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Vintage Pattern

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This has been one of my favorites. I love everything about it, the 1/2 sleeves, the cute little cuff, the pleats and the little belt.

It also sewed up very well. Sometimes, for me, vintage patterns don’t always work out like the picture looks on the envelope, but this one did and I was very pleased with how it turned out.ImageImage

This has also been one of Aria’s favorites. She wore it even after it was too small for her.  Image

It is true that it is a pain to iron the pleats back after you wash it, but I think it is so worth it.Image

I may try to enlarge this pattern and make her a new one.Image

The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace;  Her clothing is woven with gold.  Psalm 45:13

 

Here’s To Hoping

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Refer back to:

 

My very first pumpkin patch

 

And sow fields and plant vineyards, that they may yield a fruitful harvest.  Psalm 107:37

In His Arms

It was a cold day in February, much like today when we laid our baby in the ground.

She was in the arms of Jesus even before she breathed one breath of sin air. Even before I heard one cry, felt one suckle, or caressed her soft tiny cheek, she was no more.Image

Me, young and confused, groping and stumbling around in the midst of it all. The emptiness inside my womb felt the loss, the loneliness and my heart bled.

A young mother waiting, anticipating the arrival of her first born daughter, experiencing the movement and hearing the heartbeat from within her own body, suddenly was shut off and I turned inward.

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No answers, no explanations offered could comfort a grieving mother.  Image

Everything rolled into one and the lines blurred. Even after all these years my mind cannot separate the events that happened so long ago, the news that there was no longer a heartbeat, giving birth, the funeral, the voices are hazy and unfocused.  Image

Is 31 years enough?  Image

And yet, after 31 years, talking about it, writing it down feels like I am picking a scab off a deep wound that refuses to heal completely through. Yes, I have shared with some close friends, but this here, writing my heart, closes the gap of those years and it all starts again, this empty place inside my heart.

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But . . . . it is enough for this:

I am changed. This is one of the many things that He has used to changed me. I am growing up in the Lord, and I cling to Hope Himself, resting in the folds of His love and His peace, I see truth more clearly, filtered through the sweet words and promises of my Lord.  Image

And it is enough for this:

Knowing she experiences exceedingly great joy every day being in the presence of Jesus!

This mother’s heart takes comfort in knowing that she never had to experience pain, nor sorrow, nor crying. (Rev. 21:4) And though my empty arms never held her tight, never swaddled her within my folds, I know that she is waiting for me there, and when I arrive I will hold her for the first time, beautiful and complete.

Because of His peace, which surpasses all understanding and because of His exceedingly great and precious promises. . . it is enough.

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And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

 

Aniyah

My beautiful new granddaughter, Aniyah Grace.ImageImage

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.  I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.  Psalm 139:13-14

This is the recipe that I use to make Elder Berry Syrup.  I am not sure where I got the recipe but I have had it for a long time and I keep it in the freezer in the same bag as my elderberries.

This is what you will need:

1 Cup fresh or 1/2 cup dried elderberries 

3 cups water (bottled or filtered)

1 cup raw local honey

Glass jar with lid

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I got these elderberries through Amazon.com or you can get them here:

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com

or here:

http://www.bulkherbstore.com

Before I start making the syrup, I sterilize the bottles and lids.Image

 

Then I gather all the Ingredients  and measure them out.

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I pour the water into a pan

 

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and add the elderberries

 

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I bring them to a soft boilImage 

I let it simmer for 45 minutes. I set my timerImage

 

When the time is up I pour the elder berries and juice into a strainer catching the juice into a clean bowl.  I smash the berries to get all the juice out of them.

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Then I add the honey and mix wellImage

I then pour the elder berry syrup into my prepared jars.  I usually use a funnel but it seems that someone has mine, and you know who you are (Andrea).Image

It usually makes a little over 2 jars.  I send one home for Aria and keep one here for when she spends the night.  

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Keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 months.

We give Aria a tablespoon daily to deep the immune system strong.  Plus it taste very sweet and very yummy!

 

My son, eat honey because it is good,  and the honeycomb which is sweet to you taste         Proverbs 24:13

 

Blue Lace Dresses

After having issues with downloading my pictures I finally was able to do another photo shoot with my girls.  So here are pictures of my girls in their new matching dresses.ImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImage

There is a tutorial for each dress here on this blog.  Search under:

Blue Lace Baby Gown

Blue Lace Dress

 

Yes, may you see your children’s children.  Peace be upon Israel!  Psalm 128:6

The Get Well Cards

After 15 days of sickness, the virus turning into the flu, I was beyond blessed by a very dear friend and my 5th and 6th grades Sunday School class.Image

It wasn’t just the sickness, but the isolation and the longing in my heart to see those that I love so much!

Imagine my great surprise and joy as I checked my mail on that day and found the beautiful cards that blessed and strengthened my heart!!

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 I felt so blessed and so loved!Image

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.  Psalm 16:6

Ruby Slippers

After I had finished reading the book, I closed it and set it on the night stand. We snuggled closer together and each took a turn telling a story.  Hers, of course was about mommy and Aniyah.  After the stories had been told we made plans for the next day. 

She told me that she wanted to paint. That is something she does every time she stays, just after her pancake.ImageImage

 

But then she told me she wanted to make a heart for her mommy and baby sister and daddy, and oh, for gumps too. Image

I told her I would show her how to cut a heart out of paper and she said she would like that. She wanted to draw a picture on each heart and write something. I told her I thought that would be sweet. 

“What do you want to draw?” I asked her.

“I want to make gumps and daddy a tractor.”

“Oh, and what about mommy?”

“I just want to draw a picture for mommy.”

And we drifted off.

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So . . . after the dishes were cleared away and the paint put up. We started on our hearts, and true to her word, she did exactly what she said she was going to do.

Then, she asked me if I would write on the back of her mommy’s card what she would tell me.  And as she spoke, I wrote her words:

“I love you Aniyah, and I love you so much mommy. I love you up the the moon and sky.  I love you more than Ruby Slippers.  Aria”

THAT is very much, for you see . . . 

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Aria ALWAYS has a pair of Ruby Slippers.

But Jesus said,  “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”  And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.                Matthew 19:14-15

Fishers of Men

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Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  Matthew 4:19

Major Issues!

I had a photo shoot today with my girls wearing their new dresses. My card was already full of pictures and I took a ton today, a total of 287 pictures was on my card.  When I tried to download them, not only would they not download, I lost all my pictures!

I am very sad right now, I will wait a couple of days, then regroup.  So I will not be posting pictures of the dresses for a while.

 

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.  Romans 5:3-4

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