I hope Garfield isn't coming for dinner . . .

A friend of mine recently gave me this yummy recipe for Crock Pot Lasagna. It is super easy to make and it smells delicious while it cooks. A little prep time after lunch is all that's needed to be rewarded with a delicious meal at dinnertime.

Crock Pot Lasagna

1 lb ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 29 oz can tomato sauce
1 6 oz can tomato paste
1 cup water
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried oregano
1 8 oz pkg. lasagna noodles, broken in medium pieces
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups small curd cottage cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Cook beef, onion and garlic. Drain. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, salt and oregano. Mix well. Spread 1/4 of the meat sauce in 5 qt. slow cooker. Arrange 1/3 of the noodles over the meat. Combine cheese. Spoon 1/3 over noodles. Repeat layers twice. Top with meat sauce. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until noodles are tender.

My boys have been huge fans of Garfield; the comic strip cat with attitude. They always look for Garfield books at the library. They can re-read them a million times. No kidding. To their delight they just discovered all the comics online. So, while eating their cereal in the morning they read him on the laptop. It's pretty cute. If that wasn't enough they also enjoy THE GARFIELD SHOW on TV after school. What does Garfield have to do with lasagna, you ask? Well, let's just say it's his favorite food.

What's cooking in your kitchen today?

Sunday Scripture

"For I am persuaded beyond doubt
that neither death nor life, . . .

nor height nor depth,
nor anything else in creation
will be able to separate us from the love of God
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:38-39

Bibs, Blankets and Blocks, Oh My!

I completed my shower gift for our dear cousin who is expecting in November. They are adding a girl to their family of 2 boys. They are all so excited! The mom choose this modern circle flannel. This is the second time I've been able to make baby items from this fabric. It was a pleasure working with it, again. I think in large part because the colors are so soothing. I love the combination of pink and brown together. Mom will be receiving a set of burp cloths, blocks with rattles inside, and a large receiving blanket. I remember the receiving blankets I used for my boys and how quickly they outgrew them! My boys averaged 9lbs so tiny wasn't in our vocabulary! The one I made is as large a square as I could get it (about 40x40".)

I made a swaddler as well. I would have loved one of these when my boys were babies. I had at least one colicky child and I had trouble keeping them wrapped in a blanket. The swaddler is designed to snuggle babies arms and legs so they feel like they are still in the womb. It is very soothing to them. I love how people are always inventing new ways to make mothering easier (not easy, just easier.)

Ribbon blankets are fairly new to me, too. They are a quick and fun project to do. I used a minky fabric on the bottom. That has to be the softest fabric out there - I really love it. The blanket has one longer ribbon to hold onto a pacifier.

What little baby doesn't need a bib?
( Attached to it is a pacifier clip.)

We can't wait to welcome the new addition into the family!

Blessings on your day!

The Great Physician

Today I have been meditating on healing scriptures and God 's "great physician" character. A couple of weeks ago I developed an extremely itchy rash. It was a mystery to me what caused it. My husband kept saying it was poison ivy but I hadn't been in the woods (or so I thought.) But, then I remembered taking my son's picture on a walk and I went back to examine the plants near it and sure enough there it was! My husband was right (prior experience lets just say!) It itched so bad and spread very quickly. Well, today it is nearly gone and I am so thankful to the Lord!! I believe healing comes from God and it is truly a wonderful gift to receive. Doctors do a wonderful job in aiding the body in healing but trusting in God as the Healer is Kingdom thinking.

So if you ever so this . . .

run from it!! Seriously!

Healing is also on my mind for my Dad who recently was told about cancerous cells in his prostate. I am also praying for Bowen's healing (son of lead singer from the band Santus Real.) He was born with a heart defect. If you go to his website you can keep informed of Bowen's progress. Reading it always moves me to tears.

I had a wonderful bible teacher in Michigan who referred to Psalm 103 as the "benefits chapter." She suggested reading it every morning because it has a way of aligning our thoughts with God's truths. In fact the psalmist, David, even says "do not forget all His benefits."

I'm going to leave you with a portion of the Psalm . . . you may need healing or someone you know does.

Psalm 103: 1-5
"Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction.
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Does it get any better than His promise to forgive all of our sins and heal us of all our diseases? Wow!!!

The Apron is Finally Done!

I finally finished this apron I started months ago. I made a mistake on how I laid it out, not once, but twice!!! Can you believe that? My friend wanted an apron that didn't tie behind the neck so this pattern was perfect since the straps criss-crossed in the back and buttoned to the waistband.


I always get nervous picking out fabric for other people so I quizzed her on what she would like. She told me she likes subdued colors and one of her favorites is sage green. I thought this fabric was a good choice with the tan and green accents. The fabric has a cute mixture of kitchen tools on it. Since I couldn't find matching bias tape (even after searching the internet) I made my own. Attaching the 1/4" tape was tough to say the least.

Making these potholders was like icing on the cake. They were easy and fun. The wider bias tape was much easier to attach!

I checked this book out from the library as I was working on this project. There are a lot of cute projects in it if you are looking for some inspiration.

I am happy to have completed this for my friend; I hope she likes it!

Sunday Scripture

Photographer: Ian Britton

"The Lord is my Light and my Salvation-
whom shall I fear or dread?
The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life -
of whom shall I be afraid?"

Psalm 27:1 (Amp)

Anniversary of 9/11

In loving memory of those who lost loved ones on 9/11.
We'll never forget where we were on that morning;
our hearts were broken.

Let us never stop praying for our great nation.

And let us never forget all of the brave men and women who fight for our freedom.

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all,
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks,
be made for all men.
For kings, and for all that are in authority;
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life
in all godliness and honesty."
I Tim 2:1-2

Happy Fall

(Photo courtesy of Google)

My thoughts are turned toward the new season upon us: fall. I'm trying hard to embrace the beauty of this season but my heart is saddened to see the green leaves change colors and the flowers fade. Recently on my morning walks I've noticed the crunching of leaves under my feet and the large acorns scattered abroad. Can it be fall, already? Thankfully, we have been having beautiful weather here in Indiana. The days have been sunny and warm and the evenings cool. There's a wonderful crisp scent to the air and the sky is a pretty blue against the white puffy clouds. I'm looking forward to spending time at a pumpkin patch with my family, baking with fresh apples and eating caramel corn. Thank you, Lord for all these good things!

"O, taste and see that the Lord is good!"
Psalm 34:8

China Cabinet

I wanted to share this fun find I found on Craigslist. I have been looking off and on over the last year for a china cabinet and I was so pleased when I came across this one!! My dear mother-in-love collected Moss Rose china for years. I remember her stopping at antique stores en route to our home in Lincoln, Nebraska when she came to visit. Almost always she would find a new piece. When I would visit her home I would admire the collection beautifully displayed in her china cabinet. Just recently she decided she no longer wanted them so she graciously gave them to me!! I was delighted! The pieces had been carefully wrapped in bubble wrap and delicately packed in a cardboard box until such a time as this!

Don't you like my little helper? He was ever so careful but I did put most of the china on the shelves. It was so much fun.

This last china was also a gift from my mother-in-love. She found it at a garage sale on the last day late in the day underneath a table. She got a whole box of it for about $30. Can you believe that? I just love the pale yellow border with the pink and blue flowers.
I was so glad to display the china properly and I love how the glass makes everything sparkle and shine in the light. I hope you are having a "sparkly" day, too!

Sunday Scripture

"Come to Me,
all you who labor
and are heavy-laden and overburdened,
and I will cause you to rest.
(I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.)"

Matthew 11:28 AMP