As I've been enjoying catching up on my blog reading lately, I've noticed a trend that many people are choosing a word to describe what they wish to achieve or focus on during the year. I remember seeing this last year as well and I loved the idea, but I had one problem. I knew I could never choose just one word for an entire year. I tried this word and that word and nothing seemed to fit. I'll love this word today and then I'll love another word tomorrow. I'm not fickle, but I guess I am with words. :)
I love words too much to choose just one.
And then, just today, it hit me.
My word will be GOD'S word. For me, it begins and ends with God and no matter what I'm dealing with or what the day may bring, it always comes back around to Him. If I focus on God, I'm good, and I'm going to try harder to do that this year. In the daily hustle and bustle that is life, I tend to put time with Him on the back burner sometimes. Ouch. That hurt. I begin each day with my devotional and I pray a lot, but I still feel as if I could draw closer. I fall woefully short each and every day of being a good and faithful servant and I want to quit being so obstinate. Its going to be an uphill climb, but Mathew 19:26 says,
"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible"
He'll keep me focused and balanced more than any other word that I can think of if I just keep my eyes on Him.
And that obstinate thing. I'm pretty good at it so this is not going to be easy, but He didn't promise easy, did He? :)
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Friday, January 10, 2014
2013 Quilting Recap and a Goal for 2014
I hope y'all all had a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. After our Vegas trip, it seems as if Christmas just rushed in and we've had company coming and going and coming. Many batches of cinnamon rolls have been made and devoured and much merriment was made. Now much walking off of said cinnamon rolls and merriment must take place. If a little round belly that shook when you laughed like a bowlful of jelly' was a requirement for North Pole employment, I would fit the bill quite nicely.
Y'all may be wondering if I still even sew. I think it was September the last time I sat behind my sewing machine. I know. I see you shaking your heads and tsk, tsking, but I've even been too busy to miss it much.
In short: I had company for a week, cooked for a crew for a couple of weeks when we worked cattle, our boy was home for a couple of weeks on his pre-deployment leave, I made a trip to see my Mom for a week, we went to the WRCA for 3 days, had surgery, Thanksgiving arrived, we went to Vegas for 4 days, and then suddenly it was Christmas! Hence, sewing has not made an appearance since early September.
I enjoyed every minute of those last 4 months though and I wanted to soak in all the time with loved ones I could. When either of the kids is home, sewing is the last thing on my mind. Now, with January already marching along at a brisk pace, I am beginning to feel the need to stitch...and catch up with all of you.
I feel like I didn't get much done in 2013, but pulling it all together in a collage, made me realize that I DID make progress.
13 quilts completed in 2013. I set out to finish as many unfinished projects as I could and I was excited to cross off 8 of those. I started out the year with 18 so I still have some to finish including 2 quilts that just need binding. I imagine I'll get to those during the Olympics...maybe. But that brings the total completed UFOs to 10 and I'll just keep chipping away at the others.
My goal in 2014 is to refrain from buying much fabric. I need an intervention and when I popped over to Staci's blog, I found help. Thank you, Staci! I like that she is committing to 6 months of fabric fasting. That seems much more feasible than the whole year and come July 1st, I can reevaluate. My stash is starting to take over and although I know that just comes with the territory if you are a quilter, I really hope to make a dent in my fabric collection. I'm running out of room and I refuse to buy one more container. So if you too are a quilter in need of an intervention, you can visit Jess at the Eleven Garden and join in here.
I know I will need fabric for backings, but if I buy that for particular projects, then I won't be adding to the fabric insanity. I am going to stop and pray for strength before I walk into any fabric stores this year. Or better yet, just don't walk into any, but we all know that's not likely to happen so your snort of laughter is entirely appropriate. Of course, if I want to make a dent in my fabric stash, I probably ought to make some time to actually sew.
Y'all may be wondering if I still even sew. I think it was September the last time I sat behind my sewing machine. I know. I see you shaking your heads and tsk, tsking, but I've even been too busy to miss it much.
In short: I had company for a week, cooked for a crew for a couple of weeks when we worked cattle, our boy was home for a couple of weeks on his pre-deployment leave, I made a trip to see my Mom for a week, we went to the WRCA for 3 days, had surgery, Thanksgiving arrived, we went to Vegas for 4 days, and then suddenly it was Christmas! Hence, sewing has not made an appearance since early September.
I enjoyed every minute of those last 4 months though and I wanted to soak in all the time with loved ones I could. When either of the kids is home, sewing is the last thing on my mind. Now, with January already marching along at a brisk pace, I am beginning to feel the need to stitch...and catch up with all of you.
I feel like I didn't get much done in 2013, but pulling it all together in a collage, made me realize that I DID make progress.
My goal in 2014 is to refrain from buying much fabric. I need an intervention and when I popped over to Staci's blog, I found help. Thank you, Staci! I like that she is committing to 6 months of fabric fasting. That seems much more feasible than the whole year and come July 1st, I can reevaluate. My stash is starting to take over and although I know that just comes with the territory if you are a quilter, I really hope to make a dent in my fabric collection. I'm running out of room and I refuse to buy one more container. So if you too are a quilter in need of an intervention, you can visit Jess at the Eleven Garden and join in here.
I know I will need fabric for backings, but if I buy that for particular projects, then I won't be adding to the fabric insanity. I am going to stop and pray for strength before I walk into any fabric stores this year. Or better yet, just don't walk into any, but we all know that's not likely to happen so your snort of laughter is entirely appropriate. Of course, if I want to make a dent in my fabric stash, I probably ought to make some time to actually sew.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Smoked Quail Soup With Bacon and Jalapeno
Yesterday it was 7° and I don't think it got above freezing all day. I know so many of you are much colder than that, but it was cold enough for us and soup just sounded good. On Sunday, we had smoked quail and chicken and DH suggested I de-bone the leftover quail and make a version of a green chile chicken soup I make all the time. So I kind of winged it and changed a few things up, and according to DH and our girl, it was just about the best thing ever and I kind of have to agree with them. Good call, Honey!
I know not a lot of you have smoked quail hanging around, but I'm betting you could use chicken. That's what I used in the original recipe for this, but if you DO smoke quail...well, it'll just take this soup to a whole new level of flavor. The soup just had this amazing, yet subtle, smoked flavor that was out of this world.
We wrapped the quail around a slice of jalapeno and then wrapped a half a slice of bacon around the quail. We then sprinkled a rub on the meat before smoking it. It was amazing yesterday and I didn't think it could get any better, but it did.
I deboned 6 leftover quail and chopped it up with the bacon and jalapeno and set it aside. In a pot, I sauteed a little onion and just a dab of chopped garlic in about 1 Tbsp of butter for a few minutes and then added the quail and bacon and jalapeno. Then I added a spoonful of the Better than Bouillon Chicken, probably about 4 C of water along with about 3 Tbsp of cornstarch and let that simmer for about 10 minutes.
Next, I threw in about 1/4 C of half-n-half because it was just sitting in the fridge along with about 1/4 C of 2% milk. I added some pepper and let it all simmer until DH and our girl came back from making their morning feed run.
I added some crusty bread and dinner was served to rave reviews.
I know not a lot of you have smoked quail hanging around, but I'm betting you could use chicken. That's what I used in the original recipe for this, but if you DO smoke quail...well, it'll just take this soup to a whole new level of flavor. The soup just had this amazing, yet subtle, smoked flavor that was out of this world.
We wrapped the quail around a slice of jalapeno and then wrapped a half a slice of bacon around the quail. We then sprinkled a rub on the meat before smoking it. It was amazing yesterday and I didn't think it could get any better, but it did.
I deboned 6 leftover quail and chopped it up with the bacon and jalapeno and set it aside. In a pot, I sauteed a little onion and just a dab of chopped garlic in about 1 Tbsp of butter for a few minutes and then added the quail and bacon and jalapeno. Then I added a spoonful of the Better than Bouillon Chicken, probably about 4 C of water along with about 3 Tbsp of cornstarch and let that simmer for about 10 minutes.
Next, I threw in about 1/4 C of half-n-half because it was just sitting in the fridge along with about 1/4 C of 2% milk. I added some pepper and let it all simmer until DH and our girl came back from making their morning feed run.
I added some crusty bread and dinner was served to rave reviews.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Kicking off the New Year with a Little Branding Smoke
This weekend, our girl had a friend home from college. He was raised on a ranch so we took advantage of his raising and put him to work.
He was warned.
He came anyway.
Gotta love a kid raised with a good work ethic.
And who throws a mean loop:
Much praise goes to his Mama and Daddy who raised him right:
We had about 40 hd of late calves to work so we took advantage of the extra help. Everyone has a job:
And I took advantage of my photo opportunity:
This girl falls back into her role easily:
And she loves every minute:
Her Daddy loves having her home as much as she loves being home:
I love watching how they work together so well:
After dinner, they were all off to put out mineral and make the rounds. It was well after dark when they came rolling in. Everyone hit the sheets early and slept like babies last night and it'll be the late service for us at church since they're already back out moving the cattle to another pasture this morning:
And this young man is welcome back anytime:
He was warned.
Gotta love a kid raised with a good work ethic.
And who throws a mean loop:
Much praise goes to his Mama and Daddy who raised him right:
We had about 40 hd of late calves to work so we took advantage of the extra help. Everyone has a job:
And I took advantage of my photo opportunity:
This girl falls back into her role easily:
And she loves every minute:
Her Daddy loves having her home as much as she loves being home:
I love watching how they work together so well:
After dinner, they were all off to put out mineral and make the rounds. It was well after dark when they came rolling in. Everyone hit the sheets early and slept like babies last night and it'll be the late service for us at church since they're already back out moving the cattle to another pasture this morning:
And this young man is welcome back anytime:
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