The Holiest Week of The Year Begins

with today ... Palm Sunday.

Made with love by the ladies of our church.

Blessings through

this most holy week.

Saturday Specials

Just a few days of sunshine and the buds are opening.  I love the color green of the budding trees.  For as far back as I can remember I have always been in awe of the leaves slowly opening and every year I say I'm going to catch them pop fully and every year I miss it ... all of a sudden they are full and it seems like I miss that final burst.  Maybe if I take a picture every day, this year I can catch it.  I should really know better, can't catch Mother Nature, but I shall try.














I'll be heading out early to my Weight Watcher's meeting.  What a boost!  I've met some of the nicest people and look forward to seeing them each Saturday morning.  To add to this week was yesterday's weigh in of a loss of 2.8 lbs.  I was quite shocked to say the least.  I had been toying with buying a new scale but I think I will wait a bit longer.  I think its better to find out once a week then every day which I know I would be doing.  I love this new program and I can see that it is truly a way of life and I no longer regard it as a diet.   I'm hoping that I will be able to reduce my medications as my weight reduces.

My sweet little rabbit is getting close to completion.  I'm hoping to have him done before next weekend.  I've made a couple of oops but I think he is still looking mighty fine. 

Have a Special Weekend

A Friday in Spring Time

Its official!  I know spring arrives in March, the temperatures have been rising, the birds are happily singing but yesterday confirmed spring!  The sound!  The tractors are out in the orchard.  Its a most welcome sound every year.  The blossoms will appear soon, a magnficient sight to behold.  Acres upon acres of white flowering trees.  God's country.   I need to start carrying my camera to capture the awakening.  When each season comes I always think there's nothing as beautiful as this season, and then of course the next season appears with my same thoughts.  What blessings.

I'm tossing out my yarn scraps when I go downstairs this morning.  I've been reading some blogs of those saving their scraps for the bird's nest building.  I have never done that before and excited about it.  I hope they use them.  Its the simple things that bring such happiness.

On the horizon ... the dreaded weigh-in.  LOL ... not really.  I'm not sure that I've lost, yesterday I would have thought so, had the skinny feeling, but today not so much.  However, do have what they call a Non Scale Victory (NSV), clothing is fitting differently and that's a very nice thing. 

Nice to have a few hours home today.  As of late schedules have been very busy.  Will be puttering around the house, letting in some of that sunshine and fresh air and watching for my little feathered friends to come and get their yarn scraps.  And oh yes, there's always a bit of crocheting to be had.

Fabulous Friday Blessings

Thursday Thoughts

What's Doing Wednesday

 It's raining, it's pouring ... watering the seeds of happiness with some wonderful words of wisdom...

20 Keys to A Happy Life

1) Compliment 3 people everyday!

2) Watch a sunrise

3) Be the first to say "hello"

4) Treat everyone as you want to be treated

5) Live beneath your means

6) Forget the Joneses

7) Never give up on anybody ~ miracles happen!

8) Remember someone's name

9) Be kinder than you have to be

10) Wish not for things, but for wisdom and courage

11) Be tough-minded, but tender hearted

12) Don't forget that a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated

13) Keep your promises

14) Leave everything better than you found it

15) Show cheerfulness even when you don't feel it

16) Remember that winners do what losers don't want to do

17) Remember that overnight success usually takes 15 years

18) When you arrive at your job in the morning, let the first thing you say brighten everyone's day

19) Don't rain on other people's parades

20) Don't waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them!

~source unknown

Have a Good Day

Planting Sunshine and Smiles

Tuesday Treasures

With a grandbaby on the way I recently went through the cedar chest to see what I had packed away from when our guys were little ones.  I was pleasantly surprised to find some of what I had saved.

These are two of several blankets that I was working on thirty-five years ago.  I had forgotten about them and was happy to find them.

I vividly remember sitting at my MIL's kitchen table, two of her sister-in-laws were visiting and I was working away on this ripple.

The ripple does have two spots which I need to repair, but other then that they are in like new condition.  It is thrilling to pass these on.

This wonderful blanket was made by my MIL also thirty-five years ago.  It was the Afghan Stitch, now called Tunisian Stitch.  The teddy bear and boxes in the side panels are done in cross stitch.  The picture really does not do justice to this beautiful blanket.   It is truly a treasure. 

These were made with great love.  Priceless treasures.

Monday Morning

The chorus outside is amazing this morning.  I can't even begin to try and imagine how many birds are out there and how busy they must be.  The chirping is so happy and refreshing.  They must be building their nests, whistling as they work!  The trees are budding, tulips and daffodils are sprouting ... the wonderful signs of spring.

***

And inside the needle has been humming.   My Easter SAL is coming along nicely.  I can see that the hot summer months will now have cross stitch as well as thread crochet in them. 

Have a good day! 

 

Easy Moving Sunday Morning

Just a few minutes to say good morning and wish you blessings on this Sunday.  Don't know where the time is going, just a week away from Palm Sunday.  Have worked the past few weeks at church with the Palm Ladies in weaving palms.  I have to say that they came out really extra beautiful this year.  Such a lovely time was spent with these ladies.  We've been meeting each year now for quite some time (I think this is my 5th year) and sweet friendships have and continue to develope.  I have to remember to take my camera this week and get some pictures.

Crocheting and cross stitching is still moving along but not as quickly as I would like (or enjoy).  Have been exceptionally busy as of late so hook and needle time has been minimal.   Have to change that.

Weigh in this week was a pound gain but continuing on and not worrying about that.  I think that's pretty normal and some weeks I just gotta have a few more spoonfulls then the week before.

I've had a pattern rolling around in my head now for a while, a new doily maybe.  I'd like to sit with that for a bit as well.  This week promises to be a bit slower so here's hoping to project completion and some design time.

Slowly moving this morning ... time to get in some breakfast and time with The Lord. 

Have a super blessed Sunday and week.

Thursday Thoughts

 Do a deed of simple kindness,

Though its end you may not see,

It may reach, like widening ripples,

Down a long eternity.

-James W. Fowley

What's Doing Wednesday

 

The needle and hook aren't moving as quickly as I would like these days but they are making progress.

I really like the texture and weight (nice and warm) of the double, single crochet and happy with the baby boy colors.  Two color repeats completed, I'm thinking that there should be five to finish.

My Easter Stitch Along has been started and is a delightful pattern.  I'm wondering if I should not have used a darker fabric as the white doesn't stand out as much as I think I would like.  I'm thinking I can always outline the design.

Blog visiting yesterday, I saw the most adorable baby ensemble Leisure Arts Leaflet at Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Yarn

I just had to find this and I did ... I was able to order it from Leisure Arts and downloaded this a little while ago.  Is this just the sweetest little outfit?  Bet you can guess who this will be for too.

Wonderful Wednesday,

Blessings Galore

Monday Menu

Simmering as I type ...   Kalyn's Kitchen: Recipe for Barley Minestrone with Canadian Bacon, Savoy Cabbage, and Rosemary

Picked up some wonderful whole grain dinner rolls, tossing a salad, slicing up some fruit and almost ready to dig in.   If this tastes as good as it smells this will be a new keeper recipe.

So far any recipe I have tried from Kalyn's Kitchen has been a keeper.  Her recipes are amazing and if you haven't visited her then do yourself a favor and do so.  Lots of good eats from her site.



Barley Minestrone with Canadian Bacon, Savoy Cabbage, and Rosemary

(Makes 6-8 servings, recipe adapted very slightly from Barley Minestrone at Fine Cooking.)

1 T olive oil (plus a little more if needed to saute vegetables)
1/2 cup very finely diced Canadian Bacon (or use a smaller amount of diced pancetta or bacon)
2 cups coarsely diced cabbage (savoy cabbage is best, but regular green cabbage will work)
1 cup finely diced yellow onion
1 cup sliced carrots (use small carrots, or cut slices in half)
1/4 cup finely diced celery
1 tsp. minced garlic
8 C chicken stock, plus a little more if needed (I used homemade chicken stock, but you can use canned chicken broth)
1 cup water
1 can (14.5 oz.) petite diced tomatoes with juice
1/2 cup pearl barley, rinsed
1 sprig fresh rosemary (probably optional, but adds a lot of flavor)
small piece of Parmesan rind (probably optional, but adds a lot of flavor)
1 can (15 oz.) red kidney beans, rinsed
salt and pepper to taste
freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Finely chop enough Canadian Bacon to make 1/2 cup (or use a slightly smaller amount of pancetta or regular bacon if you don't care about the saturated fat.) Heat 1 T olive oil in heavy soup pot, add Canadian Bacon and saute over medium heat until it just starts to crisp, about 3-4 minutes.

While Canadian Bacon cooks, chop the cabbage, onions, celery, and slice the carrots. (If you're not a fast chopper, you might want to do that before you start to cook the bacon.) When Canadian Bacon is starting to crisp, add the vegetables and minced garlic to the soup pot and saute for 5-6 minutes or until vegetables are starting to soften. You may need to add a little more olive oil, depending on your pan.

While vegetables are cooking, rinse the barley, cut a chunk of Parmesan rind, and cut a small sprig of rosemary. When vegetables are partially soft, add chicken stock, water, diced tomatoes with juice, barley, rosemary sprig, Parmesan rind, and about 1/2 tsp. of salt. Let the soup cook at a low simmer until the barley is soft, about 30-40 minutes. (I like the barley to be fairly soft, but taste to see when it seems done enough to you.)

While soup simmers, put 1 can red kidney beans into a colander placed in the sink and rinse with cold water until no more foam appears. When the barley is done, remove the Parmesan rind and rosemary and discard. (If the soup seems too thick, you can add a little more chicken stock at this point.) Add kidney beans, season soup to taste with salt and fresh ground black pepper, and simmer 5-10 minutes more. Serve hot, with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for each person to add to their soup. This soup freezes well if you can manage to have any left.

Minestrone is a traditional Italian soup made from whatever vegetables were left in the fridge. Other things you could add or substitute in this recipe include green beans, zucchini, yellow squash, kale, or swiss chard. You can also use small pasta instead of the barley.

The verdict ..... its a KEEPER!

Quiet Morning

Thankfully the snow wasn't much and the temperatues for today are mid to high 50's with sun shine.  The spring flowers are starting to pop through.  So nice to see the splash of color.

A perfect day for an afternoon wedding.  It will be a nice time, a couple of dear friends will also be there and will share our table.

At the moment, in quiet, deep thought.  That seems to happen with the headlines and news of the day and around the world.   So very disturbing.  Praying.

Saturday Special

Heading out to a Weight Watcher's meeting this morning.  Years ago I had gone to a few meetings and but wasn't overly impressed.  I guess its all in the make-up of the speaker.  Well, let me tell you ... Saturday morning has the bestest speaker, leader, whatever you want to call her I have ever seen.  The meeting is well attended, 50 and upwards at times.  This will be my fourth time attending but I so look forward to it.  I leave there so inspired and up, you just can't help it.  I have never been in a group of such sweet, caring people.  I'm meeting new friends and I enjoy every minute of it.

My weigh in this week was a 2 pound loss ... actually its an over 10 pound loss total and I'm very pleased.

Needless to say, the happy dance is being enjoyed.

Have a great weekend.



Fabulous Friday

The Easter Stitch Along at Stitchy Mc Floss begins and the design is just the cutest, happiest and will be a joy to work on.  This was designed especially for Stitchy's Easter SAL by Barbara Ana Designs.  Thanks to Stitchy and Barbara Ana!   Hop on over to Stitchy's to join in the fun and for the link to this fabulous design.  It promises to be a fun time.

I switched patterns and instead of the shells I decided upon this one for my other baby blanket.  Its very simple (double crochet, single crochet ... alternating across each row) but has such a pretty look to it and will be quite warm.  Seems to go up quickly and is a great sip tea and watch tv crochet.  A friend of mine was working on one for her neice and I loved how it looked.  A new pattern for one of my all time favorites.

And the snow has started.  The weather reports of the past few days are calling for 4-6 ... or maybe 6-10 ... up to 14 inches of snow ... perhaps not much.  They can't seem to make up their minds.   Hey ... its April 1st ...  Oh that Mother Nature, she certainly does have a sense of humor.

Well, aside from housework and cooking , have lots to keep me busy.  Needle and hook will be flying, candles glowing.

Blessings in abundance.