needle & thREAD: stuck

There was a lot of goodby-ing happening here this week.

#christiangoestocollege

#cousinsgotocollege

#hilarygoestocollege

Lots of people left in a house (that suddenly feels bigger) to cuddle and comfort and eat ice cream out of the carton with.

And there was a whole lot of lesson planning.

Alas, there was no actual sewing.

I did make a decision. I washed and dried some fabric. I pushed the planning books aside on the table. I cut out the pattern and set about to pin it. Before pinning I read the directions, hated them, wished Oliver + S made patterns for adults, consulted every sewing book on my shelf and every pattern stashed to see if there were something else for me to sew for me, and then decided to just go ahead and conquer the Lisette pattern.

When I pinned it, I realized I didn't have enough fabric. So, I washed and dried different fabric from the stash. As I was pinning that I read on the pattern piece that the finished bust measurement of the smallest size on this pattern is 4 inches larger than my actual bust measurement. Tell me, ladies, is this too much ease? Should I buy a smaller pattern? I'm stuck until you advise.

I'm still reading an advanced copy of Hands Free Mama's new book. Good reading, but I keep finding myself putting down the book to go find and do something with my kids;-)

What are you reading and sewing this week? 

I am eager to hear!

  Or are you embroidering? Pulling a needle with thread through lovely fabric to make life more beautiful somehow? Would you share with us just a single photo (or more) and a brief description of what you're up to? Will you tell us about what you're reading, also? Would you talk sewing and books with us? I'd love that so much.

    Make sure the link you submit is to the URL of your blog post or your specific Flickr photo and not your main blog URL or Flickr Photostream. Please be sure and link to your current needle and theREAD post below in the comments, and not a needle and theREAD post from a previous week. If you don't have a blog, please post a photo to the needle & thREAD group at Flickr. 

       Include a link back to this post in your blog post or on your flickr photo page so that others who may want to join the needle and thREAD fun can find us! Feel free to grab a button here (in one of several colors) so that you can use the button to link:-).

Lord, Hear Our Prayer

Gospel
Luke 10:25-37
There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said,
“Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law?
How do you read it?”
He said in reply,
“You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your being,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind,
and your neighbor as yourself.”
He replied to him, “You have answered correctly;
do this and you will live.”

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
“And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied,
“A man fell victim to robbers
as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
A priest happened to be going down that road,
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place,
and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.
He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for him.
The next day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
‘Take care of him.
If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.’
Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”
He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”
Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
*~*~*~
Think
"We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of His Son Jesus. "Blessed John Paul II"

Pray
Please, Lord, let me be the person you created me to be. And let me see in my neighbor the person you created him to be.

Act
Wherever you are today, be a missionary for Christ.

How can we pray for you this week?

He didn't mention cupcakes,

but I'd like to think we're doing our part to bring his vision to life.

Happy Independence Day!

"I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

~ John Adams to Abigail Adams on the forthcoming signing of the Declaration of Independence

the view from my backyard :-) 

"recipe" in comments

This Moment

Look who came home while they slept last night!

A Little Local Love

When Mike and I were first married and for the first ten years of our family life, we were part of the campus ministry community at George Mason University. There, we were privileged to watch several young romances blossoms and witness the birth of new families. One of those romances was that of Matt and MaryAnn Hassan. 

We'd lost touch with the Hassans until a few days ago, when I received a note asking to get the word out about a very special event. I'll let you read the description. if you're local, please consider coming out this weekend. If you're not, there's still a chance for you help.

And no matter where you are, please, please pray for this family.

L'Angelus Concert & Barn Dance to Benefit Hassan Family

Saturday, June 15, 7-11pm

Whiffletree Farm: 8717 Springs Rd, Warrenton, VA 20186

For four years, MaryAnn Hassan, wife of twenty years to Matt, mother and teacher of their eight children, and friend to all, has been battling stage IV cancer of the liver and lungs. Throughout that time her friends and family have surrounded the Hassans with prayer, financial assistance, childcare, meals, housekeeping, and homeschooling.

After a period of relative good health, MaryAnn is in the thick of the battle again. As she and Matt gather all their resources to fight the cancer, we are rallying to...give Matt and MaryAnn and their children a booster shot of love and financial help on June 15. And we hope you’ll join us and the Hassans that evening for a good time concert and barn dance!

L’Angelus, hailing from The Big Easy and internationally acclaimed, will be bringing their native Louisiana music traditions to the stage: Cajun fiddle tunes for the dance crowd, saxophone driven swamp-pop, and New Orleans influenced R&B. We’ll even have an old time barn dance caller on hand!

Beer, wine, soda, and desserts will be served – and we’ll have some great door prizes as well.

We'd love if you’d join us for this celebration of life on June 15. If you're unable to attend, please consider making a donation and keep MaryAnn and her family in your prayers.

Tickets are $50, and as space is limited, we ask adults only please.

You may purchase your tickets, or make a donation here ---> www.hassanfamilybarndance.com

Matt and MaryAnn, and their children Matt, Bill, Pat, Cecilia, Bernadette, Mike, Pete, and Dan, thank you from the bottom of their hearts.

A little L'Angelus because they are so awesome:

And one in English because Karoline is afraid no one will understand the first one. (And i think she has a little crush on Charlie;-)