My Favorite Place at Home to Knit During the Summer

Hot weather or not, I like the wicker chaise and the sounds of nature to inspire when I'm  knitting.

 It's peaceful.

It's soothing.

I like to spread out on the wicker chaise with fresh cushions and comfy pillows with the fan going on the back porch.

 It's my form of meditation.

A cup of tea from Teavana is always by my side out here. My favorite is Orange Blossom and Youth Berry mixed. It's a white tea and fruit base that is heavenly.

It's about 89 degrees, but definite high humidity today. The weather man says in low 90's but real feel is 103 F. The shady area on the side of the mountain is always a bit cooler.

I haven't made as much progress as I would have liked this week, but........hey, I've put in at least a couple of rows a night this week. Still on the stockinette top part of the shawl.

When blocked I hope it uncurls and looks more like this one. 

It doesn't hurt to smell something grilling and having good conversation.

Just chillin' while grillin'

I don't get much time for this but when I do, it makes me appreciate it more.

This pattern is free on Ravelry. See my previous blog post for materials and name, etc. It's basically a top down shawl.

The yarn is knitting like butter. It's smooth, soft, and such a pretty colorway.

I have 2 caked-up skeins for this one.

 I'm really enjoying my project bag I got from Cozy Crafting, an Etsy shop online.

She also has a sweet vlogcast on You Tube.

It's perfect with an arm strap to carry with me anywhere so I can have knitting on the go.

She has alot of bags and they are well made and lined inside. It will hold 2 large cakes of yarn, notions, and pattern. It was a bit on the smaller side than I thought but I love the Summer pattern of fabric. So tempted to get one for Fall.

This little birdie measure came from Bumbleberry's in Clarkesville, Georgia. It's a sweet addition to my notions this week. 

See ya'll later. The hot dogs, lemonade and oven baked beans are ready!

Hope you are staying cool!!!

Jennifer

A Sunshine Sunday

On this quiet Sunday morning, I'm thankful that God let me sleep over. I haven't in a very long time and needed it so much! Church though is skipped. Arghhhh!

 I woke up to the sun!!!!
 
We had several days last week of rain, cold and fog.
Oh, so dreary. But I started thinking in my commute with this deep fog one night, that God must give us some dreary, foggy cold days so that we can appreciate the sunny, bright ones more. 

Makes perfect sense to me because I, for one, sure do miss the sun, especially in the Winter time when that bone-chilling, ache is abound. Not good for arthritis and I have that.

I hope the sun is shining wherever you are on the planet Earth this morning and it will brighten your day up a bit. I know my mood is better with the sunshine. It's the source of our Vitamin D as well. 

I just finished a course on Vitamin D which was pretty detailed. I had to pick some topics to renew my Women's Health NP license and I chose, out of the 6, Vitamin D. I'm more aware of it now as Vitamin D is pretty good for your health, not just your bones. Alot of controversery in studies now surround the additional benefits of Vitamin D; however, intriguing to read about. The sun is one big factor in how our levels of this vitamin remain healthy. If not, there are supplements, but you would need to have testing and see your primary care provider for more information.

You can see here why I love the sun today because this was my drive home one night. I passed a man who completely flipped his truck over the rails and down the moutain. Officers everywhere trying to figure out how to get him out. I don't know if he made it or not.

My phone was turned here not my head. :P

I felt like singing, She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain.

When I got up on the mountain higher, it was like this.

So for today, my friends, I hope you have a sunny day and if not just remember how appreciative you will be more when that day comes!

Happy Sunday!

Your Word is a lanp to my feet and a light to my path.~~~~ Psalms 119:105

Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. ~~~~ 1 Peter 5:7

How Great Thou Art~~hymn series sampler

 

 

Today is a day of rest and it's a good one already. This morning I woke up and cooked thick peppered bacon and fried eggs for sandwiches while Abbie drooled at the stove.

 

This church reminds me of many here in the South in the Bible belt, especially out in the rural areas of North Ga mountains. Choirs belt out there praises. Congregations are cordial and inviting and dinner on the ground is not a foreign concept here.

 

I think this hymn speaks volumes to praise for our God. I designed How Great Thou Art sampler in a hymn series soon to be released.

 

 

I hope that your Sunday is peaceful, safe, hopeful, and filled with warm sunshine!

 

 

I believe today is going to be a good day.

 

Purl of wisdom~~ Take one day at a time. God is great and He knows the big picture.

Sunday Reflections and Hope

In This Place

In this place, I walked alone

to pray in the old, pew bench;

To pray for specific people in my life

To pray for the truth to be revealed.

God listened to my prayer that day

as He listens to all our prayers;

Sometimes His answers are not yes

Sometimes they are simply no~~~

Not now.

But in time.

You will know.

The reasons of the why and because.

But then when the right time came

the truth began to unfold

In His time and in His ways

He showed me what I needed to see.

Quite obvious, the Man in charge

of my life and my plan on Earth.

He said He didn't promise easy

He said sometimes it's a lot of work.

But He reassured me that He would be there

To protect me from all harm.

I can't ask for a better Father, friend

I can't ask for what He already knows.

Because you see,

 He knew I was coming there

That day so long ago.

He knew that I was His child

And He knew I was facing foes

He knew the plan for my life

When I was still in a little cradle.

It mattered not what friends I'd lose

It mattered not the criticisms or favors.

It only matters what God leads me

And that I continue to trust His wisdom.

That abiding in his love every day

Is a part of my daily listens.

His guidance I still ask each day

Just as in that little church alone;

He protects me, guides me, speaks to my heart

Loves me on and on.

I'm here, friend, to say to you

That His love will never falter;

If you trust in Him with all your heart

He will love you even while not at the altar.

His future plan for me includes

what, I do not know

but I only know that what I face

Will be with Him alone.

~~~~Jennifer

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Have a blessed and warm, cozy Sunday,

Jennifer

Freedom Fall Giveaway Ends tonight

Sunday morning, early before sunrise, I was making eggs and toast. Yup. Abbie was eagerly awaiting her treat and I hurried to make coffee and something to fill my growling stomach.

It's a cloudy-looking morning and some showers are coming, according to the weatherman. I love quiet days when reading and stitching, or watching a good movie are in store.

Yesterday I found the Season 2 Downton Abbey episodes on Amazon Video. I missed the entire Season 2, so episode one helped me get back on track and have quite a few to go. But that's one good thing about the Internet, is the ability to replay episodes missed.

 

On Sunday night, it's a tradition I usually cook up something sweet. It's a close tie between sugar cookies and apple cobbler tonight. I think Mr. Darcy will decide. He likes both :)

 

Remember the Freedom Fall Giveaway, which includes a beautiful sampler anf 2 pair of Kelmscott new Storklettes in blue and primitive, is ending at midnight tonight!!

Tomorrow night I will use the random number generator to pick a lucky someone.

If you missed it, put your comments here.

 

With whatever fills your Sunday, I hope it is blessed and peaceful.

 

Remember 14 weeks until Christmas!!!! Can you believe that?

I'm heading right now to get the Christmas cross stitch magazine that came out this month!

 

 

Let the holiday stitching begin!

 

Happy Sunday

It's just going to be one of those Jane Austen days.

the birds were out chirping early in the morning.

Abbie was lap-hugging first thing this morning

touching base with friends

the sun is shining today

there is peace in my home

a big day ahead for a brief rode trip

my Kindle is loaded with good books

my stitching holder is stocked the week's work

the house is clean all at one time-Yay!

thanking God this morning there are still gentlemen in this world like Mr. Darcy!

I hope you are enjoying your quiet Sunday and if not quiet, at least a small fraction of time to reflect quietly on how blessed we really are.

Till later,

Jennifer

Happy Sunday, friend!

Feathers in the Nest on a short break

Having a blast this past week and one more to go on vacation! Many new, fun things. Many good days filled with laughter and love.

I didn't even sign on for email for 9 days!  I needed a break really bad and had such good company to share it with.

I had alot of last minute packing and planning and I really didn't think I would need to take a break but I was having so much fun I didn't even open my laptop for a week.

So, Sunday the day of relaxation is good so far.

With the exception of coming back from the trip with a whopping cold and sore throat, everything else has been bliss!

Home for a while and then more fun away!

I will be back blogging in a week. It's so good to be back checking email and things for a short break though.

Take care and Feathers in the Nest will be back in 1 week.

More things this week include:

antique shopping

a Van Halen concert!!!!

visiting friends

cooking new things and old

long talks with special friends

Take care and see you SOON! Time is flying.

Jennifer

Time for Church and church designing

Good morning.

I hope your Sunday is filled with goodness and peace.

This is my church at Crescent Hill. Wouldn't this be a VERY love sampler motif? I love it. Very, very old one and I might graph it out pretty soon. Sometimes I just want to doodle and it's tempting to do so while I"m listening. I can see an old church on the forefront for a new design.

I took this pic last Easter when the flowers were in full bloom, said a prayer inside to show me the truth and boy did He ever do so after that in the following months. In ways I never expected.

But His ways and our ways are different and I don't mind at all.

I know He is one that will never hurt me, reject me, or treat me like I'm not worthy of love.

Sunday school and church and in the sanctuary, it's just after Sunday School and to designate when church starts, an elderly, nice gentleman stands up and pulls real hard over and over and makes the 200 year old bell ring at the top of the church near the steeple, ring and ring and RING.

That is the sign that church is beginning and anyone waiting outside with the cows by the pasture runs over and in to get a seat.

Sounds like the Waltons, I know, but I do love it. I love the old songs, the friendlieness and the leadership there.

And I've said some mighty strong prayers at this special church all alone in the past that brought some mighty strong truth to the forefront.

I hope you have a special place to go, to be surroundered by love ones and friends, to be cherished and nourished as I do.

Gotta run or I'll miss the bell ringing......

Jennifer

Sunday in reflection-colonial times

Some stitched Colonial Williamsburg houses. Stitched by me 30 years ago and still has a place in my heart.

Heading out to DC this week and planning and packing! Last year actually breezed by Colonial Williamsburg and I want to go one day to spend a whole lot longer than I did last time.

Colonial times were just plain simpler. Men were men, ladies were ladies. Simple blessings in life were treasured more.

Even though we don't dress like this nowadays, we can still hold some of the simplicity in our hearts forever.

I like to go to the big cities once a year. It reminds me of fortunate I am to live in a slower paced world.

It refreshes my views on most anything watching the city lights and the busy taxi fly by.

I will be sharing with you some pics of my adventures this week so stay tuned.

In Stitches shop is definitely on my list of places to go.

I can't wait to see in person all the new designs from Nashville this year.!!!!!!

Happy Sunday to you!

And on the 7th day~~~Rest

Are you running to or running from something?

Happy Sunday!

I hope it's a restful day for all who read here and that you will be refreshed and renewed for the coming week.

 Every day is a gift.

Love,

Jennifer

A Man's Own House--from Abigail

Hi, it's Abbie here. Just want to say thanks to all, for all your prayers and personal emails to my mom during a very difficult time in our life. I think we are on our way to peace and safety. It's hard for my mommy to ask for help but she did and to those who were so understanding and supportive through prayers and being there, we want to especially thank you, because we would do it for you if you asked during such a hardship.

We had to stay in hotels for 17 days in the Fall of the year to stay safe. And although I tried to stretch out and take it easy, I still prefer home.

When I'm home, this is one of my favorite spots,

because I can see the front porch and alert my mommy to anything

and I can watch my mom stitch, read and design too

Although the past 6 months have been stressful to say the least

I love my mom and she loves me.  And there's no place like HOME!

Several people left us in our lives during this time because they didn't understand,

but because God understands, He saved our lives.

 We still need your prayers as we transition at home, and we know God will take care of us, even me.

While away and during the difficult times, my mommy would like to give you a freebie she designed so that you can put it in your special home too or give it as a gift

~~~~ Because we both know that there's no place like home.

A Man's Own House

copyright 2011

designed by Feathers in the Nest

threads suggested are:

Gentle Art--Liberty---blue

Gentle Art---Dark Chocolate---dark brown

Gentle Art---Freedom--blue

Gentle Art ---Strawbonnet --light natural

Crescent Colors---Used Brick---brick red color

Crescent Colors---Pea Pod---green

Gentle Art--Mustard Seed---yellowish green--the pathway, the cross, the arrow, and the word East

just click on the picture graph and you should be able to print from there.

Psalm 91

If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,

no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.

For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go.  verses 9-11 (NIV)

We both hope you have a good Sunday, a restful day for the week ahead and again thank you,

Love,

Abbie

Sunday Sharing with positive thoughts and a Finish!!

Good Morning/Afternoon! 

I've been up early this morning, awakening to another idea of expanding on one of the "Sunday Morning" designs of mine into a band sampler and worked on it for about 2 hours. I love creating and using colors. I will share later on this expansion.

 Last night late, I finished Bent Creek's Land of Liberty  gifted to me by Karyn, Ma Teakettle, and as fickle as I can be, at midnight it was hard to decide whether to frame, or make into a hanging, or a pillow, or whatever......BUT here it is finished before the "finishing" which I will make a goal to do today.

And here is the fabric I got on a Boston trip last year.

I sold many cuts of fabric in my selling blog from this trip but held on to this piece and now I know why!!!

I plan to make a hanging for my kitchen.

And here is the small bird bath from Target, a place I could get lost in for hours. ;p

It's in the Smith and Hawkins section for the outdoorsy things.

I love this blue and the birds.

The base of it.

I still have to find a special spot outside for it.

Welcome newcomers! I absolutely love reading your comments!! I love give-a-ways mainly to share love around the world in some way and also to meet new people who share the passion of needlework!

Sunday is a day for reflections. I have recently started yoga and meditation. Alot of meditation, which if practiced is really helpful for stress reduction and making life a little more simplified.  Even when you close your eyes and go to that place in your mind that is the perfect spot, whether it be the beach, or the mountains (for me), hugging your kids (for me too), or whatever, at first many thoughts zoom through and at first can be a little distracting but soon I found that in doing this, the zooming thoughts of "things to do", etc. get less as I trained my mind to be still for just 10-15 minutes. It's really not a hokey thing to do! ;)

I am finishing a book that I wanted to share because it was so incredibly good. I spent longer reading it, in little bits and pieces, to savor each passage.

I have always known that stress is the root of most of our physical ailments and even though I try hard to use stress management techniques, there are days that my body lets me know it's too stressed.
This book, which I read in the Kindle edition, (my Gracie), is very uplifting. I happened upon it on Amazon and loaded it up. It's about 360 pages of very insightful messages.

The author is Joseph Murray, The Power of Your Subconscious Mind.

Some important concepts from this book:

1. Your subconscious mind never grows old. It's timeless, ageless, and endless.
2. How to stay young in spirit forever--continue to think on good attributes for the mind and body
3. If you fear aging or fight aging, you are in essence accelerating the process.
4. Whatever you believe, and expect, your subconsious mind will bring to pass. Be careful what you think.
5. Even though looking only forward to the future is desirable, it's also healthy to practice mindful meditation of positive thoughts in order to overcome the blueprint into the subconscious mind from the past. For some the blueprint is very imprinted with negative thoughts. This book helps to replace the old blueprint of subconsious negative thoughts with postive, peaceful ones that  the body remembers.
6. The mind-body connection is real.
7. Life is self-renewing
8. Peace, love, joy, beauty, happiness, wisdom, good will, and understanding are qualities which never grow old or die.

One of my favorite quotes from this book (and there are many to read and reread) is:

The mind is the master weaver, the architect, the designer, and the sculptor.

I hope this Sunday is a good day of reflection as it is for me and remember

 As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23.7.

Best get to the roast chicken in the oven for dinner. I can smell the herbs and the chicken getting aquainted with each other in the oven.....YUM!

Till later,
Jennifer

A Beautiful Sunday in Reflection

Letting Go

To “let go” does not mean to stop caring; it

Means I can’t do it for someone else.

To “let go” is not to cut myself off; it’s the

Realization I can’t control another.

To “let go” is not enable, but to allow

Learning from natural consequences.

To “let go” is to admit powerlessness, which

Means the outcome is not in my hands.

To “let go” is not to try to change or blame

Another, it’s to make the most of myself.

To “let go” is not to care for, but to care about.

To “let go” is not to fix, but to be supportive.

To “let go” is not to judge, but to allow another

To be a human being.

To “let go” is not to be in the middle, arranging

All the outcomes, but to allow others to affect

Their own destinies.

To “let go” is not to be protective, it’s to permit

Another to face reality.

To “let go” is not to deny, but to accept.

To “let go” is not to nag, scold, or argue, but

Instead to search out my own shortcomings

And correct them.

To “let go” is not to adjust everything to my

Desires, but to take each day as it comes and

Cherish myself in it.

To “let go” is not the regret the past, but to

Grow and live for the future.

To “let go” is to fear less and love more.

-Author Unknown

 

Here's hoping your Sunday is beautiful and spending at least a small slice of it in meditation.

 

 This excerpt is from online and the author is unknown. I wish I did know who wrote this because whoever did, explained the term letting go much better than I can or do. Just a couple of months ago I said my mantra is Let Go--Embrace Serendipity. I find that I have to keep this thought in my head and hopefully one day will be able to fully understand the difference between letting go and not caring. It's taken some time, but I'm getting there over the bumps in the road, just as everyone else has bumps in the road.

 

The weather today is the most beautiful ever!!!  Sunshine and no humidity and right now about 60 degrees. Who could ask for better weather???

 

 Today I'm thankful for this weather so that we can get some sprucing up around the house done, so that we can enjoy the sunshine while it's here, and open the windows to air the house out.

In the evening we can build a fire, of which we both absolutely love, and ponder on things remembering the above comforting words of wisdom.

 

I hope this brings some hope to your life today and that you have a wonderful, sunshiney Sunday! I've been busy yesterday designing some more. I will be posting a Halloweenie one soon for you to enjoy.

 

A Quiet Sunday morning

This morning I got up early and the house was total quiet. No TV, no air conditioning even coming on as the air outside is cooler. In the middle of the quiet, I hear only the coffee perculator which percs every 15 or so minutes (it's an old one) so if you don't like the strength of your coffee, just hang on for 15 more minutes and it will re-perc for you!

In the middle of the quiet which is a total gift from above, I diddled with my thoughts as I looked out my window at the huge butterflies here, flouncing around the trees and lemon balm. I decided there is a magic about quiet Sunday mornings, the day of rest. Soothing, relaxing, and if Abbie's is not snitching my poptart and taking a nap instead, I can have alot of introverted fun.

Quiet Sunday Mornings

designed by Feathers in the Nest

This is Dalenberg Lane today. Cool and gray but butterflies in play.

Colors suggested are:

CC Peanut Brittle

CC Pea Pod

CC River Rocks

CC Nutmeggie

CC Old Blue Jeans

CC Sunshine Girl

CC Manor Red

CC Tennessee Red Clay

CC Country Lane

Enjoy your morning and hope it's a quiet and peaceful one!