Each person should judge his own actions and not compare himself with others. Then he can be proud for what he himself has done. Galatians 6:4

Friday, September 26, 2008

It's raining here in my neck of the woods... Some reason I planned on it raining this weekend.. not today.. I had plans to hang out a bunch of clothes to flap in the breeze to dry... When it rains though.. my motivation drops down a few notches.. and all I want to do is sit and read...Since I can't do that at the moment I thought I would share a "sunny" picture of my plum tree..

Let me tell you about my plum tree...

In truth there really isn't MUCH to tell other than many people are at "ahh" over it. I guess it's not one of those trees that many people plant in their yard. Hubby and I did it because the tree was on clearance and it looked sad... I really didn't think it would do much of anything. We have EXTREMELY POOR soil on our property and we thought that perhaps the plum tree might have needed a "mate" in order to reproduce. Apparently.. it does not... The older generation in my neighborhood LOVE this tree... I can't tell you how many knocks I get on my door asking if they can have some... and they get sad when I tell them they have to wait til the 3rd week of September... We eat them straight.. It's something I don't can because to hubby and I they taste the best fresh... they really melt in your mouth..

Now that it's the end of September my tree is almost bare.. it's been picked by us, the neighbors and the squirrels..But it's truly pretty for as long as it lasts... I have felt blessed with the abundance of food that I have harvested this year with such a bad economy and the rising of food prices.. I'm also very willing to share with my neighbors.. last week.. I packed up a bag of pears, plums, and chicken eggs for the elderly... most of them are on a fixed income...with no raise in sight.. and if they do get a raise.. medicaid cost goes up for them.. so they still don't get extra $$.

"The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield it's harvest." Psalm 85:12

I'm really trying to put my faith in God and our economy right now. It's frustrating.. but I'm TRYING to find things that I'm still thankful for through it. I try not to speak of the negative in my life to much... and I'm trying NOT to see it as negative.. but a blessing still... my husband's job cut him back to three days a week.. which.. still wasn't bad.. because the days are longer .. so he still gets his 40 hours. However.. after 17 years of being an "incentive" worker.. my husband and all are being cut down to an "hourly" rate. We are losing $6.00/hour. And then his company has told them that they are going to do a "marketing study" to see what the surrounding areas make and pay their employee's .. so their rate can be cut.. yet again... funny how they're not lowering our medical insurance costs though.... The Blessing?? He still has a job. They let go men with more seniority with the company that what he has. They based it on how many times you called out, how many times you were late.. and so on... good thing my hubby is a loyal employee..being faithful did pay off.. at least for now.

So.. back to the sunshine in life....


I got this craft from a fellow blogger..Covered in Crafts... These are your basic marble tiles...4x4 in size. I bought mine at Home Depot since that's the only store around here... I used a Chunky style stamp. I found this to work BEST when designing these. The thin stamps did give as much definition. So the stamp I used was from Stampin UP! along with the STAZ ON ink... STAZ on ink is the best ink to use.. because if you want to seal the "coaster" the ink will NOT run.


This is what the finished project looks like.. I'm country of course.. so I used burgundy gingham to wrap the 4 coasters together...

I also took felt and glued it on the backside so the surface you place the coasters on doesn't scratch...

And these are a sample of what they look like. I plan on giving these to a friend for her birthday this week... along with other little goodies.. I've been DYING to go see her and give them to her... since she's been working so hard all summer... I haven't been able to see her much!!

18 comments:

Kori said...

Oh I love the coasters. i am gonna make some of these. They look perfect for Christmas gifts. So what do I seal them with. Ya got to email me with all the details. And those plums look scrumotious. way to look at the bright side of things. I try to do that all the time but sometimes I'm not so good at it. No matter what the Lord will Provide.

love ya bunches and bunches.

Unknown said...

Oh the coasters look great, I am with you on trying to look at the brighter side sometimes it hard though. I think you are so sweet thinking of your neighbors I am sure you will never know how much this means to them.

Lara Neves said...

Rainy days make me feel like cozying up and reading, too. Unfortunately for me, we haven't had one in a while.

Love the plum tree. They look so yummy!

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

That tree looks delicious (well, the fruit on it, anyways).

That must be really stressful about your husband, but it's awesome that you have such a great attitude.

And, those coasters. Wow! I love how they came out.

the real ~Roxann~ said...

My dh absolutely loves plums! That tree is gorgeous!

And I love making those coasters! So fun! Yours are super-cute! :)

R

Kate said...

Beautiful shots!!! Love your creativity....cute craft project!!! :) Have a great weekend!

~B said...

I lOVE those!! I'm *so* going to use that for my teacher gifts for Christmas! Yay!!

Have a blessed weekend.

Mere said...

CUTE COASTERS :) Just keep smiling, even though it's tough :) I know those days all too well, believe it or not.

Love, Mere

Hope said...

Terri,

Those are absolutely adorable!!! You are so smart!

God Bless,
Hope

Anonymous said...

Those coasters are beautiful......I am so not crafty...wish I was more so, but it just doesn't work for me. BUT I sure can admire your work! And even be a bit jealous of your talent/gift. :)
Love the plum tree, I love those kind of simple things in life.
And I love your attitude about trying to adjust and be positive amidst your husband's job situation.
So all in all, this was a lovely visit to your blog this morning. :)
Have a good weekend!

Cris said...

I am sorry to hear about your husband's job. Seems like we're both going through a bit of a tough time right now. Your plum tree looks beautiful. When my bought the house she is currently living in, it already had a pear tree in the backyard. We loved picking them and eating them. She also shared them with the neighbors and our neighbor used them in a pie. She didn't tell her husband what she used for the pie because she wasn't sure if he would eat it otherwise and he thought it was the best apple pie he'd ever tasted. LOL

I love the coasters. They are really cute. I'm sure your friend will love them. :)

Tanya said...

I really love the coasters! I love rainy days..unless you have to sit in it and watch football!

Thank you for sharing your "nervous" story with us! Happy Sunday!

OneHappyfamily said...

Love the coasters. They look awesome. You are a blessing with an attitude of gratefulness in hard times. It is always amazing to me how when things get tough, He gives us strength. So many times I see where He gives us the hard time to build our faith. I have so many stories I could tell you where things looked like DOOM, and then at the end of it all, God put us in a "sweeter spot!" You will be in my prayers. Hugs from afar!

preppy little dress AKA "PLD" said...

what a clever idea!

those wouuld make cute xmas presents, great idea!!


have you and your hsuband seen fireproof? i saw it last night, you will love this movie!

Cris said...

I just realized that I missed a single word when I responded. It's my mom who bought the house with the pear tree. OOpps. LOL :P

i_am_4given said...

LOVE THE COASTERS!!!

But I know if I made them, they would look nothing like yours...LOL...you are very talented and crafty, unlike me...LOL

Sweetie, I am sorry about what is happening now in your life, but it is good that you are looking up instead of down!!

Blessings,
Ronnie

Susannah said...

Nice blog...just found it,
Susannah x

Shana said...

Sorry to hear about your hubby. I truly hope that the economy is able to turn itself around. I complain about my fulltime job - a lot - but after the past few weeks I think I need to be thankful that I have one. Will keep you in my thoughts ...