Monday Melodies: Granuaile's Dance

Happy Monday all!

Can you believe this is the last Monday of July?

Wow, how time flies!

Today I'm going to share with you not only a be-a-u-tiful song,

but also the must see live performance by Mairead Nesbitt of Celtic Women.

I just love to watch her flit and float across the stage,

so caught up in her performance and love of the music!

She gives movement to the music, and soul to the notes.

This is the way real music is meant to be played!

I hope you enjoy it.

Oh....

and feel free to dance!

~Me~

Granuaile's Dance

Smile Friend and Do A Little Jive

So,

did you know this week was Make a Friend Smile week?!

How fun!

I found out just in time to share a smile with you!

Here is a video I found a long time ago, and just restumbled upon today.

It was so good I wanted to share it with you!

I mean come on, dancing (one of my favorite things!) and cute babies (another favorite thing!)?!

Don't think it gets much better.

So here is lookin' at you kid!

I hope it makes you smile!

~Me~

Two Year Old Dancin' the Jive



Blimey Cow Film Contest Top 10, We made it!

Yay!

We are excited around here.

For a few years now, my brothers have been interested in filming,

and have produced several short videos and entered contests as well.

Their most recent endeavour was an entry into

The Blimey Cow 72 Hour Film Festival Contest

and yesterday we, were so pleased to find out that their video

placed 7th among their Top 10 video, out of a total of 230 entries!!

Whoo hoo!!

If you have never heard of Blimey Cow or Messy Mondays,

you MUST visit their Youtube channel.

They put out weekly videos, that will make you laugh and think at the same time.

Here is the announcement video of the Top Ten,

which includes links to the videos mentioned.

My brothers' video is Final Burn, have a look!



Have a great day y'all!

~Me~

Monday Melodies: You're Not Alone

Before you read any further,

start the song.

Did you start it?

Good.

As I write this,

I'm listening to this song.

(And you are too, right?)

I have goose bumps.

And you know, 

isn't it funny how those little things

seem to open up your heart?

'Cause that is what's going on in mine.

All the crust of my day,

dust gathered as I walk

through a hard world,

is being blown away.

The refreshing Breath of Heaven

falls on my heart

and the words of this song

ring true there.

How about you?

Let some of the dust from your travels blow away.

He will wash your feet,

He will cleans your heart

and breath in fresh life...

yes....

we are not alone.

~Me~

You're Not Alone Meredith Andrews

I searched for love, when the night came,
And it closed in, I was alone,
But you found me, where I was hiding,
And now I'll never ever be the same,
It was the sweetest voice,
That called my name saying

You're not alone, For I am here,
Let me wipe away your every fear,
My love, I've never left your side,
I have seen you through the darkest night,
And I'm the one who's loved you all your life,
All of your life

You cry your self to sleep, cause the hurt is real,
And the pain cuts deep, all hope seems lost,
With heartache your closest friend,
And everyone else long gone,
You've had to face the music on your own,
But there is a sweeter song that calls you home saying

You're not alone, For I am here,
Let me wipe away your every tear,
My love I've never left your side,
I have seen you through the darkest night,
And I'm the one who's loved you all your life,
All your life

Faithful and true, Forever,
Oh my love will carry you

You're not alone, For I, I am here,
Let me wipe away your every fear
Oh yeah, My love I've never left your side,
I have seen you through the darkest night,
Your darkest night,
And I'm the one who's loved you all your life,
All of your life



Pinterest for Real: Pizza Grilled Cheese

Pinterest.

The greatest thing since Google, agreed?

Of course you do.

But...

there is a downside to Pinterest, as I'm sure you will also agree.

That being: way. too. much. time. spent. pinning!

Not to mention we tend to devour the pins more than the actual food on the pins.

So, to alleviate my guilty conscience (and rumbly tumbly),

I started a Pin board called 'Pinterest For Real'

that I plan to fill with things I have actually made and done!

*Gasp*

I consider it my passport of 'stamps' on my journey

from a see-er to a do-er.

Join me?

Here is some inspiration.

This is one of my favorite recent  recipes.

Pizza Grilled Cheese

Recipe from Forkful of Comfort blog

2 slices of bread

butter

mozzarella cheese, sliced

pepperoni

Italian seasoning (or basil)

Parmesan cheese

pizza sauce for dipping

Warm a medium/large skillet over medium heat.

Butter each piece of bread on one side.

Place a piece of bread butter side down on the skillet,

add one slice of cheese,

small shake of Italian seasoning (or basil)

and a good sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.

Top with a desired amount of pepperonis (I used about 9 slices per sandwich).

Add another slice of mozzarella, sprinkle more seasoning and Parmesan if desired

(and I desired it!)

Top with slice bread butter side up.

(At this point I covered the pan, this helped the cheese melt better)

When bottom slice is golden brown then flip over carefully.

Once both sides are brown remove from pan cut and serve with pizza sauce if desired.

 ***

*Variations*

1. I made this on Wal-mart's "Everything" (sesame seeds, garlic, poppy seeds, Parmesan etc)

french bread and it was wonderful!

2. I made this same recipe but substituted chicken breast lunch meat and it was great.

I even using the pizza dipping sauce!

3. Make a 'cheese pizza' variation with out the pepperoni (good for the little kids.)

4. We made this with Turkey Perrperoni (some family members are allergic to pork).

 These are super simple and taste great!

I was sceptical at first that the flavor wouldn't be very good

on normal, run of the mill bread.

But it turned out oh so tasty!

We've been making these quite regular for the past few weeks.

So get grillin' and enjoy!

~Me~

Back in the Stitch of Things

Cross stitch.

Sometimes there is nothing quite so relaxing.

*Plunk, plunk* hums the needle as it performs its tiny acrobatic jumps,

in and out of fabric holes.

Yes, cross stitching is a pleasant occupation for one's fingers,

and lately mine have been going like the wind!

I have been cross stitching for years, but for some reason, I had gotten away from it.

I confess, until recently, I haven't picked up the needle since we moved to Texas.

It was long overdue.

If you asked, I couldn't tell you what sparked my fingers to take it up again,

but I'm oh so glad I did.

Mother's Day is how it all started, or I should say, re-started.

One day while searching ebay listings,

I came across an adorable kit I just had to make for my grandmother!

Her birthday had long since passed, but low and behold I was but a month away from Mother's Day!

I ordered it and finished it all within a matter of days.

This particular project was worked on sail cloth, a material I had not worked with before.

It involved a bit more patience since there are no predetermined holes in the material

as with Aida cloth.

But it was printed pattern, so I need only follow the x's and it turn out fine.

I would show you a picture of it framed and matted, but I'm having technical

difficulties getting that photo to show up without rotating.

(I'm still new to this blogging thing!)

After 'sailing' through that project with flying colors,

I was inspired and anxious to move to another project.

There was still time enough before Mother's Day (barely!)

for me to complete a piece to give to my own mother.

It took diligent, nearly around the clock work,

but in one weeks time (and just in the nick of time)

I had it finished!

Here is how it turned out, frame and all.

This was a great counted pattern worked on large 11 count Aida cloth.

I love how real the eye turned out on this Holstein and the warmth in its gaze.

With those two finished works behind me,

I was reminded of a long unfinished cross stitch piece, lurking, buried, in my craft toat.

Now, this particular undertaking is one of my very first stitching endeavours.

It was a a thrift store cast off, barely started, rescued and given to me by

my other grandmother many years ago.

Far too big an enterprise for a young, budding stitcher,

it was set aside...then picked up, then set aside several times over!

This really is the piece de resistance of my cross stitch portfolio!

More than 10 years in the making, it is as close to finished as it can be at this time.

See, I ran out of thread for one hat, and since this was a kit,

I will need to take the piece to the store in order

to get an accurate color match.

ASIDE FROM THAT, it is finished!

And here it is!

This measures 21 inches across and 11 inches from top to bottom!

This was a large piece!

For a little bit of perspective, the peach hat in the top right hand corner

is about the size of the palm of my hand, slightly larger actually.

Here is one of my favorite hats! I loved the colors

and the adorable hat pins.

The rose on this sun hat turned out just lovely!

Another gorgeous specimen of the millinery.

Next,

I will share a couple more completed projects

and my continuing works in progress.

Until then...

~Me~

 

*All pictures taken by Anthony P. and property of this blog

Monday Melodies: Reach

Happy Monday, friend.

Right now, as I'm writing this post and selecting the song I want to share with you,

it is exactly three days before this post will be published, before you read it.

I'm scheduling it in advance, in preparation.

And it made me think.

I'm preparing an insignificant post for you to read.

God is preparing the week before you.

I've given you a song that spoke to my heart and brought me joy.

God sings a song over you that you are His joy.

(Zephaniah 3:17)

Let that lighten your load and brighten your heart.

As you listen to this song and read the words,

I challenge you to listen deeper....

Listen for Someone singing harmony, echoing the truth of His own Words to your spirit.

Enjoy.

~Me~

Reach by Peter Furler



Monday Melodies: Hold Me Together

Annnnnddd it's Monday!

Happy Monday to you.

Good things await you this week.

God has a plan.

He's got the strength you'll need

to face all the challenges

that will come your way.

Sometimes when things get tough,

we all need to remember to give a little shout out,

and ask for that extra grace,

that Hand to hold.

You can trust His heart for you,

and you can be sure

He'll be there to hold you together

when you need it.

Let Him reach down into your world

and hold your heart today as you have a listen

to what Royal Tailor has to say about it.

Enjoy!

~Me~

Dependent Independence Day

Happy Independence Day from America everyone!

I missed my Monday Melodies post this week (sorry!)

so here is a little song to make up for it.

This is the goal of 'independence',
so that one may be free to love God
and follow His ways.
To be wholly dependent upon Him
for all we do and who we are.


Enjoy!
~Me~

*Note- I have no idea why they chose this picture,
this song is 'Declaration of Dependence' by Steven Curtis Chapman
NOT the David Crowder Band.

Dresser Makeover Project!

Yay!

A new project!

So I've been wanting to change out the desk/dresser I have in my room for quite a while now.

But the right piece (and price) had never happened along.

Until recently.

You know all that thrifting I've been doing lately?

Well, when last I was out I spotted an old sewing desk that shouted out possibility,

 hidden beneath the grime and bumps.

Don't you love the doors?

They are what drew me to it in the first place.

It is a bit rough and needs a little TLC and a makeover,

but I think it will be great when I'm finished with it!

So. A blank canvas of a desk.

You know what this means?!

Pinterest, here I come!!

(The best place to get inspiration and ideas for anything creative!)

Here are some of the ideas and looks I like best.

This is my favorite look! I love the crisp elegance of the black paint

mixed with the natural look of wood. Then the beautiful colored graphic

adds just the right pop and flair.

Love it!



Now look at this beauty!

This is more a piece of art than a piece of furniture!

Again, the look of natural wood and paint

just strikes me as a gorgeous combination.

I love the details on the top and drawer fronts.

Gorgeous!

Another prime example of the lovely union between wood and paint

is this gorgeous hand painted piece from a shop on Etsy.

I don't quite have the painting talent to pull of anything like the

dresser above, but this dresser is a beautiful example

of what you can do with stencils!

I think I might do something like this around my knobs as well....??

Speaking of knobs, aren't these floral ones just darling?!



And there you have it!

My Pinterest inspiration!

Now, I just need the supplies and the time

and I'll turn my little mess of a dresser into a gorgeous new addition

to my bedroom furnishings!

I'll be sure to let you know how it turns out

when I get it done!

(But don't hold your breath quite yet,

it will be a while yet til my schedule allows me time!)

Until later then.

~Me~