Bloggy Giveaway - Amazing Freedom Devotional

I absolutely adore devotionals. They are full of little bits of encouragement, just when you need it. I've especially enjoyed those from Women of Faith.I've been attending Women of Faith conferences for eight or nine years, volunteering most years to earn my admission. Last year, I bought their conference theme devotional and then was also given one for being a hostess. So, I'd like to share with you. Please leave a comment below and include your favorite encourage bible verse or other encouraging quote. A random winning name will be chosen Saturday morning, November 1. I hope you win!!! Thanks for visiting my blog!

Shawnee

PS - If you'd like to be entered twice, you can leave a second comment letting me know what you think is a reasonable price to pay for a handsewn apron and/or gloves like these:
I'm going to be selling several at a local Mom Christmas Bazaar and pricing is always difficult for me! Thanks!!

Mommy & Me Swap Status

Mother and Son Partners:

Heidi D-1M and Lucy B-2M

Angelic J-2M SENT/REC'D and Sandra L-2M (non blogger) SENT/REC'D

Mixed Partners:
Solidia H-3F SENT and Sunny W-2M

Amy B-1F and Holly D-1M

Mother and Daughter Partners

Melinda C-1F SENT and Shawnee H-1F REC'D

Val P-1F SENT/REC'D and Kathleen Angelic J-1F SENT/REC'D

Nicki P-1F SENT and Lucy B-3F

Kathleen B-2F SENT/REC'D and Kelli H-2F SENT

Janel M-1F and Cyndi B-1F SENT

Shawnee H-1F SENT and Becca O-1F SENT

Package will include two (or more) matching/coordinating handmade aprons, adult and child-sized, and a children's cookbook - recycled/thrifted is fine if in great shape. Any other little goodies would be an extra treat but not required.

Aging gracefully ... again

I do believe I am very tired of "aging gracefully." It seems like every time I turn around, someone is reminding me that I am indeed over 40! Especially those rotten doctors!! I'm gonna smack someone.

I had to wait a few days to share this (getting over the shock), but I had an eye appointment last week because my new glasses from last year just didn't seem right. Well, I finally made an appointment with a different doctor and planned to straighten out the problem. Guess what the verdict is ... I need BIFOCALS!!! I have a lovely new prescription for "progressive" lenses. They should be called regressive, because I'm just getting worse. Now, I've worn glasses and contacts since the sixth grade, but this just seems wrong. I remember my mother getting her tri-focals prescription and being so despondent. Now I understand!

Of course, I hope my new look will be like this

But I'm afraid I feel more like thisPlus, I really need to color my hair. If I don't get out the old bottle every five to six weeks, I actually DO look like this photo. Worse, since it's more like a lovely skunk stripe down my part. **sigh**

Look who's coming to dinner on Monday ...

Our secondhand dryer has slowly been dying over the past several weeks, and is now officially dead. The last time we bought a new washer/dryer set was when we had Tara 22 years ago. So, hubby offered to buy me my "last" set. Now, that was a bit depressing to hear! Once I recovered from that age remark, I happily set about comparing models/prices. This sweet set has the Steam feature, is highly energy efficient, uses less water and is SO HOT to look at. We were only going to buy the white set (even though I was drooling over the red), but ended up getting a terrific deal on the floor models with delivery when we wanted it. YEAH SPARKLY RED! I get to spend time tomorrow prepping my laundry room (i.e. stashing the piles of laundry until I can press those babies into service)! The LG Steamwasher and Steamdryer's double-capacity loads will be useful to help with the catch up, dontcha know?!?

Holiday Hostess Apron Swap

Flirty Apron Swap IV, Winter 2008 – Holiday Hostess
Last Day to Sign Up: October 24, 2008
Last Day to Mail Packages: November 24, 2008

Package Requirements:
Here’s a swap I have wanted to do all year! We are going to make glamorous, girlie aprons that you could wear to a festive holiday party to spice up a basic black dress for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Solstice, and/or New Years. You will make an adult size glamorous Holiday Hostess apron and your unknown pal will make one for you.

You will send your partner:
1. Handmade apron for your partner to wear this holiday season. Please embellish generously and make this extra special. Special fabrics are encouraged … silk, velvet, tulle, organza. A great source for special fabrics is thrift stores and then repurposing former prom or other special occasion dresses.

If sewing isn't your forte but you really want to participate, please purchase a handmade apron from one of the talented people at Etsy.com.

2. For a special add in, you will need to include something special for the Holiday Hostess to wear to her party: a necklace, a beaded bracelet, a fancy headband. Be creative, shop the sales, or make something sparkly yourself. Please spend between $5 and $10 for this part of your package.

Wrap it up nice and send it out BEFORE Thanksgiving!!

TO REGISTER:
Flirty Apron Swap IV, Winter 2008 – Holiday Hostess
Last Day to Sign Up: October 24, 2008
Last Day to Mail Packages: November 24, 2008

We are going to make glamorous, girlie aprons that you could wear to a festive holiday party to spice up a basic black dress for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Solstice, and/or New Years. You will make an adult size glamorous Holiday Hostess apron and your unknown pal will make one for you.

Please complete the registration form HERE and read the Rules and Package Requirement posts as well. With this new software, I can only take 100 registrations. So, sign up quick to guarantee your spot!

Here is one more thing I would like you to consider before joining this swap (you'll see this same information on Lucy's Sassy Apron Swap page).

To join in this swap you don’t have to be an expert seamstress, but you do need to be experienced enough to pull a nice apron off. We expect an apron that would pass in 8th Grade Home Economics - not an "A" but at least passable.

We don’t want to get too fussy here and scare anyone off. As Lucy says, I also love to see the work of new seamstresses and have had some as partners in swaps and have loved the work they do. It is fresh and full of enthusiasm. If you feel that your work is not good enough, you can also swap an apron made by another crafter. There are many at Etsy worth buying from. Just be sure to give credit where it is due and honor the apron artist.

Also, I've posted links to various patterns and tutorials on the right sidebar of my swap blog. I'll keep adding to that list as I find sites. EVERYONE can sew an apron; some of us just need to rip-out stitches more often to get the look we want! LOL!!

AND, A FEW RULES:
Flirty Apron Swap IV, Winter 2008 – Holiday Hostess
Last Day to Sign Up: October 24, 2008
Last Day to Mail Packages: November 24, 2008

By signing up for the Flirty Apron Swap, you agree to the following:

1. To reply to my assignment email within 48 hours, acknowledging receipt of your partner and letting me know you’re still playing.

2. To remain anonymous; if you need to ask your partner a question, send a message through me or use a secret email account that does not have your real name attached (test it first).

3. To joyfully create an apron that you would love to receive, washed and pressed so it’s wonderfully fresh for your partner.

4. To mail your package no later than November 24 using USPS Delivery Confirmation or other tracking, and to email me at shawneeh@yahoo.com with the tracking number so I know you’ve met your mailing commitment.

5. To email me when you have received your package, and to copy me on your thank you email to your unknown partner who worked so hard on your apron.

6. To have fun! All participants will be invited to author on the Flirty Apron Swap blog and will be able to post pictures of aprons-in-progress, comments and giveaways. The more the merrier! Since this is a secret partner swap, you post as many photos and details as you want!!

I'm a procrastinator

I'm so sad to admit that I have procrastinated! My supper swap group is meeting tomorrow night and, while I bought the ingredients, I hadn't made all my meals yet! Then, apparently my outside refrigerator runs very cold, because my whole "refrigerated" chickens I bought yesterday were frozen tonight! My marinade just had to go on top instead of under the skin of the Urban Garlic Chicken. Now, I'm blogging while my Mozzarella Meatballs are baking; I'm on batch three so only three to go. Then, quickly whip up the sauce, distribute among the meals and freeze. No problem-o. Sleep? That's a little less likely, since Mike will wake me up around 4am to wrap his legs ... can you spell caffeine?

Too bad I don't like coffee. I've been longing this week for the jolt it seems everyone gets; I'm really tempted to try and force some down. I'll just have to settle for my Diet Pepsi but it's not been very helpful waking me up. I think there's one out that there with extra caffeine ... oh yeah, Pepsi MAX ... I need stock up on that.

In addition to late nights, Little T has just started Strings at school, which means I need to drive her in an hour early two days a week. I may not be a super-early riser, but SHE really isn't! I hope the class times won't become a deal breaker. She loves music and I really want her to support her desire to learn the viola. But, my 9yo HATES waking up at 6am!

Weekend Wrap Up

Well, I'm exhausted! I had a wonderful weekend but just coming off of being sick really left me dragging.

There was a last minute change of plans so I hosted all day Friday (instead of just evening) and Saturday at Women of Faith and escorted Patsy Clairmont around instead of Marilyn Meberg and Sandi Patty. Although, with paid security this year, I really didn't have much to do except guard her rolling bag and walk in/out of the arena with her. Still, they took such good care of us -- the hosts were all treated to front row seats, meals catered, free VIP parking, our own bathrooms (TRUST ME, that was a biggie at this event), and we were able to enjoy a glimpse behind the scenes of this amazing conference. Everyone is so wonderful and sincere ... the talents are real people, very kind and talented.

Here's a picture of the three of us that worked Friday's preconference. I didn't get a group shot of all the hostesses unfortunately.













My view from the front row. I should have taken more picures.















Mandisa was the surprise hit for me. I adored her performances. What a lovely young woman. Hers is the one album I purchased as a remembrance. You can also see here dramatist Nicole Johnson, singer Nicole C Mullen and Patsy Clairmont (their backs anyway).


I hope I can participate again next year. Hugs,
Shawnee

Women of Faith Weekend

Hi Friends!

I writing with fun news and to ask for prayer cover -- I'm pleased to share that I will be at Women of Faith this Fri/Sat, and will be serving as a volunteer again in exchange for admission. For a second year, my role is as one of the "Hosts", which means I will escort two of the talents throughout the conference and have reserved seating right by the stage. Marilyn Meberg and Sandi Patty are the talents I'm assigned to! I'm so excited, and can't wait to see what the Lord does!!

Pray that the speakers speak truth into the women's lives and that the attendees are blessed. I want Him to knock their socks off!! LOL!! I also need my family lifted up, that everything goes smoothly for Teressa and Tara as they care for T, that Mike won't be adversely affected by me being gone (Trevor will be able to wrap his legs), and that my friend Diane has safe travel from southern Salem to serve with me. I also pray that I handle the Host role well, cutting the book line, keeping the star-struck in check, etc. Check out the description Women of Faith sent me - these are big shoes to fill:

"The Speakers and Talent appreciate your ability to be available, yet not intrusive; friendly, but not over-bearing or star-struck; knowledgeable, yet calm and patient. You are invaluable in helping the Speakers during transition times such as entering or exiting the main floor in the bowl; during autographing times; and getting to/from the hotel and arena."

Here's a little preview of what's going on in Portland, Oregon this weekend!!

Not feeling so good

My resistance must be down, because I've been sick all weekend and still feel horrible. I'm heading back to bed but I was going to update on the weekend first.

It was a yummy food weekend, probably BECAUSE I wasn't feeling great so wanted comfort food. Saturday, while doing the requisite cleaning/sewing, I made the most delicious Chicken and Dumplings for dinner. Sarah at work gave me the idea because she brought leftover C&D on Friday and shared with me. YUMM. I didn't use a recipe but did a lot of refrigerator cleanout. I boiled three bone-in breasts (half of a BOGO pkg) in water with chicken broth granules, diced carrot, diced celery and diced onion. Once the chicken was done, I removed that and added leftover frozen veggies into the broth. Then I mixed the dumplings with the last of one box of Bisquick with the last of milk (hey - I need to shop!) and some Italian seasoning. Tablespoons of that mix went into the broth and boiled/simmered for 8-10 minutes. Then, I de-boned the chicken, diced it up and added it once the dumplings were done along with salt and pepper. Oh yeah!!


oohh, I'm fading now ... I'll write about Mikey's delicious Beef Stew later. He made extra to share with our friends who just adopted a newborn baby girl.

Mommy & Me Apron Swap Partners

How exciting, we have 10 pairs of partners for the Mommy & Me/Grammy & Me Apron Swap. I will send you each your partner's questionnaire and contact info. Please email them within a couple of days to confirm your partnership and mailing address. Let me know if you have trouble connecting.



Mother and Son Partners:

Heidi D-1M and Lucy B-2M

Angelic J-2M and Sandra L-2M (non blogger)

Mixed Partners:
Solidia H-3F and Sunny W-2M

Amy B-1F and Holly D-1M

Mother and Daughter Partners

Melinda C-1F and Shawnee H-1F

Val P-1F and Kathleen Angelic J-1F

Nicki P-1F and Lucy B-3F

Kathleen B-2F Angelic and Kelli H-2F

Janel M-1F and Cyndi B-1F

Shawnee H-1F and Becca O-1F

Apron Swap Date: October 20, 2008

Package will include two (or more) matching/coordinating handmade aprons, adult and child-sized, and a children's cookbook - recycled/thrifted is fine if in great shape. Any other little goodies would be an extra treat but not required.

Aprons need to be handmade but you can purchase from Etsy or at a craft market if you would like. Although, I think Lucy's Sassy Apron Pattern and Sew Liberated's Lola/Lolita Aprons would be darling! And, think craft aprons or simple butcher-style for the gents.