Frosted Butter Cookies

1 1/2 cups butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 egg yolks
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tbsp. orange juice
1 tsp. vanilla

Directions: In a large bowl cream butter and sugar. Add egg yolks; beat until light and fluffy. Add flour, baking powder, orange juice and vanilla; beat until well mixed. Cover refrigerate 2-3 hours or until firm.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll out dough, half at a time, to 1/4 inch thickness on well floured surface. Cut out with cutters. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 6-10 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove to wire rack to cool completely. After cookies are cooled frost.

Frosting:
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
3-4 tbsp. milk
2 tsp. vanilla

A Strange Way To Save The World

Come and Coming

"Blessed is he who waits." Daniel 12:12

The prophet Daniel never put up a Christmas tree, never lit an Advent wreath, and never sang a holiday carol. But he celebrated Christmas anyway. He anticipated the coming of the Messiah, and his whole life was lived against the backdrop of Christ's appearance. It gave him daily encouragement. In Daniel 7:13, he said: "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, [was] coming."
For us, too, the promise of His coming imparts optimism. Our attitude is that of Revelation 1:7: "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him."
Imagine how excited you'd be if your loved one were returning after a tour of duty in a war zone. You'd be almost giddy with excitment, straightening the house, planning a menu, calling friends, and preparing for the long-awaited reunion.
How wonderful that Jesus came, clothed in humanity, born of a virgin, laid in a manger. How wonderful that He is coming again, clothed in triumph, descending with angels, crowned with glory.
Celebrate Christmas this year with both a backward glance and forward look. Rejoice! Our King is coming.
From "Turning Points" by David Jeremiah

Wrist Warmers

Here in upstate New York winters are very cold. The main source of heat in our home is a wood burning stove, which is very cozy, but when temperatures are below 20 degrees we could always use a little extra warmth.


Several years ago my sister Hannah began knitting wrist warmers, the perfect solution for cold hands. We can still sew or knit because our fingers are free, but our hands can stay nice and warm.

Wrist warmers are also great for shopping, allowing your fingers to grasp for keys or buckle your seat belt. Wrist warmers also lend an old-fashioned yet contemporary flair to any outfit.

Hannah carefully knits each pair of wrist warmers from soft wool and wool blend yarns. They are currently for sale on our Etsy page in a variety of colors. We have found that wrist warmers have always been a much appreciated gift this time of year. : )

"She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands." Proverbs 31:13

A Little Women Treasury

Yesterday evening I completed a treasury for Etsy, my theme was "Little Women". "Little Women" has always been one of my favorite books, so it was fun to try and think of all the different items I could list that would be "Little Women" related. To view the treasury click here.

Happy Thanksgiving

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." Psalm100:4&5

"Alas! how we forget that we are but strangers and pilgrims on the earth; that we are journeying to our eternal home, and will soon be there!" Octavius Winslow

Answer to Prayer

Thank you to all who have kept my grandma is prayer. Saturday my grandma opened her eyes, and this morning she was sitting up and talking with us, Praise the LORD! Grandma has a long recovery ahead of her, but now that her actual health problem has been identified she can recover.

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Ephesians 3:20-21

Prayer Request

Please keep my Grandma in your prayers. Last Saturday morning she was taken to the hospital. The doctors still have not been able to diagnose her condition. She is currently in the ICU and this morning she is having difficulty breathing and has fluid in her lungs. My grandma's name is Ethel, and all prayers for her would be greatly appreciated.

The photos above were sent to us by a dear customer living in California. She had ordered a Cecilia dress and bonnet from our website for her granddaughter. Her granddaughter is a fan of "Little House on the Prairie". I must say this time of year always brings Little House to mind. Of late my mother and I have enjoyed listening to "By the Shores of Silver Lake" on cd while we sew.

The Divine Light in Darkness

“For thou wilt light my candle.” Psalm 18:28

It may be that my soul sits in darkness; and if this be of a spiritual kind, no human power can bring me light. Blessed be God! He can enlighten my darkness and at once light my candle. Even though I may be surrounded by a “darkness which might be felt,” yet He can break the gloom and immediately make it bright around me.
The mercy is that if He lights the candle none can blow it out, neither will it go out for lack of substance, nor burn out of itself through the lapse of hours. The lights which the LORD kindled in the beginning are shining still. The LORD’s lamp may need trimming, but He does not put them out.
Let me, then, like the nightingale sing in the dark. Expectation shall furnish me with music, and hope shall pitch the tune. Soon I shall rejoice in the candle of God’s lighting. I am dull and dreary just now. Perhaps it is the weather, or bodily weakness, or the surprise of a sudden trouble; but whatever has made the darkness, it is God alone who will bring the light. My eyes are unto Him alone. I shall soon have the candles of the LORD shining about me; and, further on in His own good time, I shall be where they need no candle, neither light of the sun. Hallelujah!
From “Faith’s Checkbook” by Charles H. Spurgeon
Here is a beautiful song that my sister Hannah wrote. The LORD has truly gifted her with song writting, singing and playing guitar.

The Story of The Scarlet Thread Part Two

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1


Throughout the winter and spring of 2005 we busily sewed in anticipation of the LEAH (loving education at home) convention in Syracuse, New York. For years we had attended the convention. In fact my two sisters and I graduated at the LEAH convention.
We were somewhat apprehensive; would people be interested in purchasing clothing? Or were they simply there to purchase curriculum?
Upon our arrival we were directed to our booth space. Much to our amazement we were located at the front of the vendor hall! As each person entered the convention our booth was the first to be seen. Another unexpected blessing was the fact that one of the main themes of the 2005 convention was purity and modesty. Two virtues we certainly try to uphold with our sewing.
The convention proved to be an amazing blessing and encouragement to us all. We sold almost everything, met wonderful people, and were given the idea of creating a website for our business.
The remainder of 2005 was very busy for my sisters and me in a way we had never expected. Through the recommendation of a friend we were hired as temporary help at a local bridal shop. Our business, The Scarlet Thread, was put on hold throughout the summer and fall of 2005.
While working at the bridal shop we were taught how to alter bridal wear, which in turn was a great way to learn how to sew bridal wear. When looking back I realized that our time at the bridal shop was just another step. The LORD used that time to teach us an entirely new aspect of sewing.
Throughout the fall my mother did receive orders from customers we had met at the LEAH convention. As we all settled down for the winter of 2006 we began working towards having enough merchandise for the 2006 convention.
When spring arrived we began photographing our merchandise with the intent of launching our website. We had the pleasure of spending a day that spring with one of the lovely families we met at the convention. Their two daughters were our original models for the girls’ page of our website. Our site was completed shortly before the convention.

My concept of the internet was very limited at that time. Never having really shopped or used the internet I could not grasp the vast audience that a website could draw. My hope was to hand out enough business cards during the convention in order that those living in New York would be familiar with our business, and would perhaps visit our website throughout the year. The thought of people in other states or even different countries finding our website never even crossed my mind. I thought potential customers would not even know about The Scarlet Thread unless I personally told them or they heard about us from a friend.
The 2006 convention was just as wonderful as that of 2005. We were all quite excited to see what the LORD had planned next for The Scarlet Thread.
The first order we received through our website was for a girls slip from a town called Taylorsville in North Carolina. I was delighted, Taylorsville. : )
Throughout the late summer of 2006 my mother, sisters and I experienced a major change in our family. It was a very difficult time, emotionally and financially. It seemed that the LORD had planned the perfect time for our website to begin. It not only began to provide for us financially, but the busyness and interaction with customers at the time was so necessary for us!
Much to my surprise we were receiving orders from all over the country. Many other businesses linked with our site, which brought people to our website that never would have known about us.
That Christmas was wonderful, by that time we were receiving a consistent flow of orders, and we just loved sewing all the little nightgowns for different customers. We could just imagine all the little girls in different states waking up Christmas morning wearing the nightgowns we had sewn.
I began keeping track of all the states and countries we sold to, and as of today we have sent orders to 48 of the 50 states. The two states we are waiting for are Wyoming and Nevada. We have also sold to 9 countries-- Belgium, Australia, France, and Germany to name a few.
Sometimes it’s hard to believe just 7 years ago we were selling our merchandise at Hanna Junction, never in our wildest imagination could we have dreamed of selling our clothing around the world. God is so faithful!!

Both photos above are of our booth at the LEAH convention.

The Story of The Scarlet Thread Part One

"Who despises the day of small things?" Zechariah 4:10a

Earlier this week my mother and I were reminiscing about the year we began our business The Scarlet Thread. With such small beginnings, we marveled at how God has blessed us and taken us to places we never imagined possible!
In the spring of 2003 I graduated from high school. The winter preceding my completion of home schooling I was very concerned with what I should do next in life. Everywhere I went people were asking me, “Are you going to college?”. I did not feel that the LORD was leading me to attend college, but at the same time I was unsure of His plan for me. About that time through the verse 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependant on anybody.” my family felt directed to open a small booth at a local farmers’/craft market, Hanna Junction.
Hanna Junction had been a very popular indoor market through out my childhood. Opened one day of the week, it was always a special treat to visit and purchase a homemade pretzel. With high hopes we furnished our booth with all our handmade doll dresses, baby dresses and purses. At the beginning of the season I had very carefully sewn several doll dresses, all the same style just in different fabric. I remember our first day of business I sold two doll dresses to a mother; I was delighted that someone liked what I had sewn.
At the same time we were sewing for our booth at Hanna Junction, I was beginning a correspondence dress making course. I now felt sure that the LORD was directing me to further my skills in sewing. Through out the years I was home schooled I had always enjoyed handicrafts, especially embroidery, but up until this point I had never considered this the beginning of a possible “career”.
As the summer progressed our sales rather than growing decreased, this was very discouraging! However this problem was not unique to our business, it seemed that Hanna’s Junction was reaching the end of it’s popularity. Our first year of business would mark their last year. It was at this time that a fellow vendor directed us to another farmers’ market. This was an outdoor market, and our first day to set up at the Geneva farmers’ market was very hot and sunny! Even then the LORD provided. Our friend from Hanna’s Junction had an extra tent which she gave to us. For the next few years to follow we used that tent many times.
The Geneva farmers’ market was positioned in a parking lot across from Seneca Lake, one of the Finger Lakes and the traffic was great. We were so blessed and surprised. The following two summers we would set up our tent piece by piece by the light of street lamps at 6 am. We even spread out to other markets, at one point we were attending three markets a week.
During the Christmas season we would attend craft shows. My favorite show was located at the Granger Homestead. The Granger Homestead is a large Civil War era home originally owned by Gideon Granger the first United States Post Master General. We were privileged to display our merchandise in one of the lovely Victorian bedrooms in which was decorated with a beautiful pink floral wallpaper. I was thrilled! Our line of merchandise had greatly increased by this time. We were now knitting shawls, scarves and hats, sewing several styles of doll dresses, sewing nightgowns, girls’ dresses of various styles and many different style purses.
Photos above: top photo- our booth at Hanna's Junction, middle The Granger Homestead and bottom photo is our tent at the Geneva Farmers' Market

Embroidery Lesson

Over the past month my sister Hannah and I have had the pleasure of giving sewing lessons to three lovely young ladies. Mary Grace, Regina and Cora are three of six sisters in a family of eleven children. (Top two photos are of lessons at our house)
The first lesson we taught the basics of embroidery. For years I have loved embroidery, and I was so blessed to have the opportunity to share this skill.
Much to my delight, when our students returned for their second lesson each girl had beautifully completed their embroidered dish towels! They had so enjoyed learning how to embroider that they invited us to give a starter lesson at a summer camp they planned to attend.
Above is a picture of the kits I made for the young ladies attending the camp. Each kit contained a piece of material stamped with a design, thread, a needle and hoop.
There were approximately 30 girls, varying in ages, seated at two long picnic tables. My mother, Hannah and I demonstrated the basic stitches to a few girls at a time, and then assisted those who needed extra help. They all seemed to enjoy learning and caught on very quickly.
I am hoping in the near future to offer similar embroidery kits for sale on our website.

“She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.” Proverbs 31:13

Creativity

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands; just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. “ 1 Thessalonians 4:11&12

When we look around we see God’s creation everywhere. His magnificent creation of roses, cats, stars, trees, mountains… all remind us of His infinite creativity.
God’s most precious creation is us, the human race. Genesis 1:27 tells us that God created us in His image. That means we have characteristics like our creator, one is a desire to be creative, and the ability to create.
All of us have skills God has given us; everyone’s skill is different and special. When God called the Israelites to build the tent in the wilderness He filled a young man, Bezalel, with His Spirit and gave Bezalel skill, ability and knowledge in many crafts. Bezalel was skilled in working with wood, engraving gold, embroidering, and more.
Bezalel was not the only Israelite given a gift in creativity. Many of the women spun blue, purple and scarlet wool (Exodus 35:25), others wove linen, embroidered curtains, men built and carved all for the glory of God! They would bring there products to God as an offering, and God would bless them with more skill.
So today let’s just take a moment to thank God for His amazing gift of creativity and think of new ways to use our gifts, talents and time to bring Him glory! Maybe you do not feel like you are a very creative person but would like to learn how. Pray as the Psalmist David did: “May the favor of the LORD our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us-yes, establish the work of our hands. “ Psalm 90:17
Thank you Heavenly Father for your gift of creativity!

A Day in Penn Yan

Recently, we took our sewing machines to the Penn Yan Sewing Machine shop for an annual tune-up. This is always such a treat! My sewing machine is returned to me running like it did the day I first purchased it. : )
But beyond the pleasure of a smooth running machine is the enjoyment of a lovely day trip to Penn Yan. There is a large Mennonite community living in the Penn Yan area. Neat, white, farm houses set a top rolling hills, and from certain areas you can even catch a glimpse of Seneca lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes.
As you drive along many of the country roads you will see family run businesses, many run from home. Of my favorites are the several little fabric shops. : )
Pictured above is a green house we visited. It was difficult to decide what flowers to purchase when they had so many lovely plants to choose from. Our trunk that had been previously filled with our sewing machines on our ride to Penn Yan, was now packed with flowers on our ride home.

Spring Time and Sundresses

Over the past few weeks we have been very busy here at The Scarlet Thread. Earlier this month we received an order from a school in Georgia for 34 sundresses. The second grade students are putting on a Civil War themed play. I am sure the little girls will look adorable. : )
My mother and sister Hannah sewed all 34 dresses. They did a terrific job. With both of them so busily working on sundresses, I have been extra busy with all our other orders.

We have also been sewing merchandise for the gift shop at Sonnenberg Mansion and Gardens, a local historical home. I hope to share photos of these special items in the near future.

With our sundress order mailed we decided to give ourselves the afternoon off and enjoy lunch at Dallywater’s Tea Room and Art Gallery. Dallywater’s is a lovely, traditional tea room, owned and operated by a U.K native Janice Harwood. The tea room is filled with miss-matched tables and white chairs. Along the upper wall are small shelves filled with the owner’s antique tea pot collection. Whenever I visit Dallywater’s I have a taste of England. I enjoyed a delicious lunch, a celery and walnut tart with salad. The tart was very different but a tasty combination. We had a wonderful time!
Another pleasant aspect of our afternoon was the lovely 45 min. ride to the tea room. Here in upstate New York all the flowering trees are in bloom, as well as the tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. I have included some photos I took last week of our flowers and trees. I must add that the charming calico cat who found her way into two of the photos is my little Louisa May. She is quite the character. : )


“Above all guard your heart, for it affects everything you do. “ Proverbs 4:23

New Items for Spring

Here are two new outfits we have added to our website for spring/summer. For more information you may visit our website http://www.taylorsscarletthread.com/ .

Man of Contrasts

Devotional below from "Our Daily Bread".

"Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!" Matthew 21:9
On that first Palm Sunday, one might have expected Jesus the King to enter Jerusalem on a mighty steed. But He chose instead a lowly donkey. Before He could come as a King to reign, He had to come as a savior to die. Throughout His life on earth, Jesus was a man of striking contrasts- reflecting both His genuine humanity and His full deity.
Someone once wrote this about Jesus: "He who is the Bread of Life began His ministry hungaring. He who was the Water of Life ended His ministry thirsting. Christ hungered as a man, yet fed the hungary as God. He was weary, yet He is our rest. He paid tribute, yet He is the King. He was called a devil, but He cast out demons. He prayed, yet He hears our prayer. He wept, and He dries our tears. He was sold for 30 pieces of silver, yet He redeems sinners. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepard. He gave His life, and by dying He destroyed death. "
We would expect to find such a contrast in the life of One who was fully God and fully man. Jesus, who is the soveriegn Lord of the universe, became a man to provide for our redemption. But one day He will return as King of kings. Jesus, the God-man, deserves all our praise.- RWD
All glory to Jesus, begotten of God,
The great I AM is He;
Creator, sustainer- but wonder of all,
The Lamb of Calvary.- Peterson

The lowly carpenter of Nazareth was the mighty architect of the universe.

White Bread Recipe

This is my favorite white bread recipe. It is very easy to make, and is delicious toasted with some homemade strawberry jam.

White Bread

5 1/2 cups warm water

3 tbsp. yeast

4 tsp. salt

4 tbsp. butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

14 cups flour

Place in large bowl water, yeast, salt, butter and sugar. With a wire whisk, whip until smooth. Add flour. The dough should be very soft and sticky. This keeps your bread soft. Put a little vegetable oil on hands and work dough until it looks smooth. It does not need kneading. Let rise once, punch down and form into loaves. Makes 4 loaves. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Matthew 4:4 "Jesus answered 'It is written : Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. '"

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;

As Thou hast been Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Words by Thomas O.Chisolm

The History of Aprons

A few years back a friend shared this article about aprons with us, knowing how much we love sewing and wearing aprons. : )

The History of Aprons

The principle of Grandma’s apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few. It was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children’s tears and on occasion was even used for cleaning
out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy children.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that ‘old-time apron’ that served so many purposes.

Share this with those who would know, and love the story about Grandma’s aprons. Or it can be a good history lesson for those that have no idea how the apron played a part in our lives.

Remember, Grandma used to set her hot baked pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set their pies on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on the apron. I don’t think I ever caught anything from an apron…. but love!

Snow Day

Yesterday evening we busily prepared for the impending storm; setting candles about, making sure the radio had new batteries and filling pails with water. The news forecasted quite the storm- two feet of snow, 50 miles per hour winds and wide spread power outage. We were ready for the worst, but prayed we would not lose our electricity.
When morning arrived we had a lot of snow. Thankfully the wind wasn’t as bad as expected and we did not lose our electric! So we were able to spend a cozy day sewing. The LORD is so good!
We were so pleased to see the farmer who lives up the road plowing our driveway with his tractor. Truly a blessing!
Later in the afternoon, my mother, sisters and I went out to shovel a path to the driveway. The snow was very deep. I think it exceeded the two feet expected. Our little dog Sophie wasn’t quite sure what to do, but as soon as we shoveled a path she ran about excitedly. Sophie loves the snow.
Today I received an email from a customer and sister in the Lord. She shared how over the past few months she has felt lead to reconsider the way she dresses. I really liked the way she expressed her feelings about this decision. She said she was going to “celebrate her womanhood”. One of the many joys of womanhood is the privilege to wear lovely, feminine clothing.

“Direct me in the path of Your commands, for there I find delight. “ Psalm 119:35

“Blessed be Your glorious Name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise! You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their hosts, the earth and things on it, the sea and all things in them, and You preserve them all. The host of heaven worship You. “ Nehemiah 9:5-6

It is so wonderful to see the days lengthening. With each added minute of daylight I feel spring is just a step closer!
Earlier this week, while I was out, I saw a hill covered with snow and a flock of Canadian geese congregating on top of the hill. They were such a pleasant sight, like that of an old friend returning after a long journey.
Today I worked on a new denim skirt design for our website. I look forward to sewing new blouse styles too. Here at the Scarlet Thread we have enjoyed purchasing new spring calicos and I am very excited to use them. : )
For lunch today I made pancakes. Saturdays just seem the perfect day to take some time out for fun. I set the table with a vintage floral table cloth,and blue and white dishes. I brewed a pot of tea, and used our calico tea cozy mom sewed to keep the tea hot.
My sisters and I discovered a really lovely blog yesterday, http://www.blessedfemina.blogspot.com/ . The old-fashioned pictures, quotes and music truly are a treat!

“Set your affection on things above, not things on the earth. “ Colossians 3:2

Swiss Outfits

Last week we sewed two really adorable outfits (see photo above). Two little girls attending “Heritage Days” at their school needed outfits that reflected their cultural background. With their father being originally from Switzerland they decided to wear little Swiss styled outfits.
Here at the Scarlet Thread we have enjoyed creating outfits with an Austrian flair since we have always been fans of Maria von Trapp.
We have a wonderful book with several pictures of the Trapp family, and my mother has been inspired by their style of clothing to create the “Heidi Outfit” and “Alpine Outfit” featured on our website.
When reading Maria von Trapp’s autobiography “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers” I was so impressed with the creativity of the Trapp family. We all know they were gifted singers, but they were also accomplished artist, wood carvers, builders etc. I so enjoyed Maria’s account of how the entire family worked together to build their home in Stowe, Vermont.
Each member of the family had their special gift in helping each other. One daughter made all their shoes, another knitted all their stockings and sweaters, and another sewed all their clothing!
For fans of “The Sound of Music” I would highly recommend, “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers”.

“The most important thing in life is to find out the will of God and then do it.” Marie Augusta von Trapp

Ribbon Flowers

I am sure I am not the only one that is anticipating spring. Just yesterday we received a catalog in the mail filled with beautiful flowers. Already I am filled with excitement to see the first hyacinth bloom in my garden. But as I still have quite a wait I am feeling very content to enjoy my ribbon flowers. Yes, I did say “ribbon” flowers. : )

I just recently discovered instructions on how to create beautiful roses, leaves and a variety of all different flowers from fabric and ribbon. Just the other day I sewed a lovely pink calico apron, and added a delicate white organdy flower to the pocket. All week I haven’t been able to stop thinking of the many different ways to use my flowers.

And then I stopped to consider, it is only natural that I would enjoy creating these flowers, as I am an expression of God’s infinite creativity. And God must enjoy creating flowers as He has created so many beauties!! So today I am thankful that God has given each of us the ability to be creative.

“And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts. “ Exodus 31:3

This week has been remarkably cold here in upstate New York. Outside a soft white blanket of snow covers the ground. The winter has it’s own beauty as all the seasons- though decidedly different.
This week the snow has been like a clean white canvas made to display God’s marvelous creation. From our kitchen window I admired the striking beauty of a red cardinal perched in the bare Mountian Ash tree. By his side sat his lovely little wife. And further in the distance we spotted a rusty colored fox trotting along on top of the snow. Today even the sky seems bluer in contrast to the snow and dark bare trees.
Well, with warnings of snow storms earlier this week it seemed the perfect time to stay inside and experiment!
On my birthday a couple weeks back I received a book called “Basic Soap Making”. Over the weeks following I purchased the necessary ingredients and equipment to prepare my first batch of cold process soap.
Friday morning I began, garbed in goggles, rubber gloves, face mask and in a lovely calico apron I had sewn. My main concern was working with the sodium hydroxide, as I had never worked with dangerous chemicals before. However everything seemed to be moving along smoothly. I combined all my ingredients (except the essential oil, which goes in at the second to last step), and I began stirring………..
I had been stirring for about 45 minutes when I began to feel a bit concerned. You see when stirring the soap it is supposed to become thicker and any droplets that fall from your spoon back into the mixture should leave a trail before disappearing back into the liquid. Lifting my spatula from the mixture I watched the droplets fall all too quickly back into the bowl.
It was then we decided I should call someone. So I found a phone number in the reference guide of my book. The person I spoke with told me it may take 4 hours to reach trace (the point when the mixture begins to thicken and become soap) .
I brought the bowl back to my room, as I had sewing I needed to work on. I was sewing one of our “Ladies Dress with Empire Waist”, in a lovely beige fabric sprinkled with deep pink roses and dark green leaves. So my afternoon was spent in alternately stirring and sewing. : )
My mixture did look different by the late afternoon. Turning from a translucent oily substance, to a thicker creamy opaque appearance. Still unsure, I made another phone call.
This time I discovered that my mixture was too cold! That actually I chosen the worst time to make soap, as soap must remain quite warm in order for the chemical reaction to begin, and the gelling process to turn simple ingredients into a bar of soap.
The lady I spoke with suggested I use my “soap” as glue. However I did pour my soap into it’s mold. It never did gel, but my soap did set. The house is filled with wonderful aroma of lavender soap, as I have set my soap on top of our book case to dry.
But as my mother says “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again! “. I look forward to my next attempt, and I am grateful that I learned a great deal from mistakes. Matthew 19:26 “But with God all things are possible. “