I haven't blogged much, because quite frankly it's crazy busy around here!  I have several big sewing projects I'm working on, and trying to get a head on normal work, but I seem to always be on a hamster wheel. 

Our garden is producing and I have canned 14 quarts of pickles, 7 quarts of beans,  and few other items.  We also got two boxes of peaches and canned those -21 quarts. It's been rather fun to get back to my "roots", as living out here is so similar to how I was raised in WI. It also has given me greater appreciation for all the hard work my Mom did. I remember helping her cut veggies, wash, and prepare but not much of the canning process itself. Then this morning, I thought, I have to carry these all downstairs now!  I don't remember helping her do that at all.  I don't remember her complaining about the work, and she still doesn't.  A great example for me.

We have also been blessed with great neighbors and new friends that are giving us their extra produce.  I just ordered  a pressure canner, Made in the USA, even Wisconsin at that! Yeah!!!

Another interesting thing from being out here is the money we have been saving on groceries. Since, we aren't right in the city to go grab whatever we want when we have the urge, you end up doing with what you have! 

"Jumping Through Fire" by David Nasser

Picked up an audiobook from the library to listen to while sewing this week.  Jumping Through Fires by David Nasser.  It was excellent.  Here are a few quotes that really struck me.

"My friends and I thought we were rebels by conforming precisely to MTV's definition of cool. We weren't rebels, we were fakes."

"As in all things in life, you have to be willing to give up your rights for the good of the relationship."

"...redemptive power of gospel.  She was filled with good behavior with great intentions but it had only resulted in her being religious, not redeemed. Christianity is not about bad people becoming good, but dead people coming alive.  Her's was repentance from self righteousness, mine was repentance from unrighteousness.  We both journeyed to the foot of the cross into the arms of grace."

"Is this the person that will make me love God more?"

"Forsake religion for the God of grace."

Spiced Vanilla Granola

This is my favorite granola recipe.  I have been making granola for about seven years and this one is my very favorite. We also like ours to be chunkier so I've learned a few tricks that help us make it the way we like it.

Spiced Vanilla Granola

Combine in a saucepan:  1/3 cup coconut oil
                                        1/4 cup maple syrup
                                        1 cup brown sugar
  Bring to a simmer over medium heat.  Remove from heat and stir in:   1 T. vanilla

While it is coming to a simmer I combine the following in a large bowl:

4 cups rolled oats
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1 cup chopped nuts of choice ( I usually use sliced almonds)
1/4 cup shredded coconut

Pour sauce over mixture in bowl and mix well. I use my hands to work it all in good.  Spread on cookie sheets.  I usually make a triple batch and spread over four cookie sheets.  Then bake at 300 for 18 minutes. Don't stir and let it cool before breaking it up.

I usually have dried fruit and sometimes chocolate chips the kids can add in to taste.  I have been enjoying adding in some black walnuts my friend gave me in it..YUM!  Serve it warm or cold.

This is the way I like it, but granola is one of those things that you can totally customize to your taste. My parents like theirs more done and crumbled up.

The Quilt Holes

"The Quilt Holes"

            As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the
            Lord along with all the other souls.      Before each of us
            laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an
            angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together
            into a tapestry that was our life.

            But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I
            noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was.  They were
            filled with giant holes.  Each square was labelled with a part
            of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and
            temptations I was faced with in every day life.  I saw
            hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

            I glanced around me.  Nobody else had such squares.  Other than
            a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled
            with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune.  I
            gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

            My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together,
            threadbare and empty, like binding air.

            Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held
            up to the light, the scrutiny of truth.  The others rose, each
            in turn, holding up their tapestries.  So filled their lives
            had been. My angel looked upon me and nodded for me to rise.

            My gaze dropped to the ground in shame.  I hadn't had all the
            earthly fortunes.  I had love in my life and laughter.  But
            there had also been trials of illness and wealth, and false
            accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it.  I had to
            start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to
            quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin
            again.  I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for
            help and guidance in my life.  I had often been held up to
            ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up
            to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin
            beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

            And now, I had to face the truth:  My life was what it was, and
            I had to accept it for what it was.

            I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the
            light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air.  I gazed around at
            the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

            Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me.  Light flooded the
            many holes, creating an image: the face of Christ.  Then our
            Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes.  He
            said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My
            life, My hardships, and My struggles.

            'Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and
            let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was
            of you.'

            May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to
            shine through!

            God determines who walks into your life...it's up to you to
            decide who you let walk away, who you let stay and who you
            refuse to let go.

Influence

I'm back to sewing everyday now.  I think (and pray) a lot when I'm sewing  :-)  I was thinking about different influences in my life from little on.  It's simply amazing how we are shaped and honed by those around us.  They can be close daily relationships, but it can also be observing and watching others. Even the chance meetings or seemingly small conversations.   Books, music, movies, and so much more also do that. It also got me thinking about this new age of technology and social networking.  It's a blessing in so many ways to keep in touch with family and friends far away, or even a few miles away!  Most of the blogs I follow are people I never met, but they also hold influence on me.  It makes me thankful and makes me think of how I am using my influence in my home, and everywhere else. 

On another note, C2 and J performed a dance performance tonight. It was fantastic and lead to a family dance time!  Memories being created constantly. Makes me wonder what memories each will take away.  One event, but each family member can take a different memory away.

Halfway to 70!

My first b-day greeting came from a text from my Dad! I'm enjoying his fun with texting. Heard from my Mom, brother, sister, mom-n-luv, Grandpa and Grandma, and Kristy too.  This is my beautiful birthday gift from Jenette!  We all love it, it's extra special.  She came by with the kids (minus one) and brought lemon scones with chocolate cream cheese frosting.  Enjoyed some Saffron Coffee from Mark and Jodie and then Caroline and Laura came by too!  What a fun day, I think I'm going to like my new neighbors just fine  ;-)  I am beyond blessed and am so thankful!!!!

Also, I purchased my 2012 calendar this year. I was going to get a cheap one from the dollar store yesterday, but they were all out. So I got a $5 one made by Dayspring called Country Churches with hymns on each one. I love it and inside it was the following :

Thank you for purchasing a 2012 Dayspring Calendar

When the time was right,

the sea parted,

the walls fell down,

the lions went hungry,

the sun stood still,

the star appeared,

 the waves were calmed,

the stone was rolled away,

the Lord ascended...

And when the time is right

the King of Kings will return.

God is never early and He's never late -

He's always right on time and His plans for you are good.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

Dayspring Purpose: To help people know and share God's love in  fresh, true, and inspiring ways

Getting settled in our new home just in time for Christmas.  Hoping to bake our traditional Nelson Swedish Cookies on Friday. Normally we would have been baking up a storm, but this year we're moving instead!  Made the Stephens peanut butter balls and since we shared with our moving crew - we're wiped out.  Might make more - will see.  Enjoyed a  walk with Christopher on the property today. It was the first time I walked all around it.  Here's a few pics to share. Other than that, busy organizing and hoping to have my sewing room set up to get busy working next week.

Back view of buildings.