The work of our hands

Every morning I try to spend some time by myself, drinking my coffee and pondering my day ahead.  I do my best at this time to also focus my thoughts on spiritual things....devotions.  I have several books that I read from, one of my favorites is Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest".  Recently I pulled my old devotional Bible from the bookshelf.  I think it was given to me years ago by one of my old secret pals from church.

It's been well-read as you can see....and loved, too.

I came across this devotional today and wanted to share it with those of you who read my blog who consider yourself crafters and creative people because I feel like we do have a bridge between us and an instant friendship because of our interests.  I felt like it really touched my heart today right where I needed it.  I was feeling stressed, weary and worn out from so much sewing lately.  It was truly an encouragement to me and perhaps you'll find a jewel in it for yourself!

(I apologize in advance for the crappy quality of all these photos - I'm without a camera now and a blackberry camera just doesn't cut it sometimes)

I went on to read the Scripture associated with it:

Psalm 90: 17 ~

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us -
yes, establish the work of our hands."

Both my husband and I have been working hard for the past year or so and agreed just this morning that a break is needed, but still it's important to keep our heads down and continue to do our work, and most of all to do our best!!

So, I dove into this stack of outfits for a local boutique and truly enjoyed fully putting my heart into it!  Clipping and setting my seams properly, matching up seams and focusing completely on doing my best.

Now, perhaps I can take a mini break this weekend - at least from the sewing.  We'll be working in the yard as we've just had bushes planted and we decided to add the pine straw ourselves in an effort to keep the cost with the landscaper down.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend....wherever you are!!

Hullo! (warning ~ word-heavy post!)

So, I've been chained to my sewing machines for the past month or so as my little business has definitely taken a turn.  For the better, I'm sure...i think.....Orders come in daily and even though I tell myself I have plenty of work and don't want to take on anything larger, I go and accept an order from a boutique (or two)...what gives, idiot????  Am I a glutton for punishment or do I really need to fill my days with endless sewing.  Sometimes I think the latter wins.  Although I do force myself to stop in the evenings and give my hubby a little kiss and hug but then it's back to the salt mines.  No, really, I don't work into the wee hours of the night, but I do have to be careful!

This morning, we ventured 'uptown' to run an errand at my husband's latest construction project. Remember this post back in 2010 where we moved a house?

Well, he's added a bathroom and is ready to put on the vinyl siding and start cleaning up the inside. We have a buyer so that is extra nice right now!

Anywhoooo...it's Saturday and I'm trying my best to 'work' only on the weekdays and do all my domestic chores and fun stuff on the weekend.  Like today.  Today I'm being domestic.   I've been craving some fresh, homemade shortbread and today was the day to make some.   Soooo simple - just 3 ingredients:  flour, sugar, butter (real stuff, not margarine)....yet sooooooo tasty!  Especially when it's fresh from the oven.

While I was in 'bread' mode, I decided to make some gingerbread cookies, although these were made from a mix that I bought last Christmas but never got around to making.  The expiration date was for next month so we're OK...

...although those little gingerbread men don't look so 'OK'....

so, that didn't work too well....enough little brown men, how about some little brown ducks? 

In addition to finding more time to rediscover my domestic side, I've actually found more time to read, which I haven't done much of since I began my entrepreneurship.  Right now I'm reading Cashelmara by Susan Howatch.  It's a novel set in Ireland in the 1800s and it's actually pretty good.

The lives of my family members are changing somewhat, too.  Two weeks ago, my dad went in for minor surgery on his knee, and while on the operating table, his heart stopped......3 times!!!!  They had to 'bring him back' with medications and later that afternoon he immediately had a pacemaker put in.  He's only 66 and in excellent shape.  I think it was more of a wake up call for me than for him. 

Our oldest daughter finally has a direction to go in her life - she's headed to Southeast Asia in January to teach English to folks over there.  We really aren't allowed to say exactly where she's going as it's a Muslim country, so we jokingly refer to it as "Topeka".  She's a member of Wycliffe Bible Translators and has to raise all her funding prior to her departure in January.  We are SO proud of her and backing her up in every way we can!  If you want to know more about her mission, you can read about it here.  God is good!.....all the time!  :)

So, I guess now that I've updated you just a tiny bit as to what's been going on in our household for the past month and a half, it's time for me to get back to being domestic....the laundry calls!