Pressing On

I know most times my blog posts do not have a lot of 'substance' but I hope that that is ok with you all.

I like not feeling the pressure to produce meaningful, earth shattering thoughts every time I blog.

Ok, I couldn't even if I tried. I lean towards the Pooh Bear side of thinking.

But by no means is my blog shallow and superficial.

If you see it that way you might just be reading it wrong.

We all have our ups and downs.

Our trials and victories.

Our times of sorrows and times of joy.

Our moments of stress and moments of calm.

It is easy to appreciate our lives when things are going well.

It is harder to grasp a thankful heart when the clouds are gray.

My blog makes me smile. It helps me move past the difficult messy parts of my days and on to the things that count. The things I want to remember about my days.

It is not about looking perfect and put together for the world to see.

It is about pressing on in our lives,moving forward even when the day just stunk.

So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD
His going forth is as certain as the dawn;
And He will come to us like the rain,
Like the spring rain watering the earth.

Hosea 6:3

Ha ha. It is like my own little personal brainwashing system and you my readers are along for the ride.







Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

Just A Quick Little Peek

of a few toddler skirts I made.

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

A Little Green In The Winter!

It is still cold and winter-ish outside but Josh and Joel are providing us with a little reminder that spring is near.



Looking at their gardens makes me smile.



Josh and Joel are real proud of their gardens.

I think they planted a few beans, flowers, and some garlic as well.

Josh already needed to cut his grass!

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

A Few Toddler Favorites

Lily is helping me make some "be-lishus" pancakes.



I decided that "be-lishus" is my new favorite word.

"Mommy" is a close runner up...

Another thing: un-combed baby hair and jelly faces melt my heart so if you stop by to visit and notice the supposed 'unkempt state' my little ones are in...to me it is a state of beauty. A reminder that time goes way to fast.

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

Markers

There is something about a set of new school markers that brings out the 'little kid' in all of us



Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

Farmers Rice

Have you ever made Farmers Rice?

You take this (flour and eggs)



you mix it all up



and mix it some more




add it to boiling milk and stir for about 5 minutes



then stir in sugar,vanilla or maple extract

You then get this.



Have you ever tried Farmers Rice?

My family says maybe you shouldn't.

Just their opinion though.

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

P.S: Yes ,yes I actually served this for dinner the other night. Shame on me. What was I thinking...

Look at What I made!

I know not all of my readers visit my sewing blog but you are missing SO much!

Ok not really but this is one thing I had to show off to you all. It is my newest creation! I know there are most likely lots of patterns out there for this very dress so don't tell me but I figured this dress out by myself without a book or pattern. I am very pleased. I did do a few mistakes on it ,though. The first was the dress was intended to be a size girls 8. Oops. I majorly miscalculated something! The other was I did not realise the pattern on the fabric had a one way design so the fabric is upside-down. Another major oops! I am very exited to figure out how to make dresses like this for bigger sizes. My mind is swimming with possibilities.





See what you are missing when you do not visit my sewing blog...great stuff.

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

My Parachute

My parachute opened big and wide
Drifting gently from side to side
Swaying and waving in the air
Please join me if you dare!



Drawing by Anya
Poem by yours truly (bet you could not guess I made it up on the fly...)

Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy

A Bunch Of Ramdom-ish Stuff

Now, I hope you knew yesterday's post was just for fun. Jeff and I do differ in how we pronounce some words him being from Chicago and all but I think over the years of being married to him I lost a lot of my special Minnesota way of talking. I'm still unique though aren't I?

Another thing I was thinking about...

I have never really watched any of the Duggar's Shows in the past. You know 17,18 and 19 and Counting... Well, over the past few night I have been streaming past episodes from Netflix and I absolutely love them! I do not know what about that show appeals to me. Maybe it is a combination of them being just ordinary people but with great standards. Their love for the Lord and their commitment to their family. They built their house debt free! Wow. That is very neat. I do not know but I enjoy watching them.

I will mention that there was one episode (2008) where they had a big ice storm and had lost power for eight days or so. Well, my jaw hit the floor when Jim-Bob opened up their 'pantry' to show how they hooked up their freezers to the bus generator. Their pantry was like a garage and I think I saw two big chest freezers! Now mind you we have five less children than they do but here is our pantry





and our freezer





Not quite in the same league as theirs.

Don't worry. Ours are empty because at the time I took the pictures we had hit the end of the month and needed to go shopping so do not be shocked. We do usually have food we just use up most everything by month's end.

*IMPORTANT*

I'm not being fussy or whiny.

The point I want to make ,an encouragement to you all really, is never be afraid of where God is calling you. Whether you have a lot or a little. I am pretty sure, based on what I saw of the Duggars they would be content where-ever God placed them. I am fine with waiting on God for our needs. Some days I am frustrated, but other days I'm not. Some days I worry and other days I have peace. I am very glad that God takes care of us every day.

Here have been two verses that I think of a lot.

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!

Habakkuk 3:17-19a


I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

Psalm 37:25




Warmly,
A Patchwork Mommy

Just A Little Minnesotan

"Mom,cin we go ti da store at abowt twewve like we au-ways do? I will bring da bayg to put da pop in."

"No,'cause ya left da melk cup in da sink. It's derty an ya hafta warsh it. It's bin dere for a while."

"It wersn't me, onnest. Ya cin just get anudder cup and leave it go 'till later."

"No. You bedder just go warsh dat cup now den ya cin go ti da store."

Recreated from real life conversation at our home.

Those who know me...

Tell me, I don't really talk like that,do I?

Hmm...no wonder I'm having trouble teaching my Liberian children phonics.

But I recorded myself and think I talk just fine.

A few loving family members think otherwise.

I shouldn't have married a Chicagoan.

Them and their fancy talk...Boats and Bags. What do they know,anyway.

By the way, it is bouts and baygs people! Get it right!

Warmly,
A Patchwork Mommy