Chance of pace...Angel Baby Gowns

Ever since we lost our precious granddaughter

 Eden Rain

back in May to stillbirth I have wanted to do something to help others that also walk this 
heartbreaking road. I knew nothing would happen unless I made a move, so after a couple months ,
 I reached out to the organization called

Sufficient Grace 

that helped our family when we needed it most. They have volunteer sewers that sew angel
baby gowns from donated wedding dresses for precious babies that don't make it into this world.

The bible says,

"ASK and you shall receive"...
and it worked! lol

 I received my first wedding dress in the mail a few weeks ago and I have been sewing ever since.

{sorry these aren't the greatest pictures, but they were taken in a room with bad lighting
and with my phone}

They sent a pattern that comes in three sizes and is open in the back with ribbon ties.

With every stitch I thought about our precious Eden and all the other babies that pass away 
and it was an honor to sew these gowns for their precious little bodies.

I was able to get 

TEN 

little dresses out of the wedding dress that was donated and I was 
thrilled!! 

 We love and miss our granddaughter so very much and I vow not to let her be forgotten.

My deepest prayer is that these dresses would never have to be used, but sadly...

 I know they will.

I pray it brings a bit of comfort to the families who receive these precious
gowns to put on their sweet babies. 

This dress on the left I made a boo boo on. The center front is to be laid on a fold and I wasn't paying
attention and cut it right down the middle! WHOOPS!  I did not want to waste this little dress so
I made a placket down the front joining the pieces together. Where there is a will there is a way!


Please stop a minute and pray for all families of babies lost...it is a horrible tragedy to any
family no matter the circumstances. It has really opened my eyes to how many babies are lost
each day, month, year and we have no clue WHY! There have been several losses in our  local area
recently and something needs to be done!

Blessings~

Chance of pace...Angel Baby Gowns

Ever since we lost our precious granddaughter

 Eden Rain

back in May to stillbirth I have wanted to do something to help others that also walk this 
heartbreaking road. I knew nothing would happen unless I made a move, so after a couple months ,
 I reached out to the organization called

Sufficient Grace 

that helped our family when we needed it most. They have volunteer sewers that sew angel
baby gowns from donated wedding dresses for precious babies that don't make it into this world.

The bible says,

"ASK and you shall receive"...
and it worked! lol

 I received my first wedding dress in the mail a few weeks ago and I have been sewing ever since.

{sorry these aren't the greatest pictures, but they were taken in a room with bad lighting
and with my phone}

They sent a pattern that comes in three sizes and is open in the back with ribbon ties.

With every stitch I thought about our precious Eden and all the other babies that pass away 
and it was an honor to sew these gowns for their precious little bodies.

I was able to get TEN little dresses out of the wedding dress that was donated and I was 
thrilled!! 

. We love and miss her so very much and I vow not to let her be forgotten.

My deepest prayer is that these dresses would never have to be used, but sadly...

 I know they will.

I pray it brings a bit of comfort to the families who receive these precious
gowns. 

This dress on the left I made a boo boo on. The center front is to be laid on a fold and I wasn't paying
attention and cut it right down the middle! WHOOPS!  I did not want to waste this little dress so
I made a placket down the front joining the pieces together. Where there is a will there is a way!


Please stop a minute and pray for all families of babies lost...it is a horrible tragedy to any
family no matter the circumstances. It has really opened my eyes to how many babies are lost
each day, month, year and we have no clue WHY! There have been several losses in our  local area
recently and something needs to be done!

Blessings~

A Fall Farm Visit with Unique Pumpkins and Squash

It's been a very busy weekend for us and one of the things we did was to visit
Carpenter Farms
just outside of Adrian, Michigan. I can't believe we have lived 30-ish miles away from this
place for years and never knew about it. Well, we know now and I am thrilled!

They have amazing prices and a huge assortment of pumpkins and squash. You can shop
until you drop and then some. If you haven't started your fall decorating yet, this post
should surely get you in the mood. 

This is a real pumpkin that was grown by the inmates at the Gus Harrison
Correctional Facility Adrian, Michigan.

Can you say HUGE?

This grain bin is inside their huge pole barn that also houses another smaller grain bin
with a bit of corn in it for children to play in.

Look at all these

BABY BOOS!!!

25 cents each!!!

I was in heaven!

 Can you believe that ALL THE ABOVE pumpkins and gourds were only

25 cents each also?? 

They had very unique pumpkins and squashes and I loved reading each sign.

I am a specialty pumpkin/squash

JARRAHDALE.

I am a native of Australia. The golden-yellow flesh is medium sweet, string-less and is
very good quality for baking. I will make a great addition to your fall decorations.
The skin is quite hard, so use caution when cutting this one open. If stored in a cool, dry
place it will keep for up to three months. I am a cross between a Blue Hubbard and a
Cinderella. 

PORCELAIN DOLL:

I am a specialty Pumpkin/squash

Porcelain Doll is an exotic pink pumpkin. The pink pumpkin is very eye catching for all holiday
decoration. Porcelain Doll exhibits deep ribbing with an almost square appearance and exotic
pink exterior. Porcelain Doll's deep-orange, sweet flesh can be used for pies, soup and
culinary delights.

YUGOSLAVIAN FINGERS

I can be eaten as a summer squash when young, or when I'm mature I make an
interesting conversation piece on your fall display.

 My name is

TURKS TURBAN

I am a winter squash.
An old time favorite for traditional fall decorating. The red color will deepen as the fall
progresses. It can be eaten and is terrific stuffed with meat loaf. Sadly, today it's cooking
qualities are overlooked and it is most often used as a decorative gourd.

My name is

LONG ISLAND CHEESE

I am a specialty pumpkin squash.

This heirloom variety is widely remembered as a great pie squash by the people in
the New York and New Jersey area. It was prominently used throughout the 1800's.
It's coloring and flattened shape suggests a wheel of cheese thus the name.

My name is

FLAT WHITE BOER

I am a pumpkin. Perfect for pies etc.

Large Speckled Apple...a gourd.

Speckled Swan...a gourd.

LUNCH LADY

I am a gourd. It is not edible , but makes a great decoration.

BLUE HUBBARD

I am a winter squash.

This squash is known by its huge size, funky shape, blue-gray color, and very
hard skin that makes it especially long lasting in winter storage.  The meat inside
is orange, sweet, flavorful, and fine grained. Great for baking, pies and soups.

PINK BANANA

A winter squash

I have a sweet, yellow-orange flesh that is excellent for pies, baking, canning
and homemade baby food. I can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.

My name is

GALEUX D'EYSINES ...pronounced Gal-OH deh-ZINE

I am a winter squash.

An elegant French heirloom with an appropriately elegant sounding name.
Magnifique! This stunning squash has beautiful salmon-peach colored skin
covered with peanut shell-like warts caused by sugar in the skin. Traditionally used in
France for soups and sauces, when cooked, the sweet, orange flesh is as smooth as velvet.
Each flattened squash weighs 10-15 lbs. and can store for up to 6 months. Definitely a show
stopper in the garden or on the table.

SQUASH NECK PUMPKIN

relative to the butternut squash

Did you learn anything? I sure did! I never know for sure what were pumpkins and what were
squash and I didn't know so many of them could be eaten.

Have you started decorating yet? I have. I think I am almost done. Maybe I can get some
pics posted soon.

HAPPY FALL to everyone!!

Cupcake Wars!

Hubby turned 60 years old on July 31 and our family was able to get together to celebrate
and have a fun time. We sure needed some joy in our lives because truthfully it just hasn't
been joyful since we lost precious baby Eden and believe me she was in our thoughts
the whole weekend long!
It was supposed to be a camping weekend in our yard, but the weather did not cooperate...
so we had some in the camper, some in the house and one family went to a motel!

**********************************************************

The kids have been talking about having
 CUPCAKE WARS 
for awhile and this was the perfect time.

Have you seen that show on TV? Ours was a tad different because there is no way
each family was making 1,000 cupcakes. ha!
Hubby and I were dubbed the judges! NOT fair! HA!
It was really okay and we had fun doing it.

We were blown away by our kids creativity!
I thought they would use sprinkles etc, but they took this contest very seriously.

Each contestant was judged on Presentation, Menu Design and Taste.

Thought for sure these would win just for presentation alone.

Can you believe it?

Campfire cupcakes 

They sure put a lot of thought and time in these.

Alas, they tied for 2nd place.
I think if they would have amped up that menu design they would
have given the winner a run for 1st place!

This is our daughter and her family.
Allysha, Daniel, Matt, Jon, Joshua and Amanda

Next , we had a S'mores theme complete with Minions!!

NEAT menu design!

To be fair, I really blew it because I didn't even realize there were Minions
roasting their marshmallows until the judging was all over!!

 I think I was too enthralled by everyone's creativity.
I just kept saying I could NOT believe it. Oops. Sorry guys!

Colette made the minions and they were amazing. I wish I had a shot of them from the front
because they looked exactly like them!

 Look at them roasting their marshmallows over the campfire.
TOO cute!!

Alas, they tied for 2nd place also.

Colette, Ainsley, Annika and  our son Nathan

Our oldest son and his family chose a golf theme.

What a creative menu!

 His wife came up with that and I thought she did great!

 The weather wasn't kind to the frosting on the cupcakes.

Hot and humid, but they preserved. 

The grand prize winners by three points!

Melissa, Korrah, our son Jason, Keira and Kanaan

We really had a great time and I think it should be an annual tradition.
I told them this was a "trial run" for the next one. lol.

The kids had a lot of play time together and
some of them also had fun with fake mustaches.

The

"icing on the cake"
for hubby and I was that on Sunday morning our whole family went to church with us.

That was definitely a RARE TREAT!

This pic would have been up farther, but I forgot. OOPS.

 Little sweetie Korrah was enthralled with my fountain and loved adding stones
 to it and playing in the water.

I have many more photos, but I already had to redo this whole thing once
pictures and all so I gave up. I am tired.

We are so very thankful for our family and we feel so very blessed.
It isn't about how much money is in your bank account
{God knows we would be in trouble there}
or how famous you are, but it is all about God and family.

WE ARE BLESSED...in spite of the pain of losing Eden...

and oh how we do miss her...terribly!!

Someday we will know why, but for now we must trust
in our Heavenly Father and His love for us!

Please continue to keep us all in your prayers.

Blessings~