Summer in the Country Blanket

I joined a KAL (Knit Along) headed up by one of my favorite knitting pattern designers...Firefly . We are knitting a mystery pattern which is turning out to be so pretty. There are four large cables with bobble detailing, with sections of diamond laticework between the cables. I'm using 2 cones of Peaches and Cream 930 100% cotton yarn that I had in my stash. The color is baby blue. It is going to be such a soft blanket, the perfect weight for summer evenings.



Since I made it in my sister's favorite color, I think it is going to be hard to keep from gifting her with the blanket when it is finished. I might get to make two of them : )

It will be fun to see what the next set of directions add to the design.

Extremely Yummy Chocolate Chip Cookies : )

My daughter and I love to fool around in the kitchen, just putting together ingredients and proportions that sort of feel right, to see how they turn out. We made these cookies last week, and oh, my! They were so good, with just the right amount of chewiness. We actually wrote this one down so we could do it again : )

Extremely Yummy Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup Sucanat
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
3/4 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 3/4 cup unbleached flour
1 12 oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cream the butter, brown sugar, Sucanat, and vanilla; beat the eggs and add the eggs and yogurt to the other ingredients; mix in the leavening, oatmeal, and flour; stir in chocolate chips. Place well-rounded tablespoonsful on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-14 minutes. This recipe only made 36 cookies, so we plan to double it next time.

Review of the book: We Be Big

"We Be Big: The Mostly True Story of how Two Kids from Calhoun County, Alabama became Rick & Bubba" is the first book I have read and reviewed for the BookSneeze program. I chose it because autobiographies are one of my favorite genres, and this one did not disappoint. I had never heard of Rick Burgess and Bill "Bubba" Bussey before receiving this book. Now, I find myself often wishing that their radio show was broadcast in my area (Midwest).
This was a very entertaining and fast-paced book to read. I think my husband is going to enjoy it even more than I did since it seems like there aren't that many inspirational and humorous books written from the male viewpoint. Rick and Bubba start with stories from childhoods. They tell how each of them gravitated toward radio, how they were initially teamed together by their college Spanish teacher, how their lives intersected from time to time until they finally came together to become hosts of a hugely popular morning radio show in the South. They didn't hold back on including very personal and sometimes embarrasing moments in their lives.
I loved that the chapters are each written by just one of the men, from his own perspective in a very easy to read, conversational style. I also loved the wealth of photos that are included in the book. Most of all, though, I was touched and impressed with the faith, humor, and perseverence (through even the most terrible of circumstances) of these two men. Their story paints a picture of God's faithfulness toward all of us. By the end of the book, I really felt as though I knew them, and with they lived closer to my area so I could hear them on the radio.
I'm glad I read this book. I would recommend it to anyone, men especially. It is an inspirational and very enjoyable book.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Free Christian books, anyone?

I found a terrific deal for people who love to read, and love a great deal, too. Booksneeze offers new releases from Thomas Nelson publishing company free to those who will read them and post reviews on their blog! I just ordered my first one, which looks like it will be a fun & interesting read. I can't wait to see how this works out, as I am slightly leary of 'free' offers. I'm posting a link to Booksneeze on my sidebar, if my tech-savvy daughter will show me how to do it.

We are snowed in at the moment. It would be a perfect day to settle into my favorite reading chair with some hot tea and a couple of cats to keep me warm, but I have to wait for the mailman to show up with the book first.

I hope everyone out there is staying safe and warm!
In His love,
Mary

Christmas wishes

We've already established that I'm not much for publishing my own thoughts, preferring instead to share them in more private settings. So, for my Christmas message to share here, I will choose a more profound writer than myself. This prayer never ceases to give me the chills with it's deeply powerful message. The author was a young African minister, who was martyred for his faith in Jesus Christ. Before he was murdered, he penned the words below on a scrap of paper.

A copy of the original can be found here:
http://www.onthewing.org/user/My%20Face%20is%20Set.pdf

My prayer is that each person who reads this will read it thoughtfully, letting God speak His purpose into each heart.

My Face is Set

I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed.

I have the Holy Spirit power.

The die has been cast.

I have stepped over the line.

The decision has been made-I'm a disciple of His.

I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my presence makes sense, my future is secure.

I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees,

colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.

I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded.

I now live by faith, lean in His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer,

and I labor with power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow,

My way rough, my companions are few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice,

hesitate in the presence of the enemy,

pander at the pool of popularity,

or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up

Until I have stayed up, prayed up, paid up, preached up, for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus.

I must go 'til He comes, give 'til I drop, preach 'til all know, work 'til He stops me.

And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me...

My banner will be clear!

Praying that all readers are part of the blessed fellowship of the unashamed,
Mary

Writer's Block

My darling youngest daughter requested that I start a blog. I can't imagine what I will ever have to write; certainly nothing that needs to be said, much less read!

Perhaps this will be a way to stay in touch with my far-away daughter-in-law and son, and other family members, and share photos. Maybe my wonderful daughter-in-law will also post photos and ramblings on a blog of her own, to share with me : ) Now, THAT is an idea I can get behind!

But, for now, for this very first post, I will let my thoughts rest on how proud of me, my daughter who requested this blog will be when she finds I have finally gone ahead and done it. Yay, me!