Merry Mice

I received a wonderful package in the mail yesterday. When I opened the box these little sweetie pies were looking up at me!! I had inquired of Sue at Not The Good Scissors! about these ornaments that her Mom makes and she graciously sent me some! The detail on the mice is amazing. I just love all the kind and generous people I've met blogging. Thank you Sue for making my day!

Aren't they the cutest things ever? I have loved Christmas mice since I was a small child. There is something so whimsical about them. My imagination has them taking tea while knitting tiny scarves and sharing cupcake recipes with each other. One of my goals for this year is to applique a quilt with a Christmas mouse. I'm drafting the pattern in my head, hope it makes it to the drawing board. With these little ladies encouraging me, maybe it will get done after all. Be a gift to someone today!

Still smiling,

My Issues (some of them...)

Yesterday, Teresa, at Meadowbrook Farms did a post on "to purge or not to purge" which is always the million dollar question. I thought I would share some of my "issues" with you. The birds, above, started out as two I inherited from my Grandma. I now have 27. I felt like I was dishonoring her memory if I saw one and let it pass. Geez. Well, if I ever have a baby shower and need a center piece for 27 tables...

My daughter started collecting salt & pepper shakers as a way to stay entertained while I scoured flea markets. This pair is my favorite.

Here are more of my favorites. I won't tell you how many we now have. It's embarrassing.

Holt Howard Pixieware is the newest collection. I totally blame my friend, Diane, because she said I should do it and I usually listen to her. Diane, please don't be jumping off any bridges soon...

One of my favorites is this Hazel Atlas Crinoline dish set. It sits in a glass-front cupboard in my kitchen and I can pretend I live back in time when I look at them. They make me smile. How about you, what is your "issue"?

Showers of blessings,

A New Blog Home!

Yea, you found me! Max and I would like to welcome you to "Sewn With Grace" formally known as "The Graceful Stitch". We're looking forward to more sewing, crafting, cooking and thoughts on life and faith as we enter 2010. May you be a blessing today!

With joy,

Blueberry French Toast

My son returned to college today but not before I fed him, that's what we Mom's do right? This recipe came from my friend, Kathy. Very simple and very good. Even with the pitiful looking blueberries available right now. Enjoy!

Blueberry French Toast

Ingredients:

1 (1 pound) loaf italian bread, cut into 1 inch cubes (I used croissants)

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, diced

1 cup blueberries

12 eggs

2 cups milk

1/3 cup maple syrup

Sauce:

1 cup white sugar

2 tbs. cornstarch

1 cup water

1 cup blueberries

1 tbs. butter

Place half of the bread cubes in a lightly greased 9x13 in. baking pan. Sprinkle cream cheese on top of bread cubes. Top with 1 cup blueberries and remaining bread. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, milk and maple syrup. Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover pan and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning, remove pan from refrigerator 30 min. before baking. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover pan with aluminum foil and bake for 30 min. Uncover pan and bake for additional 30 min, until golden brown and center is set.

To make sauce: In a saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch, add water. Boil over medium heat for 3 min, stirring constantly. Stir in blueberries and reduce heat. Simmer 8 to 10 min., or until the berries have burst. Stir in butter until melted. Serve the sauce over squares of french toast.

Be blessed today,

From My Daybook

For Today... from Renee's Daybook

Outside my window... very cold, snowy day

I am thinking... about the sewing projects I want to do, instead of what I need to do

I am thankful for... all the Christmas decorations being put away

I am wearing... jeans, white t-shirt and black sweater

I am remembering... our vacation trips to Siesta Key and the warm feel of white sand between my toes

I am going... to go to Target soon

I am currently reading... "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

I am hoping... to bake cookies for my son to take back to college with him

On my mind... what God wants me to do with the gifts He has given me

Noticing that... I'm getting closer to 50 and still have the same things on my mind

Pondering these words... "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1Peter4:10

From the kitchen... marinating flank steak so I can stand in a foot of snow at the grill to make my son's favorite meal.

Around the house... laundry and MUST CLEAN BATHROOMS (I think there's something alive in the kids tub...)

One of my favorite things~ ginger-peach tea

From my picture journal... a scrimmage on Parent's day at my son's college, this past fall

If you would like to see some wonderful daybook entries, visit Dawn at 4:53am or go to the Simple Woman's Daybook, here, to make your own.

With joy,

Putting Away Christmas

I spent the day putting away Christmas. It has officially left and I'm feeling a little sad. The only items remaining are the wreaths on my doors, hence the picture of my back porch. My daughter will go back to high school on Monday and my son will return to college on Tuesday and I'm missing everyone being together already. I am very grateful for the time we had but greedily would like more. The kids keep telling me how bare the house looks now and I have to agree. Christmas always adds such sparkle and shine and now we are back to watching dog hair roll like tumbleweed across the floors. I would love your ideas on how to decorate for the winter months.

Be blessed friends!

The Creative Bug

In the middle of football and food, sniffling and coughing, and taking down Christmas decorations I got bit by the creative bug. So, instead of pushing that feeling back down, I decided to tackle the ornament wreath that my sis-in-law asked me to make. These are so much fun, like putting a puzzle together. Then...

I grabbed the two round boxes I bought the other day and decided to make a cake with them. They were already decorated. I just hot glued the lids on, glued them together and then made the topper. I also did a little embellishing where the layers join. It looks rather festive sitting in my dining room. The only problem now is that I'm too tired to get back to the other stuff. Oh well, when your bit by the creative bug, there's no turning back. Be joyfilled today!!