Sponsor an Orphan

On my drive to work yesterday morning, I was semi listening to the local Christian radio station and making a list in my head of everything I needed to do at work throughout the day - you know, multi-tasking - driving, listening, thinking!    Slowly it dawned on me that the conversation on the radio was a little more serious than normal, so I began to focus more on what they were saying.  The DJ's were talking about needing a certain number of people to call in before 8 a.m. to meet their goal of the hour.  As I listened, my heart started to break. 

 In Mozambique, there are almost half a million children who are orphans - no parents, no safe place to live, no food, no medical care, and no way to attend school.  Many of them are also taking care of younger brothers and sisters.  They became orphans because of AIDS and other terrible things that happen in Mozambique.  Story after story was told about these precious orphans.  And about the odds they face. 

As I worked, I continued to listen to the broadcast and learned more about the goals that the radio station and Cross International were trying to meet in one day.  I also began to think about how blessed I am - living in a comfortable house with a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in, plenty of food, clean water, and the list could go on and on.  I have a husband who loves me and provides for our family by working hard;  3 beautiful, healthy grown up children who make me proud every day; a wonderful son-in-law who makes my daughter happy; and then I thought, "What can I do about these children who need someone to help them?".    

While I am not as brave as a friend of mine from college - she and her husband have two grown daughters, and they recently adopted 3 precious children from Guyana.  I enjoy hearing about things that are so special to these little ones that we sometimes take as a given.  I'm not sure who is more blessed in this special family - the parents/sisters who opened their hearts and lives, or the three beautiful children.  The smiles light up their faces!  So I took a baby step and sponsored one child.  That child will now be placed in a home with 2 parents who will welcome them into their home, love them, and care for them.  If you want to learn more about some of the missions of Cross International, you can find them at www.crossinternational.org.

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  Matthew 25:40

A New Look for an Old Stool

A few Several weeks ago I told you to check back and see what I did to this cute little stool I purchased for $10 at Mud Puppy Antiques in Winder.  Well, I did my part that same weekend, but it took quite a few weekends before my better half took care of his part!  Actually, once I paid for the purchase the lady at the store pointed out why the price tag said "as is".  I thought it was because it was a little wobbly.  Obviously there is a bit of history behind this sturdy little stool.  One of it's legs must have been broken because it had 3 identical legs and one that did not match - it had a bit more "details" than the other 3 did.  I decided that was fine; it gave it character and I could always turn it so that "different" leg didn't show.  It could be my little secret.

The hubs sanded all the wood down really well for me and then I got busy painting and crackling!  I picked up the awesome fabric at Hob Lob of course - 30% off that week - and made quick work of covering the cushion for a new look.  Once it was done, I needed the legs evened up because that "different" leg was a little bit shorter and the stool was actually a bit tall.  So finally this past Sunday my sweet husband finished his part of the project and cut the legs off so they were all even.  No more rocking!   I added some felt pads to the bottom of each leg and now for the unveiling of my new stool . . . . .

What do you think?  I love it.  Especially when I put my feet up to watch Castle, One Tree Hill or Revenge!!

Just Sew Studio - Pillowcase Dress Class

Ladies, if you've ever wanted to learn how to sew for a special little girl in your life this has to be one of the easiest projects to try.  Once you have this mastered, you can even use it to make a cute summer top for yourself.  

Pillowcase style Dress Class
Saturday, March 10, 2012
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Cost:  $35 - includes pattern, fabric, thread, and 3 hours of instruction.
Sewing machines available or you can bring your own.  Please sign up by Friday, March 2 to allow time for me to purchase the fabric and wash it prior to class.










Fabric choices are below and the link to sign up is here - http://acsg.wufoo.com/forms/m7x3p9/


A.                                              B.                                                     C.

     
(Blue)                                             (Pink)                                              (Brown)

 If you have any questions you can contact me at mary.vannus@yahoo.com.  Hope to see you at class!

Sweet Stitching,
Mary

There's a New Store in Town

Now I realize a new grocery in town might not be something to write home about, but when you love to cook and love to save money, it's a pretty big deal.  An Aldi store recently opened in a nearby town and I stopped by today to pick up a few things.

If you've never shopped at Aldi before, you will notice it's a little different from your usual grocery store.  You have to pay a quarter to use a shopping cart.  But, when you return your cart to the area at the front of the store, you get your quarter back.  No loose shopping carts rolling around in the parking lot bumping into your car!  Nice.  The store itself is not large. Things are neatly displayed on shelves, with prices clearly marked overhead.  Every so often you'll see a national brand, but most everything there is a store brand.  Make sure to bring your own shopping bags, or purchase paper, plastic or reusable bags there.  As the cashier rings your purchases up, she will place them in a shopping cart.  After you pay for your purchases, you push your cart over to the bagging area and put your purchases in your own bags - so no more complaining about the baggers who don't know how to put groceries in your bags the right way.

On my first visit there last week, Carla was my cashier.  She was very friendly and after she rang up my purchases, she took a few minutes to explain a little about how Aldi works.  She has been an employee of the company for 5 years.  She pointed out the money back guarantee on their products - if you aren't satisfied, return the product and they will refund the purchase price.  And she also said you can cut your grocery bill in half!

Since I really planned on just getting milk and broccoli, I decided not to spend a quarter for a cart.  By the time I made it around to the produce sections and saw the "deals", I realized I should have spent that quarter.  Just as I had everything precariously balanced in my arms, I saw that milk was $1.99 and remembered we were getting low.  As I very carefully and slowly opened the cooler, and then started to bend down to get the milk, I realized another shopper was watching me.  She asked if I needed help.  I told her thank you, but I thought I had it under control.  She turned to her daughter and said, "She looks like Rachel Ray gathering food in her kitchen".  If only I could throw a meal together in 30 minutes like her . . . and get paid for it!!

Today my purchases totaled $13.91!  Here's what I got -
8 oz pack of baby bella mushrooms.....  .79
sliced bacon...................................... 2.99
1 pack of 3 romaine hearts..................  .99
8 roma tomatoes................................  .79
6 pk individual applesauce cups........... 1.29
avocado............................................   .89
cucumber.........................................   .59
9 oz spinach...................................... 1.69
16 oz broccoli crowns........................ 1.39
1 gallon skim milk.............................. 1.99
1 reusable plastic grocery bag..............  .10

I'll definitely be shopping at Aldi from time to time if they continue to have prices like this.  Now I've got to get in the kitchen and use some of my purchases to get supper ready.

A New Blog - Sew. Cook. Create.

Overwhelmed.  That's how I've been feeling for the past few months.  A lot of this is due to pressure I put on myself.  I feel like there's always something else I need to complete before the day is done. . . and usually there are quite a few things I don't get to.  So they are waiting for me the next day when I wake up.

For the past few days, I've had quite a bit of time to myself.  The men in my family have gone off on one of ther infamous father/son trips.  This time they've gone ice fishing in Wisconsin.  Even though they are safely back on dry land as I write this, I won't be sure until I see them that there weren't any mishaps during this trip.  Usually something happens to one of them, but many times I don't find out about it until they return home.  There was also a lack of cell service on the island, so that might be another reason I haven't heard any "horror stories".

So during this "quiet time", I realized  I wasn't doing a great job with blogging.  The fact that I had two blogs probably doesn't help.  So I've decided to combine my blogs and hopefully that way I won't neglect either of them.  I decided on a new name, "sew.  cook.  create" .  Now I can blog about all the things I love to do.

So here's a little peek at what I've been up to recently.  Yesterday I taught my first class of 2012 at Just Sew! Studio.  Four ladies attended the class and learned how to use a pattern, sew in a zipper, and make a skirt.    The skirts turned out really cute.  I  hope they will enjoy wearing them.  More classes will be offered in March.    As soon as I have the details, I'll include the info here in case you are interested in coming to a class.

I've been sticking with some of my favorite recipes recently - just because they are usually quick and easy.   I've tried a few new things that I've found on Pinterest, but they usually include chocolate.  I did find a really great recipe/technique for making some of the best scrambled eggs I've ever had.  Ingredients are the same that I've always used, but the method is what makes the difference.  The next time you scramble some eggs, give the Brown Eyed Baker's version a try - http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2009/11/04/how-to-make-perfect-scrambled-eggs/

Towards the end of 2011, I put some of my "creations" for sale at  The Sassy Sister, a new store in Jefferson.  The store has recently moved to 20 Railroad Street.  As I get some new spring & wedding items done,  I'll be taking them to the store too.   Please make sure you stop by and see all the cute things available there.