Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Free pattern, dreams and daily life...

All of us are at the door of a new season - my hemisphere welcoming the warmth of a colourful spring and those of you in the northern hemisphere preparing to snuggle up as autumn approaches. 

Because I really do get excited about anything to do with the garden, I thought it would be fun to share with you a practical project which you can use for your own purpose or could be posted quite easily as a gift for someone who loves to grow food and flowers. It's easy to pop seed packs in a plastic container but how much prettier to store them in handmade pockets.


I designed the Bloom & Weave cover stitchery back in 2017 and found the thread colours used in Bloom & Weave were a perfect pairing for Tilda's new Tiny Farm fabric (in quilt stores now) which I used for rest of the project.

Aren't the little farm and garden scenes gorgeous?





Anyhow, if I was excited about this project then I hoped you would be too, and perhaps even more so because I'm giving the pattern to you as a free gift.

Why? Because its the 12 year anniversary of my blog this month! 

Isn't that incredible? For twelve wonderfully creative and thought provoking years I've regularly blogged and loved every minute. Making new friends, sharing ideas, being inspired, offering and receiving encouragement, learning new things, sharing Jesus, shaking my 'little grey cells' into action (as Hercule Poirot would say)...and generally finding immense joys along the way. 

Dear Blossom was just 14 when I began here and we were in the thick of homeschooling, something else I (and she) loved...and now she's 26 and expecting baby number three. I look on my blog as a journal, a twelve year map of our lives, moves, challenges, trials, celebrations and growth. 

So I wanted to share something lovely and fun and useful with you this month, and my new Seed Saver Pockets pattern is that gift. 





I do hope you make one, either for yourself or as a gift. Perhaps both. Use the link below to download my Bloom & Weave Seed Saver Pockets pattern.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE PATTERN

This morning it was quite overcast and there was a slightly cool breeze drifting through the yard so I waited till hubby left for work before brewing a chamomile tea, spreading peanut butter, banana and local honey on rice cakes and settling down on the old blue outdoor couch to watch the birds and enjoy the garden view.













It wasn't long before the sun returned and the clouds shifted away so after my relaxed morning tea I hung up the washing and thanked the Lord for our home, the garden, the birds, and all the unseen blessings He showers on us that we never know about.



This September is also another anniversary, a very special one - it's been two years since we moved into this, our very first 'own' home. 

Two springs, two summers, two autumns and two winters have passed and we've learned a lot about home ownership, stewardship, flooding, home maintenance, gardening, mending, construction, seasonal changes, raising poultry, physical exhaustion, pool maintenance, plumbing and so much more. Not one single week has been wasted; the Lord continued to teach and improve our skills and understanding day by day, month by month...and though much of these past two years has been hard on our older bodies due to the great amount of physical work required to create the sanctuary we desired, we wouldn't change a thing, even the flood.

So in reflection we've had more than a few conversations about life as it is now in 2020 and how we are entering a season of slowing down somewhat so that we can last the journey ahead, however long (or short) that will be. As Christians we await the return of Jesus above all, but should He tarry that return we must also prepare for next year and the one after and so on, by being mindful of what we have been blessed with, how long we are able to work, our ages and level of fitness, and how we can still be available to help our family and others if they need it.

I had four very clear dreams lately and wrote them down when I awoke. I won't share the entire dreams but the message which came with each one...

The first dream focused on finances and the Lord said to me "Show restraint" - so we have become very mindful of what we receive and what we spend, and to not be wasteful.  

In the second dream I saw a woman with many large storage buckets and she was filling them to the brim. Then the Lord said to me "Prepare" so my husband and I have been carefully stocking our pantry and preserving what we can.

In the third dream I saw a checklist and and an in-tray on the desk of God. He said to me "Examine and address your character to become more like Jesus." So we are working on every area of our character as it comes to light in the study of our Lord. This will be a looooong study, but we know it is very important.

In the fourth dream God very clearly spoke these words - "God can do what man cannot". In this we know we must turn to Him in every circumstance, no matter how serious or hopeless it may appear because He above all is able.



Since the dreams I find myself more deeply immersed in the things of faith and home than before, and honestly I wasn't sure that was possible, but growth is lifelong and it knows no bounds so I welcome this deeper walk into the calling God has on my life...to nourish others at home, to be a homemaker who cherishes her position, to work hard and help my husband pay off our mortgage, to be a good steward of everything under my care, to share the gospel with others, to live my life in such a way that it glorifies Christ, to teach younger women the principles of Titus 2:3-5, to be humble and to be generous, to use the gifts of design He alone gave me.

You know, I love hanging up the washing every day. Those minutes are spent talking to God, singing a hymn or two, smiling, turning my face to the blue sky before heading back inside. Later I breathe deeply of the natural sunshine-y fragrance which wafts through our sheets and clothes and towels as I bring them inside, fold and put them away. I think this is the most natural joy for me within my homemaker responsibilities and I'm so glad we don't have (or need) a dryer.

I was inspired a couple of weeks ago to draw up a new set of designs which might become a block of the month, or perhaps a wall quilt...it all depends on how many sketches I draw and how I can envision them coming together. But the catalyst for this was indeed watching the washing on the line, flapping the breeze, so that's the first block I've completed. Just a wee peek...



That same joy I felt back in 2016 after designing the twelve Gentle Domesticity blocks has returned to my heart - such is my love for all things domestic and home centred. 

Being inspired and excited about what I create, what you create, gives any task an abundance of delight - whether that be a stitchery, a quilt, a cake, a jar of jam or pickles, a display of flowers in a vase, a tidy pantry or even a delicious mug of hot chocolate. 

Cooking comfort food for my family is quite high on my list of delights and though these past few months I've shown you more of the healthy savoury meals which have been prepared in our kitchen today I'll show you some sweeties I baked recently and which put big smiles on the faces of my loved ones.

Orange, rosemary and cranberry cookies/ Banana, blueberry, pecan and oat loaf/ Strawberry jam and sultana scrolls...







It's my husband's birthday tomorrow so another spot of baking will fill the morning. Strawberry Shortcake is his favourite treat along with rissoles, mash and veg...it's the same every year and I'm just as happy as he when I serve dinner because I see the delight in his eyes. 

Well, that's enough for today, and if you got this far, bless your precious eyes!

Pray for Blossom will you? She's off to have an intravenous infusion of iron tomorrow as in every pregnancy her levels fall dangerously low and the doctors still don't know why. Her little boy now measures three weeks further along than 'normal' size so she'll be having him a couple of weeks early (she doesn't have gestational diabetes, just has increasingly larger babies) and despite a lot of pain and other issues she glows with happiness. I'm so proud to be her mumma.

God bless you, loving hugs,



39 comments:

Joanne said...

Hi Jenny,
Lots to celebrate ! How time flies ! Thanks for all your sharing and caring over the years :)
That's a great pattern! Thank you for this fun project! A very versitile project!
Congratulations, Happy Birthday to Mr E. ! and enjoy the week and all the goodies that come with it !
hugs, take care,
Joanne

Little Quiltsong said...

Will keep Blossom in our prayers. Happy Birthday to your husband - I too have a birthday tomorrow, but since I've already considered myself 1 year older (don't know why) :) - I guess I'll go backwards this year :)! Enjoy your baking - and have a wonderful day preparing, and a special day tomorrow celebrating.

Annabel said...

Dear Jenny, What a lovely post. I was very interested in your dreams. Thank you for sharing them. They add confirmation to my own feelings which come with some sense of urgency even. Can you believe it is two years? You moved just before me and I remember us both waiting to move and then moving ! I hope things go well for Blossom. And I love you seed saver ... a stunning pattern and idea. With love Annabel.xxx

Peg said...

Lovely post.

Robin said...

Your faithfulness is what drew me to your blog several months ago. I don't remember how I stumbled upon it but I'm so glad I did. Your dreams are profound and give me much to ponder. Thank you for sharing your life, you make me want to be a better human.

Bernice said...

I am ever so thankful that i discovered your blog a number of years ago. I treasure your insight, your love of God, and how you are ever about His work. Thank you for sharing your dreams with us. They are very powerful. May God bless your day.

Linda said...

Love your inspiring posts. All your food and desserts look so yummy. I really need/want your recipes. can you make a recipe book? :) Love you and yours and Happy Birthday to your sweet husband. :)

MY MUSINGS said...

Such a fantastic blog post! Loved the 4 dreams the LORD gave you! For all of us I'm sure! Praying for Blossom and her baby. congrats on 2 years in your house. Love the garden seed folder. Just so pretty! xoxo

Chris said...

Dear Jenny, I wonder if you truly realize what a blessing your words are to those of use who read it. Thank you for being faithful to God's leading through the days and years and inspiring us. Thank you, thank you. Will be praying for Blossom, too. ♥

Mandy Currie said...

Hello Jenny, Thank you so much for such an inspiring and lovely post. Congratulations on 12 years on the blog, I know I appreciate it. It's like reading a biography and letters of a personal nature, it touches your life. I'm grateful for that and for your faith, you keep inspiring us to go forward and do better. You've been there through many things in my life since we moved from South Africa to England. I just love your seed pocket, what a great idea, my sister is a gardener and I'm sure she would appreciate this as a gift. Happy Birthday to Mr E, enjoy your special day. And prayers for Blossom and baby, for good health and happiness. God bless you Love Mandy xx

Jenny of Elefantz said...

I'm working on it bit by bit...:-)

Jenny of Elefantz said...

I know - when I think of our 'home' anniversary I always give thanks to God for YOUR home anniversary too. Standing in prayer together during that time, both of us knowing it was God's will to give us our homes, well, it is faith building today just as much as it was then.
Yes, urgency. Preparedness of pantry, finances, character (the most important) and complete and total trust in God to do what man cannot. xxx

Farm Quilter said...

Happy Birthday, Mr. E!!! Praying for Blossom...joyous time to be growing a baby boy! He'll have fun with two big sisters!

Christine M said...

Your seed holder is gorgeous, Jenny. Maple farm is the perfect fabric for it. Happy birthday to Mr E. Twelve years of blogging. I started my blog 11 years ago and am so glad I found you! Hugs, Christine xx

Caroline said...

Congratulations on your 12th Birthday! It is always a joy to come and read your lovely posts and share in your journey. Thank you for the Seed Pocket pattern, it is lovely. Happy Birthday to Mr E and I hope everything continues to go well for Blossom and her gorgeous family

Pink Rose said...

Hi Jenny happy blogaversary and a big happy birthday to Mr E for tomorrow. Wow what a beautiful holder for seeds and love that it's made in tilda,Thankyou for sharing it with us you have a beautiful generous heart my friend,Thankyou. Oh I do love seeing all your yummy baking and homemaking Jenny it warms my heart.sending Blossom lots of love and I hope all goes well with her health and the baby . Gee 2 years went fast it doesn't seem that long ago that you were looking for your new home,gee time is flying fast,take care my friend xx

Tammy said...

Dearest Jenny Thank you so much for the pattern. What a gorgeous seed saver... love the idea of this. Now Happy 2 year anniversary on your home and to Annabelle as well on her home . Happy Birthday to Mr. E.....What wonderful sweets you have been a baking. Love the gorgeous photos of the garden and all those beautiful birds. Jenny Thank you so much for sharing your dreams with us...I really needed to read this. As I have been feeling a urgency and building up my pantry for a while now...And each day I have feelings of urgency to hurry . I also had something very strange happen to me recently. As I never listen to the radio in the car. As I enjoy the break from noise at home ...But recently I had the feeling come over me to turn on the radio and find a christian radio station.And now each time I get in the car alone I have this same feeling and all times I have heard the same song about going home with Jesus. Unsure who sings it only that the same song was playing each time. And I thought gee that's weird...So yes I believe these are definitely the end times and Jesus is coming back soon And I think he is preparing us for what is to come. I am praying for Blossom.And you to my friend.

Julie said...

A lovely post Jenny ... thank you for the pattern which I have just printed off. I love hanging out the washing too & seeing it blowing in the breeze. I have not followed along for 12 years but I sure have followed along for about 10 of them. I just enjoy your posts so much & always feel the need to put the kettle on when I see a new post appear on my blog roll.

Patti said...

Thank you so much for the cute seed holder pattern. That is interesting looking texture you added to the flower pots, just with stitches! Congratulations on your milestones. I truly appreciate all that you share.

Helen L said...

Thanks for sharing the basic message of your dreams. I feel they are very pertinent for the world today. God really sees us and wants us to be prepared for anything that will come along, and I'm feeling that the world today is in a precarious position. So very generous to share such precious words and thoughts with us!! Hugs, H

Sharon Aurora said...

Congratulations on hitting 12 years. I know that I have been blessed by your blog for most of those years. Your posts have brought me comfort, made me smile, brought me to tears, but best of all brought me closer to God. Thank you so much and thank you once again for your sweet pattern.

Judy1522 said...

Thank you for the seed saver pattern, it is so cute. Two years in your house went so fast and I so enjoy seeing all the progress you have made in that time. I will keep Blossom in my prayers and Happy Birthday to your husband.

Kay said...

Happy blogaversary. Happy birthday to your husband. Of course I will give prayers for Blossom. It is lovely to read an encouraging and uplifting blog. I am having a difficult time right now as my son has tested positive for Covid-19, he is not terribly ill but as he lives at home that means we all have to be so careful. It is one thing to know that it is out there in the world and another to know that it is in your own home. I feel in a state of panic and an desperately counting down the days of our isolation until we are all safe. I did some cross stitch yesterday afternoon, a craft that I love, and switching off from thinking was a wonderful time. Hugs to you all. x

Lin said...

Another lovely post Jenny - thank you for your gift and for all your posts. xx

Small Joys said...

Wow...I really don't know where to start...my heart is full...I look forward to your blog posts. I appreciate the tone, gentle domesticity...your creations are inspiring and heart warming...your thoughts are uplifting. In a crazy world, it's lovely to pause with a hot drink and reflect on life and God's word with a 'sister in Christ'. Prayers are on their way for Blossom, and wish Mr E a happy birthday. God bless and keep you! Joy

Anita said...

Happy Birthday to your dear husband. Prayers for a safe delivery for Blossom. I always enjoy your Christian insights. I have followed you for sometime and derive great inspiration from your posts both spiritually and in your art. Love to you and yours and Happy Home Anniversary. Hugs!

FlourishingPalms said...

You've been blogging for 12 years; I've been blogging for 11 years and nine months... so we began our journaling journeys at about the same time. Good for you to continue to regularly write. Are you having your posts printed? I started printing a year at a time, and got to nine books before stopping. I SHOULD do so again, if only to document this pandemic year. I'm so envious of you being able to hang out laundry. I loved doing that where we used to live... but no more. It's really the only disappointment I feel about our move. I sure love the nearly year-round warm weather. I'm sorry to hear what happens to Blossom during her pregnancies. I had iron infusions myself several months ago, so I know how helpful they are. I will pray that it goes well, as does her delivery. Bless you all.

liloca, liloquinha said...

Como é bom ler e ver que o mesmo Deus que servimos fala a mesma palavra em lugares diferentes!!!Deus abençõe vocês e que sua graça se derrame sobre todos !Liége

Susan said...

Prayers, of course! I love the messages of your dreams. These are things I'm hearing from our leaders, as well, so I know God is sending the same message to everyone who will listen. It is so good of you to share with others. Thank you for the seed stitchery. This is a wonderful thing to gift at least one of my friends, maybe more. I'm looking forward to seeing what else God sends you in inspiration or stitchery.

Joanne said...

Hi Jenny,
Hope you are all enjoying the weekend !
Thanks for the Tilda Tiny Farmfabric tip :) I ordered the pink, what you used on the cover, at a quilt shop that I love to shop at! Now via their web shop the last few months. The fabric arrived yesterday! Looking forward to using it :)
hugs, take care,
Joanne

Ondrea said...

12 years! Happy blog anniversary. That went very quickly. I also can't believe you have had your own home for 2 years. Although it has seemed to have passed quickly you have certainly done heaps to the place creating your own oasis. Many healing blessings to Blossom . Dreams are very important and even more so when we take the time to ponder them. Lots of yummy baking there and your free project is so lovely as well as practical. Xx

Jacqueline said...

Happy blog anniversary. I am sure Blossom and you are counting down the days...prayers for good health and an easy delivery.

colomom said...

It's always such a treat to read your postings. Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts. I've always so admired your designs. You are certainly blessed in many areas. It is hard to believe how fast the time goes. I just wanted to stop this evening and say thank you for your time, your words, your designs,... and your humble service and praise of our amazing Lord. Blessings and prayers flowing your way! Karen

cerato said...

Congratulations on these 12 years full of beautiful creations and Thanks for this beautiful pattern you give us.
Hugs from Spain

Debby in KS said...

Sometimes I'm startled that we've had the internet as long as we have!! Congrats on your anniversaries!

My goodness, your baking looks delicious! I'm looking forward to turning on the oven again for some cool weather things. During the summer, our kitchen is unbearablly hot. It faces southwest and I swear we could make beef jerky in there! I did make some banana/pecan bread on a cool morning last week and that's been a treat.

I love the new fabric! I could buy yards of fabric every week but I'm in a use-it-up mode. It's been a silver lining in this COVID mess. I've been using lots of scraps to make masks and my stock is decreasing. I've also been sewing several Christmas gifts and using more.

I'm a bird watcher so it's fun to see the different critters in your part of the world. Our frequent visitors include Canadian Geese, Ibis, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Sparrows, Bluebirds, Brown Thrashers, & the nuisance Grackles which chase off the smaller birds and destroy the feeders. We also get Juncos in winter. Sweet little things.

I pray that Blossom stays healthy! How exciting for another grandchild for you to love.

Karen said...

Sorry, been missing in action for the past week or so. Miss H had another op to remove endo, plus things adhering to other bits, putting ovary back in right place etc. She gets better each day. My prayers for the beautiful Blossom and her iron infusion. It will help so much. Can't believe your blog is 12 years old. How wonderful. Such a source of blessing for so many. So appreciate how blessed I have been able to read it and stitch your many gorgeous designs. In the midst of any storm He is able to carry us through. Arohanui Karen xxx

Allie said...

Oh I love that seed saver pattern! How lovely! Thank you sweetheart! I can't believe it's been 12 years - golly. I remember the first time I found your blog, and thinking how I would LOVE to know you - God has knit our hearts together, and now I think about how I'd love to give you an actual hug.
Your garden is such a joy, not just for you but for all of your visitors. Lovely birds! Happy Anniversary to you and Mark in your wonderful home! And please tell hubby Happy Birthday belated from me - I'm sorry I missed it. Always always keeping dear Blossom in prayer.....

@Virginia_bordados said...

Gracias, por todos tus patrones... Te sigo y me encanta tu forma de ver la vida, me haces pensar y ser mejor. Abrazos

Molly Mandeville Fryer said...

Congrats on your anniversary. Have so enjoyed your blog for many of these years. Your faith is what encourages me the most along with your beautiful handwork and home interests. Thank you for all you give to us freely! Prayers for your darling daughter—that all goes well with her pregnancy—that sweet baby boy will be born without issue . Love and hope always! Molly from Texas USA.