Delightful plummy jam

Finished the plum jam-- now the figs are starting to ripen. Brought home green beans, a cucumber, more plums, and cherries. What a treasure my mother in law is-- still gardening.

This blog was only going to be handicrafts, LOL and it is turning into ANYTHING I have made. That's because all the produce is keeping me hopping. Liv's quilt is ready for the binding, but haven't had time to sew it on. Today was M's second birthday, so we went to the party. Can you imagine this: I have two stepsons. My stepsons have 2 cousins. Son 1 has 2 boys. Son 2 has 3 boys. Nephew 1 has 4 girls. Nephew 2 has 2 boys. Ten of these little ones are six and under! I think it is so great that they all get together and want to encourage it. But that is a LOT of parties! Difficult to draw the line. More for me to make! I better get busy.

the God who provides...

update 2020

this wonderful lady lived until she was 101. She was the mom of a boyfriend. Didn't keep the boyfriend, but kept his mom as a friend. She even cosigned for me when I wanted to buy a sewing machine. When I got married, her gift to me was paying off the debt. Pretty amazing. She told me that she continually prayed for me. 

JUNE 23, 2009

The God who provides…

I visited with someone today who has prayed for me for the last 40 years! I haven’t seen her often; but God put it in her heart to pray for me! Isn’t God amazing? I am humbled that God provides so much.

I was blessed by her today as she gave God the glory for the 94 years of her life. We told stories of how God has shown Himself in our lives; His healing power, His protection. Thank You, Lord, for a wonderful afternoon.

berries, berries and more berries!!

First batch of berry syrup is done. Woo hoo!! Next, a batch of berry jelly. After that, apple-berry leather. Then, after that, never want to look at a berry. But, there's more! I sampled the syrup-- way better than I remembered. Gotta make some waffles!!

It always makes me feel good to have a cabinet full of canned goods, but quickly tire of canning if I don't have the best attitude. Plums are next! I just have to remember how pretty canned food in glass jars is-- and know that I will be very thankful this winter to still be using this wonderful stuff. Satisfies the hoarder in me in a GOOD way.

I am thankful for such a prolific garden-- there are onions, squash, tomatoes, and more out there. My almost 94 year old mother in law is now more the Supervisor than the main gardener, but she waters everything faithfully and is still the best berry picker. This year, she passed off the canning to me-- not ALL of it by any means, but it's been awhile since I have done any but it seems to be like riding a bicycle.

Oh, and Lorna-- lots of purple!

my hope is built on nothing less...

 JUNE 11, 2009

My hope is built on nothing less…

My hope is built on nothing less

than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain: On Christ the solid rock I stand,

all other ground is sinking sand;

all other ground is sinking sand.

O Lord, You are so awesome! You love me in spite of my failures, my shortcomings. You forgive my sins.  I am ALREADY SAVED!!! I don’t have to wait and hope I am doing enough for You. I know I won’t. I could NEVER do enough for You!  So many of the old hymns come to mind. How could they write such things if they didn’t love You?

 2. When Darkness veils his lovely face,

I rest on his unchanging grace.

In every high and stormy gale,

my anchor holds within the veil.

My anchor holds because You are the anchor! You are the one that holds on to me, because in my own strength, I can’t even hold on! Whatever I have is YOURS, Lord.

(Refrain)

3. His oath, his covenant, his blood

supports me in the whelming flood.

When all around my soul gives way,

he then is all my hope and stay.

This is a “whelming flood” sometimes, isn’t it? And I am here in America, where life is easy. I think about those folks that lived in Western Europe during the Middle Ages– in spite of their hunger and horrible times, I think there must have been those that loved You, that rejoiced in spite of their circumstances.  Would I, with my tendency to whine and complain, have stayed the course? Only if YOU were the One to hold me up. 

 (Refrain)

4. When he shall come with trumpet sound,

O may I then in him be found!

Dressed in his righteousness alone,

faultless to stand before the throne!

Lord, You are worthy of my praise, my adoration, my allegiance! I will be faultless only because of YOU and not anything I have done. 

(Refrain)

Text: Edward Mote, 1797-1874

Music: William B. Bradbury, 1816-1868

Tune: THE SOLID ROCK, Meter: LM with Refrain

Lord, thank You for this hymn this morning!