Bread for the Journey

It's always something

 

Somehow, because I am not a computer geek, I seem to be late to the party. You see, Google has been shutting down a lot of their previous services. One of which is Google Friend connect. Okay, so I started noticing that some of my followers were going away. Why is that, I wondered? Then I saw a post on another blog stating the same thing.  Well, what do you know? It's really happening. Here is what was posted on Google.

An update on Google Friend Connect

December 21, 2015

In 2011, we announced the retirement of Google Friend Connect for all non-Blogger sites. We made an exception for Blogger to give readers an easy way to follow blogs using a variety of accounts. Yet over time, we’ve seen that most people sign into Friend Connect with a Google Account. So, in an effort to streamline, in the next few weeks we’ll be making some changes that will eventually require readers to have a Google Account to sign into Friend Connect and follow blogs.

As part of this plan, starting the week of January 11, we’ll remove the ability for people with Twitter, Yahoo, Orkut or other OpenId providers to sign in to Google Friend Connect and follow blogs. At the same time, we’ll remove non-Google Account profiles so you may see a decrease in your blog follower count.

We encourage you to tell affected readers (perhaps via a blog post), that if they use a non-Google Account to follow your blog, they need to sign up for a Google Account, and re-follow your blog. With a Google Account, they’ll get blogs added to their Reading List, making it easier for them to see the latest posts and activity of the blogs they follow.

We know how important followers are to all bloggers, but we believe this change will improve the experience for both you and your readers.

 
So the story goes, if you do not have a Google account, you won't be able to 
follow me. 
I think! 
You can follow me by email, or bloglovin, but there will no longer 
be GFC for non Google accounts. Sad, so sad. Why do they have to 
change things when everything is going so well? 

I really don't want to lose any of my followers, and I hope that you 
will get this message before everybody goes away. 
Did everybody know about this already?

Sesame Chicken

Isn't it fun when one of your children finds a recipe and it turns out to be a winner!! My youngest son directed me to this recipe on Blog Chef. We both worked together making Sesame Chicken and boy, was it ever good. It was as good if not better then the Honey Chicken at Pei Wei.

I tried my hand at making fried rice, but I think I need to work out the seasonings a little more.

I won't write out the recipe because if you go to the website they have tutorial pictures and all. Check it out. I'm sure you will love it!

Seasame Chicken

Zip, zip, zippered bag

Making zippered bags has become almost second nature to me. As long as I have the dimensions, I can put this bag together quickly.

And it's so much fun to find fabric to mix and match. With just two fat quarters can make two bags easily. 

I hope your New Year has been off to some Happy Quilting!

Fabric Tuesday
Linky Tuesday

Finish it up Friday
Can I get a Whoop Whoop? 

Bread for the Journey

Friendship

Friends. What does that word mean to you? How have friends influenced your life? There seems to be different types of friendships. Fair weather friends, passing friendships, heart friends, lifelong friends.

When I was a little girl, I had a good friend, and we did everything together. But as would happen, my family moved away and I lost contact with that friend.

After I moved to another state it was hard to make new friends. A girl I met in school befriended me. Dorothy was so sweet and friendly. We stayed friends all through high school. After graduation, she got married, had a baby, and as we eventually lost contact, our friendship waned.

Walking into the next step of life I've met other gals whom I've befriended. Yet there was never really that "heart" friend. You know the one you can share your deepest thoughts with, and know that it will go no farther then her ear.

In a recent post, I introduced you to Diana. She was such a warm and likable person. She was that girl that everyone liked, she was everybody's friend. Through the years she became my BFF. We would talk together almost every day. She was giving and hospitable. She loved life and laughed a lot. But the one thing about Diana that made her special, was her unselfish unconditional love. Now that's the kind of friend a body needs. Eleven years ago she lost her battle with cancer. And I have missed her so much.

God in His kindness brought another lovely lady into my life. Even though she lives over 1000 miles away, there was something special about our relationship.We had so many things in common. Communication started to flow between us. We would only see each other about once a year, yet our friendship started sticking like glue.

Through the years our friendship has grown. I value her thoughts and prayers. We try hard to visit each other a couple of times a year, you know, just to catch up on family and rekindle that link of communication. We always pick up where we left off, just like we lived next door to each other.

What does it mean to have such a special friend??

"Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort, of feeling safe with a person. Having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words. But to pour them all out just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away." (George Eliot)

Take a moment and write a note to your special friend. Let them know how much they have invested in your life. It will only take a few minutes, but the rewards will last a life time.

Winter in Florida

Gift Card bag

A fun thing I made for Christmas was a bag for a Gift Card!  I just can't seem to wrap my head around paying for a box to hold a gift card when I can make one from a simple envelope! So here are the easy steps.

I use the envelopes that you find in the stationary section of Wally World or the Office supply store (approx 4 3/8" x 5 3/4").  They usually come in a box anywhere from 50 to 250.

First moisten the flap and seal the envelope. Then fold down the edges on three sides to fit the gift card.

Trim the top portion using decorative scissors.

Open the envelope and make little tabs on the bottom.

I use double sided tape to stick the tabs down on the underside.

Your Gift Card is ready to slip inside. 

  Punch two small holes and thread some ribbon to make a handle.

You can stamp any kind of greeting on the outside for the appropriate gift. 

It even looks great to hang on your Christmas tree!

Bread for the Journey

Aren't you amazed

... at some of the creative things quilters do?

 

 

 

 

 

What is the most meaningful thing you've ever made?

This could be a pretty hard question to put into words. I've made lots of charity quilts for babies and families that have lost their homes, possessions and loved ones.

But I think the most meaningful thing I ever made was a quilt for my friend Diana.

I had every intention of making a quilt for Diana and her husband when they celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. It was in September 2003, but somehow the date got away from me.  So I purposed to make it for them as a Christmas gift. I finished the quilt and presented it to them for Christmas. She and her hubby were both very delighted.

Diana had been diagnosed with cancer 5 years previous. In January 2004 Diana found out that her cancer had returned, and with a vengeance.  She lost her battle on September 26, 2004.

I never took a picture of the quilt I made for her, but I share this last photo of Diana and myself the Easter before she passed away.  Diana was head and shoulders above me both physically and in character.  She had a truly warm and giving heart. I still miss her.

Thanks for letting me share.

Look what's coming!

Starting on February 15th through March 4th, Island Batik will be sharing their new lines of fabric, some of which have debuted in January and others will be in quilt shops this spring.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles Blog Hop will be hosted by the Island Batik Ambassadors. There will be lots of inspiration, and probably some giveaways.

Here is a taste of what I'm working on.

It will be fun to see what the Ambassadors create and share with the line of fabric they have been sent. Be sure to check back as I will be posting the blogs and dates of the blog hop soon. 

Until then Happy Quilting!

Bread for the Journey

Pear Bread

  Several years ago I tasted Pear Bread at a friends house. She graciously shared her recipe with me. Very yummy, and a little different then Banana Bread.

Pear Quick Bread

2 1/2 cups flour (you can use Whole Wheat)
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
2 large eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-3 medium size Bartlett pears chopped (or 1 1/2 cups canned)

In a large bowl stir together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Make a hole in the center and drop in eggs, oil , sugar , milk and vanilla. Beat only until batter is smooth. Stir in pears.
Turn into a greased 9 x 5 x3" loaf pan Bake at 375 degrees in a preheated oven, 50-60 minutes or until center comes out clean.

Place pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Loosen edges and turn out on rack. Cool completely. Store, tightly wrapped in refrigerator, serve at room temperature.

Friends and Enemies

Today launches a new novel written by Terri Wangard. I had the privilege of being an early reviewer of "Friends and Enemies".

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Friends and Enemies." I've read many novels depicting the war years, but Ms. Wangard brought together a refreshing  story that started with much pain and sorrow.  Ms. Wangard's ability to weave the hurts, fears, and finally love into the lives of her characters flowed at a decidedly entertaining pace. There was beautiful development of the characters feelings which invited me into their lives. What I loved most about this novel was the depth of Heidi's and Paul's inner voice, both having lost spouses during a time when the world seemed to have gone mad. Airmen and bombings, sacrifice and Gestapo pressure, hiding the enemy makes for a courageous escape, clinging to God's protection.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher in exchange for my honest review. Whether you are a World War II fan or not, I would wholeheartedly recommend to you "Friends and Enemies". It's a lovely story, filled with history and a touch of romance.

Bread for the Journey

Until The Dawn

Elizabeth Camden has written yet another wonderful story. Her way of weaving stories is such a delight.

How would you like to always be confronted by an angry, melancholy man, wracked with pain, trying to raise his son into a man before he dies. Quentin Vandermark, is a rich man who for years isolated himself, fighting to restore his health. All the while his young son's mind is being filled with superstition by his grandfather. On returning to the families mansion Quentin is blindsided by Sophie van Riijn, a woman who can see nothing but sunshine in every acre of the estate that lies by the Hudson River. Having overcome her own tragedy, she finds her faith gives her the freedom to choose happiness in whatever task lays before her.

I find Ms. Camden's novels to be much more interesting because of her bent towards researching fascinating vocations for women in previous centuries. This story is no different. Women were never held in very high esteem in the 1800's, whether they were intelligent or not. Yet with each story Ms. Camden writes, she shares the lives of women as they push towards using their minds, and hearts, in making the world a better place.

I absolutely loved "Until the Dawn". I found it to be compelling and entertaining. When someone is so cynical, God is able to open their minds and hearts when kindness is shown without reserve. I would highly recommed this book for your reading pleasure. You will not be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Happy New Year

 iBibleverses.com