Apron Giveaway

Lisa,  - from Rick Rack Attack, and The Apron a Day Blog - will be giving the winner her choice of Vintage Apron from her shop. All you have to do to is to go over to her shop, and choose which of her many pretties is your favorite. Then leave a comment below to enter the giveaway. You may also enter by posting about this giveaway on your own blog, and leaving a second comment with the link.  Good luck!

Deadline to enter is Friday July 25th at 9pm PST. Winner will be drawn at random and announced on Monday, July 28th.

This giveaway is graciously hosted by The Apronista.

Until next time…

Tie one on…apron, that is.

New Review and Giveaway Site…

and a giveaway.

I ran across this site a little while ago and thought I’d pass it along to anyone who enjoys a giveaway.  A variety of things will be given away.

The current giveaway is a a swim fun pack for little ones.  It includes a variety of goodies.  Check out the details by clicking on the bucket.

Until next time…

remember…

Nothing sets a person so much out of the Devil’s reach as humility.  
                                   ~ Jonathan Edwards ~

Love Seat Cover Is Underway

Today I finally started the ground work for making a cover for our love seat.  I promised to share my progress along the way.  My plan is to make a three piece cover.  The cushions will each have a separate zippered cover from the body of the seat.  I’m thinking it will stay in place best if it is constructed in three pieces.  The cushions should help to keep the body of the cover in position.  If I’m wrong I may hold my breath until I turn purple.  :D 

The cushions will be my starting point.  I’ll use piping in the seams so today I made piping using strips of the fabric cut on the bias.  I’m pleased with them.  This was the first time I’ve used the cording foot of my serger, and the process is unbelievably simple.  I made approximately seven yards of piping in just a few minutes.  More will be needed, but seven yards is a good start and should be enough for the cushions.

Here’s a shot of the piping…

 Until next time…

remember…

The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.  

                                   Proverbs 29:25

One More Thing

My latest breastfeeding cape and burpie…

Until next time…

remember…

The highest reward for man’s work is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it.

Daybook July 21, 2008

For Today…July 21, 2008

Outside My Window…I’ve been watching adult Cardinals and Blue Jays feeding their young.  This is one of the greatest pleasures of birdwatching and feeding.

I am thinking…much about the presidential race.  If I did not believe God is ultimately and completely in control I would be completely discouraged by what I see happening.  Still I am blown away by how gullible or asleep so many Americans seem to be.   I will never understand why so many want a government that infringes upon our personal rights.  I don’t need a government to make choices for me and dictate how I think.

I am thankful for…the grueling medical treatment my DH is enduring is drawing to an end.  Even though he is not yet able to, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

From the kitchen…there will be daily tasks underway shortly.  If floors could talk mine would be begging to be cleaned. 

I am wearing…an airy gauze skirt, a too skimpy t-top covered by a full apron.  

I am creating…cloth, fitted diapers.  Today is the day I begin working on a slip-cover for our love seat.  I am so tempted to attempt actually re-upholstering it, but I’ll wait on that until we can afford replacing it if I don’t succeed.  Is that chicken?  I’ve decided my first step will be to make piping…then I’ll make cushion covers.

I am going…to stay home today, good Lord willing.  I rarely leave home on Monday.  It’s my home recovery day.  It’s also the first day in several in a row I am alone…which is one reason I need a home recovery day. 

I am reading…Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton.  It’s a novel published in 1911 about one New England man’s toils and trials of life.  Ms. Wharton’s writing style is pretty flowery and unlike anything I’ve ever read.  At times I have to re-read sentences to get the jest of what she is saying.  I’m not far into the story, but in spite of the over use of adjectives and and wordy writing style, Ms. Wharton has peeked my curiosity about the story’s main character.

I am hoping…there are no great demands by other people on my time today.  I need a day to refurbish and do what I want to do.  I don’t mean that to be selfish…it’s just needful.

I am hearing…Glenn Beck on politics.  He’s got a pretty good grip on reality…it’s a shame more people don’t see THE BIG PICTURE the way he does.  I don’t agree with everything he says…but I do agree with the majority of it.  I wonder if that makes me a cynic…

Around the house…there is peace, sweet peace. 

One of my favorite things…being greeted by our dogs when I’ve been away from the house.  They are a “crude” picture of unconditional love. 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  I am not big on making plans.  I take one day at a time whenever possible.  On Thursday my DH has a doctor’s appointment.  I will accompany him.  I will do some sewing and begin working on the cover for our love seat.   It’s time for our dogs to get a good bath, too, so I will tackle that job.

Here is picture thought I am sharing…

Our love seat really does need a face lift! 

Until next time…

remember…

BIG things are accomplished ONE STEP at a time!

Fresh Is Almost Always Better

Last night before going to bed I put together my first batch of homemade yogurt.  I’d been toying with the idea of making my own for a while, but I didn’t realize it was such a hassle-free process or no “yogurt maker” appliance was needed.  Leila over at Bilingual Baby posted a yogurt making tutorial a while back and inspired me to give it a try.  Yogurt is by far one of my favorite foods.  Fresh anything is almost always better, and rarely does anything top homemade goodness so I wanted to find out for myself if good yogurt could be improved by making it at home.  I pretty much followed Leila’s instructions with just a couple deviations.   She suggests you use an earthen bowl, but I gave all mine to my girls years ago.  I used glass.  Feeling very optimistic about the outcome, I doubled the recipe.  Instead of wrapping my bowl in a blanket I used a large, thick bath towel.

This morning when I walked into the kitchen and spotted the towel bundle setting on the counter I couldn’t wait to take a peek.  It had been between nine and ten hours since my culinary experiment began.  When I unwrapped the bowl this is what I found. 

It looked promising.  I stirred it, and though it is not as thick as what I buy, (Leila declared that in her tutorial so it was no surprise) it had thickened nicely.  Well-chilled yogurt is always preferable, but I couldn’t wait for a taste.  Even at room temperature it tastes better than what I have been buying!

Milk has gotten so high-priced, I’m not sure I saved much money by making my own, (because I already buy more the economical, large, store brand containers), but if chilling makes this batch taste any better (and I’m almost certain it will) I imagine I will continue making it at home even if I don’t save more than a few cents.  There is just something very satisfying about doing things yourself.  I’ve always enjoyed yogurt, but I’ll eat this with “pride”.

Thanks again, Leila, for sharing your know-how! 

Last week I shared a picture of the beginning of a batch of alfalfa sprouts.  Saturday they came of age.  After the final rinse I spread them out in a paper towel lined, flat-bottomed bowl to air dry.  (The paper towel is used to wick moisture.)  Initially I sat the bowl near a window so the tender spouts would be exposed to sunlight.  It didn’t take long for them to “green up” and look more appetite appealing.  After they greened a little I moved them out of the sunshine and allowed them to air-dry for nine or ten hours.  The air-drying step extends their life in the refrigerator.  Putting them away while still moist causes them to degrade more quickly. 

Here is my beautiful bowl of sprouts before being “greened up”. 

My DH and I ate sandwiches over the weekend.  I piled sprouts high on mine instead of using lettuce so this batch is almost gone.    This morning I’ll start soaking another.  Sprouts are another example of “fresh is almost always better”, and mmmm mmm, they are so good.

Until next time…

remember…

Success comes in cans. Failure comes in can’ts.

An Unexpected Blessing

Yesterday two of the afghans I crocheted during the cooler months sold!  Both were purchased as newborn gifts.  The first one is made in a waffle pattern with natural worsted weight Bernat yarn and edged in olive…very boy. 

This full-sized afghan is crocheted in a heart pattern with Red Heart worsted.  The little girl who receives this one can use it for many years to come.

Those of you who know me know my DH has been very sick for the past several months.  He has been unable to work fulltime so our income has been much lower than we had grown accustomed to.  We’ve not missed a meal or a payment during this time.  We’ve trusted the Lord to keep His promises.  I’m thankful for these sales and see that this is one of the ways God cares for us in tough times…ain’t He good?  All the time!

Until next time…

remember…

Hatred is an acid that corrodes its container.  

                                ~   Tonya Baker  ~

Microwave Mug Cake

I’ve seen this done a few times and wondered if it really works.  Even though chocolate cake is not part of my usual diet, I decided to test it.

5 Minute Mug Cake

1 coffee mug

4 TBL Sugar

4 TBL Flour

2 TBL Cocoa

tiny pinch of sea salt

1/8 tsp baking powder

1 egg

3 TBL Milk or Buttermilk

3 TBL Vegetable Oil

Spray inside of a large coffee mug with non-stick spray such as PAM.  (The mug must hold at least 12 oz.) Add all dry ingredients.  Mix well.  Add wet ingredients and stir until well blended.  Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Turn out onto a plate.   Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle chocolate icing over it.

I made a drizzle frosting by mixing 2 tsp cocoa, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, a couple drops real vanilla extract and enough milk to make it a thick drizzling consistency.

Conclusion…

It works and tastes pretty good.  Actually it tastes very good for the time and effort involved in making it.  The next time my grands come to visit I’ll let them  make their own individual mug cake for dessert. 

Note:  I used cake flour.  It is lighter than regular flour.  If using self-rising flour, omit baking powder and salt.

Until next time…

What we usually pray to God is not that His will be done,  but that He approves ours.  

                                  ~ Helga Bergold Gross ~

Thursday Thingie

My Thursday Thingie is a vintage mantle clock given to me by my dad.   It was manufactured by the E. Ingraham Co., Bristol, Conn, circa late 1800, early 1900.  I don’t have an exact date.  It works, chiming on the hour and dinging on the half hour.  The Bible on top of the clock was my Dad’s…it’s at least 50 years old.

The finish looks much better in “person”.  I guess the flash distorted it.

Until next time…

You can’t enjoy today if you’re worrying about the past or the future.

Taggy Blanket Giveaway

This cute little boy blanket is being given away over at Bellatina’s blog.  The seventh person to comment on her giveaway post wins.  How hard can that be?

Until next time…

remember…

In times like these, it helps to recall that there has always been times like these.