Granny Paddle

Many times I’ve had people clearing out grandma’s closet ask me if I’d like some fabric. Usually I say “Sure!” and toss it into my hoarding ummmmmm… stash. Should’ve said no on this cut from my mombecause truly, my family is a slightly fanatical when it comes to anti-University of Arizona sentiment.(my favorite thermal for whatever cold days there might be here in the desert…)

(the guys ready for a game – but the one on the left was sick so they took Grandpa instead…)

(even Auggie has ASU spirit!)

We do, however, “associate” with a few members of the other side. I decided to make a “Grandma’s Paddle” for a friendwho was crossing the pond to visit her newest grandbaby. I bet it never gets used…

she stands

He’s alive and risen indeed

 

1 Corinthians 15:3-8                           (NASB)

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

 

On a hill called Calvary
Stands an endless mercy tree
Every broke and weary soul
Find your rest and be made whole
Stripes of blood that stain its frame
Shed to wash away our shame
From the scars pure love released
Salvation brought the mercy tree

In the sky, between two thieves
Hung the blameless Prince of Peace
Bruised and battered, scarred and scorned
Sacred Hands pierced by our thorns
It is finished was his cry
The perfect Lamb was crucified
The sacrifice, our victory.
Our Savior chose the mercy tree

Hope went dark that violent day
The whole earth 'quaked at love’s display
Three days silence in the ground
This body born for Heaven’s crown
On that bright and glorious day
Heaven opened up the grave
He’s alive and risen indeed
Praise him for the mercy tree

Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.
Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.

One day soon we’ll see His face
And every tear, He’ll wipe a way
No more pain or suffering
Oh, praise him for the mercy tree
Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.
Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.

On a hill called Calvary
Stands an endless mercy tree

(words & music by Michael Neale & Krissy Nordhoff)

Black & White Russian Macarons

I know, I know, I know! I am sooooooo late to the macaron party… My motto is, however, if you must be tardy – then at least be well-dressed. Black & white is always appropriate, for any occasion.
And our occasion today is the “Ebony and Ivory” Improv Cooking Challenge.

(Thanks to Kristen, we’ve had this song playing in our heads all month! )
I really wanted to try gluten-free chocolate cream-filled cookies; but because I made these a few months ago, I figured I should probably move in a different direction.I’d been studying up on macarons for a couple years. My Pinterest boards are loaded with soooooo much inspiration. The sites I used for most of my ideas are Mardi’s & BraveTart. Because they are so knowledgeable & helpful, I’m not going to waste space here telling you how to make macarons. (Also because I’ve made macarons once…) I will tell you my mistakes, though.
First, here is my recipe:

for the macarons:
	115 g.	ground almonds
	230 g.	powdered sugar
	10 g.	instant coffee granules
	5 g.	finely ground coffee beans
	1 T.	black powdered color
	144 g.	egg whites
	72 g.	superfine sugar
simple buttercream filling:
	½ c.	softened butter (salted)
	1 lb.	powdered sugar
	¼ c.	half & half (could use milk or cream)
	1 T.	Kahlúa®‎
	3 T.	Whipped Cream Vodka

Be sure to use a scale to have accurate measures.I didn’t have enough lovely white Bob’s Red Mill almond flour, so I had to fill in with TJ’s colorful meal – didn’t matter much ‘cause it was triple sifted then colored with black.(Speaking of color… if I use the black again, I will use at least twice as much powder to attain a good hue.)The aged whites whipped up so nicely following Mardi’s directions. The folding in of the almond flour mixture took more strokes than she suggested.I was thankful for the wonderful template from Yumarama. You can see the trouble I had “free-handing” it…My piping skills obviously need much work!
The buttercream turned out quite delicious. I’ve got half of it left to top some cupcakes after Easter. YUM!Pairing up the shells before piping the filling saves a bunch of time!The coffee smell from the shells while filling was overwhelming!So overwhelming that I had to pour a cuppa and sample the wares right away…
If you’d like to see more interpretations of our Ebony & Ivory theme; check out these links:

An InLinkz Link-up

Rest In Peace?

Oh, I think not! I’m pretty sure Ray is tired of resting. His last few months on earth were too full of resting.After spending some time wrapped in Jesus’ arms; I like to think that he’s hiking heaven - relishing his now perfect body and glorious strength.I figure Ray is probably chatting up Peter & John; asking about the possibility of setting sail to an ideal fishing spot.He’s going to discus metalwork with Solomon; debating the pros and cons of ornamentation.As for “off-roading” … well, I don’t suppose there’s any good mud on the streets of gold, anyhow… We miss you!

few "makings" from the past month:

Blog-posting has become erratic lately, I know... You might be thinking I've not created anything "blog-worthy" the past few months -- you could be right. However, here's a sampling of a couple recent ventures.

I embroidered a tea towel for my sis:

I embroidered a couple vintage hankies for two dear friends to catch their tears at a loved one's memorial service:

I used my Silhouette cutter for some projects:

And yesterday I bought plants to finish a previously-unfinished crafting: 

 Stay tuned -- I have a biggie decorating reveal coming up!