A Little Behind...

Hi there, remember me??? LOL  I didn't mean to be gone so long since last time, but Oct. and Nov. have been crazy months, w/so many things happening all at once, including 3 deaths, which I will explain in a moment.  

Oct. has always been the month that our ladies' missionary group (WAC ~ Women Active for Christ) has their silent auction and the $$ goes to missions, of course.  Mostly, we all bring in home-baked items to sell, but some bring in hand-made items as well.  This pair of wooden pumpkins went for the highest bid of the night and boy, were they ever cute! (they would be a cute craft fair item to sell).

 And speaking of craft fairs, I actually did my very first one at a local church.  I had always wanted to do one for many yrs. and a friend of mine talked me into it.  I had sold some things here/there in other people's craft booths yrs. ago, but never did one myself.  My new DIL helped me w/the whole thing.  Here are some pics of my table...

I know I'm a bit behind w/showing my fall decor, but I'll show a few anyway, lol.  This is in our living room, (my hubby made the faux fireplace several yrs. ago).

 Several items I made, but some were made from some of my sweet blogging friends...

 This was in our kitchen and the lighting was terrible that day, so I apologize in advance.

I mentioned 3 deaths earlier, so let me explain....(#1)the gal I worked closely with for almost 2 yrs. died of cancer around the middle of Oct. so I had all that to deal with, boxing up all her stuff for her family, etc..  She had worked there for over 20 yrs. and had quite a bit of stuff to box up. 

 Then while still grieving over her, I had a new co-worker to train in, during which time my husband's aunt passed away(#2) and I couldn't even go to her funeral b/c I was training in the new gal.

Then finally, (#3), my dad.  Got the call that I'd been dreading for yrs.  He'd been taken to the hospital by ambulance last wk. and we were able to drive the 5hr. trip there to see him before he passed away the day before Thanksgiving on the 25th of Nov.  This is what I wrote on my FB page...

My dad, Carl Collins, passed away yesterday morning and I made it up there in plenty of time to say my goodbyes for which I am very thankful to the Lord.

He was 94, married to my mother for 61 yrs. before she passed away back in 2009, and lived a very full and interesting life.
He spent 24 yrs. in the service, traveling the world, serving in each branch except the Marines, became an Army recruiter, a deputy sheriff, a security guard, and maintenance man, among many other jobs he had over his lifetime.
He was in 3 wars while in the service, World War II, Korean War and the Vietnam War.
He enjoyed spending time w/his family the most and fishing was his other favorite pastime. He loved working on Sudoku puzzles and reading western books. Along w/being quite the jokester, he also was a very giving person, lived on his own until the very end and could make a mean pan of cornbread.
He will be greatly missed by his family.

With that I will leave you all on a happier note ~~ I am having a SALE in my ETSY shop from now till Sat. Dec. 5th, you will receive a 20% discount on any/all purchases.  You will need to use the coupon code - HOLIDAYS15    (NO spaces and ALL caps)  

(***Please contact me first if you live in another country so I can figure shipping fees)

 Hopefully things will calm down some for me so I can visit all your blogs on a more regular basis like I used to.  I sure miss blogland and I hope to 'see' you all back on here real soon!

Big warm hugs,

                                             Tanya

Happy Labor Day and 3 Book Reviews

Ive had a giant TO-DO list that I've been working on today, guess you could say I'm 'laboring' on Labor Day!! LOL  The nice thing is Ive been checking off each thing that I've gotten done so far and it makes me feel good to look at my list and see what all I've accomplished, even tho' I still have several more things I'd like to finish before today is over.

Several things have been put on the back burner for the last few wks/mths. that I've been meaning to do all summer, but now that summer is coming to a close, I am determined to get them all checked off my list real soon.  I think it's good for all of us to set goals on occasion and try to achieve them.  Kind of keeps us in 'line' and gives us more motivation that we sometimes need.  But  I'm not going to hound myself too much if they all don't get done in one day or one wk.  I am not usually a 'procrastinator' type person at all, but this summer has just totally gotten away from me somehow and several things I meant to have done WAY before now, just haven't.  Do any of you have this same problem?

I've been working off/on an older kit from Little House Needlework and I'm almost finished w/it, so I thought I'd show it since I don't really have anything finished to show you all since last time.

 A very dear friend of mine who lives several states away recently sent me a little belated b'day package and one of the items in it was this cute little 'wallet'.  She had NO idea that a couple of yrs. ago, I made myself a purse out of that very same fabric!!  How funny was that!  At first I thought she must have remembered that I used the same fabric and that was why she bought it for me, but she told me she didn't have any idea about it!  Cool, huh?

These book reviews are some of the things I meant to share on my blog way before now, but I'm really trying my best to get caught up.
These books are from Bethany House Publishers and have been sent to me in exchange for an honest review.

'Amish Promises' is a different kind of Amish fiction, in that there is more interaction between the 'English' and the 'Amish.'   Eve Lehman(who is Amish) is helping her brother Tim run his household since the death of his wife. She takes her 'job' very seriously taking care of his children, her nieces and nephews. Tim takes his Amish heritage very seriously, so he doesn't understand her need for friendships w/the new neighbors who just happen to be English, especially when they have a very handsome friend that she finds herself quite drawn to.  Tim doesn't approve at all in the beginning, but the neighbors are facing and dealing with quite a bit of hurts, resentments and unforgiveness themselves.
The neighbor's kids and her nieces/nephews get along for the most part but because of an accident, they are thrown together to help each other out w/the chores.
Will Eve have a chance at love w/her English neighbor's friend? Will the neighbors Joel and Shani be able to work things out in their own marriage?  You will have to read the book to find out.

Leslie Gould is a wonderful Christian fiction writer and I think you'll enjoy reading this first book in  her new series.

The second book I am reviewing is called the 'Love Letters', written by one of my favorite Amish writers, Beverly Lewis.
This book I had a really hard time getting into this book and had some mixed emotions about it, but once I did, it was filled w/all kinds of different types of lessons to be learned.  The main character, Marlena Wenger, goes to spend time w/her grandmother, who is recently widowed.  While there, she is thrown into the 'job' of taking care of her infant niece, because of an accident her estranged sister is involved in, which she hopes is only for a short time.  Marlena has some insecurities of her own, but makes friends w/the neighbors, who have a son w/a disability, named Small Jay.  He becomes intertwined w/an older man who has Dementia and can't remember who he is or where he is from. The two hit it off and quickly become good friends, despite the age difference, their disabilities giving them both common ground.
Marlena also takes a quilting class and some unique friendships form there as well.
This book is a bit different from some of the author's other books, but I think you will find it interesting as well.

This third book, "Your Sacred Yes" has become one of my very favorite NON-fiction Christian books.  Susie Larson writes w/Godly wisdom and genuine love for her fellow sisters in Christ. I just know you'll love it as much as I did.  I used it as a devotional type book and it spoke to my heart all the way through.  Susie asks thought-provoking questions at the end of every chapter and always a beautiful prayer to be repeated.  All her chapters, thoughts and prayers are backed w/scripture.
The author opened my eyes to really look for the things that God actually wants me to say 'yes' to, not just saying yes to something worthwhile or even church-related or because there's a need. She teaches you how to really search your heart to listen to His voice and timing on different areas of your life and she gives personal stories of how she and others learned to do so. Susie explains how to say 'no' to the things that don't truly matter in your life and how to discern God's best that He wants you to have or be involved in and His invitation to things He wants for you.

I would like to use a quote from the book, "Part of what it means to embrace a sacred yes is simply to give our next yes to God. And then give Him the yes after that, and then the yes after that.  Whatever He tells you to do, do it.  Whatever He asks of you, trust Him; He'll see you through it."

I totally HIGHLY recommend this awesome book!!  I loved it so much I didn't want it to end, so recently I bought one of her other books she has written.  I have learned so much from her and I'm sure you will too!!  I cannot say enough good about this book and I've already gone back to it several times just to re-read some of the chapters.  She encourages each one of us to truly seek God for His Sacred Yes in any area of our lives.

Not Sure What to Name This Post - LOL

Well the newly married couple have celebrated being married for a couple of months now and they are loving married life.

 As most of you might remember, our oldest son got married the middle of June and here's his ring to prove it!  LOL  He had never ever worn any type of jewelry before, so I just had to take a pic of his new ring.

 I ended up making 5 different types of desserts for the rehearsal dinner, sort of a dessert bar, if you will............brownie pops went over big w/the kids especially.  I dipped them mostly in chocolate, then did different swirls and candies.  You should have seen my kitchen island the day before!  I had chocolate dripping everywhere!

 Another big hit was the 'Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding' - (a Paula Deen recipe).  There was not a drop of it left in the pan and I only got one bite! Lemon Cheesecake Bars, a Chocolate Dream Pie and Cookie Dough 'pizza' finished off the dessert menu.

 I actually got back to sewing again a few wks. ago when I made the newlywed couple some curtains for their bathroom.  Our DIL picked out the fabric and I found an easy tutorial to follow(b/c it's been literally yrs. since I'd made any).  I had to change out a few details on the measurements, etc. but overall, I was really pleased w/how they turned out.

 I even surprised myself by making them fully-lined!  Now I need to make some for a few more of their windows and wouldn't mind a few for some of ours as well.

 The only thing I finished stitching recently was the 'Beach Bucket' by Noteworthy Needle.  (I forgot to take a pic of mine, but wanted to show you what it looked like).

 You stitch the design, then attach it to a small rusty pail.  The designer has several in this series that are really cute!

 Here's what the rusty pail looks like before the stitched piece is attached.  I have one left in my Etsy shop if anyone is interested and a couple of the patterns in the series.  I just listed a bunch of the newest patterns from the Online Needlework Show that is going on now w/Norden Crafts, one of the best distributors of cross stitch supplies.

 

And last weekend my hubby surprised me w/this beautiful cake for my b'day on the 7th.  He put it in the cooler when we went camping so the icing wouldn't melt and so I wouldn't find it!  It was a fun and tasty surprise!

Thanks for letting me pop by to say HI to all my blogger friends.  I apologize that I haven't had the time lately to even get on many of your blogs/posts.  I really miss everyone and will try to get back to posting on a regular basis if time allows, hopefully soon!

Can't believe school has started back up in our area and fall is just around the corner.  I have a few book reviews that I need to do really soon, so take care and have a lovely week!

It's been a LONG, LONG time!

I can't believe it's been almost 4 mths. since I've blogged!  I apologize!  Never meant to be gone so long and I've missed all of you who still stop by. I have been very busy these past few mths. w/working and getting ready for our son's wedding, which is only a few wks. away now.

 B'days and bridal showers and life in between, left no time for blogging or much crafting either.  I did, however, get a few things made these past few mths, so I'll let you take a peek.

This 'spring' block was made for one of our monthly craft nights at church.  This one was actually given to me, but we made similar ones w/bunnies that turned out very cute.  Everyone painted their bunnies a different color and they turned out very unique.

 I made this little patchwork zip bag awhile back using a 'This & That' pattern.

 Can you see the patchwork blocks below the rick rack?  They were made w/charm pack squares.  Look closely at the upper corners of each block and you will see that there are different fabrics used in each square.

 These next couple of pillows I made during my lunch break at work.  They were older Pine Mt. Design kits that I still had in my stash from yrs. ago.   I still think they are cute. They were a really good seller in my cross stitch shop I had back then.  They always came w/a really cute button or some embellishments.  Makes for an easy 'grab and go' project.  I have another one I made for spring just like this one only w/springy colors that I forgot to take a picture of.

 Needed to iron the fabric before taking the pic, but I think the 'snowball's' are a cute addition.

 This is what I created for a tablescape for Easter this yr.  Just kept it simple....

 I always take the 'egg' mats off and use the other placemats for meal time.

 We did a 'beachy'/tropical-themed bridal shower at our church for my future DIL's(daughter-in-love) bridal shower a couple of wks. ago.  It was a lot of fun and she had a nice turnout for it, in spite of the pouring rain.

 I loved the way the cake turned out!!  It was much larger than it looks in the pic and boy was it fresh tasting!  We had so many sweet and wonderful gals from our church that took it upon themselves to make/buy/borrow things for the shower and we so appreciated all their help.

 A few wks. ago we had a HAIL storm blow through our area.  We didn't receive any damage, but boy did some other people in town.  Quite a few had damage to their houses/cars.

 I just couldn't resist this cute little grill I found recently.  It will go camping w/us this yr. and I can't wait to use it!  Since our boys are older now, it'll be mostly just the two of us and I thought this would be the perfect size of 14 inches.

 and last but not least, a book review..........

Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to receive this book FREE of charge in exchange for an honest review...

'From the Start' is the third book I've read written by Melissa Tagg and I have to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them!

The main characters are each on a road of discovery.  Kate Walker used to write about romance, but never really got to experience the real thing in her own life, after having gotten 'burned' by an ex-boyfriend.  With a major slump in her career, she winds up in her hometown of Maple Valley to help her family rebuild the community after a tornado swept through their sweet little town.

Colten Greene, an ex-NFL quarterback, due to an injury that ended his career, finds himself w/some free time on his hands, so he hangs out at a friend's house to avoid the media's publicity and tries to figure out what his new career should be.  It just so happens that he winds up in Maple Valley and in the same home as Kate.  His friend turns out to be her brother.  I liked the way the author included several family members in the story and how they interacted w/the main characters was very believable.

Fireworks spark as the two meet, so they each try to dodge each other as much as possible, but the little town of Maple Valley need their help, so like it or not, they are stuck together working on rebuilding her hometown.
 Colten needs someone to write his biography and Kate needs the extra cash to finance a trip to Africa, so she agrees to become his new writer.  As they spend more and more time together, on his new book and rebuilding projects around town, they realize they are way more attracted to one another than either wants to admit.  Colt/Kate each has things in their past(and I love the way the author brought those things out over the course of the book) that they need to overcome in order to trust the other, as well as their spiritual walk w/the Lord.

I found Melissa Tagg's sense of humor to be really refreshing and the characters to be quite engaging. The story line generated interest 'from the start'(no pun intended) and kept the interest alive all the way through to the very end.  I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to her next.

I want to thank you for stopping by and please let me know if you did ~ give me a shout!
Enjoy the rest of your spring and I hope to be back before summer!
Tanya