Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Happy Thanks Giving

I re-read Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation two weeks ago.  Reading this proclamation gives a different perspective on our celebration of this day.  We are scaling back our feast, including more giving of our time, talent and treasures to our community and focusing on our many blessings.


I wish you all a wonderful day of thanks giving
(with a little turkey and cranberries on the side).






Lincoln's 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation





The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.  To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.  In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.  Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore.  Population had steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battlefield; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.  They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.  It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American People.  I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.  And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.
-- Abraham Lincoln

In addition to being floored by the sentiments expressed by Lincoln in this proclamation, I am truly awed by Lincoln's use of the English language. When (and why) did we loose the ability to speak so eloquently?


Give thanks to the Lord, invoke his name; make kown among the peoples his deeds!
Psalm 105:1


Therefore, we who are receiving the unshakeable kingdom should have gratitude, with which we should offer worship pleasing to God in reverence and awe.
Hebrews 12:28



. . . and say on that day:
Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
Sing praise to the Lord; for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throught all the earth.
Isaiah 12:4 - 5

I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you . . .
Philippians 1:3

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, your wonders of old I will remember.
I will recite all your works; your exploits I will tell.
Your way, O God, is holy; what god is as great as our God?
You alone are the God who did wonders; among the peoples you revealed your might.
With your arm you redeemed your people.
Psalm 77:12 - 16


I thank you, Lord, with all my hear; before the gods to you I sing. 
I bow low toward your holy temple; I praise your name for your fidelity and love. 
For you have exalted over all your name and your promise.
Psalm 138: 1-2

Those who offer praise as a sacrifice (of thanksgiving ) honor me;
to the obedient I will show the salvation of God.
Psalm 50:23
So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6 -7

Monday, November 8, 2010

Life is Good! (Photo Heavy)

Sampler by Rebecca Scott, dated November 1, 1790:
Two things, the needle and the book we find,
help to accomplish all the female kind.

The shineing needle draws the fine spun thread
bedecks the person and adorns the head.

Since neatness gives the charms that all commend
The needle is the female choiest friend."

Well,  my needle is my "choiest" friend this week.  I have not had much time to stitch, but the small momemts I have struggled to find have been precious indeed.  I have not had much time to read lately, but I have several books on the nightstand just waiting for me to make time for them. 

The weather this week could not be better for stitching and reading.  We have switched from higher than normal temps to lower than normal temps.  We had near freezing temps for a short time during the last two nights.  I hope to crank up the oven this week to do some baking.

Well my birthday present from my DH and DS has arrived, they are both so wonderful, I am very blessed to have two such wonderful and thoughtful guys.


New linen (1/8 yard each)
28 count Country French in Cappuccino
28 count Country French in Antique Gold
32 count Belfast Linen in Putty
32 count 100% Linen in Tumbleweed



Buttermilk, Cidermill Brown,
Crystal Lake, Liberty,
Old Hickory, Onyx, Rhubarb,
Schoolhouse Red, Wrought Iron,

Avocado, Blueberry, Cherry Wine,
Cranberry, Dark Chocolate,
Gold Leaf, Mulberry, Nutmeg,
Oatmeal, Peacock,
Pink Azalea, Tarnished Gold,
Tropical Ocean


    New threads from The Gentle Art
from the Simply Shaker and Sampler Threads collections.








New charts

A Baby A Manger (c) 2010
by Cherry Wood Design Studios

and

Love One Another  (c) 2009
by Little House Needleworks



And best of all . . .

In addition to these lovely stitching items, DS wrote a booklet "What I Love About You" -- I will treasure this always and will keep it close at hand during those potentially troubling teen years.

My guys are wonderful!


And while he was at it,
DH added these for our upcoming anniversary.


Bean Sprout, Desert Mesquite,
Magnolia Blossom,
Manor Red, Ribbon Red


Aztec Red, Bark, Bullfrog,
Collards, Dolphin, Dried Sage,
Juniper, Liberty, Straw


More threads from
Crescent Colors
and
Weeks Dye Works






A New Chart
Annie Ellsworth Sampler (c) 2009
by Beehive Needleworks










I also was able to purchase the two JBW charts I was looking for - THANKS to Michelle for finding them for me.


It was a beautiful Sunday here in the Deep South, we attended Mass, enjoyed our local Veteran's Parade and then took my mother out for lunch on the lake.  Hope you like these pics of our day.



Lunch at
Rip's on the Lake, calamari, fried crab fingers, seafood platters, grilled shrimp salad and a great view.


A great breezy day for sailing along the longest (25 miles) bridge in the world and the pelicans are enjoying the cool weather, too.

And to top it off, the Saints won against Carolina.

Hope you had a great weekend, too!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Monday, November 1, 2010

UPDATED- (NO LONGER) Desperately seeking two JBW designs . . .

11/04/10 UPDATE - My search is over, thanks Michelle!  Additional thanks to the commenters and e-mailers who took up the search!


I have tried to purchase the following two designs from my local LNS and from an online retailer and neither could get them for me.  Does anyone have these patterns in their stash that might want to sell, loan or trade?

JBW Designs - Christmas Tree Sampler
JBW Designs - Reindeer Sampler

Of Generations Past

I received the "Fall Baking" chart from Joanne Thayer of Of Generations Past.  I was one of the door prize winners (Amy - This one was my favorite, too).    














(photo from Of Generations Past website)





I can't wait to start stitching it (and then use it as a baking to-do list!) Maybe I can share my recipes (and the maple muffin recipe from Joanne) on the blog as I complete each line.

I also have a couple of unique finishing ideas for this one.


Our second cool front did not last very long (we only used the heater for one night and then put the a/c back on the next afternoon).  Looks like this one will last a little longer.  Maybe I can throw open all the windows, play and Christmas CD and catch up on my ornament stitching.  I have 3 LHN ornies (Pear Tree, Under the Tree, and Peppermint Twist) kitted up and ready to stitch and about a dozen ornies I would like to stitch for gifts. 


DH and DS used  my "need to get" thread and fabric list and my chart wish list to buy me a little something for my birthday, so I will be anxiously checking the mail box this week to see what they chose.