Quilting....

 I've been busy this past week quilting. Been on my to-do list for awhile. Finally got to it, and thoroughly enjoyed it!

About a month ago I went to a quilt show. I bought a "quilt kit" had the pattern and per-measured fabric. I'd been keeping my eye out for girly fabric since I heard my friend would be having a baby girl in November! I enjoyed making this baby blanket for my friends baby girl arriving soon!

I absolutely love these prints and pattern. I told my husband I like it soo much I don't want to give it away. But since I don't have a use for a baby girl blanket, I guess I will ;)

I used a soft, flannel-like material for the backing I've often heard it referred to as "minky". I love how cuddly it makes this blanket! Makes it a little warmer too, as the baby will be born late fall!
I also used satin blanket binding! I like that this quilt is soo girly!!

This is probably one of my favorite quilt patterns so far!!

Last night I cut out a rag quilt! Been wanting to try one of these for a long time. Finally got around to it. 

 

The concept is great, and it's a really quick project since you don't have to cut out a backing and quilt.

I used flannel sandwiched between the cotton fabric. It frays nicely and the cotton sticks to it so it doesn't require quilting! It also makes a reversible quilt!

This is just a small lap quilt. I haven't decided what to do with this one yet. I may save it and give it away later. 

I really like how it turned out, and how easy and simple it is. I think the next time I make one I will use all flannel!

Willow Reservoir

Last week I got to see more of the desert I live in. Was beautiful!

We drove up into the hills to a man made reservoir. Great fishing and swimming spot. We just relaxed. I went with three friends and their kids. Was a perfect day for being out in the hills! Here's a few photos I took!

saw lots of hawks

First time on 4-wheeler. Was fun!

It was a very refreshing, relaxing morning! I so enjoy going outdoors just to be outdoors and take in the beauty!

Excuses of the Sinner Answered

Numerous as are the excuses which sinners make when urged to embrace the gospel, they may all be reduced to three; the first is, that they have no time to attend to religion; the second is, that they do not know how to become religious; and the third, that they are not able to become so. Want of time, want of knowledge, or want or power, is pleaded by all. Foreseeing that they would make these excuses, God determinded that they should have no reason to make them. By giving them the Sabbath, he has allowed them time for religion. By giving them his word, and messengers to explain it, he has taken away the excuse of ignorance; and by offering them the assistance of his Holy Spirit, he has deprived them of the pretense that they are unable to obey him. Thus he has obviated all their excues; and therefore, at the last day, every mouth will be stopped, and the whole impenitent world will stand guilty and self-condemned before God.

The convinced sinner wishes to be saved; but then he would be his own savior. He will not consent to be saved by Christ. He cannot bear to come as a poor, miserable, self-condemned sinner, and throw himself on the mere mercy of Christ; but he wants to purchase heaven; to give so many good deeds, as he calls them, for so much happiness hereafter. He goes on to multiply his religious duties, and, with great diligence, makes a robe of his own righteousness, with which he hopes to cover his moral nakedness, and render himself acceptable in the sight of God. In vain is he told that all his righteousness is as filthy rags; that he is daily growing worse, rather than better; that eternal life can never be purchased. He will stop here, as thousands have done before, resting on this foundation, having the form of Godliness, but denying the power, unless the Spirit of God continue to strive with him, and complete the work by showing him his own heart.

--Edward Payson, Legacy of a Legend

Conviction and Confession

This hymn was part of morning worship at church today.

It has such powerful words, of recongnizing sin, asking for salvation, and desiring to know God more.
It was a blessing to me, I hope it is for you too.


Take Me, O My Father, Take Me
Take me, O my Father, take me; take me, save me, through Thy Son;

that which Thou wouldst have me, make me, let Thy will in my be done.

Long from Thee my footsteps straying, thorny proved the way I trod;

weary come I now, and praying, take me to Thy love, my God.

Fruitless years with grief recalling, humbly I confess my sin;

at Thy feet, O Father, falling, to Thy household take me in.

Freely now to Thee I proffer this relenting hear of mine;

freely life and soul I offer, gift unworthy love like Thine.

Once the world's Redeemer, dying, bore our sins upon the tree;

on that sacrifice relying, now I look in hope to Thee.

Father, take me; all forgiving, fold me to Thy loving breast;

in Thy love forever living I must be forever blest.

....a time to harvest!

The past couple weeks I've been busy harvesting and preserving fresh fruits and veggies!
About 2 weeks ago I harvested the first of my green beans! I got a very good picking!

I got 8 pints of green beans from this picking which I canned!

This past weekend a good friend of ours who used to live here, has family here, and was a member of our church (not to mention, our landlord) was so gracious and took time out of his weekend to come bring a few of us here in Nevada fresh fruit from Idaho, where he has recently moved to. He brought lots of apples, peaches, and pears!

This week I got busy using my apples and pears. Only got a few peaches, will probably make pie or cobbler or something. We've also just been snacking on yummy, fresh peaches!

I used my apples for applesauce! A friend loaned me an apple slicer/peeler/corer, which was extremely helpful!

I cooked the apple rings until soft.
Mashed up with my food processor.

And heated my applesauce. I added a little sugar, since I used gala apples and once I made them into sauce, they were bland, so I added just enough to add flavor.

After I was done with the applesauce, I started on the pears.

I peeled, halved, and cored. Cooked in a light syrup and canned.

At the end of the day I had 4 quarts of applesauce, and 7 quarts of pear halves.

My new "appliance" arrived in the mail this week too, that I can use for preserving!
I tried it out with zucchini chips. My freezer if full of zucchini, and so I decided having some dried would be good.
It's the Excalibur Dehydrator, 9 tray 3900 series. :)

 I plan to use this to make homemade backpacking meals. Rather than paying for expensive freeze-dried individually packaged backpacking meals. I found a great website with some good recipes I look forward to trying soon. http://www.backpackingchef.com/index.html

I still have lots of apples to can. And this afternoon I harvest 3 large bowls of produce from my garden, including another decent picking of green beans. :)

I am thankful for God's provision! And giving me the means and abilities to preserve it to enjoy throughout the year! To God be the glory!

Today I started the 5th and final Answers in Genesis online apologetics course. This one is on Geology. I'm thinking I will really enjoy this one. In the video lecture I listened to this afternoon, the speaker said a Pastor he once knew said something he has always remembered, and has brought him encouragement over the years.

"Nothing worse has been said of you than has been said by God calling you a sinner;

And nothing better has been said of you than has been said by God calling you His child." 

 

 The verse that came to mind were Psalms 118:6 - "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" I found it to be an encouraging truth, knowing nothing anyone says can be worse, or better.

I think just about everyone has people in their lives that they have to intereact with once in a while who just can't be pleased. No matter what you say, it's the wrong thing. You're criticized for everything you do, no matter what it is. You can never "win". You are always wrong, and always the "bad guy".
These relationships are frustrating. But I found encouragement to deal with these situations through this truth. That no matter what they say about me, what they call me, what they think of me, it can't be worse that what I am, a sinner, nor better than what I am, God's child!

The ugly truth

My wonderful husband is a sheriff deputy. Being married to a "cop" comes with many challenges.
This summer I had the opportunity to go to the Calibre Press Street Survival seminar with him. I enjoyed it, and learned a lot. Realizing and understanding the realities of his job and the risk he takes of putting his life on the line every time he put on the uniform and gets in the patrol car was good for me.

I've never been a worrier. I don't worry and fret every time my husband goes to work. Because I know that doesn't accomplish anything. I pray and commit him to the Lord on a regular basis, but don't do much else beyond that. It's also comforting to know he is very learned, knowledgable, and skilled and competent at what he does. He keeps a positive mindset and is able and willing to do what is necessary. Plus he loves his job, which also helps ;).

Two nights ago, I was aware of a potentially dangerous situation he was responding to. And I was worried, scared, anxious and concerned. Morbid, depressing thoughts were on my mind. I prayed, but couldn't stop thinking about it. I continued to pray, but it was difficult to. After a few hours passed I heard from him that he was okay.

Another challenge to being married to a Law Enforcement officer is the work schedules and shifts he has to work. For the past 4 months he was worked weekends, 2 of those 4 months were graveyard shift. He will continue to work graveyard shift, but switch to working on weekdays for a few months. Due to this schedule, he has missed 4 months of church worship services, these next couple months he will be able to attend our evening service, which we're both happy about.
But I have attended church alone for a long time. I've gotten used to it, and deal with it. Our church is small, and everyone is very close. The other members understand his work (several are in the same line of work) and are understanding and supportive. That is a HUGE blessing!
It is challenging to attend worship week after week alone.

Last Sunday night, it was our turn to host church fellowship at our house. I love these times of fellowship, especially when it's my turn, because I love to bless others with hospitality, and open my home to friends.  It is hard to host by myself though. It's an awkward thing to have the man of the house absent. He is able to come by while on duty, eat, and share in a little bit of the fellowship, for which I am thankful. But again, it's challenging.

After the last guests had gone home, I cleaned up, and sat down to relax, and turned on Netflix. My mind wasn't connected with the show. I was thinking of my husband at work, being in church alone once again, hosting by myself.
And while I've never been an incredible needy person, and work well by myself (in somethings, prefer it) I suddenly realized how lonely I am. With my man working graveyard shifts for the past 2 months, and continuing for at least another 2 months, I don't see him much. I'm up in the mornings, and he sleeps until the afternoon. My entire day is filled with things I do alone. We get a few hours in the evenings together, which are wonderful, but if it's a work night, he's off to work and before hand preparing for work. Days off, we enjoy each other, but I go to bed and sleep alone while he finds things to do to keep him up all night to maintain a regular body clock schedule.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to complain. This is more of a realization of how much of my life is spend alone, by myself, doing things without my husband and missing out on sharing so many of everyday life experiences with him. I am not lonely and depressed. I have many friends and things that keep me busy that I enjoy. I'm lonely for my husband, my companion, my partner in life. I want to share more of life with him. I always feel I don't get enough of him and our times together are interrupted way too soon.

As I thought of these things I was sad, emotional, and longing for something, though I don't know what. I tried to pray but no words came. I sat in silence meditating on spiritual things, seeking words to express my heart to my God, but there was nothing. So I simply opened my heart to the Spirit in silence. Knowing I didn't want things different (expect maybe a change of work scheduling, which does happen every 2 months), I wasn't in need of anything, because my God is faithful to provide all that I need for life and godliness. I had no lack, no want, no need, but I was sad, and alone.

Then the Spirit revealed a very hard, convicting, ugly truth about myself to me. A gross sin that I had deceived myself was right and good.

Finally the words to pray came.... "Forgive me Lord, I do not love you enough."
Over the weekend I'd been worried and concerned about the well being of my husband. Self centered thoughts flooded my heart and mind of what would happen to me? what would I do? I cannot live without him. etc. Then feeling lonely, and discouraged by doing so much on my own without my husband. I wanted more of him, his time, his company, his help.
I came to realize. I've put my husband as my god. He's become and idol I've place before the One True God. I love him more than God.
The fact that my husband puts his life on the line almost everyday is a reality that helps me understand the bigger reality that God has appointed the time of his death and that life here on earth is but a vapor. It doesn't last. God controls our lives in His sovereign will and power.
If God should choose to take away the blessing He's given of my husband from me. How would I respond? Would I be able to find my comfort, satisfaction, and peace in God, or would I be void of those things because my husband was gone?
I love my husband too much. Which I had deceived myself was good and right. But when I am not willing to give him up for God, it becomes a terrible sin.

I am soo thankful God revealed this ugly truth about myself to me. That I am able to see my sin. I now pray I can truly be repentant of it and learn to love God more.

I recently studied the book "Idols of the Heart" by Elize Fitzpatrick with the women in my church. It was all about the sin of putting things/people/life before God. And being willing to give up anything and everything for Him. To serve and obey Him no matter what the cost. To love the Lord my God with all my heart with all my soul, with all my mind, and with all my strength. Matthew 22:37.

I went to bed with a heavy heart. Sad because of my sin, rather than my own selfish lonliness. Thankful for the Spirit's work of conviction, and thankful for a forgiving God. But still sad over my sin. When I awoke this verse came to mind. "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
I still pray I may be rid of this sin, as it is a matter of the heart I know it will take time for the Lord to change me. But I had a renewed hope and joy in the Lord and in His steadfast love, new mercies, and faithfulness.

I pray this was a blessing to you, as well as maybe a conviction of the same or similar sin in your own heart and life.
God is good and He gives good things (like my husband), but beware of putting your trust in His blessings rather than in Him alone!

A good buy...

I'm what you would consider an "extreme couponer" however, I'm really not that extreme with my coupon shopping. I only shop about once a month. And when I have a good stockpile, sometimes I skip shopping for the month or so. I shop when I need to.

Since I follow coupon sites and blogs. I get notified of lots of good deals, sales, and where to find coupons.

Back in May, I came across a posting on a coupon site's Facebook page. It was a Target Daily Deal.
Kitchen Aid 7 cup Food Processor (Empire Red) Regularly priced at $104.99. But for that day only it was marked down to $67.99 + Free shipping!

I debated with myself. Do I need it, can I do without it. I have a Kitchen Aid stand mixer, and a decent blender, I can probably do everything this processor can do with those. But it would be a great tool, make alot of jobs alot easier. Like making graham cracker crusts, and Oreo crusts, or Pesto.

I asked my husband. He didn't think I needed it, and asked why I thought I did.
Using his argument and justification for his purchases I explained I didn't need it, and could live without it. Could accomplish most things I use it for just fine if I didn't have it, BUT, it would make those tasks easier, and I would be more efficient. (He is constantly justifying a new holster, or sling, or shoe, or belt, or hat, or jacket, etc with the same reasoning).
Therefore, he agreed to buying it!

I knew I'd enjoy using it, and it has come in really handy for making pesto this summer, but I didn't realize how much I would appreciate it when I bought it back in May.

Returning home from our Road Trip I went out to my garden. Hoping my tomatoes would be ripe (they're getting closer) but instead found several GIANT zucchini!

Since most of the recipes I use zucchini in call for it shredded, I shred and freeze it. The only grater I have is a small box grater. Which works okay for regular size zucchini and I can hold in one hand. I wasn't looking forward to shredding this by hand (at least most of it).
Then I remembered my food processor came with a slicing/grating blade attachment. And decided to give it a try!

It worked like a charm! Other than the chute being small and narrow and having to cut the zucchini in strips. It was perfect for shredding...

And for slicing too!

At the end of the day I had 7 gallon size Ziploc bags of zucchini put away in my freezer. Plus a few cups I left out to use for dinner and bake with.

This food processor was definitely worth it. Even if I only used it for oversized zucchini. It would still be very valuable, as it made a huge job I was dreading very fast and easy! 

As a bonus, I love that the only color available on Target's Daily Deal was this Empire Red color! Coordinates beautifully with my black, white & red kitchen!

Road Trip

This past week My Man and I took a road trip across the Pacific Northwest! It was a lot of fun!

Saturday morning: I got up at 5am. My man came home after working a 12 hour graveyard shift (wasn't officially off until 6am). Got the truck packed, and hit the road. Continued to stay on the road for 13 hours. Most of which I drove as my man slept, or tried to!

We arrived in Okanogan, WA. Checked into our hotel, got some food, and crashed!

Sunday: Got up early, got some food, and headed to the shooting range. Where my man participated in a carbine shooting class all day. He had a "blast." ;) I took pictures.

After a long, hot, sweaty day at the range. We cleaned up and relaxed back at the hotel.


Monday: Pretty much a repeat of Sunday. More shooting of guns and cameras...

My man with class instructor Larry Vickers

We finished up at the range around 4pm. Headed back to the hotel and cleaned up, got some dinner, and went for a "short" drive over to Grand Coulee Dam, checked out the visitor center, a documentary film, and watched a LASER show!! That area of Washington is beautiful!!

Tuesday: Checked out in Okanogan. And hit the road again for another 7 hours headed SW. Stopped in Lakewood, WA at the Tactical Tailor retail store, then continued on our way to Long Beach, WA.

At Long Beach, we set up camp, then enjoyed walking on the beach, watching the sunset, and walking around town. 

Wednesday: Had breakfast, packed up camp, and hit the road again... This was the shortest driving day of the the whole week. Only 3 hours, to Portland, OR. 

We crossed the Astoria Bridge into Oregon, saw more beautiful scenery and continued to enjoy time together! 

Once we got to Portland, we met up for lunch with a friend. Did some shopping at REI, and walked downtown along the waterfront park. 

I'm happy we were able to enjoy great weather throughout the whole trip! Was perfect! 

We then checked into a hotel in Portland, ordered some pizza, and relaxed! 

Thursday: Checked out in Portland, and hit the road one last time for another 10 hours all the way back home to Nevada. We shared the driving since my man needed some sleep so he could return back to working graveyards on Friday night. 

I think the best part was all the scenery!  We got to see and enjoy soo much beautiful creation. From high desert, to forest covered mountain passes, hot temperatures, and cooler temperatures. Saw the ocean, rivers, lakes, clear skies and cloudy. Desolate wilderness, and big cities!

I love road trips! Here's a few photos of the scenery!

Butterflies - North of Burns, OR

Long Beach, WA

East of Seattle, WA

Soap Lake, WA

Mount Hood, OR

Middle of nowhere, OR

Home, sweet Home, NV

This last picture was taken when we were only 45 minutes from being home. Was so nice to be welcomed back to our beautiful home state of Nevada with an awesome sunset like this.

We had a great road trip, drove over 1,000 miles, spent approximately 35 hours in the car, used too many porta-potties, enjoyed each other's company, and God's beautiful creation.