Archive | February 2017

Changing Styles: From Fluffy to Traditional/Vintage.

Feb21

Traditionally, Monday is laundry day which means clean sheets! Who doesn’t love clean sheets? The only thing better is line dried sheets but we don’t have a yard so it must be the dryer for this gal!

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I like the new way of making beds. You know, the inviting look. The big fluffy comforter, pillow shams and lots of pillows which give the bed so much appeal. However, with cats in the house, I like to keep the pillows we sleep on covered. No kitty-smelling pillow for this gal! Besides, as much as I love fluffy, warm comforters, my husband is just the opposite.

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This was our seventeen-year-old Patch. He earned the priviledge of napping on the pillows. Besides, at night he slept on the pillow between us and sometimes on my head but that was a long time ago. 

The cozy comforter ended up folded at the end of the bed because it was too hot. Uncomfortable. And so, for Christmas one year, John picked out a bedspread. When it is folded to be carried to the dry cleaners, it’s heavy but it is surprisingly lightweight on the bed.

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Skippy taking possession of the new bedspread

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I moved out heavy comforter and pillow shams to the guest room and pulled this bedspread out of the closet. I was surprised how lightweight it was but it is slippery!

Every morning, one of us has a majority of the cover. (I keep a folded quilt on my side of the bed. I would freeze with just a sheet and bedspread.) So I tried tucking in the bedspread at the foot of the bed. Since we have a footboard, it wasn’t seen.

It didn’t work. I bought a roll of non-skid rug liner. (Also great for drawers and shelves.)

I put the liner between the top sheet and the bedspread. It didn’t work either.

Today is Monday so when I changed the sheets, I had a brilliant idea. (We’ll see!)

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This is the foot of the bedspread.

I pinned the rubber backing to the foot of the spread and tucked it in. Hopefully, the weight of the mattress will hold spread in place.

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“Tucking it in.”

And now I am reverting back to the traditional way of making the bed. The way Granny taught me when I was six-years-old. (I love nostalgia!)

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Add throw pillows so that it won’t look too plain.

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Just like John’s grandmother made her bed. 

Footnote. Ruby just came to get me and led me to the bedroom. She walked straight to the bed which is usually her way of saying, “lets nap!” I usually stand up the pillow so that she has room but this time I just moved the throw pillows and she jumped up, looked around and headed to the covered quilt at the foot of the bed.

I might have to find another quilt to cover up with tonight. Ruby is in for the night. At least until kitty snack time.

Spring Wreath

Feb19

It doesn’t look like we will have snow here in Lynchburg, VA so I am anxious to plant seedlings and make a spring wreath.

Next week, I will plant my morning glory seeds that I harvested from our vine last fall. This will be my third year from the original seeds. However, it will be a while before they will be ready to bloom. I have ordered other seeds as well so we will have a colorful porch this year!

 

 

However, we still have cool days and nights ahead so I have turned my attention to a spring wreath. I saw one on Pinterest which was adorable and easy to make. I already had a foam wreath and all I needed was green eyelash yarn, daisy lace and pearl pins. Easy. Right?

Spring Wreath

Plan A.)  I found the items I would need on Amazon but they weren’t “Prime” items (no shipping) so the cost of shipping was higher than the entire order.

Plan B.)  My husband took me to the craft shop this afternoon. I was so excited. I just knew they would have what I needed. They didn’t. (insert *sigh* here).

Plan C.)  Be Creative!

I found the pins, some adorable ribbon and vines. Not quite the same.

I wrapped the wreath form with the green checkered, lace centered ribbon.

Secured the ribbon with the pins.

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And now for the flowers – which are on a vine. This is where I need your help.

I just can’t decide. What would you do?

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  • Wrap the vine around the wreath?
  • Remove the flowers from the vine and pin them on?

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  • Add Ivy to the mix?

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Or should I gather the vines into a figure 8, tie with a matching bow and attach to a portion of the wreath? See why I need your help? Please leave a comment below telling us how you would finish the wreath. I would love to hear your suggestions!

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There are so many options for this insignificant but outward sign of welcome for our door.

This reminds me of Creation. Just think. God spoke the world into existence! He created the world and rested on the seventh day; enjoying the wondrous world He had made.

26) “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

28) And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

29) And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

30) And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

31) And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:26-31 KJV)

It wasn’t the beauty of the sky, the ocean or the creatures in the ocean. It wasn’t even the beautiful flowers in the garden. Nor was it the animals He created that gave Him the joy of communication. Fellowship. He saw that all He had made was good.  Yet, He wanted to commune with man whom He had made in His image. He said, “Let us make man in our (the Trinity. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Three in One.) He even saw that it wasn’t good for man to live alone and so He put Adam into a deep sleep and from his side, created Eve. (Genesis 1-3) So many decisions. Every detail, every trailing vine was created by God.

That makes my little spring wreath seem insignificant. Yet, every detail in creation is significant.

Why am I concerned about how to decorate this spring wreath? Because I am making it for Him.

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“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”

(Colossians 3:23 KJV)

Delicious Scones

Feb16

My sister, Judi always sends wonderful birthday gifts. This year she sent a package of scone mix. My husband had never eaten Scones and I haven’t made any from scratch in over 32 years so I was eager to try the mix.

 

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So I pulled out my favorite mixing bowl, added water, stirred and used a large spoon to “drop” them onto the parchment paper covered pan and placed a few in the toaster oven and covered the bowl with plastic wrap so that we could have fresh scones the next night.

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They turned out beautifully!

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I brushed the top with softened butter. They were delicious! I will not say how many we devoured but John loved them.

 

John at the Liberty Station in Bedford, Va

That’s my guy! (This photo was taken last year but it is one of my favs.)

We left one for you!

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We had one left to share with you! It went great with Peppermint Tea. Shall I pour a cup for you?

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I will definitely make these again. I might add a few more cranberries and dots of butter to the batter. The refrigerated batter worked out well the following day. I still prefer to cook from scratch but this was wonderful and was so easy to prepare.

 

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If you have considered buying this product, I definitely recommend it.

Thanks, Sis!

Happy Valentines Day!

Feb13

Valentines! Just the word brings delight and joy to many. As children, we decorated bags with hearts and tissue paper flowers and knew that class would be cut short on Valentines Day for a class party where parents sent cookies, cupcakes and children exchanged Valentines Day Cards – one for every child, of course. No one likes to be left out! We all looked for a card from that special someone and cherished that card. Sometimes, that special card came with candy if the boy was smart!

Junior high school girls through college age are giddy and nervous on that day. Preparing for a banquet, receiving flowers or candy and a card or dreading the thought of not receiving anything from anyone. Men like to say that “Valentine’s Day is just a day the merchants invented so that people would spend more money.”  They certainly have benefit from the “man made” holiday but it began in honor of a man who loved the Lord. He was martyred on February 14th along with others centuries ago. At first, it was a day to honor “Saint Valentine.” However, romance was added around the 15th Century. I don’t think Hallmark was around then.

Before John and I were married, Mother Purdy pulled out a box filled with family treasures. Pictures, poetry, and a fascinating card. Her father had sent it to her mother when they were courting. I’m not sure about the time frame but it must have been around 1900. It was a very decorative card, with questions on it that he hoped she would answer in the affirmative. It reminded me of cards we made in the third grade. It was sweet, pure and heartfelt. Oh, to have a copy to share with you! I must add that Clarence and Emma married, had five wonderful children and from the pictures I have seen and stories I have heard, the kindle of their love was never extinguished.  I looked at that card with stars in my eyes as my husband-to-be gave me a bright smile, revealing adorable dimples.

Our first Valentine’s Day was the most special February 14th I had ever had. The Lord had brought John into my life and joy too.

For those who are hurting today because of the loss of a loved one or it seems that you are destined to be single. Don’t lose heart. Keep your focus on Him. After all, what greater Valentine than to know that the God who created the universe loves you. He has the number (or lack thereof) of hairs of your head and knows your heartache, collects your tears in a bottle also knows your joys and His plan for you. Look to Him, my friend. Delight in Him through His Word and prayer. His timing is perfect. Trust Him.

“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8 (KJV)

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”  John 3:16-17

“Herein is love is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins,” I John 4:10

Now, that is LOVE!

Happy Valentines Day Friends! Praying you will joy in His love today.

Love,

Kathy

My Tribute

Feb11

I have been planning to have a different song and verse from scripture about the Love of God and then I saw a video of this gentleman playing on facebook and it blew me away.  His name is Hugh Waddy. I went to the facebook page of the Church who posted the video.

(Of course, you know I had to sing along!)

You may want to check it out as well.  This is what I learned from one of the posts.

There are more videos! check out the link: https://www.facebook.com/JacksonFirstBaptistChurch/… was Mr. Hugh Waddy, a concert pianist that has played at places such as Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. He did a concert here at the church this past Saturday night and it was truly amazing. If you are interested in a DVD of the entire concert, send an e-mail to jay@jacksonfbc.com.

(This youtube was Published on May 25, 2016
Hugh Waddy Fayetteville, GA plays “My Tribute” at Bethany UMC church, Fayette County Georgia. Recorded by Ardon Smith.)

I hope you are as blessed as I am by Mr. Waddy’s music. We are never too old to serve Him with all our heart.  Thank you, Mr. Waddy for blessing us!

Wait until you hear him playing How Great Thou Art!

Sharing God’s Love

Feb4

Mark 12-30 Rose by Mekel Rice

“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 

I John 4:19

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”

I John 4:10-11

We often speak of love as if it is a fuzzy feeling akin to having beautiful butterflies in our tummies and warm, tender thoughts. There is a time when this is an indication that there is a possibility of caring which will lead to a relationship but this isn’t love. This is a transient feeling that can change with the emotions.

I was recently reminded of one of my wonderful college professor’s definition of Agape` love – otherwise known as “Godly love.” (There are three words for love in the Greek but Agape` love is what I want to address this valentines day.)

Dr. Robert Delnay’s definition was; “Love is to purpose the good of another without the expectation of benefit to oneself.” (I hope I remembered this correctly. He had us set this to memory several decades ago.) In other words, To do what’s best for someone else without expecting something in return.

After all, we have the greatest example of all in John 3:16-18.

“For God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through Him might be saved.

He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

You see, He saw our need and made the greatest sacrifice to provide our need for a Savior. He filled that need by sending His only begotten to take our punishment (even though He was sinless) so that we will have everlasting life – with Him!

“Amazing love, how can it be? That Thou, my God shouldst die for me!”

~*~

Candy is sweet and flowers have beauty but the love of our Savior is indeed the greatest gift of all. Won’t you receive His gift of love to you today?

Happy Valentines, dear friends. May your joy be full as you celebrate Valentines Day in Him!

If you would like to know how to love one another, check out I Corinthians 13 and apply it to your life this week. I know I will.

Love in Him,

Kathy