God's Grace

My two nieces were involved in a horrible car crash yesterday, that totaled their car. They walked away from the crash with whip-lash and facial discomfort due to the airbag chemicals. They are both believers, and sweet, sweet girls. I thank God for His protective provision in His children's lives. 

I awoke this morning at 5:30, and the first thought that came to my mind was, "This could have been a very different morning for our family, if it weren't for God's grace." An anagram explains grace this way: God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Because of Christ's death (in our place) on the cross & His resurrection, we can receive eternal life, and become part of God's family. God watches out for & protects His family, the way any good father would, and so much more so. The following scripture is written about those who have accepted Christ - that have believed that His finished work on the cross is their only way of salvation - and applies only to them:

Psalm 91:11 - "For He will give His angels charge (orders) concerning you, to guard you in all your ways."

It wasn't luck that kept the girls alive yesterday, it was God, and I thank Him, I worship Him, for it.

Zesty Pumpkin Soup

Hubby and I were wanting a little taste of Thanksgiving last night, in anticipation of the coming holiday later this week, so I cooked up this wonderful soup in the time it took to bake a loaf of Pillsbury's Italian Bread, about half an hour. The soup is soul-satisfyingly delicious on a cold, late-autumn evening. It would also be a scrumptious start (in small, say 4-ounce  quantities) to a Thanksgiving meal. It is rich and satisfying...I hope you'll try it.

Zesty Pumpkin Soup

Makes 4 regular servings, 8-12 small appetizer servings

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/8-1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 teaspoon curry powder

1/4 teaspoon ground coriander

Small pinch ground cayenne pepper

1 15-oz. can 100% pure pumpkin puree

2 1/2 cups chicken stock

1 cup of milk

1 5-ounce can evaporated milk

1/8-1/4 cup brown sugar, to taste

1/2-1 t. kosher salt, to taste

1/2-1 t. white pepper, to taste

Garnish: roasted pumpkin seeds or croutons, optional

(Measure out spices into a small bowl before beginning, so you can add them all at once.)

In a 4-qt saucepan over medium heat, melt butter; add onions and cook, stirring often, until almost softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté one minute more. Add spices and stir for another minute. Add pumpkin and chicken stock; blend well. Bring to a boil and reduce heat; simmer for 10-15 minutes. Transfer soup, in batches, to a blender or food processor, (or use an immersion blender in the saucepan - my favorite – less to clean up.) Cover blender or food processor tightly and blend until smooth. Return soup to saucepan over low heat. Add brown sugar and stir to dissolve. Slowly add milk and evaporated milk while stirring to incorporate. Stir in salt and white pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste. If a little too spicy, add more milk to cool it down. To serve, sprinkle the top of each bowl with roasted pumpkin seeds or croutons.

Free Hello Kitty with a Heart svg

This is per a request on the SCAL Users group. The svg file is here.

Pastor Appreciation Gift Card Box

Although October is pastor appreciation month, due to busy schedules, we are having our pastors for dinner with our small group this week. Our youth pastor & his wife have just moved into town, and have a "new" house to settle into, so we are giving them gift cards to help with that process. I made a box that the stack of gift cards would fit into, but didn't want to just top it with a bow, so I used Lori's toolbox template to make the topper, and I had the Jolee's boutique dimensional tool stickers in my stash, just waiting for the perfect project. I designed the pizza box with inspiration from one on melstampz.blogspot.com (link) (she also has an incredible 'leather' tool belt box template and tutorial here). Just when I had exhausted my search for a 3D toolbox, and was about to design one myself, I found this one (don't have a blog to point you to, unfortunately. Thank you, Fatima, wherever you are.) I reworked it for my needs, and my finished svg file is here. Send me a pic if you make it - I love to see your creativity. The finished toolbox measures 3"w x 2"d x 2 3/4"h (3 3/4"h including the handle), and is large enough to hold a gift card.

Pinterest Interest

I've been methodically cleaning off my hard drive by uploading the MILLIONS of JPEG's I've downloaded over the years for designs I like/wanna make/crave. It's a great way to stir up interest in your blog by pinning designs from your posts. Above is a screenshot from my 'I'm soooo gonna do that!' board. I came across a Pinterest Challenge on a blog this morning: Let's get off our bums and make one of those ideas we keep pinning! Off to HD for paint. See-ya!

The Magic Gardens in Philadelphia

I was just looking at some travel photos I'd posted on Facebook, and just had to share this one. If you are ever in Philadelphia, you must check out the Magic Gardens on South Street, a whole city block covered in mosaic art. It is the artwork of Isaiah Zagar, whom we met walking down the street while we were admiring his incredible work. The pictures don't do it justice. The website will tell you more about it: http://www.phillymagicgardens.org/   Let me know if you've seen it.

Most Depressing

Is anyone else feeling like this? Ever since the whole Provo Craft versus SCAL & MTC debacle, I have lost the desire to create any new cut files. I am so peeved with Provo. I know I should be converting my cut files to all the other formats that SCAL 3 made it possible to do, but I just don't have it in me. I just don't have the "itch" to create.  I'm hoping that this winter, when life slows down a bit, it will come back. Am I alone in feeling this way?