Crafty

I've been crafty.  Well, crochet crafty. 

This blanket I made while home on surgical leave

 The first person in the livingroom grabs the blanket

so I decided to make a second one.

I finished this second one at the baseball field

this spring.

 My nifty craft bag is portable and allowed me

to start another blanket at the baseball field.

 Single crochet is fast, easy and allows me

to watch Kidlet Three and his team play ball.

 I finished the blanket this weekend.

My flash distorted the color as this is the same

yarn from the picture above.

This blanket will be raffled in a silent auction

in the Relay for Life my parents participate in.

 The yarn is packed and ready for my next project.

I've been asked to make blankets for the hockey and

football fundraisers at Kidlet Three's school.

Both blankets need to be done by July.

Guess I'll need some crafty time in the next month!

Being crafty is amazing fun for me and I'm so happy

I can share my projects with others.

Baby C's Dedication

Grandbaby C was dedicated in church last Sunday.  Favorite Son-in-Law and Kidlet One brought her to their church family and before God, made a promise to raise her knowing of God's love, salvation through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. 

 Both sets of grandparents were able to stand with the

Pastor and his wife to pray blessings on the parents and baby.

 It was a powerful and memorable event.

Baby C slept through almost the whole thing!

 Favorite Son-in-Law's family and our

family all joined together for a meal

after the service.

Here Baby C's Great Grandma shares secrets

 Baby C's other Great Grandma bought the outfit

that Baby C wore.  Great Grandma Marjorie

isn't able to travel so was unable to join us

for the day. 

 Kidlet Two took his turn holding Baby C

Here is Kidlet Three taking his turn with

Sleeping Beauty

 Many pictures were taken on this day.

Here are "my kids"

 And I could sit like this all day long...

 Mom and Daughter.

Aren't they beautiful!

 The Star of the Day!

 Proud parents and enchanted Baby

 The four generations of women represented:

My Mom, Me, Kidlet One and Baby C

 Baby C wasn't very happy with all of the pictures

and was crying so we decided we would

join her!

 Heritage

Both sides of Baby C's family

are represented here

What a blessing!

 It was an amazing day!

Doggy Hospital

Riley had surgery today.
The poor thing hasn't been brushing
or keeping up on his dental flossing.
He had 10 teeth removed.
For the first time in his eight years, he is silent.
The neighbors must be wondering what happened.
Usually he is outside barking at the birds flying overhead
or at anyone walking in front of the house.
Tonight, however, he laid on the couch.
His food was soaked in water to be softened.
Blankets were arranged around him.
His antibiotics were given.
He was pampered.
Just as if he were in the hospital.
 

He slept much of the evening.
I do hope he gets some energy back tomorrow.
However, the silence has been golden.
He is an amazingly spoiled pooch!

Your Heart

My daily devotion from Starting Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer

May 20

Religious teaching turns our attention to our outward appearance, but it doesn't empower us to clean up our inside thoughts and intentions.  Jesus called the religious Pharisees "white-washed tombs full of dead man's bones"(see Matthew 23:27), because they boasted of their perfect obedience to the Hebrew laws.

But God didn't see them as perfect, because their hearts were not merciful as is His.  God would rather have someone with a sweet, wonderful heart toward Him, who makes mistakes, than somebody with a slick performance, who is rotten inside.

When God looks at your heart today, let Him find it wholly seeking Him.

******
An amazing word to start the day.  Lord, may I live wholly for You with no performance as my driving force.  May my heart be found sweet and wonderful for You.  Amen!

Streusel Apple Muffins

This time-tested, well worn recipe lives in my recipe box.
Years and years ago, I think before I was married,
I cut out this recipe from our Local Town Newspaper.
And I've made these muffins numerous times.
Perhaps you already guessed that from the
crumpled appearance of the paper.

This recipe uses just one apple. 

I make the streusel topping first and set it aside.

Combine
1/3 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 t. cinnamon

Using a fork or pastry blender, mush in
1/4 cup softened butter

Combine until crumbly. 

The apple should be peeled
and finely chopped.

In a new bowl, combine
1 1/4 cup flour
1 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. cinnamon

In yet another bowl, combine
1 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter
1 beaten egg
1/2 t. vanilla

Make a well in the dry ingredients and
pour the wet ingredients into the well.

Stir just until moistened.

Add the chopped apples.

Grease the bottom only of a 12-cup muffin pan.

Fill each cup three-quarters full of batter.
Sprinkle streusel topping onto batter. 

Bake 18 to 20 minutes in a 425 degree oven.
I had a loaf of cinnamon bread rising while my
muffins baked.
I was in a cinnamon mood that day!

A plate of delicious muffins.

Give them a try.
I bet you'll call them amazing, too!

Strikeout!

A peek at my night last night.  Kidlet Three in action!  It was amazing FUN!

 

 



Celebrating a College Graduation

Favorite Son-In-Law (FSIL) had his college graduation today.

The Husband, Kidlet Three and I drove to the Too-Far-Away City

to celebrate this great event.

 

 

With my zoom lens, I was able to photo-stalk FSIL

 

 

Here is the new, happy family

We are so incredibly proud of the Cum Laude

award and that diploma!

 After a celebratory lunch, we ooh'd and aww'd over Baby C

 We did get some smiles from her but I wasn't fast

enough to capture them in a picture.

 

She melts our heart.

An amazing day of celebrations!



Look Who Came to Dinner

Look who is coming to dinner...

Just outside the kitchen window I have this bird feeder

 Recently The Husband switched birdseed and Mr. Cardinal seems to love it

 Through the screen and my dirty windows I have so enjoyed watching him dine.

 

Years ago, during a very difficult time, on the very last day of a decision-making struggle, I opened the door and walked outside to prayer walk.  Sitting on the fence directly outside was a bright, red male cardinal.  Such a peace swept over me on that morning.  It was as if God sent that bird to me to give me peace for the decision I was about to make.

 

Cardinals have represented peace since that day.  It is such a privilege to have him eating at my bird feeder. 

 

Amazing peace at my bird feeder.  What a loving God to send peace to my house!

A-MAY-zing Snow

Monday was my day off from work.  I pulled out the lawn chairs, washed them off and set them on the deck.  The temperature was in the upper 70's and I enjoyed an hour of sitting in the sun.

Today, Thursday, this is the view of my deck.  You can see in the lower portion of the picture how much snow we received overnight.  There is at least 7 inches of snow and it is still coming down. 

God is in control.  And He certainly got our attention today!  An aMAYzing snowstorm...