Old-Fashioned Summer

I did it!!

This month's Schnibbles quilt is finished! 

* You know how finishing anything creates deep within a wonderful feeling, that just gurgles and bubbles and splashes out into joyous joy. *

So, you'd think the name of this quilt, "Joy Luck," would be fitting~ * ~but I can adorn it with no other name than   "Old-fashioned Summer," because my mind would wander off to restful summer places as each stitch found its happy home in my little quilt. (This quilt was supposed to have a darling border added, and I did cut all the pieces, sewed them together, and arranged them around the quilt. But I couldn't do it. Adding them would have made my quilt too big to be a homey tablecloth over my new/old vintage table.)

....Be still and know that I am God....  Psalm 46 (you'll find this verse in there)  :)

 ....breezes twirling your hair... sips from freshly-squeezed lemonade with a sprig of mint leaves... mind disengaged from the world and locked into a good book... you're nestled in a comfy chair... in the shade in a pretty summer place... (remember that? that thing called summer relaxation, like a real old-fashioned summer?)....

With every Schnibbles I sew, there seems to be a lesson....  IT IS OKAY TO NOT BE PERFECT...  "Nono... don't give up!"... PATIENCE... perseverance... & with old-fashioned summer????  --- I learned that we do not live by feelings!!! No. We do not.

Feelings were telling me to lay down and take a nap. They were telling me to sit and read blogs (remember yesterday's lethargy?). but, had i done any of those, and obeyed my feelings, my feelings today would have been full of bummed-outness, because then I wouldn't have this darling tablecloth-quilt to accompany me to my summer place! And not only that, but I would have not been included in the Schnibbles parade, yet again! So, check those feelings before they later leave you with worse ones!  the end.  :)

To see the Schnibbles Parade *August 5th*  go HERE or HERE

Come back and see me again!

Building Blocks...

After a two-month hiatus, and the deadline merely two short days away, the push is on to get this month's Schnibbles done!

But I'm sooooo tired. 

And lazy.

Not anything like the day before yesterday's surplus of energy (why can't everyday be like that? Ummm.... what you eat plays into these surges or zaps. I ate a lot of very bad food this morning, and now I am paying for it with lethargy. You wanna hear the absurd reason I ate very bad food this morning? Because I've been eating very good food for a very long time and the scale refuses to prove it! Isn't that a silly reason to eat junk? Ever do this?? ).

Anyhoo, I'm going to grab a glass of water, then head into that sewing room with a mad purpose, even if I have to lay my lethargic brain on the sewing table every now and then.

wish me LUCK

the blessings of homemaking

You've heard me say it before, many, many times --

I LOVE HOMEMAKING.

Contentment in it is hugging me tightly this morning.

For some reason, I woke up full of energy; I could not wait to begin the day. This is soooo not usual. I like it!!!

About a year ago, my BFF and I each bought a homemaking devotional. She loved it, and I could never really get going in it. Not sure why. But today, in between my smiles, cleaning, laundry, thanking the Lord, and sewing, I have taken the time to sit on my little rocking love sofa and have scanned the pages of some good books....

This week's devotional (there are 52 weeks of devotionals to encourage a homemaker's heart) was on jam and fruit and the fruit of the Spirit. Encouraging!

Then, in my Bible, I've been reading Numbers and Joshua. Did you know that complaining is displeasing to the Lord, and that when we utter it, He hears every single moan, groan, wail, stomp? Yep... "And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it..." (Numbers 11:1a). {This was a great reminder for moi.}

Also, I read one chapter from a library book about men. Things women/wives should know. Secrets. Stuff to make us smarter in our relationships with the more muscular half of the world. So far, I am loving it! When I finish, if it's good and has lots to glean, I will give you the title.

I highly suggest going about your homemaking this way. Stopping to read not only refreshes you and gives your legs and mind a break, it also stimulates you to grow (unless you're reading romance novels...).

and let us consider how to stimulate one another

to love and good deeds

Hebrews 10:24 

 

Later... Liz

Broken Cord...

Tuesday is one of the few 'no sprinkler' days at our house. It's when I hang laundry and do yard work.

Like today.

Except, after hours of raking and pruning and sweating and praying, the cord got caught in the electric pruner/saw thingy. Oooops!

Did you know that a thick electric cord will NOT run your great tools if it's cut in half???? It's true!

This has reminded me that when we do not spend time with the Word, we do not run too well either. 

So, while I shower, you read your Bible, if you haven't yet today.  :) 

Psalm 29 would be a delightful choice....

Ciao!

Mama Mia! Mama Mia!!

Whether you say it in French or in English, it still comes out the same... or, hey, even in Italian  -- YUMMY!

Yard work has its arms crossed over its chest, one foot impatiently beating a quick tempo, but I refuse to be intimidated! 

Cook I must!

The plethora of juicy red tomatoes are begging me to play with them!

So, first...

Do you know how to easily peel a tomato? It's simple: Take the edge of your knife and carefully, but firmly, rub it all the way over the outer skin. 

Then, slice a bit off the edge, and peel away. (Tomatoes really are thin-skinned, so talk nicely to them as you gently pull it away from the bulk of the tomato.) You can also dip them in boiling water for a few seconds, then submerse them in ice-cold water, but sacré bleu!... too much work, too many pots to wash. 


So, craving Hillbilly Spaghetti (hitherto, HS), I decided to make a lighter version, using my own darling 'maters and slow-growing green onions. Yipppeeee! Jillian say that to be a "locavore", all you have to do is eat local food. And she's not talking the McDonald's just down the street! No, she is cheering for the local farmers. I'm all for them!  :)  However, Superman makes our backyard a VERY local farm, so hip hip hooooray!!! 


And, no... LOL... using my own garden's veggies does not make a recipe lighter (tho it sure does seem like it!!!), but in the case of the HS, I did not add the ground beef/turkey, the Italian sausage, and I replaced 1% milk for the heavy cream. Oh, and in place of the8-oz. thin spaghetti i used 4-oz whole wheat rotini ('cuz i had that at home). Next time, though, I will use 8-oz of the rotini. I just wasn't sure if the sturdier wheat pasta would suck up all the liquid... it doesn't. Hence, I had to add un-called-for Italian seasoned tomato paste.


Just used lots of cheese!  grin, grin, GRiN!


Anyhoo, just look how yummy! I had sooooo much fun today. Of course, my new brown-n-beige and yellow and orange apron added to the festive kitchen afternoon gala!! ooolaaaaawee! (I took a pic of myself, but it was too dark to see the fun of the thing.)

My very own grown, picked, washed, peeled, and crushed tomatoes...

Cooking is rather a beautiful thing, is it not?

I think so...


Jillian says to eat your A.L.L.I.U.M.S = onions, leeks, chives, shallots, scallions. They detoxify the bod!
Oookay...


(Just a side note... If you haven't seen Calamity Jane with Doris Day, rent it from Netflix and be prepared to be thoroughly entertained!)


Magnifico!!! muuuhwaaaaa...
(Superman loves to grow veggies, not eat them. So, to keep him from flying to that local McDonald's, the other pot you see over to the right, has his chili verde! ole...everyone's happy, happy!)

Want a taste of the sauce (pre tomato paste, cheese, etc., added)?

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMgood!

Cooking can be fun!


In case you lost the real recipe from the last time I blogged about it, go HERE. and here are my revisions....  :)  Buon appetito!

oh, lol, look what i just found. lol.... hope it helps you! 

A Little Husband Nurturning...

They were the best! Every single older woman God put in my path when I was younger, in person or through books or radio, was the best. Elisabeth Elliot, Elizabeth George, Elizabeth Prentiss, Shirley Dobson, Lee Ezell, Anne Ortland, and many, many, many more. We were all so fortunate to have these women teach us to love our God...and our husbands. And, thankfully, the Lord gave us the grace to have teachable hearts. 

We soaked up their words of wisdom, and then, squeezed out all of it upon our families. What a blessing!

One small nugget from those days was to "Nurture your husband." Oh-so-carefully we were taught to guard the 'couple-ship' of marriage. And that we did, encouraging one another daily with ideas, admonishing each other when we were being apathetic (and yes, we loved this, too. we didn't always like it, but we were hungry to be wise).

Anyhoo, after Superman returned home from a week-long business trip, I wrote a couple of notes to him. One is still on our bathroom mirror (tho... today, it must go when I clean that room). 

If it's been a while since you sent your Love a sweet little note, I encourage you to bless him soon. :)

(A card I sent Superman years ago, is still displayed amongst the family pictures in his office; these things do matter to a husband's heart.)

Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.

Proverbs 9:9

^{7-12 (from The Message)} If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you'll get slapped in the face;
   confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins.
So don't waste your time on a scoffer;
   all you'll get for your pains is abuse.
But if you correct those who care about life,
   that's different—they'll love you for it!
Save your breath for the wise—they'll be wiser for it;
   tell good people what you know—they'll profit from it.
Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-God,
   insight into life from knowing a Holy God.
It's through me, Lady Wisdom, that your life deepens,
   and the years of your life ripen.
Live wisely and wisdom will permeate your life;
   mock life and life will mock you. 

 

Ooooh, I so want to be wise! I bet you do, too!

:) 

Thankful Monday

The sun is shining, the sky is blue, I'm about to ride my bike and get great legs too. (ya, poet, don't ya know)

But, before I fly on my newly painted vintage Schwinn (Superman did a number on it... pictures to come as soon as my stickers arrive and get plastered on), I just wanted to invite you to join me in a Monday of thanksgiving. 

During my quiet time, I read this:

I will praise the name of God with a song, 

and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30

Spurgeon said in his Treasury of David commentary, "How sure was our Redeemer of ultimate victory, since he vows a song even while yet in the furnace. In us, also, faith foresees the happy issue of all affliction, and makes us even now begin the music of gratitude which shall go on for ever increasing in volume, world without end."

My list of things to be thankful for has begun... 

Lord, thank You for....

Superman, Noah, Amy, Tim...

  A swimming pool...

    Grace...

      the ability to see in color... (and to be able to just SEE)

        for bloggerinas who will pour out thanks to You all day, too...

          that I was brave enough as a kid, tho always chickenhearted, to teach myself to ride a bike, because it is one of life's joys for me...

              for the blood of Jesus that washes me white as snow...

                 for tastebuds!  :)

                   that I can read...

                           Your Word to us...

and this is just the beginning! Got anything to say? Talk to me! :)

Happy Sunday!

With a slightly sore throat and a bit of a head cold,

I am for sure going to thank God for this day of rest! 

Superman came into our bedroom this morning and placed my cup of coffee on the nightstand (one of my most fav things he does for me), then said, 

"You've slept nine hours! That's enough for anyone; get up!"

Hmmmm....

I don't remember setting that particular alarm clock! 

Anyhoo, before I show you some pictures, a friend mentioned to me that I make Superman seem like he possess some mighty perfect powers. 

Well... lemme tell ya ---

There are times I want to step on his cape and make him trip (I know, not nice).

Or...

Maybe get a firm grip on his cape, begin whirling around and around in a circle till I could let go and send him off for a quick flight amongst the stars (a mini vacation lol).

Still, there's no one on earth for me but him.

In this day of giving up, walking out, and seeking our own wishes and desires and happinesses, choose to stay and obey the Word of God, rely on the Holy Spirit's power, the nearness of Jesus, and the unconditional, never-going-nowhere-away-from-us love of God.

.He is faithful.

Now, onto less important, but fun, matters....

I buy Pillsbury's boxed crusts. I would love to make my own, but not one - EVER - has turned out (except for the apple crostini one; have I ever shared that Barefoot Contessa recipe? yum... in the fall i will).

This one below I cooked on the barbie and DID NOT POKE HOLES IN.

And look -- it didn't shrink ten sizes!!!  :)

And you just knew I had to show you more summer treaures. 

I must!

They are little gifts from God's hand, every single day!

Thank You, Lord!

This is what I do with these beauties...

1.  Take a slice off the tomato I am going to use, and then placing my nose ever so close to the edge, I inhale deeply of the kisses of sunshine. A summer tomato's perfume is happiness! Don't eat one without the experience of inhaling! (Uh, through nose, not mouth.)
   
   
2. Slice thin, pop a few raw ones in my mouth, sprinkle with Meyer Lemon extra virgin olive oil, turn a lot of grinds of lemon pepper all around (the veggies, not the counter!), then grill till slightly browned and tender. Mmmmmm-m-mmm!
3. That frying pan has holes in it so that nothing, like fish, can escape into the barbie's fiery depths. I learned about it from my girlfriend, and now.. you heard it from moi. My pan came from Walmart or Linen's n Things, but I found it here, too. Happy Sunday!

For all the troubled marriages out there.... Please Stay Married!

Life is Just Beachy!

Some things are meant to be!

Like, having this vintage patio set...

When I first saw it, I plopped right down into it and found it soooo comfy. Visions of reading by my pool filled my brain-space. 

But the price... Too much, tooo much. 

So, waving goodbye to it, Shannon and I walked on down the road.

All that day, all the drive home, and all the next day, I thought of that set. 

 (a sure sign that the 'wanting' is legit)

I dialed up the Seaside Cottage and asked if it was still available --

Yes!

(i gave her my cc # and it was mine. she said they finally had to move it inside because so many people were begging her to let them have it. i don't blame others for having fun taste, too!)

today was pick up day

...beautiful drive... 

... almost to the beach town of Cambria...

...there......just darling...

 ...great gate...

...yummy cappuccino & brunch...

 

...remember these?...

...my newest read... 

...dedicated to moi ~ fun!...

 And now... 
I will go outside and read some more of Debbie's book...
on my pool deck...
with my sparkling mineral water...
sitting on my new vintage chair!
Today, 
life has been just beachy!


He makes me lie down in green pastures; 
He leads me beside quiet waters. 
He restores my soul...
...Psalm 23:2-3a...

I'm Barking At This!

This is really something to bark at!

It is! (Or was a bit ago.)

Now... before I show you what had me barking out my big, fat opinion, I must warn you - I think the following picture is awful. Don't blame me if you begin howling at it, too!  :)

I was bee-bopping to a new CD a friend loaned me for my drive home from her home, by Colbie Caillat. Happy as a clam was I.

And then, right up ahead at the red light, I got behind a little truck with the above fish symbol. Now, I know that God spelled backwards says the above word. But what did it mean being pushed inside the fish?

Inquiring mind wants to know...now!

So, sadly for her, she pulled into the same post office parking lot that I was headed to.

Whether you like this or not, I did it. 

I pulled up behind her, waited till she got out of the truck, and asked, "What does that mean?"

"It means I love my dogs; I fed them chicken last night."

Me: "Do you know that is a Jesus symbol?"

Owner of dog who gets chicken for its meals:  "Yes; but I love my dogs."

Barking Christian (moi): "Well, you should love God. I've already prayed for you at the light (ha, and all the way to the post office)." (Lot of good all my Franklin Graham crusade training did me.... rats!)

It's a free world (still, so far...) so she can have and enjoy her dogs and their irreverent Jesus fish. And, so do I have the freedom to quietly bark a bit at her.

Amen.

Do you now feel the need to bark at me for barking at her? 

oh, and this, that i wrote in an im to a friend...

5:38:55 PM) golfinlizzy: if someone knows it s a jesus symbol and does it, to me, it seems like a slap to God and christians. on the site where you buy it, we are called minions
(5:39:38 PM) golfinlizzy: like peter in front of the soldiers, they forget that the breath of Jesus is enough to knock them all off their feet
(5:39:49 PM) golfinlizzy: us too ....
(5:40:15 PM) golfinlizzy: how i love his mercy and am praying she gets the truth inside her very soul... with salvation. oh happy day
(5:40:18 PM) golfinlizzy: and eternity

This calls for the Word of God as the cherry on top of it all...

Psa 2:4

He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them.

A Bucket of Fun!

My BFF Shannon and I did a surprise beach trip for the day, yesterday. 

Spontaneous FUN!

Do it!
(Your invigorated heart will kiss your feet!)

Minnesota

Two cameras and one cell phone with a camera.... and yet ... no pictures of my trip to Minnesota. 

Both cameras sat at home, forgotten.

Cell phone was left on the bed most of the time.

I might have gotten one or two pics on the cellie, but can't figure out how to upload them. 

Sheesh louish!

But, the trip was D.E.L.I.G.T.F.U.L!

 Just what I needed!

How is YOUR summer?