Mentoring Woman: THE OLD BECOMES NEW

Mentoring Woman: THE OLD BECOMES NEW: Well I was back at my sewing machine again this past week.  I had bought a "casserole cover" at an estate sale and wanted to try t...

THE OLD BECOMES NEW

Well I was back at my sewing machine again this past week.  I had bought a "casserole cover" at an estate sale and wanted to try to duplicate the pattern for myself.  It looked to be pretty handy for carrying pies or round and oblong casserole dishes. It evidently was made back in the 50's due to the orange and brown color! And looks a little "worse for the wear" as my dad always said.

So instead of tearing the old one apart I just tried to figure out how they had sewed it together.  First you find a large round object.  I used this old metal tray that measures 19" across.   I drew around it with some tailor's chalk and cut two circles out of the fabric.  (I made sure I used heavier fabric).

Next,I had to find a smaller circle pattern for the center portion.  I used a small cereal bowl that measures 6" across and cut out one.  I also cut another out one out of heavier quilted material (the green fabric underneath it) to act as a cushion below this.  Batting would also serve the purpose.  (We don't want it burning your legs when you carry it on your lap and it also helps to keep the item warm.)  

Next, I cut 3 strips for the handles measuring 3" x 25" long.  I admit to struggling in turning these long skinny handles but you can try this link that I posted below because that is the method I will be trying next time I make one!  Hey, if it's good enough for a purse handle, it's good enough for this project!

Sewing Handles

Next, I sewed the green quilted smaller circle to the same sized circle and placed on the larger circle.

Then I attached a ruffle to this small circle (see picture) 1/4" from outside.  You could also use rick rack as my original pattern did. Pin this smaller circle  in the center of one of the large circles on the right side and sew around it.

Next sew your handles in half with right sides together and turn or try the new method I have linked you to above.  Place these strips on the right side of the material where you placed the smaller inner circle. (See above)  The strips should be 9" apart all the way around.  I went ahead and attached them so I wouldn't have to mess with them shifting on me.  Now you are ready to sew around the whole thing.  Add the other larger circle with the right side down, pinning in place, and making sure your handles are pointed toward the center and out of your way of sewing.  Make sure you leave a 4-5" opening for turning the fabric.  Turn and press the carrier.  Top stitch around the entire circle and there you have it.  

I bought a new casserole dish for the center and am giving to someone as a gift.  I think it would make a cute and easy wedding shower or wedding gift, a new home gift, or perhaps a birthday gift.  

OLD VERSES NEW

There you go, the old can be made new again!  Does that remind you of a particular scripture?  How about 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" My mentoring reminder for all of us this day:   "We may not be where we should be, but we aren't where we once was." A great praise for the finished work of Christ.  Have a fantastic weekend!  I probably will be posting early next week since we have some 4th of July plans!  Talk to you then!

Mentoring Woman: Words of Nourishment

Mentoring Woman: Words of Nourishment: Today I am thinking about words.   In fact nourishing words.  What are nourishing words you say?  I had a friend say to me recently "wo...

Words of Nourishment

Today I am thinking about words.   In fact nourishing words.  What are nourishing words you say?  I had a friend say to me recently "wow it looks like you've lost some weight!" Now I don't think I really had, but those words gave me nourishment to think that perhaps I have been making some better choices in my eating habits.  The other words came from my grandchild who said, "Grandma, I've been reading your blog every week and I really like it." And from a friend, "Your blog encourages me to be more diligent."  I've been feasting on those nourishing words a lot this past week!

Everyone needs nourishing words.  The Book of Proverbs is just filled with verses on how our words affect other people.   Since Proverbs is the Book of Wisdom I thought it would be good for us to look at a few today.

Proverbs 15:4:  "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." (NIV) How can our tongue bring healing?  How about when we make an effort to edit our words and make sure that when we do say something, it brings nourishment and not discouragement to someone? This is a tough one since I am sure everyone needs to hear my advice and opinion on everything!  I have been praying that God would give me more wisdom about when to speak, how to speak, and what to speak. James 3 is also a chapter about taming the tongue and is a great one to review for this also. I certainly don't want the reputation of being known as a "spirit crusher"!

Proverbs 15:30: "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones."(NIV) Wow, you mean even the looks we give to others can bring joy?  Just stand in line at the supermarket on any given day and you will see examples of what Solomon is talking about.  You've heard the term "If looks could kill?" A pastor once said, when he goes to a restaurant or store he engages the person who waits on him in conversation.  He might say  "Are you having a good day?"  "What do you like the most about working here?" and gives them a big smile.  The people who wait on us usually thank us for shopping or eating there (or they should) but how often do we really thank them? Those jobs have to be tough, having to be on your feet all day, and trying to be nice to each person. And what about that second part of this verse? How often do we spread good news?   We are always quick to spread the bad, but in this world of gloom and doom, isn't it wonderful to hear something good about someone?  It's refreshing and nourishing!  Yep, gonna have to work on this one!

Proverbs 10:21: "The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment."(NIV)
There it is...my very words can give someone else nourishment. Wow, that is powerful!   Just like my friends and grandson did for me, I can do for others!  It's just a matter of making a conscience effort of making it happen and looking for the opportunity to do it.

My mentoring challenge this week is this:  "Yes, we need to be careful about the words we say but we also need to make a genuine effort to be generous in spreading some nourishing words around.   Who knows?  It might be the very thing that someone else is needing to bring them joy and healing and they will feasting on our nourishing words for weeks to come!

Here's a quick and easy craft to do.  I bought a hand towel and in the blank area at the bottom, I sewed a decorative ribbon border across the bottom with a straight stitch.  You could also add a ruffle or two or an iron on applique.  It is a economical way to give your towels that expensive designer look but in this case I am using it for a gift basket I am making.  Just trying to spread some nourishment!

Mentoring Woman: THORNS AND THISTLES

Mentoring Woman: THORNS AND THISTLES: I've been out in the garden again, but this time to admire my flowers.  My "Matthew Rose" (named after our grandson who now re...

THORNS AND THISTLES

I've been out in the garden again, but this time to admire my flowers.  My "Matthew Rose" (named after our grandson who now resides in heaven) is in bloom.  It will quit producing flowers soon and bloom again in August.

I cannot take any credit for this beautiful yellow rose and it's success.  It has been transplanted 3 times and other than cut back the stems in the Spring and watering it, I don't do anything special.  It just continues to grow as it is supposed to do.  

Here's another rose bush I planted two years ago.  It is a shrub rose and other than trimming the stems that tend to get out of control in the Spring, I don't do anything special with it either.  Do notice the thistles beginning to make there way up the mound, because that is one of the things I wish to talk about today.

Now to my other garden pictures:                   

My Dead "Knock Out" Rose

The Thistles invading my Zucchini

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Question...Why did my Knock Out Rose, which is supposed to be the most hardy of roses, die through the winter and the others survive? Well, those of you who live in Indiana know why.  It was just too harsh a winter for it!  Perhaps the roots were too weak and weren't strong enough to handle the cold.  Remind you of any Biblical principles? How about the parable Christ told in Matthew 13:1-9?  I won't print the verses but I invite you to read it for yourself.  Jesus explains this parable in verses 18-23.  "Seed was planted and even before it took root the enemy (Satan) snatches it away, some seed fell in rocky places and since it had no roots when trouble (or a harsh winter, etc.) comes along it quickly falls away.  Some fell among the thorns (or thistles in my case) and the worries of this life and deceitfulness of wealth choke it out making it unfruitful. But then some fell on good soil and it produced a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

My mentoring question for us today is this:  "What kind of soil are we continuing to be?"  Are we providing ourselves the proper things we need to amend our soil, so when a harsh winter comes along we remain strong? Are we keeping short accounts by hoeing out the thistles and thorns that threaten to encroach and take over our garden of life?  This problem can happen quickly in spiritual gardens.  We go a week or two without getting into the word, without praying, or enjoying the fellowship of other believers and we find the thorns and thistles choking the very life out of us!  So we have to keep diligent and watch for these pesky weeds.  Isn't the Bible practical?  These are just some gardening analogies I had for this week.  So if you wonder what I will be doing...I'll be out in my garden with a hoe, for I clearly have some weeding to do!

As a side note:  Happy Father's Day to all you hard working dad's out there!   WE APPRECIATE YOU! 

Mentoring Woman: Let The Games Begin!

Mentoring Woman: Let The Games Begin!: School is officially over so that means picnics, fun times in the park, swimming, and perhaps even some camping.  I see some of you pinning ...

Let The Games Begin!

School is officially over so that means picnics, fun times in the park, swimming, and perhaps even some camping.  I see some of you pinning those recipes and camping ideas!   Although we did do some camping when our kids were little, my idea of camping now, is a night at The Hampton Inn!  Oh, the times they are a changin!

Thinking about what my mentoring suggestion might be with all this summer activity is...keep looking  for those "teachable moments" with your children also known as "windows of opportunities". Sometimes you have to create them but most times they just happen.

A suggestion might be when camping have each member of the family, who is old enough, be responsible for a small mini devotional on any subject of their choice.  They have to look up the scripture and have ready any props they might need.  Another member could select the music of the evening.  We did this when our kids were little and was very pleasantly surprised at all their creativity.  I remember one night when their father had charge of the evening, we turned out all the lights in the tent and he had a flashlight.  He spoke of how we were all in darkness until the "Light Of The World" (flashlight then popped on) Jesus Christ came down to save us.  It was a very short devotional, but funny I still remember that visual after all these years. Of course this sounds like a June Cleaver moment, but just like any other normal family, for one reason or another, things did not always work out so we learned quickly that we had to be flexible!  Such as the time we took off South for my husband's sisters and traveled across Arkansas and Kansas and it rained every blooming day!  We were tempted to just keep traveling the United States and hire ourselves out as rainmakers that year! I spent most of the time just trying to dry out us and our things. On that trip I cooked in the rain with my electric skillet and an umbrella over me just so we could eat something besides bologna sandwiches and have something hot to fill our stomachs! This was long before fast food was so easy to come by and a very tight budget. Sounds dangerous doesn't it?  But after all these years, I still smile, shake my head, and remember that trip!  And really when all is said and done, that is exactly what camping is all about. life experiences and life memories!

I am including my mom's potato salad recipe for your camping and picnic enjoyment.  I hope each of you enjoy the summer with your children.  Here's to teachable moments and making lots of memories!

Mom's Potato Salad

4-5 Large Potatoes 

3 eggs

1/4  cup chopped onion

1/4 cup chopped celery

1/4 cup sweet pickle relish

Boil potatoes in water with lid on (peelings on) until tender with a knife.  Add the raw eggs on the top of the potatoes and you can cook altogether!

After cooking and when cooled, peel both potatoes and eggs. Chop into bite sized pieces.
Add celery, onions and relish.

Mix together: 1/2 cup Miracle Whip, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 Tablespoons Yellow Mustard 

Add to potato mixture, mix, refrigerate and enjoy!