Maybe today…

Maybe Today
^"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

I Thessalonians 4:16-17

Such a good thing to remember as I go about my day....puts all the tasks and pleasures in perspective.

Crocheted Coin Purse Pattern

For Easter Dinner, I crocheted these coin purses for the ladies...I used them for place card holders. I saw a pattern that I liked and tried to make a similar pattern.

This clasp was purchased at Joann. 

The little holes are only on the outside, and there is a nicely finished edge on the inside that covers the edge of the fabric. 

I used a size US G/4.00mm hook and worsted weight yarn. I am using US terminology. 

There are only single crochets (sc), half double crochets (hdc), and chains (ch).

Today I am using Lion Brand Kitchen cotton.

I found that 5 (sc) fit nicely into the depth of the clasp. So...I decided I wanted the belly of the purse to be twice as long (10 stitches) for a total of 15 stitches...and that I was going to make the body of the purse in one piece and then fold it in half....2 x 15 stitches = 30 stitches.

READY to start? 

ch 31 (last ch is to turn)

Row 1: sc in each of the first 5 stitches (not the turning stitch, but I think that is common), hdc in the next 20 stitches, sc in last 5 stitches, ch1, turn.

Now, just repeat that row until the ends fit snugly into the clasp. I think you can pretty easily adapt this pattern for whatever size clasp, hook, and yarn you are using. (The sc should be the same depth as the clasp, and the belly should be twice as long - guess that is up to you and the look you desire)

So here is my chain 31 w/ the first row started...those initial 5 sc...I just stopped to snap a picture so you could see how they fit into the clasp.

And here is the first row finished. The hdc part will be a bit wider than the ends...helping to create a fuller 'belly' part of the coin purse.

A couple of rows finished....

About half way....The shape is becoming more apparent...

And here is the whole piece finished....well, the crocheting part, anyhow.

Now you just sew it into the clasp and sew up the edges.

Ta-Dah

A lining would look nice, but I haven't ventured to do that just yet!

If you need clarification..please ask. I 'd love for you to have as much fun making these as I do! They are a quick and nice little gifty thing to have on hand or be able to make up the day before you need it.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    His mercies never come to an end;
 they are new every morning;
    great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion', says my soul, 'Therefore, I will hope in Him' "

Lamentations 3:22-23

May your day be spent hoping in Him!

Make it Monday

A few weeks ago, Lorraine posted about these great jar cozies. So, I gave it a go. 

I reused some kombucha bottles and hooked up a few cozies to fit. Now my kiddos can have colorful water bottles! I know, I know.....glass breaks......... but there is a definite advantage....Water in glass bottles doesn't taste like plastic!

We haven't taken them out to the concrete to see if they'll shatter when they are dropped....I'm certain that will be determined soon enough....but in the mean time, I thought I'd see how long they last!

                                   

Tulip Trot

Saturday, our family had to divide and conquer. Two of the kiddos went with me to a sheep clinic. The rest of the family participated in a local 5k race in Woodland. This was the first time we (yes, I say 'we' loosely, since 3 of us weren't there, and I cannot run that far at this point!) ran this race - but I understand the runners would like it to be an annual event!

These were our youngest participants - Megan Joy, Zachary, and Madeline Hope!

Here are our runners! We had two family friends join us - on the far left Micah (who came in 3rd over all) and Lauren is in front of him. Our Coderunner team included Joshua, Gregg, Benjamin (back row); Grace,Sarah (middle row); and Madeline, Megan, and Zachary.

And the Coderunner finishers in order of appearance........

Isn't she smiling too much to have just run 3.1 miles?

 I guess finishing before Daddy and Maddie can be rather inspiring!

 Emily - the photographer - came home with several beautiful lily bulbs to plant! We will hopefully get those in the ground and show you pictures at the end of the summer!

Introducing....

The Coderlambian

My 4H kiddos set up a blog for their 4h project. Hoping to keep potential buyers interested, they will be posting the ramblings and plannings and fixings, and doings of their adventures w/ sheep.  Hop on over and take a look.  Their blog is the Coderlambian....(our local newspaper is called 'The Columbian' - the inspiration for their market letter. - well, the name was the inspiration!)

Spring Around the House

We've been enjoying a bit of a Spring/Easter break around our house for the last 2 weeks.

So, I thought I'd take ya for a tour of what's blooming 'round here.....

The roses on the arbor are already reaching around the top. Hopefully, it will be full of lovely little pink double blossoms....oh, the fragrance is wonderful.

This camillia.....oh, brother....

For YEARS it has teased us w/ an abundance of buds....only to turn brown and ugly before the flowers would bloom. From my Master Gardner days, I found that it's ailment was a soil born thing and I was told I'd have to move it or it would always have this problem. ....So this year, I bought a daphne to put here instead.....as soon as that daphne was sitting across the walk from the camillia, the camillia, as if in defiance, bloomed prolifically....with NO, I repeat NO brown ugliness....

We will enjoy it...but I think it has outgrown it's place anyhow, so....we'll go ahead and try to move it and plant the daphne here later this year. 

Inside the house, we did a bit of spring cleaning....the twins' bedroom was. a. mess. 

We took EVERYTHING out and only replaced a few things. I think there were 3 garbage bags of ....um..stuff, to throw away or take to Goodwill. Guess I should get and after picture, but I rather like the 'empty room picture' ....

And then there was the matter of the bonus room closet....stuffed to the gills, no evidence of a floor...I KNOW you have no idea what I'm talking about....but, just so y'all know, our bonus room closet does have a floor....

See?

 And now that the fabic, sewing machines (remember, we have 6 daughters), yarn, games, camping stuff, music stands, and snow clothes are back in the closet....you can still see the floor.

This is the after shot....

REALLY, it's better than it was!

REALLY!

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Unfortunately, we also did a bit of this over our break from school

And I think these pictures were a bit before our school break, but our kiddos are still volunteering at Fort Vancouver...

 I love Spring....the newness of things, the blooming, the baby lambs, and chicks (which I will have to post about next!) and the way that it points us to the Savior! Every season has a way to remind us of what God has done, and life...beautiful LIFE in CHRIST  and HIS RESURRECTION is seen so easily  in His creation at this time of year. 

May you all enjoy the REALITY of that NEW LIFE!

Make it Monday!

Well, it's not only been a while since posting a "Make it Monday" but it's also been a while since posting
ANYTHING! I am really hoping to get better.

For our Easter dinner I made these cute litte coin purses for the girls' placecards. 

They make up very quickly....you can get a couple finished in an evening.  

The boys just got a Snickers Bar for their place cards. 

I got the clasps from JoAnn. The black clasps I bought in the store, and the gold ones were purchased online. The gold ones have rings to attach a strap. The black ones have a prettier inside...sorry I did not get a picture.