Great Fabric Deal

 

I love finding great deals on fabric, so when I saw that Picking Daisies was having a “$1.50 bag sale” for their “scraps” I couldn’t wait to get down there and fill a bag! Why do I say “scraps” like that isn’t really what they are? Because some were scraps. but some were pretty good sized pieces of leftover fabric. YAY! I was AMAZED by the amount of fabric I was able to squeeze into that little bag! I thought “Surely they are going to tell me some of my pieces were too big or my bag was too full.” But as usual, these sisters smiled and chatted in a friendly way with me…and I left with a whole bunch of cute fabric for only $150!!! Whoo Hoo!

 

Side Note: The friendliness and smiles from these two ladies are as fun and uplifting as their festive fabrics and handmade napkins (their trademark)!

 

AND they had a fun and creative St. Patrick’s Day display with Irish Tea, Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal and a handmade shamrock garland curtain!

 

 

 

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!

 

This may sound like an advertisement for Picking Daisies, but honestly, they don’t know I’m doing this. And I thought I was just sharing my great find, but in the middle of it I was remembering how nice it always is to pop into their sweet store! So if you love fabric, take a peek!

Do you like to find great deals?

 

 

Recipe Exchange: Resurrection Cookies and Other Resurrection Day Ideas

Resurrection Cookies

Here’s the second try this year.

Here’s the first try of the year.

I’m doing something a bit different today for the Recipe Exchange with Little House on the Prairie Living, because this is more than just a recipe for this week leading up to the death and resurrection of our Savior. SUNDAY was Palm Sunday, when Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem, to the cheers of the crowds. TODAY was the remembrance of the Passover, when the lives of those who placed the sacrificial blood over their doorways were spared, with a Seder meal.

“The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD–a lasting ordinance.” Exodus 12:13-14

FRIDAY we remember Christ’s horrible and cruel death, and SUNDAY we CELEBRATE His RESURRECTION. His LIFE brings us LIFE. He paid the price for MY sins, YOUR sins, ALL of our sins. Choosing to repent of my sins, receive His forgiveness and mercy and follow Him, was the BEST choice I EVER made!

So today I’m sharing a recipe for Resurrection Cookies. They give true story of God’s love, sacrifice and forgiveness, while making a cookie resembling an empty tomb.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” ~Isaiah 53:5

Photo credit here

 

Here are some other ideas to help us remember the true reason we celebrate this week:

A week long “journey” from Baby Be Blessed

Resurrection Eggs from Easy Fun School

And Easter Story Snack Mix from Clubhouse Magazine

And look at this sweet little plate I found this year, representing the Lamb of God, Jesus the Christ!!

 

As you can see in the photos of my two batches on two different days, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, depending on humidity and such. I promise you, EVERY other time I’ve made these, they’ve come out hollow! :>

 

Resurrection Cookies

To be made the evening before Easter. You need: 1c. whole pecans, 1 tsp. vinegar, 3 egg whites, pinch salt, 1c. sugar, zipper baggie, wooden spoon, tape, Bible. Preheat oven to 300 BEFORE BEGINNING.

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11. Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 c. sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know this and how to belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matt.27:65-66. GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty! Read Matt. 28:1-9

Birdie Bookmark and God’s Word

One of my goals with the new year was to spend more time in God’s word, making Him more of priority every day. I’m currently studying James with Beth Moore and the women of my church, and reading good old Oswald Chambers “My Utmost for His Highest,” a favorite of mine! And I prefer the original, not the updated for “easier” reading. I LOVE it just the way he wrote it! And I’m aware that reading it means I WILL be changed…it happens EVERY time!

I found this sweet little bird bookmark on clearance at Target Thursday after meeting with a sweet friend for a visit. It smiles at me with encouragement every time I open this devotional!! Aww!

What are you reading and what things encourage you?

 

Modest Monday: “Irish” Anniversary Date

I planned to write this post about our anniversary days ago, but we’ve been so busy! So I’m incorporating it into this week’s Modest Monday post. We had to put our celebration off for a week, because I was sick on our actual day and the live Irish session only happens one day a week. We like to celebrate with Irish themes since we had an Irish themed wedding during St. Paddy’s week! :>

Here are some of the musicians.

The Irish session plays at a British themed pasty (pass-ty) restaurant which also serves Irish food. I could eat something different there EVERY week! That’s saying a lot from a picky eater! My Sweetie had a local mix, with the Tri Tip Pasty, Santa Maria style. I had one that married the two cultures of Ireland and England,  a Shepherd’s Pie Pasty. And I forgot to take a photo before I devoured half of it! We both LOVED our pasties!!

I did get a photo of the Strawberries and Cream Pasty though! Light, and not too sweet, it was super yummy!

And here’s what I wore for the date night with my sweetheart. We met 18 1/2 years ago and married 14 years ago. Two months after we met, I left for what turned into a 2 year stint as a missionary in Ireland. It was VERY hard to follow through with those plans after meeting the cousin of a friend, shaking his hand and having God tell me he was the one I was going to marry. But, in the end, I obeyed God’s calling and followed through with my plans. It was very hard leaving this person behind, but I don’t regret my time ministering to the Irish and building lifelong friendships! Our marriage hasn’t always been smooth, with the normal struggles plus infertility and job issues, and the 10 year mark was VERY hard to get past. But, with God’s help every single day, we’re still going, and getting stronger! Praise the Lord!!

I found this pretty wrap/scarf and the earrings and necklace on an Irish merchandise website I found about a year and a half ago, and put them on my wishlist for Christmas. As an “Irish” girl,  I’ll wear them anytime, so they are very worth having!

Too bad my Shamrock Bobby Pin is crooked in the photo. Ah well, I didn’t have time to do it all over again. :>

(I sold these pins in the SHOP)

I wrapped my Sweetie’s gift in a bag we bought on our last trip to Ireland 11 years ago.

And Trader Joe’s finally got Bells of Ireland after St. Paddy’s Day!

I’m so thankful to have my loving Sweetheart in my life! That his cousin introduced us, making sure she is permanently in my life as well!

I never tire of “dating” my Sweetheart!! :>

Why are you thankful for your sweetheart?

Recipe Exchange: Chocolate Biscuit Cake

I realized I should have made this dessert for St. Patrick’s Day, even though it may be technically British. But tea biscuits are very popular in Ireland also, so it’s a great recipe! I discovered this through a friend that lived in Ireland the same time I did and we ate plenty of McVities tea biscuits and digestives, so this is a fun recipe for us. I guess Prince William grew up eating this and requested it as his groom’s cake. I saw chocolate and tea biscuits in the photo and was hooked immediately!

So I’m linking up with The Little House on the Prairie Old Fashioned Recipe Exchange once again.

I believe the only change I made was using milk chocolate instead of dark, although I would probably use plain in Ireland, which is more of a mix of the two. We really don’t like dark chocolate. I made this for my husband’s birthday a while back, so I added some festive Sixlets for some color!

Chocolate Biscuit Cake

4 tbsp (60 mL) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup (125 mL) granulated sugar

4 oz (110 g) milk chocolate, chopped

1 large egg, beaten

8 oz (225 g) McVities Rich Tea Biscuits (about 28), or other tea biscuits (such as Social Tea or Marie/Maria), broken into almond-sized pieces (I found Marie brand at Cost Plus World Market)

Icing:

8 oz (225 g) milk chocolate, chopped

Line bottom of 7-inch/18-cm (or other small) non-stick springform pan with parchment. Butter sides.

In medium bowl using electric mixer on medium, cream butter and sugar until fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes.

In top of double boiler, or in stainless steel bowl set over pot of simmering water, melt chocolate, stirring. Stir in butter mixture. Stir in egg. Remove from heat; fold in biscuits, stirring until well coated.

Spoon biscuit mixture into prepared cake pan, filling all gaps on bottom (it will be the top when unmolded). Refrigerate, covered, at least 3 hours until cold and firm.

Remove cake from fridge. Remove ring from springform pan. Turn cake upside down on cooling rack set over parchment-lined baking sheet; remove bottom and parchment.

In top of double boiler or in stainless steel bowl set over pot of simmering water, melt milk chocolate, stirring. Slowly pour over cake, filling crevices and smoothing top and sides using offset spatula.

Let cake stand at room temperature until set, at least 1 hour. Carefully run knife around bottom of cake where it has stuck to rack, then transfer cake to serving plate.

Makes 8 servings.

You’ll find the original post HERE.

If you’re looking for something unique and different, try this cake!

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Modest Monday: St. Patrick’s Day!

This year, St. Patrick’s Day, or what I like to call Ireland Day because I celebrate the country, my heritage and Irish friends that day, fell on a Sunday. It’s fun walking into church and seeing green on those celebrating! We usually celebrate more than anyone we know, as we both have Irish blood flowing through us. We mostly celebrate more like the Irish, but we do throw in some American fun as well! One thing that celebrates everything about the day, is the shamrock. Patrick used it to explain the concept of the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, 3 in one) to the pagan druids and it is a clear representation of the Emerald Isle! So I like to incorporate it, a lot, especially during this week when we celebrate both our wedding anniversary and Ireland. We had an Irish themed wedding, as I said last week, complete with Ceili dancing and a kilt for my Sweetie! And our house is filled with reminders of my time there and our love for the LOVELY isle.

So, I don’t just wear a green shirt or say I have green in my eyes or something. No, I go all out!

Welcome to Modest Monday, Irish style!

I made this little jacket several years ago.

A gift from my wonderful cousin-in-law.

The dress is from a thrift store at least 10 years ago.

My shamrock ring from Avon. As a teenager. I designed my wedding ring, a shamrock with 3 emeralds as the leaves, and a diamond in the center. But alas, no one would make it…sigh…when I finally got married. NOW they exist, 14 years later!

My sweetheart gets in on the act as well.

This necklace is part of the jewelry my bridal party wore in our wedding. :>

I just noticed that it got turned and you can’t see that the pedant part is a heart.

I wore this one to church that I made for the SHOP. My in-laws gave me the little hat clip at the top of the page, but my Sweetie thought it was too flashy for church, so I switched later. :>

NOW, here’s what we ate!

Irish Stew

Soda Bread

Tea and a yummy treat from our local Carlock’s Bakery! It’s like a brownie with walnuts, mint cream and all covered in chocolate…mmmmm.

Our shamrock plants.

Other things we do to celebrate during the Irish week.

The Shamrock pasta version of my Chicken and Pesto Tortellini.

We also celebrated by watching the opening scene of “The Happiest Millionaire” where it focuses on the Irish butler and cook. And re-watched the episode of 19 Kids and counting where they visit our friends, the Murtaghs in Ireland at their Causey Farm and learn to make Brown Bread and some things from Matt Murtagh about farming! Then we watched/listened to the Irish Tenors sing one of my favorites, “Fields of Athenry!” Later we picked out the scene from “Darby O’Gill…” where they sing one of our favorites:

“For she is my dear, my darlin’ one.

Her eyes so sparklin’ full of fun.

No other, no other, can match the likes of her.

For she is my dear, my darlin’ one,

My smilin’ and beguilin’ one.

I love the ground she walks upon,

My pretty Irish girl.”

We decided this year to watch favorite scenes instead of trying to choose just one film, although Saturday we did watch “The Secret of Roan Inish.” Okay, I suppose I can’t cram much more Irish stuff into this post! ;>

And lots of Irish music and looking at photos from my time living in Ireland.

How do celebrate Ireland? Do you have any Irish roots?

 

Recipe Exchange: Irish Soda Bread

After being sick for nearly a full week, I’m finally here with a great Irish recipe for you all for the Old Fashioned Recipe Exchange this week! I’ve been making this bread for 18 years now, and it’s ALWAYS yummy!! It’s fast, yummy and rustic, and always hits the spot! The Irish still eat this bread often, and it’s sister, Brown Bread, and I learned to love it and make while I lived in Ireland as a missionary. Let your kids join in and help you make this recipe for St. Patrick’s Day – they’ll have a lot of fun joining in! I love the way the best Irish recipes came from the idea of just making do with whatever you have on hand. When they didn’t have yeast, they made Soda bread. It’s absolutely perfect paired with Shepherd’s Pie/Mince and Potatoes and Irish Stew, updated recipe and photos here, more make-do recipes, and Bewley’s TEA! So whip up a loaf and enjoy this St. Patrick’s Day!

P.S. You’ll notice that I don’t put currants or raisins in my bread, they’re fine other ways, but not in this bread, for me.

Irish Soda Bread

3 cups plain or all purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp soda

2 tbl sugar

2 Tbl COLD butter

1 egg

3/4 cup buttermilk (or add 1 Tbl white vinegar to regular milk and let it sit for a few minutes)

**Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease cookie sheet or whatever pan you’re using, OR use parchment paper. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and sugar. Cut butter into the dry ingredients with a fork or pastry blender, until it resembles course crumbs.  In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix the milk and egg together, then work into the dry ingredients. Lightly knead (but don’t over knead it) until smooth on a lightly floured surface, shape into a smooth, round loaf and place on baking pan. Cut a long x in the loaf with a sharp knife. Bake for 35-40 minutes until just golden. Enjoy!

**It slices better the next day, but who can resist a warm piece?!

**I usually have to use a whole cup of milk in our warm, dryer climate.

**Serve with butter, jam or cheese…and Bewley’s TEA!

Now I just need to get some cheddar cheese into this house!

* Testing with my adorable gift from my sweet and wonderful gift-finding cousin-in-law:

*Coarse crumbs:

*Manufactured “buttermilk” all bubbly from the vinegar and curdling:

*Milk and egg mixture:

Adding the milk to the dry:

* Shaping the loaf and cutting the x:

* Finished product:

We love Ireland so much, we decided to marry on the closest weekend to St. Patrick’s day and had an Irish theme complete with an Irish kilt, shamrock plant centerpieces, shamrocks on our cake and ceili dancing!

How do you like to celebrate Ireland on March 17th?

Modest Monday: White, Pink and Black Flowered Dress

FINALLY…a Modest Monday post! I’m finally beginning to return to the land of the living, after nearly a full week of shlumping around the house with no focus or energy! So here’s what I wore 2 Sundays ago.

I wore this pink, white and black dress, from Marshall’s a few years ago I believe, with a white Halftee for modesty. I wore it with a black cardigan from a thrift store, a pink plumeria flower necklace from Mervyn’s several years ago, and my pink heart earrings.

My Sweetie caught me talking with my hands in this one! :>

Have a lovely day!

Special Care from my Sweetie

I’ve been shlumping around the house this weekend with a cold, and my sweetie has been great about serving me when I need something, like water with ice and loading cds and dvds for me. He even tackled a couple of much needed house projects, while I was lying on the davenport, and brought me some yummy dinner, because I just couldn’t face the idea of figuring out what to eat anymore.

I truly appreciate all he has done for me these past couple of days!

Thank you sweetie!

My New Cell Phone Case

I’ve seen MANY different cell phone cases and sleeves, but never one that really screamed ME!! So I decided to make my own. I finished it yesterday afternoon and I LOVE it! It’s very much my style…even down to the red hair! This was so much fun to make, with all of it’s whimsy and darling-ness! I’m already have lots of fun using it and looking at that adorable girl every time I pull it out!

Are you tackling anything crafty this week?