies and a "mariner's compass" to navigate your way through the week ahead.

God bless and keep you,
Sonia

Paints, Catapult, Action!

Today was a day of moving and painting.   My daughter is re-doing her room.  So all her stuff is out of her room and in the living room and dining area.    We spent part of the day painting and she and my hubby built a  catapult she designed for a science fair she's going to this week.   She will have to finish her paint job tomorrow afternoon.

I hope to paint my "Mariner's Compass" tomorrow afternoon.  We will see if that happens or not. :)  I was going to paint it today but after painting the second coat on all four of Audre's walls today (as she was building the catapult) I decided to wait.

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I have posted 4 new giveaways. 

• House of Henrie - ends May 20
• Leona's Quilting Adventure - ends May 21
• My Organized Chaos - ends May 22
• 1 Choice 4 Quilting - ends May 29

These giveaways are pretty awesome!   Check them out on the Giveaways tab at the top.

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Still trying to reach my goal of 50  Followers

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My Goal is to reach 50 people to sign up as followers.   

Then I will have a giveaway to celebrate. 

 

Please help me reach by goal.

If you like my blog, please share it with others by posting about it and by grabbing my button and adding it to your blog.      Thanks! 

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Not much else to share today, as I am wore out.  

I hope you all have a great Sunday and thank you all for sharing and reading my blog.

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Changing Winds and Memories

Changing Winds 

I finished this little wall hanging last night.   

It is made up of 28 different fabrics, all 1 1/2" wide.  Sewn first, side by side... then turned to where the seams were running horizontal and cut again at an angle.  Flipped and sewn back together again... then cut on the diagonal, flipped and sewn together again.

No rhyme or reason to the construction, as this was basically a self diagnosed therapy session, but I think it turned out pretty cute.

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50  Followers

My Goal is to reach 50 more people to sign up as followers.   

Then I will have a giveaway to celebrate. 

Got any ideas on how this goal can be reached?

If you like my blog, please share it with others and let's see if I can reach my goal!

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In Closing

As the crickets and frogs sing in the warm night air, fond childhood memories are recalled...chasing the lightning bugs as they flit across the yard...the smell of fresh cut grass, while munching down on a piece of watermelon...the sweet smell of honey suckle as it takes over and covers up whatever it comes to.  

I can see the road sides while driving up Sand Mountain in Alabama, just covered with wild vines, lush and green.  I can still hear the panthers scream at night too.  I remember the creek that ran through my grandparents land and the makeshift boats we would send sailing down it.  That water was so cold, even in the summertime.  

I remember the vast wheat fields of Kansas and the scorchin' hot summers, the locusts filling the air with their songs.  I remember catching huge grasshoppers for bait, then casting a cane pole out over a body of water to catch fish.  I remember cleaning the fish too and the smell of it frying with hush puppies, as I waited, anticipating the delicious meal ahead.   

I remember the swampy land in Florida and playing out in the yard and watching it rain on the sand road in front of me and beyond, but not a drop of rain falling where I played.  I remember patches of earth where nothing would grow because a water spout had dropped ocean water there.

I remember the salty smell of the seashore and the cool wet sand between my toes.  I remember having to keep an eye out for the jelly fish too.    The sound of the waves is still soothing to my soul.  Sometimes, here in Arkansas, if I'm overlooking the area from on top of Mount Magazine and the wind is blowing through the trees, I can still hear the ocean waves - or maybe I just miss them.    I do miss the simpler times and things of life.

Funny how just a few sounds can bring up so many memories.

God bless and keep you, 

Sonia

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!

 Happy Mother's Day!!

I trust all you Moms had a great day.  
Today was a beautiful day with sunny skies.  

I was surprised this morning when my two, Josh and Audre, gave me a Comparative Study Bible.  It has four translations, the King James, New International, New American Standard and the Amplified versions.  I saw this Bible at Books A Million the other day and thought it would be cool to have one.   I didn't know they were being sneaky and buying it while we were in the store.  This will help with my studies, instead of having three or four different Bibles sitting around me I can now have them in one book.  

I was surprised at church this morning too.   

A cute little kid drew my name for the Mother's Day giveaway and I got a beautiful ground cover rose.  It is loaded down with buds.  One branch broke off, so I have it in water.  Hopefully it will root and then I can plant it too.  David is going to plant the rose bush for me tomorrow. 





This afternoon we had an enjoyable visit with my Mom-n-law, Audrene.  I made her a set of coasters in the light tan color, speckled with green, maroon and brown.   Then we went to my parents house.  I made my Mom, Linda, a coaster set in the burgundy color.   At my parents house, my little nephew, Lucan, kept us in laughter.  He will be two next month and is discovering everything.

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Yesterday

 

Yesterday I began reading One in a Million by Priscilla Shirer.   I read one chapter then stopped.  I realized I needed a book mark, so I took up some thread and a crochet needle and made one.
 

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Changes

I have changed up my tabs at the top.   I only have four tabs now.  

1. Home
2. Give Aways
3. Patterns
4. Something New

Home of course is the main page where all my blogs are viewable.  Give Aways is where I will continue to post giveaways from my blogger friends and any that I may have.  Patterns will be where I post any quilt or crochet patterns and Something New is where I will be posting blogs for others to promote their website or blog.

I will mention the updates and changes to the pages as needed. 

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In Closing

May God bless you,

On this day.

The lessons you gave,

Helped light my way.

Ever grateful for all you do,

Respect and love, I have for you.

                               Sonia Parham 5/9/02

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Home Made and Drying Out...

Since it hasn't rained for a couple of days and things are drying out, I thought I'd share some pics with you.

 

The rain was rough on my roses but they are springing back.

 

My Sedum and Hostas 

sure enjoyed the rain.

My first bloom on my Azaleas.

Don't remember what this is but it's cool looking when is grows out.

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Home Made Cherry Limeade

My husband made cherry limeade from scratch yesterday. 

It was yummy.

Here's the recipe.

• 1 cup of sugar
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup of water
•        bring these three items to boil in saucepan to make a basic sugar syrup.  Cool.
• 2 liter Seltzer water
• 6 limes, juiced
• 3/8 cup Maraschino syrup
•       combine these ingredients with the sugar syrup from above.  Mix well, serve on ice.  Keep refrigerated.   Garnish with lime slices and cherries, if you have them.

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In Closing

He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage. 

~ Proverbs 11:28

Have a wonderful weekend and if you are a Mom....

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

God bless and keep you, 

Sonia

Are You Aware?

I have been praying about breaking the addiction I have to foods that I should not be eating.   In the past when I have asked for such help it always came.  Now, understand I am a stubborn woman and it usually takes God knocking me in the head to get the point across. 

For example:  I use to drink a certain soda pop, so much that it was probably running through my veins.  I knew it was bad for me, high caffeine and sugar content, but I couldn't quit it.  So I prayed and asked God to help me break that addiction.   The next thing I know, I get sick as a dog!  The kind of sick where you can't keep anything down.  During that time, I drank the soda.   I have not been able to drink that soda since.  Don't want it, don't crave it.   

Well, that addiction was broke, but I got into other bad habits, different soda, candies, sweets, etc. 

Today, I bought a new candy bar to try.  I knew I shouldn't but I did anyway.  After eating half of it, I got an intense headache.  It hit me quick and hard like never before, so I knew it had to be something in the candy bar.   So I read the ingredients and saw something I haven't noticed before.         TBHQ.

I immediately looked it up and what I found was appalling!   TBHQ is a chemical preservative which is a form of butane.  I know there have been things in our foods that shouldn't be there for years but have never been affected until today.  It was my "knock in the head", so to speak.   I have looked at the things I like the most, candy, saltines, chips... etc.  TBHQ is in a lot of stuff!! 

I also checked some things I'm not addicted to and lo and behold it's not those things.  Go figure.

So, I'm taking the hint and keeping my eye out for stuff in the foods I buy.  I will start reading the labels when I shop.   It could be, that after years of eating the junk food I have acquired and allergic reaction to something else in the candy bar, so I will also be keeping a diet diary for a while.  I don't want to have another headache like the one I have today.  

My headache has lightened up over the day but it is still with me after 12 hours and that is with taking something to alleviate the pain.   

Be aware and find out more about TBHQ at http://www.naturalnews.com/031318_TBHQ_food_preservatives.html


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God works in mysterious ways... be aware of what He is telling you.   

On a lighter note, I want to share a video with you.   

It is of an experience Beth Moore had.   Beth is an awesome teacher.  She is devoted to teaching women about Christ.   Check out this video.  It had me chuckling but also brings a point that we need.

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Well, I've been busy this week, though I can't share my projects until after Mother's day.   That's all I'm going to share along those lines for now.  ;)

Hope all is going well for you and yours and until next time...

God bless and keep you,
Sonia 

Soggy Bottoms Bragging the Week before Mother's Day

Well, it's been a few days since I last posted.  It has been raining cats and dogs!   It rained all day again today.   Sunday morning the Pastor mentioned that he thought the drought we have been in may be over.  I think he is probably right or very close. :)   It is like soggy bottoms around here.

I'm thankful for the rain.   As a matter of fact, I like rain.  Some of the best walks I've had and peaceful times sitting out on a covered porch or deck, have been in the rain.  I like the sound of thunder and I think lightning is pretty cool... as long as it is not next me.  :)  However, several days of rain in a row, and I'm ready for a little sunshine.

My heart and prayers go out to all those that have been through the storms with tornadoes and flooding.  All the devastation is just awful.    Please join in prayer for those suffering.

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Banana Pudding like Mom use to make!

I finally made the banana pudding I wanted all last week.    

I used instant pudding, as that was what I had in the pantry.  I was worried it wouldn't soak through the layers of bananas and vanilla wafers, because it sets up so fast, but it did.   It is quite tasty.   

I took a pic of it, but the light over my cook stove, threw a yellow cast in the picture and it didn't turn out good.   So, sorry no pic.

My husband and I reminisced on how our moms use to make banana pudding.   You can see that recipe on the Recipe tab above.   I  found the recipe in my vintage cookbook set.

Oh... and check out the new giveaways I posted on the Giveaway tab above too.

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Bragging on my daughter, just a bit...

Check out this picture Audre drew.

Not only is she a good drummer, she is a good artist too! :)   

She's in ninth grade and growing up way too fast for my liking.

  

I am blessed to have her.  She is sweet and ornery too, but that's what makes life go around.  I know that she will succeed at whatever she puts her mind to, in the future.  She does good in school and keeps her head in the books, so far.  :)

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Bragging on my son, just a bit...

Since I bragged a little on my youngest, I need to brag a little on my oldest.  

Josh has been a man from the day he could walk.   He has always been level headed and knew what he wanted and where he is going.  

He too is a musician.  He plays the guitar.  He can play drums, sax, and does pretty good on the keyboard, but he prefers guitar.   He is now in his Sophomore year in college and working.  I don't know how he does it, but he keeps his grades up and keeps his scholorship.   Thank the good Lord above!  :)

I have to wonder where the time has gone.  He will be 20 this month.  Oh my!

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The week before Mother's Day...

Since it's the week before Mother's day, how about sharing some thoughts about your children?

Sometimes, I think we don't celebrate them enough and we should.

So share your thoughts.

I'm thankful and love my children dearly.  My heart is in three parts, my husband, my son, and my daughter.  It is surrounded by God.  If I were to loose any of them, that part of my heart would break and only God would be able to hold it together.

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In Closing...

Since I have talked about reaching up to God in prayer for those who are suffering from the storms, and talked about music and being thankful for my children, I thought I'd end with a scripture that refers to that.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High; To declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning,  And Thy faithfulness by night, With the ten-stringed lute, and with the harp; With resounding music upon the lyre.  For Thou, O Lord, has made me glad by what Thou hast done, I will sing for joy at the works of Thy hands.  Psalm 92:1-4

God bless and keep you,

Sonia