fresh from the oven...

This burst of cooler weather has me thinking about baking...

A few weeks ago I saw this post from Kim over at Daisy cottage, on a scrumptious looking banana nut bread...

I don't know about you but it seems we always have a banana or two a little on the too ripe side...

This weekend I snagged three of them and decided to try out the recipe...

 I love it when I have all the ingredients on hand.

It wasn't long until the house started smelling heavenly...

And before you know it (okay...an hour later) this is what came out of the oven...

And yes, it tastes as good as it looks!

Happy Tuesday,

Patty

a bounty...

This world of blogging is wonderful...

I have met some of the most amazingly generous women out there and all from the simple stroke of a keyboard and the snap of a picture...

A few weeks ago one such lovely lady mentioned that she had some extra zinnia seeds to give away...

I had seen her gorgeous blooms so I was quick to raise my hand...

Last week an envelope arrived in the mail and I thought "Yeah, my zinnia seeds are here".  I didn't rush to open the envelope because my life is kind of frazzled right now and I didn't want to lose them.

Today I sat down and opened up the envelope...

All I can say is thank you Becca at A Southern Garden by Becca you are too kind.

Just look at them ladies...

Aren't they beautiful?

Oh, now I'm longing to go out and til that soil and get ready for next years bounty.

I'm determined that this is what the back of our pick-up will look like next year!

I'm so glad I started blogging...I can't imagine not visiting with my new friends.  And this bounty of seeds...well, that's just a bonus!

Blessed again,

Patty

Saturday morning...

There's such a nice crispness in the air this morning...

We've had a 20 degree dip in temperature in the last 48 hours and I can actually feel the change of seasons coming on.

It seems I won't be "willing" fall much longer...

This weekend is all about miracles over at Kadillac Shack...  Go over and read the beautiful story of Colette Gauthier, watch her makeover video and leave a comment.  You will blessed and you will bless others.

My devotional this morning had me in Luke 11:2-4...that portion of scripture where Jesus teaches us to pray.

"Father may your name be kept holy.

May your kingdom come soon.

Give us each day the food we need,

and forgive us our sins,

as we forgive those who sin against us.

And don't let us yield to temptation."

Most Christians have memorized this as the Lord's Prayer at some time in their lives and it has become almost too familiar...we just say the words without thinking about what we're saying.

As God's word can do...

It hit me fresh this morning. 

 It dawned on me that it had been a while since I truly asked God these things...

I couldn't recall the last time I asked to keep His name holy or for His kingdom to come soon.  Jesus asked these things because He knew God intimately and new his omniscience should be revered and kept holy.  He knew God's kingdom as home, so he asked that it come soon...

I don't think I've ever asked God to give me enough food for the day...it's always been there, but today I was reminded that God is the provider of my food.

Oswald Chambers says, "It is not so true that "prayer changes things" as that prayer changes me and I change things.  God has so constituted things that prayer on the basis of Redemption alters the way in which a man looks at things.  Prayer is not a question of altering things externally, but of working wonders in a man's disposition."

Prayer changes how I look at things...

This is so true. 

When I pray I look at the obstacles in my life as being under the watchful supervision of God.  I remember that He is faithful to provide whatever it is I need.  I remember home is in His kingdom and I remember Him as the Creator, capable of anything.  If He is for me than who can stand against me?

Prayer changes relationship with God...It provides an intimacy that is only earned through conversation.

What have you neglected to ask God for lately?  What have you taken for granted that God has continually provided? 

Tell Him today...Not because he doesn't know but because you need to say it.

Have a blessed weekend,

Patty

Spritual Sundays

Willing fall...

Okay...maybe it was not clear from my last entry but we posted a record 108 degrees yesterday...Not exactly fallish weather.

So I'm willing fall...

Inside with the AC cranking...

A cinnamon pecan swirl candle burning...

And enough fall inspiration laying around...

I got my fall on!

Call me the eternal optimist...

Patty

fall inspiration...

I've been so inspired by all the wonderful fall goodness I've been seeing lately...

And since some of you thought I was rushing Christmas a bit...

I started pulling out the fall things I purchased last year at Michael's after season sale at 70% off.  I usually hate to store things a full year but at such a great discount it's hard to resist.

I found a couple of new things at 50% off to add to the pile.

Just seeing it all gathered together really gets the creative juices flowing...

Wait till you see what I have planned for these three tiered pumpkins...

And these twig pumpkins and berry sprigs...

I did splurge on this Graphic 45 - Halloween in Wonderland - paper...

Isn't it scrumptious...

I just love these paper mache stars I covered in scrapbook paper and distressed...

Oh...the possibilities are endless!

Are you inspired yet?

Happy Creating,

Patty

strawberry preserves...

What's that old saying...When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  I've definitely been having a lemon kinda day.  But instead of lemonade...

I made strawberry preserves...

Aren't these strawberries the cutest?

I found the pattern in Tone Finnager's Sew Pretty Homestyle book...

They were sew easy and sew fun to make.  I'm going to pick up some strawberry essential oil next time I'm out and give these as little package ornaments for Christmas...

I know, I know I said Christmas...

Now that schools back in session you know the holidays are right around the corner.  Have you started thinking about them yet?

You better start soon...

Ho, ho, ho!

Patty

close calls and life's reminders..

I'm kind of a mixed bag of emotions this Saturday afternoon...
I'm reflecting on the joy of celebration and the worry of what might have been.

My youngest daughter graduated with her AS in Medical Assistanting last night...A natural scholar she is not.  She scooted her way through each grade by the hair of her chinny, chin, chin.  Her natural talents lie elsewhere. 

 She is wonderful with sick people, the underdog and just about anybody who doesn't seem to fit in.  She never wanted to be one of the crowd...even made me put three ponytails in her hair (instead of the standard one or two) in first grade...

My parents made the hour drive in to be apart of the celebration...On their way home, last night, they had a very close call on the freeway...I'm convinced God's angels kept them from a potentially bad accident...They were badly shaken up and their car sustained some damage but thankfully, they were not hurt.  

 

I share this in praise of God, (the alternative to them being safe is beyond what I can wrap my mind around right now) and as a not so gentle reminder that this life is short. 

The outcome could easily have been very different...

It could have been anyone of us...

 

"Look here, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year.  We will do business there and make a profit."   How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?  Your life is like the morning fog.  It's here a little while, then it's gone.  What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that."  Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.  Remember it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it."  James 4:13-17

Celebrate today for the gift it is...Do some good for someone in need...Thank God for the chance to live another day!

Thankfully blessed,

Patty


Spiritual Sundays

the joy of ice cream...

Thanks for all the suggestions on books to read...I will be getting to you all individually to ask for one author and a favorite book so that I can start a list for my next library visit.  It's the thrill of the hunt without the price tag! lol

The summer heat has finally found us here in Southern California. We’ve had a week of near triple digit temperatures (I know some of you have been that way most of the summer but somehow we've escape it) and I’ve been trying to find ways to keep my grandson cooled down.

His favorite way is filling up his little swimming pool with water…not the swimming part but the filling part. He loves to have control of the garden hose! The only way I can convince him (okay, bribe him) to go inside is with the promise of a bowl of ice cream.

Reality check…while that bowl looks mighty inviting it just doesn’t convey the pure joy of really enjoying an

 ooey…gooey…tongue smacking, spoon licking bowl of ice cream…

I thought I’d let Andrew show you how it’s done, lest you've forgotten…

Now that’s pure enjoyment!

When was the last time you enjoyed a guilt-free bowl of decadent Rocky-Road  ice cream?

I think I’ll go dip me a bowl,

Patty

the library...

A few more craftroom pictures to share...

Once upon a time I was an avid reader…I could actually become so obsessed with finishing a book that my kids would roll their eyes when I brought a new one home.

I used to love to go to the library…

The endless possibilities that all those books provided…

I ventured into our city library a couple of weeks ago looking for some history books on CD for my husband to listen to while driving.

I was a little afraid that with the onslaught of things available online that the library had become somewhat of a dinosaur institution…

I’m pleased to say that is not the case in my city at least. It took me a while to feel my way around (and no, I didn’t expect index card files…I’m not that archaic, although I do remember using them) but once I became acclimated…woo…heee…it was like going home again.

Just stepping in there brought back such a pleasant wave of memories. I began to wonder why I stopped going…why I stopped reading for pure pleasure?

I pulled a couple of books off the shelf to bring home (you know they don’t stamp the due date in them anymore) so I’m off and running.

Now I need to form a new list of favorite authors…Any suggestions?

Giddy about catching up,

Patty

I'm linked up to It's a Very Cherry World for Rednesday...

craftroom and squares...

I thought I’d show you pictures of my rearranged craft room as we chat this week. I know it still might look a little chaotic to some of you but it’s the environment I create best in.

After church yesterday I headed out to my folks for a quick visit and then a planned movie excursion for my nieces birthday.

My niece had an emergency come up so the movie date was postponed and it turned into a nice leisurely visit with my mom and dad. I took my fabric with me so mom and I spent some time cutting fabric squares and talking…

just the two of us…

a simply wonderful, time together.

I had a chance to sit and watch a little TV with my dad and to hear his childhood memories all over again. We even braved the triple digit temperatures and they treated me to a nice lunch at Mimi’s Café.

It was one of those afternoons that I knew even in the moment, I would always cherish.

A time destined to be a beautiful memory…

It was nothing special…yet it was everything.

I don’t ever want to take for granted time spent with the people I love.

Have a wonderful, memory making week,

Patty