still thankful

44. little girl tracing dotted letters, spelling name
45. little girl writing the sweetest song with daddy
46. little boy's smile making whole face smile at bedtime
47. gf marshmallows...and crispy rice for gf rice crispy treats. :)
48. inlaws bringing lunches
49. finding thrilling vintage at the thrift store
50. making plans with best friend's family
51. fridays
52. poaching eggs perfectly
53. memories of our sweet doggie while watching Marley & Me
54. walking to the drugstore for conversation hearts with my two tiny Valentine's
55. scheduling son's interview for kindergarten
56. easy crock pot chicken breasts with salsa
57. dreaming of spring
58. discussions of grace with hubby
59. sunshine through the windows making for great picture taking
60. finishing up a large order

My Sweet Valentine

Well, on Vtines Day, I woke up early and poached a couple eggs for Mr.Toddlerwhisperer...he was shocked because I am usually fast asleep when he leaves for work, but I was inspired by Lucy over at Attic24 to try poaching eggs her style. Which happens to be quite fabulous.

I mentioned to Mr.TW that I didn't need any chocolates or flowers, but if he really had to get me a gift to go to the thrift store and find me some Pyrex. You laugh? I was serious.

He was late coming home, so I knew he was out there, "junkin'" as he would say...and I was pleasantly surprised when the door finally swung open...and...there he stood with a bag from Trader Joes. Um...that's not pyrex. He handed each munchkin a chocolate toffee bar, and a box of Cocoa Truffles he bought for me, along with a bottle of the most amazing(ly cheap and tasty) bubbly pink wine. (Boy was that DELICIOUS with the truffles) and I loved that he only spent $9 for the champagne bubbly wine AND the melt in your mouth truffles.

But the best part was when he went back out to the car and brought in a couple bags from Goodwill!! Pyrex!!! No...even cooler!! He found this set of four dinner plates, four salad plates, and four soup bowls looking for a new home for only$9.99. I've taught him well. :)

And try as I may, I cannot find anything like them on the web. I've looked at Anchor Hocking glass, at Federal Glass, Indiana Glass...If you happen to know this pattern or glassmaker will you leave me a comment?

It looks blown and the edges are uneven.

So, my sweet man did really well for me. I couldn't have asked for anything more! :) How was your Valentine's day? Get anything interesting?

He Knows My Name

So I've been kinda in a funk lately, but God used my little kitty to show me love.

She never ever ever gets on my bed (not allowed) but when I went to bed last night, she begged to come up...she cuddled right up next to me, put her little head on my chest and purrrrrrrrred. Reminds me of Israel Houghton's song a few years ago "I Am Not Forgotten"

This blog post is part of Gracelaced Mondays

thanksgiving

31. providing care for a sweet boxer dog
32. snuggles with my little white cat after boxer doggie goes home
33. business, slippers, and the ability to complete them
34. silly silly songs with the little lady
35. vick's vapor rub on little footsies
36. parents arriving home safely from long journey
37. more pyrex finds for my collection
38. strong dark coffee for mornings
39. bedtime tea for nights
40. first two sales in vintage store
42. discussing grace with many
43. finishing application process for the children to school

Collectables

Grace Greater

Overwhelmed by the free gift He's given me.

Grace Greater Than Our Sin

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!

Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,

There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Refrain

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,

Threaten the soul with infinite loss;

Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,

Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Refrain

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.

What can avail to wash it away?

Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,

Brighter than snow you may be today.

Refrain

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,

Freely bestowed on all who believe!

You that are longing to see His face,

Will you this moment His grace receive?

Refrain

Words: Julia H Johnston, in Hymns Tried and True (Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: The Bi­ble In­sti­tute Col­port­age As­so­ci­a­tion, 1911), num­ber 2.

Music: Daniel B. Towner, 1910 

This post is part of Gracelaced Mondays Linkup

Free Crochet Pattern Football Embellishment

For Printer Friendly Version (CLICK HERE)

Materials Needed:

G hook

worsted weight yarn in brown

worsted weight yarn in contrast color 

yarn needle

Abbreviations:

SS Slip Stitch

SC Single Crochet

SC2tog Single Crochet two stitches together (decrease)

Ch chain

To Begin:

Ch 2 

SC in 2nd ch from the hook. Ch1 Turn

2 sc in first sc, sc  ch1 turn (3 stitches)

2 sc in first sc, sc in next 2 sc; ch 1 turn

2 sc in first sc, sc in next 3 sc; ch 1 turn

2 sc in first sc, sc in next 4 sc; ch1 turn

2 sc in first sc, sc in next 5 sc; ch1 turn

sc in each sc across ch1 turn (7stitches)

2 sc in first sc, sc in next 5, 2 sc in last; ch1 turn (9)

sc in each stitch across; ch1 turn (9)

sc in each stitch across; ch1 turn (9)

sc2tog, sc in next 5, sc2tog; ch1 turn

sc in each stitch across; ch1 turn (7)

sc2tog, sc in next 5; ch1 turn

sc2tog, sc in next 4; ch1 turn

sc2tog, sc in next 3; ch1 turn

sc2tog, sc in next 2; ch1 turn

sc2tog, sc; ch1 turn

sc2tog

DO NOT CH1 or TURN

SC in each stitch around entire football joining with a slip stitch

With needle and contrasting color, embroider the stitching and then the end circle parts (i am so not a sports girl. LOL) and i'm obviously not the most awesomest embroiderer...I would love love love to see your finished footballs, so shoot me a link to yours, and I am going to have this project on Ravelry...so upload your projects there!!

Copyright 2012 Jennifer Kaye

you may make and sell items from this pattern, you may NOT pass off this pattern as your own. Please link back to this pattern if you are selling your items online. :)

Leftovers Lunch for Two Tots (in Pyrex)

What I'm into January 2012

what I'm into January 2012
I just came across this post on another blog which led me to http://www.sortacrunchy.net/sortacrunchy/2012/01/what-are-you-into-january-2012.html which made me in turn want to do one of these once a month as well!

on my nightstand 
I've got like three different bibles..an everyday for a year bible, a John MacArthur Study bible, and one from hs...that's really my go to. Also, I've got my copy of One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. It's a pretty good read. It makes me happy to see beauty in the little things, but it also makes me feel guilty for disregarding a lot of things in life without pausing to enjoy the beauty of the moment.

source Christianbook.com

tv show worth watching 
there are two shows that come to mind for me. I love abc's Once Upon a Time. So interesting how the writer's of Lost have blended fairy tales with modern day people. Plus the cast is awesome! Another guilty pleasure would be Revenge. Ooooh it's been really interesting to watch how seeking revenge damages the one carrying out the revenge, not just the person getting the payback. A very messy web.


movie i've seen (in or out of the theater)
well, I have seen the new Winnie the Pooh movie about 5 times in January, we rented Killer Elite last...my hubby loves all the Jason Statham movies.


in my kitchen
I have a new obsession interest in collecting pyrex. So in my kitchen this month, you will see all my Pyrex finds for January.

funny how they are mostly all yellow! i did just find my first Americana piece at GW for 4.99. (and I have a few coming in the mail too. :S )

We've also got some good quality meats and veggies in the fridge, and lots of yummy fruit...especially Clementines. I don't know how many we have gone through since the beginning of January, but my little lady LOVES them.

in my ears
I don't know what to say here. I feel like I have somehow lost myself when it comes to music.  I don't listen to much. I listen to talk radio when i'm in the toddlermobile...I'm trying to listen to John MacArthur teaching cds. My little lady has been making up the cutest songs EVER. Last night at dinner, she started singing about chicken skin of all things, and how much she loves it because it's lovely. (tasting not looking)


Well, that about rounds it up. Hope you participate too, this is fun! :)

Filled to Fullness

John 1:16
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. (NIV)

Ephesians 3:16-19 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (NIV) Being FULL of God. So full, that the puzzle and mystery of my life doesn't stress me out, that i don't need to worry about what comes next, how will we pay for this and that... but that I would be able to see the blessings He has given to me. My prayer today. Childlike excitement over finishing their 20 piece puzzle. together. without fighting and arguing. that was a blessing. resting, without fear or insecurity. in a house that isn't her home. isn't that how we should live our lives? without worry..knowing that even though this world is not our home, our Father will protect and provide for us. because He LOVES US. Filled to Fullness...the FULLNESS of the knowledge of the love that Christ gave to us, undeserved, yet passionately not because of who we are. not because of what we've done, but because He wants us. Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (NASB) This post is part of a linkup that anyone is free to join. Finding Grace Laced within our lives.