on the 6th day of Christmas . .

my True Love gave to me

Six geese a laying ....

it's hard for me to imagine that life as i know it now hasn't always been like this! i know, based on science books and history books and stories and tales from past generations, that every day IS a Progressive Day  - - we continue to move forward based on all the lessons we have learned from our past! Things we take for granted and that seem so ordinary today were yet to be dreamed of 15 - 20 - 100 years ago .... but have you considered just how precious the very gift of Sunlight is?  With daylight savings time now in full force i find that the days get darker sooner ... and my mood adjusts to this lack of sunlight as well .... how integral is the very gift of sunlight to my life!

have you ever really pondered on what things were like prior to God's creation of the earth?  in a word:  CHAOS!  EMPTY!  MEANINGLESS!  but when God took control of things, ORDER was restored!  He had a plan . . a vision . . and took practical steps to accomplish His dream (i am seeing some really important and applicable lessons to my own life here!) ...  According to Genesis 1, this was God's To-Do List:

Day 1: The heavens, the earth, light and darkness.

Day 2: Heaven

Day 3: Dry land, the seas, and vegetation.

Day 4: The sun, the moon and the stars.

Day 5: Living creatures in the water, birds in the air.

Day 6: Land animals and people.

No small feat and no unimportant task - He set about to design a perfect setting for each of His children to grow and thrive - to live in conditions that nurtured our very physical needs - light AND dark, so that we can work, play AND rest!  Food AND water, so that we have all the things our body needs (and some of the extras that we may even over-indulge in . . chocolate!) ..... Animals ... for food, for pets, for pleasure (sheep = wool = PERFECT!)  .... Plants . . nutritional ...aesthetic ... This "gift" of 6 days of LIFE - - it's one that could take a lifetime to fully appreciate!  And knowing that God took the day off (note to self!) by resting on the 7th day . . by deliberately making time to look back on what He had done for the week . . i see a Life Lesson for me, no doubt!

New beginnings - - that's kind of how i approach EVERY morning when i look in the mirror!  and what better way to share a small token of love than to knit a little makeup bag that a friend could slip into her purse - - a little "prize" to hold all the essentials of the day.  you DO realize, don't you, that Good Things come in Small Packages, and these little Hugs make quick and easy use of your scraps - - or if you'd like to be indulgent and share one knit with cashmere, the investment would be SO worth it!

Perhaps you've got wool in your stash and you've never tried your hand at felting. This little pattern is a breeze to work up .... knitting and purling for rows, throw it in the washing machine and Voila!  the magic of hot water and soap suds and you've got a very durable, functional and CUTE bag that can be tossed into any purse or suitcase, backpack or front seat of the car ....

Point to Ponder:  today's gift is 6 Geese a Laying ... this does not mean that they were 6 birds all laying around working on their tans or watching ESPN or HGTV ..... this is a gift that is perpetuating ... that is continual .... this is on going and adaptable and designed for YOU at any given point of your day, your week .. your life!  you are never NOT on His mind . . . His Heart ... or His Gift List!

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

more KISSes please . . .



a simple tri-fold of
knitting makes a beautiful
jewelry roll!

 still pondering on the simple KNIT stitch ... back and forth, back and forth .... you have to be careful that the simplicity doesn't turn into monotony ... which can turn into some major knitting ADD .... and before long your needles are set aside and you're dreaming of new and exciting projects and yarns and patterns ....... and the previous simple knit becomes a UFO (Unfinished Knitting Object) ....  ;(

in order to avoid an expensive piles of knitting UFO's it's necessary to stay focused ... have a plan! (sounds like i'm watching too much sports!) ...  Grab some 100% wool and get ready to knit to get out your aggressions!



sew up the sides and your
square becomes a make-up bag!



***With Size 13 needles and holding your wool doubled, cast on 15 stitches and knit for 20 rows. Bind off loosely and weave in the ends.  Toss these squares in the hot water of the washing machine and VOILA!  each skein of wool has the potential to yield 4 felted and very absorbant coasters!   (great for an early Christmas gift!)

***With Size 13 needles and holding your wool doubled, cast on 25 stitches and knit for 40 rows.  Bind off loosely, weave in the ends and once felted, you've got a trivet or potholder that can protect your counter ... and your hands .... for more knitting!

Feeling adventuresome?  Using size 9 needles, cast on 40 stitches and knit until the piece measures atleast 15" (or you could opt to knit until you run out of yarn - approximately 25" give or take).  Bind off loosely and get ready to felt.  
                   * If you stop at 15", sew up the sides, sew a triangle approximately 3/4" in from each end to create a 'base' for a felted cosmetic bag (add zipper, lining and embellish once dry).
                    *If you knit the entire length you'll find yourself with a long rectangle that will felt into a tri-fold jewelry roll or wallet with just a little planning.

Point to Ponder:  never underestimate Simplicity and Pressure!  When encountered, the hot water and aggitation transform a Simple Square (or rectangle) into a multitude of uses ....  much like the days that the Lord has ordered for me, the ups and downs and hills and valleys of my life are designed to ultimately bring Him glory.  The 'hot water' of trials, my willingness to 'be stretched' while i'm drying in order to finish His felting process .... all necessary steps to bring about an end result that makes me useful for His Kingdom work.  He's got the pattern ... [He always calls the right plays] .... now if i'll just relax - Trust Him and comply with His needles i won't find myself in His UFO pile .....

 "All the days ordained for me were written in Your book

before one of them came to be" 

ps. 139:16