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Love Your Mother Earth

Today is Earth Day. As a person of faith I believe God is our Father, but the Earth is our Mother. Scripture tells us we were formed from her and we return to her when we die. We were not given the earth to plunder and destroy but to care for and nurture.

This Earth Day think about how much of the earth’s precious resources you use. Think of ways you can reduce your consumption of water, electricity, gasoline and land.

What one positive step can you take this week to make a difference? Read my Squidoo lens Art and Craft Supplies from the Trash for ideas on how to reuse some of that paper and plastic packaging you bring into your home.

Thought for Today

“Whatever your present situation in life, whatever you are called to do, wherever you are called to go, enjoy the journey. Don’t waste one day of the precious life God has given you.”— Joyce Meyer from Enjoying Where You Are On The Way to Where You Are Going

Thought for Today

“A time comes when you need to stop waiting for the man you want to become and start being the man you want to be.” -Bruce Springsteen

Thought for Today

L'Arche Bognor in Trosly, France — L’Arche Bognor in Trosly, France (Photo credit: larchebognor)

“Let us not pay too much attention to the headlines of the newspapers which so frequently proclaim disaster, but let us listen instead to those men and women who sow peace in small ways, with little moments of forgiveness each day.” — Jean Vanier, from Letter of Jean Vanier – December 2012 http://jv.asso-jean-vanier.org/f/nf49jv

A Gluten Free Baking Tip

Banana MuffinsPhoto copyright 2012 R.A. Robbins — Banana Muffins
Photo copyright 2012 R.A. Robbins

Think you can’t bake gluten free from scratch? You may actually be doing it without realizing. That gluten free mix you are using may be nothing more than a gluten free flour blend. If you are following the directions on the package and adding ingredients such as eggs, milk, oil and baking powder check the ingredients. If all you are buying is flour and a recipe you may want to consider buying a good gluten free flour blend (or making your own), saving a little money and trying a few new recipes. See, baking gluten free from scratch isn’t hard. You may be already doing it.

Click here for more of my gluten free baking tips and a muffin recipe.

Thought for Today

“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” — Dr. Seuss

Grandma’s Butterfly Quilt Finished

I was sure I remembered posting about this quilt as I was getting ready to begin quilting it. I even remembered one of my regular followers leaving a comment. But it must have all been in my imagination, because for the life of me I can’t find it. If someone runs across it please let me know so I will know I’m not really losing my mind.

This quilt is made from hankies that belonged to two of my grandmas. If you want the whole story, plus information on making a memory quilt and more photos of a few of mine you will need to read Making Memorable Memory Quilts.

But I will share a few more photos here that I did not share on the longer article.

Like this close up of a hanky belonging to my Grandma Edith:

And this close up of the border quilting and prairie point finish.

Thought for Today

“He has drawn back, only in order to have enough room for his leap.” -Friedrich Nietzsche

Thought for Today

Mark Twain, 1907 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret to getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks and then starting on the first one.” -Mark Twain

Receiving Kindness

The kindness of strangers (Photo credit: Ed Yourdon)

We all want to be givers, doing random acts of kindness and paying it forward but being on the receiving end often makes us uncomfortable. What is your reaction to an unexpected kindness or gift?

After a string of rejections I looked at how I react to being a receiver. Words like you shouldn’t have, I don’t know what to say, I didn’t get you anything were coming out of my mouth. Now when I stumble over receiving I tell myself just say thank you. I tell recipients who protest, I want to do this for you. Just say thank you.

Why is our reaction to kindness from others important? Each experience of being rejected for doing good makes continuing more difficult until people may stop trying.

This world needs more kindness. Think about how you react to acts of kindness from others. Thank you is always good. Hugs optional.