Weekly Word: Bitter or Better? + Books, Stitches and Gratitude!

 Hello There, 

We just got home from a wonderful visit to San Diego!  We stayed with my sister and brother-in-law.  Days were spent with Mama and Daddy, who are doing well, memory issues of course, but they have the same joy for life as always.  Sometimes we laughed so hard my tummy hurt!  We spent evenings with my sister and her husband.  Their home overlooks the San Diego Bay and beautiful downtown.  Though it was excruciating to walk away from my parents, my heart is filled with joy at their overall improved health since relocating there.  It was such a lovely visit. 

I’ve been a bit frustrated with Blogger as their spellcheck seems to have disappeared.  I’m now writing my posts on Word and copying them onto Blogger.  How do you all deal with this issue?

We got home just in in time to babysit our grandkids for a few days and then to enjoy the whirlwind of Thanksgiving preparations!  I’m looking forward to inviting my granddaughter to help me! 

Please enjoy your tea, wine, coffee or whatever is your pleasure as you read this week post!

Here's is an index should you have a special interest you like to read first!  

The Weekly Word - is a short devotional that sometimes becomes a Bible Study series.  

My Reading Life - is filled with current, completed and upcoming reads as well as an occasional short review.      

Stash Report and To Do Tuesday is where I'll share stats regarding my fiber usage and acquisitions, goals met/lack thereof and photos of my projects. 

Gratitude Journal - Sometimes I get lost in my own stinky thinking.  This digital journal reminds me to count my blessings!    

The Weekly Word

Lately, I've been pondering the question: Will I become bitter or better throughout this challenge?

Many years ago, I heard this question during a sermon from a pastor who had lost a child.  As he spoke, he certainly had my attention.  Years ago, I would have chosen bitterness over becoming better every day of the week.  After this sermon, I pondered my decision.  

Did I want to become like others I knew who chose bitterness?  

Do you?

I began to search the Scriptures and this one really changed my life:

When Paul writes the word, "but", I pay attention.  Here he states, "But one thing I do," so I paid close attention.  He said he forgets what is behind and strains towards what is ahead.  At the time, I didn't understand the rest of the verse, only that I had a choice to forget my past and literally strain towards what God has for me in my future.  

What freedom I began to experience as I put my energy toward straining towards God's plan for me, a plan to give me a hope and a future, rather than bitterly wallowing in my past or trials.

It was a process.  I needed time to change and grow.  God was patient with me.  

Now, most of the time, I chose to become better, straining toward my future with Him.  It's so liberating!  

Would you join me on this journey of moving forward better rather than bitter? 

My Reading Life

During our visit to San Diego, we visited a locally and Latina owned bookstore in Barrio Logan, Libélula, which means “dragonfly”.  We spent about an hour and half there and I purchased these books.  I look forward to visiting Libélula again and again and again....

I purchased the books below for my grandchildren.  

Our visit to Chicano Park, 

the site of the largest collection of outdoor murals 

in the United States, 

was interesting touched my heart.  

Currently Reading

I'll probably be restarting Chasing Fireflies as I've been away from it for too long and have forgotten much of the plot!  
Finished

*** The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill was a confusing read as reality and fantasy seemed to merge.  The last sentence brought it all together for me – I think!  What saved the day for this read was the fabulous narrator, Katherine Littrell. 

*****Bibliophile Diverse Spines by Jamise Harper & Jane Mount was one of the books I picked up at Libélula.  It is a definite 5 star read and perfect for those of us who are wanting to read more diversely.  I’ve read a few of the books mentioned and look forward to reading more of them.  I learned so much by simply reading this one book!  Highly recommend!

Stash Report

Fabric & Yarny Numbers - as we have been traveling, there have been no changes in yarn/fabric numbers!  Lots of progress on hand work though!  

To Do Tuesday

Last Week's List  is pretty much the same as last week's list.   

1.  Slow Stitching   

a.  Make progress on the 2/4 tea towels! NOT DONE!

b.  Finish prepping block two of the Bee Humble Sew Along. DONE!  I also managed to get some stitching done on it!  

2. Machine Sewing:  

a.  Stitch up this month's blocks for the $15 Sampler Quilt from Bee Sew Creative. I'm a bit nervous about these as it's been a while since I've done paper piecing!  NOT DONE as I was in San Diego. Here are what the blocks should look like. 

3.  Crochet:   

a.  Continue working on my Fall Granny Square Afghan.  DONE!  One more 16 patch block was connected and another is close to being done!

This Week's List

1.  Slow Stitching   

a.   Finish block two of the Bee Humble Sew Along. 

2. Machine Sewing:  

a.  Stitch up this month's blocks for the $15 Sampler Quilt from Bee Sew Creative.  

b.  Continue joining the Pieces in the Garden rows. 

c.  Prep Row 11 of the Pieces in the Garden QAL.

On The Radar...

- Stitch up a baby quilt that I've prepped.

- Finish up my daughter's crocheted dishcloths.

- Prep kits for January 2023

Gratitude Journal

If I'm not mistaken, this week we are sharing songs about Fall that we enjoy at our I Like link up at LeeAnne's Not Afraid of Color link up!  I hope you'll join us there!

As a nod to my memories of learning to dance by standing on Daddy's toes as "we" danced, here's Autumn Leaves by Nat King Cole.  

Here's a play list you may enjoy 

during your celebration!

We enjoyed a visit to Chicano Park.  The history there is amazing, as was our conversation with one of the residents. 

 

We also thoroughly enjoyed visiting a few museums in Balboa Park which I'll be sharing on my blog.  

 I hope your month is filled with a deep awareness of all we have to be thankful for!

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I read each one and will respond by email.

You can also expect a visit from me as well!

Here are some blogs I sometimes link up to!

Sunday Salon @ Readerbuzz

Slow Sunday Stitching @ Kathy's Quilts

Sunday Stash @ Quilt, Paint, Create

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? @ Book Date 

Sew and Tell @ Melva Loves Scraps (Mondays) a new link up for me

To Do Tuesday @ Texas Quilt Gal

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication (Wednesdays)

I Like @ Not Afraid of Color (Thursday)