Thursday Thoughts

 Some things have to be

believed to be seen.

-Mark Victor Hansen.

Look What A Car Ride Can Do

One sitting, one way of the trip, produced a very good start on my round ripple.  Crocheting is so very portable and so easy to take along.  It just makes me love this craft even more.  I did leave this in the car when we got to the deployment ceremony but would you believe there was a woman sitting directly in front of me who was working on a crocheted blanket!  She didn't work on it during the ceremony but as we were early (good thing to get seats) she spent that time crocheting.  Yes, of course, we got talking.  You can't be by a fellow crocheter and not find something to chat about.

 I also want to thank you all for the most wonderful comments on my last post.  I cannot even begin to tell you how much they meant and the comfort they gave.  You have warmed my heart.

With Mixed Emotion

Proudly, I now wear my pin.

One can pray for our soldiers, pray for their families,
but like everything else until you are smack dab in the middle you cannot
really relate.  Its a roller coaster for sure, these amazing young men that
stood before us.



 You just want to burst with pride and yet at the same time burst with tears.
                            There is no middle road.  

God bless and protect.

Special Sunday

Sunday's are special.  A day for family, time to reflect, pray, be thankful.   I miss the Sunday's that we had when I was a kid.  Following church it was a home day or maybe a visiting day; stores were closed.  We usually had our main meal mid afternoon, more often then not followed by a drive through the country, home to Million Dollar Movie and coloring.  I would sprawl out on the living room floor with my crayolas and coloring book.  Seems like it was a more quiet time, a simpler time, a time of refreshment.

Mass last night; this morning prayer, thanksgiving will be made, a drive through the country (and cities).  We will get to spend a few hours with our soldier boy before the next leg of his journey.  He will remain state side for yet another month.  Yes, its a special Sunday, as they all are.

Special Blessings.

Happy and Fabulous on Friday

Doesn't take much to make me happy ... two blankets and a cross stitch in the hopper.  The needle and hook busily moving about, cheerfully taking turns.  I'm happy.

Dug into the stash to find the makings for

Zigzag Shells Baby Afghan - Free-Crochet.com

I love the combination of baby colors, so sweet, so soft looking.

Did pick up a few skeins, but couldn't resist, have to have a babyghan of of brown, blue and cream ... and, of course, in my all time favorite -  the round ripple.
                                                       Both for the little bundle of blue.

And last but certainly not least.

Handwork makes for such a sense of accomplishment as well as the enjoyment and relaxation it provides.  Thanks to all those who so generously provide such hours in their generous offerings of patterns and tutorials.

Keeping Happy 
one stitch at a time



Thursday Thoughts

A pessimist sees the difficulty

in every opportunity;

an optimist sees the opportunity

 in every difficulty.

-Winston Churchill

What's Doing Wednesday

That's what I keep telling myself this morning ... lol.  I've been up now for a few hours and really need to get the ball rolling ... 9:00 work start today and I should be doing laundry instead of sitting here.  I haven't even had my first cup yet!  Well, I just wanted to visit for a minute (or two or three it seems).  There's always so much to see, so many great blogs to visit.  Getting lots of ideas and recipes and meeting new friends.   It really is a nice way to start the day.

Now I'm ready for the kitchen ... have breakfast, spend some time with morning prayer and then to enter my day. 

With Thoughts

of Blessings and Joy

Tuesday Treasures

Here he is ... my sweet little snowman, the first Stitch Along with  Stitchy Mc Floss  .  I just love this little guy and he will be a wonderful complement to my snowmen collection. I think he will be a little pillow.   It has been years since I have done cross stitch and am enjoying it immensly. 

 SAL #2 (a beautiful heart Jody Designs, Inc Ornaments ) is already underway by several days so I'm a bit behhind although there really is no deadline which is nice because we do at our own pace.  I did a handful of stitches last night but started on an 18 count fabric and not sure that I will continue with that and or restart on the 14 count which right now is a little kinder to the eyes.  Will see tonight.

And as if that wasn't enough, Stitchey has told us that someone has created a special Easter SAL just for us.  The big reveal of the designer and chart will be April 1st ... ohhhhh, can't wait to see it.

Off to start my day, thankfully yesterday's snow is gone and I hope now stays away (at least until next winter).  Blessings and all good things...

Have a good day.

Monday Menu

This is my newest keeper recipe.  Nice to know this wonderful dish can be done in the crock pot on a busy day or do as I did on the stove top simmering for half the time.
Tonight's Fare:

Creole Black Beans and Sausage
     over penne pasta
Garlic Bread
Salad
Sliced Strawberries and Pineapple 

 Slow Cooker Creole Black Beans and Sausage
2 pounds smoked sausage, cut into 1 inch slices
3 15 oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1 1/2 cups chopped green pepper
1 cup water
1 8oz. can tomato sauce
4 cloves galic, minced
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
1 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (I didn't use)
2 bay leaves

Cook sausage separately and slice into 1 inch pieces (I did mine thinner).

Crock pot:  stir all ingredients, cover and cook on low until vegetables are tender, about 6 hours.  Removed bay leaves before serving.

Stove top:  saute onion and garlic in a bit of oil, then add peper and celery and cook another minute or two.  Add the rest of the ingredients, bring to boil, reduce to simmer for about 3 hours.

The recipe serves this over steamed rice.  I put over penne pasta.  Its one of those recipes where the flavor will be even better the next day!

The recipe is from All Recipes, just love that site!

Slow Cooker Creole Black Beans and Sausage Recipe - Allrecipes.com

Enjoy!

Splendid Sunday

 
Blessings to your day.  The sounds and signs of spring this morning are absolutely breathtaking.  There's a little bird that's been happily chirping and singing for the past fifteen minutes.  The sun is streaming across the orchard and is lighting it up so magnificently.   I am most grateful.  Taking a moment for a prayer of thanksgiving, taking time for prayer for those around the world.


My Friday weigh-in was a most pleasant surprise.  Had a loss of 3.8 pounds this week.  I have my eye on a pair of jeans hanging in the back of my closet ... maybe a couple more weeks.

In an otherwise noisy and busy world,

may a spring be in your step,

a song of prayer in your soul

and love in your heart.

Welcoming Spring

Seems like it was a long time coming
but now only hours away. 

Welcome to Spring inside and out.

Happy Spring



Super Fabulous Friday

My new favorite

color ...

gonna be grandparents

our first

Thursday Thoughts

What's Doing Wednesday

Finally, finally, finally finished my twin round ripples.  Just last night.  This is one of my favorite patterns and usually I can do this in a few days.  These took  longer for some reason.  Thinking maybe got a little bored with the same color, although the last few rows I thoroughly enjoyed (knowing I would be done). 

Now to get them ready for their long distance run and to the awaiting first time mom and dad.  Blessings to the new little arrivals.

Have started the doily~ghan.  You knew I couldn't wait!  I did use the pink and white from my stash and the pink is a much lighter, baby pink but its a good thing to use what is on hand when I can.   Didn't have the shade of green though, so did have to pick that up.

What's doing in your neck of the woods?



The Best of Both Worlds

I'm a crochet addict, no doubt about it.  And my favorites to crochet are doilies and afghans of all sizes and types.  So, having seen what Sarah of Sarah's Sweethearts has recently completed I have found my next project for the hook.  A doily~ghan!  Ohhhhh, it can't get any better then this. 

Sarah made this for her little daughter.  Is this just absolutely beautiful?   I love everything about this and will boldly proclaim that I am going to do the same colors as well.  An I hook was used.  This is just so striking and so soft looking.  Perfect for a little girl. 

The pattern used is by Denise Augostine called Summer Splendor.  Where to get the pattern can be found on Sarah's blog.

My round ripple blankets are coming down the home stretch and I will be reaching into my stash for pink and white very soon.  I was thinking a quick trip to Michaels but I may even have a green of this shade ... going to check.

Peace and Blessings

and Prayers 

Slow starting this morning, but need to quicken the pace shortly.  Today's start is a bit later then most days so able to enjoy the sounds of approaching spring for a bit.  Surprisingly I haven't seen a robin yet, I've got to believe they're there, just not when I am. 

I am most thankful for today.

Prayers continuing.