Jul 31, 2006

How do y'all gab???

I found this over at Just Laugh, Heather's blog, thought it was interesting.

Your Linguistic Profile:
70% General American English
25% Dixie
0% Midwestern
0% Upper Midwestern
0% Yankee

I'm just happy I ended up with 0% yankee! No offense to all you very cool Yankees!

Missing in Action!

Okay so I've been checking my bloglines and you know what, everyone seems to be missing in action. I know! Everyone is over at BooMama's surfing the Tour of Homes, I know because that's where I've been. Oh it's so much fun and I've found all sorts of decor ideas.


After living in Croatia for so long I have forgotten how rich Americans are. Some of the homes are mansions compared the the upper class homes here in Croatia. We really are so very spoiled in the states. No wonder most of the world is jealous of America. (please do not send me an e-mail about this, it's true and if you happen to be in a country that isn't for the most part envious of America, then good for you and you fall outside of that most) We, Americans live so luxurious. Some of the homes look like hotels. Don't get me wrong I would love to have my very own suite but there is such a huge difference in the quality of living in the states and in Croatia.


Hey I don't think there is anything wrong with having a really nice home and things, just so they're in their rightful place. Hey after I give my tithes and missions and offerings, if I still have excess then you can count on me having the nicest home that God will allow, but no way I'm going to put my home and things in front of the big picture, the souls of men and the love for a God who gave it all!!!


Oh well I just though I would say that today, don't know why, it was just on my mind.

Oh yea and I don't know why I didn't participate in the Tour of Homes, it would have been neat and I may still do that, we'll see. Better late than never right???

Jul 30, 2006

Pincushion Rings


I love this project! What a great way to recycle and make something useful! Don't throw away those scraps of fabric, lace and ribbon! A sewer and crafter can always find a way to use the tiniest of scraps. There are plenty of examples of this design, but have fun creating your own unique looks!

Materials
Scraps of fabric
Scraps of elastic
Scraps of batting or fiberfill
Plastic bottle cap
Needle and thread
Fabric glue
Notions: charms, ribbons, rickrack, other trims

Instructions
Cut 3- to 4-inch circles of fabric. Sew a gathering stitch around the edge of the fabric. Gently pull in gathers until there is a small opening. Stuff loosely with scraps of batting or fiberfill. Pull gathers tight and knot securely.

Pour a puddle of glue into a clean plastic bottle cap. Insert the raw end of the gathered ball into the opening and firmly hold in place. Allow to dry. Check to make sure ball is secure before continuing.

Now the fun starts! You can glue lace or other trimmings around the outside of the bottle cap. You can sew a few charms to the ball. Glue a ribbon rose or yo-yo or button to the top of the ball. Get creative!

Measure the elastic around your finger allowing for about 1/2 inch of overlap. You don't want the elastic tight around your finger; you want it to just fit. Sew overlap or glue with fabric glue.

Turn bottle cap over to bottom. Roughen the plastic bottom by scratching with a pin or craft knife. Glue elastic ring to roughened area of the bottle-cap bottom.

Jul 29, 2006

I think I can, I think I can...Nope I Can't!!!!

Do you ever feel like this? Totally frustrated, you know what you want but just can't make it happen? This dog and I are in the same unloved boat. You know that feeling, you know what you want but just can't get it.

Yes that's about it today. I know what I want, a spotless house and a thin body but I'm going through one of those times when I am just totally deprived of motivation. I mean I have a clear insight to what needs to be done and how, but I just really don't care??? Well that's where I am. Hey I'm not calling the kettle white, I know it's sin, but I just can't seem to get out of it.

If you didn't already know, I have the best husband in the world, no really I do! He is so good to me and so considerate of me. When I have times like these, and they are usually right before uncle TOM comes to visit and I just can't shake it, my dear one is so kinda and easy going.

Let's see, what I got done yesterday: cleaned the LR, dining room, kitchen and did 3 loads of laundry. Yea I know, seems like a lot, (of course it was all dirty again an hour later!) but wait... I didn't get the following things done: the rest of the laundry, clean out the fridge, my closet room, the bathrooms, the front patio, the desk, hummm shall I go on, nahhh!

So you see I had a pretty fruitless day yesterday. Oh yea and my diet and died! I don't know why I can't get on board with this, I do great the first week and loose 2 kilos usually but after that I fall back into this trap and it is a trap. So I dunno, guess I'll have to go do some real talking with my Father and pray He'll help me, Of course He will He always does!

Sorry for rambling so, oh yea and I'm sure you've realized that English grammar isn't my stong point???

Jul 27, 2006

Craft Newsletters

I singed up for some craft newsletters from DRG and I'm loving them. I have been getting the 501 Sewing Secrets for a while and it's full of god stuff. they also offer newletters about crochet, knitting, cooking, quilting and wood working for women. So if your interested you can go to DRG and sign up.

JUST A NOTE:
With anything on the web, remember that whatever information you give may become public knowledge so I would suggest opeing an e-mail account for newsletters and things so when you are bonbarded with spam it wont clutter your main e-mail account. *Ü*

Scissor Angel

Scissor Angel

I found this idea today when I got my 501 Sewing Secrets Newsletter, and I thought it was so cute. The angel also makes a great ornament.

Materials
Small purchased tassel
1/2-inch wooden ball or bead
Acrylic paint: flesh tone, red, brown
Stylus and paintbrush
Glue
Scrap of fabric (3-inch circle)
7-inch scrap of ribbon for tie
1-inch pearl piping or small crochet ring (for halo; optional)
Small button
Needle and thread

Instructions
Paint wooden ball with flesh tone of your choice. Allow to dry. Dot heart or round checks with red. Dot eyes with brown. Allow to dry.
Sew a running or gathering stitch around circle of fabric to create a yo-yo. Pull the gathers tight and tuck in any raw edges. Knot securely. Now gather at center with thread or ribbon scrap creating wings.
Glue head to top of tassel. Glue wings to back of tassel. Thread ribbon for tie through the button holes with the raw ends of the ribbon coming through the button as the front. Apply glue to back of button and place at center of wings. Glue on halo. Allow all glue to dry completely.
Tie angel to your sewing scissors to protect them from being used as household shears! The angel is also great as a package bow or ornament.

Jul 26, 2006

Wordless Wednesday


I know this is Wordless Wednesday so pretend your not reading this but I have to give a link for these lovely images. Liquid Sculpture has tons more photos, they are lovely.

Happy 11th Birthday Joshua!


Wow, I can't even believe that my Joshie has been a live for more than a decade.

Joshua was born at home in our bedroom at 10:55 and since then we have had one laugh after another. He is the happiest child I have ever seen. It doesn't take much to make Joshua laugh and I absolutely love that about him.

I was looking today for a good picture of Joshua and you know what, I don't have any "normal" pictures instead he's either laughing, making a funny face or just moving around. He's so much fun.

I did manage to find one that was "normal" :0) Isn't he a cutie???

Okay so in honor of my sweetie pie I'm going to list of 11 reason why I love Joshua although there are many more.

I love Joshua just because:

  1. he's so tender-hearted
  2. he makes all who know him love him.
  3. he finds laughter in everything.
  4. he truely loves Jesus.
  5. he's fun to be around.
  6. he's faithful to his family and Jesus.
  7. makes the world more fun to live in.
  8. he has a wonderful imagination.
  9. he is so innocent.
  10. he easily forgives.
  11. he's mine!!

Happy Happy Birthday Joshua

your Mother loves you!!!

Jul 25, 2006

Sensitive or Not

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Sunday I took my bus route home and as I was driving through the village I realized something: I've been desensitized! Really, people talk about being exposed to sin so long that you stop noticing it as sin, well it's happened. I guess little by little my innocence was stolen.

It's devilishly hot here in Croatia, it has been for weeks. Well I'm driving through the village and noticing the typically naked children running around, some 1 some 6 years old. The ladies ( and I use that term lightly because I don't believe that all women are ladies) out side in nothing but their under garments, this village is a "hell" hole. It's terrible and you know what, I didn't even notice the nakedness, not until I came to the last part of the village and I saw a rather hefty lady bending over a bucket washing clothes, sadly her bra was a bit too small and she was EVERYWHERE!!! It was shocking, then I realized, I've been desensitized.

This is the def. I for desensitize:

  1. : to make (a sensitized or hypersensitive individual) insensitive or nonreactive to a sensitizing agent
  2. : to make emotionally insensitive or callous; specifically
  3. : to extinguish an emotional response (as of fear, anxiety, or guilt) to stimuli that formerly induced it

This is what has happened.

When we first came to Croatia it was very difficult for me. Sex and nudity was everywhere. Hey I had two little boys I was trying to protect.

Once, we were in the capital and we ran into one of these horrid spectacles. So you know, we have a rule in our family not really a rule as a practice; when we see something bad to the left we say heads right, if it's infront of us then we say heads down, and it's not just for the kids either. We all do our best to guard our minds. Anyhoo, one day we were driving and to the left was a full billboard for playboy, a totally naked woman from head to toe, so I gave the needed command and all eyes went right. Oh no! The same billboard was on the right also, so then I said "eyes strait" Well guess what! There she was that same woman, void of any conscience, staring back at us from the auto bus infront of us. It was horrible, so for the next 10 minutes we all rested our eyes until we made it out of that sin-pit.

This was our first experience in a big European city, it wasn't all it's cracked up to be, let me tell you.

Well back to my desensitivity. I just had this epiphany and I realize how unaware I am to the sin around me. So I'm going on high alert, or is it red alert? I'm going to do my best to use Scripture to bring back to my mind the wickedness and sinfulness of life here in Croatia. It's not okay to be naked, it's not okay to show those feminine parts to anyone but your spouse and God does not delight in our uncoveredness.

It's not like we have a choice to go into the village, there are hundreds of lost souls in there, someone has to go. Someone has to give them a chance to except Jesus, how will they ever see sin as God sees it without His Spirit.

Anyhoo, this is one missionaries journey back to being sensitive to sin. The only thing I can think of doing is using God's Word to remind me how horrid this sin is, even though I already know, maybe if I meditate on what God thinks of it then I will again be able to sense sin at first glance.

Jul 24, 2006

So you thought you knew everything!

  • The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for blood plasma.
  • No piece of paper can be folded in half more than seven (7) times.
  • Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes.
  • You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television.
  • Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are fifty (50) years of age or older.
  • The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley's gum.
  • American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one (1) olive
    from each salad served in first-class.
  • Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise.
    (Since Venus is normally associated with women, what does this tell you!)
  • Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.
  • Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin.
  • Walt Disney was afraid of mice.
  • Pearls melt in vinegar.
  • It is possible to lead a cow upstairs... but not downstairs.
  • A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.
  • Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six (6) feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush. (I keep my toothbrush in the living room now!)
  • Richard Millhouse Nixon was the first U.S. president whose name contains all the letters from the word "criminal."
  • The second? William Jefferson Clinton. (That should be no suprise!)
  • Now you know everything there is to know. Of importance, that is !!!

**Don't know if they're all true but they are interesting, specially the cow thinggy. That may come in handy one day, who knows!

Jul 22, 2006

Not Just for Canning!


I found this great page! Jar Art by Ball. You know, the Ball canning jars. Well they have this new thing, well new to me, about decorating the jars with scrapping stuff, you have to see them.

A great way to spice up those jar mixs everyone gives for the holidays.

Then they also have a page full of ideas. All sorts of things to do with the jars and the files are in PDF form so really easy to print. It's worth a look! 80)


You can also sign up for a quartly newsletter full of crafting ideas. It's a great idea for all you crafters and it's FREE!!! Oh yea here's the LINK. :o)


I almost forgot, for those of you who want to using the jars for, uhh canning and aren't so sure how to do it, Homecanning.com has two walk through videos on how to make freezer jam and salsa. It's worth a look! ;0)




Oh oh! I had to add this: It's a Ball Home Canning Kit. It come with:
~A 21 quart waterbath canning pot
~Canning jar rack
~Six pint jars
~"Collection Elite" lids and rims
~1 Ball "Blue canning instruction book"
~1 jar lifter
~1 lid wand
~1 canning funnel
~1 bubble Freer spatula
~$10.00 in valuable Ball home canning coupons

This would be an ideal gift for the new homemaker or any young lady. This would also be a great addition to any hopechest. You can purchase it here at Jarden Home for 49.99.

No I'm not getting any commision from this thinggy ;0) I just thought it was a great thing.

Happy Canning!

Jul 21, 2006

MOOMF ????

Okay, so am I the only one who tries to read the little spam proof passwords we have to type in to post comments sometimes? I mean I think I have become obsessive compulsive.

So what does moomf mean anyhow? or oxores? I'm pondering this stuff too much, I'm starting to actually think these groups of alphas are words!!! Like isn't tigwas the code name for the Apache message senders during the World War?? Oh yea and chettnerd, that's the really smart guy in school that people bullied to give them the answes to tests. Right??? Am I loosing my grip of spoken English???

Oh well I'm going to make my slpdwn and wake my neenokrs. Have a suoopwar day!!
Oh yea and the picture, well I couldn't resist, this is how I feel today! ;0)

Jul 19, 2006

Old Fashion Christian Music Radio

For those of you who have commented on the radio station that is currently playing, I have contacted the owner and he said we are free to use the station through our blogs as long as we post a link back to his site.

The link should be in plain view somewhere on the page and should link back to Old Fashion Christian Music Radio .

If you would like help adding the music to your own blog, please e-mail me at missionarywife2003[at]yahoo[dot]com and I'd be glad to send you the HTML code to add to your blog template. If you are not for sure how to add it I would be more than happy to oblidge.

Croatia4Christ.com


I thought I would post this link, www.Croatia4Christ.com. This is our website for our ministry here in Croatia. Many ladies have shown intrest in the work here and so on, so here ya go! I just updated this site a few weeks ago so most of the content is current.


Thank you for showing so much intrest in our family and the wonderful Croatian people. :0)

Have You Noticed???


I'm sure you have, I added music to my blog!!! The station playing is Old Fashion Christian Music Radio, it's a ministry of Bro. Michael M. McFadden. Bro. McFadden is a faithful member of my homechurch in the states; Trinity Baptist Church.

Many have asked about the music and if it is okay for them to use it on their blogs. I have e-mailed Bro. McFadden to make sure it's okay and we aren't stealing bandwidth or something like that.

I love the music Bro. McFadden plays, it's so good. I'm a very old fashioned gal, definantly not into all the contemporary stuff, I like the old fashioned hymns and spiritual songs. ;0)

Thank you Bro. McFadden for a wonderfully Godly station.

Jul 18, 2006

All Aboard the Birthday Train

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Hello, we're back from Zagreb, actually yesterday evening we arrived from our little trip. We were not gone very long but it seems like we were gone for days. It was wonderfully relaxing. The children had a ball!!!

We left our town, Čakovec, at 7:25 in the morning and arrived in Zagreb at 9:40. We were very lucky to get a compartment all to ourselves. It was very nice and clean.

Joshua and Hannah standing in front of our train. I know it's old and doesn't look like it should run but it was really smooth to be so old. Our seats were very comfy to be so old. With both windows open it was so wonderfully fresh.

Oh yea and the halls are that small. It was very difficult getting to the bathroom, especially when people were in the hall. The men were the worst; they refused to move over at all. Croats don't know the concept of personal space, I personally like mine.


Me and my kiddos. I sure love these guys. L to R: Joshua soon to 11, Hannah just turned 9, Me 33, and my big almost 14 year old. Wondering where my husband is??? Taking the pictures.



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Croatia is a lovely country. The foothills of the Alps end in Croatia. It's so clean and fresh. The red roofs are typical of Croatia and Europe in general.

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Joshua and Hannah really enjoyed the window. The wind was so fresh and cool. We always drive to the capitol and the train takes a different route so every thing was new.

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Destination: Zagreb, Croatia. Population 1 million, give or take a few little Croats. :0) Oh yea the sing says: Zagreb, Main Station.


Doing what I like best, browsing! ;o) We were headed to the top and I hollered at them for a sec, that's why they aren't all smiling. At the top of the hill you see the big Catholic church. What a totally dead place. How sad.

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This is Ban Jelečić, he was a regimental colonel for seven years along the Croatian military frontier and a Croatian Nation Hero. Oh yea that little figure to the left is Hannah.


After visiting the Subway for lunch, McDonalds for coffee and ice cream, the American book store and a few toy stores it was time to head home.


We were in the train station waiting for the departure when we hear someone holler out "Hey Americans!", we looked over to see a man from our church. Danijel was returning from Serbia after visiting some family. Danijel is very special to our family and really a part of the family now. Anyhoo, his cousin in Serbia bet him that he would not wear a military Serbia T-shirt in the Croatian capital. (Croatia and Serbia were in war from the 80's till 91, they HATE each other) So we took a pic of Danijel standing in his Serbian shirt when a policeman decided he didn't like what was going on. Luckily we weren’t involved but he ran Danijel through the system. The policeman said he was only concerned for Daniel’s life but more than likely he fought the Serbs in the war and could have even lost loved ones. The conflict between the two countries is still very real and more than likely always will be. Danijel was let off with a warning and quickly went and changed out of the offending garment. We had a nice time sharing our car with Danijel on the way home. What a coincidence to run into someone we know in such a huge place.

We really did have a wonderful time. We have all decided that we love trains now. We have flown many times but no matter how nice the plane is it's no camparison to a train trip. Too bad the train doesn't cross the Atlantic, we would be tempted. ;0)

Jul 16, 2006

Taking the Train



We have two birthdays in July. Our son's is the 26th and our daughter just had her birthday on the 8th. Birthdays are difficult sometimes because we don't have anyone to spend them with. We're always trying to find creative ways to spend the special day and not feel sorry for the kids. So this year we're taking the train to Croatia's capital Zagreb. We've been there tons of times but we've never been on a train. So 7:26 in the morning our train takes off for the capital Zagreb.

Zagreb holds several attractions for Americans; Subway Subs, American Bookstore (all English books, although they are rather pricey), McDonalds and they even used to have bowling. We're going to eat out, shop at the book store and just act like tourists.

We're all excited and we'll tote our camera along to take some pics of our adventure.

The New Testament


Matthew and Mark, and Luke and John,
The Holy Gospels wrote.

Describing how the Savior died--
His life-- and all He taught;

Acts proved how God the Apostles owned
With signs in every place,

Paul, in Romans, teaches us
How man is saved by grace.

The Apostles in Corinthians,
Instructs, exhorts, reproves;


Galatians shows that faith in Christ
Alone the Father loves.

Ephesians and Philippians tell
What Christians ought to be;

Colossians bids us live to God
And for eternity,

In Thessalonians we are taught
The Lord will come from heaven;

In Timothy and Titus
A bishop’s rule is given.

Philemon marks a Christian’s love,
Which only Christians know;

Hebrews reveals the Gospel
Prefigured by the law;

James teaches without holiness
Faith is but vain and dead,

Peter points the narrow way
In which the saints are led.

John in his three Epistles,
On love delights to dwell;

Jude gives awful warning
Of judgment, wrath and hell;

The Revelation prophesies of
that tremendous day

When Christ, and Christ alone,
shall be

The trembling sinner's stay.

Thomas Russell

Jul 15, 2006

3 Things About Me

Feel free to take this graphic and use it on your blog!



3 Things That Scare Me:
1. The thought of someone hurting my children
2. Life with out my Hubby
3. Dryer Lint!

3 People That Make Me Laugh:
1. My kids
2. My Hubby
3. My best friend Amanda

3 Things I Love:
1. My puter!
2. Bath and Body Works
3. Balcony Flowers

3 Things I Hate:
1. Liars
2. Green Peas!
3. Friends who demand things

3 Things I Don't Understand:
1. Why anyone would choose not to except Jesus as Savior
2. Excel spreadsheets
3. Croatian grammar

3 Things On My Desk:
1. My purple coffee cup
2. Photo of my Pastor and his wife
3. Croatian New Testament

3 Things I'm Doing Right Now:
1. Typing this thinggy
2. Day dreaming of how nice my sewing/closet room could be
3. Enjoying the fresh morning breeze

3 Things I Want to Do Before I Die:
1. See Israel
2. (Wow, this is hard, I’ve done a lot) See my children and grandchildren serve the Lord with their lives
3. Have a sleepover with my friends ;0)

3 Things I Can Do:
1. Speak Croatian pretty well
2. Complain about the in-flight movie
3. Start things!

3 Ways to Describe My Personality:
1. Pretty normal
2. Faithful
3. Hopefully a bit like Jesus

3 Things I Can't Do:
1. Complicated math
2. Put up with liars
3. Speak in front of folks

3 Things I Think You Should Listen To:
1. Children sing Jesus loves me in their native tongues
2. Your Pastor
3. The song the birds sing at 5 in the morning

3 Things I Think You Should Never Listen To:
1. Gossip
2. The stuff teens say when sitting around in a big group
3. Anyone take the Lord’s name in vain

3 Absolute Favorite Foods:
1. Monte Cristo deep fried sandwich with raspberry sauce
2. Cookie Monsters
3. Chicken and Dumplings on a cold day

3 Things I'd Like to Learn:
1. How to use yeast successfully
2. Culture of Croatians
3. Where all the lost socks go to

3 Beverages I Drink Regularly:
1. Iced Tea
2. Coffee
3. Water

3 Shows I Watched as a Kid:
1. Little House on the Prarie
2. Punky Brewster
3. The Buggaloos (I think that’s how you spell it)

Thanks Tori for tagging me. :0) I really wanted to do this and I got tired of waiting to be tagged. I’m bucking the system ;0)

Blog Tour of Homes


BooMama is having a Blog Tour of Homes, Oh I can't wait. Anyhooo, I thought I would participate.
Looks like the date for this big day is Friday, July 28th.

So here are some guidelines she has set up:
  1. I think it's a good idea to refrain from large, sweeping shots of your house's exterior. You never know who's reading, and too many identifying features probably isn't wise. Especially if your house numbers are involved. Since I don't want anyone to be victimized by a Ring of Thieves, I think it would be neat if everyone's first picture was a shot of their front door. And if there are numbers on your door, then you can either blur them in Photoshop or take your chances with the Ring of Thieves. :-)

  2. Second photo = show us where you blog. Show us where the magic happens. The BLOGGY magic happens. My word.

  3. Third photo = your main living area. Show us the place where your family hangs out.

  4. Fourth photo = your kitchen. It is, after all, the heart of the home. And we're not going to compare countertop upgrades or somesuch nonsense...just show us where you prepare meals for your family. Or where you unpack fast food bags for your family. Whichever the case may be.

  5. Fifth photo = your choice. Could be a bedroom, or a playroom, or a favorite spot outside.

I can't wait to see all the posts and where you folks live. Think I'll post my Home Away From Home too. :-)

Jul 14, 2006

What I Did Last Night

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While we were in Hungary for the 4th of July, we borrowed a few videos from our good friend Bro. Fauenhoffer. We borrowed Flaming in the Wind, a movie about the splendor and terror of the Spanish inquisition, Candle in the Dark, the story of William Carey and Hudson Taylor's story. Oh yea and the one you see to your left. Dean Jones (star of The Million Dollar Duck, The Shaggy D.A. and Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo plus many more) stars as St. John.

The entire recording is on stage at a theatre. It's absolutely wonderful! It's funny at times and at times it's so dramatic you can't help but shed a tear. The entire script comes from Scripture except little add-ins here and there and they are in no way inappropriate.

There is no fancy computer animation or gory scenes to keep the crowd, just good, plain acting out of the GREATEST story ever told. The video is absolutely worth buying. We will start looking for it too. It's great.

Oh yea and I found this out about Dean Jones, from Wikapedia:
"Jones became a devout born-again Christian in 1973/1974 and has since appeared in several Christian movies. He is semi-retired, and currently resides in California."

Here are a few places you can pick up a cheap Copy of St. John in Exile:

Amazon - 8.95 for the video or the DVD for 18.70

Ebay - VHS tape for 13.88 or DVD for 17.25 (these the the By it Now prices, you could still bid for them and get them for less.



While Watching St. John in Exile I decided to make one of those crocheted towel thingies to hand on my stove handle. I found these American looking kitchen towels in Hungary.

When we came to Croatia 6 years ago we had nothing but a few trunks full of clothing. We had to sell or give away our household goods when we came here. Shipping was and still is just to expensive to send things that aren't necessities.

Anyhoo, our home lacks an aged feeling. Everything we own, almost, is only 6 years old. So I thought about this, it's simple but doesn't it just speak of Grandma's kitchen??? So I'm hanging it on my stove and hoping to get some of that aged homey feeling.

I really am sorry I didn't make room for more or my special things. Like my bunny collection my Mom gathered for me, or my big quilts. Oh how I love quilts. Anyhow, I think this will at least make me feel like I'm in Grandma's kitchen.

Here are a few links if you would like to make some of these simple towel thinggies.

BASKETWEAVE TOWEL TOPPER

CLUSTER HANGING DISH TOWEL

CROSS STITCH TOWEL TOPPER

DOUBLE TOWEL TOPPER

NO SEW TOWEL TOPPER


SON Worshippers

Yesterday, while in Hungary we saw this field of Sunflowers. Are they not the most beautiful sight you've ever seen?

We came over a hill and all we could see was rolling hills covered in the sun worshippers. It was like something out of a movie. I could just image Dorothy and the Tin Man running trough the fields, oh wait!!! That's Poppies, huh, sorry.

I just love this big one, I'll have to try to do something with this photo. It's just to nice to let rot on my hard drive. ;o)

Okay so here are few more SON worshippers. My son told me that sunflowers always face the sun. I'm sure they are in actuality facing the Son like us.


I know, my hair's a mess. This is on the way home so I was probably about to take my routine traveling nap, I always sleep on trips. :o)

Happy Friday!

Jul 13, 2006

Little Trip to Hungary




We usually go to Austria to buy groceries but this month has just flown by so we decided to buy them in Hungary instead this month. Not as economical but closer. Here are just a few pics from our trip.

If you look to the top of this highway sign you'll see Zagreb, that's Croatia's capital. That way's home!


This is the absolute worse border in Europe!!! We arrived and you can see just a few cars, well after 20 minutes the cars were backed up to the Croatian border and we hadn't moved. Then they opened up two more lanes and instead of having the first come first serve they allowed all the cars at the back to come around us and wouldn't let us go. So after 1 hour we finally made it through this communistic border!!! No I'm not bitter. ;o}

Tesco is an English store, the closest thing we have to a Walmart. Sadly the don't stick American items except for the occasional tortillas and they have some Duncan Hines boxed brownies, but at $10 a box I usually pass on those.

Anyhoo, those are just a few pictures from todays grocery shopping.

Check'em Out!

Here are a few blogs that I enjoy visiting.


Carol over at Simple, Frugal Living makes saving on meals and home life in general very easy. She posts wonderful recipes and money saving ideas. Not to mention she one nice lady!
I've been visiting W8ng4Him for a while now and it's one of my favortite blogs. Shereen is so sweet and you can really learn alot from her and how she loves her family.
HsKubes (Mom) and Keeper2Be (Daughter) have a very sweet blog. Haven for Home is a wonderful mix of sewing, cooking, and basic homemaking.
So here are a few in my long list of favorites, enjoy!

Jul 12, 2006

Suggested Dinner Menu


Suggested Dinner Menu for July 10-14, 2006

Monday
Swiss Chicken
Brown Rice
Steamed Broccoli
Pineapple Chunks

Tuesday
Tacos
Mexican Corn
Refried Beans
Mango Slices

Wednesday
Crockpot Meatloaf
Sugar Snap Peas
Dinner Rolls
Fruit of Your Choice

Thursday
Hash Brown Soup
Salad
Apple, Grape and Walnut Salad
Sourdough Bread

Friday
Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Salad

Get the recipes and grocery list for this weekly dinner menu from Menus4Moms.com

Jul 11, 2006

Not Much Going On

Yep, not much going on around here.
Sunday was good, we were a little down, but that's to be expected with the summer slump. Oh my was it ever hot in the church. People were fanning and sweating everywhere. It was almost unbareale.


Johnny preached a wonderful message entiteld, I'm not a Pig Anymore!, it was really good. He is an exceptional preacher, always has been. I'm glad he's my pastor. *Ü*


Okay so now my dogs pregnant, it wasn't planned either. She's a Golden Retiever and she was found collaborating with the enemy (a big black lab) to get the job done. ;o( She's totally wierd now. She is always whinning and crying, she actually is acting like a pregnant woman. *Ü* I

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looked online for the gestational period for doggies and it looks like she is two weeks along. Also, the mix between a Golden and a Black Lab isn't so bad. I actually found a place or places that call that mix a Russian Retiever. *Ü* Crazy I know, they aren't even pure bred but people still call them that. Luckily they should be pretty easy to give away, both retrievers and labs are great family dogs, so anyhoo, I'm gonna be a grandma in about 1.5 months. *Ü*


Yesterday, Monday, I cleaned the house, with some help from the family. Did about 4 loads of clothes. Totally dejunked my bedroom. Today I'm going to try to get the following list done:
  • Clean upstairs bath
  • Clean closet room and sewing/office
  • Clean and go through junk and toys in Hannah's room
  • Finish laundry (yes I still have laundry!)

That's not too big a list, I should be able to get that one done, right????*Ü*



Don't have any idea what I'll do for lunch and dinner today, I really need to go buy groceries. We didn't go to Austria to buy groceries this month and it's really showing in my pantry. Maybe I'll run to the store today. I need to buys some shoes for Hannah and myself so that's an incentive, right???



Have a great Tuesday!

Jul 9, 2006

Super Easy Pin Cusion

So I found this really neat site, don't even ask me where, I don't even remember how long ago it was. I just remembered I wanted to make one, so when I already had the mess of the machine and all my junk out I thought I would take the opprotunity. So here is my step by step thinggy for making a pin cushion, not that it's all that difficult. *Ü*



1. I found some material I liked, and cut out at six inch circle, or sorta circle, I didn't use a protractor, but at least it doesn't look like a square. *Ü*


2. Of course I put right sides together and hemed around the edge with a strait stitch leaving enough of a gap to stuff this little critter.



3. After I stuffed the thinggy, I hemmed the opening shut. Don't laugh! I know it doesn't look sp professional, but I'm not one so that's why!


4. Then I took some pink thread, threaded a big eyed needed a few times (the more threads you use at one time the less times you have to run it through. Then when I finished that I added the little button.

* oh yea I forgot, it's good to use a felty material for the base, don't ask me why, that's just what everyone says. *Ü*










    A Bit Quirky!!!



    Blue Jean Book Bag
    I got this idea from Crystal Miller at the Family Homestead.

    This is so easy, it's a bit quirky. *Ü* I like things that are a bit out of the ordinary.
    You can get the step by step instructions over at The Family Homestead.

    • You need to turn the pants inside out and then cut the legs off just 3 inches below the crotch.
    • Then you sew the leg openings up.
    • Than I added some beaded fringe to the pockets and then sewed a cute little heart on the back pocket.
    • Oh yea and the strap or belt, I made a long belt and I added some padding to it to make it more comfy to carry. Threaded it through the belt loops and then sewed it together.

      Wa-laaa!!! It's fun and Quirky.

    Jul 8, 2006

    That's it, I'm finished!!!


    Okay after 8 posts today, I think it's time to call it quits. Who know what posessed me to post so many times. If I had been smart I would have banked the posts for the next three days, but no, I had to post them all in one day.


    So it's 10:00 here in Croatia and my bed and husband are calling me. Good night and don't miss the Dad post, it's too funny.

    Oh My, Poor Dads!!

    Okay so I don't have any little ones anymore since my baby is now 9 but this is still so hillarious. I found this on another blog, I can't remember which one now, but it is so funny. I couldn't stop laughing.

    All you Mom with squimish husbands, this is for you!


    My Best Friend's Icing

    INGREDIENTS:
    2 C butter
    2 tsp vanilla extract
    1 tsp almond exract
    8 tbsp water
    1 tsp salt
    2 lbs powdered sugar

    INSTRUCTIONS:


    1. Disolve the salt in the water (if adding food coloring you can add it to the water for easier blending).
    2. Cream butter and extracts
    3. Alternate adding the salt water and powdered sugar until it is used up.
    4. If the icing is too think you can add milk to thin it.

    Good Luck and Happy Icing!!

    Blue Jean Quilt


    Okay so here's the quilt you've all been asking about. It's not finished of course, I still have to bind the edges. I haven't done the edges yet because I honestly don't know how. *Ü*
    I used all my boy's old jeans to make this quilt. I love the feel of jean material, especially in the winter. It's going to be a very warm blankie when the snows start this winter.

    Hopefully I can get it finished soon, maybe if I stop starting other projects I can maybe finish this one. *Ü*

    Hannah's B-Day Continued


    We had a wonderful day with Hannah today. She picked out what we had for dinner today; chicken tenders, corn, rice and bagettes. Then we torn into the 100,000 calorie cake and ice cream, oh but it was good. She opened her present from Dad and Mom, a drawer system filled with all kinds of sewing notions. She received a card from each of her brothers and her brother Cody gave her 80 Kuna (13 dollars). A bit later Dad came home with a special gift for the birthday girl. I'm so glad that Hannah has such a wonderful Daddy, I'm sure she is too. *Ü*

    Simplicity Online Projects


    I found this site while looking for online projects. There are some really good ones on there, several pages I think. Also they have a 3 part chicken and rooster project thinggy going on; some really cute stuff. Have fun looking around.

    Skirts from Jeans

    I'm intrigued by this whole idea. Hannah and I don't wear jeans but I like this idea. I thought about trying it with a pair of my boy's old jeans. Here are the instructions I found for this, looks pretty simple.

    Jean skirts seem to come in and out of fashion on a regular schedule. The method given here uses two pairs of jeans. One is used to fill the “wedge” created when the inner leg seams are opened. A contrasting fabric can be used for the wedge if desired. The jeans for the upper portion of the skirt should fit at the waist and through the hips.


    • Without cutting the fabric, release the inseam stitching.
    • Remove the center front stitching beginning 1” below the zipper to the crotch (1).





    • Remove the center back stitching beginning 6” to 9” below the waistband (where the grainlines begin to straighten) to the crotch (2). Remove the hem stitching at the lower leg edges.




    • From a second pair of jeans, cut off the legs just below the crotch. Cut away the seams and hems right next to the seamlines-- leaving large wedge-shaped sections. These sections will fill in the wedge-shaped areas on the lower skirt.
    • Place the first pair of jeans on a flat surface. Overlap the left front crotch over the right front and create a skirt shape by moving the sides until they’re parallel or a slight A-line shape. Measure the hipline and compare the measurement to your hips--adjust the skirt side edges to allow for 2” to 4” of ease through the hips.
    • Place a piece of cardboard between the skirt front and back to prevent pinning through to the skirt back. Smooth the overlap areas and pin together, keeping the pocket linings free. Note: For less overlap, trim the crotch point (3).

    • With right sides up, position a cut section from the second pair of jeans beneath the skirt front to fill in the wedge shape. For a skirt the length of the original pants, extend the filler fabric 1 1/4" beyond the skirt lower edge for a hem allowance. Position the filler fabric on-grain and pin in place to the skirt front, turning under the original inseam allowances (4).


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    • Using thread and an adjusted stitch length to match the original stitching, edgestitch the front skirt and wedge insert together. Stitch a second row, duplicating the topstitching on the jeans. Turn the garment wrong side out and trim away the excess wedge fabric to within 5/8" of the seamlines; clean-finish the raw edges.
    • For the skirt back wedge, sew two sections from the second pair of jeans together, leaving 15” to 18” unsewn to form a slit for walking ease (5). Finish the slit raw edges with serging or a zigzag stitch and press the seam open.




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    • Topstitch the slit edges, duplicating the original stitching.
    • On the skirt back, overlap the left crotch over the right, trimming the points if desired. Right sides up, insert and pin the prepared wedge to the skirt back, turning under the inseam allowances and extending the inset 1 1/4” beyond the skirt lower edge for a hem allowance. Sew the skirt back and wedge together; trim and finish as for the front.
    • Even the hemline or cut to the desired length plus 5/8". Clean-finish the raw edge and turn under 5/8". Stitch the hem, duplicating the original topstitching.

    Special thanks to Debbie Colgrove from SewNews for the instructions.