An Old Fashioned Singing

It's that time of year...the "in-between" season when you must change out your closets to your fall/winter clothes and say "goodbye" to the pretty pastels of spring and bright colors of summer.  I am looking forward to the warm sweaters and scarves!  Did I ever mention that I LOVE fall?  :)

Last Sunday (at church), we had our Homecoming/Old Fashion Day.  We donned our old-timey skirts and dresses and celebrated days gone by.  My cousins, sister, and I had the privilege of singing and playing our instruments during the service.  "The Solid Rock (On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand)," "At the Cross," and "I'll Fly Away" were in our repertoire for the day. 
Here are some pictures:

Me and Leah

4ever His

Kandace, Katy, Leah, and Me

Here are two video clips...

I tried uploading them directly through my blog (not through youtube), but it was taking a while.  Sorry for all the ads.

At the Cross

I'll Fly Away

It has been glorious the past few weeks with the peak of the changing leaves.

Here is a picture of our view of the mountains with a little color boost...

Have a blessed weekend!

Remaining faithful until He returns...

Taylor

P.S.  I just have to show you what you missed out on...

Sliced bananas and strawberry icecream...

Topped with chocolate syrup and chopped pecans...

(here in the south, it's okay to say "PEE-cans")  :)

YUM!

Full Throttle

It has been crazy (last week)!  After coming off a relaxing vacation with family (pictures below), everything went full throttle when we got home.  :)  From homeschool to designing some things for our upcoming 4 year anniversary of Craig Church Ministries to getting my driver's license, it has been a bit hectic!

Yes, I said getting my driver's license!  Not that I wanted to get it (I had no desire, whatsoever), but because I needed to.  :)  I must confess, I was more anxious than I should have been.  (Human nature rising up!)  The Lord always gives us what we need, when we need it!  He has never let me down!  I was blessed to have a good "evaluator" or whatever you want to call the person who rides around with you and "grades" your driving.  :)  It was actually better than I anticipated!  (All that stress for nothing.)  I guess that is why the Lord, so often, tells us not to worry...He has it all under control! 

"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." 

Deuteronomy 31:6 

^"I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." 

Psalm 34:4

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into

the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging."

Psalm 46:1-3

There are so many verses like these that offer comfort and tell us not to worry!  It is something I must work on!  :)

Here are some beach pictures from our recent vacation:

A lovely day by the ocean!

A game of beach baseball...running for "home!"

Sweet Clara

The Whole Family

I have some new projects I need to get started on, but in the meantime, I am loving this weather!  The leaves are just starting to change and the air has had a little "nip" in it!  It has been perfect!

Here is a sample of some of the design work I have been doing...

(Sorry it's kind of small, but I had to fit it on the blog.)

Drop by if you can!  :)

Enjoy the beautiful weather that exclaims the majesty of our Creator!

Remaining in Him...

Taylor

Purses, Flowers, Fobs, & Blankets

The fall days are finally getting closer!  Ah!  The cooler weather has been wonderful.  I love this time of year.  :)  I can't wait to light the pumpkin spice candles, see the leaves change their colors, and bundle up when I go outside. 

 Life (like always) has been busy and I have gotten behind on my posting.  So, this is a conglomeration of my latest sewing projects (as you could see in my lengthy title).  I hope you enjoy!

Let's start with a girly purse I made...I really like the big purple bow.  :)  It is curved with a "wrist" handle, instead of the standard two handles.  It has three pockets on the inside; one for a pen and two larger ones.

Next is my blue-jean flower...I am all the time searching craft blogs for tutorials and I came across this and had to make me one!  Here is a link to the pattern I found (I don't know anything about the site, itself...I just enjoyed the pattern): 

http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/2010/01/tutorial-jean-corsage-got-old-jeans.html

Here is a key "fob" I made for my Momma...so far, she has enjoyed it.  I am modeling it in this picture (and I have been using it, too, since I have been driving more often.) 

Finally, here is a small children's blanket.  I love it!  It is for one of my soon-to-be brothers from Russia! (I have yet to make the other one, but it's on the list.) We don't know their ages, specifically, but I wanted to make it anyway. I enjoyed making this...from the little bunny to the blanket. It is made from soft minky and is so cuddly.

 

 

Hope you have a blessed end-of-the week!  May we use each day to honor Him!

Taylor   

Storms and Apple Pie

This weekend has turned out to be very eventful!  On Thursday evening we had a very bad storm...straight-line winds, rain, lighting, thunder, and the like!  It resembled a tornado!!!  (Limbs were flying in the air, rain was pouring so hard you could barely see, and we were afraid the doors/windows were going to break.)  Thankfully, it didn't last long and we didn't have any major damage.  It could have been a lot worse, but the Lord is always watching out and protecting us!  My PaPaw's and MaMaw's yard was the most damaged.  We had tree limbs and tons of leaves in our yard, but they had two trees beside their house down! 

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah."

Psalm 46:1-3

Here are some pics...

After the winds had subsided...still raining.

(Our yard)

Malachi and Silas drenched from the storm.

The yard was a mess!  Spent the evening picking up limbs.

(Our yard)

Both trees were down...kind of sad. 

(PaPaw's and MaMaw's yard)

(P/M's yard)

(P/M's yard)

Where two trees used to stand...only 1/2 of one stood.

(P/M's yard)

Yesterday everyone pitched in to get the trees cleaned up.

(P/M's yard)

My cousins' canopy was totally ruined!

There could have been a lot more damage...but the Lord was merciful!  This wasn't a small storm!

Now on to the yummy part...

HOMEMADE APPLE PIE!!!!!

Who doesn't like a warm piece of apple pie, with a heaping scoop of ice cream, and maybe a cup of coffee?  :)  This is one of my PaPaw's favorites!  My sister and I made this pie from scratch, just for him, because he's the greatest!  He has worked so hard the past two days cleaning up!  (Though, he always is a hard worker.)  :)  It was so hot yesterday, but he kept going.  Hope you enjoy your pie, PaPaw! 



Blessings!!!  Have a wonderful Saturday evening!

Taylor

Baby Shoes (Sewing)

I made these girly baby shoes to go with the hat I made earlier.  They have soft minky linings inside to keep some little toes warm!  Sew sweet!  :)

Have a blessed Lord's day tomorrow!

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable."

Psalm 145:3



Baby Hat (Sewing)

I have been wanting to make this for some time...I finally got around to it!  Knit fabric can be a little tricky, but after a few trials and errors it turned out just fine.  Since we don't have any baby girls in the family (though, Lord willing, I will have some little brothers in the future) I used one of my favorite childhood dolls, "Big Baby," as a model.  :)  This baby hat was made to fit 0-3 months. 



Leah's Skirt

As you can see, I have been on a sewing kick!  Here is a skirt I made for Leah.  She has been asking for one all summer, but we couldn't find a style we liked.  We decided on just a basic gathered skirt, with a few minor adjustments so it wouldn't been too blousy.  I think she was pleased with the final product!

Front View

Back

My pretty sissy!

Leah was a good sport...

she put up with all my requests!  :)

Lovely evening

Levi didn't want to be left out...I love his blue eyes!  :)

Hope you have a blessed week!  We're half-way through August!  Can you believe it?  I am looking forward to Autumn leaves, pumpkin pies, a nip in the air, and the joy of anticipating the holidays!  Ah!  :)