They're home!!

Hello friends!

My wonderful family is home!! HURRAY!  They arrived LATE last night, I think some time around midnight or 1 am.  I had gone to bed already.  It was so wonderful to wake up this morning, roll over and see all 3 of my sweet siblings in their beds.  Ah, nothing better. 

Although I enjoyed my time alone, I did miss everyone!! Life is just so much more fun with siblings around to tease and play with you.  :-)

So, what did I do while they were gone?

Well, I had some very odd meals.. never ate at the 'right' time (no one else to feed but yourself, well you just forget!).  Often times I would look at the clock, see it was 3:00 pm and think, "I guess I should eat something"!! 

Addie Suggested I should sew something fun.  Maggie Suggested I should sit down and read.  Well, I have to say that I am not a big fan of reading, though I do enjoy it every once in a while. So, I sewed something cute and fun.  I can't wait to post pictures!  Hopefully you will see it this week in the fashion show entries. :-)

Daddy and I enjoyed some wonderful time together.  We visited tons and just really had a blast.  I was very thankful to have him all to myself for a couple of evenings.

Last night I went to Charity Quilting at our local quilt shop.  We made "quilt as you go" place mats for "Meals on Wheels".  It was lots of fun.  The quilting as you go was the BEST thing I have ever learned.  Unless it is hand quilting, I totally fail at quilting period. ;-) lol

My wonderful friends came a picked me up (THANK YOU!!) and we had a blast.  Laughing, teasing, sewing.  What else could a girl want?  They then took me home and I was able to spend more time with Daddy.

I still got a little bit of quiet time to myself this morning, as everyone is sleeping in.  I can't blame 'em!! In Fact, I slept in a little, too, but not that much over my regular time. ;-)

So, I am very happy that my family is home, home, HOME!!!

Hope everyone is having a blessed Wednesday!

In Christ Alone,
Sarah

Fashion show day #2

Well, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do today as no one is around to take pictures for me! However, after a little engineering thinking, I was able to prop up the camera and take some self photos on the timer (those are the best things!).

So, today I am wearing some rather interesting things...

Floral T-Shirt- hand me down from some friends
Brown tiered skirt- Thrift store
Shoes- my adorable brown clogs
Hair- French braid tuck.

So, my skirt is actually a dress.. You know those dress that are sleeve-less and they have that weird elastic thingy that forms the bodice?  Well, when Mom and I were shopping at the thrift store, I saw this cute brown skirt peeking out from between some skirts. So, I pulled it out and said, "Oh, isn't this cute? My, the waistband is really weird!"  Dear Mother looked at it and said, "Honey, that is one of those dresses, not a skirt."  We laughed, and I bought it any way because we decided we could just cut off the bodice, leaving a little bit for waistband, and it would be just fine. So, that is my interesting clothes! lol!

My hair is done in a French braid tuck again.  My hair was 2 feet long a couple weeks ago.  Now it is 7 inches shorter.  I had gotten a layer a while back, but as it started to grow, the dead and split ends became a nuisance.  So, I asked Mom to just cut off my hair up to where she could get ALL of the dead ends (meaning she would have to chop off a bunch to get to that layer.)  So, she did.  AT first it was rather shocking, but I have gotten used to it and have to say I like it a lot.  It feels a LOT healthier now.  So, I will have to post pictures sometime so you can see the differences. :-)  Any how, unfortunately I can't do much with my hair now.  French braids, tucks, and wearing it down are about it.  However, I am going to try to be very creative this week and see what I can come up with. :-)  As you can see in the picture, some of my hair is already falling out... :-/

After tucking my hair, I secured it with a pony tail holder, and then put a beautiful EZ clip over the holder to hide it.

My adorable clogs. I am simply in love with them!! I got them from Maryland Square.  An online shoe company.  I have big feet (10 1/2 wide to size 11!!) but I also have to have at least a leather upper, if not all leather in my shoe because my feet are allergic to man made materials..  So, shoe shopping is rather difficult!  Especially in New Mexico. Our state is mostly homeland to Hispanics, which isn't a bad thing at all.  However, they tend to have small feet, and so the shoe companies do an average of people's feet.  Well, big footers like me our out of luck there! lol   So, Maryland Square has become my favorite shoe shop.  They have large sizes and really adorable shoes!!  These are perfect for get togethers, church, and especially Square dancing! The little rope detailing is just prefect. :-)

Also, Addie suggested that I sew something cute and fun for myself while I was home alone. So, tomorrow I will post pictures of what I did!!

See everyone tomorrow!

In Christ Alone,

Sarah

Awarded again!

Johanna, over at An old Fashioned Girl (blog button on side bar), awarded me the Beautiful Blogger award!

So, I get to tell seven random facts about myself... Here goes and I hope some of you are surprised!

1. I am such a homebody.  I don't like going many places, which is why I am home along while the rest of the family is away!

2. I am crafty. Both ways.  I can play some sly tricks on my friends and they had better watch out! But I also like sewing and crafting.

3. My birthday is just a little under 5 weeks away.. any one guess how old I will be??

4. I am a people watcher and I enjoy watching how people interact with each other.

5. I am going to go to a sewing thing tonight with some very dear friends

6. I have ridden a cow before....

7. I have seen a C-Section being done on a cow... ;-) lol!!!

I award the first seven people who comment!!!

In Christ Alone,
Sarah

any one know??

Hey!

Does any one know how to change the color of your text?? I can't seem to remember where I go to do that and I can't find it!! Rather frustrating..

Any help is really appreciated!!

Thanks!
Sarah

Dancing with Jesus

As I was listening to a the Butterfly Waltz on our playlist, I was inspired to just dance. By myself. All alone. However, was I? No. Someone was watching. No, this isn’t from some romantic movie where the gentleman catches the girl in a room by herself dancing, or writing, and he instantly falls in love, etc. Who was watching? Jesus.

As I sat there visualizing dancing with someone, but not knowing who, I started to dance with Jesus. My wonderful Prince Charming. The first one to win my heart.

Have you ever been walking in God’s beautiful nature and all of a sudden you are filled with an extreme joy? A joy that makes you break out into your biggest smile as tears roll down your face? You spread your arms open wide and let the sun kiss your face, while the wind blows your wisps of hair so that it tickles your cheeks. You twirl and just feel SO loved, safe, and secure that every worry you have ever had, every doubt, every sorrow is gone. You look into the great big beautiful sky and just thank the Lord from the bottom of your heart for this wonderful beauty.

God loves us so much, that He gives us a sense of security. Only, this isn't the kind of security where you are constantly wondering if a computer geek is going to break into your computer and steal all of your information. This is a security that NO ONE can shake, NO ONE can take away.

Have you ever been hugged where the person hugging you just seems to envelope you in warmth and love? My wonderful Daddy is a big man and every time I hug him, I feel so safe, so secure that nothing could possibly go wrong when I am in his arms. Imagine God. He rules over the universe! He made the Heavens! He made every living creature on earth. Not even one single tiny bird that no one pays much attention to half the time can fall without Him knowing it.

So, if I feel that safe in my earthly Daddy’s arms, what about my Heavenly Father’s? His arms carry me through every trial and every storm. His arms can even carry me through death, where my earthly Father’s can not.

I Love to dance. Polka’s, waltzes, jigs, reels, and any other dance that is somewhat historical (I don’t care much for the modern dances they do now a days!). Waltzes, when long, can get somewhat boring. However, when we are dancing with Christ, it will never be boring. In fact, we could dance for hours and hours and still beg for more! Life is similar. We have our years when peace prevails, and yet we have those years where it seems chaos every time you turn a corner. There are years full of joy and happiness, and there are years of sorrow and tears. Guess what? God is with us all the time, though! He is with us through every single thing we do. Every single thing. There is NOTHING we do without Him. He is the Master Planner.

Unless you really hate dancing, dancing makes any one happy. Now just imagine dancing with your first Prince Charming!

As we walk, remember those lilies. Even Solomon and all his glory was not clothed as one of these! If those lilies are so precious, imagine what a human, created in God’s OWN IMAGE, is to Him!

So, walk barefooted in the grass, let the sun shine upon you, let the flowers brighten your day, and remember Who created all of them! Jesus loves you SO much, you just can’t imagine! When you are down, or feeling sad, talk to Him. He is always listening. He is always there to hold your heart safely in His hands.

I will be praying for all of you, though I may not know your names, that you will have the love and peace of Jesus Christ in your hearts and lives. There is nothing so sweet, so special as having Christ Jesus’ love in your life.

I encourage all of you to live for Jesus and to remember to dance with Him through storm, trial, and sorrow. No matter what, remember He is always there, ready to envelope you in His love, mercies, and Grace.

Dancing in the Sunshine and the Rain,

Sarah

Blog award and stuff

Hello friends!

My dear friend, Grace, awarded me this lovely award (isn't it pretty?).  :-) Thank you Grace!!!

I award:

Atlanta, over at Story of a Seamstress

The Spencer Fam

Kelsey Hoppman

Mrs. Poff

Frannie

Samantha

Adelaide


On another note, I am HOME ALONE!!! For TWO WHOLE DAYS!!!  Ok, well, Dad will be here, but he has to work, so I am practically by myself! lol  Mom and the rest of the Herd went to visit some relatives in Raton, but I stayed home to take care of things. :-)  So, any suggestions on what I should while they are away?  So far on my list I have some cleaning to do and that is about it.  Hmm.....

Can't wait to hear your suggestions!

Love in Christ,
Sarah

Modest Fashion week, day 1!!

Hello everyone!!

I am SO excited! Today is the first day of Samantha's fashion week! If y'all still want to enter, click on her pretty button on the side bar of this blog and go join!  It is loads of fun. :)

My outfit for today:

Shirt- pink floral from JCPenny
Skirt- denim skirt gotten at thrift store
Shoes- adorable clogs from Maryland Square!
My hair is done in a french braid tuck that I did myself. :-)

My wonderful brother took the picture for me today. :-)

My camera sometimes gets really blurry, so sorry about the quality. :-)

Oh, the theme for this fashion show is flowers. Today was a little boring as I didn't get up until later than usual.  So, my "flower theme" is my floral shirt. ;-) lol!

Hope everyone is having a great Monday!

Love in Christ,
Sarah

Just a lil' note

Hey!!

Just thought I would let everyone know that the new polls that got put up, except for how late you stay up, will have to do with what kind of give-away I will be doing besides the gift certificate.  So, be sure to vote and pass the word along for those who have found this blog through yours!

Hope all of you are having a wonderful day!  Sewing and painting is on my agenda for today.  Any guess what the painting is?? =D lol!!

In Christ Alone,
Sarah

Polls again!

Ok friends, another poll.  Whew, I think this is the most I have ever posted so closely in a row!! lol

Any way, I put up another poll on what someone would like to receive if you don't want a gift certificate.  So, spread the word please!!  Also, if you spread the word early, you will be counted an extra entry for the give away when it happens!

Thanks!

We are very excited because Nana is coming home today!! She spent two weeks visiting her son in LA and will come back this afternoon.  We will be heading out to pick her up from the airport soon...

In Christ Alone,
Sarah

Surpises!!

Hello friends!

Just a note to let you all know that I added a page at the top of our blog (right above the picture) as a link to my knitting business.  At the moment, I don't have very many things up.. However, I will be adding things as they come along.  You might be surprised to see the wide range of things you can get! lol I am really excited to keep updating it.

Also, I am working on a few surprises for the give away!  It isn't much fun for there to be only 1 winner.. so, I am working up the details and getting some other prizes.  So, if some of you are not interested in winning a certificate, you can certainly enter to win something else!

I am also super excited to say that I should be posting some pictures of... guess!!! I just can't wait to show you all, but I won't say what it is... lol You all will have to guess. :-)

Hope everyone is staying cool and having a blessed afternoon!

In Christ Alone,
Sarah

The one bad thing about staying up late..

Ok, this post is being written at 11 pm.  When I am finished, it will probably be ever later!  So, why the title? Well, here is the one bad thing about staying up late.. All other decent people have gone to bed.  No one to email back and forth, no one to talk to, etc.  So, why do I stay up late?  Well, I am a night owl.  I get up at 6:30 (don't worry, I am still slowly cutting back to earlier and earlier), even after getting to bed to late.  If you think about it, I am getting enough sleep still.  Well, obviously or else I sure wouldn't want to stay up late again!  Now, every once in a while I will "crash", or need a day where I just sleep in a bit.  Or a lot.. lol.  My brother is built the same way.  He would get up at 5 every morning (with OUT an alarm clock...) and go to sleep LATE!  Not because he stayed up, but because he just couldn't sleep.  Then, after about a month or so of doing this weird business, he would finally act like a normal person and sleep in until at least 7, sometimes more.  So, I always thought he was weird, and now look at me.. He is probably awake still, even as I type. lol  However, since he has been growing (again), he is needing a bit more rest. =D

So, in case you couldn't tell, this is a random post. =D  However, I do have one thing to say.  I hurt my hand.  Ok, so you think that is random, too.  Well, my point is that I can't knit.  Not right now, at least.  So, I won't be hosting my give away quite yet.  Please stay tuned, though!  When my hand feels better, I will finish up my customers orders and THEN I will get a certificate out.  That way I can devote some time to knitting for my gift certificate (whew, that is hard to type out) person.  The poll was supposed to end tomorrow, but I am opening it up for a few more days in case any one else wants to vote.

Also, someone asked if I had a website.  No.  Not yet, that is.  I haven't been able to figure out our Internet server/hoster in order to set up a website.  However, when I do the give away, I will post several pictures of what I can do.  Remember:

I DO VINTAGE AND MODERN KNITTING/CROCHETING. 

So, for those of you who have seen a picture of the Civil War era shawl I made, don't get discouraged from entering!  I can do the modern stuff as well.. in fact, some modern is easier than vintage.  Easier to understand and read, though some vintage patterns are very easy to understand. :-)

So, that is my random post for today. 

I would also like to thank those who have become this blog's followers and have commented with a link to their blog.  That was most helpful! Thank you very much.. Some of you I already knew, so it didn't apply as much to you. =D lol Any how, thank you very much!

Remember, if you post about the give away and voting, you will get an extra entry if you enter!! However, it must be done BEFORE I do the give away, and you must post a comment with a link to your blog!  Thanks so much, and have a wonderful rest of the.. day? lol

Oh, yes, and I will be posting pictures of the finished costumes soon!! I finally picked up the last supplies and will now be working on our costumes and getting them to the finished line.  All of it will probably be hand sewn, which I LOVE, so I am really looking forward to it.  I am supposed to be a servant, but my costume looks more Puritan related.. I can't wait to show you all!!

In Christ Alone,
Sarah

It is now 11:15 PM... =D

Another Give Away!!

Go check out Grace's BLOG to enter her give away! Some neat stuff and there are TWO winners!!

In Christ Alone,
Sarah

Give away!!

My dear friend, Atlanta, over at Story of a Seamstress, is hosting a wonderful give-away!

She has been working hard on a Design Your Own Dress kit!  Go and check it out.  It certainly looks like a wonderful thing, especially for you reenactors out there, or even just someone who loves to sew and wants a new challenge. :-)

So, click on her blog name to check it out!

In Christ Alone,
Sarah

Pre-give away

Just so you know, if you spread the word about voting BEFORE the actual give away, that will give you an extra entry in the give away if you are entering! If you don't want to enter, still go ahead and spread the word!

If you post about it using the post below with the picture and the info, please leave a comment with a link to your blog so I can check it out.

Only a few more days to vote!!

In Christ Alone,
Hoping everyone is having a blessed Sunday,
Sarah

Follower alert

Don't worry, this isn't anything bad!  If you become a follower, please leave me a comment with a link to your blog.  Unfortunately blogger doesn't allow me to see YOUR blog, but other sites you have joined instead.  That is useful/helpful, but I still would like to visit my followers blogs, too!  If I already know your blog, you can disregard this message. :-)

Thanks everyone!  I have gotten lots of votes on my poll and am very excited.  Just a few more... Then I can't wait for the poll so I can do the give away!

So, be sure to stay posted! lol

In Christ Alone,
Sarah

Help for polls

ok, for those of you who are passing along the word about my gift certificate, here is a pic to go along, if you would like!! It is a CW shawl, but you can at least see what I do somewhat.... lol

Thanks! Sarah

Voting polls

Friends, Please pass the word about any of our voting polls, particularily the gift certificate one! I will only do the give away if I get enough votes, so pass the word!!

For those of you who are unsure, I do some Civil war knittig (shawls, sontags, etc) but can also do some modern knitting as well (I also do crochet, if you prefer that!).  I might even do something where the winner will send me a pattern they like, and I will make it. Please include this little message in your post so that your friends will know!

Thanks so much!

Sarah

Fun pictures

While browsing through our pictures on the computer, I ran across a few cute ones that I wanted to share.. Becca probabaly took most of them! lol Enjoy! Also, these were taken a few years ago.. for those of you who know both my cousin and Josh, you will be shocked at how short he was in the below pictures! lol

Three tough cowboys

The Herd

This pose was an accident! lol

My Filly who is now almost as big as her momma!

Grand ending

He never knew what hit him..

What is that?

Aren't those some good lookin' kids? lol

Father and Son

Random.. Actually, I was trying to take a pic of my hair, but you can't see it because my hair is too dark! lol

I have to take credit for this one! A cool cloud formation.. ;-)

Flowers

Pouring a cup of tea with breakfast (I love having tea with breakfast!)

Me playing fiddle at the Edgewood farmers market for my friends:

Our weird cousin... lol!

Hairstyle I did on my cousin (can you see the little braids?)

Bet ya didn't know we were so talented that we could fly!!

Back flip!

Oops, crash landin'

Me several years ago....

My citified cousin who has the calf... lol!

My handsome country brother =D

Workin' and diggin'.. see the dirt flying off the shovel?

And I will close and finally publish this post.. pretty flowers in the dry desert...

Hope you enjoyed our random pictures!  Had fun posting them.... lol!

In Christ Alone,

Sarah

The Quilt

I found this over at Raquel's lovely blog, God's Daughter.  She allowed me to share this... Please go visit her blog and leave a comment to let her know how you found her!

"As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.



Before each of us laid our lives, like the squares of a quilt in many piles. An angel sat before each of us, sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.


I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.


Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me and nodded for me to rise.


My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life.. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.


And now, I had to face the truth.. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.


I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.


Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'


May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!


God determines who walks into your life...it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay and who you refuse to let go."

God bless you on this wonderful Memorial day.  Remember those who have fought for our freedom and have given their lives, or are still on the lines, or have retired.  If you should see one of those, please take the time to thank them!

In Christ Alone,
Sarah

Article on Beauty

My friend, over at Story of a Seamstress, shared this.  After reading the article, I had to share it too!!  This is what EVERY young woman (and older woman even) need to read.  Even though we might say we are beautiful enough with God, and He is the only One who matters, I think we still tend to think otherwise!!  It is our natural human feelings.  Read THIS and see....

In Christ Alone,
Sarah