Hello There,
Such a hard week...my precious Mia, my poodle of 17 years, passed away on March 14. Her's is the second close death we've had this year. I feel shattered as I wait for the joy that comes in the morning.
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Sunday, March 12, 2023
Weekly Word: Psalm 25:6 + Books, Stitches and Gratitude!
Hello There,
Thank you so much for visiting today! This week has been a great one for stitching and reading. I've had time to make progress on my Bee Humble BOM, finish a project and even finish a book! Yea!
Please pull a chair and your favorite snacks as you enjoy this week's post!
Sunday, March 5, 2023
Weekly Word: Psalms 25:5b + Books, Stitching, and Gratitude!
Hello There,
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 share stats regarding my fiber usage and acquisitions, Slow Sunday Stitching projects, 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!
Sunday, February 26, 2023
Weekly Word: Psalms 25:5a + Books, Stitching, and Gratitude!
Hello Friends,
As mentioned last week, 2023 has been off to a rough start for our family, but love overcomes everything. The love and support from you, my blogging community as well as friends and family has been so encouraging. The LORD has been doing a quiet, healing work in our hearts as He guides us and keeps our minds on what is truly important: faith, love, peace and being true to the person He is creating in each of us.
We have had some beautiful moments of joy and laughter as we live life and find joy in the everyday. It seems Spring may be upon us soon, so I am eager to begin gardening. Next month we get to go see my parents in San Diego! We attended a large birthday celebration of a dear neighbor - he's 90th! My precious grandchildren bring an extra measure of joy to my heart.
Life is good.
I hope this song blesses you as you pull up a chair and read this weekly post!
Sunday, February 19, 2023
Weekly Word: Psalms 25:4 + Books, Stitching, My Cloffice Reveal and Gratitude!
Hello Friends,
Wow...life does change on a dime...
We finished my cloffice, which is a closet turned into an office, the bookshelves, the electrical work for the cloffice and have it all set up! Then came a storm in our family.
But, you know what? Despite the pain, despite the grief, God has been gracious and constantly reminded me that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). We are, managing to slowly move forward with the LORD's joy as our strength. As we go forward, blogging may take a backseat now and then.
I hope you enjoy this post as I catch you up on our study of Psalm 25, some books I've read, a quilt finish and my Gratitude Journal, which will include photos of my new "cloffice"!
Sunday, February 5, 2023
Weekly Word: Psalms 25:3 Shame? + Books, Stitching and Gratitude!
Hello There,
It has been a busy couple of weeks filled with jury duty (can't believe I was selected), trips to El Paso, an office/library remodel and a fun weekend! Jury duty was actually interesting! I enjoyed my trip to El Paso with my hubby and will be sharing a reveal of my new office/library soon. Of course, photos will be on my Instagram account if I finish setting it up before next week!
I got out of hubby's way for a few days by sewing in my studio, going to a morning Bible Study, spending an afternoon at a local quilt show! Yea! We spent today at a Sit and Sew and then a fabulous cookie decorating class!
It's nice to be able to spend a few quiet days at home now catching up on blogging, cleaning, laundry and crafting!
Friday, January 20, 2023
Weekly Word: Psalms 30:5 Joy comes in the Morning + Books, Stitching and Gratitude!
Hello There!
I'm so glad you stopped in for a visit! Have you heard of the saying "things happen in threes?" Have you ever had one of those weeks where you experience the "threes" and they get progressively worse?
Sure you have. We all have. I just had one of those weeks. Ug. And more ug.
This week's Weekly Word is breaking off from Psalm 25 and I'll share how God helped me deal with this past week.
On a different note, My Reading Life was placed on the back burner as I had great visits with different friends for 3/5days. It was so nice.
And...I broke my fabric fast....just for a teeny amount of fabric.
Lot's happening here this week! So, I hope you're all comfy and cozy as you read on!
UPDATE: If any of you wonderful readers are on Instagram, I would love to follow you! Would you leave your user name in the comments, please?
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 share stats regarding my fiber usage and acquisitions, Slow Sunday Stitching projects, 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!
Faith, Trust and Breast Cancer - - Here you will find updates on life after Triple Negative Breast Cancer. I was diagnosed in November of 2014 and my last day of treatment was in November 2015.
The Weekly Word
We all have had trials, challenges, broken hearts (sometimes more than once, right?). How will we react? How will we process our various feelings?
One wise person told me, "Remember, feelings are not fact." That is so true. Another wise friend told me, "God created all our feelings, so accept them." Also true. When I deny my feelings, they fester. They grow. They demand attention.
So now, I give them the attention they need. I feel and acknowledge them, express them to God and ask for His healing.
Another pastor said something like this: If you're angry with God, let Him know. He understands! Tell Him how you feel - He knows your heart anyway - so tell Him! He can take it! He wants a relationship with us - a relationship built on honesty." This has opened the floodgates of healing in my life. God is God. He knows our heart. But, I believe when we speak our heart to Him, it provides opportunities for deep and lasting healing.
We cannot control life's circumstances, but we can control our responses. Will we, as I wrote about in an earlier post, become better or bitter? Perhaps we need to be bitter for a bit, but let us not dwell there long. Life is too short for bitterness. Let us give our bitterness, if it's there, to God.
Some years ago, I read Don't Throw in the Towel, Hope Again by Jana Alcorn. Wow...after reading her testimony, I was eager to learn how she kept her hope alive.
One powerful, enduring lesson is sometimes we are so broken that we don't have the strength to even pick up our Bibles - and that's ok. Nothing to feel guilty about. But, thank God for advances in technology, we have the Word available on audio. We can always push the play button. That's such a useful tool.
I also push the play button to hear Christian music, even if ever so softly in the background. As the artists sing scripture filled songs, I am reminded of my might King and LORD. A pastor once said that the defeated one cannot be where praise and worship are. I don't know if that is scriptural, but it sure helps me.
With the various voice activated devices, we don't even have to push play, simply ask Siri/Alexa to play the songs/Bible for us!
Let us also become vulnerable and reach out to friends for prayer. Being this vulnerable is a challenge for me. But, man, it sure helps. As I weep, I am reminded that I am being covered in prayers by these prayers warriors. As we reach out for prayer, we are not alone. We have an army backing us up. These warriors also offer such wisdom and encouragement in our time of need. So priceless.
I love the verses cited in Blessings by Laura Story - another lady who knows a thing or two about challenges.
This week I've been claiming "joy comes in the morning." I noticed the verse doesn't say "tomorrow morning", but simply in the morning. Some of the deepest hurts require more time to heal, but the healing comes.
Wait for it.
Hang on.
It's coming.
My Reading Life
Currently Reading
I finished several books in the last couple of days, so I'll be starting The Sewing Machine and When We Meet Again today.
Slow and Steady Read
Finished Reading
No books finished this week.
Stash Report
I purchased 10.6 ounces of yarn for my Sunshine baby afghan! Isn't it so pretty?
I am on a fabric fast and am determined to pare down my stash significantly this year. My goal is to stitch up 75 yards of fabric. Last year I reached 54 yards without even really trying, so I think this is doable. 🤞
I did purchase 1/2 yard of this Star Wars fabric to experiment on making the Christmas ornament for my oldest grandson. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
I also scored this fabric kit at 75% off to make a hello winter machine embroidered pillow!
To Do Tuesday
Last Week's List
1. Slow Stitching 
- Pick one of my many UFOs to finish. DONE! I've picked two. One is the QAYG hexie quilt. Remember this one?
I also picked my OLDEST UFO - from the early 90's! I had used this fabric to make curtains for my home and used the scraps to make these blocks. The fabric is so thin, you can see my Bee Humble underneath it. What do you think? Should I finish it or is the fabric too old?
- Finish Block 3 of the Bee Humble SAL NOT DONE.
- I finished the tea towel number four!
2. Crochet
- make progress on my Fall Granny Square afghan DONE! Does a tiny bit of progress count? :)
- make progress on the Sunshine Baby Afghan DONE! I’ve made progress on this beautiful little afghan to the point that I’ve had to buy another couple of skeins of yarn. My husband and I decided I'd make this one a Mommy and Me baby afghan!
3. Machine Sewing:
- Inventory which of these quilted quilts need binding, make the binding and get them attached for some slow stitching. DONE! I sent a stack of 5 quilts to my daughter who will kindly attached the binding for me. She also quilted and attached the binding to my Pieces in the Garden quilt. Yes, I'm very spoiled by her! 🥰
- Make me some Christmas placemats! PROGRESS MADE! I've chosen the patterns and have done a bit of sewing on them.
On the radar
- Stitch up a baby quilt that I've prepped.
- Finish up my daughter's crocheted dishcloths.
- Prep kits for continued use of my Christmas stash
Gratitude Journal
I love this song. It reminds us that we don't have to be strong enough. When we are weak, our heavenly Father is strong enough to carry us through.
The verses West refers to is one of my favorites, though I still struggle to delight in challenges, the knowledge that God gives me the grace and power to be victorious is a great comfort.
Our dear LeeAnna had the best prompt for this week!
"Do you make lists? How do you do them, on your phone or a scrap of paper, or some other system? What kinds of things do you make lists of? Is it working for you?"
I have so many lists and I like all of them: My TBR (To Be Read) list, my Reading Challenges list, my grocery list, my crafty UFO (Unfinished Object) list, my WIPs, I could go on and on!
So, here's how I "list". Naturally, I'll be using a list to share my process of listing! 😉
- My TBR (To Be Read) list is maintained on Goodreads. I learned that I can number and then view my TBR books by priority. Loving that feature because...
- My Reading Challenges books are then prioritized! I keep track of my Reading Challenges progress by creating bookshelves on Goodreads for each challenge.
- My grocery list is kept on an app on my phone using categories.
Sometimes I transfer to a hard copy if my DH asks.
- My crafty UFO (Unfinished Object) list was made a few years ago on a computer that is long gone - along with the file. I have the hardcopy and am working through it.
- My WIPs (Works in Progress) are listed in the To Do Tuesday section of my blog and linked up to the party now being hosted at Carol's Quilt Schmilt, previously hosted by Linda at Texas Quilt Gal and before that by Roseanne and Sue at Home Sewn By Us.
So there you have my lists! How do you "list"? Please share in the comments!
Last week when sharing how I use my calendars, I mentioned that I use the Happy Planner products. I also am using them to keep me organized with those WIPS. Measuring at 4.25 x 3.75, they are handy to place in a basket with other supplies.
Here's a sample page. Once I've figured out all the yardage used for the quilt, it's easy to track my usage.
A friend of mine swears this mushroom coffee is wonderful! Hmmm...I didn't have any as I was enjoying champurado (a Mexican atole), but she is usually right on the money.
My prayer garden is looking a bit bleak without its spring and summer foliage, but Chico still likes hanging out there.
Mia, for whom my email account is named, is aging, but still playful at times.
Faith, Trust and Breast Cancer
How am I dealing with reduced eyesight? So far computer work is fine, especially if I adjust to a larger view. Reading is made easier by using my Ott lamp. I found some rechargeable magnifying glasses with LED lights on the frame on Amazon that make slow stitching so much easier!Thank God we have work arounds to so many of our challenges!
Thank you for visiting! If you like, please leave your opinion on whether or not the fabric is now too thin or old from my early 1990's UFO. Also, if you want to, please share how your lists work for you!
Hugs to you all!
Enjoyed this post?
Never miss out on future posts by following this blog!
Your comments are so appreciated!
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!
Sew and Tell @ Melva Loves Scraps (Mondays)
Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication (Wednesdays)
I Like @ Not Afraid of Color (Thursday)
The Loop Scoop @ Moogly and Petals to Picots (Thursdays)
Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Sunday, January 15, 2023
Weekly Word: Psalm 25:2 + Books, Stitching and Gratitude!
Hello There!
Thank you for stopping in today! I appreciate the time you take to read this post. It's been a beautiful weekend spending time with my grandchildren, my husband, my son and long conversations with my daughter. It's been wonderful.
I pray you all are safe and content in your lives. So dear friend, please pull up your favorite chair and beverage and enjoy your time here.
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 share stats regarding my fiber usage and acquisitions, Slow Sunday Stitching projects, 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
Psalm 25:1-8
In You, LORD, my God I put my trust.
I trust in You; do not let me be put to shame nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one who hopes in You will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.
Show me Your ways LORD, teach me Your paths.
Guide me in Your truth and tach me for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.
Remember, LORD, Your great mercy and love, for they are all from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;
according to Your love, remember me, for You LORD, are good.
Whenever a statement is repeated in the Bible especially, I pay attention. Therefore, David’s repetition of his trust in the LORD was thought-provoking. Clearly, David is concerned about his enemies triumphing over him, yet he begins his prayer by declaring and repeating his declaration of trust in the LORD. Amazing.
Only then does he ask God to not let him be put to shame in defeat, to not give his enemies triumph over him.
As I’ve stated before, I am not a Bible scholar per se. I simply and prayerfully read the Word and ask God to show me how to apply it to my own life. And, yes, I am far from perfect! 😊
Anyway, I digress. As I read the second part of the verse, “nor let my enemies triumph over me”, I thought, “Who are my enemies? I am not a soldier or a queen. I am not in battle" And therein lay my mistake. Remember Ephesians 6, the chapter on spiritual warfare? Remember verse 12?
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities,
against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12 KJV
Who is our enemy, our true foe? The defeated one, of course. What do we struggle with that keeps us in the bubble the defeated one has created for us?
Hate? An addiction? Shame? Rumination? Doubt? Fear?
Let us repeatedly confess our trust in the LORD, pray for Him to give us the victory and then move onto truly trusting Him, even if our knees our quaking.
Let us act on our trust in the LORD, even if our heart pounds in fear.
Let us break out of the bubble and move forward in the LORD’s victory this year!
Let not our enemies triumph over us!
My Reading Life
Currently Reading
I finished several books in the last couple of days, so I'll be starting The Sewing Machine and When We Meet Again today.
Here's an interesting testimony. Ever since I stopped teaching and my parents relocated, I've been losing my Spanish due to lack of use. One way to recapture a fading language is via reading and watching shows in the target language.
Consequently, I've been wanting to read more in Spanish, starting with children's books and slowing increasing the level of difficulty. But, the LORD was saying, "No, I want you to start with adult books." Oh boy! I was so intimidated.
Then, my husband gave me this book, the Spanish version of A Ballad of Love and Glory by the amazing Reyna Grande! I was shocked as he has never gifted me a Spanish adult novel! I asked him if I had shared the above conversation with him and he said, "No, you pointed this book out to me so I got it for you." I thought I had pointed out the English version. Either way, Corrido de Amor y Gloria will be my Slow and Steady Read (a phrase I learned from Kathryn at Book Date).
Finished Reading
**** The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop by Lewis Buzbee is a charming and informative read for us "book geeks" (the terms is borrowed from Mr. Buzbee). Each chapter begins with a brief, sequential history of the evolution of books and continues with his memoir of his life as a bookseller and book consumer. He ends with a list of his favorite national and international bookshops and a discussion on the future of bookshops. Highly recommend to my fellow book geeks.
*****Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin was an e-book and those take me awhile to get through. At first I was not liking this book at all, but then, by chapter nine, I was hooked! One can only fall in love with the characters, from Buddy, to Unc and quiet Aunt Lorna. Highly recommend.
****The Ghost Who Loved Diamonds by Bobby Holmes is a cute cozy mystery that was this month's enjoyable Buddy Read. We both loved it and look forward to continuing the series. Highly recommend.
Stash Report
This week I started a 12 point star baby afghan, so 5.3 ounces of yarn came in. Other than that, my yarn and fabric numbers are stable.
YARN
To Do Tuesday
Last Week's List -
1. Slow Stitching
- Finish Tea Towel 4 NOT DONE. I need about an hours work on it.
- Make progress on Block 3 of the Bee Humble SAL DONE! Not only I, but some of the ladies I consider master sewists, struggled with the border. I learned so much from these ladies and am looking forward to completing the block this week.
- make progress on my Fall Granny Square afghan NOT DONE. I packed this away at Christmas and really need to pull it out so I remember to pull it out!
As I said in my Stash Report, I did start a new project, a baby afghan! I'm using Lion Brand Mandala Baby yarn in Narnia with a g hook I really like this new 12 Point Spectrum Afghan pattern by The Crochet Crowd. It doesn't seem to lay as flat initially, but we'll see how it goes. What I really like that the pattern numbers in the points are constant which makes it a relaxing, mindless crochet project.
3. Machine Sewing: 
- Finish the Pieces in the Garden quilt top DONE! I can only write what I posted on Instagram:
My #PiecesInTheGarden quilt top is finished! I’ll be making the binding, backing and delivering it to my daughter for her to quilt. I have to say this was one of the most challenging quilt along’s that I have ever participated in. However, it was so worth it as I learned so many new techniques, gained confidence, and completed my first row quilt! Everything I learned and the experience I gained was worth the journey! The skills I’ve picked up have helped me so much with my current QALs! If you look close enough, you’ll see that my rows did not line up on the ends. So some of my poor little blocks got slashed. ðŸ¤. Just the same. It was a wonderful experience, and I love how my quilt came out overall! Thank you @melvalovesscraps and to everyone who encouraged me along the way!
- Make progress on the Christmas quilt - which I have now decided to use the fabric or Christmas placemats! NOT DONE.
This Week's List
1. Slow Stitching
- Pick one of my many UFOs to finish.
- Finish Block 3 of the Bee Humble SAL
2. Crochet
- make progress on my Fall Granny Square afghan
- make progress on the Sunshine Baby Afghan
3. Machine Sewing:
- Inventory which of these quilted quilts need binding, make the binding and get them attached for some slow stitching.
- Make me some Christmas placemats!
On the radar
- Stitch up a baby quilt that I've prepped.
- Finish up my daughter's crocheted dishcloths.
- Prep kits for continued use of my Christmas stash
Gratitude Journal
How far will God go for us? Just listen to How Far by Tasha Layton and learn just how far He'll go for us! Here's the story behind the song. It's definitely worth your time to listen.
I love LeeAnn's prompt for this week's I Like Thursday: How do we keep track of things? "Do we use a calendar? Is it digital and do you like it? Is it a wall calendar? She would like us to share ours and why we chose it.
My main calendar is on my phone. That's my Master Calendar because it's online and (supposedly) cannot get lost.
My husband and I use a monthly calendar to make sure we're on the same page.
My favorite planner is my classic size Happy planner, the Sewing edition. I'm using the Dashboard layout which is new for me, but I'm liking it. Happy Planner has some awesome stickers, as well as other available planner stickers. I use them mainly in my reading journal as well as in my scrapbooks.
This week my granddaughter made a double cake! I loved watching her design how her perfect cake - chocolate with two types of frosting, crushed candy canes, sprinkles and Hershey's Syrup! We did leave a bit unfrosted for her Grandpa!
I'm missing Mama today, so I made Arroz con Pollo (rice with chicken) using her recipe.
Enjoyed this post?
Never miss out on future posts by following this blog!
Your comments are so appreciated!
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!
Sew and Tell @ Melva Loves Scraps (Mondays)
I Like @ Not Afraid of Color (Thursday)
Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
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