I Love Pumpkins!

The gals in my Bible study group tease me. They know that on my day to bring snack it will almost always be something pumpkinny -- whether it be scones, a pie, muffins, a deep-orange bundt cake, or whatever.

Do you love pumpkin, too?

Send me your favorite recipe, would you???  :)

For my birthday I got Williams-Sonoma the Pasta book that has a pumpkin ravioli recipe. On an anniversary dinner, eons ago, this dish was savored and remembered. I now have my own pasta maker (only tried it once, but am willing to try again) and will one day try again. {I need an Italian cook for a friend!}

Oh... and not all pumpkins are orange! 

Or perfect...  :)  

{Let this encourage your little heart! We don't have to be perfect, either, to be beautiful!}

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
       your works are wonderful,
       I know that full well." 

Psalm 139:14

So... if your recipe does not come out as perfectly as you wish... blame the pumpkin!  :)

Celebrate and Be Happy!

Snippets of Stuff

Good morning!

What a flurry of fun last week was! During that Fall Giveaway, two surprise emails greeted me - I had won two different giveaways. Happily shocked and surprised was I, as you can imagine, with soooooo many people trying to win them also.

So, twin THANK YOUs to Winona at Cat Love and Quilt Maker and Sue Susan's Scrappy Domain!!! 

I'm going to be the happiest mail-getter in the world! ~ It's just like getting a big bouquet of flowers!!!   :)

October 15th - Giveaway Day!!!

Oh Happy Day!

It's going to be a busy day in blogland, as we all hustle from one blog to the next, seeing if we won any of the giveaways!

Thank you to everyone who made this giveaway so fun. I wish I had a prize for every single one of you, because you are all so awesome! !!!

So, I won't keep you...

The winner of my fall giveaway is...

Kelli at 
 Small Town Stitcher.

Congratulations!

A Blogging We Have Gone

Hasn't it been fun 
(this fall giveaway extravaganza, I mean  ~HERE)?

I have felt like a contented frog, leaping from one blog giveaway to the other! So many wonderful blogs have been discovered along the way. 

How will I ever keep up? 

24hours just isn't enough time to visit and ooogle! When would I sew? or read? or ride my bike? or golf? or cook? or go to Bible study? or HOMEMAKE? 

Hmmmm???

How do you do it???

  

Looks Like a Party!

(Hurry HERE for the fall giveaway!)

You will not want to miss this fun!!!

Superman has told me before that I can make a party out of anything. This was said one day while I was paying bills and had myself surrounded by party things... happy music, a vintage aluminum tray with polka dot bows arrayed on each handle, topped with a cold drink packed with fun ice (store bought kind) and a cool & colorful straw, a few cookies looking like confetti on a plate, and a brightly decorated napkin.

So... is it any wonder that my sewing room trashcan would look like a party was going on in it?

Wednesdays are our trash days, but I just could not empty this thing; it was too happy! 

Since we have to pay bills, and there's always chores to do, why not step into the joy of it... even if we have to make our own party favors!

Even when life is throwing dirt balls, our hearts can party on in the Lord. His faithfulness is steadfast and unchanging. The party favors of praise & voicing thanks are great noise makers!

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. 

He will take great delight in you, 

he will quiet you with his love, 

he will rejoice over you with singing."

Zephaniah 3:17

Throw some partying into your day!

Go Go Giveaway... Go Go!

(Hurry HERE for the fall giveaway!)

You will not want to miss this fun!!!

New must-haves abound!

This morning, right after reading my Bible, I plopped in front of the computer and began visiting new blogs. But time was a'wastin', so I told myself, 

"One more blog and then... hit the gym!"

Boy, am I glad I allowed myself that one bitty more blog.

  I think you will be really glad my slothful side played a wee bit longer at the keyboard, too, because YOU and ME and LOTS OF OTHERS have a chance to win this latest quilting must-have (okay, not must have, but surely-would-love-to-have)!

AccuQuilt Go

For your chance to win one of these dreams, go to Alderwood Quilts. Go!

No-Sew Cute!

Traipsing across the vast Bloglands, I came across some very cute, no-sewing-involved pumpkins. 

(I got this idea from crazydomestic  and you can GO right HERE and see her very simple pictures and instructions.)

Oh... and the originator of these little darlings is from a daaarrrrlinnnng blog:

http://alisa-thesweetlife.blogspot.com/

They took me 10 minutes to make!

& they are completely recyclable!!! 

(I used fabric that will be used in next year's fall projects)

See? ... 

 

 As you can see, the weather was perfect for an autumn bike ride. So, I was sewing my November 1st project, wondering where I was going to get the twigs for my pumpkins. Right about then, I felt prompted by the Lord to go on my bike ride...

"Now? When I'm in the middle of this project?"

But, I arose and took off. Right around the corner from my house was this -- trees, trees, and more trees, just freshly pruned and ample for picking!

"Thank You, Lord! You care about everything! You even know the numbers of my hairs, which tells me that you are not only all-knowing, but also all-caring about every detail of our lives! Thank You, our Father!"

 

 

 

An Apple A Day...

(Hurry HERE for the fall giveaway!)

You will not want to miss this fun!!!

 

Look, if you want to keep the doctor away, then take heed to Johnny Appleseed's advice and eat one every single day!

Really!
(click on the underlined words for recipes)

You could have a CARAMEL APPLE today...

You could have APPLE FRITTERS tomorrow (click on each word for separate recipes) ...

You could have APPLE PIE the day after tomorrow...

Or...You could have THIS ~ because we also must heed this unknown author's great wisdom... 

"Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today.

  That way, at least you'll get one thing done."

I am quite sure that all of this fall eating will not only keep the doctor away, but depression as well, because who wouldn't be happy eating all those apples?! 

Eat your APPLE today!  :)

Snail Mail Rocks!!!

(Hurry HERE for the fall giveaway!)
You will not want to miss this fun!!!
  

Never, ever, ever think snail mail is a waste of time. Though it is not instantaneous, it slowly carries along many unexpected and marvelous surprises & blessings!

Like this...autumn packages from a friend who loves you and autumn's appealing darlings...

and this... anniversary date plans from someone who has loved you many years...

and this... a little birthday love from Starbucks (a free drink) because they'd love you to celebrate every birthday with them, this year... and mannnny more...

and this... A little love for me and mine, as I love to cook; a yummy cookbook all the way from Australia...

See? Never, ever, ever think snail mail is a waste of time!

 . . . who can you send some LOVE to this season? . . .

May mercy and peace and LOVE be multiplied to you.

 Jude 1:2

Sew Much Fall Fun@

This has been the funnest FALLest... 

Why?

1. The Fall Giveaway going on in blog world (click HERE to see my prize for you and to leave comment for chance to win it)! I'm meeting you all and seeing your wonderful blogs (and prizes), and it is just sooooo, sewwww much fun! And I love fun... and surprises... and my bloggerinas!!! Look what I discovered on my blog jumping.... a brown paper bag! Ahhhh.... but go look what SugarSpunQuilt is stuffing it with...  :) Tell her Liz sent you (not that she knows me, but if you say that, then she will!)  :)   
2. On October 1st, I was in my favorite spot (the beach) with my favorite person (Superman... couldn't always say that, so how fun is that?), then my Bakersfield BFF came over for pizza and came bearing an early BIRTHDAY GIFT! ~ yAHooooo   
3. Anticipating my annual  fun! with Shannon, my BFForever, when we cast our cares out the car windows and tootle over to the coast to celebrate our birthdays (two favorite things and persons in one little month! Oh my pumpkins!!!) A triple gift from God!!!! (Thank You, Lord!)  
4. Fun everywhere.... leaves swirling off the trees, sweeping them off the front porch ~ to leave a welcoming path for guests, Starbucks free Birthday drink (go sign up!!!), ditto with a Jack-in-the-Box free birthday dessert coupon, baking with pumpkin, letting in the cool autumn breezes as I clean.... so much fun!
5. Leaving comments and entering giveaways!

Giveaways Galore!!!

(Giveaway now closed.)

Hurry! It's giveaway time (again!)

Leave a comment here on my blog... and, ummmm, what do I want to know about you????

Okay, I've decided.

Share with me your ONE,
very most FAVORITE  FALL thing to do.

This way, I learn about you, and it also just might add to my list of favorite fall things!!!

Win-Win...oh, and WIN (when you leave a comment).

Then,

Hurry here  
for a chance to win 
over 150 prizes!
(Click on each of the links on the right for a chance to win great prizes. In my way of thinking, Christmas is just a few calender pages away, so you might win gifts to give!)

150+

a chance.... for Y-O-U!!!! 

But today, right here, right now
is my giveaway....  :)

Included are...

1. Mary Engelbreit Friends panel 
2. Two Schnibbles patterns ~ Madeline & Tagalong
3. Black & White Quilts book
4. Two patterns that were included in my Fig Tree Club projects (kept the fabrics; didn't use the patterns).                                  
5. Four thirties-fabric fat quarters 

Leave your comment on my blog, 

then Hurry here 
 for a chance to win over 150 prizes!
Hope you winnnnn! 
(All winners will be announced all on the same day - October 15th.)

 

All I have to say is that Best Friends are wonderful (daughters, too)!

If you have one that you can let it 'all hang out' with, then clap your hands for joy, 'cuz she is a gift!

(Shannon, thank you for being a trooper of grace today!)

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health 

and that all may go well with you, 

even as your soul is getting along well. 

3 John 1:2

Oh! On Friday, if you love to sew or wanna win a gift to give to someone who loves to sew, then come back October 1st and see what I have put together as a giveaway, as part of this...

 

It's Officially Falll !!

It's here... FALL has arrived!!

~ and you know what that means ~

... drum roll...

Congratulations, Anonymous (you know who you are, even if I don't), you won 

Karla Dornacher's darling book!!!

Please send your mailing address to my email:

encouragingforyou@gmail.com

I will get it in the mail to you ASAP!
(P.S. Dear Anonymous, since I cannot get in touch with you, please respond by the 29th. That way, I'll know you want the book. If not, I will redraw a name. Thanks!!!)

Thank you, Bloggerinas, for joining in my fall fun!!

Give Thanks... it's happy fall !!!

This is Exactly My Heart's Sentiments

There was not going to be another post till my I-Love-Fall giveaway was over (be sure to go HERE and leave a comment for a chance to win), but I so want your hearts to be encouraged in your homemaking, that I am stealing-away Aunt Ruthie's fabulous cheer in that area, to share with you...

"Little touches of seasonal beauty placed thoughtfully throughout our home adds a sense of celebration, warmth and welcome to our loved ones.  Galatians 6:10 says, "Be mindful to be a blessing,” As homemakers, making our home feel cozy and delightful blesses our family! Every home needs a woman’s nurturing touch, it sends a message of love and care to all who enter it.  It’s a troubled world out there and that’s all the more reason to make  our homes a place of comfort and joy. Oh girls, we must never underestimate the significance of  our role as a homemaker…we set the stage for our family’s sense of belonging, safety and well being."

My heart's exact sentiments! 

I tell every young (and old) gal that will listen this very message! God has given us such a unique and joyous job of upholding and encouraging the hearts of those in our household! Thank You, Lord, for this gift! I looooove homemaking!!!! Sooo thankful for what God has gifted us to create within our own little four walls' haven.

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2:3-5

(fall does this to you, too... the cooler weather brings out the kitchen's hearty heat)

Hop on over to Aunt Ruthie's uplifting and inspiring blog (her words and photos and recipes..."oh my!" will say your soul)!  Give thanks!

Giving Thanks Giveaway

(This contest is now closed. Thanks!)

Seasons are happiest when a crowd is circled around enjoying it together.  That's the reason for this giveaway. Join me in celebrating the goodness of God. 

Acts 14:17 says: 

"Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, 

in that he did good, 

and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons,

filling our hearts with food and gladness." 

Rain, and the food that sprouts up out of the ground because of it, are all reminders that God is mighty and caring. He is our Provider. It's not Mother Nature, it's our Everlasting Father who is sending His provision and care. He sends the rain as a thirst-quenching drink for the soil, and up springs the green plants that supply our sustaining nutrients.

Karla Donacher has this great book for fall. I love it and have been using it as a devotion. I'd love you to win this giveaway and get this copy into your own eager hands. It'd be like we are celebrating fall and God's goodness together! Yay!~

Okay, the sun is quickly fading and I still wanna mow the grass. So, here it is....

There are pages you can personalize too. It's quite fun...

If you go HERE you can scroll down and see a couple of Karla's book's pages.

So... just leave a comment. I'll put the names in a bowl and close my eyes and pick a winner!

The winner will be announced next Wednesday, September 22, 2010 - the first day of fall... when else? :)  (Yes, I will ship out of the USA.... God's goodness knows no bounds!)

Hope you win!

FUN Exercise!!! It's Possible!

Years ago, Superman and I had a verrry nice stay at the Inn at Morro Bay.

 

     Peaceful.

                                           Beautiful.

                        Wonderful! 

Even though I was a trembling at the thought, and longing to be a game gal, I courageously (that means I was praying a lot) dipped my toe into the faded red kayak, then my knees, and finally sat my bottom down for the ride. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee - I loved it!

 

 Superman suggested we buy me one, so that I could row around the lakes in our area. But.... the cost. Ay yi yi!

However....  :) smile, smile, smile  ----

Big 5 was having a clearance sale today on summer items. 

And there it was, amongst the $5 pool goggles I was looking for --- 

this bad girl... 

(no, not me!, the inflatable kayak-of-sorts)

I'm pointing to my 'gun' cuz that is what is going to power my kayak)

 So.... when we got home, Superman used his handy-dandy compressor and had me kayak inflated in no time. What a fun way to exercise!!!  The pictures he took will be great as 'before' pictures. :) Find something you think is fun, and do it. You don't have to be fast or athletic. Even taking the kids to the park and climbing up the stairs of the slide a few times is fun exercise. Get creative and get going and HAVE FUN!  :)

Something New?

Bangs seem to be in... but are they 'it' for me? 

I'm still trying to decide how I feel about them on me.

My hair gal, Sonya, who is fun and friendly, and whom I give free reign to, cut bangs for me and labeled me "cute!". 

Now, who doesn't love to hear that every once in a while?

But every time I look in the mirror, it takes me by surprise, because I am not used to full-on bangs. 

Know what I mean?

And then... 

I'm going to confess this to you...

I wonder if I look weird and if others will think I look a bit strange, too. Isn't it crazy that we do this?

Those same feelings creep into my thoughts when I'm riding my 1960 Schwinn...

See, the thing about that bike is that it is a heavyweight, stuck in the high gear (of two), which makes it a perfect ride for pedaling upright on the pedals, bootie off the seat, like nine-year-old boys do. 

All I need is a pink scarf!

But I'm not nine, and I'm sure this is not proper bike-riding behavior for someone way past nine.

But I loooooove it!

It makes me happy, happy, happpppy! 

HAPPY!

So, I do it. 

And smile.
No matter what others may or may not think.

Still, with my new do, I am still in that insecure stage. But I'm determined to smile, or push the bangs back to one side again and then smile.

Learning to be content with yourself is not always easy, is it?
Learning to value your own opinion and to let others' be just their own, is sometimes difficult, too.
Do you think so?
Can you relate at all to what I'm saying?
Are you out there? 
Is there something that gets your likes or dislikes caught in another's opinion?
Talk to me.


"To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6).

Good For The Heart!

Bloggerinas, do you have a garden?

What do you grow?

If you don't have one, you simply must quit denying yourself the pleasure of walking out into the sunshine (or rain, if it's an autumn/winter garden) and plucking a few fresh delights for your meals. Those in my hand were my Italian pasta's toppings. Better than cherries on ice cream. Oh. Wait! I love cherries on ice cream. Hmmm... let's just say, they are the equivalent, and call it even Steven (uh... lol... which means the same thing; just checking to see if you are paying attention).

Anyhoo, fresh garden veggies are good for the heart, because every time I reached my hand inside those leafy bushes and came out with a tiny treat thank You, Lord! took a flying leap out of my mouth!

First of all, it's late in the season to be getting anything out there at all, and next... God is so creative and smart and generous and wonderful! Yep, thank You, Lord!

Giving thanks makes happy hearts! 

Just try it and see if I'm right!