Song --There's a Song In My Heart

Joining Lisa Jo for a simple little post.  She gives a topic with simple rules.  Write, don't edit, don't apologize for your thoughts and all in 5 minutes . . . is it ok to spell check?

Start
Song it's funny she came up with this topic.  There's within my heart a melody.  Words from an old hymn I can't remember the rest. It makes me sad.  I miss the old hymns.  I surrender all.  All to Jesus I surrender.  That one I can remember. I need to remember. 
Because I realize that I do need to surrender.  Everyday.  Every hour.  Brings back another lyric. . . I need the every hour. 
We hear stories of people with addictions and their comments are something like this.  It's a daily struggle.  One day at a time.  One hour at a time.  But why don't we Christians think the same way about our relationship with our Lord.  Maybe you do.  But I don't
I don't do what I want.  Well that's wrong I do what I want.  I do what my selfish spirit wants. 
But what I want is to know him more and more.  I want to seek him every hour.  I want to fill my heart with a song.  A melody that whispers sweetly to me.  A melody that He sings to me.
Stop

Praying your day is filled with a Sweet Sweet Spirit
            Sherry
Linking with Lisa Jo.  Click here to visit and join.

A little Zest we all need some . . .

Joining Jenny for Alphabet Thursday with a Zestful spirit because
Zestful starts with the amazing letter Z  . . .

 Now this is Zestful....although I think I wouldn't mess w/ my Dom. . .

Bailey's Orange Zest cheesecake.  Yummy! 

How about a little lemon zest.  Maybe we can get out of this alcohol stuper! LOL

 
And next let's see if we can find some lime. . . .

 hmmm...I think I'll pass!

OK so here's why I am thinking Zest not just because it is the letter Z but because I am going to make this . . .



  I have been craving Buttermilk Pound Cake.  And tomorrow is the day.  Off to get Zest.

btw...all the pics are from Pinterest


Hope you had a Zestful Day

Sherry

Click Here To Join Jenny

Prayers for Tornado Victims

Prayers going out today to the victims of last nights tornados here
in Texas. 

There is such hurt and physical pain all over our nation. 

From school shootings to bombings to abduction to violent weather.

But we are a people that is blessed.  Blessed to have a God who
heals hurts. 

May your hurts be healed today. 

Wednesday Quilt Work in Progress

Joining Lee at Freshly Pieced to share my Works In Progress . . .

First something new I started for the Rainbow Scrap Challlenge

The Rainbow Scrap challenges use monthly to take a certain color from our scraps and empty out that scrap basket. 
This one I just randomly cut up some blues in random size rectangles.  And sewed them togeter in stripes.

This shot shows it going vertically across my king bed.  It covers the top.  The white rows are actually another finished quilt that it is laying on.  The red is the sheet on the bed.  When it is complete you'll just see the random spaced rectangles with a surprise row about where you see the red. 

And I have been working on a UFO project . . .

This one is truly a UFO I found the blocks among some baby quilt kits.  This quilt was started an intended for a craft sale to benefit our ministry.  The blocks were mostly complete.  But I didn't find all of them so I am ripping out some of the border blocks and using the backs of them so that I don't have to add very much different fabric.  I had to do the same to the tree to complete it.  Orignally the blocks were backed with the same fabric.  I know have backed them with muslin. 

I have one more row across the bottom with tree trunk and then a couple of  rows of beige and red to border the whole tree. 

Thanks for visiting my Work In Progress Day.  I hope your enjoying your week.

The Best Cornbread Ever--Cookbook Review

OK so seriously I did not just discover this wonderful cookbook. It is actually one of my favorites. And when I am looking for a recipe this authors blog is the first place I start my search. I am a fan of The Pioneer Woman. I love the cookbook. Here's a photo just in case you've been in utter mongolia or some place
similar over the last few years. 
 
I actually found the cornbread recipe before I got the chance to see the cookbook. 

I guess you can tell by the cover I was enchanted not only by the food and recipes but the life of this famous woman who got started on a blog.   Go figure. 

The photography is beautiful.  I wish I could take such great shots.  Dawng I wish I lived where she does so I could have some of the subjects she has for her shots. 

I did check this cookbook out at my local library.  Actually I have checked it out more than a couple of times.  I love it.  I have tried lots of the recipes and love everyone.

Not only are there great photo's and recipes but there are great stories. It is defianately a cookbook you can read. 

The phtography opps I said that didn't I is beautiful and gives step by step illustration of the instructions.  The instructions are easy to read and great for a beginner cook. 

On of my favorite recipes is the cornbread.  It is the best recipe I have found.  And I have tried alot. 
Although I love to cook I can't say I am a great one.  I don't do well making adjustments or winging it.

And I cannot even make a decent pot of red beans. No matter how I try. 

But I can make a mean chicken fried steak and I wouldn't mind at all goin' head to head with The Pioneer Woman! 

But, back to that amazing cornbread.  I have been trying to figure out what it is that makes hers The Best.

Here's a couple of reasons I think might be why . . .
. . .The recipe calls for sweet milk and butter milk.  I have actually used real buttermilk, buttermilk powder and in a pinch I did the whole lemon and vinegar in sweet milk.  The cornbread has turned out perfect every time.
. . . Of course the recipe suggests cooking in an iron skillet.  But the thing that was different for me was
the instructions say to pour your batter in the skillet and cook on the stovetop first for 1 minute. . 

But heck for whatever reason it is the best cornbread I have ever made.  And, it makes great cornbread dressing for a turkey!  I always save the extras in the freezer. 



If you want to try the cornbread and your not lucky enough to have the cookbook yet.  Click Here for the recipe and alot more on Ree's website.   

The Pioneer Woman's Cookbook is definately one on my wish list.  Some day I'll have one for sure.
It and all of Ree's other cookbooks and books are available all over the place.  You definately won't have a hard time finding a copy. 

Thanks for stopping in.  Are you goin' to cook cornbread tonight?

Enjoy your week,
Sherry

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day



May your day be blessed and filled with love.

Work In Progress (Quilting)

Yes I am a work in progress.  I need lots of work. 
But today I am sharing one of my quilting projects . . .

 This is a little project I pieced (sewed together) a long time ago.
It has been a UFO (un-finished object or project) for way too long!

 Opps...let me back up.  Originally I made this as a class sample.
I taught quilting classes a few years ago and so it was left unfinished on purpose.

       But I need the practise and so I am machine quilting it. 

It is shown here in the basting stage.

As soon as I hit publish

I am off to the machine

I can't wait to see it finished!

I love quilting and I hope to share with you more often.

Today I am joining

Lee at Freshly Pieced

 Click Here

Off to stitch

Sherry

Wednesday Filled With Words

When I first  began this blog a few years ago one of the very first
linky parties I joined was Wordfilled Wednesday the brain child of
Amy Deane.
Amy was so sweet to let me repost her wonderful illustrated photo's because way back then I didn't know how to put text onto my own.
Here's one I borrowed from Amy way back then . . .

This has always been one of my favorite verses.  It speaks to me.
I realize when I think on it that I want the desires of my heart to be those placed there by God. 
When I got to really thinking about this verse and looking at it from that perspective instead of thinking 'if I delight in God he'll give me what I want." things became clearer to me.

At least they did then.  Which I can't tell you when 'then' was but 'then' I realized it and 'then' I began working at delighting in God.
'Then' I made a big effort to prayer more; read His word more.  I made a huge effort to find out what 'Delight' is.  And do it. 

But now . . . I am kind of in a funk.  Yes funk.  That is the only word I can think of to discribe where I am right now. 

You see there was a time that I lived well not actually lived but really enjoyed being on this computer reading and visiting you all. 
I worked hard to write something that would encourage you.

I worked hard to find the right photo to try and illustrate with a beautiful verse.  Not that they in any way compared to Amy's or many others.  But I enjoyed it. 

Here's one of my favorites.  I enjoyed doing this one. But it took me hours! 
I just thought the photo was just really cool and I wanted to use it.   It spoke to me. 

The building old and run down was once a place of worship.  A place where people at one time came to worship and be fed.  Probably litterally.  It is the kind of place you expect to see dinner on the grounds regularly. 

But now it's doors are closed.  They are sagging and in need of repair.  Fresh paint.  Some nails here and there. 

But given the right opportunity this former place of worship could thrive again. 

And,  that is what I feel.  Even though I am in a funk.  And I don't know which direction God is leading me I know that given the
opportunity that I can do something constructive. 

I can do something good.

What it is I don't know. 

Will I keep posting here. 

The answer is yes.  Because I think that there is something about this place. 

I think that somehow maybe only once in a while something that is said here.  Or a photo that is published Blesses someones soul; raises someones spirit. 

May your sprit be Blessed today . . .

Sherry
P.S. The last few years have been a struffle for me.  God has taken us down many roads.
And I think we have possibly unknowingly gone down a few that God didn't direct.  We have struffled greatly financially and we still do.  There have been many times during the last few years that I have had to take 'breaks' from this blog.  Not because I wanted to.  Or not because my spirit was lost.  But because we couldn't afford the inter-net.  Or because we had computer problems and I couldn't post. 
It was during one of these 'breaks' that Amy Deanne seemed to disappear from the blogging world.
I considered sweet Amy a friend and I miss her. 
I have tried to find Amy and haven't been able to. 
If anyone knows her and knows how to reach her would you let her know that her "Texas"  friend misses her.  And, would you send her a hug!

Blue Monday

Welcome to Blue Monday.  Today I  am sharing my sweet Saturday.  Enjoy

 Beautiful sweet smiles on Blue Denim cowboy and mama . . .

 The judge is even wearing Blue . . .

Kissing the pony.  Thank you Cowboy!

And I promised something I made.  I was going to give him this quilt for his birthday at the end of the month but it was perfect to commerate Saturday and his first horse show. 
This pic in the truck he is under it asleep in the carseat just before we drove out of the driveway.  It was chilly in the morning.  Perfect for a snuggly car ride!

Thanks for visiting and sharing my Sweet Saturday and Blue Monday. 

Joining Sally for Blue Monday



Click Here






Joyfully
Sherry

5 Minute Friday--Brave

Joining Lisa Jo.  Click Here. 

5 Minute Friday is the day we write for 5 minutes straight on a prompt.  No real thinking it out.  No editing.  No backtracking.
No worries. 

Here I go....
Start...Brave  I think of how Brave my daughter is and was.
She was Brave almost 3 years ago when she took her 2 year old son and walked away from an abusive marriage. She has and is bravely facing obstacle after obstacle.  And she is growing.  She is blooming.   I made a quilt for her that I called Bloom.  Because I see the new woman.  The newer Godly woman Bravely growing and being what God wants her to be. 
As a child and young woman she was never real Brave.  When she rode horses she chose the slower pace of the Show Ring instead of the fast pace barrell racing discipline that her friends chose.
As I think back the bravest she's ever been was on a horse.  I remember the time I caught her with a metal feed barrel resting on it's side and she was jumping it. (which is much taller than a beginner jump standard) I remember the time she hopped up on her horse bareback and he started bucking.  She hung on pulled his face up and he reared.   She gave him his head and he bucked. 
She Brave(ly) hung on to that ride for over 8 seconds I am sure. 
Finally at my urging she Brave(ly jumped off).  And she Bravely
disciplined that horse.  By turning his face toward her and she chewed him out.  She has a wicked tongue and she Brave(ly) uses it!

But there was a time that she wasn't so Brave.  There was a time that she didn't use her tongue when she should have or could have.
Oh I guess in her own defensive way she was Brave.  She was Brave to trust God.  And ask him to show her the way she needed to go.  She was Brave to wait and she was Brave to act. 

And she Bravely takes each step with God's assurance. 

                                                              Brave Heart

Brave and Joyful
Sherry

Post Script . . .
When your daughter or someone you love is in an abusive relationship you have to Brave(ly) trust God and seek him.
You have to pray harder than you've ever prayed before.  And
you have to lean on God. 
If you know someone struggling through such a relationship pray that God will give them the strength and courage they need to get to safety.  Pray God puts someone in their life that will give them guidiance and wisdom.  
If it is your daughter do not be surprised if she turns away from you.  Pray more. Pray Harder.  Don't be hurt.  Don't be angry.
Just Pray.  And be Brave.
If you think someone you love is in an abusive relationship seek help.  Do the research and find out what 'abuse' is.  It is much more than actual hitting. 
Be Brave. Be Strong.  Trust God.  And Pray

Because I Can't Get Enough

of this pic!

 

Joining Christina for Picture Perfect Wednesday

 Click Here


Thanks for joining us!  Have a Joyful Day

                                               Sherry

Vintage Cakes--Cookbook Review

I really enjoy going to the library and checking out new cookbooks.
Here's the latest . . .
  The cover caught my eye.  Yummy!!!!!   And, I love anything Vintage so I knew I would enjoy this cookbook. 

Vintage Cakes offers a fun collection of updated recipes for both classic and forgotten cakes.  Some I was familiar with but some were new to me. 

There are recipes for layer cakes, rolls, bundt cakes and even no-bake cakes. And of course cupcakes!  There are over 50 different recipes with wonderful color photos.  I loved the use of vintage items in the photography. 

The author tested 'old fashioned' grandma recipes and made some changes to update . . .
"I was happy to rid the recipes of any Crisco, Primex, Sweetex and margarine! I replaced the processed fats with good old-fashioned butter for the yummiest flavor and canola oil for tenderizing the crumb and adding moisture to the cake," Richardson said.

This site actually has some of the recipes and great photo's from the cookbook.  Click Here.

I really enjoyed reading this cookbook and looking at the photo's.  I was inspired to try a few of the recipes.

I looked around the internet to see where you might purchase.  It appears to be widely available at
Amazon and a few other places. 

Check it out.  You might consider purchasing a copy for a new bride.  I think it would make a great wedding gift.

Thanks for visiting today.   I am off to the library for a new cookbok to share with you next week.

Linking with  . . .
                                      
Click Here                                                Click Here

Joyfully

Sherry

Scattegories

This looked like fun. Saw it over at Denise's. Click here to visit.


Rules: Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following. They MUST be real places, names, things … nothing made up! If you can’t think of anything, skip it. Try to use different answers if the person before you had the same 1st initial. You CAN’T use your name for the boy/girl name question.


1. Famous Singer/Band: Seventh Day Slumber

2. 4 letter word: soul

3. Street: State Street

4. Color: Salmon

5. Gifts/Presents: Sparklies

6. Vehicle: Saturn

7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: Shells

8. Boy Name: Samuel

9. Girl Name: Sophia

10. Movie Title: Star Wars

11. Drink: Sprite

12. Occupation: Snake Handler

13. Celebrity: Sylvester Stallone

14. Magazine: Southern Living

15. U.S City: San Francisco

16. Pro Sports Teams: Stars

17. Reason for Being Late for Work: Sick

18. Musical Instrument: Snare

19. Things You Shout: Skeet

20. Cartoon Character: Snoopy   This was fun.  So what can you come up with using the first letter of your name?    Have a beautiful week Sherry

Blue Monday --Nanosecond

Nanosecond . . .I like that word.  Nanosecond.  It is fun to spell . . . (I guess I spelled it right. LOL)
It is fun to say.  It is fun to put into a sentence like . . .
In a nanosecond. 

I want a vacation.  So I was thinking that maybe I would just take one today. 

In a nanosecond maybe I could be . . .
 Great idea but a little toooo close to home.  I mean seriously we're talking a Nanosecond vacation! 

  Now this is cool!  Texas to Brussels in a Nanosecond! That's more like it. 


  Then maybe a stop here where I could look out this beautiful window at . . .
  awwww. . . Venice that's a dream vacation!

Or maybe

   BTW are you noticing a theme here?

Dawng I just thought of a problem. 

I probably wouldn't have much time for sight seeing on a nanosecond vacation.  I couldn't see these . . .

   

So.  I'll just stay home for now and just go on over to Sally's for Blue Monday instead! 

Happy Blue Monday


Come back next week.  I am sharing something I made.  And it is Blue!

Click Here to Join Sally

Joyfully
Sherry













Bondi, Australia