From the Kitchen ~ Soup

Domesticity - devoted to home duties and pleasures

Soup 1865, William Adolphe Bouguereau 1825-1905
Wiki Commons public domain

The winter weather these past several days has called for soup, which has probably been a menu item for a lot of folks across the country lately. From the looks of things, there's more winter weather ahead, and more soup to be had. Sharing a recipe with you today to warm up those winter days. It was originally a minestrone recipe that I adapted, but at times I use tortellini. It's delicious either way. So, depending on what you add, it's either....
 

Minestrone or Tortillini Soup

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 Tbsp. margarine or butter

2 large carrots, thinly sliced

2 celery stalks, thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 zucchini, halved and sliced

4 cups vegetable juice (I used V8 lower sodium)

1 can cannillini beans, rinsed and drained

1 Tbsp dried basil

1.5 tsp dried parsley flakes

1 tsp dried oregano

½ tsp pepper

1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni (I use whole grain)

     or 20 oz package cheese tortellini

            (This time I used sweet Italian sausage tortellini. It was yummy!)

grated Parmesan cheese 

1.  In a large pan, sauté carrots and celery in oil and butter until tender. Add garlic and zucchini, cook 1 minute longer.

2.  Stir in vegetable juice, beans, and spices. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

3.  Meanwhile, cook macaroni or tortellini according to package directions, then add to soup.

4.  Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with cheese.

From the Sewing Room ~ Prairie Star Posies

I had completed Kim Diehl's Prairie Star Posies wall quilt recently, but wasn't quite satisfied with it after it was hung over the bed. Looking at it day after day, I realized that some of the stamen in the posies just weren't the right fabric choices. So, I replaced a few of them today, and I think it looks much better.

Here's a little closer view. 

The quilt measures 40 x 40 and is made up of squares and half-square triangle units. It was an easy pattern, with the bulk of the work in the applique. I used Kim's applique technique using freezer paper. It's machine appliqued with monofilament thread, which is practically invisible and allows the fabric to be seen and not the thread. When I replaced the few stamen, I hand appliqued with silk thread. Silk thread is almost invisible, too, and gives a nice finish to the applique.

I enjoy hand quilting small projects in the evenings, which is what I did on this quilt.

The back shows the quilting better.

 

There was one quilt in Kim's selections for the book that there wasn't room for,. If you click on the book, it will take you to the Martingale site for a free download of the 60 x 60 quilt Buttercream Crisp, with checkerboard blocks, as well as a free bonus download for a table runner.  Now that's pretty thoughtful!

Linking up today with crazy mom quilts for Finish It Up Friday. If you're a quilter, you'll want to check it out. Lots and lots of inspiration over there!

The Family of Eternal Significance

I'm continuing to read through the Bible chronologically and taking pause in Matthew 12:46-50, when Jesus' family came, wanting to speak with him. Jesus responds:

While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him.  Someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.”  But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”  And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers!  For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

Sharing some thoughts with you.

At first glance, it appears that Jesus is intimating that 'biological family' is less compelling than 'church family,' and there are some who do put that spin on this passage. To his mother Mary (a believer), this comment could have been hurtful, but we must note here that Jesus' words were probably not directed at Mary and his brothers. The remark was made to the one who brought the message as they were waiting outside. I don't think Jesus was suggesting that one 'family' trumps another in earthly relationships.

I do think, however, that Jesus was taking the opportunity to point out that being a part of the family of God is what is of eternal significance. Recall that his brothers were not believers at that point. They had not yet come to saving faith in Jesus; they were not at the moment of this remark part of his spiritual, eternal family. There were those who would come to that after his resurrection. Perhaps the remark was intended for the messenger himself or those in the crowd. It is doubtful that all were Jesus' followers, which is why he gestured toward his disciples, ensuring that the hearers knew he was referring to those who had placed their faith in him.

Bottom line in my understanding of the passage:
Biological family relationships are significant, but they are not necessarily eternal. Jesus wants all to come to faith in him and be received into his spiritual, eternal family. He calls to faith his family, our family, his friends, our friends.

Painting ~ 1820 Country Wedding, John Lewis Krimmel 1786-1821

Preparing a Noble Life

I've been reading more of The Incomparable Christ, following along and listening to Nancy Leigh DeMoss as she uses the outline of the book for further teaching on ReviveOurHearts.com. Chapter 4 is about the childhood of Jesus, chapter 5 his youth. 

If you're a mom with children at home, I think her discussion the past couple of days would be an encouragement to you. 

Sharing an excerpt with you today from chapter 5, "The Youth of Christ."

"The influence, example, and teaching of His mother doubtless played an important part in His development. Everything indicates that she was one of those rare women whose glory it is to prepare a noble life, losing themselves in it, and desiring to be glorified only in its usefulness. Mary’s song reveals her as a devout, high-souled woman, fervently patriotic and a student of Scripture. Her song is patterned on that of an older saintly woman of the Old Testament, Hannah."

- J. Oswald Sanders, The Incomparable Christ

Home And Doing Well

Settling in this evening after My Beloved's surgery today. Although it was considered minor, anytime a loved one is put under, we are grateful when they awaken. It's times like this that I especially miss having family around to be watchful with me and to help pass the hours of waiting. MB is doing well now, and each day will bring him closer to normal. 

I'm thankful that God has given some people the ability to cut and sew on the body, and a steady hand to do it. We had prayed before going that He would give the surgeon skill. The roads were clear and the sunshine was welcomed. Every good and perfect gift is from Him.

My heart went out to a young family there in the waiting room whose two young sons were both having surgery this morning. The littler one had the same name as my little grandson and he was about the same age, so that was especially touching for me. I prayed for them off and on during the morning and inwardly rejoiced when the first one came into the recovery room while we were there. Another good and perfect gift from the Father above.

I think bedtime will come a little earlier tonight. We were up at 5:00, and I don't burn the candle at both ends very well. Until next time......

Painting ~ Winter Scene in New Haven Connecticut 1858, George Henry Durrie1820-1863

Contentment ~ That Even Proportion

The world is infinitely deceived in thinking that contentment lies in having more than we already have. Here lies the bottom and root of all contentment, when there is an evenness and proportion between our hearts and our circumstances. That is why many godly men who are in a low position live more sweet and comfortable lives than those who are richer.

~Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment

Painting ~ Young Mother Sewing, Mary Cassatt 1844-1926
Wiki Commons  public domain

Sunday Ponderings ~ He Included Me!

Pondering 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 this afternoon and being reassured that God didn't call me to Himself because of anything that I have to offer.

It’s okay that I’m not among the wise, the mighty, the noble. God hasn’t chosen very many of them because they tend to boast in themselves. But He does choose some.

It’s okay that the world may think I’m foolish and weak. God typically chooses from this group because we tend to have little to boast about in ourselves.

He chooses few from the elite and many from the common.

 Bottom line: God doesn't want the issue confused. He wants everyone to know that

ALL wisdom

ALL righteousness

ALL sanctification

 ALL redemption

is in Christ Jesus and is God's doing.

“Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
~1 Corinthians 1:31

I'm so glad that He called to me! Has He called to you? Call back to Him!

For whoever will call upon the Lord will be saved.

~ Romans 10:13 

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; ²⁷ but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, ²⁸ and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no man may boast before God. ³⁰ But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, ³¹ so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”  

~1 Corinthians 1:26-31

 Painting ~ A Pensive Moment, Daniel Ridgeway Knight 1839-1924
Wiki Commons public domain

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Today I join others at The Simple Woman’s Daybook, a weekly journal page that focuses on simple thoughts and simple living. My leads are somewhat similar to others in the group, but somewhat different as well. You may also want to read what some other simple women are saying and doing these days. Some food for thought in many of them.

  

Outside my window....
Sloppiness. But yesterday, beauty.

Noticing the sound of ….
The dishwasher. Supper's over and it's good to settle in for a quiet evening.

Looking forward to….
The latter part of next week. My Beloved has some minor out-patient surgery early in the week, and the weather is not looking good. We have to be there quite early. I'll be glad to get back home. I'm trying not to be anxious. So...

Thankful for....
The doctor who has knowledge and skill. And God who guides his hands. :-)

Learning…

Still trying to get the comment box to be a pop-up window or something other than being a big 'NO COMMENTS' always present on the post until someone makes a comment. And wondering why the comment box shows up only on individual posts. Maybe that's just the way it is in Blogger. Don't know.

Pondering these words....

"At the end of the day, fake people can only have fake relationships."
                                                          ~Marci Preheim, Grace is Free

A Peek Into My Week…

Cleaned up the kitchen spic-n-span. Might as well clean while I can't get out. 

Reading.... 

Grace Is Free: One Woman's Journey from Fundamentalism to Failure to Faith by Marci Preheim

My personal thoughts about the book:
Agreed, grace is free. And freeing. It's wonderful to understand that and live like that. This is the author's purpose in writing the book, but it seems to me to have too much blaming other people for her own previous misunderstanding of grace. Somewhat the typical 'blame it on somebody else' type of thinking prevalent today. Furthermore, misunderstanding grace is not inherent to fundamentalism. I've been in some fundamental churches over the years, and I understood, and still understand grace, as I expect many others there do. Better to just admit that she didn't get it and then show how she has grown in understanding her faith. Every believer is somewhere on the path of growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). In spite of that undercurrent, though, the book presents biblical truth about grace.

The fruit of my hands …

I've been working on a throw quilt that I want to gift someone. I have four of the rows on my design wall and trying to pull the colors and layout into a pleasing design. I blogged a little about it on yesterday's post. I changed the brown secondary blocks to a light green today. I tried mauve, but it just wasn't right, either. Going to think on it some more. I think I need another trip to the quilt shop. :-)

Thinking…

I was in Luke 7:36-50 today, reading the familiar account of the woman with the alabaster box who anointed Jesus' feet with her perfume as he dined at the table.The host thought ill of this because she was a "sinner," so to explain things, Jesus told the story of two people who owed some money. One owed little, the other owed much. Both were forgiven their debts. Jesus' question to the host, "Which of them will love him more?" The answer, " I suppose the one whom he forgave more."  Spot on (not exactly Jesus' words). The thought that came to me is this--If, as many say, sins are equal--none lesser, none greater--then why is one person forgiven little and one forgiven much? Some sort of difference going on. Quantity coming into the equation? Quality? Nevertheless, He forgives, and I'm grateful for that. Gotta keep that one percolating in my simple mind for awhile. 

Growing…

Wanting to know more and more about Jesus. Listening to ReviveOurHearts.com and growing in the knowledge of him. Nancy Leigh DeMoss is discussing The incomparable Christ. I talked about that in Wednesday's post. Hope you've had an opportunity to listen in, too.

Hope you see God's hand in your week.     
Vickie

In The Sewing Room

I spent some time this afternoon in the sewing room while My Beloved had an appointment and ran some errands. I made some progress on my kaleidoscope quilt that I'm gifting, but alas, I think I'm going to take it out. I don't care for the tan that I added. I was trying to use fabric that I had in my stash and not go out in this cold weather, but it isn't working.

I'm not quite sure what to use in the secondary blocks instead. The color wheel says a mauve. Maybe that's what I should go with. The carpet I laid the kaleidoscopes on to take a picture is mauve, and it highlighted them well.

Hmmm. Maybe the green I have them set in should be mauve instead. No, no. Too much ripping. And her favorite color is green, which is why I chose it. Maybe I shouldn't have a secondary block going on at all, just the kaleidoscopes and sashing. But I think the secondary blocks would give the quilt some variety.

The weather forecast is calling for dangerous driving conditions here tomorrow, so I won't be able to go to the quilt shop until Tuesday (closed Mondays). You'd think in all the fabric stash I have that I would have something that would work!
 
This is one of the kaleidoscope blocks that shows the colors. Any ideas on what to switch out the tan for? Maybe the mauve?  Well, I have a few days to think about it. I'll work on something else in the meanwhile.  Like maybe catch up on my quilt class homework!

If the weather is keeping you inside, I hope you have something pleasant to do as well. Stay warm and safe!
                                                                  ~ Vickie

In the End, What Is Love After All?

I read an article this week, supposedly on love, entitled "Why We Love Steamy Romances." (I opt out of being included in the 'we'.) Don't know how widespread the Parade Magazine is in Sunday papers across the land, but if you read it, you know what I'm referring to. The lead-in states that the author "explores the breathless intoxication of being tortured by desires and dreams." She makes reference to the movie Fifty Shades of Grey, but mostly discusses her adolescent days, days she apparently hasn't gotten beyond. She writes,

"Like young girls everywhere, I had no idea what love was, or what it would look like when it finally arrived. So I created my vision of love from books."

She's been reading the wrong books. She apparently still doesn't know what love is because she has love confused with desire. I agree that what she has read has had powerful influence on her. It has shaped her thinking. It has taken root in her mind and in her heart. What we feed into our minds does that to us, whatever it may be.

Her final question is the most telling.

"After all, who doesn't want an epic love story, a grand saga, an adventure of the heart? As Fifty Shades of Grey's Anastasia Steele tells us when she meets Christian: My face is aflame. Yes! My heart pounds. Yes! I can't breathe. Yes! It's intoxicating. Yes! Yes! Yes! Isn't this, in the end, love after all?"

No! No! No! That isn't love at all!! In the end that is simply self, self, self cloaked in defeated desire! Thinking romance and lust is love only leads to discontent in one's own intimate relationships. Who can possibly fulfill the desires of such a vicarious love affair of fictional romance?

Thinking such as this contributes to the disillusionment in relationships after the embers die down. Many think they have fallen out of love and leave the relationship. No, they haven't fallen out of love. They weren't in love to begin with.

On Valentines Day, I shared a list from Paul David Tripp of 23 Things That Love Is.  One of those characteristics:

LOVE IS... being unwilling to flatter, lie, manipulate, or deceive in any way in order to co-opt the other person into giving you what you want or doing something your way.

That, and the 22 other things listed, is the essence of true love. That, in the end, is love after all. I'll take that over steamy romance any day. Yes! Yes! Yes!

Painting ~ Hesperus, The Evening Star, Sacred to Lovers 1857,  Sir Joseph Noel Paton 1821-1901
Wiki Commons public domain

The Incomparable Christ

Settling in this evening with a good book and a cup of peppermint tea after being out in the cold earlier today with an appointment and running errands.

Did I say settling in with a good book? Not a good book. A wonderful book! This book is a re-read for me. I had read The Incomparable Christ by J. Oswald Sanders a few years ago as a follow-along on ReviveOurHearts.com. Nancy Leigh DeMoss was beginning a 40-day series by the same title, following the outline of the book. She encouraged us to get the book and read through it during the Lenten season leading up to Easter. The book was such a ministry to me in getting to know Jesus in a deeper way, that by the time Resurrection Day came, it was hallelujah for sure! I've given copies to several people over the years. Gave another away just today. It's one of those books that I wish I were rich enough to give everyone.

Nancy is re-running that series again, starting today. I listened in and got an e-book. I thought I had my copy from before, but remembered I had given it to someone and had forgotten to replace it. There are several editions if you look for it online, and Revive Our Hearts has a special edition with a journal. The picture is the hard copy I had before. Be sure that if you purchase the book, that it's the one by Sanders. There are other books by the same title, different authors.

I'm ever-so-eager to listen and go through the study again. Nancy says,

Nancy Leigh DeMoss

So each day over these next weeks, we’re going to look at a different aspect or period of the life and ministry of Christ here on this earth. We’ll look at His birth, His childhood, His baptism, His temptation. We’ll look at the deity of Christ, what that means and why it matters, and the humanity of Christ. We’ll look at His teaching, His humility, His prayer life.
Then as we get closer to Passion Week, we’ll look at the trial of Christ, His atoning work on the cross, what that means for us. We’ll spend a day on each of the seven last words of Christ on the cross. Then we’re actually going to continue this series for a week beyond Easter so that we can consider His resurrection, His ascension, His high priestly ministry in heaven today, and His second coming—the great hope of every child of God.

I do encourage you to listen in at ReviveOurHearts.com and turn your eyes upon Jesus. I know there are days when we just can't fit in the 20 minutes or so, but each day is archived, so we can catch up when there's opportunity. You'll find the transcript there, too, if you have just a brief few minutes.

I blogged a few times about the book back in 2011. If you look in the right column in my "A few thoughts about" list, scroll down to the book title, click, and you'll find some of my thoughts on it. I'm sure to say more about it this time around.

A few introductory words from J. Oswald Sanders:

This volume does not purport to be a theological treatise, but rather a devotional and doctrinal treatment of the great facts of the person and work of Christ, in a form suited to the average reader.... It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit, who delights to reveal the things of Christ to us, will unveil His glory to those who read this book.

 I, too, pray that He does that for you. I'd be delighted to hear what you think about it!

Vickie

To Be or Not to Be .... Noticed

Sharing with you from my quiet time today as I think through what I'm reading in Matthew 6. It helps me to write out some thoughts. Thinking about the first verse where it says, Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with our Father who is in heaven.  

That statement caught my attention as I thought back to Matthew 5:16 where it says, Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. What's this? A contradiction? Don't be noticed? Do be seen? 

But there's a big difference. It's all in the intent. If I'm doing some good thing for the purpose of being noticed and bringing honor to myself, that's worthless. Worse than worthless. It gets me nowhere, gains me nothing of eternal value. It's all about me.

On the other hand, if my intent is in bringing attention and glory to God, then He says to let my good works shine on! Let people see how good and gracious and kind and providing and all that God is. It's all about Him. He's the answer to all their needs. Not me. Not you. 

We are simply a window to be seen through, to get a glimpse of God the Father a little more clearly. We are His hands and feet, to bring help to the needy, encouragement to the fainthearted, admonishment to the unruly, good to all, especially those who are of the household of faith, prayer for those who misuse us, blessing to those who curse us. That's a hard one.

My takeaway from the Word today — 

Don't be hypocritical to magnify myself.

Do be humble to magnify God.

It changes people. It changes us.

Painting ~ The Thick of the Plot 1924, George Goodwin Kilburne 1839-1924
Wiki Commons public domain

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Today I join with others in The Simple Woman’s Daybook group, a weekly journal page that focuses on simple thoughts and simple living. My leads are somewhat similar to others in the group, but somewhat different as well. You may also like to read what some other simple women are saying and doing these days. Hope you can stop by again soon!

Outside my window....

Light snow falling and birds at the feeder site outside my kitchen window. We do enjoy watching the birds feed while we have our own meals. A constant reminder that if God so cares for the sparrows (and cardinals, towhees, tufted titmouses, chickadees, finches...), He cares even more for all of us.

Thankful for....

A warm home. It’s a verrrry cold  9 degrees this morning!

Noticing the sound of ….

The furnace. My Beloved had the electricity off for a little while working on the generator wiring. (Making sure all is reading in case we need it!) Sooo good to hear the furnace back on!

Looking forward to….

Hearing from my mother about her doctor’s visit today.

Learning…
I tried to put music on my blog. Couldn’t figure it out, and learned, anyway, that it competes with other links that I might want to include in a post. Decided against it. Still trying to learn why the formatting goes wacky on my posts sometimes. Arghh!!

Pondering these words....

“There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one. “
        ~ Jill Churchill
(I think the same would be said of a grandmother or a mother-in-law.)

A Peek Into My Week…

My sewing room, where I spend some afternoon hours.

Looking to the ways of my household....
Changing bed sheets today. Ironing pillow cases. Sometimes I like to iron the upper half of the top sheet. (Don’t want to give time to the lower part that’s under the cover, though.) Think I’ll do that this morning. Nothing like a freshly changed bed to crawl into at night!

Reading.... 

Just finished The Quilter’s Daughter by Wanda Brunstetter that a friend gave me. Light reading for winter evenings. Encourages me to quilt on! 

The fruit of my hands …

I finished hand-stitching some kaleidoscopes this week for a throw quilt and got some of the corners done. Lovely! I’m hoping to finish it all in hand-stitching, including the quilting. It’s going to be a gift, and I want it to be extra special.

Growing…

I want to continuing growing in what true love is—not the gushy kind and not the lusty kind. Still pondering the 23 Things That Love Is.

Thinking…

Praying that everyone stays safe on the roads today. We're under a heavy snow warning here. My Beloved went out in the truck earlier this morning to run an errand. More folks than he expected were out. 

Sunday Ponderings ~ What Manner of Love!

This morning was frigid and frosty, one of those mornings to just snuggle in and stay warm and toasty. Glad we didn't because we would have missed a blessed time of worship with our fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. Pastor reminded us of God's great love for us, the creator of the universe, who loves us beyond measure.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us,
that we should be called the sons of God.
~ 1 John 3:1

But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
 ~ Romans 5:8

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
~ John 4:16

I hope to meet you over there, if not while here. He loves you, too, you know.

Painting ~ American Homestead Winters, 1868, Currier & Ive
Wiki Commons public domain

Valentine's Day ~ Thinking About True Love

 Image ~ ElisaRiva via pixabay CC0 Creative Commons

Valentine's Day — an opportunity to think about what love really is. I don't mean the chocolate-flowers-gooshy-mooshy-sweet-nothings-in-your-ear-in-love-with-love sort of stuff. I'm talking about true, self-giving, God-given love. Love for any relationship. Love for whether or not we're loved back in the same way.

I saw this list from Paul David Tripp that I want to share with you on this Thinking-of-Love Day. I have some things that I need to change about my love. Thought maybe that you might, too.

Here's the word from Paul. . . .

Every healthy relationship requires love and sacrifice, so if you're a parent, child, sibling, neighbor, pastor, or co-worker, this list is for you. God bless you in your relationships, and may the Holy Spirit empower you to love with a love that is not your own.

23 Things That Love Is

1. LOVE IS... being willing to have your life complicated by the needs and struggles of others without impatience or anger.
2. LOVE IS... actively fighting the temptation to be critical and judgmental toward another while looking for ways to encourage and praise.
3. LOVE IS... making a daily commitment to resist the needless moments of conflict that come from pointing out and responding to minor offenses.
4. LOVE IS... being lovingly honest and humbly approachable in times of misunderstanding.
5. LOVE IS... being more committed to unity and understanding than you are to winning, accusing, or being right.
6. LOVE IS... making a daily commitment to admit your sin, weakness, and failure and to resist the temptation to offer an excuse or shift the blame.
7. LOVE IS... being willing, when confronted by another, to examine your heart rather than rising to your defense or shifting the focus.
8. LOVE IS... making a daily commitment to grow in love so that the love you offer to another is increasingly selfless, mature, and patient.
9. LOVE IS... being unwilling to do what is wrong when you have been wronged, but looking for concrete and specific ways to overcome evil with good.
10. LOVE IS... being a good student of another, looking for their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs so that in some way you can remove the burden, support them as they carry it, or encourage them along the way.
11. LOVE IS... being willing to invest the time necessary to discuss, examine, and understand the relational problems you face, staying on task until the problem is removed or you have agreed upon a strategy of response.
12. LOVE IS... being willing to always ask for forgiveness and always being committed to grant forgiveness when it is requested.
13. LOVE IS... recognizing the high value of trust in a relationship and being faithful to your promises and true to your word.
14. LOVE IS... speaking kindly and gently, even in moments of disagreement, refusing to attack the other person’s character or assault their intelligence.
15. LOVE IS... being unwilling to flatter, lie, manipulate, or deceive in any way in order to co-opt the other person into giving you what you want or doing something your way.
16. LOVE IS... being unwilling to ask another person to be the source of your identity, meaning, and purpose, or inner sense of well-being, while refusing to be the source of theirs.
17. LOVE IS... the willingness to have less free time, less sleep, and a busier schedule in order to be faithful to what God has called you to be and to do as a spouse, parent, neighbor, etc.
18. LOVE IS... a commitment to say no to selfish instincts and to do everything that is within your ability to promote real unity, functional understanding, and active love in your relationships.
19. LOVE IS... staying faithful to your commitment to treat another with appreciation, respect, and grace, even in moments when the other person doesn’t seem deserving or is unwilling to reciprocate.
20. LOVE IS... the willingness to make regular and costly sacrifices for the sake of a relationship without asking for anything in return or using your sacrifices to place the other person in your debt.
21. LOVE IS... being unwilling to make any personal decision or choice that would harm a relationship, hurt the other person, or weaken the bond of trust between you.
22. LOVE IS... refusing to be self-focused or demanding, but instead looking for specific ways to serve, support, and encourage, even when you are busy or tired.
23. LOVE IS... daily admitting to yourself, the other person, and God that you are unable to be driven by a cruciform love without God’s protecting, providing, forgiving, rescuing, and delivering grace.

In the Sewing Room ~ Hourglass Blocks

I've been working today catching up on homework for my quilting class next week. This is what I'll have when I'm finished. It's True Blue, designed by Kim Diehl, and uses her fabric line. I hope mine looks just as nice when I get it all sewn together! It's 23 x 23, and small piecing is a challenge for me.

I have the 20 two-and-a-half inch hourglass blocks made.

The pattern calls for a different method of construction for the hourglass units, but I like to oversize and cut down since that helps me keep the units more accurate. I knew there was a formula for oversizing, and I found a chart at Vicki'sFabricCreations blogspot that gives cutting measurements for several finished hourglass block sizes. It's printer friendly, so I printed it out for future referral. :-)  She also has a tutorial on a couple of methods for making the hourglass blocks. I like to use the second method that she shows because it gives two blocks at a time. Two birds with one stone.

Thought I'd share a tip with you today that I discovered as I was doing some hand stitching recently and needed to mark the diagonal. There was a tissue box nearby, I grabbed one, and found that using a tissue to lay the fabric on as I marked helped to keep the fabric from slipping. Using a tissue is easier on my fingers than using sandpaper to lay the fabric on, and it's just as effective. Handier at times, too!

I hope to post a picture of my finished wall/table quilt soon. I'm getting so behind in my homework!