Weekend Nugget....

Each person is given something to do

that shows who God is.

- 1 Cor. 12:7 MSG

So.....what's on your "to do" list?

And So On....

It seems to me that our three basic needs, for food and security and love, are so entwined that we cannot think of one without the other.

---M. F. K. Fisher

Yesterday, I wrote about Thursdays being for "kitchen" stuff....but I had more stuff rumbling around in my head, that I wanted to continue just a bit today.

It's all this marriage of budgeting, household organizing, cooking, menu planning that has me on overload and looking for ways to do what needs to be done in the least stress inducing way!!! LOL I just thought I would share some of the things that I have found with you....

Couponing.....with the price of gas and groceries, getting serious with coupons can save us lots!! I remember my mom always having a pantry that was loaded with deals she found on everything from laundry detergent, toilet paper, can goods and more. I also remember a trip we made from Tennessee to Indiana with the car loaded down with TP.....this was very traumatic for a young teen!!! (Smile)

Several years ago, I found a great book by Ellie Kay called "Shop, Save and Share"...I truly love her take on the whole couponing thing. It is about having enough to feed your family...to know that you have stores for tough times....but also that you have extra to help others. How great to have a well stocked pantry so that if you have a friend, co worker...or someone through church that needs help, you can box up groceries to help them with or have the extra in your pantry to supply them with meals.

My own plan to get started included a trip to GA for groceries. This would not be cost effective for me if I was trying to go every week....but my hubby gets paid once a month, and I do the bulk of my shopping in that first week. Sadly, we pay 9.25% here on our groceries...and the larger chains tend to have better deals..... So how did it work???

I went to Kroger in Dalton, where milk was on sale for $3.48 a gallon!!!! (I am paying over $5 locally!!! I don't know if we are importing Parisian cows for this milk or what!!!)...and the deal was if you purchased 3 gallons, you got the fourth free!!! Can we say major HAPPY dance??? Add this to many other deals in store, and with coupons. For Kroger, you can check out their website, under the label "in store" you can find coupons. There are printable ones...and also a couple of services that were new to me, where I could sign up, pick my coupons and they would be loaded onto my Kroger card...no coupon clipping, I just printed a list of my savings to check off.

To be honest, this first trip to try this (I have done it before but it has been awhile)....I went when I was already tired from closing down the store and setting up the new booth...but I felt it was the only time I had to go. So needless to say, I was a little overwhelmed figuring out my system this first time.....there were items I planned to purchase that I forgot. BUT even with that....I spent $258....I SAVED in store savings and coupons $76......the tax was only $8 AND I got 10 cents off my gallon of gas price by purchasing at Kroger and then filling up there. Not tooooo shabby!!!!

As I said, milk was on sale......I am trying "freezing" the extra milk to see how that goes. I have never frozen milk before, but if this works well, I will be stocking up on more of that in the future as my family seems to go through it like crazy here.

That is what I am working on with the household pantry...I would love to hear your ideas or sources for info!!!!

Hugs to you!!!
Debbie

Thursdays In the Kitchen.....And Other Stuff...

Good Morning All!!!

In an effort to be more organized (especially with being consistant with my posting), I want to set up a day for my kitchen thoughts, recipes and such. I just thought it would make it easier to post as I at least had an idea one day a week of what I was going to do!!! LOL

As I shared with some good friends recently, we are making an effort to get on track with our finances and budgeting. A big part of it for me is reigning in the flood of money that flows out of our house for fast food. But if I am going to cook more meals here (which I do enjoy)....I just don't always have the time to do alot of planning and then the shopping for what is needed.

For the last few weeks, as I have been driving home from Chattanooga, I have been listening to the Dave Ramsey program...and yes, he has been kicking my behind about the whole budgeting thing. But he has also talked about E-Mealz. It sounded like what I have been looking for...so I checked it out and signed up. I don't want this whole post to be an advertisement for E-Mealz...but it is just what I was looking for. Menu plans using the grocery of your choice....the menu, the shopping list and the recipes all together. You can even chose for your size family, and even if you are on a diet or vegetarian. The link for it is at the bottom of the page here...check it out for yourself. Yes, I do get credit it you sign up with my email....but that is not important to me. If you think it could help you....go for it. OR I know there are others out there, just do your google search. For me, it is a $15 very well spent for 3 months of time saved in the planning and searching for a menu, and all that goes with it. (Now, I just want to save up for that personal chef!!! LOL)

Even with the menu plan....I am always on the lookout for good recipes, especially side dishes. Seems like I always fall into a rut with those. How about sharing some of your favorites??? I would love to see what works well with your family. You can share them by hitting the "comment" word at the bottom of this post and then type in your info... I just think this would be a fun way for all of us to get some ideas for our summer menus.

This weeks theme: Side Dishes!!!!

Let me share one of our favorites around here.... I like to start the week out with some basics that I can use for any meal or just a quick lunch. For us, it is great to have a basic salad on hand.

The usual for us is:
lettuce
cucumber
carrot (I get them already cut into matchsticks...saves time!)
green onion
red pepper
celery

While I am cutting up the veggies for this...I go ahead and divide everything except the lettuce into two bowls. In the second bowl, I put together an easy pasta salad. For it, I use bow tie pasta prepared per the box (I use the entire box).....add the cooled pasta to the veggies (remember all except the lettuce). Then salt and pepper to taste and add your favorite dressing to coat well. I LOVE to use the Litehouse Salsa Ranch dressing. This makes a quick side dish for alot of our meals that are made on the grill....and I just love to have it alone for a quick lunch.

Another favorite is the Crunch Salad:
2 bunches fresh broccoli (broken in small pieces)
1 head cauliflower (broken in small pieces)
1 red onion, chopped
2 c. cherry or grape tomatoes (cut in half)

Dressing:
1 c. mayonnaise
1 T. vinegar
dash of salt and pepper
1/2 c. sour cream
2 t. sugar

Combine dressing ingredients, mix well. Toss with vegetables. Serve well chilled. (This looks great in a clear glass bowl for company!)

I hope you enjoy these recipes...and I hope you will share some of your own!

(PS...I have had requests for info on the belly dancing class in Dayton, TN....I have some of the info, but I am having trouble getting the website addy I have to work....let me figure out what is wrong and I will post the info tomorrow!!!)

Have a great day!!
Hugs,
Debbie

New Day, Fresh Start......

Because I am a glutton for punishment.....and always need something new to be working on. I am taking this week to finish some painting projects that have been brewing around here....and to get some things organized that I have wanted to do...but just didn't have enough time at home to complete.

The house is really ready for a redo...but I have also found there is a method to my madness in painting. My friends are always teasing me about my painting and moving furniture addiction...but I finally made the connection. When there is something going on in my life--be it good or bad---that I can't do anything about and just have to "wait it out"...I start redecorating. It gives me something positive to focus on and something I "can" do while other stuff brewing. There have been alot of changes for me lately with the business, family and such...most have been positive, but some things have been a bit tougher....and redecorating is the most positive outlet for it I can find right now.

We did make the move to the Knitting Mills...while there was alot of work getting everything handled, packed, moved, set up again. I am really happy with the results. And our vendors have been a pleasure to work with during the move...and that is a MAJOR happy dance moment!!! LOL

I am looking forward to finishing up the household projects this week...as I have several new patterns coming in the mail that I can't wait to get started on!

Hope you all have fun plans for the week....a friend told me about a new belly dancing class forming in town...now that is a new adventure worth blogging about!!! LOL

Hugs to you all!!
Deb

Happiness is....

...beautiful, seedless, sweet watermelon in my fridge!!! Hope you all have plans for a great weekend!!! Hugs to you all....

Debbie

Bits and pieces.....

My friend Tina asked when I was going to update my blog. I had trouble explaining that I had some time to post...some thoughts.....but they were all bits and pieces. So here goes...all my bits and pieces to share!!! LOL

Currently, I am on a "jar cake" kick. There is something about these gems that intrigues me...I want to make some fun ones that can be used for gifts during the holidays...and just to have on hand to share with someone to let them know you think they are pretty special. In the past, I have baked some of the tea cakes and fruit breads in wide mouth jars....but with these, I wanted to combine my love of cupcakes with the jar thing.

The first go was to find a cupcake recipe online from one of the "famous" cupcake bakeries. I made these from scratch.....great buttercream icing. After I baked, I piped through the middle icing, topped with icing and sprinkles. Turned out really cute....great warm, or even cooled down. But if you put them in the fridge...the texture of the cake turned to something my son called, "sweet cornbread"....not quite what I was going for!!!

That called for a little more searching. I found someone that was making the cupcakes in a jar, and they looked like more "crumbled" cake in a jar....so, I thought I would try that. This is the result of last nights experiement:

I have to say, these turned out great. What I used was a butter recipe boxed cake mix...mixed and baked per the instructions on box. When it was baked and cooled...I crumbled up the cake and put it in the bottom of the jar. For the next layer I used a Caramel Apple Pie Filling/Topping I found at the local grocery...good stuff!!! Then I used another layer of crumbled cake. For the topping/frosting....I picked up a container of plain vanilla icing. I thought the icing needed something to blend with the rest of the cake...so I mixed a bit of cinnamon with the icing (just to taste)...turned out great and made a wonderful finish to this dessert.

This was a hit with the family...and I can wait to try this with more flavor combinations. And using the vanilla icing to flavor in many ways works well.

Here is another fun dessert tip. During the fall when we are doing apple pies....I love fixing a ice cream to go with them other than the usual vanilla. I take a container of ice cream and a container of cool whip....soften both so I can mix them together.....add a bit of cinnamon to it and it makes a delicious cinnamon ice cream to go with your apple pie.

Now that I have finished the cooking portion of this post...I can share other "odd" things from here. Yesterday, I was having lunch at the shop. I had ordered a fish sandwich from Buffalo Wild Wings.....because those wonderful people will deliver to the store when I am stuck there on my own and can't get out for lunch!!!! Anyway, I have the usual styrofoam container of food, half eaten and played with, when a couple of ladies come in to shop. My food is at the check out on a lower table at the side of it where we do some work at times. I walk away from my lunch to chat with the ladies and wait on them. They are in for quite awhile when I notice one of the ladies coming toward my lunch...which I thought was odd. She walked up to my sandwich....stuck her finger in the tomato and said..."Oh, that is real"...and walked away!!!

So please share with me what the appropriate response is to that?????? Sadly, my lunch was then trash can bound. Arrrggg!

And on another note.....the news is annoying me, Big Time....if I hear another report on the pregnant man I am going to have to slap someone. First, are we so in need of news stories that this warrents ANY type of coverage????? And hey, he DIDN'T start out man...he came with all the original plumbing for this job and decided to keep it when "he" wanted to change....so please, tell me where the heck the story is????????? There are huge number of pregnant women everyday on every continent facing all the usual and unusual goings on of pregnancy.... Why don't we concentrate on some of the problems with childbirth or health care for women and get away from the circus act mentality of this Pregnant Man????? Nuff said.

Ok....I have officially posted now! (smile).....

Hugs,
Debbie

Wonderful Organizing Idea

Ok...I FOUND IT!!! This lovely drop spot display was found here

You will find some great organizing ideas there...I just thought this display was awesome!! What a great idea....and the "personalizing" options are endless.

Hugs,
Debbie

It's Monday.....

Out of clutter, find simplicity....

---Albert Einstein

Alright, this weekend I had the brilliant idea that we should have another garage sale. I just wanted to dig in and get out all the stuff we didn't get to during the last one and have a final clearing out of some items that we had been just moving from one area of the house to another because we either:
a. didn't need it any more
b. didn't really have space for it

c. no one could remember why the heck we got it in the first place.
(Yeah, there were alot of C's---smile)
Now I realized that this was Mother's Day weekend.....but I totally forgot about all the graduations this weekend with the high school and local college...ARRRGGG!! Needless to say, traffic was nil!! And when you do have two carloads of people show up at once and NO one buys anything....you know you are in trouble!!!

That means today, I am loading most of it up and sending to the local We Care store to sell. We did a good just clearing this out and I just refuse to lug it back into the house to be shifted from room to room again.

The nice thing for me about clearing things out, it starting to freshen up some areas of the house.

I moved my teacart into our entryway and set up this little area, which I love. A large bowl to drop our keys into as we enter the house (we are the Center of lost key here!!!). It is an effort to combine fun decorating with practical uses.

I wish I could remember where I found the organizing blog that had a picture of a wonderful peg board...I have the picture, but hate to post it without having the person to link too. (I will work on that later today). The organizer had used a large pegboard, painted and framed out to look great and then had added wire holders for folders and a shelf, a hook for her purse, a mirror, a holder for flowers, and more. Great decorative piece for an entry or office area....but so many practical uses. I have add this to my to do list for my studio.

Well, I need to head off to do the "Monday Stuff" of housekeeping......

Hugs,

Debbie

A Lesson For Mother's Day....

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful moms. I hope you had a great day with those special loved ones in your life....and I hope they took the time to let you know how much you mean to them.

With that said...I need to do a small but needed rant. This is a life lesson I need to pass on to anyone even remotely thinking of doing something this stupid on Mother's Day...so here goes. If you are about to do something that is needlessly hurtful or just plain stupid....DO NOT choose to reveal it to your Mother on Mother's Day. If you do, it will be a painful reminder to her of your chosen stupidity...each and every Mother's Day to come. Do save it.....

Putting said soapbox away now. Fortunately, I am not the Mother involved...just an innocent bystander that had this dumped on them too. There are people that just simply should not be allowed phone privileges....

.

....counting to 3 and deep breaths!

Hugs,

Debbie

Crazy Week.....

Frankly, crazy doesn't even begin to describe it...LOL. It has just been busy, hectic, crazy, and fun. I am working on a new baked gift item that I want to share, just don't have a camera handy....

Look for me to be back tomorrow or some time this weekend with fun stuff to share!!!
Till then....

Hugs,
Debbie

Etsy On My Mind....

I am finding that getting back to knitting has been really relaxing for me....but my addictive personality kicks in too, as I love working with the different color combinations of yarns!! That makes my current obsession knitting dishcloths!!

I really love using these and while I first ran across them as dishcloths.....I found they make great washcloths too. Fun to match them up with pretty soaps and bath luxuries for gift baskets or gift cans.

As I got started with these I have also worked on getting my Etsy site up to date and new things loaded...I hope you will stop by to take a look at it when you can and let me know what you think.

I am off to pop in a movie to watch with my son....and knit away....


Have a blessed, lazy Sunday!!!


Debbie

Grace For The Moment.....

Like a quilt,

grace wraps us in comfort,

allowing us to daily rest
in the goodness of the Lord.

--Patterns of Grace (Roy Lessin/ Heather Solumn)

I have been sitting on some news....I hate doing that--especially when I want to share, gripe, complain, rejoice, giggle or dance. And for the most part...this news has moved from the whiny to the dancing mode... (lucky for you!!! LOL)

First off...I LOVE*LOVE*LOVE (yes, I am doing my Gail King impersonation!) having a brick and mortar shop. Designing displays, looking for great handmade artists, working with customers, setting up classes....those things keep me up at night with my mind spinning. Lucky for me, I have great friends that don't disown me when I make late night or early morning calls to work out the details of some new "project". But even with this.....the economy and gas hikes have slapped us around a bit. I am fortunate to have a wonderful partner who is "finance" savvy....but sadly, I would rather live in the make believe world of "all is well."...

But truth be told...we needed to make some hard decisions...and the biggest one is closing the shop this month. Now, even I can look at the books and see that it is in our best interest...but it is hard letting go of something that you enjoy. But truthfully, I would rather leave something that makes me smile...than have it become something that I dread and can't wait to leave. And this isn't the end of a dream...it is just another path we need to take to a new adventure.

And wouldn't you know....God is there all the time looking after us. This week I had a dear lady to come to our shop stop by to see if I was ok. She had been reading the blog and sensed something was going on..... thank you sweetie for stopping by, it made my day. Later that same day, two ladies stopped by to visit the shop, we had a great conversation about handmades and such....as they were leaving (without knowing anything of what was going on)...one of them turned to say, "You know, I believe we are suppose to be here to pray for you." And they did.

There have been other "breezes" of God's grace this week......nothing that would make the evening news, but reminders to my heart of who is in control and He has never steered us wrong. And frankly, already new doors are opening....we are going to have a booth at The Knitting Mills in Chattanooga....shows in the area....Etsy and our sweet vendors who have said, "let us know where you going we want to be a part of it!!" So who knows what lies ahead.

I am sorry to close this chapter.....but my mind is already working over time on new things......

And I have to tell you dear blogger friends...many of you have so inspired me in several different areas with the creativity, heart, home, faith and more that you share in your blogs....so know that I thank you for that too!!!

I have plants to be planted this weekend....dolls to be stuffed......menus to plan....all is well!!!

Hugs,

Debbie

Monday, Monday......

Home is...

Where you can be silent and still be heard.

Where you can ask and find out who you are.

Where people laugh with you about your self.

Where sorrow is divided and joys multiplied.

Where we share in love and grow.—Anonymous

I am a person of tunnel vision. I get caught up in whatever is currently going on in my life and throw myself into that. So if some of you that have known me for awhile are wondering why I am pulling out stuff that I have done in the past and I am rehashing it...it is because I have been off track for awhile and need to bring back order to home and life in general.

When we opened the store, it just consumed everything!!! Not only was I working with my partner to run the store...but I was looking for vendors...doing the computer stuff at home....working with the constant new layouts in the shop...and my pay check was simply what items of my own that I made that sold. So to pay for all the extra things I was wanting to do...I had to produce lots of stuff for the shop. With all of that going on....add John's illness to the pot...Zack trying to figure out what he wanted to be when he grew up....life has been "crazed" to put it mildly.

With the gas crisis...business slowing down for now...and making some decisions about handling that. I am looking for that comfort and normalcy of home. Of wanting friends to drop in...and it not cause a major anxiety attack because of things that aren't done. And during this chaotic time, I haven't taken very good care of myself or my family and I am feeling alot of guilt about that too. This whole balancing act of life can be so overwhelming at times!!!

We get paid once a month...so this week I am planning some new things for the month..or to pull out some old things and dust them off to use in our house.

Household:
We are going on the Dave Ramsey budgeting plan. I took this class forever ago and it just makes good sense. We didn't do it cause I couldn't get anyone else on board here at home.....now they are seeing the error of their ways!!! LOL

One thing that we have started to do well here is to eat at home. And that was a big thing. With us on the road so much, it was just easier to stop and grab something. So I am pulling out my Freezer Meal books...just taking a weekend to make ahead some things can be a huge help. **One thing I learned was to buy good ground beef in bulk when it goes on sale. Brown all of it....some of it I browned with onion and green peppers....some with taco seasonings......some with italian seasonings. Each bag is marked and ready for quick soups, casseroles or taco nights!!!
Also, I am checking out "e-mealz" I have heard good things about them..they menu plan using the grocery store that you select and use the store sale flyers to plan it.

Outdoors:
I want to work on a patio garden...a few flowers, some veggies for a table garden (tomatoes, onions, lettuce, peppers...) Hey any ideas for easy plants to work with....let me know your favorites!!!!

Craft:
Aprons....ok, reading these blogs have given me a new addiction!!! LOL
I have been in love with the Amy Butler fabrics for awhile and these will work really well with those.

Etsy/Craft Shows...I opened my etsy shop and sold two things in the first day or two...I was shocked!!! LOL I just thought it would take awhile for people to know I was there and for things to begin to move. I want to concentrate on getting more up there and it allows me to start getting inventory ready for some fall craft shows I want to do.

For Me....
I have been looking at my wardrobe and getting really depressed!! I wear just old jeans and try to do a "decent" top for work because I am moving displays and such so much that I would ruin anything dressier to wear. But now my wardrobe is pitiful and I truly have the bug to sew again. Teresa from Plumwater Cottage had turned me on to some Taylor Made Design patterns forever ago, and I have pulled those out and will be working on those. Geez, I don't think I have actually sewn for myself since my "Stretch and Sew Fabric" teaching days!!! We taught classes on everything from lingerie to fur coats...but it has been so long ago, it is like starting all over again!!!

Ok, if you have read through all this meandering of thought....I owe you a huge skillet cookie!!! LOL I guess part of writing this today was to sort my own thoughts and plans out. So thanks for "listening"....

Have a great Monday!!!
Debbie

It's Friday......

Good Morning....
I love stepping outside to see these beautiful blooms at my front porch. Just one of those wonderful "nature" pictures that God paints for us each day. I am always thrilled with anything growing well in my house or yard....as frankly, I don't possess a green thumb. The joke in our house is that healthy plants scream as they enter our home because they know the "end is near" for them!!! LOL

Also, I am amazed at the lavendar and rosemary that has thrived in our yard. The scent of the lavendar is so wonderful!!! I have thought about stealing an idea from Brin. She has a wonderful idea on her blog about making flower cans with just simple cans filled with garden flowers to give to friends and neighbors. Simple idea, but what a special surprise to give to someone that needs to know that someone is thinking of them. It has me thinking about planting more flowers out front...not only to make the house look good, but to have to do these cans. (And believe me this is HUGE from the gal that hates working in the yard!!! LOL)

My mom always had a garden when we were growing up....and I hated working in it. There were no redeeming qualities about it for me then. But while I know myself well enough not to head out and plow up the entire back yard...I am going to work this year on at least having a patio garden on our deck for tomatoes and such that we can use.

And I think I want to try canning this year. Another huge thing for me. My mom's health is fairly good...but I have begun to think about there coming a time when I won't have her to help me learn to do these things and I want to spend that time with her now. Time is something that is so fleeting....and there have been some huge reminders of that in the past year and I want to be concious of that.

Speaking of Canning.....while at the shop this week, I pulled out the Sizzix that has been sitting in a drawer for "forever". I just haven't played with it at all. It was one of those things that my friends had and were doing all these great things with and I thought I would too. Not! But when I pulled it out, I found I had a die for making these cute canning jars. DUH!!! they would make great tags for many of the things I make...they would be adorable attached to those flower cans I was talking about....or even attached to can goods used for gifts!!! Ok, so I am alittle slow at this sometimes...but I LOVE these babies!!!! I will share some pictures later as I used them.


Have a wonderful Friday!!! I am heading off to "housekeep" a bit here and then off to the studio to organized a bit.

Visit my new Etsy shop when you get the chance.... Let me know what you think!! I was surprised to already have some sales on it...WHOO WHOO!!!

Hugs to you all!!!
Debbie

That Monday Hum.......

As I said in an earlier post...I have always been the girl that needed the tv on or the radio...some sort of noise as I cleaned and worked in the house. But after this last week, I am finding I love having quiet Mondays (my ds offered to work for me today so I could stay home---yes, there was an alterior motive--he had a chore list for today too!! LOL). So today I have all the household machines running, I have pulled out my wonderful household organizing card file and things are coming together.

It has also given me some quiet time and I found a bible study online, one that you do at your own pace through CWO. You will see a button for it on the right hand side. I have just started it this afternoon and I think this is exactly what I need right now. If you have done it, or would like to work through it with me, let me know!! I want to post on here some of the questions and thoughts as I go along.

I hope you all are having a wonderful start to you week. You are in my prayers today!!! That has been another benefit of the quiet time....time to listen and time to talk to the one that matters most.

Hugs,
Debbie

Sidenote: Ok, I have a new quote I love...I stole this one from:
www.michellescreativetreasures@blogspot.com

If God doesn't make junk, why do we "trash" people who are different from us?"
My Mom

Sweet Fragrance.....

Perfume and incense

bring joy to the heart,

and the pleasantness

of one's friend

springs from his
earnest counsel.

Proverbs 27:9

There is just something about finding a scent that defines your mood or sets a stage for your home. I thought I might use Sundays to share some "home comfort" things as I strive to truly remember that Sunday is the Sabbath and a day of rest.
And if through the week I have put in place things that make my home a warm, inviting, and a no drama zone...it makes "resting" in it much easier!

Here a some tips that I have found over the years....
Find a scent for your home for the month or for a season. I look to find something that compliments my home in some way...then I purchase candles, tarts, potpourri..whatever works!! I use these throughout the home...it connects it. It is much better to have one scent or a group of the same type of scents in your home. This makes for a calming flow when you go from room to room, and not a jarring to the senses that can occur when you go from one extreme to the other.

Next....when I can...I love to buy a box of tarts of whatever scent I am using. I place these in a decorative glass bowl or a crockery piece in my entryway. Then after friends come for a visit...you can send them home with a delightful reminder of your time together. The "fragrance" of you home.

You can find many inexpensive ways to scent your home....recipes abound online for linen sprays, room sprays, soap-candle-potpourri making. I have played with many of these and have had some great results.

Since I am working to redo and reorder my home....next Sunday I will do something about the Bedroom and share my bed linen powder recipe...SOOOO easy to make and a great gift idea.

Have a relaxing, worshipful Sunday!!!
Hugs,
Debbie

Simplify.....

A few years ago, a friend dropped by with her daughter. As they were looking around at something new I had done to the dining room (things are always "on the move" in our house...so who knows what the big change was that time...lol).....the daughter noticed a sign I had above my dining room window that said, "Simplify". She remarked, as only a teenager can..."doesn't it defeat the purpose when you have to buy stuff that says what you are trying to do?"

Ok, so maybe it is alittle counter productive to buy stuff to remind you to get rid of stuff...LOL

But I think we all need reminders at times....that note on the refrigerator to remind you that you really don't need another serving of pie, notes to the kids to remind them to do their chores, notes on the mirror to remind us to do those checkups that we would like to forget about...just reminders of what is important for us.

Thank you for the reminders that I have received the past day or two from several of you....reminders of God's grace, of friendships, of prayer warriors. Those are the reminders that lighten the load of all the daily stuff that comes into our lives. It is good to get those reminders....because it is amazing at times how easily we forget.

So this is your reminder from me....I want to remind you that your friendship is cherished and that you are all in my prayers, as I am so thankful for each of you.

Hugs,
Debbie

"I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus." 1 Cor. 1:4

Sanctuary....

Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again
~Sarah Breathnach

This has been a different kind of day for me.... I can't tell you when was the last time that I was home alone. I mean really alone, no one here, no one on the phone...just quiet.....

We received some more bad news about my hubby's health today, and frankly I needed the alone time. As I said in an earlier post, when I sense changes coming in our lives, I long for home time and to "nest". So this day marked a time for change for me and for reworking my priorities....

Such as spending some time on the back deck with a cup of coffee....breathing in the view. Taking time to be grateful for the quiet.....and to really look at the intricate picture of nature that God hand painted just for me.

To listen to the quiet hum around the house as all the appliances were set into motion, getting order into my day.


And finally this evening to end the day in a relaxing tub...taking the time to count my blessings. Even in the face of the "bad stuff".....there are still so many things that we can be grateful for. If we focus on those gratitudes...it allows us to put everything in it's proper perspective. And further...if we can pry our fingers off of what is going on in our lives and place it in the hand of the One who is in charge anyway ..... That is when the miraculous can take place.

As the song says....sometimes He calms the storm, other times He calms His child.

Hugs,
Debbie

Home Comforts......

Ah! there's nothing like staying home for real comfort.

---Jane Austen

I was looking over my past blog posts and realized that I have been on here for about two years...and yet, there are only a handful of posts. Part of it is figuring out what I am using this for...who the heck is reading it and just how open can you really be?

The last week or so, I have been rambling around the web, looking at some great and not so great blogs. The blogs that I have truly enjoyed and can't wait to go back to are those that are the honest, from the heart posts.....not necessarily about earth shattering discoveries...but mainly about sharing the simple, sacred everyday "happenings" in our lives. You know, the things that you share with your best girlfriends......recipes, work, home ideas, family, heart stuff.... Those are the written conversations that I enjoy. I actually started out that way, drifted off and now I am wandering back.

At this time, I find myself longing for more home time....to get back to the basics.....order, hospitality, cooking/baking......things I have let slide until recently. It is funny, when I feel there are "changes" coming in my life...I tend to long for home and nesting there.

I want to share with you the fun things I find online, in favorite books, through friends....and hope that they touch you too.

Hugs,
Debbie

So What Have I Been Doing.....

So what have I been doing lately, you ask??? DOLLS!!! Lots of dolls...with more patterns ready to be traced...and ideas for original patterns too.
This is what keeps me busy and off the streets.....or that is what I tell myself!! LOL
This sweet doll is from Sweet Meadows Farm..I really love Maureen's patterns. Great designs and easy instructions.

And just who couldn't love these sweet faces!! Now I know, I love, love, love the grungy prim dolls.... But I am also developing a love for this type of "in between" doll too. They all have a place.....

Funny, but I have friends that these dolls scare!!! LOL Something about the "no face" thing that they can't quite get. I just like them for their simplicity.....there is just something sweet about them too.

So there, you have seen what I am working on this week. And new patterns from Sweet Meadows have arrive along with some from Ruby Moon and more....so the sewing machine will be getting a workout for the next few days.

On another note....just because occasionally, I like to share whatever life lessons that I am either learning, going through and something that I am having to put in to practice.....
A few years ago, I heard Maya Angelou make the comment that ... when people show you who they are believe them!!! Took awhile for that to truly take hold...but once you get it, you begin to see things a bit differently.
Many times we have placed people in certain roles in our lives and may not be seeing the real picture of who they are...and what part they really have in our lives. Then there comes the moment when you witness....true grace, extravagent friendship...or the other end of the spectrum.... malice, hautiness, and sometimes just behavior that slaps you awake. The good, the bad and sometimes the really ugly.
There was a time when some of these were a big surprise.....but now, while I still can be taken off guard when something comes from left field...I look at it now as God giving me a glimpse into someone's true heart...and from there I know better how to deal with the situation. Be it take a few steps back.....or know when there is a friend for heart.
Just a glimpse of the workings of my brain at times....LOL
Hugs to you all!!! and Sweet Dreams...
Debbie

Cookie Night!!!

Last night, my son and I had a "sweet attack" and thought we should make some cookies. Sadly, it has been awhile since I have made any..... We pulled this recipe from the web and then tweeked it with some of our favorite things....turn out great!!! A recipe that we will use again...and soon!!!

Zachary and Debbie's Favorite Cookies

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 1 cup baking M&M's

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt....then stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in the remaining ingredients by hand.

Drop by Tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Share these with your "favorite" cookie monster.....and let me know how you like them!!! Or share with me your favorite cookie recipe... send to: Debbie at dailygrace@bellsouth.net

Have a great evening!!!
Hugs,
Debbie

Treasures.....

Ok..I realize this shopping bonanza may not excite some people..but these were the treasures I found when we went to Knoxville shopping this week. Where I live we have a crafting and fabric drought...so every once in awhile I have to sneak away and find fun stuff to work with.

The boxes are something new for me..I want to cover them with fabric. Some will have beehives on top from a new pattern I picked up online...some will be filled with spiced eggs for a fun kitchen display and others...well, who knows!!!!

I also found birthday fabric to make one of Sweet Meadows Farms new Birthday Girl Dolls...LOVE that one!!! When I ordered the pattern this week...Maureen wrote me back to tempt me with two other adorable patterns she just added....all three are headed here...I am a happy girl!!! LOL

Looking forward to a weekend of major doll making and other fun crafting!!!
Hugs,
Debbie

Dusting Off My Ebay Shingle....

I have decided to dust off my Ebay shingle and go back to selling some items. So I am getting ready to offer Miss Ida Mae. I really love this doll...she is from a You Are Special pattern... It is funny, I have made several of these, but they all have their own "personality".
Her herb bag is filled with Sweet Annie...there is just something about that scent that I really like. I have had bundles of it upstairs in my workroom..and I love the fragrance as it greets me going up the stairs!!!
Well...I just thought I would share her with you....
Hope you have had a great week.....I am taking a few days off. Lots of Spring Cleaning and doll making are on the agenda.
Hugs,
Debbie

Circle Journal.....

Seems like I have an off and on relationship with paper arts. I LOVE decorative papers, pens, rubberstamps, etc...but lately there has been no time to play with them. So I am like some miserly old man from a Dickens novel, hoarding them away for "someday"....



BUT....a few months ago, I was browsing through some old paper arts magazines I had. I ran across Heidi Swapp articles (love her!!!)...and she talked about circle journals. Loved the ideas in the article and I did actually sit down and make one. It has started to make the rounds of my friends that I want to do a page in it.



The front of the journal says, " What are you to do with this, you say? le me know ho you feel about your life TODAY. Write it, art it or just have fun!! whatever you do...Do it Today!"

Well.....what would your response be????

Gracefully yours,
Debbie

In The Groove.....

Well, I know this will be hard to believe...but I am working at being more committed with this blogging thing. But I realized that I needed to work on seperating my personal blog from info that I wanted to do for the shop. Therefore, there is now a new blog for Folkheart.....

http://www.folkheart.blogspot.com/

As I am working to switch some things over there....I still have to admit that working there and making my handcrafts to sell in the shop takes up much of my time, so there is no way to get distance from the store totally. So with that in mind, I wanted to post several new pictures I have of the shop displays.....

Wishing you a wonderful week!!!

Hugs,

Debbie....

Btw...check out the guest book and leave me a note!!!

It's Been Awhile....

Sometimes I just get lost....in all the day to day "stuff" that we have to do. In all this busy-ness I forget to do things that I love. Then there come the time when I finally am worn out...and have a huge AHA moment that maybe, just maybe, I need to regroup and get back to some of the basics.

Reading, journaling, meditating.....just remembering to BREATHE on a regular basis would help!!! LOL It is not that anything is really wrong....it is just that I am a better person when I remember to do my gratitudes each day..those things help me get a clearer view of what is going on around me and that regardless of what is going on....I am truly and completely blessed.

So this is me...trying to get back to a positive routine. Yep, I will fall off the wagon, but I always know I can find my way home again when I need too.

Hugs to you all.....

Deb

Fall At Folkheart....

Just wanted to share some pictures from the store. To know where we started from and where we are today......and thinking of other fun adventures in the future...I am excited about this journey!!!

Hurry Fall....

I have to admit, I am not a big fan of Summer.....hot, muggy weather that makes me whiney and grouchy. Give me Fall, crisp, cool weather anytime..... Fall beckons me home...it makes me want to decorate in those warm, cosy colors of the leaves outside my window. I find myself in the kitchen more making breads or soups or great cocoas or coffees.

So I am thrilled with the new Fall items arriving in our store from the vendors. Problem is, I have to keep reminding myself that I really can't afford to take ALL of it home with me..but if I could..... And from the customers that have been coming in, apparently, I am not the ONLY one that has a bad case of "Autumn Decorating-itis". There seems to be quite the epidemic of it going around...and please, don't anyone offer a vaccine, this is one bug we want everyone catching!!! LOL

The top picture is a great clay "trick or treater" from Cindy's Clay Creations...her whole line is absolutely adorable!! One of the other shop owners told me about them...but they are definately something that you have to see to appreciate just how sweet they really are. Friday, she brought in turkeys....so darn cute....and yes, there will be one coming home with me!!!

The second picture is one that is a primitive room layout we have....the decorating was done by Stephanie Strader of Between the Vines...she did a wonderful job!!!

Just a few "notes from home"...and if you are in the area, stop by the shop...Folkheart at Northgate Mall in Chattanooga!!!

Hugs,

Debbie

Dolls....

This is the first doll I am listing here....
This one is Gracie Mae...made from a You Are Special pattern! She has a welcome light in the bucket she is holding...but her hands are not attached to it, so you could replace it with a welcome pillow or anything else that works with your decor! She is a sweetie!!! $32.00 and shipping.

What's New..... or Long Time, No See.....

Being computer illiterate...it took me awhile to figure out the new blogging set up for this blog..and so much has happened since the last time I wrote!

We have a new store in Chattanooga, Folkheart. It is a great mix of gift lines and wonderful handmade items from local artisans! We also have awesome customers/friends/students that come by not only to purchase...but to take classes from our talented teaching staff and share their ideas with us. Just a great "girlfriend" place to shop and share.

I am currently working on Prim Dolls!! It had been awhile since I had powered up the sewing machine and got to work on these. But in the last couple of months, I have pulled out the muslin, patterns....and got to work. I love creating these fun prim dolls for my own home and for others.

I am always asked why prim???

Maybe you are like I was as a child. I had the beautiful bride doll with the satiny white dress...she stayed in the box on a high shelf so she wouldn't get dirty. And was only brought down to be viewed on special occasions. Not so with my rag dolls...they are the ones that were dragged across the playground with me, they played dress up and any other game that I imagined. They were the ones that I held at night when I had a nightmare or when I was hurt.
So the dolls that I try to recreate are the ones I remember from childhood...and while others my look at them and think they are worn and torn....I just see them as "well loved".

Shortly I will begin to post some of these dolls as they are finished...they will be for orders or purchase through the store. So keep checking back for more finished items--dolls and other fun "needful" things.

Hugs,
Debbie