This has tutorials on many primitive projects. American Prim such as Aging & Stenciling Signs. On the Sew Chatty website there is more than sewing going on there, check out the Four Ingredient Caramel Corn and learn to paint with acrylic on Craftsy and first lesson in underpainting.

Crocheting is my favorite thing to do. Here are 11 different stitches for granny squares of afghans.  Summer baby dress and hat from Bev's Crochet Cottage.

Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow?

Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye...the prediction from Punxsutawney Phil for Groundhogs Day 2014. 

Excitement was building at dawn, as folks gathered around the seer of seers on Groundhogs Day in Gobblers Knob, Pennsylvania. The official Punxsutawney Groundhog Club took their one-hundred-twenty-eighth trek to Gobbler’s Knob lookout in Punxsutawney Pennsylvania to observe Punxsutawney Phil's winter prediction.

Read the article and see the video of Punxsutawney Phil greeting the crowd!

Howling winds & subzero temps

Howling winds and subzero temperatures are the perfect combination for cabin fever and the winter blahs. It seems like all I've done since school has been closed due to the inclement weather is cook and clean, clean and cook, I just want to crochet the heck with eating.

Currently we have gusting winds that blew my mailbox off its post into the middle of the highway, which would have fallen victim to the school bus or someone headed to work at 6 a.m. had my teenage son not volunteered himself to scrap a path down our long driveway so the younger kids would not get lost in the snow drifts.

It's days like this I just want to stay in bed.

I expect the wind to knock out the power with these gusts and I don't really want to think about how cold it will get because I have no heat other than electric. I like being prepared for the worst but some things I just can't afford to do. Put in a fireplace or wood stove is not an option. It is what it is...I suppose. Time to start looking into other options.

Preparing for red heart day

All I want for Valentine's Day is what any other woman wants. Chocolate! Not just any chocolate but homemade melt in your mouth fudge flavored chocolate.

Visit Glorious Treats for this tutorial!

• Chocolate Truffles (this blogger says these treats are for Christmas, but I protest that Valentine's Day would be best.) 
• Valentine's Day Gingerbread Cookies with Red Hots Just like chocolate, gingerbread is not just for Christmas.
• Valentine Rice Krispie Treats Write your favorite phrase on them. (See photo.)
• Healthy Mini-Fruit Pizza's 
• Homemade Brownie's (cut in heart shapes)

What are you making, baking or taking to school for Valentine's Day?

Algebra blues and cold weather crocheting

Cold weather and crocheting is very comforting to me. I'm nearly finished with my V-Stitch Baby Blanket. While on break this evening, I dished out dinner for those who could eat, checked fevers and gave medicines to those who couldn't and my healthy teen had finals in his algebra class online. I don't understand algebra so I'm not much of a learning coach there. He is struggling, so I am probably going to have to hire a tutor for him this next semester.

I took algebra in college as it was a requirement to torture those of us who hate numbers. I cried my way through class (ahem!)....twice. I vowed to myself if I got a C or higher I would never look at an algebra problem seriously again. I got a B in the class but I ate my vow. I've attempted to look over my son's algebra problems even though I wish I never had to see algebra in my face again. All I get from it, is a big fat headache.... I can't do it. I know how to add, subtract, cross multiply, dividie and I know the multiplication table but for the life of me I can't tell you an integer from a linear equation or whatever you call it.

Moving on or I will suffer a stroke from too much algebra overload. I am not mathematically inclined. I've accepted that and I'm over it. You can keep all the 3x + (-8y) = ________ problems and don't ask me the answer or give it to me. I don't care.

My kids are riding the germ wagon

I spent the afternoon at the pediatrician's office and as it would happen not just one of the kids has jumped on the germ wagon now two of them have and dad has too. The last few days have been spent reminding each person to wash your hands extra long, cover your mouth with your sleeve or put you face in your shirt. Drink out of your own colored cup. Anything to get the bug evicted from our house, but it seems he is in for the long haul.

In between my nightly nursing duties of taking temps, giving baths to cool high fevers and administering medicines, I've been crocheting. Once they have settled down sometime around dawn...I get a quick nap while someone else keeps and eye on them.

Last night instead of working on my V-Stitch Scarf I just dove right into a baby blanket. I am using variegated yarn and its looking good. When I went to pick up medicine I grabbed the last of the color I am using and I hope to finish the blanket today.

Good news I just got the call that school is canceled due to the latest winter storm. I am glad because that is one day they don't have to worry about missing.

Going to try a unique wiggly crochet dishcloth out later this week but not in those funky colors. I think I'll try some earth tones with camo-variegated yarn.

Crochet Basics

I found a website on crochet basics. I've been crocheting since I was 9 and now it is time for two young ladies in the family to do the same. I have taught them the best I can but I believe I now have a better way to show them. Hopeful Honey has a website with the Crochet Basics mapped out with video tutorials and I'm going to let her help me show them the yarn.

Anyone can do it, you just need yarn and a hook and of course a beginners easy pattern. I'll add a link list that I think would be pretty easy for beginners to save you time from hunting free patterns online.

Hopeful Honey Crochet Basics

How to make a slip knot If this slideshow doesn't show you well enough then you can find a video tutorial online. Don't let one small thing stop you from crocheting. It is fashionable and fun!

Link List for Beginners 

• Half-double crochet place-mats - easy and a great way to learn the half-double crochet by repetition. (The pattern makes one but you'll need one for each table setting.)
  
  Beginner Crochet Potholder - Easy and this pattern consist of repetition using the single crochet method.
  
• Granny Square (The foundation to all granny squares)

Intermediate Level
Fingerless Puff Stitch Gloves

How to crochet a V Stitch (video)

I decided last night I was going to make a scarf using the V stitch. I thought I knew how to do one but when it came down to it, I didn't. I did what I always do I googled it and this is the tutorial I chose.

I'm going to make a scarf with this stitch and a head band for my granddaughter who loves to wear band in her hair. Then I'll incorporate this stitch in an afghan I am interested in that has multi-style stitches to it.

Arctic Blast is making a comeback, stocking up on water and patterns

Another Arctic Blast is expected in the Midwest in the next couple of days. Time to make sure the animals are set for the deep freeze and the house is ready too. Earlier this month all my neighbors has their water freeze up and I was fortunate enough not to suffer that fate. I did stay up all night running water every hour. I was very worried about it.

Just be safe I have bottled water on hand, re-purposed milk jugs and soda bottles filled with water in case the pipes freeze and/or bust.

Link List

• One Hour Mobius Cowl. (Pattern) I'll let you know if I make it within the hour time frame. I love a challenge.
  
• Chunky Crochet Cowl (Pattern)  I want to make one of these but first I have to get a size 10 crochet hook.
  
• V Scarf (Pattern) This Ashley Scarf pattern looks like a lace pattern using alternating rows of "V" and double crochet.
  
• Homemade Soups for sick kids and quick dinners this week. 

Differently-abled is just different to us.

I've worked with people with various disorders but the one that tugs at my heart strings more than any are those with Downs Syndrome. All children have a special place in my heart, but who couldn't love a child like Archie in the video I'm posting. One time I took care of a 60+ year old woman and she got to the point that she identified me as her "mama" because I was the one taking care of her every day. I was only 35 at the time.

She died a year or so ago from a heart attack and I miss her and all that she taught me about being differently-abled. I took care of another Downs Syndrome lady that was my age in years but I could have sworn she wasn't a day over 16. So I call her my girl. She was non-verbal but she always knew what she wanted and grunted and snorted, pulled my hand leading me to the toy she wanted or drink. I don't work at that facility anymore but I sure do miss all my girls. They are forever in my heart.

Since leaving there I've had a daughter with a birth defect and I believe my experiences with these special ladies taught me that people are not disabled they are just differently-abled. I love kids and they can sure put things in perspective for most of us. Here is a video I really hope you will all watch, it is so cute, touching and beautiful.

A little girl gets an adopted brother and she tells us what it's like to have a brother with Downs Syndrome from the eyes of a 3 year-old in a very matter-of-fact way. (I am guessing she is 3, maybe 4 years of age.) She is cute as a whip and I have a granddaughter just like her. If you really pay attention to her brother in the video you will see he is just as cute as he can be too. A little ornery too! I love it! The interaction from these two just melted my heart and brought tears to my eyes.

Why in the world people feel they have to make a choice when they find out a child has Downs Syndrome, Spina Bifida or any other birth defect is beyond me. These special angels are amazing and those who choose not to accept a so-called less than perfect child are truly missing out on life.

What a little girl says about her brother with Downs Syndrome

Cabin fever, writer's block and winter blahs...it's the start of a great weekend.

Cabin fever is setting in, not much sunshine, too cold to go outside, the house is overcome by noisy kids and there really isn't anything I really want to do. I've cleaned house only to have it look in need of de-cluttering again after dinner and the kids toys all over the living room.

It's official the winter blahs are coming, so I have to find something to keep me busy. I want to write more, two days ago I wrote the entire day long and had plenty more to do and say, but the brain brakes are stuck and I don't know what I want to do today.

I saw a post by one of my online friends, Vannetta Chapman, she is an author and is offering writing tips from her page, based on her experiences with getting her work published. So I am going to share the link with you and finish reading her helpful tips myself.

Writing Tips by Vannetta Chapman

I saw a video on Godvine today that touched my heart beyond words. It's a little girl talking about her brother with Downs Syndrome. I've worked with Downs Syndrome clients before and they truly have a way of stealing your heart. That extra chromosome is definitely filled with love.

A single working mom...needs an at home job.

Broken Coaster following Superstorm Sandy
Photo by Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Does your life feel like a broken roller coaster ride and your 9-5 job isn't enough to make ends meet? Are you a stay-at-home-parent and don't know what to do to help make ends meet? Try one of these writers jobs.

Freelance Writers Wanted

Here is a place that pays for writing local news content on Examiner.com, it might feel like a slow start but with plenty of social media postings on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Reddit or StumbleUpon, for example, you can build an audience that can help pay your monthly bills. All you need to do is apply for a title and write what you know.

Holidays & Events Examiner

Country Living Examiner

Sustainable Living/Prepper Examiner

If you are passionate about writing/journalism you can earn a sign up bonus of $25 after completing your application and writing 2 articles a month for 2 consecutive months and if you refer a new writer to the Examiner team you will earn $25 for the referral and an additional $25 after they complete 2 articles a month for 2 consecutive months.

Examiner is great for beginners and they have resources to teach you how to write better. Other places that pay if you can find your freelance writing niche with them are Squidoo.com, eHow.com, Knoji.com and Demand Media are but a few of the hundreds out there accepting freelance writers. Check out some examples of what to write about make pet treats, pet costumes for Halloween, pregnancy, religion, holidays, life stories, preserving foods, health or write about your favorite author or celebrity.

Thawing from the big freeze gives my mind much to think about

After the big freeze comes the time to relax from trying to survive this arctic chill that consumed our lives the past few days. The kids are back in school today since Christmas break and although I love having them home, I am enjoying some quiet time. But the quiet just gives me time to think about too much time on my hands.

I've been cleaning and getting things in order. I do not take my Christmas decorations down until after Epiphany which was Monday. I do that to remember that Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season, not the shopping and craziness of gift giving. I give gifts I just don't put as much time into it as others and I'm not financially endowed enough to do the things I'd like.

While relaxing my mind I came across a few pages online about special needs moms and was drawn to it because I am one of those too. A blog for Mommies of Miracles Twitter page and find others like us.

Then there was a post on Mommies of Miracles that caught my eye, "God will give you more than you can handle" and I gasped thinking why are you saying that? But then when I read it, I had a whole new outlook. I can remember a time I was grieving so many years over a rash of close family members who died. It seemed they were all dying at the same time and I was always wondering who was next.

It all started with when I lost my paternal grandmother a few days after my youngest son was born, the next year my maternal grandfather (my mom's dad) passed away and exactly one year later to the day we buried him my mother died, and that was the most devastating thing for me, she was my heart. She was ill but it didn't make her loss any easier, then my step-father (her husband) died a year and a few months later and followed by my great-aunt whom I was close. Then another devastating blow was my father diagnosed with cancer and dying 8 weeks after we were told.

Then a close friend's son was KIA in Afghanistan who was like a brother to two of my boys and the pain and loss brought back all of those feelings again, because I can tell you losing a child is the worst feeling in the world and watching his mom go through all of that pain and suffering was heart-wrenching. I recently lost my step-mother and I realize that dying is a part of living, we all have our time, but it is never easy to let go and we will never get over these losses they are a part of our journey in life.

My eyes got a glimpse of a post on Mommies of Miracles and I read God will give you more than you can handle...and I read why and it made sense and some of the comments made even more sense.

Jesus waited to go to Mary and Martha when He learned that Lazarus had died. And when he went to them, He saw Mary and Martha and they were crying. The Bible says, "Jesus wept." John 11:35 but He knew what He was going to do; he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. Jesus had such compassion on His friends Mary and Martha that when He saw that they were crying, He was deeply moved and cried with them. It was one of His many miracles.

The hard part of life is death. It is a true principle that God will give you more than you can handle because you have to be made low in order to open your heart for the Lord's spirit to enter. This is what the Bible says about not giving you more than you can handle.

1 Corinthians 10:13 - "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond that you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (New International Version.)

Still have all my fingers, toes and nose

It's so cold outside and inside for that fact that I feel the need to check my fingers, toes and even my nose to make sure it's attached in this frigid weather. I've lost quite a bit of sleep the past couple of days due to the freezing cold temperatures. It takes a lot of time and effort to take care of pets, chickens and children to keep them warm and safe. Our double-pane windows are so frost covered you can't see outside even when the sun is out in all of its glory like it is right now.

Even in the warm air you are cold when the temperatures including windchill is more than -20 F. I hesitated yesterday evening to take a shower in fear our electric going off-grid. I didn't want to get caught in the extreme cold with wet hair & body and no way to get warm. Finally, I broke down I just couldn't take it another day and I took a quick shower and dried off best I could. It luckily didn't take long to warm up in this dry air from our electric furnace.

School was supposed to go back in session on Monday following the holidays, but I have to say I was relieved to get the call the past 2 days that the children will be home during the worst of this arctic blast. The county court system closing was announced on Monday but parents had to wait until the early morning hours of Tuesday to hear that school children were not going to classes. Many parents on Facebook expressed upset at the schools idea of a 90-minute delay when the county courts were closed for sessions.

It's too cold outside!

I made the decision early Monday to keep mine home. Their safety is my biggest concern and many felt the way I did and decided early to take matters in their own hands. The rest of the state had over 400 closing before this little ole speck in the woods was acknowledged as being closed.

I must be a bear, I am in need of a nap...and since the world has put life on hold and it is too dangerous to drive anywhere to school or work, I think I'll take advantage of the extra sleep time. Have a great day!

Soup and frostbite symptoms

Hearty Beef Stew to warm up your day!

I think its time for a bowl of soup to warm up.

• Lemony Chicken Noodle Soup
• French Onion Soup
• Hearty Beef Stew 

It is below zero and double digit negative temperature right now and its the "warmest" part of the day. This cold spell has displaced my heat, stolen my beauty sleep and numbed my brain.

The main thing this cold January day is to stay warm and watch for signs of frostbite or hypothermia. Hopefully in 24 more hours the temperatures can rise and warm up my little neck of the woods.

Cold weather and hypothermia

Chicken Soup Submissions Wanted

Topics for possible upcoming books for Chicken Soup for the Soul

Deadline extended from December 31, 2013 to February 3, 2014.

My Guardian Angel stories from people who believe that they have encountered or been helped by angels. How did your angel manifest himself or herself?

How did your angel help you or someone you know? Please do not send stories about people who are "angels" because they do nice things, and also please do not submit eulogies where you say that your loved one is now an angel.

The deadline for story and poem submissions has been extended from December 31, 2013 to February 3, 2014. If you have already submitted a story or poem for this title please do not submit it to us again. We have it in our database and it will be considered for this title.

Reboot Your Life stories are all about a time when you were in a rut or your life being boring and dull. Hopefully you did something positive about that. What kind of major changes did you make that brought back purpose, passion and joy?

Did you start a completely new career, have a travel adventure or find a new hobby? Was it a new love interest or an attitude adjustment that helped you reboot your life? Chicken Soup for the Soul publishers want to hear your stories.

Stories can be serious or funny, but we definitely want them to inspire our readers to take a chance and give them the courage to reboot their own lives. The deadline for story and poem submissions is January 30, 2014.

All about birds on National Bird Day, just for fun

Many folks are bird watchers including myself. I usually don't know one type from another except a cardinal, blue jay, robin, hummingbird and a crow. Instead of getting involved in a local bird counting because I don't know many bird species and I hate math not to mention my memory sux anymore, I prefer to do different things when it comes to birds, I like find them in a bird word search puzzle

My mother used to have a clock that would tweet a different bird song on the hour. I always loved that and I even owned one myself. If you want to learn to name that bird here is the perfect place to listen and learn about the birds with a bird quiz.

How to avoid having bird collisions with your windows. 

Spring is not anywhere near but here is a recipe to make your own Hummingbird Nectar. I do this every year and have beautiful little fluttery birds around my porch.

Recipe 

1 cup white granulated sugar
4 cups hot boiling water

Boil more than four cups of water on the stove top. When you use more than four cups of water, you can adjust to the loss of water from steam. Carefully measure out four cups of boiling water into a large bowl. 

Add one cup of white granulated sugar. Mix the white granulated sugar and water together until all of the sugar is dissolved. Carefully place the mixture into the refrigerator to cool, usually overnight. When mixture is cold, take the mixture of the refrigerator. You now have a bowl of hummingbird food. 

Polar Vortex: What is it and why do we even want to know?

Polar Vortex is to blame for the cold spell we are having in the Midwest. What is a polar vortex? 

According to Wikipedia, a polar vortex is a polar cyclone. They can be mignogno cyclones, polar vortices, Arctic cyclones, sub-polar cyclones and circumpolar whirl is a persistent, large-scale cyclone located near one or both of a planet's geographical poles. 

A fictional example of what a polar vortex is similar to the 2004 movie The Day After Tomorrow which depicted three extremely strong polar vortices developing over and devastating the northern half of the globe.  They are supposed to be related by climate change and global warming. Polar vortices are strongest in the winter. 

In short, it is cold out and going to get much colder over the next two days. The winds are blowing and it has went from rain to snow, snow to rain and back to snow again and a lot of wind. Tomorrow morning is supposed to be negative double-digits will continue for two days. 

Let's hope these vortices do not produce dangerous scenarios like the movie. Be prepared and be safe. 

Red Junglefowl survive arctic blast despite cold temperatures

What are Red Junglefowl? Chickens. Mine are Rhode Island Red laying hens and it is freezing outside. All of our pets need to be somewhere warm and safe during this arctic cold weather, whether it is a dog, a chicken or any livestock.

Cold weather pet safety

We've had one of the coldest weather events in several years here in the Midwest and it nearly froze my poor laying hens. I got home through the drifts of snow and blowing sub-zero windchill weather and realized I needed to reset the light in their chicken coop. The blistery cold wind was whipping through every crack and crevice of their coop as I rushed around stuffing plastic bags in every opening to block the sharp winds and fixed the heat light in their coop.

Oh, they were very happy. As I was working they were talking to me as if to say thank you. Me and my "chickas" love to chat with me and during the winter we don't socialize much but they were definitely happy and thankful to see me hard at work for them. (Hopefully, they will pay me in more eggs.)

The heat light did such a great job that they got off their roost to cool off in the bottom of the coop throughout the night and that was even with their little door uncovered. (For some reason their removable door disappeared. We have it set up where they can knock it down and come out in the morning.) What really surprised me is that the rooster didn't crow all night like he usually does when we use the heat light. He surely was content as the girls and maybe sleeping in or maybe I was sleeping in and didn't notice.

Best website for learning about chickens: Raising Backyard Chickens. 

Until next time...

Neighbors chickens invade my yard.  The rooster decided to abandon these babes for my Rhode Island Reds and now lives with my girls. 

Instead of resolutions just purpose it in our hearts

This woman shares my heart on what I expect from myself this New Year. Enjoy today's reading by a local Christian friend who taught me and others today to look a different way at New Year's resolutions.

"Take a trip back in time as a young Jewish boy, living in Jerusalem. Times are frightening. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon has besieged your city and conquered it. Many have been slain and the city has been ransacked, including the Temple of God. The people left behind live in fear, and rightly so. Nebuchadnezzar is vicious and brutal and his reign is one of terror. Then it happens. The soldiers come back. They go house to house and round up all the children and line them up in the street. You are among those children. You stand there, too afraid to move. Your parents stand off to the side wailing and begging for your return. A soldier knocks your crying mother to the ground and tells her to be silent. You stand trembling as Ashpenaz, master of the Babylonian eunuchs makes his way down the line. He studies each child and asks their lineage. He begins to separate some of the children out, while others are returned to their weeping parents. But you not so fortunate, for Ashpenaz is under orders “that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldean's.” (Daniel 1:3 & 4) You are one of the chosen.

Some of you might recognize this as a dramatic retelling of part of the 1st chapter of the book of Daniel . Most of you probably know some of Daniel's story. Who hasn't heard of Daniel in the lion's den? But did you ever wonder how Daniel, a Jew, ended up where he did? How he ended up as second in command to 2 foreign kings? Well, this is where his story started. He was one of the kids whom were kidnapped by Nebuchadnezzar and taken to Babylon to be groomed to stand before the king just to make him look good for having the best of the best of the best, sir. Most people are also unfamiliar with what comes next in Daniel's story so let me fill you in. He is taken to Babylon where he and the others that were also taken will be treated and educated like royalty.

'And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king” (Daniel 1:5)

You would think that was a good thing, right? But not for Daniel. Daniel had a problem. Being a Jew he was forbidden by Jewish law to eat anything that was not kosher. The kings food and wine were not kosher and were things forbidden by God in the law passed down through Moses. And Daniel had made a commitment to God.

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” (Daniel 1:8)

I won't keep you hanging on to the end of your seat. Ashpenaz at first refused Daniel's request fearing the king would kill the both for going against his ways. But, God brought Daniel into favor with Ashpenaz and he agreed to give Daniel 10 days of eating fruits, vegetables, and water instead of the king's cuisine. At the end of the 10 days Daniel and his Jewish friends were visibly healthier than the kids who were eating the king's menu. The eunuchs were so pleased that they took the king's food away from the other kids and they put them all on the Jewish diet plan.

Every year at New Year these verses lay heavily on my heart. Here's why: Daniel purposed in his heart. Doesn't that sound like he made a resolution to you? At the time of year when we are all making our resolutions to eat better and get healthier etc., etc., I am reminded of Daniel who didn't just make a resolution that would be broken in 2 weeks, but “purposed in his heart”. I think there is a difference here. Resolutions are a frivolous thing to most of us. They say that most resolutions are broken within the first 2-4 weeks of the new year. Maybe we need to quit making “resolutions” and instead “purpose in our hearts”.

Here is the other things that hits me in the heart. We make resolutions to lose weight and pay off debt, and these are good things. “These things we ought to have done” as Jesus would say (read my post from last night and you will understand this better.) Our problem is that we leave the other, the “weightier matters of the law” UNDONE.

Can I challenge you, as I am myself, to dare to be a Daniel? This year, in 2014, can we, instead of making a resolution, can we purpose in our heart? And here is the most important part of all, purpose in your heart that, like Daniel, you will be brave enough to follow GOD'S WAYS and quit acting like the rest of the world. There is great benefit and great cost in doing so. For Daniel and his friends, it meant advancement, wealth, fame, the king's favor and high end government jobs. But it also came with a price, Daniel was thrown into a den of lions for his faith and his friends (yes the ones who refused the king's meat with him) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to do the latest dance craze called “when the music stops bow to the idol”. If you know those stories, you know that God came through for those boys in a mighty and miraculous way. If you don't know those stories, read the book of Daniel in the Old Testament. It is a fascinating read.

For me, 2014 is my year that I'm coming back to the heart of worship. I read the 2nd chapter of Revelation this morning with pen and notebook and highlighter in hand and allowed God to rend my heart. Hear what God is saying to me, AND TO YOU through words penned 2000 years ago but still ring out today:

“I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works...” (Revelation 2:2-5)

I remember from whence I am fallen. I have gotten so busy in this past few months that my relationship and alone time with God and His Word have been pushed aside. God never called us to be “busy” He calls us to be “fruitful”, and we can only bear fruit when we abide in Him."

By Lisa K.M. P.
(Used with permission.)

Just getting alone with God and His Word everyday is the purpose of my heart this new year, so I can speak to Him in prayer, serve Him better and He can speak to me through the love letters we call The Holy Bible. And I want to bring those I love that are not close to God to Him. Praying for a blessed New Year.

Beth Moore ebooks - Free ebook for the new year!

• To Live Is Christ (Amazon Kindle)
• Believing God (Amazon Kindle)
• The Beloved Disciple (Amazon Kindle)

I do not have A.D.D. - Oh look, a squirrel!

The children are snuggled all quiet in their beds....so here I am again. I was going to update my profile but who needs one when your personality pretty much tells all when you are blogging. During the holidays I like to save a lot of things I see because I'll never remember them when it comes down to it.

Being online is like window shopping and I like window shopping.  I can find projects I'd like to make but being a procrastinator or just too busy I'll never get around to doing most of them. I can go on a virtual vacation to somewhere in the world I can't really visit and daydream I'm there. And I work online so when I take a break I get easily distracted, which brings me to the topic of this post...

"I do not have A.D.D. ... oh look, a squirrel. Ask me about cake, I like cake. What was I saying?" These are things that seriously do go through an A.D.D. mind. My middle daughter posted something similar on her Facebook page and I just about peed my pants laughing. It is me! Sadly, it is her too. I could tell you more about A.D.D. but I can't stay focused enough, but if I were to put something honest in my profile this would be it. A.D.D. I don't really know what it means but it keeps adding to my mind so I think it is a mathematical virus or some nonsense like that.

My Favorite's First - Daily Links

With a Grateful Prayer and Thankful Heart

Skip to my Lou - Crochet Patterns.

Grow Creative - Croceht Washcloths

Flower Girl Cottage - Snowflake Garland Pattern

Here is me online for five minutes:

I have family and friends on Facebook, so I get online to leave one of my kids a message and as soon as I see a private message, I think oh, that must be important so I click on it. Then FB switches and pops up and game and I'm thinking okay just one game of Candy Crush or Farm Heroes...an hour later...oh that's right I said five minutes not five hours. (Get the point...hello? This is just a warm up to my beautiful multitasking mind. I could win a marathon!)

I hate running....oh where was I? Back to FB...I see you have 99 new messages and I click to see if anyone special has posted then I go to my page feeling guilty because I haven't posted or I think maybe someone would like to know I am alive and well. (Is this too much?) I leave up FB then I go visit my favorite visual site and probably my favorite site in the world so I have to avoid it like the plague.

PINTEREST!

Understand what this website does to me...go to Pinterest.com and let's see what's happening right now. Okay I love chocolate and strawberries, and even though I can't get strawberries right now, I am thinking I should save this pin.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Let there be light...why did I click on an outdoor party light pin, it's winter! Seriously do any of you do this?

There's some Super Easy Donuts (I'm diabetic.) I probably eat 3 donuts a year...why? why? why do I even look at things like this?I guess I can taste them visually, less calories that way, there's no harm in that.

I hate glitter but I saw this and couldn't resist. Use a salt shaker for glitter...great idea...for next Christmas because that's the only time I'd consider glitter in my house. Okay, Valentine's Day is coming....and oh look....

I just got a notice on my page, "Complete a profile to help people recognize you." Lol. Yeah, right, I might tell something about me, but it isn't going to be a whole lot. Who cares? Put that on my to-do list because I want to follow the rules of normalcy...not! I looked at some other peoples blogs and they write for a magazine, so I'm pretty sure not having a profile, does not define you. It probably means you are busy or have A.D.D.

A printable blog planner. (A good idea, but that is like being organized. I'll save it for later...) Hahahaaaa! Are you serious, me plan ahead? I plan ahead so fast with A.D.D. that I know 5 minutes from now that I'll feel really bad that I just wasted an hour enjoying all these visual sites. And while I was there I saw this...Cookie Mix in a Jar! For years, I have bought books and downloaded web notes for making cookie mix in a jar. How many have I actually made? Zero! I got side tracked. How did that happen? You got it...

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!

Granny Square Tree Skirt
Red Heart.com

Yesterday I wrote about a pattern that I couldn't find for my granny square tree skirt I started in the fall of 2012. (Mine is red, green and white only.)Well, I found my pattern last night and it is a free pattern from Red Heart. Just click the link above and it will take you to the Red Heart site to download.

So, I was determined to put away some business papers that have been stacked by my desk. I wanted to clear out the old but for me out of sight is out of mind and I tend to keep things in view. I belong to a local Lions Club that host an annual festival in which I am the festival chairperson for the past few years and it has turned me into a terrible pack-rat in my office area.

While boxing up everything I found the pattern I'd been missing stashed in my important papers. Now all I need to do is find some Christmas yarn and I'll be good to go. I figure I'll have to break down and buy my yarn online which I really don't like doing because I hate to pay high shipping.

The first website I clicked on Roberts Crafts has the yarn I'd like but I'll be spittin' in a bucket before I pay $7.95 for an items that cost less than the shipping. Bummed! But on the bright side and there is a bright side to everything I found an excellent blog at their blog. Maybe I'll wait for a trip to the city...

The Crafting Corner with Roberts Crafts

Christmas morning for the homeless. You Tube Video - Homeless getting Christmas....all I can say is wow! This is what it's all about folks! Make someone smile today and keep it going all year. Happy New Year!