Sewing today

It has been awhile since I last blogged.  I have been busy, busy, busy sewing and crocheting orders like crazy.  I even tried my hand at knitting again!!!!  Now I'm not taking knitting orders so don't jump to that conclusion I'm sure there are women and men that love to knit me? not so much. 
We made it through the Holidays with tons of orders which thrilled me and kept me so busy that I didn't think my little Grandchildren were getting anything from Grandmas' sewing room.  But in the end I shut down my shops to sew for them.  Now my focus is getting my sewing room in order with new cabinets and organization storage.  And work on orders in the mean time lol.  I heard in one group I belong to that this is suppose to be the slow season.  Well not here it isn't I think I have had almost as many orders as I did for Christmas so far.  I'm not sure if I have shared my store links with you all so I'll do that too.  I custom sew and crochet and if I can't do what you need I probably know someone that can.  I have my 4 sisters and a handful of friends that can help out if needed.  So on facebook it's https://www.facebook.com/sweetsisterssewingandsuch and on Etsy it's https://www.etsy.com/Arkansassewingsister  so check out my stores and see what you can find for someone special in your life or let me make something for you!!!! 

 

 

these are just a few of the items I carry the first is Squeakers from Doc McStuffins the rest are to follow. The second is a owl ear warmer and third is Tigey the Adventure tiger for Daniel Tigers Neighborhood.

 

 

 

These are some of my sewing projects that I have made and can make for you in your own design of fabric to customize it.  the first is a tri-fold Bible Cover inside it has a place for your Bible and pockets for tithe envelopes, pen and even a notepad it closes around your Bible to protect it.  Second is one of the neatest things I think I have made it's a casserole cover.  It looks like it's square but it holds up to a 10" round casserole dish.  It's insulated to keep your food either warm or cold. and the last 2 are the same item it's a coloring book and crayon tote that can be monogramed with your child's name in it great for traveling or just to keep things picked up.

so those are just a tip of some of my stuff.  and today is gloomy and rainy and blah day.  so remember that,  This is the day that the Lord has made and I will be glad and rejoice in it!!!!!  For without the rain we wouldn't have such brilliant showings of color in the spring.  God bless you and keep you until next time

Today will be a sad solemn day as the 19 are memorialized.  May God give the ones left behind strength to go through the days that follow with courage.  May God be with all the Firefighters, Medics, Police, Military and anyone that serves.  I will not be at the memorial today but I am there in spirit.  Give God some time today to prayer and some quiet time.  For He Is our rock and our Salvation.  Lean on Jesus for only He will sustain us through our rough times and be a cool drink of water when we are parched.  We are never alone except when we walk away from Jesus and He's just a call away waiting for us to ask.  He fills our every need if we allow Him too and there is nothing expected in return only to love Him and Trust Him. 

May this day be revered by all even if not of the same faith it is a loss of lives to our Country of people who wouldn't think twice to drop and run to save us from a bad situation and Thank God for People who do!!!  I am going to close now and go spend some time with a family member which I am very close to and don't get to see often.  Hug your loved one's and make sure they know that they are loved by you in some way today.

Good Wednesday Morning!!!!
So today I want to start by saying that Aviana Shea has arrived.  She was born April 28th at 3:35pm weighed in at 7lbs. 5 oz. and is 19 3/4inches long.  Mom and baby are doing very well This is a special occasion that will be with me for the rest of my life.  Aviana is such a good baby, and mom is doing such a great job.  Brandie only has 5 1/2 lbs. of baby weight in which to drop to her pre- pregnancy weight which is outstanding to me.  I am so blessed to be here and to witness this new life and to watch my baby with her baby.  One other thing that was amazing to me was to be in the same room with all of my children and their spouses and all of my Granddaughters.  We have never been all together and to get some great photos was priceless.  Now we await the birth of my first Grandson Connor Allen due the end of June. 

 

I may be a little prejudice but she's a beautiful baby!!

And her Papa Joe bought her her first outfit lol. 

 

Babies are such a blessing and to think we are going to expand this family two more times by the end of Summer!!! Amazing Thank you Jesus for keeping us in the palm of your hands and protecting us from all harm. 

 

Ephesians 2:14-16 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives it's name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through His spirit in your inner being.

 

Today I'm not cooking because Brandie's friend is bringing a casserole but I am going to share a recipe for crescent rolls I made these for a recipe I'll share another day for a casserole I call "I don't care casserole"  lol I got tired of asking what do you want for dinner? and Hearing "I don't care"  so I invented this recipe.  Oh I will share both what the heck lol.

 

I don't care Casserole

1 lb. ground meat (chicken, beef, turkey)

1 can green chilies

1/2 chopped onion (I use red)

garlic

1 can pinto beans

1 can crushed tomatoes

1/2 a recipe of crescent rolls

cheddar cheese

 

Brown your meat with the onion, green chilies, garlic, salt and pepper.  Add in beans and tomatoes and simmer for just a bit.  It will continue to cook when you put it in the oven.  In a med, casserole dish sprayed with cooking spray place the meat mix.  Put a layer of cheese on top use the amount that you prefer I use about a cup and a half.  Top with crescent rolls rolled out to fit the dish.  Bake at 400* until the rolls are done nice and golden brown.  Make sure to brown them nicely so that you don't have a doughy layer underneath.

 

Crescent Roll dough

 

3 Tbls. Yeast

1 egg

1/4 cup sugar

2tsp salt

1 stick of butter

1/2 milk

1/2 water

4 1/2-5 1/2 cups of flour

 

Mix all of the ingredients except the flour.  Allow the yeast to dissolve.  Make sure that the water and milk are very warm.  Add 1 cup of flour at a time until dough pulls from the sides and forms a soft ball.

Allow the dough to sit and double in size.  Punch down and roll out.  If you are making the above recipe take half the dough and roll out and place on top.  Make the rest into crescents by cutting into triangles and roll up.  Allow to rise again doubling in size.  Bake at 400* until nice and golden brown.  These are the best rolls I think I have ever made.

Enjoy

 

Happy Arizona Good Morning

Good sunny Arizona Morning!!!!!  It's been pointed out that I haven't updated my blog in a while.  So today seemed the perfect day to do so.  As you can see I said Arizona,  I have some many announcements to make!!!!  First I have a beautiful baby Granddaughter on the way!!! She is due anytime that is why I write from Arizona.  Second I have not one but two Grandsons coming also!!!!  No not triplets each one of my children are pregnant lol doubling the Grandchildren in one year pocketbook watchout lol.  So as I stated Aviana Shea is due any day, Connor Allen is due July 1st and Lucas Lee is due August 29th.  With so many babies coming I have hardly moved from my sewing machine.  Avi's crib and bed set is being done in the cutest Curious George fabric I think I have ever seen.  This is the quilt I'm working on right now Avi's quilt will be round to fit her round crib.

Connor's crib set will be fashioned after what his daddy does for a living working on heavy equipment

And least but surely not last is Lucas Lee's I'm not sure what his parents are doing his bedroom in but I found this fabric and it called to me so I bought it lol.

 

So those are just a pinch of my projects that I'm working on and just a touch of the latest and greatest news from me.  I have been working on a 10 commandments quilt also,  it is in purple and white and can't wait to finish it too. 

 

 

I'm sharing a recipe that I found on Pintrest that I tried and LOVED!!!

Jalepeno Bombs

5 chicken breasts boneless, skinless

5 jalepenos

4 ounces cream cheese room temp

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

20 slices bacon (I used brown sugar bacon)

1 bottle Sweet Baby Ray's Honey Chipotle BBQ sauce

 

slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally pound out to make them thin.  Slice the jalepeno horizontally to make a small boat clean out ribs and seeds.

Mix cream cheese and cheddar together and place a tablespoon or so in each half of jalepeno 10 total and 10 chicken breasts.  Roll the jalepeno up with the chicken starting at one end it's ok if the ends are not covered but roll them tight.  Now wrap with a piece of bacon from one end and continue to roll tight with 2 pieces.

Place on a foil lined baking sheet and brush with BBQ sauce. The recipe calls for them to be grilled on a grill but I baked them in the oven and they were wonderful so either way.

Bake for 20 minutes on 350 turn them over and brush with BBQ sauce again bake for an additional 20 min.  You will be turning them over one more time but turn the oven up to 400*  and your done!!!!  I served them with a nice fresh salad and veggies makes a great lunch for the following day also.

 

Today is also my sweet little Kayla's Birthday party.  We are having a pool party this afternoon for her.  Her parents bought her a bicycle and she loves it.  Her dad took her to the store this morning and let her pick it out so that made it even more special.  So I will get to see Kayla and Abbie today together so exciting.  Until next time chin up and smile at someone you don't know make their day or make them wonder what your so happy about

Happy New Year!!!!!

Today we all start a new year and a clean slate.  Today is the first day of this new year and with it it brings a fresh new perspective and for some new goals, ideas, and desires.  I may not be making any new year resolutions but that doesn't mean I don't want to change the way some things in my life are.  I know for certain that their are some things that I don't want to change.  I don't want to change the relationship I have with the Lord Jesus.  Only with time and studying God's Word can my relationship just keep getting better.  I don't want to change being a Grandmother.  I am excited to have new additions being added to our family this year.  One new baby will be born in May and one in July.  I don't want to change my relationship with my sisters I do want to build closer bonds with them.  I want to build a better relationship with my sweetheart Joe.  I would love to have a relationship with my youngest son restored and be able to have a relationship with my Granddaughter from him.  So in essence I guess my goal for this year is relationships bettering them.  Loving more, judging less, getting healthier and just being happy with who I am. 

Tomorrow is my sister Conni's Birthday she is the baby of the bunch and will be celebrating her 48th Birthday.  We are taking her to a little coffee shop here in town called Zoe's (I've personally never been there) I'm making her a cake called pinkalicious it's baked in mason jars.  Can't wait to see how it turns out.  She will be receiving several gifts from my sisters and me.  I made her a hat and a glass cover

We also bought her a tamale pot, ceramic knife, spatulas, whisk.  She has a large family and the tamale pot can be used for many things and it's enamel coated very nice pot.  Happy Birthday Conni I hope this is a special Birthday and you have a prosperous new year.

Today I am sharing a recipe for Jalapeno Cheddar Bread
I hope if you try it you enjoy it as much as we do.

Jalapeno Cheddar Bread

In large mixing bowl add:
3 TBLS yeast
1 TBLS salt
3 TBLS sugar
2 TBLS oil or butter
2 1/4 cups very warm water
6-7 cups flour

I start and add in this order.  I turn on my mixer and allow the dry ingredients to mix as I add the oil and water.  Add 2 cups of the flour and mix well.  Add the flour 1 cup at a time mix in between the first 6 cups of flour.  The last cup of flour is for the counter to knead in until the bread dough has a nice elastic consistency.  Allow this dough to rise until at least double in size. Punch down knead in the following:
1 egg
1 cup cheddar cheese grated
3/4 - 1 cup jalapenos
dough will be wet and chunky
spray bread pans with Pam and place dough into pans push dough into corners and even dough as best as can.  Allow dough to double in size and bake at 350* for 45 minutes.  This makes 2 loaves of regular size bread.

God needs to be first in your life.  If you are having problems in your life try turning it over to God and allow Him to handle it and the stress will be so much less.
I woke up this morning to a dream (a bad one) and the thing that I heard was "It's never a bad time to turn to Jesus" My father has been dead for 13 years and in this dream my father was riding a horse herding a herd of horses into a pen I was at the other end of the pen shutting the gates and when I saw my dad is when I heard that (it's never a bad time to turn to Jesus) I broke down and hit my knees.  God has us in the palm of His hands and will not ever leave us or forsake us it's us that leaves Him.

Merry Christmas 4 days

Good Friday Morning!!!  4 days left for hustle and bustle to get that just right gift for everyone on your list.  This year has been a tough one for me personnally and also one of many blessings.  I have lost the joy of the Holiday Season again.  I seem to have unrealistic ideas of what the Holiday's are all about any more.  Every year I pray I can be with my children ALL of them and that we will all get along and love one another.  Am I asking for so much?  Are they unrealistic to wish for?  Last year was the first ever Christmas that I have spent with any of my children as adults.  I left Arkansas and traveled to Arizona in November around the 19th I think and stayed until January 19th.  Sounds like I overstayed my welcome.  lol I don't think I did my son-in-law was deployed to Afganistan and I sure didn't want my daughter going through the Holiday's by herself.  I arrived and a couple of days later my son Chet got a job in North Dakota and left so I am so thankful I was there.  I got to spend some wonderful time with my Granddaughter Kayla and a little bit of time with Abbie.  I am overjoyed with being a Grandma I guess it's one of those things that until you experience it you can't understand it.  Christmas was an awesome time for me.  Brandie and I made a Prime Rib dinner for ourselves, Donelle (my daughter-in-law, Abbie and my Aunt Janet who is widowed.  So it was a girls day!!!  Jacob and Alyssa brought Brandie her presents a day or 2 before Christmas and of course another time I didn't get to see Lilly.  It breaks my heart my son won't allow me to have anything to do with her.  Anyhow

This year I am praying for forgivness from my children for not being there.  I try to make ammends but to no avail with my sons.  I don't know what it's going to take for them to forgive me and move on so that we can once again be a family.  I don't have any strength left to fight this fight I beleive that if they dig deep into their memories they would find that I wasn't a horrible parent and that a lot of what happened was due to curcumstances out of my control.  I have apologized until the cows came home and still...............

My hurt can't be measured by forgiveness because I love my children and would drop it all just to have a word from them or to hear I love you mom just once.

Ok enough darkness.......... I am proud to announce that my daughter will be giving me the precious gift of another Granddaughter in May and that my son's wife is also going to give me another precious Grandchild in July.  God blesses as satan trys to destroy.  One Grandchild cannot replace another but it's a blessing anyway you look at it that Brandie is having a baby.  She is a wonderful daughter and I can't wait to share in the blessed event.  I'm leaving to go to Arizona in April and will be staying until July or August to be able to be present for the births which I have never been able to do before,

My sewing machine has been doing double duty getting the Christmas presents finished and working on the new baby items that I am making.  Another day to finish some items would be nice maybe today I can get some sewing done.  I just finished baking a huge batch of snickerdoodles so I am free to do whatever now.

Who woulda thunk that a snickerdoodle could make someone happy?  I just love them not sure why I don't make them more often.  Anyway I want to share a recipe that I found on the internet with you for Pistachio Fudge.  what could be any better?  Pistachios and fudge together thank you to whomever thought of this wonderful concoction lol anyway here it is may God Bless your families this year with a new love for one another and a patience for those you tolerate Merry Christmas and may God give you the desires of your heart.

PISTACHIO FUDGE

1 LB. white baking Chocolate or 12 oz. White Chocolate chips
1 8oz. cream cheese softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teas. vanilla
1/4 teas almond extract
1/8 teas. green food coloring
1/2 cup chopped pistachios
additional pistachios for garnish

Line a 8x8 baking pan with foil allowing the foil to hang over the edges, spray with pam.
Melt white chocolate as directed on the package
Beat cream cheese until smooth beat in powdered sugar and melted chocolate add flavorings and food coloring until all mixed.  Add in chopped Pistachios and spread into pan Top with additional pistachios for garnish
Cool fudge in fridge for at least 1 hour. 
Pull foil out of pan with fudge on top.  Cut into 1 1/2 inch squares.  Makes 25

Believe in God's Holiness, Believe in God's Faithfullness.  Believe in God's Truth and that He holds us in the palm of His Mighty Hand and that even when we don't see Him, He see's us.  Still Believe.....

Good Chilly Morning!!!  Friday finally lol  I didn't want to get up this morning because it's 62* in our house this morning brrrr.  45* outside so of course I have a fire in the fireplace.  Even if it gets warm today it's just too chilly to be up and doing anything without  fire.  Today's agenda is to work on that teal and brown quilt to see if I can get the top put together I haven't worked on the Ester quilt hardly at all I love the colors but Christmas is only 2 months away and I still have a couple of other projects that I want to do for gifts.  Have you been on Pintrest lately?  There are some really talented people on there with some of the most amazing projects for the Holidays.  I have so many cute things to make for the dinner table to decorations.  I asked Conni my baby sister to bring her youngest son over to make some fall things I found on there.   Steven is just the sweetest boy to do things with.

We had the sad job of putting one of Anna's goats down this week.  Baby was way past her prime and went into kidney failure she was a well loved animal and lived a very long pampered life.  We may go look at a couple of young goats for Anna today.

Yesterday my niece's father-in-law went to meet Jesus.  Bobby fought the good fight and battled kidney failure with dialysis.  Bobby had a large loving family and will be soarly missed.  Rest in the arms of Jesus.  Bobby.

The fire is having a hard time getting started this morning I think this afternoon I'm going to gather some kindling to start the fires with.  I don't like fighting to keep them going or trouble starting them.  I;m sure I'm not the only one lol but dog gone its frustrating,

I have a personal daily devotion book called Jesus calling from Sarah Young that is awesome.  I am going to share today's devotion.  My sister Conni went with me to the doctor yesterday and our conversation fell right in line with today's content how amazing is God? He answers our questions if we just look..  I hope you have a magnificent day do one thing for someone that you would not normally do today.  Try to only say positive things even when your driving and get cutoff just try it one day.  It sure does open your eyes to how many negative things that we tend to say and not even realize it.

Come to Me with your defenses down, ready to be blessed and filled with My Presence.  Relax, and feel the relief of being totally open and authentic with Me.  You have nothing to hide and nothing to disclose, because I know everything about you already.  You can have no other relationship like this one.  Take time to savor its richness, basking in My golden light.

One of the worst consequences of the Fall is the elaborate barriers people erect between themselves and others.  Facades abound in the world, even in My body, the church.  Sometimes, church is the last place where people feel free to be themselves.  They cover up with Sunday clothes and Sunday smiles.  They feel relief when they leave because of the strain of false fellowship.  The best antidote to this artificial atmosphere is practicing My Presence at church.  Let your primary focus be communing with Me, worshipping Me, glorifying Me.  Then you will be able to smile at others with My Joy and love them with My Love.
1 John 1;5-7: Exodus 33:14 Philippians 4:8-9

Today's tip:  When cleaning your house make sure to clean from top to bottom.  Cleaning down keeps you from having to clean over and over.  Start with what is highest (ceiling fans, curtain tops etc.) then move on down.