Homemade Wash Clothes

Hello! So glad that you could make time from your day to visit me! 

Today I have some wash clothes to share with you.  

I love having these to use in my own kitchen as well as ready gifts for others.  

They are simple, but homey and stitched with love. 

I like to use the Bernat cotton yarn that comes in lots of fun colours.  

This past month my daughter spotted this lovely light robin egg blue and we had to bring it home. 

~smiles~ 

The other is blue camouflage.  

Both my daughters and I make wash clothes, and with each of us having our own tension and preferred size of clothes, there is a variety in our home.  

Above is the trusty old favourite that my Mom taught us.  It's just a single crochet ripple where you crochet into the back of the stitch, then all the way around when you're finished.

I tried this stitch called Blossom Stitch by 5 Little Monsters blog.  

I wasn't a huge fan of making this, but it's really pretty. 

I did find a new favourite though.  It's called Farm House Washcloth from Mama in a Stitch.  

I love how simple it is and it has just the right stretch and highness to it.  Plus it's very pretty! 

~smiles~

Well, that is all I have for crocheting to share today.  Oh, the nice long basket I found at the free store was perfect to fit a full size ball of the cotton yarn, so that is now my washcloth making station...where I have a hook and pair of scissors always tucked in there to be ready anytime I have a few moments.  

I hope you are having a lovely day!  

Thank you for taking the time to drop by! 

What's the Temperature Shawl?

Hello!  Today I have a wonderful new project to share with you that I've embarked on.  

A sweet friend of mine introduced me to the Temperature Shawl by Fiber Flux.  

It is where you crochet one row for every week of the year.

For each colour it stands for a range of temperature. 

SO the average temp for the week shows you what colour to crochet. 

You can check out their directions HERE! 

It uses a 6mm hook and a double crochet V stitch. 

It is suggested to use the Red Heart Super Saver yarn as there are no dye lots.  

I looked for as many of the colours that our Walmart had of the super saver, then substituted Bernat Premium for the colours I couldn't find in the other.  

I was SO very excited to buy so much yarn all at once....I couldn't just start with a couple colours.  

The array of colour is very inspiring!  

I still need a couple reds...but we shall see if we even get up that warm here in the Yukon. :)  

I tucked the first few colours into a basket and as the seasons and temperatures change, I'll switch them out.  The rest are stashed in the bottom of my hutch with my other yarn. 

I love having a fun out of the way place to put my yarn.

Fiber Flux had a wonderful colour scheme, but with transitioning it to Celsius my sweet friend found this chart that is much easier for me to follow along with.  It has a couple more categories, and an orange...which I am happy to include.  

On the back of my printed off chart I have started to write down the averages in temperature so that I can keep a written record of the temps as well.  

This site Time and Date dot Com  is where I'm getting my temperatures from.  

You can punch in where ever you are at and find out the info you need. 

It is very fun to start on a project like this, that is so colourful, and isn't a heavy work load.  

Just once a week for a few minutes. 

Now who can't manage that? 

Thank you for dropping by, and perhaps you'll want to try this project out for yourself. 

It could be made smaller for a scarf or larger for a blanket as well. 

Praying you have a wonderful day! 

Homemade Pork Sausage

Hello!  

Recently I discovered pork loins at the grocery store for a really great deal.  

My family enjoys pork sausage with our breakfast, but it's very expensive.  

So....I bought a couple of the pork loins brought them home and ground them up.  

The meat grinder took me a few minutes to figure out as it's been awhile since I used one. 

Then off we went my boys and I turning and turning until it was all ground up.  

We portioned it out into freezer bags, and popped them in the freezer.  

This way I can use it as sausage or just ground pork for any other recipe.  

After some looking I found this recipe at Sufficient Acres.  

Breakfast Sausage

1 1/2 tsp rubbed sage

1/2 tsp thyme 

1 tsp pepper

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 parsley

1/4 red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 

Mix it all together and make patties and fry.

I don't have rubbed sage, so I used the ground I had. 

I also omitted the red pepper flakes as I didn't have any.  

My family really enjoy it and I'm glad that I have found a way to have sausage for much cheeper than before.  

Do you like to find ways like these to save money? 

Do you love sausage? if so what are your favourite recipes if you make  your own. 

Thanks for dropping by! 

Praying you have a great day!  

A Crocheting Way to Start the Year

Hello!  I have been crocheting quite a bit at the start of this year.  

I found a project at the free store that someone had started...so I brought it home and finished it.  

It's a cowl that has a very lovely lacy feel to it. 

Then I found a pattern for a hat that I liked...so I wanted to give it a try.  

The pattern called for a 10mm and a 12mm hook, and well I at first only had a 10mm hook.  

So I thought I could make it work...well, it didn't fit.  

SO, my daughter picked me up a 12mm hook and I started over.  

The second one that is in the left of the above picture turned out much better, and fits great!  

My parents also sent me a new calendar and at first I had no idea where I'd put it.  It is from Farmer's Almanac and has some lovely pictures and tips.  

I ended up picking up a non-marking hook and attached it to the end of my husbands shelving that separates his office from the kitchen.  Works great there! 

SO what kind of projects are you working on or have completed recently?  

I find it's nice to start the new year by doing some new things that help get us through the rest of the winter.  I love winter, but am already getting the itch for spring, and for planting. 

~smiles~ 

Hope you have a beautiful day!

Frost and Snowflakes

Hello!  Today I just have some simple pictures to share with you.  

I took them today of some lovely frost and snowflakes. 

It was so pretty, although a bit dark as the sun had gone down, the sky was overcast, and the snow had started to gently fall.

The frost was very thick on the needles of the pine and spruce trees

There were big soft fluffy parts mixed with the stand out snowflakes.

It always brings me to a place of awe to know that the God of all creation is so detailed and precise. 

Psalm 147: 15-18

"He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. 

He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.

he casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?

He sendeth out his word, and meltheth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.  

What a beautiful time was had just walking amongst the trees discovering these different mixtures of snow and frost.  

How amazing just the trees are on their own with all the seeds and new clusters of needles. 

At times they look so fluffy, but to touch them they seem to grab ahold of your mittens 

with strength I never expected. 

Praying that you all find time to notice the snow or frost that is around you if you are in winter...or the wonderful details of colour and shape of the area around you.  

Praise God for all He has made!  

Teaching Our Children The Bible

Hello!  Glad you could drop by. 

Today I would love to share with you something that is on my heart.  

As those of you who know me and or have been following my blog for some time will know, 

I'm a Bible Believing Christian.  

The Lord has shown me that He has preserved His word for us through the King James Bible.  Indeed it's not just a version out there that can be picked or chosen, but it's His Word and we can read it and believe all that is written in it.  There are no mistakes or problems that finite man needs to "fix".  

The God who can save our eternal souls has also preserved His Word for us to read today. 

Some will say that it's hard to understand at times, well.....study!  

1 Corinthians Chapter 2

¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

¹³ Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

¹⁴ But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

James 1:5

 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and                          upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

With this comes teaching our children also.  

So many in this world would have you believe that you need to dress up the Bible.  Let them "colour" in it.  Not marking important verses they've learned or writing notes, but rather doodling.  I find this very disrespectful to the Word of God.  It's not a colouring book!  This doesn't help them learn the Bible...make a printable for that.  

Children need to learn that the Bible is God's Holy Word.  

It's not just any book and there should be great respect for it.  

In giving our children the real deal...not just story books or comic books. 

(this is what I refer to the editions of perversions that issue these items).  Many of the colouring editions of the Bible take this inspiration from the popular Mandela colouring books.  Run from these as they only teach Hinduism in an easy to swallow format.  It's idolatry.  

We don't need to give children special edition that change the Word of God to an easier to read format.  We need to teach our children the meaning of the words, of the passages, and of the teachings that are written therein.  

We need to TEACH our children Truth, the whole Truth.

We need to teach our children the fear of the Lord.  

We need to teach them to turn to the Lord and to trust in Him for salvation.  

John 3

¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Romans 10

⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

As our children come to the Lord they will learn to place their trust in Him.  They will see that God's ways are higher than our own.  They will look to walk in the ways of the Lord and not in the ways of the world.  They will walk this path on their own, not just holding our hands and following us.  

Many say that our children are just naturally rebellious and that can't be helped.  OH...but that's not true of the christian home.  We need to teach our children in the fear of the Lord.  We need to give our children the Truth from the very beginning.  We cannot wink at sin in the home...we need to be examples to our children of the way of life.

No I'm not perfect, nor is anyone else aside from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

But the goal is to walk in His ways, and that is where our focus must reside. 

I know that all children must come to the Lord on their own, and some will choose not to walk in the ways of the Lord.  But we must from the very beginning teach our children the unadulterated truth of scripture!  Don't hold anything back.  It's not just a storybook to be discarded for more "colourful or entertaining" things.  It stands alone! It is the Word of God, and we must treat it in a manner fitting it. Our children's souls depend on hearing the Truth and understanding it.

Just read the Bible with your children.  Memorize it.  Talk about it.  Post it up on your walls, mirrors, doors.  Let it be a part of your daily life.  Our family meets every single night to open the Word of God together.  My husband leads and we all learn so very much at this time with the Lord. 

Romans 10:

¹⁷ So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Let us fight for the souls of our children.  It's a battle...make sure you have a sword suitable to fight with. Don't come to the battle unprepared.

Ephesians 6:

¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

So I write these thing to encourage you this day.  Teach your children the Bible.  

Yes, Bible stories are ok...if they are accurate.  I've not found many to tell you the honest truth.  Most only tell part of the story, or misconstrue part of the passages. Many are filled with pictures, of idolatry (pictures of Jesus) and put into the children's minds things that are imagined and not true.  I've found that taking my children to the specific accounts of scripture to be the best thing.  Just because there is no "lights, camera, action" doesn't make it boring.  If you come to a word or passage...study together.  I recommend the Webster's 1828 Dictionary. 

Let the children be interested, attracted to the real truth of scripture.  Let us not be like the world that only seeks to entertain, to beguile, and to turn children to another Jesus, another gospel, away from the Truth that is in Christ Jesus alone. It's simple.

Let us introduce our children to the Lord Jesus himself, and invite them to "come and see". 

There is great precious truth in the Bible.  These are the words the Lord has given us to learn of Him and how he is working salvation in the midst of the earth. Let us go there together to learn of the Saviour of the world, to get to know Him, to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. 

2 Peter 3:

¹⁸ But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Thank you for dropping by!  

Praying that the Lord blesses you greatly in the reading of His Word. 

Sharing with Raising Homemakers.

Pretty Blue Things

Hello!  Today I'd love to share with you some pretty blue things that I've made as of late. 

I have been working for a long time on the quilt above for the master bedroom.  I finally finished, and it's keeping us cozy and warm!  

I saved material from my husband's shirts, pretty fabric that I found at the free stores, a bit of material I had from the first curtains I made for my first home with my husband. Then I cut all the squares to the same size (I thought postage stamp size would be fun, but opted for a larger size).  Then with all the squares I had, it was still a bit shy of the size I needed so I added a light blue border all around.  Then I used a darker blue sheet for the underneath, and some of the same blue sheet to make the seam binding for around the edging.  Oh, and I bought a 100% cotton quilting batting for this quilt.  I don't usually splurge, but I know it'll last for years.  

OH, and I just sewed lines on each side of the seams along the one direction to "quilt" it.  

Below is the material I used for my first curtains I made.  I loved lace even then. 

The quilt is complimented by the blue gingham curtains, and the blue/white appliqué quilt of a mountain/forest scene.  I think the blue really comes out with the darker wooden logs of the walls.  

Then in a previous post, I shared a hat that I'd made...here is me wearing it.  I don't usually share pictures of me, but here I am.

Then I also made a triangle scarf out of a blue variegated yarn.  

It's so nice to have some fresh new warmies to begin the new year. 

Below you can see better the colours.  

I used a pattern called The Madeline Triangle Scarf - Ginger Knots

It's very simple, and very warm!  

Here you can see the different blues on the hat and scarf...but they still are ok worn together.  

Praying you have a lovely day, with perhaps a touch of blue in it. 

Sharing with Raising Homemakers.

Delight Thyself Also In The Lord

Hello!  I'd love to share with you some new magnets I made for my fridge.  

Something new and fresh for the kitchen, and it's always great to surround ourselves with the 

Word of God!  

As we delight ourselves in the Lord, we find that our desires won't be for worldly things, 

but for the things of the Lord.  This is where the Lord greatly blesses.  

I found some pretty jar printable online, cut them out and used craft tape to attach them to some card stock.  Then I put a piece of magnet on the backs of each of them.  I love the magnet pads you can buy for they can be cut to any size you need them. Plus with the thin magnet, you don't have the danger of knocking these off the fridge as you go by.  Not that I'd have knowledge of that....ahem.  

You can find these printable at Showgirl's Creations, 

or just the jars at Rebecca B Designs.

Here are the nine that I made.  Each with a different verse. 

Thank you for dropping by!  

Praying you are enjoying the new year and finding time to enjoy the Word of God.  

Sharing with Raising Homemakers.