Book Date. Scrappy Four Patch Progress. Xmas All Year!

Scrappy Four Patch Progress
I've made even more four patches - up to 140 or so now!

Xmas All Year!
I also decided to join the Xmas All Year project.  It's really quilt simple:  make 1 Christmas gift/ornament/one year long project to be finished by Christmas!  This way, we have the potential to have 12 gifts ready to go and hopefully avoid the Christmas sewing rush!  It's hosted by Jeanette at 1 Xmas Item a Month.  

I'm going to tie this in with One Monthly Goal hosted by Patty over at Elm Street Quilts as well!   One links up their goal the first 7 days of the month and links up their progress the last 6 days of the month.  Set your calendars!  Let's finish up some projects!  

Here's a sneak peek of my July Xmas/OMG item:

Did you guess what it is?  :)

Book Date

I'm on chapter 20 which is about the book of Esther.  I'm forever amazed at the faith of the people!

Consequences were so much more severe in those times!

I Am Malala  reveals such a faith and strength in her family and herself.  She reminds me of an "old soul" with her wisdom and strength!  

The High Tide Club  has been much neglected by me.  No so much because I don't enjoy it, but because there is so much I want to do!  I seem to be in a season of audiobooks.  

I started the audio book version of Any Day Now and am thoroughly enjoying it mostly because it reveals the mind of a recently sober alcoholic as well as continuing the story of the characters from What We Find.  

Next up?

Peace in the Valley by Ruth Logan Herse

You can see the list of books I've read over at Goodreads!  My user name is, of course, Miaismine!  

Linking up to

Monday Making @ Love, Laugh,Quilt

Moving It Forward Monday @ Em’s Scrapbag

Show and Tell Mondays with Bambi

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

One Monthly Goal @ Elm Street Quilts

and a new-to-me- link up:

a jar filled with marigolds

Still Stitching #12 Part 1. Scrappy Four Patch Progress. Book Date.

Still Stitching #12 Part 1

Still Stitching #11 Still Stitching #12 Part 2

We have reached the final point that my friend shared:

Is is so true!    My loved one is my child and

for many years he blamed me for his problems – all. of. them.

For many years, I accepted the blame because I was not a perfect mother.  However, there is no perfect parent except for God our Father.  He is the perfect one.

Our kids, our siblings, our loved ones have all come without an owner’s manual.  For that matter, neither did we! :)

We are not to blame for how they deal with their issues.  In fact, I have learned something called The Three C’s:

http://diaryrecoveringacademic.blogspot.com/2015/02

/al-anons-3-cs.html

We, to include our loved one, have to realize that we can no longer blame others for our own issues.  Remember this post?  It is much easier for our loved one (and us)  to point the finger at someone else rather than face the real issues in our own hearts.  

I’ve come to believe that we have all suffered abuse of some sort or another.  We all have “issues” with our childhood.  Nevertheless, at some point or another, we, along with our loved one, have to make a choice:  Are we victims living in the past?  Survivors who live without joy?  Or thrivers living in victory and joy?  Let me tell you, I have been all three.  Sooner or later, in God’s timing we will chose which we will be. 

  

Many of us chose to be victims, telling everyone who will listen about our traumas. I know I did – until I heard someone say, “It’s a privilege to know my story – not everyone gets to hear it.”  This is so very true. 

Additionally, we are not alone in our pain, nor is our loved one.  As I meet more and more people like me, I am learning that many others who have had similar experiences and have gone from victim to survivor to thriver!  

My next post will share my journey from victim to thriver.  

#1stitchaday

Scrappy Four Patch Progress
I'm still working on my Scrappy Four Patch! 

I also started an Attic Windows after falling in love with the yellow fabric!  

Just need to add the sashing and borders with cornerstones!

Book Date

Our church has taken a break from The Story for the summer.  We'll resume our reading in September which offers me a chance to catch up on the last three chapters of the Old Testament! 

I am almost finished with I Am Malala!  Her courage,strength and wisdom are such an inspiration!  

I stayed up until 3:00 a.m. finishing The Girls of August by Anne Rivers Siddons.  I hope there is a sequel!  

https://www.amazon.com/
Indian-Cupboard-Lynne-Reid-Banks
/dp/0375847537

My grandson and I are on Chapter Four of The Indian in the Cupboard!  Today I read to both him and my granddaughter.  We were all laughing at Little Bear's "voice" and antics!  

The Endless Beach by Jenny Colgan takes place on the Scottish island of Mure.  The narrator, Sarah Barron, flows between the Scottish and New York accents beautifully!
I love listening to her!

My current e-book is The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews.  Thus far, I've only read the prologue which was a doosey!  

Next up?

Peace in the Valley by Ruth Logan Herse

You can see the list of books I've read over at Goodreads!  My user name is, of course, Miaismine!  

Linking up to

Monday Making @ Love, Laugh,Quilt

Main Crush Mondays @ Cooking Up Quilts

Moving It Forward Monday @ Em’s Scrapbag

Show and Tell Mondays with Bambi

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

Still Stitching #10. Scrappy Four Patch Progress #2. Book Date.

Still Stitching #10

Still Stitching #9 Still Stitching #11

This is so very true. 

But, how do I NOT open my heart to my loved one? 

He is precious to me! 

Consequently, how many times has my heart been broken?

Countless times.

I have not been able to implement completely this point in my life.

I am, however, able to protect my heart a bit more.

Addicts and alcoholics are sick.  I’ve been told it’s a disease – an thought I’m still grappling with.  One therapist did give me a great perspective though.  She gave me five pieces of paper and asked me to write one of the most precious things/people in my life on each piece of paper. 

Then she told me, “There has been a tragedy and you just lost one of those five.  Please choose one to lose, fold it up and give it to me.”  I read each paper, picked one, folded it and reluctantly gave it to her.

A second time, she told me, “There has been another tragedy.  Please choose another one to lose, fold it up and give it to me.”  Again, I read the remaining four papers, picked one, folded it and ever so reluctantly gave it to her.

A third time she told me, “There has been another tragedy.  Please choose another one to lose, fold it up and give it to me.”  Again, I read the remaining three papers, struggling immensely picked one, folded it and painfully gave it to her.

A fourth time she told me, “There has been another tragedy.  Please choose another one to lose, fold it up and give it to me.”    In desperation, I read the remaining two papers, resignedly picked one, folded it and gave it to her.  I clung to the last remaining paper, knowing what was coming.

A final time she told me, “There has been another tragedy.  Please choose another one to lose, fold it up and give it to me.”  In desperation, I read the remaining paper.  There was no way I could give it up.  The word written on it was, “God”.  I told the therapist she could not have it. 

She smiled and told me, “That is how your alcoholic (or addict) feels.  They allow their alcoholism (or addiction) to take everything from them, but they hang on to their alcohol (or drugs) with the same determination/desperation you are holding on to your last paper.)

I understood.

Unfortunately, this new understanding lead to years of enabling which I could not seem to stop.  However, in recent years of learning I’ve been exposed to the lessons offered in in the rooms of Al-Anon like the ones in this series. 

Does my heart still get broken? 

Yes.  Most definitely. 

Do I still open my heart to my loved one?  Hmmmm…….what does that mean exactly?  I’ll be pondering that thought and share in my next post.  In the meantime, if you like, please tell me, “What does opening your heart mean to you?”

#1stitchaday

Scrappy Four Patch Progress
Remember when I started this Scrappy Four Patch inspired by Amanda Jean @ Crazy Mom Quilts?  I've completed some more squares!

This stack of "2 squares" is ready to be sewn up into 4-patches.  

I usually work on this project during my daily calls to Dad.  Sometimes we talk more than an hour, so a ton of progress is made.  Sometimes, he's really busy, so we only talk a few minutes.  I've told him that it's like he's right next to me keeping me company as I sew!  Special times indeed.

Book Date
I'm excited to say that I am reading quite a few books at one time - and keeping the them straight in my head!  Yea!

Book Date

I'm on Chapter 20 of this wonderful read!  The Story continues to be a blessing to me, especially when highlighted by Pastor Dale's sermons and our weekly study!   

I'm looking forward to reading more of this book this week.  Lately, fiction has been my heart's desire.  

I'm enjoying the getting to know the characters Jan Karon is introducing in Light from Heaven  - and believe me - there are some interesting characters.  There are also some faith lessons to be absorbed.  

I finished The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult this week.  Eeesh.  It was a tough read as I followed the dynamics of a family facing great challenges.  Jodi Picoult did a fabulous job developing the characters,  describing the events, and keeping me wondering.  I even took a rare morning off from all activities to simply sit and read.  A heavy book, but very captivating and thought provoking.  

I started reading The Girls of August by Anne Rivers Siddons this weekend and I'm already enjoying the pace, the characters and the plot.  I can hardly wait to see what happens as these ladies vacation for two weeks in a beautiful home on a remote island.

You can see the list of books I've read over at Goodreads!  My user name is, of course, Miaismine!  

I wonder what summer reading you are enjoying?  If you'd like to share, please let me know in the "comments"!  Love reading and responding to those comments!

Linking up to

Monday Making @ Love, Laugh,Quilt

Main Crush Mondays @ Cooking Up Quilts

Moving It ForwardMonday @ Em’s Scrapbag

Show and TellMondays with Bambi

It’s Monday! What Are YouReading? @ Book Date

Thoughtful Tuesday: On Our Own? Book Date. To Do Tuesday.

Thoughtful Tuesdays

This post from Lesley at Life in the Spacious Place blessed me immensely.  I was reminded that we are never alone in our journey for the LORD is always with us.  We were never meant to go through life alone - ever.  I hope you'll hop on over to Life in the Spacious Place and be encouraged!  

Thank you, Lesley, for such a  comforting reminder of our Father's love!

Book Date -Currently Reading

I'm enjoying reading at least a chapter a week of The Story   I highly recommend this book!  I did fall behind while we were on vacation and then while recovering from the vacation!  Doe that happen to you as well? 

I have yet to pick up I Am Malala since our vacation, but will be reading again regularly very soon.  It's interesting, but I read her book in spurts as I realize I need time to digest all she shares.  

I finished All Things New by Lynn Austin!  It's a great book about the Civil War and left me with a new understanding of how life in the South after the Civil War.  Very interesting.  

I decided to abandon Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.  I wonder if I would've enjoyed the book more if I hadn't seen the movie first?  

Light from Heaven is a new audio book I'm enjoying.  It's light and humorous.  Perfect for me right now.  

I started The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult but just realized it was removed from my RBdigital account.  I guess I took too long to read it.  I'll be checking it out again to finish it.  I was enjoying it!  :)

Last Times' list

1.  Make at least 6 yo-yo flowers to add to my quilt. Done!  Here's the link to four of them - will you trust me that the other 2 got done?  :)

2.  Finish up the yellow and blue flowers for my afghan - the Maria's Blue Crayon Spring Granny Afghan Crochet. Nope!  

4.  Sew a few more of fun four patches inspired by Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts.  Some 1/2 squares were made.  I'm collecting those and then moving onto sewing them together.

3.  Contact the organizations to give out the drainage bags. Nope.  

This Week's List

1.  Make at least 3 yo-yo flowers to add to my quilt. These are the fabrics I'll be using.

2.  Finish up the yellow flowers for my afghan - the Maria's Blue Crayon Spring Granny Afghan Crochet. 
3.  Sew a few more of fun four patches inspired by Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts.  

4.  Contact the organizations to give out the drainage bags.   

I hope you consider visiting and linking up to:

Linking up to:

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

To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All Things

Women Helping Women@ Teaching What is Good

I love reading your comments!  They put a smile on my face!

Philippians 4:11. Covered In Love. 2018 Library Love Challenge.

Philippians 4:11
Scripture

Observation
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  

Whatever. 
The. 
Circumstances.
Application
To be content whatever the circumstances?  Think of Paul's life:  
flogged
imprisoned
beaten
stoned
shipwrecked
lost at sea
hunger
cold
under constant threat
(2 Cor. 11:16-30)
Yet, he learned to be content in 
WHATEVER
circumstance.
As we journey into 2018, can we 
seek at least 30 seconds of contentment every day?
joy?
gratitude?
Sometimes, even this can be so difficult to do as we are buffeted by life.
Maybe, just maybe, if we can achieve this goal every day for 30 seconds,
the next week will find us doing it for 45 seconds,
60 seconds,
15 minutes
and so on.
Baby steps 
to contentment.

Prayer
Dear LORD, You know how hard we fight to be happy, but to me, joy is more important.  For when we have Your joy, we have strength Nehimiah 8:10.  Please give us strength to spend 30 in a state of contentment every day - regardless of our circumstances.  Lead us out of darkness into Your light.
Amen, my Abba, Amen.

Covered In Love Blocks Finished
As I perusing my "drafts" in blogger I found this post!  Unbelievably, (or not so much in my case!  :D), I forgot to share this finish with you last year! 

I was able to make the 20 blocks for the August/September Covered In Love Block drive!  Yea!

For those of you new to this project, Kat is a nurse whose mission it is to help families as they say goodbye to their loved ones.  Nurses or hospital chaplains deliver a quilt to the dying patient and cover them with this gift of love.  Then family members have a transitional item to take home with them.  This quilt will provide incredible comfort in the days and years to come.  I know.  You see, when my mother-in-law was dying, my daughter bought a simple quilt from Target that, 10 years later, still brings my husband great comfort when he is feeling down.

So, to honor her memory, I make blocks for Covered in Love.  

For January and February Kat from Kat and Cat Quilts has brought back my favorite blocks for Covered In Love - string blocks!  Here is a sampling of blocks my daughter and I made last time:

 We left them at the 10.5" requested,

 played with layouts,

and I learned how pretty a constant color in each block just pops.  

I wonder if you might have some strings needing a home?

2018 Library Love Challenge

After much patience, I have finally finished a novel!  This is a huge achievement because during and after chemotherapy, reading books was such a challenge!   After much patience, perseverance and re-reading, I finished my first book, The Red Tent by Anita Diamant!

To the best of my recollection, I started it in Sept/Oct 2017 and finished it in early Dec.  It took a while, but I did it, praise God!  
To mark this special occasion, I decided to join the 2018 Library Love Challenge.  

I heard about it at Irresponsible Reader.  This challenge had me at "support your local" library.  I'm all for supporting local businesses and organizations.  

My next read is Maeve Binchy's Nights of Rain and Stars.  I'm also thoroughly enjoying this one as well!

Linking up to

Monday Making @ 
Love, Laugh, Quilt

Main Crush Mondays

@ Cooking Up Quilts

Moving It Forward Monday @ Em’s Scrapbag

Show and Tell Mondays with Bambi

It’s Monday! WhatAre You Reading? @ Book Date