Cloudy Days are His Hugs!

How do you feel when the clouds roll in? Has it ever occurred to you that it's God's way of giving you a hug? Think about how much slower life seems to get when its cloudy. 

The kids come in and are near. The shadows don't rush you along with projects you're working on. 

Even the food you're cooking takes on a different flavor - richer. 

Out here in the Sandhills, clouds don't roll in frequently. It's somewhat of a rare occurrence. 

Not everyone enjoys them. But today, they were welcomed...it was as if God himself had totally embraced me - and blew me a kiss with the winds that were kicked up!

And the moisture that came was a blessing.  

In God we still trust!!!

What a happy little package to have received in the mail! It was from Sew Fine Treasures at 22561 Briarhill Drive, Goshen, IN 46528-8411. (Can be found on ebay.)

I knew what was on the inside of the package, and was pretty sure I'd love it...but it was the outside of the package that had me glowing! Read it...

In God we still trust! Really? Someone in America is going to boast about trusting God? 

Barbara did and she made my day! Everyone talks about, and sends e-mail about how we need to put God back in control of our country. Do we? Do we even hazard a "God bless you" when someone sneezes, or do we simply say, "bless you"? 

Here's the other nice thing about this particular package...while it was intended for me, how many postal workers did it come in contact with and ultimately bless their day? There are a lot of stops from Goshen, Indiana, to Valentine, Nebraska. I'd guess many were blessed by her simple declaration, "In God we still trust." 

I also show the invoice that was enclosed with my purchase - Cicely Mary Barker ABC Fairy Fabric to be exact - and notice that she had "Happy Stitching...Be Happy"...along with a smiley face sticker and the word "Thanks."

I share this because it also made me so happy. Barbara had no idea who she was sending this too...I was a first time customer. Will I shop with her again - I sure hope to. Will I recommend her to others, of course. She took a little extra time to bless me with my purchase and I'm thankful for that. 

Are you giving others your own version of His five star service? Beware...people really do notice, and they do appreciate it. 

Thanking you Barbara for your "happy" package...and the reminder that In God we still trust!

Happy stitching everyone and remember that God loves you and does bless you! 

In Barbara's words, "It's a beautiful day to be alive!" Go make someone's day!

The day after...Thanksgiving

I had a very blessed Thanksgiving...I spent it with Mr. Muffin, my pup, at the lake. More importantly, I spent it with God - our creator and it was breathtaking. Here's some of the peace, and calm that was in our day...
The morning was gloomy and hazy - which is something I've always enjoyed.

 Golden grasses and grey skies call to me!

 What a fabulous paint box He has...a swipe of gold here, some haze there, and a bit of ochre in front...why not, and a blob in the middle of it all with trees in various stages of dress?

 Can rocks be pretty? I thought their reflections were. The little sticks sticking up have a bit of ice on them. Yet, it wasn't that cold. Mirror shine indicates there wasn't a wisp of wind either.

 SWANS??? Yes! There were quite a few floatillas...they honk similar to a goose.

 Abstract, reflecting, fall, bending to winters call!

 Ice bumps? Look at the way they hug the trees...complete with air bubbles. Amazing. I was so enthralled with these that I totally missed the eagles! Yes...just about....

But God is so faithful...here they are, three in a tree. I finally noticed them, but was so focused on the ice and the swans, I failed to notice majesty...in triplicate - the Trinity perhaps? They were watching my glee with everything that was glittery and shiny. Which will be gone by next summer. I believe there is a parable about being careful of what we store up...my lesson here was to pay attention!!!

 So simple - abstract - grasses covered with a sliver of ice. Sometimes less is more!

Ice jaws? Shiny, bubbly...yet it could be the buttonhole stitch if you view it with different eyes...
Lesson here...things aren't always as they appear to be.

As we were leaving to come home and enjoy our Thanksgiving feast, Mr. Muffin and I were given so much out here...fresh air, exercise, romping in a playground full of fascinating critters, His shiny, beautiful abstract art complete with a spectacular paint pallet - all things to be so thankful for.

Not to mention our meal was perfectly cooked by the time we got home and was delicious - something else to be thankful for...food on our tables. Not near enough space to list all of our blessings...care to share yours???

Things to be thankful for...Day 8

Have you ever considered your community? Your neighbors? Where you shop? The parks? Trails? Fishing holes? Where would we be without them? It takes an entire community to work together for it to prosper, grow and ultimately glow.

Think of the treasures that are in your community...of course, every treasure has a different value - but when you put the entire collection together, it pays off in ways we don't always know or understand. But here in our community, I'd like to think we're all very blessed!

Things to be thankful for ... Day 9

We're counting down until Thanksgiving the things we're thankful for. On this day 9, I'm so thankful to the Lord for his blessing of my little cozy nest and all who live there. So may lessons - some hard, others scary, and some absolutely, truly enjoyable...happened at the nest.
I'm also thankful for family and friends who have helped to make the nest what it is today...truly remarkable people that are remembered every time I look around! Thank you and blessings to you!

Things to be thankful for day 10

Have you ever considered how important the volunteers are in your community? Have you ever considered the risks they take or the family they leave behind while practicing to keep you and others safe? I'm thankful for the many hats our small community wears - and there are many different hats!

This is for my mom, dad and their friend Nancy...

...it's also for all the women out there who have or have had, or know women who have or have had cancer.

In the back of my mind, I'm thinking of a pillow panel that would incorporate fun flowers, the pink ribbon and a big heart all created out of varying shades of pink wool applique.

It could be a gift for someone you know. For yourself. How about for someone you don't even know? What a way to brighten up a cancer patient's day?

Should it have an envelope on the front like the panel Seasons of Blessings (in the first post)? I had someone tell me that when they found out they had cancer, it was a blessing, because it made them realize the important things in life. The REALLY, REALLY, important things...family and friends.
Not how clean her home was or wasn't. Not how much money she did or don't have. But that she had her family and friends, and that she'd made new friends and was able to be a blessing to them.

Wow! Courage.

So...I want to know what flowers you think would symbolize courage, hope and strength? I want to hear from women who have had cancer and what would cheer them up.

Please share....you don't know whose life you may bless.

It could be Nancy's.