I claimed to the world, “I don’t sew” and I told myself, “I can’t sew”.  Last week I debunked my old mantras by figuring out a thing or two about sewing machines.

Day One:

My hand-me-down sewing machine was calling to me from the top shelf in the garage. 5 years, she sat voiceless, collecting dust but now I heard her say,

Use me. Today is the day! Discover the usefulness I possess. I will unlock your creativity in unexpected in miraculous ways! Surely, your determination alone will give you golden fingers to stitch beautiful and important works of art.

The cold plastic case of my hand-me-down machine hung from the white handle in my clenched fist. She was heavier than I remembered.

I smiled as I set her down in the designated clearing on my kitchen table. I could already see all the Halloween costumes, hair bows and pot holders I was going to create, over the years, with the whirling noise of her presser foot.

Wait. The presser foot! Seriously, WHERE. WAS. HER. PRESSER. FOOT? Where was my sweet sewing machine’s presser foot? Gone. Yep, so was the plug-in cord.

gone, baby, gone. hmmph.

I hoped Day 2 would prove to be more productive.

Love,

Jess

Child of the Day is quite the big event in preschool. He got to be the line leader and the light switch on/offer. Plus, his teacher made him a Child of the Day hat that he wore home.

Ryan had to give a presentation about things that make him special. He shared that he could play soccer, help clean up toys and has 3 sisters!

He brought in some favorite items for a show-n-tell. His blue lovey and “baby” are still cool enough to show off in preschool, so they tagged along.

Of course, I think my son is special, but, it was so fun to see Ryan feel special about himself.

Love,
Jess

1. Crayon roll from Purple Lizard Designs. Can you smell the waxy goodness? Ahhhh! Crayons!

2. Felt card table tent from Miss Pretty on etsy. I think I would hide under here with a blanket, flashlight and a good book and never come out!

3. Felt chocolate Easter bunnies from Becky M. Oh. My. Word. These are so cute, I think I’d eat them.  Check out Nesting Place for Becky’s giveaway today.

4. Junior Executive Onesies by txmom2claire. I miss my baby boy (he’s already 5 years old)! He would have looked so stinkin’ cute in these shirts.

5. Flag banner from giggleberry. I could seriously have a flag banner for every holiday. I think they are so festive. I want a fabric Happy Birthday banner. For. Sure.

Why all the sewing linkage? I’m getting inspired to plug in the sewing machine for my Proverbs 31 Distaff and Spindle assignment.

Love,

Jess

Home is where I host tea parties are for little hands and teddy bears.

Home is where I use our “good” linens and dishes just for play.

Home is where I serve chocolate spread and crackers for lunch.

Love,

Jess

Join Emily, at Chatting at the Sky, for her photo link party about Glimpses of Home.

Proverbs 31:19

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers

Let me set my distaff down for a minute, so I can type a little faster. Um, wait my fingers are busy grasping a spindle.

A spindle? Didn’t Sleeping Beauty prick her finger on such a thing?

Research needed!

You can make thread from unspun fibers and some mysterious combination of spindle whorling, wrist spinning,  yarn hitching and hooking.

Which means I will go to a fabric store and purchase some thread.

However, I will not be getting of the hook so easily. I am going to pull out my sewing machine that is collecting dust in the garage.

Did I mention I’ve used old hand-me-down my sewing machine twice?

It’s time to reconnect and re-learn how to use the contraption.

Love,

Jess

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Proverbs 31: 15

she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls

The above photo is a look into my command center for food provisions.

Here is what it all is:

1. Breakfast/lunch picture menu for the kids

2. Weekly dinner menu planned from Our Family Meals cookbook

3. Nightly requirements for dinner menu recipes so remember what meat to thaw

4. Pen cup

5. Is there any bad place for a monogram, now really?

6. Running grocery list

Next, bring on the servant girls! Okay, so maybe not within my budget.

In the mean time, I thought I’d start making my husband’s lunch for work. Here are some of the provisions for my “worker”. The entire bottom portion of the kitchen freezer is dedicated to Pete’s meals.

I labeled leftover servings of dinner meals with masking tape. You may have a better memory than I, but I strongly recommend labeling, (even if its just Sharpie on the container.)

Otherwise, you will spend way too much time wondering what the mystery meat is/was/suppose to be, and just sit on the ground in front of the freezer trying to sniff a frozen chunk of something with red sauce long enough to see the leftover Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies behind the 1/2 bag of corn niblets.

Not that I’ve experienced this.

Love,

Jess

Proverbs 31: 15
She gets up while it is still dark;

Some folks are naturally night owls, while others arise cheerily with the dawn. My energy peeks around mid-morning. Getting up while it’s still dark does not “do it” for everyone. How about you? When is your prime time?

I need sleep. My goodness, if I was up for the day at 4:55 a.m. I’d be ready for bed by 4:55 p.m. For real, passed out by dinner. So, during this time of baby raising and 5 a.m. feedings (if not 4:30 a.m.) I’m choosing to sleep.

I may not see the sunrise. But, I do see the point of this verse.

Be ready to serve, reflect, prepare or whatever it is that is needed to get your daily priorities straight…at anytime. Let nothing come between you and your purpose.

It is my priority to sleep until daybreak, or rather, go back to sleep after I have already been up feeding babies in the dark. (Which, among other things is my purpose these days.)

Until, another time Dark, until another time.

Love,

Jess

Proverbs 31:15

…she provides food for her family…

I picked up an old fashioned photo album from the thrift store today. Remember when people used to have real photos? Now its like, “here look at my phone, here is my daughters dance recital.” In other words, the thrift store was full of photo albums.

Of course the album’s cover design was a delightful modern bouquet of faded 1990′s pastel glory. So, I had to get crafty with it. Isn’t that the point of getting a thrifty score?

It went a little something like this

Our Family Meals. 31 meals collected just for us. I am hoping this “family cookbook” will simplify my process in providing food for my family.

Love,

Jess

This post was linked up with Somewhat Simple

Proverbs 31:15

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

Just checking in to say I’m busy working on verse 15.

I came up with a recipe file of 31 family meals.

I started feeding the babies baby mush cereal. Leah likes it the best.

I made a portion of {birthday} food for my worker.

I am giving myself a lot of homework for this verse so I’ll be writing on it for a while. (or until a different verse catches my attention more )

Coming Up: Menu planning, freezer inventory, shopping list, coupons, recipes

Love,

Jess

Pete turns the big 3-0 today!

In honor of my husband’s special day, I enlisted the help of some folks to tell Pete how great he is. (Which happens to tie in nicely with my  Proverbs 31 hands on learning  series.)

Proverbs 31:23

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

Okay here it goes…

First, I admire how generous Pete is with his time – everyone comes to Pete with computer questions eventually, and he always has time to help. Second, after attending Bible Study with Pete I have come to respect his unique and well thought-out insights as well as his desire to learn and grow. Pete is a faithful friend.

-Jay (Bible Study Leader)

I have friends who are smarter than me, and brotha, you’re one of them. You are a valuable friend for your insights.  Thanks Pete!

-Jeremy (Friend)

Pete is a pretty special guy in my book. Not only has he been one of the best employees I’ve ever had the honor to have work for me, but I also consider him a good friend.

He’s one of the smartest guys I know, and I think he could pretty much figure out almost any problem he puts his mind to. He has a way of seeing things before others do that is particularly impressive. I know he doesn’t give himself credit for how bright he actually is, but he really is an extraordinary person.

I feel blessed to know him, work with him, and call him my friend.

-Erich (Employer)

It’s hard to believe that when we first met Peter was just 18 years old. We were so blessed when just a few years later he met with us privately to tell us he was going to ask Jessica to marry him. We could never have asked for a better son-in-law.

He is industrious, energetic and loving. He is a godly husband and father who has made such a difference in our daughter’s and in our lives. We wish him a very happy 30th birthday and we hope many more. May God continue to bless him always.

-Dennis and Lucy (The Inlaws)

The thing that has stood out most, in my relatively short time in knowing Pete, is his ability to be slow to react, quick to stay cool, and his ability to view situations or people in a positive light.  There have been many times that I have been quick to judge something and Pete presented his view and completely changed my outlook on it.  He certainly seems wise in that way.

-Josh (Co-Worker)

I agree with all the statements above and then some! I am so proud to have a guy like Pete. {happy birthday, you elder, you!}

Love,

Jess