New Machine

Yesterday, I decided I just could not fix my machine. We decided we should not be having all that trouble with a new machine so we took the machine back to Wal-Mart where we had purchased it. As you all recall, I had not had the machine very long at all and it has always given me trouble. Anyway, Wal-Mart took it back and we exchanged it for this machine. As soon as I started sewing on it, it was obvious this is a better machine. I have never used a Singer before but I definitely pray we will be getting better service from this one than from the Brother. I finished the sewing project that I had previously started.

This is for my little man, Daniel, who loves, loves, loves to help his mom in the kitchen. I hope it looks like a little boy apron. I wanted something with tractors on it but blue jean material was all I had that looked boyish. Weather permitted they will be coming up Sunday. Chuck and his family may come also. This would be a first-all my grandkids in the house at the same time. WOW! They are calling for some snow to hit here tomorrow and Sunday so we’ll just have to wait and see.

We will be having our candlelight service at church tonight. This is such a beautiful service. We have these little shelves on the walls and on top of the shelves we have oil lamps. All the oil lamps are lit and the electric lights are turned off. It is absolutely beautiful. We have communion and the pastor has a message. Then we all light our individual candles, gather around in a circle and sing Christmas hymms. It is such a special time and we all look forward to it. I pray you will all have a wonderfully blessed Christmas Eve as well.

Celebrate the birth of our Savior. May He bless each of you with a special portion of His presence on this wonderful day-Christ’s birthday. God bless.

December 24, 2010 2

My Christmas Tablecloth

I love to use this quilt every year as my tablecloth at Christmas. I did not make the quilt and to be honest I have had it so long I don’t really remember who did. I love it though. It looks so pretty on our table. I took the picture of it on the floor because I wanted you all to really see it good. I think if quilts could talk, this one would say cheerful, happy things.

Monday, I did some grocery shopping for our Christmas meal. We visited some with the Horns which is alway fun. Yesterday, I worked some more on my sewing machine. I am still not successful in getting it to work properly. I hope to work on it more today. I have many sewing projects I want to start on. I might have to get Hubby to look at it and see what he can do.

We are getting a drizzle of rain here this morning. Temperatures are warm-33 degrees. Hopefully it will just be rain and no ice. There is a chance of snow for tomorrow and predictions for a winter storm coming in on Friday night. If this happens, our Christmas meal plans will have to change. Chuck and his family are supposed to come tomorrow and Jess and her family are coming on Sunday. It is so hard to plan things in the winter. You never know what the weather will bring.

We are doing “half school” today and tomorrow. Then on Friday, we will start our Christmas break. Enjoy your day and God bless.

December 22, 2010 5

Sunday

Yesterday was such a fun day for us. We decided to take the girls to the movies as part of their Christmas gift. As we very seldom go to the movies, this was a big treat. We found (thanks to our friends, the Horns) a movie theater that is affordable and family friendly. We watched The Chronicles of Narnia-Voyage of the Dawn Treader. It was a very good movie and we all had a great time. Grace has read the book and Julie is in process now of reading it.

Also, as my aprons are now being sold in a local store, I thought it would be nice to try out some different patterns. I had been told it would be nice if I could do matching aprons. One for Mom (or MawMaw)and one for a little girl. I found a pattern I like pretty well. Here is a picture of it.

Not exactly what I was looking for but a good place to start.

This is the material I picked out. The floral will be the main material and the striped will be the contrasting material. What do you all think? I am having difficulties with my sewing maching, so pray I can get it up and running soon. (Could be the operator, who knows!) Anyway, I am excited to start a new project and upping my abilities. I have not made many things from a real pattern. Usually, its something I just figure out on my own or I alter the pattern so that it fits my abilities. Sally, our pastor’s wife, has agreed to help me if I get in over my head. I don’t think I will though. It looks pretty easy on paper. I will show you the finished results when done.

I think I’ll go check out my machine. Take care and God bless.

December 19, 2010 4

A New Day

We were blessed with a beautiful sunrise this morning. Thank you, Lord! I just love sunrises and sunsets. They make me feel so special.

We ended up getting some sleet and ice on top of the snow the other day. Hopefully, it will start to melt today. I have some errands I want to get done tomorrow. We have warmed up nicely-30 degrees. So much better than the other day. Hubby and I walked down to the barn yesterday to get our milk. Old Red (our truck) wouldn’t start and we thought the road was way to slick for the van. It was a nice walk though. I really enjoyed it. I so much prefer walking outside to exercising inside.

I think I’ll get upstairs and do some sewing. I have a few projects I want to get done before Christmas. Enjoy your day and God bless.

December 17, 2010 2

Snow

We are getting snow here this morning, hoping it stays snow and not ice or sleet. Predictions are for 3-5 inches. I don’t think it will accumulate that much though but we will have to wait and see. This picture is from our bedroom window upstairs. If you look to the right of the picture, you can see the pond with the snow that has laid on the ice. The good news is that it has warmed up! Temperature of 15 this morning when we got up and hardly any wind. YEAH!

Last night our youth did their Christmas play at church. We were scheduled to do it Sunday but since we have had to cancel two Sundays in a row, the youth leader thought we should do it last night, just in case. It went very well. The kids did great. I should have taken my camera and got some pictures but, of course, I forgot. We did school yesterday, caught up on some laundry, wrapped some gifts, all the ordinary things. There is a lot to be said for just doing ordinary things. It brings a sense of peace, I think.

We experience some smoke problems the night before, so we let the fire go out yesterday. Hubby checked the pipes when he came home. All was well. Not sure what caused it. Maybe just the direction the wind was blowing. This summer, we put a topper on the chimney pipe. It is supposed to turn with the wind to keep the wind from blowing the smoke back down the chimney. We had such a problem with that last winter. Anyway, all looked well yesterday so hopefully it will not happen again.

Well, we have things to do. I pray your day will be full of joy. God bless.

December 16, 2010 3

Correction

I am making a correction to our temperature this morning. We saw a friend of ours in Wal-mart today. They live close to us. He has a machine that tells him all types of weather. It registers not just temperature but wind chill temps. He said it was -26 degrees wind chill this morning. Now I know for sure that is COLD. Just wanted you all to know. God bless.

December 14, 2010 2

COLD!!!

I took this picture this morning looking out from our enclosed front porch. Yes, it really is as cold as it looks. Actual temperature this morning was zero with wind chills about -15. Maybe its warmer up north. We certainly were thankful for the added warmth of the gas logs. We went yesterday to get the tires on the car. When we returned our water was frozen. This never happens during day time hours. We hooked up the heat light and PRAISE THE LORD it started running again around 8:30 P.M. Needless to say, we left it on slightly last night.

We have to take the car back today. Something isn’t quite right with the right tire. The car has a bad vibration in it. I must say I do not look forward to going out in this cold weather but it has to be done.

I know I’ve already posted a picture of the village but I thought it looked so good with the frost on the window behind it. Enjoy your day, stay warm and God bless.

December 14, 2010 4

Martha Washington Balls

I know this picture looks just like the picture of the peanut butter balls but it really is a different picture. These are the Martha Washington Balls. The recipe is:

2 boxes powdered sugar, 1 stick butter softened, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 tsp. vanilla. Using mixer, blend ingredients together. Mixture will be stiff. Add 4 cups chopped pecans. Put powdered sugar on hands and roll into small balls. Chill. Dip balls into melted chocolate. Use 4 cups chocolate chips and 1/2 block parafin wax. DELICIOUS!

Temperatures are super cold here. Wind chill is close to zero again with gusts of about 50 mph but we are toasty warm inside with a nice fire going. Hubby was able to get propane for the gas logs Saturday. This really helps keep the house warm. Our little woodstove is a work horse. However it was severely overworked last week trying to do the job all by itself with zero temps. Pray our water doesn’t freeze again.

We are going to get some tires put on the front of the car. Hubby didn’t work today, so he is going with us. I’m glad. Enjoy your day and God bless.

December 13, 2010 2

Daniel

Yesterday Dave, Jess and the boys came for a quick visit. They had purchased a butchered hog in Burnt Chimney, which is kinda close to here. They had one of the hams cured for a country ham. It has to hang for 3 months. They brought it by here to hang in one of our buildings. They also generously shared some of the pork with us. Thanks! We enjoyed fresh sausage this morning with our eggs and cooked pears. Sooooooo good!!!

Daniel is ready to go to work in this picture. He has his hat on and my shovel in his hand. This picture was my first attempt at learning how to crop pictures on my computer. I should have made it bigger but I’m just learning. We had some ice fall during the night, now we are getting snow. Hopefully, it will just be snow from now on. I really do not like ice. No church today. I think it will be a snuggle in day. Make some candy or cookies-maybe both.

Enjoy your day and God bless.

December 12, 2010 5

Candy

We had so much fun yesterday making candy. When we got to Vicki’s, she had already made sugar cookies for the kids to decorate. They loved it. After lunch, we made oreo truffles, then peanut butter balls and last we dipped oreo cookies in white chocolate. It was such a fun day. The recipe I use to make the peanut butter balls is:

1 stick butter-softened, 1 lb powdered sugar. Mix these together. Then add 2 cups creamy peanut butter. Mix everything together. You will need to add about 1/4 cup water to this. Just add a little at a time until it is a little creamy. Be careful not to add too much water. Form into balls. In a double boiler, put 2 cups chocolate chips and 1/4 block parafin wax. Heat until chocolate is creamy. Dip peanut butter balls into chocolate. Place on wax papered cookie sheet. Refrigerate and enjoy. These are much better after they chill. I want to make Martha Washington balls next. I think they are my favorite.

Time for us to leave for piano practice. Enjoy your day and God bless.

December 9, 2010 3