Saturday Snippets

Hello friends!

Halfway through January already!  How is your year shaping up?  I have been enjoying some quiet days.  It's still hot here, but cooler than it has been, and the horribly strong winds have mostly stopped.  I've also been enjoying some headache free days, which aways makes things better :)

My 'one chapter a day' Bible reading is progressing well, and I'm halfway through the 'one book a month' I am reading...

The strawberries are doing well...

Baked bread this morning...

It's been a bit too hot for knitting or crocheting... 

So I've been enjoying some slow stitching.

I don't remember if I mentioned this last year, but I have been wanting to make some little calico dolls...

from this lovely little book

I chose Effie

pinned and ready to stitch by hand

maybe I'll make some of the other dolls if Effie turns out well

there are also patterns for little doll quilts :)

In my previous post there was mention of treadle sewing machines, and I remembered the West Ladies use treadle machines in their crafting DVDs.  I bought the whole series many years ago, and love to rewatch them, especially the sewing and quilting ones...

And I've just discovered you can watch them ALL on YouTube HERE!

They make lovely 'slow day' viewing  

And while we are on the subject of crafting, Hayley sent me a photo of Hazel with her Christmas blanket...

The book with the doll patterns is also the fictional diary of Sarah Jane, age 8, who lives on the Kansas Prairie in the 1880's.

I'll leave you with a little 'slow Saturday snippet' ...

January 21  I made a doll today.  Her name is Hannah.  Ma cut it from an old petticoat and I sewed it up by myself.  Pa let me have some sawdust to put in her.  She even sits.  Ma says Hannah is just like the dolls she had when she was little.  Gramma made me a doll named Mary but I lost her on the trip.  I hope another little girl found Mary.  She had a real face and clothes and a quilt.  I wrapped Hannah in Molly's quilt but Ma took it away and gave me a feed sack.  Hannah wants a face.

January 26  Ma made a face for Hannah today.  She is real pretty now.  Ma let me pick buttons for her eyes and she sewed a mouth with red thread.  Hannah wanted yellow hair but all Ma had was black.  I wish Hannah had a dress.  Molly wants Hannah.

Have a blessed and safe week 

xx

 

Soul Stitching (devotional)

 From Amish Peace...

Most people assume that Amish quilts were done completely by hand but this was not the case.  Many Amish quilts were pieces using a treadle sewing machine but the beautiful quilting was always done by hand.

Soul Stitching

[Boaz said,] "come over here and sit down, friend." - Ruth 4:1

The Amish sewing circle is a gathering of women working together with a common purpose.  The quilt is the object of their work, but when women nestle side by side, sharing recipes, good news, and worries, their hearts and souls are stitched together too.  Amish live, work, and worship with those who reside next door, down the road, and around the corner.  They not only know the names of their neighbors but they also bake with them and their daughters.

Spending time with friends is often one of the first things we cut from our busy schedules.  We may have neither the skills nor the interest to belong to a sewing circle, but each of us can make time for friends.  The colorful moments of shared lives brighten the dreariest days.  The pieced-together scraps of memories create the story of who we are.

The Bible shares numerous stories of friendship.  David and Jonathan's friendship bonded them closer than brothers.  Ruth found friendship in her mother-in-law, Naomi.  Jesus crossed the countryside sharing the Good News of God's plan with twelve close friends.  More than that, Jesus calls us friends too: "I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves.  Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me" (John 15:15).

If you have even one good friend, hold her tight and be blessed.  If you have a circle of friends, consider yourself rich indeed.  The shared laughter and tears keep us close and stitch our hearts together.  Most of all, remember that Jesus is your best friend - no matter what.

Father in heaven, my heart overflows with gratitude for my friends.  I know these relationships weren't formed by chance; they were tailor-made by You.  Show me today, Lord, one person to reach out to in friendship.  Stitch my life together with others' through the power of your love.

(the little quilts are from the book: Prairie Children and Their Quilts by Kathleen Tracy)

Morning and Evening (devotionals)

 From Amish Peace...

Afresh Each Morning

"Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." - Lamentations 3:23

Jars filled with produce from autumn's harvest line the shelves of the pantry, to last until fresh fruit and vegetables are again in season.  The barns have caches of grain to feed the livestock through the winter, and pens are filled with clean straw to keep the floors tidy.  Yet even as the Amish family depends on their stored resources through winter, their souls need daily maintenance, daily gathering in the Word, and renewal through daily prayer.

We read in Isaiah 33:2, "Lord, be merciful to us, for we have waited for you.  Be our strong arm each day and our salvation in times of trouble."  To claim God's mercies, God's followers don't rely only on stored up resources but also on time spent daily with God.  Many Amish families have a time of Bible reading and devotions in the morning and a time of prayer together at night.

Do you have a similar practice?  You may calculate much in your own life: your shopping list, your budget, your calendar.  You may "store up" for a rainy day, but don't treat your moments with God in the same way.  Open yourself to God's goodness in the morning.  Take time to feel His smile at the end of the day.

Dear heavenly Father, sometimes I act as if a good Sunday sermon will carry me all the way through Friday, or as if worship songs from the radio will give me a boost for the day.  These things are certainly good starts, but they aren't enough.  Give me the desire to spend more and more time with You each day so that I can recognize and experience Your new mercies to me.

From Beside the Still Waters...

An Evening Look - Read: Matthew 14:1-23

"And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray: and when the evening come, he was alone there." - Matthew 14:23

It is well at the close of the day to do as Jesus did and retire from the multitudes of our labors and thoughts.  The freshness and vigor of the morning has worn off, to be replaced by the tiredness and satisfaction of honest work.  It behooves us to take a backward look over the events of the day.  Have we accomplished the most important tasks?  Have we walked with God?  Have we served others, especially to meet the needs of our family?

Our evening look should have several aspects.  It should be an inward look, to lay down any negative attitudes.  "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath" (Ephesians 4:26).  A time of evening quietness will allow us to hear God's still small voice.  We should be penitent over our shortcomings and humble over our successes.

Our evening look should be an outward look - to count our blessings rather than our grievances.  Pausing to ponder the busy events of the day will help us not to miss its blessings.  We can be thankful for what God has given us, thankful for what He has spared us from, and thankful for His forgiveness.

Above all, it should be an upward look.  "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8).  This is a security far above any other.  We lift praises to God, who gives us life.  Any difficulties of the day will seem small.  Evening is surely a special time of day.  When we are tired, we can easily lose focus on the important things.  But a quiet, prayerful evening look can help us draw nigh to God as Jesus did.

Daniel Miller - Erhard, MN

I love to steal awhile away from every cumbering care,

And spend the hours of setting day in humble, grateful prayer. 

- Phoebe H Brown

In 2026 - "... aspire to lead a quiet life ..."

 

Here we are 4 days into 2026 already!  I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and that 2026 will be a good year for you. 

 One of my pre-Christmas posts disappeared completely from my blog.  Never mind, only a minor hiccup in the grand scheme of things.

Although 2025 was a good year, it was also busy.  And I don't want to be so busy this year.  So, I've been planning.  Not exactly 'resolutions', but I do like the word 'aspirations.'

Resolution: a firm decision to do or not to do something.

Aspiration: a hope or ambition of achieving something.

Aspiration is a much nicer word :)

So, with that in mind I've found some Bible verses to keep me on track.

I looked them up in 7 different translations.  I prefer the more literal (word for word) translations and am using the NKJV (New King James Version).  The 4 most recommended ones are NASB, ESV, KJV and NKJV. I have 3 of them but would like to get an ESV.

This is the first verse/s that came to mind...

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12: "that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing."

And then I thought of this one...

2 Timothy 2:15: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

I'm sure there will be more as the year progresses.

Last year I endeavored to read through the Bible (Old and New Testaments).  I got to November (reading 3 to 4 chapters a day), getting behind some days but then catching up.  But by November I was too far behind to catch up, so I stopped.  I found it really too much to read (and absorb properly) in a day what with all the other daily chores and commitments, so this year I am concentrating on the New Testament.  Reading one chapter a day but will maybe also dip into the Psalms and Proverbs from time to time.  I will also write out relevant verses as I read them each day.

So that's the plan... more quietness, more focus on God and His Word.  Not getting stressed when I don't accomplish all the work I had planned for each day.  It will still be there tomorrow...   

I'm very much a homebody anyway, so staying home is not a chore for me :)

I would also like to try and read one book a month.  Not sure if that is realistic, as I don't get a lot of reading time, but will see how it goes.  And I want to finish the books I start.  Which might mean being more intentional in my choice of books.  Last year I started so many, but didn't finish them, just went on to another one...  

I don't want to do that this year.

So, my first book is...

I did read it back in 2020.  Time to refresh my memory!

Summer has finally arrived.  Unfortunately.  I'm already dreaming of autumn.  

a trip to the river always helps

Do you have any plans/aspirations for 2026?

xx

Family Fun Fotos

 Some photos from Jefferson and Jaya's recent visit over Christmas/New Year...

At the Park

Jaya pushing his dad on the swing :)

Jefferson pushing Jaya and Marnie on the swing

At the Beach

Denver and Jaya in action

Jaya making a splash

Marnie, Jaya and Jefferson

On their Overnight Hike

Denver, Jaya and Jefferson went on an overnight camp/hike on the east coast

Jaya decided he liked holding his big cousin's hand rather than his dad's :)

Denver making sure Jaya doesn't fall off the edge

They made it! (Jaya and Denver)

A blast from the past: Jefferson and Denver after their overnight camp/hike -   11 years ago

On the Way to the Airport

Denver and Sophie took Jaya to see the goats at the school farm

and the chickens

And now I'm in recovery mode.  I'm not use to having an active, talkative 6-year-old in the house for a week :)) 

But I'll be back soon ...

xx

The Good Shepherd (devotional)

 From Behold the Lilies ...

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." - John 10:27

The Good Shepherd does not lead aimlessly.  His goal for His sheep is green pastures and still waters.  The pathway to the goal may lead through dry, brown pastures and by turbulent waters.  If the sheep become tired and stay in the unpleasant places, it is their fault.  They are not listening to the shepherd's voice as He calls them to move on.

Although this world is not our place of rest, our shepherd wants us to come to a place of rest in Him.  As we pass through struggles and adversities, His calm voice calls us and invites us to rest in Him.  When we respond to the Shepherd's invitation, we find the green pastures and still waters in our relationship with Him.  The waters of our unsettling circumstances may still roar and uncertainties may still abound, but they become less and less threatening as we listen to the Shepherd's voice.

Other voices may beckon.  Some voices tell us to give up or give in, and some tell us we are following the wrong guide because the way is uncertain.  But as we keep following, we learn that we can follow the Good Shepherd with perfect confidence even if the way is uncertain.  Hearing and following His voice above the roar of the storm always leads to a place of calm.

We must pay careful attention and not allow other things to drown out His voice.  If we do, we will be lost in a storm or starve in the dry pastures.  But Jesus will lead us to vast green pastures and volumes of still waters when we listen to His voice.

Will you follow the good shepherd in 2026? 

Less is more (devotional)

 From Our Daily Bread ...

Resolving To Do Less: Read John 15:4-12

"Apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5

When we think about New Year's resolutions what probably comes to mind is a list of lofty ambitions we rarely achieve (80 percent of New Year's resolutions are already abandoned by mid-February).  Author Amy Wilson suggests a better idea might be to reject entirely "the idea that we have to fix ourselves before our lives can get better."  Wilson suggests that, instead of adding commitments, we see the new year as an opportunity to do less, to finally "start saying no" to some of the "oversized and ongoing commitments that take our time and energy without giving us much in return."

In a world of constant pressure to do and be more, it can be easy to miss the radically different rhythm of life Jesu invited His disciples into - one of abiding in Him.  In John 15, Jesus describes Himself as "the true vine" (v. 1) and His disciples as "the branches" (v.5).

Vine branches don't grow through working harder but through the nourishment received form the vine.  So, too, the growth we long for can only be experienced when we let go of self-reliance in exchange for resting in and finding nourishment in Christ, for "apart from [Him] you can do nothing" (v.5).

Through Jesus, we have hope for a life of less anxiety.  Less striving.  And more resting in God's love and letting it flow to those around us. (vv. 12, 17).

- Monica La Rose

What might God be leading you to say no to this year?

In what areas of your life might God be inviting you to greater surrender?

Gracious God, please help me surrender my self-reliance to rest in You.