A New Way To Use Your Treadmill

(PLEASE PAUSE MY MUSIC PLAYLIST BEFORE VIEWING VIDEO THANK YOU!)

Ok . . . . . . . .who wants to try this with me?

I wonder how many times they had to film this before they got it right?  Well, their persistence paid off......

they won a GRAMMY for this! 

Way to go, guys!

One Stop Crafting/DIY Projects/Household Tips and MORE!

I have been going to Tipnut for quite awhile now and thought I would share it with you, just in case you haven't heard about it already. It is an AWESOME site with lots of great ideas and tips.

On Tipnut, you can find:

* Cleaning Tips
* Crafts
* DIY Projects
* Food
* Garden & Plants
* Health & Beauty
* Household Tips

This website began in the Fall of 2006 as a way for the site owner to organize all the creative homemaking tips, crafts and projects she has collected over the years. It has grown to feature all the cool ideas and projects that she discovered online (one of the most popular features of Tipnut).
Goodies of all kinds are regularly added and there's always something new to check out.

It is great to find a site that has so many cool things all together in one place!  To check it out, click HERE!

I Wonder.......

. . . . .what God could do through you and me if we stop questioning His plan, stop trying to understand, and simply say yes.  What new, miraculous work could God accomplish in our world if just one or two of us said, "May it be to me as you have said"?  Luke 1:38?

I don't know about you, but I want to find out!

"Here am I. . .Send me!" Isaiah 6:8

The Bakery

After starting a new diet recently, I altered my drive into town to avoid passing my favorite bakery. Unfortunately, I had to drive by the bakery this morning, and as I approached, there in the window, were a host of goodies. I felt this was no accident, so I prayed. . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Lord, it's up to you. If you want me to have any of those delicious goodies, create a parking place for me directly in front of the bakery!"



And sure enough. . . . . . . . .on the eighth time around the block, there it was!

GOD IS SO GOOD!

Individual Cream Cheese Danish

Bean found this recipe for cheese danish on Food.com and it is EASY PEASY and FINGER-LICKIN'-GOOD!

These small, bite-size treats are a great addition to a brunch or just to have on hand for a yummy little snack. They go PERFECT with a nice cup of hot coffee or tea.....I know this from personal experience! lol

For this recipe you will need the following
INGREDIENTS:

*2 (10 oz) cans crescent roll dough
*1 (8oz) package of cream cheese, diced
*1/2 cup white sugar
*1 teaspoon lemon juice
*3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
*1 teaspoon sour cream
*1 cup confectioner's sugar (10x)
*1 tablespoon milk
*1 tablespoon butter, softened
*Favorite pie filling or jam (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

*Preheat oven to 350* degrees
*Slice (unrolled) crescent roll dough into 1/4 inch slices (as if making slice-and-bake cookie dough)
*Place slices of dough on cookie sheet and make slight indention in the middle
*In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, white sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and sour cream
*Add a tablespoon of filling to each roll. If using pie filling or jam, put about 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon on top of cream cheese mixture
*Bake in preheated oven form 15 - 20 minutes
*In a small bowl, stir together confectioner's sugar, milk, and butter
*After danish have cooled, drizzle with icing

ENJOY!

Liquid Dish Soap

First, I want to apologize for this mish-mosh of pictures. I have been having serious issues uploading my pictures with photobucket for the past few days and I am NOT happy! I found www.photovisi.com, but as you can, I don't know WHAT I'm doing! LOL

Ok, with that said, let's get on the making some liquid dish soap! I really liked using this recipe for a few reasons; because it is really a simple one, not only in ingredients, but in effort as well. Also, because it is very economical, costing me around .50 cents to make 1 1/2 quarts. I purchased a 6 oz. bottle of glycerin at Wal-Mart for $3.12. (it can be found in the first aide aisle), and I grated a bar of soap that I had purchased in a multi-pack on sale awhile back for my laundry detergent. You only use 1 tablespoon of glycerin per batch, which comes to .26 cents a tablespoon, added to the approximate cost of .25 cents for the grated soap. WOO HOO! That is definitely a price this "frugal female" can handle!

This recipe I used, changes hard bar soap into liquid soap with the addition of the glycerin. You will need the following ingredients for one batch:

*1 cup of grated bar soap or soap flakes
*1 1/2 quarts water
*1 tablespoon of glycerin

Materials you will need:
*a large saucepan
*a cup measure
*tablespoon
*a glass jar w/lid, or suitable container w/lid
*stick blender (emulsifier)

Mix water, grated soap, and glycerin in large saucepan over low heat until soap is completely dissolved. Stir occasionally until mixture is smooth in texture. Pour into container, cover. Let cool overnight, bringing mixture to room temperature.In the morning, the mixture will be a thick, milky gel. Mine was actually VERY THICK, as you can see in the first picture in the second collage box. I used my emulsifier for a good 5 minutes, making sure to get ALL the lumps out. You want your liquid to be smooth. See the difference between the first and the third pic? WOO HOO. . . . .we have liquid dish soap!

Pour your soap into whatever resealable container or decorative decanter you want to use. I used an old plastic dish soap and iced tea bottle, but still had a little left over. I know I have another small one around here somewhere!

***If you would like to make a thinner soap recipe, just add a bit of extra warm water and shake. This would be great for a hand pump in the bathroom.

I used my soap this morning to wash the breakfast dishes and a greasy pan and I had no trouble at all. You can bet I'll be making my own liquid dish soap from now on!

Pantry Curtains

Yesterday, I was FINALLY able to sit down and make a set of curtains to cover up my pantry closet in the kitchen. I got so tired of moving and replacing the doors every time I needed something, that I put everything else on hold and just sat down and made them. How did the door come off, you ask? To read my original post, please click HERE!

These curtains were easy to make and were inexpensive. I used two twin, flat sheets from Wal-Mart ($4.00 each) for the curtains themselves. . . .

and a set of old curtains I found at a yard sale last year ($1.00) that I took apart and used for the valance. Total cost: $9.00. Can I get a WOOT WOOT! :> )

FOR THE CURTAINS, all I did was hold the sheets up to my closet, and pinned them at the width I wanted. Make sure your seams on both sides are facing the same direction, on the backside! I then sewed right down the side, cutting off the extra near the seam, being careful not to cut through the stitching. Since the sheets already have finished edges, I only needed to sew the one side.

Next, I just folded down the band at the top of the sheet, making sure I folded it to the WRONG SIDE and sewed it all the way across. I think I used a 1/4 inch seam allowance. After your two panels are sewn, hang them up and pin across the bottom at the length you want them to be, iron, and then sew your seam along the bottom.

FOR THE VALANCE, I had to use my brain a little bit more! lol After I cut my yard sale curtains apart, I had a pretty good size piece left that didn't have any whole, snags, etc. I cut my material about 4 inches wider than the width of my curtains to give myself some extra handling room. I then folded the top of my material down 6 1/2 inches and pinned all the way across, then cutting about a 1/4 inch below my pinning. I then repeated this process for my second panel. The dimensions here will vary, depending upon how long you want YOUR valance to be.

When sewing across the bottom where I pinned, I used a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Do this for both valances. You should now have two (2) tubes, both inside out (wrong sides together). Turn your tubes so the right sides are now outside. Iron both tubes, keeping your seam at the top. Lay your valance across the top of your first panel, leaving an overlap on each end. Measure and pin where you will need to fold your valance UNDER, to make it even with the edge of your curtain. (NOTE: You are not sewing the valance to the curtain yet, but will be sewing it to itself, making a finished edge.) Sew the edge with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, then cut off your extra material near your seam. Once you have done that, pin your valance onto your curtain. I wanted a little bit of a decorative top, so I brought my valance down an inch all the way across, but you can come down as much or a little as you want. You don't even have to have a decorative border across the top....your choice!

Now sew your valance to your curtain, repeating for both panels and. . . . .

VOILA....you have curtains!

I hope this was helpful to you. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me and I will get back to you as soon as possible! Now, on to my bedroom curtains! :> )

HAPPY SEWING!

This, I Pray

"THIS I PRAY"
By: Timothy Jon Barrett

Holy Spirit, speak through me,
so all lost souls can plainly see,
not my will, but God's I seek.
Your word's are strong,
where mine are weak.

Holy Spirit, teach me love,
so those that hate can climb above.
I know that love, it is the key,
so this I pray, show love through me.

Holy Spirit, help me give,
so those without, through You may live.
To give to those who are in need,
to share my goods, but not in greed.

Holy Spirit, make me wise,
feed me knowledge, my heart it cries.
To understand what I don't know,
please make me wise, so I may grow.

Holy Spirit, help me trust,
to lean on You, in times I must.
My faith will grow each time I do.
Please build my trust, my trust in you.

Holy Spirit, take my pride,
humble me and be my guide.
First comes pride, and then the fall.
Let me pride in You, or none at all.

Holy Spirit, make me bold,
to spread the news, the scriptures hold.
To speak out loud, to those that hear,
our God is love, they must not fear.

Holy Spirit, this I pray,
fill me up this very day.
To have the power, with You be strong,
to make things right, where they are wrong.

Holy Spirit, let me shine,
with Jesus Christ, this life of mine,
that other souls will soon find out,
what serving God is all about.

Bullying

"You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord!"
Leviticus 19:18

The Girl you just called fat? She has been STARVING herself & has already lost over 30lbs.

The Boy you just called stupid? He has a learning disability & studies over 4hrs a night just to keep up.

The Girl you just called ugly? She spends hours putting her makeup on hoping that people will like her if she's "pretty enough!"

The Boy you just tripped? He's abused regularly at home.

There's a lot more to people than you think!

Blessings

I have the opportunity to admire and be amazed by God's handiwork in nature on a daily basis. We are blessed to see the Massanutten Mountains out our front door and the Blue Ridge Mountains out the back.

It was 77* here today. An absolute beautiful day to be outside. I was sitting in the yard watching the chickens forage and the puppies relaxin. . . . taking in every magnificent color, feeling the blades of grass upon my feet, hearing the birds serenade me from above, noticing the new growth starting to emerge on the trees, and smelling the fresh, warm air of spring.

And yes, I am even blessed by this amazing spider. We are ALL God's creatures and He loves everyone of us!

I am so thankful and am truly blessed for all that I have in my life!

How do you feel blessed today?

Gena Update

I just wanted to let you all know that Gena is doing GREAT! Her limp is almost all gone and she is now running all over the yard foraging for goodies. WOO HOO!

To read my original post, please cluck HERE!
(ha ha ha, get it.....cluck here?) lol

Please Pray With Me

Will you please join me in praying for a close friend of Andrea's over at "Arise 2 Write," MaryGrace. On Monday morning she received a heartbreaking call about her friend. She was hospitalized after severe complications in ICU/critical condition. Andrea has been contacting all the prayer groups she knows, asking them to pray for a miracle. Today, we come to you asking for your continued prayer, but also PRAISING GOD for her progress since Monday. She is speaking and moving her limbs.

Please continue to storm the heavens with Andrea for continued miracles in and through MaryGrace's life.

Edie from Rich Gifts was gracious enough to make a prayer button for MaryGrace. Please pick up the prayer button for your blogs by copying the html on Andrea's right sidebar.

THANK YOU, Edie!

Grocery Bag Purse

I found this purse over at "Another Knitting Blog" this morning and just had to share it with you. It is made of. . . .you are NOT going to believe this. . . . .plastic grocery store bags. That's right, PLASTIC GROCERY STORE BAGS! How awesome is that?

This is such a great idea. I am so going to have to try this one!

To check out Michelle's tutorial, please click HERE!

If you give it a shot and make this before I do, PLEASE come back and leave a comment so we can come over and take a look! :> )

Fabric Pouches

This past week I have been making a few fabric pouches. They are so CUTE AND EASY to make.

The directions I originally found were difficult to understand so I threw them out, looked at the pictures, and made a pattern of my own. Once you get the hang of it, you will be able to change the dimensions and make them whatever size you want!

I am going to TRY and make a tutorial that I can share with you. It will more than likely be in picture form since I don't have the software to make a slide-show.

Have any of you been working on any sewing projects lately? I'd love to see them!

HYMNS

Do you know your hymns?

Dentist's Hymn........................Crown Him with Many Crowns
Weatherman's Hymn............There Shall Be Showers of Blessings
Contractor's Hymn........................The Church's One Foundation
The Tailor's Hymn.........................Holy, Holy, Holy
The Golfer's Hymn........................There's a Green Hill Far Away
The Politician's Hymn..................Standing on the Promises
Optometrist's Hymn................Open My Eyes That I Might See
The IRS Agent's Hymn.................I Surrender All
The Gossip's Hymn......................Pass It On
The Electrician's Hymn................Send The Light
The Shopper's Hymn....................Sweet Bye and Bye
The Realtor's Hymn.........I've Got a Mansion, Just Over the Hilltop
The Massage Therapists Hymn....He Touched Me
The Doctor's Hymn......................The Great Physician

AND for those who speed on the highway - a few hymns:
45mph....................God Will Take Care of You
65mph....................Nearer My God To Thee
85mph....................This World Is Not My Home
95mph....................Lord, I'm Coming Home
100mph..................Precious Memories

Give me a sense of humor, Lord,
Give me the grace to see a joke,
To get some humor out of life,
And pass it on to other folk.

Thank you for sharing this with me, Andrea, so that I could share this with others as well!

What's On The Menu

Tonight's dinner on the farm:

Corn chowder

Dessert:

Sugar cookies w/chocolate ice cream

(This menu is subject to change at any given moment!)

Farm T.V. - Episode 3 - Limpin' Along

The other day while the girls were out, I decided to give them a little treat of oatmeal. Oh, they just LOVE IT, especially when it's warm and I put apple sauce in it! lol When I called them to come and get it, only six came running over. I looked and listened, but no Gena. I finally found her around the side of the house by the back porch, just standing there. When I called her again, she started coming towards me, but really slow. Then I noticed that she was limping. "OH, NO....WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU, BABY GIRL?" (YES, I talk to my chickens and they LOVE IT!!) Oh, my heart breaks to see her hurting!

I picked Gena up, gave her a gentle hug and a back scratch, and then checked her toes. I was looking to see if there was something on it or if she had a cut, or perhaps one of them were broken, but I found nothing. I think she may have gotten her leg caught in between the deck boards and hurt her hock (the leg joint which bends in the opposite direction to a human knee) or her shank (her lower leg). I've been keeping a close eye on her just to make sure she doesn't show any signs of anything else happening with her.

Here is a short clip of my limpin' baby. . . . .

Awww. . . . . doesn't she look so sad? :> (

I'm praying my little girl's leg feels better quickly!

A Bed And Two Dogs

For my birthday, my sister and my two girls bought me a new sewing machine. WOO HOO! Today was rainy and yucky, so I decided to do some sewing and test this baby out! While going through my things, I came across an old dinosaur w/sneakers comforter that all three of our kids used while growing up. They all LOVED IT! It was ripped and worn in spots, but I didn't have the heart to get rid of it.


As I was trying to figure out what do do with it, I went into the kitchen and this is what I saw...

Notice her look. . . .

"THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND WHAT
ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT!" lol



Right then I knew what I had to do. So, I grabbed some pretty flowery girlie fleece I had and I started cutting and sewing.






As soon as I was finished, I laid Pheobe's new bed on the floor. No sooner had she laid down, she started snoring! Lol


Awwww. . . . .we just love our little princess!