The Election That Broke My Heart

Yes, I said broke my heart.  Oh, not because of the outcome.  Not that one person won or that the other person didn't.  It wasn't even the nasty campaigning and debates that we endured (even though they were quite disgusting).  What surprised me and then broke my heart, was the "we the people".

We all had our favorite.  We all stood up on soap boxes from time to time.  But this election, more than any other elections I've witnessed was different.  I'd see tweets for one candidate or the other that would be met with a fire storm of hateful tweets.  I'd see comments on facebook that some were going to un-friend people because they didn't vote for their guy.  In all fairness, I need to say that some were kidding, and I knew who they were but others, well, they were not.  I couldn't help thinking about the 90's and Sarajevo/ Bosnia. The article didn't talk about politics behind the upheaval, but rather the way the people treated each other during this time.  It broke my heart the same way this election did.  The interviewee was speaking how people who had been neighbors and friends turned to enemies simply because one believed one way and the other did not.  And I felt so bad for the poor actress that dared support one man and soon bore the brunt of vicious words. I just wanted to yell, "People!  Stop it!"  Our country is great because we can respect each other's beliefs even if they're not like ours.  We can (at least I think we can) agree to disagree.   I just had to share my heart today.   My heart is still aching...and I really do wish I could "teach the world to sing in perfect harmony"

Let's all be sweet, okay?

C.R.A.F.T. package pals exchange

I signed up for the package pals exchange on Jamie of  C.R.A.F.T's site.  I've been a slacker, because I'm just now posting all the great things I received.  Life has a way of getting in the way sometimes.  It wasn't because I didn't like any of the great goodies...honest!  I loved them all!!!  This was a fun exchange and I met a wonderful new cyber-friend through this!  Her name is Erin from Chronic Christian Crafter.  She was so sweet!  I got so many great things from her, I loved them all.  I started to say that my favorite thing was the "Henderson Bakery" sign she made ( I DO love it), but then there's the absolutely great cup and saucer she decorated with all quotes I pinned on Pinterest.  What thought she put into this exchange!  Made me feel so special!   Oh, and remember me saying I was a slacker?  Well, to prove that point, I sent out her package without shooting any pics.   So I had a brain storm.  I asked her if I could snag the pictures she took (trust me, hers are way better than I could show you anyway).   Being the angel she is, she said yes.    So, first I'll show you the gifts I sent her...  (Thank you Erin for saving me!)

(photo courtesy of Chronic Christian Crafter

Erin had mentioned that she would like to try her hand at sewing, so on my recent trip to TN, there's is a great little pattern shop I like to visit and  I picked up this gingerbread man bucket kit.  Everything she will need to finish that project, plus a small clutch/card clutch pattern.  I sent a tote bag.  I used fabric to make it that I like to call "carpet bagger" fabric.  Very retro/vintage.  A tea towel, business card case, key fob and a Christmas bunting.   Erin hung it up where she had her her Thanksgiving bunting hanging to shoot this picture...

And now, what she sent me...  Ooooooh.... this is so cool!

Isn't that sign the best?!?  And the established date, 1979...the year I was married and established my home....er.. Bakery!  She put thought into this gift, y'all!   

She continued  the kitchen theme throughout...

Erin made these really cool recipe cards that has "Recipe"  cut-out.  An oven mitt, and she even included two of her own recipes!  I can't wait to try that cobbler!!!

       

I got these decorated clothes pins, and she took a plastic cutting board and monogramed it with an "H".  How cool!!!

http://chronicchristiancrafter.blogspot.com/

See the cool cup and saucer?  The first pic is the "before"  :-)  I just thought that was the sweetest thing.  She went to my Pinterest page for ideas, and came up with this.  Ultra-cool!!!

and here's a close up of the sign she made me.  (Did I mention that I l-o-v-e this?!?!?)

Photos courtesy of Erin at Chronic Christian Crafter

I have to say, this is one of the absolutely best exchanges I've participated in.  I even asked Erin if she'd put me on her Christmas list this year!    I had such a wonderful exchange partner and as time progresses, and we "stalk" each other's blogs I think we will become great (cyber) friends!   Thank you again, Erin!

Do The Right Thing... Vote!

Democrate, Republican, Libertarian, whatever...

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is election day.  I want to urge you to vote.  Make your voice known.  I'm not going to tell you who to vote for.  I just hope you vote your convictions.  As for my vote, I judge all candidates by how they line up with my Holy scriptures... period.

Now, if you're anything like me, all this campaigning and prognostications by both ends of the spectrum of the media has me, well,  a bit anxious!  I had to take a vacation from the news for a few days, because quite honestly, I thought they were all going to give me a heart attack, or at the very least sick.   No kidding.  I was making myself sick.  Never before had I been affected this way.   Then, I read a facebook post by Kay Arthur (I love her, by the way) and this blessed my anxious heart.  I'm quoting the post here so, if you're like me this year, it may be of a blessing to you also, because God did not give us the spirit of fear:

"I got up this morning feeling anxious. Like you, I have prayed and prayed for America and for our return to God, our future as a nation. I have been all over the Bible from Genesis 18:22 -33 pleading as Abraham plead for Sodom and Gomorrah - to Luke 18 (which I’m writing a course on) and the persistent widow. THEN THIS MORNING it all turned to peace and praise. I've petitioned and petitioned a

s He tells us, reminding Him of His character, power and promises, and all the petitions we've made for years before His throne. 

It’s enough! I don’t know what is going to happen but I know my God and I rest in His Sovereignty! 

The tightness, the angst is gone. Peace and joy fill my heart. I’ve been in Isaiah for several days…try it – go from Isaiah 40-45 and highlight all God tells you about Himself. Look at the end of Isaiah 44 and move into 45 – where God tells about a king, Cyrus, that doesn’t even know God, a king God will put on the throne of Media/Persia who will in about 150 years become His instrument to restore Israel to the land! 

Join me, precious faces, in worshiping, bowing before the Sovereign God who promises you Romans 8:28-33…

I love you…. Kay"

 
I'd like to add a scripture that has meant a lot to me also.   It's Proverbs 16:33

Love you all, Big Bird haters and lovers alike.

The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap 2012

I'm so excited!  I'm in!!!   I will be participating in the Great Cookie Swap of 2012!

 Last year I started seeing all these great cookies and packaging on  Instagram.  I was so sad I didn't know about it before so I could get in on all the fun.  But, fortunately I follow on Twitter, and Instagram, and her blog Julie from the The Little Kitchen.   She put me on the list for 2012!  She remembered!!!!

Now, I like cakes.  Especially if they're carrot cake, cheesecake or my new favorite the Pecan Pie Cake I made last Thanksgiving.  But if the truth be known, I L-O-V-E cookies!   The original cookie monster here!
I know exactly what cookies I'm going to prepare for this swap too!  (You'll just have to wait for the recipe when I send it to my swap partners).   There's still time to participate in this cookie swap if you want to, too!
Just click on the pic in the right margin.  Right there, up top.   You will be paired with three other foodies.  Squee! What fun!!!   There is an "admission fee", if you will...but it's not really a fee.  It's a donation to Cookies For Kids Cancer and 100% of the proceeds go to them.  The "fee" is $4.00.  Hey!  I'd pay 4-bucks to watch an ant eat a bale of hay - - - This is far more worthwhile in my book!

This is going to be so much fun!