Monthly Archives: July 2013

Update on Loveseat

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Hey!

Don’t you hate when projects take longer than you like?  Some days, I wish that I could snap my fingers and *poof* everything would be finished. 
The reality:  I’m not finished but I’m getting closer each day.  Honey Do and I started putting the pieces back on the loveseat last night.   Honey Do took this picture when I wasn’t looking.  I must’ve really been concentrating!  I tend to be camera shy.

I can’t wait to reveal the final product!  I hope its sooner rather than later : )
Blessings,
Mimi
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…”  
Colossians 3:23  NIV Bible

Royal Wisdom

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“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; 
he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.” 
Proverbs 21:1  NIV Bible
Congratulations to Prince William and Princess Kate on the birth of a royal son!

Craft Day: T-shirt with Fabric Pocket

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All the rage on the college campus where my daughter attends school are cute t-shirts with a fabric pocket.  Honey Do made me one and, bless her heart, she sewed the pocket on by hand.  She must love me!

I’m going to share how to make one with you.  You need a t-shirt, a scrap of fabric, a pocket pattern and a coffee filter as well as thread, a sewing machine and scissors.  My pocket pattern is 4 3/4″ x 5 3/4″ to the point.  The finished pocket will be 4 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, give or take a little. 

After cutting out a pocket in the fabric, I ironed the edges 1/4″ under all the way around.
Next, I sewed a hem in the top of my pocket.  Then, I pinned the pocket with the edges tucked under onto the shirt.

After the pocket is pinned, slide the shirt under the foot of the sewing machine to stitch the right side starting at the top of the pocket.  Before you stitch, take the coffee filter and slide it under the t-shirt.  The coffee filter will be between the machine and the t-shirt and under the sewing foot.  I learned this trick from a friend of mine.  The coffee filter acts as a stabilizer and keeps the t-shirt and fabric from puckering.

When you are done stitching the three sides, turn the shirt inside out and tear away the coffee filter.

Turn the shirt right side out and you’re all done!

I would suggest that you wash the fabric and t-shirt first, before you start, in case they shrink.  Also, another cute addition to the pocket would be to add a monogram. : )
Have fun crafting!

Blessings,

Mimi

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves 
with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”   
Colossians 3:12  NIV Bible

Tomato Sandwiches and Homemade Mayo

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Hey!

What is summer without tomato sandwiches?!
For a special treat, I like to make homemade mayonnaise for mine.

Basic Blender Mayonnaise
1 egg
1 Tablespoon vinegar
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon paprika
Dash cayenne pepper
1 cup salad oil, divided (I use canola oil)

Place all ingredients in the blender, using only 1/4 cup of the oil, at first.  Blend about 15 seconds to thoroughly mix ingredients.  With the blender still running, slowly pour in the remaining oil in a thin stream until all of the oil has been incorporated.  (Store in the refrigerator)
Makes 1 cup.

Recipe is from Southern Sideboards  compiled by the Junior League of Jackson, MS.

Blessings,

Mimi

“My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”  
Psalm 63:5 NIV Bible

 

Catching Up

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Hey!

I’m catching up today.  Honey Do took a few days off from work.  We saw a few new movies: The Lone Ranger, Man of Steel and White House Down.  I think the main point of all three movies was how many bullets can be dispensed in two hours and how many things can be destroyed.  As far as a recommendation — we were a little disappointed in Lone Ranger (and surprised by some elements in the movie since it’s a Disney film), we felt Man of Steel was strong at the beginning but weak at the end and the daughter character in White House Down was gutsy.  Overall, all three did their job entertaining us.

I, also, kept Honey Do busy with a few projects around the house and yard.   The renovation in the living room is coming along. He began priming the wall this weekend.  The room is really looking different without the fireplace there.  If you’d like to see where it all began, click here.

  I wish the picture was a little brighter but lighting was a little dim that day.  Raining.
Honey Do also worked up in the attic which, bless his heart, was hot as blue blazes.  We’re having our roof replaced and he had to uninstall some attic vents in preparation for the roofers.  We’re having a different kind installed.
While he was up in the attic, Honey Do got a BIG surprise.  He looked across from where he was working and saw this…
 
That’s right!  A five foot snake skin!  He inspected the head and informed me it was a good snake -probably a rat snake but still…. I WAS PRETTY FREAKED OUT!   He spent the rest of the day making sure all entrances and exits to the house and roof were sealed and no snakes present.  
Oh, the joys of living in the woods… 
What’s going on at your house?
Blessings,
Mimi
“Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.”  
Psalm 125:4  NIV Bible

Book Day: Thirteen Reasons Why

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Hey!

Summer is usually the time that I choose to read books with lighter drama or with adventure.  Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher would not have been my typical choice but I’m so glad I read it!

Our hostess for book club this month picked it out.  She used the book for a unit she taught at school.  When we asked her about the unit and how the kids liked the book, I loved her response.  She said that the experience with her students was what every teacher dreams of having. 

Thirteen Reasons Why
Jay Asher
Thirteen Reasons Why
This book has received many awards and is set to be made into a movie starring Selena Gomez.   She wasn’t the image I had in my mind when I read the book but …
The premise: Hannah Baker has died.  She committed suicide, but before she did, she made  seven tapes that contain a message to thirteen people.  These people, she believes, contributed in some way to her decision.  Hannah instructs the first person who receives the tapes in the mail to listen to all of them and then when they are done to pass on the tapes to the next person after them.  
I know, the story seems morbid, but I couldn’t put the book down.  I wanted to know her reasons.  Why did she do it?  What was so awful in her life that she didn’t seek help from an adult in her life?  What had those thirteen people done?  Clay is one of the recipients of the tapes and the story is told through his voice and through Hannah’s as he listens through the tapes.

One of the overriding messages of the book is how our actions affect others, both good and bad.   Be forewarned: The book does delve into other issues such as bullying, rumors, lies, and abuse.

I’m really looking forward to discussion at book club.  If you’ve read it, let me know what you thought.  I’d love to hear from you!

Blessings,

Mimi

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the 
first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”  
Matthew 22:37-39  NIV Bible