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!
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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
