Stitching History

Friday, June 29, 2007

New Computer

Well, I've bought a new computer! I needed one for editing our movie... It's kind of a long story, but God amazes me again! Now, my sister and I are building a bent willow desk for it. :o)

Monday, June 18, 2007

Everyday News- Civil War Reenacting

An Everyday News report we put together with our friends at the last event can be viewed here:

Everyday News Report

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Saturday, May 26, 2007

The Truth, Incoming

http://www.creationmuseum.org/

http://www.answersingenesis.org/

Click to watch ABC News video report on the Creation Museum.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Annie turned four yesterday! I can hardly believe it. It seems like just yesterday that she was born... Her special request for her birthday cake was a "pink heart cake with babies on it." She helped me bake it and this is what we got:

Monday, May 14, 2007

Graduation Dress Diary, Chapter 2

The Crinoline

To achieve the full skirt as pictured on the pattern I'm going to need a crinoline, 1950's style to go under the dress. I am going to be ordering one from Hey Viv!

The Fabric

On Saturday I went to JoAnn's and found my fabric! It was $6 a yard, but I had my 40% off cupoun. At the fabric store I couldn't decide between two fabrics, so I went ahead and bought both. hehehe! I knew that I'd use both of them no matter what. So, I've now made up my mind and here it is. The floral fabric is for the dress body and green satin is for the belt/sash.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Mother's Day Surprise!

On Mother's Day we were surprised by twin does! We have yet to name them...I'm sure I'll be posting many more pictures.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Graduation Dress Diary, Chapter 1

I thought I'd start a little "Graduation Dress" series, following the progress of my next exciting project. It's amazing to see God working even in the tinest things in our lives. He truly does care about us, and cares about the things we care about. What an awsome God! What is man that He should even think of us?

The Pattern
This dress's story starts with a picture I found in one of my "dress idea" folders. I had saved this picture who knows how long ago, and when looking for a graduation dress ideas I happened upon it. As you can see in the picture the pattern number it completely torn off...the search began.

So, all I knew was that this pattern was old(er) and was Simplicity. I asked around and looked around and couldn't find this pattern, so I just figured I could try and make it up myself, possibly putting a few different patterns together to get what I was looking for. I just didn't feel right about it, and knew I wouldn't be happy with it if it didn't turn out exactly like this one (above). So, after searching for one day all over the internet, I went to bed. Then next morning during my devotion time I prayed about it, asking the Lord to lead me to the right pattern and to help me to re-create this beautiful dress. That day I got the brilliant idea to see what the origninal saved name of the picture was! What do you know, it was a pattern number: 4640! I searched on eBay again and I found it! I was so thrilled, I couldn't believe it! It is from 1954, had never been cut, and was just around my size! Isn't God good!?

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Spring Dance~

The Grand March

The Virginia Reel

Saturday, May 05, 2007

Sprouting...

Here are some pictures of my latest venture...sprouts! With the sprouted wheat I am making bulgur flour (sprouted wheat flour), which can be used in baking.

Alfalfa sprouts...

Friday, April 20, 2007

Spring Salad!

Yumm! So beautiful and so delicious! I made a wonderful Italian dressing with Balsamic Vinegar and fresh herbs, rosemary and oregano to go with it.

Wood Cookstove Baking

Nothing tastes quite so good as it does baked in an old fashioned woodcookstove.
Our modern "Gallery Series" professional stove went out, so we're doing without it. Quite nicely, might I add.

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Easter Sunday, Resurrection Day

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Onesies

I was recently inspired by Anna of Pleasant View Schoolhouse to embroider onsies for baby gifts! I am very pleased with the results! I did all of these free-hand, considering I didn't have any good iron-on patterns. It is so much fun coming up with ideas, sketching them, and then creating them!

Challah Bread

Last week I made some more Challah bread. I got the recipe from a Jewish friend on HSA. I revised the recipe a little and added ground flax seeds as well as sprinkling a few whole flax seeds on top! It was SO good! I'm making it again today to bring to our church potluck tomorrow. I copied a little excerpt from Nancy Cambell's article, The Shabbat Meal, and printed it out with the recipe on the back for anyone who is interested. I'll post it here as well.

Jewish Challah Bread
The father prays over the challah, the Shabbat bread, – “Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.” The challah consists of two separate braided loaves, representing the double portion of manna which God provided on Fridays so the Israelites could gather twice as much – enough for two days. It is plaited in three to represent the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The challah is covered with a linen cloth, symbolic of the dew that came down each night and brought the manna. But we remember more than God’s provision of the manna. The Israelites ate this manna and died. We now eat from the Living Bread who came down from Heaven and gives life to the world.
The challah bread is not cut, but broken it as it symbolizes Christ’s body which was broken for us. Each one present breaks off a portion (as big a piece as they desire), and enjoys it with butter or other dips.

Challah Bread

5 cups whole wheat

2 cups white flour

1 1/2 Tablespoons yeast

1/3 cup oil

1/3+ cup honey

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 1/2 cups warm water

Together add water, yeast, and white flour, mix well. Let sit for 15 minutes while it "sponges". After 15 minutes, add the other ingredients. Be careful when you add the flour, if you fresh ground you will need more, if not, you may need less. Add a little at a time to make sure you don’t overdo it. Knead for 10 minutes. Divide into 2 sections, then into 6. Braid both loaves, let rise for an hour. Bake at 350 until brown (usually about 20-25 min). Thanks to Neshama for the wonderful recipe!

Getting ready to "sponge"